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Some short stories and excerpts in the issues of this newsletter have erotic content. The newsletter is intended for those 18 years of age or older who are not offended by erotic content.
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2009 Newsletter Archives January - June
CONTENTS:
GREETING
NEW RELEASES
UPCOMING RELEASES
GUEST AUTHOR: ADELE DUBOIS
EXCERPT FROM DESERT FEVER BY ADELE DUBOIS
POLLS
EXCERPT FROM THE HUNTRESS
REVIEWS
Hello!
Welcome to the January issue of my newsletter.
Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and have a fantastic 2009.
This month's guest is Adele Dubois, author of Motorcycle Heat. To find out more about her work, read her interview below and also an excerpt from her recent release, Desert Fever.
To start out the new year I've made some additions to my website. The first is Books in a Blink where you can take a quick look through my titles and the other is the website for the Yummy Love series.
This year I have several new series coming from Changeling Press--Yummy Love, Lust Marks, and Naughty Nights. Also the third book in the Alien Affairs series, Menage a Tasia, is upcoming from Ellora's Cave.
I'm very pleased that the Changeling Press Firestorm anthology and Victory Stallion have been nominated for The Romance Studio's CAPA.
On January 14th I'll be at the Changeling Press Bar and Grill from 4pm-8pm EST and on January 18th I'll be at the Ellora's Cave chat loop from 4pm-8pm EST. Hope to see you there!
Kate
If you'd like to be included in my newsgroup contests, receive an email version of the newsletter, and also occasional posts about new releases and special events, please sign up below:
Alien Affairs: Moonlight on Water
(erotic science fiction)From Ellora's Cave.
Moonlight, a translator at an interrogation facility, has a dilemma. Her mother has been imprisoned on Laetez and in order to free her, Moonlight must strike a bargain with the feared military leader, Xenos Nineteen. Posing as an escort, she meets Xenos in his private rooms, prepared to do whatever it takes to rescue her mother. In spite of her hatred for Xenos, Moonlight finds herself singed by need for the alien crossbreed. His looks, savage yet irresistible, terrify her and fill her with lust.
Xenos is hardened against emotions such as love, but something about Moonlight draws him in. He indulges his passion for the lovely human female in every way, but is too jaded to realize his feelings for her run far deeper than sexual.
When Xenos turns outlaw to fight for the rights of crossbreeds, Moonlight becomes a key member of the rebellion and the willing mate of the man considered the worst villain in the galaxy. But can they make it work against all odds?
Sugar Plums
(m/m paranormal)From Changeling Press.
Yule is here and it's an especially magical time at Hot River, unless you're Tarn. He's a grouch even for a Frost Giant and never fails to complain about the dismal winter mood being ruined by holiday cheer.
Old Man Winter has spent ages providing beautiful frosty weather but he's rarely allowed to join in the fun surrounding it. People look at him in fear and awe, never thinking he might want to join in the festivities.
The sulky frost giant stumbles upon the powerful, lonely and surprisingly passionate winter icon and Tarn finally learns just how enchanting the holiday season can be.
NOW AVAILABLE AS A COLLECTION
Dangerous Cravings
(m/m paranormal)From Changeling Press.
Burgundy Peak. Safe haven for vampires-- but nowhere is safe from affairs of the heart. Sensual and captivating, Tavia could have almost anyone she desires, except the man she wants. But time is on her side. When his wife leaves him for a younger man, Tavia is ready to show Ash a new life, as the most powerful, passionate creature in the world -- a vampire.
Rude, arrogant, and merciless, Disdain's reputation precedes him. Haunted by memories of the past and an addiction that is slowly destroying him, he has no desire for a relationship -- until he's faced with a woman he cannot resist.
While Mansi grieves for their lost lover, Apollo retreats into himself. Mansi fears her husband is beyond help--until Huxley enters their lives. The members of Dark Rhythm aren't likely to forgive and forget, however.
With the body of a goddess and the spirit of a warrior, Adira has fought at Ariel’s side since the dawn of man. Throughout the ages, Ariel has loved her, and feared her. She is the one temptation he could never resist, and therefore the one he could never surrender to. For the last three hundred years she's been hunting him, and he has been running.
Now the running's about to stop -- at Burgundy Peak.
The Huntress
(f/f werewolf)Coming soon from Changeling Press.
Magda, the powerful new werewolf queen, can handle just about anything, except witnessing the abuse suffered by her lover. Cassia has spent her life using her magical massages as well as her body to serve the greedy warlock who has enslaved her.
Returning from a solitary hunt, Magda meets her lover at the inn where she works, and after another night of passion is determined not to leave alone. This time she will do whatever it takes to free Cassia from Stephan, even if it means risking their lives.
Yummy Love: Coconut Cream Pie
(m/m paranormal)Coming soon from Changeling Press.
Antjuan, a magical dancer with the power to summon snakes, is having a bad week. First he and his roommate Dylan are robbed. Next his rich and pretentious arch rival in the upcoming dance contest shows up at his dilapidated studio to gloat. Then he's shot with a near fatal dose of compulsion dust while protecting a friend who's involved in the dangerous magical underworld of Grimton City.
To recover from the attack, Antjuan travels to the Wicked Wild where he can relax in the fresh air. Bad luck seems to follow him because while swimming in Hot River, he is nearly drowned by enchanted reeds. Fortunately Seth, a gorgeous snake shifter, comes to his rescue.
According to legend, the sexual magnetism of snake shifters rivals that of vampires, and the lust that ignites between Antjuan and Seth proves it. When Antjuan incorporates Seth into his act, they give snake dancing a whole new image. But will it be enough for them to win the dance contest and prove to the magical community that snake shifters aren't as evil as people believe?
GUEST AUTHOR INTERVIEW: ADELE DUBOIS
KH: What are your favorite genres to read and write?
AD: I write paranormal romances set in the real-world and enjoy reading those as well. Even when my books have lots of fantasy woven into the plots, I like to think the events could actually happen in the here and now.
In my new release DESERT FEVER, a GPS navigation system, dubbed Guy, has the power to grant wishes by locating whatever the heroine needs most. When readers come into my characters' world, I hope they think, "I can see how that could happen." Even though the GPS system is a paranormal element of the story, the explanation for what Guy can do should seem logical to the reader.
KH: What do you like best about writing erotic romance?
AD: There are few restrictions and almost limitless freedom to invent storylines.
KH: Would you tell us about your book, DESERT FEVER?
AD: I'm happy to report that DESERT FEVER is a reviewer Top Pick! Here's the summary:
On her forty-sixth birthday, Marybeth buys a red convertible, equipped with the latest GPS navigation technology, and runs away from her painful divorce. At the mouth of the Mojave Desert she finds sexy, thirty-year-old USMC veteran Jake stranded with his disabled motorcycle, and gives him a lift to Nevada.
What Marybeth doesn't know is that her GPS navigator has led her straight to the man she wished for to heal her broken heart. Though the GPS is not exactly a genie, his system grants him the power to locate whatever Marybeth needs most. What she wants is revenge, laced with a hot, studly young lover. GPS takes wishing upon a star to a new and very real technological level, as he makes Marybeth's wildest, most sultry dreams come true.
KH: What are you working on now and what's coming up from you in 2009?
AD: The sequel to DESERT FEVER is finished and should be released in 2009 by Ellora's Cave. The outline to a new paranormal story is done and I'll start that book next.
KH: Do you prefer writing your heroes, your heroines or do you like writing both equally?
AD: I try to make each of my characters interesting and like them all.
KH: If you could meet one of your characters, which one would it be?
AD: I'd love to have a GPS navigation system like Guy who could grant wishes by locating what I need most. Guy is every woman's dream!
KH: Do you have a website, blog, newsletter or email where readers can reach you?
AD: My website addy is www.adeledubois.com/. There's a contact link on my site for email correspondence.
Please do visit my blog at www.adeledubois.com/blog/ and participate in my blog chats. The monthly "Classic Hunks" column, featuring famous sexy older men, creates lively discussions.
Visit me on My Space at www.myspace.com/adeledubois
KH: Thank you, Adele!
AD: Thank you so much for inviting me!
EXCERPT FROM DESERT FEVER BY ADELE DUBOIS
Copyright © ADELE DUBOIS, 2008
"Yes. That's what I need. A young stud of my own."
Guy's voice filled the car as the GPS screen lit up in muted yellow, jolting her from her reverie. "Turn off Route 210 onto US 15. Stop at the gas station. One mile."
US 15 from California to Nevada was a long, straight arrow on the edge of red and brown desert for hundreds of godforsaken miles. She checked her gauge. "I don't need gas." The tank was good till she reached Baker, home of the Tallest Thermometer on Earth.
"Stop at the gas station," Guy repeated.
"I said, I don't need gas."
"Stop at the gas station!"
Could it be her imagination or had Guy copped a tone? Marybeth frowned at the GPS. The screen seemed to glow brighter and the words GAS STATION flashed across it in bright green.
What the hell? Marybeth shook her head. Did Guy know something she didn't? She wondered if her GPS had been programmed by some geek to monitor fluid levels. Maybe she'd better check her engine.
She pulled into the weathered filling station, coasted up to the pumps and put the car into park. Her legs needed a stretch and she had to use the ladies' room anyway. "Didn't know you were such a nag." She unbuckled her seat belt and popped the hood.
The words GAS STATION flashed across the screen in red letters.
"Just like a man to try and have the last word." Marybeth hit Guy's off switch and took the key out of the ignition. The screen blinked into darkness. "I win."
She topped off the gas tank. When it was full, she walked around to the front of the car, lifted the hood and checked the oil, careful to avoid staining her white clothes. Oil, washer fluid, water levels were fine. She closed the hood and went to the glove compartment for packaged wipes. After cleaning her hands, she tossed the trash in the waste container at the pumps.
Looking down, she noticed one of her espadrille laces had come loose. She leaned over from the waist to rewrap the thin rope around her ankle and retie the bow. Her long legs stretched with the movements and she groaned with relief. Her limbs had begun to cramp in the car.
Blonde tendrils fell forward against her face and she flipped her hair behind her as she straightened. She arched her spine with her palms, working out the kinks in her neck, shoulders and lower back. She turned her head from side to side, groaning as her tired muscles relaxed. Guy had been right to insist she take a break. Damn him.
"Long drive?"
Marybeth pivoted, startled. Her jaw dropped. She closed it fast, not wanting the stranger to enjoy his voyeuristic prank too much. No way would she have bent over like that to tie her shoe, ass in the air, if she'd seen him behind her at the next bay. Inside her blind spot.
