Archive for the ‘Blogging’ Category

This is my Music Monday Pick:

This is one of my favorite songs by Gavin DeGraw. The first time I heard it, I just fell in love with it. I hope you like it.

Se

So I’ve been doing The Artist’s Way, I said in my last post. I discussed a bit about Morning Pages and Journaling. One of the things that I’ve found is that when I do My Morning Pages my mind clears and I’m less stressed about writing. Lately, I’ve been feeling very iffy about my writing. Not in the, I’m going to stop writing, but less confident about it. It’s something that writers do go through. But when you’ve been through burn out and re-approaching writing you feel that sense even more so because it goes beyond being rusty. It’s like re-starting something you’ve put down after a long time of neglect.

I’ve been taking it slow but that doesn’t seem to help. When I don’t write my stress level goes up, but when I do write I’m not confident about what I’m writing. Am I going deep enough into POV? Am I giving the reader enough to connect with the characters? Does this sentence/phrase make sense? Will a reader get what I’m trying to say. One of the things that I really didn’t need until now was a solid base. I needed people around me to be honest about my writing. I’ve been talking to Cynnara Tregarth a lot lately but when I re-connected with one of my besties Shara Cooper something clicked. I felt more confident and a peace. I had a good feedback loop to draw from that helped me weed out the crap or the confusion to get to clarity.

Combine that with My Morning Pages and I feel more stable. More confident. It will take some time to get equilibrium but I have a good base around me. As I’m progressing with The Artist’s Way I’m also finding that it will help me really define my characters. As suggested by Missy Welsh in her fantastic post (see previous post for the link), doing a character interview. This was also suggested in The Artist’s Way.

Also, since my stress level is lowering my blood pressure is better. I’m losing weight but I’ve still got a ways to go. It’s a bit of a pendulum. Going back and forth but I’m getting there.

I still have to tell you my news and I have a bit more but I can’t tell you just yet. I know, I know TEASE! But it’s good news. But I have to say a big THANK YOU to Etopia Press and to you my wonderful Readers. Thank you!

 

Se

So I’ve started The Artist’s Way series by Julia Cameron to help rebound from the burn out I suffered last year. One of the ways to help is to do three pages written in a journal long hand. I’m hoping to update you on my progress with it. Hopefully it will help me refocus.

On a side note, I highly recommend reading the wonderful Missy Welsh’s Blog Post at Babes in Boyland about Breaking Through Unmotivated.

I’ll also be updating you on the contracts I’ve signed with Etopia Press.

I will say that this blog post is a start. I hope it continues.

Until Next Time,

Se

I’m over at Marie Treanor’s blog today talking werewolves, Torger and Draven’s Crossing.

http://romanticthemeparty.blogspot.com/2011/10/welcome-selena-illyria.html

Comment and be entered to win a copy of the first in the DC series.

 

Se

 

 

 

 

 

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Okay, I was late with that. Sorry. It’s been a hectic couple of weeks and I’m still rushing to catch up. First things first, the website. I was switching over to a new server and things took longer that expected. Then the database with all my old posts and such wouldn’t take so I had to wait for a new update and try to plug that in and see if that would take. Lots of tech and swearing and almost tears later and here we are. The website is up and running but I now have to go in and redo posts. If you’ve read the fabulous Tara Lain’s post or the Wonderful posts from Lexxie Couper, Delilah Devlin or Jess Dee you’ll notice some ? where there should symbols. That is because I copied and pasted from word into here. So I have to go back and redo things. Pain the a** but what can I say, it’s got to be done. Also, some covers and pictures didn’t transfer over to the server which is no big deal because I can just ask for the photos again if need be. *Crosses fingers and hopes everyone has the pictures.* So for the next few days or weeks depending on how long it takes. I have to go through all the posts just make sure of things.

I just turned in edits for Dragon Kin: Binding Katrina and am working on a new story for the LIP antho.  As well as something for a charity antho. I have several stories on my plate, I’m just hoping to find the time and hoping my muse works with me. Writing has been slow. I’m putting together a playlist to see if that will help this time around rather than just one CD.

Next week will be Steampunk Week. I’m so excited and I’m also planning a big Blog Event. *Grin* I’m so excited.

I’m still speechless, I’ve been nominated for Best Paranormal Author 2010 and Best Series (Hades Helmet Series) 2010 by LRC. I’m just in awe. Thank you all! I’m just bowled over. That really made my day.

And more news: New Reviews for Tartan Mate:

Whipped Cream Reviews:
4 Cherries
“Tartan Mate appealed to me on many levels and I think it’s a great little story. For readers who like werewolf romances and are short on time, this book fits the bill and delivers a satisfactory validation of their happily ever after. ” -Xeranthemum
http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/2011/01/tartan-mate-by-selena-illyria.html?zx=285a1db7cbbf2e64

The Romance Studio:
4 Hearts:

“This book is a fun fast-paced read full of sexy werewolves and steaming hot sex scenes.” – Jacquelyn R. Ward

http://theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/tartanmateillyria.htm

New Song I’m obsessed with:

Imelda May- Inside Out:

Anything else? I’m sure I’ll remember more later and do the smack forehead thing. I’m just happy to have my site back.

