Regina Carlysle

Whiz Bang-Coming November 1

2011-10-17T09:17:00.002-05:00

Coming November 1 to a e-book retailers everywhere is Whiz Bang, a book in the sizzling hot Toys 4 Us series. Mark your calendars folks!

Get 'em While They're HOT!

2011-07-17T09:30:00.000-05:00

Guess I've been thinking about vacation reading since I'm heading off for mine tomorrow. Later today, I'll load my Nook with some goodies in preparation for my flight to Florida (where I'll be visiting my sister). Getting away is a good thing! Anyway, I have several buddies with new releases so get em while they're HOT, ladies! Here's a sampling of the books that will be flying the friendly skies with me tomorrow.

Strip Down by Tess MacKall
Buy it here: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9440-strip-down.aspx

What’s a topless dancer to do when a cop tells her to “spread ’em”? Cooperate, of course. Which is exactly what Jazzmyn Monroe does when her big-city dreams land her in a world of trouble and the arms of sexy detective Ryder Muldoon. Jazzmyn is no angel, but she doesn’t expect the rip-roaring, passion-filled rollercoaster ride given by one of L.A.’s finest.

An honest cop with a target painted on his back, Ryder is forced to go rogue if he wants to stay alive, and the hottest woman he’s ever laid eyes on is the key to his plan. It’s supposed to be just business with a side of sex. If only it were that simple. Jazzmyn’s sinful curves and aptitude for red-hot loving ramp up his libido…and a whole lot more.

Make Mine A Double by Nicole Austin

Buy it here:
http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9454-make-mine-a-double.aspx

A sequel to My Greatest Fantasy

No doubt about it, Kaylie Ward’s a loser magnet. So she swears off men. But give her some tequila to wash away those man troubles and she’s more than ready for a hot ménage fantasy. Somehow, dream and reality collide when she wakes up with two naked hunks in bed with her—not that she’s complaining.

Best friends, business partners, lovers—Max Lockhart and Brayden Sinclair share everything, including women. Like a bad country song, they went looking for love in all the wrong places, only to find it waiting for them at home, in their bed no less.
Kaylie’s plans for the future revolve around having a “normal” life. Going after it means living with a broken heart, unless she can keep her double order of beefcake and have a real family too.

Until Twilight by Cerise Deland and Desiree Holt

Buy it Here:
http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9396-until-twilight.aspx

Book 3 in the Nemesis series.

Isabella Sebastiani has the best instincts. For defusing bombs. But the moment she spots Lane Hallowell in the piazza in Florence, she knows her instinct for finding an irresistible lover has improved. Yes, she’s to meet Lane for a job interview. Sì, her mind tells her to ignore his tempting good looks and his incomparable charm. But her body tells her to embrace him. And her heart demands she take him home with her. Into her arms. Her bed.

A seasoned security operative, Lane shouldn’t be enthralled by a woman within minutes of meeting her. But the cool, professional explosives expert fascinates him and he’s determined to protect her from harm. As the two of them track a group of terrorists from Florence to Rome and on to Paris, Lane and Bella learn that time doesn’t matter when passion demands a future filled with love.

The Cougars are HUNTING! YEOW

2011-07-06T09:07:00.000-05:00

Cougar Hunt, a collection of hotter than hot cougar stories, is available in print at Ellora's Cave. Nicole Austin, Samantha Cayto and Lexxie Couper pull out all the stops in these red hot reads so pick up your copy today!

Buy It HERE!

Locked and Loaded Samantha Cayto
Former army-turned-ER doctor Grace McKinnon is through with going to bed with nothing more than fantasies and a yearning to resurrect her personal life. She’s determined instead to take the Cougar Challenge with a flesh and hot-blooded younger man. She discovers the perfect opportunity steaming up the curtain of exam room four.

Captain Mark Bennington has been locked and loaded—ready for action—since meeting Grace. He’s on a mission to heat up the Boston nights while on leave. This sexy older woman is lighting his way, fulfilling double-time every sex wish he’s ever made. But it’s going to be the toughest fight of his life to convince her to take a chance on more than just a fling.

Copping a Feel Lexxie Couper

Darci-Rae Whitlam doesn’t know which is more disturbing, receiving scads of obscene phone calls—or getting so turned-on by said phone calls. Then there’s the email from her American friend, Rachel, taunting Darci with something called a Cougar Challenge. Just the thought of seducing a younger man is enough to permanently soak her knickers. No wonder her ever-disapproving sister thinks she’s oversexed!

Cybercrime Detective Jarrod St. James is investigating a case of stolen identity. He quickly learns the fiery redhead claiming to be Darci-Rae Whitlam is the real deal (his shoulder trapped in the jaws of her gargantuan dog might have sped that decision along). He really should go back to Sydney, continue tracking the imposter who’s operating a phone-sex business in Darci’s name…but the woman proves too tempting. Job be damned, he has to have her. The fact she’s got a titillating challenge to complete only helps his case.

Darci just may be the fastest cougar to snag her cub yet. Being the victim of a crime has never been more fun!

Summer of the Cougar Nicole Austin

With the big four-oh looming, Larissa Cross is more than ready to shed the roles that have defined her and make drastic changes. Gone are the widowed Army wife, soccer mom and empty nester. She’s even setting aside the schoolteacher until fall.

A naughty challenge issued by fellow erotic romance booklovers on their blog, Tempt the Cougar, has come at the perfect time and ignited Rissa’s competitive drive. It’s going to be a glorious summer full of hot younger man lovin’ for a new cougar on the prowl. Rawr!

Tattooed and pierced fireman JD Harmon is tempting prey but there’s much more to the hunk than his bad boy good looks. A one-night stand isn’t in his plans, and sex—no matter how mind-blowing—won’t distract him from his goals. JD intends to tame the wicked cougar and stake a claim on her heart.

What Can I Say?

2011-06-28T09:07:00.000-05:00

There's nothing much to say after the long weekend event at my place. Casa Regina overflowed with food, booze (mainly of the chocolate variety) and lots of writers. Brenna Zinn, Allie Standifer, Nicole Austin and Desiree Holt invaded my space and I wouldn't have had it any other way. Truly...in the midst of a dry west Texas heat wave, it was like a breath of good stuff that was better than I can say. My daughter, who joined the fun and was given the moniker 'Half Baked', hung out with us 24/7 and fit right into the crazy group. Later she told me it was like being a member of the coolest sorority EVER. I know it was an unforgettable experience for her.

Every morning my kitchen table was littered with laptops and every evening one of my backyard patio tables was crowded with various glasses...all half empty as we enjoyed Dr. Seuss Porn Hour. I honestly can't say much about that except that it is an event narrated by the insanely funny Allie Standifer. Every evening we'd get into our jammies, pour drinks and head outside. Once tears were rolling and we were about to fall out of our chairs, Desiree (who loved her 'whipped cream' vodka) took Tipsy Pics. We have threatened death if these ever see the light of day. Sometimes Nic Austin (who is one cool customer) would relieve Allie of Porn Hour duties and we'd start rolling in our chairs AGAIN. Slyly hysterical, Nic would take up the mantle until tears were pouring and we gasped for breath. Brenna Zinn? Who could ever imagine such an altogether classy lady could come up with such RANDOM stuff that had us snorting alcohol through our noses? Brenna and I danced to old 80's music in my kitchen floor and we all ate enough food to sink a battleship. Yes, sighhhh, the diets have started all around.
In the end, as I waved goodbye...a little teary-eyed about it all, I knew we'd do this again. How could you ever 'take a pass' on this much fun! So until next time, I'll keep the chocolate vodka and choco wine chilling in anticipation.

In other news: Return to Delight (Ellora's Cave) got a wonderful FIVE rating and a Recommended Read from Blackraven's Reviews. Great way to start the week.

Ashley’s Review:

Return to Delight is a positively yummy read that will give you a hush-hush-don’t-tell erotic response to all that hot loving’ going on!

Cooper can’t get over his first love, Harley June Baker. When he finds out she’s coming back to town for a visit, he pulls out all the stops to seduce her and win her back. He decides if he can’t get her to stay, they’ll at least enjoy the time they have together now.

The characters’ emotions feel very real and Ms. Carlysle writes sex scenes that may leave you feeling a little hot-and-bothered yourself. I was thoroughly engrossed in Return to Delight and as much as I love a happy ending, I hated to see it end. This is an absolutely scrumptious read and I’ll be reading it again and again! It’s most definitely a keeper!

And even MORE news to come soon! Sorry, can't tell yet! LOL

Two Hot New Releases

2011-06-16T10:25:00.001-05:00

Yesterday Ellora's Cave released HOT HOT HOT new books from two great friends of mine. Desiree Holt and Cerise Deland never fail to heat things up with their stuff so head over to EC and pick up copies of these for your weekend reading.

Things are really hopping around my place these days. It is hotter than seven hells here...temps around 105 for the past few weeks and no end in sight. Still, we have lots of 'rat killin' going on so I occasionally brave the elements and get stuff done. My daughter's birthday is Saturday and this is followed up, of course, by Father's Day. This year my girl is getting a trip to Florida (scheduled in July) and I'll be going with her as we visit my sister and her family in Orlando. On the writing front, I finished Return of the Daredevil (follow up to Return to Delight) and hit the SEND button. My editor currently has it in her hot little hands. Currently working on a short story (a shifter menage) and making good progress. Also waiting on the print release of Sequins Saddles and Spurs (a collection of stories I did with Desiree Holt and Ciana Stone). Very excited about that and I'll be announcing that release here.

And now for a little bit of these great new books!

http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9414-strong-arms-of-the-law.aspx

Rex Martinez is one tough Texas Ranger who’s always gotten his man. No woman has ever resisted him either. But the saucy little number currently under his protection makes him nuts. Makes him hard. And makes him eager to put her in her place…which is, of course, in his arms. And his bed.

Crime writer Skye Chamberlain chafes under Rex’s rigid rules. He’s too macho, too yummy to stay cooped up with while she’s trying to remain celibate.

When Skye calls his bluff and demands they embrace their relationship now instead of later, Rex can’t resist. But his need to keep her hot and happy makes him drop his guard—which is exactly when trouble comes calling.

http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9352-lust-undone.aspx

Book 3 in the Night Seekers series.

Returning to her home state of Maine to investigate a possible Chupacabra killing, Sophia Black meets Clint Beaudine, lean, dark and sexy. The heat between them is incendiary, the sex erotic and the pleasure beyond her imagination. Clint fulfills all her fantasies and teaches her ways to please him. The Maine air might be cold but in Sophia’s motel room, it’s beyond boiling.

Clint helps her with the case, using his knowledge of the area in which he lived. As they learn each other’s secrets, it’s obvious to both of them they’re meant to be together. Mated. But the Chupacabra is out in the snow, hunting human prey.

Lazy Sunday Morning

2011-06-05T09:52:00.000-05:00

It's a lazy Sunday moring...fine by me. We're having coffee and watching the men's finals of the French Open. Here in a bit I'll pull up my WIP and get a nice start for the day. This is one of those rare days when I don't have errands to run and things should be rather chill. I see writing progress in my future along with some laundry. Mr. Regina heads out of town in a few days for a week long conference so it'll just be my daughter and I. Hoping to carve out some time to loll around by the pool and just enjoy things. Roughly one chapter away from finishing Return of the Daredevil so that's on the agenda too.

Summertime...and the livin' is easy

2011-06-02T09:16:00.000-05:00

Today I have that old song stuck in my head. You know...summertime and the livin' is eeeassssyyyy. I like that. Getting out of the house rarely these days. Shoot, we've been seeing temps of almost 110 in west Texas so the a/c is busily cranking out cool air. Sorry I've been absent for awhile. I've been so swamped I didn't realize it had been almost a month since I've blogged here. BAAAD REGINA!!!!!!

Busy working on Return of the Daredevil. Almost finished with this one and I'm still puttering away at Santana's Touch. Also was thrilled to see that Sequins, Saddles and Spurs is coming soon at Ellora's Cave. This is the print collection of the stories I did with Desiree Holt and Ciana Stone back last summer so I'm really happy to see this his EC's site. It has been out for a little while at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

On the personal front, my daughter is home for the summer and we've been having a great time. June is a busy time for us with her birthday, my sis's birthday and Father's Day so I've been trying hard to come up with gift ideas for everyone. We piddle around each morning (I write and swill coffee), we run whatever errands need doing and then each evening we watch Dexter. Weird, I know, such a habit but then we invested in all the seasons and we've been having fun watching all that murder and mayhem. At the end of the month, I'm being invaded by my besties Desiree Holt, Nicole Austin, Allie Standifer and Brenna Zinn for a few days. Back in February, we got together at Des's house and now it's my turn to play hostess. I've been sprucing up the house and deciding what decadent goodies to stock up on. We'll be celebrating Des's birthday so, yes, birthday cake too!

In other news: I've been getting some great reviews for recent release..two, just the other day for Lawman and Return to Delight from Miz Love Loves Books.

Miz Fangurl says: Lawman is a tale and a half. It has it all. Love, bonding, angst, dilemmas, past hurts that need healing, nasty villains, and heroes to win the day. Lots of sexy, brawny, delicious heroes. This series is a winner. I’ve loved them all so far. Long may it reign!

Miz Behavin' says: A thoroughly satisfying read that you won’t want to end. Witty dialogue, real kick-ass characters and a wonderful setting for a tale of love lost and found. I highly recommend Return to Delight if you like a well-rounded story with plenty of bedroom action.

Return to Delight is currently up for Book of the Month at Miz Love's so I would appreciate your vote!
Read both reviews here. http://www.mizlovelovesbooks.com/?zx=3521316f9cf53ba9

For High Plains Shifters Fans!

2011-05-04T10:58:00.000-05:00

YAY!!!!! Today is the day and the realization of a new addition for my High Plains Shifters series. As you know, this one took awhile being 'born' due to personal concerns but it's here now. Can't tell you how happy I am for this one to come out. Now it's time for the nerves to set in. I always get this way during a book release but this time, I think they're a bit worse. It was hard to sleep last night. I tossed and turned and ended up waking waaaay later than normal. Naturally the first thing I did was check to see if Lawman was LIVE. Once I was assured of things I opened my email to all kinds of happy wishes. That's what happens to most of us on release day and it's such a great feeling to have so much support!

To my readers....thanks for your patience and support! If you pick up a copy of Lawman, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9289-lawman.aspx

Book 5 in the High Plains Shifters series.

In the deep of night she longs for him. Mate, lycan, lover. Her lawman. As Katalin Petrova struggles to control her wild and untamed “gift”, she yearns for the only man who can make her whole. His every touch burns, searing her with unimaginable pleasure. Only her strong, protective lover can tame the wild yearnings of her body and help her claim the power of her ancestors.

While Gabriel Dunham, lycan lieutenant of the Wolf Creek Pack, watches over his intended mate, his patience to claim her nears an end as savage need burns his body. Consumed by unbridled lust, he claims her, takes her, hoping it will be enough to protect Katalin from unseen forces determined to rip her from his arms.

By reading any further, you are stating that you are at least 18 years of age. If you are under the age of 18, it is necessary to exit this site.

An Excerpt From: LAWMAN

Copyright © REGINA CARLYSLE, 2011

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

Chapter One

Though it was midafternoon, weariness settled over Sheriff Gabriel Dunham like a shroud and he had only a serious lack of sleep to blame. Nights spent in his truck while watching over Katalin, his intended mate, had taken their toll on him. Every night, he stared toward her small, secluded house where a warm bed and a beautiful woman waited for him. But he was no fool. He didn’t dare go inside. Taking her now, making her his wasn’t an option at the moment.

She was too fragile, much too delicate and Gabe simply wasn’t strong enough to hold back from his determined need to stake his claim on her.

Kat needed more from him now than hot, frantic sex.

After all she’d been through, Katalin needed safety and he wasn’t quite sure that he could deliver considering the raw, savage need that clawed through his belly. It was like a prairie fire gone wild, alarming in its intensity.

Protecting others was in his nature and he’d face death rather than hurt her.

A lawman who’d lived more than two hundred years on this earth, he’d worked the docks in the great ports of St. Louis during American expansion to the West and then later, he’d followed covered wagons filled with hopeful adventurers. In those days, he’d been a lycan in search of a pack, a place and a people to call his own. He’d settled in rough, rowdy towns throughout the savage West selling his skills with a gun, sometimes in the name of law and order and sometimes not. Many had been the time Gabriel Dunham had accepted the job as “protector”, a bodyguard to the rich and powerful. That he was a giant of a man who stood well over six foot seven and appeared as intimidating as hell had kept him employed throughout the West during the many years of his life.

Gabe leaned back in the chair at his scarred desk and propped his booted feet atop it, crossing them at the ankle. His eyes burned like hellfire and he needed sleep in the worst way. Burning the candle at both ends wore at him.

As always, in quiet moments, he thought of Katalin Petrova.

Through the past centuries, he’d hoped and prayed for a mate, the woman destined to belong to him alone and he’d pretty much given up on ever finding her. But now, through an act of fate, she was here, a beautiful female who was too damn delicate to touch.

Breakable.

She’d just taken a job at the library at Cloverfield High School. The school year was brand new and suddenly the local streets were quiet since every teen lycan in town was currently parked at the school instead of dragging Main Street or partying out by the lake as kids were known to do. He knew that after her ordeal over the summer she was making baby steps toward re-entering society. Dr. Santos, a lycan psychiatrist from Dallas, had suggested this job would be a good thing for her so Katalin had bravely forged ahead with things.

Was she thinking of him as he thought of her, a quiet obsession born of desperation burning just below the surface of her skin? Scrubbing his palms over his face, Gabe finally closed his eyes and let her image swim to the surface of his mind. Damn but his mate was a pretty woman. The ache of his need wasn’t a sudden thing but a perpetual burning in his gut, a need to claim her, fuck her, and make her his.

For life.

Sighing deeply, the sound of the air conditioner a low hum in the room, he let himself drift off as memories of his first moments with her sifted through his brain and sleep took him away.

“I’ve got you now, Katalin. You’re safe.” Sitting at the side of her bed as shadows surrounded them, Gabe reached out his hand to brush back a pale reddish curl from her forehead. Someone had once told him this particular color was strawberry blonde but it sure looked like a Texas sunset to him. Katalin Petrova’s exotically tilted blue eyes looked back vacantly but he sensed the current of emotion that raced through her veins. Letting his mind meld with hers, he absorbed her desolation into his pores. A vast emptiness, fear, rage, guilt.

Guilt?

What the fuck? Why?

That he felt her emotions, even buried as deeply as they were, was no surprise to him. This was the way of mated couples. Instant recognition had swept him from the first moment he’d clapped eyes on her. “You don’t have to worry about anything now. Not even talking, honey. I know you can’t right now but that’s all right. Do you hear me? You are going to be fine and nothing is gonna pry my ass from your side. Do you believe me?”

Katalin blinked.

Me & Mr. Jones...They've Got a Thing Going On!

2011-04-20T10:19:00.000-05:00

Boy do I have a treat for YOU today! Today is the release of Cerise Deland's Me and Mr. Jones, a hot little romp that features all the good stuff that fans of erotic romance crave. Nobody does it better than this author who is hand's down one of my favorites. I swear this title makes me think of the old song and, damn it, I know it'll be rolling through my mind all day. Me and Mr. Jooooones...they've got a thiiiiiiing going oooooooon. They both know that it's wroooooong....you get the drift.

Buy it Here!

What woman wouldn’t crave an annual erotic, exotic rendezvous? With a demanding lover who’s proven he’s as scintillating and devoted in bed as out?

Corin Campbell tears open the instructions for her yearly tryst with her insatiable Mr. Jones, eager to experience what heart-pounding excitements he’s created for them this year in Paris. Corin knows the Chinese love balls, her leather outfit, the masseur, the caviar and the five exhibitionists are only the prelude to hours of intoxicating delight in Jones’ arms. What can he teach her this year about the enduring charm of his loving and the delights only he can summon?

Reader Advisory: The weekend in Paris offers nibbles of exhibitionism, BDSM and M/F/M/F/M. C’est bon!

An Excerpt From: ME AND MR. JONES

Copyright © CERISE DELAND, 2011

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

Chapter One

Corin stood in the stalled Immigration line at Charles DeGaulle Airport with an impatience that bubbled like champagne in her stomach. Sure, she had jet lag. Who wouldn’t after six hours on a plane from New York? In a cramped seat in the back hugging the stewardesses’s food stations, she’d barely slept. Couldn’t eat. Plus, she was certain she looked like hell.

Bleary-eyed. Little makeup. Jeans. Black turtleneck. How much worse could she look as she entered the City of Light and Love for her annual rendezvous with her longtime lover?

Okay! Enough. She pressed a hand to her thumping heart. Calm down. You know he has a stunning new erotic surprise in the works. He always does. Every year. For six years running. Though this year their weekend was oddly early and she had no idea why.

She shifted from one foot to the other, telling herself to cast off her worries about the change in date. But as she did, she felt the weight of the first surprise Mr. Jones had sent her for this year’s erotic weekend. And she grinned to herself.

Wear these, he had written in his blunt script on the thick vellum note delivered two days ago to her office by special courier. Push them up inside your pussy before you leave for the plane. Seat them fully in your juicy cunt and imagine how I will dream of you dreaming of me as they roll inside you for hours of anticipation.

“And they certainly do their job,” she said to herself, giving a little shudder of delight as the Chinese love balls massaged the inside of her aroused channel. Her eyes drifted closed, a picture of the man she was soon to meet filling her mind. His ash-blond hair curling around his nape. His mouth, a hard slash of expression except when he took her in his arms. His body, toned and tan at forty, despite the way he worked too much and traveled too often. But when they met on these rendezvous, he was all hers. For hours. Days, if he could steal them from his grueling schedule. And she had never had a lover like him. Not as devoted. Not as inventive. Never so totally hers. Her Mr. Jones.

“Passport!” the immigration clerk barked and motioned her forward.

Corin stepped to the counter and plunked down the document.

“Intention of your visit?” the clerk demanded in English deliciously tinged with her native French.

Seduction. “Tourist,” she told the woman, though she had lived in Paris as a teenager for two years with her mother and knew the city very well.

“Length of stay?”

“Just the weekend.” It’s all I can afford. There are so many responsibilities to go home to. Plus, it’s a miracle I even caught the plane in that snowstorm!

“Oui.” The official stamped her passport and waved her onward.

Taking the hall at a brisk pace, Corin moaned at the friction of the Ben Wa balls as she hastened into the terminal.

New from the Fabulous Allie Standifer

2011-04-19T09:38:00.001-05:00

First off, thanks to everyone who came out to play yesterday as we celebrated Desiree Holt's 100th book Downstroke! We had a great turnout for the contest and if you are wondering who won? Check the post below where Des announced who won something awesome from her backlist.

Yesterday, Allie Standifer's newest hot, hot, title from the Club Botticelli series released at Total E Bound. I've been reading the series and can't wait to dig into this one. So whip out those credit cards, folks and pick this up and if you haven't read the first books (Ordering Olivia, Enticing Emma and Beguiling Briley) then don't miss out and heck, just get them all.

Buy it HERE!

Book four in the Club Botticelli Series

Some mistakes can never be forgotten, especially when they turn up looking hotter and sexier than ever.

Last year Trinity made a mistake. She had one night filled with the best sex of her life. In the morning he was gone. Gone as in left the country gone.

Hunt ran from the best thing he’d ever had, but now he’s tired of running and denying the woman who haunts his every thought. Time to play dirty.

Trinity wakes up in another country, alone on a desert island except for the one man she can’t forget or forgive.

There’s a long way to go before Hunt can get the woman of his dreams back in his arms, but the more she balks the less he can resist Teasing Trinity.

Reader Advisory:Beware this book contains a pissed-off kidnapped clothing designer, one sneaky hot doctor and an island paradise where everything is possible. This book contains fun D/s, bondage, naughty words and sand in some very uncomfortable places.

In other news: I just got some awesome new promo in the mail. Ordered up some gorgeous postcards of the Panther Moon cover and picked up more magnets. Also just put in an order for beautiful bookmarks. I'd been meaning to get some for a long time and when Lex Valentine worked up something awesome for me, I just couldn't resist. Now I'm wondering about trading cards. Should I do them or not? Hmmmm.

Celebrate Desiree Holt's 100th Release...Win a Netbook

2011-04-18T08:37:00.000-05:00

This month Desiree Holt celebrates her 100th release with Downstroke from Ellora’s Cave.
As part of the celebration, Desiree is giving away a prize every day of one copy of one of Desiree's novels of the reader's choice from her backlist. Names will be drawn from those who post comments. At the end of the month, one lucky person will win a grand prize of a refurbished Netbook with digital DVD drive. After you (the reader) post here, go to Desiree's web site at http://www.desireeholt.com/ and enter to win the grand prize of the netbook at the end of the month.

Downstroke is the story of lovers reunited after twenty years trying to bridge a gulf of bitterness while outwitting a killer. To help my buddy Desiree celebrate, I’m giving you a taste of one of her other books. Leave a comment here for Desiree. I will pick a name from the commenters for a winner of a choice from Desiree's backlist. Then, after you comment, go to www.desireeholt.com and enter the contest for the refurbished Acer netbook. You will also find a list there of all the other blogs participating in this celebration. Be sure to visit them and comment for more chances to win.

BLURB about Downstroke:

It’s been twenty years since Charley Roper and Dallas Creed parted with great bitterness. In that time she’s made a career for herself with the FBI and private security and he’s been a country rock music icon…tumbled to the bottom and risen again. Now someone’s trying to kill him and Morgan Creed wants Charley to protect his brother and find out who’s after him. When they meet again after all this time it’s obvious the chemistry is still there, stronger than ever. They’re older but are they wiser? Caught up in the bitter wash of memories and the tension of a killer in stalking mode, Charley and Dallas begin a roller coaster ride that is emotional erotic and suspenseful. Is their love strong enough after twenty years to pull them back together?

I've had the extraordinary pleasure of working with Desiree on several projects over the years. Most have been multi-author series and I have to say that I love every minute of working with this talented lady and I highly suspect we'll do more things together in the future. Our most recent project was the Sequins, Saddles and Spurs series. This contemporary western romp featured Desiree's Trouble in Cowboy Boots, my Trouble in a Stetson, and Ciana Stone's Trouble in Chaps. All three books are available at Ellora's Cave as e-books and the print collection is available at Barnes and Noble and Amazon. Trouble in Cowboy Boots went on to win the 2010 CAPA award for best bdsm book. YAY!

Here's an excerpt from Trouble in Cowboy Boots:

Chapter One

Emily Proctor slammed the hood of the car and looked at her two friends.

“I don’t have a clue what’s wrong with this clunker, but I jiggled everything I could. See if it starts now.”

They’d set out from Las Vegas, the three of them, refugees from downsizing, with nothing but this whale-sized bucket of bolts, a few possessions, prepaid cell phones for emergencies and the grand total of three hundred dollars between them. West, there was only California and LaLa Land so they’d headed east, away from the desert heat. They’d expected the car to break down somewhere, just not on a highway with nothing around them except pastures and cattle. They hadn’t even passed another vehicle in almost an hour. And it was hotter than nine kinds of hell.

