Carrie Ann Ryan's Blog, page 196

A Taste for a Mate: Six Sentence Sunday - #26

My six sentences today come from A Taste for a Mate, book 2 in the Redwood Pack series. It comes out Feb 6th! So close! 
Willow has just woken up and not fully awake yet. :-)

Questions formed and tumbled in her mind, cooling the surrounding warmth as she tried to make sense of what was happening.
The sounds of footsteps on the lush carpet mingled with the crunching of grass beneath a person's foot. The bending of a blade of grass underneath a paw sounded crisp and clean. A door opened to a home, followed by more footsteps.
Behind the intense sandalwood came the strong scent of freshly ground coffee, fatty bacon sizzling in a pan, the creamy scent of homemade pancakes with fresh whipped cream and berries. The sharp citrus smell of squeezed orange juice overpowered her scenes as she caught a whiff of wood shavings.
Find the other sixers here.

Finding Romance in Science

Please welcome Kat Duncan to the blog today! 


Be sure to comment at the end of the post b/c she will be awarding gift basket worth over $15 of Irish items to one randomly drawn commenter (US/Canada only please). Be sure to follow the tour by clicking the logo, because the more the enter, the better chances you have!





Finding Romance in Science

We expect romance to sweep us off our feet and transport our often weary, jaded psyches to new and exciting realms and places only our minds can reach. Romance makes us believe in human goodness, fate, destiny and countless other imponderables. We expect science, on the other hand, to ground us, to give our skeptical, suspicious minds facts that help us understand how the world works and why people behave the way they do. Science doesn't ask us to believe anything. Science provides factual knowledge, and proof to back up that knowledge.


So, what happens when romance invades science, or the reverse? You might think the obvious answer is chaos, but the true answer is synergy, a blend that has advantages for both romance and science. Not so very long ago science was based on belief and not evidence. Nineteen people died in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692 on the say-so of a few young girls who accused people in their town of afflicting them through witchcraft. The judges and juries at the time accepted belief as proof and condemned hundreds of innocent people to die. And die they did, until the governor of Massachusetts intervened, making a rule that belief was not enough. He declared there must be evidence to go along with the claims. Although the incidents in 1692 were not heralded as the beginnings of science, it stand as an example of what can happen when beliefs are shored up with underpinnings of science.


Great. So, what happens when science is shored up by romance? In the short time since 1692 have scientists lost their romantic sides, if ever they possessed such things? I think not. It is the romantic side of science that keeps scientists interested in pursuing answers to some of our most difficult questions. Nearly thirty years ago, award-winning scientist Carl Sagan discovered that the brain of a well-known scientist, Paul Broca, had been preserved in a jar in a museum in France. Dr. Sagan's romantic side wondered if Broca's memories were still alive and well in that jar and further wondered whether it would someday be possible to access them and learn all that Broca knew.


Authors also have such wondering thoughts. Unlike true scientists who must stick to physically provable evidence, authors can wander about in their imaginations and take legions of readers on the journey with them. It is a completely romantic notion to think that as you read Synapse you are really wandering with me in my mind as I wonder what may be possible in the world of science as well as in the world of romance. If there were no romance in science, or no science in romance, both of these worlds would be diminished. It is only in the blending, and the synergy, of these and other worlds that can make us wonder and dream and through these dreams and wonderings search for and discover all that is new and exciting.



Kat Duncan is a creation extremist who is doing her best to identify human creativity and free it from captivity, one student at a time. As a young child, Kat once tried to confess the telling of her stories to her parish priest because she thought they fit the definition the nuns gave for telling a lie. With her lies fully sanctioned and blessed by church authorities, Kat has been telling her lies ever since and writing stories to entertain and enlighten. After a successful career as a software engineer, Kat decided she needed something different to do. She's now a tutor of adolescents with special needs.
Web: http://www.katduncan.netBlog: http://www.katduncan.net/writeaboutTwitter: @write_aboutFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/writeabout



Blurb:
Stalked by a killer bent on stealing her laboratory notebook, scientist Molly Augur is desperate to figure out who she can and cannot trust. With the help of co-researcher Bill Banely, she uses DNA technology she invented to prove she can release hidden ancestral memories. In the brain synapses of her mind she finds one person who may know the truth - her long dead ancestor, Mailsi, whose life memories have been recorded in the depths of Molly's genes.
Ancient passions and betrayals come alive and collide with the present when Molly discovers philanthropist Dr. Philman, with a secret billion dollar need for the technology only she possesses could be the one after her notebook. And Bill, whose wandering heart she has finally won, is working for Philman. In the face of limitless money, what is the value of Bill's love? Or the value of her life? The answers lie deep within the synapses of her mind.
Excerpt
"Banely!" she screamed. "The hydrogen tank. It's gonna blow. Run!"
Banely disappeared and she heard the massive lab door slam shut. The floor trembled like a pending volcanic eruption. She covered her eyes and sucked in a breath. The impact hit her and she went rolling. But it wasn't the hydrogen. It was Banely. After his flying tackle he pulled her behind a concrete lab bench, his arms gripping around her, forming a protective shell. A pop, and a whoosh of gas.
She moaned, waiting for the explosion.
Nothing.
Just the steady hiss of escaping gas.
Cautiously, she looked around the corner of the bench at the cloud of helium that blanketed the fuelsile as the automatic exhaust system sucked away the cloud of frozen hydrogen.
"The helium extinguisher worked," she whispered.
"The what?" He sat up, still holding her.
"Don't move," she said, her voice hushed as if any disturbance would upset the delicate balance of gases. "It's not over yet." The hiss slowly lessened, and then it stopped.
Silence. Except for two heaving chests.
She sat back, allowing herself one muffled sob as she covered her eyes.
"It's ok, Molly. It's over. No one is hurt." His arms were still around her.
Her beautiful DNA machine. Gone. She wanted to bury her face into his chest and cry.
"What's going on?" he asked. "You shouldn't be working alone on a machine like this. It's dangerous."
She looked to the damaged fuelsile that could never again be used. "You're right. I'm not supposed to be in here alone. The dean would fire me."