Se

Book Title:? Damaged Cargo

Blurb:? When survival is of the utmost importance, it?s best to shoot first and ask questions later, especially if you won?t like the answers.

The 22^nd century is heinous.? Finding a comfortable life in the Levinese Galaxy grows increasingly difficult.

Emma Gardine, one of a handful of female pirate captains in this throwback Victorian society, begs, borrows, steals and cheats her way through the planetary system on the hunt of a profit.? An expert of guarding her heart and keeping people out, she never shows remorse and uses people until she gets what she wants, yet the hope for a normal life glimmers just beyond her reach.? Then she meets Tarik Vartouth and her world splinters with new emotions and possibilities.

Tarik survived the murder of his sisters and the collapse of his laid-back existence.? He?s sick of the mandatory breeding programs for genetic supremacy on Nazulara that sends innocent people to death and desires to campaign for democracy for his species.? When the opportunity to befriend Emma is presented, he takes it and makes a play for her ship in order to carry out his own plot for revenge against his father?the Premier and ruler of the planet.? Stakes are raised when sparks between him and Emma fly.?? Now their future and Nazulara?s, hangs in the balance.

Excerpt:? Tarik couldn?t forget the raw emotion that blazed in the green depths of her eyes?anger, hatred and stark, consuming need. Whatever drove the woman came crashing to a head in that one act, undoubtedly designed to catch him off guard.

It would have worked except for the shudder he felt shake her frame. He?d bet she managed to surprise herself. He refused to think about it further. It was one moment, nothing more.

Instead, he laced his fingers with hers, brought her hands slowly down, and held them behind her back while he plundered her mouth. Velvet lips gave way under the strength of his mouth. He thrust his tongue inside, demanding entrance, accepting her surrender, and seeking solace. He released her hands in order to capture her face between his palms and fit his mouth more comfortably over hers. When that wasn?t close enough, he pressed her body fully against the freight container, molding his lean length into her soft curves as if they?d become one entity. His erection strained against his pants and, for the first time, he was glad for the extra room the loose-fitting Nazulara trousers afforded.

And still, he kissed her.

He ran his tongue along her bottom lip and the lushness of it spurred him onward. Tarik felt her hands at his chest, sweeping along his torso before she buried her fingers in his hair at the base of his skull. He bit down gently on her lip, heard her whimper of acceptance, and once more, searched out her tongue.

Finally, he wrenched away for the mere reason that he needed to breathe. The whole episode didn?t last more than a minute?two at the most, but he felt as if he?d entered a new dimension, one so foreign he had no idea how to act or what to do.

That decision was taken from him when Emma slapped his cheek so hard he was sure he?d feel it two weeks from now.

Publisher?s website:? http://www.purplesword.com

Book video:? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFUr67nL4so

Heat rating: erotic romance

Author bio:? Sandra is a writer of romantic fiction.? Her portfolio includes historical, contemporary, sci-fi and paranormal romances.? She loves to blend genres and spice them up and often times will add humor as well.

After catching the writing bug at the young age of ten, she?s gone on to grow her unique writing style.? She?s a regular contributor for the Paranormal Romantic?s blog and has a great time keeping things interesting at the Believing is Seeing blog.

When not immersed in creating new worlds and interesting characters, Sandra likes to read, bake and travel.? Her favorite place to spend vacation hours is Walt Disney World.? It?s where dreams come true and the soul can play.? That suits her just fine.

Writing is her ultimate dream job.

You can write to Sandra at sandrasookoo@yahoo.com, visit her website at http://www.sandrasookoo.com or look her up on Facebook and Twitter.

Prize offering?a collection of book swag which includes postcards, magnets, a beaded bookmark and a few surprises.

A few thoughts from Conlan Trowbridge, the hero of ADDING HEAT by Cris Anson

I?ve been reading all these posts on Selena?s blog about the women who accepted the Cougar Challenge and found themselves a younger man, and I think it?s wonderful that they all bared their souls for your readers.

My name is Conlan Trowbridge, and I?m here to tell you this Cougar thing works two ways. When Giselle Sheridan walked into my office a week before income tax deadline, all I could think of was, ?I want her!? I didn?t think about her age, or mine, I just saw an earthy woman full of luscious curves in snug jeans, intelligence and curiosity in those mesmerizing dark eyes, and a lust for life radiating from her. Dang, it was almost enough to make me forget that her aunt needed to get her taxes done.

