Friday Fun!! The talented LYNDA BAILEY!!

The Rougher Side of Romance

Huge thanks to my gal-pal, Jenn, for hosting me today and for previewing my upcoming release, On the Corner of Heartache and Hopeful—KIRA.

So what do you think the rougher side of romance means? If you answered BDSM, you’d be right.

BDSM. That’s bondage (and discipline), dominance (and submission), sadism and masochism. (Got your attention, didn’t I? <G>)

I believe it’s safe to assume that the recent rise in the popularity of this sub-genre of romance can be directly attributed to the 50 Shades of Gray phenomenon. (I, myself, have never read the books.) Please understand, though, that BDSM stories have been around for-e-ver. Much longer than the Shades series. In fact, years ago I read a submission for a national contest that had serious BDSM elements. At the time I was shocked, and more than a bit intrigued. <wink> If you’re a fan of Shades, I would strongly encourage you to check out a few BDSM authors that I have read. Delilah Devlin and Qwillia Rain.

As a writer of erotic romance, it seemed a natural transition for me to broaden my romantic horizons to include at least some aspects of BDSM into my stories. I started with MIC, the first novella in my Heartache and Hopeful series. (Available on Amazon. com. http://amzn.com/B009RE0JKG) Nothing too hot and heavy happened—other than the sex, of course! But I did have a scene where Scott fulfills Mic’s fantasy of being tied up while making love. In KIRA, I delved a bit deeper and gave my heroine a spanking fetish. I plan to go deeper still (no pun intended—really!) in my next novella, GRACE.

If I’ve learned just one thing in my research of BDSM, it’s that you cannot make any assumptions about this lifestyle or the people who live it. These folks are just as committed to their partners, love just as deeply, hurt just as badly as anyone else. Because I’m a non-participant in the lifestyle, I wanted to make damn sure my characters’ goals and motivations were believable. The last thing I wanted was insult those who live the BDSM life. Hopefully I came at least kinda close to accomplishing that objective.   

So what do you think about BDSM? Does the idea titillate or repulse you? Share your thoughts for the chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card.

Also stop by my blog to read the first chapter of On the Corner of Heartache and Hopeful—KIRA. www.lyndabailey.net   

Thanks again to my BFF, Jenn, for having me here today!

BLURB:

Kira Grant, daughter of a multi-mega millionaire, leaves her over-protective father—and her sizeable heritance—for the simple life in Tatum, NE. She’s also leaving behind her sordid urges. Or so she thought…

Hunter Rice has only one goal: clear his name of doping charges and climb back into the ring where he belongs. And if he has to “convince” some wealthy mogul’s daughter she should move back home in order to reach that goal, so be it.

Lives, like streets, can run parallel or they can cross. Sometimes those crossroads lead to heartache or they lead to hope.

EXCERPT: (Please note! This is NOT a PG13 selection. Mature audience only.)

Hunter leaned forward until he was an inch from her face. “And just what is going to happen between us?”

In answer, Kira unbelted her robe. It dropped to the floor. So did his jaw.

She did indeed have on fishnet stockings that were attached to a black garter belt. She also wore a black corset, ribbed with a shiny, purple fabric. Her breasts strained against the purple lace edging the top of the corset with each of her breathes. By the wisp of material barely concealing her mound, he doubted she wore a thong. Had to be a g-string. Though Hunter had seen Kira buck naked, this getup was damn near sexier than her being in her—altogether.

He said nothing for a long time, not that he could talk. His tongue was glued to the roof of his mouth and his mind was equally stuck. He just feasted on her appearance. Over and over and over again. Thoughts, explicitly carnal thoughts and lots of them, filled his head. And his dick.

Finally, his gaze meandered back to hers. Uncertainty etched her features. He almost regretted ogling her. Almost.

Hunter swallowed twice then found his voice. “Okay. You’ve got my attention.” In more ways than one as his erection pressed against his zipper. “Mind telling me what the hell is going on?”

“This is going on.” She walked to the bed and flung the blanket away from a corner.

Stepping closer to see what she’d revealed, Hunter’s gut reeled and his stiff cock hardened even further. There was a ping pong paddle and a wooden spoon, both covered with what looked to be felt cloth. They reminded him of the BDSM toys found at the back of sleazy men’s magazines. He rifled his gaze to hers. “You are not spanking me with those things.”

She picked up the spoon and whacked it against her palm. The sound reverberated at the base of his spine. “By staying, you agreed to do whatever I want, remember?” Whack. “But relax.” Whack. Whack. “These aren’t for you. They’re for me.”

Friday Fun! Meet author Jocelyn Bell!

Thanks for being here, Jocelyn! Just gotta say how much I really loved this novella. Coop is a hero to die for! :) Best of luck and wishing you tons of sales!

*******

TGIF! First I would like to say thank you to Jennifer Jakes for hosting me on her blog today. I always have a good time when I am here and look forward to getting to know all of her great readers!

