Did you ever wish you could wiggle your nose and fly to the other side of the world?
Did you ever wish you could beam your enemies to the center of the earth or to the ends of the universe?
Did you ever wish you could blink your house clean without lifting a finger?
Did you ever wish you could wish yourself thin and be a size 6?
Did you ever wish you could wave your hand and get out of trouble?
I confess. I have.
Savi, the heroine in Abracadabra, my new release today at Total-E-Bound.com, doesn't believe she can, but she needs a miracle. Not for herself precisely, but for the man she loves.
But when her miracle comes in the form of an ornate bottle practically shoved on her, it could be more curse.
Have you ever had a wish come true and then was sorry for what you wished?
In real life I have. When I was 16 I fell in love with Florida. I wished I could live here. Then when I was about 28 and I know longer had a desire to live in Florida, in fact longed to go back to Ohio, maybe go to California, I was dragged back to Florida.
You bet I recalled my wish and wanted to kick myself.
Savi has more reason to be upset than me.
Excerpt: Abracadabra
Savannah ‘Savi’ Davis warmed up for her Tae Kwan Do session by doing forty jumping jacks, followed by forty push-ups, then forty squats and finally forty leg lifts. Then came the leg stretches. How she used to hate the way they seemed to tear her muscles, how they made her cringe in pain, but now that she was getting limber, she loved to stretch her legs far and wide, almost straight out like a karate master. Dreams of achieving her black belt aside, this exercise not only helped her to kick higher and harder, it helped her to stretch in incredibly hot sexual positions.
The stretching like this reminded Savi of the steamy sex she’d indulged in with her lover Mark right here in this studio. Mark who made her panties wet. Mark who made her tremble with wanton desire. Mark who made her erupt with the most dynamite orgasms of her twenty-nine years. Mark who was now incarcerated.
Although Mark wasn’t here, memories of him still made her wet. At least her panties would be wet…if she wore any. At times like this when she missed her lover with every molecule of her being, she didn’t choose to wear panties, just her white cotton slacks. If some hottie saw the shadow of her bush, the slit of her pussy, it only made her sizzle hotter. Sometimes just their hot, lustful looks made her come without Mark’s huge cock rocking in and out of her or even the aid of her own fingers.
The slightly scratchy material, in particular the inseam, rubbed against her clit and she threw back her head and moaned in delight. Her long hair caught back in a high ponytail tickled her back, especially the bare midriff where her T-shirt hiked up.
Mr. Lee, her Tae Kwon Do instructor, tossed her a warning frown and she caught several classmates sneaking furtive glances at her in the floor-to-ceiling mirror that displayed the entire studio. She didn’t care if the women’s glances held censure for the men’s held anything but. They reminded her of Mark’s sweltering stares, his burning eyes and his hot and ready response. God, she missed her Mark.
She loved the Tae Kwon Do studio, in particular because she’d met Mark here when she started her karate training. He’d been her first partner and as a second-degree black-belt, he’d given her private tutelage, sometimes even after hours at the studio as he assisted the master. This place was a storehouse of awesome memories.
A soft, dreamy smile curved her lips. Lost in her own world, she continued her stretching exercises as if on auto pilot.
“The other right, Miss Davis,” Mr. Lee called out just like Mark used to, when she rolled into her neighbour’s space.
Mark… Everything reminded her of her Mark.
She shot an apologetic smile to the green-belt scowling at her, then moved back into her own space. Still, she had trouble getting her mind off Mark.
Closing her eyes, she pretended Mark was beside her. The scent of musky sweat permeating the studio and infusing her uniform, and the steady, sexy beat of the workout music, all worked together to enhance her mesmerising fantasy.
She forgot where she was as she slipped into another world, to one where she and Mark, who had been her first Tae Kwon Do master, had the studio all to themselves, where they gyrated in time to the beat of the sensual music belting through the studio. She recalled how they performed their own quasi-Tae Kwon Do routine, part karate, part animalistic dance.
I'd like to introduce one of my partners in the "Cougars and Cubs" anthology that released at Total-E-Bound this week, KS "Kaz" Augustin.
I haven't been writing romance for very long at all. It's only been three years (April 2007) since my first erotic sf romance was published. But I've learnt a lot in those short years. Lots about writing, but lots about genres as well. And, in that time, I've started to notice the emergence of romance heroes who are not your standard, Western, pale-skinned man. Of course, Harlequin have always had the Greek shipping magnate and the Arab prince but what
I mean are heroes from more far-flung areas, like Central Europe and Asia. And suddenly, when the call came for contributions to a Cougars and Cubs anthology from Total-E-Bound, the time seemed right to introduce Adrian Pereira, a Portuguese Eurasian from Singapore, to a much wider audience. Eurasians have a couple of things going for them. Because they don't belong to any one major ethnic group, they're regarded as being neutral players in south-east Asia. During colonial times, the British often hired them as government administrators and teachers. Also, they're usually quite attractive, due to the mix of European and Asian genes that course through their bodies, and many parents still like to classify their children as “Eurasian” due to the aesthetic appeal such a label conjures up. (If all that sounds a bit weird, remember that we're talking about a different part of the world here. This is how it is in south-east Asia.) So, to have a bored divorced woman looking for adventure in Singapore, and finding it with a young, handsome Portuguese Eurasian, doesn't require much imagination at all. Sophie Woodward, the heroine of the story, is a smart, accomplished woman finding her own path in Singapore after her divorced husband goes back to the UK. Singapore is a vibrant city, but Sophie feels an emptiness that the glitz of living in such a metropolis can't satisfy.
When a well-meaning matchmaker, George Chua, sets her up to attend a swanky masquerade ball, Sophie decides to take her courage in her hands and attend, with the idea of spending a no-strings-attached night with some handsome buck. But when the man she's chosen wants more, what is she to do? During edits, the anthology editor, Liz Delisi, and I discussed some of matchmaker George Chua's vocal mannerisms. I enjoyed writing George because I know so many locals like him – cheerful, nosey, well-meaning yet sometimes insensitive with their good intentions. I cringed along with Sophie when she discovered she was the dinnertime topic of conversation between George and his family, an admission George made happily and openly!
