Delilah Devlin's Blog, page 523

Guest Blogger: Gale Stanley

Aural Sex

In my stories, sex is a vital component and sometimes tricky to pull off effectively. So many things go into writing a sex scene, and using all five senses is crucial. Touch, taste, sight, and smell are all important, but sometimes dialogue is overlooked. The physicality of the encounter might seem paramount, but without the emotion and intimacy of dialogue, it all becomes mechanical and the scene falls flat.

Good dialogue during lovemaking can make a sexy scene even hotter. If the characters are making love for the first time, their dialogue can reveal a turning point in their relationship, a time of new understanding or greater intimacy.

Whatever they say has to be consistent with their personalities. How would they express themselves in bed? Are they shy about talking dirty? How graphic would they be with each other? Would they use explicit language or sensual words?

How the words are spoken can be just as important as what is said. If a character is bilingual, he or she will often revert to their native tongue during sex. Using a few foreign phrases can bring a lot of emotion into a scene. In my short story, Love Bytes, Rhys, a Welshman, whispers to Ben in his mother tongue when they make love. Ben has no idea what Rhys is saying, but it sounds romantic and makes him feel sexy.

Sometimes less is more. Words aren't always needed. A gasp, a moan, or a growl can be enough to show what the characters are feeling. And using inner dialogue can reveal feelings and emotions that a character can't vocalize. In the end, it's all about the characters, and making sure the reader will connect and care about them.

Thanks for reading and a big thanks to Delilah for having me today.

Gale

Erotic Romance Author, Gale Stanley writes for SirenBookstrand and Silver Publishing. She lives in the City of Brotherly Love, with hubby and two talkative Tonkinese cats, Buffy and Spike. Her kids are grown and the grandkids are waiting for a book they can read. Her latest book One Night in Bangkok was released June 4 from Silver Publishing.

The temperature in Bangkok is a humid ninety degrees but things are about to get a lot hotter. David Elliot is in Thailand on business but when he meets Kai, the younger man turns his world upside down. It was never meant to be anything more than a pleasant diversion but can he walk away when it's over?

http://silverpublishing.info/index/book_authors_id/48/typefilter/book_authors

http://galestanley.net/

http://www.facebook.com/gale.stanley.author

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Just a quick fly-by…

I didn't have a guest today, so I decided to pop in very briefly. The trip, so far, has been a blast—other than a quick jag through Joplin, MO on our way up.

I can't even begin to describe everything I saw in Joplin. At one point, we stopped the car and I stood on a little hilltop. I turned in a slow circle and can truthfully say there wasn't anything within that 360 degree turn that wasn't completely flattened. It's a miracle more people didn't die when that tornado hit.

Today, we stopped at Powell Gardens and toured their "Jurassic" exhibit. It was lovely; the dinosaurs were fun. We took tons of pics. Next stop was Jesse James's family farm. That was a bit of a letdown because much of what existed during Jesse's lifetime was gutted and rebuilt. Still, I took pictures. I'm hoping there will be a shadow in a window I can claim was his ghost (just to make it worth the detour!).

We reached my brother's house this evening and stayed up talking until we were all yawning—as you must be now reading this blog. I am soooooo happy I have guest bloggers for the next few days!

Tomorrow's tattoo day. I hope the artist has a good night's rest. I don't want the word he's carving into my skin to be misspelled or crooked.

Take care and remember to comment! The day after I return home I'll be choosing the winner of the pretty fairy journal. I'll try to find something fun here in Iowa to bring back for a giveaway as well.

Guest Blog: Randi Alexander (Contest)

New Release and Book Giveaway!

I'm Randi Alexander and I write cowboy erotic romance. My first book, Chase and Seduction was released May 27 from The Wild Rose Press' Cowboy Kink line. I want to thank Delilah for letting me guest blog today. She and I share a love of cowboys. We both blog on Wild and Wicked Cowboys with 12 other erotic romance authors.

Some of the 14 published authors on W&W are full-time writers, others have day jobs and write evenings and weekends. I'm a stay-at-home author, and I wonder if sometimes I'm not as focused on the actual writing as someone who works a day job. Someone who needs to get things done in a condensed amount of time.

