Michelle Roth's Blog, page 25

Author Spotlight – Naomi Clark

I’ve got the lovely Naomi Clark on my blog today talking about her latest release, Blood Witch. Let’s see what she has to say, shall we?

I think one of the fun and frustrating parts of being a writer is that the idea you start out with is often not the story you end up with (or is that just me?). BLOOD WITCH is a prime example.

This novella started out as a way to keep myself occupied during my Christmas break last year, and turned into a labour of love. It’s also turned out to be a bit of an exquisite corpse, in the sense that it’s a patchwork of ideas and characters from other projects I started and abandoned in the past. Some facts:

1. The opening scene is an adaptation of something I scribbled in a notepad before work one morning. A witch (then called Lilah) was being interviewed by the police. At that point I had no idea why and I never wrote any more. I did steal that opening and turn Lilah into Lola for BLOOD WITCH.

2. The start of chapter two, where Lola visits her ex-girlfriend, Rowan, started life as an urban fantasy parody I was writing to amuse myself. It was supposed to be part of a really OTT cliched UF story, but I ended up taking it too seriously (as I am prone to do) and decided to make it part of BLOOD WITCH.

3. One of the side characters, Caleb, was originally a secondary character in a paranormal romance I was writing a few years back. I got about 20k in before realising I didn’t really know what I was doing, but I liked Caleb and decided to work him in somewhere else.

BLOOD WITCH has come a long way from my initial idea of a short story about a witch falsely accused of murder. That core idea is still a big part of the story, but the world has grown beyond my plans and I now see this as the start of a series instead of a stand-alone mini project. I’m so glad my original plan changed so much because now I get to explore and share a whole new bunch of ideas and characters with you!

Absolutely gorgeous cover, right?

Lola Guntram is used to being an outcast. She’s the only blood witch in Fort Rosser, mistrusted by other witches and happier working solo. But when her dark practices make her the prime suspect in a brutal murder investigation, she’s forced to turn to others for help. Not that she has many allies – her ex-girlfriend thinks Lola is the killer, and the local coven leader thinks Lola will corrupt them all if she gets too close.

Help comes in an expected – and alluring – form. Tristesse is a demon on the run, beautiful, enigmatic, and suspiciously keen to assist Lola while she chases down the real killer. How can Lola refuse? With the police breathing down her neck, accusations flying, and inhuman monsters on the streets, Lola needs all the help she can get. The killer is angry, desperate, and determined. But so is Lola Guntram. And she doesn’t care how dark or bloody the magic has to get – she’s going to stop them.

Buy Links:

Evernight Publishing

All Romance Ebooks

Amazon US

Amazon UK

And an excerpt:

There was probably never a good time to have the police knock on your door, Lola reflected. But three am on a September morning was definitely one of the worst. The fog outside seeped into the house with the stone-faced detectives, and the brisk chill of the night sank into Lola’s bones. She’d only been home a couple of hours; only just stripped off and gone to bed. Now, huddled in her ancient rocking chair by the embers of a dying fire, she didn’t feel as exhausted as she should. She felt like someone had stuck a live wire up her ass.

“I know this can’t be good news,” she addressed the female detective, who introduced herself simply as ‘Hardy.’ “So you’d better just get on with it.”

Hardy, a brunette who did look exhausted, raised an eyebrow. “What makes you so sure it’s not good news, Miss Guntram?”

Lola tried a smile. “Do the cops ever show up after midnight with good news?”

Her partner, Scherer, looked fresher. He sat on the edge of his seat like he might spring up any second, but he smiled back. It wasn’t an entirely happy expression. “You caught us out, Miss Guntram. This isn’t a social call.”

“Then don’t drag it out,” Lola said. His nervous energy was infectious.

They exchanged a knowing look. “Where were you between ten and midnight tonight?” he asked.

The blunt question created a knot of dread in her stomach and she had to swallow hard before she answering. “Working. I was with a client. Why?”

Hardy fixed cold blue eyes on her. It was a searching look, penetrating. If Lola didn’t know better, she’d wonder if the detective was trying to probe her psychically. But both detectives felt like nulls to her sharp senses. “Can you prove that?” she asked.

Irritation mixed with the dread. “Yes, of course. I have a diary in my office and you can call the client – although she probably isn’t going to be any happier to hear from you than I am. What’s this about?”

Scherer couldn’t quite manage Hardy’s gimlet gaze, but his half-smile had disappeared. “What exactly is your job, Miss Guntram?”

Lola shifted in the rocking chair, wishing she could cover herself with the blanket she sat on. But it would make her look vulnerable and she had a distinct feeling that wouldn’t do her any favors. She settled for tightening the belt on her robe and pushing her shoulders back. Three years of childhood ballet lessons had taught her that good posture always created a good impression.

“I’m a spiritual consultant. I help clients with difficult decisions, life choices, with emotional and psychological problems.” That was an edited, socially-acceptable answer. Lola wasn’t about to get into witchcraft and spellcasting. She rubbed her wrists absently, glad her robe had long sleeves that hid the scars on her arms.

Scherer sneered at her answer, making her doubly glad she’d given the short version. “So you’re a New Age guru or something? Separating the gullible from their money?”

“Scherer,” Hardy said, “let’s not get distracted.”

“Yes, I’d love it if we could stay on track,” Lola snapped. “Maybe we can start with you telling me what this is about? It’s late, I’m tired, I have an early start -”

“Why does ‘spiritual consulting’ take place so late at night?” Hardy asked. “That strikes me as odd, Miss Guntram.”

The sound of her own surname was starting to grate on Lola. “It’s a new moon tonight. Very good for certain practices.” Were they ever going to get to the fucking point? She couldn’t think of a single thing she’d done that would bring them to her door, and it felt like she’d never find out at this rate.

“So if we checked with your client, they would confirm you were nowhere near the Red Lotus tonight?” Hardy asked.

Lola blinked. “The Red Lotus? No, of course not. Why would I be there?” The idea was so laughable, she almost forgot her nerves and irritation for a second. The Red Lotus was a pretty exclusive S&M club – members only, sky-high fees, that kind of thing. It was also owned and managed by Lola’s ex-girlfriend. Even if she’d been into the kink that the Red Lotus offered, Lola could never have gone there. It would have been mortifying. She felt herself blushing at the very thought.

“Well, you tell us, Miss Guntram.” Hardy leaned forward again, resting her elbows on her knees and clasping her hands under her chin. The movement put her face in shadow, with the room only lit by a soft peachy lamp, and Lola was struck by the thought that Hardy would be beautiful if she didn’t look so tense and tired. “You see, a woman was found dead there tonight.”

Lola’s heart jumped, then plummeted. “A woman? Not Rowan?” Her voice squeaked and she covered her mouth as if she could recover the sound.

“Ms Morgan is fine,” Scherer said. Lola felt some of her dread drain away.

“She is the reason we’re here, however,” Hardy said. “She seems quite sure you’re responsible for the killing, you see.”

Get to know Naomi:

Naomi likes writing, perfume, fancy tea, and unfathomable monsters from the dark spaces between the stars, not necessarily in that order. She has been writing stories ever since she learned how to write, but is still trying to master the art of biography writing. When she’s not dealing with werewolves, demons, or sea monsters, she’s hanging out with her cat and probably watching a documentary about Bigfoot. If the cat isn’t available, she’s with her fiancé watching cookery shows and silently plotting her next book.

Find her online:

Blog

Twitter

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Author Spotlight – Doris O’Connor

You know that old saying… A picture speaks a thousand words. Never is that truer than when your muse is a very visual creature like mine is. Hot men get her going every time, and this story is no exception. I had no intention of writing this story in fact, until, my search for a Mancandy birthday pic for a friend let me to these two hunks.

Incidentally, if anyone knows who these two are, please let me know in the comments 

Where was I? Oh yes… My friend loved the pic, and some light hearted banter occurred. Was she going to have one or two…. Separately or at the same time…

*grins*

Her husband chirped up saying it sounded like one of my books, and just like that Zeb and Aran Harris jumped into my head, and wouldn’t leave me alone until I told their story.

And, trust me, having not one but two Alpha, Panther Shifter, Doms in my head, I did as I was told—fast!

I’ve learned long ago, never to argue with my characters, especially the Doms. No, sirreee, this little subbie does as she’s told in those circumstances.

You can’t say the same about the heroine of this story, Kate. Experienced submissive she might be, but as those in the lifestyle will know, that certainly doesn’t equal doormat, and Kate is one feisty human.

Kate does not believe in magic, and using animals in their act is just cruel, and she’s not afraid to put that point across. In the end—of course—resistance is futile.

She can’t resist the combined dominance of Arran and Zeb, and when they do get together they ignite the pages.

Prepare to laugh, cry, and fear for them all, when that dreaded council gets involved…

Buy it from Evernight ARe Bookstrand Amazon B&N

There’s no such thing as magic…

Kate doesn’t believe in it, let alone the panther sort Arran and Zeb Harris are famous for. Using animals in their act is just downright cruel. If only she could convince her libido of that. Instead she seems to have fallen head over heels in lust with those sex-on-legs twin brothers. Getting laid will cure this, surely?

