Mar 04 2010

A look at Pas de Deux by Fiona Jayde

Published by Selena under Fiona Jayde, Guest Blogging

Blurb:

One wrong move, and she could be dancing on her grave…

Two years after an injury put her dancing career on hold, Lynnrina Kovaleva is determined to reclaim her place on the stage. On the eve of her comeback production, she takes the edge off her nerves with a one-night stand in the strong arms of celebrity bodyguard Mateo Rivera.

Ex-cop Mateo is celebrating one hell of an anniversary: eight months since he was declared unfit for duty. When a delicate beauty boldly propositions him in a bar, he chooses to lose himself in her body rather than lose his mind to alcohol. This choice comes back to haunt him when he’s hired to protect a prima ballerina who’s been receiving threats.

Despite her shock at seeing him again, Lynn must not allow their intense attraction—or any creepy fan letters—to undermine her performance. Mateo can’t reconcile this coldly focused dancer with the passionate woman who seduced him. Yet he sees fire under the ice, pain hidden by the smooth mask of perfection.

The vivid memory of their entwined bodies wars with the job at hand, but he must keep Lynn safe—regardless of the cost. The most difficult challenge, however, will be keeping his hands to himself.

Warning: Contains jetés, pliés, a chilling touch of danger, and the boiling heat of an unwanted attraction that combusts into passionate sex.

Buy Link:
http://new.mybookstoreandmore.com/shop/product.da/pas-de-deux

Excerpt (Steamy)

She couldn’t handle another day of nerves, of pent-up lust ruining her focus. “You shouldn’t stay at the studio today.” Somehow a letter from some lunatic made her less nervous than those hard dark eyes.

His eyebrows rose. “We back to the same game?”

“No games.” She forced herself to put down her glass calmly before she slammed it on the counter. The same counter where he’d fucked her from behind, where she’d begged him to go harder. “I need to focus on the piece and I can’t do that with you watching.” The words kept pouring out even while she tried to get herself to just shut up. “You’re hot then you’re cold, and I can’t catch my balance. Either it’s personal or business, and you—”

“Last night was personal.”

“Don’t freaking interrupt.” Except she didn’t know what else to say now.

“You’re done talking?”

“No.” It came out breathy when she wanted to tell him to go to hell. Except his eyes held her a willing captive.

“You should know I barely slept last night.”

She nodded, suddenly nervous.

“You should know I’m not thinking clearly.”

Another nod, because she didn’t have anything to say.

“You should tell me to go.”

“Then go.” She thought she whispered those two words except his mouth was on hers, firm, wild, desperate.

No control this time, no seduction. He kissed her as if he were starved, as if her mouth was salvation.

Book Trailer Code:

Book Trailer Link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDEfMqTwvLw&feature=player_embedded

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Mar 02 2010

Why I Wrote Vampire Babylon by Chris Marie Green

I wrote my Vampire Babylon series for a few reasons. I wanted to:

  1. flesh out a hunter who was kick-ass yet vulnerable.
  2. have fun with a group of characters (and I do mean the quirky kind) who would serve as a hunting team.
  3. do a bloody, gritty, neon-on-the-dark-rainy-streets infused mystery.
  4. create some vamps of a different stripe.

So I started playing around with an idea that fused many of these elements. Since I’m pretty much a storage unit for pop cultural tidbits, I took all of the above, mixed it with a “Charlie’s Angels” type boss (who’s also a bit of the Phantom of the Opera), resurrected one of the most well-known urban legends of the silver screen (the ghost boy from THREE MEN AND A BABY), and gave it a spin.

Poof—my first Vampire Babylon trilogy was born, stretching awake through (and under) the gothic, noir streets of Los Angeles.

But here was the thing—this story about an erotically charged Hollywood Underground was so big that I knew I wouldn’t be able to tell it all in just one book. So I looked at HARRY POTTER and how J.K. Rowling used a mythology that spanned seven books—stories in which the big bad villain wasn’t put to rest until the very last installment. I looked at the fascination with LOST. And I decided that my story would be best served by using a longer trilogy arc.

It was chancy. Although there’s a central mystery that’s solved by the end of each book, there were mystery, mythology, and character threads that wouldn’t be tied up until the third book. But in NIGHT RISING, MIDNIGHT REIGN, and BREAK OF DAWN, I feel like things did come to a satisfying close…

Until Ace asked me to write another three books.

And I was ready, because I had a yen to explore one of the most haunted cities in the world—London. Also, I had an idea for some vampires who had a lot in common with certain fairy tales. Basically, this second trilogy features what I consider to be the scariest vampires of all—young girls who are lured by an older man making promises to them. Promises he, of course, has no intention of keeping. And, let’s be honest—you never want to tick off a teenaged girl. (I would’ve been the biggest nightmare vampire of all, way back when!)

The first two books, A DROP OF RED (book 4) and THE PATH OF RAZORS (book 5), show you a different underground than the Hollywood one, and the trilogy will be closing out with the third installment, DEEP IN THE WOODS (book 6), on March 2, 2010. I had such fun doing this trilogy—I got to travel to London, where I blocked out scenes in Highgate Cemetery and Southwark. And when you get to research something as interesting as the effect fairy tales have had on society? Icing on the cake.
If you’ve read the previous five books, thank you from the bottom of my arguably dark heart. : ) If you’d like to start, the books are out there just waiting for you to snag them…much like the things that exist under the ground, watching, waiting…wanting.

I’ll be giving away a signed copy of THE PATH OF RAZORS, Vampire Babylon, Book Five, to someone who comments on this blog. Check back tomorrow for the winner!
Enjoy!

Happy Hunting,

Chris Marie Green

www.vampirebabylon.com

15 responses so far

Mar 01 2010

Updates and Stuff

Published by Selena under Cover Candy, Update

Hi Everyone!

