Demelza Hart's Blog, page 2

Gratuitous filth

So, I’m all excited because my Suited to You trilogy box set is riding higher up the Amazon charts.

Allow me a little squee.

Now, I’ve written books where I develop intricate plot and deeply nuanced characters (and a fair bit of sex). I love those books. I’m proud of them. I’ve also written books where people just have a lot of sex and then some more and a bit more. Hot, dirty, wicked, sinful, dirty, dirty sex.

Which do you reckon people buy more?

Yeah … you got it.

In Suited to You, there’s a lot of sex. A lot. And it sells. So, for those wondering what they’ll get it if they buy it, I’ll help you along:

a) Blow job within a couple of minutes of meeting someone. Because we’re always hungry.

b) Sex in a supermarket hardware aisle within a few minutes of meeting someone. Because it’s crazy.

c) Gangbang in a board room. Because it’s better than Fifty Shades.

d) Sex on a plane within a few minutes of meeting someone. Because flights are boring.

e) Sex and spanking (many times and in various locations). Because of the sting.

f) Sex and restraint (many times and in various locations). Because it feels so goooood.

g) Sex with two policemen after breaking the law. Because we’re all naughty, really.

h) Sex with many footballers in a changing room. Because we’re jealous.

i) Anal. A lot. Oral. A lot. And fisting. Because it reads so well.

j) Lesbian sex. Because it’s worth it.

k) Sparkly, happy, romantic sex with The One. Because we all want it.

And much, much more!

Go on. Make me happy. You won’t regret it, although your wrist may hate me forever.

Suited to You. Amazon UK

Suited to You. Amazon US

What’s in the box?

What is it they say about��three being a magic number?

Now you can read the three adventures of Tara and The Suit together in one box set. Yup, Tara is Spontaneous, Exposed and finally Sated in one big bang.

Seeing the launch of my series in a bundle has made me revisit it. I’d almost forgotten quite how much fun Tara has throughout the course of the books, with any number of luurvely men, but, after all’s said and done, it’s The Suit, Patrick, that she truly wants. I can’t blame her.

I used to curse myself for writing men that made me jealous of my heroine. I’ve certainly done it with Patrick Lark. But then, I’m jealous of him too. Tara is feisty, indomitable, but knows exactly what she wants, despite being touchingly vulnerable to emotion and the need for love. I wish I had the spirit and guts she has.

The Suited to You trilogy is out now as a box set for the bargain price of ��2.99. That’s a whole lot of fun for very little, trust me. ;-)

American friends, please click here.

Snowed In – Listening in as Alice Raine chats to her character, Sean.

Today, I welcome the fabulous Alice Raine, author of the bestselling Untwisted series, to my blog. Alice is another of the authors in our anthology, Love Under the Mistletoe, out now. Here, we get to know one of her characters in a fascinating way.

–xoOox–

Firstly, a big, huge thank you to Demelza for hosting me today!

For this blog I thought I���d write a short chat between myself and the lead male character in Snowed in, called Sean. Snowed In is my festive short story which appears in the Love Under the Mistletoe anthology along with stories by the awesome Demelza Hart, KD Grace and Elizabeth Coldwell.��

I arrive at Sean���s swanky house in the English hills promptly at 10am, and then once I���m comfortably sat on one of the leather stools in Sean���s fancy kitchen we begin to chat.

Sean: Hi Alice, welcome to my house. [Extends his hand to me]

Alice: Hi Sean, thanks for the invite. [I shake his hand, attempting not to swoon at how strong his grip is]

Sean: Can I get you a drink at all? [Indicates to a flashy coffee machine on the kitchen counter]

Alice: Oooh��� I���d love a cappuccino if you can do one?

Sean: Of course, how do you like it?

Alice: 2 shots, a little milk and no sugar please.

Sean: I see you���re a woman who likes her coffee. I���d almost put myself down as a coffee connoisseur, so I like it when others appreciate a good java too.

[After a minute or so Sean places our beverages in front of us and takes the stool opposite, bending one long leg at the knee so he can rest his foot on the rung of the stool]

Sean: So, I���m curious, why did you choose me to be the main character in Snowed In?

Alice: [I take a sip of my delicious coffee to briefly stall my embarrassing answer] Well, I wanted someone who would, um ��� [My cheeks flush] who would be ��� attractive to the readers. [My face is now redder than a tomato] The majority of downloads of my books are by women, so I try to describe characters that appeal to that market.

Sean: [Smirking] So, you think I appeal to the female audience?

Alice: [rolling my eyes at his cocky manner] Yes, Sean, I do. You���re tall, broad, dark haired and handsome. What���s not to like?

Sean: Some people say I���m arrogant and moody.

