Portia Da Costa's Blog, page 21

A different kind of angel

Today sees the publication of my second work for Samhain Publishing, an erotic paranormal novella entitled A TOUCH OF HEAVEN.

TOUCH is an unusual little story. It's comparatively short [18K words] but I think it packs quite a punch because there are a lot of different elements to it. While I was writing it, I certainly had to think long and hard about a variety of issues, including a woman's perception of her own ageing process and even some aspects of mysticism and theology. All sounds a bit heavy for a short erotic romance, doesn't it?

The story is about an angel, something that I haven't touched on before in my fiction. I originally wrote it in answer to a publisher call at Samhain Publishing, but because I was busy with other deadlines, I didn't manage to complete it in time for the required, so I never actually subbed it. However, an editor saw me mention the story in discussion on a message board, and she urged me to submit it anyway when it was finished. Luckily for me, it was eventually accepted.

Patrick, my angel, is a different kind of angel. Not the kind that quite often appears in romance and urban fantasy books and stories. He isn't a warrior angel with a flaming sword, engaged in a never ending battle between good and evil, smiting demons right left and center, and sporting a name ending in 'riel'. No, my Patrick is a gentler sort of fellow. He's kind and nurturing, and humane if you can call a non human creature that. His mission isn't to participate in a holy war, but to heal and bring comfort to those mortals who need him. This might all make him sound very much like a mild, very Beta hero, but in his own way he's also strong and powerful. He simply wields his power in a quiet non-flashy style.

He's also human, at least in a temporary, quazi sort of way. To visit earth and do what he has to do, he has to take a human form, because his real state isn't something a mortal can comprehend. Everything about him, in his angelic form, is beyond our understanding, as are his 'home' and his 'boss'... The people he encounters on his mission, especially Miranda, the heroine, can only deal in approximations and representations of his mystical reality.

If all this sounds a bit airy fairy, don't be put off. Patrick, my golden angel, is actually a very down to earth guy. His mission completed, he has a little holiday time in hand... and he likes to spend it in a very human way. He enjoys lying in the sun - naked! He loves eating junk food and drinking pop. He listens to music on an iPod and reads romantic novels. And he also likes flirting with beautiful women, in the form of Miranda, who lives next door to the residence that he's apparently 'house sitting'.

Miranda, for her part, quickly falls head over heals in lust and love with the beautiful but mysterious young man next door. He's utterly gorgeous, and most miraculous of all, he seems to be genuinely attracted to her, even though she's well into her forties, and she suffers from twinges of arthritis. With Patrick she feels young and vibrant again, in a very literal sense. His magic touch with massage actually relieves her pain, and his gorgeous body and heavenly face revive her libido and send it in to overdrive. She feels sexy and attractive again because of him.

But of course, that's not all the story... despite their fast growing love for each other, and the idyllic pleasure that Miranda receives at Patrick's hands, there are terrifying difficulties in their path and agonizing choices they have to make. No sooner have they found each other than they face being wrenched apart again, and worse than that, the specter of extinction looms over Patrick...

So, if all that sounds intriguing, you might like to give A TOUCH OF HEAVEN a whirl. It's available now from Samhain Publishing and a variety of other ebook outlets, and you can read a taster excerpt of it here at my web site.

Oh, and lest he doesn't sound particularly angelic in the traditional sense... Patrick does have wings. They're big and white-feathered and very powerful... and sometimes he actually flies!

Check out an excerpt of A TOUCH OF HEAVEN here

Check out A TOUCH OF HEAVEN here at Samhain Publishing, along with another excerpt

ps. here's a pic of how Patrick might look with his clothes on... ;)

SWEET CONFESSIONS out now!

"22 superbly written erotic stories for couples looking to spice up their bedtime reading. Violet Blue is quite simply the best in the business when it comes to erotica for couples. She edits with both a sharp eye and a knack for what lovers are looking for, with scenarios ranging from the sweet to the surprising and the tantalisingly forbidden. In SWEET CONFESSIONS, the inciting fantasies explored include spanking, exhibitionism, role-playing, three-ways and sexy adventures that arouse and inspire couples to reach new heights of passion."


