Daryl Devore's Blog, page 65

Malak opens his heart to Branwyn on WIP It Up Wednesday #Wipitup

Welcome to Erotic Notions and WIP It Up Wednesday. This snippet is a continuation from my erotic medieval romance - Black Dorn.
Set Up –  (for those who haven't started at the beginning – Duna means instructor –  so Duna Trea is Branwyn's instructor. A Dune is one who is to be instructed. Branwyn is a Dune. Gon means King, Gon Dra means Heir to the Throne and lastly tragor means duty.)



As Branwyn crossed the courtyard, she paused by the well and splashed some cool water on her face. It dribbled down her chin and dripped onto her breast. She did not need to look up. She sensed him standing behind her. She turned and knelt. "Gon-Dra. Would you care for a drink?" With raised hands, she offered him the ladle. He shook his head, started to speak, turned and left. Brushing the water from her breast, she stood and walked to her chamber. Leah had made a chain of flowers and wove it into Branwyn’s hair. She dressed her dune in a dark green gown to highlight the color of her forest green eyes. She anointed her with fragrances from a small vial. "To cause fire in the one you love. It is from an elder woman in the village." Branwyn entered the great hall and sat with the other dunes. Those who had trained with the lune chatted about their successes and failures; others gossiped about Malack and his exploits of the night before. Branwyn waited for the meal to begin. A guard stepped up next to her and requested she follow him. He escorted her to the part of the castle where she had been when she had entertained the gon. Another guard stood outside a chamber door. He held the door for her. She entered. It was a magnificent bedchamber. Much larger than the one she slept in. Rich tapestries hung on the walls. Silver and gold threads adorned the bed curtains in an intricate pattern around the edges. Thick fur rugs lay scattered on the floor. A fire snapped in the hearth. Near it sat a table laden with food and drink. A movement behind her caused her to turn. She dropped to her knees. "Stand." Malack held out his hand and helped her up. "When we are alone, I want you beside me, not beneath me." "Are we to be alone?" "I very much wish that to happen." She held her voice firm, "But I am bound to my duty and that displeases you." "I understand duty. I also am bound to mine." He pointed to the table. "Let us forget duty while we dine." The wall torches remained unlit, so candles on the tables and the glow from the fireplace provided the only light. It made the room inviting. Branwyn relaxed. Malack escorted her to a seat then filled her goblet and his. "Usually the gon makes a toast, but instead I will offer an apology. It is not easy for a gon-dra to ask forgiveness, but I feel I must. My quick temper quick to rise; it has gotten me into trouble ever since I was a child. I fear it has done it again. Your offer to release me yesterday was not given as the tragor of a dune to her gon-dra; it was offered as a woman attempting to give pleasure to a man." He traced her jawline with his finger. "I am humbled by your presence. The great warrior is defeated by the eyes, lips and face of a beautiful woman." 
What's happening in the rest of the month on Erotic Notions26 – Thursday 13  #Thurs1327 – Book Boyfriend Café #HotforFriday28 – My Sexy Saturday #MySexySaturday29 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday30 – Author Spotlight - Kay Jaybee - The New Room31 - Author Spotlight - Blair McDowell - Romantic Road