Currently I’m battling the tail end of a cold that’s kicked my butt for the last week. I hate feeling tired. Ugh. Anyway. I’m currently working on Last Call Europe: Dog Sled. I’m up to 20k with it and hopefully will have it done by the end of the week. It has a release date of April 30th. *Grin*

I just started edits for Bedtime Stories: Inspiration which is due out April 2nd. So you have two dates for April.

This month I have Sex and Chocolate: Chocolate Bliss due out on the 15th the same day as the fabu authors: Mina Carter, Cat Marsters and Anne Kane have books out. So excited! (Pssst I just finished reading Cat’s Almost Human, LOVED it). We’re gonna have an all day party on the Changeling Reader loop so please stop by and party with us.

Speaking of Chocolate Bliss check out the cover candy Mareteeka Karland did:

Gorgeous yes? I’m so excited. Also, use coupon code: ChocoBliss for 5% off your purchase at ChangelingPress.com.

Here’s the blurb to the story:

All Connor wanted was for his significant other Roxi to relax. Opening her new café has been stressing her out. So to help her unwind he concocts his special Bliss Out Hot Chocolate. Only it doesn’t go quite as planned.

Roxi’s not relaxed at all. The seal containing her succubus nature is deteriorating and the hunger for sex is wearing down her self-control. Connor calls on his best friend, an incubus, for help.

I should also mention that out this week is the Aftershock Antho which features Carlanime Bligh, Michelle Hasker, Me, B.J. McCall, Cynthia Sax and Kira Stone.

Enter The Layer — Nisha is gifted with special powers of love and intimacy, and decides it’s time to take her new powers for a test drive.

Catching Adan — Rayna wants more from Adan than their current friends-with-benefits relationship. But Adan’s got a secret –- he’s a werewolf. Is it worth risking what they’ve got for a chance at so much more?

Special Training — Some spanking and a bit of sex is what Michelle needs to get her magikal focus back, and off of her sexy vampire mentor.

Flying Into Paradise — A blue-eyed captain brings an island myth to life.

Sweet Haunting — While waiting for the next aftershock from a recent earthquake, Bayley’s prayers are answered in a most unexpected way.

Deep Feelings — A shipwrecked vampire and a Caribbean water god — Is this a match made in Heaven or will each swim with the fishes alone?

My story is Special Training. These are all flash stories about 3k+ in length.

Find out more by clicking  here.

Also, before I forget, the fantastic Chris Marie Green has a new release coming out tomorrow. *Squeeee* Deep in the Woods. I’m soooo excited. I’ll try to get a bit more about the book from Chris. I sooo can’t wait to read this book. As soon as I get it I’ll probably go off and read it. Shhh, don’t tell my Critique/Word War buddies. Especially Michelle Hasker, she might get out the flogger. *whimper*

Um, let’s see what else. Oh Appearances!

March 5th- Coffee Time Romances Reader Retreat- Loose-Id (Loose-Id is there all month, stop by and check out the awesome authors and excerpts. Here’s the list of authors:

Ali Katz

Belinda McBride

Eileen Ann Brennan

Eliza Gayle

G.G. Royale

Gemini Judson

Lissa Matthews

Mechele Armstrong

Michelle Hasker

Nica Berry

Qwillia Rain

Rosalie Stanton

S. W. Vaughn

Selena Illyria

Suzanne Rock

Treva Harte

Won’t you join us?

http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/board/forumdisplay.php?f=1211

Loose Id’s Readers’ Retreat at Coffee Time Romance Starts Monday!
Some exciting events and activities have been planned! Here is just a sampling:
Lissa Matthews and Suzanne Rock will be interviewing each other on 1 March and 18 March.
On 7 March, Ali Katz will give away a copy of her book, The Highwayman. Also, anyone who visits her guestbook and signs on that day will be entered into Passion in Spades Monthly Drawing for March. She will also announce a monthly drawing on 9 March, so look for that.
On 8 March, G.G. Royale will post the humorous article “Everything I Needed to Know about Treating Other People I Learned on a Kittenplay Forum.”
S.W. Vaughn will give a title away on 10 March. The reader will get to chose from three different titles.
Look for exciting theme days, when many authors may be poking their heads in to share and chat. Saturday, 6 March covers contemporary erotic romance, mystery, and suspense. On 7 March, we’ll have historical, westerns, and action/ adventure. For those of you that like to let your mind explore far-off worlds, come to the forum on 13 March for science fiction, fantasy, and time travel. If you’re not tied up on 14 March, stop in for BDSM and all the deliciousness that comes with that. 20 March is our last day in the forum, and that will be given over to the darker side, to the vampires, shape-shifters, and paranormal stories.
So mark your calendars and your browser’s bookmarks and make sure to join us throughout the month of March.


March 18th

LRC Yahoo Loop from 6pm-8PM EST

March- 19th

TRS Chat Room9:00-10:30pm EST

Okay. I think that’s it. Any more info and I’ll let you know. :-)

Se

2 responses so far

Feb 25 2010

Questions for Readers/Authors

Published by Selena under Blogging, Contest, Q&A, Update

I’m working on my next Last Call Europe book Dog Sled at the moment, after that it’s back to the Hades Helmet world and beyond that Tartan and *holds head* soooo many project. I still have to write the next Pixie book (there’s like 5 books in the series) anyway but something tugged at my mind now that the LRC Awards are over. Promo and the impact on authors in contests and sales.

I have questions for you wonderful, lovely, patient readers. Answer a few questions and you could win a mini cooler bag of goodies and books that I got at the Authors After Dark Con and chocolate!

So here goes:

1) How much promo is too much? Example: Seeing an author’s name and promo for the same book every day on every loop you belong to -vs- Seeing an author’s name once and promo for certain time period.

