The Romance Studio Cupid and Psyche Awards

Sex and the hot alpha military hero

2011-08-03T00:01:00.000-07:00

Delicious Danger now available at http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9393-delicious-danger.aspx. And hop on over to www.cafepress.com/desireeholt where you can get all kinds of Phoenix Agency gear. Come on! Be part of the team!

I see the reason military heroes are the hottest as totally self-explanatory, but on the off chance there are still folks out there who don’t see them as the ultimate sex symbols I’m here to give you a little taste. They can be SEALS, Delta Force, Rangers, Air Force, Coast Guard, Force Recon Marines–the point is, these men willingly go into harm's way to defend their teammates, their men, and their country. They're out there right now, scattered across the globe making sacrifices for all of us. What's not to admire about that? So having a military man as the hero in a romance novel seems like a no-brainer;

Sure, the uniform is a big part of the appeal. But we are drawn to the special character of the military hero. Not only is he a prime example of the alpha male but also, he is very often a hero of superior intelligence. But what makes these heroes truly irresistible is a gentler side that eventually shows through all the brawn and courage. That softer, sensitive side; superior intelligence; and honor gives them that edge to make them true heroes.

And when they tumble you into bed, you can bet the sheets will burn up instantly and the sex will be so far off the charts it’s uncharitable!

Today Delicious Danger releases from Ellora’s Cave, Book Three: The Phoenix Agency, about five former military who continue to serve their country as private contractors, still upholding the ideals of the U.S.A. and oozing testosterone. In each of the books the women they meet/love has a special psychic ability. In Delicious Danger I took a different tack-the dog, Xena, has the psi abilities and she not only brings hero Rick together with heroine Kelly, it’s she who constantly sniffs out the danger.

Here’s a little snippet for you:

Blurb:

Kelly Monroe was shocked when her Caucasian Ovcharka took an immediately liking to—even bonding with —Rick Latrobe, a partner in the high profile Phoenix Agency. Ovcharkas are known for linking with only their owners. She’s even more shocked at the intense sexual heat that sizzles between them instantly. When she tumbles into bed with him at the very first opportunity, experiencing a night of erotic bliss in his arms, she knows they have something special. But Xena, picking up Rick’s wave length, is very much aware when an attempt is made on his life and drives Kelly crazy with signals of danger a shipment of arms under Rick’s care is stolen in Iraq. Rick is shot and nearly killed and Kelly and Xena are ferried to the secret clinic he’s taken to in the U.S. As Rick heals and they race to find the mastermind behind the plot, the sex between them heats to the boiling point. Riding the edge of danger and a sexual high they soon realize they are falling in love. It is Xena who becomes the real heroine of the piece, though, leading them through a twisted maze of delicious danger.

Excerpt:

Dinner was far more enjoyable than Kelly had expected. Rick Latrobe was easy to be with, easy to talk to, and the food at the casual restaurant was excellent. But she caught herself staring frequently at the man sitting across from her.

At least six two his muscular frame was evident in the jeans and t-shirt he wore. Tiny spikes of golden hair, lighter than the sun-streaked blond mane that covered his head, peeked over the neckline of the shirt. And those eyes. Even rimmed with fatigue they were the most startling blue she’d ever seen.

Idly she wondered what he’d look like completely naked. Would his muscles be as sculpted as they hinted they’d be? Would the soft golden hair cover his body? And what would his—

Stop that!

She almost hated to see it end, a rare feeling for her. When they walked out to his truck in the parking lot, it seemed the most natural thing in the world for him to link his fingers through hers. What wasn’t natural was a repeat of the electricity zinging between them and the heat flushing through her body.

Kelly had a healthy appetite for sex that she hadn’t allowed herself to indulge for far too long. She had an unshakable feeling that this man could satisfy everything on her personal menu but it would be dangerous to give in to the tug between them. She’d keep to her own side of the truck cab on the way back, shake hands, thank him and get the hell inside Granddad’s house before she gave in to the heat throbbing everywhere in her body.

But Rick Latrobe apparently had other ideas. When he unlocked the truck, instead of opening the passenger door for her he pulled her into his arms and his mouth descended on hers.

She’d expected a hard, predatory kiss, one she could have stiffened herself against. Refused. But Rick’s lips were soft against hers, brushing lightly, his tongue tracing the outline of her mouth. Teasing at the corners. Tracing the seam. His arms around her were gentle but firm, almost coaxing. Only there was nothing coaxing about the thick hard ridge of his cock pressing into her through the layers of their clothing.

One hand slid up to cup her head while the other wandered to her hip, pressing her body even closer to his. Heat flash through her, a sizzle that hardened her nipples and made the walls of her pussy quiver. Her thighs trembled and icy shivers skittered over her skin. Lordy! Kelly couldn’t ever remember a man having this effect on her before. Or this quickly.

His tongue was like a flame, burning her everywhere it touched. It danced wickedly inside her mouth, coaxing her own tongue to dance with his. She couldn’t help herself. She tasted him, twined with him, pressed herself so hard against him she was sure the imprint of his cock would be burned against her body.

“Come home with me,” he breathed into her mouth. “Stay the night with me, Kelly, Please.”

“Yes. O-Okay.”

Was that really her talking?

“What about Xena? Do you have to get her?” One corner of his mouth kicked up in a grin. “Because I’m afraid if I take you back to Harry’s you’ll change your mind.”

“I-I can call and tell him what to do. She really doesn’t interact with anyone except me.”

“And me,” he reminded her,” his hand warming her breast.

“And you,” she agreed. “Maybe that’s why I said yes.”

find me at:
www.desireeholt.com
www.desireeholttellsall.com
Twitter: @desireeholt
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CHANCE TO WIN VERTIGO DVD

2011-06-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

SUMMER CONTEST

Considered the Master of Suspense, Alfred Hitchcock made 53 films in his 54 year career. For a chance to win a Vertigo Collector’s Edition DVD, try your luck on the trivia quiz on my blog.

http://sharondonovan.blogspot.com

In honor of The Master’s birthday, winner will be announced on August 13th. Good luck!

Sharon Donovan

Romantic Suspense with a Twist of Faith

My website

www.sharonadonovan.com

Sign up for Sharon’s newsletter

http://www.sharonadonovan.com/index.html#newsletter

sharonad@comcast.net

My blog

Where the one and only Oliver will mix your favorite cocktail with a wink and a smile!

http://sharondonovan.blogspot.com

My Books

Charade of Hearts

Oliver’s story

AVAILABLE NOW!

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/charade-of-hearts-p-4346.html

Her Biggest Fan

An edge of your seat chilling suspense

ISBN: 1-60154-813-3

AVAILABLE NOW!

http://www.TheWildRosePress.com/Her-Biggest-Fan-P-4234.HTML

Mask of the Betrayer

Book one in the Mask series

Filled with so many twists, turns and surprises, you’ll be

hooked from the first chapter.

ISBN: 978-1-936167-06-7

AVAILABLE NOW!

http://www.whimsicalpublications.com/sharon_donovan/mask_of_the_betrayer.html

A new twist on secret babies and erotic romance

2011-06-07T06:11:00.000-07:00

I was on a loop the other day where there was a big discussion of the old, old hook–the secret baby. The majority of the people posting felt that the mother should definitely tell the father about the child. Give him the chance to step up to the plate. And by all means, don’t have this fatherless child always be the perfect offspring despite the secrets in his or her life.

But what if there was a real reason for keeping the child secret? What if a disastrous situation kept the other separated from the father of her child for a long time in a situation that could destroy everyone if the truth was known? And what if real circumstances prevented the mother from even contacting her lover, a man who had show her what real love and hot sex could be?

This was the premise in the plot of Finding Julia. Who is finding Julia Patterson? Her lover who she was forced to walk away from? Or Julia herself, finding who she really is before it’s too late.

Where can you buy it?

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-findingjulia-482421-144.html

http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Julia-ebook/dp/B004NSVICO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1307451960&sr=1-1

http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/b117245/?si=0

Here’s the blurb for Finding Julia:

Sometimes life is not fair. For Julia Patterson meeting Luke Buchanan opened the door to a new life and brought her to life as a woman. In his arms she learns for the first time how real passion and emotion can enrich your life. He claims her body with the pleasure of erotic sex and his heart with unrestricted love. But Fate was laughing at Julia, just as she is about to step over the threshold into a wonderful new life. When her almost-ex-husband Charles is diagnosed with a fatal heart condition her divorce is put on hold along with the rest of her life. Turning her back on Luke and the intense passion and emotion they shared is the most difficult thing she’s ever done. But Julia has a secret, one that Charles has discovered and uses like a club. Thirteen years later when Luke walks back into her life the passion and emotion are just as explosive as ever. Will they finally have their chance at happiness or will her secret destroy her last chance at happiness?

And a really hot excerpt:

The kiss went on and on. He explored the inner recesses of her mouth, licked at it, his lips moving against hers as he slanted his mouth first one way and then another. His large hands, with their long fingers, cupped her head with a touch that was both gentle and commanding. She could feel the imprint of each finger against her skull. His seduction on the dance floor was nothing compared to the impact of this kiss. Now Julia knew what it meant to be kissed breathless.

With a mind of their own, her arms crept up his back, pulling him closer, sliding her hands against the soft fabric of his shirt. She operated purely on instinct. Her sole sexual experience had been with Charles, and she began to realize she might as well have had nothing after all. Her breasts ached even more, silently begging to be touched and held. Her nipples tingled, fire built between her legs, and she didn’t know what to do with it. This was all so new to her.

Without releasing her mouth, Luke slid his hands under her sweater, caressing the soft flesh with featherlight touches on her ribs and her spine, tracing lines and drawing patterns as he learned the curves and angles of her body. His fingers branded her every place he touched her. With an easy deftness, he slipped the hooks on her lacy bra, releasing her breasts and cupping them at last in his hands.

At last! She nearly groaned with relief.

When his thumbs rasped against her nipples, she felt them harden—a delicious shiver ran through her body.

The entire time his hands roamed over her upper body, his mouth never left hers. He kept her welded to him as he fed on her taste, stealing her breath. He tasted pleasantly of whiskey and male, a heady combination. An aphrodisiac that made her head spin and her senses riot.

His finger drew patterns on her spine, caressing each bump and space. They came to rest for a moment on the upper swell of her ass, then walked their way up her ribs to her breasts.

Aroused by Luke’s stimulating touch and desperate to feel his naked skin, she brought her hands around to open the buttons on his shirt. Yanking the tails from his trousers, she frantically pushed the garment from his shoulders and down his arms until it fell to the floor. She ran her hands over him, exploring his upper body, wanting to touch him everywhere at once. She skimmed his chest with her fingertips, relishing in the feel of the crisp hair curling on his chest and the hard buttons of his nipples.

The thickness of his cock pressed against her stomach, increasing her own heat. Her legs were suddenly weak and shaky, and she clung to his lean body for balance. His hands dropped to her waist and slowly unfastened the button on her slacks. The rasp of the zipper being lowered was loud in the room. As he pushed her slacks down her hips and thighs, he lifted his mouth from hers at last. Lowering his head, he closed his mouth over one taut nipple.

