Maggie Nash's Blog, page 9
June 13, 2012
Day 2 of the Sexy Summer Trivia!
Head on over and answer the next set of questions!
http://chrislangeauthor.wordpress.com/2012/06/13/sexy-summer-contest-with-total-ebound-authors-day-2/
NB, no posts will be shown until after the competition closes so that everyone has a chance to enter and their answers are safe! So if you post and you don't see your answers, don't worry - they'll be in moderation :-)
http://chrislangeauthor.wordpress.com/2012/06/13/sexy-summer-contest-with-total-ebound-authors-day-2/
NB, no posts will be shown until after the competition closes so that everyone has a chance to enter and their answers are safe! So if you post and you don't see your answers, don't worry - they'll be in moderation :-)
June 12, 2012
June 6, 2012
THURSDAY TEASER - Suz deMello
Today you're in for a treat. Suz is not only a fantastic author and one of my must buys, but she's also an amazing person to work with and a kick-ass editor! I'm so pleased to help her promote her latest release. Read on and you'll agree with me!
TEMPTATION IN TARTAN
(The Kilburn Vampires)
Blurb: She had to marry a monster…Rumors had followed the chieftains of Clan Kilborn for centuries. Said to be descended from the Viking Berserkers, they were ferocious in battle, known for tearing off the heads of their enemies and drinking their blood.
But English noblewoman Lydia Swann Williston would marry Kieran, Laird Kilborn, to bring peace to the Kilborn lands after the horror of Culloden and the brutal pacification. A widow, she also brought needed wealth to Clan Kilborn. For her part, eighteen-year-old Lydia wanted children. With her husband killed at Culloden, she would make a new life in the Highlands.
The old chieftain of Clan Kilborn also died in battle, and she hoped that the new young Laird would lack his ancestors' ferocity. She was wrong.
Excerpt, Chapter One
“The Kilborns are great warriors, rumored to be descended from Viking berserkers.” Colonel Swann paced the drawing room, his boots soundless on the thick rugs.Lydia’s belly clenched and she drew a frightened breath. “Berserkers! The savages who raided our shores, murdering monks and, er…attacking women?”The colonel stared at her as though a potted plant had decided to speak. Not surprising, since Lydia had always been known in their family as the quiet one.“The same,” he said. “And the Kilborn clansmen have intermarried for generations. Animals.” He tugged at his tight cravat. Out of uniform, dressed as a town gentleman, Lydia thought her cousin lost some of his edge. Scowling, he continued, “By this marriage we seek to dilute the Kilborn blood and weaken the line.”“Weaken the line, sir?” Lydia’s mother, Henrietta, raised a brow. “Do you suggest that my daughter’s lineage is flawed? Ours is one of the noblest families in the kingdom.”“True,” he said. “By adding Lady Lydia’s noble blood to the Kilborn line, we will civilize the wild Highlanders.”Lydia tried to look civilized and noble, but couldn’t stop twisting the handkerchief in her lap. She rubbed its black edging, a reminder of her status as a widow. “You want me to marry an animal. A barely civilized wild man.”“The Crown would take your selflessness as a particular favor,” her cousin said.She lifted her brows. “Indeed.” As a general’s daughter, duty pulled at her blood.“‘Tis a perfect solution. ‘Tis easier to pacify by marriage than by the sword. All parties will benefit.” His glance strayed to the bodice of Lydia’s gown. In half-mourning, she wore gray muslin trimmed with black piping. “You must desire children. The Highlander is doubtless, uh, lusty.”She pursed her lips. She’d loved William, but hadn’t grasped why others made such a fuss about marital relations. But she did want children and had planned to have several. “You want me to marry a warrior who may have killed my husband at Culloden Moor,” she said. “I can’t do that.”Colonel Swann remained silent but looked uneasy as Lydia’s mother crossed the room. “Your late husband,” Henrietta said and sat on an ottoman next to Lydia.When her mother took Lydia’s hand, she couldn’t control the trembling. At eighteen, she knew she simply wasn’t brave.Unlike her mother, who now peered into Lydia’s eyes. “Child, what else will you do? Of course, as a widow, you can refuse. But another marriage may make you happy.”“Do I have to marry a wild Scotsman? Leave my country and everything I know?”“Of course not. But you are already acquainted with all the other eligible males of our class, and chose William over all.”“That’s so.” Lydia remembered her days of attending parties and balls in London a scant three years ago. She sighed.“You’ll bring great wealth,” the colonel said. “And by your marriage, Kilborn will be spared the pacification efforts that other clans and chieftains suffer. You’ll be valued and honored.”“I have my portion and William’s, but I am not particularly wealthy,” Lydia said.“Not by London standards, but for an impoverished Highland chieftain, you are a rich prize.”“Lovely.” Lydia stood and walked to the window, her voluminous skirts rustling.Below in the garden, she could see her brother playing with one of his sons. She watched George pick up Andrew, toss the giggling child into the air and catch him before they collapsed in a laughing heap together on the sunlit lawn.Her heart tripped. She might never see George and Andrew again. But she might become that happy parent, could have babies of her own to enjoy.She turned to face her mother. “I’ll do it.”
