Monday, February 14, 2011

Virtual Tour Launch: Dark Passages by Sara Reinke

Welcome to the release party of DARK PASSAGES by Sara Reinke!

What's it about? I'm glad you asked!! Here's the blurb:

Tristan Morin is a vampire on a mission: to not fall in love with Karen Pierce. To do so would prove that humans and Brethren were meant to be physically and emotionally bound to each other -- something he, as a full-blooded Brethren, refuses to believe. It would be so much easier if Karen wasn't beautiful. And if there wasn't something about her that draws him like a moth to a flame, damn near impossible to resist.

Karen has always felt an inexplicable attraction to Tristan. More than just the fact he's strikingly handsome, it's as if being with him is something natural, comfortable and right. But soon a brash choice on his part leaves her heartbroken and confused, and a sadistic new enemy will put their tentative love -- and their lives -- to the ultimate test.

Want more? Check out this excerpt in our Goddess Fish Excerpt Library.

More? View the DARK PASSAGES book video in the Goddess Fish Video Library.

And remember, Sara will be giving away a set of the Brethrens series to date: signed paperback copies of Dark Thirst and Dark Hunger, as well as a download of Dark Passages during her tour -- so let us know what you think about Dark Passages right here on the party blog and be entered to win!

Follow the rest of her tour and comment for more entries. The complete list of her stops can be found here.

Congratulations to our Valentine's Day Blog Party GRAND PRIZE WINNER!

The winner of our Valentine's Day Blog Party GRAND PRIZE of her choice of either a WiFi Kindle, a WiFi Nook or a $150 Amazon/BN.com GC is:

::::DRUM ROLL PLEASE::::

MARIA ZANNINI!!!

::::THROWS CONFETTI::::

We had an amazing turn out for the party with so many wonderful visitors. I hope everyone, authors and guests, enjoyed their weekend.

Keep an eye out for the Spring Fling coming up in April -- we'll be giving away more great prizes, including another eReader, then!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Welcome To The Party!!

It's being held here, and at the LASR guest blog and the Whipped Cream guest blog. 100 authors in all shapes, sizes and genres will be sharing with us over the next couple of days about love, writing, life and more. We hope you have fun reading their posts.

But ... even better? YOU CAN WIN BIG. Every comment earns you an entry.

GRAND PRIZE:
Winners choice of either a WiFi Nook, a WiFi Kindle or a $150 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC!

FIRST PRIZES:
FOUR (4) winners will receive $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GCs!

Plus... we'll randomly give out $5 GCs to commenters throughout each day.

So... Visit the blogs all day long and comment. Fun AND prizes! What more could you want?

NOTE: We need to be able to email our winners, so make sure you either have an email address associated with your profile or include one with your comments. If you don't, you'll be disqualified

Grand Prize winner will be drawn Monday morning, 2/14/11 and notified via email that day.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Vegan Dark Chocolate Cupcake and Valentine Drink and a Pictish Warrior


Here are two great online recipes for Valentine’s Day
Vegan Dark Chocolate Cupcakes With Frosting
http://www.food.com/recipe/vegan-dark-chocolate-cupcakes-with-frosting-285660
Valentine Drink
http://www.food.com/recipe/valentine-drink-177984
Chocolate and liquor
what more could you need except
a Wild Pictish Warrior
and I have one for you in an excerpt from Druid Bride:

Alarms sounded in Tanwen’s head. Sand crunched beneath her feet as she followed Huctia and Gethin across the shore and onto a well-worn path into the forest, where she trod on grass and twigs. Loud grunts and yells assaulted her ears as a charging beast and warriors headed straight toward them. She barely managed to jump out of the way of a raging, sharp tusked boar.

A warrior burst out of the woods with more fierceness than the wild beast. He leapt like a deer. Beneath his short tunic, his long, lean, bare legs raced at the speed of a bird in flight. He pulled to a halt with the flexibility of a leather thong, bent back and then leaned forward to launch a long, black spear. The weapon soared through the air, struck hard, and impaled the beast. The boar’s high-pitched squeal tore through the forest air as it twitched in its death throes.

Tanwen nodded toward the warrior and his prize. “Good throw.”

“My lady.” Danger shone in his alluring grin and the gleam of his eyes. “Do I know you?” Over his tunic, he wore a black cowl that fell to the elbows, leaving his forearms bare but for the blue tattoos of beasts pricked onto his skin in the way of the Picts.

“No.” The air crackled around him with masculine energy. Tanwen’s breath caught in her throat. “I am from the Silure village on Eryri.”

“With the Romans afoot, few druids dwell in Britannia.” He stepped toward her.

Flames of fire licked the inside of her body as her gaze drank in the features of his evenly proportioned face and his hair, thick from lime wash and spiked like a hedgehog’s, with strands ranging from dark brown to a golden hue. A fire ignited in her belly.

Happy Valentine Day,

Cornelia Amiri
http://CelticRomanceQueen.com

The Gift of Song By Kathleen Ann Gallagher

  Madeline Young from Echoes at Dawn loves music.  Since tomorrow is Valentine's Day she wants to share one of her favorites.  The song explains how she feels when her lover Nat is by her side. She wants you to enjoy it while you cuddle up to your sweetheart. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WW2e9p7RWU&feature=related  ALWAYS  By  BON JOVI

                                                           

Have a wonderful Valentine's Day.  I hope your day is filled with love, peace and passion!

                                                            
     
                                                         
        You can find me here.  http://kathleenanngallagher.net/Home.html
                                             http://kathleensplacetoreflect.blogspot.com/                                           

Thank You and A Poem In Honor of Valentine's Day


I don't know what time this party officially ends, but I'd like to thank the Administrators for putting this jamming party together and give a big THANK YOU to all of the participants for coming to such a great party. This is my first time participating in an event like this and have truly enjoyed myself. I would definitely LOVE to be a part of something of this nature again in the future. I'd also like to wish everyone HAPPY VALENTINE'S Day. I pray it is all you wished for and more and I'd like to leave you with this poem in honor of the occasion.