The old woman must have been a matchmaker, because she insisted I hand-deliver that completed tax return to Giselle for forwarding, even though I couldn?t afford to take the time off (you wouldn?t believe how many people wait until the last minute to file). With an ulterior motive, I agreed then used the opportunity to invite Giselle for a bike ride afterward. She assumed it would be a motorcycle ride. No, geeky accountant that I am, I arrived in snug biking shorts with a spare bicycle for her in the back of my truck. Still, the ?date? turned out pretty good, as is hinted in the excerpt Selena is posting.

Giselle did tell me later that she thought I looked hot in spandex, making particular mention of my butt. And other, uh, areas. She also liked the way I looked splashing around in her tub with her. In her bed with her. In her office and mine. And?

But, a gentleman doesn?t kiss and tell, so you?ll have to use your imagination as to what I wore and we *ahem* discussed. I have to say, our dozen-year age difference never once entered my mind except in the plus column. I told her flat-out, I was old enough to appreciate her maturity and life experience, and young enough to take advantage of it. She got the idea after I showed her. And showed her and showed her.

One of the many things I love about Giselle is that she?s gutsy. After her husband died, she kept his landscape contracting business going and is putting her two kids through college. Another thing is, she?s not afraid to make difficult decisions. With my forensic accounting background, I had to deliver some bad news about her business and she took a deep breath and fixed the problem.

With her busiest planting season upon her (four crews out on jobs), I volunteered to pinch-hit for her on this blog thing. I thank Selena for allowing me to post a male point of view about cougars and their mates. Oh yeah, I want to thank Cris Anson, too, for telling our story so well.

I?ll say it to anyone who will listen: An older woman is a good way of ADDING HEAT to a man?s life.

Blurb for ADDING HEAT:

Encouraged by friends she met at RomantiCon, widowed landscape contractor Giselle Sheridan decides she?s finally ready to take the cougar challenge and find a younger man to have sex with. Except she?s too busy during planting season to go on the prowl.

CPA Conlan Trowbridge is battling the IRS deadline for his clients, but when Giselle saunters into his office with a tax question, all he can think of is sex. She?s all luscious curves and smoldering brown eyes, and he doesn?t care if she?s a dozen years older, she?s a wet dream come true.

Oh yeah, they?re both ready for some hot and heavy sex?in the tub, parking lots, their offices?anywhere and everywhere. But Giselle is afraid her age will bother Con, and her long-time foreman has designs on her, in more ways than one. When Giselle faces some hard decisions, will it all add up to her being able to keep the heat?

Excerpt of ADDING HEAT:

Copyright ? Cris Anson, 2010

All Rights Reserved, Ellora?s Cave Publishing, Inc.

As they leisurely made their way over mildly rolling hills, Con noticed some fields awaited the plow and some had already been turned, exuding the unmistakably fecund smell of the rich Bucks County soil.

But only half his brain was engaged in rural delights. The less relaxed half decided that Larry Pulaski was going to be trouble. A couple inches taller and fifty pounds heavier than Con, the foreman had scrutinized Giselle as though she was a marble goddess in a museum come to life. He?d damn near seen drool seep out of the older man?s mouth, and he couldn?t blame him. The sight of Giselle Sheridan in tight spandex had brought whips and blindfolds to mind and sent blood straight to his cock, enough that the other man had noticed.

And he?d been ready to jump her bones with just the slightest encouragement. Which encouragement his testosterone-drenched brain thought he?d detected in the way she?d all but ripped off his shirt while they?d kissed. Hell, the luscious feel of her sandwiched between him and the truck pushed him to the edge of his control.

It was so unlike Con to lose it like that. But his companion epitomized his dream woman. Petite but possessed of curves luscious enough to make the devil weep. Skin so glowingly healthy in the sun she couldn?t possibly be wearing makeup. Eyes like a bottomless bowl of chocolate sauce.

Why on earth he hadn?t suggested, say, bringing some chick flicks to watch while snuggling together on her sofa and sipping a good shiraz, he couldn?t answer. She?d simply pole-axed his brain the day they?d met at the Senior Center. He?d been a little surprised when she?d offhandedly mentioned her age?she sure didn?t look forty-four?but his cock certainly didn?t care about their dozen-year age difference. He hoped she was broad-minded enough to feel the same.

A glance at his watch told him they?d been at it for a half hour. How the hell could he have thought biking was a good idea? He?d dropped back every now and again for the sublime pleasure of watching her ass cheeks tauten and loosen as she pedaled. He was getting hornier by the minute.

Just as he was about to suggest turning back, he recognized the street they had turned onto. She?d led him in a long square and they were heading for her property.

And in the slanting late-afternoon sun, her sweat-kissed skin shimmered golden. A picture of her lounging sweaty and smiling?and naked?between his navy-blue sheets instantly made more blood pool between his legs.

Whoa, cock. Down. He?d have to get off the bike and stand pretty soon, and he?d better not look like an adolescent with his first surreptitious copy of Hustler.

He followed her down the long, dusty driveway, the lush smell of burgeoning spring swirling around him. They alit at the rear of his truck. She rested her bike against the back bumper then made a small sound of distress.

