Sue Swift's Blog: Welcome Back, Suzie!, page 10

Blissemas is here! Swag and prizes galore!

To join in simply leave a comment on this post and the others at http://blissemas.co.uk and you could be in to win your choice of eReader or $100 gift voucher to spend on eBooks!

The prize will be drawn on the 21st December. Merry Blissemas!

Highland Winter Hols, 18th Century Style

When I created the Kilburn Vampires (Ellora’s Cave Highland Vampires series) I thought about what vampires would actually be if they truly existed. My vamps wouldn’t do silly, unrealistic stuff like turn into bats or be unseen in mirrors. Nor would they be undead, but would possess long lives, a taste for blood, and unnatural strength that would allow them to perform stunts that would make them seem magical. They can scale walls, jump so far they seem to fly, and are extraordinary warriors, having been descended from the Berserker Vikings.

Along with their prowess as warriors they inherited from the Vikings many pagan traditions. Clan Kilburn celebrates the Yule and

Hogmanay, which are thought to be Nordic. In any event, they are distinctly Celtic and are celebrated to this day, as the

Edinburgh on Hogmanay

illustration to the right shows.

Here’s a snippet from Desire in Tartan, which shows a little about how Clan Kilburn celebrates the winter holidays:

Life had not treated Hamish Gwynn well, or, rather, he had not treated his life well. Since his ill-fated attempt to destroy Clan Kilburn, Laird Kieran had demanded tribute, as was his right, and Hamish, as an honorable laird, paid. Vast swaths of Gwynn forest were felled so Gwynn clansmen could rebuild Kilburn crofts while the homes of Hamish’s people went unrepaired. He also forked over a tenth of that autumn’s crop and did the same for the next five years, fattening Kilburn’s larder.

Worse, his French wife, Jacqueline, complained incessantly of the shame he’d brought onto the clan. She’d always been a restless, dissatisfied soul, and inside her mind, she seemed to have created a rivalry with Lady Lydia of Clan Kilburn.

So when an unexpected blizzard trapped Hamish and a few of his men hunting near Kilburn lands but far from his home, he resented that his best choice was to seek refuge at Kilburn Castle. He was by no means certain of his welcome.

Highland hospitality required that any person asking for shelter and food be given what he needed, but the Kilburns werena like most Highlanders. Their traditions werena Scots but pagan, as Hamish had learned many years before while watching the rival clan’s Meán Fóghar harvest celebration. Though they now called themselves Kilburn rather than Kilborn, and had likewise changed their clan motto, Hamish had no doubt that they persisted in their savage ways.

But he had no choice. He and three of his men struggled through heavy, wet snow toward Kilburn Castle, wondering what kind of reception they’d receive.

When they arrived, night had long fallen but, oddly, the great gate was open and the drawbridge down. Light and laughter issued from the gatehouse and the bailey within the massive double walls that had protected generations of Kilburns.

‘Twas the Yule, Hamish realized. These pagans didnae celebrate Christ’s birth as would be proper, with quiet prayer and contemplation, but instead noted the shortest day of the year with a cèilidh, song and drink.

“Well, at least they’ll be in a good temper,” he said to Fergus MacReiver.

Fergus grunted. “I doona want to go there. They’re heathens and baobhan-sith.”

“They may be heathen, but vampires?” Hamish laughed, a sharp, bitter bark. “You’ll nae find me believing in that foolishness again.” Listening to his priest’s maunderings about unholy blood-drinking creatures had led him to launch that daft raid against Clan Kilburn twelve years before. He wouldna make the same mistake twice. “Do ye wish to die oot here, in the snow and sleet? We havenae choice. Follow me and keep yer venom to yerself.”

Hamish, with his escort struggling behind, threaded his way between quiet crofts toward the drawbridge, then over. At the gatehouse, they were hailed by a clearly drunken guard. After leaving their weapons, the Gwynn party was allowed to pass through.

The courtyard had been cleared of snow. Crackling bonfires flared toward the sky surrounded by rings of dancing Kilburns. Pipers played off-key, and Hamish suspected they’d imbibed. Light spilled into the bailey from the open doors of two big towers, and Hamish averted his glance from the third keep. The Dark Tower ‘twas called, and ‘twas indeed dark, black with blood and brimful of the damned souls that had perished there twelve years before… Hamish’s own men, he remembered with unease.

But now everywhere else was revelry, fire, light and joy. The tempting aroma of roasting meat came from one set of doors, and though Hamish wasna familiar with the castle’s layout, he guessed that the Kilburn Great Hall was inside. He reckoned that he had the best chance of finding Kieran Kilburn there.

#1 ARE bestseller featuring Kieran Kilburn

A massive hand clamped down onto his shoulder. “Laird Hamish! A cantie Yule to ye!” Kieran Kilburn laughed, drank from a bottle held in one enormous paw then extended the bottle to Hamish. “And what brings ye here on such a raw winter night?”

Hamish took the bottle thinking, What the hell, Jacqueline’s not here, and drank. He wiped his wrist across his mouth and belched.

Kilburn laughed some more, looped an arm around Hamish’s shoulder and fair dragged him toward the open doors in the direction of the enticing smells. “Come see the wife! We’ve a new bairn to show ye.”

His men straggling behind, Hamish didn’t resist, for he was being taken to where he wanted to go—toward warmth and food.