A Guest post about DIY Blog Tours from Ines Johnson

DIY Blog TourIf You Publish It, They Will ComeThat may have been true ten, five years ago in indie publishing. It is no longer the case today. Readers have a lot of authors and books to choose from. They don’t know you, so you have to do something to get their attention.
Okay, but what something? After visiting Google, I decided to do my own blog tour. I went to listservs and chat rooms for authors and asked questions. Established authors said a blog tour was a waste of time. But new and indie authors said to go for it. I had nothing to lose, and no money to spend, so I did it myself. Here’s how I did it.
1. Build a MEDIA KITHonestly, this wasn’t the first thing I did. I realized I needed it as responses started rolling in with bloggers requesting the same materials over and again. But I recommend it be the first thing you do.
A media kit is everything a blogger could possibly want or need in order to host you on their webpage. Include in your Media Kit the following:●       Your book blurb. I included different lengths of my blurb, including the full blurb that’s up on Amazon. A shorter three sentence blurb. And a one sentence blurb. My debut book was erotic romance, so I also had to be sure and include a PG version of my blurb for bloggers who also showcased YA books.●       Book excerpts. Choose one to two scenes that you feel would get readers engaged in your story. I recommend the excerpt should start somewhere in the middle of the scene and end before the scene is over at a high point of tension. If you choose well, this tactic would naturally lead a reader to push the ‘buy now’ link so they can find out what happens next. Again, make sure you have a PG excerpt for bloggers who showcase YA books.●       Guest Posts. I wrote three guests posts for my tour. I found that bloggers liked craft pieces, writing tips, and social commentary. So, I wrote one of each. I also found that some bloggers wanted you to answer their list of questions instead of using your posts. I complied, and then saved each question and answer. I included these Q&A’s in my media kit and made them available to all subsequent bloggers.●       Author biography. Be sure to include the bio you’ve written for yourself and posted on your website. I found that some bloggers preferred a one sentence bio, called a tagline. So, I paired my long bio down and included two options in my kit.●       Links. Be sure to include your store purchase links, your website url, and all social media links and handles. In my ebook, I have fancy graphic links. I assumed the bloggers would do something graphical with my link, but few did. Instead they just left the entire URL up under my name. I didn’t like that, but I had to realize that many of these bloggers weren’t graphic artists or any more tech savvy than your average person. Moving forward, I’ll need to think of a better way to list these links.●       Images. Attach images separately, as well as in the body of the kit. If you have a lot of images, make them available upon request.
That was a lot of information, but I suggest you get started on that before contacting bloggers. Many get back to you straight away and begin making requests.
2. Find BLOGGERSOnce your media kit is assembled, you need to start finding blogs to host your amazing information.
I began my search at the Book Blogger Directory: https://bookbloggerdirectory.wordpres... made certain to check for bloggers who were in my genre.
I also checked their sites to see when their last activity happened. You don’t want to spend time querying a blogger whose last post was in 2013.
3. Make CONTACTOnce I had my list of vetted bloggers in my genre, I began to contact them. Be aware that some of these bloggers have handy Google Docs. They’d prefer you use these instead of emailing them directly.
For those I emailed directly, I made a form email, but I sent each blogger an individual email with their name in the salutation. I also tailored the form email to each blogger where possible. For example, if I saw that a blogger was only interested in author interviews, I didn’t mention that I had blog posts and excerpts because I knew they wouldn’t be interested in those items.
Here’s an example of the basic form email that I sent out:
Dear [Book Blogger],I write erotic romance, paranormal romance, and fairytale retellings under the pen name, Ines Johnson. My newest release, Pumpkin: a Cindermama story, which is a fairytale retelling of the Cinderella story will hit the print and virtual shelves on March 17th.
I’ve planned a book tour throughout the month of March to create some buzz and garner a bigger audience for my book. I’d love to make a stop at your site. I’m happy to do a Q&A, a blog posting, submit my book for your review, or any combination of the three. I’ve prepared three posts for the occasion. If you feel that one of the topics might interest your readers, I would be happy to make it available to you any day during the month of March and April. Attached you’ll find my Media Kit for your convenience.
4. Keep RECORDSIt looks bad to contact the same person over and again. Or to forget that you agreed to give this blogger that post on this day. I kept a spreadsheet in Google Docs so that I had access to it at all times.
On the list I listed the blog title, the blog URL, the contact person’s name and email address. In other columns, I placed what each blog looked for from guest bloggers, when I contacted them, if they responded, if they said yes and what they wanted, when the post would be live, and when they needed the information by. You should also note if they want exclusive content, and if they want you to provide them a giveaway.

BLOG NAMEBLOG ADDRESSCONTACT
Review Interview BlogPost Promo NOTES CONTACT EMAIL RESPONSE DATE Requested


* a note about giveaways: try where possible to offer your book as a giveaway. I got my highest sales on the days I offered my book as a free giveaway. I didn’t want to offer a gift card, remember I was broke by this time.
5. Be SOCIALAs the blog tour began, I made a fancy banner announcing the tour for my webpage. I linked to each blog that hosted me.
On the day of each tour stop, I tweeted and posted each blog. And I visited each site to try and interact with any commenters and responded where appropriate.
6. Send THANK YOU NOTESBut the most important thing I did, was mind my manners. After each post I wrote a personalized thank you note to each blogger. I told them how they affected my sales rank that day. Each one invited me back!
7. The VERDICTI had phenomenal success with my tour! I was on thirty blogs over the course of my launch week. As soon as those posts went live, my debut novel was launched into the Top 100 where its stayed for a week after my launch. I could see the effects in real time. When a tour stop went live, an hour or so later, I’d see sales. I didn’t see much of a blip on social media (ie, my newsletter or Facebook Likes). My twitter followers did see some of an uptick, but mostly from the bloggers themselves as they tweeted about the post.



Pumpkin: a Cindermama Story Newly releasedBlurb Single mother Malika “Pumpkin” Tavares lost faith in fairytales after she fell for a toad. Now she believes she’s not cut from the storybook, heroine cloth and searches for Mr. Good Enough amongst the sidekicks and supporting men of the town.
Love at first sight isn’t a cliche for town royalty Armand “Manny” Charmayne. For generations the Charmaynes have spotted their soulmates by seeing a golden aura the first time they laid eyes on The One.
When Manny meets Pumpkin he sees…nothing, but sparks fly off the richter scale. The more he gets to know her the more he considers defying fate, if only he can convince her to take a chance on love again.

Tagline Having given up on fairytales after falling for her toad of an ex, Pumpkin is afraid to take a chance on town royalty Manny who believes she may be his soulmate.