2) How do you hear about info about your fav author(s)? Website? Newsletter? Publisher site? Yahoo group? Facebook? My Space? Ning? Twitter?

3) How do you connect with your fav author(s)? On a blog? Website? Yahoo/Google Groupe? Facebook? My Space? Twitter?

4) Do you vote when your author is up for an award or best book? (If voting is allowed)

5) Do reviews sway whether or not you’ll buy a book?

6) If an author wins an award, does that make you want to check them out if you haven’t already done so?

7) Do you read reviews? What if the review was from a big name author?

8 ) Does a publisher’s reputation make you want to buy books from them?

9) How much does cover art play into you checking out a new author? How much does bad cover art pique your curiosity about a book? Does bad cover art cause you to turn away from the book? Do you prefer photo cover art or digital (Daz, Poser, etc.)?

10) Coupons: Do you love them? Use them or would you prefer a discount in the first week of sales?

11) Do you check out publisher days on Yahoo Loops? Do you attended publisher chats?

12) Do you wait to buy a book when it’s on sale?

13) Do you enter contests hoping to win books? Do you read the books you win?

14) Authors: Promo companies love em or hate em or are indifferent?

15) Do you enjoy “cyber signings”? Public “live” signings?

16) Do you follow, or paticipate in/with, blog tours?

3 responses so far

Feb 25 2010

Cat Marsters Interviews Kett

Q. Today we’re going to be interviewing Lady Kett Almet, heroine of Mad, Bad & Dangerous. Hello, your ladyship.

A. Don’t call me Ladyship, you fucking moron.

Q. Er, okay. What would you prefer?

A. Kett. My name is Kett. Kett Almet.

Q. But isn’t your father Tyrnan of Emreland, the Earl of Nirya?

A. So they tell me. Look, he only got that title ‘cos he married a princess, and that happened when I was a teenager. So I don’t get a title.

Q. But your half-siblings do?

A. (Frosty look.)

Q. Okay then. Can you tell me a little about what you do for a living, your la…er, Kett?

A. I train dragons.

Q. To do what?

A. To not blow my head off, that’s what. To not eat me. To fly where I want them to.

Q. So you ride dragons?

A. (Barely patient look.) No, no one rides dragons. They fly at several hundred miles an hour. You have to be protected in a carefully constructed toughened leather cabin. Piloting them is very dangerous, difficult, and not a job for the faint-hearted. Or the sane.

Q. Which I guess describes you. Where do you live?

A. In a stone cabin in the mountains of the Northern Province.

Q. Cosy. Do you live there alone?

A. No, I live with Jarven. Before you ask, no, he’s not my boyfriend. He’s more of a…mentor. Big brother. Something like that.

Q. Do you have a boyfriend?

A. (Sighs.) No. I have a Bael.

Q. Er, what’s a Bael?

A. It’s a highly immature, feckless playboy Nasc who follows me around trying to convince me I’m his mate. Which I so am not. If I was going to be mated to anyone, which I’m not, then he wouldn’t be insane and sex-obsessed.

Q. Sex-obsessed?

A. (Pause) I guess that’s not his worst quality.

Q. Okay. Let’s stick to some standard questions.

Where were you 3 hours ago?

A. Hanging naked from the roof of a cave, my wrist bound to that of a totally naked man. Who’s actually pretty hot. Even if he is a feckless playboy.

Q. Have you ever eaten a crayon?

A. Quite probably. When I was first human (LONG story), I didn’t know what was food and what wasn’t. I’m pretty sure I once ate a roll of bandages.

Q. Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you?

A. Yes. The intimate organs of the man I’ve just woken up with.

Q. Are you wearing socks right now?

A. I’m not wearing anything right now.

Q. What’s the strangest talent you have?

A. I can take on any shape. Beat that.

Q. Are you hot?

A. No, actually, I’m bloody freezing.

Q. What was the last thing you had to drink?

A. I remember drinking beer at the Maharaja’s palace. Possibly, since then, I’ve drunk something with hallucinogens in it.

Q. When is the last time you ran?

A. About three hours ago, shortly after waking up in the cave.

Q. What’s the last sporting event you watched?

A. Does watching trainee knights run away from dragons count?

Q. What is your favorite animal?

A. Well, my sisters have a series of housepets they seem to fiind it amusing to name after me, but really I prefer dragons. We get on fairly well, even if they do try to turn me into a bonfire fairly often.

Q. Last person’s house you were in?

A. The Maharaja of Pradesh. He hired me to perform tricks for his daughter’s wedding. I personally think watching someone change her shape for twenty minutes is boring, but hey, he was paying me.

Q. Worst injury you’ve ever had?

A. Probably when the saber-toothed tiger ripped out my hamstring. Or possibly when I was shot–it didn’t hurt so much, but it did kill me. It’s s toss-up.

Q. Have you been in love?

A. No. Married, yes; love, no.

Q. What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex?

A. I’m a shapeshifter. I can make any shape I want. Think about that.

Q. What are your plans for tonight?

A. I’m planning on finding some clothes, some food, the name of the guy next to me, and where the hell I am.

Q. Next trip you are going to take?

A. Home. I am damn well going home.

Q. Were you an honor roll student in school?

A. I was voted most likely to go to jail, go insane, or get killed. So far, I’ve fulfilled at least two of them, and I’m not at all sure about the third.

Q. What do you want to know about the future?

A. Whether it includes clothes. I’m bloody freezing.

Q. Are you wearing any perfume or cologne?

A. I’m wearing mud, sweat, and blood.

Q. Where is your best friend?

A. Jarven probably qualifies. I’ve known him since I was eight. I’d imagine he’s at home, probably throwing charcoal to the dragons. Lucky bastard.