Kieran, Laird Kilborn, strode along the upper wall-walk of his castle, his mood as dark as the midnight sky above. Below him, the sea crashed with the threat of a storm. His retainers scattered at the sight of their new laird’s frown, for Kieran was known to show his temper. His own father had borne a scar on his forehead from a tankard a young Kieran had thrown when the princeling had been but four.Kieran pinched the bridge of his nose, staring out over Clan Kilborn’s crofts and lands, lit only by moonlight. His lands, now, following the deaths of his father and older brother at Culloden. An unexpected burden—his lands and his responsibility.“Ye could look forever, but nothing will change.” Euan’s soft voice intruded upon Kieran’s dangerous mood. “That is, nothing will change unless ye marry the Sassenach lassie.”Kieran turned, remembering to soften his frown. No one else would dare to disturb his thoughts, but Euan was different. The castle’s steward, he’d been old when Kier was born.“Aye, the reprisals are cruel.” Kieran rubbed his hand over the sturdy stone battlement.“They will only get worse. The Sassenachs are determined to break all of the Highlands and to destroy the clans who supported the bonny prince. ‘Tis a stroke of luck that the Swan wants you to wed the lassie.”“Why, though? What’s the benefit to the Sassenach colonel?”The smaller man shrugged. “We are a remote holding. ‘Tis easier to pacify us by marriage than by war, and far less costly.”“I’ll never give up tartan or sword.” A thin, chilly breeze lifted Kieran’s dark hair off his shoulders. He drew his plaid, vividly patterned in red, yellow and two shades of blue, more tightly around him.“Wed the Swan’s cousin and ye willnae have to.”“I had not thought to wed yet, with everything so…unsettled.”“Truly? There’s a certain lassie who’s set her cap for ye.”“Grizel?”“Er, I was thinking of Moira.”“Oh, that one.” Kieran dismissed Moira with a wave of his hand. “She must know that Culloden changed everything, including her expectations.”“Ye must secure the succession.” Euan’s dark, haunted eyes searched Kieran’s face. “I promised your father that I would see to it.”“And would he have wanted me to marry outside our blood?” Kieran asked. His grand-uncle Euan knew more of the secrets of his family than did Kieran himself.“Possibly not.” Euan looked troubled. “But marriage to the Sassenach lady will provide money, safety and heirs.”“And what shall I do when the dark thirst takes me? Succor myself at my lady’s throat?”“There are other ways.” Euan’s eyes were hooded and unreadable in the moonlight. “Other women—”“No! ‘Tis like unfaithfulness. What of my honor?”“There is no honor when the dark curse seizes us.”“I must find a way, for the clan.”“Then ye’ll marry the Sassenach wench?”“‘Tisn’t so simple. The laird’s consort isnae merely a juicy quim or a fertile ewe. She must be more.”Euan shrugged. “She’s a widow, managed her own household.”“Hmm.” Kieran took a deep breath of the midnight air, scented with the tang of the nearby sea and the crofters’ hay. “Aye then, I’ll do it.”
Like what you read?Click HERE to buy the book!Click here to go to Suz’s site
Best-selling, award-winning author Sue Swift, a.k.a Suz deMello, has written over fifteen novels, plus several short stories and non-fiction articles. She writes in numerous genres including romance, mystery, paranormal, historical, contemporary comedy and erotica. She’s a freelance editor who’s worked for Total-E-Bound, Ai Press, Liquid Silver Books and Etopia Press. She also takes on private clients. Her books have been favorably reviewed in PW, Kirkus and Booklist, attained the finals of the RITA and reached the top ten on a bestseller list. A former trial attorney, she resides in northern California. Her passion is world travel, and she’s left the US over a dozen times, including stints working overseas for many months. Right now, she's working on her next manuscript and planning her next trip. Her blog is at http://www.fearlessfastpacedfiction.com. Find her reading picks @ReadThis4fun on Twitter, and befriend her on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/SueSwift).
TEMPTATION IN TARTAN (The Kilburn Vampires)
Blurb: She had to marry a monster…Rumors had followed the chieftains of Clan Kilborn for centuries. Said to be descended from the Viking Berserkers, they were ferocious in battle, known for tearing off the heads of their enemies and drinking their blood.