I thought I would talk a little about Pen Names, because I was always fascinated with them as a reader and as an aspiring writer, it didn’t make sense that someone would not want to take full credit for their work. Then as an author it suddenly came up and I found some pretty rational and maybe one, tiny little, less rational reason to use pen names! J Here is my quirky story on pen names.

Many authors have pen names and I am sure that everyone has their own special reason. I use them for three reasons. One, because I write more than one genre and I don't want anyone who is a fan of my Contemporary Romances (Kelly Rae) to be offended should they pick up one of my Adult Contemporary Romances (Jocelyn Bell), that includes my dad who only needs to know about the less steamy books!

Second, I chose not to use my married last name, because I didn't want my ex-husband to get a sliver of credit for my words, my work. It sounds less rational as I write it down, but it's the truth! So, I made a deal with my son to put his name all over the place in my Contemporary works, because at nine he was concerned that no one would know that I belonged to him. Super amazing kid, right? RIGHT! I wanted my novels to be all mine, so Kelly Rae it is!  

And thirdly (what an odd word, lol),  I chose to name my alter ego Jocelyn Bell, which is so far removed from my actual name, because she is really another whole side of me. As a writer I can be anything I want, write about anything I want, BE whomever I want. What power?

When I am writing books like, What If... I am the hopeless romantic, mushy, endless love sort of woman. But I cannot sustain this raw, sometimes overwhelming emotion all the time. There are days I am cynical or a real non-believer in happily-ever-after’s and more of a happy for now, sort of girl. On these days, I prefer to write about lust, not love. Or work on romances that are meant to be grand and wonderful, but short-lived.

Not every couple is meant for happily-ever- after. On those occasions Jocelyn Bell gets to come out and play and write novellas like the Voyeur Series, a three-part novella series about finding the person that fits for right now and doesn't focus so much on the forever and ever part. In the first novella Dare Me , a recently divorced Gina finds that her neighbor next door is the perfect escape from thinking about the loser husband who left her for a barista. In Want Me, which came out on December 18th, Angie is trying to avoid good-looking charming men and take her mother's advice to find a mediocre looking man, because they don't cheat. The only problem, her new roommate is fire and sweetness all rolled into one. What's a girl to do...beg him to leave or beg him to stay?

I love getting to be all the sides of myself as I write a new story. In my computer sit at least five different genres of started stories, on some I will write The End and others will just sit. But, either way for the moments that I spent writing a bit on each one, I got to be exactly who I am/was, in that moment. It's some pretty powerful stuff to get to express all of who you are in your work. Sometimes, the characters and stories are nothing of me or my life and all of my imagination, which is just as much fun. I think it must be why there are so many people who want to be actors in this world. It’s fun to be someone else for a while. The opportunity to be all that you are and nothing of who you are at the same time is very intoxicating!

Writing is simply the best!

For those of you who also enjoy a steamier read from time to time, Dare Me is currently available on Amazon, just click here to purchase, or preview if you like. If you stop by and grab a copy today, it’s FREE and there is an excerpt of novella number two, Want Me, in the back. This baby just got a new cover this month and I LOVE it!

       

If you have already read Dare Me and are ready to step into my next novella click here or on the cover above to preview or purchase Want Me!  Thanks for stopping in today, Happy New Year and New Books to all of you!

Xoxo

Jocelyn Bell

Man Candy Monday!

One of my favorite pics :)

Enjoy!

Friday Fun! Celery, Sex and Other Things ....

I have a weird and raunchy sense of humor. Tell me a dirty joke, I won’t only laugh, I’ll share it with the world!

The Harder series began with Monkeys, Sex and Other Birthday Surprises. It was supposed to be a stand-alone erotic short story, but then Missy’s family started telling me their stories! I figured I’d better listen to the voices in my head so they would shut up.

To get through most things in life, I believe you need a sense of humor. Thank goodness for mine! The second book in the series, Celery, Sex and Other Good Things for the Heart is another comedy about two people taking a chance and trying to get it right. In real life, mistakes happen. People have misunderstandings. Love and sex don’t always go according to plan. This is what I want my characters to do to. Go after what you want, be willing to laugh at yourself, love fiercely, be naughty and have fun! Beware – this book is an erotic experience that will be sure to make you laugh out loud!

Blurb:

On the eve of her sister’s birthday party, Miranda knows her sister will be getting some action from her dream man. After all, Miranda did orchestrate them meeting in person. Jealous, Miranda thinks it’s high time she get some herself, and who better to satisfy her needs than her hot friend, Dan? But she doesn’t like it vanilla, and worries that Dan may be all talk and no action.

Thrilled doesn’t begin to describe Dan’s feelings when he and Miranda finally agree to act on their attraction. He knows she struggles to maintain control of situations, largely due to her unpredictable family who create havoc in her life. He is willing to let her take control in the bedroom, but knows he has to make her see that surrendering to him is what she really needs.

Throw in her interfering family, a surprise visit from her brother and his pet primate, Miranda’s wish to make an ordinary vegetable sexy, and it makes for an evening neither one will soon forget. These lovers discover that love is even better for your heart than celery.