Q. What are you listening to right now?

A. The forest, and the footsteps of something I’m reasonably sure wants to kill me.

Q. Do you collect anything?

A. Scars. Enemies. Prison records.

Q. Who is the biggest gossiper you know?

A. My stepmother. She’s sweet, but my gods she’s nosy.

Q. Last time you got stopped by a cop or pulled over?

A. About a week ago. Apparently public nudity is a crime these days.

Q. Last time you took a shower?

A. Sometime before I was abducted and strung up by my wrist, etc etc.

Q. What is your heritage?

A. My father is the son of an Anglish earl. He owns the whole of Emreland. My mother was a circus shapeshifter who died when I was young. Nobody knows anything more about her. I was raised in an orphanage. My father’s best friend turned out to be his sister; her lover Striker is a schoolmate who was isolated for a dozen years and went batshit crazy with power. The bastard is a great drinking partner, though.

Q. Are you rich?

A. There’s a fair amount in the bank, but I’ve got little use for it.

Q. What were you doing at 12AM last night?

A. Getting my wrist cut open in a ritual. Apparently.

Q. Is there one thing all of your love interests have had in common?

A. They’re all very bad for me.

Q. What was your childhood nickname?

A. I had about a hundred. ‘Mad Kett’ was about the nicest.

Q. How many drinks does it take before you get drunk?

A. Many. Many, many, many. Striker has this stuff that can make you comatose from one sip (he drinks it by the bottle; I’ve managed a whole shot before passing out). I suspect I may have drunk a bottle last night.


Mad, Bad and Dangerous by Cat Marsters OUT NOW at Ellora’s Cave!

http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-8185-50-mad-bad-dangerous.aspx

3 responses so far

Feb 25 2010

Loves Immortal Pantheon Vol 3: Orion’s Star Out Now!

Blurb:
Once every ten years Orion is let down from the heavens to explore the mortal world below. On his last sojourn he encountered a woman unlike any he has ever known. Despite their passion and growing emotional connection he had to let her go. Now the time has come for another trip to the mortal plane and this time he wants to be with his woman, the gods be damned.

The question is after ten years and an abrupt good-bye will she still want him?

Buy Link:
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-orionsstar-410166-140.html

Excerpt:
“Oh, powerful and almighty, Zeus, I beg a word please.” Artemis fought not to roll her eyes as another giggle erupted from the blonde on her father’s lap. A groan followed the laughter and Artemis had to keep from shouting at her father to stop playing with his current flavors of the week and listen to her but she was not a child and she did have manners. Sometimes. Artemis resisted the urge to grit her teeth as the fondling continued this time with his hand caressing the groin of one of his new male servants.
“That’s it,” Artemis muttered before she strode forward, yanked the blonde off of his lap and pushed the man away. “Both of you, out of the room now,” she growled.
She released the wrist of the woman and watched them scurry out of the room.
“Artie, that wasn’t very nice,” Zeus pouted. He picked up a goblet only to scowl. “I need more ambrosia. Where is that…oh, yes, you sent him away.”
The god glared at her and she glared right back. She didn’t request that he stop calling her that. Instead she let it pass. For now. “Father, I must insist that if you care at all for Hera’s, feelings you won’t do this.”
She waved her hand in the air trying to find the words.
“Do what? Enjoy myself?” He got up, leaned over the table and poured himself more ambrosia. Zeus sat back down and looked up at her. His bright blue eyes sparkled with untold mischief. Artemis shook her head. He will never learn. She sighed aloud.
“I didn’t come here to fight. I actually came here to ask a favor. I just don’t think you’d understand.”
Artemis turned to walk away when Zeus called out stopping her. “Don’t go Artie, come, come sit down next to me, tell me what is you think I won’t understand.”
She sighed and made her way around the table. The only seat next to him was one on a low stool. With great reluctance she sank down to find the seat hard and uncomfortable.
“Talk to me.” Zeus made a rolling motion with his hand as he took a sip from his goblet.
“Um, well, as you know father, I have a great fondness for Orion.”
“Yes, I know. What do you want me to do with him?” He peered at her with intense interest which caused her to squirm a bit.
“I would like to reward him with a second chance at life. I want you to send him back down to Earth.” She watched many emotions flit across his face before his features became serious.
“I can’t do that.” Zeus returned his focus to the banquet laid out on the table before him and began gathering food for his plate.
“What do you mean, can’t?” Artemis demanded.
“He’s a part of the sky, Artie. I can’t just pluck him down from the heavens and make him human again. People would notice. He’s a constellation now. Besides that he has two week vacation coming up. He gets those every ten years. Why can’t he just keep doing those?”
“I don’t think that’s enough for him. It’s torture for him to get a taste of a life he can’t truly have. You pluck people off the runways of Milan and street corners of New York. Olympus is now filled with mortals you’ve fancied and yet you can’t give one man another chance at life? You could always give him a new body, just take down his consciousness and put it in the new form,” Artemis pointed out.
“Well, Pygmalion, has just made up some new clay that he’s been dying to try out.” Zeus stroked his beard. “How about this, he takes his two week vacation and if he chooses to stay, he can.”
Artemis stood up. “Thank you father. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll send your, erm, company back to you.”

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-orionsstar-410166-140.html

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Feb 15 2010

A Toast to my GUITAR MAN by Marie Treanor

Published by Selena under Guest Author Days, Marie Treanor

A Toast to my GUITAR MAN

When Selena kindly invited me to her blog to talk about my latest release, Guitar Man, I began to look for ways to connect it to Valentine’s Day – something more than the obvious fact that it’s a romance! And I thought that, aside from his inconvenient possession by an evil spirit, my hero, Chris, would make a great Valentine’s Day partner – he’s fun, good-looking, sexy, would take you out for dinner, seduce you with romantic music and song…

I remembered my initial inspiration for Chris, a rather charming, blond, Irish busker I saw once in Italy, playing his guitar and singing outside a church. He had amazing blue eyes and a dazzling smile which he bestowed on all who caught his roving attention – including me. My story formed itself around him – or at least my idea of him which was pure imagination for I never even spoke to him!