Although some of the patois is non-grammatical, I wanted to retain it because that's the rhythm of the region and if anyone has visited Singapore and reads the story, I hope they'll get a smile from George Chua. I also hope readers will like the steady humour and smooth-skinned sexiness of Adrian Pereira. I could well imagine being tempted by someone like him, and I hope you are too!
* If you can't think of any Eurasians off the top of your head, how about Keanu Reeves or Dean Cain?
Singapore Sizzle by KS Augustin
Sophie Woodward is English, divorced, living in Singapore...and bored, bored, Bored! But is she ready for handsome, exotic, young Adrian Pereira?
Sophie Woodward moved to Singapore with her banker husband, Tim. But that was years ago. When they got divorced, Tim moved back to the UK and Sophie decided to craft a new life in the modern Asian metropolis.
The problem is, things haven't turned out the way she hoped. Although she has a rewarding career, she's restless, wondering if this is as good as life gets.
Cajoled into attending a masquerade ball for charity, Sophie meets a charming stranger and spends the night with him in hot, steamy sex. The problem comes when he wants to see more of her, and Sophie has to confront her own insecurities. After all, she's almost ten years his senior! Is there any hope for a relationship between them? Or was the sizzle a mere flash in the pan? KS “Kaz” Augustin is a Malaysian-born writer of romance, science-fiction and permutations of the two.
You can find her website at www.ksaugustin.com and she blogs at blog.ksaugustin.com
Hello everyone and welcome to the kick off day of the Cougar Growls Blog Tour to celebrate the release of Total E-Bound’s newest anthology Cougars and Cubs (Romance between older women and younger men).
Featuring the artistic collaboration of erotica’s hottest authors Ashley Ladd, KS Augustin, Mia Watts, Catherine Chernow and Imari Jade.
First up is Imari Jade, author of “Something to be Thankful For.”
Hi everyone, my name is Imari Jade and I hail from Marrero, Louisiana, sister city of New Orleans where I was born and raised. I’ve been writing for a number of years but this is my first release with Total E-Bound and hopefully not my last. I’m divorced, have three sons and six grandchildren and during the dayI work as a financial analyst.
I’d like to share my take on an article I just read:
“Kick Ass” Cradle Robber: 19 year old star of Kick Ass is engaged to the 43 year old director of his last film and she’s pregnant with his child.
I was sitting in the office when I seen the story on the Internet. One of my coworkers is a male in his early to mid forties and the other is a male in his late twenties. Naturally they took the side of the 19 year old actor while I gave props to the 43 year old director. So when one of them asked me if I’d date a 19 year old I answered “Hell yeah.” (Relax folks, I’m only kidding). My three fantasy dream dates are Tom Welling, Orlando Bloom and Taylor Lautner. All three are gorgeous, sexy and full of stamina. What older woman wouldn’t be tempted when given the choice of them or a man our own age that have to use the little blue pill to entertain us? If a 30 year old wanted to spend some quality time with me I’d probably jump at the chance as soon as I checked out his medical history, his earning potential and his family background. 19 year olds are a bit young and inexperienced and we cougars are looking for someone to spend time with. Hell, you can’t take a 19 year old clubbing, you can’t reference anything before the nineties, and they don’t share their video games.
Something to be Thankful for by Imari Jade - Music manager Julianne Richmond life gets turned upside down when her musical prodigy Cameron Justice announces that he is in love with her. Normally she would be flattered but she’s in her forties and he is just a babe which in her book has the making of a bad love song. Bad boy rocker Cameron Justice has everything…money, a beautiful mansion, expensive cars, and the lead in an upcoming movie. He is admired by women from all over the world and the envy of men. Spoiled and rotten to a fault, Cameron is used to getting his way. So when he confesses his love to his manager Julianne he naturally thought she would accept. Unfortunately, Julianne turns him down like a hot potato because he is too young for her and bruises his fragile little rock star ego. On one of his wild tirades Cameron packs up his things and leaves Hollywood.
Spurred by the mass hysteria of Cameron’s fans Julianne hops in a car and drives halfway across the country to bring his psychotic butt home. But once she finds him back in the sleeping little mountain town where he was born, dressed in tight-fitting jeans and a plaid shirt she discovers maybe having a sexy young blond mountain man might not be a bad thing. Imari Jade is multi-genre romance and horror writer, and bit of a humorist.
Do I have a new book coming out tomorrow? (Tomorrow being Monday July 27th?)
I've been soooooo out of things for the past three weeks, I can't remember what day it is. I missed two assigned blog posts plus I've been scare around these parts, too.
I've had pneumonia three times before, even coughed up blood those other times, but this was the worst. I couldn't write. I couldn't play Farm Town. I couldn't do anything on a computer. I couldn't read. I couldn't even watch tv most of the time. Hell! I couldn't eat!
When I can't eat, start measuring me for my coffin.
Hey! I lost 14 pounds. That's not the way I ever want to lost weight again, though.
I just checked and yes, my M/M/F story BEST MATES releases tomorrow, Monday July 27, 2009. I'm so bad. I should have had that memorized. What author doesn't?
Oh! Before I forget, if you want to win a collectible 2006 card deck featuring Ellora's Cave covers, leave me a comment Sunday the 26th or Monday the 27th. I'll pick a winner from my commentors.
Here's the blurb and excerpt. If you already read or bought "Brit Party" this was originally released in that anthology. Now it's releasing as a single title.
Lovers Alec Russert and Kevin Cosby feel horrible for their best mate, Jennica Chapman, when her current beau dumps her. And yet, they're glad he's out of her life.
Unfortunately, thirty-six year old Jennica thought this was her last chance to have a baby, and she's much more upset about this than losing the boyfriend. As Alec is feeling his biological clock also, he suggests to Kevin that they help her out of her predicament.
But, they're the ones in for a shock when Jennica tells them they may be too tame for her sexual likes. It turns out that Jennica is a submissive and she loves to be bound and spanked by her master. The shock wears off quickly when Alec and Kevin decide that Jennica will like two Dom masters much better than one.
Soon they realize their best mate really is their best mate, and that she's always owned their hearts.