Jeezus, she must have been blind to miss him when she pulled into the station. From his head of long, wavy, light brown hair to the snug fit of his jeans and the toes of his black leather riding boots, the man was a too gorgeous to be real.
Gotta love California.
The results of last month's poll question are:
You like to read series books:
In order no matter what (28)
In order if the books don't stand alone (9)
In any order even if the books stand alone (5)
In any order regardless of whether or not the books stand alone (5)
I don't read series books (0)Total: (47)
EXCERPT FROM THE HUNTRESS BY KATE HILL:
Coming soon from Changeling Press.
(f/f)
She opened the door, stepped inside and strode to the bar, where Stephan stood. Tall and skinny, though with a slight pot belly, thin reddish hair and fish- like blue eyes, he smiled, exposing uneven, discolored teeth. Apparently the full house made him quite happy. Magda longed to slap that greedy grin off his ugly face.
Seeing her, he curled his lip. "What do you want, Magda? Or should I say who do you want?"
"Where's Cassia? I need her healing skills."
He snorted. "Sure you do."
"No bull, Stephan." Magda took several golden elfin coins from her pocket and tossed them on the counter. "Where is she?"
Reaching out with his tapered fingers, he collected the coins and shouted, "Cassia! You've got a customer!"
"I told you I'm taking a break," Cassia bellowed and strode through the nearby door leading to the kitchen. Her long black hair was tied back and she wore a flowing skirt and an off the shoulder black top that exposed a good deal of her cleavage. Though slim, she still had curves, full breasts and rounded hips. Magda couldn't wait to grasp those hips and cover those breasts with kisses. She longed to suck Cassia's pretty pink nipples, feel them stiffen beneath her probing tongue.
By the flush of Cassia's cheeks and the spray of perspiration across her forehead, nose and upper lip, she'd been very busy all night. Probably waiting on most of the tables in between fucking any beast who paid for her.
Magda's gut tightened. Hadn't she just paid for her as well? She longed for the day Cassia would come to her without the farce of Magda "paying" for it.
Upon seeing Magda, the nasty scowl faded from Cassia's face and she smiled.
"Looks like you've changed your mind about a break," Stephan sneered, then turned to Magda. "She's all yours."
"Yes, she is," Magda said, staring into his eyes with such ferocity he turned away.
"Magda," Cassia called, her gaze darting from the innkeeper to the werewolf. Was that concern in her eyes? And if it was, who was it for? Magda hoped it was for her. "Come upstairs with me."
With a final glare at Stephan, Magda joined Cassia and they wove their way through the crowd toward the stairs at the back of the room.
Cassia led the way up the rickety wooden steps lit only by a dim lantern at the stop of the staircase.
"With all the money Stephan takes in, you'd think he'd use some of it to fix this place up," Magda muttered. "It's 2008 and I bet this place hasn't been touched in the whole two centuries he's been here."
Smiling, Cassia glanced over her shoulder. "I didn't think werewolves cared about the décor."
"Ah, but I wasn't always a werewolf."
"I know. You were one of Artemis' huntresses." Cassia paused at the top of the stairs and turned to Magda who stood two steps beneath her. She reached out and caressed Magda's cheek.
FOR DOING THYME
This story is a wonderful intensely hot interlude and definitely worth passing a few hours with.
-Abi, The Romance StudioI truly enjoyed this novella.
-Kris Jones, Romance JunkiesFOR SUGAR PLUMS
Kate Hill's SUGAR PLUMS is a wonderful addition to the Changeling Press's GINGERSNAPS line but it's also one of the storylines that help make up Ms. Hill's HOT RIVER series.
-- Chrissy Dionne, Romance Junkies
p>CONTENTS:
GREETING
NEW RELEASES
UPCOMING RELEASES
FREE SHORT STORIES
GUEST AUTHOR: ADRIANNE BRENNAN
POLLS
EXCERPT FROM MENAGE A TASIA
REVIEWS
Welcome to the February issue of my newsletter.
This month's guest is Adrianne Brennan, author of Blood and Mint Chocolates. To find out more about her work, please read her interview below.
I'm pleased to announce that Pandora's Box, the fourth book in the Alien Affairs series, has recently been accepted by Ellora's Cave. To read a blurb for this book, please visit Alien Affairs books.
Also I'm happy to say that the Changeling Press Firestorm anthology won a CAPA from The Romance Studio.
This month I have two new releases. The first is Menage a Tasia, the third book in the Alien Affairs series from Ellora's Cave, and the second is Yummy Love: Blueberry Muffins from Changeling Press. To celebrate the release of these books, I've posted two free short stories at my site featuring characters from both series. I've added links below in a section called Free Short Stories.
Also please check out the February/March contest here at my site.
On March 15th I'll be at the Ellora's Cave chat loop from 4pm-8pm EST and on March 18th I'll be at the Changeling Press Bar and Grill from 4pm-8pm EST. Hope to see you there!
Kate
If you'd like to be included in my newsgroup contests, receive an email version of the newsletter, and also occasional posts about new releases and special events, please sign up below:
Menage a Tasia
(m/m/f erotic science fiction)From Ellora's Cave.
Drago, a special agent for the Drapers, was orphaned due to the cruelty of the Laetez. His hatred of that alien species makes him the perfect man for his current assignment. He is to infiltrate a colony of Laetez slaves to stop their alleged plans for escape.
After undergoing conversion treatments that supply Drago with Laetez characteristics, he infiltrates the colony as a crossbreed slave. He uses lust and friendship to earn the trust of two irresistibly sexy slaves, Tasia and Staff. With them, Drago experiences a physical and emotional connection he never dreamed possible.
Due to the conversion testing, Drago is becoming Laetez. He now feels human-Laetez emotions, including their carnal passions. As love overcomes his hatred, his objective is no longer clear. He must decide whether or not he wants to fulfill his duty or sacrifice himself to secure freedom for his lovers.
(m/m paranormal)From Changeling Press.
Antjuan, a magical dancer with the power to summon snakes, is having a bad week. First he and his roommate Dylan are robbed. Next his rich and pretentious arch rival in the upcoming dance contest shows up at his dilapidated studio to gloat. Then he's shot with a near fatal dose of compulsion dust while protecting a friend who's involved in the dangerous magical underworld of Grimton City.
To recover from the attack, Antjuan travels to the Wicked Wild where he can relax in the fresh air. Bad luck seems to follow him because while swimming in Hot River, he is nearly drowned by enchanted reeds. Fortunately Seth, a gorgeous snake shifter, comes to his rescue.
According to legend, the sexual magnetism of snake shifters rivals that of vampires, and the lust that ignites between Antjuan and Seth proves it. When Antjuan incorporates Seth into his act, they give snake dancing a whole new image. But will it be enough for them to win the dance contest and prove to the magical community that snake shifters aren't as evil as people believe?
Yummy Love: Blueberry Muffins
(m/m paranormal)Coming in February from Changeling Press.
After years of patrolling some of the seediest city areas in Grimton City, police detective Joel has become quite cynical. Dylan is an elf with a shady past, but now he dedicates his life to his shelter that helps magical folks in need.
When a case involving stolen elfin coins leads Joel to Dylan, it's the beginning of a relationship neither man ever dreamed of and a danger neither suspects.
Parlor Games
(m/m paranormal)To Joel, a magical detective with the Grimton City Police Department, and Dylan, a sexy outcast elf, handcuffs are for more than making arrests. It's lunch hour and they're ready to explore the many uses of bonds, magical lube, and faux fur rugs.
Read PARLOR GAMES here.
Close Quarters
(m/m/f erotic science fiction)Tasia knows she's the luckiest woman in the universe to have lovers like Staff and Drago. She wants to make their union official with a wedding on the planet Elpsede where most people have two spouses. Her men are all for it, until they learn the rules about Elpseden marriages. With a bed that's too small for three, a sex questionnaire, and a mission that might cost Drago his life, will Tasia ever have the wedding she's always dreamed of?
Read CLOSE QUARTERS here.
GUEST AUTHOR INTERVIEW: ADRIANNE BRENNAN
KH: What are your favorite genres to read and write?
AB: Paranormal, science fiction, and fantasy--and any of their subgenres. :)
KH: To you what makes a great heroine?
AB: Someone who is well rounded and likable who evolves as the book goes on.
KH: Would you tell us about your latest release?
AB: The Oath is my latest series of books. Both Book 1 Bound and Book 2 Summoned are out now. It's a tale of a woman's BDSM/magickal initiation into a secret society of sex magick practitioners. Each book is a different stage of the initiation. If you enjoy paranormal erotica, BDSM, magick, and fantasy this may be up your alley.
KH: Please tell us about your Blood Moon series and your Oath series.
AB: The Dark Moon series is a tale erotic paranormal romance, vampires, occult fiction, urban fantasy, magick, and secret societies. A young woman named Amanda is a Classics and an occult geek who meets Jesse, a handsome young man who shares her interests...and turns out to be a vampire. The main books of the series deal with their relationship, her new life as a vampire, and the vampiric magickal order she was initiated into after her boyfriend Turned her.
KH: What do you have coming up in 2009?
AB: Books 3, 4, and 5 of the Oath series, the sequel to Blood and Mint Chocolates (a spinoff novella in the Dark Moon series) entitled Blood and Spice, and Book 2 of the Dark Moon series called Shadows of the Dark Moon. I also have a prequel to the Dark Moon series in the works along with a Book 3. Several shorts in various anthologies are also planned.
KH: If you could meet one of your characters, which one would it be?
AB: Ooh, that's tough. They're all such fascinating people! I would love to pick Amanda's brain, share a drink with Kalia, bug James about his mysterious past...do I have to choose just one? *g* In truth, I love them all. I'd have to throw a party, invite them all, and just mingle throughout the night.
KH: Do you have a website, blog, newsletter or email where readers can reach you?
AB: That I do! My main site is http://www.adriannebrennan.com and from there you can get links to my MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, and other pages.
I also have an emailing list at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/the-dark-moon.
KH: Thank you, Adrianne!
AB: Not a problem, and thank you for having me here! :D
The results of last month's poll question are:
Did you make a new year’s resolution?
No 33
Yes 9Total: (42)
EXCERPT FROM MENAGE A TASIA BY KATE HILL:
From Ellora's Cave.
(m/m/f erotic science fiction)
After dinner that night, Drago and Tasia went to the underground training room to teach classes. When they finished, they walked to their unit.