Be sure to comment at the end of the post b/c she will be awarding gift basket worth over $15 of Irish items to one randomly drawn commenter (US/Canada only please). Be sure to follow the tour by clicking the logo, because the more the enter, the better chances you have!

Writing Hot Scenes with Louisa Masters

Writing Hot ScenesYou're reading a book. The tension between the hero and heroine has been slowly building over the last few scenes. They're ready to have sex, you just know it...You're writing a book. You've slowly built the tension between the hero and heroine, and it's time for them to do the nasty...crap. Now you have to write it.A lot of writers can scribble off a hot scene without a hitch. Not me. For me, it takes concentration, focus, and a whole lot of self-encouragement. The problem: balancing the what-goes-where with the sensations and emotions the character is experiencing. Hands can stroke, lips can caress, other parts can clench and/or throb...but then what? How does the character and the recipient react? Do they shudder? Does their skin tingle? Muscles tremble?Plus, there's the whole repetition thing. How many times can a person shudder in one scene?I've been told to draw on personal experience. It's a great idea in theory, but in practice, if you're doing it right you're not taking notes. So when I sit down to write a hot scene, it's usually after I've done some research. What have I seen, read, heard about that I find interesting, that I might like to try myself. What have I done before that was...erm...fun? Even if I can't remember the details, I can remember how I felt afterward.Next, I think about my characters. Are they adventurous and open to new things? Shy and need coaxing? Are they with a new partner or someone they've known intimately for years?Now I have the overall scene hashed out, and it's time to focus on the technical. Whose hands go where, when does tab A go into slot B—or whatever else they might do.I hate to admit it, but generally I go back after I've written the scene and add in the reactions and emotions. I find it easier after the mechanics have been taken care of!My question to you: how would you write a hot scene? Could you do it all in one go, or would you need to build the components in stages?
A born reader, Louisa discovered her love of romance at an early age and began sneaking her mother's romance novels by age twelve. A sucker for a happy ending, she was often disappointed by the lead up–not enough sexy stuff. Where was the anticipation, the flirting, the tension? Her solution? Write it herself.
Living in Melbourne, Australia, she is renowned for complaining about the weather and the calories associated with eating ice cream, but has learned to ignore both and enjoy life anyway. Visit Louisa at www.louisamasters.com
With her resignation submitted, Jeannie Price has one last task she's itching to perform before leaving her job. After months of sitting next to hot, sexy colleague Tim Harding, it's time to turn fantasy into reality with a scorching invitation to collaborate on matters of the flesh in Conference Room B. Then she can walk away without regrets.
Tim's dreams of wild, sweaty sex with Jeannie come true when he accepts her offer, but he's stunned to learn she doesn't want to see him again after their steamy tryst. She may be trying to brush him off as just one more item on her To-Do List, but he's determined to convince her there's nothing taboo about inter-office relations.
Excerpt :"Do you want to have sex in Conference Room B?"Tim Harding jerked his head up from the cost analysis on his computer screen. Jeannie Price was leaning on the partition between their desks, her dark eyes fixed on his face. He took a moment to admire them as he pondered her words."Is this a hypothetical question?" he asked finally. "Because—" "It's not a hypothetical question. It's an invitation." Her words slammed straight to his cock. Was she joking? Had she guessed that she was the star of his late-night fantasies? He'd even pictured taking her in the office—okay, he'd imagined the boardroom, but he was flexible.He swallowed, hard, his cock twitching. She'd been very flexible when he imagined her on his balcony. And in his shower. And... "I'll tell you what," she said. "I'm going to be working in Conference Room B for the next half hour. You think about it, and if you decide to join me..." She shrugged, and her long brown hair slid forward, drawing his eyes to her breasts. In his dreams, her hair flowed over her naked breasts, her nipples peeking through the locks, and when he drew her down over him, it would swing forward, surrounding them like a silken tent...She straightened, gathered up her laptop and notepad, and handed him an inter-office envelope. "This may help you make up your mind."He watched her walk away, the sway of her hips and the way her dress slid across her ass making him shift uncomfortably.
Louisa will be giving away three $10 Amazon GCs to randomly drawn commenters during the tour. Follow the tour here. 