Emily’d pulled her thick mane of sable hair back into a pony tail. Now she lifted it off her neck where it rested limply and used it to fan her skin. If this was a nightmare, she wanted to wake up right this minute.

Lola Lamont wriggled in behind the wheel. One blonde curl from the mass of curls piled haphazardly on her head and held in place with a clip fell forward onto her forehead and she brushed it impatiently away. Stretching out her long, showgirl legs and straightening the t-shirt that barely concealed breasts that were the envy of every other girl in the shows, she worked herself into place on the seat. Letting out a long, slow breath, she carefully turned the key. The motor coughed, gurgled, groaned and finally turned over with a sound that set all their teeth on edge.

“At least it started again.” Lola sighed. The 1966 pink Cadillac convertible was her contribution to their road trip. “This old gal has been very good to me.”

“It may be time to put her to sleep,” Roxie snorted.

“Roxie!” Lola did her best to look affronted.

“I’m with Rox,” Emily put in. “You think this hunk of junk will at least get us to the next town?”

Leaning against the car, Roxie fanned herself with her hand. “It better, or we’re gonna burn up like fried chicken.”

“All right.” Emily dusted her hands off on the seat of her jeans shorts. “Rox, get in the car. Lola, you drive. Roll all the windows down to catch some kind of breeze and pray as you never have before that we hit civilization before this thing rolls over for the last time.”

The grand adventure they’d tried to make this was turning into a grand pain in the ass. If they didn’t light somewhere soon they’d be in bigger trouble than they’d had in Vegas.

No one said a word as they rolled down the highway, each mile unwinding beneath them with unbearable slowness. Emily knew they were sending up silent prayers to the gods and the fates and anyone else who would listen.

Please, please, let us land somewhere safe.

Just as the engine was beginning to make threatening noises again, signs of life emerged. Smack in the middle of the highway sat a town. If you could call it that, Emily thought. A far cry from the glitz and glitter of Las Vegas.

But it had a main street, cross streets running into it and, lord have mercy, a cafe, where the car heaved its last and died.

“At least we’ll be able to get something cold to drink,” Roxie sighed.

“You better hope it’s cheap,” Lola warned. “Maybe we could all share one.”

“Maybe we could just go inside and see what’s what.” Emily blew a stray hair away from her face. How in god’s name had she ever thought this would be fun?

‘“What’s what’ better be a way to get that hunk of junk fixed,” Roxie said, climbing out of the car.

“As if.” Lola tugged on her very tight white shorts and brushed at her hot pink tank top. “The only way that’s gonna happen is if we rob a bank or win the lottery.”

“Right now we don’t even have money for a lottery ticket,” Emily reminded her and sighed. “Okay. Let’s go see what’s inside. Hopefully they have air conditioning or we might sweat to death.”

The inside of Blue Belle’s looked so cheerful Emily almost threw up. Booths among one wall were upholstered in what she could only call an electric blue and the scattering of tables and chairs had cheap vases of artificial blue flowers on them. Every available space on the wall was filled with more pictures of bluebonnets than she’d ever seen. Not that she’d seen that many.

At three o’clock in the afternoon the place was mostly empty. The first thing Emily noticed was the blast of cool air that greeted them. The second was the three men sitting at a corner table. They all looked up as the women trooped in. If Emily had been in a better mood she’d have checked them out. Right now all she wanted was cold liquid, not a hot man.

The three of them plunked down in chairs at a table near the door. Roxie picked up the menus stuck between the salt and pepper shakers and fanned herself. A woman in jeans and a blouse the loudest blue Emily had ever seen came out from behind the lunch counter.

“Y’all look like you’ve just been dragged through hell,” she commented. “What can I get for you?”

Roxie stopped fanning herself and looked at the plastic-covered menu. “We’ll have the large Coke.”

“All of you?” the waitress asked.

“One coke,” Emily told her. “Three straws.”

The woman stared at them for a long minute then shrugged. “Okay. One Coke. Three straws.”

“Couldn’t we each just get a small one?” Lola whined.

Emily bit back the retort that bubbled up. “Even a small one is more than two dollars,” she hissed. “They probably think they’ll get rich on strangers coming through.”

The woman returned with a huge glass filled with the bubbly soda, plunked it down on the table and slammed three paper-wrapped straws beside it.

“She probably figures she won’t be getting as tip,” Lola giggled.

“She’s right,” Emily said and picked up one of the straws.

They were each taking small sips, savoring the icy cold liquid, when the waitress returned with two more large glasses of coke and set them on the table.

Emily looked up at her. “Um, we didn’t order those.”

“I know.” The woman’s voice could have curdled milk. “Your friends over there did.”

“My friends?” Emily frowned. “I don’t have any friends here.”

“You do now.”

The voice was deep and so smooth it sent shivers of delight dancing along her spine. She was vaguely aware of a chair scraping on the floor next to her and a body folding down into it. When she forced herself to look at the occupant she nearly lost it. A typical cowboy hat sat atop a head with thick, sun-streaked brown hair long enough to touch the collar of his chambray shirt. Hazel eyes with flecks of amber and green were watching her with an amused look. Sensuous lips turned up in a slight grin that softened the harsh angles and planes of his very masculine face. Faded jeans covered long legs that he crossed with one ankle resting on the other knee, giving her a good look at dusty, but obviously expensive, cowboy boots. Hand tooled. Emily had seen enough of them on high rollers in Vegas.

Lawman Releases May 4 at Ellora's Cave

2011-04-15T08:57:00.000-05:00

The past few months have been SUPER DUPER busy with two releases in March (Panther Moon and Return to Delight) and now I'm thrilled to announce that Lawman, book five of the High Plains Shifters series, comes out on May 4. As you all know last year was tough on the home front and this was the book that was basically put on the back burner until I was mentally ready to write it. And since this is a story that I've gotten so much mail about, I was a little nervous about getting it down. Finally I managed to wrap my brain around this rather intense story of Cloverfield Sheriff, Gabriel Dunham and his intended mate, Katalin Petrova. Let me share a bit about the story with you. I hope everyone likes it. Have to say I'm pleased with the way it all turned out. BTW...love the cover, don't you? EC's fabulous Syneca did this for me.

Blurb:

Book 5 in the High Plains Shifters series.

In the deep of night she longs for him. Mate, lycan, lover. Her lawman. As Katalin Petrova struggles to control her wild and untamed “gift”, she yearns for the only man who can make her whole. His every touch burns her, searing her with unimaginable pleasure. Only her strong, protective lover can tame the wild yearnings of her body and help her claim the power of her ancestors.

While Gabriel Dunham, lycan lieutenant of the Wolf Creek Pack, watches over his intended mate, his patience to claim her nears an end as savage need burns his body. Consumed by unbridled lust for his mate, he claims her, takes her, hoping it will be enough to protect her from unseen forces determined to rip her from his arms.

An Excerpt From: LAWMAN

Copyright © REGINA CARLYSLE, 2011

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

Chapter One

Though it was mid-afternoon weariness settled over Sheriff Gabriel Dunham like a shroud and he had only a serious lack of sleep to blame. Nights spent in his truck while watching over Katalin, his intended mate, had taken their toll on him. Every night, he stared toward her small, secluded house where a warm bed and a beautiful woman waited for him. But he was no fool. He didn’t dare go inside. Taking her now, making her his wasn’t an option at the moment.

She was too fragile, much too delicate and Gabe simply wasn’t strong enough to hold back from his determined need to stake his claim on her.

Kat needed more from him now than hot, frantic sex.

After all she’d been through, Katalin needed safety and he wasn’t quite sure that he could deliver considering the raw, savage need that clawed through his belly. It was like a prairie fire gone wild, alarming in its intensity.

Protecting others was in his nature and he’d face death rather than hurt her.

A lawman who’d lived more than two hundred years on this earth, he’d worked the docks in the great ports of St. Louis during American expansion to the west and then later, he’d followed covered wagons filled with hopeful adventurers. In those days, he’d been a lycan in search of a pack, a place and a people to call his own. He’d settled in rough, rowdy towns throughout the savage west selling his skills with a gun, sometimes in the name of law and order and sometimes not. Many had been the time Gabriel Dunham had accepted the job as “protector”, a bodyguard to the rich and powerful. That he was a giant of a man who stood well over six foot seven and appeared as intimidating as hell had kept him employed throughout the west during the many years of his life.

Gabe leaned back in the chair at his scarred desk and propped his booted feet atop it, crossing them at the ankle. His eyes burned like hellfire and he needed sleep in the worst way. Burning the candle at both ends wore at him.

As always, in quiet moments, he thought of Katalin Petrova.

Through the past centuries, he’d hoped and prayed for a mate, the woman destined to belong to him alone and he’d pretty much given up on ever finding her. But now, through an act of fate, she was here, a beautiful female who was too damn delicate to touch.

Breakable.

She’d just taken a job at the library at Cloverfield High School. The school year was brand new and suddenly the local streets were quiet since every teen lycan in town was currently parked at the school instead of dragging main or partying out by the lake as kids were known to do. He knew that after her ordeal over the summer she was making baby steps toward re-entering society. Dr. Santos, a lycan psychiatrist from Dallas, had suggested this job would be a good thing for her so Katalin had bravely forged ahead with things.

Was she thinking of him as he thought of her, a quiet obsession born of desperation burning just below the surface of her skin? Scrubbing his palms over his face, Gabe finally closed his eyes and let her image swim to the surface of his mind. Damn but his mate was a pretty woman. The ache of his need wasn’t a sudden thing but a perpetual burning in his gut, a need to claim her, fuck her, and make her his.

For life.

Sighing deeply, the sound of the air conditioner a low hum in the room, he let himself drift off as memories of his first moments with her sifted through his brain and sleep took him away.

“I’ve got you now, Katalin. You’re safe.” Sitting at the side of her bed as shadows surrounded them, Gabe reached out his hand to brush back a pale reddish curl from her forehead. Someone had once told him this particular color was strawberry blonde but it sure looked like a Texas sunset to him. Katalin Petrova’s exotically tilted blue eyes looked back vacantly but he sensed the current of emotion that raced through her veins. Letting his mind meld with hers, he absorbed her desolation into his pores. A huge vast emptiness, fear, rage, guilt.

Guilt?

What the fuck? Why?

That he felt her emotions, even buried as deeply as they were, was no surprise to him. This was the way of mated couples. Instant recognition had swept him from the first moment he’d clapped eyes on her. “You don’t have to worry about anything now. Not even talking, honey. I know you can’t right now but that’s all right. Do you hear me? You are going to be fine and nothing is gonna pry my ass from your side. Do you believe me?”

Katalin blinked.

News and Reviews:
First off, thanks to everyone who voted for Panther Moon which won Book of the Month at Sizzling Hot Book Reviews! You know I love, you guys! Thanks!

Panther Moon (Ellora's Cave) received a Best Book review from Siren Book Reviews. You can read the review here.

Feral Moon (Ellora's Cave, 2008) was reviewed by Sizzling Hot Book Reviews. You can read the review here. http://www.sizzlinghotbooks.net/2011/04/feral-moon-by-regina-carlysle.html?zx=e01047094a505483

Panther Moon was named a Top Pick at Night Owl Reviews. You can read the review here.
http://www.nightowlreviews.com/nor/Reviews/Angibabi4-reviews-Panther-Moon-by-Regina-Carlysle.aspx

Now Back to Our Regular Schedule

2011-04-04T10:31:00.000-05:00

I really, seriously, truly love Mondays. Color me crazy but I must have a schedule or I go nuts and weekends are just such a free-for-all that by the time Sunday evening rolls around, I'm just READY for some sanity. Last weekend my daughter came home for a visit and you all KNOW how I love that. We caught up in happenings in her world, did some shopping, and messed around in the yard. Mr. Regina smoked a couple huge briskets....one for now and one for later...and we had an incredible meal Saturday night.

Now things have settled down some and I've been dreaming about Return of the Daredevil. Yeah, I know. Weird. But I figure when I can't get a book off my mind, I'd better write it. Have already had some wonderful letters about Return to Delight (which released last Weds. at Ellora's Cave) and their compliments have encouraged me to get on with T and Melanie's story. It's tapping in my brain at this very moment so I'll be pulling up the document after posting here.

Thanks to everyone who voted for Panther Moon (March EC) for Book of the Month at Sizzling Hot Book Reviews. I'm happy to announce the book won (thanks to all that great support) and will be featured on their site for the month of April. YAY! I also got two, yes TWO, great reviews. The Romance Studio wrote up Trouble in a Stetson and really liked the book, so thanks to Shannon for this. You can read the review here! Then the other day I got a review for Panther Moon from Miz Love Loves Books. WHOOP! You can read it here!

In other news, head over to Three Wicked Writers plus Two. http://threewickedwriters.blogspot.com/ and check out our new look. A new look, new contributors and a whole not of interesting commentary. And if you are interested in joining a fun loop, please join us at the Three Wicked Writers yahoo loop HERE. We'd love to have you.

CONTEST WINNERS!!!!!!!

2011-04-02T09:45:00.000-05:00

Everything was comin' up cowboys around here for a few days as the fabulously awesome Mari Carr and I had some cool contest fun for the releases of Inflamed (Mari) and Return to Delight (Me). Thanks to everyone for playing our game. You guys really had some great insight into why you love those smokin' hot cowboys.

My Winner is Elece!
Mari's Winner is Kim!

Congrats, ladies! Elece, please contact me at reginacarlysle@yahoo.com

Everything's Comin' Up Cowboys!

2011-03-30T09:07:00.000-05:00

Everything's comin' up cowboys around here today with the release of Return to Delight from the Lawless line at Ellora's Cave. When I found out my friend Mari Carr's Inflamed was set for the same date (and it's ALSO in the Lawless line) we couldn't resist teaming up for a cowboy contest! Beginning today and lasting until mid-night on Friday, we'll ask you some pretty simple questions and the winners will win a book from our backlist.

Mari and I both have a 'cowboy question' to pose. While you are here, take a look at my question but head over to Mari's blog and leave the answer in her comment box. While at Mari's blog, read her question but answer it HERE. Easy right? We'll each name a winner on Saturday morning at our respective blogs.

My question: What is the downright sexiest thing about a cowboy?

Important! Answer this question in the comment section at Mari's blog

Buy it HERE!

Blurb:

Harley June Baker left Delight thinking never to return, but when circumstances draw her back to this tiny town and straight into Cooper’s strong arms, she knows she’s in deep trouble. The man she’d loved and left behind is now one sexy devil-in-denim and hotter than a Texas summer night. With his every wicked touch throwing her senses into overdrive, how could any sane woman resist?

Cooper Dobbs is a man on a mission. He let Harley get away once, but never again. Knowing it’s time to burn up some sheets with the delectable woman, Cooper plies her with a raw, savage passion that threatens to incinerate them both. It’s gonna take plenty of panty-drenching sex and a fair amount of sweet-talkin’ to make Harley his, but Cooper reckons he’s up to the challenge.

An Excerpt From: RETURN TO DELIGHT

Chapter One

Harley June Baker tightened her grip on the steering wheel of her candy-apple red Mazda Miata and pressed a booted foot on the accelerator as she swept past the powder blue sign that read Welcome to Delight! Serving up miles of smiles deep in the heart of Texas!

Yeah, right.

She did the whole mental eye roll thing. All the town of Delight ever served up was a healthy dose of boredom. Around these parts, the citizens of this tiny Hill Country town called the place Dee-light with a heavy emphasis on the “e” but as a starry-eyed teenager with a thirst for excitement and adventure, all she’d really wanted was to get the hell out. Back then the place was one dead-end road to nowhere but now she wasn’t so sure. Childhood memories rolled slowly over her threatening to take her under.

The blast of nostalgia hit her, quite unexpectedly, and she blinked back tears as she thought of her mom and how much she missed her. Deborah had died a few months ago leaving Harley June a million good memories along with an aging Victorian that had been in the family for countless generations. For as long as she could remember it had just been her and Mom. She didn’t know her dad. He’d hung around long enough to name her after his favorite motorcycle and then one day, he’d gotten on it and driven away never to return.

What a shithead!

Her mom had been a wonderful woman but he’d been too young and stupid to see that. She and Mom had done okay though. When she reached adulthood, she realized that not only did she look like Mom but that she’d inherited a sassy streak of independence and a hard-work ethic that was pure Deb Baker.

Harley stopped at a red light in the center of Main and flipped on her right turn signal. Leaving Mom a dozen years ago to chase her dreams had been one of the hardest things she’d ever done. She turned at the First Methodist Church and drove the three blocks to Austin Road. Her hands began to tremble and tears filled her eyes when she took in the long, tree-lined street with its neatly paved sidewalks. When she was little, she’d mastered bike riding and in-line skates on those concrete paths. In the distance she spotted the big Victorian that had been in her family for generations. She shouldn’t sell it! She should keep it and see if she could make a different kind of life for herself in this small town that held her childhood memories.

“No! I can’t stay. There’s nothing for me here,” she argued aloud. Then her eyes narrowed as she saw the shiny black bad-boy truck parked in front of the house. Next to the vehicle sat a giant-sized toolbox and several cans of paint. Harley June pulled up behind the truck and turned off the ignition. She’d hired Connelly Brothers Construction to do an eensy face-lift on the house to make it more attractive to potential buyers. Obviously they’d followed her instructions and had sent someone over to begin work. She had emailed several days ago telling them she’d be in town and it was good to see they’d gotten a start on things.

Grabbing her purse from the passenger seat, she stepped out and walked to the sidewalk, stopping to take in the wide, old-fashioned veranda with its large round pillars and the high gables of the roofline. Someone had repainted the double front doors a dark charcoal and had planted bold, red geraniums in the iron urns flanking the entrance.

Why?

It was beyond strange considering she was selling. Yes, they were lovely but who would do such a thing?

Frowning a little, she advanced, her boot heels knocking smartly on the front walkway. As she headed up the wide steps to the porch, she stopped then caught her breath and held it. Nostalgia mixed with bittersweet longing curled tightly in her chest as Cooper Dobbs stood there looking at her through a pair of heavily lashed smoky-colored eyes. Bare-chested and holding a well-used paintbrush, he grinned broadly. A pair of dimples dipped into his bronzed cheeks and his blacker-than-night hair was mussed as if he’d repeatedly raked his fingers through it. A portion of that sexy black stuff drooped over his forehead. His eyes crinkled at the corners as he dropped the paintbrush onto a broad swath of canvas on the floor of the porch. “Well, hey Harley June! It’s about damn time you came home,” he drawled as he reached into a back pocket to grab a crumpled blue bandanna. He wiped futilely at the pale gray paint smears on his deliciously mounded chest and dragged it over a set of washboard abs.

Was there drool on her chin?

Buy it HERE!

Blurb:

Stuck in a rut in every way possible, Keri decides her first step in a bid for change is moving back to the Texas home she left years ago. The second step? Spicing up her sex life with the crazy-hot cowboys she left behind. Too responsible (and smart) to touch her way back when, Max and Shaw filled Keri’s hottest teen dreams. Now she’s older, wiser—and more than ready to make up for lost time.

Max and Shaw were always fond of Keri, but the stunning woman strutting back into their lives is a far cry from the serious, studious teen they remember. She wants to take a walk on the racy side—with both of them—and the cowboys are only too happy to oblige. As they suspected, the sex is explosive, though Max and Shaw aren’t sure Keri can really handle everything they have to give.

Nor do they know if she can handle the sexy secret they’ve yet to divulge.

An Excerpt From: INFLAMED

Copyright © MARI CARR, 2011

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

Shaw tossed back the last of his beer and then waved the waitress over, asking her to set them up with another round. They’d danced up a sweat, Max and Shaw each taking turns with Keri on the floor.

“Thought you said you couldn’t two-step,” Shaw said. She’d more than held her own, twirling to the music like a professional dancer.

She laughed. “You were right. I’d never had the right partners before.”

Shaw considered her answer and the way she looked at them. Her gaze was hungry, inviting. He glanced at Max, but his friend shook his head slightly. Obviously Max was going to be stubborn. Shaw was tempted to pull him outside and tell him how often Keri’s hand had grazed his ass when they were dancing. She was putting out more than a few signals, and his pigheaded friend was pointedly ignoring them.

Shaw looked at her flushed face and decided it was probably time for a break.

“How about a game of pool?” he suggested. “There’s a small room off the back of the bar that doesn’t get used much.”

Keri nodded quickly. “Sounds like fun. I haven’t played pool since college.”

Shaw rubbed his hands together as they rose and started toward the back room. He gave her an appraising look. “Is that right? Hmmm. Maybe we should come up with a wager then.”

Max shook his head, laughing. “He’s a shark, Keri. Beware.”

“Oh, you don’t have to worry about me,” Keri replied. She stood and let Shaw tug her toward the pool room before continuing. “I may have been gone awhile but I have a very long memory. Don’t think I’ve forgotten about you scamming me out of two weeks’ allowance while teaching me how to play Texas Hold ’Em my sophomore year.”

Shaw laughed at the memory. “Hey, darlin’. I warned you before you joined that game, if you played with the big dogs, you were bound to get bit.”

“Maybe so, but be warned, sometimes the puppy bites back.”

Her sexy innuendo was accompanied by a quick glance below his waist. Shaw reconciled himself to the fact that his cock—which had been residing at half-mast most of the night—was finished fooling around and had made a full-fledged appearance. Nothing short of sex or a quick hand-job in the bathroom was going to cure that affliction. Keri noticed his problem and gave him a wicked grin.

“By the way,” she said, “you can’t claim that as a handicap.”

Shaw’s mouth went dry at her red-hot tease and he looked around to see if Max had heard. Sadly, his friend was still at the table handing the waitress some money and grabbing their fresh beers. Fuck. It was going to be a long night.

They walked into the back room and claimed the pool table just being vacated by a couple of cowboys. The room was dark and dingy and the table wasn’t exactly level, which explained why no one ever used it. Shaw was simply using it as an excuse to get Keri alone for a little while. The loud music was dimmed by the walls, so there was no way Max could continue to pretend not to hear that she was coming on to them.

Shaw narrowed his eyes as one of the men leaving the room slowed his departure to check out Keri more thoroughly. She was wearing a miniskirt that was two inches too close to baring too much for Shaw’s comfort. While he hadn’t minded getting a good look at her long, luscious legs in the truck on the way here, he’d been battling the impulse to pulverize every man who’d leered at her since they’d entered the bar.

“So how do you want to do this?” Keri asked as she picked up a pool cue. “Kind of hard to play pool with three people.”

“You’re on my team,” Max replied, entering the room and setting the beers down on the lone table. “We’ll take turns shooting against Shaw.”

Shaw narrowed his eyes. “How come you get Keri? Maybe I want her on my team.”

Keri laughed. “Believe me, I’m going to be the weakest link. Personally, I think you two should be fighting over who has to take me.”

Shaw suppressed a groan. He wanted to take her, all right. “I don’t think that’s ever gonna be a fight Max and I will have.”

Max threw him a warning glance as he bent down to rack the balls. “We’ll take turns. I get Keri for the first game. You can have her next time.”

“Or,” Shaw said, rubbing chalk over the tip of his cue, “we could share her. She’ll play with both of us.” Shaw walked up behind her, bending her slightly over the table. “In the interest of sharing our vast experience with you, of course.” He handed her the stick and wrapped his arms around her, pretending to show her how to hold the pool cue. The move was purely sensual. Shaw ignored the daggers he could feel Max shooting in his direction as his friend finished racking the balls. Shaw was done pretending so that Max could soothe his guilty conscience. She may still be sweet Keri, but she wasn’t an innocent by any stretch of the imagination. Time to take off the kid gloves.

Keri grinned as she looked over her shoulder. His wicked intentions weren’t lost on her. She bent lower and pushed back slightly, her ass rubbing against Shaw’s cock.

“Like this?” she purred.

He gritted his teeth in an attempt to withstand her sneak attack. She’d taken him down with his own weapon. There was no way to mistake her movements as anything other than a pure come-on.

All bets were off.

Another Test Post

2011-03-29T19:09:00.000-05:00

Doing another test post after updating to the 'new' version of blogger. Maybe this will fix the problem of not having spacing and what have you.

Honestly! Very frustrating since I've been posting stuff to blogger for years. Always something new, isn't it? Okay. Hoping this gets it.

Ooooh. Yay. Just did the preview thingy and it seems to be working now. WHOOOP.

Test Post

2011-03-29T18:56:00.002-05:00

Hi Folks! Been having a little problem with my blogger posts so I'm experimenting with sending a post from my email. Please bear with me. I'm also including a pic of my cover of Return to Delight, which comes out tomorrow at Ellora's Cave. Tomorrow I'll be having a contest with the wonderful Mari Carr. Mari's Inflamed (also in the Lawless line) releases tomorrow too so we decided to make things fun and double promote offering contests and downloads of the winner's choice. Sounds pretty good huh? Okay, going to see if this system works. LOL. It's always something, isn't it? Thanks, Regina

Test Post

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This online album has 2 photos and will be available on SkyDrive until 06/27/2011.

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Why Monday's Don't Suck

2011-03-28T08:58:00.006-05:00

Ever have one of those weekends that was so crazy, so action packed that you just breathe a sigh of relief when Monday rolls 'round? Actually things were pretty good Saturday morning. Over at the Three Wicked Writers loop, we decided to do a writing exercise. A number of us were stalled at various spots in our WIPs so we did a timed deal, reporting back every hour to check back in with everyone and announce how many words we'd gotten. Lots of folks played and it was so nice see everyone have some success. Some authors finished chapters and I started a chapter which I came very close to finishing. Now that crazy-time in the Land of Regina is over, I'm hoping to polish all that up and move on. NOTE before I move on and forget: The Three Wicked Writers loop actually is owned by more than three writers (ha...go figure) but we have a blast. So sign up to play with Me, Tess MacKall, Allie Standifer, Mia Watts, and Cari Quinn HERE . We are small, laid back and have a lot of fun. Okay, back to the post. While I'm doing my writing challenge, Mr. Reg hit the nursery for bedding plants and flowers so, after a bit I headed outside. It was a gorgeous day in Texas, warm and sunny, so we turned on some music, soaked in the pretty weather and by the time night rolled around we'd opened a bottle of wine and sat under the stars. Talked for hours. Love nights like that. So all in all, Saturday was magnificent and then Sunday, unfortunately, happened. Cold, blustery, gray and all around nasty, we wondered what on earth had happened to our happy-weather. Seems yesterday that all hell broke loose. It all began when I tried to put up a guest post on the Three Wicked Writers plus Two blog. siiiigh. Every paragraph messed up the instant it was copied to the page. Had an excerpt to put up there and all the dialogue ran together so over and over I went through the excerpt to 'fix it'. Uh uh. Not working. All this occured on one cup of coffee. Finally, finally after multiple the post looks fine. Don't know WHAT I was doing wrong or if it was an evil gremlin in the system but Tess MacKall got it working. Thanks Tess! But the day gets better! We are doing a re-design of the Three Wicked Writers plus Two blog, going through pics, sending them back and forth. I swear I looked at so many pictures my eyes were crossing. Further emails began to fly between my daughter and me. She is in the process of looking at a change in majors and the chatter on that continued from the moment my feet hit the floor in the a.m. until moments before I wearily crawled into bed. Wore me out! Also working on doing some promotion with EC author, Mari Carr. We both have book releases on Wednesday and will be doing a joint contest. Other things happened throughout the day and into the evening. I knew, just KNEW, I was going to end up dreaming about rats. I also dream of them when too much chaos is around me. This morning I actually woke up WORRIED. Can I take another weekend like last one? Would the chaos continue? Have no idea. It's Monday. A new day and a new week but I'm crossing my fingers that things will settle down just a little bit. What are Mondays good for? In my view they are perfect for starting over and resting up.