 Excerpt
Pumpkin turned and stopped in her tracks. Not because of the near collision, but because of the Adonis who stood before her. Tall and lean with dark, thick curls atop his head. But it was his eyes that arrested Pumpkin. They took her back to her teen years, watching Donnie Simpson on Video Soul; or farther back to Smokey Robinson doo-wopping with The Miracles. They were a pale gray. And he smelled... edible. Like fresh baked, butter croissants sprinkled with earthy spices.
"Excuse me," he repeated, with a slight Southern drawl that was more refined than lazy. He prolonged his vowels just enough to let you know he was Southern, but the consonants he pronounced perfectly. "Are you Heather?"
And of course, he was looking for someone else. "No, my name is Malika."
He looked at her and squinted. Then his eyes rolled past her up the steps of the Department of Family And Child Services building. "Oh, sorry. I thought you could have been one of my volunteers." He stepped away, clearing her path to the entrance.
I thought you could have been one of my volunteers.
Pumpkin looked beyond him to see a voter registration table.
I thought you could have been one of my volunteers.
Part of her knew she should simply walk into the DFACS building to find her cousins and her son, because who knew? LaRon and LaTom could've let him go to the bathroom by himself and just forgotten about him —again. But another part of Pumpkin smarted. He'd taken one glance at her, paired it with her Eubonic-consonant-rich name, added it to her current location, and come away with an incorrect assumption.
"You know, I could have been yours," she said.
He turned back. "Mine?"
"I mean, I have done something like this before."
"Something... with me?"
"No! I've never met you before."
He opened his mouth to speak, thought better of it, then started again. "What exactly are we talking about?"
This was not going the way she'd planned. But what exactly had she planned when she opened her mouth? Her filter malfunction needed to be repaired soon.
Pumpkin took a deep breath, clearly aware of his smokey eyes watching her with... was that wariness or amusement? Growing up in her family, she had trouble deciphering the two.
"I mean, I have been a volunteer. I've done a voter registration drive before."
Having cleared up that misjudgment, Pumpkin assumed the conversation was over. Only, he looked doubtful at her proclamation.
Pumpkin gave her internal filter a kick. In response it sputtered, "I organized it, actually." Pumpkin gave it a mental shove to keep quiet. And then, "It was very successful, actually."
"Where?"
"What?"
"Where did the drive you organized —successfully— take place?"
"Oh," she said. "At my school. My college —university, actually. Louisiana State University."
"I know LSU," he grinned.
Good. Grinning meant amused. He had a nice grin, Smokey Eyes. Straight white teeth. Plump lips that stretched wide. Maybe a little too wide. Almost big bad wolf wide.
"Well," she said. "There's a community college with the name Louisiana so..."
"You have a problem with community colleges?"
"No! I just... I just wanted to make sure you knew... which one I meant." Pumpkin wouldn't have thought it possible, but his grin stretched even wider.
"My opinion matters to you that much?"
Definitely a wolf.
Then, in confirmation, his eyes slipped from her face and did a quick assessment of her body: the B-cups she no longer bothered to pad, the stubborn muffin top she'd given up on a year ago, the wide hips that looked voluptuous on her cousins but pear-shaped on her.
"I don't even know you," Pumpkin said. And she had no intention of getting to know him. Wolves blocked the paths of good girls whether in the forest or on the road of life. Pumpkin had no intention of getting jammed up by a man, ever again.
"Yet, within sixty seconds of meeting me," he said, "you offered to be mine."
"No I... That was a misunderstanding, and you know it."
A chuckle escaped through that predatory grin. The sound rumbled through Pumpkin's body like a divining rod sensing danger.


What's happening in the rest of the month on Erotic Notions24 – Author Spotlight – Ines Johnson 25 - WIP It Up Wednesday #Wipitup 26 – Thurs 1327 – Book Boyfriend Cafe28 – My Sexy Saturday  #My Sexy Saturday29 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday
30 - Author Spotlight - Kay Jaybee - The New Room 31 - Author Spotlight - Blair McDowell - Romantic Road

Saddle Up with the best-selling authors who brought you Cowboy Up... And fall for Six more Cowboys ready to steal your heart!

Good Ride, Cowboy by Allison Merritt
Sometimes all you need is one good ride to clear your head.Cowboy in Waiting by Leslie P. Garcia
She’d buried a hero. She wasn’t looking for another. But her cowboy in waiting was far from a hero…Cowboy in Trouble by Autumn Piper
A cowboy on the run and a girl on the rebound make for a messy fling.A Cowboy’s Heaven by Sara Walter Ellwood
From the hell of lost love, can they find heaven together?Cowboy Proud by D’Ann Lindun
She left town to chase her dreams... He stayed and ignored his... Can they find their dreams together?
The first book, Cowboy Up featured cowboys from every walk of life-Border Patrol Agents, Equine Therapists, Farmers... Cowboy Up 2 features sexy men who are ready to steal your heart!
The hero of The Heartbroken Cowboy has his own issues. He's a recovering alcoholic who allows stress to push him off the wagon. But he's still determined to latch on to the one woman whose secret could send him back to the bottle.
Johnson O'Neill was a minor character in The Heartsong Cowboy (Cowboy Up book 1) and while he came off as a grouchy guy, he deserved his own happily ever after...but not without some work. In The Heartbroken Cowboy, we learn why he's angry at women and cheer for him to find the one woman who will give him a run for his money!


