Delilah Devlin's Blog, page 494

Come join the FRIDAY FIREWORKS BLOG HUNT!

 

(Don’t miss details of my Memorial Day Weekend give-away at the bottom of this post! ~DD)

My Question:

What is the name of Lissa’s free read? (Hint: Check out her ‘books’ at lissamatthews.com )

The Prize:

Kindle Fire

Contest Rules:

10 Authors. 10 Questions. 10 Easy Answers.

You will go from blog to blog gathering questions about each author. There will be a hint and a link that will lead you to the answer.

In order to be entered to win the big prize, a Kindle Fire, you will need to send your answers to Brandy at bray829@gmail.com SUBJECT: Friday Fireworks

You must include all 10 questions with answers.

Winner of the big prize will be drawn and announced on Heather Long’s blog. Any prizes offered individually on the author’s page will be taken care of by that author.

You have until Midnight on Memorial Day to send in your answers!

Participating Authors:

Heather Long

Virginia Nelson

Melissa Schroeder

Saranna DeWylde

Lissa Matthews

Jenn LeBlanc

Wendi Zwaduk

Kris Cook

Missy Jane

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For this weekend only, I’ll choose three lucky winners who will recieve their choice of one currently available Lone Star Lovers book! So comment away, and be sure to enter the Friday Fireworks contest too!

Guest Blogger: Lynda Kaye Frazier

Memorial day memories

I’ve always looked forward to Memorial Day. I was a Navy brat and we would have the best celebrations with my Dad, and his friends. I loved listening to their stories about the submarine they were assigned to, and all the exciting places they visited. I had strict Military values instilled on me at an early age. I was taught to respect, and give thanks to anyone who served our country.

Ever since 9/11 I have seen many changes in our military, but the one that is nearest to my heart is how we back our Military men and women more than ever. We  openly acknowledge what they do for us by stopping and thanking them for their service. Our country is a safer place because of the sacrifices they have made.

I understand what they have had to give up because It has always been a part of my life from a young Navy brat to a Navy wife, and now a military mom. I have three in the service, my two sons serve our Navy and my daughter is part of the Marines. As a Mother I have had many sleepless nights. My children have served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and my oldest son was a Diplomat working with the North Koreans during their time of aggression. I am very proud of them and it warms my heart when I see a stranger salute them as they walk by.

I’m sure you can see why Romanatic Suspense is my favorite genre to read, and the one I write. The Seals, Special Ops men and our government agents have always fascinated me. I love the intrigue and mystery during a mission and how every move they make affects their family and team.

In my Guardians of Hope series you follow a group of men made up of FBI Agents, Navy Seals and Special Ops  working together to track down a ring of gun smugglers and drug manufacturers who threaten our freedom and the safety of our families here at home.

To be released late 2012, early 2013 through Black Opal Book, Rescued from the Dark:

What if you woke up from a nightmare, trapped in a world of darkness, with no memory of how you got there?  Rescued from the Dark is a passionate, gripping story about  FBI agent, Jason Michaels, confronting his duty to his country, and struggling with his feelings for a woman with no memory of  their love.

Undercover Agent, Jason Michaels, infiltrates the terrorist cell and risks everything, even his life, to save the FBI intern who stole his heart, then walked away. Once Mercy wakes from her coma Jason struggles with the fact that she does not remember what happened, but anguishes with the idea that she believes their unborn child belongs to her ex. Jason soon realizes the terrorists vow to get her back to claim their secrets locked in her memory, no matter what the cost. In a race against time, Jason and Mercy struggle to fight their attraction, and put their differences aside, as they launch a manhunt to save their country and each other.

For more information and sneak peaks into my books visit me at:

Website:    www.lyndakayefrazier.com

Blog:    http://lyndafrazier.blogspot.com

Twitter: Lynda_kaye

Facebook:   http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lynda-Kaye-Frazier/189048967838229

Guest Blogger: Kate Sherwood

See posting just beneath this to learn who won the latest contest

and what’s up for grabs with the brand new contest! ~DD

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Branding and Sub-genres in the Romance World

I’m fairly new to this writing business, and I’ve been treating the entire thing as a game. But it’s a game that I take seriously, and one that I’d like to win. My playfulness has made me eager to experiment with different genres and sub-genres, but my desire for victory has kept me conscious of the importance of developing an author ‘brand’. The two approaches initially seemed like they were in conflict with each other, but I’ve lately been thinking (and hoping) that maybe they aren’t.