“Ohhh.” The tiny cry of pleasure rippled from her throat as his lips tugged and pulled on the hardened flesh.

Come check me out at www.desireeholtellsall.com

LAST drawing winner....

2010-02-14T18:46:00.000-08:00

The winner of Sin on Skin by Mari Freeman (love this story) is Marisa Yanes! Congratulations!

Thank you all again!

Tina

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T18:42:00.000-08:00

The winner of Desire Unchained by Larissa Ione was Cara Quinn! Congratulations! Larissa will contact you shortly!

Thank you!

Tina

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T18:41:00.001-08:00

The winner of Death, The Vamp and His Brother by Lexxie Couper is Carol Beth Coburn! Congratulations! Lexxie will contact you shortly!

Thank you!

Tina

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T18:37:00.000-08:00

The winner of Black Eagle by Gen Bailey was Kaenar Langford! Congratulations! Gen will contact you shortly.

Thank you!

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T18:34:00.000-08:00

The winner of Desert Surrender by Melinda Barron was Sierra Summers! Congratulations! It's on its way!

Tina

NEW! Curvalicious from Accomplice Press!

2010-02-14T18:26:00.002-08:00

Montgomery, AL, February, 5, 2010 Accomplice Press, LLC Announces a writing contest to launch their new plus-size romance book line called Curvalicious. Two winners will be contracted and published.

Accomplice Press, the boutique-style independent publisher, is launching a romance book line called Curvalicious. To kick off this new endeavor the company is hosting a writing competition beginning on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2010 and ending at midnight on May 14, 2010. The company will be accepting submissions in two different categories, one sweet and one spicy. On May 28, 2010 two winning entries will be chosen, announced on Accomplicepress.com, then contracted and published in eBook format by the publisher. The top three submissions of each category will also be included in the first Curvalicious print anthologies.

These literary selections will be short novella length love stories with happy endings featuring beautiful, strong, intelligent plus-size heroines. These anthologies will showcase woman who know who they are and don't feel the need to lose weight or change their bodies to get the man of their dreams. These enticing romances are designed to build self confidence in their readers while entertaining them with intriguing plots and well developed characters. The specific guidelines for sweet and spicy submissions, word count and formatting requirements are all available at accomplicepress.com.

"Society and the media have convinced women that men won't find you attractive if you wear double-digit sizes. This is reinforced by the romance book industry. The leading terms used to describe a heroine are slender, thin, lithe, small, and tiny. Real women read romances, and real women deserve to be able to relate to the heroines. Romance stories are about fantasies, and as a large woman, I personally do not find it satisfying to fantasize about a man touching a body that I can't relate to. I also happen to know that men love women of all sizes. Sexy comes from within. That is why I created Curvalicious."--DJ Alling, CEO, Co-Founder of Accomplice Press and Editor in Chief

"The Curvalicious contest is a way for Accomplice Press to introduce this specialty book line to the readers while giving new authors a chance to be published. We are extremely excited to prove to the world that the main character in a romance novel doesn't need to be a size 8 to be a sexy desirable woman. Our full-figure heroines will get the hot guy without conforming to unattainable stereotypes and she will get the happy ending that she deserves."-- Karen Jones, Promotions Manager for Accomplice Press and what some consider a full-figure woman.

Curvalicious submissions must be sent to curvecontest@accomplicepress.com and must be received no later than midnight May 14, 2010 to be considered for the first print anthology. In conjunction with this writing competition Accomplice Press will be holding a general 'open call' to all authors, with original manuscripts, who use their voice in unique ways that push the boundaries. The company is searching for distinctive stories that need to be told but are often overlooked by literary agents and large warehouse style publishers who only have the bottom line in mind.

Accomplice press is NOT a self-publishing company. They are a full service publisher dedicated to provisioning readers of all ages and tastes with quality reading material. By striving to only publish works that are perfection, the skilled staff achieves excellence with their unparalleled concentration to the tiny details. At Accomplice Press the rare relationship between reader, author and publisher becomes a true partnership.

For more information about Accomplice Press, the Curvalicious writing contest or the publisher's submission requirements and guidelines please visit http://www.accomplicepress.com

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T18:26:00.001-08:00

The winner of Jinxed by Inez Kelley was Stormy Pate. Congratulations! Inez will be in touch with you shortly.

Thank you!

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T18:23:00.000-08:00

The winner of T is for Temptation by Jianne Carlos is Shannon Nale! Congratulations! Jianne will contact you shortly.

Thank you!

Tina

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T18:20:00.000-08:00

The winner of Back in Black from Lori Foster was Judith Hulley! Congratulations! Lori will contact you shortly.

Thank you~

Tina

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T18:17:00.000-08:00

The winner of today's release Independence Day by Christiane France was Jamieson Wolf! Congratulations! Chris will contact you shortly!

Thank you!

Tina

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T18:14:00.000-08:00

The winner of Bound and Wicked by Sasha White was Terry MacFarland. Congratulations! Sasha will contact you shortly. Thank you!

Tina

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T18:08:00.000-08:00

The winner of their choice of one of Lauren Dane's available titles is Maria Durst. Congratulations! Lauren will contact you shortly.

Thank you!

Tina

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T18:05:00.000-08:00

The winner of Her Mother's Killer by the fantastic Melissa Schroeder is Lindsey Ekland. Congratulations! Melissa will contact you shortly.

Thank you!

Tina

THANK YOU EVERYONE!

2010-02-14T18:00:00.000-08:00

For making this SO super fantastic each year! Thank you for coming out and making this one of my favorite days of the year.

You are the ones who make TRS special. =)

HUGS all around,

Tina

PS -- We still have 13 books to giveaway and I'm staying on until we've found them all homes. =)

The winner of the Ari is...

2010-02-14T17:57:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Don Sipley!

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T17:51:00.000-08:00

The winner of Lifting the Veil and Piercing the Veil by R.G. Alexander was Kelley Zane. Congratulations! R.G. will contact you shortly.

Thank you!

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T17:48:00.000-08:00

The winner of The Prince's Bride by Ciar Cullen is Joan Fox. Congratulations! Ciar will contact you shortly.

Thank you!

Tina

LAST ONE... The nominees for the Ariana Overton (Ari) Cover Art Award are...

2010-02-14T17:44:00.002-08:00

Piercing The Veil by R.G. Alexander (artist Les Byerley)
A Witch's Beauty Joey W Hill (artist Don Sipley)
Asmodeus by Dawn McClure (artist Angela Waters)
Second Hope by J.B. McDonald (artist Scott Carpenter)
Bait and Switch by Ann Lory (artist Amanda Kelsey)
Enough Love for Two by Maggie Casper (artist Syneca)
Playing for Keeps by Shiloh Walker (Angela Waters)
Home for the Holidays by Stephanie Vaughn (artist Les Byerley)
Twin Flames by Elizabeth Winters (Artist Natalie Winters)
Private Property by Leah Braemel (artist Natalie Winters)
Retreat by Mari Carr (artist dar Albert)
Rodeo Heat by Desiree Holt (artist Syneca)
Restrain Me by Alyssa Brooks & Larissa Lyons (artist Syneca)
Play It Again, Sam by Samantha Kane (artist Syneca)
Honey Trap by Alexis Fleming (artist Les Byerley)

Good luck!

Tina --> the tired. LOL

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T17:44:00.001-08:00

The winner of Honey Trapp by Alexis Fleming was Jo Ann Jansing! Congratulations! Alexis will contact you shortly.

Thank you!

Tina

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T17:41:00.000-08:00

The winner of their choice of an ebook by the fabulous Isabelle Drake is Melinda Hargett. Congratulations! Isabelle will contact you shortly.

Thank you!

Tina

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T17:38:00.000-08:00

The winner of The Hunt by Anne Marsh was Debra Glass! Congratulations! Anne will contact you shortly.

Thank you!

Tina

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T17:36:00.001-08:00

The winner of Bait and Switch by Ann Lory was Margo Arthur. Congratulations! Ann will contact you shortly. Thank you!

Tina

The winner of the Psyche Award is...

2010-02-14T17:29:00.001-08:00

Congratulations, Lacey!

So the kidlet drew a name from my U2 hat...

2010-02-14T17:26:00.000-08:00

And the winner of the 25 print books is...

Cathy MacDonald!

Cathy send a mailing address to Holly at hollytrs@gmail.com.

Thank you!

Tina

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T17:20:00.000-08:00

The winner of The Gathering by Antonia Tiranth was Gail N. Congratulations! Antonia will contact you shortly!

Thank you!

The nominees for the Psyche Award are...

2010-02-14T17:14:00.000-08:00

bahiAdrienne by D. Renee Bagby (Samhain Publishing)
A Slave's Way Out by Cindy Salo (Whiskey Creek Press)
Catch A falling Star by Allyson James (Ellora's Cave)
Primal Pursuit by Rebecca Aries (Ellora's Cave)
Pick Of The Litter by Wendy Stone (Phaze)
Dragonheat by Sherill Quinn (Amber Quill Press)
Piercing The Veil by R G Alexander (Ellora's Cave)
Blue Dragon challenge by Aurora Rose Lynn (Total-e-bound)
Wizard For Hire by Barbara Donlon Bradley (Moonlight Showcase)
On the Run by Judith Rochelle (The Wild Rose Press)
First Blood anthology (Berkley)
The Fury by Sloan McBride (Samhain Publishing)
Operation Sheba by Misty Evans (Samhain Publishing)
Birthright by Mari Freeman (Ellora's Cave)
Meeting a Neighbor's Needs by Qwillia Rain (Loose Id)
The People You Know the Sex They Have by Aubrey Leatherwood (Lyrical Press)
Desire for Three by Leah Brooke (Siren Publishing)
Wicked by Sasha White (Berkley)
Dead Stop by Jamie Denton (Kensington)
Seduced by Darkness by Lacey Savage (Changeling Press)
Hankie Pankie by Liz Andrews (Ellora's Cave)
To Capture a Spy by Silvia Violet (Samhain Publishing)
Fringe Benefits by Shelley Munro (Ellora's Cave)
Home for the Holidays by Stephanie Vaughn (Ellora's Cave)
The Lady Flees Her Lord by Michele Ann Young (Sourcebooks)
Merry's Christmas by Patrice Moore (The Wild Rose Press)
The Daddy Spell by Patti Ann Colt (The Wild Rose Press)
Getting Lucky by Carolyn Brown (Sourcebooks)
The Dracans: A Matter of Choice by Sara Rustan (Loose Id)
The Purrfect Man by Mary Winter (Pink Petal Books)
Cowboy for Hire by Isabelle Drake (Cerridwen Press)
Cave of Terror by Amber Dawn Bell (Highland Press Publishing)
Beauty and the Beasts by Ava Rose Johnson (Loose Id)
Undercover Submission by Melinda Barron (Loose Id)
Meredith's Awakening by Violet Summers (Liquid Silver Books)
The Blacker the Berry by Lena Matthews (Loose Id)

Good luck!

Tina

The winner in the Favorite Erotic Author category is...

2010-02-14T16:59:00.001-08:00

The nominees for Favorite Erotic Author are...