The Heartbroken Cowboy by Melissa Keir
Love isn’t found at the bottom of a bottle…Johnson O’Neill joined The Heartsong Ranch to escape his addiction. One night at a friend’s wedding, stress causes him to fall off the wagon and into the arms of the woman of his dreams.

Debra Donahue lost her husband to alcohol then pulled herself up by her bootstraps becoming a million-dollar selling real estate agent. One night with a sexy cowboy and a bottle of whiskey, Debra falls hard.
Can an alcoholic cowboy and a brokenhearted woman find love despite their fears? Or will the bottom of a bottle claim another happily ever after? 

EXCERPT:
“I don’t drink, but could use a strong one, right now. Not this sissy stuff.” He lifted the glass to his lips, downed the contents, and shoved his now-empty champagne flute away before he leaned in toward her. The smell of alcohol on his breath hinted that he’d already had too much to drink. “Know anyone around here with some whiskey?” The dark sapphire of his eyes chilled her. This was a man used to getting what he wanted. “I’d even share.” His voice deepened and became husky with his offer and she shivered.

“I don’t drink with men I don’t know.” Debra stuck out her hand. “I’m Debra, and you are?”

The man grabbed another glass of champagne off a passing waiter’s tray and guzzled the drink in one swallow. “The name’s Johnson O’Neill. Now about that whiskey.” He reached out and drew her up to standing then tugged her in close to him. Wrapping his arm around her back, he moved her body in a slow two-step motion.

Debra gazed into his eyes. “You don’t have to seduce me for the whiskey.” She stepped out of his embrace and put her hands on her hips. She frowned.

“That’s not why I drew you into my arms. You were tapping your foot when I arrived—and I thought you might like a dance. A pretty woman like you shouldn’t be sitting alone.” He stretched his palm out again in a plea.

BUY LINKS:
AMAZON EBOOK  http://www.amazon.com/Cowboy-Up-2-Allison-Merritt-ebook/dp/B00U4190W4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1425165463&sr=8-3&keywords=cowboy+up+2

AMAZON PRINT  http://www.amazon.com/Cowboy-Up-2-DAnn-Lindun/dp/1508516413/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1425167214&sr=8-14&keywords=cowboy+up+2

CREATESPACE PRINT  https://www.createspace.com/5322323
About the Author:Melissa Keir has always wanted to be an author when she wasn’t hoping for a career as a race car driver.  Her love of books was instilled by her mother and grandparents who were avid readers. She’d often sneak books away from them so that she could fantasize about those strong alpha males and plucky heroines.  In middle school and high school, Melissa used to write sappy love poems and shared them with her friends and still has those poems today! In college her writing changed to sarcastic musings on life as well as poems with a modern twist on fairy tales and won awards for her writing. You can find many of these musings along with her latest releases on her website and blog. Her stories feature small towns and happily ever after!  
Connect with her:  http://www.melissakeir.com
http://www.facebook.com/melissaakeir
http://www.twitter.com/melissa_keir
http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Keir/e/B0078TCJX2/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_3



What's happening in the rest of the month on Erotic Notions24 – Author Spotlight – Ines Johnson 25 - WIP It Up Wednesday #Wipitup 26 – Thursday 13  #Thurs1327 – Book Boyfriend Cafe28 – My Sexy Saturday #MySexySaturday29 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday30 – Author Spotlight - Kay Jaybee - The New Room31 - Author Spotlight - Blair McDowell - Romantic Road

A fun snippet from FLESH on this week's Weekend Writing Warriors #8sunday

This week's 8 sentences are from my not quite yet released - but just got the cover - erotic contemporary - FLESH. It is a fun little snippet. Fuchsia and Peyton are hiking in the wilds of Alaska. Peyton spots a mother bear. He speaks first.



"Black bear. But it gets better. Wait for it."The two cubs waddled around their mother and sniffed at something on the ground. Fuchsia squealed, "Babies.""Cubs.""Baby cubs."Close enough.


 Link Back To WWW




What's happening in the rest of the month on Erotic Notions22 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday 23 – Author Spotlight – Melissa Kier – Cowboy Up 224 – Author Spotlight – Ines Johnson 25 - WIP It Up Wednesday #Wipitup 26 – Thursday 13  #Thurs1327 – Book Boyfriend Cafe28 – My Sexy Saturday #MySexySaturday29 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday30 – Author Spotlight - Kay Jaybee - The New Room31 - Author Spotlight - Blair McDowell - Romantic Road

7 sentences from FLESH on My Sexy Saturday #MySexySaturday, #Saturday7, #MSS84

A sexy tomorrow often starts with a tonight. This is from my erotic contemporary billionaire story - FLESH. It's not quite released yet. Flame and Pete just had a hot, sweaty night. Flame is thinking about tomorrow.