Spicing Things Up with Romance Novels with Roni Loren

Well, that sounds interesting...Spicing Things Up with Romance Novels
One of the beautiful things about books is that we as readers can explore things we may never experience. A passionate affair with a duke, an exciting adventure in another universe, being on the hunt for a crazed serial killer. It's all at our fingertips. And when it comes to romance, especially erotic romance, it gives us a safe place to explore fantasies we may not ever tackle in our real life.
Or...it may give you ideas on how to spice up your current relationship. It'd be an interesting study to know how many people who read erotic stories end up taking some of those activities and bringing them into their own bedrooms. Reading stories is a good way to find out what appeals to you without risk.
I had a few people who have read my book that said--loved the book, but I can't see kneeling and calling any guy sir. I get a kick out of that response because it's so interesting to see how different people react. My usual reply to that reaction is--then you probably aren't hiding a secret submissive side. Maybe you want to be in charge. Or maybe the whole power exchange dynamic wouldn't do anything for you.
On the flip side, I've had others say that they never realized the submissive role appealed to them until they read a BDSM book. So it can be a good way to safely discover where your interests lie. Feel yourself getting a little flushed when you read a bondage scene? Maybe that's something to try with your partner. What have you got to lose? If it's a flop, you'll probably at least get a laugh out of it.
And of course, always do your research. If you're going to try something a little involved, make sure you learn about it and do it with someone you trust. Though BDSM romances often have the characters getting into that dynamic pretty quickly, it's not something to jump into with someone you don't know well and without rules and limits set up and discussed. Like anything else, be smart.
So have you discovered anything about yourself through reading a romance? What kind of book would you like to jump into and "live" if you knew you could jump right back out when you wanted?
Roni wrote her first romance novel at age fifteen when she discovered writing about boys was way easier than actually talking to them. Since then, her flirting skills haven't improved, but she likes to think her storytelling ability has. Though she'll forever be a New Orleans girl at heart, she now lives in Dallas with her husband and son. If she's not working on her latest sexy story, you can find her reading, watching reality television, or indulging in her unhealthy addiction to rockstars, er, rock concerts. Yeah, that's it. Her debut novel, CRASH INTO YOU, will be published by Berkley Heat January 3, 2012.
Website/Blogs: www.roniloren.comTwitter: www.twitter.com/ronilorenTumblr (where I post mancandy photos): http://roniloren.tumblr.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/roniloren Buy links for book: www.roniloren.com/books
Brynn LeBreck has dedicated herself to helping women in crisis, but she never imagined how personal her work would get, or where it would take her. Her younger sister is missing, suspected to be hiding from cops and criminals alike at a highly secretive BDSM retreat—a place where the elite escape to play out their most extreme sexual fantasies. To find her Brynn must go undercover as a sexual submissive. Unfortunately, The Ranch is invitation only. And the one Master who can get her in is from the darkest corner of Brynn's past.
Brynn knows what attorney Reid Jamison is like once stripped of his conservative suit and tie. Years ago she left herself vulnerable only to have him crush her heart. Now she needs him again. Back on top. And he's all too willing to engage. But as their primal desires and old wounds are exposed, the sexual games escalate—and so does the danger.  Their hearts aren't the only things at risk. Someone else is watching, playing by his own rules. And his game could be murder.
CRASH INTO YOU - EXCERPT 1:
Brynn's response lodged in her throat, the all-too-familiar name ringing in her ears. No, couldn't be. But a sinking feeling settled in her gut. She'd only met one Reid in her life, and that Reid was a lawyer. She closed her eyes and took a steadying breath before she turned around to face her new co-worker.Reid's blue-eyed gaze met her head-on, hitting her like an airbag to the chest. She sucked in a breath and fought the old instinct to lower her eyes in deference. Son of a bitch, where had that urge come from? She ticked up her chin and gave him her best I-hate-you-but-will-be-polite-because-I'm-the-bigger-person glare. "Hello."Cooper walked around Brynn and clapped Reid on the shoulder. "Reid, I'd like you to meet our other social worker, Brynn LeBreck."Reid nodded, his expression annoyingly unreadable. "Brynn, pleasure to see you again. It's been a while."Not long enough. Three years had passed since she'd last seen him. His inky hair was longer on top and a few lines creased the corners of his eyes, but time hadn't softened her warring responses to him. The urges to pummel his face and strip naked before him held almost equal weight. Luckily, the venue was too public to give in to either. She feigned an air of indifference. "It has.""Still as beautiful as ever, though."The warm notes of his voice stirred the dark recesses of her memory, further inciting the old longing. She shifted in her heels as hot tingles crept from deep in her belly and moved downward to settle between her legs. Un-f**king- believable. Her body was a whoring traitor.Melody stepped next to Brynn as if sensing her need for support, and Cooper's eyebrows rose. "You two know each other?"Boy, did they—in just about every way a man and woman could. She searched Reid's face, and he tipped his head infinitesimally, as if giving her permission to answer the question. Her eyes narrowed. "Used to. Long time ago."Cooper smiled, either oblivious or unperturbed by the tension zipping through the air between her and Reid. "Great. Guess introductions weren't needed then."Nope. Not needed. Brynn knew exactly who Reid Jamison was. A first-class bastard.(Full version of chapter one can be read here: http://www.roniloren.com/excerpts )
Roni will be giving away:
* One signed set of Romance Trading Cards for "Crash Into You" to a random commenter at every stop.

* A $25 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. 
Be sure to follow the tour here.

Matchmaking in Romance

Please welcome Dana Littlejohn to the blog today!

Dana is giving away a promo pen and T-shirt to two different commenters throughout the tour! Be sure to follow the tour here for a better chance to win!