?Did you hurt yourself?? Con reached a hand out to her, ready for any excuse to touch her.

She lifted one racerback strap a few inches off her shoulder. A delicately pale stripe bisected a rather bright red curve of skin. ?I figured the shade trees along the road would protect me. I should have slathered on some SPF.?

?Oh my,? he murmured. ?It looks painful.?

?I?ve survived worse. It?s just, I spend a lot of time outdoors in the nursery or on the job and I should have known better.?

?I keep some aloe vera gel in my biking kit.? He bent forward to unbuckle the kit from behind the back seat of his bicycle and rooted around. He dearly wanted to stroke her skin himself, but the gentleman in him forced him to say, ?Here?s the tube. The label says to apply lavishly.?

Instead of reaching for it, Giselle said, ?I should probably wash the sweat off it first, you know, so it would absorb better.?

Con blinked. Stood stock-still, trying not to picture her doing just that, suds dripping down those firm, heavy breasts. He fought to keep control of his nether regions.

?Do you think you could help me?? Without meeting his eye, she turned and climbed the three steps to her porch, pulled out her key from her fanny pack and unlocked the door.

Bio of Cris Anson:

After the death of my husband of 22 years, it took me three years to come out of my grief and feel alive and open to new experiences. Now I consider myself a senior citizen and ?cougar? ?hey, one is never too old to dream about, or experience, romance.

I enjoy my garden during warm days (it was sad the other day to cut down the peonies and dahlias for the winter) and have discovered Zumba for fun exercising. I?ve been writing since the ?90s and read voraciously across all genres. I?ve published five erotic romance novels, two novellas and two ?Quickies? with Ellora?s Cave, plus a pair of contemporary novels featuring male twins with Cerridwen Press, their mainstream imprint.

Cris Anson?s Website: www.crisanson.com

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/people/Cris-Anson/1106215816?ref=search

MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/crisanson

Buy link ? will be available Wednesday, November 24, 2010: http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-8891-50-adding-heat.aspx

I’ve always been fascinated by the cougar craze. I even tried it on for size – once. I much prefer to write about it. Though I have to admit younger can be better in a lot of ways. In fact the DH is younger, but only by a few years.

When the ladies of the Cougar Challenge asked if I’d be interested in writing a book I jumped at the offer. I’ve written a few older women/younger men stories, so I was up for the challenge.

My story – Gettin’ Lucky will be available from Ellora’s Cave on November 17^th. Here is a little interview I did with my heroine.

Amber: Marcy what made you decide to take the challenge?

Marcy: Lucky is a massage therapist and knows what to do with his hands. Need I say more?

Amber: I heard your husband left you for a younger woman, was this your way of revenge?

Marcy: No. I was hesitant to go after Lucky because I didn’t want people calling me a cradle robber like my ex, but again, Lucky’s a massage therapist and he finds all the right spots.

Amber: So how did you find out about the cougar challenge?

Marcy: Through my mother if you can believe that. My mom was in the recovery room and flirting with the young doctor. I was so embarrassed, but the nurse said it was normal. She gave me a card for my mom to visit the Tempt the Cougar blog. Needless to say I kept the business card for myself. *grins*

Amber: So do you ?get? Lucky?

Marcy: You’ll have to read to book to find out. Oh and for those of you who like m?nage, Lucky has a brother. *wink*

You can find this and all the other Cougar Challenge books at Ellora’s Cave.

Amber’s Bio:

Amber is a multi-published author who spends her time crafty sexy, steaming romances for readers to indulge in. When away from creating fantasies she spends time with her husband, kids and three dogs.

Amber can be found in the following places:

www.amberskyze.com

http://amberskyze.blogspot.com

http://sevensexyscribes.blogspot.com

http://apinchofromance.blogspot.com

email: amberskyze AT gmail DOT com

Blurb:

A standalone story in the Cougar Challenge series.

Marcy Brown can’t get enough of Lucky, her massage therapist. Lucky’s fingers linger dangerously close to her womanhood and ignite a fire deep within. Marcy isn’t looking for a relationship, but a friend with benefits would be right up her alley. The women of Tempt the Cougar blog swear by younger men, but Marcy doesn’t want to train someone. She wants a man who can give her orgasm after orgasm.

Lucky offers to be her secret lover and help her realize all her fantasies. Marcy will discover the excitement of being taken from behind and unexpectedly. She also savors the deliciousness of being with two men.

All bets are off when this Cougar is challenged to get her growl on.

An Excerpt From: GETTIN’ LUCKY

Copyright ? AMBER SKYZE, 2010

All Rights Reserved, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.

Chapter One

?Isn’t he hot, sweetie??

?Mom!? Marcy groaned.

?What? Is there something wrong with me thinking the young doctor is sexy??