But English noblewoman Lydia Swann Williston would marry Kieran, Laird Kilborn, to bring peace to the Kilborn lands after the horror of Culloden and the brutal pacification. A widow, she also brought needed wealth to Clan Kilborn. For her part, eighteen-year-old Lydia wanted children. With her husband killed at Culloden, she would make a new life in the Highlands.
The old chieftain of Clan Kilborn also died in battle, and she hoped that the new young Laird would lack his ancestors' ferocity. She was wrong.
Excerpt, Chapter One
“The Kilborns are great warriors, rumored to be descended from Viking berserkers.” Colonel Swann paced the drawing room, his boots soundless on the thick rugs.Lydia’s belly clenched and she drew a frightened breath. “Berserkers! The savages who raided our shores, murdering monks and, er…attacking women?”The colonel stared at her as though a potted plant had decided to speak. Not surprising, since Lydia had always been known in their family as the quiet one.“The same,” he said. “And the Kilborn clansmen have intermarried for generations. Animals.” He tugged at his tight cravat. Out of uniform, dressed as a town gentleman, Lydia thought her cousin lost some of his edge. Scowling, he continued, “By this marriage we seek to dilute the Kilborn blood and weaken the line.”“Weaken the line, sir?” Lydia’s mother, Henrietta, raised a brow. “Do you suggest that my daughter’s lineage is flawed? Ours is one of the noblest families in the kingdom.”“True,” he said. “By adding Lady Lydia’s noble blood to the Kilborn line, we will civilize the wild Highlanders.”Lydia tried to look civilized and noble, but couldn’t stop twisting the handkerchief in her lap. She rubbed its black edging, a reminder of her status as a widow. “You want me to marry an animal. A barely civilized wild man.”“The Crown would take your selflessness as a particular favor,” her cousin said.She lifted her brows. “Indeed.” As a general’s daughter, duty pulled at her blood.“‘Tis a perfect solution. ‘Tis easier to pacify by marriage than by the sword. All parties will benefit.” His glance strayed to the bodice of Lydia’s gown. In half-mourning, she wore gray muslin trimmed with black piping. “You must desire children. The Highlander is doubtless, uh, lusty.”She pursed her lips. She’d loved William, but hadn’t grasped why others made such a fuss about marital relations. But she did want children and had planned to have several. “You want me to marry a warrior who may have killed my husband at Culloden Moor,” she said. “I can’t do that.”Colonel Swann remained silent but looked uneasy as Lydia’s mother crossed the room. “Your late husband,” Henrietta said and sat on an ottoman next to Lydia.When her mother took Lydia’s hand, she couldn’t control the trembling. At eighteen, she knew she simply wasn’t brave.Unlike her mother, who now peered into Lydia’s eyes. “Child, what else will you do? Of course, as a widow, you can refuse. But another marriage may make you happy.”“Do I have to marry a wild Scotsman? Leave my country and everything I know?”“Of course not. But you are already acquainted with all the other eligible males of our class, and chose William over all.”“That’s so.” Lydia remembered her days of attending parties and balls in London a scant three years ago. She sighed.“You’ll bring great wealth,” the colonel said. “And by your marriage, Kilborn will be spared the pacification efforts that other clans and chieftains suffer. You’ll be valued and honored.”“I have my portion and William’s, but I am not particularly wealthy,” Lydia said.“Not by London standards, but for an impoverished Highland chieftain, you are a rich prize.”“Lovely.” Lydia stood and walked to the window, her voluminous skirts rustling.Below in the garden, she could see her brother playing with one of his sons. She watched George pick up Andrew, toss the giggling child into the air and catch him before they collapsed in a laughing heap together on the sunlit lawn.Her heart tripped. She might never see George and Andrew again. But she might become that happy parent, could have babies of her own to enjoy.She turned to face her mother. “I’ll do it.”