What do you do when it RAINS????

2011-03-25T09:26:00.006-05:00

My friend and Ellora's Cave author, Amber Skyze has the answer to that burning question in her new release Just Another Rainy Day. Sounds absolutely DEELISH to me! And HOT! Oh so HOT!

So whip out your credit card and head over to Ellora's Cave today for your copy of this yummy tale.

Buy it HERE!

Tired of their ho-hum sex life, Jack decides to spice things up by planning a surprise for his wife. After sending the children off for an overnight with their aunt, Jack handcuffs Beth to their bed.

Beth awakes naked, blindfolded and at the mercy of her husband. The day starts off with being fed by Jack and quickly turns into hot and heavy sex. She soon learns that a slip of the tongue can lead to stinging ass cheeks.

This rainy day will be spent pushing their sexual limits. Whether in bed or out, Jack will leave Beth begging for more—until she says something unforgiveable.

Warning: Adult content

An Excerpt From: JUST ANOTHER RAINY DAY

Copyright © AMBER SKYZE, 2011

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

Chapter One

“Rise and shine, sleepyhead.”

Beth opened her eyes to total darkness. She attempted to move, but found her arms were pulled above her head. Around her wrists was soft fur. She tugged and the rattling sound of chains filled her ears. She was restrained. Fear spread throughout her body and into her throat.

“Why am I handcuffed?” As she tried to sit up she realized she was also blindfolded. Never in their fifteen years of marriage had she woken to find herself trussed like a slave or prisoner.

The smell of bacon wafted closer, assaulting her nostrils.

“I’m going to fuck that pussy all day long.”

Beth moved her head to the left where Jack’s voice echoed through the room. She shivered. The thought of him fucking her all day sent chills down her spine, until reality came crashing back.

“What about the kids? Surely they’ll want Mom to cook them breakfast and drive them all over God’s creation.”

“All taken care of. I just sent them packing with Auntie. They’ll be home tomorrow bright and early.”

How long had she’d slept? She knew she was exhausted when she fell into bed the night before, but to sleep through the kids waking and Jack shackling her to the bed wasn’t like her.

“Did you spike my drink last night, Jack?”

A full belly laugh filled the room. “I’d hardly do something so sinister.”

He had a point. In all their marriage he’d never even spoken an ill word against her. Why should she accuse him of something so hideous?

“How did you manage to handcuff me to the bed?”

“You were snoring peacefully. I moved your arms without getting a peep out of you. You barely stirred.”

Beth racked her brains trying to remember any feeling of being moved around, but nothing came to mind.

“Clever, Jack, now uncuff me please.”

“No can do.”

“Huh? Please, Jack. My arms can only take so much of being stretched like this. I’d like you to release me, now.”

“Remember your prisoner fantasy?”

How could she forget? She’d told him about the fantasy eons ago. They’d been enjoying a glass of white wine on a cold winter’s night. They’d nestled all cozy in front of the fireplace. As they gazed into the glowing embers, she had shared her deepest darkest desires. Beth had told him how she wanted to feel as if she’d been kidnapped, taken away and tortured in every delicious way imaginable. Jack had listened quietly and nodded at the appropriate times. She’d explained that she pictured herself in the shower after a long day. A stranger would appear and pull her soaking wet from the streaming water. He’d carry her to her bedroom where he’d take what he wanted. He’d ignore her pleas for him to stop. He’d fuck her until they were both sated.

She’d thought he’d forgotten by now. Obviously he had been biding his time.

“Is this what is happening today? You’re living out my fantasy?” A slight shiver passed through her body. Jack had listened. He’d taken her seriously and decided to give her what she needed.

“We are and I’m in control. You will do as I say or suffer the consequences.”

Beth shook as a chill of delight filled her. Jack’s voice was deep and demanding. He was using his dominant tone.

“Got it.” A secret smile filled her soul.

Return to Delight Release Date

2011-03-24T08:58:00.004-05:00

Big news a few days ago! Return to Delight comes out at Ellora's Cave next Wednesday (March 30). My head is spinning with upcoming promotion and this time I'm doing double duty with the fab Mari Carr, who has a Lawless release on the same day. Her book Inflamed features not one hot cowboy but TWO. YUM. Anyway, we've decided that we'll have some contests and such. Should be fun to share the day!
Anyway, I'll have more on the goings-on soon, so check back for details.

In the meantime, here's a bit about Return to Delight. This is the first of a three-brothers series and Return to Delight features the middle brother Cooper. T (the youngest) and Ransom Dobbs (the oldest)
will get their stories soon. As most of you know, I tend to write a paranormal and then a contemporary Texas story. It's the way I roll these days so there is something for everyone. For me, I guess, it keeps things fresh and different.

AVAILABLE MARCH 30 from Ellora's Cave!

Harley June Baker left Delight thinking never to return, but when circumstances draw her back to this tiny town and straight into Cooper’s strong arms she knows she’s in deep trouble. The man she’d loved and left behind is now one sexy devil-in-denim and hotter than a Texas summer night. With his every wicked touch throwing her senses into overdrive, how could any sane woman resist?

Cooper Dobbs is a man on a mission. He let her get away once but never again. Knowing it’s time to burn up some sheets with the delectable Harley, Cooper plies her with a raw, savage passion that threatens to incinerate them both. It’s gonna take plenty of panty-drenching sex and a fair amount of sweet talkin’ but Cooper reckons he’s up to the challenge.

An Excerpt From: RETURN TO DELIGHT

Copyright © REGINA CARLYSLE, 2011

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

Chapter One

Harley June Baker tightened her grip on the steering wheel of her candy-apple red Mazda Miata and pressed a booted foot on the accelerator as she swept past the powder blue sign that read Welcome to Delight! Serving up miles of smiles deep in the heart of Texas!

Yeah, right.

She did the whole mental eye roll thing. All the town of Delight ever served up was a healthy dose of boredom. Around these parts, the citizens of this tiny Hill Country town called the place Dee-light with a heavy emphasis on the “e” but as a starry-eyed teenager with a thirst for excitement and adventure, all she’d really wanted was to get the hell out. Back then the place was one dead-end road to nowhere but now she wasn’t so sure. Childhood memories rolled slowly over her threatening to take her under.

The blast of nostalgia hit her, quite unexpectedly, and she blinked back tears as she thought of her mom and how much she missed her. Deborah had died a few months ago leaving Harley June a million good memories along with an aging Victorian that had been in the family for countless generations. For as long as she could remember it had just been her and Mom. She didn’t know her dad. He’d hung around long enough to name her after his favorite motorcycle and then one day, he’d gotten on it and driven away never to return.

What a shithead!

Her mom had been a wonderful woman but he’d been too young and stupid to see that. She and Mom had done okay though. When she reached adulthood, she realized that not only did she look like Mom but that she’d inherited a sassy streak of independence and a hard-work ethic that was pure Deb Baker.

Harley stopped at a red light in the center of Main and flipped on her right turn signal. Leaving Mom a dozen years ago to chase her dreams had been one of the hardest things she’d ever done. She turned at the First Methodist Church and drove the three blocks to Austin Road. Her hands began to tremble and tears filled her eyes when she took in the long, tree-lined street with its neatly paved sidewalks. When she was little, she’d mastered bike riding and in-line skates on those concrete paths. In the distance she spotted the big Victorian that had been in her family for generations. She shouldn’t sell it! She should keep it and see if she could make a different kind of life for herself in this small town that held her childhood memories.

“No! I can’t stay. There’s nothing for me here,” she argued aloud. Then her eyes narrowed as she saw the shiny black bad-boy truck parked in front of the house. Next to the vehicle set a giant-sized tool box and several cans of paint. Harley June pulled up behind the truck and turned off the ignition. She’d hired Connelly Brothers Construction to do an eensy face-lift on the house to make it more attractive to potential buyers. Obviously they’d followed her instructions and had sent someone over to begin work. She had emailed several days ago telling them she’d be in town and it was good to see they’d gotten a start on things.

Grabbing her purse from the passenger seat, she stepped out and walked to the sidewalk, stopping to take in the wide old-fashioned veranda with its large round pillars and the high gables of the roofline. Someone hand repainted the double front doors a dark charcoal and had planted bold, red geraniums in the iron urns flanking the entrance.

Why?

It was beyond strange considering she was selling. Yes, they were lovely but who would do such a thing?

Frowning a little, she advanced, her boot heels knocking smartly on the front walkway. As she headed up the wide steps to the porch, she stopped then caught her breath and held it. Nostalgia mixed with bittersweet longing curled tightly in her chest as Cooper Dobbs stood there looking at her through a pair of heavily lashed smoky-colored eyes. Bare-chested and holding a well-used paint brush, he grinned broadly. A pair of dimples dipped into his bronzed cheeks and his blacker-than-night hair was mussed as if he’d repeatedly raked his fingers through it. A portion of that sexy black stuff drooped over his forehead. His eyes crinkled at the corners as he dropped the paint brush onto a broad swath of canvas on the floor of the porch. “Well, hey Harley June! It’s about damn time you came home,” he drawled as he reached into a back pocket to grab a crumpled blue bandanna. He wiped futilely at the pale gray paint smears on his deliciously mounded chest and dragged it over a set of washboard abs.

Was there drool on her chin?

Infinite Betrayal...new from Liquid Silver Books

2011-03-22T12:05:00.000-05:00

NOTE from Regina: Please help me welcome my guests Gayle Donnelly and Robyn Mackenzie. Gotta say this book looks INCREDIBLE and I'm so happy to know this is the start of a brand new series from Liquid Silver and these two wonderful authors. Happy Release Day, ladies!

Gayle Donnelly and Robyn Mackenzie both hail from the Midwest. Writing partners as well as friends (perhaps even sisters in another life), both are married and each has two wonderful children. The similarities don’t stop there. Both earned degrees in English education, both have a profound weakness for Starbucks coffee, and both are completely captivated by the ethereal beauty found in the Pacific Northwest. Their individual passions for writing and storytelling, led them to create Infinite Betrayal, the first book in their Infinity Series.
Find them at http://www.donnelleymackenzie.com/
Get the book, Infinite Betrayal, at http://www.liquidsilverbooks.com/

Series:
The Infinity Series is a complex network of shifters and gifted humans trying to find a way to exist together without extinguishing their true nature. Their adventures are filled with intrigue, mystery, romance, suspense, action, and of course….really, really hot sex!

Blurb:
The existence of the Coteri has remained hidden for centuries…until now.....
He would protect her with his life…
Mathias has been ordered to protect Mina Roarke at all costs while keeping her Father’s secrets concealed. But from the moment he sees her, the hunger he’s desperately tried to bury, roars to life. The beast within is awakened and wants only one thing…Mina.
But when his enemies target her life, Mina and Mathias become caught in a lethal game of revenge. To save her, Mathias must not only expose the truth…but also what lies deep within him.
She was just looking for answers….
Mina had always been told she was special. In what way, she never fully understood until her life and everything she thought she knew and believed in was turned completely upside down.
After the unexpected death of her mother, Mina finds clues about her past that trigger more questions than answers. Her quest to find those answers thrusts Mina deep into the Black Forest of Germany and into the arms of a man who tests her control…in more ways than one. She is wrenched from her own reality into a world filled with adrenaline-charged danger, blazing sexual heat, and the answers that have been hidden her entire life.
Mina alone holds the power to change her future but when she comes face to face with ultimate betrayal, can she still trust in the one man that has captured her heart?

Excerpt:

They followed the cobblestone street through the empty market area to the long multicolored row houses for some of the businesses in town. Above each door was an elaborate brass filigree hanger with a sign hanging down identifying each business. They swung in the chilled wind, making it sound like a playground swing set during recess. Strands of little twinkling lights were strung on anything that was permanent for the holiday season. The entire scene looked like the inside of a snow globe.
Finally reaching the hotel, Mathias pulled open the heavy wooden door with one hand and swept the other in front of him, bowing before her. Mina stopped in the lobby to grab her shopping bags and headed toward the stairs to her room. She turned to thank Mathias for taking her back to the hotel and almost ran into the wall that was his chest. She caught herself before placing her hands on his well-defined body and righted herself just inches away from him.
“What are you doing?” Mina blurted out, her eyes widening.
Mathias lowered his head and stared into Mina’s surprised gaze. His lips lifted into a smile. “I am, of course, escorting you to your room.”
Hand shooting up to stop him in his tracks, Mina blurted, “Um ... no. Thank you but, no. I’ll be fine.” She turned and started to move up the steep steps to her desperately desired room when she felt his hand snake around her lower arm.
“Ms. Roarke, I received very specific instructions from your father. I am not to leave your side until he returns.”
Mina looked down at his hand circled around her arm. She felt his heat through her coat. There was no way she could let him walk her to her room. She was too turned-on by him and it had been way too long since she’d had a man in her bed. “Look Matty...”
“Mathias.”
“I’m sorry. Mathias. It’s been an interesting day, to say the least. I’m in Germany, they lose my luggage, I meet up with a stranger in the middle of the Black Forest and find out my father wants to meet me. To be honest, right now, I just really want to take a shower and try to relax. I don’t need you to walk me to my room. It’s right up the stairs, and again, I appreciate your kindness but this is good night.”
Mina tried to turn again to go to her room. His fingers tightened slightly and he took the first step to loom over her. He inhaled slowly as if he was getting ready to deliver an unwanted speech. Mina narrowed her eyes and raised a hand to stop him from speaking. Instead of delving into the reasons he would not be leaving her side, he reached up with his free hand and grasped Mina’s raised palm gently. He released her arm and pressed her hand between both of his as if warming it. His green eyes darkened as Mina’s mouth fell open in shock. She stopped breathing, almost as if in expectation of what he was going to do. Very slowly and deliberately, he raised her hand to his mouth.
The blood in her veins stopped flowing as her knuckles came into contact with his warm lips. His mouth remained on her hand for what seemed like hours. Her fingers instinctively curled inward and she fought the urge not to place her other hand in his hair and hold on tight. Jesus, what this man could probably do with that mouth. It might have been a while since Mina had had sex, but the flutter in her stomach reminded her she was probably due for some real quick.
Slowly removing his mouth from her hand, he took a slight nip at her skin with his teeth. Mina’s nipples immediately tightened against her shirt at the sensation. Mathias lifted his thick lashes and she met his heated gaze. His eyes were warm and inviting. He didn’t let her hand go but simply started brushing the inside of her palm with the pad of his thumb. Mina was immediately aware of the wetness pooling between her legs at the mere idea of what could happen next. She felt chilled but about to melt at the same time. No words came to her. Only a feeling of guilt mixed with the tantalizing thought of letting him touch her more. She was way too turned-on to utter a word. With her mouth still open, she just stood there and stared. His eyes were almost hypnotic. Her mind was a complete blank. All she knew was she did not want this man to let go of her hand.
She imagined he continued up the steps and led her behind him, like a lamb to slaughter. Once reaching her room, he would push her up against the door and crush his mouth to hers, sending her into oblivion. He’d lace his hands into her hair and gently tug at the curls to force her closer. She’d arch against him to get the feel of his body against hers. Warm, hard and ready. His hands would move slowly down her back to grip her ass, lifting her against him. Wrapping her legs around his hips, she’d feel the hardness of his need for her and grind herself against it. She’d moan into his mouth that she wanted him desperately. He’d magically open the door, and within seconds, he’d be on top of her, burying her in the soft down comforter on top of the bed in her room. Gently moving his hands up her sides and underneath her sweater, he’d cup her breasts and move his thumbs expertly over her already hard nipples. Throwing back her head in ecstasy, she’d beg him to take her...
Wake up Mina!
She snapped out of her sexual trance to realize she had been grasping his hand hard enough to dig her short nails into his skin.
He slowly straightened his stance. Once again, she looked up into his gorgeous face. Was he smiling? Her hand still molded in his, Mina remained frozen in place. “Good night then, Mina. Sleep well.”
Mina’s hand was slowly lowered to her side and his warm palms slipped away, leaving her wondering what the hell had just happened.
Very casually, Mathias turned and walked out of the hotel, closing the door firmly behind him.
Mina remained standing on the third step with her mouth open and her gaze glued to the closed front door of the hotel. “Holy shit.”
*************************
Mathias reluctantly made his way down the cobblestone street away from Mina’s hotel. He should not have touched her. What would Roderick do when he found out what happened? Touching the king’s daughter in such a familiar way was completely forbidden, and Mathias knew his head would roll if Roderick ever found out. Mathias was sent there to protect and keep vigil over her until the king returned. He was not there to become personable with her. He thrust his hands into his coat pockets and strode toward the forest.
For the life of him, he couldn’t help himself. Her hair was long, lush and beautiful, and he itched to run his hands through it. Dark brown curls had bounced in the middle of her back as they had walked back to the hotel. She smelled like lust. Her face was pale and freckled and all he could think of was looking into those deep chocolate brown eyes while he plunged deep inside her, taking her hard and fast. He hadn’t wanted a woman like that as long as he could remember. He had only been in her presence for less than an hour and all he wanted to do was ravish her until she screamed.
In searching her room that morning while she shopped, he’d found some of the contents of her backpack she had traveled with. She wore Obsession perfume and used a citrus lotion on her skin. He could almost feel her lying underneath him, wrapping her firm, strong thighs around his middle and digging her nails into his ass while he pounded furiously into her. Standing on the steps of the hotel stairwell with her, he’d inhaled her scent deeply as if to tattoo it on his brain. When he kissed her hand, he could faintly make out the tangy lotion permeating from her skin. He could still smell her scent on his hand. Hell, he needed to wipe that thought out of his mind immediately before Roderick found out what Mathias really wanted to do with his daughter.
Knowing she wanted him in the same way made things worse. Not only could he feel it, but he could smell it as well. When he held her hand, he felt her heart rate spike as he swirled a thumb in her palm. She had little goose bumps on her skin, even though she’d been hot to the touch. With her fingernails digging into the top of his hand, he knew how he affected her. Mixed in with the perfume and citrus of her body lotion, there was also a distinct aroma of arousal. The musky scent made his mouth water. She wanted him.
This was one of those times Mathias wished he didn’t have the gift of animalistic senses. Of course in battle, his ability to sense others around him, hear the slightest movement or sound, and to have the ability to shape shift into just about any animal that didn’t fly was why he was ranked as high as he was within the Coteri military. As one of their most feared warriors, he was quickly moving up the ranks. This assignment involving Mina had been his first mission to come directly from Roderick.
Others in his family had been in the king’s service in the past. His sister recently completed a highly regarded position in America because of her expertise in the outer world where mortals resided. Mathias’ father, Xavier, served as a long-standing member of the king’s council before his death. He had been relied upon for several centuries to assist and mentor to Roderick in the elements of war.
This assignment was Mathias’ chance to show the king he possessed skills other than ones needed in battle. Yes, he was strong and calculating on the battlefield, but Mathias believed he could out-think any opponent put against him. He had a skill for strategy, but unfortunately a temper that rivaled an erupting volcano. His competitive nature didn’t allow Mathias to admit defeat in any manner, be it on the battlefield or playing a simple game of chess. He was determined to be the best at everything. But because of this, few council members laid their faith in him when delegating an assignment.
This had held him back when directives were assigned. The king wanted someone loyal to carry out any mission he needed. Roderick did not want someone questioning him or changing the elements of their duty to him just to fit their own beliefs. The king did not want a loose cannon out in the field. There was no question that Mathias could defend the Coteri kingdom with one hand tied behind his back, but could he handle following orders he did not necessarily agree with?
Mathias battled himself over his strengths that were now becoming his weaknesses. He thought his sheer will and determination on the battlefield entitled him to all of the other benefits that came with a highly ranked member of the military. His baby sister set him straight on this.
Upon receiving the protection detail assignment and learning it involved the king’s only daughter, he had been dumbstruck. The king wasn’t supposed to have a child, especially a human child, considering he had not mated with anyone during his reign.
Even though Mathias now knew this was what his king had been preparing him for all along, he now questioned his ability to succeed in protecting such a vulnerable treasure. Just being around Mina sent his body into a state of complete need. Hell, his dick was still rock-hard. His frustration with himself prevented him from staying at the hotel as he’d been ordered to do. He ached to be with her, to feel her, to be inside her. He desperately wanted to turn on his heel, return to the hotel, run up those rickety stairs to her room and mark her as his. And nothing short of having her would tamp down his colossal erection. He wished he had not sensed her response. With the knowledge she wanted him as much as he wanted her, there was nothing stopping him. Nothing but the king’s wrath.
And now, because of a moment of weakness, Mathias was probably a dead man walking.
Continuing toward the forest, Mathias shed his coat, dropped it where he stood and trotted toward the trees. By the time he reached the edge of the tree line, he was in a dead run. Feet slamming into the frost-covered ground, he sped past the huge evergreens into the mouth of the Black Forest. As he made his way deeper into the trees, his eyes adjusted to the darkness. His strength ebbed and flowed through his body, his muscles and his legs as he gained speed. Finally letting his anger and frustration take over, he began to transform. His long arms reached out in front of him as he dove forward. Muscles contorted and stretched. Bones shifted and cracked. The hair on his body thickened and turned dark as ink. In midair, his body stretched and wriggled into the shape of a black panther. Claws outstretched to grasp onto the cold earth, Mathias skidded to a stop and turned back. Even in animal form, he knew where he wanted to be. Where he should be.
There was something about this woman. Something that tamed the anger inside him. The bitterness that had caused him so much trouble for years. She calmed him, but at the same time he had the fierce need to protect her, to be next to her. He had always been satisfied with relying on himself. Providing strength for his sister when his parents died. He wasn’t used to being distracted by anything or anyone. And then he set eyes on Mina and all of that changed.
He crouched down and focused his gaze on the darkness of the forest surrounding him. His ears twitched at each sound made by the regular inhabitants of the Black Forest. Above him, a falcon circled and made its way north toward the castle. Tremayne doing his nightly rounds. Mathias kept close to the ground to go undetected by one of his best sergeants. If he succeeded in not being seen, he would be speaking to Tremayne in the morning regarding his lack of security within the kingdom’s realm.
Within seconds, Tre appeared behind Mathias and casually leaned against a giant evergreen.
“Hey boss. How’s the assignment going?”
Not wanting to transform back to his human form, nor deal with answering the million-dollar question of the moment, Mathias let out a feral growl and bared his teeth to the young officer.
“Okay... Okay. I get the hint. See you back at the station.”
Tre turned away as if to return to his rounds, but stopped and turned his head back toward Mathias.
“She’s pretty, isn’t she?”
At that, Mathias crouched and bared his teeth at the young soldier. The fur on his back bristled in anger. At that moment, he knew he could and would attack his friend for that remark.
Tremayne took off running and leapt into the air. Within seconds, he was airborne and streaking straight for the royal security station in bird-form.
Mathias turned and padded his way back to the edge of the forest in order to keep an eye on the hotel. He would have loved to have the ability to transform into a falcon like Tremayne. How easy and convenient to just fly up to her window and remain on the sill until morning, nice and close to her. Mathias was extremely thankful Tremayne had no idea who Mina was. He didn’t need anyone knowing he was actually that close to the daughter of the king. Even though the physical exchange between Mathias and Mina was unknown to Tre, there was no doubt Tre felt Mathias’ strong emotion toward her after that little display just now. When Tre mentioned her beauty, Mathias’ immediate anger and possessive surge sent up a huge red flag. Great. Way to wear his feelings on his sleeve, so to speak. So much for working on his temper and wearing a mask of calm.

New in Print...Sequins, Saddles and Spurs

2011-03-21T09:05:00.004-05:00

Don't you love surprises? Last night after all my company left, I was enjoying the quiet and playing around on the computer. Headed over to Barnes and Noble and my eyes bugged out when I saw Sequins, Saddles and Spurs was out in print. In case you don't remember, this is a collection of Texas-set stories by Desiree Holt, Ciana Stone and myself (Trouble in Cowboy Boots, Trouble in a Stetson, and Trouble in Chaps). Anyway, I shot the cover off to Desiree and no, she didn't know about this either so she headed to Amazon and found the book there too! YAY!

Here's an eensy bit of what you'll find behind the cover. These books are also available at Ellora's Cave individually as ebooks.

Trouble in Cowboy Boots by Desiree Holt

Stranded in Mesa Blanco, Texas, with no money and no prospects, Emily Lathrop hires on as the cook at the Lazy Aces Ranch. Two problems-she can't cook, and owner Wyatt Cavanaugh is so hot she nearly burns herself just standing near him. Trying to keep her hormones under control is a problem when Wyatt seduces her into his bed and teaches her the real meaning of erotic love.

Now proper Emily finds herself shockingly addicted to the BDSM games he likes to play, her body craving the bondage and domination that pushes her thermostat past the point of combustion even though she suspects it's all going to come crashing down any moment with a big, painful thud.

Trouble in a Stetson by Regina Carlysle

Lola Lamont leaves Vegas with two pals, never imagining they'd break down in small-town Texas. So what's a former showgirl to do when she runs smack dab into the hottest sheriff south of the Mason Dixon line? Why, jump his bones, of course!

Sam Campbell takes one look at the Vegas Bombshell and knows damn good and well she belongs in his bed. She probably has the words gold digger tattooed to her ass but he's ready to take what the sexy blonde has to offer. Vowing to protect his heart, Sam rocks her world. Too bad she's rocking his right back. Sam is more than ready to handle some sass, spunk and sex, but is he willing to gamble on love?

Trouble in Chaps by Ciana Stone

Roxie may have broken down in Middle-of-Nowhere, Texas, but she darn sure doesn't plan on staying any longer than it takes to get the land yacht she arrived in up and running.

But you know what they say about the best-laid plans. Cliff was a complication she hadn't counted on. The man looks like walking sex and he's determined that before Roxie hightails it out of town, she'll share his bed. So he offers her a job at his bar, Chaps, to keep her close-and adds a sexy bet on top of it.

If she wins, he finances her escape from Nowheresville. If he wins, she stays for six months, keeping bar by day and keeping him warm at night. It's a wager she can't resist-and one she can't lose.