Excerpt:

She shrugged and opened the refrigerator, rummaging around inside. “We’re a weird bunch in my family.”

“No shit. Okay, let me get this straight—you’re willing to blow me to A. make your sister jealous, or B. brag to her?”

Glancing at him over the top of the fridge door, her expression one like he’d sprouted two heads. “Blowing you? Presumptuous.” Ducking down again, she opened a drawer. “Damn—I need to get groceries. All I have is celery.” She straightened, waving a stalk of celery, the leaves bobbing from side to side.

“Rabbit food?” he questioned.

“Celery is good for the heart, the digestion, and it helps you feel full so you don’t want to snack.” She closed the fridge and placed one hand on her hip.

Now he looked at her as if she’d grown another head. “Say what?”

She rolled her eyes, and said, “I’ve been trying to lose weight, remember? I’ve added more veggies to my diet.”

He grabbed the piece of celery from her hand, and tapped her nose with the leaves. “You don’t need to diet. You’re perfect just the way you are.” His gaze roved her curvaceous form, his loins tightening in response. Brushing the celery leaves against her cheek, he stared back into her eyes. “Every sexy inch of you.”

She snatched the vegetable out of his hand. “Celery isn’t sexy.” A mischievous light sparkled in her eyes. “Or is it?”

Available now at:

http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=book_info&cPath=4&products_id=434

Bio:

Kellie Kamryn spends most of her days as a sweet lady working as an occasional chauffeur, part-time cook, half-time maid, arm-chair psychologist, and full-time captain of her crew. In her spare time, she brings out her sassy side using her imagination to write stories and poetry that sweep herself and readers into other worlds. Whether you like it sweet, or hot and steamy, Kellie is sure to write something to melt your heart or your undies! Her vivid story-telling and quirky sense of humor have gained her numerous 5-star reader and reviewer reviews. Multi-talented, she does voice work recording audiobooks, available on Amazon, iTunes, Audible and other retailers. Readers can visit with her at www.kelliekamryn.com to check out all the books she has to offer, or chat with her on facebook: www.facebook.com/KellieKamryn or twitter https://twitter.com/KellieKamryn

Man Candy Monday!!

Anyone want to go to the river............???? I hear the view is realllllly nice ;)
Enjoy!

Man Candy Monday!

Ahhhh.....Alex. ' Nuff said. ;)
Enjoy!

Friday Fun! Meet Paige Tyler and her BUCKLE BUNNIES Series!

Thanks so much for letting me guest blog, Jennifer!

What's better than a hot cowboy? Two hot cowboys, of course! Which is exactly what you'll get in RIDE OF HER LIFE, the first book in my new BUCKLE BUNNIES SERIES!

A while back I mentioned that I hadn't written many westerns, but after the success of, and reader response to, my bestselling KARLEIGH'S COWBOYS and AND THE RANCH HAND MAKES THREE, not to mention how much fun they were to write, I couldn't wait to come up with some more! This time, though, I'm going to focus on hot, hunky rodeo riders and the women who can't get enough of them!

The rodeo is a nod to one of my aunts. She was crazy about the rodeo (only she pronounced it row-day-o, like in Rodeo Drive) and couldn't get enough of her cowboys! My books might be a little too risque for her, though. She was very old-fashioned and read the kind of romances where the man and woman held a hanky between their hands when they touched. Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating, but you get the idea! All the skin-on-skin contact in my books would have scandalized her!

Okay, back to the series! It'll be filled with menages - both M/F/M and F/M/F - spanking, bondage and, of course, hot, sizzling sex! There'll even be some surprises tossed in along the way! Hope you'll check them out!

Happy Reading!

This ride lasts a lot longer than eight seconds!
Barrel rider Daisy Hollins has run into bronc riders Sawyer Jones and Beau Monroe quite a few times on the rodeo circuit. She’s flirted with both of them, but things have never gone any further than that. Before an event, they're all too focused on the competition, and afterward, they’re usually too sore and tired to do anything but fall into bed.

When she runs into the two hot cowboys in the hotel bar at the Rodeo Finals in Las Vegas, however, there’s a different vibe in the air. When the flirting starts this time, it doesn't stop, and Daisy goes upstairs with both of them for a completely different kind of rodeo ride.


Excerpt:

Daisy turned to ask Beau which way his room was and found him standing six inches from her.

“I can't wait any longer,” he growled, pushing her up against the wall beside the elevator and kissing her hard.

She kissed him back, even though she knew the elevator door could open at any moment, or that someone—another family even—could come down the hall. She couldn’t wait any longer, either.

Beau twined his fingers in her hair and pulled her mouth tighter against his own, his tongue bulling its way in. She met him halfway, giving as good as she got. One of her hands slid down his side to his grab his ass and yanked his crotch into perfect contact with hers. She wrapped one leg around his thigh and ground against him.

Dear God, she’d never been this hot in her life. She might just explode on the spot.

Beside her, Sawyer cleared his throat. She ignored him, moaning into Beau’s mouth.