2010-02-14T16:45:00.000-08:00

R.G. Alexander
Helen Hardt
Jamie Craig
Sherri L. King
Aubrey Leatherwood
Maya Banks
Stephanie Vaughn
Shiloh Walker
Jaci Burton
Maggie Casper
Moira Rogers
Helen Louise Carroll
Lora Leigh
Cherise Sinclair
Mari Carr
Melinda Barron
Lorelei James
Leah Braemel
Leah Brooke
Morgan Ashbury
Debra Glass
Claire Thompson
Trista Ann Michaels
Katie Allen
Samantha Kane
Cat Johnson
Violet Summers

Good luck!

Tina

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T16:43:00.000-08:00

The winner of Running Bare by Lacey Thorn was Bonnie Hoffmaster! Congratulations! Lacey will contact you shortly.

Thank you!

Tina

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T16:37:00.000-08:00

The winner of The Baby Interview by Robbie Terman is Nancy Gilliland. Congratulations! Robbie will contact you shortly. Thank you!

Tina

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T16:34:00.000-08:00

The winner of Instinctive by the fabulous Cathryn Fox is Ingela Hyatt! Congratulations! Cathryn will contact you shortly!

Thank you!

Tina

The winner for the BDSM category is...

2010-02-14T16:27:00.000-08:00

Congratulations, Desiree!

The nominees for best BDSM are...

2010-02-14T16:15:00.001-08:00

The Price Of His Redemption by Jamie Craig (Amber Quill Press)
Raising Cain 3: Capturing Casey’s Heart by Maggie Casper (Ellora's Cave)
Desert Surrender by Melinda Barron (Loose Id)
Rope Dreams: Purgatory by Eliza Gayle (phaze)
Adult Education by Katalina Leon (Ellora's Cave)
Auctioning Charity by Reese Gabriel (Ellora's Cave)
Rodeo Heat by Desiree Holt (Ellora's Cave)
Club Shadowland by Cherise Sinclair (Loose Id)
Perfect Formation by K.B. Alan (Ellora's Cave)
Master of the Shadowlands: Dark Citadel by Cherise Sinclair (Loose Id)
Master of the Shadowlands 3: Breaking Free by Cherise Sinclair (Loose Id)

Good luck!

Tina

The winner in the Paranormal Erotic Romance category is...

2010-02-14T15:55:00.000-08:00

Congratulations Lexxie!

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T15:54:00.000-08:00

The winner of Imperfection by Aubrey Leatherwood was Kara Bell. Congratulations! Aubrey will contact you shortly.

Thank you!

Tina

The 2009 5 Heart Sweetheart Winner at TRS was...

2010-02-14T15:44:00.000-08:00

Rodeo Heat by Desiree Holt

Reviews for TRS by Shannon

There are two words to describe this story, "absolutely stunning." Ms. Holt continues to amaze with her talent for creating rich, intriguing stories that not only captivate the reader but ones that stand the test of time. Rodeo Heat is a sensual, emotional, and poignant love story that seems to rope the reader into the pages, holding them hostage to the passionate delights that abound. The ambience of the wildness of the rodeo and its riders act as the perfect backdrop for this plot. Ben and Grace are characters that really seem to come to life with their complex, endearing, and heartbreaking qualities that will have the reader charmed. The strong character development compliments the connection and interaction between the Ben and Grace, which is fully developed and very believable. The secondary characters are a treat and work well to move the story forward. Bubbling with passion the scenes of intimacy are filled with emotion and gripping hot sexual delights that are some of the most arousing scenes the reader will ever read! Be warned the author leaves nothing to the imagination! The older woman/younger man combo is a delight and this author does a wonderful job of portraying the passion, emotion and connection between them without redundantly dwelling on the age difference. This is one story the reader will be sad to see end!

Hold on for a wild ride with Rodeo Heat! - Shannon

Congratulations! And thanks for all who voted!

Tina

The nominees for best Paranormal Erotic Romance are...

2010-02-14T15:42:00.000-08:00

True Mates: Nikolai's Wolf by Zena Wynn (Berkley)
Bound By Deception by Christa Paige (Liquid Silver Books)
Desire To Die For by Jessica Lee (Loose Id)
Paramatch.com by M K Mancos (Samhain Publishing)
Nocked Over by Sam Cheever (Ellora's Cave)
An Unwanted Hunger by Ciana Stone (Ellora's Cave)
Beyond Shadows by N J Walters (Ellora's Cave)
Lover's Key by Sherri L King (Ellora's Cave)
Heaven Sent by Dawn McClure (Samhain Publishing)
Perfection by Kris Cook (Siren Publishing)
Instinctive by Cathryn Fox (Berkley)
Where the Heart Is by Ally Blue (Samhain Publishing)
Mortal Seductions by Allyson James (Berkley)
Mortal Temptations by Allyson James (Berkley)
Death, The Vamp and His Brother by Lexxie Couper (Samhain Publishing)
Crux by Moira Rogers (Samhain Publishing)
White Wolf by Jianne Carlo (Loose Id)
Falling for You by Barbara Elsborg (Loose Id)
Toxic by Belinda McBride (Changeling Press)
Primal Hunger by Sydney Somers (Samhain Publishing)
Coyote's Mate by Lora Leigh (Berkley)
Jackson's Rise by Tielle St. Clare (Ellora's Cave)
Dominating Victoria by Kitty DuCane (Loose Id)
Blood Rite by Trista Ann Michaels (Loose Id)
Beth's Acceptance by Teal Ceagh (Ellora's Cave)
Maxwell's Fall by Tielle St. Claire (Ellora's Cave)
The Wolves' Submissive by Ava Rose Johnson (Loose Id)
Chasing Her Tail by Katie Allen (Ellora's Cave)
Kansas City Shuffle by Talya Bosco (Loose Id)

Good luck!

Tina

The winner of the Historical Erotic Romance category is...

2010-02-14T15:25:00.000-08:00

Congratulations Robin!

Next drawing winners

2010-02-14T15:24:00.000-08:00

The winner of Patti Ann Colt's books are --

The Daddy Spell won by Dee Ann Palmer

The Sweetheart Dance won by Karin

Congratulations! Patti will contact you shortly. Thank you!

Next drawing

2010-02-14T15:19:00.000-08:00

The winner of Got Wolf? by Helen Hardt is Linda Hall! Congratulations! Helen will be in touch with you shortly. Thank you!

Tina

The nominees for Historical Erotic Romance category are...

2010-02-14T15:14:00.000-08:00

Comanche Heat by Robin Gideon (The Wild Rose Press)
Snowball in Hell by Josh Lanyon (Aspen Mountain Press)
Cry For Passion by Robin Schone (Berkley)
The Prince’s Bride by Ciar Cullen (Loose Id)
Addicted by Charlotte Featherstone (Harlequin Spice)
Bad Kitty by Debra Glass (Ellora's Cave)
Bought and Paid For by Debra Glass (Ellora's Cave)

Good luck!

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T15:04:00.000-08:00

The winner of Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of a Honeybun by past CAPA winner Sam Cheever is Lisa Freeman! Congratulations! Sam will contact you shortly. Thank you!

Tina

The winner for the Fantasty Erotic Romance category is...

2010-02-14T14:58:00.000-08:00

Congratulations Joey!

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T14:53:00.001-08:00

The winner of the copy of Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James is Kaz! Congratulations! Julie will contact you shortly.

Thank you!

Tina

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T14:49:00.000-08:00

The winner of Toxic by Belinda McBride is Kammie. Congratulations! Belinda will contact you shortly. Thank you!

Tina

The nominees for best Fantasy Erotic Romance are...

2010-02-14T14:43:00.000-08:00

Lord Of Thunder by Linda Mooney (Whiskey Creek Press)
Dragon's Song: The Dragon Queen by Cameo Brown (Changeling Press)
Have Mercy by N J Walters (Ellora's Cave)
Unwise by Jane Toombs (Crescent Moon Press)
A Witch's Beauty by Joey W Hill (Berkley)
In the Flesh by Livia Dare (Kensington Books)
Undercover by Lauren Dane (Berkley)
Relentless by Lauren Dane (Berkley)
Dragon Actually by G. A. Aiken (Berkley)
Mystic’s Call by Lacey Thorn (Ellora's Cave)
Unchained Spell, Hot Magic 2 by Rachel Carrington (Ellora's Cave)
Mona Lisa Darkening by Sunny (Berkley)
Mesmerized by Donna Grant (Cobblestone Press)
Spinner by Viola Grace (Extasy Books)
Embracing Silence by N.J. Walters (Ellora's Cave)
Enemy Overnight by Robin L. Rotham (Ellora's Cave)
Tomorrow by Samantha Kane (Ellora's Cave)

Good luck!

Tina

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T14:42:00.001-08:00

The winner of Midnight's Master by Cynthia Eden is Libby McKinmer! Congratulations! Cynthia will contact you shortly.

Thank you!

Tina

The winner in the Contemporary Erotic Romance category is...

2010-02-14T14:29:00.000-08:00

Congratulations Maya!

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T14:24:00.001-08:00

The winner of Past Promises by the wonderful N.J. Walters is Kat Hall! Congratulations! N.J. will contact you shortly. Thank you!

Tina

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T14:20:00.000-08:00

The winner of Master of the Shadowlands: Dark Citadel by Cherise Sinclair is Gail M. Congratulations! Cherise will be in touch shortly. Thank you!

Tina

The nominees for best Contemporary Erotic Romance are...

2010-02-14T14:15:00.001-08:00

Night Angel by Renee Reeves (Black Velvet Seductions)
Spitfire by Mari Carr (Ellora's Cave)
Sweet Seduction by Maya Banks (Berkley)
By The Book by N. J. Walters (Samhain Publishing)
Nauti Intentions by Lora Leigh (Berkley)
Bikini Diaries by Lacey Alexander (Berkley)
Bound and Determined by Shayla Black (Berkley)
Sweet Persuasion by Maya Banks (Berkley)
Miss Firecracker by Lorelei James (Samhain Publishing)
Shoulda Been A Cowboy by Lorelei James (Samhain Publishing)
Playing for Keeps by Shiloh Walker (Samhain Pubshling)
Enough Love for Two by Maggie Casper (Ellora's Cave)
Unraveled by Jaci Burton (Samhain Publishing)
Three for All by Raina James (Siren Publishing)
One on One by Cathryn Fox (Samhain Publishing)
Chains by Shiloh Walker (Berkley)
Man of Her Dreams by Paige Warren (Wild Horse Press)
Paris Heat by Christiane France (Amber Quill Press)
Nice and Naughty by Mia Jae (Resplendence Publishing)
Laid Bare by Lauren Dane (Berkley)
Play It Again, Sam by Samantha Kane (Ellora's Cave)
Master of the Mountain by Cherise Sinclair (Loose Id)
Rough, Raw and Ready by Lorelei James (Samhain Publishing)
Our Man Friday by Claire Thompson (Samhain Publishing)
Private Property by Leah Braemel (Samhain Publishing)
I Heart that City: Body Shots by Mechele Armstrong (Loose Id)
Wanton Wager by Morgan Ashbury (Siren Publishing)
Sugar and Spice by Mari Carr (Ellora's Cave)
Unridden by Cat Johnson (Linden Bay Romance)
Restrain Me by Alyssa Brooks & Larissa Lyons (Ellora's Cave)
Rules of Desire by Leah Brooke (Siren Publishing)

Good luck!

