Posts Tagged ‘Blogging’

I discovered this song a week ago and fell in love with it. The song even inspired a plot bunny or two.

Hope you enjoyed that. What’s your Music Monday Pick?

 

Se

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

Hi Everyone!

A bit of an update, I’ve signed a contract for the first book for a new series; Seven Sins Inn. The first book is a revamp of what was once called Mudslide. It was formerly apart of the Del Fantasma series. I’m taking the books that were written for that series, reworking them. The first book has been contracted to Etopia Press and is scheduled for release in June. I’m very excited by this new outlook for the series. I’ll post a sneak peek next Saturday.

Also, I’ve started a new Yahoo Group, which so far, has been so much fun. Here’s the link:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/selenaillyriasofferings/

If you’d like to join in the fun, please do sign up.

One of the aspects of the Group is a Book Club.  I pick the selection and at the end of the month we throw a party, discuss the book and if I can get the author in there to talk about the book and their up coming releases. Great fun. . This month’s selection is The UnTied Kingdom by Kate Johnson.

The review:

This book had been on my list for quite sometime. I tend to hoard books I really want to read, especially if it’s the last book in the series. I’ve put off reading Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning, In Blood We Trust by Christine Cody (hides from Chris) and a few other books because I know they’re the last book in the series. I save them up and then read them when I’ve finished a book or accomplished a goal. The book had been sitting on the main screen of my Nook for some time, taunting me. So I took the opportunity via the Book Club to finally indulge and read the book.

Here’s the Blurb:
The portal to an alternate world was the start of all her troubles
– or was it?

When Eve Carpenter lands with a splash in the Thames, it’s not the London or England she’s used to. No one has a telephone or knows what a computer is. England’s a third world country and Princess Di is still alive. But worst of all, everyone thinks Eve’s a spy.

Including Major Harker who has his own problems. His sworn enemy is looking for a promotion. The general wants him to undertake some ridiculous mission to capture a computer, which Harker vaguely envisions running wild somewhere in Yorkshire. Turns out the best person to help him is Eve.

She claims to be a popstar. Harker doesn’t know what a popstar is, although he suspects it’s a fancy foreign word for ‘spy’. Eve knows all about computers, and electricity. Eve is dangerous. There’s every possibility she’s mad.

And Harker is falling in love with her.

Now aren’t you tempted to go pick up a copy?

We meet Eve after her fall from grace doing a stunt on a Reality show for has been celebrities. While hang gliding something goes wrong and she ends up falling. When she wakes up she’s in England but it’s another England, one that is at war and has never been the power house we know it to be today.

Kate Jonson paints a fascinating alternate England filled with characters that are vibrant and full of life. The story made me laugh, cry and tugged at my heart strings. I fell in love with Harker and thoroughly enjoyed the banter between Eve and Harker. I loved the little points in history that were used to show just how different the Alternate England was. I wouldn’t mind another trip back there for whatever reason. Even if it’s a mini story. *hint* *hint*

Another wonderful story from Kate Johnson. I look forward to more.

Until Next Time! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

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.

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

Hi! My name is Larissa Cross but I?m better known as Rissa. Thanks, Selena, for giving me this opportunity to tell others about myself, the Cougar Challenge and the author who wrote my story, Nicole Austin.

I first heard about the challenge quite by accident while surfing the net for pictures of hot younger men and stumbled across a very interesting blog, Tempt the Cougar www.TempttheCougar.com. Discovering other women who enjoy younger men and were willing to share their experiences was a welcome surprise. Monica?s challenge for each of us to get out there and find a younger man to fulfill our fantasies couldn?t have come at a more perfect time for me.

You see, with the big four-oh looming, I was in the process of making major changes in my life, going from Army widow and soccer mom to cougar on the prowl. My son left for college and I was living alone for the first time.? I sold the house, bought a condo, shopped for a sexy new wardrobe, traded the mini-van for a red convertible and got tattooed. With eight weeks of vacation from teaching grade school, I was looking forward to a summer full of hot lovin? with younger men and headed for the beach to stalk my prey.

That new-to-me used convertible had some problems. A former student and his friends?a rather protective band of alpha males-in-training, helped save the essentials, including my precious e-book reader loaded with yummy erotic romances. But as my car went up in flames so did my wonderful summer plans.

Yeah, to heck with that! I decided to take advantage of the situation and have some fun checking out the emergency workers. My luck changed when sexy fire god JD Harmon, a prime hunk of cougar bait, headed right for me.

Score! First time out and a tall, buff younger man asked me out. Whoo-damn!

With his shaved head, tattooed biceps and erotic body piercing, JD was just what I need for my first tumble. While the only thing on my to-do list was a one-night stand, JD had plans of his own. JD was out to tame me and capture my heart, and it turns out there?s a lot more to him than those bad boy good looks. He?s the kind of man Nicole Austin would refer to as a triple threat?sexy, sophisticated and charming.

I finally got to meet all the other ladies from the blog in person at RomantiCon. What a blast! If you get the chance to attend, I highly recommend doing so. Having your picture taken with the delicious Cavemen cover models is a thrill every woman should experience at least once. Meeting them out on the dance floor? Heaven!