Reader Advisory: This story was released as part of the Brit Party Anthology by Total-E-Bound
Alec Russert snuggled deeper into the crook of Kevin Crosby’s arms and laid his ear against his lover’s heart. Enamoured by the sexy swirl of dark blonde hair on Kevin’s chest, he traced his lover’s flat nipple. Despite his nearness to the sexiest man on earth, he couldn’t get his mind off his best mate and her predicament. “That bloody sucks for Jennica. She believed Thad was ‘the one’.”
A low growl rose from Kevin’s throat as he feathered a kiss across Alec’s lips. “Bugger that. If he’s ‘the one’, I’m a talking horse. She’s far better off without that wanker.”
Alec’s heart ached for Jennica. “Yeah, I know. But she has her heart set on having a baby and her biological clock is ticking.” Alec twisted in his lover’s arms. When his cock grazed Kevin’s, shudders of delight rippled through him and his cock flexed.
Kevin moaned and he wrapped his fingers around Alec’s cock. “Righto. She’s such a dinosaur. What is she? All of thirty-five?”
It was hard to think straight as his blood began rushing into his dick. It was an effort to stay coherent when Kevin’s played with his cock, while his strong arm held him. Breathlessly, he murmured, “Thirty-six.”
“Blimey, she’s older than the dinosaurs.”
His own desires surfaced. “We’re not getting any younger, either. I know how she feels.”
A frown pinched Kevin’s brows, and he drew back. “We don’t have biological clocks.”
Missing his partner’s warmth, Alec screwed up his face. “Not in the same way. But do you really fancy a kid when you’re too old to enjoy it? I want one now, when I’m still able to get down on the floor and play with it.”
Kevin stared at him cross-eyed. “You’re serious about this, aren’t you? Do you know how hard it is to adopt? Even for a married heterosexual couple? How expensive? It’s a real ball-breaker.”
Alec’s mind clicked away at mach speed as a smile tugged his lips. “Who said anything about adoption?”
Kevin released his cock and jerked away from him, disbelief shadowing his soulful eyes. “Don’t even kid about a thing like that. It’s not funny.”
Hurt, Alec pulled away, losing his erection. He poured a glass of sparkling wine from the bottle he’d left on the nightstand and took a sip. When the bubbles tickled his nose, he screwed up his face. “Who’s joking? I want to be a dad. I thought you did, too.”
Kevin swore and swung his legs over the side of their bed. The muscles in his back bunched as he hunched over and massaged his forehead. Wrenching around, he looked at Alec. “Well, yeah. Some day. Are you thinking what I think you’re thinking?”
Alec did his best to keep a straight face as he downed the rest of his poison in one large gulp. Then he shoved his unruly hair away from his narrowed eyes. “What do you think I’m thinking?”
Kevin blew out a long sigh, his eyes blazing blue wildfire. “That you want to put the bun in Jennica’s oven?” Wariness and a million more questions flooded Kevin’s eyes. “Have you thought this through? Or is this another of your hare-brained schemes?”
Alec’s heart twisted almost as wryly as his lips. He’d been doing little else but thinking about it. He walked on his knees across the bed and hugged the love of his life. He rested his cheek against Kevin’s as his heart turned over. “I love kids. I love you. I want us to be a family. We have a lot to offer a child.”
Kevin turned his head so that his breath warmed Alec’s face. “With Jennica? Or would she raise the kid and we just get occasional visitation? Would he know we’re the dads?”
Alec tried not to frown as he pulled back to study his partner’s expression. Jitters ran down his spine. This was not how he should have proposed this suggestion, he realised. Instead of his post coital suggestion, he wished he’d prepared a romantic dinner, lit the room with dozens of flickering candles and played Kevin’s beloved soft jazz CD. After plying his lover with his favourite chardonnay, then he should have brought up the subject. Alec wanted to kick his own bloody arse.
Before he could reply, Kevin continued, “Do you think she’d go for it?”
Alec took in a deep lungful of air and almost fell over in relief. “We’re her favourite men in the world, aren’t we? And we’re a lot more bleeding reliable than any of those wankers she’s been hooking up with.”
A grin feathered Kevin’s lips, and a rainbow of wonder dawned in his eyes. “You and I are going to be daddies.” Without warning, Kevin wrapped his arms around Alec and bent him back onto the mattress with a deep, heartfelt kiss. “So…which of us will donate the DNA?”
Today is release day for "Charity's Auction" an MFM story in the "Caught in the Middle" anthology at Total-E-Bound.
I'm thrilled as always and have been driving myself crazy preparing for this day.
I think this particular book is jinxed, however. Not only does Twitter have a scheduled outage today, May 11th, but I see that Blogger does, too. Of course Blogger's says it's at 2:00 AM PDT on Monday May 11th. Hopefully neither outage will be all day. With my luck lately, it's possible.
Since this is my fortieth-something book my family's not going to take me out for dinner or give me balloons, however, either. They're no longer phased. I'll be lucky if the hubby nods that he heard my announcement. I don't hold my breath that he'll say "congratulations". He's much more likely to say nothing or ask how much money I spent promoting the book. He might complain about how much time I devote to my books instead of to him.
My husband and I have been married almost thirty years. I don't feel guilty when he says things like this because he spends a lot of time umpiring and scheduling umpires which is his second job. He has no room to complain. He also likes the extra income.
I just realized this doesn't sound very romantic for a romance writer. We have our moments so don't feel sorry for us.
My last release was "Truth, Justice, and the Vampire Way" at Ellora's Cave on April 22nd. That was a really difficult release day as it was my husband's birthday. He would not have understood had I told him I couldn't celebrate his birthday because I had another book releasing that day. Since I also hold down a day job, I was chained to my customer service desk all day until after 6 p.m. and then I rushed to meet my husband at Red Lobster. We didn't arrive home until late.
I felt a little guilty for not being able to chat up my books on the loops and post excerpts on release day. I had to settle for scheduling blogs and twitters ahead of time. Thank God for technology that allows me to do so. As for feeling guilty, I keep reminding myself I am only one person and even though I am a world-class multi-tasker, I am not a magical being.