Inside the Great Hall, more Bedlam. Hamish, who’d never been within the seat of Clan Kilburn, was astonished. He’d always supposed that the martial clan did naught but train, hunt and fight. But ‘twas clear that the well-managed clan lived well and thought nothing of clearing out the winter larder when other, less fortunate clans (like Clan Gwynn) scrimped and saved over the long chilly months, paring mold off cheese, baking pies from withered apples and measuring every drop and dram of whisky.

Jealousy set a giant hand in Hamish’s bowels and squeezed. He instantly forced back the unworthy feeling and quoted the tenth commandment to himself. Taking a deep breath, he was assailed by a variety of scents: whisky from Laird Kilburn, roasted boar, unwashed bodies, tallow candles, evergreen boughs and woodsmoke from the huge Yule log that crackled and blazed in the massive hearth.

The entire clan seemed to be crammed into the castle. Bairns chortled and older children sang while their elders applauded. He even glimpsed Dugald Kilburn, who Hamish had thought a somber and serious warrior, dancing on a table with a slender woman clasped in his arms. He capered with light feet over and between the blades of two crossed swords, an accomplishment to be sure, especially holding the girl, who flung back her head and laughed, a silvery peal of sheer joy.

Hamish took off his plaidie and his boots, set them near the fireplace to dry, relaxed and joined in the revelry.

****

Fergus MacReiver did not. After warming himself by one of the courtyard’s bonfires and partaking of the Kilburn food and drink, he tucked himself into a shadowy corner of the bailey to listen to the gossip and conversation. What he heard of Clan Kilburn’s plans interested him mightily, but he wasnae certain that his new laird would use the information. More likely that Laird Hamish, a coward unto his soul, would brush off Fergus’ scheme for revenge.

****

Dugald jumped off the table and whirled. In his arms, Alice shrieked and laughed. Hairpins flew and her long mane whipped out behind her as he continued to dance her out the room, out the tower and into the next. Snow had started to fall, and as they entered the Laird’s Tower, icy flakes began to melt on her face, cool and tingling.

He kissed her with chilly lips and set her on her feet. Hand in hand, they raced up the stairs into their room. He slammed the door behind them and tumbled her onto the bed in a flurry of quilted petticoats…

***

What’s the book about, you ask?

Dugald and Alice Kilburn

Dugald Kilburn is sure that he’ll never find love. And why should he?

‘Tis rare for vampires and their mates to reproduce successfully and Dugald kens that. He’s certain his lust caused his first wife’s death in childbed.

Innocent Alice Derwent presents Dugald with a dilemma. She’s different than any woman he’s known, different and altogether alluring. And while the lady is innocent, her feelings are anything but.

Will he bed and wed the lady, risking her life? Or remain celibate, sparing her?

But when threatened with death, Alice decides she doesn’t want to die without knowing Dugald’s love. Can he resist her charms?

Like what you read? Buy it here:

http://www.ellorascave.com/desire-in-tartan.html

Your blog hostess:

Suz deMello, bestselling erotica author

Suz deMello is the Amazon and ARE bestselling author of Write This, Not That! which reached #2 on Amazon’s list of bestselling writers’ references. Her Highland Vampires series is likewise acclaimed. The author of seveenteen books plus a number of short stories and articles on writing, she makes her home in Northern California.

 –Find her books at http://www.suzdemello.com

–For editing services, email her at suzswift@yahoo.com

–Befriend her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sueswift, and visit her group at

http://www.facebook.com/HotWriters

–She tweets her reading picks @ReadThis4fun

–Her current blog is http://www.fearlessfastpacedfiction.com

NEW TITLE CONTEST!

HELP ME!!! I’m looking for a title for a vampire story. Can you help?

The person who creates the title that’s chosen will get a free copy of the ebook when it comes out as well as an Amazon gift certificate.

The story is a contemporary vampire romance with a vamp who’s a cop and one who’s a PI–they solve a kidnapping case together, kill and ddrain the bad guys and fall in love. Set in northern California, it’s dark and sexy (Duh. Most of my stories these days are dark and sexy. My funny bone broke about ten years ago).

Any ideas, guys?

Your blog hostess:

Best-selling, award-winning author Suz deMello, a.k.a Sue Swift, has written over sixteen romance novels in several subgenres, including erotica, comedy, historical, paranormal, mystery and suspense, plus a number of short stories and non-fiction articles on writing. A freelance editor, she’s worked for Total-E-Bound, Liquid Silver

Author Sue Swift/Suz deMello

Books and Ai Press, where she is currently Managing Editor. She also takes private clients.

Her books have been favorably reviewed in Publishers Weekly, Kirkus and Booklist, won a contest or two, attained the finals of the RITA and hit several bestseller lists.

A former trial attorney, her passion is world travel. She’s left the US over a dozen times, including lengthy stints working overseas. She’s now writing a vampire tale and planning her next trip.

–Find her books at http://www.suzdemello.com

–For editing services, email her at suzswift@yahoo.com

–Befriend her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sueswift, and visit her group at

http://www.facebook.com/HotWriters

–She tweets her reading picks @ReadThis4fun

 

It’s One Lovely Blog!

Antonia Van Zandt has kindly gifted me with the One Lovely Blog Award. I must confess that I feel that this seems undeserved–I am not the world’s greatest blogger or even close. Nevertheless, I’ll act as if I am, taking a page from my sensei’s book. He always had the greatest life tips.
The award requires that I link back to Antonia’s blog, post seven facts about myself and pass this award along to seven others.
Hmmm…what do I want to reveal?
First, I have a not-so-secret passion for Ralph Fiennes. No, not the Fiennes who played Voldemort (ick, though he did a good job) but the Fiennes of The English Patient or even Wuthering Heights.
 