So, here's my story. "A day in the life of a full-time writer." I hear my husband get up at 6:30 AM because I'm a light sleeper. I get up, too, put on my pull-over robe, which he calls my muumuu, and shuffle off into the kitchen to make coffee, breakfast for two, and his lunch. He says I don't have to make him lunch, but if I don't, he goes out and spends $15 a day at a restaurant. (Have I mentioned I'm very frugal?)

I kiss him goodbye at 8:00 and power up the ol' laptop. Checking all my social networking hangouts takes about an hour. It gets longer every day as I add more favorites. Then it's e-mails, which can take a little or a LOT of time.

I still haven't written anything, and it's already 10:00. Yeay! Time for a snack! Oh, and I put on real clothes right about now, too, because when the mail comes, I want to be ready! Mail is an exciting part of my day!

Now the neighbor guy starts mowing his lawn. I watch him for a while, concocting a story about the lonely stay-at-home writer who falls for the handsome hunk next door. Except Burt is about 83, and has on a huge, floppy sun hat that I'm sure his wife makes him wear, so I really have to use my imagination.

Okay, butt back into the writing chair. Tummy's full, water glass is full, brain…isn't so much. I'm outlining a book, and things just aren't flowing. So, I open my library book on voiceover acting and do my voice exercises. "Unique New York, unique New York, red leather, yellow leather, blue blood, black blood."

Whoa, it's almost noon. I've got to write something! So I meditate a few minutes, open the outline document, and write a few scenes. Woot! Something's working up there in the old noggin.

But now it's lunchtime. Which means, I get to watch TV. I allow myself a half hour of television while eating lunch. Nothing powerful like CNN. I need something trite, like a soap opera. (There goes all that brainpower I just invoked before lunch!)Then I clean the kitchen, empty the dishwasher, put in a load of laundry, and get the mail. Love the mail

All righty, time to get back to work. Again, I check my social networking sites, answer my e-mails, then begin the outlining process again. But out my window, I see two squad cars stop across the street. Uh oh, time to peek out the curtains and see what's up.

Nothing interesting. Back to the outline. Oops, it's 3:00. Time for a snack. Apples and carrots. And another load of laundry.

4:00 rolls around, and it's my witching hour. Hubby will be home soon, and I want to finish this elusive outline. I promised myself I'd get it done today, and nothing will stop me from achieving my goal. But first – my drum set is calling. I practice every day in preparation for the moment when the perfect storm of musicians comes together and I can fulfill my dream of playing in a tropical-rock band. So I bang around on them, today tapping along to Zac Brown, Jimmy Buffett, and an old Bon Jovi.

Now I'm energized. I write for a half hour, then pop into the kitchen to get supper started. I'm not really the Stepford housewife I might seem to be. Usually supper is baked fish and lettuce salad, because we're on a health kick.

When he gets home, we have supper together, take a walk, then he wanders off to do his guy-stuff, and I finally have the motivation to finish that outline. (Getting to bed before midnight is a great motivator!) Three hours later, I finish what I'd told myself I'd have done by noon.

I'm sure other full-time writers have perfected the art of stick-to-it during the day, but I'm still rather new at this. What don't I know that hugely successful authors, like Delilah, know?How do people with corporate telecommuting jobs do it? Why do I find myself wandering off to stare at something shiny?

I know it'll come to me eventually. But for now, I'm happy doing what little writing I can in between all the fun, fluffy time-wasters.

Country music superstar/actor Chase Tanner has yet to be denied anything–and he's never wanted anything or anyone more than gorgeous screenplay writer Reno Linden. So when the film they are working on is finally finished, Chase decides to turn up the volume on seducing Reno.

Reno Linden lived a quiet, rural life until she was thrust into the Hollywood scene when her book was adapted to film. Chase Tanner is larger than life, sinfully sexy and hell-bent on getting her into bed. Skittish after a failed wedding engagement, Reno risks the plunge into Chase's arms, and is surprised that her good girl self can keep up with bad boy Chase.

Though Chase returns to his cowboy roots often, and Reno cherishes the time spent with him on his ranch, the two find their careers pulling them in different directions. Will their attraction survive the glitz and stress of fame?

Chase stood and walked across the room leaving Reno sitting on the couch staring at his back. All of a sudden, she could use a drink.

When he turned to face her, he spread his feet apart, his hands fisted at his sides. "Last night, you wouldn't let me explain, and I'm damn sure going to set you straight now." His low voice rumbled.