My younger daughter has offered to make some free book banners for me. She took a web design course this year and she's eager to try her recently acquired Photo Shop skills. This is by far the most support and excitement my family shows.
I hope that all of my fans, readers, and friends will be excited for me. I'm excited.
"Charity's Auction" is a play on words so it's my favorite kind of title. The heroine's name is "Charity" and the story is based on a charity auction.
When Char bids on and wins both sexy doctors Hunky and Hottie in her hospital's charity auction, she knows exactly what to do with them and it's not tidily winks.
Although head nurse Char Reynolds is desperately head over heels for bad boy Dr. Dexter Graham, he's moved on. Still she gets caught up in bidding for him at the hospital's auction for the new children's wing and wins. His smug expression drives her to also bid on and win the very hunky Dr. Ben Price, Dexter's nemesis and to plan a very naughty, very sexy night with both men.
Excerpt from: 'Charity's Auction' by Ashley Ladd
Charity “Char” Reynolds stared at Dr. Dexter Graham, her eyes narrowed, her heart doing the cha-cha while mathematical calculations flew around in her head. He was gorgeous with his dark, five o’clock shadow, the sexy glint in his eyes, and his broad, powerful shoulders. If it weren’t for that smirk on his lips, he’d be perfect. But he was far from it. He only looked perfect.
The good doctor was a bad boy through and through. It was a toss up whether he mended or broke more hearts. His record on the operating room table was stellar. Off, however, was horrendous. He’d broken so many hearts with that killer smile and huge dimples he should be thrown into solitary confinement for the rest of his miserable life.
Amy Koch, the hospital’s chief administrator, adjusted the microphone with her only hand. Then she tapped the instrument and blew into it. “Can you hear me?”
When the sound from the mic blasted through Char’s head, she clapped her hands over her ears in self-preservation. “Have mercy, woman.”
Once her brain stopped spinning and she was able to see again, she looked over a sea of other people holding their ears. Tentatively, she removed one hand, keeping it close just in case the mic went crazy again.
So far so good. Slowly, she lowered her other hand but kept it at the ready as she warily kept her eye on Amy.
Although, she felt sorry for Amy since the car wreck that had amputated the administrator’s left arm, that she couldn’t find anything to like about her caused her to war with feelings of guilt and distrust. Even before the accident, Amy had only been out for number one, stepping on anybody in her way, claiming it was for the greater good. Now people overlooked her mean tempered whining—until they came into her sights. Char had been dead centre in Amy’s far too often. As head surgical nurse, she and Amy butted heads daily.
I'm a twit. Or is it a tweet? Or a twirp? or a chirp?
Obviously, I'm confused and also obviously, I've found a new addiction: Twitter.
When I first heard of Twitter, I thought - what a useless time waster.
I joined to see what the buzz was all about. I poked around a bit and made a few posts and then I didn't go back for awhile.
But then I read a couple articles about Twitter that led me back.
It sounds like the power of Twitter is big and growing bigger. It seems that this collection of people have caught the attention of many companies and even determines which ads live and which die.
This group has helped several products but it has also hurt several others - much like blogs.
Not that I'm complaining. As an individual I think it's awesome our voices and our opinions can be heard.
I also think we have a responsibility to blog and Twit responsibly.
What do I mean and why do I say that?
We got a letter at work today from an angry customer who is threatening to "blog" about us.
Now that's their right. We have the freedom of speech which I am very grateful for.
After reading the person's letter, however, their view is skewed.
Oh well.
There's a lot of Twitter applications to make it easier for promotion and socializing. There's a ton of articles about the use and value of Twitter.
I have to wonder if anyone really reads my tweets and if so, if they then visit my blog or check out my books. I hope...
Speaking of books...My vampire romance, "Truth, Justice, and the Vampire Way" releases Wednesday (tomorrow - or maybe today depending where you are or when you read this) April 22nd 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. :)
Actually tomorrow’s post should have come before this one. After you read about my experience on Alligator Alley Sunday (today as I’m writing this but two days ago as I’m posting these out of order) you’ll wonder WHY I call Florida paradise?
A great deal of Florida is still a paradise, but not Alligator Alley or the Sawgrass (Expressway).
Anyway, “Welcome To Paradise” is the name of my release today Monday February 23rd. It’s a short story in the “Night of the Senses” anthology published by Total-E-Bound.
Each story features BDSM and deals with one of the five senses. Hearing is the key sense in my story.
Originally the title was “Paradise Inc.” but my editor nixed that. “Paradise Inc.” is the name of the Florida resort the heroes (Evan and Chris) own on the west coast of Florida. It’s a tropical paradise, for them anyway. The heroine, Jordin, isn’t so sure at first. She’s come all the way from Alaska to find fun in the sun and mainly to find sexy available men who aren’t bundled up and hidden in parkas. She finds Evan and Chris, not exactly what she was looking for, but in the end, much better.
I went pretty far out on a limb in this story. I took a big chance I hope won’t backfire.
I expected my editor to hate it or at least nix it as it could be quite controversial and a certain religious group isn’t going to like it, but my editor liked it. So we’re going with it. Sometimes you have to take a chance if you want to achieve greatness.
The other stories in the anthology look awesome and I can’t wait to sink my teeth into them.
If you’ve read many of my books, you’ll have noticed that at least 98% are set in South Florida. The old adage is to write about what you know. Another school of thought suggests to write about exotic, interesting places and most people think Florida fits that bill.
There was a time I thought Florida was an exotic paradise. When I was 16, when I visited with my dad, I made a wish that I would live in Florida. Well, I got my wish and I can’t seem to make it go away. Now I think anything is exotic that’s different. Now that I live with endless summer, I’d love to go somewhere that has snow, where I can ice skate on outdoor ponds and snow ski and curl up to roaring fires in fire places.
Oh well. So I like to read stories set in snowy winter wonderlands.But I write about what I know and I know it will be exciting to people who don’t live here year round. It must be or we wouldn’t have so many tourists clogging our roads and making it impossible to find a parking spot within a mile of the beach. I hardly go to the beach because it’s so hard. One of these weekends I’m just going to rent a hotel room on the beach so I can park in the hotel parking lot without fear of being towed and whereby I can walk to the beach. I’d head over to the west coast where it’s not nearly so crowded, except Alligator Alley (again, check tomorrow’s post) is so treacherous.