Tina

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T14:08:00.000-08:00

The winner of the autographed print copy of Dare to Love by Jaci Burton was Inez Kelley! Congratulations! Jaci will be contacting you shortly!

Thank you!

Tina

WHEW! Halfway there...

2010-02-14T14:04:00.000-08:00

Ready for some erotic category awards? =)

Thank you!

Tina

The winner in the Favorite Author Category is...

2010-02-14T13:59:00.001-08:00

Congratulations Lori!

Next drawing winners

2010-02-14T13:52:00.000-08:00

The lucky winners of Morgan Ashbury's books...

The winner of Wanton Wager was Brenda Talley.

The winner of The Prince and the Single Mom was Sheila F.

The winner of A Little R&R was Jody Faltys.

Congratulations all. Thank you!

Tina

The nominees for Favorite Author are...

2010-02-14T13:45:00.000-08:00

N.J. Walters
Wendy Stone
Shannon K. Butcher
Terry Spear
R.G. Alexander
Sam Cheever
Sloan McBride
Dawn McClure
Sarah McCarty
Lori Foster
Shiloh Walker
Christine Feehan
Meljean Brook
Carolyn Brown
Lucinda Betts
Belinda McBride
Kylie Brant

Good luck!

Tina

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T13:43:00.001-08:00

The winner of Nice and Naughty by Mia Jae was Eva Minaskanian! Congratulations! Mia will be in touch with you shortly.

Thank you!

Tina

Is it time for chocolate?

2010-02-14T13:41:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty sure it is. Here, let me share...

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T13:40:00.001-08:00

The winner of Perfect Formation by KB Alan was Amy Smith! Congratulations! KB will contact you shortly.

Thank you!

Tina

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T13:37:00.000-08:00

The winner of Unridden by Cat Johnson was Bella! Congratulations! Cat will contact you shortly. Thank you!

Tina

The winner in the Anthology category is...

2010-02-14T13:27:00.001-08:00

Congratulations ladies!

Anyone else...

2010-02-14T13:22:00.000-08:00

Imagining a red carpet in their head? Tina, you can't imagine what you're wearing as you present awards!

Aubrey Leatherwood

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T13:21:00.000-08:00

The winner of Rodeo Heat by Desiree Holt is Molli Struebing. Congratulations! Desiree will be in touch with you shortly!

Thank you!

Tina

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T13:18:00.001-08:00

The winner of Man of Her Dreams by Paige Warren was Donna Little. Congratulations! Paige will be in touch with you shortly!

Thank you!

Tina

The nominees for best Anthology category are...

2010-02-14T13:14:00.000-08:00

(And this year we only had enough nominations for one anthology category -- for the record.)

Double the Pleasure (Berkley)
Tails of Love (Berkley)
Finding Their Way Back (The Wild Rose Press)
Hot for the Holidays (Berkley)
Got Wolf (The Wild Rose Press)

Good luck!

Tina

Correction to a winner post...

2010-02-14T13:12:00.000-08:00

I want to apologies to author Leah Braemel who's name I got wrong in an earlier post. I am so sorry that I did that. I'll try harder. Please accept our humblest apologies.

Most sincerely,

Tina

The winner in the Inspirational Romance category is...

2010-02-14T12:57:00.001-08:00

Congratulations Cindy!

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T12:54:00.000-08:00

The winner of the ebook copy of On The Run by Judith Rochelle is Lillie Applegarth. Congratulations! Judith will be contacting you shortly!

Thank you!
Tina

Next drawing winners

2010-02-14T12:48:00.000-08:00

The winner of Bad Kitty by Debra Glass was Jaime Saare.

The winner of Bought and Paid for was Marcy Arbitman.

Congratulations guys! Debra will be in touch with you shortly!

Thank you!

Tina

The nominees for best Inspiration Romance are...

2010-02-14T12:45:00.001-08:00

Rose of the Adriatic by K.M. Daughters (The Wild Rose Press)
The Claddagh Ring by Sharon Donovan (The Wild Rose Press)
Foolish Games by Karen Wiesner (Samhain Publishing)
Midnight Frolic by Loree Lough (The Wild Rose Press)
Snow Kissed by Cindy K. Green (White Rose Publishing)

Good luck!

Thank you!

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T12:39:00.000-08:00

The winner of Sharon Donovan's ebook copy of The Claddagh Ring was Crystal Butcher. Congratulations Crystal! Sharon will be in touch with you shortly.

Thank you!

Tina

The winner in the Romantic Suspense category is...

2010-02-14T12:27:00.000-08:00

Congratulations Shiloh!

Next drawing winner

2010-02-14T12:23:00.001-08:00

The winner of the print copy of Mutual Desire by the fabulous Donna Grant was Diane L Urbanec! Congratulations! Donna will contact you shortly!

Thank you!

Tina

The nominees for best Romantic Suspense are...

2010-02-14T12:16:00.001-08:00

Primal Obsession by Susan Vaughan (The Wild Rose Press)
Pitch Black by Leslie Parrish (Berkley)
I'd Rather Be In Paris by Misty Evans (Samhain Publishing)
Wicked Game by Lisa Jackson and Nancy Bush (Kensington)
Her Mother's Killer by Melissa Schroeder (Whiskey Creek Press)
Hot Shot by Catherine Mann (Berkley)
Mating Game by Janice Maynard (Berkley)
Fragile by Shiloh Walker (Berkley)
Running Bare by Lacey Thorn (Ellora's Cave)
Mexican Heat by Josh Lanyon & Laura Baumbach (Samhain Publishing)
Hard To Handle by Karen Wiesner (Whiskey Creek Press)
Waking Nightmare by Kylie Brant (Berkley)
Retreat by Mari Carr (Ellora's Cave)
The Mercenary: The Savage Seven by Katherine Garbera (Kensington Books)

Good luck!

Tina

First drawing...

2010-02-14T12:14:00.000-08:00

Winner was Chris Roberts who won a copy of Personal Protection by Leah Braemel. Congratulations! Leah will be contacting you shortly!

Tina

The winner in the Paranormal Romance category is...

2010-02-14T11:58:00.001-08:00

Congratulations Larissa!

The nominees for best Paranormal Romance are...

2010-02-14T11:43:00.000-08:00

The Quickening by Antonia Tiranth (Lyrical Press)
Kiss Of Fate by Deborah Cooke (Berkley)
Burning Alive: The Sentinel Wars by Shannon K. Butcher (Berkley)
To Tempt The Wolf by Terry Spear (Sourcebooks)
The Hunt by Anne Marsh (Dorchester)
Would be Witch by Kimberly Frost (Berkley)
Asmodeus by Dawn McClure (Samhain Publishing)
Caleb by Sarah McCarty (Berkley)
Midnight's Master by Cynthia Eden (Kensington Books)
Red Kiss by Deidre Knight (Berkley)
Desire Unchained by Larissa Ione (Grand Central Publishing)
My Favorite Phantom by Karen Kelley (Kensington)
Lucan by Susan Kearney (Grand Central Publishing)
Dark Slayer by Christine Feehan (Berkley)
Demon Forged by Meljean Brook (Berkley)
Witch Heart by Anya Bast (Berkley)
Angel Vindicated by Viola Estrella (Cerridwen Press)
Skin Game by Ava Gray (Berkley)
Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh (Berkley)

Okay, I'm am SO glad I don't get to vote because I'd never be able to choose...

Good luck!

Tina

We're going to start giving away books...

2010-02-14T11:40:00.000-08:00

We'll save that box of 25 print books for the last one. =) It's a good collection too.

So enter now if you haven't already! http://theromancestudio.com/capa_draw.php

Thank you!

Tina

The winner in the Historical Romance category is...

2010-02-14T11:27:00.000-08:00

Congratulations Sue-Ellen!

Psyche Designs

2010-02-14T11:15:00.000-08:00

If you're looking for a web site, a makeover to an existing site, a Word Press site you can update yourself, promotional banners or book trailers, come by and visit us! www.PsycheDesigns.com

Psyche is technically part of TRS but we branched out so folks wouldn't think we exclusively do sites for romance authors (though those are our favorites). Katie Raines and I run it. Let us know if we can help you.

Thanks!

Tina

The nominees for best Historical Romance are...

2010-02-14T11:13:00.000-08:00

Rancher McBride by Lauri Robinson (The Wild Rose Press)
Black Eagle by Gen Bailey (Berkley)
A Highlander's Temptation by Sue-Ellen Welfonder (Grand Central Publishing)
The Masquerade by Kristi Ahlers (Champagne Books)
Gorgeous as Sin by Susan Johnson (Berkley)
Somewhere in North Africa by Lindsay Downs (The Wild Rose Press)

Good luck!

Tina

The winner in the Fantasy Romance category is...

2010-02-14T10:54:00.001-08:00

Congratulations to G.A.!

CAPA Advertising Sale!

2010-02-14T10:48:00.000-08:00

For our CAPA's, it's a 50% sale! Place your order and use CAPA50 in the comments section for 50% off any of our advertising (excluding design work and Google ads).

We will send an invoice with the 50% off total or use the discount to buy 1 get one free!

Offer ends midnight EST, February 14, 2010!

http://theromancestudio.com/advertise.php

Thank you!

Tina

The nominees for best Fantasy Romance are...

2010-02-14T10:44:00.001-08:00

Nightflyers by Isabel L. Martens (Cerridwen Press)
Viking Heat by Sandra Hill (Berkley)
Rogue: The Cat Star Chronicles #3 by Cheryl Brooks (Sourcebooks)
Tween Heart's Fire and Devil's Delight by Sam Cheever (Cerridwen Press)
Dragon Actually by G. A. Aiken (Kensington Books)

Good luck!

Tina

Apparently...

2010-02-14T10:40:00.000-08:00

So I get a call from Holly. Most of you know her. =)

She tells me I'm supposed to be promoing stuff too while I do this. I'm like, what? And she gave me a list.

So, for the record, I'll try to do better.

Sheez! LOL

Tina

The winner in the Contemporary Romance category is...

2010-02-14T10:28:00.001-08:00

Congratulations to Erin!

The nominees for best Contemporary Romance are...

2010-02-14T10:15:00.000-08:00

For Love or Money by By Lavada Dee (Siren Publishing)
The Baby Interview by Robbie Terman (The Wild Rose Press)
One September Morning by Rosalind Noonan (Kensington)
Never Been Witched by Annette Blair (Berkley)
He's No Prince Charming by LuAnn McLane (Berkley)
Past Promises by N. J. Walters (Samhain Publishing)
Hard and Fast by Erin McCarthy (Berkley)
Christmas With Sarah by Janet Miller (Cerridwen Press)
Rewriting Monday by Jodi Thomas (Berkley)
Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James (Berkley)
Love is a Four-Legged Word by Kandi Shepherd (Berkley)
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt (The Wild Rose Press)
Bait and Switch by Ann Lory (Linden Bay Romance)
Jinxed by Inez Kelley (Samhain Publishing)
Lucky In Love by Carolyn Brown (Sourcebooks)
Black Hills by Nora Roberts (Berkley)
Healing Luke by Beth Cornelison (Sourcebooks)

Good luck everyone!