While at RomantiCon, I also met my favorite erotic romance author, Nicole Austin. Her scorching hot, provocative stories push boundaries and release inhibitions, resulting in extreme reader satisfaction. Read my story, Summer of the Cougar, and you?ll discover why a book reviewer dubbed Ms. Austin, ?The queen of steamy romance scenes.?

The following is an excerpt from Summer of the Cougar for your reading enjoyment!

Copyright ? NICOLE AUSTIN, 2010

Rissa plopped down on top of the sturdy molded-plastic cooler with a heavy sigh as her wonderful plans for the summer disintegrated. In need of some emotional support, she longed to call one of the cougars.

What would they do in this situation?

A wicked grin tugged at her lips. The cougars would tell her to check out the emergency workers and if possible get pictures. They?d also tell Rissa to flirt her ass off and get one of those hot young studs to take her home.

?Who owns the car??

She looked up as one of the firemen headed in her direction while scribbling information on a battered clipboard.

?Uh?me. I do.?

Oh yeah, I do. Please and thank you!

Damn, the man was gorgeous. Better than any of the pictures the girls posted on their Tempt the Cougar blog.

He was tall, at least six-one, and had a shaved head. A bit of dark stubble covered his scalp, ran along his square jawline and above his mouth. A very sexy mouth. He had to be in his early twenties by her estimation. Not too young or old. Perfect age for cougar prey.

?Name??

Yes, what is your name, hot stuff? Please tell me.

Broad shoulders blocked out the sun as he moved to stand before her. What she wouldn?t give to have him strip off the fire gear and let her see his body. From his solid build she guessed he had lots of yummy muscles. Maybe even a six-pack. She easily pictured running her fingers over his tanned skin, feeling the sinew ripple beneath her fingertips.

?That?s Miss Cross,? Tyler, her proud protector, stated. ?She?s a teacher in Tampa. Elementary school.?

What a wonderful, helpful boy.

The fire god nodded toward the police officer ready to ticket the boys? pickup. ?If that?s your truck, you might want to move it.?

?Aw crap,? one of the boys groaned. The group loped off, leaving Rissa alone with the hunk whose sharp focus all of a sudden made her nervous and fidgety.

He might have been preoccupied earlier but now she had his undivided attention. Coal black eyes took a slow journey from the top of her head down her see-through cover-up, pausing at breasts nearly spilling out of tiny bright blue triangles before dipping down to linger on her tattoo then stroke her legs. And boy did his gaze ever have the impact of a physical caress. Everywhere his eyes touched her skin tightened and long-ignored nerve endings tingled.

If he can do that with a look, imagine what he?d be able to do with those big, strong hands.

That thought notched up the temperature by a good ten degrees and had sweat trickling between breasts that felt swollen. Her body hummed with sexual need and her nipples were standing at attention, clearly visible beneath the thin material of her bikini top.

?Hi. I?m JD Harmon.?

He extended a hand and she slid her fingers into his firm grip, biting back a gasp as lightning bolts raced up her arm and headed straight for her core. All those erotic stories she?d been reading had left her ready for some action. And JD the fireman was looking like a prime candidate.

?They?re going to send a wrecker for your car. Insurance company will probably total it since the entire electrical system is toast.?

Rissa held on to his hand as if it was a lifeline and stared up at those mesmerizing dark eyes. She knew he was talking to her but the words didn?t penetrate the haze of lust that had swallowed her whole.

?Miss Cross??

?Rissa,? she absently mumbled. He let go of her hand and a wave of disappointment crashed over her. But then he turned and bumped her hip with his, making a space to sit down. Right next to her on the narrow cooler. Close enough she caught a whiff of sandalwood cologne and clean, masculine sweat. Mmm?he smelled wonderful. Hot and spicy. The right side of his body pressing against her from shoulder to ankle felt even better and gave her a rush of positive vibes.

I am cougar, hear me roar!

?Do you have a way home??

?I?home?? Her voice once again disappeared, along with the original question.

Good idea. Your place or mine?

Summer of the Cougar is currently available in e-book from Ellora?s Cave Publishing and will be part of the print anthology, Cougar Hunt, coming soon. The anthology includes Locked and Loaded by Samantha Cayto and Copping A Feel by Lexxie Couper.

Nicole?s Bio:

Nicole lives on the sheltered Gulf Coast of Florida, where inspiration can be found sitting under a big shade umbrella on the beach, sipping cold margaritas and watching all the hunks at play. Always an overachiever, Nicole stayed busy earning three college degrees and now splits her time between working in a health care career and writing.

A voracious reader, she never goes anywhere without a book, but started looking for something more. Something hotter. Her passion for erotic romance lead to Nicole?s creation of sizzling characters and boundary pushing stories. Now she lives in an incredible world where fantasy comes to life in bold, vivid detail.

She can often be found conducting research for her steamy stories while chatting with her muse and people watching. Turns out those voyeuristic tendencies are useful after all, who could have guessed.

Website: http://www.nicoleaustin.net

Blog: http://nicoleaustin.wordpress.com