Second fact: I prefer Prosecco to Champagne. I don’t know why.
Third, Though I occasionally enjoy dessert, I am really not into sweets.
Fourth, I’m a vegetarian, though for ethical rather than health reasons. The meat production machine is unbelievably vicious and cruel, and I think it’s bad karma to participate in it.
Fifth: My favorite reading is Young Adult paranormal. Stuff like Harry Potter, the Hunger Games, Cassandra Clare (though it’s a shame


Suzie likes to dress up

about the City of Bones movie–it should have been so much better!).
Number Six: I am a hot yoga devotee and have lost 20 pounds since getting serious about my practice.
Seven: I love to dress up. I have two closets packed with gorgeous clothes, including corsets, a cutaway tuxedo, and cocktail dresses and I love to wear them. All of them but not at once. Yes, it’s a strange sentiment coming from someone who usually is in yoga gear or her worn 501s, but there you have it.
And who shall I gift with this lovely award?
Of course, my critique partner, the brilliant Diane Farr, whose blog can be found at http://www.bestbyfarr.com/
She writes Regency romance and YA paranormal, as does Brinda Berry http://www.brindaberry.com/blog.html.
Laurel Gans wrote a clever, funny book about getting into dental school (okay, it doesn’t sound funny, but trust me, Waitlisted is hilarious). Check her out. I don’t know if she has  a blog, but she can post her info here:
http://www.facebook.com/WaitlistedtheNovel
E.C. Newman wrote a great YA werewolf book, Phase, http://www.ecnewman.com
I adore Natalie Dae’s erotica: http://www.nataliedae.blogspot.com
And that of Scarlet Blackwell. Steamy hot gay romance! http://scarlet-fiction.livejournal.com/
Lastly–but most assuredly not least–I heartily recommend the work of Sonja Condit. You can find out about her here: https://www.facebook.com/sonja.condit
Enjoy!
Your blog hostess:

Author Sue Swift/Suz deMello

Best-selling, award-winning author Suz deMello, a.k.a Sue Swift, has written over sixteen romance novels in several subgenres, including erotica, comedy, historical, paranormal, mystery and suspense, plus a number of short stories and non-fiction articles on writing. A freelance editor, she’s worked for Total-E-Bound, Liquid Silver Books and Ai Press, where she is currently Managing Editor. She also takes private clients.
Her books have been favorably reviewed in Publishers Weekly, Kirkus and Booklist, won a contest or two, attained the finals of the RITA and hit several bestseller lists.
A former trial attorney, her passion is world travel. She’s left the US over a dozen times, including lengthy stints working overseas. She’s now writing a vampire tale and planning her next trip.
–Find her books at http://www.suzdemello.com
–For editing services, email her at suzswift@yahoo.com
–Befriend her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sueswift, and visit her group at http://www.facebook.com/HotWriters
–She tweets her reading picks @ReadThis4fun
–Her current blog is http://www.fearlessfastpacedfiction.com
 
 

 

A Special Sunday Snog

Why is this snog so special, you ask? Well, lucky you! ‘Cause I’ll tell you.

Author Victoria Blisse has been promoting her Sunday Snog now for 100 weeks. Yay, Victoria!

So we’re putting on a little bit of a celebration–I’ll give away a free ebook to a randomly selected lucky commenter, for one thing, and for another, Vicky collected funds from participating  authors including Yours Truly to give to Doctors Without Borders, aka Médecins Sans Frontières .

So I present to you a medical Sunday snog!

I haven’t written any books with doctors or nurses as primary characters–i.e., no doctorly snogs to use–but I have written books in which physical therapists figure prominently. Walk Like A Man holds a special place in my heart because it was the first manuscript I wrote. Initially published by Five Star, it went into a second printing and was recently re-released as an ebook.

What’s it about, you ask?

Here’s the blurb:

Macho quarterback Jim Wellman meets his match in bright and sassy physical therapist Marti Solis, who goads him out of his wheelchair, pushing him to walk again. Unlike every other woman Jim has wanted, she refuses to jump into the sack with the celebrity athlete. Though attracted to his bedroom smile and rugged good looks, she’s intimidated by his fame and turned off by his arrogance.

Can Jim become the lover Marti needs? Can he learn to walk like a man?

Set in California’s beautiful Napa Valley, this multicultural romance delivers humor and pathos, sparkling dialogue, layered characters, a heroine to root for and a hero who’s pure fantasy.

And here’s the snog. It’s set in a care facility just before a Halloween party:

Jim smiled, taking her in. The white lace blouse Marti wore concealed her slender body while it outlined her curves. A strapless bustier peeked through the lacework. His curiosity teased. He didn’t know if Marti liked sexy lingerie. He sure hoped so, and wanted to find out right away.

Offering her his arm, he walked her down the hall to his suite. He closed the door of his room behind them and took her into his arms, stroking her back. One hand freed pearl buttons from tiny loops. He opened the shirt while softly kissing her lips, and ran his fingers over the pale amber swells of her breasts where they thrust from the bustier.

She murmured against his mouth, “I’m scared.”

“Scared of what?” he asked, still caressing her breasts. He lifted one out of the bustier and rubbed his thumb over the tender nipple. It puckered instantly. He bent his head to nibble at the enticing nub.

Walk Like A Man

“Someone may come in,” she said weakly.