In writing terms, ‘branding’ means that a reader should know what to expect from an author. We are taught to develop name recognition by giving the reader a recognizable product in each book. Superstars like Stephen King or JK Rowling may try branching out from their original genre, but for most authors, it’s expected that we will be more consistent.

For romance writers, it’s often not considered enough that we limit ourselves to romance; we’re frequently expected to stick to a specific sub-genre as well. When I feel like a good contemporary with interesting characters and a touch of humour, I look for Dani Alexander; if I want something a bit more dramatic, maybe I look for Sue Brown. Fantasy romance? Emily Veinglory. M/M Mystery? Rick Reed. Most of these authors write other sub-genres as well (except for Dani, who needs to stop making silly covers and WRITE FASTER), but they’re considered to have a specialty. And beginning authors are encouraged to develop their own specialties so readers can start to develop ‘brand loyalty.’

I started out strong on that front. Contemporary m/m, or m/m/m. Often with horses. Often set in Canada. I don’t want to toot my own horn, but if you’re looking for a contemporary m/m romance set on a Canadian horse farm – I’m your girl!

But then something happened. I wrote m/f. has my favorite strong, handsome, and vaguely confused male character, but this time, he’s falling in love with a woman! And there’s another anomaly coming out this fall when Carina publishes Shadow Valley. Joe Cody would have been HOT as a gay guy, but, no, he had to be straight. And he’s pretty hot that way, too.

And then I wrote science fiction! The Shift is “Gay Alternate Worlds” according to Samhain. I say, it’s SUPER HEROES! Yippeeeee! Fun! Don’t even get me started on the YA novel that’s coming out under a different pen name. Writing… once you start, it’s hard to stop!

So, I’m destroying my brand, and I don’t seem to care. I’m hoping readers won’t, either. So far, I’ve gotten an encouraging review for The Shift that acknowledged that it was a departure but said, “I think it is awesome when an author tries new plots and new characters instead of repeating the same thing in every book.” (Reviews by Jesse Wave) I’m hoping that most readers feel this way. I’m pretty sure that I do. If Emily Veinglory can make me believe in the romance of a fantasy setting and I see her name on a historical, I think I’m going to trust her to make me believe in the romance there, too.

Hopefully, people will take a chance on me, too. I like to think that I’m creating a brand, but it’s not tightly linked to sub-genre. Instead, I hope that my writing will appeal to people who want realistic characters – sometimes self-absorbed, self-pitying, or otherwise annoying, but realistic. I hope that my writing always has drama, and always has humour. And whether they’re part of the central romance or not, I absolutely insist that my stories always have strong female characters who would be absolutely capable of carrying their own stories, if they so chose!

How do you guys feel? Do your favorite authors mix it up, or stick to one sub-genre? Would you follow them if they branched out? What is it that makes you keep coming back for more?

Kate Sherwood

www.katesherwoodbooks.com

http://kate-sherwood.dreamwidth.org/

Contest Update

Out with the Old (Winner, that is!)

The winner of the Two Book “Two-fer” Contest is…Tabitha Parrish! Tabitha, congratulations! Be sure to send me an email with your snail mail address so I can deliver your prizes!

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In with the New–Dragon Cup Contest

What can you win?

The delicate, lovely coffee cup below.

How can you win it? Post a comment on any blog posting until the contest ends. Each entry counts as another chance to win!

This contest ends June 5th!!

Guest Blogger: Mahalia Levey

I haven’t forgotten about the contest announcement. I overbooked friends on this blog, so I’ll post the name of the winner and details about the next contest tonight! ~DD

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Re-Releasing and a Character Interview

I’ve recently come into rights for a few of my very first releases. Upon receiving the rights back I’ve mulled over what I wanted to do. Of course I want them available for purchase…but as my own? Or released with another publisher?

Therein lay a conundrum.

I won’t pretend that I’ve been around long enough to say I’m ready to self publish. The idea was tempting at first but I have more learning to do and continual growth to plot. Not that I haven’t been learning the past few years. Meeting authors and taking classes has been both a joy and a great continual educational experience.

