Here is something to get you over the hump in the middle of the week. ENJOY!

This is a cameo that leads into my latest novella called LANDSCAPES OF LUST, presently under consideration by Total-e-Bound publishing.
Christopher Mortlock also features in Memoirs of Lady Montrose, accepted as part of the "At Your Service" anthology, due for release by Total-e-Bound in May.
I hope this tempts you and makes your imagination take flight mid-week.
Prologue to Landscapes of Lust by Virginnia De Parte

    "The color caught her eye - iridescent green with black lettering.

Louise reached out to stroke the surface of the business card, its bottom corner curled like a beckoning finger.  Could it be the same as the one on the supermarket notice board? She’d read that card and decided it had to be a joke. But a joke card here on the official up-market notice board at the Public Library?

      She took a furtive glance over each shoulder.  No one seemed to be looking in her direction and with a quick flick of her fingernail she removed the tack and caught the business card.

The tack hit the floor with a ping and she palmed the card as she bent to pick up the tack and push it back into the soft-core board, along with the other spare pins in the left bottom corner.  The sign at the top said: “Public Community Notice Board. Please take the card if you need the service advertised”. She needed a gardener. Why did she feel guilty?

           

      She hurried through the automatic doors into the spring wind, one hand firmly holding her hat down, the business card still clasped in her fingers. She unlocked the car and slid in, grateful for the privacy so she could read again the fine print. Would it be the same as on the other card she’d read?

            The heading was easy enough to read, it was the smaller print that required her glasses.

Christopher Mortlock

Gardener Extraordinaire

 ‘Lawns, edges, pavings – pruning, thinning and cravings.

Wisteria trimmed, hysteria tamed

     eradication of widow’s weeds’ a specialty

Satisfaction guaranteed

All services  undertaken with specialist care

Phone  - 202 6969.

Yes, the wording was the same.  She had cravings you wouldn’t believe possible after three years of widowhood, not to mention a garden that looked as if Nature had won the battle against orderly growth.

 This man could be the answer to her prayers all she needed now was a bottle of wine and the courage to ring him." 

YOUR TEN MINUTES STARTS....NOW! from Victoria

For Christmas, my writers' group gave each other a Secret Santa gift. Then, with me as timekeeper, we proceeded to spend ten minutes writing about it. I was given a lovely, large handbag. We had champagne. So….






I must go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and the sky.

“Mmmmmm.”

The world is blue, and Blue Hawaiai-e-e

Giggle.

Opening my eyes, I gazed fondly out at my view of the blue, blue ocean from my decadent, sunken bathtub. Then reached for the champagne bottle. “Yes, dear ocean,” I sang, sloshing yet another glass of Bollinger into my fine crystal flute. Whoops. “I will explore your lovely depths soon, soon, my dear, but this lovely bath is my first love.” Giggling again, I carefully placed my glass on the rim of the tub.

My eyes had rested on the bar of white soap next to my glass. I picked it up, lifted it to my nose, and inhaled. Heaven. “Heaven is a bar of soap,” I mused aloud. Why had that never occurred to me before?

Noticing my new designer luggage that I’d flung onto the king-sized bed, a short distance away in the luxurious bedroom, I called, “You’re my third best love, my lovely luggage!”  Then I sank beneath the bubbles.

“Who the hell are you?”

Coughing and choking on the water I’d hurriedly inhaled, I sat up, knocked my champers into the bath with the tidal wave I’d created, clasped my arm to my chest, and looked up at a very handsome, dark haired man. His blue eyes blazed with fury.

“Get out – Now!”

TGIF Hunk: Gerard Butler

Just hearing his gravely voice will have women swooning, but Gerry to his friends is very down to Earth, even washing the dishes when at home with his mom. He's won an award for bravery after saving a child who nearly drown as well as being known as one of the most friendly actors. He always has time for his fans.

But a man this good looking is sure to get attention. After staring with Angelina Jolie in Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life, Gerard Butler gained notice of the female audience members. His hunky good looks and sexy deep voice couldn't help but make him stand out.

However it was his rock-hard abs in the movie, 300 that garnered the most attention. Men wanted to look like him and women wanted to love him.

My favorite movies showed his more romantic side-- Phantom of the Opera and PS. I Love You. Those two roles allowed Gerard Butler to stretch himself from the manly roles where he fought or kicked butt, to men who genuinely loved the women they were with.

He even gets to return to his musical roots in both these roles where he sings. Gerard used to be in a rock band in college in Scotland but gave music up when the acting bug hit. Gerard Butler is a guy for all types of women (and men) to enjoy. I adore his sizzling hot looks but his voice is what does it for me.

What does a good hunk have to have to make you go ooohhhh???