“Door’s locked. You’ll keep your job today, sweetheart.”

“But—”

He stopped her protest with a kiss, then loosened his hold. “Marti, I’m not into forcing you. Whenever you feel uncomfortable, just tell me to stop.” He stroked her cheek. “I promise you won’t be sorry.”

She hesitated.

“Make a choice, now.” He knew she didn’t want to tell him ‘no.’

She gulped. “I’ll stay. For a while, at least.”

Jim tried not to let his surge of masculine triumph show on his face. “That’s all I ask.” He walked her over to his big bed and lowered her onto it, gazing down at her.

She had never looked so exciting. The high-collared blouse contrasted with her flagrantly exposed breast. She was mind-numbingly sexy. The pirate outfit made him feel like an outlaw ravishing a prim and proper Victorian virgin.

Erect and flushed, her nipple glistened where he had licked it. Her hair partially escaped from the old-fashioned style, framing her face with soft wisps that begged for his touch.

Jim joined her on the bed so they lay side by side. He captured her in his arms and kissed her mouth thoroughly, voluptuously. He groped at her side to find a row of buttons securing the high, tight waist of her skirt, and unfastened them as she stroked his chest through the pirate’s shirt. Arousal sparked through his body like electric shocks with every caress of her knowing hands.

He again took her breast with his mouth, sucking the nipple before gently nipping it with his teeth. It rose, hot and hard on his tongue, and he tugged on the sexy little point. She was tasty as hell and he wanted to eat her right up.

He slid his right hand underneath the waistband of the long, old-fashioned skirt. She ran her hands through his hair to pull his head even closer to her breast. Her moan of desire incited him, made his body swell with need.

His fingers danced over her flat abdomen, then searched further, encountering her panties. With pleasure he realized that they were lace also, and apparently matched the bustier. He wanted to strip her, so he pushed the skirt away to see Marti’s seductive body, clad only in white lace.

He crouched over her, wanting her, as determined and as dangerous as any wild pirate claiming prey. He eased her other breast from the encasing bustier and worried it with his teeth as he slipped his hand under the elastic of her panties.

He rubbed her thatch of dark hair and the sensual mound beneath until her moans increased in pitch. His fingers found her wetness, and he pushed into the furrow until he felt her vibrate and writhe. He slid another finger in, deliberately opening the narrow passage while continuing to rotate his palm against her bud, hidden beneath the sultry folds of her sex.

He felt passion pulse through Marti’s body, and she reached for his head, bringing his lips to hers. He responded, his tongue in her mouth echoing the motion of his fingers in her slick depths. Her hips rolled wildly against his hand. She moaned, incoherent.

“Yes, baby, yes, yes.” With a flash of primitive male satisfaction he realized he finally had her where and how he wanted her: sprawled on his bed, helpless with lust and need. “Give it to me, baby, right now,” he demanded, pushing against her harder until her body rocked with her climax.

“Oh, baby, you are so beautiful.” Amazed and delighted at her responsiveness, he took her into his arms and hugged her until her body stopped quivering. He kissed her eyelids as she relaxed against his rock-hard shaft. He rubbed against her thigh.

“Oh, darling, I want you so much,” he whispered into her ear. “I can hardly wait until tomorrow night when I’ll have you all to myself. I’ll love you like no one else ever has.”

Marti breathed deeply, then chuckled. “You think a lot of yourself, don’t you?”

“That sounds like a challenge. I like that.” Jim massaged her again through her damp panties.

She hummed deep in her throat. “Maybe you’re right.”

He stretched. “Let’s blow off the party, stay here, and get naked for the rest of the night.”

Like what you read? Buy it here: http://bit.ly/WalkLikeAMan

Remember, if you leave a comment before Friday, September 27, you’re automatically entered into  a drawing for a digital copy of this book!

And visit the other blog participants–they’re doing exactly what I’m doing, too–posting a snog and offering a prize!

Just go to Victoria’s page, find the links and join in the fun!

And now a few words about your blog hostess:

Best-selling, award-winning author Suz deMello, a.k.a Sue Swift, has written over sixteen romance novels in several subgenres, including erotica, comedy, historical, paranormal, mystery and suspense, plus a number of short stories and non-fiction articles on writing. A freelance editor, she’s worked for Total-E-Bound, Liquid Silver Books and Ai Press, where she is currently Managing Editor. She also takes

Sue Swift/Suz deMello

private clients.

Her books have been favorably reviewed in Publishers Weekly, Kirkus and Booklist, won a contest or two, attained the finals of the RITA and hit several bestseller lists.

A former trial attorney, her passion is world travel. She’s left the US over a dozen times, including lengthy stints working overseas. She’s now writing a vampire tale and planning her next trip.

–Find her books at http://www.suzdemello.com

–For editing services, email her at suzswift@yahoo.com

–Befriend her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sueswift, and visit her group at

   http://www.facebook.com/HotWriters

–She tweets her reading picks @ReadThis4fun   

A Scottish Sunday Snog

http://victoriablisse.co.uk/sunday-snog

I recently updated the cover and added new material to one of my stories, Angel Laird, Vampire Wife. Though it’s indie-published, it’s part of my series, Highland Vampires, which is mostly published by entities like Harlequin Spice Briefs and Ellora’s Cave.