Alice: [I give a little shrug] Yeah, well, in an erotic romance book a certain degree of arrogance can be an attractive trait too sometimes.

Sean: [Chewing on his lower lip] Really? So all that treat em��� mean, keep em��� keen shit is actually real?

Alice: Well, not specifically no. I just mean that from a readers��� point of view having a male character who is handsome and sure of himself, but a little closed off emotionally can make for interesting challenges in the storyline.

Sean: Right ��� So I���m handsome but emotionally unavailable? Is that what you���re saying?

Alice: Umm … well ��� basically, yes. [Sean���s eyes narrow at my response, so I have to quickly think on my feet] I know you have your reasons, but you can be a touch brusque at times, but like I said earlier, that���s not necessarily a bad thing.

Sean: [Looking sulky] I���m not sure I want to be the main character anymore.

Alice: It���ll be fine, honestly Sean, take my word for it, the female readers will love you.

Sean: Whatever floats your boat I guess, I���m not sure I get it, but you���re the writer. Send me over a copy of the book when it���s done.

Now you���ve had a small taste of what Sean is like, get to know him better by reading the full story!

Thanks again to Demelza for having me!

Alice xx

Small excerpt from ���Snowed In���

(This scene takes place as the female character ���Allie��� is covering a cleaning shift for her friend Sarah, in a supposedly empty house).

Halfway through my mammoth vacuuming session I was building up quite a sweat when the Hoover suddenly cut off. Assuming I had pulled the cable from the wall I spun around to remedy it before letting out an ear-piercing shriek and leaping backwards several steps, clutching at my chest as my heart beat frantically against my ribs.

The hoover hadn���t pulled itself from the wall. No, instead, as I followed the trail of the cable it led me to the hand of a very large man standing in front of me with his arms folded and an incredibly angry expression on his face.

Even in my shock my body noted that he might be angry, but this man was also undeniably handsome, and on top of that, he was only semi-clothed, wearing nothing other than a pair of navy blue pyjama bottoms.

Crikey, what a sight.

Licking my lips my eyes definitely lingered on his well-muscled abdomen for longer than necessary, not to mention his broad chest, but I couldn���t seem to pull my gaze away as I gulped desperately and tugged my ear buds out.

���You���re not Sarah,��� the man stated grouchily, completely bursting my bubble. Of all the words I���d briefly imagined coming from his beautiful lips, those were not the ones I���d hoped for. Although exactly what I had hoped for I wasn���t sure ��� his mere presence seemed to have completely thrown me. His bluntness however, did bring me somewhat back to earth and raised my hackles, so instead of asking the obvious question of who he was ��� the house owner, I hoped ��� I instead opted for a sarcastic response.

���Good observation, you must be a genius,��� I said dryly, rather glad I didn���t sound as shaken or breathless as I felt. My reply caused his dark eyes to narrow in annoyance as he rolled his lips repeatedly between his teeth. Hmm ��� there was something about that look that suddenly made my knees feel a little weaker and to my surprise I felt a low ache of arousal settle in my belly.

Crikey, this was all very unexpected. I hadn���t dated for a while, a long while, I���d been too busy to even notice men, but apparently right now in a strange house, with an equally strange and apparently irritable man was the moment that my body was deciding to react. Just frigging typical.

���Look, I���ve been up for the last forty-eight hours, I don���t need sarcasm. You���re in my bloody house, who the hell are you?��� he demanded in a low, gritty tone, which while causing goosebumps to rise on my arms, also indicated that perhaps now was not the time to push this guy with my runaway mouth.

Keeping it short and sweet I tried to soften him with a smile, but it didn���t seem to have any effect whatsoever. ���Sarah���s ill, I���m covering for her. I���m Allie.���

Nodding once he rubbed a hand through his short, dark hair, leaving it spiky and messy and pulling my gaze to the tightness of his bicep as he moved his arm. Gosh, he was so well built it would almost be criminal not to look.

���Well, Allie, as I just said, I���ve been up for the last two days and I really need to sleep so leave the damn hoovering and just have a tidy up instead.��� Any random attraction I had been feeling was doused by that remark ��� he spoke as if I had turned on the hoover deliberately to wake him!

His condescending tone had my annoyance building again and I narrowed my eyes at him as I straightened my spine. ���You weren���t even supposed to be here today, so don���t have a go at me for trying to do what I���ve been asked,��� I replied tightly.

As hard as I tried to ignore it, I noticed that he was doing that lip-rolling thing again, and in response I found myself licking my own lips. What the heck was I doing? This guy was acting like a stuck-up idiot and I was here appreciating his good looks? I seriously needed to get a grip!