I'm very proud to say that I have a short story in this exciting new collection, edited by the legendary Violet Blue. In Silver Screen, an unnamed girl gets herself into a crazy, erotic scrape in a sleazy 'adult' cinema whilst playing a daring power game with her wickedly dominant boyfriend. Even when he's not around, she can't resist his outrageous challenges...


Click here to read a hot excerpt of Silver Screen, with links to buy the collection

I could not resist this!

see more Lol Celebs

I love this... but in the UK, of course, it would be "I'm on yer ITV3..."

Two excerpts today at Lime's place!

If you want to read exclusive excerpts of my forthcoming Samhain Publishing title A TOUCH OF HEAVEN, and my self published menage novella POWER OF THREE, nip over to the online home of my fabulous Twitter buddy Limecello!

http://limecello.wordpress.com/2011/06/30/ttportiadacosta/

It's POWER OF THREE day!

It's 'official' release day today for my naughty new erotic menage novella, POWER OF THREE, a new title from Walk on the Wild Side Books.
Here's the blurb:
Sun-drenched days and lush steamy nights stir strange desires in singleton Laurie Jones. She's been betrayed by her philandering fiancé, but that doesn't mean her libido is dead, no way. In fact the rampant hedonism of the lovers' resort where she's spending her solo honeymoon only makes her feel hornier than ever. Especially when she watches her raunchy neighbours cavorting in a blatant threesome.

But relief is at hand for Laurie in the form of Ed and Denny, two gorgeous hunks sharing another nearby cabana. Golden boy Denny, and dark, enigmatic Ed are red hot for each other, but they also adore women too, and the sexy, generous pair quickly draw Laurie into a sizzling erotic ménage that not only expands her sexual horizons in a way that blows her mind, but also heals the pain inflicted upon her by her lost fiancé.

As the holiday progresses, the three explore each other's bodies in a feast of sensual pleasure and experimentation, forming a close bond that's as emotional as it is physical.

But only too soon, it's time to go back home...

Can Laurie's simmering Caribbean idyll become something much deeper when she returns to the cooler shores of England? Can her holiday fling become the love of a lifetime... with two men?

17000 words/approx 43 pages

Click here for a super steamy excerpt and some links to buy POWER OF THREE

Another frisky, but gorgeous cover!

Here's the deliciously risque cover for my next Spice Brief, ANOTHER CHANCE, which comes out in September. It's linked to an earlier story CHANCE OF A LIFETIME. It's set at Blaystock Manor again and has the same BDSM theme, but a different couple.

Check out an excerpt here.

It's showcase day for FORBIDDEN TREASURES

Forbidden Treasures is showcased today at the Walk on the Wild Side Books blog!

Why not click on over and find out about my naughty BDSM novelette. :)

Showcasing Forbidden Treasures

More delicious fiction from Saskia!

It's showcase day at Walk on the Wild Side Books today for DOUBLE DARE, a super erotic romance by my best buddy, Saskia Walker! DOUBLE DARE is a backlist title, released by Saskia as an ebook at the much lower price of $3.99/£2.80. Fantastic value, as I read this yummy novel when it was originally released and I can vouch its deliciousness. Zac is a particularly intriguing and scrumptious hero. DOUBLE DARE won the Passionate Plume award for the best contemporary erotic romance of 2006.

Here's the blurb:

Two hearts entangled in a steamy affair and a truth or dare game brought about by a mutual desire for erotic discovery...

Investment broker Abigail Douglas has got it all, but Abby—the woman—longs for a secret affair, a playmate who knows nothing about her high-powered business world, and Zac Bordino might just be the man. He's mysterious and sexy—just right for Abby's walk on the wild side—but very soon she finds that she wants more, and his mysterious, evasive nature makes her curious. Is there more to this sexy, entrepreneurial club owner than meets the eye? And why does she suddenly feel as if her every move is being watched?