I do know other musicians, though. In fact, I’ve lived with one for nearly twenty years, and inevitably bits of him crept into Chris too. I even dedicated the story to him – “my own Guitar Man” – who, apart from everything else, is the reason I can and do write. So here’s my day after Valentine’s Day toast.

To my real Guitar Man, a true, free spirit – musician, poet, photographer, computer geek, bon viveur and player of games – my friend and companion, the father of my children and the love of my life. My husband.
How’s that for romantic?

And here’s a little more romance, from Guitar Man, the book :-)

GUITAR MAN

By MARIE TREANOR

Available Now from Ellora’s Cave
http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-8119-50-guitar-man.aspx
Book two in the Psychic Seductions series.

Ellie’s a powerful psychic who can’t seem to hold onto her man. When she’s dumped at the altar—again—she swears off men and takes her wounded heart to Scotland, where she promptly runs into the best-ever one-night stand from her past, sexy, adventurous busker Chris.

Chris is as hot—and as good in bed—as he was when they first met. But something’s different now, something that changes him into a terrifying threat all her psychic abilities can’t overcome. Now it’s up to Ellie—free Chris from the evil possessing him, and claim him as her own.

***

Adjusting to the dark, I was sure I could make out relief in his eyes. Certainly, they began to smile again, along with his lips. “In that case, do you want to go out?”
I frowned. “Go out where?”
“You can choose,” he said dryly and I understood. Although the blood rushed through my body and into my neck and face, somewhere, I wanted to laugh.

“You mean like a date?”
“Dating, stepping out, courting, whatever…wynching, they say in Glasgow.”

“Wynching?” I repeated with a mixture of fascination and distaste.

“Don’t dodge the question.”
“I’m not,” I protested, not quite truthfully, for I had no idea what to answer, what I wanted to answer. “I’m just struggling to believe you are asking me out on a date. Considering our past…” No point in ignoring it. We’d had one wild, naughty time, no doubt far wilder and naughtier than if we had ever planned to see each other again.

“Well considering our past, it seems an even better idea.” His hand came up, touched my hair, my cheek, so lightly that I shivered. “Ellie, you were the best fuck I ever had, but I never knew you. I’d like to.”

Gasping, I caught at his hand, pressing it to my cheek without meaning to. “Was I really?” I whispered.

Silent laughter shook his shoulders. “By a mile. Come on, let’s do it properly, drinks, theatre, dinner…I’ll call you.”

I said breathlessly, “All right.”

My whole body burned. I didn’t really know why. Lust, certainly, but something else I thought might be embarrassment.

Chris smiled. “Kiss me good night, then.”

I lifted my face mutely, lips already parted. Relief and anticipation flooded me as he took me loosely into his arms and bent his head. God, I remembered his kisses, I remembered them so well and this afternoon seemed to have rekindled my short but intense addiction to them. Oh yes, this afternoon had been sweet…
And the morning terrifying. For a moment I froze with the memory, with the vision of Chris as he had been then, violent, crude, uncaring. Here, in the dark, how could I tell the real Chris from whatever demon possessed him? What if we were wrong and it wasn’t tied to the house at all? Would I be lucky enough to escape it a second time?

His eyes seemed to glitter as they came nearer. In fresh panic, I realized I didn’t actually know Chris very much better than I knew “it”. And yet I wanted his kiss, I wanted it so badly I’d risk the demon.

My lips actually trembled and then his warm mouth covered them, brushing, stroking, sinking. That’s how I know. No one kisses like Chris.

I opened for him, touched my tongue to his, felt its long, sliding caress as it twisted around mine. My arms crept around his neck, drawing him closer, remembering the feel of him. It was a long, sweet kiss, full of promise and building passion. Against my stomach, I felt his delicious hardening. His mouth pressed harder too, grew more demanding. His tongue plunged deeper and I was lost. I would have lain in the back seat of the Mini with him. I would have got down and dirty in the gravel. God yes, there was something about Chris!

But just as I moaned and began to writhe against him, he broke the kiss. Though his breathing was uneven, his arms loosened again, holding me only lightly as he touched his forehead to mine.

“Oh Ellie,” he breathed. “It was worth waiting a year for a kiss like that.”
Enchanted, I gave him another, sliding my fingers up through his soft, short hair to pull him closer. His arms tightened around me once more, his hand swept down my back and over my bottom, caressing while drawing me against his crotch. He leaned back against the car door. The feel of his bone-hard cock pressing into me, drove me wilder and as if he sensed it, the hand on my buttock shifted down my thigh, lifting it up and over his hip and I could feel his cock nestling against my soaking pussy. I moaned as his roving hand found its way under my skirt and to my naked leg, caressing up my thigh and inside my panties.

Dragging his mouth free of mine, he groaned, “I have this insane urge to lay you over the bonnet and push my cock right in there…” I gasped as his finger slid through my folds and unerringly found its way inside me for the second time that day. “I don’t care if they’re watching from the window.”
I said shakily, “Then why don’t you?”

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Feb 14 2010

Lexxie and Vivian Take Over for Valentine’s Day

VIvian Arend wanted to be Asimov when she grew up. Lexxie Couper wanted to be Stephen King. Somewhere along the way, they both decided to be naughtier than their idols. Much, much naughtier. How naughty can two authors be?

The Story of Vivian and Claiming Derryn….

Space, the final frontier. Into this universe steps a slightly shell-shocked Canadian. What do you mean I have to write a story where no one shifts into some other form? Frick! Drawing on way too many years of Star Trek, (and BTW, I was the one who dreamed up a sexy Spock. He was my boyfriend, damnit all…) and reading Asimov and Clarke under the covers late into the night, a new menace has risen to threaten the galaxy.