���Yeah, well, I���m back early and I need to sleep and eat, so just make some food and leave it in the fridge.���

Apparently he was lacking in manners too, so I raised my eyebrows at his rudeness like I did with the children in my class, ������ please,��� he added wearily and I nearly smiled at his foul temper. Watching him, I briefly thought that perhaps he looked familiar, but I couldn���t place where I knew him from and I���d certainly remember if I���d ever been to a house like this before.

Shrugging it off I decided it was probably just his good looks that were continuing to confuse me, because even if he was a moody bastard I had to grudgingly admit that he was definitely a very attractive guy. With his minimal clothing there was no disguising the raw appeal of his well-muscled body either ��� the light covering of hair on his chest looked soft, filling me with an urge to touch it, and the angles of his stubble-covered chin were very manly and particularly sexy. All in all it was a rather nice view, if I���m honest.

In the space of two minutes in his company I felt like I was well on the way to losing my mind, so drawing in a shaky breath I tried to clear my head before looking back at him. To my annoyance I found him watching my appraisal of his body with apparent amusement. From the smug smirk on his face I realised with horror that my goofy expressions must have made it pretty obvious what I was thinking.

Damn my traitorous body, damn this bloody job, and damn this man.

Annoyed at my own lack of control, I refused to show him that I was bothered by his presence and so turned in the direction of the kitchen without so much as a backward glance, ���Fine, I���ll make you some food and leave,��� I muttered. Unconsciously I realised I had crossed my arms over my chest as I strode from the room ��� clearly I was feeling a little defensive from my run in with the nameless, and shirtless, handsome stranger.

–xoOox–

Thanks for popping over, Alice! And thanks for the great ‘interview’ and extract. I think we all want to get to know Sean a lot better now! ;-)

Enjoy this and three other fab festive stories in the Love Under the Mistletoe anthology!

Santa Baby – Guest Post by Elizabeth Coldwell

Today, I welcome Elizabeth Coldwell who, along with Alice Raine, KD Grace and me, has a story out in a seasonal anthology packed with naughty but nice Christmas cheer. It’s great to have you here, Elizabeth.

–xxoOoxx–

Hi, Demelza, and thanks very much for hosting me. I’m very happy to be able to talk about my story in the Cariad Christmas anthology, Love Under The Mistletoe – Christmas for One. 

I originally started writing Christmas for One in response to a submission call from another publisher but put it aside when it became obvious I wasn’t going to meet their deadline. So I was delighted when Cariad announced they were looking for Christmas-themed novellas as it gave me an opportunity to return to Dionne and Scott’s tale. And that’s a piece of advice I’d give to any aspiring writers – never abandon an unfinished story entirely. Even if circumstances mean you never complete it, or it becomes clear it’s not working out in its current form, you’ll have scenes and characters you can incorporate into other books.

In Christmas for One, Dionne finds herself spending the holiday season alone in Hawaii, having run out on her wedding rather than marry a man who she’s discovered is cheating on her. The experience has left her emotionally bruised and low on confidence but she’s determined she’s going to make the most of her time on this paradise island. Things take an immediate turn for the better when she meets Scott. He’s the cute hotel employee who is able to sprinkle a little seasonal magic into her life. But what will happen when the holiday ends?

The most important of Scott’s duties involves playing Santa at the beachfront luau thrown for all the guests on Christmas Day. It won’t be spoiling anything to say that he gives her a present she won’t forget in a hurry. If you’ve never thought of Father Christmas as sexy until now, I hope this will be the story that helps to change your mind. After all, if you’ve been good all year he’ll bring you a reward, and if you’ve been bad – well, that’s when the real fun begins!

So enjoy the festivities this year, wherever you spend them, and may Santa bring you everything (and everyone) you want…

 

Excerpt:

She hands me a key card, and I wait for the bellboy to come over. He’s tall, with blond hair that threatens to fall over one eye, and when he smiles, a cute little dimple appears in his cheek. The nametag on his burgundy waistcoat reads “SCOTT”.

‘Scott, could you take Ms Suvari to Room 24?’ the desk clerk instructs him.

‘Of course. May I take your bag, Ms Suvari?’

‘Please, call me Dionne, and there’s really no need …’

The tan leather carry-on isn’t heavy, but he’s already scooping it up out of my hand. When his fingers brush against the back of my palm, my skin seems to tingle in response, and I wonder if he feels it too. But already he’s heading for the elevator.

We take the short ride to the second floor, and step out into a quiet corridor.

‘Here we are.’ Scott takes the key card from me and opens the door.

I’ve been expecting the type of room that’s usually reserved for single travellers; a tiny box, stuck in some out-of-the-way corner, or so close to the elevator that the hum of machinery seeps through the walls. Instead, I find myself looking at a light, airy bedroom with a big, brass-framed bed, a low, cream leather couch, and a coffee table. A small balcony lets out on to the most breathtaking ocean view. The sun is already beginning to set, staining the sky in shades of red and gold.