A tear dribbled from her eye and rolled down and landed on the pillow. She didn't want this moment to end. She didn't want reality to raise its head and shout, "This was only a one night stand."She wanted more. More of what she couldn't have. She wanted him. And in the morning he'd be gone.


What's happening in the rest of the month on Erotic Notions22 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday 23 – Author Spotlight – Melissa Kier – Cowboy Up 224 – Author Spotlight – Ines Johnson 25 - WIP It Up Wednesday #Wipitup 26 – Thursday 13  #Thurs1327 – Book Boyfriend Cafe28 – My Sexy Saturday #MySexySaturday29 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday30 – Author Spotlight - Kay Jaybee - The New Room31 - Author Spotlight - Blair McDowell - Romantic Road

Cover Reveal for FLESH on Book Boyfriends Cafe #HotForFriday

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This week is a hot first encounter - this is from my not quite yet released but just got the cover erotic contemporary - FLESH.




With a twist, she lowered her leg, turned so her back was against the pipe, and kicked off the stage. With her legs spread wide, the black crotch of her thong exposed to all, she swung around the pole. The brilliant stage lights blurred as they seemed to whiz by. She slapped her feet to the floor, dropped to side splits, and humped the floor for several bars of music. When she raised her head, her gaze met two eyes staring intently at her. A small grin hovered over his lips. Forgetting her number one rule, she smiled back. He tilted his head in a small nod.Flame's focus broke. Her pussy clenched. Her nipples strained against the leather bra. No man had ever disrupted a performance like the simple grin on this one's face. She pushed herself to her hands and knees and crawled forward. When she reached the edge of the stage, she shifted to sitting on her heels with her knees splayed. She dragged the nail of her right index finger down the center of her forehead, along her nose, over her pouted lips, between her breasts, along her firm torso, and then over the edge of her leather-encased mound. Reaching up, she ran her fingers through her long red hair and paused with her hands behind her head. There, she waited, displayed for him, knees apart, and breasts pushed forward as if offering herself to his desires.He stood, walked around his table, and stopped before her. A musky scent danced on the air. Reaching forward, he tucked a bill into the edge of her bra, his finger grazing her naked flesh. A shiver raced through her. A moan tickled her throat. The scent lingered after he returned to his seat.

What's happening in the rest of the month on Erotic Notions
21 – My Sexy Saturday #MySexySaturday22 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday 23 – Author Spotlight – Melissa Kier – Cowboy Up 224 – Author Spotlight – Ines Johnson 25 - WIP It Up Wednesday #Wipitup 26 – Thursday 13  #Thurs1327 – Book Boyfriend Cafe28 – My Sexy Saturday #MySexySaturday29 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday30 – Author Spotlight - Kay Jaybee - The New Room31 - Author Spotlight - Blair McDowell - Romantic Road 

Thursday 13 - 13 sentences from erotic contemporary billionaire story - FLESH

Welcome to Thursday 13. 
I still don't have a cover- but I do have 13 more sentences to share with you.



With a frustrated sigh, Peyton Lang tossed the report onto his desk. How could one person be so irritating and hold up an entire project? He grimaced as the memory of the Tiny Wood Owl incident popped into his mind. What a stupid mess that was. A fifty million dollar complex's construction site had to be moved because the environmental report said some silly little owl only lived in the exact place he wanted to put a medical center. Still being young and brash, he'd challenged the report. Peyton rubbed his face. What a mistake that was. The media got a hold of the story, and by the end of the fiasco, he'd moved the construction site and donated ten million dollars to the preservation of a bird. He didn't like birds. They shit on his Ferrari.Now this… this… he grabbed the report and read the name Fuchsia Quinn had refused all financial offers and was stubbornly determined to stay put. Well, if he couldn't buy her out, he'd force her out.
To give you an idea of Fuchsia and Peyton - these are the two photos I used as inspiration.





What's happening in the rest of the month on Erotic Notions 20 - Book Boyfriend Cafe21 – My Sexy Saturday #MySexySaturday22 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday 23 – Author Spotlight – Melissa Kier – Cowboy Up 224 – Author Spotlight – Ines Johnson 25 - WIP It Up Wednesday #Wipitup 26 – Thursday 13  #Thurs1327 – Book Boyfriend Cafe28 – My Sexy Saturday #MySexySaturday29 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday30 – Author Spotlight - Kay Jaybee - The New Room31 - Author Spotlight - Blair McDowell - Romantic Road

Branwyn's happy realization on WIP It Up Wednesday #Wipitup

Welcome to Erotic Notions and WIP It Up Wednesday. This snippet is a continuation from my erotic medieval romance - Black Dorn.
Set Up –  (for those who haven't started at the beginning – Duna means instructor –  so Duna Trea is Branwyn's instructor. A Dune is one who is to be instructed. Branwyn is a Dune. Gon means King, Gon Dra means Heir to the Throne and lastly tragor means duty.)