Reno swallowed, shaking a little inside. Not from fear, but desire. Something about the way he took control made her feel secure and…mushy inside. She didn't expect him to grovel, but he came on surprisingly forceful. She hadn't known that quality in a man before.

"The condoms were a gag. My drummer stuffed them in that drawer a couple months ago, and told me to use them all before filming ended. Did you see how many were in there?"

Reno nodded and opened her mouth to answer.

"All of them. I didn't use any." He walked toward her. "You wanna know why?"

She just blinked and drank in his intensity.

He paused a second, then said, "When I met you, I knew I'd found someone special. But I didn't want to believe it at first. I had to test it, and poke at it, and stir it up some, but you're real." His brow furrowed, and his gaze bore into hers. "You're as nice as you seem, and as smart as they come, and way too good for a hick like me."

"Too good? No, Chase—" She stood and reached her hand out toward him, but he backed away.

"Let me get this said. I lose my concentration when you're close."

Reno clasped her hands in front of her. She wanted so badly to be in his arms, she pressed her knees together to keep from running to him.

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To celebrate the release of Chase and Seduction, I'm giving away, to one lucky *commenter, an e-copy of my novella Her Cowboy Stud. Just leave a comment today and we'll choose a winner tomorrow. *Commenter must be 18 years of age or older to win.

I'm also giving away a cowgirl hat to one subscriber to my newsletter. For more details, and to sign up for this contest, please go to my website, RandiAlexander.com And while you're there, you can read the first chapter of Chase and Seduction.

Good luck, and thank you!

Randi

RandiAlexander.com

WildAndWickedCowboysBlog

Chase and Seduction available at The Wild Rose Press Wilder Roses

Road Trip!

Around 8 AM, the Red-Headed Hellion, the six-year-old and I will be piling into Yoshi (my cherry-red Scion) and heading out on a road trip. We're heading to Iowa. I know, right? Who goes to Iowa? Well, my brother and SIL live there—and so does my tattoo artist. We're making the trip about the journey and have planned stops along the way. We've also promised that if we see an interesting sign or attraction along the way, we stop! So a one-day drive will be two, both up and back. I promise to take pictures!

While I'm gone, I have guests lined up. Be sure to drop by to say hello.

6/22—Randy Alexander

6/23—I was supposed to have one here, but she didn't send me her stuff!

6/24—Gale Stanley

6/25—Sophie Oak

6/26—Taige Crenshaw

6/27—RHH decided we needed more road time at the last minute, so I'll poke my head in the door again.

Y'all take care now!

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A Question…

Tomorrow, I'll blog one last time before I head out on the road. So ya know today I have a ton of things to do…get my nails done, get the car's oil changed, laundry, pack…blah, blah, blah. Today's post will be short. Just something to get you thinking because you know you need someone to prod you into doing that.

If you had to change your first name , what would you choose as your new name?

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Sunday Report Card

I haven't done a report card in a while because I haven't done a lot of writing over the past couple of months. This week I got back on track.

But first, what's that list to the left?

Yeah, that's Samhain's Best Sellers list! What a lovely gift! Thank you, all!

I signed a total of four contracts this week!

Three of them were stories for Samhain.

* The next Lone Star Lovers story, A Four-Gone Conclusion, which will release in September!

* The next Red Hot Winter story, Lone Heart, which will release in January 2012.

* The start of a new series, a five-some that I will tell you about after I start writing it! It's tentatively scheduled for release in November!

The fourth contract is for another short story collection for Cleis Press, cowboy-themed—and this time heterosexual! I put the call for submission out on this blog a couple of days ago. So, any writers out there who are interested… I can't wait to read your stories!

This week, I finally made progress on the lesbian vampire story that's been on my plate for a couple of months. Why have I had so much trouble getting down to business? I haven't talked about it much here. I mean, who wants to hear about real life stuff, right? But since it affects readers, I thought I might let you know that my lack of productivity hasn't been because I suddenly got lazy.

About a month ago, my grandfather became gravely ill. My mother headed to Washington state to be with grandma. My brother and his wife relocated her from Colorado, and they've moved in until they can build a house on the property. My grandfther died, and now, as of late last night, my grandmother and aunt are living with us too. Add to the fact that it's summer and the red-headed hellion's children are constantly underfoot—and the pool is finally a comfortable tempture—and you can see why I've been a little distracted.