Wednesday's Hump Day Help: Chloe Waits WIP

Chloe Waits' Work-in-Progress: Seducing Kayla

For this Wednesday, Chloe brings you her latest work-in-progress (WIP). Is it because Chloe is so excited she's jumping up and down about doing some writing? Yes. And because she's had no time to write an actual post? Right again! lol...

This is an excerpt from what is to be book two of The Maguire Boys: Boston's Finest series. ( I give a shout out to my friend and co-blog author Melissa Keir, and her Wilder Sister series, since my series has siblings too! ;).

If you guessed it from the name, the book series will feature three Irish brothers, all cops, each in their own story. All hot too. I just wanted to feature cops, because I like the idea of being serviced and protected, I mean served and protected, by sexy alpha males.

I used a real life model for my hero, my crush-du-jour, Sheamus, former heavyweight champion of the WWE. There are not enough red head heroes in romance, and I am creating one I don't think you'll forget. (Chloe waggling eyebrows naughtily.) He is Irish too by the way.

Let's look at his picture so you can picture him as you read....drool

This is Sheamus. Enough Said!

Do you have your own action figure? I didn't think so. Is it bad I notice this doll is packing a bulge the size of Ireland?

Now that we've looked at Sheamus, back to my story.
And please be kind, it is a WIP, meaning unpolished, unedited, and generally unfinished...:)

Blurb for Seducing Kayla

At twenty-four, Kayla O’Malley is big, beautiful and still a virgin. Her weight hang ups have closed the doors on any relationships growing up, but losing a few pounds has finally given her the confidence to date.

If she could only get rid of her pesky virginity first.

That’s where her best friend Sean Maguire comes in. Kayla makes a proposal he can’t refuse, but Sean has a few erotic rules of his own. Her seduction is a month long planned enterprise; one in which Sean aims for Kayla to see him in a whole new sexy light.

But will seducing Kayla take their friendship to a deeper level, or ruin it for good?

Excerpt

Kayla nestled in the crook of Sean’s shoulder as they sat together on his low slung couch, his large arm draped companionably around her shoulders. She had no idea what they were watching on television except that there were a lot of car chases, and Sean seemed totally engrossed in it. The smell of buttery popcorn taunted her from the big bowl cradled on his lap. As though sensing her stare, Sean held out the offending item to her with his eyes still glued to the set.

She sighed, shaking her head, then realized he wasn’t looking at her. “No, I am good.”

After struggling to lose twenty pounds, Kayla’s friend seemed determined to make her gain it back. Would he ever figure out at five foot two, she didn’t possess the stellar metabolism of a six foot four behemoth? Even with her recent weight loss, she was only down to a size sixteen. Still, it was a hard won victory worth celebrating.

Sean’s metabolism was something out of a fairytale although he probably didn’t think so. Up until the last few years, he’d been all gangly arms and legs, and with his stereotypically bright Irish red hair, pale skin, and freckles, he looked like a live version of the Howdy Doody doll.

Over the last few years he’d hit the gym like a mad man, and stayed out of the sun at all times, allowing his freckles to fade from looking like a swarm of angry brown ants, to the barest hint of spice. Muscles now sprouted all over. Sean was so big he made Kayla feel small, and that was no rare feat. She swore his thighs, roped with hard muscle, might be bigger than hers now at this point in time. He looked like a huge, sturdy farm boy, strong and built, and women were starting to take notice.

So perhaps they’d both had some transformation since high school; Kayla’s still needed some work.

And that’s where her dear friend Sean came in.

Kayla cleared her throat. “I was wondering if you could help me train. At the gym.”

Sean’s eyebrows shot up. “You? Why would you need to work out?”

Kayla mentally shook her head at his silliness, and pressed on. “I’ve been trying to get in shape Sean,” Kayla said patiently. “I need a little help. I have to lose some more weight.”

Sean’s ears turned pink at the tips. “I don’t know Kayla, I think you are great the way you are, you know.”

She smiled. “You’re a great friend to say that. But we both know that’s not the case.” Sean shook his head at her reply, running his fingers absently over his new goatee. The facial hair was another change for Sean, and one that suited him.

“Well, would you help me?”

“Sure, I guess.”

“You’re a good friend.”

Sean held her gaze a moment, then dropped his eyes. “Thanks.” He paused. “Was that all? Why do I feel like something else is going on? You’re uptight and jumpy. You’re not even watching the movie.”

“Well, I—” Kayla licked her lips, struggling with the words. “I’ve been trying to make some changes as you know—” she stopped, uncertain how to continue.

“Go on.”

“Um, some are harder than others. I’ve never really dated and stuff.”