Leah - is Branwyn's serving girl
Duncan - is Malack's servant



Malack's horse nudged his shoulder. He opened his eyes, patted its nose, yawned and sat up. His movement awakened Branwyn. She stretched. "The sun is soon to set. My horse wants his feed and bed. He can be very insistent." "But I must release you." She reached for his manhood. "It is my tragor." "Tragor?" He walked toward his horse. "But, I thought…your language confuses me." She stood next to him, placing her hand on his arm. "I have angered you. Why?" "Dress. We must return to Black Dorn before nightfall. Raiders roam these woods at night. It would not be safe." He held his voice, busied himself with checking his horse’s reins. He did not make eye contact. When she was dressed, Branwyn picked up the wineskin then stood next to his horse. He lifted her onto it then mounted behind her. With a fierce click with his heels, he urged the animal to charge home. The noise of hooves and motion of the animal made conversation impossible. He slowed when they reached the courtyard. Duncan and Leah stood side by side. Branwyn thought she heard Leah say, "Not again," as she dropped to her knees. Duncan took the horse’s reins as Malack dismounted. He reached up to help Branwyn down. Without a word to her, Malack walked away. Trea walked toward him. As he passed, he snarled, "She is as she was." Once in her room, Branwyn fell across her bed and wailed. When her sobbing softened, Leah whispered, "A warm bath?" Branwyn wiped her tears and nodded. "I have grown to like baths." Soaking in the rose scented water, sipping the mulled wine, Branwyn remained silent. Leah had finished straightening the room when Branwyn whispered, "I have truly angered him." Leah stood near the bath. "We…he…he met me in the meadow. I was walking. He put me on his horse. We rode to a creek. We dined and talked. He told me…he asked me to call him Malack." "Oh, Dune." Leah lost her composure, knelt next to the bath then leaned on its edge waiting to hear more. "He kissed me. It was wondrous. I had not known anything could be so…so… there is no word for it. My heart soared. More wine?" She held out her goblet. "I have no more, but I shall get some." Leah hurried from the room. Branwyn exited the bath, dried herself and settled onto her bed. Leah returned, filled her goblet and eagerly waited for more gossip. "He pleasured me and it was…again, I desperately search for a word to…he caused a fire in my body. It was like pleasant torture. His mouth, his fingers, his lips, his hands all caressing me. Look, I have goose bumps remembering it." She rubbed her hand along her pebbled flesh. "When it ended, I sank into a dream. It seemed like a warm blanket being wrapped around me." A tear trickled down her cheek. "I offered to pleasure him as it would be my tragor." A puzzled look crossed Leah face. "He said he would not take what was my master’s to take, but he could have everything else. While he instructed me, he was uncomfortable." She smiled at the memory. "Very uncomfortable. I offered, but he refused. He said it would be dealt with later. It would add to his enjoyment of pleasuring me. When I awoke from my nap, I again offered but he became… Oh! I believe I understand why he got angry. I mis-spoke. I should not have said tragor. He is insulted." She paused. "If he is insulted that means he…" She covered her mouth as an idea formed in her mind. "He is in love with me." "Yes, he is." Leah giggled. "I must go to him. Drop to my knees. Beg forgiveness." Leah pressed her dune to return to her bed. "No, he is drunk. Duncan says he has already bedded two and is in a mood most foul." "I shall have to apologize to everyone in the castle." She nestled down in her bed then giggled. "The Gon-Dra’s in love with me." 


What's happening in the rest of the month on Erotic Notions
19 – Thursday 13  #Thurs1320 - Book Boyfriend Cafe21 – My Sexy Saturday #MySexySaturday22 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday 23 – Author Spotlight – Melissa Kier – Cowboy Up 224 – Author Spotlight – Ines Johnson 25 - WIP It Up Wednesday #Wipitup 26 – Thursday 13  #Thurs1327 – Book Boyfriend Cafe28 – My Sexy Saturday #MySexySaturday29 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday30 – Author Spotlight - Kay Jaybee - The New Room31 - Author Spotlight - Blair McDowell - Romantic Road