Matchmaking in Romance
Hello everyone!I am Dana Littlejohn, author of sensual erotic romance. The topic today is matchmaking in romance. When I first saw the topic I had no clue what I was going to write about. I went through my completed books list to see if I even had any books that someone did any matchmaking. When I realized I didn't have any, I thought a little more and hold the phone. Sure I do!  I was looking at the question all wrong. There matchmaking going on through a romance novel. I mean, isn't that the point? The main character finds the perfect match for them be it through another character within the storyline or the fates step in and do it for them. I realized after going through my stories that almost all of them are fate induced romances. You now the ones I'm talking about…some how, some way two star crossed lovers meet and bam! Something sparks inside them and they know that they know that they know they are supposed to be with that person. In my books your everyday shmoe gets the girl because fate stepped in and said he was worthy and even the gods themselves find true love. In the first two books of my Erotes series Aphrodite's sons Eros and Himeros are charged by Zeus to bring lovers together in their mother's absence, but in the next two books, the son she had with Hermes, Hermaphroditus and the daughter she had with Poseidon, Herephile have been sent to Earth to find love for themselves. They were guided by the hand of their mother to the one that needed them the most. I believe that matchmaking is an intricate part of the whole romance thing. Sometimes it's not as blatant as what Aphrodite did with her children, but a subtle match works too. In my Asian Spice, Taniea and Michael weren't trying to be together at all. They had an arrangement they agreed upon while she was in China that worked for both of them, but fate stepped in and said otherwise. The more time they spend together, well, you get the idea. After you have read chapter after chapter about these people you're invested in their future. Here they are avoiding love and the people you know they're supposed to be with. It's driving you crazy, making you want to reach onto the pages and strangle them. True love is right in their face and they're blinded by some other drama they can't shake. Then finally, the author has mercy on you and allows fate to step in and bring them together. That virtual Cupid's arrow hits the main character right in the butt and suddenly it on! They have to have them and will do anything to get them. That's the best part of reading romances isn't it? Those are the books that become your favorite.I think it's the 'matchmaking' that makes one romance different from another. How they actually end up is a big part in the romance. I try to make that part as different as the characters themselves in my story. Sometimes that's easier said than done, but I do try. JDana Littlejohnwww.danalittlejohn.net
  Dana Littlejohn was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, but has called Indianapolis, In. her home for over ten years. She has always wanted to write since early childhood, but put that wish on hold to raise her growing family and have a career. With the encouragement of her husband, Dana picked up her pen again in 2003 and has no intention on putting it down. With 3 novels, 8 novellas, 4 stories in anthologies, 42 short stories published to date and a long list of wip (works in progress) she is literally living her dream. Join her on the wild journey through her imagination. It's a ride you'll never forget!
Blurb:
Jade Dupree had always been a hot commodity among the young airman. She tried not to date them, but having an old school mother and a worldly father gave her a challenging social life. Her mother's only goal in life seemed to be to get her to settle her down with the next available airman and birth as many babies as possible. Her father's outlook for his children's future was much less intense. Jade let her mother set her up with an extremely handsome tech sergeant, just as she met the very interesting Mike Davis.Having spent time with both men Jade can't help but wonder if her mother finally got lucky in choosing Steven Jones for her…or was Mike Davis a better match for her after all? 
Website: www.danalittlejohn.net Blog: www.authordanalittlejohn.blogspot.com Facebook: search authordanalittlejohn Twitter: follow authordanalittlejohn
ExcerptHe laughed again. "Yeah, okay. You know, you dance good for someone who got dragged out to the dance floor."  "It's well." "What's well?" he asked, sending a quick look over his shoulder. "It's, 'you dance 'well' for someone who got dragged to the dance floor.'" Mike's brows scrunched as he twirled her again. "That's what I said."  Jade shook her head negatively, careful not to miss the beat. "No, that's not what you said. You said good." "Good is bad?" the man asked with a raised brow. Jade continued to stare at his feet to stay in step with him. "No, good isn't bad, it's just not right." "So, good is wrong, but not bad?" he asked in a teasing tone. "No, good isn't—" Suddenly she stopped moving and looked up at him. "Are you doing that on purpose?" "Doing what? I'm learning," he assured her with a laughing grin.  Jade stood on the dance floor staring into his smiling eyes as the people continued to dance around them. Then she rolled her own. "Whatever."


Dana is giving away a promo pen and T-shirt to two different commenters throughout the tour! Be sure to follow the tour here for a better chance to win!

A Taste for a Mate: Six Sentence Sunday - #25

This is from my upcoming release A Taste for a Mate. It comes out Feb 6th and is book 2 in the Redwood Pack series. :-)


Jasper wrapped her hair around his fist and kissed her with bruising force. He unsnapped her jeans and had them down around her ankles before she could blink. She gasped as his fingers twisted the sides of her thong and tore it from her body.
He kissed and nibbled her neck around the fading mate mark before lifting his head and turning her around, bending her over the couch. The rasp of a zipper and rustle of jeans sent shivers over her spine. He danced his fingers across her thighs, before he finally brushed against her clit. 


Be sure to check out the other sixers here.

A Sneak Peak of A Taste for a Mate Chapter One

A Taste for a Mate is the second book in the Redwood pack series comes out Feb 6th. I'm so freaking excited about this LOL. My debut, An Alpha's Path , came out in Dec and is the first book in the series. I've been slowly gearing up to share Jasper and Willow with y'all.

A Taste for a Mate is three times longer than An Alpha's Path and darker. I got to explore new sides to the world and just have fun with it. I'm going to share the first chapter with y'all now and I can't wait to share the rest!

Blurb:

Jasper Jamenson's only responsibility to being the Beta of the Redwood Pack, second son of the Alpha, is to protect the Pack from themselves and the human world. After a century of selfless service, his brother's new found mating forced him into taking a good look into his life. He isn't sure he wants a mate, but fate may have other ideas.
Willow Delton is a skinny, bakery owner – the type most woman love to hate. Being without family, she finds herself alone to the Greek god with green eyes who saunters into her bakery every morning. Her desire to follow him, to be with him, overrides every rational sense she possessed.
Jasper and Willow are drawn together, despite every nuisance that works against them. But evil beyond even Jasper's supernatural compensation will make war against him, by going after the only thing in his eternal life he desires – Willow. Is Willow's heart enough to overcome Jasper's soul to save her life? A fight he cannot win, but to save her life – he must.