“You want to go out on a date?” Sean straightened up, moving back to look at her

“Well yeah. But at twenty-four to be so inexperienced…it’s a big turn off to guys.”

He stared at her. “I think you’re wrong.”

“You’re so sweet Sean. I mean I’ve thought of going to clubs and stuff, but the thought of some creepy stranger for the first time…”

Sean stiffened, with a look of horror etched on his face.

“I guess this is something you could only ask a really good friend…” Kayla stumbled over her words. “I just don’t want my first time to be a bad one, you know some random guy, so, um, I was wondering if you could help me with that too?”

Sean sat up. “So, you’re a virgin…”

“Yes.”

He looked like he was processing something in his head. “There’s nothing wrong with being a virgin, Kayla.”

“No, you’re right, at eighteen maybe. Not at twenty-four. It’s kind of freakish now. Like freak-show freakish.”

“So, you’re asking me to take your virginity?”

“Um, yeah. I can’t seem to give it away really so if you took it that’d be good.” Kayla tried to smile at her weak joke. “Like, I know we don’t see each other that way and stuff as friends, but it’d be a favor. We could just do it once and go back to being friends. It could stay in the vault. Just a little favor, between friends.” If she thought Sean’s ears were pink before, he was an all-over fiery red now, and he swallowed a few times convulsively. But his blue eyes dilated as he looked at her, almost like she’d offered him a really nice steak and he wasn’t sure if she was serious or not.

Her lips parted in surprise. He seemed a bit…turned on. Of course, it had nothing to do with her really. Offer a man sex and he might feel some interest, no matter who was doing the asking.

Or maybe, it was really just embarrassment.

“We have sex once and that’s it?”

“Uh, yeah. You know, still friends.” To underscore her point, she gave him a friendly punch on the bicep, and promptly broke her hand. Gosh, he is like a brick wall now…

“And you want it to be with me?” Sean kept looking down, and reading his thoughts proved impossible.

“Well, yes. I mean I don’t think you’d treat me badly or hurt me. I’d be safe with you.”

“I would never hurt you,” he agreed softly. The way he continued to regard her made her nervous.

“So, you’re good with this?” Kayla realized she was babbling now. She grabbed her purse, unzipped it and dug her hand in. She fished out some condoms. “I didn’t know if you had brand preferences, so I just bought several in case.”

Sean’s eyes widened. “Whoa, Kayla, wait.”

Kayla froze. He was rejecting her. Her hand trembled, making the condom wrappers crinkle together. He pulled the condoms gently out of her hand, and zipped them back up in her purse, throwing it on the table.

Her head bent, defeated. “I’m sorry. I just really don’t want it to be a stranger Sean.”

“I don’t either. I think that would be a big mistake to experience that with someone who doesn’t care about you. You just have to give me a minute here. We’ve gone from 0 to 100 in a few seconds. If it happens, it won’t be tonight.”

Sean gathered Kayla in his arms. His solid, familiar warmth soothed her. “I just need to think on this a bit.”

Kayla sighed. “Fair enough, I guess.”

 “I am going to meet you at the gym tomorrow at four o’clock. We’ll talk after, okay?” Sean kissed her forehead. “Now watch the movie.”

Kayla leaned back reluctantly as Sean settled her into his shoulder once more on the  couch, watching the screen once again...

Thanks for reading!

Toodles, Chloe Waits

PS: holding an informal poll. Should I leave my hero's name as Sean, or out and out identify my celebrity crush by literally naming the character...Sheamus. Or is that too shameless? Vote with a comment if you want, what name do you like better...

Disclaimer: I do not actually own Sheamus, except in my own pervy thoughts and unrequited dreams, and have no ownership over any photos of him. I have never masturbated holding his action figure, slept with said item under my pillow, or made his doll talk to me by mimicking a weird, disturbingly fake Irish accent. Copyright of photo to owner, and of Sheamus himself, to the wonderful heavenly being that created him.

an interview with Lynn Rae!

 

Welcome to Craving Erotic Romance Blogspot.

 

Today we’re presenting Author: Lynn Rae

                                               

1) Have you always wanted to be an author? I have always liked storytelling but never contemplated fiction writing until the fall of 2011.  I needed a creative outlet after some family medical crises that summer and decided to see if I had what it took to write a book.

2) What genre(s) do you write? Contemporary and Sci Fi

3)  Have you ever self published? Not yet!

4) Who or what inspired you to write your first book? My first book is Sci Fi romance with a hero and heroine who have been devoted to their work but find that they want more out of life with each other.  I like telling stories about people who take their work seriously but can’t resist the attraction that they find in the right partner.  I came up with my male protagonist when I was doing an online archival cataloging project with Civil War militia correspondence  (Morgan’s Raid in Southern Ohio for those who are interested!).  The terse dispatches and sense of honor in those letters really informed how my character looked at his world, even though his responsibilities are set far in the future.