"It's another beautiful night," Tasia said, gazing skyward.
"You're beautiful," Drago said softly. His belly tightened when, for the first time, he realized he meant it. Funny how he no longer considered seducing her and Staff part of his act, but something as natural as breathing. At that moment he decided no matter what, he would not allow harm to come to his lovers. Even after the slaves were retrained and punished, he would see to it they did not suffer.
In the back of his mind he considered that he should probably discuss this with Shonda, but he knew he wouldn't. He no longer wanted to disclose such things to his Reality Checker. It was enough reality that he would be forced to betray the only two people he had ever loved in his adult life.
Tasia turned to him with a look of surprise. "Thank you. You're easy on the eyes yourself."
He gave a snort of laughter and they continued walking in silence for a few moments. Tasia took his hand as they strolled beneath the stars.
"Sometimes I wonder what it's like to be out there, traveling through the galaxy," she said.
"You've never been on a ship before?"
"A long, long time ago. When my parents and I first came to this planet. I don't remember all that much about it, except the feeling. There was such freedom. . ." Her voice trailed off and she shook her head then stared up at him. "Drago, do you sometimes wonder how the hell we end up in the situations we're in?"
"Every day of my life," he admitted.
"Then I look at you and Staff and realize some situations are pretty fantastic," she said and slipped her arms around him.
They paused and he held her close, resting his cheek against her hair and closing his eyes.
"Let's go to the unit," he whispered and kissed the top of her head.
"Yes." She tilted her face toward his and smiled. "Staff is probably there."
"I hope so," he said. The desire to make love was overwhelming. At least when things got physical, he was too occupied to dwell on whether or not he should care about his partners. Pleasure was all that mattered.
Yet even as he told himself that, he knew it was not the truth. Sex was no longer just something physical, a way to sate his newfound desires. It had become an emotional link between him and these slaves.
The line between duty and love had started to blur and he couldn't let it. He needed to remain focused on the task at hand. Learn their escape plans. Once he did that he could have the conversion treatments reversed and return to the clear-minded Draper warrior he had always been.
The sound of someone running on gravel caught Drago's attention. He turned and saw Staff running toward them, his short, thick hair slick and skin aglow with sweat. His white tank top clung damply to his chiseled torso.
Glancing at Tasia, Drago saw her staring at the medic with the same desire he felt.
"Hey," Staff said, slowing to a walk as he approached. "While you two were busy I figured I could do with some exercise."
"Hmm," Tasia purred, stepping toward him and caressing his chest. "It paid off."
"We were on our way back to the unit," Drago said, grasping the back of Staff's head and pulling him close for a kiss. "Care to join us if your workout is finished?"
"Even if it wasn't, I'm not about to turn down an invitation like that."
They walked to the unit together. No sooner had they stepped inside than Tasia literally leapt on Staff, her legs wrapped around his lean waist, her arms locked around his neck and her lips pressed to his.
Drago closed the door and watched them, aroused by the sight of them together. They were so alien yet incredibly sexy. He imagined how good Staff's hard, wet body felt to Tasia and how wonderful her strong, curvy body felt to Staff.
When she broke the kiss, the medic chuckled and said, "Maybe I should take a shower first."
"Why? You know I like you sweaty," Tasia said.
Staff glanced in Drago's direction and raised an eyebrow in question.
"I agree. It's rather a turn-on," Drago said, circling them in a predatory manner. He wanted to devour both of them and by the way they looked at him they sensed it.
"Fuck him, Tasia," Drago ordered. "And when you're done, I'll fuck you both."
FOR MOONLIGHT ON WATER
5 Angels
I would never have thought that a man with blue and purple skin, no ears, and webbed extremities could be considered attractive, but Ms. Hill has made him beyond sexy. Even with his lack of emotion, this man is scorching hot.
-Whitney, Fallen Angel Reviews3/4 Stars
Xenos, on the other hand, I had a harder time warming up to. He seems cold and unfeeling at first, but as I learned his background and what he has gone through, I was more and more drawn to this crusader for his people.
-Ann Barber, Just Erotic Romance ReviewsFOR YULE WOLF
5 Hearts
This is a well crafted Christmassy read.
-Dee Dailey, The Romance Studio
CONTENTS:
GREETING
NEW RELEASES
UPCOMING RELEASES
GUEST AUTHOR: JK COI
POLLS
EXCERPT FROM YUMMY LOVE: APPLE CRISP
REVIEWS
Welcome to the March issue of my newsletter. I hope you had a wonderful St. Patrick's Day.
This month's guest is JK Coi, the author of Dark Immortal. To find out more about JK, please read her interview below.
Apple Crisp, the final book in the Yummy Love series, is due to release this month. Apple Crisp focuses on Cass who has been a secondary character in the first two books in the series. This book is also the last story set in the world of Hot River. Yummy Love: Blueberry Muffins, recently received a 4 Nymph review from Literary Nymphs. Read the review here.
Congratulations to Rhonda from Ohio, winner of the February/March contest at my website. She won a signed paperback copy of Highland Stallion, a download of Triple Shot Tracy, and a Bookworm Bags promo pack. Thanks to everyone who entered and answered the questions about free stories. A new contest has been posted for April, so check out my contest page.
On April 15th I'll be at the Changeling Press Bar and Grill from 4pm-8pm EST and on April 19th I'll be at the Ellora's Cave chat loop from 4pm-8pm EST. Hope to see you there!
Kate
If you'd like to be included in my newsgroup contests, receive an email version of the newsletter, and also occasional posts about new releases and special events, please sign up below:
(m/m paranormal)From Changeling Press.
After years of patrolling some of the seediest city areas in Grimton City, police detective Joel has become quite cynical. Dylan is an elf with a shady past, but now he dedicates his life to his shelter that helps magical folks in need.
When a case involving stolen elfin coins leads Joel to Dylan, it's the beginning of a relationship neither man ever dreamed of and a danger neither suspects.
Yummy Love: Apple Crisp
(m/m shapeshifter)Coming in March from Changeling Press.
Cass is a gardener at a magical museum near Hot River. He takes loving care of all the trees and plants and is pleasantly surprised when Fidel, a Transcendent apple tree sprite, decides to show his appreciation. Cass quickly learns that Fidel is harder to resist than his favorite dessert.
Since his Transcendence Ceremony, when he changed from an ordinary tree sprite to a shapeshifter, Fidel has stood silent and alone. Hurt by his former lover, he thought he'd never fall in love again, but Cass has lured him out of hiding.
Cass finally believes he can put his dark past behind him and find a new life with Fidel. Then a killer begins stalking Transcendent sprites. Fidel suspects his old lover of the crimes and he and Cass must risk everything to stop him.
Silk Bonds
(erotic paranormal)Coming soon from Changeling Press.
Recovering from an accident that almost killed her, Lourdes realizes she must reevaluate her life. She takes a job categorizing books in the vast private library of Alexi Marius, a wealthy, reclusive and sinfully gorgeous man.
Lourdes is soon seduced by her brooding employer. As she and Marius explore their sexual desires, she discovers he's hiding a secret more dangerous and unbelievable than she ever imagined.
GUEST AUTHOR INTERVIEW: JK COI
KH: What are your favorite genres to read and write?
JKC: I love to read just about anything, but I'm a big fan of paranormal, urban fantasy, contemporary thrillers--anything involving high adrenaline, and that's pretty much what I write as well.
KH: To you what makes a great romance hero?
JKC: A great romantic hero is strong and stubborn and capable. Willing to take charge and well respected--if not feared. At the same time, he can bend, and will do so with grace and charm. He makes you coffee in the morning, tells you you're beautiful even when you're so sick your voice sounds like a frog got stuck in your throat and your nose is running. He'll even read kiddo a bedtime story all by himself when you're on deadline and doesn't make you answer the phone when he knows its his mother calling. (You thought I was going to talk about my characters, didn't you? lol )
KH: What is your writing schedule like?
JKC: Since I work out of the home full time, my writing gets done in the evenings and on weekends. Every day, without fail. It's a strict schedule, and I don't keep to it religiously, but it works pretty well for me.
KH: Would you tell us about your latest release?
JKC: Dark Immortal is book three of my series which is about demons, destruction and apocalypse...the powerful Immortal warriors who fight to keep evil at bay...the strong and determined women these men probably don't deserve... and of course, love. It's always about love. This book in particular is Alric's story. Alric is such a strong man. And his love for Diana is just as strong. He tries so hard to be the man she needs, but there's a darkness in him that he struggles with.
Alric was originally supposed to be one of those necessary supporting characters who would help me flesh out the "real" heroes. But just as I was finishing up book 2, the entire series' plot arc took a sharp twist--all because Alric stepped forward, no longer content to stay in his "supporting role". In writing him as a secondary character, his past was slowly revealed to me; the horrible torture, the endless darkness, and the overwhelming rage. I needed to know how he had escaped the certainty of madness--and of course, the answer was Diana. She was his savior, his light. Then I was too intrigued by what he told me to put him in the background again. What would happen if that light were taken away, if darkness were to envelop him once more? What would happen if he were faced with his worst nightmare in the very image of the one person who kept him sane? That's how Dark Immortal was born.
KH: What are you working on now and what is upcoming for you?
JKC: I've just finished Forever Immortal, which is book 4. This book tells us Gideon's story and I'm very excited about it. It will be available in June, 2009.
KH: If you could meet one of your characters, which one would it be?
JKC: Oooh, that would be Karnage. Karnage is a full-blooded demon. Evil--born and bred. But...wait, demons don't love. Isn't that right? Well, there's more to him than meets the eye. You know he's far from good. He'll tell you that to your face. But that's just fine, because the fact is, you want him to be bad. You're rooting for just his particular brand of evil.
KH: Do you have a website, blog, newsletter or email where readers can reach you?
JKC: Thank you Kate, I had a lot of fun with your questions. Take care!! Please sign up for my newsletter: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jkcoi/join, and visit me at my website for more information about upcoming books, chats, interviews, reviews, and all things Immortal: http://www.jkcoi.com. I'm also on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/jkcoi and I blog at http://www.jkcoi.blogspot.com.
KH: Thank you, JK!
The results of last month's poll question are:
If you read time travel, do you prefer characters to travel to the past or the future?
Past 13
Future 7
No preference 12Total votes: 32
EXCERPT FROM APPLE CRISP BY KATE HILL:
From Changeling Press.
