Ari Thatcher's Blog: Ari Thatcher's Words of the Moment, page 3
June 18, 2013
Laura Kaye Cover Reveal: TAKEN BY THE VAMPIRE KING
Coming August 1st by Laura Kaye!
A Story of the Vampire Warrior Kings
Earlier Books in the Series:
In the Service of the King
Seduced by the Vampire King
Taken by the Vampire King Blurb:
Henrik Magnusson is supposed to be immortal, but a mysterious ailment leaves the vampire king near death, and not even the blood of the Proffered, human virgins trained to serve the elite, can sustain him. Then he rescues a beautiful young woman from his enemies, and is filled with blood lust and desire he hasn’t felt for centuries.
Photographer Kaira Sorenson’s life takes a nightmare turn when she’s attacked by blood-thirsty creatures—and saved by a vampire. She should be afraid of Henrik, but she can’t deny her intense attraction to this regal, enigmatic being—nor the fact that her blood may be his only salvation. Now she must decide if she’s willing to be his forever…
Releases August 1, 2013
Excerpt:
Henrik’s back slammed against a brick wall, the darkness of the narrow alley sheltering their trio from the tourists thronging Tromsø’s streets.
Lars stood at the entrance, making sure no one developed an unhealthy curiosity.
Jakob got right up in Henrik’s face, forearm pressing into the king’s chest. “What happened?”
He shook his head, swallowing thickly, his hunger burning so intensely it was almost a living thing within him. “Wanted her,” he rasped. It hadn’t been a decision. There wasn’t anything rational or conscious about it. From the first moment she’d approached him, he was awash in her appealing scent, like the smoky berries of a vintage wine or the rich bite of an aged, dignified whiskey.
“Wanted her how?”
“I wanted her.” He knocked his head against the brick. Even now, he couldn’t shake the image of the vein’s rhythmic dance along her slender neck or of the luscious dip of her cleavage, both displayed so invitingly by her upswept hair. His fangs throbbed with a want and a need he couldn’t remember feeling in ages. Not to mention the aching hard-on between his legs.
“Straight out no-shit bloodlust?” Something like hope sounded in the warrior’s deep voice.
“Ja.” Henrik heaved a deep breath of cold January air as his imagination unhelpfully replayed how it would’ve gone down. Tearing the gown from her trim body. Holding her curves in his hands. Bearing her up against the wall. Sinking his fangs and his cock in deep until every dark, needy part of him was sated.
“I’ll get her.” Jakob turned away.
The king slammed his hand down on his brother’s shoulder and gripped hard. “Nei.”
“You want her. You need her.”
“I’ll kill her.”
Because he wouldn’t be able to stop.
Once he got a taste, something base and instinctual told him he wouldn’t be able to make himself stop. He’d been so close to the edge of his restraint in the gallery. Only the sound of her voice had pulled him back from the brink.
All he’d wanted was a night out of their mountain citadel, away from the looming promise of death. He thought the jovial atmosphere of the festival would distract him from all that was to come. Instead, it had thrown it right in his face. Christ, he was a catastrophe waiting to happen, already more beast than man. He shook his head again. “I’ll fucking kill her,” he rasped.
“You won’t.”
Acid washed through his gut. “You willing to risk an innocent woman’s life—or her soul—to see which of us is right? I’m not.” He shuddered, the danger of becoming like his evil enemies one of his greatest fears. “Leave her be. I’ll not have it any other way.”
About Laura Kaye:
Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of a dozen books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.
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May 29, 2013
Malicious Mischief (Mischief and Mayhem, #1) Cover Reveal!
by Marianne Harden
Excerpt
~When the chips are down, the buffalo is empty~
Am I a flake? Sort of. But I’m trying to change. My grandfather has property tax issues, and what troubles Granddad, troubles me. Good thing I’ve held down a steady job for months. A major big deal. Not the getting a job part—I’ve had lots—but the held down aspect. Somehow, I always end up unemployed, but not today.
Today, I am Rylie Tabitha Keyes, chauffeur to the seniors at Fountain of Youth Retirement Home (FoY.)
It was dawn Sunday as I eased my employer’s van from one freeway onto another. After that, I concentrated on the wet asphalt up ahead. I didn’t want to think about my job history or our financial woes. Instead I focused on the summery sunrise over the Cascade Mountains due east. I stared at it a moment, charmed by its contrast to the more typical Bellevue, Washington gloom brooding overhead.