Tina

Let's get started...

2010-02-14T10:12:00.000-08:00

It only took me 12 minutes to make one post. Geez. LOL

Okay, nominees, feel free to post away during the awards. Comments are absolutely welcome. We're also going to Twitter, Facebook, and Myspace the results this year as we go. All the awards will be posted to the site and announced in a special issue of Studio Notes by tonight. =)

Please enter the giveaway for ALL those books we have to give away. The link is in the upper right corner OR you can go straight to http://theromancestudio.com/capa_draw.php

Any questions as we go along are welcome too.

Have fun and thank you for coming out!

Tina

Welcome to the 7th Annual CAPA Awards!

2010-02-14T10:03:00.000-08:00

Welcome to our 7th Annual CAPA Awards everyone!

What are the CAPA's? They are awards given by The Romance Studio for excellence in romantic and erotic fiction. Categories include inspirational, contemporary, fantasy, historical, mainstream, paranormal, romantic suspense, erotic contemporary, erotic fantasy, erotic historical, erotic paranormal, erotic anthology, BDSM, and the Ariana Overton Award for Best Cover Art or the Ari.

Only books reviewed by The Romance Studio after November 26, 2008 and prior to November 25, 2009 with a publication date during that time were considered for the awards (with the exception of the Psyche Award). (Please note that overall ratings given to books in posted reviews at TRS were not indicative of book(s) strength or weakness in consideration).

The Psyche Award is a category for romances that did not meet the nomination criteria but that our reviewers felt deserved special recognition. Books in this category have not previously received a CAPA award.

Each year since we started, the reviewers at TRS only make the nominations. Only our reviewers and about 50 readers (and there's a list of criteria for those) who have participated at TRS in a giveaway or event at least once per month in that year are invited to the final vote.

Thank you for coming out today and if you're slow to respond, we get that you're watching the Olympics. LOL

Good luck everyone. All our nominees are winners as far as I'm concerned.

Thank you!

Tina Pavlik

The Romance Studio
http://theromancestudio.com

2009 CAPA nominee Contemporary Erotic Romance

2010-02-14T09:47:00.000-08:00

Nominated for a 2009 CAPA for Contemporary Erotic Romance. (Thank you, Romance Studio!) Here’s a blurb and excerpt for MASTER OF THE MOUNTAIN. A BDSM Full-figured Heroine, Contemporary Erotic from Loose Id.

Shannon from The Romance Studio says, “Cherise Sinclair has proven once again what a true and amazing gift she has for storytelling. Readers can't help but fall under this author's spell as she creates magic with another deliciously scandalous book to delight in.”

=== Blurb for Master of the Mountain =================

When Rebecca's boyfriend talks her into vacationing at a mountain lodge with his swing club, she quickly learns she's not cut out for playing musical beds. Now she has nowhere to sleep. Logan, the lodge owner, finds her freezing on the porch. After hauling her inside, he warms her in his own bed, and there the experienced Dom discovers that Rebecca might not be a swinger…but she is definitely a submissive.

Rebecca knows that no one can love her plump, scarred body. To her shock, lodge owner Logan not only disagrees, but ties her up and shows her just how much he enjoys her curves. Under his skilled hands, Rebecca not only loses her inhibitions, but also her heart.

Damaged from the war, Logan considers himself too dangerous to be around the enticing little sub. He sends her away for her own safety, not realizing she believes she has once again been rejected because of her size. As Logan's mountains echo with her voice long after she's gone, he realizes she's taken his heart with her. But when he arrives in the city to reclaim her, Rebecca's phone has been disconnected and her apartment is empty…

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, BDSM theme and content, exhibitionism.

=== Excerpt =============================

Why the hell hadn’t Jake returned from San Francisco? Logan wondered, grinding his teeth at the constant magpielike chattering of the people on the trail. Two more miles to Rainbow Lake. A shame he couldn’t get them to jog, but maybe if he sped up some, they wouldn’t have the breath to talk.

Usually Jake handled the social crap, while Logan did repairs and maintenance. People in individual packages could be enjoyable, but crowds? He’d rather get shot in the head. He ran a finger down the scar on his face and snorted. Again.

Stepping up on an outcropping of granite, he eyed the line of people trudging up the switchbacks. No stragglers. The group appeared in pretty good shape. Even fancy Rebecca in her designer jeans and shapeless top had kept up.

In fact, she did more than keep up. As she walked beside her boyfriend, her green eyes sparkled with pleasure, alert to everything the forest offered. Logan had seen her spot a mule deer frozen in place, a hawk in a dive, and a tiny deer mouse. Each time her face lit with wonder. Her open enjoyment added to his, and he found himself checking the line more often than normal just to catch her reactions.

The sun was high overhead and unseasonably hot by the time the trail descended, leaving the pines behind. He led the group across a grass- and wildflower-filled meadow to the tiny mountain lake, clear and blue and damned cold. Granite slabs poked up through the wildflowers, glimmering in the sun. With yells of delight, people dropped their backpacks and stripped.

Logan enjoyed the show of bare asses and breasts as the swingers splashed into the water like a herd of lemmings, screaming at the cold. As he leaned on a boulder, he noticed one person still completely dressed with wide eyes and open mouth. The city girl. Considering she and Matt bunked together, Rebecca couldn’t be a virgin, but from her reaction, she was pretty innocent when it came to kink.

“C’mon, babe,” her boyfriend yelled, already buck naked in the lake. “The water’s great.” Not waiting for her response, he waded out deeper, heading for a blonde who looked as if she had substituted bouncy breasts for cheerleading pom-poms.

Rebecca glanced from the water to the trail, back to the water, where Matt wrestled with Ashley, and back to the trail again.

Logan could see the exact moment she decided to leave. He walked over to block her way.

“Excuse me,” she said politely.

“No.”

Red surged into her cheeks, and her eyes narrowed as she glared at him. Red-gold hair. Freckles. Big bones. Looked like she had Irish ancestry and the temper to go with it. Stepping sideways to block her again, Logan tucked his thumbs into his front pockets and waited for the explosion.

“Listen, Mr. Hunt --”

“It’s Logan,” he interrupted and tried not to grin as her mouth compressed.

“Whatever. I’m going back to my cabin. Please move your… Please move.”

“Sorry, sugar, but no one hikes alone. That’s one safety rule I take seriously.” He glanced at the swingers. “I can’t leave them, and you can’t walk alone, so you’re stuck here.”

Her eyes closed, and he saw the iron control she exerted over her emotions.

The Dom in him wondered how quickly he could break through that control to the woman underneath. Tie her up, tease her a bit, and watch her struggle not to give in to her need and… Hell, talk about inappropriate thoughts.

He pulled in a breath to cool off. No use. It was blistering hot, and not just from his visions of steamy sex. Nothing like global warming in the mountains. He frowned when he noted her damp face and the sweat soaking her long-sleeved, heavy shirt. Not good. The woman needed to get her temperature down.

At the far end of the meadow, the forest would provide shade. He could send her there to sit and cool off, but she’d be out of sight, and from the obstinate set of that pretty, pink mouth, she’d head right back down the trail in spite of his orders.

Shoulders straight, chin up, feet planted. Definitely a rebellious one, the type that brought his dominant nature to the fore. He’d love to give her an order and have her disobey, so he could enjoy the hell out of paddling that soft ass. But she wasn’t his to discipline, more’s the pity, since a woman like this was wasted on that pretty boy.

And he’d gotten sidetracked.

With a sigh, he returned to the problem at hand. She needed to stay here where he could keep an eye on her, and she needed to cool off.

“Even if you don’t strip down completely, at least take some clothes off and wade in the water,” he said. “You’re getting overheated.”

“Thank you, but I’m fine,” she said stiffly.

“No, you’re not.” When he stepped closer, he felt the warmth radiating off her body. Being from San Francisco, she wouldn’t be accustomed to the dryness or the heat. “Either strip down, little rebel, or I’ll toss you in with your clothes on.”

Her mouth dropped open.

He wouldn’t, would he? Rebecca stared up at the implacable, cold eyes, seeing the man’s utter self-confidence. Definitely not bluffing.

Well, he could be as stern as he wanted. Damned if she’d take her clothing off and display her chunky, scarred legs. She shook her head, backing away. If she needed to, she’d run.

Faster than she could blink, he grabbed her arm.

She tugged and got nowhere. “Listen, you can’t --”

With one hand, he unbuttoned her heavy shirt, not at all hindered by her efforts to shove his hand away. After a minute, her shirt flapped open, revealing her bra and her pudgy stomach. “Damn you!”

She glanced at the lake, hoping for Matt to rescue her, and froze. He was kissing the oh-so-perky Ashley, and not just a peck on the lips but a full clinch and deep-throating tongues. Rebecca stared as shock swept through her, followed by a wave of humiliation. He… As her breath hitched, she tore her gaze away, blinking against the welling tears. Why had she ever come here?

“Oh, sugar, don’t do that now.” Logan pulled her up against his chest, ignoring her weak protest. His arms held her against chest muscles hard as the granite outcroppings, and he turned so she couldn’t see the lake. Silently, he stroked a hand down her back while she tried to pull herself together.

Matthew and Ashley would have sex. Soon. Somehow she hadn’t quite understood the whole concept of swinging and what her gut-level reaction would be. But she could take it now that she realized…what would happen. After drawing in a shaky breath, she firmed her lips. Fine.

And if Logan insisted she strip to bra and panties, that was fine too. So what if these people saw her giant thighs and ugly scars. She’d never see any of them again. Ever.

For a second, she let herself enjoy the surprising comfort of Logan’s arms. Then she pushed away.

He let her take a step back and then grasped her upper arms, keeping her in place as he studied her face.

She flushed and looked away. God, how embarrassing. She had melted down in front of a total stranger, showing him exactly how insecure she was. But he’d been nice, and she owed him. “Thank you for…uh…the shoulder.”

With a finger, he turned her face back to him. “I like holding you, Rebecca. Come to me anytime you need a shoulder.” A crease appeared in his cheek. He ran his finger across the skin at the top of her lacy bra, his finger slightly rough, sending unexpected tingles through her. “You think I can talk you out of this too?”

The thought of being braless led to her imagining his big hands touching her breasts, how all his strength could hold her in place, and… God, get a grip, Rebecca. She shook her head and stepped back hastily.

He eyed her, and his look heated her more than the noon sun. “You will, at least, strip down to bra and briefs.” One corner of his mouth tipped up. “If you don’t, I’ll do it for you. And I’ll enjoy every minute.”

Her insides turned to molten lava. How could she be appalled at his threat and excited at the same time? “Fine. But I’ll take my own clothes off,” she said, her mouth dry. She shrugged her shirt off.

“I’d almost rather lose,” he murmured and tugged a lock of her hair before striding away.