?Mother, please.? Not that there was anything wrong with her admiring the younger doctor. Shit Marcy fantasized about younger men, but she kept it under wraps. She didn’t speak the words out loud.

Marcy wished she could crawl under a rock and die. They were in the recovery room. Her mother had just undergone surgery for her broken wrist. It wasn’t like they were alone. The room was full of other people who had come from surgery too, along with their family members. Marcy looked around to see if anyone else was listening to her mother’s tirade. She couldn’t believe her mother was talking about how hot the doctor was in front of all these people. Christ, he was young enough to be her son, possibly grandson.

?Thank you,? the doctor said. ?Now I want you to rest for the next few days. No using those fingers, either. You need to give your body time to recuperate.?

?Anything you say, Doctor.?

Marcy watched as her mother made googly eyes at the doctor.

?Do you make house calls?? she asked, reaching out with her good hand to touch him.

He chuckled.

?They don’t allow us to go to patients’ homes, but I’ll see you in a few days at my office. All right??

?If you insist.?

?I’ll see you soon.? He patted her mother’s leg before rushing off to his next patient.

Marcy looked down at her mother.

?I can’t believe you just said those things to the doctor, Mother,? she whispered.

?It’s all right, Ms. Brown,? the nurse said. ?There’s nothing to be ashamed of. Lots of women enjoy the company of younger men.?

Not my mother and certainly not me. Though she couldn’t deny the growing attraction she’d been feeling for Lucky. Lately every time he massaged her he came dangerously close to her pussy, stirring up tingling sensations she hadn’t felt in a very long time. Thankfully her vibrator gave her the relief she craved after leaving her weekly massages, because she couldn’t risk losing Lucky. Entering into anything sexual with him would cross too many boundaries for her. She might have to change massage therapists and that would be a pity.

?I appreciate your understanding, but that doctor could be her grandson.? She knew she was exaggerating, but seriously. Her mother was too old to be drooling over the doctor.

The nurse laughed.

Marcy didn’t find anything funny about her mother fawning over the young stud. Yes, he was cute, not her type, but nice-looking.

?Stop being so uptight, Marcy. Just because Dan wasn’t smart enough to stick around doesn’t mean you’re a dead fish. You can have a little fun if you know what I mean.? Her mother winked.

Marcy wanted to flee the recovery room.

?It’s the anesthesia.? The nurse patted her hand.

?Thanks.? Marcy looked at her name tag. ?Elizabeth.?

?No problem. I have a few things to check on, but I’ll be back shortly. Don’t worry about your mother. Once the anesthesia wears off she’ll probably forget the things she said.?

God she prayed the nurse was right. She couldn’t have her mother talking like this.

?I appreciate your understanding.?

The nurse nodded before heading off. She returned an hour later.

?Here are your discharge papers,? Elizabeth said. ?And here’s something just in case your mom is serious.?

Marcy took the business card.

?Tempt the Cougar? What’s this??

In a hushed tone, Elizabeth explained. ?It’s a blog where women who want to experience the thrill of younger men gather.?

?Oh no. My mother definitely doesn’t need this.? Marcy attempted to hand the card back to her.

?Take it. You never know.?

?I’m sorry, but I do know. This is not something my mother would be interested in.?

Elizabeth shrugged.

?Then keep it for yourself. You never know, you might find it interesting.? She rushed off before Marcy could object.

Shifting Gears:

Buy from EC http://www.jasminejade.com/pm-8723-600-shifting-gears.aspx

Shifting Gears Interview:
Lynn Madison: So, Sloan, we meet again. How do you like being on this side of the questions?

Sloan Desai: Somehow it’s a little less fun over here.

Lynn: Ha! Well, don’t expect me to go easy on you. You certainly enjoyed harassing me a few months ago.

Sloan: Yes, but that was before we were friends. Before we realized we shared a love for erotic romances and ended up dating inseparable men.

Lynn: Is that what you’re calling it?

Sloan: I mean, that sounded bad… what I meant was…

Lynn: I’m not embarrassed to admit our friendship is a little more involved than most, you don’t have to hedge for my sake. Look, our guys are best friends, we’re best friends, the four of us hang out constantly as we travel the world on the race circuit. I don’t think it’s a big stretch to admit we’re compatible in a lot of ways.

Sloan: I suppose you’re right as usual. Remember the day we all went to Cheung Chau off the coast of Hong Kong? I think I knew from that day on that the bond between the four of us would last forever. It was also the first time I noticed the tension between Sebastian and Marco.

Lynn: Good thing you channeled that energy into something constructive, a positive way to work off all that excess energy.

Sloan: You know there are lots of strangers out there reading this, right? I’m not sure Sebastian and Marco are ready for the world to know about their feelings for each other.

Lynn: Too late, hon. Didn’t you know Jayne Rylon wrote a book about us? There are no secrets left. You can read all about our foursome in Shifting Gears.

Sloan: I hope she made me hot.