Sawyer cleared his throat again, louder this time.

She dragged herself away from Beau to see Sawyer leaning against the wall beside them.

“Sorry for the interruption, Daisy,” he drawled. “It's not that I'm concerned you’re grinding against Beau out here in the hallway where anyone can see you — it's that you're doing it without me.”

Daisy laughed and reached out with her free hand to grab Sawyer's shirt front and pull him in for a kiss.

His style of kissing was completely different from Beau, but no less captivating. His mouth slowly moved over hers, his tongue teasing hers. She would have kissed him harder, but still trapped in Beau's arms like she was, she had no choice but to let Sawyer take the kiss where he wanted it to go. The effect was intoxicating.

She felt Beau's mouth on the side of her exposed neck, trailing kisses up and down from her earlobe to the top of her shirt collar.

Between the warmth of his lips and the light scrape of his scruff, she thought she was going to go crazy.

She whimpered, close to tearing off both men’s clothes right there where they stood.

Fortunately, the two women coming down the hall made enough noise for the three of them to drag themselves apart just in time. Sawyer still waited until the very last moment, and when he did, it was so abrupt she was left reeling. Daisy leaned back against the wall, trying to look as casual as possible.

The elderly woman smiled politely at Daisy and her two cowboys as she poked the elevator button, but other than that she took no notice of them. The younger girl with her, however, immediately sensed something was up. She looked at Daisy, then at Sawyer and Beau, then back to Daisy again. Her expression went from curious to knowing in the blink of an eye. A huge smile spread across her face.

“Ride 'em, cowgirl,” she said with a barely controlled laugh.

Heat suffused Daisy’s face. How the hell had the girl known? Were her lips plump from Beau and Sawyer's kisses? Had she drooled on her shirt? Did she have an I'll-begetting-it-from-two-hot-studs-within-the-next-fifteen-minutes expression on face?

The older woman turned to look questioningly at the girl. “What was that, hun?”

A smile played around the girl’s lips as she motioned to Daisy. “She’s with the rodeo, Aunt Margaret. I just told her to have a good ride.”

The woman looked at Daisy closely, her eyes searching behind her big glasses.

“They let women in the rodeo now? That's nice. Do you get to ride ponies?”

Thank God the elevator arrived before Daisy could answer. If she had, a comment about how women could even vote now may have popped out. The girl quickly hustled her aunt onto the elevator, then turned to give Daisy a wave. “Have fun riding your ponies!”

Daisy heard the aunt murmur something just as the elevator doors closed.

“Can you believe that?” was all Daisy could say.

Beau’s mouth quirked. “The part where Aunt Margaret thinks you ride ponies, or the part where her niece figured out you’re going to be riding the two of us?”

Daisy groaned. “Both. But enough about them. Where the hell is your room, Beau?”

The two men grabbed her hands and practically dragged her down the hall. Beau fumbled with the key card for a second before getting it straight. Daisy felt like snatching it out of his hand, but was concerned hers would shake so much it would take even longer to get inside the room.

The moment the door swung open, Sawyer had his hands on her ass herding her in.

As it closed behind them, he gave one of her belt loops a yank, spinning her around to face him. She melted in his arms as his mouth captured hers. Beau moved up behind her, pressing his jean-covered cock against her ass as he swept her hair off her neck and began to nibble.

Their hands roamed over her body freely, touching her anywhere and everywhere they wished as they used their lips and tongue to drive her crazy. She wasn't sure if she’d survive the incredible sensations racing through her body.

She dragged her mouth away from Sawyer’s. “Whoa there, boys. Let's slow down before I pass out. This isn't supposed to be one of your eight second rides, you know?”

Both men laughed, but backed off, giving her room to breathe. She felt a little chilled without the heat of their bodies pressed up against her. She had no doubt she'd be wedged back between them soon enough.

Daisy took the opportunity to look around the room, and was immediately struck by something total unfair.

“Hey, why is your room so much bigger than mine?” she asked.

The bed was a king-size monster, complete with four posts that ran as high as the ceiling, gauzy curtains and half a dozen ornate throw pillows.

She wandered over to peek into the bathroom, and gaped.

“Dang, you have a Jacuzzi tub, too?”

Daisy had seen swimming pools smaller than the big heart-shaped thing.

“They didn't have anything else left,” Beau's said from the bedroom, “so they gave me a honeymoon suite.”

“Huh.”

She wished they’d offered her one. It would have been nice to have that tub to soak in every night after riding.

She walked out and looked around the rest of the suite. It was obvious to anyone who walked in that Beau was a rodeo rider. The room was filled with the unmistakable scent of leather and horse. There was also a saddle sitting on the small couch, along with a pile of tack piled beside it. She walked over to look at the gear. It was pretty standard rodeo stuff—bridles, bits, halters and a surcingle rig that bareback riders used to stay on their horses. It was the saddle that threw her. It was damn nice. Well worn, but expensive looking.

“I thought you only rode bareback, Beau. What's the saddle for?”