* * * * *

Buy link
==================================

www.CheriseSinclair.com

Dominant Males, Sizzling Tales

Masters of the Shadowlands series Loose Id / in print at Amazon and Barnes&NobleMaster of the Mountains Loose Id / Out now

A Narcoleptic Cat, Szechuan Pork and Cinderella on Crack

2010-02-14T08:36:00.000-08:00

Just what every romance needs! Writing comedy is hard, very hard. Funny to me may not be funny to you. Tempering all that questionable humor with a strong enough plot line, competent characters and skilled writing style can be a balancing act. But I am a comedian; juggling is just one of my (dubious)talents. I take a dash of funny, add some pain, throw in some discoveries and season it all with romance. Magic seems to happen. Love and life have a wide spectrum of emotions. Some occur alone, others are mixed. Laughter through tears, hope through fear, love through anger- why not touch them all? I tried to in JINXED. I think I did okay. I must have to be among these fine ladies. I am humbled and honored to be included.

Thank you, from the bottom of this trickster's heart.

When opposites attract, they are screwed three ways from Sunday.

Frannie learned the hard way that a McHottie doesn't always equal marriage material. Besides, she's happy with her vanilla life. She has friends, a career and a double-D-powered vibrator. Then Fate shoves her, literally, into Prince Charming's lap. His declaration of love at first sight is cute-and spikes her bullcrap meter into the red zone.

She's more than willing to give in with her body. But she's barricaded her heart behind castle walls-and permanently welded the gates shut.

Tragedy taught Jinx that time is too precious to waste, so when a series of uncanny coincidences thrusts Frannie into his life, he holds on tight. He knows she thinks he's several fries short of a Happy Meal, but he's determined to breach the fortress around her heart and give her a Happily Ever After.
Even if he has to carry her fanny-first into his kingdom.

WARNING: Includes jelly shoes, a narcoleptic cat, and meatloaf. The steamy sex scenes may lead to fogged windows and wet panties, so proceed at your own risk. Do not attempt to read without the following items: tissues, napkins for spewed beverages, and a booty call on speed dial.

EXCERPT:

"You are crazy!"

"What? It's just a restaurant, Frannie. We're supposed to be celebrating and celebrations mean chocolate. This place has the best dessert menu in town."

Tiny snowflakes circled in the brisk wind, dancing like drunken ballerinas. Frannie shivered and hopped from one foot to the other. It was finally time to drag out her winter coat. Tomorrow she would do that. Provided she did not freeze to death tonight.

"The Blue Jay's too fancy. We can't go in dressed in jeans."

"Sure we can. Come on." Jinx grabbed her hand and pulled her into the brightly lit restaurant. The welcoming warmth began to thaw out her frozen hands but Frannie backed out of the polished glass doorway.

"We can't do this."

"Yes, we can. Come on, Frannie, live a little. Cut loose and have some fun. You're wound so tight you're going to break any minute." Jinx rubbed her upper arms through her not-quite-heavy-enough jacket.

Frannie glared at him but the shivering robbed her body of any real emotional expression.
"This isn't difficult, dollface. It's just dessert, not a wedding reception." Jinx's voice was like hot chocolate, warm and soothing, rich and sweet, coaxing her to believe him. How she wanted to.

"It's against the rules, wacko! People will stare, they won't seat us and we'll look like fools! You can't seriously want to go through that." Nervously, she glanced around at the finely dressed restaurant patrons entering the building. She used to dine at places like this all the time, a lifetime ago. She did not belong here, not dressed like this. Glancing down at her jeans and plain jacket, her ex-husband's words leapt to her mind.

"God, Frannie, is it impossible for you to buy a dress that makes you look like anything but a 'before' picture? I realize you aren't working with much but couldn't you at least try?"

Once again, she was out of her element. And it was all Jinx's fault. Snow began to fall in earnest and topped his ebony hair like fairy dust.

"No, I don't want to go in. And I'm cold. Let's just leave, okay?"

"Lighten up, will you, Frannie?" Having lost the feeling in her lips, she simply glared at him.

"Frannie." Her name was a sing-song in the air. His one arched brow mocked her, calling her a coward. Her tightly controlled patience snapped.

"What is it with you and those damn eyebrows? Do you practice those moves in the mirror or something?"

A loud laugh split the night as he pecked her cold cheek and asked, "Are you coming in or do I carry you?"

"You wouldn't dare."

Before the last syllable faded to silence, he scooped her up and threw her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

"Put me down, you Neanderthal!"

"Keep yelling, Frannie. That'll just draw more attention to your sunny-side-up but incredibly adorable backside."

He patted the aforementioned body part and stepped into the bustling lobby with a jolly whistle. Frannie drew on all her willpower not to scream, wishing the floor would open up and swallow them both. She contented herself with burying her face in the small of Jinx's back and sinking her nails as deeply as she could into his side. He never flinched.

"Table for two." Jinx's voice rumbled against her upside-down ear. Every pair of eyes in the elegant dining room followed the odd denim-clad couple, one of whom only had her rounded rump visible. She squeezed her eyes shut but could feel the astonishment and speculation from everyone zeroing in on her ass like a laser beam. When they reached a secluded booth, he put her down and she scrambled as far back into the seat as she could.

Hunching her shoulders, her eyes darted around the softly light ballroom. "I hate you. Everyone's staring."

"You're imagining things." His smile was sly and amused and thoroughly maddening. Fuming, she tried to make the old phrase "killing with a look" a reality.

"Would you care for menus, Mr. Sullivan?" The crisp-looking waiter seemed to find nothing odd about their dramatic entrance and behaved as professionally as if they were dripping with diamonds rather than melting snow.

"No, I don't think so. Just bring the dessert cart and a bottle of champagne. Do you want anything else, Frannie?"

"A gun. Or a noose. Even poison darts."

"Coffee will have to do." With a wave, Jinx dismissed the stoic waiter and turned to her, a satisfied look on his face.

Thawing on the outside from the heat and on the inside from the mouth-watering aromas, Frannie shed her thin coat before she crossed her arms and shot daggers at him with her eyes.

"Well, they certainly know you around here. Bring all your girlfriends in here caveman style, do you?"

"Jealous?" he teased, leaning closer to her.

"Of course not. Mortified is more like it. Jinx, no one waltzes into a restaurant like this in street clothes, carrying a woman on his shoulder and orders champagne."

"I just did."

"Yeah, well, lunatics don't count."

http://inezkelley.com/

JINXED - AVAILABLE NOW from Samhain Publishing

MYLA BY MOONLIGHT - AVAILABLE NOW from Samhain Publishing

2009 CAPA Nominee -- Nocked Over

2010-02-14T02:18:00.000-08:00

Nocked Over
by Sam Cheever

Daphne Charissa isn’t a chubby little guy with wings and a quiver of arrows. But she does belong to the Cupid race—a race of devastatingly beautiful creatures who excel at helping others find love, while remaining loveless themselves throughout their long lives.

When Daphne falls in love with Bion Chronos, she launches the two of them into a direct confrontation with the Furies as they fight to protect their own love and win release from the curse of lovelessness for the whole Cupid race. The problem is, the Furies have no intention of letting them win, and the lovers can’t seem to keep their hands off each other long enough to form a coherent plan.

It’s gonna be an interesting battle.

~*~

"... a book that literally rocks with fun and eroticism. This is one of many of this author's tales that turn a fact of life we can relate to into a book we'll find hard to put down." Dee Dailey, The Romance Studio

~*~

It was really big and really brown and smelled kind of interesting. The thing and I peered at each other doubtfully, each of us probably thinking the same thought. “What the hell am I gonna do with this?”

Bion finished his brief discussion with the creature’s owner and shook the man’s hand. He headed toward me with a smile that set my blood to boil.

Then the creature, standing a few feet away from me, snorted mightily. I jumped away with a shriek as warm snot sprayed my arm. The thing stamped one very large foot on the dusty ground in annoyance.

I grimaced and twisted my arm to wipe it on my dress, grimacing at the green spot it left on the flouncy, light as air skirt.

“You ready?”

I gave him my best “You’ve got to be kidding me” look. “For what?”

He chuckled and dragged me into his body with one arm, kissing me soundly. “For the adventure of your life.”

I couldn’t help smiling. “That sounds promising.” I flicked a hand over my shoulder toward the snorting, stamping creature behind me. “As long as it doesn’t include that.”

He threw back his head and laughed. Watching the way it flexed under the movement, I just barely resisted the urge to nibble the sexy, golden brown column of his neck.

Something warm and soft touched my arm and I turned to find a huge, brown nose nudging me. The large nostrils snuffled gently and, incredibly, a long pink tongue swept out to taste my skin.

I gave a little shriek but Bion just pulled me more tightly against his body and reached to stroke the invasive nose. “He likes you. That’s good.”

My eyes widened. “Bion, look, I don’t know what you’re thinking but I can assure you, whatever it is, I’m not into it.”

He arched a dark eyebrow at me as he continued to stroke the creature’s nose. “You are Greek right?”

I frowned at him, instantly feeling my ire rise. I was oh so sick of all the clichéd, misconceptions of the Greek race. One of which was the whole abnormal relationship with animals thing. My hands flew to my hips with my indignant outrage. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

He shrugged, favoring me with a slow, knee melting smile. “I just thought you would understand the beauty and elegance of the horse. It’s all over your histories and myths.”

I flushed, realizing that what I’d been thinking was pretty sick and understanding that he realized it too. When he laughed, I looked down at my pretty pumps, which were now covered with a fine, brown dust.

“You have a very dirty mind, Daphne Charissa…”

I flushed an even darker red.

“And I like it.” He swept me up into his arms and, before I even realized what he was doing, plopped me gently onto the saddle.

“Hey!”

Then he stuck his left foot into the stirrup and slid into the saddle behind me. “Turn toward the front and put one leg on either side of the horse.”

I shook my head. I was clutching the front of the saddle with my right hand and something that was covered in denim with my left.

“Daphne, if you don’t let go of my crotch we aren’t going to have any fun later.”

I squeaked and pulled my hand out of his lap. But unfortunately the sudden action unbalanced me and I started to topple forward.

Bion reached for me just as my butt started to slide downward, toward the hard ground below and somehow managed to heft me back up onto the saddle. My dress rode up to my waist, leaving me clutching frantically for the gauzy material and looking around to make sure the owner of the beast wasn’t around.

Bion reached around me and grabbed an indecently exposed thigh in each of his big, hard hands, pulling them gently but firmly apart.
I clutched his forearms and tried to resist the gentle pressure, experiencing a thrill as cool air wafted between my legs despite my best efforts to keep them tightly shut.

“Gods girl, your thighs are more tightly clutched than a Catholic novice in a nunnery.”

“Please don’t make me ride this thing.” My voice came out in a panicked whisper that sounded so pitiful even I was alarmed.

He chuckled, the sound rumbling from his broad chest to vibrate in mine. “You’ll be fine, Daphne. I wouldn’t let anything bad happen to you. Don’t you trust me?”

I gulped. “Up until just now I did.”

He laughed again and this time the sound traveled south and did some very pleasant things to my sensual core that I couldn’t believe were possible right at that moment. His lips found the back of my neck, just under my ponytail and he initiated a soft trail of tingling warmth from my hairline toward my bared shoulder, nudging aside the thin strap so he could give my shoulder a gentle bite. By the time he’d followed the bite up with a swipe of his hot tongue I’d forgotten to clamp my thighs together.