Lynn: You and me both! Come on, let’s head back to our guys before they can get into trouble without us.

Sloan: I hope they get into trouble with us.

Lynn: You and me both. Again.

An Excerpt From: SHIFTING GEARS

Copyright ? JAYNE RYLON, 2010

All Rights Reserved, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.

Chapter One

?Oh my God!?

The woman on the corrugated aluminum bleacher several rows in front of Sloan turned with wide eyes when Sloan shouted. She caught Sloan?s stare on the sexy cover of her erotic romance novel and flipped it closed?cover side down?discretely.

?Sorry, didn?t mean to startle you.? Sloan smiled. ?I know how it is when you?re lost in a good book. And that book is fan-fucking-tastic! I love Mari Carr. Her stories are smoking hot. Especially the m?nages. Yum.?

The woman grinned and nodded. ?I?ve read almost all of hers. My reading group back in the US mailed me this one. It arrived last night and I?m halfway done already. I tried to ration it out?a chapter a day?but it?s impossible.?

?Thank God for ebook readers, huh? I don?t know what I would do if I didn?t have access to all the new releases from this side of the globe.? Sloan stepped into the stands then picked her way down the incline, closer to the woman, careful not to slip in her three-inch heels.

At least she?d worn jeans to the race site today instead of her usual skirted suit. ?I hear that. It can get lonely being a foreigner in a country where you don?t speak the language. Especially one as difficult to pick up as Mandarin or Cantonese. Reading keeps me from getting too homesick, though it leads to other?complications.?

When the woman laughed, her entire face brightened. Around Sloan?s age, close to forty, she seemed carefree and infectiously happy. ?I know what you mean. Or at least I used to. Now I have a young stud to keep me occupied when I get revved up. I?m engaged to Sebastian Fiori. The driver for??

?Oh! Don?t worry, I know who he is. Sexy as sin and a four-time world champion rally car racer to boot. So you must be Lynn Madison, you bitch.?

The humongous diamond flashing on the woman?s finger had confirmed Sloan?s suspicions.

Talk of Bastian and the alluring cougar who?d tamed him had run rampant this season. Scores of young sex goddesses mourned their loss. Many had tried for years to snag him or his luscious navigator Mark Rossi, but none had succeeded in tempting either guy into more than a one-night stand.

Until Sebastian fell head over heels in love on first sight last season. Everyone agreed he?d never performed better. Lynn must be good for the man.

What was good for the driver was good for the sport.

And that was good for Sloan.

?It?s true.? Lynn sighed and her eyes took on a faraway look. ?I?m the luckiest woman alive.?

?I?m Sloan Desai, by the way.? She held out her hand, but Lynn hugged her instead of shaking it.

?Sorry, but after two minutes I feel like I?ve known you forever. Have a seat.? Lynn gestured with the spine of her novel toward the racetrack, which snaked past the base of the stadium they sat in. ?You know, Bastian?s mentioned you before. I think we might?ve even talked on the phone once when you scheduled some of his interviews. You?re the publicist for the league, right??

?Yep. That?s me.? Sloan winked. ?In charge of keeping the boys out of trouble with the media, managing their images and bringing fans in by the truckload.?

?Seems like you?re doing a great job. I heard the first couple days of the exhibition are sold out.?

?They are. Thanks.?

?So how do you like China so far??

The event would take place in Guangdong province, about a half-hour outside Guangzhou, in a few weeks?a great chance for the teams to tune up or experiment in the off-season. The crews had arrived early to acclimate, which meant Sloan had to be on-site to defuse any?situations?that could cause trouble with the local hosts.

Full of testosterone and daring, the guys in the league sometimes crossed the line.

?I haven?t been able to do much sightseeing. I have to stick fairly close-by.? Sloan shrugged.

?Yeah, I know what you mean.? Lynn grimaced. ?The teams do tend to get rowdy on occasion. Maybe you can take a day trip or two with me. I write travel guides for a living, so I like to check out as much as I can in the areas we visit. Sebastian gets nervous when I?m out on my own though. Especially in locations a little more exotic.?

?You don?t seem like the kind of woman to sit around and wait for a man simply to ease his mind. A woman after my own heart, by the way.?

?You?re right, I?m no shrinking violet.? Lynn grinned. ?But I worry that if he?s worried, he?ll be distracted. The sport is dangerous enough as it is. Plus, I miss him if I stray too far.?

?I hope ?him? is me.? A deep growl sounded from behind their spot on the bench. Sitting side by side, neither woman had heard the soft soles of Sebastian?s racing sneakers on the concrete as he approached. ?Or I?ll have to kick some ass and those days are supposed to be behind me.?

?Old man.?

Sloan swallowed hard at the jibe from the other guy who strode toward them?Mark Rossi. It was either that or moan aloud at his spectacular build. Thick muscles filled out his racing jumpsuit to perfection. She wished she?d seen him going instead of coming so she could check out his killer ass, but the bulge at his crotch and the humor in his warm eyes made for scrumptious consolation prizes.