This next week, the RHH, the six-year-old and I are taking a road trip to Iowa. Not a sexy destination? Maybe not the way most people travel, but I'll blog all about it when I get back. We're escaping the madhouse for a week, then I'll be back to the grindstone. Promise. I have all those shiny new contracts to fulfill!

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Snippet Saturday: Living Spaces

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Who but a Viking could survive the harshest climate—a planet encased in ice? Or at least in my imagination they were the perfect people to populate my world. New Iceland is covered in snow, its ocean coated with a thick layer of ice. On the surface, it appears to be uninhabitable. I hope you enjoy a glimpse of the rugged world and men of New Iceland.

"Perfect Read." Fresh Fiction

"A steamy and fascinating adventure…" Romance Reviews Today

"Clash of cultures, clash of myths, clash of powerful personalities…how many authors can bring out on paper the excitement and more-than-willing suspension of disbelief that old fashioned adventure stories once brought us?…a wonderful, action-packed, emotional roller-coaster of a read." Alien Places

"With the intriguing meshing of the past with the future this was an engrossing read…" Top Pick!, Night Owl Reviews

What a Viking wants, a Viking takes.

When his younger brother goes missing, Dagr, Viking warrior and Lord of the Wolfskin Clan, will do whatever it takes to get him back. But nothing could have prepared him for Honora—a feisty, intelligent woman who is nothing like the women of his world—women who are content to serve their men in all things. Drawn to her despite her recalcitrant nature, Dagr is determined to show her who's boss both in bed and out.

When the two enemies-turned-lovers join forces to find Dagr's brother they are thrown into a rousing adventure full of danger, intrigue and erotic abandon. Can their passion truly unite them or will their different worlds lead to destruction for them both?

Eirik Ulfhednar glared into his opponent's reddened face and adjusted his hand, just a slight movement to improve his grip, and then bore down with all his might. The muscles of his forearm and bicep burned. A spike of adrenaline seared his blood.

Harald, who had boasted his prowess over drinks, didn't seem so confident he'd win this contest now. His lips pulled away from his teeth in a feral snarl, but his bushy red brows rose, betraying his surprise that the man in front of him, so much younger and more privileged than he, hadn't already crumpled.

A smile eased up the corners of Eirik's mouth, and he narrowed his eyes. He would prove he was every inch his brother's equal and deserving of respect from the crew at the mining camp. Respect that they'd denied him since his arrival that afternoon.

However, respect had to be earned from these fierce, rough men. An accident of birth didn't grant an Ulfhednar, a Wolfskin, any special favors inside this clan. Further, Eirik's status wasn't helped by the fact that the last time he'd visited the camp, he'd been a gangly teen with blemishes on his face, tagging behind his elder brother.

But Eirik wasn't a boy anymore. This challenge was a good place to prove it.

Without a hint to warn his opponent, Eirik opened his jaws and yawned, then squeezed harder around Harald's huge fist and slammed it into the table.

The crowd surrounding them roared. Large, meaty hands slapped his shoulders in congratulations. Eirik gave Harald a chagrined smile and stood to reach over the table and offer his hand.

Harald shook his head, scowling, looking none too happy to have been bested, but he gripped Eirik's wrist. "You won fair. Only other man who ever bested me was your brother."

Prideful pleasure warmed Eirik, and he wondered why he'd been so resistant to return to this rough camp. He'd thought he wouldn't enjoy it. That the journey itself would bring back hurtful memories of his father. However, his brother had been right about his needing to learn more about his heritage than just the art of battling like a Norseman. His brother was right about most things, and it was time for Eirik to accept that fact.

He let the crowd draw him toward the sleeping quarters of the mining camp's longhouse. Blue-gray light gleamed through the curved ice-block walls and ceiling where "windows" had been cut in the animal skin lining. Although it was nearing time to sleep, daylight rarely waned in this region of New Iceland.

The smells of roasted animal and a pot of savory stew permeated the longhouse since no vents were cut to allow them to escape. A chimney had no place in the ancient structure, built in the time their ancestors had first arrived on this cold planet.

"Tell us of your journey," Harald said, taking up one of the stools set around the crude fire pit. Chunks of the precious ore the miners cut from the earth deep beneath the icy crust lay nestled in the bottom of the pit, emitting an eerie glow and warmth that tempered the cool, wet chill lingering in the air.