I should’ve been asleep, but I needed to toss trash from a fundraiser rolling around in the back of the van. Leland Rosenberg, my boss at Fountain of Youth Retirement Home, had asked me to dump the bags at his second business, Rosenberg Laboratory, as FoY’s Dumpsters were full from a recent bathroom remodel. His mood had been edgy, kind of insistent I dispose of them last night. I confess, before I could carry out this task, a minor traffic accident and an all-important overnight obligation had waylaid me. I didn’t bother to sigh over how blunders always seemed to pepper my work performance. Some things were fated to be. After all, I slogged at my job for money not joy. It isn’t that I don’t like working at FoY, it just isn’t my dream gig. You see, I yearned to be a private detective, a Veronica Mars 2.0. Problem is, my grandfather is against the idea. Dead set against it.
So with the stench from the trash bags mounting, I steered FoY’s van onto the off-ramp and headed toward Rosenberg Laboratory just off the freeway exit. My mind was filled with thoughts of a steamy shower, maybe a few hours of shut-eye before punching the clock at nine. I stared forward, squinted. And iced over. Up ahead. Wrong-way traveling. A panel truck advanced, peeling rubber.
Faster.
Closer.
Zeroed in to hit me.
I whipped the van off the road, the red, white, and blue panel truck whizzing past. I slammed on the brakes, fighting to control the wheel. I wrestled with it, panicked, my mind flashing on one fortunate thing: no seniors were in the van.
Tons of hazards burst before my eyes. I struggled to absorb them. A mangled guardrail zigzagged up ahead; its many gaps from other out-of-control vehicles big as life. Worse was the wall of giant Douglas-firs growing beyond, lower trunks scarred, limbs low and swaying.
I was going to careen through the railing.
I was going to hit the trees.
I was going to die.
Book Summary
Career chameleon, Rylie Keyes, must keep her current job. If not, the tax assessor will evict her ailing grandfather and auction off their ancestral home. When a senior she shuttles for a Bellevue, Washington retirement home winds up dead in her minibus, sticky with a half-eaten s’more, head clad in a cellophane bag, and a pocketed complaint letter accusing her of driving by Braille, her goal to keep her job hits a road bump.
The deceased was thought to be a penniless Nazi concentration camp survivor with a silly grudge against Rylie. However, the victim has enemies who will stop at nothing to keep their part in the murder a secret.
Forced to dust off the PI training she’s kept hidden from her ex-detective grandfather, Rylie must align with a circus-bike-wheeling Samoan to solve the murder, all while juggling the attentions of two very hot police officers.
Book Links
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16129273-malicious-mischief
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Malicious-Mischief-Mystery-Entangled-ebook/dp/B00BMKKOGM/
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/malicious-mischief-marianne-harden/1113749209
About Marianne Harden
Marianne Harden loves a good laugh. So much so, she cannot stop humor from spilling into her books. Over the years she has backpacked through the wilds of Australia, explored the exotics of Asia, soaked up the sun in the Caribbean, and delighted in the historic riches of Europe. Her goals in life are simple: do more good than harm and someday master the do-not-mess-with-me look. She divides her time between Switzerland and Washington State where she lives with her husband and two children.
Find Marianne Harden
Website: www.marianneharden.com
Twitter:http://www.twitter.com/MarianneHarden
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorMarianneHarden
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6572367.Marianne_Harden
Enter to win!
Marianne is giving away a $25 gift card to the book retailer of the winner’s choice. Enter at Rafflecopter to win:
May 13, 2011
Begging For It by Delilah Devlin
Are you following the releases in the 1-800-DOM-help series? The newest one releases today. Begging for It by Delilah Devlin is a great read!
Blurb:
She needs punishment…before she deserves pleasure.
Tragedy scarred TJ Lipton. Now the only way she can find pleasure is when it's delivered with a heavy-handed dose of S&M. But finding a lover who can give her what she needs proves an elusive quest—until she finds the sex club Unfettered and a Dom named Cross McNally.
Cross understands all too well what drives TJ. He takes command of her body to give her everything she needs—restraint, the stinging kiss of a flogger, the thrill of a three-way—a sexual adventure that pulls her beyond her painful past and has her begging for more of his tender brand of domination.
I got to read this in its early stages and really was pulled in. The edgy needs of the heroine, TJ, and the way she tries to heal herself grabbed me and kept me there as she warily explored the world Cross opens to her. If you like strong heroines and lots of great sex, you'll enjoy this, I think!