Flashing a bright Spotlightlight on Liza O'Connor's Well Kept Secrets

The great Victorian sleuth Xavier Thorn and his partner Vic Hamilton take a case close to home. Their youngest staff member, L’il Pete, discovers his mother murdered in the alley. Jacko is called up from the country to assist in solving the crime. The good woman’s murder proves to be tangled up with a much larger and shocking list of crimes perpetrated by a powerful man who may truly be above the law. Making matters more complex: Vic discovers her recent weight gain may be the result of a condition that could destroy her life and everything she loves.
“No!” Pete yelled. “I have to help find me mum’s murderer.”“No, you have to find the charming young man you once were. Vic and I will find the murderer.” He leaned forward. “This isn’t to punish you, Pete. I’m trying to save you from a bad blow. Vic lost both his parents in one blow.”“And I was very angry,” Vic added.“And Gregory turned him into a fine young man. The best I’ve ever met.”“I wouldn’t have made it without his firm but loving guidance,” Vic added.Pete sniffed and stared at her. “How long do I have to stay?”“Until the anger is gone. That probably won’t happen until after we find the murderer.”Pete nodded and stared out the window. “What if I don’t like it there?”“Then step outside and recall the temperature. There are worse things than bossy people who wish to make you into a better person. Freezing to death is a painful way to die.”Pete grimaced. “I’ll do my best not to get thrown out.”“Then you’ll succeed,” Vic assured him.When they arrived and Gregory let them inside without a scold or lecture, Vic felt like it was sign from above. “Gregory, this is Pete. He lost his mum this morning and has no one but us to grow him into a fine young man. Xavier has decided since you did such a fine job helping me get rid of all my anger when my parents died, that you can do the same with Pete.”“And what will yoube doing in the meantime?” Gregory demanded.“Finding the man who killed Maggie,” Vic replied. God! Why couldn’t she have a butler that just did as he was told?“Excellent!” He then eyed Pete. “How old are you?”“Nine,” Pete muttered as he stared at the front door as if contemplating an escape.“Speak clearly, young man.”“I’m nine.”Gregory’s right eyebrow rose an inch.“I’m not lying. I am nine. I’m just small because me mum didn’t have much food to eat when she made me up in her tummy.”“I see,” his voice softened. “Well, with proper food, we will try to ameliorate that situation.”Pete frowned and looked at Vic. “I don’t understand half what he says. How’s this gonna work?”Vic knelt down and hugged the boy. “You’ll tell Gregory when he says something you don’t understand and he’ll keep talking until you do.”Pete turned back to Gregory. “Is that true?”With his fingers squeezing the bridge of his nose, Gregory managed to reply, “Yes.”

Book 4Well Kept Secrets AMAZON Free with Amazon Kindle Unlimited
Need to catch up?Book 1 The Troublesome Apprentice
Book 2 The Missing Partner
Book 2.5 A Right to Love
Book 3 The Mesmerist All Xavier books Free with Amazon Unlimited
Liza O’Connor was raised badly by feral cats, left the South/Midwest and wandered off to find nicer people on the east coast. There she worked for the meanest man on Wall Street, while her psychotic husband tried to kill her three times. (So much for finding nicer people.) Then one day she declared enough, got a better job, divorced her husband, and fell in love with her new life where people behaved normally. But all those bad behaviors have given her lots of fodder for her humorous romances. Please buy these books, because otherwise, she’ll become grumpy and write troubled novels instead. They will likely traumatize you.You have been warned.Mostly humorous books by Liza: Ghost Lover —Two British brothers fall in love with the same young woman. Ancestral ghost is called in to fix the situation. And there’s a ghost cat that roams about the book as well. (Humorous Contemporary Romance) Untamed & Unabashed —The youngest of the Bennet sisters, Lydia, tells her story. A faithful spinoff from Pride & Prejudice.A Long Road to Love Series: (Humorous Contemporary odd Romance) Worst Week Ever — Laugh out loud week of disasters of Epic proportions. Oh Stupid Heart — The heart wants what it wants, even if it’s impossible. Coming to Reason — There is a breaking point when even a saint comes to reason. Climbing out of Hell — The reconstruction of a terrible man into a great one.The Adventures of Xavier & Vic Sleuth series: (Late Victorian/Mystery/Romance) The Troublesome Apprentice — The greatest sleuth in Victorian England hires a young man who turns out to be a young woman. The Missing Partner — Opps! The greatest sleuth in Victorian England goes missing, leaving Vic to rescue him, a suffragette, and about 100 servants. Not to mention an eviscerating cat. Yes, let’s not mention the cat. A Right to Love — A romantic detour for Jacko. Want to see how amply rewarded Jacko was when he & Vic save an old woman from Bedlam? The Mesmerist — The Mesmerist can control people from afar and make them murder for her. Worse yet, Xavier Thorn has fallen under her spell. Well Kept Secrets — L’il Pete’s mum is murdered, and discovering who & why reveals a great many secrets. 
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUTLIZA O'CONNORInvestigate these sites:Liza's Blog and Website   Facebook   Twitter



What's happening in the rest of the month on Erotic Notions
18 – WIP It Up Wednesday #Wipitup 19 – Thursday 13  #Thurs1320 - Book Boyfriend Cafe21 – My Sexy Saturday #MySexySaturday22 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday 23 – Author Spotlight – Melissa Kier – Cowboy Up 224 – Author Spotlight – Ines Johnson 25 - WIP It Up Wednesday #Wipitup 26 – Thursday 13  #Thurs1327 – Book Boyfriend Cafe28 – My Sexy Saturday #MySexySaturday29 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday30 – Author Spotlight - Kay Jaybee - The New Room31 - Author Spotlight - Blair McDowell - Romantic Road 

And last but not least -

Spotlight on Electric Heat - A Raven Investigations Novel (Book 3) by Stacey Brutger

Electric Heat - A Raven Investigations Novel (Book 3)Stacey Brutger


Author Page: http://www.staceybrutger.com/blog/Buy link - Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00U0AI1OM
If you enjoy Urban Fantasy, be sure to check out the next book in my Raven Investigation Series.