Night of the Senses
An anthology of sensory delights, packed full of BDSM stories - one story for each sense: sight, smell, taste, touch, hearing, and extra-sensory!
Welcome to Paradise by Ashley Ladd
Determined to live life by her own rules, Jordan's more than ready to devour two yummy men, what her religious father thinks, be damned.
Eager to escape the bitter cold of the frigid Northwest and especially her strict, overzealous religious father, Jordan seeks a new life in sunny Florida at a resort called Paradise. When she meets the proprietors, Evan and Chris, she's ready to try new, titillating things with the yummy pair, even blindfolded BDSM and especially ménage a trois. She reasons that if the men in her father's religion can have more than one wife, she certainly can have more than one husband.
Excerpt from: 'Welcome to Paradise' by Ashley Ladd
Jordin Marshall spread her toes in the warm Florida sand and let the heady warmth seep into her. This was a long-time dream, and she wondered again if it was a fantasy. Having lived in the snows of Alaska and Utah all her twenty-four years, she’d finally found paradise.
Stretching her bikini-clad body, she reached towards the sun’s warmth and light. Joyous laughter bubbled from her lips, and she hoped a merman would emerge from the depths of the blue gulf waves and claim her for his own. Well, not really. She just wanted a man. A man who wasn’t of her father’s choosing or the type he would choose: a return Mormon missionary, probably an exulted Brigham Young University or Rick’s College grad. No, she’d escaped her daddy’s clutches to find a man of her choosing. No return missionaries or religious nuts need apply. And no one was to know she was rich, either. She longed to find love on her own terms. To be loved for herself. That shouldn’t be too hard since she was staying at Paradise Inc., a cosy little hotel on the gorgeous Gulf Shore of west Florida. If she couldn’t find love in paradise, where could she?
Certainly not at Utah State even though she knew darned well her dad had sent her there to be as close to BYU as possible. If he’d had his way, she’d have attended BYU to get her MRS, but since she wasn’t a temple-card carrying member of the Latter-day Saints, she’d been rejected. Had her dad ever been mortified. And had she ever been relieved. Like her mother, she had serious doubts about the church her father prized.
A handsome, well-muscled blond caught her eye, and remembering the flirting advice she’d recently read on the internet, she returned his smile. It was so wide, she could almost feel the cleft in her chin deepening. Pretending to look for the small black shark’s teeth that were so abundant in the Gulf sands, she inched her way nearer to the hottie. But then a buxom, blonde female joined him and whisked him away, kicking sand in her wake and burying Jordin’s dreams under clumps of wet sand.
Jordin bit back a sigh and bagged her sharks’ teeth. Oh well, she consoled herself, there was sure to be an abundance of available men in Paradise. If not, looking on the bright side, at least she could make shark’s teeth necklaces for all her friends back home.
She spent her afternoon playing in the surf and sand and sunbathing, trying to take a bit of pallor off her lily-white flesh. Since she didn’t want to look like a cooked lobster, she reapplied her Bull Frog sunscreen every half hour and wore a visor and dark shades to protect her eyes that were more accustomed to light filtered through clouds than heavy doses of direct sun. Although she spied a lot of interesting men, she hadn’t gotten up the nerve to approach any. What was she supposed to say? Carry me away? Make love to me? Save me from daddy dearest?
Oh, yeah. That would really attract men.
Excerpt from: 'Spiced Vanilla' by Victoria Blisse
It had become a habit—a pleasant one, maybe the only one in my whole day. Around about two o’clock I would walk down the main street, past the supermarket, the café, the appliance shop and the carpet store, and I’d turn up a plain side street with no remarkable features. It was a short way up that street to the place I loved. Jacques.
Around six months ago, I had walked past that street and caught a delicious scent on the air. It combined almonds, vanilla, chocolate and a hint of spicy cinnamon, and as my stomach rumbled, I had to check it out. It seemed so comforting, that smell, it reminded me of happy times in the kitchen with my Mother as a child. Jacques was new then. It had opening offer posters in the window. The smell of new paint was an astringent undercurrent as I drew closer to the shiny black exterior of the shop.
At first, I thought Jacques was a cake shop, but it only took a moment looking at the artistic, architectural cakes to make me realise it was something much more. I remembered the word from my French GCSE lessons. Jacques was a Patisserie. Even back then, with the opening offers, I could not afford to try a cake. I wanted to. There were several that caught my attention.
There was a tart made with fanned-out layers of apple, a cheese cake so deep yellow it made my mouth water and a square chocolate cake with icing and the most delicate stars and sparkles decorating it. It wasn’t just that they looked good either. They smelled divine, too. With every opening and closing of the door, I’d get a waft of sweet, warm bakery and confection, and I would close my eyes and imagine the tastes. Custard, cream, chocolate, fluffy sponge and crunchy meringue. It quickly became my favourite place.
I wished I could go in and buy something, but the price tags were just too high for me. I could barely afford a cheap cake let alone an artistic, expensive one. But every day, I would treat myself to their visual beauty combined with their heavenly scent.
It was a late summer day with just the hint of the approaching autumn chill in the air when I made my usual trip down to Jacques. I set off from my home at two, and I was at the window of the patisserie by two-fifteen. It was a Friday, and I could see his stock was well-depleted. All the large cakes had been sold bar a carrot cake and a sponge, and many of the shelves in the window and by the counter were nearly empty.
I closed my eyes and inhaled as the door opened and the bell jangled. The subtle scents of light summer filled me—lemon and orange, the citrus tang mellowed with vanilla and strawberries, milky cream and the gentlest caress of chocolate and warm alcohol.
The screeching of brakes pulled me viciously from my summer daydream and transported me into my nightmare. It had happened in winter almost a year ago, and it haunted my every sleeping moment and often crept into the daydreams, too.
I have another new book releasing tomorrow, just in time for Valentine's Day.
And today is my second child's 27th birthday.
So I have a lot to celebrate even if I feel like I'm in a time warp being old enough to have a 27 year old son. Worse, I also have a 28 year old son. You know what I mean.