Here’s the list of current and planned stories in the series:

Highland Vampires: Advent (forthcoming; set in the 12th century)

Temptation in Tartan (set in 1747; http://www.ellorascave.com/temptation-in-tartan.html)

Desire in Tartan (set in 1759; http://www.ellorascave.com/desire-in-tartan.html)

Angel Laird, Vampire Wife (set in 1766; http://bit.ly/AngelVamp)

Rakes in Tartan (set in 1816, forthcoming from Ellora’s Cave)

Vampire and Ripper (forthcoming)

Highland Vampire (contemporary; http://bit.ly/HighlandVamp)

Readers of Temptation in Tartan will remember that after his clan was nearly destroyed by an ancient Kilburn vampire, Edgar MacReiver, the ten-year-old laird of Clan MacReiver, was forced to accept Kieran, Laird Kilburn’s peace proposal…a proposal that gave Kier’s firstborn daughter to Edgar as his wife, to cement the alliance between the formerly warring clans.

Angel Laird, Vampire Wife follows Eddgar and his strong-willed fiancee, Isobel Kilburn, as they struggle to reconcile their desires with arrangements made decades before.

And here’s the snog:

Edgar’s lips caressed hers and her mind emptied of everything except this new experience. She wanted to remember everything about her first kiss: the strength of his arms, the warmth of his lips followed by the wetness of his tongue as it slid slyly into her mouth.

His flavor was distinctive, a spice like nothing she’d tasted before, a toothsome relish composed of spring water, mint and honey. The scent of the forest mingled with his aroma, a fragrance that melded good male sweat with an underlying freshness that reminded her of the summer sun glittering on the sea.

http://bit.ly/AngelVamp

His hand trailed down her back to curve over her bottom. He squeezed, and the tingling heat of passion spread from his broad warm palm to encompass all of her. A purr rose in her throat. She slid her arms beneath his and held onto his shoulders from behind.

She pulled him in tight, wanting nothing but this kiss to go on and on forever. Life had become so simple. Their mouths touching, their hands exploring, their bodies pressed against each other were everything. Nothing else mattered.

She sucked on his tongue but still wanted more. She nipped and then, tasting a new flavor, licked the tip. Was it his blood? She didna care. He was delicious.

She sucked harder. Yes, that was his blood seeping over her tongue from the tiny bite, and it was intoxicating…he was intoxicating. He groaned and his grip tightened. She became aware that his muscular body had hardened against hers.

That she’d taken his blood had stirred him, she realized with a bolt of pure lust snapping through her. He was aroused by her need and that, in turn, inflamed her. His maleness thrust blindly, seeking her warmth and heat. She pressed herself against him not only with desire but also with a sense of wonderment. She had not known how good he’d feel pressed against her.

His hands shifted, roamed, explored…he took her wrists and drew them down to the small of her back.

He pulled away but she couldn’t reach for him to bring him back. He gripped her shoulders and looked into her eyes with a peculiar intensity. His blond hair swung loose, and she realized what he’d done.

He’d bound her hands behind her back with his leather hair tie.

“What…why did ye do that?” She tried to tug her wrists apart, but he’d tethered them firmly.

Like what you read? Buy it here: http://www/tinyurl.com/angellaird

Your blog hostess:

Best-selling, award-winning author Suz deMello, a.k.a Sue Swift, has written over sixteen romance novels in several subgenres including erotica, comedy, historical, paranormal, mystery and suspense, plus a number of short stories and non-fiction articles on writing. A freelance editor, she’s worked for Total-E-

Sue Swift/Suz deMello

Bound, Ai Press, and Liquid Silver Books. She also takes private clients.

Her books have been favorably reviewed in Publishers Weekly, Kirkus and Booklist, won a contest or two, attained the finals of the RITA and hit several bestseller lists.

A former trial attorney, her passion is world travel. She’s left the US over a dozen times, including lengthy stints working overseas. She’s now writing a vampire tale and planning her next trip.

Find her books at http://www.suzdemello.com

For editing services, email her at suzswift@yahoo.com

Befriend her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sueswift

She tweets her reading picks @ReadThis4fun

 

Live on the Edge with L.M. Somerton

Hi Sue!  and thanks for inviting me to your blog!

I’ve written a lot of blog posts recently and was browsing a list of quotes about writers – looking for inspiration – when I came across this:

“I suspect that most authors don’t really want criticism, not even constructive criticism. They want straight-out, unabashed, unashamed, fulsome, informed, naked praise, arriving by the shipload every fifteen minutes or so.”

― Neil Gaiman

Do I agree? Well, bucket loads of praise would be lovely and I feel terribly anxious waiting for the first responses to a new book, but I also appreciate a constructively critical review. I hope that my writing has improved because I listen to this kind of feedback. I’ve altered the pace of my work, focussed on more character development and tried to make sex scenes integral rather than irrelevant to a plot. A lovely review or comment from a reader leaves a warm glow behind it, but I hope that every one of my books is better than the last and that can only happen if someone tells me how I can improve.

So here I am with another new release, feeling a mixture of nausea-inducing apprehension and excitement as I wait to hear what my readers think! Living on the Edge, Book 2 in the Tales from The Edge series is on general release from August 16th.

Tales from The Edge – Series Blurb

 The Edge is a training company with a difference. Its weekend clients come for classes in bondage and domination, not team building and problem solving.

The management, staff and customers of The Edge do not lead boring lives. In fact they have a habit of getting themselves into all kinds of trouble. Put Dominant, possessive alpha males together with bratty, loveable submissives and sparks are bound to fly. These Tales from The Edge are their stories.