In other news: My son's birthday went great and we had a houseful of people here. We gave him one of those neat little pocket-sized video cameras and I think he liked it. Anyone else have one of those? I remember years ago they were HUGE and it was a major ordeal to lug them around on vacations and such. Anyway, everyone is gone now, spring break is OVER and last night Mr. Regina and I rattled around the big house and listened to the rooms echo. Very strange after all the activity. Today I'll fight the empty nest blues by working on Rio's Touch. Must get back into the swing after taking roughly a week off. Happy Monday everyone!

Just In...Cover for Return to Delight

2011-03-18T10:20:00.004-05:00

I absolutely love cover days because it means a release day is inching closer. Yesterday I got a brand spankin' new one for Return to Delight. Ellora's Cave's Syneca does beautiful work and the cover captures the tone of this book perfectly. As most of you know, I vary back and forth between paranormal and small but sexy small town Texas. Return to Delight is the first in a series of 'brother' books and features the gorgeous Cooper Dobbs who is determined to re-win the heart of Harley June Baker who has returned to Delight, Texas to sell the family home after her mother's death. In the very first scene, Harley runs into his arms and he picks her up just like it's shown in the cover so I just knew this one was perfect.

As of this morning, I have finished edits so I hope to have news about the release date soon. I'll report here as soon as I know something.

In other news: I have taken this week off in honor of spring break and now we are down to the last few days. I've had a great time visiting my daughter and I'm already feeling my heart break just a little at the thought of her heading back to college on Sunday. Tomorrow my son and his girlfriend are coming in for a belated birthday party. He turned 25 on Monday but had work committments. Anyway, we'll cook some burgers, have cake (which I must pick up today) and open gifts. Shaping up to be a busy weekend!

Will return her to blogland on Monday and hopefully with good news about a release date. In the meantime, ya'll have a good one.

Welcome my guest...Afton Locke

2011-03-14T10:40:00.006-05:00

Dark closet + sexy boss + 7 minutes = too HOT to stop!
Wanna play 7 Minutes in Heaven?

Releases Wednesday!

Ever had a fantasy about your boss? 'Fess up. We all have.

Despite Eliza Worth’s attraction to her boss, Zach Taunton, she’s so fed up with his unreasonable demands she’s decided to look for another job. Her matchmaking friend Margo, determined to give Eliza some sexual healing for her work stress, invites her to a singles mixer, where Eliza reluctantly agrees to play a game of Seven Minutes in Heaven. In a dark closet, Eliza is quickly brought to the edge and beyond by a sexy mystery man. Her initial intrigue quickly turns to horror when she discovers her masterful, anonymous lover is none other than her slave-driving boss himself—and Zach seems to want her for a lot longer than seven minutes. But first he’ll have to relinquish some control and negotiate his way into her heart.

Watch the Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_K4oZAFAj8

Seven Minutes of Seduction
ISBN# 978-14199-32977
Ellora's Cave Publishing
http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9201-seven-minutes-of-seduction.aspx

Afton Locke
http://www.aftonlocke.com/

Excerpt (Adult)
(Copyright © AFTON LOCKE, 2011, All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.)
Her breath caught when she realized the room wasn’t just dark. It was completely black. She couldn’t see a thing now. Margo must have had special padding or weather-stripping installed around the edges of the door.
“You’re not allowed to talk, starting now,” Margo said, her voice muffled.
Eliza fought down the urge to pound on the door and beg to be let out but knew that would make her resemble a childish idiot. Not being able to see and knowing nothing about who was in the closet with her sent her heart rate into the aerobic range.
Her other senses soon took over. She heard the rustle of curtain, a man’s breathing and…oh God. That was Zach’s cologne. The distinctive blend of exotic spices and understated class had distracted her mid-task more than once at work.
Coincidence, she told herself as she clasped her hand across her throat. Lots of men wore the same cologne. He couldn’t possibly be here.
This man, whoever he was, didn’t seem nearly as inclined to pause and analyze the situation as she did. She gasped when a questing hand brushed her waist and arm, followed much too quickly by two steely arms fastening around her. Goose bumps exploded across her arms as rolled-up shirtsleeves and very hot forearms slid across her skin.
A pair of lips found her ear with uncanny precision and slashed across it, sliding into a jagged path down her neck. Beard stubble—another reminder of Zach—scraped her skin, sending dual sensations of alarm and pleasure shooting down her spine.
With her arms all but pinned to her sides, she could do nothing but slide her hands around the man’s waist. His body was hot and muscular under her fingers. Muscles flexed beneath the soft shirt as he maneuvered her to stand against a row of shelves. The delicate scent of laundered sheets mingled with his cologne, reminding her of beds.
She turned her chin toward his mouth, needing to taste him. Suddenly his hands anchored both sides of her face, holding her in place for a kiss. No, not a kiss—an onslaught. He skimmed her lips with his tongue before biting, tasting and teasing. Without even knowing exactly how, she found herself slack-jawed and senseless, wanting everything he had to give.
He tasted like wine, with a slight salty tang, as if he’d eaten caviar. While he claimed her tongue with punishing swirls of his own, his legs pressed hard against her, his cock even harder, bruising the delicate flesh over her pubic bone through their clothing.
“One minute has passed.”
The automated voice nearly made Eliza jump out of her skin. Margo had thought of everything.
The sensation of tugging at her blouse brought her attention to her breasts. Her blouse went slack and threatened to fall off when he unbuttoned the few large buttons. Needing and aching, her nipples anticipated strong fingers or a hot, flicking tongue.
At the same time, alarms went off in her head. Exactly how far did people go in this game? Surely seven minutes wasn’t enough time to go all the way but she was at his mercy, whatever he planned.
If this man fucked her in the dark, she wouldn’t even see his cock. She would only be able to feel it, thrusting into her drenched pussy.
“Wait, I—” she uttered.

Romanticon 2011- You've Gotta Be There!

2011-03-13T11:07:00.002-05:00

Now is a great time to sign up for RomantiCon 2011!!!! I'm serious...what a deal. Now through Mother's Day (May 8) get $15 off the registration fee and be part of the best party EVER! I know I wouldn't miss this event. Have my fee paid, flights scheduled, room booked and party-my-butt-off plans made.

To get the discount, go to http://www.jasminejade.com/romanticon/

And use this coupon code: RC15N

RomantiCon 2011: The Time Machine

September 29-October 2

Akron, Ohio

Bigger and Better Than Ever!

Beautiful New Location, Same Low Prices!!

Great Food, Fabulous Prizes, Lots More Stuff To Do

Step into our Time Machine with the editors, authors, aspiring authors, models and fans of Ellora's Cave Publishing! On Friday night, grab a club and dress up in your finest skins, bones, seashells and feathers for a primal journey back to the Stone Age, with a real, live caveman dance and barbecue!

On Saturday night, we'll launch into the future for our awards dinner and party, shall we say the year 3000? How will we dress and look? That's up to you to imagine, and we're giving prizes for the best costumes! One thing's for sure: There will still be Cavemen, and they will still dance for your pleasure. And the bad girls of romance will continue to misbehave.

We're still working on the workshops and games that will be offered by EC editors, authors and staff, but we have already booked Cleveland Exotic Dance to teach old fashioned burlesque and pole dancing

People had a blast at our first two conventions, and this one promises to be even better. Here's what some people had to say about RomantiCons past:

"Thanks to all the EC staff who made us feel like family members. Chatting with them and with all the other authors and readers simply made my year!"
--Ruby Storm

"This was THE BEST conference I have ever been to."
--Kate Poole

"I tend to be kind of shy when I'm meeting new people, but with all of you I immediately felt at home."
--Francesca Hawley

"I'll be there next year if I have to hitchhike!"
--Shayla Kersten

"I have never attended a conference where I had so much fun or was treated to well."
--Desiree Holt

"The workshops were just fantastic and the advice from all of the authors was great. "
--Kristyn Warren

From the Blogs:
"Friday night's Psychedelic Soiree was a blast, Saturday's workshops and focus groups informative, Saturday night's dinner tasty and Sunday's book signing loads of fun."
Stephanie Julian

"The first RomantiCon has been just amazing from the start. Everyone, authors, readers and Ellora's Cave staff, has been wonderful. … It really feels like EC is a huge and happy family, each author helping the next so everyone can succeed."
Joyce Ann McLaughlin, a.k.a. Joysann, Beyond Her Book Blog

"Can't describe how truly wonderful this event was. There were no strangers. Everywhere you looked authors, readers, reviewers, and other industry professionals were dispensing hugs and smiles as if they'd know each other forever. Such a warm and fuzzy feeling that I came home knowing this is one event I would never, ever miss."
Regina Carlysle

"If you are entertaining the thought of going next year, DEFINITELY save the money for it! From the awesome goodie bags, to the great food, to the friendliness of all the professionals, to the hunky Cavemen participating in everything, and readers mixing with the authors, it was just an awesome experience I wish everyone could enjoy!"
Anonymous commenter on Regina 's blog

"Our enthusiastic readers, hard-working and gracious hosts, awesome authors, and always-charming-and-sexy Cavemen raised the excitement levels off the fun-o-meter charts."
Adele Dubois

From Twitter (search #RomantiCon)
@marifreeman: Had a blast.
@F1yMordecai: It was so much fun!
@rebeccasew: Met so many wonderful authors, got a boatload of books to read, had my hormones pumped up by gorgeous cover models!
@caismith: WHEE!! Just won a Sony E-Reader at the EC Booksigning at #RomantiCon! Now I can take that off my Christmas "wish-list." LOL

Spring Break and other Busy Stuff

2011-03-10T09:59:00.003-06:00

I've been busier than a one-armed paper hanger lately. Last week was the release of Panther Moon and I'm happy to report I've had lots of positive feedback and some awfully nice letters about the book. In my efforts to promote, I've spent quite a bit of time blogging here and there, having some contests...that sort of thing. Rio's Touch (book three of the Savage Sanctuary series) has a nice little start. YAY. Yesterday I ducked into the cave and now I'm happy to report that I'll be starting chapter three soon. Must do a bit of chapter two tweaking but I should get that done today at some point.

I'm also getting ready for spring break. My daughter is coming home, of course, and our son will be in one day next week when we celebrate his birthday with a cookout, cake, and presents. Last night I put together my 'grocery store' list so I'll have the kitchen stocked with everything we'll need. Should be a fun week but I despair that I won't get much writing done. Guess I'll just have to 'get over it' and go with the flow. Figure I'll manage a few hours daily, if I'm lucky.

In other news: Should have another announcement in a day or so. YAY! Can't wait to get the thumbs up to share my news.

Welcome my guest...Mari Freeman

2011-03-07T08:13:00.003-06:00

Hey Regina! Thanks so much for having me.

I’m so excited about Hot, Hard & Howling! Being back in the paranormal genre feels like home. Howling is the first in a three book series about some very special, half-demon sisters. The poor Halflings, their human blood ties have diluted their magic, leaving them some very unreliable demon powers.

Nell Ambercroft is the smart, sassy heroine of this first book. She is the oldest and the most traveled of the three. Telekinesis is her demon magic. But her inability to control it leaves her frustrated, makes her the butt of many jokes, and eventually, it puts her life in danger.

Nell and the sexy, restrained Werewolf, Trent Nicholas, find themselves in New Orleans and lost in the bayou for some hot lovin’ and fast action while working to determine who is trying to kill Nell.

I spent some time in New Orleans while writing this book. I hope you can feel the flavor of the city and the wonderful people there.

Her daring demon, his raging wolf... It gets wild when things go bump in the night.

Buy it HERE!

Book one in the Hot, Hard series.

Nell Ambercroft hasn’t done anything wrong. Lately. So why is someone trying to kill her? When a horde of moths lead her to a puzzle box in her basement, the Demon Hafling knows she’s found a clue. The box has some serious mojo working, powerful enough to kill for…and Nell’s at the top of the hit list.

Enter Werewolf Trent Nicholas. As Prime for the area, it’s Trent’s job to protect Nell and investigate the crime. Nell knows he’d rather investigate her body, which is fine by her; she’s loved the man for years. While the sex is sizzling, however, Trent continues to go cold every time he leaves the warmth of her body.

Trent’s always wanted the spunky half-Demon, but the men in his family have a nasty habit of murdering their mates. He refuses to give in to his wolf’s need to claim Nell. If he doesn’t, she might not have to worry about a killer on the loose. She could die by Trent’s hand first…

By reading any further, you are stating that you are at least 18 years of age. If you are under the age of 18, it is necessary to exit this site.

An Excerpt From: HOT, HARD & HOWLING

Copyright © MARI FREEMAN, 2011

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

Chapter One

Naked, covered in blood and with a dead human on the bathroom floor was not exactly how one wanted to greet guests. Exasperated, Nell tossed the toothbrush aside. All the scrubbing in the world wasn’t going to get that blood out.

She looked in the mirror. Curly golden hair hung wild after drying on its own as she’d tried to save the grout. Her face was still flushed from the struggle and the scrubbing. Her cheeks and chin were scratched and bloody. The scratches didn’t matter. Small wounds healed quickly for a half-Demon. Nell rubbed with her fingers to try to get smears of blood off her face. She looked around for her robe and found it lying under the dead guy’s shoulder. Nell snorted. “Great.”

She scanned the rest of the contents of the vanity. Nothing of use left. She’d tried all the cleansers under the sink and none of them were getting the rust-colored stains out. Her gaze crossed the floor. At least the pool of blood there would come up with no problem. She propped her hands on her hips. “Damn.”

“What’s going on up there?” Her sister’s voice rang from the living room. “I had a funky vision.” Sonja lived several miles up the mountain. How had she gotten there so fast?

“And of course you rushed right over.” Vision? Great. Nell and both her younger sisters were half-Demon, so their Demon powers were unpredictable at best. The curse of the Halflings, their mi-ma always said. Even their shifts were only partial.

When Sonja had visions, everyone was wary of the information contained within. The crazy things were so confusing that no one, including Sonja herself, could decipher the images. Evidently this one had been clear enough to send Sonja out into the night to come check on Nell. Hadn’t the girl ever heard of a phone?

Nell found a dirty t-shirt hanging from a hook on the back of the bathroom door and pulled it on. “Up here. Did you bring bleach?”

“Bleach?” Sonja’s voice was closer. She stopped at the entrance of the bathroom. “Oh. You know, I almost did.” She bent over the fetal body on the floor to get a better look. “Nell,” she gasped, shooting straight up. “He’s human!”

“Duh. Do you smell blood magic? I smelled it when he attacked, but since I started trying to save the shower grout, I lost track of the scent.”

Sonja raised her eyebrow. “Blood magic? Really? How would a human have the smell of that?” She stepped over the body, looking down at the object sticking out of the man’s chest. “Is that a…”

Nell cleared her throat and let out an exasperated breath. “Yeah.”

Sonja bit her lip but failed in her attempt to hold back a loud, barking laugh. “You killed a man with a dildo?”

Panther Moon is OUT!

2011-03-04T08:20:00.004-06:00

I know there’s a school of thought touting the yummy wonderfulness of the vamp as opposed to those furry, shifter heroes. I mean, what’s not to love about a vamp? He’s sexy. He’s immortal, drinks blood and is very, very cold to the touch. Just what every heroine needs to cool her off during those sweltering summer nights, right? Admittedly, I’ve loved a few vamp heroes in my day but after reading Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Night Play (Vane and Bride’s story) several years ago, I became a complete fangirl of shifters.

What’s not to love? He turns furry when the moon is full and makes love to his swooning heroine with a raw, savage and unbridled passion that I challenge any vamp hero to duplicate. He’s pretty damn hot too. Not only in appearance but, well…he’s hot. My heroines have not a smidge of trouble cuddling up to Mr. Hot and Furry and also enjoy the benefit of knowing he’ll be rock solid and there for her not only at night but during the daytime too. A definite plus when on the run from those pesky bad guys.

Over the years, I’ve had a lot of fun penning shifter tales. My High Plains Shifters series (Ellora’s Cave) features an entire town of wolves. Using the familiar-to-me locale of west Texas, I mix the traditional cowboy/rancher/sheriff with the wolf mythos and a healthy dash of small town Texas life. My very first shifters however, are Texas panthers. Feral Moon, released at Ellora’s Cave in late 2008 tells the story of a woman who learns the secret of her birth and the means of embracing a future that is dangerous, thrilling and yes, sexy as all get out. Now I have added a second book, Panther Moon, to what has become a brand new series for me. The Savage Sanctuary series takes up where Feral Moon leaves off, introducing Hudson Cates, a warrior of the Turquoise Moon panther tribe and his mate, Chantrea Morgan. Like Feral Moon, Panther Moon is also a ménage so if you don’t enjoy sexy threesomes, this is probably not the series for you. However, if you DO like hot, ménage action and heroes who are raw, savage and ultra sexy, Panther Moon is now available at Ellora’s Cave.

Link:
http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9147-panther-moon.aspx

Blurb:
Savage Sanctuary, Book Two

Running for her life, Chantrea Morgan, unmated and approaching her time of change, stumbles through the night only to be rescued by a gorgeous yet dangerous male. Blinded by instant recognition of her mate, she clings to him, her only means of salvation. Her body burns for him. Her heart aches with the need to be claimed by this wild Texas panther.

Hudson Cates, warrior of the Turquoise Moon tribe of shifters, saves his grieving mate and brings her home to claim her in the only way he can…with orgasmic pleasure, savage possession and a raw sensuality that is bred into their species. In a ritual as old as time, only he, aided by another male from their tribe, can help Trea embrace her panther beast.

An Excerpt From: PANTHER MOON
Copyright © REGINA CARLYSLE, 2011
All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.
Chapter One

Chantrea carried an armload of supper dishes to the sink, the muted sounds of the television playing in the living room, making her smile. Sounded like a baseball game to her. Being an addict to the game was her dad’s one true vice. Her mother, Celia, laughed at something Brant said. Typical evening in the Morgan household. Outside the modest Texas home, crickets chirped as the wind rustled the leaves of ancient oaks and cottonwoods. An owl hooted from a faraway branch. “Hey, Mom, dinner was great,” she called as she loaded the dishwasher, turned it on and headed into the living room.
Celia smiled from her position curled up against her husband of several centuries. “Love it when a new recipe turns out.”
Brant kissed the top of his wife’s blonde head and winked at Trea as she wandered into the room. “You did good, hon.”
As an unmated female panther, she had grown up knowing she wanted what her parents had. Love. Affection. The deepest kind of understanding between mates. It was so heartwarming to witness their love firsthand. She was constantly in awe.
Wandering to the wide mantel over the fireplace, she shoved her hands in the pockets of her worn jersey shorts and looked at the pictures lovingly displayed there. “I miss Maxwell.” Her sigh was soft but even over the sounds of the game she knew her folks heard it.
“Your brother had to leave, honey. It was his time,” her mother said with calm conviction. Trea turned at the slight hitch evident in her mother’s voice and knew Mom missed him too. “He likes his job in Houston though he still hasn’t found any females of our species. There are just so few of us left but maybe, just maybe he’ll be one of the lucky males to find the perfect mate. You would think it easy in a city of over five million people. I know it hurts that he had to go but it’s natural, honey. He’s a man and gods know there is no future out here in the boonies. We’ve lived like hermits for so long.” Celia lifted a brow and glanced at Brant. “It hasn’t been fair to either of our children.”
Trea picked up the framed photo of her brother and herself taken during one of their rare family vacations. Tracing the handsome, male face, she blinked back moisture from her eyes as a blast of love caught her off guard. Like her, Max was blond and green-eyed but there the similarities stopped. Where she was slender, small, and to her way of thinking, rather ordinary, her brother Maxwell was a bonafide heartstopper. The gorgeous rascal was built like a tree trunk, broad-shouldered and handsome as sin. He was the kind of guy who’d made the local girls melt but he had carefully avoided all but the most necessary entanglements with humans. Smart dude. Trea was so proud of him and couldn’t help but wish him well in finding a mate of his own. The lady would be a very lucky feline. No doubt about it.
Behind her, Trea heard her parents shift position and she turned, surprised, when her dad pushed a button on the remote to turn off the television. Silence, sharp and somewhat ominous, fell into the depths of the small cabin. “We need to talk, princess.”
Frowning, she replaced the photo and gingerly sat on the edge of an overstuffed chair to look at her parents. Something about her father’s tone sent worry to dance over her spine. “What’s up, Dad?”
Brant Morgan focused his gaze on her. “Your mother and I have been talking.” He cleared his throat, obviously uncomfortable. “Chantrea, you are nearing your time. Maybe this is a good moment to—”
Trea’s face burned. “Dad!”
Celia patted Brant’s arm. “Love of mine, you are so clueless. Let me.”
He shook his head and sighed heavily, seeming downright relieved to let someone else tackle the delicate subject of a female were panther having her first heat. “Good. Go for it.”
Celia wasn’t deterred, focusing an intelligent gaze on her. “For all these years, we’ve tried to keep you safe out here in the country. You know panthers are solitary creatures and it’s uncomfortable for us to live among crowds. It’s stifling. Invasive. It was a huge risk for us to even let you attend the public school in town but, honey, we have worried so much about you. You’ve been so isolated out here in the woods of east Texas. No friends. Nothing that normal human girls come to enjoy. You don’t have a real life out here.”
“But I’m not human, Mom. It’s okay.” Chantrea knew darn good and well her life wasn’t normal. Sometimes it made her sad but this wasn’t the fault of her parents. They had to protect her. It was their duty and she would never fault them for the lonely state of her life. She shook her head and smiled, not wanting them to stress about the choices they’d made. “Really. Don’t worry about me.”
“We have to, Trea,” her dad said, leaning forward to prop his forearms over his sturdy thighs. “It wasn’t possible for you to date the local boys, honey. You know we don’t mix but you are a woman now. Things are, um—”
Once again, Celia put her hand out to stop him. “Happening to your body.”
Trea swallowed hard, knowing the utter truth of Mom’s words. Already she felt flashes of heat zip through her with astounding effect. Soon she would be helpless to the oncoming change and facing the shift from woman to panther would be the most horrible thing imaginable when dealing with it alone. She knew she couldn’t do it. The time to mate was upon her. Discomfort climbed over her flesh and buried itself deep in her belly. “Do we have to talk about this now?”
“We’ve decided to move to Sanctuary,” her dad baldly stated. “It’s time.”

Writer's Retreat!!!!! Time for some FUN!

2011-02-23T08:30:00.004-06:00

Sometimes we ALL need a break. Isn't that so? Since the last Romanticon in October a number of us have been plotting and planning a way to get together again. Yes, if you really want to form some awesome, lasting friendships, EC's Romanticon is definitely one of the places to do it. So tomorrow I hit the road and travel south to Desiree Holt's place. There I'll be meeting up with her, Cerise Deland, Nicole Austin, Allie Standifer, Samantha Cayto and Bev Oz for a writer's retreat. At least that's what we're calling it! Don't know how much actual writing will get done over the next few days but I suspect ZERO. After all, how often do we manage to do something like this? Everyone is pitching in and bringing stuff. My contribution is several bottles of chocolate wine and birthday cake (since it's Allie's b'day). Today I'll head out to pick that stuff up and then I'll be ready to hit the road bright and early. Will take pics for blackmail purposes.

In other news: Got a great cover for Panther Moon which debuts at Ellora's Cave on March 4. Meant to post this yesterday but I completely forgot. Bad me.

Panther Moon has a RELEASE DATE!

2011-02-21T09:10:00.002-06:00

Yes. Yes. Yes. I have great news to relate on this President's Day. Panther Moon, book one of the Savage Sanctuary series, releases on March 4 at Ellora's Cave. Naturally, I'm thrilled. Currently waiting on the cover and I'll share as soon as I get it. This is a shifter/menage set in Texas and here in a few days, I'll be starting the second story which I'm currently calling Rio's Touch. Panther Moon takes up in the world I created in my EC release Feral Moon. Here's a blurb of Panther Moon.

Running for her life, Chantrea Morgan, unmated and approaching her time of change, stumbles through the night only to be rescued by a gorgeous yet dangerous male. Blinded by instant recognition of her mate, she clings to him, her only means of salvation. Her body burns for him. Her heart aches with the need to be claimed by this wild Texas panther.

Hudson Cates, warrior of the Turquoise Moon tribe of shifters, saves his grieving mate and brings her home to claim her in the only way he can…with orgasmic pleasure, savage possession and a raw sensuality that is inbred into their species. In a ritual as old as time, only he, aided by another male from their tribe, can help Trea embrace her panther beast.

It was a busy weekend for me. Lots of writing. For those of you who are fans of my High Plains Shifters series, I just finished Lawman (book five) and sent it off to my editor. I actually wrote 24 pages on Saturday and I think that is a new record for me. Usually I'm doing good to get four or five (nope, not a fast writer). Guess the creativity is flowing, the stars are aligned or SOMETHING so I'm going for it while I can. Still waiting on word from my editor about the fate of Return to Delight (a Texas set contemporary) and keeping fingers crossed that it's a BIG GO.

So now I'm faced with a big decision. Do I start Rio's Touch for the Savage Sanctuary series? Or do I write Return of the Daredevil, a follow up to Return to Delight? Big decisions here. Reckon I'll give this all some serious thought today. In the meantime, enjoy your President's Day if you are off from the evil day job.

Needing a Cougar-Available in Print

2011-02-16T10:13:00.003-06:00

I TOTALLY forgot to post this yesterday. My bad! Needing a Cougar (Ellora's Cave) is available in print. This is a hot 'courgary' collection of stories from the Cougar Challenge series and includes Drilled (by me), Driven (by Jayne Rylon) and Nothing but Sex (Fran Lee).

The books have been out for a few weeks at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and some other places but it's now available for purchase on EC's site.

Buy it HERE!

Drilled by Regina Carlysle
Lori Donovan accepts the Cougar Challenge and pledges to snag a hot young stud, knowing it’ll be tough once she moves back to her Texas hometown. She expects barren plains and rattlesnakes but finds hunky Jackson Blue drilling for oil on her property instead. A driller. Hmm. Lori has a few ideas about that and just about all of them involve her poor, needy, sex-starved body.

Jackson takes one look at the curvy, sexy, older woman and puts his expertise into action. After all, drilling is what he does best. Against the wall, on the floor or in the middle of her bed, he’s the right man for the job. It’s a hot time in Texas when a tough, sexy drillin’ man meets a sassy cougar, and playing it safe just isn’t an option.

Driven by Jayne Rylon
Lynn Madison transformed from repressed corporate drone to bold seductress overnight when her online friends at Tempt the Cougar encouraged her to take charge of her destiny. Their advice haunts her as she drools over the hottest Italian stallion on the planet while stranded in an airport.

Sebastian Fiori is a master of speed. A rally car driver, he’s used to winning on and off the track. He sees no need to put on the brakes when a sexy sophisticate revs his engine. After spotting Lynn’s decadent ménage novel, he decides to take her for the ride of a lifetime—with his navigator Mark.

Storm delays would be far more upsetting if Lynn’s young stud wasn’t offering a first-class ticket to indulge her fantasy. Neither of them expects their rendezvous to last beyond their transatlantic flight on his private jet. But sometimes there’s no escaping the forces of nature.