She?d spied him from across the room at events she?d arranged, but usually she had a job to do while in attendance. Of course she?d found herself staring at promo shots of him on more occasions than she cared to admit, but never before had she been able to take her time and study his legendary features in person?bold cheekbones, olive skin and glossy, sandy hair.

And, shit, now she was staring.

Maybe her imagination played tricks on her, but it seemed as if he might be gawking in return.

Here are:

Interview with Trey Sandoval (character in HAT TRICK by Cerise DeLand)

The unique aspect of my relationship with my partners?Belle Sterling and my old buddy, Gage Wagner?is that we each know how to share.

True, for two men to share one woman is different. For one woman to enjoy two men together and equally, even more rare.

But the three of us do it. Every hour, every day.

How can that be, you ask?

It started when Gage and I went to college together and learned that cooperating was better than competing.? Years ago, we formed a business together and we?ve made a fortune. In real estate development.

And in our private life together?

A few months ago, Gage and I found Belle together and made a fantastic life.

Belle is older than Gage and me. But that doesn?t worry any of us. We adore Belle, sexy, funny, savvy lady that she is.? She loves us both equally in and out of bed. So Gage and I count ourselves among the luckiest men alive.

To have one woman who loves you, admires you and adores you back is one big bonus. That for the three of us, we?ve got a rare thing going on is the best hat trick of all.

BIO: What?s a gal to do if she hails from D.C., lives now deep in the heart of Texas, travels often everywhere, and adores Paris, Florence, London, Tokyo and all points east and west?

Ah.

She becomes an author who can write about those romantic places. And if your sweet tooth craves spies, pirates, body guards and gutsy women of today and yesteryears of medieval and Regency England, then she is the author you crave for smoldering erotic encounters and delicious love affairs!

Her name? Cerise DeLand.

What?s more is that Cerise is the award-winning author of 18 print novels of mystery, mainstream and romance with St. Martin?s Press, Pocket Books and Kensington. Her books have been on every book club list you can name, including Featured Selections of The Mystery Guild, Doubleday and Rhapsody. And when she isn?t dreaming up fiction? Cerise also writes non-fiction.

Busy lady. Happy writer.

Find her books at?Ellora?s Cave,?Resplendence Publishing,?Wild Rose Press and?Total-E-Bound!

Blurb:

A story in the Cougar Challenge series.

Fit, fab and forty-five, Belle Sterling chomps at the bit to accept the Cougar Challenge. But finding a younger man in her one-horse Texas town is one giant problem?until two scrumptious men stroll into her office.

Gage Wagner and Trey Sandoval have been best buddies since college and know how to share?everything. When they meet luscious Belle, they know she needs the good lovin? two men can provide?together.

Belle?s a regular gal and putting two men in her saddle seems like a dream. Then she tries it. More than once.

Excerpt:

An Excerpt From: HAT TRICK

Copyright ? CERISE DELAND, 2010

All Rights Reserved, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.

Chapter One

?I know for certain, honey,? Belle Sterling told her newest client, twenty-two-year old bride-to-be Marilee Betterton, ?that sleeping single in a double bed does not make for a happy life. Not after you?ve been married to a man you adore.?

She smiled at the young woman who sat opposite her in her office. ?In fact, I have just three pieces of advice for each new bride who hires my planning services. Love the man you marry. Love him so well that ?keeping only unto him? is no hardship. And commit to doing whatever you each want in bed where all great marriages are made.?

?Oh, you needn?t worry on that score, Miz Sterling. My mama says exactly the same thing.?

Does she now? That?s why Doreen?s had more lovers than a bonobo monkey in her forty-five hectic years on this earth? ?Not hard to do, either. To love a man.?

?I reckon I have loved Brent since we were in kindergarten. And definitely since high school. He?s going on to pro football, you know.?

?I heard.?

?I?m just so excited. We?re moving to Dallas and I get to meet all the men on the team.? Her eyes lit up like the year-round Christmas lights on her mama?s front porch. ?Imagine that.?

Belle did. And she tried not to wince at the feeling Brent Fuller was gonna get when he saw his new little wife bat her baby browns at his buddies. ?Well, Marilee, let?s meet again next week. Is this a good day and time for you?? Belle looked at her calendar on the computer screen as the young woman agreed. ?Good. Do bring your tentative list of invitees and we?ll see what our potential sites are for the reception.?

?Mama wants to come, too.? The girl was fishing for feedback.

Doreen Betterton and Belle were not friends. Never had been since Doreen tried to scoop Walt Sterling from Belle when they were all in high school. But Belle was ready to let bygones be bygones. Walt had never cottoned to Doreen. Never took her bait, either. Besides, Walt was gone now and their married life had been twenty-two years of the finest bliss a woman could imagine. Plus, Doreen was welcome to the pickings around here. No man within a hundred miles interested Belle enough to get her pussy wet, and even if he succeeded, he wouldn?t know what to do with it.