  Living on the Edge – Book Blurb:

Sometimes it takes willpower to resist temptation but courage to give in.

Aiden Keller is a brilliant and intriguing young man. When he’s convicted of hacking, his sentence takes him to The Edge, a high-end corporate training company with a mysterious sideline. There he is given into the custody of its owner, the enigmatic and demanding Heath Anders, and his business partner Joe Dexter.

From the moment Heath takes charge of Aiden he recognises the boy’s submissive nature, even though it is well hidden beneath a veneer of snarky attitude. But for twelve months, Aiden will be his responsibility and Heath cannot allow himself to get involved whilst the boy is obliged to obey him.

Aiden settles into his new life with the help of Olly, Joe’s pretty, submissive boyfriend, who is very perceptive when it comes to noticing the sparks of attraction flying between Aiden and Heath. Slowly and gently, he teaches Aiden that submission is not a weakness and to accept his desire to be dominated.

Unable to resist, Heath starts to test Aiden’s willingness to be obedient, and against all the odds, love (and lust) start to bloom. Aiden, however, is not quite what he seems and his past is about to endanger all their lives.

Excerpt:

Aiden watched as he walked away. Broad shoulders topped a body wrapped in a dark fleece and black jeans. Every movement spoke of restrained strength. He moved confidently with a measured, unhurried pace. Aiden couldn’t stop his gaze from drifting down to a very nice arse—the guy was exceptionally well put together. It wasn’t difficult to imagine what it would be like to be held down by Heath, and somehow Aiden knew that held down was what he would be. Heath didn’t look the type for caring and sharing. He was so obviously dominant that it oozed from every pore.

“Probably straight.” Aiden hoped he had only thought the words rather than said them out loud. It was hardly appropriate to be thinking about the man in that way. Still, if he had to be stuck in some godforsaken place as slave labour for twelve months, at least there would be something nice to look at. Twelve months. Fuck. It felt like a life sentence, and Aiden wondered for the millionth time if what he had done was worth it.

Heath returned, levered his long legs beneath the table and placed a large cup of steaming coffee in front of him. Aiden’s hands shook just a little as he ripped open a sugar sachet and sprinkled a few grains into his drink. The fight with the miniature milk cartons proved a bit more challenging until a large hand closed around his own, took the annoying little pot away and opened it for him. The burning sensation would have been less if Aiden had plunged his hand into an open fire. Skin on skin contact with Heath short-circuited his brain and turned his cock into a very hard problem.

He shifted uncomfortably. “I don’t need your help.” He fought the second milk carton and sprayed white liquid across the table.

“Of course you don’t.” Heath wiped up the mess with a serviette. “Look at me, Aiden.”

Aiden suddenly found the tabletop very interesting indeed, but there was something about that voice that stripped away his resistance. Slowly, unwillingly, he raised his eyes.

“Better. I have one ground rule that we need to get out of the way. I know you don’t want to be here. Well, suck it up—I don’t care. You did something wrong and this is punishment, not a fucking day trip.”

Aiden blinked and clenched his fists beneath the table.

“From this point on, you do what I say, when I say it. Disobey me and you will be punished. Do as you’re told and we will get along just fine.”

“So, you say ‘Jump’ and I say ‘How high’? Is that how this works?” Months of frustration and worry brought sharpness to Aiden’s voice.

“How high, how far and what kind of fucking landing is required.”

© L M Somerton

Buy links:

You can buy Living on the Edge from Total-E-Bound at:

http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?P_ID=2242&utm_source=bookpromostrategy&utm_medium=authorpromo&utm_campaign=livingontheedge

From August 16th, it’s also available on general release at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, All Romance Café etc. just search for the title.

Author bio:

L M Somerton lives in a small village in the English countryside, surrounded by rolling hills, cows and sheep. She started writing to fill time between jobs and is now firmly and unashamedly addicted.

She loves the English weather, especially the rain, and adores a thunderstorm. She loves good food, warm company and a crackling fire. She’s fascinated by the psychology of relationships, especially between men, and her stories contain some subtle (and not so subtle) leanings towards BDSM.

Links

http://lmsomerton.wordpress.com

http://www.facebook.com/lmsomerton

http://pinterest.com/lmsomerton

https://www.amazon.com/author/lmsomerton

Twitter: @lmsomerton

 Your blog hostess:

Best-selling, award-winning author Suz deMello, a.k.a Sue Swift, has written over sixteen romance novels in several subgenres, including erotica, comedy, historical, paranormal, mystery and suspense, plus a number of short stories and non-fiction articles

Sue Swift/Suz deMello

on writing. A freelance editor, she’s worked for Total-E-Bound, Liquid Silver Books and Ai Press, where she is currently Managing Editor. She also takes private clients.

Her books have been favorably reviewed in Publishers Weekly, Kirkus and Booklist, won a contest or two, attained the finals of the RITA and hit several bestseller lists.

A former trial attorney, her passion is world travel. She’s left the US over a dozen times, including lengthy stints working overseas. She’s now writing a vampire tale and planning her next trip.

–Find her books at http://www.suzdemello.com

–For editing services, email her at suzswift@yahoo.com

–Befriend her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sueswift, and visit her group at http://www.facebook.com/HotWriters

–She tweets her reading picks @ReadThis4fun

–Her current blog is http://www.fearlessfastpacedfiction.com

 

Sex at the Beach, Scottish Style

The fabulous Victoria Blisse is sponsoring another blog hop and contest, called August Smut Alfresco, celebrating sex in the great outdoors.