Chapter 1

The scent of cinnamon and sugar danced on the air as Willow Delton heaved opened the heavy oven door to remove her prized cinnamon rolls. The plump, buttery pastries were baked to perfection, and she set them on the counter to cool. The only thing missing was her thick and creamy frosting, but that would have to wait. Willow stood back and stared around her commercial grade kitchen. She'd started her bakery from scratch, and it had grown into a successful, albeit small, business. Incredible, really. She'd never thought the day would arrive when she finally had a place to call her own. She was right where she wanted to be. Her favorite part of the day was being able to meet one-on-one with her customers. She loved the looks on their faces when they bit into her temptations,  that look of ecstasy not seen on this side of the bedroom door that flashed across their eyes.Of course, that particular look as the result of a man was long absent from Willow's face. Too excruciatingly long. She stood back and closed her eyes, conjuring the memory of her mystery man's face. The image that filled her mind made her forget the lack of human contact. The thought of his deep, husky voice tickled her spine whenever he spoke. Green eyes caught her in his web with only a glance. She'd fallen for a stranger and didn't even know his name. He'd come into her store every morning and ordered a cinnamon roll and coffee with only a few words. Then he 'd pay cash before lifting up the corner of his mouth in a semblance of a smile and walking out of her store. Was it strange she worried he'd keep walking and never return? A bell's tinkle pulled Willow from her reverie and self-pity. As she turned to greet her customer, her heart leapt to her throat. Him. Her mysterious fantasy man. As she tried to regain her senses, she took all of him in. He had to be one of the tallest men she'd ever seen, easily over six and a half feet. The tight black T-shirt he wore hugged his biceps and cut into his muscular physique, while his broad shoulders stretched and strained the seams. His body tapered down to a narrow waist and hips as they met his thighs. His long legs she wanted to grip, encased in worn jeans lead to work boots. Hmm, construction perhaps? She glanced back up his body to his striking face.He wasn't beautiful, but he did have a face most women would dream about. A strong jaw and cheekbones gave him an aura of strength, the kind of strength that would be protective. His hair was midnight black and long enough to brush his shoulders, however, today, a band held it back, showcasing his face more. He studied her, his green eyes calm and calculating. Willow let out a surprised gasp at the sexual heat radiating from him. Could she possibly be imagining things?

****

Jasper Jamenson fought himself as he walked into the bakery that morning. This would be the seventh week in a row he'd come here, every day but Sunday. And that was only because the damn store was closed. As good as the cinnamon rolls were, and they were little tastes of heaven, it was the woman behind the counter that brought him there every morning.Following a particularly bad night in the forest on a hunt, Jasper had been pissed and hungry. Another wolf had tried to play a dominant game, forcing Jasper to hurt him. The stench of the other's defeat had remained on him, only angering Jasper that much more. The scent of the morning's freshly baked goods pulled him through the quaint and welcoming door, and the slender goddess who served him brought thoughts of a different form of servicing to mind.Slightly above average in height – he would guess about five foot seven – she was the perfect height to settle against his body. For someone who owned and operated a bakery, she was as skinny as a rail. However, if he looked close enough he could see the telltale signs possible of curves. And with just a little bit of his help and pampering she would gain some well-needed cushion. No matter what, she'd look amazing underneath him. Her long, light brown hair curled in a bun on the top of her head. His fingers ached to pull out the pins and watch it tumble down her back. Hazel eyes sought him and begged for his protection. Damn, he was willing.Her look made the wolf within him perk up and growl."Mate? I want her". His wolf paced beneath the surface of his skin, calculating the best way to quickly claim their mate.What his wolf spoke of was a possibility. There were only a few women in the world through time that carried the scent to signal the potential mating. Unlike his brother Kade, who had met two women recently that carried the scent, Jasper had never in his one-hundred and three years come across a woman who brought forth the mating urge. However, if all encounters were like this one, Jasper didn't know how others walked away. The urge rode him hard and he fought his wolf for control if only for a moment, something that hadn't happened since he was a pup.He mentally spoke to his wolf. "We are not ready for a mate. And a human no less. She knows nothing of us. If, and that is a big if, we chose her to be our mate, we will have to go slowly into this. I don't want us to scare her. But she is beautiful, no"His wolf growled in response."Do you want to scare her away? Let's get to know her first, see if she is a good match, other than that incredible cinnamon scent. I'll talk to Adam and find out everything I can about her. I am the Beta; I cannot put my Pack in jeopardy."God, he really sucked at this. This time he needed to put on his big wolf panties and actually ask her out. "Then we could mark her." He snorted at his wolf. Yeah, that was taking it slow.Jasper shook himself from his inner thoughts and looked into those hazel eyes. The spot of flour on her cheek begged for his hand to brush it way. He fought the urge. No need to freak her out. Her chest moved slowly, her small breasts rising and falling. The cinnamon scent of her filled his nostrils and he took a deep breath, the aroma going straight to his cock. The slight gasp that escaped from her kissable lips almost broke his control, and he fisted his hands to regain it."Good morning." His voice lowered an octave and became a growl. He cleared his throat and started again. "I come here every morning and I don't think I ever gave you my name. Let me rectify that." He closed the distance between them so only the counter separated them. "I'm Jasper Jamenson. It's a pleasure to meet you." He held out his hand in hopes of touching her skin.Willow blinked up at him and seemed at a loss for words. Her lips opened slightly, begging him to lean down and taste her."Uh… yeah… I'm Willow Delton."  She shook her head, gave him a small smile and placed her slender hand in his. He'd been right – her skin was incredibly soft and made him want to take a bite."Yes, I know, you own this place." He gave her hand a squeeze and released her."So, Jasper, do you want your usual?" The sound of his name on her lips hardened his cock. Without waiting for him to respond, she turned back to her work-table to ice her cinnamon rolls."Sounds good." He watched as her hands moved swiftly and confidently across the baking sheets. "What time do you get off?""Smooth, Romeo. Why don't you just ask her to bend over the work table for you?"Ignoring his wolf Jasper continued, "I thought that we could grab a bite to eat tonight and go see to the arts fest they have running in town."Oh dear Lord. Why didn't he ease into this?"Oh, are you asking me out on a date?" She wrinkled her brow and looked utterly confused at the prospect."Yes, I am. I've been in here for over a month every morning, and as much as I love your food, I had an ulterior motive."Surprise flashed across her face before her eyes lit up with excitement. "I've never been to the arts fest in town. I didn't want to go by myself and didn't have anyone to go with me." Her mouth snapped shut at her revealing statement.Laughing quietly, he shook his head. "So what time do you get off?""You really need to stop putting it like that; it gives me ideas." Again, he ignored his wolf's sarcasm."I close at four and should be done cleaning up by five. It's only me here today so it's going to take me an hour to close.""What do you say I come back at six and we go to dinner from here?"Her smile almost blinded him as she nodded before taking off her apron. "Okay. Sounds good. Here's your breakfast." She handed him his black coffee and a small brown bag with a pink logo.Taking everything from her hands, he set them down along with the cash to pay for it. Giving into temptation he leaned over the counter to brush the flour from her cheek.She jumped and a flash of alarm raced across her face.Chuckling under his breath, he reassured her. "Just some flour. I'll see you at six, Willow." He grabbed his breakfast and walked to the door, taking one last look behind him at the woman who was his mate. He was one lucky bastard.Whistling a jaunty tune, he walked toward his Jeep, unconcerned and happy while leaving his mate to do her work. The hairs on the back of his neck lifted, and his wolf came to attention. The street was empty but for a few people; nothing looked out of place. Jasper took a deep breath but didn't detect another presence. With one last look toward his slender brunette, he shrugged off the uneasy feeling and continued to his Jeep.