‘This is really lovely,’ I murmur, reaching into my purse to find a couple of dollars for Scott’s tip. ‘Thank you.’

He gives me a little wink. ‘No problem, Ms – Dionne. And if there’s anything I can do to make your stay more pleasant …’

That sounds like a blatant invitation. Looking into those blue eyes, I recall the brief jolt of electricity that passed between us. But I’m clearly reading a little too much into his comment. ‘Oh, I bet you say that to all the girls,’ I quip.

‘Only the ones who look like they’ve been having a rough time.’

With that, Scott lets himself quietly out of the room. When I can at last tear my eyes away from the spectacular sunset, I pick up the folder on the coffee table. It contains all the information I could need about the resort, and lets me know that dinner is served in the restaurant until 9.30. Plenty of time for me to take a shower and change out of the crumpled clothes I’ve travelled in.

I hunt through my bag for a suitable outfit. Everything I’ve brought with me was intended for Richard’s eyes, from my floor-length black evening dress to my skimpy beachwear to underwear that’s all satin and lace. But there’s a short, floral sundress that I can accessorise with silver and jet jewellery and strappy heels; perfect for dining alone.

Once I’ve stowed everything else in the built-in closet, I take my wash bag through to the en-suite bathroom. It’s stocked with high-end toiletries, and a thick pile of fluffy white towels. Just the kind of luxury I need after everything that’s happened.

As I unzip the bag and reach for my toothbrush, my fingers close around a long, slim box. Intrigued, I fish it out, and don’t know whether to laugh or be shocked. It contains a small vibrator, in a fetching shade of pink, with a smooth shaft and tapered head. When I twist its base, it hums into life, so clearly whoever put it in here has thought of everything. There’s a sticky note attached to the packaging. Written in Jill’s big, looping handwriting are the words “To give your honeymoon a buzz!” She must have sneaked it into my bag while she was helping me put on my wedding dress this morning – and how long ago that seems now. Still, providing me with this toy supports her story that she didn’t have a clue about Richard cheating on me.

Part of me wonders where my rat of an ex-fiancé is right now. In the arms of Marcie Grace, most likely. Well, the two of them deserve each other. At least I found out the truth before it was too late; as humiliating as today has been, things would have been so much worse if I hadn’t learned about the affair until after I’d married him.

I turn the shower setting to “tropical”, letting the water beat down on me. The shower gel produces a creamy lather, rich with the scents of coconut and passion fruit, and it feels good to smooth it over my skin. When I close my eyes, a face swims into my mind. Scott, the cute bellboy with the sweet smile. I recall the last remark he made before he left the room, and wonder if my distress over Richard’s betrayal is really so evident.

It would be nice to have someone around who could help soothe the hurt away. Someone who, if only for a little while, could help remind me there are still plenty of decent, honest men in this world.

Almost without being aware of what I’m doing, I begin to concentrate on soaping up my breasts, brushing my nipples with the pads of my thumbs. In my imagination, Scott stands behind me in the shower stall, his body tight up against mine, and he’s the one who’s caressing my tits. The picture I’m creating is so vivid I swear I can feel the heavy bulk of his cock, trapped between our two bodies. His mouth is pressed to my neck, and he trails soft kisses all the way to the hollow at the base of my throat.

Is it wrong to be weaving a fantasy about a guy I’ve only exchanged a handful of words with? I don’t know, and right now, frankly, I don’t care.

Blurb: When Dionne runs out on her wedding ceremony, spending Christmas in Paradise, alone, seems like the perfect way to heal her heartbreak. But she hasn’t counted on meeting a very sexy Santa who will make this a sensual holiday to remember …

Buy links:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Elizabeth Coldwell is a multi-published author and the former editor of the UK edition of Forum magazine. She was the launch editor of Erotic Stories magazine and one of the co-founders of the Guild of Erotic Authors. She has edited for Xcite Books, and written novels for Headline Liaison and the best-selling Xcite Romance imprint. In addition, her short stories have been published by, among others, Black Lace, Cleis Press, Ravenous Romance, Totally Bound, Torquere and Circlet Press.

She lives in East London, and is a season ticket holder at Rotherham United and a keen baker. Her recipe for Yorkshire Parkin is available if you ask nicely…

She can be found online at The (Really) Naughty Corner.

Sex in public – naughty but very, very nice

A few days ago I wrote about masturbation.. A popular topic, it seems. Today I’m writing about sex in public. One thing distinctly private, the other … not.