With the melodic sound of water dripping from the walls nearest the pit and the earthy smells of the men around him, Eirik relaxed, ready to spin a tale worthy of the brother to their clan-lord, for he'd traveled to this frigid outpost without the comfort and safety of a tracked snow-eater by land. He'd come the more direct route, by ice-skiff, over the frozen waters. A feat made even more bold by the fact his father had been lost, no trace ever found, during a similar trek to this mine which lay farthest from the Wolfskin's seat of power.

"It was a harrowing journey," Eirik began, pausing as a beaker of mead was handed to him.

"Did you see serpents?" one of the men asked, a hint of awe in his voice. Few dared travel the open frozen sea. They fished near the shores, but rarely ventured over deeper water because of the monsters lurking there.

Eirik nodded and leaned forward. "A pod of the beasts trailed after me from Skuldelev all the way here. Streaks of blue, green, and bright flame shot past me, gliding close beneath the surface of the ice. They circled, closing tighter and tighter. But I let out my sails and skimmed past their death spiral."

"Did any of them break the surface?" Harald asked. "Did you see their horned heads?"

"I never looked back." A lesson he'd learned from his brother when he'd first taught Eirik to sail.

If you look back, little brother, you risk losing your nerve. Always, always keep your eyes on your destination.

"But the winds favored me. The bastards pounded the ice behind me with their huge heads." He gave the men a sly smile, relishing the attention. "The breaks only added a little lift to speed me along."

Soft laughter surrounded him. Outracing the monsters who ruled the seas wasn't a sport. The consequences of one mistake could end in an agonizing death—dragged beneath the ice to an underwater berg-cave to be ripped apart and devoured by the pod.

Which was why so few dared. However, Eirik had a long tradition to uphold. The lords of the Wolfskins were fearless; neither the cold nor formidable odds could conquer them. Hence his mode of travel and the bearskin cloak sitting on his shoulders. Even the miners wore the Outlanders' deep-space clothing which insulated better against the freezing temperatures. Eirik wore garments crafted in the old ways by the women of his clan. Boiled wool undergear and a thicker wool shirt; bearskin chaps tied around his wool trousers. Thick boots made of several layers of cowhide encased his feet.

Yes, his toes were cold, but he could still feel them. If he'd taken a spill in the skiff and damaged the hull or steering skimmers, he'd have frozen to death if the ice dragons hadn't killed him first. But Eirik would never think to complain about the harsh strictures his brother and he lived by. Their lack of comforts was only a small part of what they sacrificed to make themselves worthy to lead their clan.

Harald lifted his chin to the men around him then bent toward Eirik. "You'll be wanting to see what we found." Gone was the blustery, overloud voice. Even his expression changed, shifting from brusque savage to sharp-eyed warrior.

The miners standing nearest turned to face outward to ensure none of the Outlanders in the longhouse came close enough to overhear their conversation.

"My brother wants this kept secret," Eirik whispered. "Until we're sure."

Harald nodded. "Not a word. And our production hasn't suffered in spite of the extra work. No one will suspect anything's amiss. The shipping containers are already stacked high in the main cavern in preparation for the next delivery."

"Does the artifact appear damaged in any way?"

"What we've uncovered thus far is intact. We're working with picks and shovels rather than large drills. When we get close to parts of the mechanism, we use our chisels."

"Good." Relieved, he gave Harald a smile. "My brother will come when it's fully excavated. For now, we pretend I'm here to inspect the mine."

Harald nodded, and in an instant his expression changed from keen intelligence back to affable companion. "We'll talk more tomorrow. Below."

Eirik understood. The less said here, the less chance of discovery. If what the miners had found beneath the ice pack was what Eirik and his brother thought, the Icelanders had a new weapon in their arsenal that would ensure their hard-won freedom. "Tomorrow is soon enough to see the mine," he said, raising his voice for the benefit of anyone trying to overhear. "Is there a pallet for me?"

"A pallet in a private nook." Harald winked. "And a woman to warm you while your clothing dries above the fire."

Low, masculine laughter erupted around the circle as men raised their cups and shared sly glances.

Eirik grimaced. "I've frost coating my balls." He drained his drink. The honey mead, made from the honey of the bees in Hel's meadow, slid down his throat, warming his belly.

"I bet you do. But we have the cure." Harald smiled and clapped his shoulder hard, and then shoved off his stool to lead Eirik away from the fire and toward a row of sectioned-off sleeping berths. He pulled back a heavy curtain from one.