I come from a degree in Respiratory Therapy where continued education is a state requirement. Finding low cost or free classes weren’t hard at all. There are a multitude of loops and sites that offer core classes on craft honing. When I learned this I jumped on the bandwagon and gobbled up as much as I could. Some classes didn’t lead me more into my voice but in totality all of the classes combined helped me find my voice. My point is…

Because of those classes, when I re-read my first works, I found myself repositioning passages and phrases in my head, looked at how the plotting was put together and like a new puzzle I was eager to jump in and re-create the characters I’d come to love so much.

I wrote Briar’s Champion a sweet revenge love short, when my sister was at St. Luke’s Hospital having a quadruple by-pass. I needed some way to expel the worry and stress on what could happen. My faith was a bit shaken although I prayed every day. My adoptive sister Shannan and I stayed every night at the hospital for a week and then every other night after the surgery for another week.

Briar Thompson has it all, the perfect boyfriend, and the future that promises to bear fruit, until betrayal emerges and she’s forced to face reality. When all hope is gone, what chances are there of having the happily ever after?

Sloan Gutiérrez is a strong man who appreciates all women. After buying the professional baseball team called The Devils, he arrives in town to set up his home. In his lifestyle the ‘real thing’ is elusive and gold digging women are on the prowl. The last thing he expects is to fall for the first woman he meets.

Releasing from Secretcravings Publishing 06/18

Come Meet Sloan, he’s been kind enough to stop in for a chat and tell us some about himself.

We decide to settle on my deck where the sun is shining and there’s a nice breeze. Sloan’s made himself as comfortable in my house as he is in my head, and hands me a nice glass of tea…decaffeinated since he knows all too well I can’t have any stimulants and he sports a cool bottle of Miller Light. I’m sure he’ll tear into me later for not having what he considers the God of all beers in my fridge.

He’s charming with his dark brown eyes and lanky form, wearing a pair of jeans and a V-neck tee.

“So let’s get this party started.” He says while taking a swig out of the bottle. I notice how he brushes off the condensation  from the sweaty bottle.

“All right. Can you tell the readers what you do for a living?”

“You should know better than to start a question like that…what if I said no.” Sloan chuckles and drops down into a patio char next to me, winks and takes a second swig. “I own a Baseball team.”

I decide to change my tactics. “So…would you consider yourself a hands on owner, or the cash cow?” Okay so he looks a bit offended. I grin.

“I’m a hands on guy in all situations.”  He leaves it like that and I know I’ll be sporting a headache later or paying for the insulting question. Men!

“What is your favorite movie?” He mulls for a second, brings a hand to his brow leaving me in suspense. “Field of Dreams.”

“Iffff you build it they will come.”

“It’s a baseball movie Ma Hale Ya. Better than your obsession with all Nicolas Sparks movies. Ya’ll have no idea of the shyte we’re forced to watch during one of her many moods. Although…  The Lucky One wasn’t half bad.” I decide to be oh so mature and roll my eyes.

“How did you meet Briar?” I don’t miss how his brown eyes brighten when her name is brought up. He’s a sap, even if he refuses to admit it.

“We met at a bar. I know it’s cliché and you chicks don’t think you can meet a good guy in bar but here’s proof that ya’ll are wrong— sometimes.”

I like how he escaped the hang-man’s noose with the wrong sometimes line.

“What is your favorite thing about Briar?”

“She isn’t afraid to speak her mind. I admire her guts in being straight forward.”

I don’t know too many guys who like that trait. Each to their own though I won’t say so outloud.

“What does Briar do to drive you crazy in a good or bad way?”

“Briar has this perfume. Don’t know what’s in it. I forget everything when she walks past me and the breeze carries that particular scent. She knows too, I’ll be in the middle of a business meeting and she’ll come in. Since then she’s been forbidden to wear that scent to my offices.”

“Favorite Beer?”

“Hefeweizen?”

“Hefe what?” I’ve never heard of that brand.

“Come on Hales, you drink that fruity crap. Loopy Vodka and sprite.”

“Yeah well it tastes like fruit loops cereal. Ya know the milk in the bowl after all the cereal is gone.”

“You stick to your fufu drinks and I’ll stick to the beers.” At least he isn’t grimacing while downing the inferior bottle I have on hand. To me beer is beer.

 Now for some more interesting questions…. “Do you sing in the shower?”

