Bad Conduct - new erotic romance release Monday April 19, 2010

And the winner of my contest to win a pdf copy of "Bad Conduct" is:

@NymphetamineKis

NymphetamineKis - Thank you for entering my contest by RTing about my contest on Twitter. I hope you enjoy it. Please let me know.

"Bad Conduct" my erotic romance releases Monday April 19th at Total-E-Bound. It is the stand alone sequel to "The Perfect Gift", revisiting Bianca, Ty, and Brendan as Ty returns home from his tour of duty in Iraq and both his lovers decide they want Ty all to themself.

  

Blurb:

When Captain Ty Gibson comes home from a tour of duty in Iraq to marry Bianca, their sometimes third lover Brendan stirs up a mess of trouble.

Captain Ty Gibson has made up his mind. He loves Bianca and he's going to marry her. But when he comes home from his tour of duty in Iraq, their sometimes third lover Brendan fights for Ty. Although Bianca once enjoyed their occasional ménages, she's ready to settle down with just one man and wants that one man to settle down with just her.

Brendan's troublemaking jeopardises everything in Ty's life – his future with Bianca and his military career.


Excerpt From: Bad Conduct

Captain Tyler Gibson shivered from anticipation. Or was it a first class case of nerves?

Before turning on his webcam, he double-checked that his door was locked and his curtains tightly shut. Although no one should barge in on a captain’s private quarters, one never knew, and he couldn’t afford to be caught.

“You should stop this madness before you get busted, idiot,” he murmured under his breath.

He couldn’t wait to go stateside, to make Bianca his bride. He should have done it before shipping out to Iraq. If not for her concerns about their sometimes third lover, Brendan, he would have.

The book laid propped open where he could refer to it. The rest of the room was neat, ready for inspection. Hospital corners made the blanket taut on his bed. It wouldn’t stay that way once he began pleasuring himself, pretending it was Bianca’s hands caressing him.

An instant message signal beeped on the computer, and his heart raced. His gaze bounced to the double monitor sprouting from the steel desk.

His pulse hammered in his throat. His hands grew clammy so he wiped them down his side. His cock thrummed.

Bianca… His love.

He moved to open it, squinted at the screen name and his heart stopped. It was Brendan.

Chills raced down his spine, and he broke into a cold sweat. He needed to go cold turkey on the man and had tried to do so, but Brendan kept IMing and emailing.

To Tyler’s shame he was still turned on by the guy. He didn’t have the same type of feelings for Brendan as he did for Bianca, but he still got a hard-on thinking of the man’s hot bod. Why had Bianca given Brendan to him as a Christmas gift, wrapped in a huge red bow and nothing else?

His breath burned in his throat, and his nostrils flared. He stared at the invitation and his body burned.

God, but he was in hell.

His gut clenched, his nerves on the razor’s edge.

Bianca was due at any moment, and if she got the slightest inkling he was having sex, even cyber sex, with Brendan, he feared what she would do.

If he answered Brendan’s summons, could he get him off in time? If he didn’t answer, Brendan would keep pinging him. Surely, Bianca would hear. Even if she didn’t, he would know.

The monitor glowed like a fiend, as deadly as an armed enemy soldier. After inhaling deeply, he lowered himself to the computer chair and typed, “I can’t talk. I have an important online meeting.

The message came on that Brendan was typing. Then words flashed on the screen. “With who?”

Shit!

He was against lying but typed anyway, “My commander. I’ll email you later.”

Surely you can squeeze in a quickie.” Then a nude live shot of Brendan popped onto Ty’s screen.

Ty’s breath grew shallow and his fingers itched as Brendan stroked his hard, shiny cock and gazed through the screen with a come hither look.

A scream strangled in Ty’s throat and he wanted to throttle and fuck the guy all at the same time. Brendan could be such a bitch.

A very sexy bitch.

"Bad Conduct" is available at Total-E-Bound
"The Perfect Gift" is available at Total-E-Bound

Ashley
http://www.ashleyladd.blogspot.com/

Saturday Snippets: Shopping

Shopping...I envision "Shopaholic" and her maxed out credit cards and closets full of trendy clothes and shoes. Lately, buying groceries for my family of six maxes out my bank account.

It was a lot more fun to write about a different type of shopping. My heroine Bianca needed to find the perfect Christmas gift for her boyfriend, Ty. She didn't want a lame tie or tool again. She had to find something very special. After shopping around, she came up with the absolutely perfect gift.

The Perfect Gift
Bianca's on the search to find the perfect gift for her boyfriend Ty this Christmas. But then she discovers a hidden stash of gay male porn under his side of the bed. Stunned, and scared, she needs to find out if Ty's more interested in men than in her.


She arranges an illicit night for Ty with her handsome gay co-worker Brendan.

To her astonishment and delight, the night turns into a ménage-à-trois, and all three lovers end up benefiting from this special gift.