When panther shifters Arran and Zeb scent their mate, they know they’ll have a fight on their hands. The delectable human morsel might be submissive, but Kate has spirit, never mind the small matter she has no idea shifters exist.

They want her submission freely given and not forced upon her by the mysterious mating bond. However, when their panthers kill while rescuing Kate, that bond might well be the only thing to keep them alive.

It’s up to Kate to save her Sirs.

Excerpt:

“Sirs, are we going to play—now?” The words cameout hesitant, but her breathing sped up when Zeb walked toward her and placed the end of his crop under her chin to nudge her head up. He slowly ran it along her throat, rested it on each of their bite marks and then trailed it along her collarbone and into the valley of her breasts.

“I thought we might, unless you have any objections?”

Kate shook her head and whispered a shaky, “No, Sir.”

“Good girl.” Zeb trailed the tip across her lace covered breasts, and over each nipple in turn, and Kate gasped and tried her best not to squirm.

Arran barely managed to hold in a groan of his own. It was incredibly erotic watching their girl reacting to his brother’s strokes against her flesh. Her skin took on the rosy glow of arousal, and her nipples firmed into hard buds that strained against the delicate blue lace covering them. Zeb nudged her knees apart further with his foot, and traced the tip of the crop over her quivering abdomen and down to her delectable wet pussy. The fabric covering her slit darkened further, and Arran’s nostrils flared as the sweet musk of her arousal filled the air. His cock jerked, and he stroked along his length to give himself some relief.

Zeb looked back at him and smirked, and mimicked Arran’s actions on his own dick. Kate licked her lips when she noticed, and moved toward Zeb, but he brought the riding crop down between her legs. It flicked across her wet slit, and Kate jumped and moaned. It was such a deep throated sound that Arran’s balls drew tight, and he fisted himself harder.

“Such a naughty girl we have. So wet for us already, so eager for a cock, aren’t you? Tell me, wildcat, how badly do you want my cock?”

Zeb took himself in hand more firmly as he spoke to her, and Kate’s gaze seemed riveted to the action of his hand going up and down his shaft. Arran fisted himself faster, as Kate’s pink little tongue dipped out and licked her lips. Drops of pre-cum emerged from the tip of his cock, and he rubbed his thumb over his wet slit, and used the natural lubrication to fist himself harder. It felt way too good, and his grunt of pleasure brought Kate’s attention back to him.

Zeb laughed when he noticed.

“Or perhaps you want my brother’s cock?”

Kate looked between them, and she nodded.

“What’s that, girl? I can’t hear you. Which cock do you want? Mine or Arran’s, or perhaps you want both?”

Arran and Kate both groaned in unison, and Zeb’s grin deepened. His sadistic brother always did get a kick out of playing mind games, and seeing both Arran’s and Kate’s discomfort no doubt turned him on.

“Hmm, perhaps you’ll get your wish, and we’ll fill all your holes today. Would my little wildcat like that?”

A moan was his only answer, and without warning Zeb brought the riding crop down across her thigh. Kate yelped, and a red thin stripe appeared across her pale flesh immediately. Zeb repeated the action to her other leg, and tears sprang into Kate’s eyes, yet her sweet musk increased tenfold, and Arran’s beast near salivated at tasting the bounty between her legs.

“Yes, Sir, please, anything … I’m yours.”

Kate’s whispered reply was music to Arran’s ears, and Zeb winked at him.

“Good girl, you best start with my little brother then. He looks about ready to explode.”

Kate’s gaze sought Arran’s, and the love and need to please that shone out of her right now meant the world to him. She made to rise, but Zeb’s heavy hand on her shoulder stopped her.

“Who said anything about getting up, girl? I want you to crawl, and swing those hips and tits. Give Arran a show, and then suck him good. I don’t want to see a drop of his cum spilled, do you hear me?”

“Yes, Sir.” Kate’s eager reply and the speed with which she complied meant that Arran had to pinch the bottom of his shaft to stop himself from shooting his load like some inexperienced teenager. He was so fucking close already, and judging by the wicked grin on his brother’s face Zeb knew that, too. He mentally flipped his brother the finger, and then concentrated on the poetry in motion that was Kate crawling toward him. With an inherent grace that would have done any cat shifter proud she put one hand in front of the other, and slid her knees across the soft carpet, while swinging her hips from side to side.

Zeb’s face dropped, and he seemed unable to tear his gaze away from her ass. Zeb had always been an ass man, and seeing her pale globes so beautifully presented to him, had to be torture for his brother. Served the bastard right.

All conscious thought fled Arran’s brain when Kate reached him, looked up at him from under her naturally long eyelashes, and smiled.

“Sir? May I please suck your cock?”

Shakedown: Diamond and Diamond Private Investigators – Now Available!

It’s been a while since I’ve been able to brag about my own release but TODAY IS THE DAY! My latest project, Diamond and Diamond Private Investigators is a bit of a departure from my normal writing style. Shakedown, the first installment focuses on Mike Diamond and Cassidy Werner.

Private Detective Mike Diamond is the low man on the totem pole. More often than not he finds himself investigating insurance fraud or cheating spouses. When he’s assigned a dog-napping case, he is on the brink of refusing until he meets the client. One look at her changes everything.

When the police refuse to investigate her case, Cassidy Werner turns to Diamond and Diamond Private Investigators. Despite the bad first impression he’s given her, Cassidy still hires Mike to help her find her prize Tibetan Mastiff. As she gets to know him, she realizes that he’s not only dedicated to getting Roddy back for her, but also a pretty great guy.

Right after she receives a ransom demand, things begin to heat up between them. Will Mike be able to crack the case and save her dog? And if he can, does that mean that he gets the girl too?

Interested yet? Get your copy here:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Igyi7M

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1H4OA4P

Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1AMAMLs

All Romance: http://bit.ly/1SYBpqH

Evernight: http://bit.ly/1H4Ptu6

Bookstrand: http://bit.ly/1GmShUF

Wanna see a bit more before you buy? Check out this excerpt:

Mike was relieved to find the lobby was empty, so he stopped back at Lara’s desk and asked, “Can you believe that shit? A dog napping?”

He didn’t think for a minute she hadn’t overheard every word. That woman was like the KGB and Secret Service all in one. Anything happened in this office, she had it under immediate surveillance.

Lara cuffed him on the arm and said, “The client’s in the bathroom, idiot.”

Mike winced, feeling bad he’d probably been overheard. But, seriously, who hired a PI to find a lost dog?

Seconds later, the bathroom door slowly opened. He almost did a double take as the woman stepped out. Aside from red eyes that had clearly been crying, she was a looker.

She was elegantly dressed and somewhere near his age, with a riot of auburn curls trailing down her back, like some sort of mermaid siren. All ripe, lush curves. He’d always liked his women soft.

And, he was ogling this obviously distraught woman like she was a steak. Not that he wouldn’t be more than interested in taking a bite, but it was clear that now wasn’t the time. So instead of voicing his thoughts, he stuck his hand out and said, “Mike Diamond. And you are?”

“Cassidy Werner,” she said, not bothering to stick her hand out.

Well, apparently she’d heard him. He’d need to apologize, if the look on her face was any indication. He dropped his hand and said, “My office is this way.”

She gave him a look that screamed ‘You’re on thin ice, buddy’ but moved toward the open office door that Mike had gestured to. He followed her, once again appreciating the hourglass waist and full hips. Damn.

He moved behind his desk and gestured to one of the worn chairs. When she had settled in, he asked, “So I understand your dog has been kidnapped?”

 

 

Author Spotlight – Raven McAllan

Thank you so much of hosting me today, and letting me share a little bit of The Contract, my Romance on the Go story from Evernight Publishing.

I’m fascinated by how we react to certain people without any conscious thought. How some people can be really pleasant, and we can chat away to them and feel no real connection, and others…wham.

I enjoy setting stories in places I love.

Oh and I do love a bit of conflict.

So, take a warm place in the sun, in this case Barbados. A hot bod hero, in this case called Rhuari, an independent take no prisoners heroine called Nikki. Oh and a conflict over…A Contract.

Walking out of her job was the best thing Nikki Plummer ever did. What she didn’t expect however, was to be tracked down by some hot bod, claiming she owed him.

Ruari Cameron has come to collect what he has paid for, but one look at Nikki, and there’s only one thing he wants. Her in every facet of his life.

Of course convincing Nikki of this might take some doing…but he’s more than ready to rise to the occasion.

Will they find their happy ever after under the Barbados sun?

A wee tease…

“Hey girl you had a visitor.” Kenna, her next door but one neighbor leaned out of a window, and winked. “He’s gone but said if I saw you to say he’ll be back later. If you don’t want him send him my way will you? Hawt.” She rolled her eyes. “You been holding out on us? Hot hunk like that hidden in your closet?” Kenna roared with laughter. “Fill me in, girlfriend, who is he?”