He came up behind her, casually resting his hand on her ass as if reminding her of his fascination with that part of her body. Would he do what he’d described downstairs to her bottom soon?

“Rodeo riding doesn't pay all the bills. I do a little ranch work here and there when I can get it. I don't trust leaving my saddle down in the trailer.”

She ran her hand over the smooth leather. “I can understand why. It's beautiful.”

Beau chuckled in her ear. “Not that I don’t appreciate the compliment, but do you really want to talk about my saddle right now?”

Daisy turned to see both men standing side by side regarding her with evident heat in their eyes.

She smiled. “I do love a nice saddle, but you're right. How about you show me some of your other gear instead?”

Without waiting for an answer, she reached out and unbuttoned Beau's shirt. As the band of bronzed skin became exposed, she had to fight the urge to lean forward and kiss it. She had two men to think about now.

So she moved over to Sawyer and did the same thing to him. Once both shirts were unbuttoned, she stepped back and raised an eyebrow. “You two aren't going to make me do all the work, are you?”

The men shrugged off their shirts, then stood there looking buff and magnificent.

They were both of the same build—long and lean with wiry muscles—and Daisy couldn't help but stand there and admire them. Dang, they were something to behold.

Daisy stepped closer and placed a hand on each of their chests. The muscular planes of their pecs gave way to equally hard abs as she trailed her hands down. This close, she could define the slight differences between the two men. Sawyer was just a bit broader than Beau, and had a light trace of dark hair that ran down his happy trail from just above his belly button and disappearing into his jeans. Beau's abs were more defined, and she had a crazy urge to drop to her knees in front of him and trace her tongue along every nook and cranny. The idea of being on her knees in front of both of them was doing all kinds of wild things to her tummy.

She was about to do just that when Beau slipped a finger under her chin and tilted her head up.

“Do I need to remind you about the basic rule?”

“Rule?”

He grinned. “You show us yours if we show you ours?”

It took a moment for that to sink in—she was a bit distracted by all the manliness on display. But when it did, she laughed.

“No problem.” She reached for the buttons of her shirt. “Fair's fair.”

“And go slow.” Sawyer gave her a lazy smile. “I like a girl who takes her time.”

Daisy was surprised they still wanted to take it slow, especially after all the verbal foreplay and downright scorching hot kisses. But if they wanted her to take it slow, she could do that.

She started at the bottom of her shirt, undoing one button slowly, then taking a good, long time working her fingers up to the next button, making sure they got a good look at the skin she was exposing.


Buy it at Amazon!
http://www.amazon.com/Ride-Life-Buckle-Bunnies-ebook/dp/B0098ABK34/ref=sr_1_44?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1347375670&sr=1-44


Buy it at ARe!
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-rideofherlifethebucklebunniesseries-938320-144.html


Buy it at Barnes & Noble!
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ride-of-her-life-paige-tyler/1112814894?ean=2940015464641&itm=21&USRI=%22Paige+Tyler%22&

To check out my other sexy romantic fiction, visit my website at http://www.paigetylertheauthor.com/ You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter and my blog there!

*hugs*

Paige

Man Candy Monday!

Ooooh! A sexy man with a big ...gun! What did you think I would say? *innocently bats lashes*

Enjoy ;)

Man Candy Monday!!

Is it too early for a 6 pack ?? LOL

Enjoy!!

New Release Wednesday +Give*Away!

Please help me welcome my friend and fellow Wild Rose Press author, RACHEL LEIGH! She's brought her great new release, HOT SUMMER SANDS for you today! 

PLUS- Rachel is going to give away winner's choice of 1 of her ebooks to a lucky winner. Be sure to leave your email addy so we can contact you!

Thanks for being here, Rachel!

*****

1- What is the most difficult for you to write: Characters, conflict, emotions?

Conflict – always!! For me, this is the biggest challenge because you have to pin down a conflict (often more than one) that is real and sustainable for the length of the story you are telling. I prefer to write around the 25,000 word mark so the conflict has to be strong enough not to be resolved in a few pages yet not so big it needs a novel. I’ve yet to find the magic formula!

2 -  If you were going to cast the hero of your book, what actor would get the part?

Julian McMahon – whenever I sit down to write a new story, I scour pictures of the rich and famous until inspiration strikes. That’s how I start all my stories, with an image. Julian McMahon fit perfectly as Sam Clarke J

3 - If you could time travel would you go forward or backward?

Backward, definitely – I am an absolute history lover. My favorite eras are Tudor and Victorian. There was so many fascinating social and political issues going on in these times – so much change. I am playing around with the idea of a Victorian novella for my next project as we speak. Watch this space!

4 - Favorite romance movie?

When A Man Loves A Woman – although the subject matter of alcoholism is the basis of this film, I think it is one of the most romantic movies ever. The emotion, the frustration, the angst and push/pull over the ripple effect of the disease is heartbreaking and so very, very real. The relationship and the hero’s love for the heroine is unsurpassed – and of course, wondefully portrayed by Andy Garcia…

5 - What is your favorite time of year?