April 28, 2011
Desiree Holt’s 100th Release!
This month Desiree Holt celebrates her 100th release with Downstroke from Ellora’s Cave. Downstroke is the story of lover reunited after twenty years trying to bridge a gulf of bitterness while outwitting a killer. To help her celebrate I’m giving you a taste of one of her other books. Leave a comment to be entered in the drawing at the end of the month for an Acer netbook.
I’ve had the fun of joining Desiree in the 1-800-DOM-help series, where her first release is Delight Me. You so want to read this book, I promise you! Here’s the blurb to get you started:
Part of the 1-800-DOM-help series.
Dani thinks her growing dissatisfaction with the lifestyle might be because she needs a role reversal. When a mysterious business card appears she calls the number, 1-800-DOM-help and at the club, Unfettered, is paired with Ethan, a sexy-as-sin sub. Dani learns the erotic effect of wielding the single tail whip on her sub and the intense arousal that stimulating him with toys can bring. As their sessions progress, she explores with Ethan every aspect of D/s play, from restraints to punishment to the exercise of control to achieve mind-blowing orgasms, and understands the value of receiving trust as well as giving it. But she develops very strong emotional feelings for Ethan that scare her to death. This could change her life forever. Will she be brave enough to accept what’s being offered?
As part of the celebration, Desiree is giving away a prize every day of one copy of one of Desiree’s novels of the reader’s choice from her backlist. Names will be drawn from those who post comments. At the end of the month, one lucky person will win a grand prize of a refurbished Netbook with digital DVD drive. After you (the reader) post here, go to Desiree’s web site at www.desireeholt.com and enter to win the grand prize of the netbook at the end of the month.
And here’s the buy link for Downstroke from Ellora’s Cave.
Desiree Holt's 100th Release!
This month Desiree Holt celebrates her 100th release with Downstroke from Ellora's Cave. Downstroke is the story of lover reunited after twenty years trying to bridge a gulf of bitterness while outwitting a killer. To help her celebrate I'm giving you a taste of one of her other books. Leave a comment to be entered in the drawing at the end of the month for an Acer netbook.
I've had the fun of joining Desiree in the 1-800-DOM-help series, where her first release is Delight Me. You so want to read this book, I promise you! Here's the blurb to get you started:
Part of the 1-800-DOM-help series.
Dani thinks her growing dissatisfaction with the lifestyle might be because she needs a role reversal. When a mysterious business card appears she calls the number, 1-800-DOM-help and at the club, Unfettered, is paired with Ethan, a sexy-as-sin sub. Dani learns the erotic effect of wielding the single tail whip on her sub and the intense arousal that stimulating him with toys can bring. As their sessions progress, she explores with Ethan every aspect of D/s play, from restraints to punishment to the exercise of control to achieve mind-blowing orgasms, and understands the value of receiving trust as well as giving it. But she develops very strong emotional feelings for Ethan that scare her to death. This could change her life forever. Will she be brave enough to accept what's being offered?
As part of the celebration, Desiree is giving away a prize every day of one copy of one of Desiree's novels of the reader's choice from her backlist. Names will be drawn from those who post comments. At the end of the month, one lucky person will win a grand prize of a refurbished Netbook with digital DVD drive. After you (the reader) post here, go to Desiree's web site at www.desireeholt.com and enter to win the grand prize of the netbook at the end of the month.
April 16, 2011
Contest Number Two!
April 15, 2011
Triplet Contest! Day One Celebration for Demon of Desire
In honor of my triplet vampire heroes Baen, Gower and Enos, I'm celebrating their release over the next three days! Today, tomorrow and Sunday I'll be giving away an ebook from my backlist. You can enter each day, but can only win once.
Today's contest is simple – join my Yahoo Group so you can receive updates and news of reviews and contests. As you can see when you go to the group page, I don't overload your inbox. At 10pm Pacific time tonight I'll draw a name from the group members to receive their choice of a story from my backlist.
Now the fun~ Meet the MacDuirmad brothers:
Demon of Desire
by Ari Thatcher
ISBN: 9781419933004
At Ellora's Cave
Blurb:
First in the Whispering Valley series.