Inside, a shelf-like bed stretched across the back wall draped in gray wolf and brown bear skin. A small fire pit glowed in the center of the small cubby.

A woman knelt on the floor beside it, nude but for a soft, woven blanket clutched around her shoulders. Dark, sloe eyes lifted slowly and widened as Eirik entered.

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Be sure to check out the snippets on these other authors' blogs:

Emma Petersen

Leah Braemel

Mari Carr

McKenna Jeffries

Taige Crenshaw

Shelli Stevens

Guest Blogger: Berengaria Brown

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Recurring themes

My books seem to have several recurring themes: China, vacations, water, and gardens.

"Changing Cherry", "Chinese Love Triad", and "Terracotta Warriors" (releasing 30 March) are all set in China. I have spent some time in China on business and love their centuries of tradition, the polite, helpful people, their beautiful country. Also, I write a lot of two men/one woman ménages, and in a country with many millions more young men than women, because of their one-child policy, such ménages make excellent sense.

Everyone loves a vacation and vacations leave time for people to discover more about each other, spend long hours having fun together (in and out of bed) and are a great way to move the story forward. "Summer Sizzle", "Vivienne's Vacation", "Huldah's Two Hikers", "Three for the Road", and "Double Satisfaction" are all set during vacations. "Combustion", and "Flash Flood", include mini-vacations.

As for water and gardens, my characters love the beach, lakes, the countryside. The "Sex Odyssey" series is set in Resort City, a beachside town. "Dance for Three" has a hot beach scene, "Summer Sizzle" is set at the beach, and the heroine in "Flash Flood" gets caught in a tidal wave. "Tempting Tenealle" involves a courtyard garden, the gardens in "Double Satisfaction" are purely awesome, and "Huldah's Two Hikers" is set on a hike through a national park.

My newest release, is "Strung Tight" the final book in the "Sex Odyssey" series. Jeff lives in the trailer Park at Resort City and Pete arrives there as a tour guide with a group of very demanding clients.

After a scorching night of sex and sin, two men need to make a decision in their lives.

Jeff works nights playing guitar at a strip club. Pete works days as a tour guide. Neither man is happy and both search for fulfillment. Can they find it in each other's arms?

While the sex is great, and the orgasms body shaking, how can their relationship survive if they're separated by time? Surrendering to wild emotions is easy. Real life is messy but the fight for love is worth it.

The two men gazed into each other's eyes. Lust exploded like a visible force, and Jeff took two hurried paces to close the gap between them. Pete stepped into Jeff's embrace and wrapped his arms around the taller man's waist, lifting his face for a kiss.

Jeff gently pressed his lips to Pete's, then swiped his tongue along the seam of the blond's mouth. He opened and Jeff slid his tongue inside, enjoying Pete's taste of coffee and mints and something spicy.

He trailed his tongue behind Pete's teeth, and along the insides of his cheeks, then tangled it with the blond's in an erotic dance, before sucking his tongue into his mouth.

They didn't break the kiss until both of them were breathless. Even then Jeff nibbled on Pete's lower lip and ran his hands up and down the man's spine, wanting to get closer, needing to be inside him, right now, but not wanting to seem to be rushing or coercing the blond.

Jeff pulled Pete's shirt up, stroking the soft skin, loving the feel of muscles and bones and sinews moving under his touch. "Take it off," he whispered hoarsely.

"You too. I liked the look of your chest in the club."

They broke apart a few inches and shed their shirts. Jeff took Pete's hand and led him to the end of the trailer where he sank onto the sofa and pulled Pete onto his lap. Teasingly, Pete rubbed his ass across Jeff's cock, making him groan. "If you keep that up I'll get zipper burn!"

Pete stood up. "Well, take your pants off. I'd like to see your cock."

"Together. We'll take them off together," replied Jeff, standing as well.

It took Jeff a few minutes to get his boots and socks off and Pete watched him. Pete had bare feet inside his loafers, so that part of the program had taken him all of one second.

They stood facing each other, hands on belts, and, like the dancers in the strip club, they slowly undid their belts, pulled them out of the loops, dropped them to the floor, then unzipped.

Pete remained still and watched as Jeff spread the fly of his jeans wide, displaying dark blue briefs. He put his hands on his hips and nodded to Pete.

Pete's pants were a lot looser than the jeans Jeff was wearing. Just as he'd hoped, when Pete opened them, the pants slid to the floor, leaving him in his tighty whiteys.