Something is rotten in the Space Institute Corp. One of her undercover ships has mutinied. The SIC Nottingham is an unlikely place to find our sexy heroes, but they are there–two of them–waiting to recover their lost heroine so they can save the universe from rogue government, rebels with explosive plots and small furry creatures gone wild. No, they do NOT shift. Pay attention.

Three lovers reunited, a run on the energy market and an evil relative who will make you glad you don’t have to go home for holidays with him. Warning, m/m/f love that is hot enough to cause global warming on any planet.

How many layers of deception are there in space?

Viv:

I’m very excited to be able to have Claiming Derryn available to you. This is my first futuristic novella, my first m/m/f, and my first release from Ellora’s Cave. Claiming Derryn is about three friends–and lovers during their days at the Space Institute–who were suddenly separated. Now rejoined in the midst of a rebel uprising, the lines between the good guys and the bad are extremely blurred. Surviving the situation is the goal, even as they find love. Oh, and if you’ve ever seen Star Trek’s ‘The Trouble with Tribbles’ you’ll understand when I say the ’sharysa’ are my salute to Star Trek.

It’s a hot, wild ride through the galaxy. Be prepared for a passion that’s out of this world.

Snippet from Claiming Derryn:

They were pains in the ass. How had she put up with them for five years at the Institute? More importantly, how had she ever done without them? She had to guard her heart because there was no way she would to open herself up to the pain of being left alone, no matter what Trev said about loving her. They’d let her down once, they could do it again.

The best defense was offense.
“Take a walk outside, Davis, you’re so full of shit it stinks in here.”

Davis roared with laughter. He smirked at Trev, their elbows jostling together. “She’s obviously learned to relax her rigid sense of propriety a little.”
He really was impossible. “Go to hell.” She turned to look for a sign of which direction to go, anything to escape from here. From them.

Tsk, tsk, is that anyway to talk to your new commanding officer?”
Melina froze. No way. She sucked in a breath of air and tried to stop the world from spinning. “You?”
Davis nodded. “Me.”
“No fucking way…”
“What? So I’m a little colorful and inventive in my leadership style. I think after you settle in you’ll enjoy working under me.” His eyes flashed dark, his gaze dropping to her breasts. “You’ll enjoy being under me again.”
Melina turned her back on him. Her heart pounded, panic not far away. Adjusting from being alone to having both men reenter her life in less than a day—it wasn’t happening. They pushed buttons she didn’t want to deal with. Trev appeared by her side, sympathy on his face. She wanted to deny the connection between them, ignore the desires rising as each minute passed. Only a whisper made it out. “I need to get back to the War Eagle. I can’t serve with a man who I’ve…that we’ve…”
“Lived with? Had sex with? Oh yeah, we were amazing together, Melina, admit it.” Trev moved closer, his intentional laziness gone, a dangerous spark that trickled heat through her core warning of his intent.

“Trev!” Melina stepped away.
He gave no quarter, circling her slowly in the hallway. To her right, Davis approached like a prowling beast. Trev chuckled, a warm molten sound that hit her in the belly and spread melting fingers through her. “We’ll just have to work at keeping the bedroom and the bridge separated. I was a little surprised myself, but Davis is an excellent captain.”

“I give great oral…direction.” Davis’ husky tones set a shiver down her spine.
She shook her head rapidly in denial. “How can I take orders from a man I’ve seen naked?”
“Naked and aroused.” Trev reminded her, capturing her from behind. He brushed aside her hair and nuzzled her neck. Memories rose of them surrounding her, wrapping her in their fire and desire and passion. Holy hell, she wanted this and dreaded it at the same time.

“Naked, aroused and mighty fine, admit it.” Davis stroked a finger down the placket of her shirt, and heat shot through her core with a rocket’s blaze.
“It’s never happening again,” she swore, clutching her fingers at her sides to stop from reaching for him.

“Never is a long, long time.” Davis stepped forward and claimed her lips in a kiss that ignited her soul. He drew their bodies together, his spicy male scent enveloping her as his hardness took possession of her softness. He forced his tongue past her teeth, pressing rough and fast, twining with her, consuming her. He dragged his fingers through her hair and pinned her between him and Trev, two solid barriers of scorching heat. When he finally released her lips, Melina gasped for air, clutching his uniform for stability. It had always been like that with Davis, a no-holds-barred attack.
Then he reached past her to where Trev suckled on her earlobe, exploring the sensitive tissue of her neck. Grasping the front of his shirt, Davis hauled Trev forward until he hung over Melina’s shoulder. Their mouths met and tongues explored, a kiss as deep and hard as the one Davis had bestowed on her moments earlier. Her pussy clenched as a rush of fluid flooded her body.
“Fuck, that’s hot.” Her heart pounded at the sight of the men together and the heat of passion rising from them, their rigid cocks pressing her on either side. She wanted this—wanted it more than her next breath. Screw the consequences, the backlash from her family and friends. Like any of them cared anymore. Watching the two men she’d always loved kissing for the first time in forever finally set her world back on the right trajectory.
They pulled apart slowly, Davis nipping at Trev’s lip before backing away. He grumbled low in his chest, caressing his thumb over lips swollen from his assault. “I missed you.” His gaze darted to meet Melina’s. “I’ve missed you so much. No more of this stinking talk about never. I want you both back where you belong—at my side and in my bed—and I’m not taking no for an answer.”