The only consolation Sin has for moving into her late great-aunt's creepy Victorian house is the handymen who come with it. Triplet vampires Baen, Gower and Enos are yummy enough to tempt her from her self-imposed celibacy and make her forget she's well on her way to becoming a crazy cat lady.
The brothers instantly recognize Sin as their mate, but realize they need to ease her into the idea of being loved by three vampires. Then a sex-craving demon takes control of Sin's body and seduces the men, forcing them to make a rash decision with her life.
Excerpt:
Sin whimpered. The explosions of passion spreading upward were more a response to his touch, his smell and taste, than her sexual dry spell. Resting her head on his shoulder, she nibbled at the cord of his neck. Her tongue laved over his pulse there and her hips began to thrust to the rhythm of his heartbeat. As she sucked, her teeth lengthened, but she fought the urge to bite.
Enos matched the rhythm with his hand, thrusting deep and withdrawing, as she moved faster. Then his hand disappeared and she heard his belt unbuckling. She lifted herself to give him room.
He lowered them to sit on the couch, adjusting her knees on either side of him. She sat back on the bunched fabric of his jeans and shorts and reached for his erection. Wrapping her fingers around the base, she felt a wave of feminine power wash over her at his gasp.
She made him hard. Her body. Her touch. The silver glimmer in his eyes told her he had no one but her on his mind. The heady rush made her pussy pulse harder still.
Unable to wait any longer, she rose above his cock, stroked her slit with it and pushed it inside. She gasped at the fullness, her pussy stretching to allow him deeper.
"Damn, you're so hot inside. I don't know how long I will last."
"Don't wait too long," she warned, rolling her hips into position to ride him hard. Her inner thighs stretched taut, spreading to take his full length. Her breasts bounced. She reached up and pinched her nipples, then pulled.
At the same moment, Enos slipped his thumb between them and pressed against her clit. Pleasure pulsed throughout her body and with each thrust, small cries escaped her parted lips. She'd never liked to make noise during sex in the past, but the sounds built between her panting breaths.
Sin dropped hard on his cock, pressing her clit into his hand as ecstasy rocketed through her. She cried out, first a high squeal, then dropping to a guttural moan.
She became aware of his thrusts and grunts and felt the warmth of his orgasm fill her. His hands clasped her butt cheeks and held her still as shudders passed through him.
His hands relaxed. His head dropped back against the couch. Letting her forehead rest on his pale, muscular shoulder, she tried to catch her breath and swallow down the whispers of guilt that disapproved of what she'd just done. Why couldn't she just enjoy the moment without Gower and Baen entering her head?
How did she tell Enos that she was also attracted to his brothers? Especially when his dick, soft as it now was, was still inside her? She might not be the most experienced chick in the hen house, but even she knew one didn't talk about other men while in bed, or on the couch, with a lover.
Enos ran his fingers up her spine, sending shivers spreading in their wake. Sin sighed. She could get used to this, having a man who enjoyed the cuddling after. Hell, with the way he made her come, she'd be willing to skip the cuddling if he preferred. She nipped at his collarbone, then licked any pain away.
"You're still feeling frisky, I take it?" he asked, lifting his head to look at her.
She sat back on his firm thighs. And realized they weren't alone. "What—?" How long had Gower and Baen been watching?
Fuck. Reaching for her nightgown, she tried to gain back the slightest bit of modesty.
Enos glanced over his shoulder and shook his head. "Nice, guys. Thanks for knocking."
Baen stepped closer. "We did knock. And cleared our throats. And I'm pretty sure at least one of us grunted once or twice."
"But you didn't think about coming back later?"
"I can't say I thought about much more than joining in," Gower admitted.
"Oh, fuck," Sin muttered, forcing an arm through a tangled sleeve. "I don't do this sort of thing. Really. I'm not—"
Enos grabbed her hand and pulled her back down on his lap, now covered by his jeans. His arms encircled her, holding firmly but gently. "We know you're not."
"I'm sorry, Enos. I shouldn't have had sex with you. I barely even know you."
"Shhh," he whispered, stroking her hair and pushing her head against his chest. "It's my fault. I should have talked to you about it first. But I couldn't stop myself. Once I started kissing you I was lost."
Gower had come to sit on the back of the settee. "There's a lot of talking we need to do. We've been waiting until you felt stronger."
March 23, 2011
Emerald Dungeon by Kathy Kulig
The newest release in the 1-800-DOM-help series is out today! Emerald Dungeon by Kathy Kulig releases today from Ellora's Cave.