Interview with Maggie O'Malley

Hi! Thanks so much for coming today. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
            Thanks for having me, Carrie. I'm an old woman who's been married 30 years to              the same wonderful man. It's amazing he's put up with me this long. I have two kids       in college, so I'm broke.              I write erotic, paranormal, romantic, suspense. I love, love, love, love werewolves. They're so alpha.
Tell us a bit about your book.                        Claiming Their Cat is a werewolf ménage. It's about trust and perceived betrayal. Cat escapes from a drug lord right into the hands of Rabid Rio. Rio vows to protect    her and her unborn child if she'll be his mistress. She can't figure out why a man     would want a mistress who's pregnant with another man's child.             Rio has found his mate, but she knows he's a hired killer. He needs to protect her    and the only way he can do that is with her cooperation. He'll kill the drug lord when the time is right, and he won't even think twice about it.            Creed's just returned from deployment and finds his mate standing in the kitchen     that he and his brother share. He's even more surprised that she's also Rio's mate. But he doesn't mind because nature has decreed it. Saving Cat and her baby is the only thing that matters.
Is this part of a series?                     No. Some people have mentioned doing a book about Draco and Lucy, but it's just not in my head.
What did you find the hardest part of writing it to be?                     Getting the time to get all these stories and characters out of my head. I've got one to finish from my other pen name and then I'm itching to start a new series of seven        vampire/werewolf hybrids called the Hell's Hunters Series.
What was your favorite part?                      Typing…The End. Its means I can start getting another story out of my brain.
Rate your story in terms of steaminess
            Hawt. One woman with two lovers can't be anything but sizzling.
Who is your favorite romance author?
            That's easy. Sarah McCarty and her Hell's Eight books. And Reaper books. And    Shadow Wranglers. And etc. Lora Leigh and her Breeds. Christine Feehan and JR     Ward too.
What is your favorite romance book or series? 
Hell's Eight and Breeds
Who is your favorite romance character? If you could go on a date with that person, what would you do? Details please! *wink*
            Any tall, dark, and dangerous werewolf will do—the more the merrier. The perfect date would be sitting at home, snuggling on the couch, watching a football game,     and then taking the tackling into the bedroom.
Boxers or Briefs?
            Commando preferred, then briefs.
What is next for you?
            Write. Write. Write. I'm going to have to start talking five-hour energy at night so I can get more stories done.
What were your first impressions of each other?
            Cat: Rio's scarier than Alvarez. Who knew Mr. Scary would be so damn handsome.            Rio: Why is she running when I just saved her butt. Women are such a pain in the   ass.            Creed: She's beautiful and she's ours. How did we get so lucky?     
What are your favorite parts about each other?
            Cat: Well, they both are very sexy—in and out of the bed.            Rio: Everything. She's a gift. The mother of my child.              Creed: She smells like fresh peaches and sunshine. She's sexy as hell.                             What's next for you?
            Cat: Have more children and then let them convert me so I can romp in the woods with them.            Rio: I'm retiring. Being away from my family would kill me.            Creed: Raising kids and taking care of their mother is enough to last me a lifetime.
Author Bio. . I'm an old author venturing into the world of self-publishing. Kinda scary and exciting at the same time. 
www.maggieomalley.commaggieomalley1@cs.comhttp://tiny.cc/ClaimingTheirCat-amazonhttp://tiny.cc/ClaimingTheirCat-BNhttp://tiny.cc/ClaimingTheirCat-ARE
Claiming Their Cat - Werewolf Ménage
Cat Watson managed to escape from the powerful drug lord Alvarez and right into the hands of the notorious killer—Rabid Rio. Rio promises to protect her and her baby if she becomes his mistress. With no money, what choice did she have?
Rio Wolff has found his mate, and she's carrying another man's child, not that it makes a difference to a werewolf. Cat's running from the bastard, and only he can save her. It would help if she'd stop trying to run away every time he turns his back.
Creed Wolff gazes at the beauty standing in his kitchen and wonders why Rio has broken the rule never to bring a female home. She's Creed's mate so he can forgive his brother. Now he needs to replace Rio's scent with his.
Cat can't believe she lets both brothers pleasure her. Finally, she's found a place where she feels safe, protected, and loved. But her world crashes when she finds out they have sold her to Alvarez.
Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Ménage (m/f/m), anal play/intercourse, sex with toys, and spanking.
Excerpt

Character Take on Mixing Money and Romance

Please welcome Rafe Archangeli, hero of Mad Dog and the Archangel.
Kat will be giving away a Funky Bag and a Toiletries Bag from Kats Kustom KarryAlls, filled with author swag to one random commenter on the tour. US and Canada only, please.