I was doing some research into criminal offences for a novel I’m writing and noticed ‘voyeurism and exhibitionism’ ranked as offences.

I knew having sex in public was illegal, but to see it listed alongside more serious offences such as burglary and assault on a public information site was a bit daunting.

I write about sex in public all the time. It motivates Tara, the protagonist of Spontaneous. So, yes, I’m writing about a technically illegal activity, but when my characters do it, they’re very careful about the actual concept of ‘in public’. They’re not going to be going for it where it’s obvious or is going to be seen by anyone who doesn’t want to see.

I’ve often talked about illicit sex being the biggest turn on. There’s sometimes a fine line between illicit and illegal. It’s up to us as writers to tread that line carefully while still testing the boundaries of what is right and acceptable. What is more exhilarating than reaching orgasm, letting yourself go completely, losing yourself, in an environment where you are supposed to do the opposite? That is the appeal of public sex. It breaks the convention of expectations. And there is nothing sexier than the unexpected.

At one point in Spontaneous, Tara has sex with a stranger in a supermarket. If she’s discovered, she’ll spend a night in prison, if not longer. To her, it’s worth the risk. The fantastic thing about erotica is that you can experience it without actually having to take the risk yourself.

Read it and see.

Here’s the teeniest little teaser from when Tara comes and stands right next to a suitable stranger in a nearly empty late-opening supermarket.

At first I didn’t move. I just stood so that the heat and aura of my body pervaded him. I picked up some duct tape and studied it, running my hand over the packaging as if it was a precious and fragile ornament . I could feel his eyes burning into me. I half-expected him to step away but he didn’t. I reached across him for a plug, letting my arm brush against his hip in the process. Still, he remained.

And then, when the elements of erotic tension had combined to near combustion, after ensuring I was masked from prying camera lenses, I slipped my hand up under my skirt, obviously , blatantly, turning my eyes up to him as I did so. His features creased in amazement briefly and his mouth dropped open, but still he didn’t move. He stood, transfixed, his eyes dropping to my hand as I worked my fingers over my sex. Christ, I was dripping. I’d waited days, after all. I gasped in at the first touch on my clit and my upper teeth instinctively closed on my lower lip.

It gets better, trust me. You can find out for the price of a bar of chocolate. Just as much fun, but no calories. ;-)

Book One in the Suited to You trilogy

Spontaneous on Amazon UK

Spontaneous on Amazon US

 

Masturbation? Yes, please.

I’ve written many, many sex scenes in original writing and fan fiction. I still feel like a baby starting out in original erotica, but my fan fiction has been going for a while. Out of the thousands of reviews I’ve been lucky to get over the years (all of which I am so grateful for) I’ve only actually had one which told it like it is.

It went something like this: ‘I’ve just had the greatest orgasm from reading this. Thank you.’

I love and treasure that review. It means I’ve got it right.

The definition of erotica is: Literature or art intended to arouse sexual desire.

What is the aim of the erotica writer?

Yes, plot must always be first and foremost in any story, but then we come to the sex scenes. The purpose of a sex scene in erotica is, to me, twofold. Firstly, it must be essential to plot or character development. At the end of a sex scene, we as a reader must be aware of something in the story or characters that we weren’t aware of before. That is crucial.

But we must also have turned our readers on. And, essentially, that means we need to write something that the reader could, if they wanted, masturbate to or read with a partner (or two).

I won’t go so far as to say that masturbation is a taboo, that would be ridiculous, but why is it so rarely discussed? We’re encouraged to have sex. Everywhere we look, sexual imagery abounds. In the modern world, there is an assumption that we’re all at it like rabbits with any number of partners. But the concept of having sex on your own, especially for a woman, is still slightly tainted with being sad and lonely. What shite!

When Fifty Shades took off, there were many commentators who said that the only women who read it would be lonely women who were incapable of having an active sex life with a partner. Fuck off!

Masturbation is the most empowering thing in the world. For a woman to be able to regulate and control her own pleasure is liberating and essential. People are always asked, ‘When did you lose your virginity?’ To me, an equally if not more important question regarding sexual behaviour is, ‘When did you have your first orgasm?’ For men, this is a reasonably easy answer. Boys start having a fiddle down there as soon as they gain control of their limbs. Everything’s easily grabbable and actually sits up and begs for it. For women, it’s not so obvious. You have to really know what you’re doing to climax. If nobody’s told you, it’s almost impossible to do from self-discovery.

I was what I imagine to be quite young (for a woman) when I first orgasmed. I was twelve. I was living abroad and reading a teen music/pop magazine. The agony column contained a letter detailing exactly what a girl should do to orgasm. The following month the editors were in hot water for this particular letter, with many people up in arms that they were explaining something so explicit in a magazine aimed at teens and even pre-teens. But by then it was too late. It was in print and I had a copy.

