Will They Or Won't They?

One of the big complaints people seem to have about TV relationships is that the chemistry is "ruined" when the couple actually gets together. Moonlighting is often cited as an example - once Dave and Maddie hooked up, the delicious sexual tension between the two of them disappeared.

And yes, I can name shows where bringing the two characters together takes away something special about them, changing the dynamic of the show for the worse.

But it can be done right, as well. One of my favorite pairings on TV was Chandler and Monica on Friends. Their hook up in London, though shocking when it happened, really did build on the friendship they'd had all along. And the "who knows?" storyline that wove through the first half of that season was delicious.


The best part of their romance, in my mind, was how it didn't change who they were at the core. Monica was still Monica, Chandler still Chandler, and their foibles and issues complemented each other in a way that made their relationship just work.

I'm feeling the same way about Castle and Beckett this season on Castle. Though I'm a latecomer to the show, I love the dynamic between those two, and I think the writers are hitting all the right notes with their blossoming relationship. Even though they're together, there's still enough sexual tension to keep the connection humming for the viewer.

So despite the "Moonlighting Curse", I think it's definitely possible to bring two characters together without destroying the delicious tension between them - and without losing the viewers' interest. And on the flip side of the coin, there's only so many obstacles a writing team can throw up between two characters before the audience gives up altogether.

It's a tightrope, to be sure, but it can be done right. Who are your favorite couples on TV, together or apart? And what makes a "connection" work for you on a show?

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Guest Blogger Vivi Andrews - Nerd Lovin'

Thanks so much to the Nine for having me here today! Hi, my name is Vivi, and I’m a nerd-o-phile. My heart just skips a beat when I see someone geeking out over something with too much passion to be self-conscious about it. And nerdy characters? I can’t get enough.

What can I say? I’m a sucker for a good nerd whether it’s Brennan from Bones, Chris Knight in Real Genius, Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory, or my personal favorite, the nerd-turned-spy, Chuck. Yep, I’m the girl with a crush on Q in the Bond movies. Maybe it has something to do with growing up with Doogie Howser as my dream guy. Sherlock Holmes, Spengler from Ghostbusters, and, oh my, Tony Stark! Who doesn’t love a man with an obsession for knowledge who can build me something explosive with just his bare hands and massive quantities of grey matter?

Considering my adoration of the elusive nerd-in-his-natural-habitat, it’s a little surprising that I haven’t written a plethora of nerdy-licious characters. Until now.

The heroine of my newest release Finder’s Keeper (out TODAY from Samhain http://store.samhainpublishing.com/finders-keeper-p-7059.html; Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Finders-Keeper-ebook/dp/B008Y3RDQE/; & B&N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/finders-keeper-vivi-andrews/1112567995?ean=9781619212176 – so please excuse me if I’m extra bouncy) is a mega nerd. A neuroscientist studying how the brain reacts to love. She’s just not so good at the falling in love part herself. Or really anything involving social interaction.

Here’s a little peek inside Finder’s Keeper, a look at what happens when hyper-analytical Mia tries her hand at speed-dating.

“I have three weeks left to fall in love.”

Mia Corregiani, Ph.D, groaned as her date blanched, a look of blind panic entering his eyes. Apparently she wasn’t supposed to be honest when the man sliding into the seat opposite her flashed a toothy grin and asked, So Mia, why speed-dating?

Her other possible response—explaining the efficiency of testing her pheromone compatibility with twenty potential mates in a single evening, with the assurance that each of those potential mates had been vetted by the agency as educated, of appropriate breeding age and monetary stability, and currently single matrimonial status—had seemed the less romantic choice, but evidently confessing you were on a clock to fall in love was a first date faux pas.

God, why had she let her sister talk her into this?

Mia tightened her grip on her pen and considered the empiric criteria for declaring an evening the Worst First Date since the Big Bang. Did speed-dating count as one date or twenty? Was the effect taken cumulatively or did each five-minute encounter qualify as its own independent assault against humanity?

Or perhaps there was a world record for the fastest dating failure. Mia glanced at her watch. Under sixty seconds. That had to be a personal best.

Bachelor Number Twelve was still sputtering, his face flushing to an alarming purple color. “I… Are you… I mean… Do you have…”

Fabulous. She’d paralyzed his frontal lobe. Mia frowned. “I need more words to understand your meaning.”

“Cancer?” Twelve said at a near-yelp.

“Oh no. I’m in perfect health. Excellent condition to breed.”

A choked noise erupted from Twelve’s throat and Mia flinched. Crap, why had she said that? She may not be socially savvy—okay, yes, when it came to social interaction she was a human wrecking ball—but she knew better than to bring up reproduction in the first five minutes.


Nerd mating. Not for everyone, but like Mia says, intellect is one hell of an erogenous zone. Do you have a favorite nerdy hero or heroine?