It's dark. It's gritty. A totally addicting adventure you won't want to miss!
LogLine:Ancient magic has been unleashed into the world. It’s willing to do anything to survive, even if it means war. Only one woman can kill it…or set it free. 
Blurb:The local witches’ coven offers Raven a trade: Surrender herself to them for one week or give up a member of her pack. She thought they wanted to study her, but Raven discovers something far worse—murder. To save her pack, Raven must make the ultimate sacrifice…her freedom.
Witches are being drained of power and killed using a wild magic that’s been dormant for centuries. Tasked with locating the one responsible for releasing it, Raven soon finds herself the prey rather than the hunter. The more lives the magic claims, the stronger the killer becomes. As she and her pack scramble to unravel the secrets of the coven, her own beast starts to wake, and she’s not sure which is more dangerous…the killer or her beast. But one thing is sure, if the coven and pack don’t learn to work together, none of them will survive the coming storm.
Excerpt:“When’s the last time you fed?”
Rylan stiffened as if she’d asked him the last time he had sex.
His silence spoke volumes.
“You’re injured, balanced on a sword’s edge. Can you go another night without feeding?” The last thing they could afford was for him to lose control. “I can—”
“No!” Both men spoke at once.
Rylan’s eyes changed from one blink to the next, the lovely blue gone, revealing the pure predator beneath.
“He can take mine.” Durant spoke the words behind clenched teeth.
Both men grimaced.
“You’re injured as well.” Raven headed toward the door. “I’ll talk to the shifters—”
“It’ll be better if it come from me.” Durant rolled up his sleeve, and her eyes automatically dropped to gawk at the lovely muscles that corded his arm. They were so distracting that it took her a full minute to notice the claw marks that twisted up his forearm.
He was healing but slowly.
She found herself drawn closer. “You need time to heal.”
He grabbed her hand and pressed it against his chest, his tiger giving a faint rumble of pleasure at the simple touch. “Even injured, I’m the strongest shifter here. My blood is more potent than the others’. Your vampire will heal faster and won’t need to take as much.”
She glanced over her shoulder to see Rylan shrug, his face betraying none of his emotions. “He’s correct.”
Raven tightened her lips against arguing. The decision was difficult enough for them without her saying anything more. Because of their distrust of each other, Durant wouldn’t have offered, nor would Rylan have accepted, if they had any other choice. “Very well. How do you want to do this?”
She pulled away, nervous energy skating up her spine, and she couldn’t stop fidgeting. Before she could take another step, Durant grabbed her arm and dragged her closer. “This will go better if you stay in sight.”
Apparently in sight meant plastered against his chest.
“We’re both predators. Neither of us was built to tolerate the other in our territory. We can use you as a buffer.” He ran a hand up her back in a way that made her shiver and melt against him. “It will keep both of us in check.”
It sounded logical, but the closer Rylan came, the more she felt ready to jump out of her skin. Durant growled low in his throat, narrowing his eyes over her head, his hold leaving bruises.
“Distract him.”
Raven jolted at Rylan’s soft demand.
Easy for him to say.
How do you distract an animal from its prey?
Feeling foolish, Raven stood on her tiptoes, placed her hands on either side of Durant’s face and pulled his head down to hers. The growling stopped. She leaned in closer, her lips only inches apart from his, and held him still. “Hold out your arm.”
His brows furrowed, and Raven leaned back infinitesimally. Not an inch passed before he thrust out an arm. “My kiss.”
It was a gruff demand.
She studied his mouth, remembering the wild taste of him, and shivered with the need for more. She brushed her lips against his once, a feather-light touch, savoring the forbidden.
Rylan used the distraction and sank his fangs into the curve of Durant’s elbow.
Durant grunted as if struck, and the big tiger tensed at the invasion. Fearful he’d pull away, Raven deepened the kiss, nibbling at his lips until he growled and took control. His mouth ravaged hers as if he’d been starved for the taste of her. Her knees weakened, and he ruthlessly took advantage by dragging her up his body and demanding more.
She ran her hands up his chest and grabbed his shoulders, loving the way he hummed with pleasure at her touch. By the time he lifted his head, she was breathless and wanting more. Rylan was pressed against her back, Durant against her front, and she felt cherished.


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Goodreads Book Giveaway


Electric Heat
by Stacey Brutger

Giveaway ends April 02, 2015.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

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What's happening in the rest of the month on Erotic Notions17 – Author Spotlight – Liza O'Connor – Well Kept Secrets18 – WIP It Up Wednesday #Wipitup 19 – Thursday 13  #Thurs1320 - Book Boyfriend Cafe21 – My Sexy Saturday #MySexySaturday22 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday 23 – Author Spotlight – Melissa Kier – Cowboy Up 224 – Author Spotlight – Ines Johnson 25 - WIP It Up Wednesday #Wipitup 26 – Thursday 13  #Thurs1327 – Book Boyfriend Cafe28 – My Sexy Saturday #MySexySaturday29 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday30 – Author Spotlight - Kay Jaybee - The New Room31 - Author Spotlight - Blair McDowell - Romantic Road