Reading the column, it was actually the first time I had some awareness that there was this special feeling you could achieve. I just thought sex ‘felt nice’. I had read about climaxes and ‘coming’ but I just thought it meant the point at which it felt the nicest and everyone was happy.

So I gave it a go, following the instructions carefully … (I seem to remember them recommending pillows …) …

Whoa!

Holy macaroni!

Flippin’ ‘eck!

Okaaaaay … Now I get it! The world would never be the same again. Welcome to the first day of the rest of my life. Masturbation, from that day on, became an essential part of my life.

It has influenced me hugely. I waited a significant number of years before I went ahead and had real, live, actual sex. If I hadn’t assuaged my curiosity about orgasms and been able to keep myself pleasurably happy, I’m sure I would have rushed into sex before I was ready. This way, I was careful and considered, and made sure that I only did it when things were right.

The orgasm itself is not something that seems to be taught in sex education explicitly. Yes, it’s mentioned, but there is an assumption that you either know what it is already (the boys smirk) or that you don’t need to know (the girls look blank).

Now, I admit, I may be wrong about this. Perhaps you all discovered the orgasm easily and early, perhaps you all are open and honest about your masturbation habits. I talk about sex a lot with my friends, but those discussions usually centre around sex with partners. We rarely talk about masturbation and actual orgasms. It just doesn’t happen. I wish it did, but I don’t want to put anyone in an uncomfortable position. Maybe it’s because we’re English, I don’t know.

I pride myself on being able to give people great orgasms through my writing. Yes, I want my writing to be well-written and critically acclaimed as much as anyone, but if someone tells me, plainly and simply, that my writing is hot, then I’m happy. Why not spread as much pleasure as possible? The world’s a miserable enough place. When you’ve got a moment to yourself at the end of a long busy day, go on, pull out a favourite sex scene and have a wank.

Bliss.

And now the shameless but essential plug (not of the butt variety):

If that’s put you in the mood for some me time, try the Suited to You trilogy. Multiple orgasms on offer with those, trust me. If cowboys get you going, Dust and Desire is out now. If sex between the classes in times past is your thing, In Service to the Senses will do the trick. If pirates turn you on, Claimed by the Captain is out in a few days. Enjoy, and I really, really mean it.

Bell pulls and water bottles

They’re rolling out the teasers and promos for the new season of Downton, complete with all the usual mouth-watering usuals: elegant gowns, dapper gentlemen, priceless ornaments … and plastic water bottles.

Yes, one of the promo photos has a water bottle left on the mantelpiece behind Lady Edith. Snarf. Made me laugh, anyway. Job done, even if they are cursing themselves. To be honest, it took me ages to spot it. That’s the thing about see through things, they’re sort of … see through.

Despite the thirst-quenching anachronism, it’s getting us all in the mood for a bit of upstairs/downstairs intrigue, scheming and rumpy pumpy. Can’t wait.

And if, like me, you can’t wait, how about easing your yearning with some more stately home shenanigans? In Service to the Senses tells the story of the feisty relationship between frustrated Lady Isabella and the brooding valet, Edward. And, if that’s not enough passionate fun, when a handsome new footman arrives, Isabella’s eye is drawn to him too.

Here’s a snippety-poo. The staff have just been interrupted by the unexpected arrival of Lady Isabella in their kitchen. She sends them outside.

–xxOoxx–

Despite her startling appearance in the kitchen and her bizarre request, the staff knew better than to argue with Lady Atherton. With a surreptitious glance at each other, they rose rapidly to their feet, bobbed quickly, muttered ‘My lady’ in rushed breaths and hurried out. All except one.

Edward didn’t move. He remained seated as he had been, legs crossed, posture reclining, staring up at the lady of the house with a coolness bordering on arrogance.

Lady Atherton did not enquire as to why he had not left with the others, but instead stared down at him, her tight disdain now gone, replaced by a flush on the smooth cheeks. She drew in rapid breaths. At last Edward slowly, languidly, pushed himself up, tossing the polishing cloth dismissively onto the table. He took steady steps across to the countess, stopping a foot in front of her, and stared down.

“Bored, are we?” he drawled.

“You didn’t come to me last night, Marham.”

“I were busy, my lady. Yer husband wanted his shirts sortin’. Took me all night.”

“I…”

“What, my lady?” He didn’t move. He didn’t uncross his arms.

“I was expecting you. It has been three days since…last time.”

“I’m a busy man, my lady. We can’t be havin’ all fun and games now, can we?” He smirked.

“You told me you’d be there last night.”

Edward sniffed derisively. “Oh, it don’t work like that with me, my lady, y’know that.”