He took quick advantage of my negligence. I soon found myself straddling the huge, brown horse. Bion immediately snugged one arm around my waist and pulled me in close. “Now, isn’t this nice?”

“No.” I responded petulantly but it was very hard to ignore the fact that something in his jeans was poking me insistently in the back.

“It will be.” And with those promising words he clucked gently at the horse and I felt his thighs flex behind me. The horse shot into a fast trot and I squeaked, grabbing at his forearm around my waist desperately.

Bion laughed, his warm breath tickling against the still sensitive skin of my neck. “He likes to go, this one. I think he’s gonna give us quite a ride.”

“Just awesome,” I mumbled petulantly as I struggled mightily to hold on to something…anything. “Why doesn’t this damn thing have any handles on it?”

Bion did something with his body and the horse dropped into a reluctant and very fast walk. “It does have handles, you just need to know where to look for them.”

I turned my head to look at him and almost slid off again. He grabbed me and shook his head.

“Where?”

“Hmmm?” His lips were on my other shoulder now.

I shivered in delight. “Where are the handles?”

He reached around me and grabbed a handful of thick, black mane. “Here’s one.” He stuffed the coarse, shiny hair into my stiff fingers. I clutched it like a lifeline. Then he took my other hand and wrapped it around the front of the flat, black, leather saddle.

“This area here, where it rests above the horse’s withers, has enough room for your fingers to grab. See there?”

I nodded. I felt a little better now that I had something fairly stationary in each hand.

Bion’s head lowered until his lips were next to my ear. “But I prefer the third handle the best.”

I shivered and felt my body responding to his nearness, warming and tingling for his touch. “Where’s that one?”

Before I knew what he was doing he had reached around me and grabbed a thigh in each big hand. Then he lifted and swung me around in one smooth motion until I was sitting sideways in the saddle, with his arm supporting my back. Both of my legs rested on one of his denim clad, muscular thighs. A gust of wind swept my skirt up and I grabbed it as it plastered itself to my face.

I heard Bion gasp at the view. “I’m glad to see you took my advice and left the little lacy bits at home.”

I managed to stuff the skirt between my legs and glared at him. “If I’d known what you had in mind I’d have worn armor and a helmet.”

Bion laughed. “Which is why I didn’t tell you.”

He clucked at the horse again and it shot into a trot, bordering on the next speed, whatever that was. I gasped and threw my arms around Bion’s neck, scrambling to get a leg on either side of him. When I’d managed it, with more than a little help from Bion, I looked up to find him smiling at me. “I see you’ve found the third handle.”

The Claddagh Ring CAPA nominee Inspirational

2010-02-14T02:10:00.001-08:00

I would like to thank the reviewers at the Romance Studio for nominating The Claddagh Ring in the inspirational category. When a friend of mine emailed me to tell me the news a few days before Christmas, I was completely blown away! It was the best Christmas gift I could imagine. What an honor to be among such prestigious authors. Thank you for the wonderful review and for this awesome opportunity! Here is a little about The Claddagh Ring.

A few years ago, I was fortunate enough to visit Ireland, the home of my ancestry. The Emerald Isle is truly an enchanted land, full of legend and lore. Whimsical castles loom high above heathery mountains and rocky headlands, giving way to rolling green hills and miles of coppery beaches. And with the sheep grazing high on misty hillsides, it’s like stepping back in time to another era when life was much simpler.

A lot of writers come from Ireland, including James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw and Oscar Wild. With its green hills and rugged landscape, major movies have been filled on the island. The Irish take great pride in pointing out the farmhouse on the Dingle Peninsula where Ryan’s Daughter was filmed. Inch Strand Beach, shaped like a sandy half moon, is one of the most remote parts of Ireland. But the best part of the trip was learning the legend of The Claddagh Ring, which has a rich history dating back three hundred years.

According to legend, the first Claddagh Ring originated in a small fishing port off the coast of Galway. Truly a land of legend and lore, the Irish are known to spin a wee bit of the blarney from time to time. Some say the ring was blessed by St. Patrick himself. Others believe the ring was dropped into the lap of a woman by an eagle. And others say the original Claddagh was brought to Galway by a man who was captured by the Algerians and sold to a Moorish goldsmith. But whatever the case, the legend of the Claddagh has lived for the past several centuries. And in today’s material world where love and marriage are taken far too lightly, the legend strengthens relationships. The wearer of the Claddagh is said to be blessed with love, friendship and loyalty forevermore.

But in order for the Claddagh to cast its mystical spell, the Claddagh must be worn a certain way. The design consists of two hands holding a heart with a crown on top of the heart. The hands represent friendship, the heart is for love, and the crown is for loyalty. If the ring is worn on the right hand with the heart facing outward, the wearer is looking for love. If worn on the left hand with the heart facing outward, the wearer has found love. But when worn on the left hand with the heart facing inward, the wearer has found its soulmate for life and will be forever blessed.

Being Irish and awed by the legend, I was inspired to write The Claddagh Ring. And while touring the Atlantic Breakers and the Cliffs of Moher, part of my book takes place in County Clare. The Breakers pound the west coast of the county, sculpting the grey limestone into a myriad of shapes, the most notorious, the Cliffs of Moher. A rich plethora of birdlife as puffins and shags crest on the cliffs, adding to the savage grandeur. Beneath the rocks, the waves have spread a thin dusting of golden sand, said to be sprinkled by angel wings. Standing on these cliffs with the wind on my back and the sun on my face, I was inspired to write The Claddagh Ring. Here is a blurb and excerpt:

“To live in the hearts we leave behind is to never die.” Thomas Campbell

Struggling with her faith after her mother’s death, Meghan O’Malley finds comfort
in wearing her Claddagh Ring, said to be blessed by St. Patrick. And when Meghan
meets Rork, she finds love, loyalty and friendship. But before everything comes full
circle, Meghan must face the biggest challenge of her life.
Rork McGuire is ruggedly handsome, sings Celtic music straight from his soul—and
has a deep secret. When he sees Meghan O’Malley tending bar at her club, he falls
hopelessly in love with her and wants to give her his heart. Will the secret he harbors
pull them together—or break them apart?
Excerpt
As Meghan mixed drinks from behind the bar of The Wild Irish Rose, the fiddle and
violin captured the true essence of Ireland. The tantalizing aroma of Irish stew,
corn beef and cabbage and soda bread wafted through the room.
Suddenly, all activity came to a halt as the eerie wail of bagpipes keened through
the bar. The lead singer took center stage with his rendition of Danny Boy, the haunting
lyrics crawling into Meghan’s skin. Mesmerized by his hypnotic blue eyes, she stopped
what she was doing and met his penetrating gaze. With the exception of her mother,
she’d never heard anyone pluck the strings of the harp with such finesse. The Claddagh
Ring on her right hand felt hot, the heart pressing into her skin. By the time the
song ended, Meghan’s green eyes were misty with tears.
“Well now, darlin’,” he touched her cheek. “If I knew Danny Boy would make you cry,
I’d a sung When Irish Eyes are Smiling.”
Meghan Shannon O’Malley lost herself in pools of midnight blue.
“I’m Rork,” the corners of his eyes crinkled when he smiled. He took her right hand
and kissed the heart on her ring. “Single and looking, are ya?”
“Huh?”
“The Claddagh Ring, darlin’,” he kissed it again. “On your right hand with the heart
facing outward, means you’re single and looking for romance.”
“Ah…I have no idea what you’re talking about; it’s just a ring, a gift from my mother.”
“Ah, come on now, darlin’ girl,” he got a little closer, staring into her eyes. “Ya
can’t fool an Irishman. My mother bought one for each of my sisters. I’ll have ya
know they’re all married.”
Meghan felt lightheaded. “My mother gave me this ring the night before she died.
It’s a family heirloom, said to be blessed by St. Patrick himself. Mama promised
me by wearing the Claddagh, everything in my life would come full circle. So before
you go thinking I’m wearing it to find a husband, think again.”
“Do you believe in love at first sight?” his blue eyes seared into hers like lasers.
“What do ya say, Meghan, darlin’ girl of my heart.”
The Claddagh Ring Available Now!
www.whiterosepublishing.com
To see the book trailer, visit my website:
www.sharonadonovan.comm

Sharon Donovan
Romantic Suspense with a Twist of Faith
sharonad@comcast.net

2009 CAPA Nominee -- 'Tween Heart's Fire and Devil's Delight

2010-02-14T02:10:00.000-08:00

‘Tween Heart’s Fire and Devil’s Delight

Sam Cheever

~*~

Astra’s world is flipped upside down when she’s called to a demon nightclub to rescue her magic-phobic sister, Darma. Turns out the event is only a precursor of the weirdness to come. A veil of twisted magic is descending over the Earth and it’s making everybody crazy. Humans are killing humans, magic users are killing other magic users, dark worlders are attacking humans at an alarming rate and madness is rolling over everyone in waves. When the guardian angels start succumbing to a rare disease called Devil’s Plague, Astra decides a visit to the prophet is in order. But before Astra can get her arms around it all, she finds herself facing the biggest challenge she’s ever had to face—being surrogate parent to a baby dragon. No way!

It’s a whole lot of stuff for one little Tweener to manage. But Astra Q Phelps is definitely up to the challenge.

~*~

"This is one of those series filled with all the good things I want in fiction.
I can't imagine ever getting tired of books like these where the
characters and dialogue make the action come alive for the reader!"

The Romance Studio

~*~

Darma looked up. “What?”

I reached a weary arm toward the lights which shone like a beacon on top of the opposite cliff. “Salvation is only a space shift away. Right under my nose and I couldn’t sniff it out to save our lives.”

She followed the direction of my pointing finger and I watched as realization hit. Who better to help you shake off the Prince of Darkness than an angel of the highest choir? A slow grin slid onto her pale face.

“Shall we?” I asked with an answering grin.

“We shall,” she replied.

A second later we were standing on the ground above the Angel City River, looking down at the Serpent standing on the opposite side. I knew we were backlit by the soft light from my father’s house, easily visible. But it no longer mattered. The Serpent’s red, malevolent gaze pierced the mist as it focused on us. We stared the Evil One down, gaining confidence from the dense, rhythmic sound of angel’s wings, which split the night above our heads.

He will not always be there to protect you, my children.

No, we said almost in unison, but he’s here right now.

Seraphim James Phelps landed softly behind us, bathing us in the warm glow of his white, angelic magic. We felt the uplifting warmth of his hands as he moved between us and placed a hand on each of our shoulders, frowning down at his nemesis on the rocks below. When he opened his mouth to speak the sounds of the river far below us vanished under the power of his voice. An illuminating beam of light shot from him to light the lone figure below. “Be gone from this place, purveyor of evil. This is consecrated ground and you and your minions are proscribed from entering it. You have no poisonous power here.”

The Devil raised his countenance to us and, under the angelic light surrounding him, his horrendous face was fully revealed. Three sets of fire-filled eyes viewed us with dark intent. Wide nostrils sat flat upon a face covered in scales, over a mouth that was nearly as wide as the scaly face. When he opened his mouth to speak flames erupted from it and several rows of razor sharp black teeth were visible beyond the parched lips. Horns curved from the sides of his head, the deadly looking points sitting close to the sides of his head, just above pointed ears.