Kieran, Laird Kilborn, strode along the upper wall-walk of his castle, his mood as dark as the midnight sky above. Below him, the sea crashed with the threat of a storm. His retainers scattered at the sight of their new laird’s frown, for Kieran was known to show his temper. His own father had borne a scar on his forehead from a tankard a young Kieran had thrown when the princeling had been but four.Kieran pinched the bridge of his nose, staring out over Clan Kilborn’s crofts and lands, lit only by moonlight. His lands, now, following the deaths of his father and older brother at Culloden. An unexpected burden—his lands and his responsibility.“Ye could look forever, but nothing will change.” Euan’s soft voice intruded upon Kieran’s dangerous mood. “That is, nothing will change unless ye marry the Sassenach lassie.”Kieran turned, remembering to soften his frown. No one else would dare to disturb his thoughts, but Euan was different. The castle’s steward, he’d been old when Kier was born.“Aye, the reprisals are cruel.” Kieran rubbed his hand over the sturdy stone battlement.“They will only get worse. The Sassenachs are determined to break all of the Highlands and to destroy the clans who supported the bonny prince. ‘Tis a stroke of luck that the Swan wants you to wed the lassie.”“Why, though? What’s the benefit to the Sassenach colonel?”The smaller man shrugged. “We are a remote holding. ‘Tis easier to pacify us by marriage than by war, and far less costly.”“I’ll never give up tartan or sword.” A thin, chilly breeze lifted Kieran’s dark hair off his shoulders. He drew his plaid, vividly patterned in red, yellow and two shades of blue, more tightly around him.“Wed the Swan’s cousin and ye willnae have to.”“I had not thought to wed yet, with everything so…unsettled.”“Truly? There’s a certain lassie who’s set her cap for ye.”“Grizel?”“Er, I was thinking of Moira.”“Oh, that one.” Kieran dismissed Moira with a wave of his hand. “She must know that Culloden changed everything, including her expectations.”“Ye must secure the succession.” Euan’s dark, haunted eyes searched Kieran’s face. “I promised your father that I would see to it.”“And would he have wanted me to marry outside our blood?” Kieran asked. His grand-uncle Euan knew more of the secrets of his family than did Kieran himself.“Possibly not.” Euan looked troubled. “But marriage to the Sassenach lady will provide money, safety and heirs.”“And what shall I do when the dark thirst takes me? Succor myself at my lady’s throat?”“There are other ways.” Euan’s eyes were hooded and unreadable in the moonlight. “Other women—”“No! ‘Tis like unfaithfulness. What of my honor?”“There is no honor when the dark curse seizes us.”“I must find a way, for the clan.”“Then ye’ll marry the Sassenach wench?”“‘Tisn’t so simple. The laird’s consort isnae merely a juicy quim or a fertile ewe. She must be more.”Euan shrugged. “She’s a widow, managed her own household.”“Hmm.” Kieran took a deep breath of the midnight air, scented with the tang of the nearby sea and the crofters’ hay. “Aye then, I’ll do it.”
Like what you read?Click HERE to buy the book!Click here to go to Suz’s site
Best-selling, award-winning author Sue Swift, a.k.a Suz deMello, has written over fifteen novels, plus several short stories and non-fiction articles. She writes in numerous genres including romance, mystery, paranormal, historical, contemporary comedy and erotica. She’s a freelance editor who’s worked for Total-E-Bound, Ai Press, Liquid Silver Books and Etopia Press. She also takes on private clients. Her books have been favorably reviewed in PW, Kirkus and Booklist, attained the finals of the RITA and reached the top ten on a bestseller list. A former trial attorney, she resides in northern California. Her passion is world travel, and she’s left the US over a dozen times, including stints working overseas for many months. Right now, she's working on her next manuscript and planning her next trip. Her blog is at http://www.fearlessfastpacedfiction.com. Find her reading picks @ReadThis4fun on Twitter, and befriend her on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/SueSwift).
Life Bytes with Maggie Nash
Hi folks...I've been interviewed over at Keziah Hill's blog today in her Life Bytes series. Drop by and see what I have to say! There's a smoking hot excerpt too! Click the link to get there :-)
http://www.keziahhill.com/2012/06/life-bytes-with-maggie-nash/
http://www.keziahhill.com/2012/06/life-bytes-with-maggie-nash/
Life Bites with Maggie Nash
Hi folks...I've been interviewed over at Keziah Hill's blog today in her Life Bites series. Drop by and see what I have to say! There's a smoking hot excerpt too! Click the link to get there :-)
http://www.keziahhill.com/2012/06/life-bytes-with-maggie-nash/
http://www.keziahhill.com/2012/06/life-bytes-with-maggie-nash/
June 2, 2012
Where's Maggie?
Today I'm visiting Lisabet Sarai's Beyond Romance blog and I'm sharing a very special "first" story with you all. If you leave a comment I'll send you a packet of swag! Don't forget to leave your email address so I can contact you. I have several packets so don't hold back!
See you there!
http://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/shouting-with-my-fingers.html
See you there!
http://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/shouting-with-my-fingers.html
May 23, 2012
The Power of Four!
Thank you Nichelle Gregory for tagging me! Yes, it definitely took me longer than four minutes to come up with my list for the Power of Four!
Here's goes my...
Four jobs I'd like to try:Barista ( I love my coffee!)
Chef (Hey, I also love food!)
Professional singer (yes, this is an unrealistic dream!)