As a romance writer and lover, every day is a day full of love and romance for me. I don't need one special day to celebrate, although I still love it. That's why when I heard about the Valentine's Day anthology at Total-E-Bound.com I had to join in. What better way to give back to my chosen profession?
A Valentine's collection of secret liaisons...A long-time secret admirer of star pitcher Blake, geeky nerd Wes asks Blake to make him over into his fantasy man - for someone else.
Geeky nerd Wes Donovan has a secret crush on Blake Kircherner, star pitcher of his baseball team. Unfortunately, the only time Blake seems to notice him is when he's making the last out for their team and losing another game.
With Valentine's Day and the team's annual Valentine's Day party coming up, he can't stand the thought of going dateless again. So he asks Blake to make him into a new man and help him make their coach Clay, jealous. In reality, Blake's the one he hopes to make jealous and to win after he's transformed into Blake's fantasy man.
Determined to live life by her own rules, Jordan's more than ready to devour two yummy men, what her religious father thinks, be damned.
Eager to escape the bitter cold of the frigid Northwest and especially her strict, overzealous religious father, Jordan seeks a new life in sunny Florida at a resort called Paradise. When she meets the proprietors, Evan and Chris, she's ready to try new, titillating things with the yummy pair, even blindfolded BDSM and especially ménage a trois. She reasons that if the men in her father's religion can have more than one wife, she certainly can have more than one husband.
In "Welcome to Paradise" which is part of the "Night of the Senses" anthology, I've really pushed the limits. Of course it's BDSM and MMF which not long ago was REALLY pushing my limits.
No, I mean something else.
What I mean is I took a chance with the heroine's characterization and her father's. I could make enemies. I thought about changing it, toning it down, to make it more politically correct. My editor said she really likes it as is. I hope the majority of my readers will. I fully expect at least one or two to be put off.
But living life means taking chances - my life anyway.
How often do you push the envelope? All the time? Ever?
Wouldn't life be boring if we never did?
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. :)
Today is a cause to celebrate times two.
First and foremost, today is my 29th wedding anniversary. It's pretty unbelievable the hubby could put up with me this long. Or that our oldest son is 28. Or that I'm as old as I am.
As of the time I'm writing this (a couple days before the 26th) we have plans to go to Red Lobster for dinner and then go swimming at the gym. Or maybe vice versa since the gym closes at 8 on Saturdays.
At the time we married, it never occurred to me that our anniversary would fall on Super Bowl Sunday or nearby. Well, hubby claims the times changed for the Super Bowl a few years after we married. Other years, the Super Bowl fell on our anniversary - and I'm not a football fan and of course hubby is. So we celebrate a day or two after or before, but still... It's the principal.
Um, considering this, it's amazing we're still married. I say this not just because of the Super Bowl stuff, but because right this second, he turned the volume off on the TV show we're watching (at least that I'm watching) and he turned on some Internet video and is blasting the volume. We may not make 29 years.
My second celebration is that my most recent book "Last Man On Earth" was released TODAY at total-e-bound.com It's just a coincidence, but sort of a neat one.
In "Last Man On Earth", a much younger man has the hots for an older woman. Since Earth just blew up he's the last living human male in the universe. How did he survive? He's an astronaut that was stationed on a space ship orbiting Earth with his commanding officer, not only an older woman but his superior.
After Earth blows up, Astronauts Colonel Genie Siska and Major David Randolph are kidnapped by aliens.
Astronaut Major David Randolph is the last human male alive after Earth blows up. Colonel Genie Siska and David witness Earth's explosion from their space ship. In shock and despair, the couple run through a myriad of emotions. Although Genie's always been highly attracted to the major, he's also fourteen years younger than her. Even though he's literally the last man left alive, she still doesn't know if she can take a man so much younger than her as her lover.
David's always been in love with his commanding officer, and he's frustrated that even now, she resists him. They are literally mankind's last chance for survival. Or are they? When they are "rescued" or is it kidnapped by aliens, the whole picture changes. However, they are not sure if it's for better or worse.
It's my second, not merely my first, Christmas story being released in 2008. I really got into the Christmas spirit this year, even if I wrote one of the stories in the summer heat of July.
No matter how many of my stories are published, release day is always a thrill. Even if my family has become blase about it, I'm not. Each one of my books is one of my precious babies.
I know my fellow writers understand that our books are our "babies". We conceived them. We created them. We gave birth to them. We nurture them and we're proud when they succeed and sorrowful when they fail. They're part of us. I'm still feeling the labor pains as I write this blog.
There's a big part of me in each one of my babies whether or not any of the characters or situations personally resembles me. Usually something happens in my life at the time of writing the book, or I draw on some important memory, that inspires part of the story. That inspiration might be something tiny like ducks waddling out in front of my car or dragonflies pirouetting over my daughter's ball field during one of her games, or it could be something big like one of my human kids getting into some kind of trouble or family history that I've uncovered while digging into my genealogy.
This particular story, "Christmas Miracles" was inspired (but changed to protect the innocent) by more than one of my memories. I won't go into any lurid details as the Internet isn't a very private place. I will admit that it revisits my hometown of Cincinnati at one of my favorite times of the year and I will admit it's based on the Ghost of Christmas Past.
Here's a blurb and excerpt. This one is a M/F contemporary erotic romance.
Tifanny gains courage from a visit by the Ghost of Christmas Past to reunite with three important people from her past.Tiffany's alone and lonely again this Christmas until the Ghost of Christmas Past takes her to revisit her cousin, her best friend, and her lost love, Dax. Although she's not sure it wasn't just a bad dream induced by an overload of Christmas movies and spiked Eggnog, she still tries to make things better with the people she lost long ago. But her mission's tougher than she'd hoped and she's only got till the Epiphany before real life reclaims her and she has to return to the day job a thousand miles away.
Excerpt from: Christmas Miracles
Tiffany Davis stared at her ornately decorated tree tied up with fancy, blue and silver ribbons. It was absolutely perfect. The built-in, multicoloured lights merrily twinkled at just the right intervals. A gorgeous angel with serenely flowing blonde hair topped the tree.