Good morning, Carrie Ann. Many thanks for inviting me to visit your blog today. I always appreciate attention from a beautiful, talented woman; from the looks of your blog you are both lovely and versatile. Nice dress, by the way, it enhances the color of your eyes and the line of your neck. I believe the neck is the most sensuous part of a woman's body, don't you? The long, fluid lines, fragrant with her special scent, supple from habitual use of lotions and balms. 
Alas, I digress from the topic of mixing money with romance.
It is my feeling, at least it always was until I came home to Summerville to bury the man who saved my life a few years ago, that unless a guy wants to wake up some morning and find his dick in a noose, he should avoid all near occasions of heavy attraction. Yeah, yeah, it's just as easy to get your gonads in a vise grip over a poor girl as a rich one, but who wants to take the risk?
Heightened emotions not only interfere with concentrating on the fine details, they are the best way to ruin a perfectly good scam. Success at conning the rich and shameless out of their wealth depends on several factors. First you want to make sure the mark can afford to lose a few million. Second, it's crucial, to me anyway, that they are clearly and truly shameless. Taking money from those who don't deserve to have it in the first place is always a lot more fun than fleecing some poor schmo who happened to fall into a lucky break and won the lottery. Makes my heart go putty pat to screw somebody out of a few bucks.
Physical appearance [on the female marks] doesn't matter one  bit to me though I know it might rank high with other artists of my ilk. I fleece 'em not screw 'em. Nuh uh. Not this guy. Trust me, sex will screw up a plan faster than grease runs through a goose. I ought to know. My latest mark, prior to this little trip down memory lane in Summerville, is named Shelby Lawrence Ainsley Goddard. I barely escaped her talons with my Gucci shorts intact. The woman is a leech as well as a lech. And loaded with enough Botox and silicone to float an armada.  
Again, I digress. I came to Summerville to bury my friend, Deege Thurgood. He saved my life a few years back; I owe him big. Should have kept the lines of communication open over the years, I know, but things happen. Know what I mean? Living life on life's terms as we say in the rooms of AA. And life just sort of got in the way of me dropping a dime on old Deege to tell him I'd just celebrated ten years clean and sober thanks to him. Not taking the time to say thanks is something I'll regret for the rest of my life.
On top of money, no matter who has it, sobriety is the second reason to avoid romance. Fastest way to watch a woman turn a sickly shade of green is to have a guy admit he once drank, snorted, sniffed and rolled every illegal substance known to man and a few that weren't. Even if said guy comes equipped with a notarized bill of perfect health from the Surgeon General of the United States, mentioning a history of drug abuse dooms a romance quick as spit. Been there and done that, too many times to count.
Now that I think about it, maybe I should have used that line with Shelby Goddard. Would have saved a lot of blood, sweat and tears. Of course if I did that, I'd have missed out on her check with all those lovely zeroes to the left of the decimal point.
But, I suppose you want to know about Amazing Grace Dunavan. The night we met I had no idea she was one of the Eastman Industries Dunavans. If I had, I'd have ignored those hip swinging hips and gutsy laugh, tipped my hat to her and been on my way. But when it comes to the Samba, that woman dances like a whirling dervish. If I didn't know better I'd swear she just came off the beach at Ipanema. It wasn't until later that she had spent time in Rio de Janiero but not on the beach.
I mean, can you picture it―a con man and a nun?
Nope. Mixing money and romance is a sure killer.Thanks for having me, Carrie Ann. I appreciate the invite.Rafe   
About Kat:
Over the years I've had the honor to work at a number of occupations: operating room nurse, malpractice insurance investigator, forensic nurse examiner, victim advocate, wife and mother. Five years ago I became Nana for the first time and, believe me, it's the best job ever!
          Even if I sometimes wish they'd remain in the closet, the years I spent in the OR and labor floor, and later advocating for victims of sexual violence, contribute significantly to the voice of my writing. You don't  spend thirty years playing loyal serving maid and mind reader to egotistical surgeons, then twelve years haunting police stations, Emergency Rooms, and criminal courts without developing an internal alarm system for covert misogyny, rampant apathy, and overwhelming bigotry. 
          I retired my stethoscope and speculum a few years ago but continue to advocate quietly for marginalized populations through Amnesty International and Doctors Without Borders.                     I like hearing from readers. You can contact me through my website: www.KatHenry.com, or blog: www.WildWomanAuthor.blogspot.com                                Blurb
Rafael Archangeli returns home to Summerville to bury an old friend, collect his inheritance, and then return to the only life he knows—conning wealthy women out of their money. In Rafe's world, money not only equals success, it goes a long way to obliterate the stigma of his past.
Grace Dunavan, former nun turned community activist, gave up worldly goods a long time ago with no regrets. But she's never known a man with the raw appeal of the Scourge of Summerville: Rafael Archangeli.
Their first meeting is like an errant strike of lightning, fierce and stunning in intensity, and takes both by surprise. Has Grace turned Rafe into a changed man? Or is he using his inheritance to pull off the biggest scam of his life?
ExcerptSafety First.
A personal motto that served Grace Dunavan well for the past thirty-something years. She never picked up strange men. In fact, she rarely dated men, strange or otherwise. And wasn't she the first to preach the wisdom of obtaining a detailed history—family, medical and sexual before contemplating a walk on the wild side? With any man, including the brother of her best friend.
Especially one whose thick mop of jet colored hair, hooded black eyes and razor-sharp cheekbones, all of which held undeniable appeal for a good girl who always did what the nuns and her parents dictated. With a name like Archangeli he should be a protector, not a walking advertisement that proclaimed: I've Been There, Done That; Let Me Tell You All About It.
As he helped her into her coat, Grace heard Gaby murmur something about an attorney who was trying to track down Rafe. None of it made sense. What woman in her right mind could think straight when faced with a man who redefined potency?
It was a night of firsts for Grace: leaving a party with a man she'd never met before; admitting how and where she'd learned to drive; breaking the land speed record for contemplating her first one night stand.   
Kat will be giving away a Funky Bag and a Toiletries Bag from Kats Kustom KarryAlls, filled with author swag to one random commenter on the tour.  US and Canada only, please.
Follow the tour here.