Event organiser
Four Places I'd Like to Live:
Where I live now
Hamilton Island
London
New York
Four Movies I Could Watch Again and Again:
Indiana Jones
Star Wars (The first one before the prequel rubbish)
Trading Places
Moonstruck
Four Television Shows I Watch:
Once Upon a Time
Burn Notice
The Mentalist
Castle
Four Authors I Enjoy:
J.D. Robb
Nalini Singh
Kresley Cole
Julie James
Four Places I Have Traveled To:
New York
London
Paris
San Francisco
Four Websites I Visit Daily:
My blog
Facebook
Triberr
Google
Four Of My Favorite Words:
Free (hahaha)Salacious
Maelstrom (I always wanted to put it in a novel! Haven't yet!)
Lascivious
Sex (hehehe)
Four of My Favorite Foods:
Chocolate
Pizza
Thai Green Curry
Fish and Chips
Four Things In My Purse:
Iphone
Kindle
Chocolate lip butter
Wallet
Four People I Want to Tag:
Fiona
Cari
Paula
Juliet
If you’ve been tagged, make your own list and link back to this post. Have fun with it!
Here's goes my...
Four jobs I'd like to try:Barista ( I love my coffee!)Chef (Hey, I also love food!)
Professional singer (yes, this is an unrealistic dream!)
Event organiser
Four Places I'd Like to Live:
Where I live now
Hamilton Island
London
New York
Four Movies I Could Watch Again and Again:
Indiana Jones
Star Wars (The first one before the prequel rubbish)
Trading Places
Moonstruck
Four Television Shows I Watch:
Once Upon a Time
Burn Notice
The Mentalist
Castle
Four Authors I Enjoy:
J.D. Robb
Nalini Singh
Kresley Cole
Julie James
Four Places I Have Traveled To:
New York
London
Paris
San Francisco
Four Websites I Visit Daily:
My blog
Triberr
Four Of My Favorite Words:
Free (hahaha)Salacious
Maelstrom (I always wanted to put it in a novel! Haven't yet!)
Lascivious
Sex (hehehe)
Four of My Favorite Foods:
Chocolate
Pizza
Thai Green Curry
Fish and Chips
Four Things In My Purse:
Iphone
Kindle
Chocolate lip butter
Wallet
Four People I Want to Tag:
Fiona
Cari
Paula
Juliet
If you’ve been tagged, make your own list and link back to this post. Have fun with it!
May 13, 2012
May 9, 2012
Erotic Romance Madness Blog Hop!
Hey folks...welcome to The Romance Reviews Erotic Romance Madness Blog Hop!
As part of this promotion, dozens of authors are posting about erotic romance books they love! Lots of yummy books to help swell your TBR piles! As a bonus, we're all offering prizes! WIN-WIN!
All you need to do is:
1. Leave a comment on my post (answer the question I pose below)
2. Click on the button at the bottom of the page and you'll be taken to another participants page
3. Keep checking out all the yummy blogs!
And you too can win lots of prizes!
My contribution to the prizes is a PRINT version of the SUMMER SPECTACLES anthology. You can find out more about this book HERE
You can space your posts out over 5 days, from May 10 to 14. The contest will start on May 10, 12:00am EST and will end on May 14, 1159pm EST.
***
Today, instead of spruiking one of my own books I'm going to tell you a little about another Erotic Romance that I just love!
It's been really difficult to choose. There are so many wonderful books out there, but I went with the first book that came to mind and that is a book that has inspired me in many different ways. I still return to it over and over again when I need to remember what I love in an erotic romance.
For me, erotic romance is not just about sex. Yes, there's a lot of sex involved, but the eroticism of the romance is more important. What does eroticism mean to me? Fantasy, arousal, my heart beating faster, my breathing affected, but most of all that feeling of flying that comes at the culmination of a journey of the relationship.
One such book that did it for me is GIFT OF THE GODDESS by Denise Rossetti.
The incredible journey that Denise takes us on is not only erotic and, quite frankly - HOT as hell - is so poignant, touching and romantic. Denise has a gift in being able to take us with her characters on their journey of their relationship and development. I am always inspired and dare I say - in awe when I read her books. This was the first one of hers that I read, but only the first of many!
Here's a little bit about it:
BLURB from THE GIFT OF THE GODDESS
Book 1 in the Phoenix Rising series
The Law of the love goddess Lufra states that no man may take his pleasure inside any part of a woman's body, unless she has climaxed first. Each time, every time. But when warrior-scout Anje is taken captive by Brin, Lufra's shaman, she discovers that not even divine law can protect her from the erotic wiles of two determined men.