“When I’m alone.” He winks and doesn’t elaborate. Damn the man. Inquiring minds and all.

“What’s your idea of a perfect romantic date?”

“Before I answer… I’ll give you two scenarios. Don’t want anyone thinking I’m a cheap bastard.” He sets his beer down and braces his arms on his thighs. “I enjoy a romantic dinner, wooing, candle light. Briar likes the arts, gallery shows, theater, ballet, we attend different events.”

“Why would that make you a cheap bastard?” I ask for clarification.

“Woman, I wasn’t done yet. Hang tight. “I also enjoy a quiet night at home, some rented movies and popcorn with Briar’s head on my lap while we watch in the comfort of our place. She goes crazy when I scratch her scalp, purrs like a well fu- feed kitten.”

I caught the word change. Good save.That made me blush but damn I hear them fornicating in my head so why it brings heat to my face now I haven’t a clue. “Soooo what kind of music do you listen to?”

“Latin music, country, rock. I’m game to most everything. When I played Headstrong was my song when they threw my stats up on the boards.”

I take a sip to ease my parched throat and go in for the gold. “Who, living or dead, would be your hero if you have one?”

“My brother Sam died protecting our country. He is one of the fallen heroes.”

I know personally how much his brother meant to him and how his death molded Sloan into the man he is now.

“Here’s a fun one. Tell us a little bit about your author. Where can we find more of her works? And If you could offer your author advice, what would it be? The sadness leaves his face and he grins evilly. “She is a nut. A sweet nut but a nut none the less, has no directional ability even with the fancy GPS navigation system on her cell phone. It’s voice activated and has a picture plotting the course and she still gets lost. She’s good at letting us tell our story instead of making all decisions for us like we’re children. You can find her on social media or her website www.mahalialevey.com.”

“Thanks for the praise.” I preen under his positive attitude.

And he wasn’t done. Beer loosens his tongue like wine loosens a woman’s. “We know what kind of day she’s having by her choice of play list.” He chuckles and picks back up his beer. “How is the bedroom advice going?”

I of course have no idea what he’s talking about.

“Have you ever lost control? And what was the outcome? “I fired a pitcher and broke his nose during televised media broadcasting.”

“Bad man.”

“Yeah. So sue me.” He drained his beer. “Gotta dash doll. It’s been real. Got a meeting to make. Thanks for the brew. I’ll send you some of mine to keep on hand for next time.” Sloan stood and slipped on his glasses.

“Your car service is here for you.”

“They buzzed my cell. I didn’t answer since I promised you full attention.” Sloan gave me a salute and hopped over the deck railing. I can def see why Briar was mesmerized by him.

This concludes our interview. Thanks  DD for hosting me

You can find me at www.mahalialevey.com

www.twitter.com/hales3000

Facebook- Search Mahalia Levey.

Guest Blogger: Selena Robins

10 Things Guys Would NOT Say to Each Other

Here are my top 10 phrases which I doubt two guys would say to each other (or maybe I’m wrong).

1. Did you catch Dr. Phil today?

2. I’m tired of beer and wings, let’s make some Cosmopolitans and cut up some veggies.

3. No, yours is way bigger than mine.

4. Do you want all my tools?

5. Let’s go to the mall.

6. It’s nippy out there, come on in and I’ll make us some tea.

7. I wish those Victoria Secret models would cover up more, they’re not leaving anything to the imagination.

8. Not into shoot em’ up movies, let’s see if there’s a good flick on Lifetime.

9. Let’s take that quiz online and see which character we are. My friends think I’mCharlotte, but I think I’m more like Carrie.

10. Do these jeans make my ass look too big?

Please feel free to add your thoughts and what you think is taboo in man-speak land.

Speaking of men, it’s that time of year again…Spring—When a Bachelor’s fancy turns to…Cheesy Pick-up Lines

I don’t believe guys really use pick up lines any longer, but I thought it would be fun to list 10 cheesy lines that some bachelor in an alternate universe may be using. However, I do think us gals have been the recipient of a cheesy line at one time or another in our lives, some of them were funny, hey, some may even have worked for a few of you perhaps?