Reader Advisory: Novel offers a racy little treat—an m/f/m ménage.

Nothing but Sex by Fran Lee

Lee Blackhorse is hardly Cougar material, no matter what her friends over at Tempt the Cougar say. A forty-two-year-old woman who lusts after her thirty-year-old weekend helper is just plain nuts. Or is she? Mike Running Elk is the sexiest thing ever to don tight jeans and a second-skin t-shirt. She’s secretly yearned for the man for years.

Mike has no problem seeing himself in the role of Lee’s lover. In fact, if he can just get the hot-as-hell woman to realize he’s plenty old enough to ring her bells, he plans to do more than just clean her barn and mow her grass. He’s waited for her long enough.

When Mike shows up at her door with an injured hand, he notices Lee can’t pull her eyes off his naked, ripped chest. Mike can’t believe she’s as oblivious as she acts. The ice has been broken and he intends to heat things up even more…

Reader Advisory: Our poor heroine endures some mild violence, but don’t worry—the hero’s got her back.

Flowers and Big Announcements!

2011-02-15T09:41:00.003-06:00

I reckon since it's the day after Valentine's Day and I got flowers yesterday, I'd talk about the long stemmed beauties. Naturally florists everywhere were simply swamped so it was really no big surprise to not receive my flowers until long after five but that was okay. I pretty much figured they were coming. This year I got red roses. Very pretty. Elegant and perfect. Every year my husband buys Valentine's Flowers for the women in his life. My daughter, our mothers and myself get them without fail. He's a busy guy and hey, it's pretty simple to pick up the phone and place an order.

I, for one, believe Valentine's Day is rather overblown and overdone. Personally, I don't need a special day to know my husband loves me since he pretty much shows me every day. I'm also sceptical enough to know that this particular holiday merely lines the pockets of florists and greeting card companies. That's okay. Everybody has to make a living, don't they? Don't begrudge them at all. I simply don't think it's a big deal after 28 years of marriage.

But I digress. A couple of years ago right before Valentine's Day, Mr. Regina kind of sighed and said....damn, honey, roses are $60 a dozen this year and I'll be doing four dozen. Poor guy! I said...Why roses? Honey, I love Gerber Daisies. They are my favorites. It was as if a light bulb went off and he looked at me. "You don't mind not getting roses?" My answer was a definite HELL NO. Now, granted this year I DID get roses but personally, I think they are highly overrated. Nothing cheers me up faster than a beautiful arrangement of colorful Gerber Daisies. Being blunt here, I prefer lots of flowers over the traditional roses. Hydrangeas, tulips and irises are stunning, too. Lilies? They aren't just for funerals, are they? I love the way they smell.

About mid-January I decided that fighting winter blahs was pretty much futile without bringing a little color into the house so I've gotten into the habit of picking up a fresh bouquet every few weeks. I'm at the grocery store anyway and I pass by the floral department on a regular basis. Not long ago, I got a very pretty small arrangement for about five bucks, brought them home and put them in my living room. The mood instantly lightened and though spring wasn't here in reality, it kind of FELT like it!

In other news: I'm tickled to death to be able to finally announce that Panther Moon (book one of a new shifter/menage series) has been contracted by Ellora's Cave. Savage Sanctuary is the series title and I'm looking forward to writing the next two planned stories for this. I'm expecting edits in a little over a week so hopefully, I'll have a release date and a lovely cover to show off soon. I'm also nearly finished with Lawman (book five of the High Plains Shifters series). YAY! Writing steadily and cranking out books as fast as my fingers will let me.

New Release from Tess MacKall

2011-02-11T09:57:00.005-06:00

Still buried in my cave around here but at least the snow and ice has melted and the sunny sun is shining. Feeling rather frisky these days as I near the end of Lawman (book five of the High Plains Shifters series). Several have written to ask and I just feel so badly about not getting with the program sooner, I decided to just hide out for a bit and get it done. It took me a bit to figure out where my villain would make and entrance and how it would all happen but now that is done and I'm rockin' and rollin' again.

In other news: Tess MacKall, blogging buddy, friend of many many years, and a kickass talent has a new release out today at Ellora's Cave. Just in time for Valentine's Day! So crack open a nice bottle of whatever, keep your most decadent chocolates handy and enjoy!

http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9071-twelve-days-of-love.aspx

Blurb:

Eden Riley left her high school geek days far behind. Or so she thought. But when she returns to her hometown and comes face to face with the local heartthrob, sparks ignite like a chemistry set on crack. Super-smooth Nick Lancaster sets her nerves jangling and thrusts her libido into overdrive. But can the former geeky girl overcome her insecurities and jump his sexy bones?

Nothing suits former jock and debate-team star Nick more than sparring with the one-time nerd. He’s just itching to get up close and personal with her high-velocity curves and tangle with her on the nearest horizontal surface.

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, all bets are off when Cupid draws back his bow and Nick has only twelve days to convince Eden she belongs with him, in his heart and in his bed.

An Excerpt From: TWELVE DAYS OF LOVE

Copyright © TESS MACKALL, 2011

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

Jingling bells mounted above the flower shop door alerted Eden that a customer had entered the store. She pushed the stem of a pink sweetheart rose into the small wedding bouquet she had just started and wiped her hands on her green wraparound smock. As she turned, she caught a man’s reflection in the glass doors of the refrigerated case.

She couldn’t help but pause and stare. His tall, lean silhouette appeared to be standing there among all those leggy gladiolas and giant spider mums perched in their vases. He reached up to the service counter with one hand and touched the small African violet sitting near the edge. For a moment it looked as though he’d brushed his hand over the big snowy-white spider mum in the cooler.

Eden moaned slightly, his touch so obviously tender. Warm tendrils of longing tiptoed over her skin. She shuddered with the sensation, mentally chiding herself for giving him even a second thought, much less allowing him to affect her physically.

But Nick Lancaster had always worked his way under her skin, even in high school.

He was wet panties and get-naked-quick in one fine-looking package. Bottled sin. A walking aphrodisiac. And all that with just a “hello”. Why did she torture herself with this insane crush? She wasn’t exactly his type, was she? Eden patted her tummy to remind herself of the paunch that sometimes forced her to unbutton her jeans after she’d eaten. Yeah, it hadn’t disappeared, still there.

Nick tilted his head to the side as if to peek into the back of the shop where she stood watching, his mirrored reflection in the glass doors so damn lifelike she took a step back. An exaggerated sigh blew through the workroom’s open doorway, a sure-fire sign his patience had grown thin. He shoved his hands into his jeans pockets and glanced up at the ceiling.

Eden squared her shoulders, inhaled a deep, cleansing breath and stepped into the showroom. Both Nick’s eyebrows quirked when she appeared and he grinned. She nodded, smiled and planted herself on the opposite side of the counter. He looked too damn delicious today in his dark green Polo shirt and navy blazer. Why did he have to be so handsome?

“Hi, Nick. I might have known I’d be seeing you. The countdown has begun, hasn’t it?”

A distinct V formed between his brows, his grin fading into a frown. “Countdown?”

“Yeah, countdown.” Eden gestured toward the large, heart-shaped day calendar on the wall behind her.

Emblazoned in sparkling gold against the bright red background over the heart’s two humps were the words “Valentine’s Day Countdown”. The number twelve was displayed in bright red and centered inside a pale blue and white wisp of a cloud with Cupid sitting on top, his bow drawn.

Nick focused over her head. “Oh!” Then he frowned even harder. “Well, what was that crack about ’might have known I’d be seeing you’ all about?”

“Nothing. Forget it.”

He pursed his luscious lips and squinted his gorgeous green eyes. “You don’t like me very much, do you?”

“Where the hell did you get that idea?”

It never failed. Every time he came into the shop, they ended up arguing. She always managed to make some snarky comment, and of course, he picked up on it. They’d been at odds since their freshman year of high school. Both had joined the debate team and had never seen eye-to-eye on a single subject.

Slowly but surely they’d gravitated to different ends of the spectrum in popularity too, which hadn’t made things any easier. He, with his Adonis good looks and nothing-but-net shooting ability, naturally floated to the top; she, with her wide hips, pimply face, geeky glasses and penchant for all things artistic, sank to the bottom.

Now here they were, all these years later, no further from that high-school type of relationship than when they’d started. Except Nick had taken over his father’s string of Chevy dealerships and she had moved back home last year, forsaking her managerial position at an up-and-coming art gallery in New York to take over her ailing mother’s flower shop.

Times and situations changed but evidently people didn’t.

“If you don’t want me as a customer, Eden, why don’t you just say so?” He leaned forward, folding his arms over one another on the counter’s faux granite surface, watching her intently.

Lemon drops. He always smelled of lemon drops—and some expensive cologne she couldn’t remember the name of. God, she wanted to reach over and ruffle that thick, wavy black hair of his. Oh shit. Wet panties alert! He managed to do it to her every time without even trying.

And oh how she wished he would. Fat chance.

“I do want you as a customer,” she said succinctly, trying to put an end to the verbal scuffle.

“So? What was that crack all about?”

“Nothing. Just pointing out the countdown is all. I’m a florist. Valentine’s Day is important to me.” Actually, her remark had been a direct jibe regarding his frequent flower-buying miles. He constantly had arrangements delivered locally and wired over a three-state area with each card signed, “Yours, Nick”.

“Your mother is a florist. You’re a stand-in.” He grinned, wet his index finger with his tongue and painted the air with an imaginary mark. “Score one for me.”

Her mouth dropped open. She had a damned art degree in her back pocket. He, on the other hand, had dropped out of college after year two thanks to a bum knee and the fact he’d no longer be able to pump up his already over-inflated ego with the roar of the fans. How dare he call her a stand-in!

“I’ll have you know that I started working in this shop when I was twelve years old. Every day after school, weekends, all summer long too. I’m the one who made those sweet little corsages for all your high-school dance dates. So don’t say I’m not up to the job.”

He jabbed the rigid fingers of his left hand into his right palm—time out. “Chill, girl. Damn. You’re gonna pop a blood vessel one of these days.” He shook his head. “I was joking, messing with you. But I really meant that as soon as your mother was feeling better, you’re gonna be out of here and back to that fancy New York art career of yours.”

Did she detect a note of jealousy? Impossible. Nick Lancaster had it all. Well, except for his divorce, that is. Her mother had told her all about it right after Eden had taken over the shop. Nick had shown up on Eden’s third day to place an order and their customary enmity from high school had picked up right where it had left off.

Eden had related the entire scene to her mother at home that night and was shocked to learn that Nick and his wife, Jenna, had called it quits. He’d caught her dead-to-rights with her masseuse.

The vision of Jenna’s toothy white smile, platinum ponytail and deep cleavage bouncing up and down right along with the whimsical sashay of blue-and-white pompoms rollicked in Eden’s mind. The cheerleader prom queen sure had screwed up her life. How the hell could she ever want anyone but Nick?

Eden tucked her fingernails into her palms and squeezed, jolting herself back to the present. Who was she to talk? Her judgment where love was concerned wasn’t so great either.

She picked up the order book and scratched out Nick’s name on the appropriate line. “I won’t be going back to New York.”

“What do you mean?” He leaned in closer.

The lemony scent became downright heady. Have mercy. Her nipples poked at her thin cotton sports bra. Tingles of lust wound their way straight to her pussy. Maybe she should start keeping a supply of clean panties on hand.

He rapped his knuckles on the counter. “Are you listening to me?”

“Yes.”

“You looked like you spaced out for a few seconds.”

“Just thinking. Now what would you like to order today?”

He shook his head. “Not so fast. Why aren’t you going back to New York?”

“Mom’s not going to be able to return to work. She’s now on dialysis.”

He glanced down at the floor then back up at her. His usually devilish eyes had softened. “I’m sorry to hear that, Eden. Your mom is a nice lady. I hope her condition improves.”

Eden averted her gaze. He was being nice. And Nick Lancaster’s “nice” wasn’t something she could take. As long as he played the fool with her, she could handle him, but this side? No.

She pressed the pen against the paper. “Thank you. So how many dozen roses? One for each of the Twelve Days of Love? A dozen different women or just one special lady this time?”

He choked with laughter, sputtering, “The Twelve Days of Love?”

She rolled her eyes. “Florist marketing. If you can have the Twelve Days of Christmas, why not the Twelve—”

“Days of Love,” he finished in a sarcastic tone.

Eden perched her hand on her hip and stared at him.

He licked his lips. Lusty butterflies fluttered in her lower abdomen, sending a delicious pleasure-pain to body parts she didn’t even know she had. Her stomach somersaulted. She wondered what it would feel like to kiss him. Damn. She had to stop doing this. They didn’t even like each other. She wasn’t his type—no pompoms. He’d laugh his ass off if he knew how I felt. As long as she didn’t see him, she was fine. But if she had to talk to him, be near him…

He came around to her side of the counter. “How long have we been rubbing each other the wrong way?”

Eden skirted past him and walked over to the display window. She twisted a pot of heavily leaved philodendron so its back side faced the sun. “Forever. I’ve got a wedding tomorrow, Nick. I hate to rush you, but…”

When she turned from the window, he was standing in front of her almost nose to nose. She stumbled backward and he caught her, resting his hand at her waist. He stared into her eyes. How had she failed to notice those little gold flecks swimming in the dark green depths of his? His breath soughed warm over her face—more lemon drops and something else—his unique male scent.

And his hand—was it on fire? He took it away and the temperature of her skin where he’d been touching her plummeted.

“What will you be doing that night?” he asked.

“Wh-what night?” Surprised she’d found her voice, she hurried back to the counter and picked up the order book again.

“Valentine’s.”

“Oh.” She shook her head. “I’ll be lucky to get out of here by nine. And love will be the last thing on my mind, I can assure you.”

“No date, huh?”

“I don’t have time for dating. Can we do the order?”

He shoved his hands in his pockets before he moved back over to the counter. “So you didn’t leave any broken hearts in New York?”

Where the hell is he going with this? And why?

“I’m not exactly every man’s idea of the perfect date. Now if you don’t mind—”

“What’s a man’s idea of a perfect date?”

Exasperated, she blew out a burst of air. “I don’t know and don’t care. I have more important things to do these days than worry about the likes and dislikes of men.”

“What’s more important than love? You’re the florist.” He pointed to the Twelve Days of Love calendar.

“Exactly what is that supposed to mean?”

“You’re willing to sell the product of love but you don’t believe in it.”

“And you’re driving a Mercedes but you sell Chevys.”

Nick propped his hip against the counter, grinning. “Nobody’s ever challenged me the way you do, you know that?”

“Nobody’s ever pissed me off the way you do. You know that?”

His expression sobered. He looked wounded. “I don’t mean to.”

Deep down she knew that. Guilt crested inside her. “I guess we’re just oil and water, Nick. No harm done.”

An awkward silence rose between them. They just stood there staring at each other until Eden couldn’t take it another second.

“You still want to place the order?”

“Yeah,” he said, soft and low, in an almost defeated manner.

A few minutes later, Nick had placed an order for roses to be delivered on Valentine’s Day to seventeen different women. With every name and address he read to her from his BlackBerry, Eden jabbed the paper a little harder with the pen. Her stomach churned at the thought of all those women. In her mind, she pictured them with pompoms, blonde hair and long, tanned legs.

And they giggled.

Yep, she was definitely wasting panty moisture on thoughts of Nick. Her five-foot-four, big-hipped frame capped off by average-sized breasts would never stand a chance against all those big-busted beauties. Even her soot-black hair was a sharp contrast to what Nick wanted.

“All right. I think I’ve got everything. I have your credit card on file. How about the card? The usual ‘Yours, Nick’?”

“Yeah.”

He sounded dejected. She would too if she’d just spent seventy bucks a pop on seventeen different women. No. That wasn’t it. Nick had money. Apparently their antagonistic relationship had gone a bit too far today.

Maybe this was his last order. How would she feel if that was the case?

“Thanks, Eden.” Nick headed for the door, stopped short just as he reached it, waited the space of a few seconds, then opened it. The bells jingled. He continued to stand there with his back to her. A car alarm blared out in the street. He closed the door and marched back to the counter.

Eden just knew he was going to cancel the order and that would be the end of Nick and her silly schoolgirl crush. Head held high, she braced herself for whatever he was about to say.

“I think it’s a case of practicing what you preach,” he said matter-of-factly.

“What are you talking about?”

“You’re right. I should drive a Chevy and you should believe in love.”

His shoulders relaxed and he let out a long breath as if he’d been holding in what he’d said. And now that he’d spit it out, he seemed relieved.

“We’re back to that?”

“Yes, and I think we should do something about this,” he twirled his finger in front of him, “this oil-and-vinegar thing we have going on.”

“Water. Oil and water. You mean try to get along?”

“Whatever. And exactly. After all, it’s that time of year. The Twelve Days of Love.”

She smiled. “Okay, Nick. I’ll try if you will.”

Maybe they could get along. Of course, it wouldn’t help the physical side of things as far as she was concerned. But he didn’t come into the shop more than a couple of times a month. It might be nice not to feel so angry and wet when he left the next time.

“Good. I’ll pick you up at your mother’s house at seven.” He strode toward the door.

It was as if the floor fell out from under her. She grabbed the countertop. Blood rushed to her head and her heart drummed so loudly she thought surely the vibrations would bring the roof down on top of her.

“What!”

Nick spun on his heel. “Seven o’clock. Jeans will be fine. Twelve days, Eden. Twelve days of practicing what you preach. I’ll be driving a Chevy when I pick you up too.” He yanked the door open so the bells jingled, grinned, offered her a little salute and closed the door behind him.

Is Faster Better? Nah.

2011-02-08T10:22:00.003-06:00

Feels like I've been in a race lately with two books subbed since mid-Janurary and another roughly four chapters from completion. The muse has been kind and words are flowing but you know, I've been thinking that "racing" isn't necessarily a good thing. Only a very accomplished writer can steamroll through the writing of a book and produce a product worth reading. I would rather work a little more slowly and get it RIGHT than merely puke something out for the sake of getting something out there fast.

Make sense? What do you think?

Welcome my Guest...Tina Donahue!

2011-02-03T01:00:00.000-06:00

I always love having my friend, Tina Donahue stop by for visits and CONTESTS whenever she has a new release and today is no different. Lordy, don't you just loooove the cover of her new book? I'll confess I haven't read yet but, if I know Tina, it'll be a scorcher. Congrats on the release, Tina and welcome to my space in the blogosphere!

And the Plot Thickens…

I love suspense in romance where you know what’s coming down and you’re saying to the heroine or hero of a book…don’t do it…don’t even think about it…turn around…run, do not walk!

Of course, they don’t heed that advice, and that’s one of the wickedly delicious parts of the story. I kept that in mind while I was writing The Yearning, my just released erotic paranormal romance. I wanted the readers to know what Mike, the hero, did not; and to watch as Jasmine, my heroine, seduces him to staying in her house.

Here’s the blurb and an excerpt to show you what I mean:

BLURB:

To break this curse, they’ll have to turn the heat up. Way up.

Jasmine Dante prowls Key West’s nightlife, fighting a losing battle against a jealous rival’s curse that forces her to seek carnal pleasure, no matter the danger. Weakened from lack of sleep, driven by insatiable lust, she spots a man who stirs her desperate craving, and begins yet another dance of seduction.

Except the dark stranger who returns her direct stare is no ordinary lover. Inside his powerful body lies a raw sexuality that just might be enough to break her curse. There’s only one way to find out: imprison him in her bed and feed on his passion.

Former U.S. Marshal Mike Stearn is many things, but he’s no woman’s sex slave. The deadly telekinetic power he ruthlessly suppresses comes alive again at Jasmine’s touch. Beneath her bold, potent sensuality he senses vulnerability and desperation. He may be in handcuffs, but she’s the one who’s enslaved.

As Mike resurrects his power to free himself so he can find the curse’s source and defeat it, Jasmine revels in his masterful rule. Her ravenous yearning evolves into rapture as she surrenders to his hunger, her darkest needs—and the emotional connection that lies beyond. Unless the curse takes her life first…

Warning: Tons of steamy sex, smoldering passion and a to-die-for love story with a hot Alpha hero who finds himself imprisoned by one sultry and desperate babe.

EXCERPT:

With her fingers laced through his, she led him past the gazebo, a lacy white structure ringed by fat bushes and towering palms. White wicker rockers graced the back porch. Silvery light streamed through the tall kitchen windows, illuminating the snowy cabinets and gleaming hardwood floor. The fragrant cinnamon cake Violet prepared for tonight’s dessert sweetened the space.
Jasmine hung her purse on Lily’s chair at the glass-topped kitchen table. A prearranged signal to let her sisters know she’d chosen a safe man. He wouldn’t harm her.
She eased her hand from his and backed up several steps toward the hall.
He finished looking around the airy room. Shadows and light played across his features, giving him a mysterious, formidable appearance. He moved closer. Her body throbbed, hurting for his.
“I can’t believe you live here alone,” he said.
The back of her neck prickled. She warned herself not to break and blurt the truth. In addition to Violet and Lily, Ben Bishop, their border, rented a room upstairs. Ben waited for her now, determined to protect her if the man she chose became threatening. Heart racing, she offered a promising smile. “Most of the time I like the solitude, though not tonight.” To distract him from the subject, she lifted her hands and unfastened her halter.
Mike followed the ends of the cloth as they slid over her breasts to pool at her waist. Eyes riveted to her partial nudity, he pulled his tee out of his jeans.
“No—don’t.”
His gaze jumped from her tight nipples to her eyes. “Don’t? Why?”
If worry caused Violet and Lily to arrive before she got him out of the kitchen, he’d see them coming up the porch. “I want to undress you. Please.”
He flung out his arms, his resonant voice even huskier. “Have at it.”
Jasmine smiled, liking him so much desire rose swift and pitiless, worse than the times with the other men. The room pressed in and the air became suffocating. Tension magnified every sound: crickets chirped boisterously, something in the wall popped as the house settled. Her heart skipped a beat while she battled for composure. No matter his impatience to sink inside of her, if she allowed him to witness the heartless depth of her passion, she’d spook him and he’d leave.
She’d have no way to satisfy herself through tonight’s grueling hours, not even if she went to Ben. He’d argued for them to become intimate, not understanding the curse. Desiree didn’t want her to crave just any male. That would be too easy. She could hire escorts. The man had to be one she felt in her core with a connection so strong he seemed to be a part of her, whether he was vicious like Travis or as seemingly honorable as Mike. Only then would the sex gratify, though never for long. She’d still want unendingly. Finding her voice, she tried to make it as light and tantalizing as possible. “Not here. Upstairs.”
Mike’s arms fell to his sides. He arched one brow. “What’s upstairs?”
“My bedroom.” She looked at him from beneath her lashes. “You do want to see it, don’t you?”
“Eventually.” His amused smile grew mischievous as he inclined his head. “Right now, though, that table has your name on it. Once you’ve stripped me, I definitely see you bending over it, lifting your ass and spreading your legs.”
Her pussy thumped, indelicate, shameless beats at the picture he’d created, her body displayed for his use, vaginally and anally. She strained for control. “I was saving that for breakfast.” Her voice trembled. She cleared it. “By the way, I’m quite the chef. I cook in the nude.” She unzipped the back of her dress and nudged it past her hips.
Mike watched the flimsy fabric float to her feet. She stepped out of it and slipped off her slides. Excited and embarrassed at being naked, she didn’t move, allowing his scrutiny. Her breasts felt heavy and vulnerable beneath his intense gaze. Chilled air from the cooling system drifted down, glancing against her hard nipples and the building moisture between her legs. With each breath, the belly chain rolled over her stomach. She knew the dangling diamonds shimmered in the ashy light.
Transfixed, his attention roamed from the jewels to her shaved mound, exactly as she wanted. When she brought him through the house, she couldn’t risk him noticing anything other than her. A necessary precaution to keep him from asking too many questions. And, if she couldn’t bring herself to keep him captive, the only way she could allow him to leave in the morning.
Hand outstretched, she coaxed, “Let’s go upstairs.”

The Yearning is available now!!!!

Buy Link: http://store.samhainpublishing.com/the-yearning-p-6248.html

Email: tina@tinadonahue.com
Website/blog: www.tinadonahue.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/tinadonahue
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000458023097

To celebrate the release of The Yearning, I’m offering a contest today. One lucky commenter will have her choice of one of my following books**:

1. Lush Velvet Nights – ebook
2. Adored – ebook
3. Deep, Dark, Delicious – ebook
4. In His Arms – ebook
5. Bad Boys with Red Roses – trade paperback
6. Take My Breath Away – trade paperback

** Winner chosen at random. Winner in continental US has her choice of one of the six. Winner outside continental US has her choice of one of the ebooks

Phil's Prediction

2011-02-02T10:58:00.002-06:00

I heard this morning that the cute little groundhog, Phil, didn't see his see his shadow today and this means we're in for an early spring. From looking out my front door today, that's pretty damn hard to believe. We are 'weather wussies' in west Texas and we just flat don't handle this cold stuff very well. Of course, since we seldom get hit with a blizzard we are woefully unprepared for this crap. Most of us don't have snow tires or chains. We completely freak out over the notion of driving on ice. I can do it but I sure prefer NOT TO.

So yes, like pretty much everybody else in the U.S.A. we were hit with sleet, ice, and snow yesterday and with temps in the single digits there are no signs of it melting anytime soon. This morning our electricity went off for a bit but that didn't last long. The television isn't working because ice is covering the satellite dish. Guess I'll be listening to music for entertainment but right now, I'm kind of enjoying the quiet. I'm working on finishing Return to Delight. I'd mentioned honing in on the final chapter but that chapter turned into TWO...oops. So last night, I stayed up until about 2 am and when I nearly fell out of my chair I stopped a few pages into that last, final, end of the road chapter. With all this quiet and inspiration sitting on my shoulder, I'll finish today and send it off to my editor.

Lover's Moon (due to title conflicts) is now Panther Moon and in a short while I'll have an announcement about that. This is book one of a new series I'm calling Savage Sanctuary and I forsee, at this point, two more books. If the series is well received however, I'll certainly think about doing more of them. Yesterday I got a wonderful letter from a reader who was disappointed that Lawman (book five of the High Plains Shifters series) didn't come out last year. I felt so bad about disappointing her but for those of you who are wondering, I have started the book and hope to see it out there sometime this year. Many of you already know this but for those who don't, we had serious family health issues last year and it really took everything we had just to keep our heads above water. Both my Honey and my sister are cancer-free and on the road to recovery and we all started this year full of hope that we'll all get back to normal around here. That means I'll be getting out those promised stories. Thanks for hanging in there with me.

A Busy Week

2011-01-28T09:07:00.003-06:00

Seems I didn't stop this week. In constant motion, I tackled my mess of a house and wrote. Dust bunnies, too long ignored, were swept away and today I'll tackle the floors and a whole lot of mopping. Ah, the exciting life of a romance writer! I detest housework but Mr. Reg kept giving me the 'googley eye' this week so I took this as a broad hint that I needed to get off my ass and do something about it. We had a 'moth attack' over the past few weeks. They were the kind that come from floury/grainy stuff in your pantry so the other day, I climbed onto a step ladder after dragging in a huge trash can from the garage and went to work. Crazy how much old stuff you find when doing a project like this. I had unopened boxes of crap that had been there for years. Tossed. Old chips. Tossed. Half eated boxes of crackers (I didn't even bother to look at the expiration dates). Tossed. It was quite a project and when I was done, I realized there was no food in the house. GAH!