5) How many hours in a day might you write?  In an ideal world I would write three hours a day, but I am lucky if I have an hour and a half.

6) Are you a plotter or a pantster? A combination; I write brief outlines of scenes and lots of backstory and character studies before I write, but then when I sit down to start, I just go.

7) Do you ever find yourself slipping away and becoming so immersed in your  story it affects how you relate to others? Yes, in that I can become grumpy with people who need my attention when I’d rather be writing. 

8) Are you in any of your books?  I’d say there are aspects of me in most of the characters I write but there is no fictional character that really reflects the ‘true’ me.

9) What do your friends and family have to say about you writing?  Not much, I don’t really share it with anyone!

10) Please share an excerpt from one of your books that totally spoke to you when you put the words down on paper.  This is from my upcoming March release.  The set up is that Lydia and Carter are working together to try and track down Lydia’s missing friend Mike.  It speaks to my interest in small town life, how unfair the world can be, and gives Lydia a chance to be frustrated by something. 

Lydia was pleased to have the morning paper to review as she waited for Carter in the Inn’s restaurant.  A helpful waitperson had already poured her a decent cup of coffee and she was delving into the local police report.  There had been a rampaging opossum in town last week overturning garbage cans and residing on porches until an officer of the law had captured it in a sack and taken it to the town line for release like a vagrant.  Elsewhere, a woman had reported her purse stolen from her unlocked car sometime between three and five a.m.  All this petty crime reported and nothing about Mike.  It was enough to make her angry.  There was an article about a drug raid on a trailer off of 435 and the arrest of several men.  Then Carter appeared at the table looking resplendent in shimmering pink pinpoint and her irritation morphed his way. 

“Hey Chief, why are you mad at me?  I just got here.”  And he sat down next to her and nodded agreeably when the waiter rushed up with the coffee carafe.

“Oh, was I glaring at you?  I should save it for the police, because there is nothing in this crappy paper about Mike being missing.  Instead, we have reports of wandering opossums and booty calls gone bad.”

Carter blinked at her. “What is a booty call gone bad?”

“This woman had her purse stolen out of her car between three and five am, obviously she was somewhere for a quick…’  and then Lydia trailed off, unwilling to complete that sentence with this man looking at her.

“A quick what?”  Sending a bland and innocent look her way, Carter then turned to the menu.

“Nothing.  My original point is that shouldn’t something be in the paper by now?”  The hovering waiter accepted their orders and slipped away.  Lydia was irritated enough that she wasn’t sure what she had requested.  She did remember Harris asking for extra syrup for some reason.

“Perhaps, but this sort of thing doesn’t generally go in the paper, unless the missing person is a child or a pretty young woman.”

“That’s not right.”  Lydia grumbled, frustrated by the inequity.

Carter sipped his coffee and looked at her.  “No, it isn’t right.  What do you want to do today?”

“I want to find Mike.”

 

11) Which actor/character(s) would play the starring role?  The book that SCP will be publishing in March 2013 has a feisty academic female character that Barbara Stanwyk could have played, and Randolph Scott would have been perfect to play the main male character; a handsome and charming private investigator.  You can probably guess that I watch a lot of classic movies on TCM!

 

12.  If you were a cheese, what kind would you be and why?  I would be a Stilton because it is complicated, mature, goes well with Port, and I am a fan of molds, spores, and fungi (bonus points to anyone who gets the movie reference!)

 

13.  What five things would you take on a desert island?  I am going to assume this is a tropical climate; sunscreen, Neosporin, machete, sewing kit, and a good pair of sandals.

Find Lynn at http://lynnraewrites.com

Hump Help Wednesday...a little Erotic Spice from Deryn Pittar

Read this, and use your imagination to provide a satisfactory conclusion...

Blindfolded and naked she rested on cool satin sheets and propped on lavender scented pillows. The door closed and the sound of the traffic muted.
The smell of chocolate assailed her and she swallowed the craving it triggered. Warm liquid drizzled down between her breasts, creeping lower over her taut abs, pausing to well at her navel. In minute increments it filled the hollow in her taut bronze torso. She tensed, anticipating its path – when a lazy lick caressed her belly and….

Hope that helps your Wednesday! Happy Humpday naughty daydreams!

Love's Red Heart- the newest exciting release from Virginnia De Parte

Adult excerpt

They stood at the second story window and looked over the night lights of Alice Springs. Michael took her in his embrace, pulling her around to face him, one arm around her waist, his hand resting in the small of her back. He ran the fingers of his other hand through her hair, brushing the long red threads from her face and moving to grasp the ends of her green silk scarf.