My Top 10 Cheesy Pick-up Lines:

1. Do you want to have breakfast? Should I call you or nudge you?

2. Are those space pants? Because your ass is out of this world.

3. Love the color of your dress; it would look great on my floor.

4. There’s something wrong with my cell phone. It doesn’t have your phone number in it.

5. You’re so damn hot; I’d marry your brother just to get in your family.

6. If this bar is a meat market, then I’d have to say you must be the prime rib.

7. Stop, drop, and roll, baby, because you are on fire.

8. Is there an airport nearby or is that just my heart taking off?

9. Your daddy must have been a baker, because you’ve got a nice set of buns.

10. I’m new in town. Could you give me directions to your place?

Gals, please feel free to share any lines you may have heard.

Guys, if you delivered a line, please feel free to share as well. We promise we won’t judge….much.

About Selena Robins:

Selena Robins writes genre-defying romances, with a sprinkle of mystery, suspense, heavy on the comedy, plenty of snap on the dialogue and heavy on the steam for the sexy. A chocolate guru, Selena loves to dance with her dog, sing into her hairbrush and write in her PJ’s. In love with her family, friends, books, laughter, hockey, debating and red wine (sometimes all at the same time). Selena loves writing sassy heroines and hot heroes (the ones your mama warned you about, but secretly wished she’d dated a few in her life.

To learn more about Selena Robins and her books, you can visit her website at: https://selenarobins.com/ or stop by and chat with her on her blog: http://selenarobinsmusings.com/

Sunday Report Card

The Two Book “Two-fer” Contest

Don’t forget! This contest ends on Tuesday. For details of what you have to do to win and which prizes are up for grabs, go to my Contest page!

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Sunday Report Card

If you’ve stopped by recently, you know I have a very full work agenda through January 2, 2013. Every time I count, I remember something else I committed to doing, so the list expands. I began this surge on May 1st. I thought it was 12 projects which made me nervous enough, but it’s actually 18. Luckily enough, I’ve stuck to my plan. 4 projects are already complete.

The current list looks like this:

4 full-length novels (2 paranormal suspense, 2 BDSM)

3 2 novellas (1 Delta Heat, 1 Lone Star Lover, 1 TBD) — Delta Heat: Fournicopia, done!

3 2 short stories — Red Dawn, done!

2 anthologies I have to edit (Wild at Heart, Smokin’ Hot Firemen)

4 novels to extensively edit & expand (it’s a secret!)

1 novella to extensively edit and publish — Dragon’s Desire, done!

1 short story anthology to edit and publish — Licks, done!

I’m making progress at last on the paranormal novel for Montlake. Starting Monday, I’ll begin work on the next Western for Samhain. It won’t be part of the Lone Star Lovers series, will be longer, category length, I think, and not menage, but it will still be plenty sexy with a suspenseful damsel-in-distress plot with a small-town Texas sheriff that will keep you turning the pages. I’ll be reading through more Wild at Heart submissions, too. So if you see me playing around online, be stern with me. Tell my I better have my pages done for the day FIRST!

Y’all have a great week!

Simple Delights

I have one of those mini-books you find in the book store by the counters. It’s tiny, maybe 3″ by 3″. I don’t know why I bought it. It must have been my Writers’ ADHD (WADD–if it’s not an actual affliction, it ought to be!). I hate waiting in lines, and my eyes are always going to the racks of things they place strategically close to the counters for impulse buys. It has a sparkly cover, so I was sunk. This little treasure is entitled, The Woman’s Book of Simple Delights.

So, I’m going to open the book at random and pick out a “simple delight”. I need something to take my mind off what’s coming. Today’s going to be stressful. My mother decided to host the local art guild Plein Air event—it’s an outdoor event where painters set up their easels and paint the day away. It’s kind of like a writers’ “write-in” only writers are smarter. We meet at a coffee shop with AC running. These poor artists will be trying to find shade in 90 degree weather to paint their masterpieces. Okay, I’m not being snide. I think it’s really nice. I just can’t imagine taking my laptop outside on a day like today, but to each his or her own.

Let’s see, a simple delight… Okay, here’s one. Practice writing your name repeatedly with a fountain pen. Huh? I collect fountain pens, so that part’s nice. But what delight do I get from writing my name? Maybe when I was ten years old and dotting my I’s with hearts!

Can you think of some better simple delights? Maybe we should collect our own favorite secret delights and publish them ourselves!