Huge, dark and enigmatic, Brin wears a tattoo of the holy dragon on his magnificent body. Years of erotic training have given him skills and stamina Anje cannot match. But it's the strength of his will that threatens to conquer her very soul, while his beautiful young friend Trey has a bravado and a vulnerability that make her mouth water.
Anje fears Brin's arrogant prediction may be true—"You'll surrender, scout, and you'll glory in it. You'll abandon yourself and adore it. Because you trust—trust absolutely." Screaming and cursing her ecstasy, she learns that dark raptures are addictive. But neither man is what he seems and all three are pawns in a suicidal scheme to placate an angry goddess. Saving her lovers will take everything Anje's got—as a woman and a warrior.
CLICK HERE to read an excerpt
So - for a chance to win a print copy of the SUMMER SPECTACLES anthology - What's your favourite erotic romance and why do you love it?
Now, click the badge below to continue on the Blog hop! (AFTER you leave your comment of course!)
As part of this promotion, dozens of authors are posting about erotic romance books they love! Lots of yummy books to help swell your TBR piles! As a bonus, we're all offering prizes! WIN-WIN!
All you need to do is:
1. Leave a comment on my post (answer the question I pose below)
2. Click on the button at the bottom of the page and you'll be taken to another participants page
3. Keep checking out all the yummy blogs!
And you too can win lots of prizes!
My contribution to the prizes is a PRINT version of the SUMMER SPECTACLES anthology. You can find out more about this book HERE
You can space your posts out over 5 days, from May 10 to 14. The contest will start on May 10, 12:00am EST and will end on May 14, 1159pm EST.
***
Today, instead of spruiking one of my own books I'm going to tell you a little about another Erotic Romance that I just love!
It's been really difficult to choose. There are so many wonderful books out there, but I went with the first book that came to mind and that is a book that has inspired me in many different ways. I still return to it over and over again when I need to remember what I love in an erotic romance.
For me, erotic romance is not just about sex. Yes, there's a lot of sex involved, but the eroticism of the romance is more important. What does eroticism mean to me? Fantasy, arousal, my heart beating faster, my breathing affected, but most of all that feeling of flying that comes at the culmination of a journey of the relationship.
One such book that did it for me is GIFT OF THE GODDESS by Denise Rossetti.
The incredible journey that Denise takes us on is not only erotic and, quite frankly - HOT as hell - is so poignant, touching and romantic. Denise has a gift in being able to take us with her characters on their journey of their relationship and development. I am always inspired and dare I say - in awe when I read her books. This was the first one of hers that I read, but only the first of many!
Here's a little bit about it:
BLURB from THE GIFT OF THE GODDESSBook 1 in the Phoenix Rising series
The Law of the love goddess Lufra states that no man may take his pleasure inside any part of a woman's body, unless she has climaxed first. Each time, every time. But when warrior-scout Anje is taken captive by Brin, Lufra's shaman, she discovers that not even divine law can protect her from the erotic wiles of two determined men.
Huge, dark and enigmatic, Brin wears a tattoo of the holy dragon on his magnificent body. Years of erotic training have given him skills and stamina Anje cannot match. But it's the strength of his will that threatens to conquer her very soul, while his beautiful young friend Trey has a bravado and a vulnerability that make her mouth water.
Anje fears Brin's arrogant prediction may be true—"You'll surrender, scout, and you'll glory in it. You'll abandon yourself and adore it. Because you trust—trust absolutely." Screaming and cursing her ecstasy, she learns that dark raptures are addictive. But neither man is what he seems and all three are pawns in a suicidal scheme to placate an angry goddess. Saving her lovers will take everything Anje's got—as a woman and a warrior.
CLICK HERE to read an excerpt
So - for a chance to win a print copy of the SUMMER SPECTACLES anthology - What's your favourite erotic romance and why do you love it?
Now, click the badge below to continue on the Blog hop! (AFTER you leave your comment of course!)
THURSDAY TEASER - Nicole Murphy
Not all of us are looking for that perfect man. Taylor Wilson certainly isn’t. Her job is everything to her. But this is a romance and that means Taylor’s world is about to be turned upside down.
The Right Connection is my self-published fantasy romance novella. It’s a story that’s been with me for a long time, and I’m really happy to finally give Taylor and Roden their moment in the sun.
***
The Right Connection – blurb
Time after time, the missions to retrieve the stolen children have failed. This time, rules will be broken in a last-ditch attempt.
Taylor Wilson is a respected soldier in the Land Corps with a terrible past that has scarred her. When she’s offered the opportunity to work on the mission to save the children taken by the socolapede, Taylor’s ready to jump at the chance until she finds it means she has to connect with a man.
At first, Roden is everything she feared—brash, overbearing, uncompromising. But as she comes to learn of his honour and strength, Taylor not only loses the fight against connection, she loses her heart too.