(m/m shapeshifter)
"You have no idea what your presence means to me, Cass. Not just now, but ever since you arrived here. You've helped me in ways you can't imagine."
"When I got here I couldn't even help myself. I was brought here by my friend Dylan's lover, a Grimton City cop, who put me into protective custody when I ratted out a couple of tricktus pushers I was working for."
"I know what you were, Cass, and I know the kind of man you've become. I also know you were working for those pushers because they threatened the lives of your family. That cop might have given you the opportunity to escape your life, but you're the one who truly made it happen through all your hard work."
"Thank you." Cass smiled slightly. Did Fidel have any idea how much hearing those words meant to him?
"No. Thank you."
They reached for each other simultaneously, their mouths meeting in the most passionate kiss of Cass's life.
When it broke, both were breathless.
"If my mother and sister weren't home. . ."
"I'd fuck you into oblivion," Fidel whispered.
Overtaken by desire, Cass said in a husky voice, "How about the tool shed outside?"
"Sounds perfect."
"Then let's go." Cass stood, grasped Fidel's hand and tugged him toward the door.
The tool shed behind the house wasn't Cass's ideal place for intimacy, especially with a six-foot nine-inch shapeshifter. Still it was better than being embarrassed if his mother or Kay walked in on them.
"It's a little tight in here," Fidel said. Too tall for the shed, he was forced to bend over.
Cass couldn't resist grasping his hips and rubbing his pelvis against the sprite's gorgeous brown ass, which was partially exposed in his loincloth.
Fidel glanced at him over his shoulder, a seductive smile on his lips, and said, "It might be easier if you do the honors this time."
"I don't have any lube with me."
"It's all right. With my shapeshifting skills, I'll be able to accommodate you." Fidel's smile broadened, his teeth gleaming against his dark skin.
A thrill of desire shot through Cass and he tugged off Fidel's loincloth.
FOR YUMMY LOVE: BLUEBERRY MUFFINS
4 Nymphs
With the steamy sex and the guilty party finally getting his just rewards, this is one book that will keep you enthralled.
- Critter Nymph, Literary Nymphs
CONTENTS:
GREETING
NEW RELEASES
UPCOMING RELEASES
FREE SHORT STORY
GUEST AUTHORS: JEANIE JOHNSON AND JAYHA LEIGH
POLLS
EXCERPT FROM SILK BONDS
REVIEWS
Welcome to the May issue of my newsletter.
This month's guests are Jeanie Johnson and Jayha Leigh. I recently read their book Oh How the Mighty Are Ballin' and enjoyed it a lot. To find out more about Jeanie and Jayha and their books, please read their feature below.
At the end of April, Silk Bonds was released by Changeling Press. I've posted a related short story, Alexi's Secret, on my website. It can be read here.
This month I have two new releases coming up. Pandora's Box, the fourth book in the Alien Affairs series, will be released toward the end of May by Ellora's Cave. Also the first book in the Mate Marks series, Hunger, will be released by Changeling Press. You can find out more about both titles in the upcoming releases section below. Also stop by the Mate Marks section of my website for blurbs, excerpts, and a quiz to find your Mate Marks match.
I'm pleased to announce that my erotic historical romance, Northman's Passion, has recently been accepted by Ellora's Cave. I don't have a release date yet, but when I do I'll post it in the newsletter.
Congratulations to Judy from the USA, winner of the April contest at my website. She won a download of Sixty-Nine Sadie. A new contest has been posted for May, so check out my contest page.
On May 20th I'll be at the Changeling Press Bar and Grill from 4pm-8pm EST and on May 24th I'll be at the Ellora's Cave chat loop from 4pm-8pm EST. Hope to see you there!
Kate
If you'd like to be included in my newsgroup contests, receive an email version of the newsletter, and also occasional posts about new releases and special events, please sign up below:
Silk Bonds
(erotic paranormal)From Changeling Press.
Recovering from an accident that almost killed her, Lourdes realizes she must reevaluate her life. She takes a job categorizing books in the vast private library of Alexi Marius, a wealthy, reclusive and sinfully gorgeous man.
Lourdes is soon seduced by her brooding employer. As she and Marius explore their sexual desires, she discovers he's hiding a secret more dangerous and unbelievable than she ever imagined.
Click here to read Alexi's Secret, a free short story related to Silk Bonds.
Mate Marks: Hunger
(interracial shapeshifter)Coming in May from Changeling Press.
All her life Chante has wondered about two things, her family history and the cat-shaped birthmark on her breast. To avoid the frightening yet sexy man who has been following her, she travels to Jamaica to visit her great aunt and learns more than she ever wanted to know about a strange family curse.
Joshi has always known that he's destined to mate with the human female who bears the mark of the cat on her breast. Still, his bitterness toward humans has prevented him from claiming his rightful mate. With his species near extinction, he has no choice but to take Chante as his own. Seducing this stubborn yet beautiful woman will challenge this shapeshifting cat in more ways than he realizes, especially when their lives depend on his prowess as a warrior.
Pandora's Box
(erotic sci-fi)Coming in May from Ellora's Cave.
Pandora Fourteen has been trained in the arts of seduction and assassination. To test her skills, she is ordered to seduce, ACT Corps officer Steel. Pandora and Steel had been raised in a lab and were inseparable until the government forced them apart. They are explosively attracted to each other when they meet again. To Pandora, seducing Steel is no longer an assignment, but when she decides to turn her back on her career to marry him, threats from her manipulative superior separate them once again.
After Pandora spurns Steel's affection, he leaves the ACT Corps for a new life in the notorious Delilah Sector where he becomes an intergalactic bounty hunter. His all-consuming love for Pandora had nearly destroyed him. Yet when the government hires him to track down Pandora, who has disappeared before completing her latest assignment, he can't resist the chance to see her again. Finally reunited, their lust burns hotter than the sun, but the past has left scars that might never be healed.
Read an excerpt from Pandora's Box here.
Alexi's Secret
Alexi is a man torn between two worlds. When his smoky side emerges, he must satisfy it with sex or battle. Today's battle has already been won and his wife has settled down for a much needed rest. Alexi is desperate enough to sate his lust in a way he hasn't thought about since before meeting Lourdes, but how will she react when she walks in on his dirty little secret?
Alexi's Secret is related to Silk Bonds.
GUEST AUTHORS: JEANIE JOHNSON AND JAYHA LEIGH
Oh How the Mighty Are Ballin' by Jeanie Johnson and Jayha Leigh
Soon to be re-released!Football coach Bella-Sophia, or Blitz, is an intelligent, independent woman who has worked hard to achieve her goals. When she meets soccer coach Wulf Altenöder, the attraction between them is explosive, but unless they learn from each other they might lose the romance of their lives.
Oh How the Mighty Are Ballin' is a romance about real people written in an attention-grabbing style. It has a strong focus on Bella-Sophia's career as a coach, but it's written so that even someone like me who doesn't follow team sports gains understanding of what goes into the games. The story provides enough information to give you a feel for her job, but it's not so technical that you get lost in the details.
Bella-Sophia is an easy character to like. She's smart but not condescending. To survive in her profession, she has learned to hide her emotions when it comes to men, but once she opens up she'll have as much to give to her partner as she has given to her career. You want to see her end up with the right guy.
At first Wulf doesn't seem like he's the one. He's uptight and a little too self-satisfied, but that's only until you get to know him. The authors give a lot of insight into him, making it clear the kind of person he really is. He's confident, but has a vulnerable side that in no way detracts from his intense masculinity. Though he's a handsome mountain of muscle, he knows how to treat a lady. You never get the sense that he's trying to win Bella-Sophia just because she's the woman who's hard to get. His feelings for her are genuine. This is a really enjoyable romance and has a pleasing end to match.
-- Kate Hill
Interview with Jeanie Johnson and Jayha Leigh
KH: How did you start writing as a team?
J&J: Momma started it, she was like "Hey baby, I've got this story..." and that was it -- we were away laughing after that. Lies! It was all Jeanie. She was like, "hey, Momma, you know how you wrote that one sentence ... well, I wrote fifty-thousand words to go with it. We should give it a title and stuff."
KH: What are your favorite genres to read and write?
J&J: We tend to lean towards I/R and Paranormal but lately, we've been giving our pens their heads and allowing the stories to unfold and thus our stories are branching out and spilling over into several categories at once. As far as reading, any story that can draw us in is our favorite to read.
KH: You have several series of books. Would you tell us about them?
J&J: Mommas Wild, Wild Series is about this group of crazy-fun chicks and their journey as individuals and as a sisterhood. They find romance along the way and more of their lives are revealed with each story. My Otherworldly series is paranormal -- all vamps and shifters -- with a whole lot of loving, action, and ass-kicking thrown in the mix. There's our Hot Like Fire series, which is the first series that Jeanie and Jayha embarked on together. After that, there's a slew of series including: the Engineered IV Love series; the Terms and Conditions Apply series, and the When Wishes Come True series. Then there's our independent stories that don't go in any particular place such as Oh, How the Mighty are Ballin', Sealed with a Fist, and Sibling Survivalry. Finally, there's our Killer Crossover series, which links a lot of the stories. Whew I'm tired after writing that answer. LOL!
KH: To you what makes a great romance hero?
J&J: A great romance hero embodies the spirit of our tagline: "It's not enough that our heroes WANT the heroine; they must LOVE, NEED, and BREATHE, the heroine." And not in some crazy, stalkerish kind of way; rather the hero has to be secure enough in himself to allow the heroine to flourish in her chosen field.
KH: If you could meet one of your characters, which one would it be?
J&J: Oh man, Kate you know that's not fair. Honestly, every time someone asks us our favorite, the answer changes because in truth, we are passionate about ALL of our characters ... or we don't write them. This includes the villains, because we wrote them so evil that I'm tempted to go to my secret lab and create them just so I can kick their azzes -- but momma won't let me have a secret lab. Sigh
KH: You have a really fun and lively newsgroup. Would you tell us about it?
J&J: Though Momma and I have individual groups, we tend to party over at the joint group. The members of our groups embody the spirit of our writing. There's soapbox speeches, discussions that involve throwing one's fist in the air, some colorful phrases, some ‘tell-its', some ‘you ain't never lieds' and all that. There's a man pile that consists of our favorite heroes -- and there's a man pile consignment shop and library in the works. There's plenty of sweet, iced tea and copious laughter. There's a corner for when we're bad, and a spot for grace. We truly love the ladies and gents that are part of it because they keep us relevant, they make us want to keep writing, and they definitely keep us on our toes. How can it be anything but when the MF Please Posse kicks it there. And yes, the MF does stand for what you think it does. Smile.