 “May I? Can I take your hair down?” She nodded and he untangled the knot to drop the scarf to the floor before running his fingers through the topknot releasing her hair from the pins that had held it loosely in place. He cupped her chin in his palm turning her face to his, covering her lips with his. A kiss so deep and long, so overpowering in its sweet taste, it melded her body into his and their breath flowed and exchanged, their love released at last.

Michael lifted his lips from hers and murmured in her ear, “We’re wasting time.”

“I’m shy Michael. It’s so long…I’m scared I’ll disappoint you.”

“And you think I do this on a regular basis and I’m in a position to judge and make comparisons?”

“Well…”

“I’m as nervous as you are. Being a doctor doesn’t mean I don’t have self doubts like everyone else.”

She buried her head against his chest, a sudden onrush of anticipation causing her legs to tremble.

“Let’s just start slowly and follow where it leads us,” Michael said.

She allowed him to lead her to the edge of the bed, and stood frozen, her nervous tension making her body rigid. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears as he turned off the lights and folded back the bedspread before wrapping her in his embrace once more. She shivered from either nerves or the evening chill, she didn’t know which.

“Cold? I’ll soon warm you up” and with a deep intake of breath Michael removed her pashmina shawl, slipped the straps of her sun frock off her shoulders and turned her around so he could unzip the back of her dress. He eased her frock down to the floor and in response to his gentle pressure behind each knee she lifted her feet to step out of it and kick her sandals off at the same time. Now she stood barefoot in her bra and panties and his warm hands lingered to stroke her hips before turning her around to face him. He took her hands in his and placed her palms on the front of his shirt, against the buttons.

“Your turn.”

Oh, they were taking turns? Now she had a plan to follow her shaking eased. She unbuttoned his shirt, easing it off his shoulders and taking each arm out of its sleeve tossed the shirt aside. Relaxing into the rhythm she knelt to untie his shoes, to slip his feet out and slowly peel his socks off his feet. The idea that removing socks could be so sensual had never occurred to her before. They too went the way of the shirt, thrown in the general direction of a chair in the corner.

“My turn.” Michael’s husky tones sent a shiver of anticipation up her legs to end deep inside her. He reached behind her, his hands gentle on her skin and unclipped her bra to slip the straps off her shoulders arm after arm, releasing her breasts from captivity to freedom. Pouting proudly, her nipples stood so stiff they ached, their dull pain matching the beat of her heart.

Bending his head his tongue flicked and circled each nipple taking turns to tease them. Muscles deep in her pelvis tightened and dragged and between her thighs dampness tingled. He slid his hands down her back to slip under the gathered band of silk and lace. Twin travellers they caressed her skin taking the fabric down as they moved lower over her buttocks until his fingers grasped her cheeks, moving ever closer to her heat.

 Desire rose like a flood and she pressed his head against her breasts with one hand while her other hand pushed her silk panties down her thighs and legs to quickly step out of them. She cupped his chin in her palms, running her fingers up his jaw line into his thick brown curls, urging him to meet her lips with his. Her hunger rose to another level as his tongue explored her mouth. His scent excited her. Not the smell of aftershave or cologne, but Michael, all hers.

A long breathe, and she slid her hands down his chest following the silky trail of curls to his waistband. Still locked in their kiss she blindly felt for and found the top catch and then the zip, sliding it down, pushing the cloth away. It hindered her. He shrugged out of his trousers and her hands searched and found the evidence of his lust erect and hard, straining to be free of its prison. Now it was her turn.

She searched, fingertips leading her palms, pushing fabric away and down until she could free his pulsing rod and cup his warm tight sacs. She broke their kiss, and wrapped her other hand around his penis, curling her fingers and walking them up and down its length like playing a piano, her tongue circling his erect nipple. Michael moaned a low note and began to tremble, his desire tensing, his body hard against hers.

Her nervousness vanished, drowned by desire, and she spread her legs ready to receive him as his knees buckled pulling his shaft from her grip and leaving her hands resting on his shoulders, where she stroked her fingers over his neck and the top of his back.

Buy Link

An Interview with Melissa Keir

Welcome to Craving Erotic Romance Blogspot.

Today we’re presenting Author: Melissa Keir

                                               

1) Have you alwas wanted to be an author?

(MK) No. I haven’t always wanted to be a published author although the idea of a writer has been on my mind floating around for a long time. When I was in middle school and high school, I wrote stories and poetry about the students in my class. When my boyfriend joined a fraternity, I arranged for all the girls who were interested to write letters to the guys as a way to connect.