Zac Bordino is perplexed when he realizes that the woman managing his business investments is the same woman he's having an affair with. She's pretending to be a little nobody out for a good time, and because she's a red hot number he plays along, cautiously observing her to get to the truth. From high-powered offices in London to pulse-pounding nightclubs in Paris, they find an insatiably perfect match in business and in pleasure. But when Zac begins to fall for Abby, he has to decide whether to reveal the secret link between them, or try to win her heart first.
DOUBLE DARE is 79,000 words in length, a hot contemporary erotic romance. As I said, it has been published before, but now has a gorgeous new cover. It contains graphic m/f sex scenes - super steamy!

You can read an excerpt here. The book is now available for download from Kindle US,Kindle UK, Smashwords, All Romance Ebooks, and Diesel Books. Do check it out!

Double the goodness!

It's a most auspicious day! My friend and critique partner, the wonderful Saskia Walker, has not one but two fantastic reads published today. THE HARLOT is a big, lusty, full blooded romp of a historical erotic novel - with a paranormal twist. It's set in eighteenth century Scotland and features one of the best heroines I've read in a long time, the bold and bawdy Jessie Taskill, who's the harlot of the title. And if you love Jessie and her world, you'll also enjoy THEIR PRIVATE ARRANGEMENT, a shorter work, which features supporting characters from THE HARLOT, who come out to play in their own saucy story.

Here are the summaries and some advance reviews...

It is a Dark Era, one when a lusty lass will do what she must to survive. Even if it means bartering flesh for a palmful of coins… 


Forced to watch her mother burned at the stake and separated from her siblings in the aftermath, Jessie Taskill is similarly gifted, ripe with a powerful magic that must stay hidden. Until one night when she's accused by a rival, and Jessie finds herself behind prison walls with a roguish priest unlike any man of the cloth she has known. 


In reality, Gregor Ramsay is as far from holy as the devil himself, but his promise of freedom in return for her services may be her salvation. Locked into a dubious agreement, Jessie resents his plan to have her seduce and ruin his lifelong enemy. But toying with Gregor's lust for her is enjoyable, and she agrees to be his pawn while secretly intending to use him just as he is using her.

"Take one gorgeous rogue seeking vengeance and a desperate woman charged with witchcraft, toss them together with a healthy dose of lust and you've got an enticing tale of revenge, justice and magic." RT Book Reviews magazine

"This is a very erotic read and one that gradually engages the heart and pulls the reader into the story. This is one of those books where I was so strongly tempted to go to the end and find out what happened to these two. It is historically accurate and within that context is an accurate reflection of that culture. I highly recommend it and feel it is really a very fine read." Judith, Good Reads reader.

"The Harlot is about finding redemption unexpectedly, being able to trust and love again, as well as moving forward. I feel many historical romance readers and fans of Ms. Walker's will not be disappointed in this new work." Ali, Nocturne Romance reads

You can read more and find buy links here.

Scotland, 1715 


Duggan Moore has always stirred maidservant Morag's womanly desires. Even though Duggan is in a clandestine relationship with James Grant, he wants Morag as well -- and James doesn't want to deny him any pleasure. Soon, all three are exploring their mutual passion ... together. 


But officials have come to town to hunt an accused witch ... putting the threesome at risk. Can they find a way to keep their private arrangement safe?

Go here to read an excerpt and/or download the story.

If you love beautiful writing and cracking good storytelling, do yourself a great big favour and check out these two super stories!  :)

Latest from Walk on the Wild Side Books

RISQUE BUSINESS

Kari Reynolds is a human resources specialist on a short-term assignment at Coleman Engineering. It's her job to lead workshops but there's one big problem – the boss, Matt Bradford.

Being near Mr. Tall, Dark and Smoking Hot brings out Kari's naughty side. One look at him makes her forget what's appropriate in the workplace, and she's smart enough to know the heated glances he's shooting her way have nothing to do with business.

Now all she has to do is convince Matt to ignore her job title and try a little office pleasure…
Approximately 11,000 words
Check out this delicious 'fireworks in the office' erotic romance from the wonderful HelenKay Dimon. I love these workplace conflicts that turn into hot sexy confrontations! Find out more at:
http://walkonthewildsidebooks.com/books/risque-business/
<shameless self promo> ps. if you're a fan of the office love/hate/shag theme, check out my shortie The Efficiency Expert - which has a similar dynamic </shameless self promo>