Excerpt From: The Perfect Gift


Whistling, a merry bounce to his step, Ty ducked snowflakes and the neighbour kids’ snowballs as he made a dash to the house after some last minute Christmas shopping. He loved Christmas and this year was the most special yet for it was his first living with Bianca. She’d made their apartment into a cosy home, brimming with Christmas magic, overflowing with love. He didn’t know what he’d ever done to deserve her, but he sure was grateful. He counted his blessings daily.

He was excited about his special gift for her—a diamond ring and first class tickets for Bianca’s dream trip—their honeymoon trip to Hawaii. Now she’d not only go to paradise, but honeymoon there—with him.

Shaking with the excitement, he couldn’t wait to see her expression. The scent of candy canes blended with a trace of wax told him she was burning more Christmas candles. Blinking lights glistened off every reflective surface.

Juggling packages that towered over his head, Ty managed to navigate to the twinkling tree in the corner of the living room and set down his presents without breaking anything. Picking out the ring, he put it in his pocket. He wanted to keep it close.

The scent of roasted turkey filled the small apartment with homey, delicious smells. Looking first right and then left to make sure Bianca wouldn’t catch him in the act, he peeked under the foil covering as the turkey sat on top of the stove, done and ready to be enjoyed. His mouth watering, he stole a bite.

Everything seemed to be in place, except his lady. She wouldn’t leave with supper ready on the stove, would she? “Bianca? Are you home? Where are you, sweetheart?”

Only the whir of the heater broke the silence. Worried she’d fallen asleep in the tub again, he checked the bathroom. Luckily, he found it empty, and he breathed a deep sigh of relief.

“Okay, are you waiting for me in the bedroom?” With a very special Christmas gift? Maybe she awaited him naked, wearing only a large bow around her waist like last year. His cock flexed and his blood surged. Excited as a little boy getting a shiny new bike, he rubbed his hands together and opened the door wide.

There was a naked body curled sexily on a brand new red and green satin bedspread, wrapped in a big red velvet bow only it wasn’t Bianca. It wasn’t even female!

Gulp!

“Merry Christmas,” Brendan, the hottie from Bianca’s office, drawled huskily.

Brendan laughed throatily and rolled his eyes. “No silly. I’m her Christmas gift to you.” He pointed at the bow, just above his huge cock that was swiftly showing signs of life. “Don’t you see the bow?”

Dumbfounded, Ty’s gaze glued to the man’s beautiful cock, and his mouth went dry. “You’re my Christmas gift from Bianca?” he echoed. A million thoughts crashed into one another. Had he said or done something to make her suspect his sexuality, his feelings? Had she found his stash of male porn? Was this her way of saying goodbye? Was she going out of his life in style? Just what in the hell was going on?

He felt so guilty he couldn’t stand it. He couldn’t bear to lose her. Barely able to breathe, he whispered, “Why?” in a ragged voice.

Brendan rose and sashayed over to him. “She loves you, man, so much she’s giving you this incredible choice. She wants you to be happy. She’s quite a woman. If I ever decide to get married, I want one just like her.”

Ty didn’t like the sound of that, as if Brendan had designs on his woman. And yet, he understood where the guy was coming from. Shoving his hair behind his ears, he squinted at his so-called present. Feeling like two souls warring in one body, he wanted to deck the guy for getting near his woman, while he also wanted to throw out his inhibitions and ravish and be ravished by him.

The Perfect Gift is available at: Total-E-Bound.com

Make sure you also read the other excerpts posted for your reading enjoying today.


Lissa Matthews
Ashley Ladd
McKenna Jeffries
Taige Crenshaw
Jody Wallace
Eliza Gayle
Vivian Arend
Mari Carr
Lauren Dane
Shelley Munro
TJ Michaels

American Beauty - Why is it so hard to recreate a best selling book?