Beneath the tree, beautifully wrapped gifts were piled high, also in blue and silver to match. Only she knew they were empty, merely for decoration and affectation.
They were as fake as the pine scent she’d sprayed on the metal monstrosity, as fake and empty as she was.
She snorted. Who was she kidding?
This year, like many of the previous ones, she found Christmas depressing. An only child of deceased parents, divorced, childless, she was alone in the world.
Oh, sure, she had a lot of friends. Go-to-lunch kind of friends. None had invited her to join them for their Christmas celebrations.
Well, that wasn’t entirely true. Her cousins had invited her, but they were a day’s drive away, and she couldn’t justify travelling so far with the astronomical gas prices when she only had a three-day weekend off work. Besides, it wasn’t like they were close. She could count on one hand the number of times she’d seen them since her mom had died ten years ago.
Thoughts of her mother rumbled in her mind. Tears pricked the back of her eyes, and she choked on a sob. God, she missed her mom like hell. And she felt guilty she hadn’t spent more time with her. But Tiffany had been too busy building her career. She’d always thought they’d have plenty of time.
Her mom’s favourite Christmas CD by Elvis filled the empty apartment. Then the AC whooshed on, and a dry chuckle tickled her throat. AC—on Christmas Eve? That and hurricanes were what she got for living in Southern Florida. It was nothing like the white snowy Christmases she used to love in Cincinnati.
She thought about attending midnight mass and hearing the beautiful bell choir, but voted against it as she’d feel even more alone in the crowd of families and loving couples. Instead, she turned on the TV and landed on a station that was having a Christmas marathon, starting with a Jimmy Stewart tear-jerker.
Although she was on a perpetual diet, she felt sorry enough for herself to open the box of iced Christmas cookies a co-worker had given her and pour a glass of eggnog to sip as she watched the show. Curling her feet beneath her on the couch, splayed her Christmas skirt over her knees then dipped her cookies in the drink. She wondered if the world would miss her like they had Jimmy Stewart. She had no husband. No kids. Not even a dog. She wasn’t a humanitarian like Jimmy was in the movie—she sold socks for a living. Not cute, frilly socks. Just plain white socks.
Maybe she should get a dog, she mused. At least, she’d have a warm body to cuddle, and someone who would be eager to see her when she got home from work. She’d always had a dog as a kid, usually a big, lovable husky.
She sighed as reality decked her square between the eyes. She worked and travelled way too much. It wouldn’t be fair to a dog to leave it alone so much.
In a fit of self pity, she downed the rest of her eggnog in one gulp and flicked the TV to another station. She didn’t need any more tear-jerkers tonight. She felt sorry enough for herself as it was.
Again it was a blasted Christmas movie, but at least it was a funny one with Bill Murray getting the snot kicked out of him by a pissed-off angel. Much more in keeping with her style and her mood. She dimmed the lights, stretched out on the couch and laughed despite herself as the miserable wretch got himself Scrooged by the three ghosts of Christmas.
At the stroke of midnight, she sat up long enough to lift another glass of eggnog. “To me. To Christmas,” she murmured ruefully. She couldn’t wait for the holidays to be over so she’d stop feeling so wretched.
There are a lot of great Christmas stories at TEB this Christmas. Don't miss them. I don't plan to.
"Heart and Soul" releases today.
No, it's not a remake of the Righteous Brother's beautiful song, although I love it.
It's my newest release, an MMF published by Total-E-Bound at www.total-e-bound.com
And no, I didn't name my book after the song, beautiful as it is. The title's appropriate to the book. When you read it, you'll see why.
My editor paid me a big compliment with this book. She congratulated me and said that she really likes this story and that it's very emotional. I'm not quoting her word for word so I hope she'll forgive me if I misquoted in any way. Since she reads my blog, you can rest assured I'm being truthful.
I know I usually sidestep the question about which one of my books is my favorite, as do most authors. Of course I like them all. They're all my beloved children. This one, however, is very special to me. I really really felt a lot of emotion (even more than usual) as I wrote it. I could really identify with Mischa, the heroine, her angst and her doubts. I was also very hot for her hero.
Have you ever been attracted to a man you knew wasn't good for you? That you didn't want to be attracted to? Did you ever have a man (or if you are a man, switch that around to "woman") break your heart and you wanted to get over them but you couldn't just click your fingers and be over him? Somehow, I don't think I'm the only one in history to go through that. I don't know if any one of us has been able to avoid that.
Well, maybe a few. My cousin Daniel married the only woman he'd ever dated so maybe he's been spared that heartache. Maybe there are a few others. I suspect very few.
Here's another excerpt from "Heart and Soul". It's a different excerpt than I posted on yesterday's blog. So if you missed yesterday's post, scroll down to read more.
Excerpt from: Heart and Soul
The sun melted into the Ohio River, spiking it with reds and oranges, pinks and golds. It was a magical sight, one that made Mischa Bennett sigh with delight.
A few stars already twinkled in the dimming sky, vying with the sun for supremacy. They reminded Mischa of the little cocktail diamonds that sparkled in her new engagement ring, the one her fiancé Steve Krashin had just given her the month before during a similar spectacular sunset.
She loved the river, how it ribboned around the Ohio Valley between the tri-state area of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. She loved how the trees, full of their summer leaves, bowed low and drizzled their limbs in the water. She loved the river towns, the warm summer breezes and the languid weekends when she could make love with Steve all day and all night long.
Time stood still in this world. It was their mystical place and would forever be precious.
Steve trailed his tender fingertips along her brow as he stared down at her. “You’re so very beautiful. You know I can see the sunset in your eyes?”
Giddy, she made a moue of her lips. Not to be outdone, she said, “You look like a god when the sun puts golden sparks in your hair.” She sifted her fingers through his locks delighting in its silkiness. Still hungry, but not for food, she licked her lips. She’d already mussed his curls, hours before, and she liked it with that look. It was a good look on him, the just made love look. She intended him to wear it every day of their lives.
“Are you really going to make me wait until next February to become your husband?”