Summer…or maybe early Fall. I love the feel of the heat on my skin (which is rare in the UK!) and being able to wear a nice, strappy dress. Having said that, I also love watching the season evolve into Fall. The new colors and changes are gorgeous, plus there’s nothing like slipping into cozy boots and a coat and taking my dog for a long walk in the forest.

Blurb:

Chef Michelle Hutton flees her controlling mother in the UK for the sun and freedom of Greece, longing for a new beginning and maybe just a bit of Zante’s local heat. Sexy, pro-bono lawyer Sam Clarke might just be the one to teach her to let go. He's sexy, capable, and totally in control. And too damn hard to resist.

Sam Clarke and his best friend had once been the baddest boys to hit the local party scene— sex, booze, and more sex—until his friend is killed. Sam turned his back on the blatant sexuality of the island years ago, but can’t resist Michelle’s desire to bask in the sun and explore the need that grows between them.

Excerpt:

Closer and closer he came, rounding the counter and standing so close to her that Michelle was forced to tip her head back to meet his eyes. The smell of him – warm, musky and clean--wafted under her nose. She inhaled…and really wished she hadn’t as her knees quivered. She took another step back until her ass hit the steel countertop behind her.

His gaze darted over her face, lingering at her lips. Michelle put a hand on his chest without thinking and then whipped it back to grip the counter.

Trepidation mixed with arousal pooled like liquid in her stomach. “Sam, talk to me. What’s wrong?”

His eyes dropped to her chest and unmistakable lust flared in eyes, darkening them to a gorgeous midnight blue. Desire pulled at her core and her nipples tightened.

He met her eyes. “Everything.”

She was trapped by the raw animal need to have him. To feel his hands on her bare skin, his mouth on hers. She licked dry lips. “You look like you’re either going to attack me or--”

“Fuck you?”

She flinched. The harsh expletive shocked and aroused her in equal measure. “What?”

His hands clamped onto her hips, possessive and unyielding. A feral storm raged in his dark blue gaze. “I need to know.”

She stared, unable to move or breathe. “Need to know what?”

“Need to know if this…these feelings…are just--”

“Lust?” The word slipped from her tongue, her mind blank of everything but Sam. The way he smelled, the lickable square line of his jaw. The yearning to have him on her, in her, over her.

The corner of his mouth twitched and a little of the fiery frustration seeped from his eyes. “Exactly.”

Buy Link:

http://www.wilderroses.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=87&products_id=895

Rachel’s Links:

http://rachelleighromance.blogspot.co.uk/

Twitter: @rachelwriter

Man Candy Monday!!

Lucky lady..........
Enjoy!

Friday Fun: Meet Author Lynda Bailey + Give*Away!!!

Please help me welcome my dear friend LYNDA BAILEY!! She's not only a fellow historical author but a fellow 2010  Golden Heart® finalist !

For those of you who love Western Historical her new novel WILDFLOWER is a must buy! 

Learn all about Linda at her website but come on back and leave a comment for your chance to win a an e-copy of your choice from Lynda's titles :)

JJ~  How ya doing, Lynda?

LB~ Great, Jenn! Thanks so much for having me here today. It’s always fun to hang out with you.

JJ~ First things first, love the cover of your new book, Wildflower. Who did it for you? Jenn winks.

LB~ Oh, gee. Lynda winks back. Let me think. That would be the fabulously talented Kim Killion of Hot Damn Designs. Ever heard of her?

JJ~ Laughs. I think I may have heard the name once or twice. Tell us a little bit about your story.

LB~ Wildflower is a total “ugly duckling” story. Set in post Civil War in Indian Territory (which is modern day Oklahoma) Matilda, aka Matt, Townsend has grown up working as a cowhand on her father’s ranch. Her mother died when she was a little girl so she’s had no feminine influences in her life. Matt doesn’t even own a dress. Of course, she longs to be more than just another ranch hand. The question is, will she achieve that dream?

JJ~ Sounds interesting. I gotta ask, though, why Indian Territory?

LB~ It was kinda a protest decision as well as a practical one. Tons of historical westerns are set in Texas or Wyoming or California, but very few are set (at least the ones I’ve read) on the Midwest prairie. Having grown up on the prairie, so to speak, it was easier for me to write about that rather than someplace I’d never lived.

JJ~ So when did you first write Wildflower?

LB~ Ohhh, good question there. Wildflower was the third book I ever finished, like maybe twelve years ago. Of course, then it wasn’t titled Wildflower. It was first titled Washita Woman (for the actual Fort Washita in Indian Territory). Then I think I called it Washita Wildflower, then Winter Wildflower. Finally I settled on just plain Wildflower.

JJ~ Why the emphasis on wildflowers?

LB~ Matt always smells like flowers, even in the winter.

JJ~ Huh. What gives on the huge gap between writing your book and publishing it?