ORBITAL LOVE


The journey begins as we join in unison

On this Earthly plane
Tongue, lips, mouths, body and soul

Intertwining, interweaving; our mission: sexual intercourse 

I'll climb atop the Good Ship Lollipop

And orbit through the galaxy, slowly, leisurely

We'll first take a spin around planet Mercury 

Before moving on to planet Venus, known for love and beauty

We'll confirm all the myths, while creating a new kind of love

That will leave an indelible mark of passion requiring further space 
exploration.

As we journey on to Mars, the red planet

We'll pause and make love in the red clay thus adding to it the 
color of red love

Our next stop is Jupiter, where we'll have four times the space

To bounce, spin, gyrate, before sliding and glide our way to our 
next destination

On Saturn, we'll let its rapid rotation take us on a joyous ride

Towards Uranus where we'll be its only visitors since Voyager 2 on 
January 24, 1986

And do things that'll cause NASA to pause and take a second look

We'll continue to allow Saturn's rapid rotation to spin us around 
Neptune and Pluto

And as we're escalated to our highest level of ecstasy

Before slowly beginning our descent 

Allowing the fuel that propels the Good Ship Lollipop

To be sucked down to the last tasteful drop

Muscles contracting and love releases its sweet nectar

As we return to our final destination on this earthly plane.

A Shy Kiss for Valentine's Day

As a writer of romance and reader of romance, I savor that 'first kiss' moment. I love the anticpation, the sweet build-up, the will-they, won't-they romantic tension. There are all kinds of kisses to celebrate - passionate, tender, bold, kind, comforting, sensual, explosive and more.
Here is one of mine, taken from the ancient world historical romance, 'Bronze Lightning'. The heroine Sarmatia and the hero Fearn are now reunited after many trials, but both are still a little shy of each other, so this is a shy, tentative kiss.
(The sacred hill mentioned in this excerpt is based on where I live. I can see it from my window.)

EXCERPT

One hill was separate from the rest. It rose out of a wooded valley and lay like a curved shield upon the land, with no tree or bush growing on its sides to mar its smoothness. Sarmatia was looking at the hill sidelong. The view pleased her. The hill was so open. Mist and rain had obscured it before, but now she could see far in this amber-colored air. 'What's that hill called? I'd like to go there.'

Without a glance, Fearn did not look up. 'You can't. We're going to the Mushroom Wood today.' He finished tying the leather thongs of his shoes and rose, turning to damp down the fire embers.

Sarmatia was annoyed. Fearn did not usually stamp out the fire but let it die naturally. Then there was his refusal to take her where she had asked to go, his curt response to her questions. She drummed on the hurdle gate with her fingers. 'But I'd like to go. Why not?'

'We need more food. I know where there's plenty in the wood.' He would not have spoken so to one of his warriors, thought Sarmatia.

'We can do both: search the wood this morning and climb the hill at noon.' Sarmatia stepped away from the gate to open it.

Fearn whipped round and reached her in a few strides. He threw the gate shut, standing before it. 'Remember, Sarmatia, that I'm no more your slave than you're mine. The hill is sacred. We can't go there for your pleasure.'

Sarmatia sank back against the sharp hurdles. She had not seen Fearn like this, harsh, like a king, like Carvin. Despising her own fear, she spat back, 'Fine. You should have told me at once!'

Fearn gave a bark of laughter, the hard planes of his face dissolving. 'You're right, that was unfair. It's just—' He stopped, coloring up slightly.

Moved by his shyness, understanding now why he was on edge, Sarmatia put her hands up towards him. 'Fearn?'

She could ask no more. He drew her close, lifting and sitting her on top of the gate post. 'Shall we begin again? Now that you've said my name, which you speak so rarely and I listen for so hard.'

As though it had never been, his ill humor had vanished. Fearn held her lightly, one hand at each side of her waist, and from being afraid, Sarmatiafelt she was floating. Impulsively, feeling like a bubble, she leaned forward to kiss Fearn. She missed and bumped noses, her lips resting on his moustache. She could feel his heart quickening, his fingers tightening round her middle. 'You'll not span my waist with your hands.' Her face pressed hotly against his cheek. She had tried to kiss him! And he was not moving or speaking. Was she wrong? Did he feel only pity for her?

'No, Sarmatia!' Fearn rebutted her thoughts. 'No, Sarmatia.' His beard pricked and tickled against her mouth and then his lips, gentle at first and fumbling. They told her she was beautiful to him. Sarmatia closed her eyes and gave herself to the kiss, winding her arms around Fearn's neck.

When they broke apart both were shivering. 'We'd best stop.' Fearn spoke in Atterian, his voice furred, but Sarmatia understood. She too, was ready to stop, a little nervous, though she put her lips to him again, teasing him. His mouth was fresh. He hadn't kissed many women before her. She hadn't kissed many men. They would learn together.

'That's enough!' Laughing, Fearn lifted her from the post and set her down, turning then to make a dash for the summer house with a muttered excuse about forgetting something. Sarmatia was not displeased by this. She hung her flute across her back on its thong and pushed the four wooden armlets past her elbows to her wrists, so she might feel them rub together on her flesh. Then she went to fetch the horses.

The cover and buy details can be seen here:

http://www.bookstrand.com/product-bronzelightning-13933-223.html

Best wishes, Lindsay Townsend
http://www.lindsaytownsend.net/

Do romantic movie scenes set the mood for love? By Kathleen Ann Gallagher

Madeline Young the heroine from my upcoming release, Echoes at Dawn, coming soon from Decadent Publishing, likes to unwind after a busy shift at work by watching movies. Since Valentine's Day is coming up, there's something she wants to share with you.  It's the scene from  one of her favorite movies, Out of Africa. She thinks it's positively romantic when Robert Redford washes Meryl Streep's hair by the river, as he recites poetry.  Madeline dreams of one day having a man who loves her enought to give her such a special treat.