She rose on her elbow and stared deeply into his incredible eyes, loving the sootiness of his long, dark lashes. She tapped his chin with her finger. “You know I want us to be married on Valentine’s Day. Besides,” she said with a devilish curve to her cheek, “whose making you wait?” She snaked her arm around his neck and drew his head down to hers to savour his lips.
His lips tasted so good, better than chocolate, and she adored chocolate. She was addicted to chocolate so she was absolutely obsessed with her fiancé’s lips. They were firm and soft all at the same time. They sent her into a spiral that made her toes curl and elicited soft moans from her deepest core.
Against her lips, he murmured, “Every day is magical with you. Every day is blessed.”
Carefree, her laughter tinkled above the night sounds. “You, sir, are a charmer.”
Languidly, he caressed her arm. “So long as I’m your Prince Charming.”
Mischief played in her soul, and she loved their easy banter. “And my knight in shining armour.”
“Doesn’t a prince trump a knight?”
“You trump both.” She meant it. “I’m the luckiest woman in the world. I have you.”
“You do.” He claimed her lips again, and his thumbs hooked into her bikini bottoms and pushed them down her quivering thighs. His hand followed as he smoothed his palm over her pussy. Possession humming through his fingers, he cupped it then rubbed her clit until it became a tiny little pearl.
Either a tidal wave had picked up their boat and hurled it towards that magical horizon, or she was quaking with desire. She didn’t care which as long as it never ended.
Returning the favour, she slipped her hand under the elastic waistband of his swim trunks and delved inside. Seeking his heat, she curled her fingers around the base of his cock, gratified that it swelled in her hands. She loved how it throbbed and flexed, how it was velvety soft yet hard all at the same time.
“Ooh, baby. Do that much longer, and the only thing we’ll be wearing is a blanket of stars.”
“Um. Sounds good to me.” It wouldn’t be the first time they’d made love on the boat with just the sky for a covering. If it was up to her, they’d honeymoon on the boat—if the honeymoon wasn’t set to occur in winter when the river would be iced over. Of course, she could do as he suggested and get married earlier…
But it took time to plan a wedding, and even February was pushing it. As it was, her mother was going crazy with all the preparations and everything was booked.
“Someone might see us,” he drawled, his voice husky, his thumb creating a rhythm that drove her crazy.
I’d like to introduce you to two very interesting characters: Tatiana Reece and Ace Dyer, in my brand new release, “Confessions of a Nympho”, at http://www.total-e-bound.com/, TODAY (Monday March 10, 2008).
I have to say that I miss my characters after I say goodbye. Sometimes, I just can’t say goodbye and bring them back in sequels. (To be released soon by Ellora’s Cave at http://www.ellorascave.com/ “Truth, Justice, & The Vampire Way” sequel to “Blessed Be” – vampire romance).
Confessions of a Nympho By Ashley Ladd Coming from http://www.total-e-bound.com/ Monday March 10, 2008 Story: Total-e-burning rating Excerpt heat rating: PG 13 – R rating
Blurb: CONFESSIONS OF A NYMPHO
In an effort to promote her books, erotic romance author Tatiana Reece decides it will increase her blog traffic if she starts a new blog in which she pretends that her personal life is as racy if not more racy than her novels. She calls it "Confessions of a Nympho" and she makes up some really hot, spicy stuff. When tax season rolls around and she makes her annual visit to her accountant, Ace, the junior accountant handling her case—who has long been secretly in love with her—discovers her blog. Using an alias, Ace begins a torrid online affair with Tatiana that moves into a real world affair. One problem. Ace disguises himself and when she discovers his true identity, she's furious.
Excerpt: * This excerpt is pretty tame but there are a couple of naughty words so be warned.
Tatiana leaned closer, licked her glossy lips, and smiled conspiratorially. “I hope you can find me a lot of big deductions this year.
Ace swallowed hard. He had something big for her all right, but it was inside his pants, swelling larger with every second. Embarrassed, he slid further under the desk to hide his source of discomfort. “We’ll see,” he said noncommittally, without any hint of emotion. “I’ll do my best.” He kicked himself for getting shy, not at all like the kick-ass romance heroes she lived for. How could he ever win a woman like her acting like this?
She dumped out the contents of both boxes onto his desk and sifted through them. “I went to several conferences this year and bought a new computer. Those hotel rooms are downright outrageous!”
Hotel rooms? He gulped. How he’d like to share a hotel room with her. He wondered if she went alone and took the receipt from her hands. When her fingers grazed his, shivers raced down his spine. Unable to stop himself, he asked, “Is this for single or double occupancy?”
She snatched the receipt from his hands, grazing his knuckles again. “Let me see. I get a roommate whenever I can, but a few times I went alone.”
His jealousy surged and he longed to ask the roommate’s name. Some of those nearly naked Tarzan-type cover models she’d had her pictures splashed with all over the romance magazines? Not that he’d ever admit to reading those or keeping track of her doings. He’d sooner cut out his tongue.
“How many? Conferences, I mean? Help me sort these into categories.” Or else they’d be there all night. On retrospect that might not be a bad idea…
She squinted at a computer printout in her hand. “What about websites? Aren’t they tax deductible?”
Loosening the tie that threatened to choke him, he nodded and tried to keep his voice steady. “Yes, of course.”
She leaned further forward and gazed deeply into his eyes. Her ample breasts strained against her t-shirt. The nipples budded against the flimsy cotton. “I mean, if I have more than one website? I just opened this new one, plus I have pages on some romance writers’ group pages.” When he took the outstretched receipt from her outstretched fingers, her flowery writing on the back caught his eye, and he flipped it over. Reading it, his heart skipped several beats.
“Confessions of a Nympho” blog. It contained the website url, and he memorized it. Like he could forget a name like that? It was burned into his consciousness.
Confessions of a Nympho? His cock throbbed almost ripping open his zipper. His blood sizzled. He couldn’t wait to visit her blog and read her deepest, darkest fantasies. Or were they fantasies? Did she act them out? Was she really a nymphomaniac?
I hope you enjoyed the excerpt. I had fun writing it.
If you’d like to get to know me better, please visit with me Wednesday March 12th at my chat at http://www.noveltalk.com/ at 9pm EST. I’ll be awarding a download copy of “Blessed Be” to a lucky chatter.
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