KH: Do you have a website, blog, newsletter, or email where readers can reach you?
Website: www.jeanieandjayha.com
Newsletter: it is called Verses Mode and our editor, Thumper, and our moderators, the fabulous and always fashionable Rolanda and the one and only Von-glorious make sure it is the business. It features artist, publisher and author interviews, upcoming books, reviews and such.
Multi-author website: www.badazzauthors.com
Review site: http://mfppossereviews.blogspot.com/
Email: jeanieandjayha@gmail.com
We've just started our own publishing company: Beautiful Trouble Publishing and that will be up and running this summer. The website for that will be: www.beautifultroublepublishing.com
KH: Thank you, Jeanie and Jayha!
J&J: Thank you for having us Kate!
Books by Jeanie Johnson and Jayha Leigh:
A Little Bit of Dis by Jeanie Johnson and Jayha Leigh
ADVENTURES ARE HUSH: What Happens in Vegas... by Jeanie Johnson, Jayha Leigh, Yazmin Taylor and Reid Randolph
Hot Like Fire: The Taming and Liberation of Mariana by Jeanie Johnson and Jayha Leigh
KILLER CROSSOVER: Hot up in the Capture by Jeanie Johnson and Jayha Leigh
Oh, How the Mighty are Ballin' by Jeanie Johnson and Jayha Leigh
Sibling Survivalry by Jeanie Johnson and Jayha Leigh
SMOKIN': Carolina in the Storming by Jeanie Johnson and Jayha Leigh
The Wild, Wild Anybody's Guess: Aloha! by Jayha Leigh
The Wild, Wild Mess: Atlanta by Jayha Leigh
V8: The Healer and the Alpha by Jeanie Johnson
Veiled Passions by Jeanie Johnson and Jayha Leigh
VICIOUS: The Assassin and the Wolf by Jeanie Johnson
VOLATILE: The Empress and the Executioner by Jeanie Johnson
Sealed with a Fist by Jeanie Johnson and Jayha Leigh
Books are currently available on the Jeanie and Jayha storefront at lulu: http://stores.lulu.com/jayha
Other books: FLAME ON!!! The Absolutely Could be True Adventures of the MFPP by Shara Azod, Raelynn Blue, Laura Guevara, Jeanie Johnson, Jayha Leigh, Reid Randolph, Dréa Riley, Yazmin Taylor
http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/flame-on-the-absolutely-could-be-true-adventures-of-the-mfpp/6868462
This month's poll is: poll_process(56); ?>
The results of last month's poll question are:
If you've read the Horsemen series, which secondary character(s) interest you most?
Basil Norwood-Perry 2
Grigori de Forest 5
Nyle 2
Linn 1
Keith and Prent 2
Other 0Total votes: 12
EXCERPT FROM SILK BONDS BY KATE HILL:
From Changeling Press.
(erotic paranormal)
She draped the towel over her shoulder and stepped close to him, looping her arms around his neck. "What are you hiding, Alexi Marius?"
"What makes you think I'm hiding anything?" He slid his hands along her ass and squeezed it, pressing her so close to his body that his stiffening cock pushed enticingly against her.
"Then you must simply like having a mysterious image. Tall, dark and—"
"Handsome?"
"I was going to say brooding."
A smile flirted with his lips before he bent and kissed her.
"Let's get out of these wet clothes," he said, "and get into bed."
"That works for me," she breathed.
They quickly shed their clothes. Before joining him in bed, she took a condom from her purse and handed it to him. He rolled it while then slid beneath the covers with her. Thunder clapped and the lights flickered out.
"We lost power," she said.
"I haven't," he purred, rolling her onto her back and burying his lips against her neck. His thick, hard cock pushed against her and she moaned softly, spreading her legs for him.
Alexi reached down and cupped her soft mound. He kneaded gently while his lips teased her neck and shoulder. Sighing with pleasure, Lourdes unfastened the leather strip binding his hair at his nape and cast it aside. She wove her fingers through his hair and arched against him, her hips thrusting against his hand.
Her clit tingled and pussy ached for him. Alexi slid his fingers inside her, stroking and teasing. Then he circled her clit, his wet fingertip sending little thrills of passion through her.
"Alexi, I want you so much," she whispered.
Again he kissed her, his fingers working between her legs and stirring her passion. He slid lower on the bed and cupped one of her breasts. He took her nipple roughly between his lips and sucked it.
"Oh yes," she panted, her fingers tightening on his head. She loved it when he paid attention to her breasts. It felt so damn good.
FOR THE MASTERS: SAMSON
4 Hearts
This is one fast paced, sensual adventure that should not be missed.
- Jacquelyn R. Ward, The Romance StudioFor SIXTY-NINE SADIE
4 Stars
Be ready to throw out everything you believe! Whatever you thought about magic and weres, Ms. Hill tosses out the door.
- T.S. Peters, Just Erotic Romance Reviews
CONTENTS:
GREETING
NEW RELEASES
UPCOMING RELEASES
GUEST AUTHOR: ASHLYN CHASE
ASHLYN CHASE CONTEST
EXCERPT FROM LOVE CUFFS BY ASHLYN CHASE AND DALTON DIAZ
POLLS
EXCERPT FROM MATE MARKS: THIRST
REVIEWS
This month's guest is the very talented Ashlyn Chase. Ash writes both erotic and traditional romance. To find out more about Ash and her books, please read her feature below. Also Ashlyn has offered a contest, so don't forget to read the details posted below her interview!
This month the second book in the Mate Marks series, Thirst, will be released by Changeling Press. You can find out more about Thirst in the upcoming releases section below. I've also posted an excerpt toward the end of this newsletter. You can find out more about the Mate Marks series here.
Congratulations to Cathy, winner of the May contest at my website. She won a download of Moonlight on Water. A new contest has been posted for June/July, so check out my contest page.
On July 15th I'll be at the Changeling Press Bar and Grill from 4pm-8pm EST and on July 19th I'll be at the Ellora's Cave chat loop from 4pm-8pm EST. Hope to see you there!
Kate
If you'd like to be included in my newsgroup contests, receive an email version of the newsletter, and also occasional posts about new releases and special events, please sign up below:
Mate Marks: Hunger
(interracial shapeshifter)From Changeling Press.
All her life Chante has wondered about two things, her family history and the cat-shaped birthmark on her breast. To avoid the frightening yet sexy man who has been following her, she travels to Jamaica to visit her great aunt and learns more than she ever wanted to know about a strange family curse.
Joshi has always known that he's destined to mate with the human female who bears the mark of the cat on her breast. Still, his bitterness toward humans has prevented him from claiming his rightful mate. With his species near extinction, he has no choice but to take Chante as his own.
Seducing this stubborn yet beautiful woman will challenge this shapeshifting cat in more ways than he realizes, especially when their lives depend on his prowess as a warrior.
(erotic sci-fi)From Ellora's Cave.
Pandora Fourteen has been trained in the arts of seduction and assassination. To test her skills, she is ordered to seduce ACT Corps officer Steel. Pandora and Steel had been reared in a lab and were inseparable until the government forced them apart. They are explosively attracted to each other when they meet again. To Pandora, seducing Steel is no longer an assignment, but when she decides to turn her back on her career to marry him, threats from her manipulative superior separate them once again.
After Pandora spurns Steel's affection, he leaves the ACT Corps for a new life in the notorious Delilah Sector, where he becomes an intergalactic bounty hunter. His all-consuming love for Pandora had nearly destroyed him. Yet when the government hires him to track down Pandora, who has disappeared before completing her latest assignment, he can't resist the chance to see her again. Finally reunited, their lust burns hotter than the sun, but the past has left scars that might never be healed.
Mate Marks: Thirst
(interracial vampire)Coming in May from Changeling Press.
While unpacking antiques belonging to Arias del Rio, a little known explorer, museum curator Malika Carter Young is stunned to discover a Spanish vampire in a sarcophagus. He's arrogant, gorgeous, and his fangs are an exact fit to the birthmarks on her breast.
Shamed by the greed and violence of his mortal life, Arias del Rio has spent his centuries as a vampire atoning for his sins. After years of loneliness, he has finally found his destined mate, but an enemy from his past has returned and intends to destroy everything Arias loves, beginning with Malika.
GUEST AUTHOR: ASHLYN CHASE
KH: To you what is the best thing about writing romance?
AC: It's the romance community. No one outside of romance fans would know what I'm talking about, but since discovering on-line groups of romance lovers and meeting some of them in person at conferences, conventions, book signings and the like, it's as if I have a family again. I lost my whole family of origin so my readers are all the more special to me.
KH: Would you tell us about your books Heaving Bosoms and Vampire Vintage?
AC: Both are humorous romps with an adventure. Heaving Bosoms was my first print book and won the Beacon Reader's Choice Award. Vampire Vintage was released in ebook the same week, but took a little longer to make it to print. I have a third paperback now. Love Cuffs. Here's a little info and an excerpt from that.
TITLE: Love Cuffs
PUBLISHER: Ellora’s Cave
RELEASE DATE: September 17, 2008
URL TO PURCHASE ALL OF MY ELLORA’S CAVE BOOKS:
http://www.jasminejade.com/m-278-ashlyn-chase.aspxEXCERPT: http://www.jasminejade.com/pm-4980-278-love-cuffs.aspx
For Paperback Orders: www.jasminejade.com
ISBN# 9781419958922
GENRE: BDSM Comedy
LENGTH: NovelAt thirty-eight, Hope Daniels is a Jersey cop with superhuman hearing, a controlling mother, and she’s about to marry any sane woman’s last choice of a groom. Right before she walks down the aisle, she hears distant screams. Figuring /someone/ should be rescued, she bolts from her mother’s vision of a royal wedding. But when she busts down the door of a BDSM club, she’s the one who winds up in handcuffs.
Dorian Markoff is intent on using a hypnotist to wipe the beautiful cop’s mind of his—and his club’s—existence. But the hypnotist is in Vegas so a mad romp ensues, involving lots of hot vanilla-ish sex that turns his BDSM lifestyle upside down.
Neither guesses what an adventure it will be to find the hypnotist, avoid one unintentionally snubbed Dominatrix, and explain it all to Hope’s mother. All while falling in love.
KH: What are you working on now and what's upcoming for you?