Madeline's husband died leaving her to raise three children by herself.  She has a great job as a chef in a waterfront restaurant, but the younger men she dates lack the qualities she deserves.  Her hectic life gets busier when her eccentric mother moves in, but Katy knows what her daughter needs.  Madeline might get her wish when she meets the charismatic Nat Griffin after having an apparition.  Or will her troubles at home and his past get in the way?

   
       Is there a scene from a romantic movie that sparks your desires?  Do you think a romantic movie scene can help set the mood for love?
                                                 
Comment to win an ebook of Echoes at Dawn when it is released.  Coming Soon to Decadent Publishing.http://www.decadentpublishing.com/  You can find me here. http://kathleenanngallagher.net/Home.htmlhttp:/
/kathleensplacetoreflect.blogspot.com/zx=c37bf8c1c5d56fe1                                                    

              
                                                                       

Party on!

Hope you're all enjoying the party! It's been awesome!


I've arrived rather late but it's not over yet! I wanted to share a kiss from my upcoming release, Insatiable, out this Tuesday 2/15 from Loose Id. It's not technically the first kiss, but in a way it is because this kiss is the first time Rachel, the heroine, participates! The first time she's a little taken aback to be kissed by Shawn, her lifelong best friend. Here's the blurb:


Having all of her is the only thing that will satisfy him...

Shawn Griffin and Rachel Cooper have been best friends practically since birth, thanks to their families’ close relationship. But for the past few years, Shawn has been fantasizing about getting his best pal in his bed. When she announces she’s taking a trip to reconnect with an old lover, Shawn knows the time has come to put up or shut up. If she wants to go to New York City, fine. But he’s coming with her.

Rachel doesn’t know what to think of Shawn’s sudden interest. Determined to live life on her own terms, she refuses to fall right in line with her wealthy family’s wish that they get married and have perfect little babies. She just didn’t count on how determined her seemingly laid back -- and extremely sexy -- best friend would become after setting his sights on what he wants. Her, over and over again.

But when tragedy strikes, Rachel begins to wonder if she’ll lose not only her lover but her best friend too. 


Curious? Want to read more? Check out the excerpt below then visit Loose Id's coming soon page HERE or my blog HERE to learn a little backstory about Insatiable (a story I began twenty years ago in high school!)


“You’re not a stupid woman.” Shawn loosened his hold on her finger. No matter what he’d indicated on the phone, it’d be her choice whether she stayed or cut and run.
“No.” Clearly challenging him, Rachel cocked her head. “And because I’m not, excuse me if I find the timing of this sudden lust --”
When she fumbled, he gripped her wrist. “This sudden lust isn’t sudden. Maybe it proves I’m a fool, but I kept hoping you’d stop flitting from man to man long enough to see me.”
She jerked free, but she didn’t retreat. “You’re my closest friend. I never gave you any reason to believe I felt otherwise, so don’t pull this crap on me now. You don’t want me to see Ryan.”
“Damn straight I don’t,” he agreed, swinging his legs off the bed so fast his gaping towel took another leap toward indecency. His move forced her back a step, then two as he rose and grasped her shoulders. “I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you from making the biggest mistake of your life.”
“My life, my mistakes.” She tipped her head back until their gazes were level. “I’m leaving.”
“So go.” Shawn lifted his hands to her face. “In a minute.”
Rather than swooping in to ravage, he stretched his fingers over her cheeks, cradling them in his palms as his lips brushed hers. With that first taste, as wicked and dark as her wine red lipstick, heat coursed through his veins to gather in his groin.
It took all his will not to crush her against him as her fingers curled over his shoulders. But when her tongue slipped between his lips to war with his, he nearly lost his shaky grip on the torrent of need choke-chained inside him.
“Rach,” he whispered against her mouth, wanting her to know what this meant. Wanting her to understand. Instead, as she ripped her mouth away, the deep, dark pools of her eyes widened as if she couldn’t believe what he’d done.
What she’d done.
Without another word, she hurtled across the room and out the door. Away from him.
Again. 

Cupid ~ by any other name...

Say ‘Cupid’ and everyone thinks of cubby cherubs, hearts and flowers and Valentine’s day.

Say EROS, or even KAMA, and I think most would give you a blank stare and say ‘Huh?’  And yet they are, as the saying goes, ‘A rose by any other name…’ or to be exact A Cupid by another name.
Take EROS, good old Greek Eros, who just happens to be the same little guy as the Romans call Cupid.  In ancient paintings Eros is depicted as either a handsome youth or as a child. His attributes were varied: from the usual bow and arrows, to the gifts of a lover.
Like Cupid Eros had/has a penchant for letting fly with his bow and arrows, but few people think of hearts and flowers in relation to Eros.  In romance fiction they are more likely to equate Eros with erotica, a whole sub genre of the romance book scene.
According to WikipediA ‘Erotic literature comprises fictional and factual stories and accounts of human sexual relationships which have the power to or are intended to arouse the reader sexually.’
Given EROS is often described as the mischievous god of love, a minion and constant companion of the goddess Aphrodite, it’s not really surprising.

Look up KAMA, the Hindu equivalent of Cupid and Eros, and you will come across the Kamasutra, often described as 'the bible for good sexual relationships'.

It seems that each, in their own way, has contributed to love, romance, and soul mates.  But only Cupid bagged the single purpose-day-holiday when people all over the world celebrate, renew and remember why they need love in their lives.

Is it any wonder that so many authors enjoy weaving such wonderful stories around Cupid in all his guises?