Can she form a connection with Roden strong enough to save the children? And if they succeed, do the two of them have a future together?
***
Excerpt
The room was plainly furnished, but not with anything professional—instead what sat before her was a steel table, with two padded chairs on a brown rug. Two servings of a hearty meal of meat and potato sat on the table—real food, not the Land Corps rations that was served in the cafeteria.
“All for us. Special, aren’t we?”
Taylor spun around and could barely see a figure standing in the shadows. Whoever it was, they had the advantage over her for they could see her clearly.
“Buttering us up. Nice.” The man moved from the shadows into the dancing light provided by the candles.
Taylor hoped her face remained expressionless. This must be Roden. He was huge; a head taller than any man Taylor had ever known and heavily muscled. There was not an ounce of fat on him, as evidenced by the leanness of his cheeks. His face with its pointed nose and grey eyes reminded her of a wolf; strong and unwavering in his confidence. His head was bare of hair and the skin of his scalp was criss-crossed with scars. Looking over his uncovered arms, she saw more scars. He had not survived his fights unscathed.
Taylor was suddenly aware that his success as a fighter owed as much to his physical intimidation as to his skills. She looked again into his eyes and saw the determination there, and also a certain aloofness. She was supposed to control this man? Better luck controlling the stars.
“What do you mean?”
A small crease appeared between Roden’s eyes. “The meal.” He gestured to the table and she turned to look at it. “Trying to get us on side early, so we won’t automatically reject each other.”
“What?” Not incredibly intelligent, but Taylor couldn’t think of anything else to say.
“As they’re seemingly so concerned about this, let’s get a few things straight right now.” As Roden spoke, he crossed his arms across his chest.
Taylor was flummoxed by his easy confidence. “What things?”
“About how this is going to work. Particularly as you’ve never connected with a man since the—let’s call it the incident, shall we?”
Taylor wasn’t sure what shocked her more—that he knew about it or that he called it what she did.
Roden took advantage of her speechlessness to continue. “I’m sure that means that you really don’t trust men when it comes to connections and you’re intending to control me like a puppet, while you keep yourself to yourself.”
How had he known what she was thinking?
Roden wasn’t finished talking. “Now I want to tell you how things will really be. I need you to complete the mission but you will never control me. Be prepared to work with me as a partner and we’ll get through this. Try to be my boss and I’ll do it by myself.”
Taylor blinked several times to assure herself that she really was awake and that she had in fact heard the words just spoken. “And how do you as a fighter plan to go ahead in a mission without a soldier?”
His next words had her wishing she had studied him as thoroughly as he had her. “I trained as a soldier, went to within a month of graduating. I may not be as good as you, but I can send my mind if I need to. I can get by without you. I can just do it better with you, which is why I agreed to this connection. So that’s the way it’s going to be, soldier. We’ll develop a close enough connection to do this, but it will be on my terms or it won’t happen at all.”
Without waiting for Taylor’s reply, he sat down and began to eat. Taylor stared at the back of his head. She could not believe a fighter had spoken to a soldier like that. She could not believe a fighter had gone within a month of graduation as a soldier. She could not believe she would not be the one in control of this connection.
She wondered what to do, how to handle the situation. Training had never taught them how to deal with a fighter that wasn’t open to connection. It just wasn’t thought possible.
Taylor marched around the table so she was looking at Roden, but did not sit down. “I don’t believe you.”
Buy from SMASHWORDS
Buy from AMAZON
***
You can win a free copy of The Right Connection (your choice of electronic format) by commenting below. Best of luck!
Nicole Murphy has been a primary school teacher, bookstore owner, journalist and checkout chick. She grew up reading Tolkien, Lewis and Le Guin; spent her twenties discovering Quick, Lindsey and Deveraux and lives her love of science fiction and fantasy through her involvement with the Conflux science fiction conventions. Her urban fantasy trilogy Dream of Asarlai is published in Australia/NZ by HarperVoyager. She’s just commenced a new venture, In fabula-divinos which is aimed at mentoring up-and-coming writers. She lives with her husband in Queanbeyan, NSW. Visit her website
Where can you win a copy of Nicole's new book? You can win a free copy of The Right Connection (your choice of electronic format) by commenting below. Best of luck!
****
Thanks so much for dropping by today Nicole! I love the sound of your new book..congratulations!
The Right Connection is my self-published fantasy romance novella. It’s a story that’s been with me for a long time, and I’m really happy to finally give Taylor and Roden their moment in the sun.
***
The Right Connection – blurb
Time after time, the missions to retrieve the stolen children have failed. This time, rules will be broken in a last-ditch attempt.