AC: I'm working on a light urban fantasy romance trilogy called Strange Neighbors. It's about an apartment building in Boston full of paranormal misfits. One of the apartments becomes nicknamed "the love shack" because whomever moves into that apartment winds up hooking up with someone else in the building--all the while, trying to keep their real identities under wraps since the manager is a meddlesome alarmist. The Gladys Kravitz of the building, so to speak.
KH: To you what makes a great romance hero?
AC: A man I could actually fall in love with. My heroes are confident and sure of themselves, but not Alpha a**holes. I hate all the swaggering and posturing. A confident man doesn't need to do that.
KH: You're part of a group of writers called The League of Amazing Writers (http://www.leagueofamazingwriters.com/wp/). Would you tell us about that?
AC: We're a group that took Superheroine personas and our motto is "Saving the world from boredom one book at a time." You can check out our blog here: http://www.leagueofamazingwriters.com/wp/ or our yahoo group here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LeagueAmazingWriters/ and I've just begun my own yahoo group at the request of a fan. The whole story of how it came about is pretty entertaining and you can find it here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ashlynsnewbestfriends/
KH: If you could meet one of your characters, which one would it be?
AC: Oh, what an interesting question! I'm not sure. I love them all. Maybe Jake, the undercover cop in Quivering Thighs. (The sequel to Heaving Bosoms) Especially if I can go to where he lives...Maui!
KH: Do you have a website, blog, newsletter or email where readers can reach you?
AC: Yup! www.ashlynchase.com is my website. From there, my blogs are a click away and so is www.myspace.com/ashlynchase and readers can sign up for my newsletter by scrolling down on my homepage. I've just joined www.facebook.com/ashlyn.chase, I'm on twitter as Goddess Ash, and I'm on Good Reads as just Ashlyn Chase. In other words, I'm /everywhere!/ LOL.
KH: Thank you, Ashlyn!
AC: Thank you, Kate, for the opportunity to reach more readers!
Ashlyn Chase Contest: To enter this contest you must be 18 or older.
To enter, send an email to katehill@sprintmail.com with Ashlyn Chase Contest in the subject line and the answer to the following question in the body of the email:
What is the hero's name in Love Cuffs?
Hint: The answer can be found in Ashlyn's guest author feature in the June issue of this newsletter.
http://www.kate-hill.com/newsletter.php#guest
The deadline for entries is July 19, 2009.
On July 20, 2009, a winner will be chosen from the correct entries.
Prize: If the winner is in the US, a signed print copy of Love Cuffs. If the winner is outside the US, an ebook download (winner's choice of one of Ashlyn's titles).
Other Books by Ashlyn Chase:
Nectar of the Gods by Ashlyn Chase, Isabelle Drake, Sascha Illyvich, Marianne LaCroix, Annmarie Ortega
From Total-E-Bound Publishing
Death by Delilah by Ashlyn Chase
From Ellora's Cave
Demolishing Mr. Perfect by Ashlyn Chase
From Ellora's Cave
Wonder Witch by Ashlyn Chase
From Ellora's Cave
Being Randy by Ashlyn Chase
From Ellora's Cave
Heaving Bosoms by Ashlyn Chase
From Cerridwen Press
EXCERPT FROM LOVE CUFFS BY ASHLYN CHASE AND DALTON DIAZ:
From Ellora's Cave
When I was good and hog-tied, someone, I assume it was Dorian--strong arms, scratchy material--lifted me effortlessly. Show off. I had one more hair-brained scheme that might work. Once I could assume I was outside and on my way to his car, I might be able to wriggle and squeal and make enough of a ruckus to attract the attention of someone who happened to be walking by the opposite end of the alley right at that moment. Hey, it could work.
Maybe I'd buy a little time if I wiggled out of his grasp, hit the ground and squirmed away.... Oh hell. I was caught. Might as well begin cooperating until he let his guard down.
They teach us that in Hostage 101. Well, okay, it's not really called Hostage 101. It's called Hostage Negotiations but regular town cops never get to do the important stuff. We get to watch while SWAT and the feds come in and take over. Yawn.
So it was time to cooperate and just lay in those strong arms, picturing Mr. Luscious carrying me to his car, which would, of course, be a black Mercedes or Lexus. Even wrapped in a blanket as I was now, his heat penetrated my skin and for some stupid reason it relaxed me.
The engine purred. I had been laid horizontal in the back seat, surprisingly gently. Now there was nothing to do but listen for sounds of the railroad, the ocean, or school children to figure out where I was. Unfortunately, with my luck I would probably hear all three at the same time and that would be as confusing as hell.
I tried to estimate the time we took to get to our destination. It may have been half an hour and the traffic noise was fairly light for a Friday evening. I guessed we were probably driving out of the suburban area into the country somewhere. Maybe he knew of some smelly, abandoned barn where he could store me. Oh, goody.
Toward the end of our ride, I sensed a change in elevation...hills or mountains since I was leaning into the back of the seat with more pressure. Okay maybe it's a mountain cabin hideaway. I hoped for one of those nifty hunting cabins with guns hung on the walls. Yeah, that would be neat. But I doubted anyone could be that dumb.
Dorian hadn't said a word. There was little reason to. I was unable to answer and completely at his mercy. I listened for sounds of crunching gravel or something to indicate that we were close to the destination. There seemed to be very little sound at all. A few birds chirping or maybe they were cicadas--I was never very good at nature sciences.
Finally, we glided smoothly to a stop. The back door opened a moment after the front door opened and closed. So I assumed it was Dorian who was lifting me up again and carrying me.
After the sound of a click and whoosh of a door opening and closing, I heard some short beeps. An alarm system. Well I guess I'd be safe and secure. Snort.
He gently laid me supine on another yielding surface and then sat me up. I was unbelievably relieved when he removed the duct tape and lifted the smothering bag off my head. Never mind that my hair crackled with static electricity and I probably looked like Bill the cat, I could breathe again. Now he stood before me, hands on hips, with a stern expression on his handsome face. No I'm not having Stockholm Syndrome or anything. He's still a prick--just a devilishly good-looking one.
"Now if I take the ball out of your mouth are you going to yell, spit or verbally abuse me? In other words, will I just have to put it back where it was?"
I shook my head.
"Promise?"
* * * His lips twitched in amusement. "You're a naughty girl, aren't you? Funny, I had you pegged for a prude."
Indignant at the insulting near truth, I bristled. "I'm not a prude."
He raised an eyebrow.
"I've had my share of experience but I'm sure it pales in comparison to yours." There. I hoped that would stroke his male ego.
"Perhaps you haven't found a skilled lover--yet."
Oh, puleeease. Now who was being obvious? Should I feel ashamed of what I was about to do? Undoubtedly--even though it was part of the escape plan. So why didn't I?
He dimmed the lights with one of those dimmer switches. It looked like he was prepared for anything. He slid in next to me and--Oh my God, protection!
"Do you have a condom?"
"Do I need one?"
Shit. I can't believe I just assumed and he didn't... My face heated. "Well, you never know. I mean--you might or you might not. I guess it all depends. I thought you...but if you didn't..." I must have been blushing furiously. The curse of being blonde. Well, one of two curses and I had apparently demonstrated both.
"I like a woman who can still blush." He rose from the bed and retrieved a box from his dresser drawer. I didn't know whether to be relieved or terrified.
My seduction seemed to be working and I hadn't even tried. Maybe subconsciously... No, that couldn't be true. I mean, I know he's tall, dark and as sexy as sin but my libido wasn't that out of control, was it? No, I knew exactly what I was doing--or so I told myself.
Then he set the box on the bedside table and stroked my cheek with the back of his fingers. Lying down, facing me, he tipped my chin toward him and stared into my eyes. Their dark intensity promised a few pages for my secret memoirs. I hadn't planned to write any but after tonight, I might need to.
"What shall we do, Hope?"
Screw like rabbits? Yeah, I was in control, all right. I was praying that he'd free my wrist soon and after we were done, I could take my best shot at his tender groin.
"If you'll just let me have my other hand, I can do some marvelous things."
He shook his head. "Clearly, I'm not going to do that. Perhaps I can begin while you think of creative uses for your one hand, thighs and feet."
Feet? He wants me to use my feet? Don't tell me he has a foot fetish too. I wanted to squirm away from him but just then he pulled me forward and held me in his iron grip. His lips clamped down on mine and he swiftly injected his tongue into my mouth as I tried to gasp, creating a luscious vacuum instead.
He pushed me onto my back and it only took another minute of passionate kissing before my one free hand decided on its own to caress and squeeze his ass. Meanwhile my feet were busy twining around his legs. He pulled loose, quickly unlaced the corset and dived for my breasts.
* * * We strolled down the hall past some insurance office to a door marked Ds Enterprises. "How subtle."
"I like it," he said. He unlocked the door and ushered me inside. "Juliet should have dropped off some new clothes for you by now." He pointed to a large shopping bag on the black leather couch and said, "Ah. There they are."
As soon as he'd double and triple locked the door behind us, he unlocked my wrist cuff and I can't tell you how good it felt. I rubbed the soreness out, even before diving into the bag to see what Santa had brought. Okay, so I'm Jewish and shouldn't refer to Santa. But let me tell you, if the old man accidentally mixed up the addresses and mistook me for some girl on his nice list, I wouldn't have minded or given back the presents.
The first thing I pulled out of the bag floored me. A powder blue vinyl dress--with the boobs cut out! I twisted it around to see the back and saw two matching low holes for the derriere. "Are you kidding me?"
Dorian had been headed for his massive safe but whirled around to see what my indignant cry was about. I held up the micro-mini Swiss cheese dress.
"What the hell?" His mouth hung open as he rushed to the couch and dumped the bag upside down. Out poured the most inappropriate pile of crap I'd ever seen. One black stretch jumpsuit sported a few strategically placed gold zippers, the most prominent of which came with a heart-shaped padlock at the top of the crotch. Must have been a chastity bodysuit. Another micro-mini dress had been fashioned of some material with as much coverage as a dyed spider web. Then, to add injury to insult, a pair of bright red spike heels so high they'd stand me up on my tiptoes.
Santa must have mixed me up with a girl on his naughty list. "Hmmm, these leave little to the imagination," I said. "Either, A, Juliet thinks I have such a great body I ought to show it off or B, she hates me. I'm pretty sure the answer is B."
Dorian still gaped as if he couldn't believe anyone might be passive-aggressive enough to deliberately misunderstand his orders. "How the hell am I supposed to get you on a plane in one of these?"