The Wrong Target by Sherry Gloag is available at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk and many other places online



You can find Sherry Gloag at
Website: www.sherrygloag.com
Blogspot: http://tinyurl.com/68oomm6

Her latest books can be found here and other places online:-
The Wrong Target - http://tinyurl.com/5vadzhq
And
The Brat, her debut novel - http://tinyurl.com/5spkumm

Perfumes of Love






“Apples,” he whispered.

“Perfume,” she gasped. “Glad you like it.”

“I love it.” His hands covered her breasts over the molded leather. “I want this off.”

“Uh huh.” She whimpered, trying to get to the tie. Yes, that’s what she should do. Why wouldn’t her fingers work?

The Kraken’s Mirror, available now from Decadent Publishing

Ah, Valentine’s Day is on the horizon…and my thoughts turned to perfume. No, I’m not really a perfume person, but I do like a few select ones. And most are simple perfumes. I like the scent of fruit and the scent of citrus…sometimes spice.

Now perfume is a particular science and involves all sorts of nuances. I’m not going to go into that. I can tell you that perfumes have three layers. The Top Note, the Heart or Middle Note and the Base Notes. Sounds like singing in harmony, doesn’t it?

I don’t think that is accidental.

Your choice of perfumes says a lot about you as a person. Now, Emily, in the small excerpt above, lands in the 1690s, in the Caribbean and she has with her a small vial of her favorite perfume. Which happens to be mine!

DKNY put out Be Delicious some years ago and its fresh apple scent seduced me. The Top Notes of Be Delicious are violet leaf, apple, grapefruit and magnolia and they invoke the uncomplicated and spontaneous. The Middle Notes are tuberose, lily of the valley, rose and violet and denote drama and intensity. The Base Notes are sandalwood, amber and musk and involve the intense and profound. Now, Be Delicious lingers at the top notes, and Emily is uncomplicated and very spontaneous.

But Silvestri, the man pursuing her sees the drama and intensity deep inside her. He understands the strength of her feelings and the things that hold her back. And he is astounded over and over again with the profound statements she makes when speaking of his curse.

Be Delicious plays into the storyline. Apples draw him to her and at one point are a sign from the great Albino Kraken of where to pay heed. And when her perfume runs low, he takes on the task of finding a substitute.

I think it’s very romantic!



Maureen O. Betita

Just a Taste

Thank you for your wonderful comments on my true-life long distance love story!

I thought I'd share a bit of Jack Rudolph and Ellie Nichols with you. Jack and Ellie’s long-distance love story starts in Believe, continues in the free reads on my website, and in TMP’s new Valentine’s Day anthology, Be Mine, Valentine.

I’ve Got You to Talk With Me….

Ellie Nichols flopped onto her back. Her legs dangled over the edge of the bed and she stared at the popcorn ceiling. “I can’t believe we’re having this conversation.”

Jack’s deep, throaty laugh gave lie to the indignation in his tone. “What? I’m just saying that Wilma and Betty were way too hot to end up with a couple of schmucks like Fred and Barney.” She snickered and he pressed on. “I mean, if they were rich, I’d get it….”

“Because you think all women are mercenary,” she chided.

“Because I think women are smart,” he corrected. “Always looking at the big picture.”

“Good save.”

“I do my best,” Jack muttered under his breath. “There has to be some reason guys like Donald Trump keep marrying models.”

“Jealous?”

“Changing the subject now before I step in quicksand.” His voice dropped a full octave. “How was your day, Ms. Nichols?”

Ellie ran a hand through her too-short hair and blinked at the ceiling, cursing technology and impulse. She pulled the cell from her ear and glared at its lack of cord. Her fingers fisted in her hair, tugging the shorn strands and trying to coax them into curling around her finger.

I need something to twirl, dammit. 


“My day was fine. No big disasters, so I consider that a success.” Pressing her heels to the bedrail, she scooted onto the mattress. “How was yours?”

Jack blew out a breath. “Mine was…frustrating.”

“How so?”

“Aside from missing you?”

His teasing smile simmered along the airwaves. Ellie closed her eyes and conjured up the image. The moment she realized that the particular memory she accessed involved Jack Rudolph naked and pinned beneath her, her eyes popped open.

“Yeah, aside from your pathetic pining,” she answered, hoping he wouldn’t catch the wispy breathlessness in her voice.

“Aw. You missed me too, Elfie?”

Grr. Clear as day, the knowing grin in his voice flashed across the miles like a neon sign.

She released her hold on her hair and scraped her thumbnail over the casing of the cell phone, marking the spot where a cord should be. “I just know you’ll keep calling until I talk to you. I want to get it over with so I can watch Castle.”

He laughed but sobered too quickly. “I’m gonna be out of town a lot for the next few weeks.”

Ellie’s smile faded. “You are?”

“Dallas. It looks like the case I’ve been working on is going to intersect with something they have going down there. I’ll be meeting with the Special Agents in Charge there to sort out what we know and try to figure out where we stand.”

“Oh.” Ellie dug her heels into the duvet and pushed her way to the jumble of pillows propped against her headboard. “That’s good, though. Right? I mean, you can put your heads together and close the case faster if you do this, right?”

Jack remained silent for a moment. “They have a bigger case,” he said at last. “I’ll probably end up handing everything over to them.”

Disappointment rang clear. “Ah. I’m sorry.”

She heard him draw a deep breath. “Well, hell, it’s no big deal.”

He was selling, but she wasn’t buying. Ellie waited a moment to see if he had any better luck in fooling himself. When Jack didn’t say any more, she sighed. “It sucks, though. I mean, you’ve been working on that case for a while now, haven’t you?”

“I just…I was only tugging at strings. Dallas has the whole ball of yarn.”