Comment on this post to be in to win one of these fabulous prizes:

A Kindle  and £50 worth of Total-E-Bound ebooks, or £50 worth of Xcite ebooks

Check out all the August Alfresco posts at http://smutalfresco.co.uk and comment on each one to have more chances to win.

All terms and conditions are available at http://smutalfresco.co.uk. Winners will be announced on the 1st September at the website.

So that’s what you have to do—and what I have to do to participate is present you, my lovely readers, with an excerpt that includes sex alfresco—sex in the great outdoors.

If you haven’t made love outside you’ve missed something special. Sure, I love a comfy bed, but occasionally it’s fun to spice up my love life with sex in the woods, sex at the beach, sex in my back yard as long as the ants don’t come to the picnic.

 In this excerpt from Desire in Tartan, Alice and Dugald feel the same way.

 Setting: Scotland, 1759

Dugald emerged from the ocean, long dark hair streaming with water, the flat planes of his body gleaming in the pale dawn light. Like Poseidon, but with a spear between his legs, not in his hands. She stifled a giggle at the thought, but his tool was far less threatening after a drenching in cold seawater.

How had a drab like her attracted a man like Dugald Kilburn?

Mayhap he had other women. The thought was deflating but logical. He hadn’t said a word about marriage, merely stating I’m yer man. Though that statement was quite definitive.

She swallowed her hesitation and stepped toward him, meeting him with outstretched arms and a willing kiss. His embrace was colder than the ocean but ardent as the crashing waves. He crushed her to his wet body, dampening her, and as they kissed, her body undulated against his like an eel, smooth and sleek.

http://bit.ly/DesireInTartan

She felt beautiful when she was with him like this, naked and free, beautiful and bold as the morning. He pushed his tongue into her mouth as he picked her up, one hand on her shoulders and one beneath her rump. She wrapped her legs around his waist to support herself.

He gave a rumble of agreement. “Aye, that’s right, lass.”

Her cunny rubbed against his burgeoning cock. She hadn’t planned the action but welcomed it nevertheless. Welcomed it, but was surprised when his rod’s round head slipped inside her with little warning. She had not known she was so open to him, so ready.

He lifted her a bit before letting her down, and her channel, tight and wet from the seawater, parted to admit his length. She gasped at the unaccustomed intrusion. Again, he stopped and waited. She breathed heavily, moved tentatively and, following his lead, also waited. Waited until her body said yes to his, a condition heralded by a tingling sensitivity in her cunny, a feeling that drove her to grip his shoulders and slide herself up and down on his pole.

Ahhhh…she flung her head back and panted, pleasure washing through her like the waves sweeping the sand. His hand slipped, its side resting in the crack dividing her bottom.

He gripped one buttock firmly. Again, a new feeling, the side of his hand nestled deeply into tender flesh no one else had ever touched.

Her first instinct was to protest. Wasn’t that place dirty? But another part of her argued, not on me. She’d just washed in the ocean. And everything that Dugald and she had done had felt good, if…different.

So she didn’t ask him to move his hand. Rather, while he had her, and she him, she wriggled so his hand teased that mysterious, forbidden, enticing spot.

Leaning forward, she kissed him, shivering with a peculiar mixture of desire, heat and, yes, cold, for the morning was chilly as was his mouth and his hands. Could she reach the pinnacle she’d climbed last night?

She didn’t know if she could until Dugald walked over to the pile of clothes he’d previously dumped and laid her upon them. She sprawled over finery of all sorts: satin and velvet, brocade and golden trim. Her bottom rested on a silken scarf while she fingered fine lace. She sniffed suspiciously, but contact with the air outside the cave had swept away the cavern’s stink from the fabrics, replacing it with an oceanic freshness.

Still inside her, looming over her, Dugald leaned his weight on one elbow and picked up a chain with his other hand. He trailed its end across her naked breasts. Another new feeling, one she liked, for her nipples had been sensitized by his loving. She was drawn to her breasts as much as was he and so she cupped them, giving them a squeeze so they appeared larger, the nipples higher, tighter.

“I like that. I like watching you touch yerself.” His voice was husky. He bent his head and licked her offered nipples before sucking them. “Mmmm, salty.”

“Are they?” She was absurdly delighted. “Are they good?”

“Aye, and I imagine that this is sweet.” He slid down her body until his head rested near her mound. He parted her legs with a gentle hand. “Your cunny is more pink than last eve.”

His candor unaccustomed, she giggled. “It’s, umm, she’s had more attention than ever before.”

“Aye, and it willnae be the last time.” He bent his head and kissed her softly, parting the folds with his lips before taking her with his tongue.

She opened her legs wider and reached down to guide his head to the spot that would please her the most, that little bump atop her slit. He obliged, licking her there while sliding a finger inside her channel.

While she allowed bliss to flood her body, her mind hadn’t stopped. She wondered what she’d become. Last night, she’d thought they were going to die, which had made what she did with Dugald permissible, of no consequence given their probable fate. But what were her reasons on this new, bright day?

She’d been carried away by the beauty of the morning and sheer relief that she…they…were still alive. That did not make what they were doing right, or smart.

But could she stop herself, or him?

Later, p’raps, but not at this moment, not when he had his head buried between her legs and his tongue buried in her cunny and his fingers, his marvelously long, clever fingers, buried in her channel doing delicious and naughty things.

Naughty. She’d never before been naughty. Never had the opportunity, really…

 Like what you read? Good! Here are the blurb and buy links:

Dugald Kilburn is sure that he’ll never find love. And why should he?