Guest Blogger: Jasmine Haynes

I decided to go a little out there, and I’ve started a “hotwifing” series. Most of you are probably asking what hotwifing is!  I had to ask the same question when a friend of mine told me that several of my Courtesans stories were about hotwifing. And here’s the explanation: it’s where the woman in the relationship steps out with other men, but her husband (or boyfriend) doesn’t have other women. Nope, it’s all one-sided in the woman’s favor. Often she’ll come home to tell hubby all about it. They’ll most likely have some really hot sex reliving her experience. Of course, the couple has to have rules, things they can and can’t do, etc. If you want a much better explanation than I’ve just given, you can read my friend’s book: Hotwifing by Cody Alston. She does a much better job of it than I just did.

I found the concept very interesting. I fell into it by accident. I was writing the Courtesans Tales (specifically Triple Play in Yours for the Night) and since the heroines in those stories are paid courtesans, I figured they were going to have to do far more kinky things than I’d written so far. But for some reason, I just couldn’t let the hero in my story have sex with another woman. See, my heroine was supposed to be his total focus, and it diminished her if he actually wanted someone else. So I decided that he enjoyed watching her with other men. Sometimes he participated, but sometimes he simply got off on her pleasure. Then they had fabulous sex afterward. Even when she was with other men, she did it for him, to give him pleasure, always thinking about what would make him hot. I had a lot of fun writing that story, and others with the same theme: the woman has more than one partner, but the man doesn’t. In a way, it could be any woman’s dream, she gets all the pleasure, but she doesn’t have to share her man. I just don’t think women are built to share, but some men are.

So now I’ve started the West Coast Hotwifing series. It’s set in the business world because I was an accountant in manufacturing for years, so that’s what I know. And boy, are there are a lot of naughty things going on at this little company I’ve created. The first story up in the series is Revenge Sex. Here, we’ve got a hotwife who can’t follow the rules. And we’ve got another woman who’d love to take her place. Who’s going to get the man in the end?! I’ve also completed the second book, Submitting to the Boss. This one’s got hotwifing and a bit of BDSM! You can read more about Revenge Sex at http://amzn.to/tQ6E4g and Submitting to the Boss at http://amzn.to/H0Cpco.

Be sure to drop by my blog, www.jasminehaynes.blogspot.com, for more excerpts. I’m also joining a new blog with a bunch of lovely slutty ladies. Starting today, May 18th, we’re going to have two weeks of great giveaways, so I hope you’ll stop by http://69shadesofsmut.wordpress.com/ to learn all about us!

TWO WILD FOR TEACHER is ready for Pre-order!

Night before last, Two Wild finally showed up on Amazon. The book releases on May 29th. If you click on the cover, you can head to Amazon and pre-order your copy. If you’re waiting to purchase it, I’d still love for you to head over there and click on the “like” button and the “tag this product” buttons too! Every click helps other readers find the book. Thanks!

Hope you enjoy the excerpt! And if you’re worried that this is book 6 in the series, the only other Lone Star Lovers book that is related to this one that you might want to read first to learn more about the Logan brothers, is A Four-Gone Conclusion. ~DD

It’s double the trouble when two ornery cowboys come courtin’, Texas-style…

Lone Star Lovers, Book 6

Sam Logan’s hell-raising twin sons have a bad rep in Two Mule, Texas. All of it earned. When it becomes clear those two troublemakers won’t settle down without another nudge—make that a boot to their butts—Sam reissues his challenge. Find a wife.

There’s only one woman who’s ever held Mace and Jason Logan’s attention for more than one night. Molly Pritchet, their former teacher. She’s been too worried about a pesky morals clause to let them close, but they’re older now and ready to prove to her that some rules are meant to be broken.

Molly thought her path was clear: always a teacher, never a mother or a wife. Until she finds those two Logan “boys” in her backyard, all grown up and digging around in her business. More accurately, starting her koi pond for her without asking. Well, it’s about time someone taught the Logan twins some manners.

A little mud, a lot of yearnings she thought she’d suppressed, and Molly realizes she’s the one being schooled in the art of indulging in forbidden desires.

Warning: Two hot-as-sin twins romance their former high school teacher. Things are bound to get down and dirty quick as two bad boys tag team to sweep one curvy, sexy woman off her feet.