An edge of bitterness crept into his voice, and Ellie wanted nothing more than to chase it away. “Yeah, but your strings are what could tie it all up in a bow. You should get credit for that.”

A soft snort followed by a low, husky chuckle told her he appreciated her efforts. “I’ll get credit for the assist, don’t worry.”

Ellie slid her hand into her pillowcase. Her fingernails rasped the poly-nylon shell of the pillow inside. “But you wanted the slam dunk.”

Jack’s laugh rumbled in her ear. “Basketball references…You are my dream girl.”

Basking in the warmth of his voice, Ellie rolled onto her side. “I’m a woman of many, many talents, and don’t you forget it.”

“Not likely I will,” he grumbled. “What are you wearing?”

A laugh bubbled from her lips. “Would you look at the time….”

“It’s Sunday. Your boyfriend isn’t on TV tonight.”

“I DVR’ed last week’s episode.”

“Call me back after you’re done.”

“It’ll be late,” she hedged.

“Tomorrow’s a holiday!”

Ellie laughed. “Spoken like a government employee. Here’s a newsflash for you, Special Agent Rudolph. Most patriotic Americans don’t get Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, and every other fake federal holiday off.”

“That’s a crime,” he grumbled.

“I know. I think I’ll write my Congressman.”

“Well, I doubt Dr. King would approve of this relationship segregation.”

“I don’t either,” Ellie said quietly.

“Call me back. I want to say goodnight.”

“If I call you back, we’ll spend another hour on the phone.”

“My nefarious plot is uncovered.”

She smiled at the ceiling. “You could say goodnight now,” she suggested.

“I like hearing your voice just before I go to sleep.”

Ellie’s heart danced a little jig. With closed eyes she pressed a hand to her throat. The steady rhythm of her pulse strummed against her fingertips. “I’ll call you later,” she whispered.

“Yes!” he hissed triumphantly.

One word. That’s all it took to melt her bones into a puddle of goo. Ellie mustered up her last ounce of resolve and tried to mold it into some semblance of a plausible threat. “Don’t gloat or I won’t.”

“No gloating,” he answered quickly. “And Ellie?”

“Hmm?”

“You’re so much sexier than Wilma or Betty.”

Her laugh erupted in a breathy rush. “Thank you.”

“Any chance you have one of those cavegirl dresses hanging in your closet?”

“Goodnight, Jack,” she purred into the phone.

“No! Call me back!”

Ellie pressed the button to end the call and tossed her cell onto the rumpled duvet. Moments later it vibrated, alerting her to a new message. Ellie smiled. ‘You are going to call me, aren’t you?’ popped up on the display.

Her smile grew wider as she rolled over and grabbed the remote control. Pointing it at the television atop her dresser, she murmured, “Good to keep him guessing.”

Thanks for reading!
Margaret


My publisher just tweeted the following message:

I just discounted Be Mine, Valentine at ARe to $2.99!  Happy Valentine's Day!

Brethren Beginnings~Rise of the Brethren, Deena Remiel

Brethren Beginnings is a free online serial that answers your questions about the origins of the Brethren and tells the compelling stories leading up to Trinity, A Brethren Novel. There are 12 installments at this point. Here is Number 1 and 2 for your enjoyment. For more, head over to... http://brethrenbeginnings.wordpress.com/



Number 1

Time is eternal, no beginning and no end. And yet as humans we are on a constant mission to find when IT all began, how we came to be, and why we are here. We must have a purpose to this life, so many of us suggest. Some of us have found grand, solid purposes to our lives, while others continue to ponder, wallowing in the muck and mire of a horrid life thrust upon them without their consent. And so, while many of us live out our days finding love, building families and careers, others not as fortunate become predators, sniffing out any excuse to snuff out another’s purposeful life.

It was when humans had begun to segregate themselves this way, into people of goodness and people of evil, that the Brethren first surfaced on earth. Their appearance was not one of brilliance, nor was it apocalyptic. There were no meteor showers that day. There was no eclipse of the sun. No major earthquakes or other natural disasters were pointed to, heralding the coming of the Brethren.


They simply manifested. There was a new awareness of being, of having hands to touch with, a mouth to speak with, eyes to see, and ears to hear, all new, independent and tangible features; yet each was dependent on another to absorb information and paint a complete picture of the world around them.

For all Brethren, there was, too, an immediate understanding of their purpose, and an acknowledgement that here was now their home, to protect, to heal, and to fight for.


Number 2

They had known of each other, the Brethren did. Before manifesting, before becoming individuals here on earth, they had an awareness of each other, working in concert as a collective against evil. But evil was still gaining ground and threatening to put a stranglehold on the entire human race. Each one of the Brethren had agreed to this angelic mission and its terms for reasons all their own. And in time, each of their stories shall unfold.

There were nine angels in all, three Protectors, three Warriors, and three Saviors. Each triad had their own powers and orders, and none could cross over without severe penalty, and possible banishment. Protectors were adept at spinning spells, weaving magic, and creating talismans for the safety and protection of the human race. Warriors had brawn and analytical minds for warfare, and used blessed swords as their weapon of choice. And Saviors were meant to heal those with severe injuries and those who held the hand of death far too prematurely. There was just one caveat. They had to be called upon through a desperate plea or a prayer to engage in their angelic duties.

Their mission would span eternity, and it was likely they would see many a war against their foe. Satan had been able to plant his seed deep within the hearts of humans eons ago, and even had time to hijack a wayward Brethren along the way. Evil, it’s a tricky bugger to eradicate, but would be dealt with nonetheless, one demon or possessed human at a time.
The first task was to assimilate into society. Some Brethren turned their abilities into careers, while others carefully cloaked their identities in creative ways. Their lives were singular and without attachments beyond their work. A solitary life was preferred given the dangerous nature of their mission. Spread out across the world, they could be called together at a moment’s notice by their boss, E.L., whose beginnings to this day are shrouded in mystery.
Gabriel, a Protector, was the first to settle in.