Hot hunk? I don’t know any hot hunks, do I? No way could she count any book boyfriends.

“No idea, but if you see him around and I don’t appear for a day or so it’s either hot sex going on, or I’m dead. I like daisies, and you can sing ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’ over my coffin.”

“The little death maybe?” Kenna guffawed. She had the dirtiest laugh Nikki had ever heard.

“I should be so lucky. Ah well, I guess I can dream.” Nikki sketched a wave and walked the last few yards to her gate and punched in the security code to allow her access. With hindsight, she wished she’d asked Kenna to describe the guy. Ah well he’d either come back or he wouldn’t. Nevertheless, a hot guy looking for her? That’d be right.

Maybe he wanted to avail himself of her talents? The stupid phraseology made her giggle as she unlocked her door and let herself into the cool kitchen. And maybe not. But there was no use speculating. Mr. Whoeverhewas probably had the wrong house, wanted Chestnut Avenue B instead of A. The street names were confusing. Or was looking for Marlena and Chester who used to own the property.

Instead of thinking about it, Nikki changed into a bikini, and dived into the pool, mindful that if he did come back it would be easier to answer the intercom and if necessary let him in, if she wasn’t skinny-dipping. Of course she knew it would be easier still if she stayed fully clothed just in case, but blow that. It was hot, she was sticky, and she’d been looking forward to her swim for the past five hours.

The water was like a cool caress after the heat of the afternoon sun. Nikki kicked off the bottom, surfaced and did a leisurely, classy crawl from one end of the pool to the other. A decent sized pool had been one of her priorities when she went house hunting here, along with aircon, and a spare room to work in. Acorn Villa, this traditional one story house, fit every specification and more. She loved it.

Nikki jumped as high as she could and sank under the water again. Life was brilliant. Crappy bosses and commuting were a not-so-fond memory. For the sheer hell of it, Nikki laughed as she surfaced, shook her long brunette hair—now with sun-kissed streaks in it—out of her eyes…

And screamed.

The sun had gone, the air felt cooler.

The guy who stood towering over her at the edge of the pool with his shadow long enough to shade the area, exuded menace.