The Tale of Lexxie and Timeless Wrath…

Once upon a time there was this little Aussie writer with a very twisted imagination. One night, in a fit of insane inspiration, she wrote a novella called Deadly Sins: Anger. The novella a very dark, twisted, erotic and at times frightening tale was snapped up and published by an American publishing house. It won numerous awards and went totally unread by most of the world. This devastated the little Aussie writer to no end. Deadly Sins: Anger was a good book – a bloody good book. She sulked for many years until one day, she decided the world NEEDED to read the erotic tale of fated love and demonic forces. Plucking up more courage than she thought she had, the little Aussie writer regained publishing rights to her dark, sensual tale, reworked it considerably (including more sex, of course) and sent it to her editor at Ellora’s Cave. Her editor snapped it up immediately, and Deadly Sins: Anger was reborn as Timeless Wrath, a highly erotic novella that comes with the following publisher’s warning: Sex and violence abound in this terrifically intense tale; big-girl pants definitely required.

Anger is a powerful emotion. So is desire. And fear….

Lexxie:

There must be something seriously wrong with me. I love writing stories that are dark and twisted, quite disturbing and full of wild dangerous sex. Enter Timeless Wrath. I wrote Timeless Wrath years ago and it was previously released as a novella called Deadly Sins: Anger. It won numerous awards (including the JERR Silver Star Award) but remained unknown to the reading public. However Evron and Ricki’s tale DEMANDED to be heard and, after quite a lot of rewrites, my most erotic book to date comes to you from Ellora’s Cave.

Timeless Wrath has just about everything you’d expect in a Lexxie Couper book – lots of explosive sex, tormented heroes, lots of wild sex, a villain that’ll scare the pants right off you, lots of passionate sex and a love story fated by the Highest of Powers (oh, and lots of sex. Did I mention that?)

I should warn you though. Timeless Wrath isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s violent, at times scary and has been known to cause nightmares…and wicked, wet dreams :-)

Snippet from Timeless Wrath:
The drive to Evron’s house was silent, unlawful and torturous. Neither he nor the stunning creature beside him spoke, perhaps still too rocked by the force of their meeting, perhaps too scared to break whatever mystical force had brought about its occurrence. The woman’s car—a bright red rental compact complete with yellow-and-black label still stuck to the dash—moved through the dark streets of Sydney at a speed way beyond the posted limit. If the cops nabbed them they’d both end up in jail. She for driving like a maniac, he for finger-fucking her as she drove.
His cock, longer and harder than it’d ever been, ached, scalding blood pumping through its length. If it weren’t for his jeans, it would be a pulsating poker pointing straight up. Christ, he was in agony.
And it felt wonderful.
He wiggled the three fingers of his right hand again, index seeking the sweetest spot within her sex. The woman’s sodden pussy contracted and a swift gasp slipped past her lips. Shifting back to fourth gear, she flung them around a corner into a dark, narrow alley and hit the brakes, screeching to a stop under a flickering street light.
She stared out the windscreen, hips rocking slowly back and forth. “I can’t wait.”
Her blunt proclamation sent a surge of heat straight to Evron’s cock and he moaned. “Neither can I.”
In the span of a heartbeat, her hands jerked at his belt and yanked down his fly. His straining cock sprung free, the cool breeze of the air-conditioner biting at its fevered flesh. Yet before he could shiver, full, soft lips wrapped around its throbbing length and ecstasy flooded through him.
“Oh, God Almighty.” The words were almost lost in his groan, a groan that grew raw when long, sure fingers slipped around his balls. Ramming his head back against the car’s headrest, Evron stared at the roof, blood roaring in his ears. The warm, wet cavity surrounding his cock slid up and down, teeth and tongue teasing the glans just below the head until he was on fire. “Goddamn it!” he rasped, teeth clenched. “If you don’t stop…”
Evron felt the woman smile.
And then her tongue curled around the base of his cock and licked at his balls.
It was too much. Utter bliss pervaded his body. Hot, squirming and alive. In spurts of jolting pleasure, he came. Eyes closed, heart pounding. “Holy fucking Christ!”
Still she didn’t stop. Her mouth worked at his pulsating shaft, sucking its length, teasing its head. He writhed in the seat, one hand fisted in her glorious, silken mane, the other thrusting harder against her wet, creamy sex. Slurping sounds filled the car’s cab, from her talented mouth and her sodden pussy.
Unbelievably, his spent cock began to stiffen. Barely minutes after erupting his balls were swollen, heavy and ready to burst again. God, how can she do this to me?
He didn’t know.
Fate.
The word whispered through his mind like pure light. Undeniable and serene. He pressed his palm to the exquisite curve of her spine. “Come up.” The words fell from his lips in a ragged breath. Hell, he didn’t believe it was possible to feel like this, as if he’d been turned into a being of concentrated pleasure. He wanted the woman responsible to experience that same rapture. “I want to…”
He didn’t need to finish. Blue eyes flashing, the woman lifted her head. For a brief moment her honey-blonde hair seemed to blaze with red fire, and then the illusion vanished. A small smile played at the corners of her mouth. “Do you have…?” She let the question dangle, the smile on her lips cheeky.
Without further provoking, knowing exactly what she was asking for, Evron dug his wallet from his back pocket and fumbled out a condom.
“Hmm, perfect.” She took the small foil square in one hand as she reached over his lap with the other, her hand slipping down beside his seat. “Let’s get more comfortable, shall we?” Her shoulder bunched and, with a sharp upward tug, she pulled on the release and dropped his seat flat.
Long legs straddled him before he had the chance to react, negotiating the handbrake and gear knob with ease. Gaze holding his, she brought the condom packet to her mouth and tore it open with her teeth, slipping the small circle of latex from its packaging. Wordlessly, she slid the slick sheath over his erection, his muscles coiling in anticipation as her fingers stroked his hard length. Despite being cramped in the confines of the car, she moved with a fluid grace that made his already straining cock twitch with eager interest and his breath grow more ragged. Goddamn, he was going to asphyxiate with raw lust and he didn’t even know who she was.
Doesn’t matter.
It did. A distant part of his brain—the rational part so often strangled by his rage—told him it did matter. He looked up at her, his pulse slamming against his neck, his hands automatically going to her hips.
Ask her name. Before she—
She positioned herself over his lap, stared him straight in the eye and impaled herself on his cock.