©Deena Remiel, 2010.

Pants or No Pants...

WHAT? Oh dear! Can somebody please tell me where that came from? Pants or no pants indeed! Well, I suppose we should continue on and find out if this post has anything to do with pants. I thought it was going to be about inspiration since I was recently asked where I get the inspiration for my characters; whether I use people I know, or create characters I might want to be… The truth is, my characters seem to find me! Sometimes I will see aspects of people I know in them but the characters are definitely their own individuals. A scene might flash into my head or I may hear someone say something, have a person walk by and the way they are swinging their arm… Whatever it is, it will stick in my head and, before I know it, there’s a story forming.

Arms of an Angel” began with the first sentence just popping into my head. That sentence is “Claire wasn’t exactly the type of girl a guy would normally choose to take home to meet Mamma.” I visualized this woman sitting in the passenger seat of the guy’s car, but that’s all I got until later in the day when the dots began to connect. Now, I am what they call a pantser – I write by the seat of my pants. (ah! There it is...the pants!!!) I don’t use an outline and I don’t always know where the story is going. The characters tell me their story, though I often know the ending well before I get there. Sometimes, as in the case of “Arms of an Angel”, I have to put aside what I am working on and go ahead and write at least part of the story that is knocking to be let out. These characters can be so demanding that sometimes it's hard to tell who is wearing the pant!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEXT $25 GC WINNER!!

We've awarded our next prize today -- the choice of a $25 GC to either Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble goes to:

Teresa K.!!
::::throws confetti:::

Keep on commenting -- you might be next! -- and because I was asked: all winners of secondary prizes are still eligible to win the grand prize! Random.org is choosing our winners, so it's anyone's game.

Have fun!

Hello world!

I realized that out of all my blogs I've posted and my comments. I don't think I have let any of you amazing people know who I am. So here it goes. I just celebrated my seventh anniversary with an wonderful man on the 3rd. we have 6 beautiful kids together who keep me sane beyond any measure. I am a substitute teacher who writes paranormal romance novels and contemporary romance novels and am actually looking forward to doing a collaboration with another amazing author and friend clare Dargin. I have lived in Las Vegas, Nevada for most of my life, since I was about 7 years old. Most of the stories that I write are always centered here. It is an amazing place to be, even outside of the gambling. I am young still so am looking forward to getting as much advice from everyone and anyone that I can. while looking at all these blogs I have realized that there is so many great books and authors out there that will be trying to connect with.
A few of my favorite authors who I look up to and no not because of their age or experience but because they write such beautiful things are; JR Ward, Geno Showalter, Kinberely Adkins, Sandy Sullivan, P.C. Cast. and Clare Dargin ;) Just to name a few. I read about 15 novels a month and read fast. I also do reviews for a few websites and long giving feedback on all the amazing stories I read. I am with Secret Cravings publishing and to me they are like family, right along with all the amazing authors that are housed there. So now that you have background on me and I have shared a couple stories with you over the day. I truly hope that you will also become one of my fans, and we will be together throughout the years!

Hi everyone,

For Valentine weekend I have an excerpt from one of my Druid/Romances, Druid Bride. A mystical, romantic tale, full of adventure that will sweep you away to another place and time, 1st century AD Scotland. It's against the same backdrop as the new movie The Eagle.

Druid Bride Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTL3OuOkaTI

Excerpt:
Together they gulped down the golden mead. Never, not once, did they tear their eyes away from each other.

“As the mead flows through you, let the spirit fill you.” Tanwen walked over to the cauldron and dipped her hand in the dark, gooey, blue dye.

Her finger slinked down his face, streaking both cheeks blue. The woad was warm, her touch hotter. His tinted checks burned. After dipping her hands into the dye again, her ring-bedecked fingers danced over the muscles rippling down his arms, tracing each of his tattoos, following the lines as she painted them blue. He quivered. The gods shielded him through these symbols.

The first was a wolf, with an open mouth drawn as a curve. Then the boar with tusk made from a circle, with a line drawn though it and two knots on each end. His flesh tingled as she painted the lines of a swirling snake. Far more potent than heather mead, the power the woad awoke in the tattoos left him light-headed. He drew in a deep breath to clear his head as she spread her hands over his firm stomach and down his strong legs, coating them in blue dye.

She took a step back and smiled coyly, as if wondering what mischief she could stir up next.


Happy Valentine's,

Cornelia Amiri
Long Swords, Hot Heroes & Warrior Women
Tweet me

Best Valentine


By Emly Forrest

Okay, forget the hearts and flowers. Sometimes, what we really want is something that truly comes from the heart. I’m thinking of one year in particular that He Who Shares My Space really came through. It had been a horrible winter for us leading up to Valentine’s Day. We’d just moved to a new place, had no friends or family there, had new jobs we were unsure about and had a new house that didn’t really feel like home yet.

The day before Valentine’s Day, we came home from work to find that someone had broken into our home and stolen everything that had any value at all (and some stuff that had value only to us). My husband insisted that we both call in sick the next day (bold move for two newbies on the job). He greeted me in bed (before I was fully awake) with mimosas and croissants, a new compact DVD player, and three of our favorite romantic movies. We spent the day getting sloshed, staying in bed and watching the movies. It helped us forget the loss of our stuff. And confirmed to me that the man I’d chosen to spend my life with was always going to make me feel loved and protected.

That was years ago. I don’t even remember what we lost in the break-in. But I do remember how wonderful that Valentine’s Day was. And how much I loved my husband. And still do

Emly Forrest is the author of The Last Resort (2010) and Irish Ice (Coming in March 2011), both available at www.lyricalpress.com. Please visit her website at www.emlyforrest.com or contact her at emlyforrest@gmail.com.