Hot, sex on legs, menace.

~~~***~~~

Did you like it?

www.evernightpublishing.com/the-contract-by-raven-mcallan

And a wee bit about me…

Well what can I say?

I’m growing old disgracefully and loving it.

Dh and I live on the edge of a Scottish forest, and rattle around in a house much too big for us.

Our kids have grown up and flown the nest, but roll back up when they want to take a deep breath and smell the daisies so to speak.

I write in my study, which overlooks the garden and the lane. I’m often seen procrastinating, by checking out the wild life, looking—only looking—at the ironing basket and assuring tourists that indeed, I’m not the bed and breakfast. That would mean cooking fried eggs without breaking the yolks, and disturbing the dust bunnies as they procreate under the beds. Not to be thought of.

Being able to do what I love, and knowing people get pleasure from my writing is fantastic. Long may it last.

http://www.ravenmcallan.com

http:/ /www.ravenmcallan.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/rmcallan (my page)

https://www.facebook.com/ravenmcallan (author page)

https://twitter.com/RavenMcAllan

http://www.amazon.com/Raven-McAllan/e/B00694RHJI/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_11?qid=1408015501&sr=1-11

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Raven-McAllan/e/B00694RHJI/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_11?qid=1408015501&sr=1-11

Author Spotlight – M. Levesque

Today I’ve got the fabulous M. Levesque here talking about her latest novel, Bad Larry and the Divorcee. As a special treat, she’s shared the first chapter of her novel… and let me tell you, it’s a HOOT!!

But first…

Riya’s divorce gift to herself is to adopt a dog. Bad Larry and Riya meet at an animal shelter and quickly bond over their mutual hatred of men. Riya promises the little dog that she’ll never let anything bad happen to him again, if he promises to make it hard for her to bring any men back to her apartment, in a moment of weakness.

Jaden is investigating the murder of one of Riya’s high school classmates and after a strange first encounter in a public bathroom, he asks her out. She shoots him down but he’s determined to get to know her better, despite her warnings of owning a dangerous, man-hating dog.

Riya has no choice but to let Jaden into her life when she starts getting threatening letters from the killer but are she and Bad Larry ready to give Jaden an honest shot?

 

And without further adieu, Chapter One..

Chapter One: Mexican Hair Remover

This was my first official outing since the divorce. A former classmate died the week before and my class of seventy-four was holding a memorial service in our local Knights of Columbus hall.

I normally didn’t go to these things, since high school hadn’t exactly been the time of my life. I’d known very little about the guy who died, beyond one date at the movies that ended abruptly when I’d assaulted him with candy but I was sick of hiding in my run down crappy apartment just thinking about my ex-husband and his shiny new girlfriend.

To be quite honest I’m not great with death in general but I’m not really great with life either. So, unlike the majority of people going up to speak a few words about their memories of a guy very few of them really knew, I sat quietly in the back, next to my best friend from high school. I thought about the time the deceased and I went out for a movie and he behaved himself after nearly being concussed by a king sized Charleston chew. This apparently classified him as being nice, so I thought nice thoughts about David Bogs, the nice guy that I went on a date with, that one time.

I was currently sporting my favorite little black dress, which only fit again because when one gets a divorce you not only lose your dream house, half your stuff, your pride, your faith in the opposite sex and all of your couple friends, but you also lose a few pounds in the process of having your heart ripped out and set on fire.

To complete my post-divorce ensemble I was also wearing some sexy little four inch vixen pumps and my last pair of clean underwear…which weren’t really underwear as much as they were bikini bottoms. My new apartment, on the wrong side of town, didn’t have laundry, so between my work schedule and the fact that I hated the Laundry Nazi that ran the only laundromat in town…it was bikini bottoms or commando.

At least I wasn’t here alone. Pam sat beside me wiping tears from her glittering blue eyes with the corner of a designer silk scarf. I glanced over at her, dabbing daintily as not to mess her perfect makeup and was nearly blinded by the glittering stone on her ring finger. I tried not to glare at her but as the laser etched four-carat princess cut stone caught the low light of the room again it made me wonder if carrying that thing around all day would cause long term damage to her spine.

In grade school Pam and I had been equals. We’d been inseparable since kindergarten and nobody ever questioned why we were best friends until puberty hit and Pam turned into a supermodel overnight. As to whether or not this had anything to do with her perfect marriage to a rich scientist or not, that was left to be seen but they’d met in college and seemed to lead an almost magical existence together as beauty and the geek.

I squelched my jealousy. Pam was a great person, probably a better person than I was and she deserved to be happy with her husband who invented microwave bacon. She deserved to be happy living in a Malibu mansion complete with its own elevator and faux British butler.

I felt myself hunch down in my seat as the weight of my envy started to crush my inner awesomeness into a sticky paste of self-loathing.

I noticed this and straightened my spine in defiance of my own self-doubt. I was happy. Well, at least I was happier than I had been when I was married to that glorified ambulance chaser.

My life was great now… Okay, life wasn’t great but it was better than the poor guy we were remembering here today. I wasn’t even sure how he’d died and a morbid part of my brain was very curious as to how a thirty-year-old guy suddenly drops dead. This of course led to thoughts of my own mortality and the very real fact that life wasn’t forever and thus far, I’d done nothing with mine. Top off this fun fact with the current (possible medical emergency) going on between my thighs and my okay life was taking a nosedive into crappy fast enough to break the sound barrier. I needed very badly to go to the bathroom but doing so at this point in time would seem rude, and the tears streaming down my face were not for the deceased.

Sadly, I was having said emergency because of cheap Mexican hair removal products that I bought on eBay. More specifically, it may have been used on a location on my body not suggested by the manufacturer. That little red warning label wasn’t just there for decoration after all.

The twentieth girl David Bogs dated in high school was standing up to take the stage and I was starting to think nice guy was a bit of a player but more importantly, I was pretty sure my vagina was about to spontaneously combust.

The thought had me squirming in my seat. “I have to go to the bathroom!” I hissed in a panicked tone, grabbing Pam’s hand and nearly slicing my hand open on her wedding ring.

She met my urgent gaze and nodded once. “Okay…do you want me to go with you?”

I thought that was unspoken girl code anyway but instead of answering her I shot to my feet and dragged her to hers.

Everyone stopped and turned around to face us with expectant expressions on their tear-streaked faces.

I stood frozen, looking at all those faces from my past. A past I’d rather forget if given the choice.

Pam snapped to attention and flicked her wrist at them, like a monarch. “Continue.”

We burst into the handicap bathroom, which I noticed in passing was just as dreary as one would expect at a place like this and I immediately lifted my skirt and started scratching at the affected area. My eyes rolled back in my head and I blew out a sigh of relief as the itching/burning slowly dulled.

“Are you okay?” Pam’s eyes widened with concern.

“I don’t know. I need you to look.” I kicked off my heels and shimmied out of my bikini bottoms.

“Look at what?” Her eyes widened further.

“My crotch!” I hissed at her. “I think I might have chemical burn. Just tell me how bad it is.” I hopped up onto the counter between the sinks. If it’s really bad I’ll go to the hospital.

She rushed to the door and twisted the lock. “I’m not drunk enough for this, Rye.”

“It’s two o’clock in the afternoon. Why are you even drunk at all?” I lifted my feet onto the counter.“You don’t have a drinking problem do you?”

She snorted. “I hate these things. I’m only here because of you. Plus, I’m too rich to have a drinking problem.”

She had a point and who was I to judge? I was the one sitting on a bathroom sink with my legs open.

“You’re sure this isn’t a side effect of being married to your ex?” She asked, trying to seem casual about the fact that he’d basically put his dick on layaway at Walmart for the last five years of our marriage and I might have some sort of antibiotic resistant strain of Chlamydia.

Thankfully I knew that wasn’t the case. I’d been tested as soon as I found out and I’d luckily come back with a clean bill of health. On the not so bright side of the things, STD free or not, I’d essentially dumped battery acid on my coochie. “It was hair remover product.” I admitted timidly. I could no longer afford bi monthly trips to the best salons in town, just to have a complete stranger pour hot wax on my downstairs and rip the hair out by the roots.

She winced and lifted the edge of my skirt just in time for a man to walk into the room, through the supposedly locked bathroom door. We both froze as tall dark and handsome took in what he was seeing. Pam dropped the edge of my skirt and took a step back as I clambered off the counter.

“I thought you locked the door?” I asked her.

“I did,” she whispered back.

My face flamed dark red. “That wasn’t what it looked like. I’m kind of having a medical emergency.”

He slowly gave me a sympathetic smile. “I’m an EMT and a cop. I could call an ambulance?” He pulled out his badge, then his cellphone.

I narrowed my eyes at him. Of course I would run into Super Cop. I was starting to think I was the only one from my graduating class that hadn’t done anything worthwhile with my life. This guy had become Superman and I’d dropped out of college early, to marry a lawyer. Fat load of good that did me. Now, I was a secretary for a lawn mowing and pool cleaning company because I gave the workers something pretty to look at in the office and I was having my best friend give me armature medical advice because my co-pay was more than I made in three months. “Are you really an EMT?”

He smirked. “Part time, yes I am. Did you use a different soap or laundry detergent? You’re probably having an allergic reaction. I can take a quick look at it if you’d like.” Now it was his turn to blush.

“It was cheap Mexican hair remover cream, actually.” I mumbled then glanced at Pam. I wasn’t sure what the protocol was on this sort of thing. She shrugged, leaving it completely up to me as to whether or not I was going to allow a strange man to look up my skirt in the name of free medical advice. On the plus side, he didn’t mention STDs.

After a moment of thought I nodded.

“Do you mind watching the door?” he asked Pam who nodded like a bobbing head doll. Then he stepped forward, put his hands on my waist and lifted me back onto the counter, like a champ. I lifted my knees slowly as he got down onto one of his.

I snapped my legs together suddenly. “Um, my name is Riya,” I blurted out.

He glanced up at me and offered me his hand over my knees. “I’m sorry, how rude of me. I’m Jaden.”

Then he looked down and pried my knees apart gently before lifting my skirt. “Oh my god.” He glanced up at me, his face a little ashen.

“Am I going to die?” I whispered.

Pam’s eyes widened as she glanced at me.

He looked back down between my legs. “It’s pretty red and there appears to be some blistering.” He blew on the skin and my head thunked back into the mirror behind me. “Does that feel better?”