Funny though how cleaning my house inspires me to write. I'm almost finished with Return to Delight (having lots of fun with this) and I was stuck in a transition scene. You know, those pesky scenes that occur between the action that are specifically designed to get from point A to point B. They are really nothing little bits but are important to the story's continuation. Anyway, I was stuck. So heading into the laundry room, I pulled clothes out the dryer and started folding. Suddenly I knew exactly where the short scene should be set, who would be involved, yada yada. I love when that happens.

Now I'm moving in on the last chapter. I had planned to finish over the weeked but my son called a few days ago and said he was coming to town and bringing home a girl he's dating. Nope, doesn't look like I'll be writing this weekend after all. Life does throw some kinks into the mix doesn't it? All we can do is go with the flow. So here's my big plan...do the floors and spruce things up in between writing here and there. Entertain the kiddos and when they leave on Sunday, I'll finish my book and remain on schedule. Think it'll work?

Welcome Tess MacKall and Natalie Day

2011-01-26T08:50:00.003-06:00

And The Winner Is…

Natalie Dae and Tess MacKall for their amazing collaboration of Black Cougar Curse!

Applause. Applause. Applause. Spotlights sweep over us. The crowd cheers and jumps from
their seats for a standing ovation, and we rush to the stage to give our acceptance speech.

That’s what release day feels like. It’s like being an Academy Award Winner for Best Picture of the Year. There is a huge rush when you wake up as your mind clears away the night’s fog and focuses on the one thing that matters today—the release.

Once you’re out of bed you begin to panic. What did I forget to do to ensure this book has the best release ever? Maybe I should add five more blogs to the blog tour. Maybe I should have set up more chats. Maybe I should have emailed more people. Maybe I should have doubled advertising. Maybe I should have…

It’s endless.

The day has arrived and that release is going to come at you like a runaway train. The book, your baby, now has a life of its own. The birthing process is at end and all you can do is stand on the sidelines and cheer it on. And, of course, keep promoting to ensure your baby gets the best chance it can possibly have at a great shelf life. LOL

And now it’s back to conceiving a new one.

Here’s the blurb for Black Cougar Curse. Natalie and I hope you enjoy it!

Deep in the mountain wilderness, Lucia Chavez searches for closure to her father’s death, and the mythical black cougar he sought. Drop-dead sexy Cherokee Indian guide Sam Starr knows more than he’s telling. After he saves Lucia from being swept away in a mudslide, the bath they both need turns steamy indeed. Sam and Lucia are living proof that near-death experiences can bring two people closer together—they can’t keep their hands off each other.

Amidst danger and mystery, Sam and Lucia explore the lust that burns between them. If their desire gets any stronger it could bring down the mountains. Ancient secrets hold the key to their unbridled sexual need. Was their passion written in the stars?

One man. One woman. A curse that binds them—and could tear them apart.

Get your sexy on and read an excerpt here:

http://www.jasminejade.com/productspecs/9781419931062.htm

To purchase your copy of Black Cougar Curse click here: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9014-black-cougar-curse.aspx

Subscribe to Risqué! the hottest newsletter around featuring once-a-month news from erotic romance authors Natalie Dae http://nataliedae.blogspot.com, Regina Carlysle http://reginacarlysle.com, and Tess MacKall http://tessmackall.com . Subscribe here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/risquenewsletter

Coming soon- RISQUE

2011-01-18T10:10:00.003-06:00

Sign up now for Risque! I've teamed up with Natalie Dae and Tess MacKall to give you all the scoop on our news, upcoming releases, contests and other fun stuff. Click the banner above and around the first of each month we'll send you a copy of Risque!

Guess you can tell what I've been up to! You know me, I take baby steps into the world of promo and every year I step out there a little bit further and add a new element. It's hard to know what works and what doesn't these days but, to me, a newsletter is a no-brainer and something I've wanted to do for awhile. Lucky me, Natalie is a whiz at this stuff. Didn't she do a great job on the banner? I love it!

I've been writing like mad and I'm heading back to my cave now. Halfway finished with Return to Delight and having lots of fun with it. Sometimes I catch myself smiling as I write. That's a good thing.

Getting the Wordage Down

2011-01-17T09:30:00.003-06:00

As you know I submitted Lover's Moon last week and rather than sucumb to a rash of nerves, I started another story. It's weird finishing a project because you're left thinking...okay, what NOW? So I dove into my documents in search of something I'd started and abandoned for whatever reason. Funny thing about old starts, often when you've given them a re-read, you are left thinking...now why did I abandon that?

Lover's Moon was a 'heavier' story and feeling in the mood for something lighter to sink my teeth into, I stumbled across three starts that were similar in that they were all set in small-town Texas. After reading carefully and making minor adjustments to town and people's names, I came up with an idea for a short 3-book series set in Delight, Texas and featuring rough and rowdy brothers who find a way to re-connect with the women in their pasts. I've kicked this off with Cooper Dobbs, the middle brother. He is a long, lanky Texan who likes to work with his hands. Sounds promising...hmmmm. When Harley June Baker, a well-regarded designer of cowboy boots returns to Delight to sell the home of her childhood she finds Cooper, a sexy Welcome Wagon standing on her front porch holding a paint brush and wearing a sexy smile. By writing steadily every day, I realize I might finish this one by the end of the month.

Great way to begin the new year, I'm thinking.

Something to Celebrate!

2011-01-13T10:06:00.003-06:00

Sorry I've been AWOL for a few days but I've been deeply buried in my writing cave. Lover's Moon is now finished and off to my Ellora's Cave editor. So while I await her verdict (fingers and toes twitching with nerves) I'd like to say that it was amazing getting this one finished. If you have read Feral Moon, a shifter menage that released at Ellora's Cave in December of 2008, you might remember Titus Declan and Mahara Jones (the hero and heroine of this story). In Lover's Moon, they reappear and we get a look at their Texas community of panther shifters and get to know a few of their 'citizens'. Lover's Moon tells the story of Chantrea Morgan who, after witnessing the murder of her parents, heads straight to Sanctuary. There she meets warrior-class panther Hudson Cates. By her scent, he discovers she is his mate and suddenly protecting her from the men who hunt her becomes his first priority. This is a bit if a longer book than I've done in awhile and I'm really excited to see it finished and off.

I also learned last night that Needing a Cougar (a print antho including Jayne Rylon, Fran Lee and myself) is available now at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. I expect it'll be up on the Ellora's Cave site soon and will let you know as soon as it appears! This is a collection of our three Cougar Challenge stories and I'm so excited to see this now available in print.

New Year's Resolutions Kept...so far

2011-01-06T10:48:00.004-06:00

You know everything is ticking along at a nice steady pace when things are being arranged for MARCH. Hard to believe we're fully into 2011 but I've been good and have written something every day of the New Year. Yes, I fully realize there will be 'sick days' or 'travel days' so I figure get as much done every day as humanly possible and I can make up for those.
Due to my diligence, I've gotten anywhere from 1.5K to 2.5K down daily toward finishing Lover's Moon. Should send to my editor sometime next week and already ideas are forming for new stuff. That's the funny thing about creative potholes...eventually you manage to climb out, refreshed and with a new spark of energy.

Yesterday, the lovely folks at Ellora's Cave put up all the plans for Romanticon 2011. It'll be slightly earlier this year so mark your calendars for Sept. 29-Oct. 2. It'll be in Akron (home base for Ellora's Cave) and a new, more exciting venue. Looking forward to it more than I can say. I'll be signing up and booking a room in a few weeks! Ready to put my party hat on, folks!

As for now, I'm sitting here plotting my next scene and hoping to finish a chapter today. My daughter is still home for Christmas break but heads back to school this weekend. I dread her leaving but with her schedule this semester, I should see a bit more of her. YAY!

Off to write some stuff. Later gators!

Finally...a link

2011-01-04T09:35:00.003-06:00

Has anyone been out and about since the holidays were over? I swear...yesterday, my daughter and I headed out to spend some of her Christmas money and it was like a heard of locusts had attacked every store we stopped in! She is still working on setting up her cute little kitchen in her apartment and we were on the hunt for "gadgets". You know what I mean...potato peelers, pot scrubbers, can openers. Exciting stuff. At first glance that kind of thing is pretty cheap but damn, add up about twenty of these items and it gets pretty expensive. She had a nice gift card to a local department store and she picked up silverware (for four) along with four glasses. We stood in line for awhile to pay for the silverware and glasses. A lady was in front of us who had about a gazillion Christmas ornaments. She quibbled over the price of each one which required a 'price check' by the poor girl ringing everything up. I swear! Took about ten minutes to find what we needed and another 30 minutes standing in line to PAY. Jeez! No wonder I hate shopping!

Today I'm staying home and writing. At the moment, I'm working on Lover's Moon and have roughly thirty pages or so to write. Lots of menage sex coming my way. Fun living vicariously through our characters, isn't it? Lover's Moon is a spin off of my Feral Moon (Ellora's Cave) and I've been busily working in sexy male characters who will each have their own stories plus advancing the plot of Lover's Moon. Starting a new series can be FUN but SCARY. The series is set in a place in Central Texas called Sanctuary where panther families live and hunt in peace. Staying close together protects them from the outside world and keeps the secret of what they are, well, SECRET! Though these stories will be largely male/female there will be some menage in each one.

Yesterday I told you all about Riding the Edge (new in Print at Ellora's Cave). Today, Happily, I can post the LINK. And since I'm doing that, I'll post the blurb too.

Buy it HERE!

Ringo's Ride

Rayne dreamed of the day Ringo would claim her as his mate, changing her into the lycan she is meant to be. One touch from his hands burns her with a flame hot enough to scorch the Texas plains. But the moody lycan has made it clear he doesn’t want her. That’s just too damn bad! The sexy Latino lycan belongs to her and she aims to claim him, no matter what it takes.

Ringo hides the pain of his tortured past behind a menacing sneer. Learning that Rayne is meant to be his mate is unwelcome news. She deserves better than to be saddled with a man with his checkered past. It isn’t until she is taken from him that he knows she is the only woman who can heal his battered soul.

Edge of Nowhere

From the moment Cactus Mackey rescues Sara Farmer from outlaw wolves, he knows she belongs to him—and he’s more than ready to mess up some sheets with the sassy female. But she has secrets and wants to run. Infuriating woman! He might have to tie her to his bed but he’s not about to give up until she belongs to him, body and soul.

As danger chases her, Sara knows it’s a huge mistake to fall head over heels for the sexy lycan cowboy from Wolf Creek Ranch. A single touch from this shockingly seductive man melts her like butter under the hot Texas sun, and has her yearning for impossible things. The man is big trouble to her heart and running may no longer be an option.

All Kinds of Stuff

2011-01-03T10:07:00.005-06:00

Is anybody else out there glad the holidays are over? Now, I'm not saying we didn't have a fine time at my place but all this excitement pretty much left my brains scrambled. Yep. I need a little break and BREAK to me means getting back to normal. My daughter is still home from college for another week and I plan to enjoy every single second of it but along with that, I'm living up to my mini New Year's Resolution of writing every single day. So far. So good. Roughly 30 pages away from finishing my manuscript so even when the muse isn't being particularly kind, I'm plunking away. A neat little trick is to keep my ms. minimized on my computer when things are going on. During a break in whatever is happening, I'll pull it up, dash out a bit more and then minimize again. I've also developed the habit of writing on my netbook while I'm spending time with my honey. Being together is important but we don't always like the watch the same shows. So I've resolved that issue by plinking and plunking away while he is watching heads explode. Swamp People, Ax Men, Ice Road Truckers, action films and others hold vast appeal for him. Siiiiiigh.

Christmas was lovely. We switched our routine up a bit to accomodate our son who had to work for awhile on Christmas Day. He ended up coming in that evening so we held off on dinner and the present opening stuff until we could all be together. He stayed for a couple of days and it was so wonderful to spend some time with him.

New Years was nice and relaxed. Just the way I like it! Back when I was a youngster, this particular holiday called for lots of music, lots of dancing, and people everywhere. A party was an important thing. These days, we catch a movie (this year it was True Grit...loved it), then we get into jammies, open some bubbly and watch tv until the 'ball drops'. New Years Day saw us firmly planted in front of the tv to catch the college bowl games and have a traditional southern 'good luck dinner' of blackeyed peas, homemade cornbread and ham. Not too shabby!

In other news: I finished off the year by being nominated for two CAPA awards. This is the first time I've been nominated so, yes, very very cool. Jaguar Hunger was nominated in the Best Erotic Paranormal catagory and Drilled (a Cougar Challenge story) was nominated in the Best Contemporary Erotic catagory. I'm listed along with too many author friends to name and I wish them ALL the best of luck. I count myself fortunate to be named along with so many I greatly admire.

Now in PRINT! Riding the Edge released at Ellora's Cave on December 31, 2010. What a nifty way to end the year. This book includes Ringo's Ride and Edge of Nowhere, books three and four of my High Plains Shifters series. The book is available at all the usual places, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, etc, along with Ellora's Cave. (I would include the link here but EC's site is currently down for repair) I'll post it later when everything is up and running.

On a more personal note: Dad, it has been 15 years today. Not a moment goes by when you are not in my heart. I miss you.

Recovery

2010-12-15T09:14:00.005-06:00

After having a housefull of company for the past few days, I'm thinking it's time for a little 'recovery period'. Don't get me wrong, loved this visit from my sister who traveled to Texas all the way from Florida. I adore her! The year has been a struggle for her as she recovers from breast cancer. She has a clean bill of health now but is fighting fatique from the chemo and radiation. On this trip, she brought along a friend and the two of them got together with Mom and I and we just had a blast. We did some shopping, chatting, lunching, and dinner-ing. Run run run. Have to admit, I was more than a little worried about Sis because she gets so tired. I kept encouraging her to REST but she doesn't listen to me. :-) On Sunday night, she and I threw a surprise bash (a small one) for Mom's birthday. I believe she was really stunned by it all and there was lots of picture taking, laughter, gifts, you know, fun stuff.

Getting sis to the airport was an ordeal. One thing or another cropped up to put us drastically behind when it came to catching her plane. Long story short, I made several quick trips back and forth across town and when Sis and her friend finally got on the plane she called me. In a quiet voice she says....Um, I left my luggage in your trunk. siiiiiigh. I could hear the upset in her voice and quickly assured her to not worry. I'd mail the thing to her. PDQ. So I head off to the pack and mail place to send off her bag and what happens? I lose my car keys somewhere. I looked for over an hour for my key, made a frantic call to my honey to come fetch me, etc. Very frustrating. Despite the chill in the air, I was beginning to sweat. Finally, the folks at Pack and Mail came rushing outside. My key (which is magnetic) fell into a cup containing a bunch of pens and had stuck to the side. Relieved, I called Mr. Reg and told him the cavalry didn't need to come after all.

Needless to say, I'm ready for some serious decompression time. Does that really happen a week and a half before Christmas? Guess I'll be finding out, huh?

In other News: Miz Love at Miz Love Loves Books gave me a great review for Edge of Nowhere (book four in my High Plains Shifters series). Check it out HERE! Thanks MIZ LOVE! For fans of the series who have asked, Lawman, book five of the series (featuring Sheriff Gabriel Dunham and Katalin Petrova) will be finished next year.

Clean, Write, Clean, Write

2010-12-09T08:43:00.003-06:00

Lately it seems the harder I work, the less I get done. Doesn't make much sense but that's life sometimes. My sister is coming in tomorrow for a three day visit and it dawned on me this morning that my house is a mess. Well...not truly horrible...but I definitely need to put a little shine on the place before she gets here. I know it doesn't matter to HER but it matters to me.

I'm also behind on my writing. I've been doing a little each day toward finishing Lover's Moon so I'm not really BEHIND but it feels to me as if the story just keeps getting longer. That's okay, I guess, but at this point I wonder if I'll ever finish. So today I'll write, clean, write, clean. My goal is to finish another chapter today plus have a sparkly clean house. Feeling as if there are a million things to do and simply not enough hours in the day, ya know? It's dumb though. The gifts are bought and wrapped. The tree is up. All that is really left holiday-wise, is getting my food stuff together. Haven't baked a single cookie (but maybe I'll just give myself a break and pass on all that this year). Sounds like a plan to me.

Welcome Jadette Paige...CONTEST

2010-12-08T08:21:00.004-06:00

A great friend of mine and a wonderful author has a new release today. Jadette Paige's Blue Heaven (a hot m/m story) is available now at Siren Publishing. If you are a fan of the genre and a lover of steamy, powerful paranormal stories, please pick this one up today.

Today both Jadette and I are offering a prize to a lucky commenter. She will be giving away a copy of Blue Paradise and I'm chipping in any title from my backlist.

Buy it HERE!

http://jadettepaige.weebly.com/

Blurb:

Take him from Heaven’s Seat. Bring him to me. We will protect his sacred head.

Stryver Zorti’s mission appears simple. Kidnap the Godchild and deliver him to his master. But with the first meeting of the holy man’s azure gaze, desire surges in him to strip bare the God and touch the man within.

Worshiped all his life, the Godchild is shocked by the stranger who dares lay hands on him, even if it is to save him from assassins. With a different name given by his new ally, Blue is freed from the constraints of the holy order for the first time. He revels in the extraordinary experiences opening to him, then in the passion that sparks between him and the hard-edged, oddly gentle Stryver.

But a god does not love, and if discovered, their precarious utopia will shatter, destroying any chance for a future together--that is, if the assassins don’t kill them first.

Excerpt:

Stryver leaned against the broad trunk, waiting with waning patience. Blue had been fine until the rain. He had melted with the first drops, shivering and gasping until Stryver helped him move under the protection of the oak.

He frowned at Blue where he huddled among the roots’ knobs at the base of the trunk. His knees were drawn up against his chest, his thin arms wrapped around them.

Rain never hurt anyone. Why him? Stryver couldn’t figure it out.

Everything about the holy man confused him—in particular, the reason why someone wanted him dead. He didn’t appear to be a threat to anyone, yet from what Aidal said and what Stryver had witnessed in the cathedral, his life was in imminent danger.

Shaking his head, Stryver dug a cloth-covered bundle from his supply bag. He unrolled half a loaf of bread and a small wedge of cheese. He squatted next to Blue, his own back pressed against the bark. He stared at the holy man, his hand frozen in the act of offering him a share of the bread.

Head lowered, gaze caught on something next to him, Blue held one finger out. A small, black ant crawled onto the tip. He lifted his hand, his gaze centered on the ant.

Uncomfortable with the intensity of Blue’s survey of the insect, Stryver released a low laugh. “You act like you’ve never seen an ant.”

Blue’s gaze stayed riveted on the tiny creature as he murmured, “That is its name?”

Confused even more by the strange question, Stryver shook his head. “Yes. You’ve never seen one?”

“No. It’s different from us. So fragile.”

Disbelief replaced his confusion. “There had to be ants at the monastery.”

“No. Only the monks and myself. No other creatures were ever allowed to enter.”

Stryver looked at the ant. What sort of problems could an ant cause? “Why?”

“No distraction, nothing to influence or interrupt my growth. No threats to my development.”

Amazed at the calm, accepting manner with which Blue repeated this simple mantra, Stryver asked, needing an answer, anything to clear the muddle in his mind, “What is your ability?”

This question brought the azure gaze over to meet his. The gentle patter of the rain striking the dirt road and leaves surrounded them, enfolding them in a secluded place. For the space of a breath, Stryver forgot to look away. Then he blinked, focusing on the ant again, making sure not to stare into the innocent orbs studying him.

“I was instructed not to tell anyone.”

“You can’t tell me your name. Now, it’s your true power. Why the secrets? The last Godchild’s name was proclaimed across the land. People rejoiced in his abilities.”

The finger lowered to the ground. The ant hurried away to resume its work. Blue spoke low, and Stryver had to lean closer to hear. “Some things are best not known.”

Unease rippled along Stryver’s back. So there were reasons why the assassins tried to kill him. “You’re not going to tell me, are you?”

“No.”

“Even if it means life or death for both of us?”

Fresh, crisp, rain-washed air breezed over Stryver’s face with the gentle shake of Blue’s head.

The answer struck Stryver full force. So the odds for this mission to fail had increased. His mortality loomed in front of him. All because of one small, quiet man. Compassion for him and unease for what the future held washed over Stryver.

When he broke the quiet, his words came out low and gruff. “Here. Eat. You have to keep your strength up.”

Blue’s slender fingers broke off a small hunk of bread. Stryver pulled the cheese apart and gave him the larger half.

As he chewed in the peaceful rain, he tried to find a way to discover the truth about the Godchild. His life depended on knowing it.

The Grinch Song

2010-12-06T23:28:00.000-06:00

No Grinches Here

2010-12-06T23:07:00.003-06:00

Looks like everyone is trying to get caught up in the holidays. Must confess I've been a tad 'grinch-like' because everything has just felt so rushed, ya know? Since we have most of our Christmas shopping done, I got started on the wrapping and let me tell you, it made a lot of difference in my mood. I've been cutting, taping, bow-tieing etc. and ended the day with every single present wrapped.

WHEW!

I even managed to write during wrapping breaks. How's THAT for some Christmas Cheer? A little bit tired but I have to confess, I'm feeling much better now! Doesn't it feel great to get things done? Haven't had a moment to watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas yet but this video will have to do.

Contests, Contests, Contests and New Releases

2010-12-01T08:51:00.005-06:00

Nothing beats the holidays for giving and all month long the ladies at Three Wicked Writers plus Two are giving away a gift a day. Yes, we're Jingle Bell Rockin' and handing out goodies as if we were a bunch of Santa's cute little elves! Madison Scott kicks off the fun today and discusses her favorite holiday memory. Check it out HERE! Entering is simple. Stop by every day in December, leave a comment and you're entered. Easy breezy! Natalie Dae will announce the week's winners each Friday.

More Chances to win!
Today I'm the featured author at Lex Valentine's 30 Days of Christmas. One commenter will win a print copy of Lone Star Beasts which includes books one and two of my High Plains Shifters series. Comment HERE!

MORE GOODIES!
Need a break from all the holiday festivities? Nothing is better for that than a great read. So whip up a steaming cup of hot chocolate (don't forget the whipped cream) and dig into Teal Ceagh's newest release from Ellora's Cave. I happen to know Teal LOVED writing this one so it's very close to her heart. I know you'll just love the heck out of this one. In honor of Teal's release she is giving away a copy of Kiss Across Time (book one in this fabulous series). Just leave a comment here, along with some contact info and she'll pick a big winner. How easy is THAT?

Buy it HERE~

Growing up, Taylor Yates never dreamed she would end up happily living with two drop-dead sexy vampires and time-hopping through their thousand years of personal history. Her life is complete—or is it?

When she finds herself at the siege of Jerusalem during the first crusade, Taylor discovers Veris doesn’t know her at all…and doesn’t want to. Worse, he and Brody are total strangers, and Taylor drives a wedge deep between them by trying to seduce Veris at their first meeting—not something a lady of the day does if she wants to keep her head.

Taylor and Brody must woo Veris using the customs of medieval England, win his heart and his full commitment before Jerusalem falls in four days’ time—or when they return to their own time, their lives as they know them will be gone.

An Excerpt From: KISS ACROSS SWORDS

Copyright © TEAL CEAGH, 2010

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

Chapter One

Brody carefully returned his long glass of untouched champagne to the table by his side and slid cautiously around so he was diagonal to Veris and Taylor as they confronted each other. Brody’s heart was actually thudding, reacting to the tension in the room all by itself, something it hadn’t done in years.

Taylor’s smile faltered. “I thought you would be pleased,” she told Veris. “It’s what your queen wants. You implied to her it would happen in the next ten years, anyway.” She stood straight and tall, not backing down even though she could probably see Veris’ reaction wasn’t the one she had been expecting.

God, she was so gutsy. Brody admired her even as he wondered how he could stop this disaster from happening: her black hair with the unexpected copper highlights, the smoky gray eyes, the gorgeous long legs. She was damn sexy and she had just asked Veris to provide the means to bind her life to him forever and irrevocably. They were words any man with half a brain would turn cartwheels over.

“You want me to turn you for your birthday. To make you a vampire.” Veris put his champagne down and wasn’t nearly as careful with the crystal. It made a grating noise on the glass side table. He moved his shoulders inside the jacket he’d put on for their private birthday party.

Brody wished now the big, book-lined room was full of guests, for then Taylor would never have asked her question and Veris would not do what he was about to do. Instead it was simply him, Veris and Taylor standing at the south end of the room near the big, unlit fireplace. The last of the late sunset was streaming through colored lead lights in the front foyer across the twin openings on either side of the fireplace, filling the room with unearthly light.

Taylor wore a simple white sleeveless dress that stopped more than a few inches short of her knees. It probably cost a small fortune despite the lack of material in it. Her flesh glowed with health and vitality and her dress rippled with color each time she moved, from the light spilling into the room. Her legs were just wonderful. Brody never tired of watching them move.

He already knew one reason for Veris’ ill-ease. Perhaps he’d just caught a hint of one other. Taylor was ripe with living.

Brody gripped Veris’ forearm. “Don’t,” he said softly as his lover seemed to brace himself to answer Taylor.

Veris took a breath and Brody could hear the air shudder as it drew in. He yanked his arm out of Brody’s grip. His blue eyes came to bear upon him and Brody almost winced at the pain there. “I won’t, then,” he said, his voice very soft. “Not tonight. As you asked and it’s Taylor’s birthday. But this…” He shook his head. “I will not do it.”

“You won’t turn me,” Taylor concluded. “Despite your promise to the queen.”

Veris closed his eyes briefly. “That was four years ago. And I expected, when the time came, that Brody would do the deed.”

Brody said, controlling his tone very carefully. “If Taylor wants you, Veris…”

Veris sighed and looked at Taylor. “I cannot. I will not. And do not ask Brody to do it instead of me, Taylor.”

Her lips parted, but that was all the surprise she showed.

Brody hid his shock. He’d had far longer to get used to Veris’ occasional outbursts of authoritarianism, a holdover from other ages.

Taylor slammed her glass down. “Like hell!” she said, her voice strident. “You won’t, but no one else can either? What the fuck is that supposed to mean? Stay away from my bone?” She planted her hands on her hips and her knuckles whitened.

Yep, Taylor was angry now. The one thing guaranteed to switch on her fury for a good long storm was any overt attempt to tell her what to do. Veris was a master at it. He was also expert at dismantling her anger with calm, clear logic. Taylor was anything but a hypocrite and once she saw the truth, her fury fled like storm clouds and her sunny temper returned.