Talk Dirty to Me and Cupid's Arrow

Over the years my writing has revolved from the traditional sweet romance of Cupid's Arrow to the highly erotic romance of Talk Dirty to Me and Breathless Surrender. Both are Quickies with Ellora's Cave. And if you know anything about Ellora's Cave then you know their stories are hot, almost anything goes, explicit romances.

Cupid's Arrow was my first book published with Whiskey Creek Press and I'm proud to say it was on the publisher's best sellers list for two consecutive months.

Cupid's Arrow excerpt -

The bathroom wasn't all that big and when Mike stepped further into the room it shrunk even smaller. "Sorry if I frightened you." As he spoke his eyes moved around the room, searching for a good place for her to sit. There was only one place high enough. "Up." He patted the vanity top.
"Up? I don't think..." Before she could brace herself Mike's hands went to her waist, hoisting her up without any trouble. She caught her breath when her legs came in contact with the cold marble surface.

"You were saying?" He took in her pretty blush, noticing she couldn't meet his eyes.

"Do you always get your way?" There was a slight tremor in her voice, which didn't go unnoticed by Mike.
He couldn't help wondering if she was as effected as he was by their close proximity. He began questioning his common sense. Her sitting on the vanity brought them almost at eye level.

"When it matters," he responded with amusement He lowered his gaze, taking in the blood soaking her costume before opening the kit to see what it offered. Not much, but at least it had bandages and antibiotic ointment. He set it aside, reaching for Emma's leg.

She stiffened immediately.

"Ouch."

His eyes shot up to hers. "I haven't even touched you yet."

"I'm practicing," she said with sass, the light in her eyes catching Mike's interest and turning him warm inside.

For a second he wanted to do something crazy, like kiss that soft mouth. He wanted to know if it taste as sweet as it looked. He wondered if kissing her would erase the humor that always seemed present in her eyes, replacing it with something else. Something hot and needy. When he realized he was staring at her mouth he literally shook his head, swearing beneath his breath.

"Are you okay?" There was nothing at all innocent about her question. Not when she used that low, seductive tone and was looking at him like something she wanted to lap up.

Was he okay? Hell, he hadn't been okay since the first time he looked into her large, brown eyes. He managed to find enough strength to ignore her comment, bending to the task at hand. His hands reached for the fabric covering her thigh, gently parting it where it was torn.

Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves and stop the shaking of his hands, he carefully inspected the wound. His fingers and knuckles grazed Emma's soft skin and he clenched his teeth to ignore the rush of heat exploding through him. He couldn't recall the last time he'd touched anything so satiny.

He gently probed the area, searching for any remaining glass. Emma caught her breath, stiffening, her hands falling upon his shoulders as though to push him away. Mike slowly raised his eyes to hers, losing himself in the sensual pools. His hands faltered. The glare of the bathroom light emphasized the situation between them making it more intimate than it should be.

"It's not deep, you won't need stitches. But if it heals up with glass inside it could become infected."

"I know you're not hurting me on purpose, Mike. Maybe I need a bullet to bite on or something." The soft look in her eyes told him she trusted him. "Do what you need to do."

What he needed to do and what he wanted to do was the same thing. If Emma only knew what she was inviting, he thought to himself. He was standing between her glorious thighs, touching her, his gaze dropped to her breasts noticing the peaks were crowned. They rose and fell softly with her every breath, teasing him, almost begging him for attention. If he made it out of there without making a complete fool of himself it would be a miracle.

As if sensing the direction of his thoughts Emma suddenly removed her hands from his shoulders. Lord, he thought, just let him finish up and get the hell out of there while he could still walk.


Talk Dirty to Me excerpt -

Blake figured about five minutes had passed but he was still too weak to move. Lilly had always had the power to drain him completely. He’d never met another woman who came close.

There was something about making love with her that affected him on all levels, and had since the very beginning. She’d been his only virgin. Blake supposed that might contribute to his possessive feelings toward her. Oh, he didn’t doubt Lilly had an active dating, if not sex, life. Ross had dropped a line or two about who she was seeing at one time or another. Blake hadn’t liked the idea of Lilly with another man, but he’d had no claim on her. That was going to change before he left again. He’d thought leaving would dim his memory of her and allow her time to grow up and experience the world.

All it had accomplished was showing him how much he wanted her in his life.

“I know you’re still alive.” Lilly’s sassy tone drew a smile. “I thought you had more stamina than that.” She thrust her pussy against his loins.

That sounded like a challenge. Blake pulled back far enough to meet the humor swimming in her eyes. “Be careful what you wish for, little girl.” He lowered his gaze to the full breasts he was smashing with his chest. He liked the feel of her hard nipples digging into his flesh. The scent of spent sex was strong about them, and very arousing. “There’s nothing wrong with my stamina.”

“Oh?” Lilly laughed softly. “If you say so.” Her tone clearly said she didn’t believe it, though.

The little witch! Never one to turn down a challenge, Blake stood back, pulled her from the table by the arm and slung her over his shoulder.

“Oh! Just what do you think you’re doing?”

“I wouldn’t want to disappoint a lady.” He headed for her bedroom. “I hope you like the view from there.” He heard her chuckle and slapped her ass. “Nice butterfly tat.”

“Ouch!” She stiffened against him. Her sharp tone revealed he’d caught her by surprise. “Do that again and I’ll—”

“You’ll what?” Blake slapped her pretty little butterfly. “A good spanking is exactly what this tight little ass needs.”

He liked the feel of her naked breasts against the back of his shoulders, her wet pussy rubbing against his chest. Her cute butt was close enough to bite, but spanking it instead was just as much of a turn-on. He had a serious itch for her and if nothing else that weekend he was going to fuck Lilly enough times to assuage his raging need for her.