‘Tis rare for vampires and their mates to reproduce successfully and Dugald kens that. He’s certain his lust caused his first wife’s death in childbed.

Innocent Alice Derwent presents Dugald with a dilemma. She’s different than any woman he’s known, different and altogether alluring. And while the lady is innocent, her feelings are anything but.

Will he bed and wed the lady, risking her life? Or remain celibate, sparing her?

But when threatened with death, Alice decides she doesn’t want to die without knowing Dugald’s love. Can he resist her charms?

Buy it here: http://www.ellorascave.com/desire-in-tartan.html

Or here: http://bit.ly/DesireInTartan

Or here:  http://bit.ly/DesireVamp

Your blog hostess:

Best-selling, award-winning author Suz deMello, a.k.a Sue Swift, has written over sixteen romance novels in several subgenres, including erotica, comedy,

Author Sue Swift/Suz deMello

historical, paranormal, mystery and suspense, plus a number of short stories and non-fiction articles on writing. A freelance editor, she’s worked for Total-E-Bound, Liquid Silver Books and Ai Press, where she is currently Managing Editor. She also takes private clients.

Her books have been favorably reviewed in Publishers Weekly, Kirkus and Booklist, won a contest or two, attained the finals of the RITA and hit several bestseller lists.

A former trial attorney, her passion is world travel. She’s left the US over a dozen times, including lengthy stints working overseas. She’s now writing a vampire tale and planning her next trip.

–Find her books at http://www.suzdemello.com

–For editing services, email her at suzswift@yahoo.com

–Befriend her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sueswift, and visit her group at http://www.facebook.com/HotWriters

–She tweets her reading picks @ReadThis4fun

 

Playing the sevens game AGAIN…why not?

I was tagged by Antonia van Zandt to play the Writers’ Sevens game–that’s when we have to choose seven lines from our latest WIP from page 7, 77,  or 777 and so on…I think that they may have to start at the 7th line on the page or something, and then we have to pick seven of our worst enemies–excuse me, friends–to participate. Whatever–I’m not a rules girl. I do want to warn anyone who might be reading this post, including WordPress, that regardless of the fact that I’ve posted these lines here, they still belong to me and I am the copyright holder.

So here ya go–seven lines from Rakes in Tartan. In this Regency set vampire erotica, two lovers meet after one has watched the other give a BJ to his friend. He’s then surprised to see her in the hallowed halls of Almack’s.

“Well, my fine young lord, you have found me sooner than expected.” She tipped her head to one side. “That is a good sign.”

He liked, but could not place her accent. In order to have her speak more, he asked, “A good sign of what, madame?”

“A good sign of a good mind.”

He laughed. “My tutors at Oxford would not agree.”

“Oh, book learning is of no moment.” She waved her opened fan dismissively. “A lively character reveals itself in many ways.”

“That is true. You have revealed yourself to be, umm, very lively. Very lively indeed.” Resting a hand on her chair’s back, he leaned over her to speak directly into her ear. “And p’raps you can tell me, madame, how such a lively wench as yourself gained entree to Almack’s.”

***

And who shall I tag? Deb Stover, Diane Farr, Debra Salonen, Susan H. Vaughan, AJ Stewart, Mina Dorian and Sara York. Enjoy!

A Visit to SoCal

Those who know me are aware that I grew up in Los Angeles and though no family members live in that big, brawling, outrageous city, some live in southern California. Among them are some of my fave people–cousins Cindy and Mark Herndon and their two fabulous sons; my mother’s cousins, Linda and Jossi Chazan; my gorgeous nephews and their mother…and many more.  Every once in a while we trudge down there (okay, we fly) to say hello. I chose last week because I know how hot it is here in SacTown in mid-July, and we stay near the coast.

Car rental contract.

We were lucky in that the Vulcan pre-travel greeting was fulfilled. Remember that from the movie Star Trek 3? “May your journey be without incident.” However, I was mystified by the contract from

Enterprise rent-a-car. Am I really supposed to be able to read tiny grey type on a pink background?

We stayed in Laguna Beach with Linda and Jossi Chazan. He’s a cantor from Tel Aviv–he got into the cantorial business from

Jossi, Mom and Linda

musical comedy in Israel. He’s one of the happiest people I know.

Just being with Jossi makes me smile, and Linda, my mom’s cousin, is equally delightful.

We walked. I went to the beach and ran most mornings. I did Pilates. And walked some more.

My cousins’ home–one of the many magical dwellings in Laguna Beach.

Laguna’s great. I love beachside tourist traps. They’re generally beautiful and clean–plus everyone there wants to have a good time!

 

The little waterfall and pool that my cousin Itai (L and J’s son) built many years ago.

A successful TV interview!

Green Room, Good Day Sacramento

For me, a successful media interview means that I didn’t drop the F-bomb.

I do prefer radio, where one’s hair, makeup and clothing don’t matter, but the on-air talent complimented me on my hair so I guess

http://bit.ly/DesireInTartan

did okay.

I actually enjoyed my appearance on local morning show “Good Day Sacramento.”

I even mentioned the book a couple of times…you know, the one that just came out–Desire in Tartan.

http://gooddaysacramento.cbslocal.com/video/9089431-meet-local-author-suz-demello/

ALSO: FREE! The sequel to Desire in Tartan! http://bit.ly/AngelVamp. This short story will be free through July 18. Enjoy!