She stepped into him, her sculpted face now open and needing, her words urgent. “Show me how it does work with you, Marham.”

His mouth curled up again and he cocked a teasing eyebrow. “What? Right here and now?”

“Yes. Now. Right now.” She could barely speak between breaths. Lady Atherton reached up a hand and placed it on the valet’s shirt, drawing it up over his torso with deliberate sensuality.

Edward moved swiftly and strongly, gripping her wrist hard and pulling it off him. He leaned in again. “Oh no. You’ll have to ask more nicely than that.”

She glanced down at where he held her. “You’re hurting me.”

He only tightened his hold, causing her to suck in sharply. “You like me hurting you. That’s why you’re here. You need me for the pleasure and the pain. Don’t you…my lady?”

She looked up, her eyes wide, fearful and desirous. Isabella nodded.

“Now…ask me nicely.”

She swallowed, held his gaze, and stuttered, “Please.”

“Please who?”

“Please…Edward.”

Leaning across, he brought his mouth close to her ear. “Good girl.”

–xxoOoxx–

Reader advisory: Be close to a cold shower when you read this, or at least several bottles of cold water. (You’ll find one on a mantelpiece in Downton Abbey.) If you’d like to see what happens next, you can find In Service to the Senses in the following places:

Amazon US

Amazon UK

and all other good online bookshops. ;-)

For further cold water-needing moments, here you go: Demelza Hart’s Amazon author page

Happy, hot reading!

Making up for lost time

Time’s flown and I’m here to wind it back in slightly.

I’ve managed to put pen to paper – nah – fingers to keyboard recently after gaining some time to myself for a change, but I’ve also had a couple of releases out recently. One at a time.

The first is my single release edition of my cowboy story, Dust and Desire. It has just received (as part of the Lasso Lovin’ anthology) a cracking review from Delta at The Romance Reviews:

‘This was an excellent read which also receives a 5 star rating and where dirty talk takes on a whole new level of hotness. The angry ferocious MM sex in the beginning where guns are pointed and words are said was beyond erotic. The nasty, raunchy sex talk just put this short erotic romance on the map for me to reread sometime soon. I loved all of the characters, but especially Adeline’s bravery and heart. She was a fantastic addition to the men’s tumultuous relationship.’

I do like my dirty talk … ;-) Here’s some more for you, from Dust and Desire. Here, Chase has rescued Adeline from the broken down train and is taking her back to his ranch on his stallion, Fireblade. She’s sitting up with him on the horse.

“You like this, ma’am?”

“Uh-huh.”

“You ride back home in Boston?”

“In the park, occasionally. You have a beautiful steed, Mr Truman.”

“He’s a good ride, ma’am. Sure and steady. You sure do ride him well considerin’ you’re used to side-saddle.”

“I like sitting astride him like this.”

“You like to feel him between yer legs, huh?”

“Yes.”

He was murmuring against her ear, low and smooth. “It would help if you drew yer skirts up. Give you more freedom and grip.”

“I see.”

“Like this…” He moved one of his hands from her waist and slid it down to grip her silk skirts. He tugged, slowly, revealing more and more of her legs. Little by little he tugged until her white drawers could be seen, then higher and higher.

“Jesus…” he hissed. “I’d forgotten how pretty a woman’s legs are. And let me tell you, Miss Monroe, those are mighty pretty legs.”

“T-thank you,” she stuttered. The whole situation was turning her on so much she could barely breathe. Fireblade kept up his steady pace. The rhythmic rubbing between her legs made her moan, just a little moan. Chase heard it and gave a chuckle.

“You like a man to stroke your legs, Miss Monroe?” He pressed his long, strong fingers onto her thigh and glided down, leaving a trail of exquisite need. When he reached her knee, he curled under, then ran back up along her inner thigh, tickling and tingling.

She gasped and her head fell back onto his shoulder. “Mr Truman… I’m not sure this is entirely…proper.”

“To hell with proper, ma’am. Out here in the desert, proper don’t get you nowhere. There’s just one question— does it feel good?”

“It feels so incredibly good,” she sighed.

“Then you just sit back and enjoy.”

He was working his hand even higher now and soon reached her waist. Chase slid skilled fingers into her drawers, eliciting another groan. Down he ran them, through the soft hairs, until he brought one finger to nestle at the apex of her lips and part them.

“Oh God!” she cried. He’d found that perfect spot, that tight bud of flesh that gave so much joy.

“Steady, girl… Long way to go yet.”