His cock was already swelling with the thought of another wild romp. He brought his hand down on her bare ass again, harder this time. Blaming her for the constant hard-on he’d had all year.

Jake Takes Rebecca By Surprise - Jake's Return


What's a mom to do when her elementary school daughter starts matchmaking?
Rebecca’s budding suspicions about her daughter went into full bloom when Katie pulled herself out of the pool and announced she needed to call Jenna. Before Rebecca could even consider what to do next, Katie was gone and Jake was closing in on her like a shark.
He broke through the surface three feet away from the corner she’d retreated to, to catch her breath. He flashed her a killer smile, then glided closer, still smiling. “Alone at last.”
Her arms resting on the decking behind her, Rebecca realized she was trapped.
“Not that I’m complaining,” Jake said, still smiling. “I haven’t had that much fun in years.”
The almost speculative look in his eyes told Rebecca his mood might have improved during the game, but he hadn’t been any more oblivious to the amount of body contact they’d made during the game than she had. The knowledge sent a fresh current of awareness humming through her veins.
Jake leaned his head back and looked up at the stars. “God, this water feels great. Brings back a lot of memories.”
Rebecca sent him a droll look, all too aware she’d had nothing to do with those memories. Many a night she’d heard muffled giggles and quiet splashes in the dark pool after midnight, and had known it was Jake and his on again, off again girlfriend Mimi Modano. They’d come by when her mother was out, and Aunt Martha was asleep.
He caught her expression, and smiled a slow, knowing smile. “So tell me,” he said, as he edged closer and sent her pulse rate soaring. “Were you ever jealous of Mimi?”
“No. At the time I was disgusted.” And heartsick.
“Why?”
“She couldn’t keep her hands off of you.”
His smile turned fondly reminiscent. “I remember.”
“I believe that’s why you dated her.”
“We never dated, Becca, we just…”
“I know what you did with her, Jake.”
“Good. Then this won’t come as a surprise.” The next thing she knew, he’d braced his arms on either side of her and was kissing her. Gently, tenderly, with sweetness and finesse. No other part of their bodies touched as he made love to her mouth with an erotic thoroughness that rocked her senses. Rebecca considered lowering her arms from the decking, then realized if she did, she’d either have to hold onto Jake or go under.
Either way, she was sunk.
Long moments later, Jake pulled back, leaving Rebecca feeling dazed and disoriented. “I’ve missed you, Becca.”
Liana Laverentz

Divorce Lawyers Are Saying What?

Okay, this one really tripped me out. I was watching my local news station and this piece on the dire warnings of divorce lawyers popped up. I think it was CBS syndicated—maybe  not. I was honestly too busy listening to the intro to figure that out.

Divorce lawyers warn couples that social networking sites are destroying marriages.

Well, in the first place, why would a divorce lawyer want to warn anyone? Think about that. Divorce is their business. Shouldn’t they be well wishers of trouble brewing? LOL Something just rang terribly off with this little story.

Anyway, it’s that season of the year where everybody and his brother are talking about love—and why this piece got into the news is beyond me because it didn’t really give anyone much hope if you ask me. But I listened, and basically, these divorce lawyers said that more and more of their cases are a result of one spouse taking off with someone they met on a social networking site—Facebook was specifically mentioned. 

They even did this anonymous interview with a husband whose wife had left him—had him in shadows so you couldn’t ID him. It seems, according to the hubby and the lawyers, that a lot of spouses are hooking up with someone they once knew and rekindling their relationship from high school or college. The hubby in shadows even recommended that you snoop around on the computer to see what your spouse is up to. The attorneys advised against this because you COULD be breaking the law unless you’ve been given access to your spouse’s email and social networking accounts. Hmmm…what happened to the law saying married couples were considered as one? Seems to me that when you get married, all bets are off where privacy is concerned. I could be wrong, though. lol

The attorneys suggest that spouses should exchange login and password info. Not a bad idea if you’re in love with your spouse and you share everything. But then what is stopping you from getting an account that you don’t allow your spouse the info to? I kind of think that anyone who is going to cheat is just going to do it and you’ll be the last to know.

Now they also talked about meeting perfect strangers online and chucking it all to go and be with them. Doesn’t sound quite real, does it? Or smart. I know someone who did just that. Left her husband of seventeen years and four children—ages five to sixteen—to go all the way across the country for this guy. When she got there? Turns out he wasn’t rich like he pretended to be and those online mood swings of his were just like I kept telling her—alcohol or drug induced, and in his case, BOTH. And here is the real kicker. He was living with a woman and brought this friend of mine right on into the house and introduced her. The woman moved out after a week of watching them sleep together and my friend stayed with him for about a year before she went back home.

My friend and I don’t talk much anymore. I had a hard time with what she did. Leaving your hubby is one thing, but leaving your kids? No. Not something I could condone at all. Not even for love.

So what’s your take on all this? Do you have someone from your past you’re flirting with online? Do you suspect your hubby might be doing this? Is there such a thing as “harmless” flirting online?  

Here’s the blurb to my new contemporary novella, Twelve Days of Love. I honestly believe my hero and heroine are the forever kind of couple and Facebook could never tear them apart.

Blurb:
Eden Riley left her high school geek days far behind. Or so she thought. But when she returns to her hometown and comes face to face with the local heartthrob, sparks ignite like a chemistry set on crack. Super-smooth Nick Lancaster sets her nerves jangling and thrusts her libido into overdrive. But can the former geeky girl overcome her insecurities and jump his sexy bones?

Nothing suits former jock and debate-team star Nick more than sparring with the one-time nerd. He’s just itching to get up close and personal with her high-velocity curves and tangle with her on the nearest horizontal surface.

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, all bets are off when Cupid draws back his bow and Nick has only twelve days to convince Eden she belongs with him, in his heart and in his bed.

To read a full excerpt click HERE. 
To purchase a copy click HERE.