His hands were claws and his feet were cloven hooves. He was every child’s nightmare in physical form. For the first time in our experience he opened his horrific mouth and spoke outside our minds. The voice was rusty with disuse and jagged enough to tear across our nerves.

“The veil drops, Seraphim James. Your world dies. Soon you will lose your hold on this world entirely. And I and mine will rule.”

Our father smiled a beatific smile. Its glow was like acid to the form below but the Devil stood firm against it. “Your kind of evil will never again rule this world, Serpent. Unfortunately for mankind, you will always dance on the fringes, tainting its goodness with your foul stench. But you’ll never be able to entirely snuff out its goodness. Not as long as we have breath in our bodies.”

Our father pulled us close, up under his softly beating wings and the warm glow of power surged from him, pulling our power with it to stab at the clogging veil around us and suffuse the monster on the ground below us.

For just a moment in time the veil flinched away from that place and the power tore through it to wrap around the suddenly writhing figure across the river. He fell to his knees in the rocky soil, the sand around him glistening red with his blood.

He turned bleeding eyes up to us at the last and fire spewed from his grimacing mouth. You cannot fight the veil, Seraphim James. It consumes all light and kills all who embrace it. Your kind will wither and die among the bones of your precious human race. And I will dance upon your fallen bodies as I enter this world for the last time. I will rule all.

He writhed one last time on the ground, looking to me like he was a heartbeat away from death. But I knew that was not possible. My father’s voice met his across the space and the Serpent flinched. Nay, Swine. Your veil falters and will die. Your conduits even now fight their fate.

We shall see, light one.

WICKED by Sasha White ~ a Psyche award nominee.

2010-02-13T18:51:00.000-08:00

Bad-boy divorce attorney Karl Dawson has seen all the ways love can go wrong. That’s why he’s given up on it. Jaded and feeling restless, he has playmates, not girlfriends. A leather-clad Dominant, he comes and goes in the city’s after-dark playgrounds as he pleases. That’s how he likes it.

Lara Fox is an independent jack-of-all-trades who can do anything she sets her mind to – except that falling-in-love thing. She’s got a need for control too strong for most men, and an inability to walk away from a challenge. Including a challenge like Karl. He’s cocky, arrogant, and demanding. That’s how she needs it.

They’re perfect for each other. But what begins as a sensual battle of wills turns into a journey neither is prepared for when Lara is threatened and emotional walls start to crumble.

*****

YAY! I'm thrilled that WICKED has been nominated for the Psyche award. Thanks so much TRS for the great review, and the nomination! I wanted to share with everyone why WICKED has a bit of a special place in my heart...

Some people are planners, and some aren’t. Writing isn’t very different from life in that way. Me-I’ve never been a planner. I try to, but it doesn’t work for me. Spontaneity speaks to me. I like to go with what I’m feeling at the time. In life, and in books. And no, this doesn’t always work out well, but the majority of the time it does. And there are the times that it works out more than well. The times when something magical happens. WICKED is one of those times.

BOUND, my first single title novel, is about Katie Long, and her yen to be free (in many aspects of her life). In the middle of the book there’s a scene where her and her girlfriends go out drinking, and they meet some guys while shooting pool. They flirt, they buy the girls drinks... I’m sure most of you know how it goes, right? One of the guys was a hottie named Karl, who propositions Katie, the heroine of the book. *** Y’see, I lust after actor Karl Urban, and for this particular .... fantasy, he was almost how he was Eomer in Lord of the Rings. (blond, rough, warrior, yummy) ***

There’s a line in the scene with him where he “purrs” in her ear and my critique partners fell in love with him, calling him Mr.Purr. After BOUND I never gave him another thought really, because I don’t do sequels. Or I never had before. I moved on to my next novel , which was TROUBLE, with a totally different hero and heroine, with no thought of them connecting to Bound at all. The hero in TROUBLE is Val., and in his first scene his best friends walks into the room and says something to him. It;s a short maybe three line conversation, and I’d just written it as ‘his best friend’. Then when I was editing the scene, (I edit as I go, so this was the next day) I realized I needed to name his friend. I thought “Hey, both stories take place in Vancouver, I’ll name him Karl, no need to create a new character.” (Yes, it was pretty much just a lazy thing oat that point.) It wasn’t until I was halfway through TROUBLE that I realized Karl was really cool, and he needed his won story. I had no idea what it would be, but I really thought he was too cocky, and he needed be taken down a notch. And thank Go my editor trusts me, because when I suggested I write Karl’s story instead of the idea I’d already sold her there were no arguments about switching things after the contracts had been signed or anything. She simply said, “Go for it.” And that’s how WICKED was born.

Strangely enough, all of my Berkley books are connected through characters and settings, and it wasn’t planned that way. It just happened. Which tells me that not planning tends to work for me, in writing as in life. What works best for you?

Nice and Naughty by Mia Jae - a CAPA Nominee in Contemporary Erotic Romance

2010-02-13T17:24:00.000-08:00

Thanks to The Romance Studio for nominating my novella, Nice and Naughty, for a CAPA award in the contemporary erotic romance category! I was completely blown away by the nomination, especially since this is my very first erotica release!

Nice and Naughty is part of the first Red Garters, Snow and Mistletoe anthology

Blurb:

Cassie Franklin has to prove herself. After all, she's the first female head of the English department at the university. But that doesn't mean she has to prove herself sexually to Eric Marsh, a fellow professor in the English department, does it?

Then there is Ryan. Strong and sexy, with hands that can ease away the tension of most any job, he almost makes her forget her risky escapades with Eric.

Until Cassie realizes that Ryan and Eric have a closer connection than she ever could have imagined, and they have very specific plans for her...

Excerpt:

"Dinner?"

Cassandra Franklin glanced at her computer screen then back to her work. Not tonight. No time. She stared down at the grant proposal she was editing. It was due next week in D.C. and there was something not quite right about the purpose of need section.

Dammit.

She had to get this right. Her department depended on the funding this grant would provide. This cycle the competition was stiff and it made her extremely nervous. As the new head of the English department at Compton University, she was responsible. And vulnerable. This was her year to prove herself.

She'd be damned if she'd let anything get in her way.

The white instant messenger box popped up on her screen again.

"I know you are there. Working late. You need a life, sweetheart."

Except, maybe, that.

Ignore him. He had no clue whether she was at work or not. Besides, he wasn't even a real person. He was just a name behind a little white box.

She clicked the X to make the messenger go away. Instead of looking back to her proposal, however, she stared out the window. Icy flakes of snow pelted the glass. Perhaps they would have a white Christmas, after all. Unusual for this southern college town. The night behind them was black as pitch. She was here way too late but what could she do?

Bing. This time the box came with sound. She jerked back.

"C'mon, professor. Get a life. Come out to play."

Shit. She didn't even really know the man and he knew her better than most of her friends. She did need a life.

"It's Christmas," he added. "Have some fun. Be festive. Ho-ho-ho."

Bah humbug.

Sighing, Cassie maximized the box on the screen, then placed her hands on the keyboard and clicked beside her screen name, SexyProf. "I'm not at work." She typed the lie and hit send.

Pause.

A second later the space at the bottom of the box read: kittylicker is typing.

Kittylicker. What a screen name. She waited for his response.

"Sure you are. Your office light is on."

Something panged inside her. He knew where her office was? She sat up straighter and typed furiously. "You're a liar."

"LOL," he replied. "Touché."

Cassie sighed and relaxed, sitting back in her chair. Last thing she needed was for kittylicker to actually know who she was.

"Let me take you to dinner."

She shook her head. They had been down this road before. "No. We've already discussed this. No face-to-face."

":-(" Then he started typing again. "Tell me what you want."

"What are you talking about?"

"You know. Tell me."

"I don't want anything."

"Now you are a liar."

Cassie huffed out a breath.

"I know what you like, sexyprof."

Again, she heaved a sigh. She'd been working all day on this proposal and was bone weary. Last thing she needed was to stare at this computer screen any longer. But this was different, wasn't it?

"Shit," she said softly. "I'm so addicted..."

Rising, she stepped to her office door and locked it, extinguished the overhead light, then went to the window and adjusted the blinds so they were fully closed. Only the desk lamp and the computer screen lit the room now.

***

Thanks also to the readers for all of their wonderful comments about Nice and Naughty! Did you know that you can also vote for Nice and Naughty for a 2009 5 Heart Sweetheart review? Voting closes at midnight tonight!

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

Mia

www.miajae.com

Got Wolf? up for Best AnthologyHelen Hardt up for Favorite Erotic Author

2010-02-13T15:34:00.001-08:00

Thanks so much to everyone at The Romance Studio for nominating me for Favorite Erotic Author, and for nominating Got Wolf?, which contains my short novel, Blood Wolf, for Best Anthology. You all rock!

Blood Wolf:

When mysterious Damian MacGowan saves Suzanne Wood from a gang of thugs in a small Scotland town, she's beyond grateful. But his possessive need to be near her troubles her. Damian doesn’t understand why he’s drawn to Suzanne. He knows only that he must have her, or he will die. As the two get to know each other, love blossoms. But Damian has a secret, and an enemy, that may keep him from Suzanne forever.

My Lord Werewolf:

A dark tale resides in the heart of England, the Cotswolds. Lord Connor Wolfe, Earl of Wolfhaven, lives in solitude within his ancestral home. Connor, the last of the bloodline, has vowed never to marry and produce an heir, for the earl holds a dark curse. He is a creature of the full moon—a werewolf.

Damian approached her, took her hand in his, and caressed her palm with his scabbed fingertips. “I don’t expect you to understand this when I can’t explain it to myself. But there is not a doubt in my mind that you belong with me.”

“You don’t know anything about me.”

“I know your hair is the color of burnt mahogany, and it feels like silk against my skin.” He sifted her tresses with his fingers, then cupped her cheek. “I know your eyes are like the night fog, with little golden sparks that pierce the thickness around my soul.” He ran his thumb across her lower lip. “I know your mouth tastes of wintergreen and fresh blueberries. I know your body feels like heaven pressed to mine. I know your beautiful name fits you. I know there’s an idiot somewhere who let you go, but I thank God for his stupidity.” He lightly traced the angle of her jaw line. “I know ye’re mine.”

Suzanne quivered; her juices pooled in her panties. This man was seducing her with mere words. She was close to climaxing already, something she had only managed previously by masturbating. Never with a man.

“I won’t force you to lie with me,” Damian said, “but I will share this room with you. That’s not negotiable. I need to be close to you.”

“I can’t allow you to stay here. If you want the room—”

“I said it’s not negotiable!” Suzanne jumped as Damian pounded his fist into the adjacent wall. “I need to be with you. I need your scent near me.”

“What you want is impossible.” Her voice cracked with nerves. “I refuse to share a bed with a man I just met.”

“I will leave you alone, but we will share this bed.” He lifted his shirt over his head and threw it over a chair. She gulped in a sharp breath. His chest was golden and beautiful, pure muscle accented by a smattering of black hair. Suzanne instinctively looked away as he began to unbuckle his jeans.

“No.” He cupped her face in his hands, forcing her gaze onto his. “I need you to look at me. To see me.”