Which Two Characters Do You Want to See Come Alive?

The Two Characters I'd Love ToSee Come Alive
by Tom Mach
Tom will be giving away a $25 Amazon GC. Be sure to follow the tour here for more chances to win.

Being a novelist who has written three historical novels ( Sissy!, All Parts Together , and Angels at Sunset ), I love this question. There are many historical figures I'd like to see come alive, and choosing only two is difficult.  Well, let's go with the first two who come to mind: Abraham Lincoln and Susan B. Anthony. I selected them because both were leaders in a great war…Mr. Lincoln in fighting for the freedom of black slaves and Ms. Anthony in fighting for the freedom on women who were treated very much like slaves in the 19th century.
When I began to research Lincoln, an iconic legend to most people, I discovered things about him that I never knew before. For instance, when Lincoln was a child in a farm near Hodgenville, Kentucky., he planted pumpkin seeds. Also, he had a rather high-pitched voice when he spoke, his clothes did not fit him properly, and he used the inside lining of his hat to put away notes he had taken.  I would enjoy seeing Abraham Lincoln come alive because there are all sorts of questions I'd like to ask him. I would like to know why he kept men who hated him in his  Cabinet, men like Stanton or Steward. I'd want to ask him if he was surprised that it took so long for African-Americans to secure equal rights.  I'd probably also inquire whether, at the time Mary Todd asked him to go to Ford's Theater, he had a premonition that he shouldn't.
Susan B. Anthony is a misunderstood woman. If you look at her photos you see a woman with a scowl who looks like she's angry at the world. Even if she was, she had a right to be with the way men not only denied women the right to vote but other rights as well—such as the right to own property, the right to divorce a drunken husband who abused her, the right to speak in public, and many other rights. I would like to see her come alive so I could ask her if she's ever been in love and whether she hoped to find a man who would agree with her beliefs. I'd ask her how it was that she never gave up hope of victory. I'd like to know from her how she felt about women today. Have we made enough progress or is there yet a long way to go?  As I wrote my novel, Angels at Sunset (expected to be out in early 2012), such questions kept coming to mind.
In fact, it would be interesting to see Abraham Lincoln have a face-to-face conversation with Susan B. Anthony. Would he apologize to her for not giving women more credit for their humanitarian services during the Civil War? And what would Susan say to him about women being denied the right to be in the military, fully armed and partaking side-by-side with men in battle?
Most of all, I picture both of them having a cup of tea and agreeing that they both won a war but that they wished they didn't have had to resort to conflict.
# # #
Bio:Tom Mach wrote two successful historical novels, Sissy! and All Parts Together, both of which have won rave reviews and were listed among the 150 best Kansas books in 2011.Sissy! won the J. Donald Coffin Memorial Book Award while All Parts Together was a viable entrant for the 2007 Pulitzer Prize Award. He also wrote a collection of short stories entitled Stories To Enjoy which received positive reviews. Tom's other novels include: An Innocent Murdered, Advent, and Homer the Roamer.
His poetry collection, The Uni Verse, won the Nelson Poetry Book Award. In addition to several awards for his poetry, Writer's Digest awarded him ninth place in a field of 3,000 entrants. His website is: www.TomMach.com He also has a popular blog for writers of both prose and verse at http://tommach.tumblr.com
http://twitter.com/kansasauthorhttp://www.facebook.com/kansasauthorhttp://www.linkedin.com/in/tommach
Blurb:This unique collection of 16 short stories written by prize-winner Tom Mach includes stories such as "Real Characters," which is about a writer who gets his wish--that his characters come alive.... "Breakfast, Over Easy" makes you wonder about loyalty in the face of temptation.... "When Kansas Women Were Not Free" takes you to a time when women were less free than former males slaves.... "Son" make you think differently about compassion. One novelist describes STORIES TO ENJOY as "memorable and intriguing, with O. Henry twists that are sure to surprise and entertain."
Excerpt:
Detective Pulaski agonized over the challenge. This one was tougher to solve than the other three. When she finished the upper portion of the puzzle, adrenaline again pumped through her body. She felt a pain in her chest as if she were about to have a heart attack. Aggie blinked twice as she stared at the answers to today's puzzle:"Agatha Pulaski," she said aloud, her voice quivering. "Policewoman, Sib, Twelve." That's crazy. My own brother wouldn't rape and kill me, would he?


Tom will be giving away a $25 Amazon GC. Be sure to follow the tour here for more chances to win.