Taylor Wilson is a respected soldier in the Land Corps with a terrible past that has scarred her. When she’s offered the opportunity to work on the mission to save the children taken by the socolapede, Taylor’s ready to jump at the chance until she finds it means she has to connect with a man.At first, Roden is everything she feared—brash, overbearing, uncompromising. But as she comes to learn of his honour and strength, Taylor not only loses the fight against connection, she loses her heart too.
Can she form a connection with Roden strong enough to save the children? And if they succeed, do the two of them have a future together?
***
Excerpt
The room was plainly furnished, but not with anything professional—instead what sat before her was a steel table, with two padded chairs on a brown rug. Two servings of a hearty meal of meat and potato sat on the table—real food, not the Land Corps rations that was served in the cafeteria.
“All for us. Special, aren’t we?”
Taylor spun around and could barely see a figure standing in the shadows. Whoever it was, they had the advantage over her for they could see her clearly.
“Buttering us up. Nice.” The man moved from the shadows into the dancing light provided by the candles.
Taylor hoped her face remained expressionless. This must be Roden. He was huge; a head taller than any man Taylor had ever known and heavily muscled. There was not an ounce of fat on him, as evidenced by the leanness of his cheeks. His face with its pointed nose and grey eyes reminded her of a wolf; strong and unwavering in his confidence. His head was bare of hair and the skin of his scalp was criss-crossed with scars. Looking over his uncovered arms, she saw more scars. He had not survived his fights unscathed.
Taylor was suddenly aware that his success as a fighter owed as much to his physical intimidation as to his skills. She looked again into his eyes and saw the determination there, and also a certain aloofness. She was supposed to control this man? Better luck controlling the stars.
“What do you mean?”
A small crease appeared between Roden’s eyes. “The meal.” He gestured to the table and she turned to look at it. “Trying to get us on side early, so we won’t automatically reject each other.”
“What?” Not incredibly intelligent, but Taylor couldn’t think of anything else to say.
“As they’re seemingly so concerned about this, let’s get a few things straight right now.” As Roden spoke, he crossed his arms across his chest.
Taylor was flummoxed by his easy confidence. “What things?”
“About how this is going to work. Particularly as you’ve never connected with a man since the—let’s call it the incident, shall we?”
Taylor wasn’t sure what shocked her more—that he knew about it or that he called it what she did.
Roden took advantage of her speechlessness to continue. “I’m sure that means that you really don’t trust men when it comes to connections and you’re intending to control me like a puppet, while you keep yourself to yourself.”
How had he known what she was thinking?
Roden wasn’t finished talking. “Now I want to tell you how things will really be. I need you to complete the mission but you will never control me. Be prepared to work with me as a partner and we’ll get through this. Try to be my boss and I’ll do it by myself.”
Taylor blinked several times to assure herself that she really was awake and that she had in fact heard the words just spoken. “And how do you as a fighter plan to go ahead in a mission without a soldier?”
His next words had her wishing she had studied him as thoroughly as he had her. “I trained as a soldier, went to within a month of graduating. I may not be as good as you, but I can send my mind if I need to. I can get by without you. I can just do it better with you, which is why I agreed to this connection. So that’s the way it’s going to be, soldier. We’ll develop a close enough connection to do this, but it will be on my terms or it won’t happen at all.”
Without waiting for Taylor’s reply, he sat down and began to eat. Taylor stared at the back of his head. She could not believe a fighter had spoken to a soldier like that. She could not believe a fighter had gone within a month of graduation as a soldier. She could not believe she would not be the one in control of this connection.
She wondered what to do, how to handle the situation. Training had never taught them how to deal with a fighter that wasn’t open to connection. It just wasn’t thought possible.
Taylor marched around the table so she was looking at Roden, but did not sit down. “I don’t believe you.”
Buy from SMASHWORDS
Buy from AMAZON
***
You can win a free copy of The Right Connection (your choice of electronic format) by commenting below. Best of luck!
Nicole Murphy has been a primary school teacher, bookstore owner, journalist and checkout chick. She grew up reading Tolkien, Lewis and Le Guin; spent her twenties discovering Quick, Lindsey and Deveraux and lives her love of science fiction and fantasy through her involvement with the Conflux science fiction conventions. Her urban fantasy trilogy Dream of Asarlai is published in Australia/NZ by HarperVoyager. She’s just commenced a new venture, In fabula-divinos which is aimed at mentoring up-and-coming writers. She lives with her husband in Queanbeyan, NSW. Visit her website
Where can you win a copy of Nicole's new book? You can win a free copy of The Right Connection (your choice of electronic format) by commenting below. Best of luck!
****
Thanks so much for dropping by today Nicole! I love the sound of your new book..congratulations!