Dust and Desire is available from Totally Bound, from All Romance (where it has a bestseller star) and from Amazon:

Dust and Desire on Amazon US

Dust and Desire on Amazon UK

 

 

Welcome to the masterful talent that is Justine Elyot

It’s a great pleasure to have Justine at my blog today. We could write a book on our shared tastes, and one of the greatest is our mutual love of British history and the stately castles, houses and homes that have harboured so much power-play, intrigue and passion over the centuries. Justine’s latest novel, Master of the House, is set in just such a place. Here she is to talk about it. Welcome, Justine!

Master of the House – but which house?

Hello, and let me say how lovely it is to be here with Demelza in her gracious online abode. The hospitality is first class, as befits such a stately home.

And speaking of stately homes… I’ll admit, pretty much everything I wrote last year had a stately home setting. I’m not at all sure why. Was it the unconscious influence of Downton Abbey? I don’t think so, since I’ve always been a National Trust-bothering old fogey before my time. Perhaps it’s just in my decidedly non-blue blood.

In the case of Master of the House, my latest release, the house in question is Willingham Hall, a handsome pile standing in the lush Vale of Tylney and belonging for generations to the Lethbridge family.

The latest Lord of this manor, Joss Lethbridge, has a proposition for Lucy – the daughter of his cleaner.

I’ve always loved class-crossing romances and now I’ve written one. But there’s a little bit of a difference with mine – the privileged Lord is facing financial ruin, and his cleaner’s daughter holds all the cards. Will she help him remain master of his house?

Here’s an excerpt:

Don’t you remember how good we were together? The words rattled in my head all the way through the editorial meeting, winding round and round the strands of council meetings and hosepipe bans and air displays and smothering them until I had no idea what had been said at all.

Of course I remembered. How could I forget?

We had spent the whole summer in bed, or if we weren’t in bed we were out in the grounds, on the lake or in a summerhouse, just for a change of scene.

He was inventive, passionate and outrageously horny all the time.

Luckily enough, I was the same.

What happened to me?

I thought of Károly’s parting words for me.

‘It doesn’t feel like losing you. I never felt I had you. You never gave yourself to me.’

He was right, I didn’t. I couldn’t. Not after Joss. After Joss, I had played everything safe, and safety meant keeping my heart to myself. So, when Károly had cheated on me, it hadn’t really touched me, except as a blow to my pride and confirmation that I was quite right not to bother with love.

Now that the initial shock of our meeting was wearing off, I thought more about Joss and how things were with him. The alcohol thing was sobering – so to speak – as was his general air of dejection and defeat. If he wasn’t careful, he might find that it was the tip of a steep decline. Within a few years, the beautiful young man with the world at his feet I had known and loved might be a puffy-faced and red-eyed waster.

I shouldn’t care, but I did.

I spent half a minute doodling on my notepad before I realised that the meeting was over.

‘Oh,’ I said, standing up to find only me and the editor still in the stuffy little room. ‘Right. Better get on then.’

‘Yes,’ she said, giving me a crooked look. ‘Sorry, Lucy, but…do you know what you’re covering today? You seem a bit…distant.’

‘It’s the heat,’ I told her. ‘Goes to my head sometimes. Would you mind…?’

‘Open day at the fire station,’ she said, a tad wearily. ‘Look, I know it’s not international politics here, but…’

‘It’s not that, I promise. I’m happy here. I love working for the Voice.’

‘Good. OK. Well, say hi to those hunky firefighters for me, won’t you? Everyone wanted this job. Don’t say I never do anything for you.’

She winked and I smiled back.

If only the hunky firefighters had the power to lure my mind away from Joss and his absurd proposition.

I watched them go down their poles and wield their hoses with dull, mechanical attention, whilst in the forefront of my mind phrases like collared submissive and we were good together tormented me like an out-of-control earworm.

I filed my copy then I went home and Googled ‘dominance and submission’ until the sun went down and my eyelids needed propping up.

 

What about reading on? Well, you can! The book is available right here and now: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Master-House-Justine-Elyot-ebook/dp/B00I2GZRV6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1401880954&sr=8-1&keywords=justine+elyot+master+of+the+house

 

Thank you for reading!

The phenomenon of formulating a fantasy of fellatio

I’ll keep this one short.

The blow job.

One person having their cock sucked by somebody else.

I’ve written a few. I’m writing another now – (they haven’t quite reached the money shot yet) – and before I started the scene I had a brief moment of, ‘*sigh* Shit. Another blow job. *sigh* Must I?’

How to make it original? Again.

But – hey, I love it! I can’t get enough of the ol’ jaw achin’, cheek stretchin’, lip swellin’, tongue rubbin’, saliva inducin’, throat nudgin’, salt tastin’ meat fest.

So another one has passed smoothly through plump, willing lips and will soon explode chaotically into the waiting mouth of my page.

Success!

(Just felt the need to share …)