BIO: Kathy Kulig is the multi-published author of sexy romances. Her recent works include Damned and Desired, a 2011 EPIC Award finalist, Secret Soiree and Dragon Witch. Her stories enter both paranormal and contemporary worlds. Critics have described her writing as "very raw and hot", "wonderfully unique" and "entertaining and captivating". Kathy has taught workshops or participated on panels at Romantic Times Convention, NJ Romance Writers Conference, Romanticon and for other writers groups. Visit her online at www.kathykulig.com
BLURB: When Dana, a harpist, gets a summer job in a medieval dinner show, she discovers a world of BDSM in the dungeon of the ancient Irish castle. Jack is a sexy Dominant who recognizes the submissive smoldering beneath the demure exterior. His skillful commands takes Dana beyond her darkest erotic fantasies. Secrets and strange events around the castle strain their relationship, and the appearance of a mysterious business card 1-800-DOM-help offers to guide them. Only with complete trust and surrender is ultimate pleasure and true love possible.
EXCERPT: Over 18 only
"Look at you. You can't sleep on that. I'll sleep there. You sleep in the bed," Dana said.
"No. I'll take the floor."
"And freeze your ass off." She took a breath and lowered her voice. "Jack, we're not a couple of teenagers. I thought we were friends. We don't have to have sex just because we're in the same bed."
He craved to hold her through the night, nuzzle his cheek against her breasts, curve his body against her round bottom, listen to her breathing while she slept. But to do so would be torture. To feel her close throughout the night without fucking her would drive him mad. If he had a D/s scene with her, he might be able to relax and get some sleep. He doubted he'd be getting much sleep.
He'd turned his back toward the bed, so he couldn't watch her but she hadn't crawled into bed yet. She walked across the room and at first he thought she was stirring the fire. Instead she came out of the closet with the flogger, straps and a rope.
She laid them out across the bed then walked over to him and knelt in front of the loveseat and bowed her head. "Please, Master. Show me. I want to learn. I want to understand why I was scared by watching Shannon and Damon and at the same time so turned on. I can't bear the thought of leaving Ireland at the end of summer without understanding these feelings. Every time I think of them, I get horny."
A knot formed in his chest. Oh, hell. She was a sub and didn't even know yet. He'd have to take extra care with this one. It scared the hell out of him. She might realize this wasn't for her and panic in the middle of a session. He didn't want to do anything to hurt her. He'd never been with a sub who was so green.
She let out a huff, spun on her heels and marched over to the bed. She picked up the leather cuffs and started strapping them around her wrists. "Dana, don't."
She gave him a pained looked. After unhooking the cuffs, she yanked her sweatshirt over her head. The firelight made her smooth skin glow and he noticed her nipples were hard. Her breasts were beautiful. Not huge, but perfectly shaped. Struggling with the wrist restraints, she managed to secure them to her wrists with the short length of chain dangling between the cuffs. Picking up the flogger, she walked over to Jack and knelt before him again, head bowed and raised the flogger to him. "Please, Sir, I need to know."
His breath caught as he gazed at her naked from the waist up, wearing his baggy sweatpants that barely hung on her hips. Far from the exotic fetish wear he would see women in at the club Unfettered, but so sexy. He stood and took the flogger from her. "You need to know what, slave?" It took a conscious effort to keep his voice firm and in control.
She let out a long breath. "I need to know if pain gives me pleasure."
He closed his eyes and took a breath. Oh, hell. She's definitely a sub. His cock twitched in response and rose to attention. Willing himself to remain in control, he pointed to the chair. "Get into your original position."
"Yes, Master.
You can buy Emerald Dungeon now!
March 20, 2011
6Sentence Sunday
Have you discovered 6Sentence Sunday? Tons of authors posting a six-sentence excerpt from a work-in-progress, recent sale or published book. I've decided to join in.
From Maui Rekindled:
A dark-skinned god rose from the water, a board tucked under his arm. Maggie licked her lips as her eyes traveled up his long body. His wet shorts clung like a second skin, riding low on his narrow hips. A bare, flat abdomen made her fingers itch to stroke it. He had swimmer's shoulders, broad, strong, well defined. Damn, picture that arched above me in bed…
March 18, 2011
I’ve Been Interviewed!
Visit Sweet n Sexy Divas to read my interview and learn some of the crazy stuff in my real life.
Ari Thatcher's Words of the Moment
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