First and foremost, I’ve been a reader and loved reading passionate tales about characters I could identify with. My family and friends loved my insights into life that I wrote and urged me to share them with the world. I thought that would be my first book. But my own desire to write romances kicked in and I wrote my first story which became published just this year.

2) What genre(s) do you write?

(MK) I write contemporary romances. I would love to branch out and write other stories in the future but currently I have a few series running around in my head that are demanding my attention.

3) Have you ever self published?

(MK) No. I’ve never self-published but I also am co-owner of a publishing house and have published other people’s books. I am not ruling out self-publishing because I love that idea, I just haven’t found the time yet.

4) Who or what inspired you to write your first book?

(MK) My mom inspired me to write my first book. She wrote a romance novel when I was a teenager. She never was accepted for publishing but her excitement and determination gave me the idea that I could become an author.

I also couldn’t have done it without the support of two wonderful authors who gave me advice and urged me to write. Liz Crowe and Anne Holly have been so wonderfully helpful and are my “fairy godmothers”. I wouldn’t be where I am today without their “kicks in the pants” and shoulders to cry on.

5) How many hours in a day might you write?

(MK) I am a full time elementary school teacher so my time is limited for writing. I usually try to get some writing in at night and weekends. However, that being said, I’m also working on my work for the publishing house and writing hasn’t been as active as I’d like. :)

6) Are you a plotter or a pantster?

(MK) I am a mixture of both. I like to plan out the story line in my head and will often put pieces on paper. Sometimes I even sit down with a friend and tell them the story first before I begin writing. Most of the time, I do like to let the characters come alive and tell their own stories. They are very chatty some days.

7) Do you ever find yourself slipping away and becoming so immersed in your story it affects how you relate to others?

(MK) Yes, I think I do this when I’m deep into the story, especially if I’m at a crucial part. My poor family understands and comes to expect that if I’m writing, other things will have to pass. I feel sorry for them when I'm in that cranky mood as I try to finish a story. They sometimes tease me that my computer comes with me everywhere. I take my laptop with me to family gatherings and even to the doctor’s office. I try to use whatever time I can in a productive way.

8) The world is ending in an hour, what do you do, and who do you do it with?

      (MK) If the world was ending in an hour, I would spend the time curled up on the couch with my husband and the dogs. I love those times when I can cuddle in his arms and take a nap. I would also want to phone my children to say goodbye.

9) If you were a cheese, what flavor would you be, and why?

      (MK) This is a fun question. I would probably be Hot Pepper Jack cheese. I’m a little spicy and certainly full of zest. Yet I’m something that is a little out of the ordinary.

10) Five things you can take to a desert island, what would they be?

     (MK) I must have internet on this desert island as well as electricity and shipping! Otherwise I won’t go! I need my computer laptop so that I can place orders for books and groceries then have them shipped to my island. I can’t live without my books or my soda! I also would take my dog and my husband. They will keep me happy and my final thing that I would take is an air conditioner for those hot nights. I do love to sleep with a breeze!

11) Please share an excerpt from one of your books that totally spoke to you when you put the words down on paper.

     (MK). This is an excerpt from my story “Second Time’s the Charm”.

Little girls dream of romance and true love from the time they first learn about little boys. I was the little girl who dreamed of Prince Charming coming to take me away to a beautiful fantasy world where we would always be happy. When I met Steve in high school, I thought he was my Prince. We married and had kids. Then the fairy tale ended. That was the day I gave up on love.

     I think that it spoke to me because I grew up on the fairy tales and believed in them. I      thought that marriage was easy and certainly all that Disney portrayed. But reality was     much different. Life has a habit of getting in the way and happiness isn’t guaranteed. In other words, our lives are what we make of it. We just have to write the story.

Thank you for having me here and for stopping by and visiting. I hope you will stop by and visit with me again soon.

Find Melissa Keir on FB (here), twitter (here), and website (here).

Riding Magic: A Hot New Release from Allyson Young

Riding Magyk

Allyson Young

[Ménage Amour: Erotic Paranormal Ménage a Trois Romance, M/F/M, sex in shifted form, spanking, HEA]

Jolene Etain Phillips is a witch, unaware of her power until she meets Xander Ahearn of Ipotane, a shape-shifting satyr who has crossed the barrier between his world and hers. Xander is on a mission to protect his realm from human interference. He has no time for a witch, but Fate has different ideas.
Xander can’t resist Jolene, and their union unleashes her magyk. He then rejects her, but his twin Sulieman will not. The twins share their females, and Sulie believes Jolene is destined to be their mate—they must marry her or be destroyed by her magyk.
Xander’s xenophobia drives both his brother and Jolene away, but he is nothing without her, lost without Sulieman. He and Sulie set out to find her and win her love, but another from their realm has found her first…