Sadly it felt better than anything I’d been able to do to myself in that last year and from the knowing smirk on Pam’s face she knew it too.

He lowered my skirt back down and I sat up. “I suggest you use a paste of baking soda and water to…prevent further damage to the affected area.”

He swooped down and picked up my neon yellow bikini bottoms off the floor and dangled them in front of me with one finger. “Laundry day?”

I hopped off the counter and snatched the underwear from his hand. “You know,” I said by way of changing the subject, “I don’t remember you from high school.” And he was hot enough to remember.

He seemed confused for a moment before nodding in sudden understanding. “You wouldn’t, I’m a detective for the case.”

“What case?” Pam and I asked simultaneously.

He held up a finger. “Your class stud. He was murdered.”

“Huh.” I pulled on my bikini bottoms and shimmied everything back into place. Jaden was watching me with amused interest. This was the look I got from most men. They always seemed interested but really weren’t sure what to do with me once they got me. I was funny from a distance but up close…I think I was just confusing. This little incident with the Mexican hair removal products was just the latest in a long line of embarrassing mishaps that controlled my life.

As if reading my thoughts he cleared his throat. “Does this sort of thing happen to you often?”

“It’s not my fault.” I explained. “My ancestor’s milk cow kicked over a lantern and burned down half of Chicago. It’s the family curse.” Pam and I nodded at him in unison.

He pinched his lips together and cleared his throat again. “I don’t know if you’re joking or not but I meant, do you ignore warning labels?”

I shrugged and pulled on my shoes with one hand on his very solid shoulder.

Pam’s eyes sparkled mischievously and she looked down at her phone. “I have to go.”

I gave her the same look Jesus gave Judas at suppertime but she smiled brightly and wondered out the door. “I’m staying at the Inn, call me later.” She yelled.

I slapped myself in the forehead. “I forgot my purse.” I was not going back in there. I hated those people and my support system had failed me as soon as she saw a potential candidate to fill the role of rebound boyfriend. I kept telling her I wasn’t interested in another man but she ignored me. She thought my lack of interest in the opposite sex had more to do with the fact that my only ever lover had been able to bring me to climax one time during our relationship.

Jaden raised his eyebrows at me. “Would you like me to help you out?”

For the briefest of moments I worried that he’d read my mind again, until I realized he was talking about the purse. I crossed my arms and assessed him carefully. “What’s in it for you?”

“I’ll get your purse but only if you give me your number afterwards.”

“I can’t.”

His charming smile withered into a slight grimace.

I immediately wanted to assure the ego bruised Adonis that my lack of interest had nothing to do with the fact that I wasn’t chomping at the bit to play doctor again. “No, it’s nothing like that. You’re very attractive but I’ve given up men.” I flashed him my tan line from where I’d worn a wedding ring for the last ten years.

Without missing a beat, he quirked an eyebrow at me, “We’re not all the same you know.”

I snorted. “Yeah but I’m allergic to green Skittles and I’m colorblind where Skittles are concerned…so rather than risk death, I’m not eating Skittles anymore.” The unspoken part was that I was really starting to crave Skittles. Funerals always made me crave Skittles. Don’t judge me.

He was obviously confused but unwilling to throw in the towel just yet. “I know that means something to you, but maybe you should explain it to me…slowly.”

“It means I’m colorblind when it comes to men and I always pick the green ones.”

“I’m not sure but that sounds a little racist,” he said.

“Okay, not colorblind, just asshole blind. Now, will you get my purse or not?”

He peered at me through narrowed eyes. “I’ll get your purse but just so you know, we’re still going out, at least once. I like you.”

“I can’t, I’m already in a relationship.” I said, desperately. I could feel my resolution dissolving very quickly under his blue-eyed stare.

“Are you in a relationship with a woman because you just told me you’ve given up on men?”

I chewed my bottom lip and his eyes darted down to my mouth. Just the fact that he noticed my mouth turned me on. What was wrong with me? “No, not with a woman. It’s actually more of a really jealous roommate situation, than an actual relationship.”

“Cats and goldfish don’t count,” he said, cueing in on my vagueness.

“Ha, joke’s on you, he’s a Doberman named Bad Larry and Larry likes men less than I do.” Bad Larry is actually a twelve-pound Miniature Pinscher but he really doesn’t like men and he doesn’t really know he’s only twelve pounds and he has a rap sheet to prove it.

I got Larry when the divorce was finalized. My ex didn’t like dogs so in an act of admittedly impulsive rebellion, I got Larry. Larry was a rescue from an animal shelter and when I saw him for the first time and discovered that he didn’t like men either, we became best friends. I promised to never let anyone hurt him again and he promised to make sure that in a moment of hormonal weakness, I didn’t let any men come back to my apartment.

I’d witnessed Larry in action twice. Once when the vet was checking him over before I brought him home and once when I was taking him out to pee and a construction worker tried to pet him. Larry is now on a city mandated bad dog list, meaning that he has to behave himself from now on or he could be taken away and put in puppy lifer prison.

Jaden shook his head at me and returned a moment later with my purse in one hand and his phone in the other. “I have to go right now but I put my card in your purse just in case you change your mind about Skittles.”

I winked at him. “You got it stud, but right now I have an emergency date with the box of baking soda currently deodorizing my fridge.”

He smiled broadly at me. “Tell Bad Larry I said hello.”

“Bad Larry doesn’t need to know about you. Trust me, it’s for your own protection.”

Buy Links:

Amazon

Evernight

Allromanceebooks

…or wherever ebooks are sold.

10% of author profits for Bad Larry and the Divorcee will be donated to animal rescue!

For updates on this and more please follow my blog at www.authoraddisonlockwood.wordpress.com

Author Spotlight – Jennifer Macaire

Let’s give a huge welcome to Jennifer Macaire today. She’s talking about her most recent release, Jack the Stripper. Intriguing already, right?  :)

So here’s the skinny:

Jack’s back from the dead. His mission? Catch the Heart Taker, a mutant that’s terrifying both human and undead alike. Jack teams up with his ex-girlfriend Brianna and a hot zombie named May to catch the killer – but he has to hurry, the Heart Taker has chosen Brianna as his next victim.

Welcome to The Purple Dee. Pull up a chair and get settled in, the show will start soon!

Our featured performer tonight is Jack the Stripper. He’s Jack Severn, newly back from the dead. He’s magical, he’s hot, but evil he’s not! Jim Ling-Li, Necromancer extraordinaire, brought him back to life, gave him some extra features, and, as you’ll see, made him irresistible —

Especially to Jack’s ex-girlfriend Brianna. Jack’s sexier than ever, and they’re better together. But she doesn’t want to risk her heart, not again, and definitely not with a zombie.

Jack also has a mission. He’s back to catch the Heart Taker, the mutant that’s been terrifying human and undead alike. His current obsession’s none other than Jack’s Brianna.

So give a big hand for Jack…he’s going to need all the support he can get to catch his own murderer.

*Jack the Stripper was origianally published by Loose Id as “Zombie Jack”. It has been re-edited and re-issued by Evernight Publishing.

Excerpt:

His arm fell off again. The first time it happened, he’d been holding a heavy suitcase. A woman noticed and let out a horrified scream. He looked down. The suitcase lay on the ground, his hand still gripping it.

“Ahhhh!” he screamed too. Suddenly everyone in the bus station was either screaming or running.

Panicked, he grabbed his arm, first having to pry his fingers off the suitcase, and fled. With the bus station far behind him, he slowed down and tried to take stock of his situation. He was lost. His arm had fallen off. Well, it could be worse. At least he hadn’t lost it. He took his shirt halfway off and popped his arm back into its socket—getting it backwards the first time.

It was so bizarre. His arm was like part of a toy that popped in and out of its socket. A strange, magnetic, magical effect held it together. At least he didn’t feel any pain and it wasn’t too gross once you got used to seeing bare bone and muscle. No blood. No pain. No suitcase—he’d left it in the bus station. No clean clothes. A raindrop landed on his nose. Then the sky opened up and let down a deluge. Great.

Hunching his shoulders against the rain, he hurried down the street. A sort of whispered tingle ran through his body, urging him this way and that. It was the same sort of tingling pull that made him go to the bus station. It had led him this far—he might as well follow it to see where he’d end up. The mysterious force coursing through his body tugged him along, and then spun him around and pushed him into a dark, narrow alleyway.

He looked around. At one end of the alley was a dumpster. At the other end was the quiet street where he’d arrived. He knew where he was. Things were starting to fall into place.

He waited a few minutes, but no one had followed him. He sighed, and went to the green door. He tried the handle, but it was locked, and when he pulled it, his arm fell off again.

Depression and dismay rolled over him. He bent down, picked up his arm, and put it back in place. Nothing was going right. He kept hoping he’d wake up from the nightmare he found himself in, but it wasn’t happening. He was dead, and he had no place to go except here. Timidly, he rapped on the green door. No one answered, so he knocked harder, and then, when the door remained shut, he made a fist and pounded with all his might.

After a few moments it opened and a man with long blond hair down to his waist peered out at him. The man rubbed bloodshot blue eyes, yawned, and then said, “You’re too early for the audition. It won’t be for another couple hours.” With that, he shut the door in Jack’s face.

Audition? Jack blinked, backed up, and looked more carefully at the green door. Taped to the door was a sign. “Auditions. All day Sunday.”

He rapped on the door again, and the blond man opened it. He looked cross. “Look man, it says starting at 2 p.m.”

“It says all day Sunday,” said Jack. “Is today Sunday?”

“Of course.” The blond man looked perplexed. “All day Sunday? Let me see that.” He stepped out and examined the sign. “Right.” He looked at Jack. “Wait a minute.” He went inside. A minute later he was back with a felt-tipped pen. Carefully, he blacked out the “All day” and wrote, “Starting at 2 p.m.”. Putting the top back on the pen he nodded. “Better.”

“Could I wait inside?” Jack asked. “It’s raining.”

The blond man had been about to shut the door. He scratched his head then shrugged. “All right. You can wait in the lounge. Follow me.”

Gratefully, Jack entered the building where he was pretty sure he’d been killed.

Review:

“…The story is really enjoyable as Ms Macaire deliciously brings on the zany dark humor in a manner that really appeals to the fan of the macabre in me. The humor is not too overpowering or too farcical – just enough to keep me laughing. There is already a beautiful kind of poetry in the premise, what with a hero who lacks a heart, but is in love, and who is supposed to be dead but ends up a hero instead. The story doesn’t disappoint in delivering a fun Tim Burton kind of romantic adventure where I am concerned.”

~ Mrs Giggles eBook review of Zombie Jack (Loose Id edition)

Buy links:

Evernight Publishing – Amazon

About Jennifer:

Jennifer Macaire lives in France with her husband, three children, & various dogs & horses. She loves cooking, eating French chocolate, growing herbs and flowering plants on her balcony, and playing golf. She grew up in upstate New York, Samoa, and the Virgin Islands. She graduated from St. Peter and Paul high school in St. Thomas and moved to NYC where she modeled for five years for Elite. She went to France and met her husband at the polo club. All that is true. But she mostly likes to make up stories.

Find Jennifer on the Web:

Website

Author Spotlight – Maia Dylan

I’ve got the delightful Maia Dylan with me here talking about her latest release, The Wolf and His Earth Goddess. Check out some excerpts and learn more about Maia!

What would you do if you featured in a prophecy that if left unsolved meant the end of the world? Casey Rika went camping! Despite being a powerful Elemental, she got shot twice, left for dead in the middle of the forest and ended up in the arms of the wolf from her dreams.

As the Earth Elemental determined by birth, and chosen by a goddess, Casey had until the first day of summer to solve her part of the prophecy, and start the journey to save a goddess caught in the Otherworld, and defeat a God. How hard could that be?

Micah Winters rescue mission into the national park where he worked as a ranger, became personal as soon as he realized it was his mate he was rescuing. Now, Micah really only had one goal – help his mate solve the prophecy and keep her alive.

**erotic romance, ménage a trois, paranormal, shape-shifter, anal sex, double penetration

PG EXCERPT:

“How did you know I was your mate?” Micah asked suddenly, and Casey smiled. She had been wondering when this was going to come up again.

“Well, because of- let’s just say circumstances in my life beyond my control, I have a very strong interest in the super natural. I have met with, and spoke to a lot of shifter communities and leaders over the years. I met the Sharman for one of the northern wolf packs who told me I was the mate to a wolf, and that he would come for me when I was in danger. He told me that I would recognize you immediately and would feel the mating bond form and I did.”

Casey smiled shyly as Micah’s eyes softened as he looked at her. She had left out a few other indications like the fact that she had dreamed about him for years, but if he didn’t remember those dreams then perhaps the Fates had only meant them for her.

“I learnt a lot from each and every person I spoke with, and the fact that for wolf shifters you won’t fully merge with your inner wolf spirit until you actually scent your mate was something I found beautiful.” Casey was quiet for a moment as she struggled to but her thoughts into words.

“That moment when you scent your mate and everything aligns within you, it’s like the coming together of heart, body and soul and it is so beautiful to me. What was it like for you?”

Micah smiled. “It was exactly how my dad described it to me and my brothers. I scented you and felt this huge swell of power and strength and it dropped me to my knees. I had to fight my wolf for control for a moment, the merge shook the both of us I think, but I managed to force the change back to human. “

“Can he force you to change form?”

“Before meeting you, there was always the possibility of that. He’s a strong wolf, and quite stubborn. They need to be allowed to exercise and take control in order to cede control at other times if that makes sense. It is a privilege and an honor to have a wolf spirit, and he and I will work as one to protect you from now on.”

“I’m not quite sure what we do now?” she asked after a moment.

“Yeah, you and me both, sweetheart.” Micah cleaned up their breakfast and then moved to sit facing her on the bed. “I wasn’t exactly looking for a mate, Casey.”

Casey felt her heart shudder at a sudden thought. “Oh God, do you have a girlfriend?” Jealousy bloomed through her body with a speed that surprised her.

Micah grinned, the bastard. “No, I don’t, baby. But I do like that jealous streak you have going there. Makes my dick hard.” If he expected her to blush and get all embarrassed because he used the word dick, then he was tripping. And he had never met a woman who wrote erotic romances for a living.

“Well, that’s good to know, and I can assure you that there are a lot of things I can do that will make your dick hard.” She winked at him when his jaw dropped open a little. “What? Did you think I’ve never seen a hard dick before or to that point, never even touched one?” This time it was his eyes that sparked with jealousy, and she liked it too. A lot.

“Yeah, new rule. No more talking about other dicks you’ve seen and certainly none that you’ve touched, deal?” Grinning, she nodded. Then his eyes lowered to her lips. His eyes darkened when she wet her suddenly extremely dry lips. He made a low growling noise that had her creaming herself. Hot damn, he was one hot shifter. His eyes suddenly changed from steel gray to pale blue, telling her that his wolf was near the surface.

He wrapped his hand around the nape of her neck, pulled her into him, and then he just devoured her. She had no other word for it—one minute she was in control of herself and then he simply took over, leaning up and over her bending her to his will. He thrust his tongue into her mouth, gliding it over hers, twining them together, and when she sucked on his tongue, he growled. Then he sucked her bottom lip into his mouth.

Pulling away, she took a moment to get her equilibrium back before she opened her eyes. When she did, she saw him smiling gently at her. When she smiled back, he stroked his fingers over her cheek. “When you get the all clear to leave, would you come home with me?” His tone was hesitant, as if fearing her rejection. Silly wolf, did he not own a mirror?

“I think that would a really good idea.” She watched a smile spread across his face, one that matched her own. Then she reached up, mirrored his move from moments before, and pulled him down for another kiss.

© MAIA DYLAN, SIREN PUBLISHING, 2015

Excerpt R

Casey mewled and Micah felt her start to tremble. Rotating his hand so that his palm almost cupped her, his fingers found the bumpy ridge inside her that was going to blow her mind. As her trembling started to grow, he swirled his tongue around her clit and pulled it into his mouth. Just as she started to convulse, he fucked her hard with his fingers, sliding them high up into her against the sweet spot that would have her coming hard. And come hard she did.

“Fuuuuucccckkkk!” Her scream echoed through his room and he growled as cream gushed from her pussy. She had released so much he had to swallow repeatedly. Fucking ambrosia. If he had his way, he would do this every damn day for the rest of his fucking life! Not leaving her through the intense orgasm, he licked and slowly brought her down from the heights he had driven her too.

He felt her slump forward and he helped her to slide down his body so that she was straddling his lap and her head was buried in his neck. She was breathing hard and little shocks of pleasure still racked her body. Micah had pleasured her well and he felt invincible. He would have enjoyed it more if he wasn’t harder than he had ever been in his life and needing to be buried inside of her more he had needed anything else in his life.

Casey suddenly groaned and pulled back to look at him. He gently drew the long strands of her long dark hair over her shoulders. Damn she made his heart ache. Her green eyes sparkled and her grin was sleepy, satisfied, and contented as hell. “Jesus, Micah, you sure know how to treat a woman!” She leaned forward and sucked his bottom lip into her mouth, nibbling on it. “But I need something more. Fuck me, Micah, please?” She started nibbling on his earlobe and he felt his eyes roll back into his head.

“Christ, Casey! You keep doing that and I’m gonna fuck you here on the floor.” Micah moaned as she bit into the fleshy part of his shoulder. The placement not lost on him. When he eventually claimed her, that would be the spot on her shoulder he’d sink his teeth into and make her his. She surprised the hell out of him then by leveraging herself up so she could grasp his cock in her hand, and she guided him into her body. The warm, wet heat of her pussy fit him like a glove, and just as she was about to take all of him, she swiveled her hips, making him jerk.

“Fuck, baby, you fit me so damn well. Your pussy is soft and wet around my dick.” He felt her pussy ripple around him and he threw his head back with a shout. “Oh yeah, do that again.” She leaned back, gripping his shoulders for leverage, and then ground against his hips while massaging him from the inside. He growled and groaned as she gave him the hottest damn lap dance in history, all while he knelt on the floor of his bedroom.

A sudden thought occurred to him and had him freezing. “Casey baby, not that I wouldn’t love to see you swollen with my child, but are you on birth control?”

She gave him a smile as she bit her lip, nodded, and then started moving harder against him. Sooner than he would have liked, she had him hovering near madness, and he knew his eyes would be flashing blue. Growling, he lifted up to kneel and Casey gasped in his ear as she wrapped her long sleek legs around his waist and held on. He knew he wouldn’t be able to make it up onto the bed, so he simply rolled and laid her down on the bedroom rug, still buried balls deep inside her. He pulled her legs higher up his hips, grabbed her arms, and put them up over her head with her wrists clasped in one of his hands.

He breathed deep, taking the smell of their arousal and the earthy smell of sex into his lungs. He locked gazes with her and then slammed his hips into her, making her body bounce and her eyes widen. “Can you handle it, baby?” he asked, holding himself back with all the strength he had in his body. His muscles were locked so damn tight he thought they might actually snap. If she said she needed slow, he didn’t know what the hell he would do.

Then she gave him a smile so sexy, so damn wicked he cursed. “Handle it? Baby, I can handle anything you can dish out, and more. Now, fuck me hard! Take me like you mean it.” And that was it. The tight hold he had on his control snapped and he started to slam his hips into hers, driving pleasure into every cell of his body as she lifted her hips to meet every one of his thrusts.

© MAIA DYLAN, SIREN PUBLISHING, 2015

Five questions for the author

Q: What was the inspiration for this series?

A: I love writing about shifters, and alphas. The complexity to their personalities and the attitudes you can create with them are really intriguing. You add into strong heroines who have the ability to manipulate the natural elements and have to solve a prophecy in order to save the world and you have the type of book I love to read and write.

Q: Was if fun including little shout outs to New Zealand in this book?

A: Definitely. I am very proud to be from New Zealand and we have such a rich and diverse culture that being able to plant little kiwi-isms and shout outs to New Zealand is so much fun. Casey’s sister Ariana, who we learn a little bit about in this book, is from New Zealand and is of Maori heritage, so I am looking forward to sharing more aspects of this culture with you all in the following books of this series.

Q. Does each part of the prophecy give us a little insight into what the other elementals might face and a short hint into the stories?

A. Hmmmm, how to answer this question. Yes they do, but not entirely. Each of the Elementals need to complete their individual prophecy journey to see what role they play in freeing Olwen. But each one also has a very personal journey that needs to be completed at the same time. There will be tears, blood shed and a whole heap of having to lend a hand to help a friend in need and that is a part of this series that I love writing.

Q. What are you working on at the moment?