But Veris simply looked at Brody, his eyes haunted. “I promised I wouldn’t open this Pandora’s box tonight. You’ll have to explain the rest to her.” He left the room and Brody saw his shadow cross the wall of the foyer as he started to climb the wrought iron-lined stairs to the second floor. Veris was removing himself from the argument before it even began.

Taylor stared at the doorway Veris had used. “He’s never done that before.” She sounded almost breathless. “He’s never walked away from an argument before. Not just because you asked him to.”

“You’ve never pushed him so hard before, either,” Brody said simply.

“Pushed?” She spun to face him. “How on earth is asking to be turned pushing him? I don’t get it!” The distress in her voice was genuine, overriding any anger left in her.

Brody picked up her glass and held it out to her. “It’s still your birthday. Drink. And I’ll try to explain as Veris wanted me to. But I’ll be guessing most of it.”

“You know him so well, your guesses might as well be sworn statements,” Taylor muttered. She tipped a heavy slug of the champagne back into her mouth with a little convulsive jerk.

Brody frowned. “That sounded less than happy, too.”

She shrugged and glanced away.

“You want to have an argument with me, now that Veris has gone?”

Taylor grimaced. “No,” she said and sighed.

“Then…” He frowned as meanings shifted and became clearer. “Is that why you want Veris to turn you and not me?”

She glanced up at him, her lashes just barely lifting to reveal the dark gray of her eyes. “Does it matter?”

“To you, it does. So of course it matters to me.”

The corners of her mouth lifted just a fraction.

“You’re trying to find a way to tie him to you,” Brody told her. “For humans it’s marriage. For our kind the bond we have has no ceremony but is far more permanent. But lifetime permanency isn’t enough for you. You want the bond that comes from maker and child, as well.”

Her tiny smile died.

Brody shook his head. “It won’t work, Taylor.”

She blinked. “Why not?” Her voice was thick with unexpressed emotion.

“You can’t trap Veris. He’ll resent it. He’ll resent you. He’s spent his entire life as master of his own fate. You can’t manipulate him, you can’t handle him and you can’t out-think him.”

“I know,” she said softly, her eyes enormous as she looked up at him with a wretched expression.

“Then why on earth did you try?” He tried to keep his question gentle.

“Because you possess more of him than I ever will,” she whispered.

His breath escaped him in a hard rush. “Sweet Jesus, Taylor.”

She was just staring at him with those huge eyes. If she started crying, he knew he was going to feel like the world’s biggest piece of undead dog meat, but Taylor never turned on the tears just for effect. She would be fighting to hold them back. She hated crying in front of them, especially as neither of them could shed a tear even if they wanted to.

Brody curled his hand into a fist, fighting for calm. “I don’t possess so much as a hair on his head. I never have. He stays because he wants to.”

“Bullshit,” she said softly, hopelessly. “Nine hundred and fifteen years…nearly a thousand years, Brody. No one stays just because they haven’t got bored yet, not for that long.” She drew herself up straighter, leveling her shoulders. “You both love me, I know that. But what you feel for each other…” She shook her head. “I’ll never have that. I can’t. I haven’t been around for a thousand years and all the little flips back in time we get to do aren’t nearly enough to make up for it. They’re just glimpses. Teasing. Sometimes I wish they didn’t happen at all, because they just make me envy you for the long, long life you’ve had.” She picked up the glass again and this time her convulsive jerk emptied it.

Brody had no time to begin to pull his mind together to formulate a response. Veris came back in the door, wearing his professor clothes. A summer-weight, silver-gray silk suit and dazzling white short-sleeved shirt that stretched over his biceps and triceps as he lifted his arms to transfer the jacket from his right hand to hang it over the back of the Craftsman chair next to the door.

“You’re leaving already? So early?” Taylor asked.

“I think it’s probably best,” Veris said.

Giving Thanks

2010-11-24T09:35:00.003-06:00

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday (except when I was a little kid, of course). It's that interlude before the craziness of holiday shopping, get togethers and PRESSURE. It's just the family sitting down to a wonderful meal and being together. This year I have more to be thankful for than usual. It has been a tough time for our little family due to illness but we are finally winding down the year and seeing the light at the end of that tunnel. We are happy to be here...mostly healthy, relieved and yes, happy. So tomorrow, when we sit down together we'll give thanks. Here's wishing everyone a fabulous Thanksgiving Holiday. Gobble. Gobble.

The Cougar Challenge has struck again with a new release from the fabulous Cris Anson. Want it hot? Want it sizzling? Ellora's Cave author Cris Anson delivers in spades with her steamy new cougar tale. Add this one to your collection, folks! You'll thank me. I promise.

Buy it HERE!

A story in the Cougar Challenge series.

Encouraged by friends she met at RomantiCon, widowed landscape contractor Giselle Sheridan decides she’s finally ready to take the cougar challenge and explore sex with a younger man. 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 eventually bother Con, and her longtime foreman also has designs on her, in more ways than one. When Giselle faces some hard decisions, will she ultimately be able to keep the heat?

An Excerpt From: ADDING HEAT

Copyright © CRIS ANSON, 2010

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

Could he be any more goody-goody than thinking a bicycle ride was an appropriate first date?

The dimple in his smile as he waved hello didn’t catch her interest this time. She was angry that she’d been hoodwinked. No, that wasn’t fair. It was her own fault she’d misunderstood.

But oh lord, when he walked to the back of the truck, her eyes popped at the finest, tightest, roundest ass she’d ever seen. Come to think of it, his thighs were more muscular than she’d imagined when she’d seen him in loose-fitting dress pants at the Senior Center.

And his belly. It was concave under the spandex. His clothes looked painted on, and every step showed the flex and flow of his muscles. Not an ounce of fat. Anywhere. She could just imagine the type of woman he probably dated. No way was she in anywhere near the shape of those twenty- and thirty-somethings with hard bodies and unlined skin who rode in biking marathons.

He looked like one of her employees, young and buff and…

She gulped. Was he actually being a tease? Or was she just acting like the dirty old lady Larry had accused her of being?

Larry. Good grief. She’d consciously avoided him, avoided the upcoming confrontation, since the other morning when they’d shared that unexpected kiss. She’d always considered Larry in the context of an employee, not a man, although he was tall and burly and masculine down to his big workboots. But his kiss was as manly as any she’d ever experienced. She’d probably be smart to consider dating Larry and leaving Con to the younglings.

“You might get a little warm and sweaty in those jeans,” Con said as he rolled out one of the bikes and leaned it against the porch railing. “And you might want to wear sneakers.”

Was this guy really a nerd? Or was this his way of trying to impress her?

Okay, she’d show him. Without a word she marched back upstairs and a few minutes later walked back out wearing a brand-new outfit she’d bought for wintertime exercise at a health club she never got around to joining—tight, mid-thigh, spandex workout shorts and sports bra that lifted her ample breasts and maximized her cleavage. The get-up showed a fair amount of skin between garments and she was gratified that his mouth actually dropped open as he rolled the second bike to a stop.

“Is this better?” she cooed. And smiled at the instant bulge his molded shorts couldn’t hide.

Instead of turning to hide his erection, as she’d expected a goody-goody to do, his eyes shot lightning bolts and he strode purposefully toward her.

“I‘ve wanted to do this since the moment I laid eyes on you,” he murmured as he cradled her head between his palms. His mouth touched hers and all hell broke loose inside her.

He shifted his stance, bringing her in closer contact with all his bumps and ridges. She found herself responding, not just to the feel of his lips, firm yet featherlight as they teased her mouth, but to the heady sense of being enveloped in a cocoon of testosterone as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders. Then he spun them around so her back was against the driver’s-side door and he sandwiched her between it and that hard, wiry body whose firm texture took her by surprise.

Oh God, it had been so long since a man had rubbed against her in such a sexual way. Her pussy tightened. Her nipples jumped to attention. Of their own volition, her arms encircled his waist and her hands began stroking that muscled back.

Suddenly it wasn’t enough. Something inside her reared up, something frustrated and hungry and ignored too long. Grabbing the stretchy fabric, she yanked his shirt from his waistband to feel smooth, warm skin, like silicone over iron. She wanted to lick him all over, wanted her naked body rubbing against his. She wanted to see, to taste the cock that was poking into her belly like a shovel handle.

Her mouth captured his tongue, sucked it in like a Popsicle. Her hands moved to map the curvature of his waist then delved upward to follow the ridges of his abs to search for those flat nipples she loved to scratch, like pushing buttons, to make a man jump to her beat.

“Giselle,” he murmured, wrenching his head back. “Stop.”

Somewhere amid all the jumbled emotions, her brain began functioning, then tossed out a bitter thought. He was calling a halt because he was embarrassed. She had to be a dozen years older than him. And yeah, he’d reacted to her blatant display of curves and skin, and she’d been thrilled that he seemed attracted to her, but now he’d come to his senses with a vengeance.

She went rigid against the truck, let her hands drop. Felt him step back and watched as he tucked in his shirt.

“I’m sorry,” she said through clenched teeth. “I didn’t mean to make you—”

“We have company.”

“Uncomfortable— What?”

“Someone’s coming down your driveway. See that plume of dust?”

“Dust?”

“Yeah. I wouldn’t want anyone to see you in a compromising position.”

With difficulty, Giselle focused on the approaching vehicle. A truck. A very familiar truck.

Good Manners

2010-11-19T11:20:00.004-06:00

As a woman born and raised in the south, good manners were drummed into me at an early age. Still, to this day, I use the common courtesies of "please" and "thank you". Let me assure you, the south does not have a lock on good manners. These days, even here, mannerly behavior seems to be in short supply. It's frustrating to teach your kids these things, watch them observe the rules of being respectful and well mannered and then find that others don't reciprocate. I'm proud of them for their constant displays of mannerly behavior. At a very early age, my son was quick to open doors for others or help a lady and both my son and daughter were careful to give thanks and appreciation for birthday and Christmas gifts. This is how they were raised.

I'll never forget being nine months pregnant and out shopping for groceries. As you can imagine, I looked like I was about to burst. Movement was difficult. My feet were swollen. Normal stuff. On this particular summer day, I tried desperately to lift a large bag of charcoal into my shopping basket. An almost impossible task. I tried over and over and over as healthy men walked past, saw what I was attempting and kept walking. What the hell? This is Texas folks. Land of the He-Man, alpha male, protector of women and children! Couldn't help thinking that as one after another passed me by without a single offer of help. I wasn't about to ask anyone. People should have seen my struggle and offered a helping hand. Eventually, I stood there, sweat pouring, huffing and puffing and a kind young man helped me out. Later, I told my husband about the episode and he just shook his head...their mamas didn't raise them right, he says.

Since I've begun my journey as a writer, I've seen manners both bad and good. As a rule, writers are the most generous people I know. Quick to offer advice or lend a hand with the promotion of a new book. Helping hands are there if a scene needs to be read for a 'second opinion'. Reciprocating is encouraged and most of us readily jump in feet first to pay it forward. It's just the right thing to do. I hope that saying 'please' and 'thank you' isn't a lost art though. I really do.

ROCK OUT...with Lex Valentine

2010-11-15T08:06:00.004-06:00

A little business: Big, huge congrats to Texas Jane for winning the Natalie Dae contest I posted here a few days ago. Jane...WOOT! You've won a title from my backlist. Head over to http://www.reginacarlysle.com and do some shopping. Then drop me a note at reginacarlysle@yahoo.com and let me know which of my books you'd like as a prize. Congratulations and thanks to all who came over to play.

Here's hoping everyone had a great weekend. I got some writing done, watched college football on Saturday and yesterday (after I managed a couple of hours behind the computer) I headed out to the mall. I was actually pretty amazed at the number of shoppers out there and wonder now if everyone is getting into the Christmas spirit already. Although I didn't do any Christmas shopping, I did pick up some lovely new towels and hit a new store that had oodles of makeup, perfumes, body lotions, etc. Umm. Big mistake! I should NOT have gone in there because there were just too many good deals. Oh well. It was fun and today I have neat stuff to play with! LOL. I figure a girl has to splurge sometimes. Right? That's my story and I'm sticking with it.

Today please welcome new Ellora's Cave author, Lex Valentine. She is celebrating her new release Rock My World and we want to help her with that. Believe me, Lex knows how to 'rock it out' and her hot new title proves it. Rocker Sin might be a few years younger than Gia but he knows how to rock her world and the lovely Gia is rockin' his right back! Action, romance, and hot hot sex rolled up into one smoldering package. Please pick this one up today.

Buy it HERE!

Rock star Gia Santora is at the height of her career when a frightening brush with a psychotic stalker changes her life. Three years later, she’s ready for more than a string of one-night stands on the road, but finding a date isn’t easy for a woman with a bodyguard. When she meets her sexy young opening act, he pushes all her buttons, sexually and emotionally.

Sin Carstens is rock’s hottest new guitar god with a body and a voice to match his name. He takes Gia on a wild sexual ride that has them literally rockin’ the tour bus. But Sin’s got priorities other than music and sex. He wants a relationship with the commitment-shy Gia. When the stalker gets loose and their lives are on the line, Gia pushes Sin away. But Sin’s willing to fight Gia’s fears in an effort to win himself the sexiest woman he’s ever known, and prove that he can rock her world.

An Excerpt From: ROCK MY WORLD

Copyright © LEX VALENTINE, 2010

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

Fresh from the shower, Sin threaded his way through the groupies that always seemed to fill the backstage area. He slipped away from everyone and headed for the spot he’d found Gia standing in earlier. From that vantage point, he could watch her on stage. He’d somehow sensed her standing there during his set and it had fueled his performance. He played for her, sang for her…rubbed his aching cock against the body of his Strat for her.

The damp strands of his expensively cut hair fell into place automatically as Sin ruffled them with one hand and watched Gia. Dressed in a black leather bustier and matching skintight pants, she had the rock-star look down cold. Her black hair cascaded down her back in loose waves and ringlets like the mane of a show horse. She swiveled her hips and his heart thudded against his rib cage. Sweat trickled down her breastbone and he ached to lick it from her skin. She beckoned to the crowd with long slender fingers tipped with black-lacquered nails and all he could think of was how those fingers would feel wrapped around his cock. The cock that currently strained against the placket of his worn jeans.

From the moment his manager had told him Firewire wanted him to open for them, he’d dreamed of fucking Gia. Of course, he’d dreamed of fucking Gia since he was seventeen years old. Firewire had just burst onto the music scene fronted by the twenty-five-year-old bombshell and his adolescent hormones had done nothing but constantly wonder what she looked like naked. Twelve years later, his thoughts hadn’t changed much but his opportunities had.

Sin watched her undulate in the spotlight, her red lips pursed as if she were about to suck on the microphone attached to her headset. God, how he wanted those lips sucking on his cock. The past few weeks had been torture. He’d seen her in passing numerous times but hadn’t yet had a chance to speak to her alone.

Usually flanked by James Fox and Derek Vanguard in public, Gia otherwise kept to herself. He’d discovered she had no boyfriend, husband or significant other of any kind. Her bandmates—all big men with as much muscle as the group’s bodyguards—closed ranks and protected her from the advances of strangers pretty much 24/7. He understood why. A stalker who’d held her at knifepoint three years ago had taken her straight out of the dating limelight. Her personal life had gone one-hundred-percent underground at that point. If he hadn’t been part of the tour, he wouldn’t have found out she was unattached.

He watched Firewire’s entire set, his gaze glued to Gia’s writhing body. At thirty-seven, she looked spectacular. Maybe not quite as hot as she’d been a dozen years ago, but she’d aged well. Her hips might be rounder, her body not as angular, and crow’s feet and laugh lines adorned her face now, but Sin didn’t care. She sent his temperature soaring.

The lights came down at the end of the last song, but within five seconds, a backlight came on, outlining Derek Vanguard’s drum set. A roadie poured water over him as he drank from another water bottle. A low, driving backbeat from his bass drum rumbled through the auditorium. The lights began to pulse with the beat.

Sin blinked in surprise as Gia suddenly appeared in front of him, sweaty, breathless and wide-eyed. Her roadie unzipped the leather bustier and stripped it from her, swiftly pulling a white tank top over her head. For the space of a few heartbeats, Sin saw her naked breasts, the stiff pink nipples thrusting toward him. The roadie stepped behind Gia to pull her hair into a ponytail. Gia drank down a bottle of water, her gaze locked with his.

Fire licked at his groin as he stared at her. He didn’t notice the black smears of her eyeliner or the way she couldn’t seem to catch her breath. He did notice that her eyes watched him with undisguised lust. Sin took a step closer. Anticipation rushed over him. He grasped her chin and slanted his mouth over hers, smearing her lipstick. She tasted like cherries and he twined his tongue with hers, pressing his throbbing cock to her belly. She rubbed her tongue against his, her eyes wide open, watching him cautiously.

Hands pushed him and he stepped back, breaking the kiss. Gia’s roadie hissed angrily at him but he ignored her, keeping his eyes on the woman whose taste still lingered on his mouth.

“Break a leg, baby,” he said, touching her bare shoulders in a swift caress.

For an instant they just stared at each other, then the roadie hissed again and Gia took a step backward. As she spun toward the stage she glanced back at him, one eyelid dropping in a wink. Sin’s heart stumbled, then began to beat faster. Fuckin’ A. He’d kissed Gianna Santora. And she’d winked at him. He felt seventeen again.

Sin took a few steps forward, watching intently as Gia began to sing the band’s signature song, a ballad that had every cigarette lighter in the arena lit like ten thousand candles in the night.

Lay with me

Close to my heart

Breathe my air

Let my love start

To heal your wounds

Our love unfurled

You hold me tight

And just rock my world

He held his breath, noting that at least twice she glanced toward him and both times her voice soared, the smoky, sexy tones washing over him, making him ache. He watched and listened as she segued from the ballad into their final encore of the night, a rousing, foot-stomping, fist-raising anthem of pure rock.

By the time she flung her arms around her bandmates and took a bow, the sweat-soaked white tank top had become transparent, outlining her round breasts with their tight nipples. She jogged offstage, her face incandescent with performance high. She headed straight for him, slamming her whole body into him, crushing her breasts against his chest. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she ground her pussy against his thigh and moaned.

Electrified by her touch, Sin kissed her hard. Just as he thrust his tongue into her mouth she pulled back, her violet eyes wide, her gaze intense.

“I’m not a cheater and I don’t share,” she growled, her voice raspy from sixty minutes of singing and screaming.

Heart hammering, Sin thrust his hands into her damp hair, dislodging the ponytail holder. “Me either. I broke up with Shanna two months ago. She couldn’t handle me yelling your name every time I came,” he admitted.

His palms absorbed the shock that rippled through her. She grasped his hand.

“Let’s get out of here.”

The next few minutes passed in a haze of lust and anticipation. Gia pulled him through the throngs of people toward an exit. Vaguely he realized she’d muttered something to her roadie and to Fox as they passed. Derek smacked him on the ass and Ray-Ray hooted. Next thing Sin knew, they were sprawled in a limo, lips locked and bodies rubbing urgently together as the car sped toward their hotel. He palmed her breasts through the damp tank top.

“Oh God, I’ve dreamed of this since I was seventeen years old,” he mumbled against her mouth.

Gia froze, her lithe body pinning him to the leather seat. She stared at him with emotion-dark eyes for several seconds. Then, with a visible swallow, she thrust herself away from him, sitting up.

Sin levered himself upright, his stomach lurching. Damn his stupid mouth. He wasn’t a kid anymore but excitement at being with her made him feel and react like one. It had been years since he’d been so gauche with a woman. He looked into her stony face and his stomach fell. Shit. It would take some fancy footwork to get back to the point where they were sucking face and humping on the limo seat again. Sin figured he’d better start dancing.

Welcome my Guest...ADELE DUBOIS

2010-11-12T08:46:00.006-06:00

First let me say, I just love this woman. I first met her at Romanticon 2009 and we got the chance to hang out a little bit. She is fun, fiesty and just the sweetest sweetie pie, ever. One of my few disappointments at Romanticon 2010 was that she wasn't there! sniff sniff. We are definitely hoping to hook up next year though. In the meantime, we can all get our Adele Fix through her hotter than hot stories and she has a new one out today at Ellora's Cave. In honor of the occasion, she's blogging here today!

LET’S REV! by Adele Dubois

All my life I’ve been fascinated by motorcycles and convertibles. The sensations of wind and speed thrills like nothing else. I love to ride in my convertible with the top down, as do the heroines in almost all of my books. Though I don’t own a motorcycle, my law-enforcement heroes do, and they ride hard and fast when they need to solve a crime or sport the heroine away from danger.

I live vicariously through my sexy, fearless characters in REV ME TWICE and it’s stand-alone first REV ME UP and hope you will, too. If you think my REV books are for you, please leave a comment. One reader will win a motorcycle key ring in the mail to celebrate the release of REV ME TWICE. USA residents only, please. I’ll name the winner in the comments section with instructions on how to claim your prize.
Thank you for your support!

REV ME TWICE Summary:

Crystal is a bad, bad girl in the most delicious ways. She tries to be good and is tempted to commit to her Navy MP boyfriend, Tomas, but has no experience with an exclusive relationship or healthy family structure. She likes her life as a cable TV stripping weather girl and sex party host, and resists conforming to the traditional lifestyle Tomas craves. Without her weekly ménages and wild orgies, can she become the partner Tomas wants?

When Crystal receives death threats, a media frenzy erupts. During a break-in, the threatening letters are stolen, erasing evidence that thwarts an arrest. Tomas sports Crystal away on his Harley to protect her, but a deadly crash changes everything. Faced with the choice between self-interest and self-sacrifice, Crystal must decide if she will embrace a new life with Tomas or walk away.

Buy The Book! http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-8865-50-rev-me-twice.aspx

REV ME TWICE: Excerpt

Chapter One

When the light turned green, Tomas Alvarez revved his black and chrome Harley-Davidson CVO with red flame graphics, engaged the clutch and hit the shifter with the sole of his right leather boot. The front end of the bike lifted off the asphalt and leaped forward like a bull from a rodeo gate.
His engine roared, rubber smoked beneath his feet and his laughter rumbled with the exhaust system as he left the pussy in the pimped up GTO in his dust. The driver in the restored classic car had been hot-dogging him for miles and it was time to shake him loose. He chuckled and savored his tiny victory.
Tomas revved again and then held the grips tight, flexing his arm and shoulder muscles with the movements. Glare from the late afternoon sun glinted off his black-as-night shades. As he picked up speed, he relished the hot wind gusts slicing over his skin. Warm grit flecked his face. The smells of clean air and fresh tar wrapped around him like his favorite cologne.
Crystal Miller swatted his stomach with one hand while she tightened her hold around his waist with the other. She screamed over the engine noise, “Did you have to do that? Don’t forget I’m back here, you moron!” Both hands wrapped tighter around his abs and then fisted his t-shirt like a woman wringing laundry.
Tomas only laughed and sped up. “He deserved it and I know you liked it.” Crystal was as hooked on speed and danger as he was. More so, despite his officer training. The brush of Crystal’s breasts against his back when her nipples hardened during acceleration proved his point. When she rested her cheek on his shoulder, he knew she’d closed her eyes to intensify the thrill. Her breathing quickened and she flattened her palms on his stomach as the Harley roared down the highway toward the Washington Monument.
She could yell at him all she wanted, this chick loved to fly.

Buy The Book! http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-8865-50-rev-me-twice.aspx

*****

Adele Dubois Website: www.adeledubois.com/
Friend Adele on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/adele.dubois?ref=name
Find Adele on Twitter! http://twitter.com/AdeleDubois

Something more from Regina: The release day contest for Natalie Dae's His Beautiful Wench is still ongoing (at least through the weekend). Please scroll down to the next post to leave your comment for a chance to win a book from my backlist.

And Still MORE: Head over to Three Wicked Writers plus Two where Natalie Dae is offering a kickass contest for a new blog designed by HER. She designed this blog and many other beautiful ones so this is a 'don't miss' deal.

His Beautiful Wench by Natalie Dae

2010-11-09T23:16:00.004-06:00

Oh wow...give me some history, time travel, and hot sex and you can simply COLOR ME THERE. Ellora's Cave author Natalie Dae has quickly become one of my 'go to' authors. Her turn of phrase is absolute perfection and she writes a story that is so hot the pages fairly sizzle. Please, please don't miss this awesome tale of passion and intrigue available today from Ellora's Cave.

In honor of Natalie's release today, I'm offering a contest. Simply leave a comment, say hi to Nat and I'll give away any title from my backlist. Since I'll be out of town over the next few days, I'll announce the winner on Monday. Sound good?

Buy it HERE!

Drawn to the attic in her new home, Amelia finds a saucy nineteenth-century wench dress. At first glance, it’s just a dress, but once she dons it, desire streaks through her and she’s transported to the past. Overwhelmed by lust, she is caught pleasuring herself, discovered by the most gorgeous man she’s ever seen, who turns out to be—her lover?

Amelia and Emmet join in an explosive sexual union, erasing the months—or is it centuries?—they have been apart as though they never existed. But suddenly Amelia awakes—alone.

Until the dress calls again.

Emmett’s not the only one lusting after Amelia. Lord Graham wants her and he doesn’t fight fair. He kidnaps her, sends Emmett on a deadly errand and forces Amelia to participate in his voyeuristic games. Although Amelia’s body betrays her, she vows to remain true to Emmett, but will he return? And can she escape the clutches of Lord Graham’s debauchery? Amidst subterfuge, treachery and murder, Amelia and Emmet’s love grows and they reach new heights of carnal passions.

Happy Friday!

2010-11-05T11:42:00.004-05:00

Well, here we are heading into another fun filled weekend. Funny, at times this week seemed to plod by. Don't know what's up with this lack of motivation. Weather change? Maybe. It's cool here now and I love that and I guess it has just made me lazy. Can't say that I didn't accomplish quite a bit so maybe the LAZY stuff is a figment of my imagination. Did some heavy duty housecleaning and finished a chapter of Lover's Moon. The story is rolling along nicely and so I'm feeling pretty good about that.

Has anyone started their Christmas list? I'm getting ideas fast and furiously. YAY on that. Looks like I'll have a nice meaty list in hand when I head out in a few weeks. Looking forward to having it done and behind me. Hmmm. I suspect my list is so damn complete that I'll have gifts picked up and possibly wrapped before I even get the tree up. I've actually never done that before. So why am I thinking about Christmas before we've even gotten to Thankgiving? Who the hell knows! Thanksgiving is my all time favorite holiday and it feels like I'm blowing it off. I'm not. Ready to do some baking and anxious for the house to smell all heavenly and stuff.

In other news: More Cougar lovin' hit Ellora's Cave's bookshelves this morning with the print release of Tease the Cougar. So happy PRINT release day to my buds, Desiree Holt, Mari Carr, Mari Freeman, and Ciana Stone. You ladies rock it hard!

Buy it HERE!

One weekend convention, one daring challenge, several stories that prove age and experience are one hot combination.

Hot to Trot by Desiree Holt

Buying a ranch on eBay was the wildest thing Autumn Kelley had ever done. Past forty, she’d pretty much written excitement out of her life. Then she discovers the ranch comes with a foreman who could give her an orgasm just by looking at her—and he has an equally hot friend. The two of them take Autumn on the erotic ride of her life.