Both Claiming Derryn and Timeless Wrath are available now at Ellora’s Cave. Both contain more hot sex than you could imagine. Both will make hornier than you could believe. But be warned…

Claiming Derryn will have you gazing longingly and lustfully at the stars every night… and Timeless Wrath will have you checking your closet for monsters…and your bed for a hunky Aussie hero.

Enjoy.

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Feb 13 2010

28 Days of Heart: Marcia James

Marcia James Joins ARe’s American Heart Association Fundraiser
Thanks for hosting me on the blog tour for All Romance eBooks’ (ARe) “28 Days of Heart” campaign! I’m thrilled to be one of the authors who donated sexy, romantic stories for this American Heart Association fundraiser. Heart disease is the #1 killer of woman, and due to Valentine’s Day, February has long been associated with matters of the heart. So this month is the perfect time to treat yourself to ARe’s sensual stories that will warm your heart (and other body parts!), while raising vital funds.
Love Unleashed is my contribution to ARe’s 28 Days of Heart: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-loveunleashed-402754-149.html. A sexy contemporary, the story features an estranged couple who are reunited with the help of a stray dog. As with all of my “hot, humorous romances”, Love Unleashed’s canine character is a Chinese crested hairless dog.
Charlie, the “crestie” in Love Unleashed, is a homeless dog who’s fostered by the radio DJ hero as part of his plan to woo back his former lover, an animal shelter director. The little pooch wrangles his way into the hero’s heart while playing matchmaker to the couple. The idea behind Love Unleashed began when a friend complained that her boyfriend wasn’t wild enough in bed. (Her exact words were: “Gentle lovemaking is nice, but sometimes you just want to f*ck.”) When my story’s hero finally unleashes his inner sexy beast, the couple gets a second chance at their happily ever after – along with some seriously hot sex!
Here’s the blurb for Love Unleashed.
– Marcia James
www.MarciaJames.net

Love Unleashed blurb:
His best laid plans…
DJ “Rabid Ron” Hart has a grand scheme to win back the woman he loves. It involves an animal adoption fair, a goofy hairless dog named Charlie and an offer she can’t refuse.
Her hidden desires…
Cara Wilson has fantasies she’s never admitted, and her ex-boyfriend still features in her erotic dreams. If only he didn’t keep his bad-boy urges so tightly leashed.
Tonight they’ll learn that winning sometimes takes losing control.

One response so far

Feb 12 2010

28 Days of Heart: Sylvia Shults

Hi there! Sylvia Shults here, the author of A Slightly Different Perfect. I’ve been asked to write a bit of a blog here, and my lovely hostess has been kind enough to invite me to write on any topic I choose. When she threw that out there, of course I was delighted. Any topic, hmm? Oh, the possibilities! And of course that got me to daydreaming, and of course THAT led to my blog post, which I’ve entitled “What Superpower Would I Want?”

If I could have any superpower in the world, I’d choose time travel. I wouldn’t want to change anything, I’d just like to go hang out. And the first time I’d go to would be back to the late eighties. There was so much great music on the radio then. I wouldn’t have to bother with picking out CDs, I’d just turn on the radio. I’d go visit myself in college, I’d arrange to meet myself at one of the weekend frat parties, and I’d try to convince myself that drinking half a gallon of RC cola and sloe gin is NOT a good idea. “I know, honey, it’ll make for a GREAT story when you get older, but you are going to hate yourself in the morning. And you’ll never, ever be able to drink sloe gin again. Ever.” I would also try to talk myself out of sleeping with That One Guy, the one who took my virginity and turned out to be a complete douche. I don’t know if it would work, but I would try my best to convince myself to wait just a couple of short weeks for the next one. “Trust me on this one, Self! Please!” (Okay, I guess there are a few things I’d try to change.) And of course my time machine would have to be my car. That way I could fill up with cheapo gas before I left the eighties to come back home. Yep, that would pretty much be the perfect first trip back in time.

I’ve always been drawn to humorous romance, the goofier the story, the better. I figured this story would be perfect for a fundraiser celebrating the heart and all its quirks. What better way to nurture the heart than to write a story about the goddess of Love? A Slightly Different Perfect is the story of a mousy fifth grade teacher, Trisha Gillespie, who gets turned into the goddess of love Aphrodite. In her new incarnation, she learns a valuable lesson about the price and the rewards of true love.

I’d be very pleased if you’d visit me at my website, www.sylviashults.com, or become a fan of my Facebook page, which I’ve called Sparkleheart. I hope you enjoy A Slightly Different Perfect, and I do appreciate your support of the American Heart Association. See, my mom’s got heart disease – she had a heart attack a couple of years ago and had to have a stent put in – so this really is a cause that I support for personal reasons. Enjoy the story, support the AHA, and Goddess bless.

Blurb:
Even immortals need a vacation now and then…

When Trisha Gillespie, mousy fifth-grade teacher, is chosen to take Aphrodite’s place on Mount Olympus, she thinks she is up to the task. Who wouldn’t want to be the goddess of love, beauty, and physical perfection? But then she does the unthinkable and falls for a mortal. Will the new goddess accept her fate knowing she’ll have to leaving love behind?

ABOUT THE 28 DAYS NOVELLAS
All proceeds from the sale of these shorts, which will be offered exclusively on AllRomance.com and OmniLit.com as individual eBooks, will be donated to the American Heart Association.

Buy Link:
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-aslightlydifferentperfect-402493-143.html

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