A. Grey River has so many stories to tell, and I am currently working on Xanthe’s story. Xanthe has a lot going on in her life at the moment and when her past crashes into her present… well, let’s just say shit gets real!! I am also working on book three of this series and boy oh boy! There are some scenes in this book that I am finding very hard to write, characters I love in so much danger makes Maia a very nervous author!

Q. Do you have anything to say to your current readers or to those that haven’t yet read you work?

A. Thank you to all my readers who are enjoying the Grey River series. I do hope you will give the Shifters of Freedom Springs a try. All of the characters are looking forward to taking you on their journey to save the world and hope you’ll go along for the ride. It is always a treat for me to hear from my readers so please reach out with a question or a query if you would like and I look forward to sharing more stories with you!

Author bio:

Maia Dylan lives, loves and works in beautiful New Zealand. She married her best friend and they have two adorable, but stubborn children who obviously take after their father.

Maia’s career has featured a lot of travel, and she has filled her time at airports and in the air with books, books and more books. Her love of erotic paranormal romance has seen her amass a huge library. She has been an avid reader and lover of ménage romances since she read her first book in this genre about three years ago.

In January of this year, Maia submitted her first ever manuscript to Siren Publishing. She wasn’t at all confident that it would be accepted and in fact she was expecting a nicely worded email with a resounding no! Much to her surprise less than two weeks later she had an acceptance and a signed contract in hand. Since then she hasn’t looked back and currently has three books in her Grey River series set for publication.

Outside of writing, Maia loves to eat, so she loves to cook! Her herb garden is legendary, but she still has issues getting tomatoes to grow. She’s been a performer for years, and has even sung on international stages, she would love to own a classic Ford Mustang one day and of course have the opportunity to race it on a race track without fear of a speeding ticket.

Although ultimately her dream is to be able to write full time on a sandy beach with a Mai Tai at hand, she is quite happy to fit her writing in when she can. As long as someone reads her books, gets a laugh and maybe come to love her characters and much as she does, then she feels that she is living her dreams no matter what!

Purchasing Link

Bookstrand: www.bookstrand.com/the-wolf-and-his-earth-goddess

Social Media Links

Publishers Author Page: http://www.bookstrand.com/maia-dylan

Amazon Authors Page: http://amazon.com/author/maiadylan

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/maiadylanauthor

Twitter – https://www.twitter.com/Maiadylanauthor

Website – http://www.maiadylan.com

Blog – http://www.maiadylan.com/#!blog/c112v

Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/maiadylan/

Newsletter sign up link: http://www.maiadylan.com/#!contact/c1kcz

 

 

Author Spotlight – Amber Morgan

A note from the author:

Between submitting THROUGH HER EYES for publication and completing the final edits, I found myself reading a lot of true crime books. Lots of stuff on criminal profiling, unsolved cases, and serial killers. It was coincidence, but it was also great timing when the edits came in! I didn’t want to make the story procedural-heavy, but as the hero, Dom, is a police detective, I think I was able to make him a little more real by working in some of the facts I’d picked up. I was also able to flesh out the villain of the story by adding in little behavioural cues based on real-life serial killers. I didn’t want to shoehorn anything in, like “look at me, I read some stuff!!!”, but hopefully the extras I did squeeze in help to build the tension and chills in the story!

Blurb

Six years ago, Keira nearly died at the hands of a serial killer. The experience left her with more than just physical scars. She was psychically linked to the killer, a helpless witness to all his crimes. Now the man known as the Shoreditch Slasher has killed again, and Keira is dragged right back into his path. Detective Dom Abbott believes Keira’s link to the killer will help the police finally catch him, even if it means putting the woman he loves in danger. With Dom to protect her, Keira is willing to risk almost anything…But where will her strange gift lead her?

Author Bio and Links

Amber is the secret identity of a writer who normally pens urban fantasy, but feels like stretching her wings. Amber loves darker romance, anti-heroes, good red wine, and expensive chocolate (sometimes all at once). She’s based in the UK and lives in an adorable cottage with her dream man and a demanding cat.

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Twitter – https://twitter.com/AmberMothling

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Excerpt

His intentions were fiercely clear when he kissed her.

She gasped into his mouth, thrilled by the heat of his kiss. He knotted one hand in her hair, forcing her head back. At the same time, he backed her against the wall, pinning her in place while he devoured her mouth with his, forceful and almost painfully demanding. She moaned, a mixture of pleasure and pain. His touch, his kiss, his hands… It was all exquisite, but this position – forced against the wall, held firm by a powerful man… It stirred dark memories.

Dom must have sensed her inner turmoil, because he broke the kiss, stepping back with a groan. “Dammit, Keira—”

“I don’t want you to stop,” she said quickly, afraid he’d end things before they’d even begun.

“I’m not bloody stopping.” He gripped her shoulders, pulling her in close. “Believe me, I’m not. But all the times I imagined fucking you, Keira Swanson, I never once imagined doing it in my front room with a half-eaten pizza at our feet.”

She laughed, heart hammering and making her feel bold and reckless. “How did you imagine it?”

“All kinds of ways.” He traced her lips with his finger. “Rough, slow, in silk sheets, in the shower, with blindfolds, strawberries, ice cubes, handcuffs…” He ground against her and nipped her earlobe. Keira shivered in delight, pressing back against him. “Drove myself mad imagining all the things we could do. But pizza boxes were definitely never involved.”

She shivered pleasurably, electricity seeming to zip between her clit and her nipples at his words and his touch. She’d imagined it too – all those scenarios and countless more, and the thought of actually doing it was as surreal as any outer-body experience. It made her fears about initiating intimacy fall away. Dom wanted her. It was plain in every line of his body, in the way he pushed his hips against her, the way he stared at her so hungrily. She didn’t need to wonder how to do this. It would be as natural as breathing.

Author Spotlight – Grace Ryles

A betrayal six years ago sent Holland Mathers’s world spinning. Forcing her to flee the only place she’d ever known and the only men she’d ever loved. Vowing to move on from the past lands her in a local dungeon being manhandled by her date, Mitchel. The men who come to her rescue are none other than the objects of her desire, the men she thought she’d lost forever.

Adrian Reyes and Oliver Edwards have loved Holland ever since the day they found her on the side of the road. Their relationship lasted only six months, but that was enough for them to spend all of their time searching for her when she fled their small town, without an explanation. Knowing that without her they will never be complete, they are determined to show her that their love can overcome whatever she is hiding from them.

A chance encounter leads them to reuniting again, but things aren’t that simple. Can they find a way back into her heart and bed or will they lose her forever?

 

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Excerpt:

“You want this cock, doll? You want me to shove it down your throat so you can swallow my cum?” She nodded her assent.

Walking right into her personal space, Adrian smeared his seed across her lips, temping her to open for him. “Go ahead, Holland. Show me what I’ve been missing. You know how I like it, baby.” She parted for him and he felt his first taste of heaven in six years. Her pert little tongue poked out and licked up the drop of pre-cum leaking from his tip. She delved into the slit begging for more of his cream. That wicked tongue then snaked around the head, slurping, tasting his flavor. “God, baby doll. So damn good, take me deep now.” Without any hesitation, Holland took him deeper into the recess of her mouth. He knew his cock was too big for that tiny orifice but that wouldn’t stop him from making her take more of him, as much as her little mouth could handle. With enough training she would take him all in a single pass. He continued to let her explore, taking him into her mouth in long passes, then hollowing out her cheeks on each withdrawal. Normally he wouldn’t allow this much control, he needed to be the leader, the one in charge, but right now he would indulge her. Give her this chance to become accustomed to his girth this one time. When she was finally ready to enter into the type of relationship they had previously, he would fuck her mouth with intemperance. For now he would enjoy the ride.

The feel of her walls contracting to keep him in as he withdrew was enough to send Oliver over the edge. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself not to come too soon. It had been so long since he had felt her tight wet heat. At first he forced himself to go slow, take his time to ease her into the feel of his large shaft fucking her. But once she gave him her consent he couldn’t hold back. He continued to shuttle into her, hitting every wall and the sensitive tissues of her pussy. Angling slightly, he positioned himself to hit the one place he knew would send her over the edge. He wanted her wanton and so filled with pleasure that she would never deny them again. Oliver just had to hold back long enough to get her off. It was almost too much for him when Holland started sucking Adrian. He knew how that mouth felt, dreamt of it. And right now Adrian was taking full advantage of that pleasure. He wanted to share it with Holland, but how would she feel? Was it too soon to introduce her to this new dynamic, one in which he was just as intimate with Adrian? He hoped not.

 

Removing his hands from her hips, Oliver slowed his pace. Determine to keep them both on the edge until he tested his theory. His thick fingers massaged as they moved up her spine, to finally rest against her nape. Gripping softly first then with more pressure he leaned down to whisper into her ear. “Our beautiful girl. I love watching you suck on our Master. It makes me so fucking hot, I want to share him with you Holly. Will you let me have a little taste?”

Holland faltered in her movements. What did Oliver just say? He wanted to taste Adrian. She knew that was something they must have done often, but it still shocked her. How did it make her feel, honestly? Oliver licking and sucking on Adrian’s hard dick, feeling the thick veins, tasting his woodsy essences, swallowing him deep…God! Just the thought sent a sharp current of electricity to her core, causing her muscle to contract around Oliver’s rigid member. It didn’t repulse her in the slightest and to be honest she wanted that. Wanted to share Adrian with Oliver. Pulling free of the cock in her mouth, she turned her head slightly, took in his desire-ridden eyes. “Show me…I want to see you, please, Master.”

Oliver’s eyes hooded further and Holland knew that she pleased him with her words. Oliver swooped down and took her mouth in a drugging kiss. Latching on for dear life, sucking at her tongue, nipping with his teeth. Surrounding her further, allowing her to melt into the moment. When he was finished he sought out Adrian’s cock. He didn’t have to search for long. It was hard and waiting for them, her saliva mixed with Adrian’s salty liquid coasted the shaft. Adrian took himself in hand and guided his cock to Oliver’s slightly parted lips. She watched as Oliver wasted no time, there was no pretense.

 