After being teased by Mace and Jason Logan, Mollie’s rooting in the back of her bedroom closet for her vibrator…

When she was on her tiptoes atop the cushioned seat, reaching to the farthest corner, she heard a sound coming from her backyard. A metallic chink, then a soft masculine curse.

Curious, she leaned back and tugged her lace curtains to open them just a couple inches and peered down through the branches of the mimosa tree, into her yard. The sight that greeted her caused her breath to hitch.



The twins stood in her backyard, in the center of the area she’d neatly staked and tied with twine to define the place she intended to put her koi pond. And they’d made a mess. Clumps of turf lay beside the big hole they’d dug. Water ran freely from a hose into the middle of a muddy pit. The black pool liner she’d bought and left leaning against the garage had been dragged beside the hole.

Anger flushed another kind of heat through her veins, and she climbed off the stool, hurried to the bathroom for her robe, and then she was stomping down her stairs to the sliding glass door, which she slammed open with all her righteous anger.

Two begrimed faces turned her way. Before she let herself think better of her plan, she was standing in front of them with her sheer bathrobe flapping in a breeze and staring at two broad, naked muddy chests. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” she asked, trying to temper her voice, because she didn’t want neighbors hearing her screeching like a banshee.

Mace’s gaze raked over her body. “Wishin’ I had x-ray vision,” he drawled.

Molly scowled and clutched the lapels of her robe in one hand. “I’m talking about this!” she said, waving her other hand at the rapidly filling hole.

Mace shrugged. “Dirt was too hard. And since we couldn’t find a pick or a backhoe in your garage—”

“You think I’d have a backhoe?”

“Or a pick…”

“You were rummaging through my garage?” she said, her voice raising.

“It wasn’t locked.”

She rolled her eyes. “Why are you digging up my yard?”

“We saw the stakes, found the pool that fits the space you marked off…” He shrugged again, a little smile tilting up the corners of his mouth as he gave her body another sly once-over.

She hoped like hell the bright sunshine wasn’t giving him that x-ray vision. “I don’t need your help. And now I have a huge mess—”

Jason cleared his throat, pulling her attention to a sharp, crystal gaze alight with amusement. “It only looks like a mess ’cause of the mud. But actually, we have more dug here than you can see.”

Molly gaped at both men, covered in sweat and dirt, but somehow still looking more attractive than she could stand. She felt moisture pool beneath her feet and glanced down at the hose still gurgling water into the pit they’d dug. Before she could suppress the urge, she bent and picked it up, pressed her thumb over the end to increase the pressure and aimed it at Jason, spraying him with water.

His eyes closed and he stood in the stream, water running off his face to his chest and soaking his jeans.

Mace erupted in laughter, but quickly shut up the moment she turned the hose on him. When he lifted a foot to climb out of the hole, he slipped and landed on his butt in the middle of the muddy pool.

Elation filled her and she laughed, still spraying. But Jason climbed on his hands and knees, over the edge, toward her. She dropped the hose and turned to make a run for it, but he caught the hem of her bathrobe, and jerked it toward him.

Her feet slipped beneath her and she began to fall backward…into a pair of strong arms which wrapped around her and carried her down to one side of the muddy pit, to soft, gooey ground—with those same arms buffeting the fall.

When she caught her breath, she was covered head to toe by one very wet, very amused man. Mud oozed between her toes and beneath the back of her robe, and both lapels had pulled apart. Although his body shielded her from view, nothing stood between their naked chests.

Jason leaned to one side and lifted one finger.

Her eyes nearly crossed watching it descend toward her face.

He pushed up her glasses. “Seems we got ourselves a situation here,” he drawled, settling on his elbows to take a little of his weight off her.

She opened her mouth to demand he move, but then Mace sauntered into view to take up a position leaning against her back porch to watch the couple in the muddy hole. If Jason did move, both men would have an unencumbered view of her torso.

Molly became aware of every sensation: the heavy chest pressing against her stiff nipples, the jut of his jeans-enclosed sex against her mound. She swallowed hard. “Seems we do. I…apologize for acting like a crazy woman.”

Jason grunted and his chest jerked against hers. “You’re not sorry.”

Knowing she was at a distinct disadvantage, she nevertheless lifted her chin. “It’s just plain rude to disagree with me. I’m trying to handle this delicately.”

“Only handlin’ to be done will be done by me—and Mace here, if you ask real pretty.”