LB~ Well, back in the day, I was still learning the ins and outs of storytelling. As I became a (hopefully) better writer, WF went through rewrite after rewrite. When I finally thought she was ready for primetime, no one was too interested in historical romances. So she got tucked away with the dust bunnies under my bed while I pursued other projects. Once I learned western romances were making a bit of a comeback – and were turning erotic, I dusted WF off, spiffed and sexed her up a bit, then entered her in the 2010 Golden Heart®. I’m both honored and humbled that I was a finalist that year. Guess you could say Wildflower is an example of never giving up.

JJ~ True that. Where can interested folks find Wildflower to buy?

LB~ Wildflower is available exclusively through the KDP Select program. Here’s the link. http://amzn.com/B008KFBYXE

JJ~ Anything else you want to add?

LB~ One lucky person will get his/her choice of any one of my titles. Just leave a comment, along with your email addy. Sorry, at this time I can only send a PDF copy. Thanks Jenn for hosting me today!

BLURB:

Indian Territory 1882

She made a deathbed promise.

Matilda Townsend has always dreamed of escaping Indian Territory and finding the acceptance she never had with her own father. As he lies dying from a fever, he asks her to marry so she’ll be safe. She’s then torn between winning her father’s approval and being free.

He gained an unwilling wife.

Logan Cartwright has loved Matt since he first started working for her father. Now the old man is dying and wants him to marry her. Logan knows how much Matt wants to leave. Can he set aside his dream for hers?  

A contest of wills sparks passion.

While Matilda clings to her refusal to share her husband’s bed, Logan coaxes her into exploring the other many and varied ways a man and wife can please each other. Even as their passion blazes hotter than a prairie fire, they must confront a danger that threatens to destroy the ranch and divide them forever.

EXCERPT:

Like a June bug on a hot skillet, Matilda Grace Townsend couldn’t stay still.

Every time she sat, nervous energy forced her to stand. She paced the short distance to the window and drew aside the faded calico curtain only to spin on her heel and retrace her steps before her gaze could fix on anything outside. Her boot heels clacked a steady beat on the wooden floorboards as her denim pants swished in time to the macabre tune. The fire crackled at her back, but she didn’t feel the warmth.

Only cold dread.

She darted her gaze to her father’s closed bedroom door. Again. Influenza or no, Pa should’ve cussed a blue streak at Doc Bingham then tossed the good doctor out on his ear for being so meddlesome.

Yet it was quiet. Too quiet. Like that awful stillness right before her mother died. She might have only been four at the time, but she remembered.

Anxiety churned in her stomach. She clenched her hands into tight fists, her stubby nails stinging her palms. Lordy, she wanted to hit something. Someone.

She glared at that door. She’d give them to the count of five and then she was going in, her father’s temper be damned. Might do him good to get riled up.

The sound of a door opening whipped her around. Logan Cartwright barreled into the house on a strong gust of wind. He shouldered the door shut against the wicked March weather.

The sight of the tall, blond-haired Kentuckian quieted her ragged nerves and thawed some of the iciness in her chest. “What are you doing here? I thought you were riding out to the herd.”

He pulled the well-worn Stetson from his head and ran his fingers through his hair. “I was.” He nudged his chin toward her father’s bedroom. “But Chuck said your pa wanted to see me.”

Her eyebrows knitted. “Why would Pa send for you?”

“I don’t know. Figured it was important, though. He wouldn’t have sent Chuck otherwise.” He hung his lambskin-lined coat on a peg beside the door. “What’d Bingham say?”

“Doc’s still in there.”

Logan’s intense gray eyes, the color of an Appaloosa horse, met hers. “Still?”

“Yes.” Frustration again starched her spine. “And I’m sick of waiting.” She stepped toward the bedroom door. “I’m going in there.”

Logan laid his hand on her arm. She jerked away and faced him, fists up.

“Whoa, easy there, Matt.” He raised his hands and stepped back. “Causing a stir won’t help anything. Let Doc do his job.” He moved to the fireplace and the coffee pot hanging on the hook. He poured a cup. “You want some tea?”

“Chuck has yet to get to town,” she bit out, whatever calm she’d felt vanishing like snow on a summer day. “And I drank the last of the tea two days ago.”

He poured a second cup. “Then have coffee. Last time I checked, we still had plenty of sugar.”

He set both cups on the table before sitting in a straight-backed chair. Matt again balled her hand into a fist. His head made a tempting target.

He took a sip. “Either hit me or have a sit. Your choice.”

She didn’t want to sit so to keep from swinging at Logan’s thick skull, she resumed her pacing. She felt his gray gaze on her every step.

“He’s gonna be all right, Matt.”

She rounded on him. “What makes you so dang sure of that?”

“I just am.” He kicked the other chair out from the table with his foot. “Sit down. You’re wearing a rut in the floor.”

“Am not,” she retorted, not caring that she sounded more like a child than a grown woman of nineteen years. Still, she plunked her backside into the chair and reached for the second cup. After spooning in a generous portion of sugar, she took a sip and grimaced. No amount of sugar could make coffee taste better than bull piss.

“Have you seen him this morning?” Logan again inclined his head toward the bedroom door.