He simply inhaled the cock in front of him, taking Adrian deeper than she ever could. His mouth hollowed, taking the other man to the back of his throat in one single long pass. Holland could see Oliver’s throat working as he swallowed, massaged and grunted but never stopped powering into her. His thrust had slowed, but now they regained the speed he had lost. One hand left her nape and reached down to tug at her dark lover’s balls. His movements weren’t as tender or as graceful as Holland’s had been. He was frantic, all male, and Holland relished in his hard possession of her body. The other hand on her nape snaked around and held her throat in a tight grip, choking her for a heartbeat of a second. Then his hand relaxed and Holland sucked in a harsh breath. Oliver repeated this action, making her wetter than before, her cream running freely down her thighs. The eroticism of the moment drugging her. She was frenzied, hyperaware of each and every one of her senses.

 

The sensation of Oliver fucking her with all the grace of a wild animal, his hand wrapped around her throat making her feel so very vulnerable, the complete abandon in which he sucked on Adrian and God the sounds they made sent her skyrocketing. She had been kept on edge for too long, the desire built and crashed over her. Hurtling her into a world where she could only feel. Her pussy contracted, milking Oliver, begging for his semen. Wanting him to complete his possession of her, to feel his warm heat flood her system, But it didn’t come, he didn’t stop fucking her. And soon he was building her up again, another climax on the horizon.

“Oliver, fuck your mouth, love. Suck me, suck me hard but don’t let me come. I want to share that with our special girl.” Adrian looked down, his eyes finding hers. Showing her with those green orbs how much this moment meant to him.. “Baby doll, I want you to drink me down. Oliver is going to get me to the brink and then I want you to swallow me, take my cum into your mouth.” That seemed to spur Oliver on further. His head bobbed faster. Adrian threw his head back, groaning loudly in the empty room. “Fuck, love, let go, share me with Holland.” Oliver’s hand that had been tugging on Adrian reached out, took the shaft from his mouth, and thrust it in her face. Holland opened her mouth just as Oliver gripped her hair and led her to Adrian’s pulsating cock. Sealing her lips around the engorged flesh, she brought him as far as she could and swallowed, working her throat around the tight fit. Seconds later Adrian roared in completion, his hot semen splashing her throat. Holland rushed to swallow his semen but the orgasm was too much and it spilled from between her lips, dribbling down to her chin.

The savageness of the moment spurred her on, sending her headfirst into one of the most explosive climaxes of her life. Adrian’s softening cock slipped from her mouth but before long Oliver was there tilting her face toward him. “I need a taste,” was all he said before he began licking the dribbles of semen that had escaped her mouth.

Author Spotlight – Grace Ryles

It started with an arrangement, temporary, no-strings-attached sex. On a journey to find herself, Emma Daniels never expected to fall into bed with two broody men for a little dominance play. Giving up her dreams of finding the one thing she has always wanted…a family, Emma decides to embark on a month long NSA sex with brothers Ryder and Chase. Emma finds herself falling for the hotties and wanting more, but their scarred past hinders them from giving her what she wants. Chase and Ryder Freeman have sworn off women, apart from one singular exception, sex. Meeting Emma, they never expected for her to stir those old emotions, the ones they kept buried deep inside. Determined not to give into those old feelings, they propose a compromise, one month, no strings attached. Can these three finally overcome the hurt of their past or will they succumb to it? Will Emma finally get what she always wanted by claiming her temporary men?

 

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STORY EXCERPT

Chase made it to the station a few minutes later after leaving Emma’s cabin. He hated that he had to go into work. It was something he tried not to do, let work invade his personal life. But sometimes the best intentions didn’t matter much, when you worked in the public sector. It wasn’t until hours later that he was finally finished with the logistics of what went down. According to the coroner, there was no foul play, but Chase believed that this was not just another natural death case. But with nothing to go on, he was at a loss as to proceed further. Pulling his truck into the garage, he couldn’t wait to take a shower and head to bed.

Ryder was the in the living room when he walked in and he could tell his brother had been drinking. He had been for a while if the bottles that lined the table were any indication. It didn’t look good. Anytime Ryder was in a funk he drank and heavily. Chase thought things were looking up but it seemed like his brother was going to run scared. He wasn’t at all in the mood to deal with his brother’s crap, but he was all he had and if they were ever going to move on, he had to make Ry realize a few truths.

“Started early?” he asked, walking in and taking one of the unopened Jack Daniels bottles, opening it and taking a swig. The liquid burned as it went down and his belly warmed.

“Nope only a couple of hours, have a lot shit on my mind.” Okay, here it goes.

“Like what? How long have you been here wallowing, Ry? You can’t keep doing this, you can’t run this time. This has to stop, talk to me,” he implored his younger brother.

“And say what, Chase? I was a damn fool for falling for that bitch, or should I admit, it wasn’t love but just an obsession. It wasn’t even her I was obsessed with it was the idea of finally finding a woman to accept us as more than a fuck toy.”

“If that is what you feel, Ry, then say it. Scream it even, if you have to. She played us both, we let our guard down, and it’s in the past where it should stay. You’re not still angry because she backstabbed us, and you’re upset because you had no control over the situation. Because of that you have been punishing yourself. Punishing me.” It hurt Chase to hurt his brother, but in order to save him from himself, he had to be honest. “Been thinking, and you want to know what I have concluded? I think that, I’ve been ready to start again, but have held back because we have always dreamed of sharing a woman. Finding that perfect mate that would let us love and take care of her, it’s what we have always wanted. We can have that with Emma, if we only try.”

“What if I don’t want that? Are you going to leave me alone?” There was vulnerability and anger laced in Ryder’s questions. “You know what I am like, I can’t not have control, I let it slip for a while and look what happened. We lost almost everything because of that slip, won’t happen again.”

“Ryder, you’re taking all the blame instead of sharing it, we both fell for something because we placed our hearts on the line. It was an infatuation for what we could have, but it wasn’t real. What we have now with Emma, this is real. She wants nothing from us, just us. Can’t you see that?”

“Maybe, but what happens when the novelty of having two men wears off, what then? How can you be so sure Emma would want forever?” His once strong brother sounded defeated. Chase felt guilty that he didn’t force this issue sooner and let Ryder wallow in the mistakes they both had made.

“There’s no way to be absolutely sure. But we will never know unless we take that chance. Will you take that chance?” He loved his brother, but he couldn’t continue to live his life void of love and compassion. Minutes passed before Ryder spoke. Chase was afraid he wouldn’t be able to get through to his younger brother, but maybe the man he was years ago was still in there somewhere. He knew there was an internal battle that raged in his brother’s head. Ryder was hardened because of his life experiences, but his knew his brother would come around. In the time they had both spent with Emma he began to notice the changes in Ry. He was more carefree and happy, like he had been all those years ago. Finally when he spoke Chase knew everything was going to be alright.

“I’ll take that chance.”

ADULT EXCERPT

“Good girl, my sweet little sub.” Chase stroked a hand on the top of her head and she purred in delight. “Still, it won’t prevent you from being punished. We both need for you to remove your clothing and assume the correct position for a sub. Is that understood?” Her pussy gushed at his command and readied itself for his male intrusion. She didn’t know why but when they commanded her, her pussy creamed, dying for them to own her body.

“Yes, Chase. I understand.”

With that she stood and began to remove her clothing. Neither Ryder nor Chase said a word while she undressed. But their eyes spoke volumes. She could see their hungry expression and the pulsating veins of their cocks as they hardened further. Deep purple and red cock heads, glistened with pre-cum, making her mouth water. Taking her time to fold the clothes and gently lay them on the couch, Emma knelt and waited their instruction.

Ryder was so hard he almost said fuck it with the punishment and claimed the crap out of Emma the minute she undressed. He almost regretted the fact that he had to give her the punishing blows, but start as you mean to go was a motto he lived by. Chase didn’t say anything to contradict his edict and therefore it meant his brother was on the same page. Chase’s eyes met his and a silent conversation passed between them.

“Good girl.” Ryder took a seat in the center of the couch and patted his lap. “Come up here and lie across my thighs.” She readily followed his order and gently draped herself over his thighs, placing her ass in the position he needed. Her movements were fluid, her submission given so naturally. Tonight was new for them, they wanted to make it known that they wanted Emma and not just for fun, but for something more serious than they had contemplated in as many years. But even more so tonight was the night they would begin to train her to take his cock and Chase’s in her anus. “You look gorgeous knelt on the floor, waiting for my command,” he spoke as he caressed a hand down the length of her back towards her desirable ass. Emma arched into his touch and pushed her ass into his palm, as his hand passed over her voluptuous globes. His hands continued to skim around the soft flesh, warming it before the blows would start. “Do you remember me saying, one day soon I would take this ass?” He ended the question with a little pop to her right cheek. Emma squirmed. Before she could answer he continued. “Tonight, Chase is going to prepare you after you receive your punishment and if you’re a good girl and take what we give, maybe there will be a reward at the end.” He continued to warm up her skin with small little smacks to each of her cheeks. Just when she started pushing back into his hands, he changed the pressure and smacked down on her right cheek, hard.

“Oh God,” Emma called out.

The sensations of Ryder’s hands skimming and slapping at her bare ass felt wonderful. He never hit the same area twice and spread the warmth to each cheek. Just as soon as he settled on a rhythm, he changed the pressure and the blow landed hard across her cheek. He didn’t pause nor did he deviate, Ryder kept landing blow after blow to her poor backside. After about ten smacks, he paused briefly to gauge how she was feeling and to tell her that she was doing a good job, and that they were just about done. Emma could barely answer, the fire that encompassed her backside hurt, but not over much what she could take. Even though it was painful it didn’t stop Emma’s traitorous body from responding. Her body lay lazed over Ryder’s lap, legs opening slightly so that she was aware of how drenched she was. She reveled in the sensations, her body flying higher than ever before. Several more hits and then Ryder stopped. No longer were his hands delivering the painful blows but massaging in the heat. It gave her a calm sense of assurance. She floated away.