Belle cleared her throat and smiled. ?I hope she does come with you. There are so many things to decide, Marilee, and your mother will be a great help to you in this.?

?That?s right. Mama says I?m gonna be a better wife than she ever was.?

Belle couldn?t resist the lure. ?How?s that??

?She says she just knows that Brent is the right man for me and that we are going to be married forever.?

But minutes later, watching spoiled-rotten Marilee preen, rise from her chair and strut her toned little ass out of her office, Belle wasn?t going to give a plug nickel that the young filly would or could take any of her suggestions.

?Of course, the girl is twenty-two,? Belle muttered as the tiny bells on her door knob rang out Marilee?s exit. ?Who knows what love or marriage is all about at that age?? Belle whispered to herself.

I did.

Yeah. Well. I had a mother and father who taught me how to love. Totally. No one and nothing else greater than the union. Not too many who know how to do that nowadays.

Belle sighed, hit a few buttons on her computer screen to close the files on the Betterton-Fuller wedding and pushed away from her desk. She stood, ran her hands down her slim skirt and strode to the window. The brilliant Texas sun hit her in the face and even though she had jacked up the air conditioner to seventy-five this morning, August in southwest Texas meant triple digit heat by noon. She inhaled the steamy beauty of her little hometown. Main Street was humming. The Duck?s Bill Bakery was jumping with customers hot for their German crullers. Jack?s Auto Shop was buzzing with a couple of ranchers who had scraped the paint off each other?s pick-ups yesterday. And one of her two best friends, Aurora Mansfield, waved at her while watering her geraniums in front of her flower shop.

And me? I?m standing here wondering if my life is now only about helping twenty-somethings get hitched.

Sure. She loved the wedding business. The organization. The cake. The bouquets. The fun of invitations and receptions and gowns.

The romance.

The thrill of watching a man eye his bride. The way his gaze would flow over her face, her throat, down to her breasts.

Belle would often play a silent game with herself noting how long it took for the bride to sense her groom?s eyes on her. How long before she would squirm, feeling the cream in her pussy, the throb of her labia, the need to have his fingers play with her and open her wide for his mouth. And his cock.

Belle squeezed her own thighs together. Felt her own insides gush with moisture. Remembering desire.

Remembering Walt Sterling. His blue eyes on her lips. His firm mouth on her throat. Her nipples. His teeth nipping her areolas. His rough tongue licking her until she squealed. His fingers drifting down her ribs, caressing her stomach, twining in her cunt hair. ?Love your pretty red pussy hair, Belle of mine,? he would croon as he?d lift her against him, by that time both of them stark naked. ?Like a beacon. Gonna make you come hard for me, baby. How would you like me today?? he?d whisper as he bit her earlobe. ?Slow or fast??

Wild. Often. Furious. She?d tell him anything she wanted that day.

?In my mouth? In your sweet ass?? He?d offer her a few more options.

She loved sex with him any way at all. All the time. Any time. Day. Night. In the barn standing up. In their truck sitting down. In their kitchen on their table, their breakfast dishes bumping to their body-rocking rhythm.

So long ago. Three years to be exact.

?God. I loved you, Walt.? Belle jumped, stunned at herself that she?d said it out loud. ?Isn?t there any man alive who?s your equal? I?m lonely here, honey.?

Her gaze ran up and down Main Street and the answer she got this morning was the same as the one she?d had yesterday and the month before and the year before that.

?I?m not finding one I want to be with. In bed or out.? Not in this one-horse town. Too small to offer variety. And few strangers strolled in.

Problem was, Belle knew precisely two local men who were eligible. Both were widowers. Nice guys. But over sixty. Fifteen years older than she! And frankly, she needed a man who could not only get it up, but get it going on for more than five minutes of slam-bam. She liked sex. Really liked sex. Funky, funny, feverish sex. Walt, who had been two years older than she, had taught her to need it, crave it and initiate it. So she wasn?t about to settle for lukewarm lovin? when she knew how lusty, sweaty, energetic fucking could improve a woman?s attitude, to say nothing of her complexion or the ability of her hungry little kitty to howl.

?I can?t go on like this,? she muttered and strode back to her computer. ?I need a young man with class, imagination and raging hormones. But damn if I know how and where to find one!? She plunked herself in her chair, revved up the internet and surfed over to her friends? blog at Tempt the Cougar. Belle had discovered their exciting personal stories about hooking up with younger men, then three months ago she?d begun to correspond with a few of them individually. Over the last year, each of the women had consciously decided to seek out younger men to satisfy a need for great sex. To date, each of them developed satisfying relationships with their partners. Belle didn?t need a long-term relationship so much as she needed a good romp in the hay.

BUY Link for HAT TRICK www.jasminejade.com/ps-8700-50-hat-trick.aspx