I shrugged. Anything I had to say would have been redundant.
* * * I could hear the elevator already on its way up, so I wondered how he was going to explain the handcuffs to whomever exited, if it stopped on our floor.
"She obviously had her reasons and I don't have the time nor patience to listen to them. Don't worry. Suzanne has class. She carries only haute couture in her store."
"Unlike a certain Dominatrix I know of."
He tucked his hand behind his back, Napoleon-style and my arm followed, like it or not. Now he looked like some kind of arrogant general with a chick who couldn't keep her hands off him. Sheesh, what an ego.
Fortunately, for him, there was no one getting off the elevator as we got on. He looked down at me and winked--like we were co-conspirators or something. By the time we made it to the car, I had decided it might be best to let him think we were.
"Dorian, can you leave me unshackled? I promise I won't run."
"Why should I believe you?"
"Well, for one thing, we're going shopping. I've never welched on a shopping trip--ever."
He chuckled. "You're cute when you're not annoying the hell out of me."
At last. He might be letting his guard down. I relaxed my shoulders and warmth flowed into them, making me realize how tight I'd been holding my muscles. He opened my door and unchained himself from my wrist, meanwhile blocking any exit to freedom with his big, hunky body. If I wanted him to believe me, I had to play along for a while.
I settled into the butter-soft, leather seats and sank against the contoured back. "Ahhh... Much better than riding around like Quasimodo."
Without emotion, he said, "Fasten only your lap belt."
Why only the lap belt, I wondered. Was he going to make me lean over and shackle me to my ankle, anyway? With a sigh, I did as he asked. Well, he didn't exactly ask but I did as he ordered, anyway.
He closed my door, jogged around to the other side and got in.
"See? I didn't try to escape."
"Smart move. This machine goes a couple hundred miles an hour, so I doubt you'd outrun me. Doing something like that would only anger me and then I'd have to cancel our shopping trip and make you wear the black jumpsuit."
"You don't think that would cause a stir at the airport? All those zippers would probably set off the metal detector."
"We could always drive."
I gasped. Was he serious?
* * * "Time to get out, lover," Dorian said.
That damn, suede-soft voice of his turned me on all over again. What was wrong with me? Was I a nympho? I just wanted to jump his bones at every turn. As he opened his car door and got out, the drag on my arm reminded me that I had to scoot over to his side--either that or pull my cuffed arm out of its socket.
"Haven't you ever enjoyed the feeling of allowing your lover some freedom, knowing they'll stay because they want to--not because they have to?"
A look of surprise crossed his face. "Are you saying you'd stay with me because you want to?"
"No. Just curious."
He humphed--if that's a word. At any rate he made a noise that sounded like disappointment.
I probably should have minded my own business, because after that he towed me a little roughly up to the front door of a well-hidden home. As Ivan unlocked it, he said, "Welcome to my hillside hacienda."
Holy Shit. As we entered the main home from the foyer, a large open floor plan revealed the size of the place. Travertine stone floors and one wall of solid rock gave it a semi cave-like feel. Some hacienda! Were all Doms stinkin' rich cavemen? The opposite wall of glass looked out over millions of glittering lights that could only be Sin City at night. If I had to be held hostage, this beat the heck out of a grubby warehouse.
"Thanks, man." Dorian clapped his friend on the shoulder and waited for him to set the alarm.
As I think I've said before, patience isn't one of my virtues. Hell, even virtue isn't one of my virtues. "So, asshole, are you going to unhook us now, or what?"
Dorian tucked his hand in his pants pocket.
Ivan's eyes bugged out. "Man, I know you like a challenge and everything but are you going to let her talk to you like that?"
"I've had to muzzle her before but it doesn't seem to do much good. I don't think she can be broken."
Broken? Housebroken? I know we had that whole dog discussion earlier but I thought it was metaphorical. "What the hell do you mean by that?"
The infuriating bastard didn't answer me.
Ivan continued their conversation as if I weren't even in the room. "Most subs aren't this mouthy even in the beginning. Are you sure she's worth it?"
Dorian laughed. "I'm not sure of anything where Hope's concerned."
"Wait just a minute. What are you two blabbering about? I'm not a sub. Never was and never will be." Just for emphasis, I slapped Dorian's shoulder. "And by the way, in case you didn't notice, I'm right here!"
Ivan shook his head. "I guess we'd better find Larry soon. I can't stand her abusing you much longer."
That struck me so funny, I burst out laughing.
"I'll have to stay here and watch her. Even though she can't escape, I'm sure she'll try. I don't want her fucking up your alarm system if she tries to disable it."
"Better you than me, buddy. Listen, make yourself comfortable. Larry can be hard to find when he doesn't want to be bothered by his fans. I might be gone a while."
"Who's Larry, anyway?" Larry the lounge lizard? That would be just what I needed.
"He's the hypnotist we've been looking for," Dorian said. "Although from the sounds of it, we might as well be searching for the Holy Grail."
"Oh, that's just awesome. So then what? Am I going to spend the rest of my life bound to you?"
He smiled, wryly. "Would that be so bad?"
* * * I always knew there were many facets of vanilla but was it too much to ask that if I fell in love with a vanilla woman, she would at least be at the French vanilla level? Christ. The dildo I chose wasn't even a jelly, or a two prong. Then she made it clear where she thought I was going to shove the thing and it was all I could do not to roll on the floor laughing. I mean, I absolutely intended to boldly go where apparently no man had gone before, just not at that moment. She needed time before she'd enjoy that particular dessert. Lots of time.
Once again, she'd annoyed me, surprised me, then made me laugh. Once again, I was so hard I wasn't sure I'd last long enough to add any flavor when plain felt so fucking good. But there we were, dildo in hand and I was determined to give some light play a try.
"Don't worry," I assured her. "I think I know your limits but feel free to tell me if I don't. You will anyway. Just keep in mind that I really do want you to enjoy the experience and I know you'll love this one."
She said something but I tuned it out after the word "fine" left her mouth. I had those soft lips under mine, a velvety nipple burning my palm and--oh shit!--my dick in her hand. I tried but I couldn't tune that out, even at the risk of unmanning myself on the sheets. Straddling her didn't help my control but it did distract me enough to realize what was going on. She was trying to get the last word in without speaking. No, she wasn't trying, she was succeeding. Then she was stroking my cock with one hand and my balls with the other and I figured I had no problem with her not saying another word all night. In fact, it would have been kinda nice...
As good as she'd look in a pearl necklace, I did stop her before that happened. There was another pearl to explore first.
Oh yeah. "You're already wet for me," I marveled. God, she was so slick and hot and soft it was all I could do not to bury my dick and shoot to the moon. But she'd made it clear she wasn't willing to land on Uranus and I really wanted to introduce her to Mr. Buzzjoy. I made sure there was a spacesuit within reach and maneuvered in for a taste of her Milky Way.
All space euphemisms aside, I was in heaven. I was exactly where I wanted to be and exactly with whom I wanted to be. It took every bit of control I had to remember to insert the dildo and man, was it worth it. She went absolutely crazy.
I brought her to supernova twice and would have gone for a third round but she had other ideas. I should have been prepared for that. Then again, nothing could have prepared me for the moment I felt and saw Hope Daniels go down on me with passion.
* * * "So, is Ivan your first Master?" I asked.
"No. I've had a few that didn't work out. I guess I was hard to tame."
If she was hard to tame, what was I? Suddenly feeling like a Tasmanian Devil or recently captured Tiger, I figured it was simply a matter of time before I mauled someone. I just hoped nobody had a dart gun.
"So, is that what they call ‘breaking' you?"
"Yes, exactly," she replied and smiled. Like I understood or something.
I shook my head and clucked my tongue. "It sounds like they broke your spirit."
Her posture straightened and she eyed me suspiciously. "What do you mean by that?"
Uh-oh. Dangerous territory. Don't make her reach for that cell phone, Hope. "I just meant that a relationship should be voluntary and mutual."
"Oh, it is! I want to give myself over to Ivan. I need that. And he needs me just as much."
Yeah, to boss around. "I see. So what do you need each other for?"
"Mutual pleasure, of course. And I'm happy to have someone else to make decisions for me. In my public life, I have to make a lot of decisions. Life or death decisions at times, and the responsibility overwhelms me."
I hadn't figured this woman for a life and death decisions kind of gal. Now that she said that, I could kind of picture her in a white uniform. "But what if you don't agree with his decisions?"
"I can respectfully ask that he consider something else. He only wants what's best for me."
"Seriously? In my experience, men only want what's best for themselves."
"Perhaps you need to consider a different type of man?"
Different, huh? One thing I could say about Dorian--he was definitely different. But be that as it may, I wanted my freedom and I wanted it badly. I'd miss the best lovin' I'd ever had but hell, even Nina seemed freer than I was at the moment. Maybe in another life Dorian and I... Nah... Probably not.
"I have to visit the little girl's room," I said and stood.
"Oh, sure. You know where it is, right?"
It didn't matter, because I wasn't really going there anyway. I was grabbing that cell phone and fighting my way out of that posh prison. Poor Nina looked as if she couldn't fight her way through a sale at Filene's Basement.
I dashed for the counter and seized the cell phone, then I ran for the living room as fast as my stocking feet would carry me. By the time she reached me, I had already pocketed the phone, picked up one of the modern metal chairs and charged toward one of the sidelights on either side of the glass front door. The door itself would be triple strength but those sidelights looked a little more vulnerable. With enough momentum and a battering ram like the back of that steel chair...
Smash! Alarms went off and I thought my ears would explode. I turned sideways and managed to fit through the opening without impaling myself on any chunks of glass.
* * * Great. Ivan and I had located Larry the Hypnotist. In fact, we were sitting in the guy's driveway. Only he'd left town again, for a gig in Georgia. My choices were now severely limited because there was no way in hell that Hope would willingly drink anything I handed her before boarding a plane and the gig was in Georgia, as in the former USSR.
Could I trust her enough at this point to simply let her go?
"You're not letting her go." Ivan said.
Great. Either Ivan was a mind reader, or I'd become a transparent Dom. The former wasn't likely and the latter didn't bode well for my profession.
"Do you like what you do for a living, Dorian?"
"What kind of a question is that? I'm damned good at what I do!" I turned toward him and gave him by best glare but he didn't so much as flinch. Of course, he wasn't some sub defying his master, he was a club owning Dom used to being in charge.
Except the look on his face had nothing to do with the game. This was a friend, being honest with a friend.