Jeff pushed his jeans down his legs and stepped out of them, then hooked a finger in one side of his briefs. Pete mirrored his actions, stepping out of his pants and sliding the underwear down an inch or two on one side.

Turning forty-five degrees, Jeff slid his briefs off his butt, leaving it exposed, but his cock covered. He turned his head over his shoulder, watching to see what Pete would do next.

Pete turned his back to him, dropped his underwear to the floor, pushed his ass out, and bent his knees, displaying his puckered rosette for Jeff. It was the sexiest ass Jeff had ever seen, the hole a deep pink, beckoning him to sink his aching dick in it. Below the yummy anus, in the gap between Pete's legs, his balls hung, and Jeff had to lick his lips and swallow hard, they looked so delicious. He couldn't wait to get them in his mouth.

But wait? Was that the edge of a tattoo showing on the inside of Pete's thigh? God! What other treasures was the blond hiding? And he had a little secret yet to display himself. "Turn around," he ordered, hoping not to sound as needy as he felt.

"Drop your pants and we'll turn together," suggested Pete, his voice alive with laughter.

Jeff turned his back on the other man, pulled off his underwear, and looked over a shoulder, resting one hand lightly across his hot, hard cock. Pete had straightened up and was looking across at him.

Jeff couldn't help a huge grin spreading across his face. This man was perfect for him. Hell, he hadn't had this much fun in a year, and they weren't even in bed yet!

"On the count of three. One."

"Two."

"Three!" they both called together turning to face each other.

It was a tattoo! A swirling tribal pattern, spiraling and twisting and turning from the upper inside of Pete's left thigh, across his groin and lower belly, to just below his bellybutton. It was a maze of black and blue and red lines, an intricate, yet clean, pattern that drew his gaze unerring to the man's cock. And what a beautiful cock it was. Red and thick and long, pre-cum already beading in the slit of a fat, flat head he couldn't wait to suck. "Very nice," he managed to say.

Pete's gaze was glued to Jeff's cock. He didn't even look up when he said, "I've always wondered what one of those would feel like inside me. It's a Prince Albert piercing isn't it? Damn but I've hit the jackpot tonight."

"I aim to make sure you'll come harder than you've ever come before," said Jeff, pulling Pete into his arms and rubbing their cocks together.

Pete lifted his face to be kissed, wrapping his arms around Jeff's waist and rubbing his nipples across Jeff's chest. When they broke apart from kissing, Pete whispered, "I don't think I can wait any longer. I need you inside me, now."

"That's what I want, too."

Buy Link

Berengaria Brown

http://berengariasblog.blogspot.com/

http://berengariabrown.webs.com/

New Call for Submissions — The Cowboy

I have another call for submissions to any writers out there—and its short-fused! If you get your submission into me early enough, and if it requires changes to make it acceptable, you'll get the chance to resubmit. I'll work with you. Also, I need a sexier title. Anyone have any suggestions? I'd love to hear your ideas!

And don't forget about Beastly Babes—those short stories are due at the end of July. Read more about it here: Beastly Babes ~DD

The Cowboy

Editor: Delilah Devlin

Publisher: Cleis Press in Fall 2012

Deadline: August 30, 2011

The Cowboy (tentative title) is open to all authors.

Editor Delilah Devlin is looking for hetero cowboy stories for a romantic erotica anthology tentatively entitled The Cowboy.

There's a reason Western romance novels never go out of fashion. The cowboy is an iconic figure that embodies the dichotomy of the fiercely independent, earthy alpha male and the male as a nurturer. Given a picture of a man on a horse, wearing Wranglers, chaps, and with a broad-rimmed hat shadowing his face, women melt.

Even when he's up to his knees in mud freeing a calf from a wallow, his image doesn't tarnish. The imagination sparks, filling in the details—the scent of horse, cow, and crisp, clean sweat; the sight of sun-leathered skin and crows feet; the feel of work-hardened thighs and arms; and the sound of a deep-voiced, Texas drawl.

The Cowboy will seek stories that satisfy the reader who craves the romantic idea of that gruff, capable man while exploring stories in the American West as well as lesser-known international settings. The stories will be primarily contemporary with the possibility of a few historical Westerns. While traditional themes are likely to be featured, writers will be encouraged to imagine greater in order to create tales that, while featuring that iconic hero, may also surprise, like the rodeo clown seducing the cowboy-crazy "buckle bunny" or a Quigley Down Under story set in the pampas mired in a South American range war.