Excerpt

“Xander?” The fabric of Xander’s T-shirt further muffled Jolene’s whisper. He’d replaced the torn and bloody one with a fresh shirt, and she could smell him under the cloth, a nice masculine scent of sweat from the exertions of the night, and a hint of saddle soap. It was the same smell that drew her earlier, despite the fact he had been flat on his back in a dirty parking lot, beaten and bruised. Again it comforted her, reminding her of the cabin in the woods and all the animals Uncle Marshall cared for, letting her help where she could. She didn’t want to lift her face from Xander’s shoulder. Didn’t want to look up and see his handsome visage and be reminded of something she could no longer deny.
“I’m here, little witch. Can you sit up?”
Jolene pushed herself away from the security of Xander’s hold and squirmed to sit on his knee, looking at him cautiously. He winced and shifted beneath her, and she felt the ridge of his erection against her bottom. Her traitorous body instantly responded, and she cursed inwardly. He said he couldn’t resist her magic, but his personal appeal superseded anything she felt before, and she didn’t do one-night stands. She hardly did relationships. Jolene managed not to rub herself against him again as she slipped from his lap to make her way to the chair set against the far wall of the bedroom. She perched on the edge and stared at him. He was gorgeous. His large, dark-brown eyes were set widely beneath a noble forehead and his aquiline nose was perfect above chiselled lips. Those cheekbones were as prominent as she remembered. He looked sculpted, from his fine features to his lithe, smoothly muscled body. She carefully narrowed her eyes and saw him in his true form. He was indeed half-man, half-horse. The vertigo returned, and Jolene grabbed the arms of the chair to ground herself, taking deep breaths. She stole another cautious peek. Xander again looked human and good enough to eat. Jolene fought hysterical laughter. She was having a sexual reaction to a unicorn or centaur or whatever he was. Which made her what? Oh, of course, she was a witch! Or over the moon crazy.

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Allyson Young

New Release: Forever Love

Have you ever wondered what happened to your high school sweetheart? What would happen if you ran into him again when you returned to your hometown?

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Fifteen years ago, Syndie Wilder left her small hometown- Amherst, Ohio- to escape the pain of losing her best friend and boyfriend. Deciding that Chicago offered more for an up and coming jewelry designer, she enjoyed the big city life until she chooses to return and care for her father. Taking care of her father and relocating her internet business, Syndie has no time or desire for romance but fate has a way of playing with best-laid plans.

Thom Johnson broke Syndie’s heart all those years ago and regrets it every day. As a firefighter, Thom sets out to protect Amherst and redeem himself for his bad choices. However, he never has forgotten Syndie and the hurt he caused her.

When a chance meeting happens, can the two former friends allow themselves the chance to become friends again, or will the sparks turn a childhood friendship into a forever love?

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EXCERPT:

After getting out of my car, I hiked down the stairs. It was a mild September day, and the beach was fairly empty—just myself and a few seagulls. I walked slowly along the shoreline with my head down, not noticing the person swimming in the water until he began to climb out of the surf.

A dark, cropped haircut framed a face so beautiful that it could be described as the face of a Roman god. He had a strong nose and jawline that showed just a sprinkling of whisker stubble. However, it was his body that made me pause. His muscular shoulders and upper arms looked like they could carry a girl off to bed. His wet torso was covered with hair that immediately drew my eyes and tempted me to caress it. The chest hair tapered down his narrow waist and seemed to lead the way to paradise. I stopped walking and just stared. God, please let there be no drool dripping off my chin. This guy was smokin’ hot! Then he smiled and I noticed his face, complete with a little dimple in his chin. He seemed familiar, but I wasn’t sure where I recognized him from. When he saw that I noticed him, he winked as if he recognized me too.

“Hello! Nice day for a walk, huh? The weather has been kind to us this year.” He spoke and my knees wobbled. His voice was like chocolate, smooth and delicious.

“Hi…Yes…I’m glad the weather is nice enough to get out, but isn’t the water too cold for a swim?”

“Not at all. I enjoy my morning workouts after a long shift at the station. You don’t remember me, do you, Syndie?”

My mind was drawing a blank. How did he know my name? Who was this hottie?

“Not really. You do look familiar, but I can’t place you. I’m sorry.”

“It’s been a long time. We grew up together, our parents were best friends. We even went out in high school. I’m not surprised you don’t remember me, you hightailed it out of Amherst like your butt was on fire after graduation. We never saw each other again. I’m Thom Johnson, but everyone called me T.J.”