"Being good at it doesn't mean you like it," he calmly pointed out.
Shit. I literally felt the jolt of the nail hitting the head. The lifestyle was fine with me, hell, I enjoyed it but it wasn't something I'd really chosen for myself. I had been born into it and I had become bored with it long before Hope barreled down the wrong aisle.
She'd cured my boredom both in bed and out.
For the first time since my parents had died, I found myself questioning my ability to make the right decision. For the first time in my adult life, I turned to someone else and asked, "What do I do now?"
"You finish what you started," Ivan said without a hint of indecision. "You find another hypnotist to do the job. She's a cop, Dorian. She'll never accept the club for what it is and there are people who rely on you, some of them for their very livelihood. When you've seen this through, then you go back and make the decision to continue on or not."
I got what Ivan was saying. Hope wouldn't remember me but I'd know who she was and could approach her as vanilla if that's the life I chose.
"Let's find out who's second best in Vegas and get this over with."
Ivan started the car and we headed back to his house to do some research. He didn't say much, which was fine with me. I had a lot to think about, as it was and I still intended to slip another round of cock worship in before Hope's mind got wiped. I had no problem teaching her what I liked all over again but hey, I wasn't stupid.
By the time we pulled into Ivan's driveway, I knew it was going to be fuck first, research later. There was only one problem.
Hope was gone.
The front door was wide open but as we got out of the car and approached, it became apparent that she'd escaped by smashing the glass next to the door. Expensive glass, apparently. Ivan hadn't stopped cursing since we'd pulled up. Then we caught sight of Nina, cowering in the corner of the living room. One look at Ivan's face and I began to wonder if she should have gone with Hope.
* * *
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EXCERPT FROM MATE MARKS: THIRST BY KATE HILL:
Coming soon from Changeling Press.
(interracial vampire)
Around six o'clock that night, Malika stood in a private room at the museum, unpacking trunks from Spain. She'd hoped to spend the entire day with Arias Del Rio's belongings, but other issues had interrupted her and she still had lots of boxes to go through. One in particular she'd been saving. It was a beautifully carved sarcophagus. She wondered where Del Rio had gotten it, as it appeared to be of Chinese origins and she had never read anything about Del Rio traveling to the Far East. Of course so little was written about his life that he could have gone there. She hoped that within these boxes she'd find some written records of his life.
At the moment she was sorting through a variety of antique swords while waiting for Clara who had gone to find the museum's two maintenance workers. By the size and weight of the sarcophagus, all four would be needed to open it.
"Here we are, Malika," Clara said, stepping into the room, John and Isaac at her heels. They were a father-son team, both tall, redheaded and sturdily-built. John was around forty years old and very well preserved, if you like the biker type. Isaac was eighteen, lankier than his dad but with the same denim and leather, long-haired style.
Clara, on the other hand, was just over five feet, wore a plain tan pants suit and kept her mousy hair in a twist behind her head. Thick glasses with dark brown frames rested upon her snubbed nose. She reminded Malika of a schoolteacher and the maintenance guys her bad boy students.
"All right. I know this thing looks indestructible, but we need to be really careful, guys," Malika said.
"What do you think is in there?" Isaac asked. "Looks like a coffin to me."
"Technically, that's what it is," Malika told him. "But don't look so worried. I seriously doubt there's anything in there at all. Del Rio probably took it back with him from a voyage to the Far East."
"If you say so," John said. He and Isaac glanced at each other and shrugged.
Moments later, all four grunted and strained as they pushed aside the heavy lid.
"Uh. . .uh. . .uh," stammered Isaac who was near the end of the sarcophagus.
"What's wrong?" Clara demanded.
"D. . .d. . .dead guy," Isaac whispered, pointing inside.
Not that he needed to tell them. By now all four were staring at the contents of the stone box. At first everyone stood, speechless, except for Clara who kept repeating, "Oh my lord. Oh my lord. Oh my lord" until Malika elbowed her in the ribs.
"I thought you said it was empty?" John demanded.
"How was I supposed to know?" Malika snapped. Now that the initial shock had worn off, adrenaline kicked in. Her heart pounded and her mouth went dry. She wasn't sure if it was a result of having a dead body in her museum or because the corpse was so damn handsome.
Thick brown hair draped shoulders as broad as the sarcophagus was wide. He had rather fine features, except for that square, ultra-masculine jaw. His nose was long and well-shaped and his lips just as fine. Those thick, dark eyelashes had to be about two inches long. Sure, he was on the pale side even for a white guy, but he was dead after all.
Shit, Malika, that's sick! You're ogling a dead man?
"Okay, we need to be calm about this," Malika said. "I'm going to call Michael."
Malika's brother, Michael, was with the town police.
"I'll go wait for him at the entrance," Isaac said, walking backward toward the door, his gaze never leaving the body.
"Get your ass back here, boy!" John growled. "We can't leave these woman alone with a dead body."
Isaac looked guilty and stepped back toward them. "You're right, Dad. Sorry."
"That's better." John nodded. "I'll wait for the police."
"Hey!" Isaac glared.
"Both of you go wait for the police," Malika said.
The men exchanged glances.
"Go on," she told them, shooing them with her hand.
Once they'd gone, she turned to Clara who stood, frozen. The woman swallowed rather loudly and said, "I can't believe this, Malika. What are we going to do?"
"Just like I said. I'll call Michael. This is his department. I handle antiques and artifacts. He handles drugs, domestic violence and dead bodies. Be right back."
"No! Don't leave me alone with him!"
"Girl, what's your problem? He can't hurt you."
Clara shook her head and Malika sighed. "Fine. Then you go call my brother."
"Will you be all right?"
Raising her eyes to the heavens, Malika said, "What can happen?"
"You're right. Okay. I'll be back." Clara hurried out of the room.
Finally alone, Malika realized that maybe she'd been a little hasty. It was creepy knowing there was a dead body just a few feet away. As if drawn by some morbid fascination, she approached the sarcophagus again and stared at its occupant. He couldn't have been dead long. He was still perfectly intact without a sign of degeneration.
What was his story? Who had put him in the sarcophagus and why? Was it possible that he'd died in Spain and been mailed here? No. Wouldn't customs had discovered a dead body? That meant someone had put him in the sarcophagus here in America. Had he died of natural causes or had he been murdered?
"You were damn fine, though, weren't you?" she murmured, her gaze drifting over his wavy hair and chiseled face. He wore a simple black shirt, probably made of silk by the way it draped his chest, making it easy to see that he had the sleekest most sculpted pecs on the planet. The lid of the sarcophagus still concealed most of his legs, but from what she could see of his thighs beneath his black pants, they were long and lean.
Looking at his face again, a strange feeling tightened her gut. There was something very familiar about him.
No wonder. This was the guy from her dreams, the one who had eaten her pussy while she'd been stretched into a split on the balance beams.
Malika stepped away from the sarcophagus, her heart pounding.
"No," she said. "No way. Malika, honey, you need to get a social life. Right now, just get back to work. Don't even think about the body."
She turned her back on her unwanted guest and returned to the boxes. It struck her that maybe she shouldn't touch anything. It was probably considered evidence. There were other boxes in the room that hadn't come from Spain. In fact there was a crate that had arrived yesterday and she still hadn't gotten to it.
Malika picked up a crowbar and approached the crate. The lid was on pretty tight and her hand slipped on the crowbar. She grunted in pain and sucked on her sore finger.
"Damn," she muttered.
"Perhaps I could be of assistance," said a soft yet husky male voice with a rather heavy Spanish accent. A hand reached toward the crate and easily tugged off the lid.
Malika turned, took one look at the tall, handsome should-be-dead-man and let loose an earsplitting scream.
"Please, Miss Young, I didn't mean to frighten you. Calm yourself," he continued, reaching a hand toward her cheek.
"Get the hell away from me!" she shouted, backing up as he advanced upon her. She glanced toward the sarcophagus just to be sure she was really seeing him.
"Do not be afraid."
He backed her toward a chair and she tumbled into it. She knew her eyes must be bulging out of her head from fear and she could scarcely breathe. This man had been dead just moments ago. What the hell did he want from her? Whatever it was, it couldn't be good.
She'd fight him, of course, but he looked strong. Broad shoulders. Hard chest. Biceps that even the shirt couldn't hide. No way could she beat him off with a punch, but as a gymnast, her legs were strong as hell.
He took another step toward her and she braced her hands against the chair arms, raised her legs and locked them around his neck.
Screaming again, she twisted her body, his head still trapped between her legs, and flung him onto his back.
He landed with a grunt. Malika wasted no time. She pounced on him, trapping his head between her thighs and keeping him pinned to the floor.
"Are you crazy, woman?" he demanded, staring up at her with utter shock in his beautiful blue eyes.
"You better start giving me some answers!"
"I don't even know the questions!" He grasped her thighs and pulled, but she had him trapped tightly and wasn't about to let him go.
"Why were you in the sarcophagus?"
"I wanted to see you."
"So you couldn't pick up the phone and make an appointment?"
He forced a smile and began lightly stroking her thighs. It felt so damn good that she nearly closed her eyes.
Then she curled her lip, grasped his wrists and said, "Who are you?"
"Now we're getting somewhere. Let me up and we can talk."
"You're not going anywhere until the cops get here."
No sooner had she spoken than she found their positions reversed. She'd scarcely seen him move!
Now she lay, trapped beneath his big, hard body. His gaze locked on hers and a wicked little grin curved his lips.
"Yes. I like this position better," he purred. "A man should be in control."
For Mate Marks: Hunger
4.5 Nymphs Kate Hill delivers another action-packed, sensually laced story with Hunger.
- Scandalous Minx, Literary NymphsRating: 4 The plot is unusual, and the story different from any other shapeshifter book I have read.
- Teagan, Book WenchesFor Silk Bonds
4.5 Hearts If you are looking for a fast-paced story full of action in the bedroom and out, this is one story you need to read.
- Jacquelyn R. Ward, The Romance StudioThe chemistry between Lourdes and Alexi is undeniably hot.
- Missy Brown, Paranormal Romance ReviewsSILK BONDS was amazing!
- Beth Foster, Paranormal Romance ReviewsFor Yummy Love: Blueberry Muffins
Blueberry Muffins is a seriously hot romance!
- Lisa, Joyfully ReviewedFor Yummy Love: Apple Crisp
Apple Crisp is a sexy romance set in an alternate reality where the plant life talks back!
- Lisa, Joyfully Reviewed
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