Published authors with an established Western world may use that setting for their original short story.

The stories may be as kinky or vanilla as the writer wants—but a deep sensuality should linger in every word. Exotic locations and scenarios are welcome. Keep in mind there must be a romantic element with a happy-for-now or happy-ever-after ending. Strong plots, engaging characters and unique twists are the ultimate goal. Please no reprints. We are seeking original stories.

How to submit: Prepare your 1,500 to 4,500 words story in a double-spaced, Arial, 12 point, black font Word document with pages numbered (.doc, NOT.docx) OR rich text format. Indent the first line of each paragraph half an inch and double space (regular double spacing, do not add extra lines between paragraphs or do any other irregular spacing). US grammar (double quotation marks around dialogue, etc.) is required.

In your document at the top left of the page, include your legal name (and pseudonym if applicable), mailing address, and 50 words or less bio in the third person to cleisthecowboy@gmail.com. If you are using a pseudonym, please provide your real name and pseudonym and make it clear which one you'd like to be credited as. Authors may submit up to 2 stories. Delilah will respond in October 2011. The publisher has final approval over the stories included in the manuscript.

Payment will be $50.00 USD and two copies of the published book upon publication.

About the editor: Ms. Devlin has published over eighty erotic stories in multiple genres and lengths. Her published print titles include Into the Darkness, Seduced by Darkness, Darkness Captured, Down in Texas, Texas Men and Ravished by a Viking. Her short stories are featured in Zane's Purple Panties, and Cleis Press's Lesbian Cowboys, Girl Crush, Fairy Tale Lust, Lesbian Lust, Passion, Carnal Machines, and Dream Lovers. She is published by Avon, Kensington, Harlequin, Atria/Strebor, Ellora's Cave, Samhain Publishing, and Berkley. In Fall 2011, she debuts her first anthology with Cleis Press, Girls Who Bite.

Direct any questions you have regarding your story or the submission process to Delilah at cleisthecowboy@gmail.com.

Guest Blogger: Juniper Bell (Contest)

The Promo Ho and Cabbage Rose Fairy contests continue! See details here! ~DD

Thanks to Delilah for having me on her blog again! I always love visiting here. And I went all fangirl when I met her at RT. (Hope I didn't make a fool of myself!)

Yesterday my latest book came out. Restraining the Receptionist is a follow-up to Training the Receptionist. A lot of people tell me this series reminds them of the movie Secretary. (Not to be confused with Secretariat, which would be truly disturbing.) Secretary, which I loved, is about a lawyer who hires a troubled young woman. Their relationship turns intimate in a BDSM kind of way – it's never spelled out in those terms, but they're playing with the power dynamics of the boss/secretary relationship, and falling in love in the process.

I can see the resemblance, given the office setting and the BDSM element. But there are many differences. First of all, tone. Dana, my heroine, is sassy and quick with a comeback, whereas Maggie Gyllenhall's character was on the depressed side. Maggie had only one boss, James Spader. He was more than enough, by the way. The two of them smoked up the screen.

But Dana has two bosses. In Restraining the Receptionist, she already has a strong, loving, trusting relationship with Simon, who trained her in the first book. But Ethan is the senior partner and not accustomed to taking second place. He's going to pull out all the stops to win a place for himself in Dana's heart. And when he sets his mind to something, watch out. But he's taking a chance … what will happen to their blissful triangle when Dana and Ethan get in deeper than they intended?

Despite the major differences between my Receptionist books and Secretary, I'm honored by the association. And I can't help thinking, what if they made a Receptionist movie? Who could do as good a job as Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Spader?

So, here are my picks. For the strong but tender, green-eyed Simon: sexy Clive Owen.

For the blond, blue-eyed, force of nature Ethan: the one and only Daniel Craig.

And for lucky Dana, I'm leaning toward Emma Stone. Someone with a lot of spunk, who can handle two dominant men like Simon and Ethan.

Of course, the only way they'd make a Receptionist movie would be as a training manual for how not to behave at work. But hey, I can dream, right?

Restraining the Receptionist is available now from Samhain Publishing. (Click on the cover to purchase!)

And if you leave me a comment – I love comments! –

I'll put you in the drawing for a $5 Amazon gift certificate.