Assume the Positions by Mari Carr

How will Rachel beat the challenge and convince a younger man to have sex with her? To control her angst, she makes a list of eligible men. To her surprise,Ethan, one of her physical therapy patients, is pissed when he learns he’s not on it! The luscious police officer gives her a copy of the Kama Sutra and asks her to make a new list.And assume the positions…

Sin on Skin by Mari Freeman

For Stevie Jones, finding a younger man isn’t the problem; she needs a younger alpha man. Tattoo artist Errol knows instantly what Stevie needs. He’s hot, young—and he’s invited Stevie to his private BDSM club. Soon she’s experiencing things she’d only read in her favorite erotic novels. Sinful toys, spanking benches and voyeurism are just some of the erotic escapades on the evening’s agenda.

Cam’s Holiday by Ciana Stone

Cam doesn’t consider the challenge a husband hunt. It isn’t about love. It’s about a night of hot, steamy sex.And Lee Holiday seems like the right man for the job. A personal trainer, he makes it clear he’d love to ring Cam’s bell. And ring it he does. Repeatedly. Cam’s found sexual nirvana. But Lee’s not willing to settle for a short-term, sex-only relationship…

WOOT! Ciana Stone's Trouble in Chaps is out TODAY!

2010-11-03T10:47:00.004-05:00

YAY! Happy release day to my friend Ciana Stone. Trouble in Chaps, book three of the Sequins and Saddles series is available today at Ellora's Cave. This book tells the story of Roxie, best friend of Emily and Lola, and chronicles her meeting with the hottest honky tonk proprietor in the town of Mesa Blanco, Texas. She's hot and he's even hotter, a man whose boots you'd like to have under your bed!

If you haven't read the series, please pick this up along with Trouble in Cowboy Boots (Desiree Holt) and Trouble in a Stetson (Regina Carlysle) and take a trip to small town Texas where the men are hot, the beer is cold and a lady is sure to have a mighty fine time!

In other news: Ellora's Cave Editor in Chief, Kelli Collins is blogging at Redlines and Deadlines today about what she looks for in an author website. Very insightful post. So if you are considering a re-vamp or building a site for the first time, head over and read what she has to say on the topic.

Buy Trouble in Chaps HERE!

Book three in the Sequins, Saddles and Spurs series.

Roxie may have broken down in Middle-of-Nowhere, Texas, but she darn sure doesn’t plan on staying any longer than it takes to get the land yacht she arrived in up and running.

But you know what they say about the best-laid plans. Cliff was a complication she hadn’t counted on. The man looks like walking sex and he’s determined that before Roxie hightails it out of town, she’ll share his bed. So he offers her a job at his bar, Chaps, to keep her close—and adds a sexy bet on top of it.

If she wins, he finances her escape from Nowheresville. If he wins, she stays for six months, keeping bar by day and keeping him warm at night. It’s a wager she can’t resist—and one she can’t lose.

An Excerpt From: TROUBLE IN CHAPS

Copyright © CIANA STONE, 2010

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

Chapter One

Roxie watched her friend Lola leave the café. This day had to go down in the record books as one of the worst. It wasn’t bad enough that the 1966 Cadillac they’d left Vegas in had broken down. It’d broken down in Texas. Mesa Blanco, Texas, to be precise.

Roxie thought Bumfuck, Texas, would have been more apt. With a population that boasted of just over three thousand residents, according to the sign at the edge of town, the likelihood of finding a job that would not only enable her to pay for a place to stay but save enough to fix the car was remote.

“So, what’d you do in Vegas, Roxie?”

The deep, male voice from across the table had visions of something other than a job dancing in Roxie’s head. Something along the lines of sweat-slicked skin, tangled sheets and low grunts of pleasure.

“This and that,” she responded, turning her attention to the man seated across from her, Cliff Beckett.

Tall and lean, Cliff had the kind of build that made her mouth water. She forced aside the erotic images that sprang to mind and lifted her near-empty soda glass to jiggle the ice cubes.

“Ever work in a bar?”

One eyebrow arched. “You offering me a job, Mr. Beckett?”

“Cliff.”

Roxie resisted the urge to shift in her seat. The way he was looking at her made it hard to keep her mind on business. “Well?” she asked.

“Depends.”

“On?”

“How are you at tending bar?”

“I’ve mixed a drink or two.”

“Most of my customers fall into the beer category.”

She smiled in spite of herself. “Then I’ve twisted a few caps.”

“Waited tables?”

“Once or twice.”

“Dealt with rowdy fellas who’ve maybe had one too many on a Friday night?”

That prompted a laugh. “Honey, I lived in Vegas.”

Cliff chuckled. “Which brings me back to my original question. What exactly did you do in Vegas? Showgirl, dancer?”

Roxie laughed. “No, that’s Lola’s thing.”

“And yours was…?”

“Security.”

That wasn’t an answer Cliff expected. Roxie looked more like the beauties that can be found on a stage in Vegas. Busty, built and legs that made a man fantasize about what it would feel like to have them wrapped around him.

“Security?”

“Yep.”

“As in bouncer?”

“Yeah, I did that. Did most all of it but for the last few years I worked the high-stakes games.”

Cliff knew what she meant. When there was a lot on the table, most casinos had specialists watching. Not just from cameras but on the floor. Most people would never recognize the specialists. They dressed like everyone else and often sat in on the games.

And were the most lethal people in the world to play against because their “specialty” was spotting cheats. They knew all the tricks and most of them were banned from gambling.

“Well, I don’t have much of a call for that at Chaps. But I can offer you a job if you’re interested.”

“How much do you pay?”

“You don’t beat around the bush, do you, Roxie?”

“What’s the point? How much?”

“Minimum wage plus tips.”

She surprised him again when she stood. “Thanks, anyway. I think I’ll see if there isn’t something else available that pays a bit better.”

“Ten an hour plus tips.” The words were out of his mouth before he realized it. Why was that? Sure, Roxie was one hot babe that he’d purely love to get between the sheets, but attractive women were a dime a dozen. Why did he suddenly have an itch to have her around? And why the hell was he offering her nearly eight dollars more an hour than minimum wage?

She sat back down. “How much does it cost for a room at that place…what was it?”

“Mrs. Chester’s Boarding House.”

“Yeah, how much?”

“She’d probably cut you a deal. Hundred a week without meals and laundry services.”

Roxie mentally calculated. At sixteen hundred a month base salary, minus four hundred for rent, she had twelve hundred left plus whatever tips she made. And if Chaps was like most other bars in America, her tips could easily match her base pay.

Then there was food. From the prices on the menu at the Blue Belle Café, it’d cost at least a hundred a week for food. That brought her to eight hundred, plus what she made in tips. She could put more into the car fund than what it would take to live. And the car repairs were liable to be expensive. Chances were the parts would be hard to find, which would drive the price up. She wasn’t all that experienced in auto repair, but she was guessing it would cost them somewhere in the neighborhood of three to four thousand to get the land yacht back on the road. If she wanted to get the heck out of Dodge—or Mesa Blanco—as quickly as possible, she was going to need to earn a lot more than ten dollars an hour.

“Twenty-five an hour,” she finally said, meeting his eyes.

Cliff snorted. “I can hire three gals for that price.”

“Not three with my experience.”

“Fifteen an hour.”

“Twenty.”

Cliff smiled at her, a lazy, knowing smile she’d seen more than once. It was the smile of a gambler who was holding a pat hand. Funny thing was that she’d never seen that smile look quite so sexy, or had it affect her with a sudden tightening of her nipples and warmth that spread down straight into her crotch.

“Three to closing, Wednesday through Saturday.”

Roxie couldn’t believe he’d agreed. They both knew that the offer was about nine hundred percent more than he was required to pay. But she wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth.

“What time’s closing?”

“Two a.m. Hour for dinner and fifteen minute break every two hours. You get one meal per shift and all the water and soft drinks you can hold but no alcohol unless you pay—half price for employees.”

She considered it for a brief moment. With that pay and if the repairs on the car weren’t too much, she’d be bidding farewell to Mesa Blanco inside a month.

“Done. When do I start?”

“Tonight’s as good as any.”

“Okay. Thanks, Mr. Beckett.”

“Cliff.”

“Not as long as I work for you.”

The message was all too clear. Hands off. Cliff felt a grin rising on his face. He loved a challenge and Roxie Ellis just might prove to be a very stimulating one. “Have it your way. I’ll expect you by five. That should give you time to get settled and changed.”

“Into what?”

“You got any cut-off jeans?”

“I have a pair I can cut.”

“That’ll do. I’ll have a Chaps t-shirt sent over to the boarding house for you.”

She stood and offered her hand. “Thanks. I’ll see you at five.”

Cliff rose and took her hand. “Don’t disappoint me, Roxie.”

She met his eyes with a sassy expression that had heat starting to simmer in his belly. “Not in my vocabulary, Mr. Beckett.”

With that, she pulled her hand from his, turned and left without a backward glance. Cliff reclaimed his seat, staring thoughtfully at the door. He’d have to call his guy and get the scoop on Roxie Ellis. There was more to her story than just a woman who’d thrown in the towel on a whim and high-tailed it out of Vegas. And he was going to find out what it was.

New Cougar Tale by Jayne Rylon

2010-11-01T11:47:00.004-05:00

Back in town after spending a few days with the kiddos. We had a great time catching up and I hate to say it but....back to the real world. Came home to a gazillion emails, a messed up house and yes, it's MONDAY. I'll be getting back to my wip today and weaving in a bit of housecleaning.

Nope, I'm not really in the mood for any of it but so goes life.

How was Halloween for everyone? This is the first year in all the years of our marriage that we did nothing for Halloween. Mr. Regina is still recuperating and it just didn't seem right to have him dealing with the doorbell all night. Next year, I will set out our decorations and usual and gear up for the little goblins.

Today I'm featured at Selena Illyria's blog. Selena was kind enough to offer to host authors of the Cougar Challenge series (EC) for the week. You can catch my interview with Lori Donovan, the heroine of Drilled (April) and read her thoughts on cougars, love and life. Last I saw the captcha thingie wasn't working but maybe it will be later.

Speaking of cougars, while I was out, Ellora's Cave released the latest installment in the Cougar Challenge series. YAY! Jayne Rylon's Shifting Gears is an incredible cougar tale (and a menage to boot). Doesn't get much better.

Buy it HERE

Blurb:

A story in the Cougar Challenge series.

Mark envies his friend Bastian and the Cougar who tamed him. For years he’s had his eye on a sexy, older, married woman. Despite his and Bastian’s sharing women, he refuses to poach outside his steamy fantasies.

Sloan travels with the race car drivers as the league’s publicist. Living abroad can be lonely, especially when touring somewhere like China—where beautiful landscapes surround them but language and cultural barriers are high. Until she meets Lynn, who shares her love of erotic romances. In Lynn, she gains more than a friend—because sexy-as-sin navigator Mark is never far from the Cougar and her fiancé, making Sloan wonder if it’s time rejoin the dating scene after a nasty divorce.

When Lynn notices the chemistry between Mark and Sloan, she issues the Cougar Challenge. Sloan expected fantastic sex. But she never imagined her relationship with Mark would empower him to explore the sexual tension building between him and Bastian…

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 ménages. 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.

Rambling

2010-10-27T22:28:00.004-05:00

Yeah. Yeah. I know it's been a bit since I've blogged. I would say 'chalk it up to laziness' but that hasn't really been the case. I've actually been pretty busy. I'm deep into a WIP at the moment and with that and other stuff going on around here, I've been snowed under.

Not long ago I DID get together with sorority sisters and I haven't had a chance to mention it. We met up at someone's beautiful home for drinks and conversation catching up with things that have happened to us over the past 25 years. Some I hadn't seen since graduating and it was just more incredible than I can say to see their lives have turned out spectacularly. Everyone looked the same to me. Still young, still smiling, still funny as hell. I found the evening ending much too early and wished there was just more time. Isn't that always the way of it?

Now...for my work in progress! A topic close to my heart, for sure. Lover's Moon (working title) is a follow up story to Feral Moon (EC, 2008) and revolves around a panther shifter female who runs smack dab into her mate while being chased by hunters. The hero, of course, is super hot and shows up just in the nick of time. I'm deeply into this now and enjoying the writing of it when I haven't liked writing ANYTHING for quite awhile now. For those of you who have asked, this will be a full novel.

On the homefront, Mr. Regina has been sick. Poor guy. Still struggling with his recovery and an infection is causing him a little setback. He's been on a diet of soup and little else for about two weeks now but tonight I cooked him breakfast. He gobbled down scrambled eggs and even some bacon! WHOOP. It was so good to see him manage something other than chicken noodle soup. I never thought I'd find myself so concerned with whether or not someone I loved was actually EATING. That has never been an issue with my folks. We're descended from a long line of food lovers so struggling with foods, their consistency, and lack of spices has been an ongoing challenge. With a second round of antibiotics though, Mr. Regina seems to be slowly on the mend. Keeping fingers crossed. My darling sister, who is battling breast cancer, has a good prognosis. Thank God. She has finished her chemo and this week began radiation therapy. She is tired but in great spirits.

I've been feeling the need for my mother lately. Does that ever happen to you? When we chatted on the phone the other day, I mentioned a movie I wanted to see and lucky me, she wanted to see it too. So I picked her up and we saw Hereafter. Good movie that makes you think. Not action packed but thoughtful. I liked it. Later, we did some shopping and went to Starbucks for coffee. I told her I thought I could talk for days straight and never run out of things to say. She agreed. Yes, I love her. She's mom and, to me, mom is comfort. Maybe I've been needing some of that. So tomorrow I travel to see my daughter who recently said...I need some mom time. I suspect we'll talk for days straight.

Talk with you when I return.

Hat Trick is Available Now!

2010-10-21T10:50:00.005-05:00

Hungry for something new and provacative in your reading material? You must check out the incredible Cerise Deland's contribution to Ellora's Cave's Cougar Challenge series. This is Belle's story and let me tell you, it ROCKS the HOUSE. I've actually read this one and loved every sexy bit of this super hot menage story.

So if you are a fan of hot cougar stories, love menage, and you happen to be searching out some great weekend reading, pick this up today.

Buy it HERE!

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.

An Excerpt From: HAT TRICK

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.

Happy Monday!

2010-10-18T09:43:00.005-05:00

Finally feels like I'm settling in after a whirlwind couple of weeks. Only a
week ago, I returned from Romanticon (a total BLAST) and it honestly took a few days to get my sea legs again. I managed to write a bit which was a great feeling. Guess I was feeling inspired by all the cool workshops and rubbing shoulders with all these fabulous writers.

Over the weekend I met up with my college sorority sisters for Homecoming Weekend. We hooked up at a local friends house for drinks, pictures and catching up. Lordy, I haven't seen many of them for over twenty years and they still look as beautiful as ever. Such a good time!

My daughter also came in for a visit this past weekend. It was good to catch up with her and her life and ya'll know how much I just adore her. She is one of the coolest people I know. I'll confess, I got a little teary when she pulled out of the driveway yesterday, but then, I always do. So now it's a new week, I'm rested and feeling frisky so it's time to pull out my work in progress and get some wordage down.

In other news: Night Owl Romance Reviews gave Edge of Nowhere (book four of the High Plains shifters series) a great review and a Reviewers Top Choice. WOOT! It's always a happy moment when an older book (Dec. 09, Ellora's Cave) gets a review. A nice surprise!

Read the Review HERE!

Romanticon 2010 Report

2010-10-15T08:15:00.006-05:00

Sorry I'm behind posting here about Romanticon 2010. When I arrived last Thursday, I wondered if it would be as fun as last years convention and I'm happy to report that it was everything I'd hoped for and more. My connection with a friend happened before I actually arrived in Ohio when I met up with Cai Smith at the airport. Together we flew to Cleveland, hooked up with my bud, Nicole Austin and shared a ride to the hotel. From the moment we hit the lobby, the fun began.

A Meet and Greet kicked off festivities on Thursday night. It was the first time all of us were together and it was so wonderful to meet up with old friends and meet new ones. Yes, most of us were pretty tired from traveling but it didn't show. We were all just happy to be there and together again. Friday began a day of workshops for both readers and writers and that night we decked out in our costumey-stuff for the Roaring 20's party in the hotel ballroom. I'm sure you've seen these all over the internet by now! What a blast! We enjoyed a great dinner, pics with the yummy Cavemen and danced the night away.

Saturday was another day of workshops and fun following up by the ten year anniversary of Ellora's Cave. What a party! Great food, dancing, and lots of awards. On Sunday, we authors got to schmooze with readers at a giant booksigning. What fun! I was sandwiched between the adorable Mari Carr and the equally adorable Koko Brown. I've never seen three hours fly by so fast.

Now I'm home. A little tired. A lot happy. I'm ready to do it all over again!
This is me standing in front of a wall of yummy Caveman goodness. I won an award for my Texas stories. How very very COOL! Almost fell out of my chair!
Friends Nicole Austin and Mari Carr hanging out before the 20's party.
The adorable Mari Carr at Sunday's Booksigning.
My roomie and darling friend, Desiree Holt at the Booksigning.
Buds Delilah Devlin, Shayla Kersten, and Anny Cook.
Now here's a crew! Desiree Holt, Allie Standifer, Me, and Cerise Deland.
Looking classy and elegant is Cerise Deland with me before the 20's party
Cougar Challenge authors at the Cougar Growl are (back row) Nicole Austin, Fran Lee, Amber Skyze, Samantha Cayto, Cris Anson, Jayne Rylon, Mari Carr, and the lovely Dalton Diaz. Front Row: Me, Desiree Holt, Mari Freeman and Samantha Kane. Cerise Deland (another Cougar Challenge author is missing...no doubt schmoozing with someone...but she was there, too)
Pictured with the Cavemen are some of our crazy crew. Cerise Deland, Nicole Austin, Desiree Holt, Delilah Devlin, Allie Standifer and Me (standing next to Caveman Lorenzo)

Off to Romanticon 2010

2010-10-06T19:41:00.003-05:00

The packing is done. The cosmetics and other foo-foo girly stuff is organized and my promo goodies are all tucked away. I'm off to Ellora's Cave Romanticon 2010 in Richfield, Ohio. If you are in the area please please come by and get a 'hey' and a hug from me. I'll be back and blogging sometime next week. Time to partay!

In other news: I love, love, love getting reviews on older books. Lone Star Lycan came out in June, 2009 and today Miz Love Loves Books reviewed it. WOW. Niiiiiiice.

Buy Lone Star Lycan HERE~

Read Miz Fangurl's review HERE!

Lone Star Beasts-New in Print

2010-09-29T20:40:00.003-05:00

I'm so pleased to announce that Lone Star Beasts is available now in Print from Ellora's Cave. This book includes Highland Beast and Lone Star Lycan (books one and two of the High Plains Shifters series). You can order the book at EC or come by the bookfair at Romanticon next week and pick up a signed copy. I will be signing books along with all the other EC writers at the giant booksigning on Sunday, Oct. 10. Please come by if you are in the area. I would love to meet you.

Buy Lone Star Beasts HERE

Highland Beasts

The moment she looks into the antique mirror and sees him change from beast to man, Martha wants him. The brawny Highlander makes her body burn. When he pulls her through the glass, her fantasy became reality.

Trapped by a curse, Silas MacAdam, yearns for the woman who stares so innocently at him through the mirror. The need to claim her, to possess her, burns through him. The beauty can help him return to his people if he can convince her that she belongs to him—as his mate.

Lone Star Lycan

She came to dusty west Texas to bury the dead. But one look from Joe’s smoldering eyes made Quinn Harlow wet and needy. Though just a visitor, she wants to stay and find her destiny with Joe on these desolate plains.

Joe McKinnon, alpha of the Wolf Creek pack, takes one look at his destined mate and knows he’ll have his hands full. One touch has him willing to move mountains to claim her, but he knows it won’t be easy to tame the woman who holds his future in her hands.

Chatting Today!

2010-09-28T08:59:00.002-05:00

Today is shaping up to be a busy day but then, heck, so was yesterday. My hair is now all 'sparkley and new' after getting it done and today I'm heading out for some errands. Romanticon is looming closer and closer and it seems I have a gazillion last minute errands. Plus, the yawning, cavernous fridge practically echoes. Must go to the grocery store, too.

So I'll be out and about today. I'm blogging at Three Wicked Writers plus Two today so please drop by and read about my latest kitchen disaster! Click the link on the right side of the blog and it'll take you straight over.

If you have a minute or two, stop by Two Lips Reviews chat where Natalie Dae, Tess MacKall, Anne Rainey, Madison Scott and I will be chatting about our books, life and other stuff that makes us smile. See you there!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TalkingTwoLips/

Rainy Days and Mondays

2010-09-27T09:45:00.007-05:00

This weekend was sooooo nice! A little cold front blew in so we opened the windows in the house and just BREATHED. After months and months of sizzling temps, this was just what the doctor ordered. Fall is my favorite time of year. No, we don't have any leaves turning yet but obviously that is right around the corner. Cooler weather also means my muse was working overtime. I'm working on a shifter menage story called Lover's Moon. It feels so good to actually write again. Before now, I've just been picking and plinking and plunking with nothing really coming together in my mind. A genuine writers block.

Romanticon is almost HERE!!!!! Woot! A friend asked this morning if I was packed yet. NOT HARDLY. :-) I'm actually in 'list making mode' at the moment. Jotting down what I have and what I still need but hey, I'm almost there. I'd planned to get my hair done last week but my hair goddess got the flu. So today I'll head in and get the whole 'beautifying business' done. Must pick up some foundation makeup and something for my HEAD for the Roaring 20's party on Friday night. Other than that...I'm all set to go.

Oh...interesting. Lone Star Beasts, a print book featuring the first two stories of my High Plains Shifters series, is due out any day. Imagine my surprise to learn someone was selling it on Ebay. Hmmm. I have a problem with pirates stealing my work but I have never actually thought of Ebay folks as pirates. After all, they had to buy the book in order to sell it. I tend to think of Ebay like a used book store. Anyway, Lone Star Beasts, I learned, is also on sale at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and several other places. So I'll be looking for the book to make it's appearance on Ellora's Caves site very soon now and I'll definitely announce it here.

About a week ago, Judith, did a guest review for Book Binge and I posted it here. Last night, I learned that Tracy also reviewed the book. So YAY...double the good stuff.

Here's a link to Tracy's review at Book Binge!

Something FUN! Some of you might know that I used to write as Rita Thedford. My book One Dependable Man (The Wild Rose Press) was reviewed by Judith at Dr. J's Place back in May. Jeez...color me clueless. Read the review HERE!

Ohhhh and lookee! Highland Beast got a smashing review from Miz Fangurl at Miz Love Love's Books. Read the review HERE!

Writing, Writing, Writing

2010-09-22T09:17:00.005-05:00

Looks like I kind of got out of my little writing funk. YAY for that. I'm tellin' ya...these blockage things are horrific. Seems lately there were a million starts on stories with nothing solid coming together in my mind. Very frustrating when that happens but finally, yes finally, I'm pulling stuff together. Yesterday I worked on a shifter story and making fairly good progress. Today I must finish the current chapter but unfortunately, I'll be weaving it in among dreaded DAY CHORES. Today I'm heading off to get glamorized by my Hair Goddess. I'll miss time away from the comp but, hey, I always love seeing my goddess. I'll catch up on current gossip and leave with my blondie locks all spruced up. A good thing.

Getting reviews always makes me nervous as hell but I got a couple of good ones last night and early this morning for Highland Beast (Book One of the High Plains Shifters series) and Eagle Refuge (Book three of the Texas Passions series)

Read Siren Book Reviews review HERE!

And this one from Miz Love Love's Books...read it HERE! (I just love this review site...very cool little set up)

Searching for Inspiration

2010-09-21T09:34:00.003-05:00

I've always heard that baseball players were really superstitious. During playoffs, they might wear the same pair of socks for every game or listen to a particular song. They have little rituals they believe will help them play their best or help their team win the big game.

I think writers are quite a lot like that, don't you? We all have our little rituals. Personally, considering I need all the help I can get these days, I burn candles. Lately I've been hooked on pumpkin spice because, yes, I'm in a big hurry for fall to get here. Sick of the summer heat and ready for cooler weather and the turning of the leaves. The pumpkin spice candles bring the fall into my office and settle my mind.

Some writers like to work to music. Are you one of them? I have friends who write to wild, head-banging beats and they tell me the words just flow for them. So far, I've found that kind of music (though I LIKE it) distracts me rather than calms my mind. If I listen to music at all, it's something very zen....rainfall in the forest or waves crashing on the beach. Normally, however, I need some quiet when I write. Once upon a time, I wrote with kids in the house and I didn't seem to have a problem writing among the chaos. Looking back, I don't know how I did it because I'm a peace-and-quiet kinda gal. I must have a calm mind in order for the story to flow through it.

Laundry days are usually good writing days for me. I know it's strange but if I write while doing the laundry, I'm up and down from my chair at fairly regular intervals. Seems to give me just the small break I might need and I do some of my best internal brainstorming while folding the clothes. Maybe it's the mindless, repetitive physical movement that clears my mind but if I'm stumped on where to go in the scene, the path to usually opens to me when doing something very boring. Does that make sense?

What are the writing rituals that seem to work best for you?

Happy Monday!

2010-09-20T09:57:00.003-05:00

Normally I LIKE Mondays. Weird, I know. But today really DOES feel like Monday and I'm not enjoying it one bit. I feel out of sync and cranky (when that REALLY isn't my nature). Maybe more coffee will do the trick! Who knows?

I suspect I'm feeling a bit of let-down after having a wonderful weekend. My daughter came home for a short visit (her first in a month) and I had such a good time. We caught up on all the gossip, watched some football, stayed up late. All the good stuff. She headed back yesterday afternoon and now I'm trying to shake off the funk of a suddenly empty house.

Today, I'm heading back to my work in progress and planning to get a few pages down...more than a few if I ever manage to shake these cobwebs from my brain. I'll report back tomorrow and tell you how I did.

A Great New Review

2010-09-08T10:27:00.005-05:00

A nice rainy day here in Texas. We're getting bits of the tropical storm out in the Gulf and, though I know they are deluged in south Texas, here in west Texas this is a welcome respite from or normal dryness. I actually got out in the rain yesterday (no complaints from me...bring it!) Picked up my shrink wrap and shrunk the hell out of my Romanticon gift basket. All that's left now is the mailing which I'll do tomorrow.

Today, for me, is a writing day! WOOT! Time to pull up my work in progress and pound away for a few hours. I've found lately that my biggest enemy in productivity is the internet. Sometimes I'd much rather play around with my friends and waste away the entire day. But I'm turning over a new leaf here...yes, yes, I am. My goal is to finish this shifter story before I head off to Romanticon! Wish me luck!

In other news, I got a great review from Miz Love at Miz Love Loves Books! Thanks so much for this one! I'm so glad you liked it. I'm posting the link here! This is the coolest new review site! Clever, cool, and very hip!