I asked the other day on this blog why sales might've been lower than I thought they should be for my M/M Christmas romance that released November 2008. Of course it could be the economy or Christmas shopping. Others said maybe M/M romance is getting glutted and/or finally dropping off. Ms. Jones said something to the effect of "Write another American Beauty." American Beauty is one of my biggest sellers, probably my number one. Like I replied in my comment, of course I'm trying, without copying it of course. It's hard to find the secret to a big seller. At least I think so IMHO. I try to write the best book every time I write one. I always try to top the last one. I've tried to recreate the formula for best sellers, but that doesn't necessarily work. Some others have a huge success with every book. Others have some books that stand out way in front of the others. American Beauty was an Eppie Finalist so that could be one reason why. It was good enough to final and it also has the Eppie logo. But I finaled with TWO books that same year. The other book, even though it was good enough to final and also had the Eppie logo, didn't sell nearly as well. In fact, the publisher didn't renew the contract. So those aren't the only two things that sell a book, either. Damn! So what is the perfect formula? Is it vampires? M/M? M/M/F? I wrote a vampire romance which is one of my poorest sellers. Some of my M/M's sell okay, but not as well as two of my M/M/Fs which also sold really well (The Perfect Gift by Total-E-Bound.com and Lady Makes Three by Ellora's Cave). In fact, American Beauty is a (stand alone) sequel to "Purrfect Justice" also published by Ellora's Cave. Purrfect Justice sold pretty well and I was thrilled when the judge at a court case I was almost on the jury for several months ago told me she read Purrfect Justice and loved it - in front of the other jurors and attorneys. Readers (and me) would get tired if I write American Beauty or The Perfect Gift over and over ad nauseum. And yet, I would love to recreate the magic that went into them. All I can do is study them. Dissect them. And try. But then, I'm trying with M/M's and M/M/F's like I tried with vampires and recreating and trying isn't always good enough. Suggestions anyone? REAL suggestions? American Beauty By Ashley Ladd Kirsty Engle is in shock when Bradley Miller, resplendent in a ball gown, feather boa, and tons of eye shadow, wants to rent her spare room. She can't understand why this obviously unavailable man makes her heart sing and her blood boil more than any other. Undercover police officer Lt. Brad Mueller curses his captain and the car thieves that are responsible for him being in such a totally ludicrous predicament. It's bad enough he has to dress like a babe, but he's received strict orders not to touch one for the duration of his secret mission, under threat of being fired from the force. This ladies' man doesn't know if he can stand his worse-than-death sentence - particularly after he falls for his sweet and very voluptuous landlady. As if all of that isn't bad enough, everything gets really crazy when Kirsty and her gay boss make a bet to see who can win his heart. A sizzling, hilarious romantic comedy. Review quotes for American Beauty by Ashley Ladd AMERICAN BEAUTY is a funny, off the wall romp. ~Carolyn, A Romance Review This story has likable characters, and a great supporting cast that will have you laughing out loud, and some sexy scenes that will have you lowering the air conditioner. ~ Five Roses out of Five ~ ~Dee Gentle, GWN Online Book Reviewer AMERICAN BEAUTY is incredibly humorous. ~Robin Taylor, In The Library Reviews

An Excerpt From: American Beauty

© Copyright Ashley Ladd, 2003.

All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave, Inc.

He must’ve dozed off, for he awoke with a start when silky hair caressed his cheek and a lace-covered breast grazed his arm. “Wake up, Sleeping Beauty,” a very sultry, husky voice crooned. “I brought home your favorite – Prime Rib and chocolate covered strawberries.” She perched on the couch beside him, leaning over him, her creamy breasts almost falling out of a slinky, frilly creation he was sure was illegal throughout the First World.

Had he thought of her as a sprite? Temptress was more like it. No, siren was the apt description. Those dusky aureoles peaked out at him again and his blood pressure shot sky high.

He swallowed hard, his pulse hammering and his breathing uneven. His cock sprung to full attention. He knew he should move away, make a joke, or do something to diffuse the dangerous situation, but he couldn’t. Not when she scooted back and rubbed against him, torturing him inhumanely.

She smelled of lilacs, vanilla, and strawberries. Then he realized it was an oddly smoky vanilla scent, and fresh juicy strawberries. He pried his gaze from her tight nipples and noticed for the first time how the dim lights flickered from candles on every surface. “Is it my birthday?” His voice crackled, sultrier than hers. His cock ached to get out of his palace and play. Down boy! It had only suffered a female drought for a few days, not the eon it felt like.

Kirsty licked her shiny lips, slow and languorously, her pink tongue just peeking out those luscious lips, promising pleasure beyond compare to any man brave enough to take up her invitation. And she undoubtedly invited him. But why? Until tonight, she’d been sweet and teetered on the shy side. Why had she morphed into this voluptuous seductress who knew all the moves, and flaunted her voluptuous body in sucking distance, to drive him so wild to forget himself and his mission?

Stars twinkled in her eyes and she ran a fingernail down his chest, which she let hover just below his navel, at the snap of his jeans. Her nipples strained against the see-through lace, taut little buds teasing him unmercifully.

He longed to touch the outer rim of her dusky areole, and his mouth went dry. He could taste it deep inside his mouth.

“What do you want for your birthday?” She leaned over him, and her bodice gaped open to give him a nearly full view of the gorgeous breast.

He sucked in his breath unable to tear his gaze from the perfect view. When she sat down again, rubbing against him, his shaft strained to be free. He didn’t know how much more torture he could stand. Never had he restrained himself before and he could barely remember why he needed to now. The female was not only willing, she was begging him to fuck her.

“Hungry?”

He almost fell off the couch, but rolled into her instead, increasing his pain to even more excruciating levels. “Starved,” he admitted, hoping she didn’t plan to tease and torture him all night like this. If she seduced him, as she surely seemed to be doing, he could succumb. Even Crowe couldn’t fault a red-blooded man for being unable to resist the lures of a nearly naked seductress.

“In that case,” a slow smile dawned over her face making her glow, “Open your mouth wide. I have something special for you.”

Available at Ellora's Cave

You'll also want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirch, Molly Daniels, Sandra Cox, Regina Carlysle, and Cindy Spencer Pape are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)