Oh wow. I’ve got a lot on my plate and he has changed over the years, but to not know someone so connected to most of my life was baffling. This man had been my best childhood friend. I was T.J.’s girlfriend for a while, but he dumped me for someone who put out. Before we went out in high school, I grew up with images in my head of him as the ideal guy. Our families encouraged our dating, thinking we were perfect together. When he dumped me, it broke my heart. I couldn’t stand watching him move on without me.

“Yes, I recognize you now, T.J. I took off because I thought that a big city had more to offer me. Well, it was nice to see you again. I had better get back to my walk, you seem busy.” I took off wanting to escape this awkward moment. Having to explain to T.J. why I was back in town was the last thing on my to-do list today.

“All right, Syn. See you around.” T.J. smiled. “Glad you’re back!”

I began heading back to my car, no sea glass having been found. Instead, I’d discovered the one guy who broke my heart and, based upon my initial reaction to the sight of him, has the potential to do it again. I backed out of the parking spot and headed back onto the main road into town, thoughts of T.J. occupying my mind.

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Forever Love explores that idea as well as tells the tale of the the oldest Wilder Sister as she comes back to Amherst, Ohio to care for her ailing father. The Wilder Sisters series tells the story of five girls who left their hometown after graduation but are forced to return and face their fears. Beach Desires and A Christmas Accident are also part of the Wilder Sisters series.

Buy Link: Secret Cravings Publishing:

T.G.I.F Hot Hunk...Mark Strong!

Mark Strong

I chose Mark Strong as my hunk for today simply because I can’t take my eyes off of him when he is on screen.  The roles he plays are usually villainous and it takes a special actor to make me find something appealing in someone I’m supposed to fear and dislike.

Sherlock Holmes’s Lord Blackwood is a perfect example.  He made the movie for me.  Just look at that:

Okay, so I really want that coat, but I also want to sit down for a glass of whiskey at a quiet wood paneled bar with that brooding guy and have an intense conversation about something.  Like emerging zoonotic illness or where to find a good bowl of pho.  As long as he isn’t going to torture or murder me that is. 

 He brings intelligence and depth to the overt menace of gangsters like Archy in RockNRolla:

Archy was so hard-working and unexpectedly funny in that movie and I give all credit to the actor.  He made me wish I had a loyal sidekick like Archy to listen to me when I ranted and to efficiently take out any enemies I might encounter.

And I loved the way he lurked and loomed in Young Victoria as the schemer Sir John Conroy.  He was also delightfully evil in Robin Hood:

His Sir Godfrey was tortured and scarred double agent who made me forget about lice and feudalism.  This is a great achievement because normally I can’t feel any sort of attraction for historical characters in films because I can’t stop myself from thinking about all of the rampant infections and social injustice of those times. But Mark Strong ably wrenched me from analytical viewing right into ‘oh my’.

Why yes Mr. Strong, I’d love to hear all about it.  Whatever it may be.

Despite his specialization in playing the baddie on screen, in interviews Mark Strong comes across as an intelligent, humble, soft-spoken guy that you would genuinely want to have a drink with, or a bowl of pho.  Plus he is of Italian extraction and a Virgo to boot.  Oh my indeed.

If you are already a fan, we can congratulate each other on our good taste, and if you haven’t considered Mark Strong as a hunk I hope that I have given you some inspiration.  I don’t own the rights to any of these images, more’s the pity.

Lynn Rae’s first novel will be published by Secret Cravings Publishing in March 2013.

A little something to get you through Hump Day!

I can personally vouch for this recipe. It's rich and throughly decadent, like our books. Get             comfortable, serve up a helping and enjoy!

SEX IN A PAN

 

 

 

Ingredients:

1/2 cup margarine, melted 1 cup chopped pecans 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese 1 cup confectioners' sugar 4 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 (3.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix 1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix 3 cups milk 1 (1 ounce) square unsweetened chocolate, melted

Directions:

1.	Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2.	To Make Crust: In a medium bowl, mix together margarine, pecans and graham cracker crumbs. Pat into a 9x13 inch baking pan. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes or until lightly browned; allow to cool completely.
3.	In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and confectioners sugar until smooth. Fold in 1 cup of the whipped topping. Spoon mixture into graham cracker crust.
4.	Prepare chocolate and vanilla puddings with milk as per package directions. Allow pudding to set before pouring on top of the cream cheese layer. Spread remaining 3 cups of whipped topping over pudding layer; swirl melted chocolate throughout whipped topping.
5.	Cover and refrigerate for about an hour. For leftover pie, keep frozen in a tightly covered container. When ready to eat, just cut off a piece and allow to thaw; keep rest frozen.