She shook her head then tucked her too short hair behind her ear. “I was mucking stalls when Chuck found me. Said Pa wanted to see me, too.”

Logan’s full lips twitched. “Figure Chuck likes his new job as a carrier pigeon?”

Matt fought to smile back. “He’d rather cook a pigeon than be one.”

After the shared quiet chuckle, silence blanketed the room. It bore down on Matt, making it hard to breathe. She straightened her shoulders with a toss of her head and blinked at the burn in her eyes. “I talked to Roscoe about me getting back on guard duty at the herd.”

Logan stiffened. “What the hell for?”

She hitched a shoulder. “I need to stop lollygagging.”

“You haven’t been lollygagging. You’ve been needed here.”

“To do what?” Anger and a good dose of fear spiked her words. “It’s not like Pa lets me take care of him. He’d rather go hungry than have me spoon broth down his throat.”

“You’re his daughter. Your place is here.”

She crossed her arms and jutted her chin. “Roscoe’s the foreman and he agrees I should get back on guard duty.”

A muscle popped in Logan’s cheek. “Like hell. I’ll take your shifts.”

“You’ve taken every one of my shifts for the past three weeks. And with half the men still recovering, you’ll end up with this dang influenza yourself.”

“Doubtful. Doc says if I haven’t gotten it by now, I won’t. Besides, it’s temporary. Once Gene and everybody else are back on their feet, things will get back to normal.” He calmly sipped his coffee.

Scowling, she opened her mouth to inform Mr. Logan Cartwright that she didn’t need him or anyone treating her like a ninny little girl. But the creak of her father’s bedroom door cut off the words. Doc Bingham stepped out of the room. She jumped to her feet, as did Logan, their chairs scraping the floor.

“How is he?” they asked in unison.

The doctor took his sweet time closing the door before eyeing first Logan then her. “Reckon that’s for him to say.”

A chill settled at the base of her spine. “What does that mean?”

Bingham scrubbed his hands down his face with a sigh. “It means your father wants to see you.”

She started for the bedroom.

“But first, he wants to see you.” Bingham pointed to Logan.

Stunned, Matt halted in her boots. She swerved her gaze to Logan who stared back, his eyebrows arched high. After a pause, he pushed his chair under the table then walked to her father’s room. With a last look, he disappeared through the door.

New Release Wednesday!

Please help me welcome the talented LOUISA MASTERS! And be sure to check out her new release ONE NIGHT IN A BAR here
And leave a comment for your chance to win an e-copy!

Thanks for being here today, Louisa!
*****

All the best stories start with "So I was painting my nails sparkly green..." Seriously. They do.

So I was painting my nails sparkly green, watching Castle on TV and surfing facebook—just a typical Sunday night—when the power went out. Poop. Fortunately, the glow from the screen allowed me to put the polish safely on the table and fumble around for some candles. Unfortunately, I was missing one of the few TV shows I actually allow myself to watch and I'd just totally ruined my manicure.

I sat there in the candlelight, my laptop hibernating because I didn't know how long the power would be out and I didn't want to waste the charge, and I'm bored out of my mind. I wasn't in the mood to read—unusual for me, but typical for the situation—no TV, no laptop, not enough light for crafts or cleaning. I started thinking about stupid things, like if the blackout lasted until morning, how the hell was I going to get the car out of the garage (yes, I know there's a manual release). And that led to wondering what happens in hotels when the power goes out. Do those key-card locks release? Or are you closed out of your room? Do you wander the halls, lit only by the glow of emergency lighting, shadowy corners everywhere...

Ka-ching! Hello, new plot.

Still unwilling to risk the charge on my laptop, I pulled out a notepad and began to write longhand. I got very involved...in fact, I only realized how long it had been when the candles began to flicker. The story is still unnamed, but it started when I was painting my nails sparkly green—and it promises to be awesome!

My latest release, One Night in a Bar, was written in the normal fashion, on my laptop, but is still pretty amazing.

Ever had a one—night stand who didn't want to go away? What happens when your one-nighter comes back into your life...?
Karen comes home unexpectedly to find her boyfriend cheating on her with her (male) boss, and another man. Can she really be blamed for pulling out the mace when they invite her to join in?
She mourns the loss of her job at a bar, gets a little tipsy...and somehow, she ends up having sex in an alley with tall, dark, and sexy Daniel. Something she’s never done before. Good thing they'll never see each other again, right?
Wrong...
One month into a new job, she lands a fabulous new client, world—renowned sculptor Crogan. Except, Daniel Crogan turns out to be her one—hour stand. And professionalism is the last thing on his mind.
What's a girl to do in this situation? Should she insist on a working relationship only, or give in to the demands of her body? And what happens when Daniel wants to sculpt her...in the nude?

You can read an excerpt and buy One Night in a Bar here and please visit my site to see what else I'm working on. In the meantime, I'm giving one lucky commenter a copy of Inter-Office Relations.

Huge thanks to Jennifer for being such a wonderful host!