Vivi Andrews was born and raised in Alaska and still lives in the frozen north when she isn’t indulging her travel addiction. The author of over a dozen paranormal romance novels and novellas, you can find her online at http://www.viviandrews.com.

MORE Embarrassing Editor Comments!

It’s time for more embarrassing editor comments!

I’ve posted some of these before, but some people may have missed them, and I have a few new ones to add after recent edits. When I started writing erotic romance I wasn’t prepared for the “intimate” nature of the editorial comments. But I’m always grateful for my editors’ input because they make the book so much better! So here we go...

Did I miss where she stepped out of the pink bikini panties?

Is he going from the front to the back on this? Like she’d have to lift her hips to give him access to her ass bc he’s coming from the front. Bc the “sliding it down” throws me a bit. Can you rework this a bit so maybe he removes his hand from pussy after he slicks it up and moves it to ass? Am I overthinking it?

FYI, the haze of red also happened after she’d had anal sex. So one of these might need to be adjusted.

This gets a bit hazy in here. I think once they’ve painted the flowers and lines down to her clit, they need to drop the brushes and maybe start licking or using their fingers.

I’m a little concerned about the image this presents. When a woman is becoming wet during foreplay, can she really produce enough moisture that it ‘surges’ out of her? Sounds like it’s flooding out, which seems just a bit too exaggerated.

So where’s the curls he was running his fingers through? Or has she had a French wax?

Who is this ‘he’? When we’re so deep into a scene with the two guys, gotta be careful with the use of the masculine pronoun that there’s no confusion.

I guess if you answer comment 49, it would also answer this one, but for the record, I’m currently confused as to who has their hands full of her breasts.

Where is he licking her? Down further it sounds like Chris is already fucking her (unclear which hole) so not sure what he’s asking Dag to do

When did he enter her? I thought the plan was for him to fuck her ass and for Dag to fuck her pussy once he got her all wet. Although, if he’s fucking her pussy, what need is there for Dag to get her ‘good and ready’ since the fucking will be generating natural lubrication? Sorry, confused.

Hopefully with some lube? Saliva isn’t going to be enough for more than one finger, especially since he's going to be Tense with a capital T ;-)

Back on page 60 he still had underwear on, and there’s been no update on that. Is he stroking through the fabric?

Again, there has been no update to the guys being on the bed in their undies (p60), so for this to be possible, you need to work in about him (and possibly Nick) taking off those boxers.

Considering that so far there’s been no anal sex, and the guys have both worn condoms, what’s to wash?

First up, a woman snaking her hand down to take care of herself when she's the meat in a very hot man-sandwich throws me right out of the scene and I wonder if the guys really have a clue what they're doing. Secondly, I’m always amazed when I see this in a story, that a hand can not only fit in the middle of that crush of bodies/groins, but that the woman can move her hand/finger once it’s there. If you decide you want to remove it, but feel she still needs the stimulation, her nipples are right near Nick’s mouth ;-) I also guess that I’m amazed that if two hot, sexy and horny guys can’t do something in this position to get her off, then what’s the point? ;-)

Dangler -  sounds like her gaze is speaking to both of them.

Um…no lube? She’s an anal virgin and he knows it. Is he trying to deliberately freak her out?

Since you just used “womb” about what about “Pussy” or “cunt”?

What about cross contamination. As a doc, he’d know not to put his mouth on her again after it has been on/in her anus.

Did it (his cock) soften from beforehand?

When did his finger enter her? Above he’s playing with her breasts with both hands.

This all sounds like Abby toyed with Abby’s nipples

This can’t be correct if she has hair there as you said above.

Gotta watch the “her” and “she’s” when writing sex scenes with two women.

Didn’t Melina get a Brazilian for him?

Your womb is your uterus…I’m thinking it’s her vagina that is?

If she’s kissing his nipples, she wouldn’t really be lying on his chest, but leaning over him.

Is he wearing a condom?

If she’s on her tummy, how can any arousal be trailing to her anus? Wouldn’t that be going against gravity?

Just checking… deliberately no condom this time, or did he just forget?

The way this is phrased, it’s not clear whether it’s her mouth or his cock that’s “hot and velvet, hard and pulsing”

Dangler – reads as though she is hot, hard and throbbing

If she’s on the bottom, why would she need to lift her head?

This reads as if her neck is sitting beside her on his couch.

Is this anal or vaginal?

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Chickpeas and Cheese Pie

From Nine Naughty Novelist Skylar Kade

Tiropita

WHAT YOU NEED:

16 oz. feta cheese
8 oz. ricotta cheese
8 oz. mozzarella cheese
4 eggs
1 box Fillo Dough, set out and thawed to room temperature
oil
2 eggs, beaten

WHAT TO DO:

In a large bowl, mix feta, ricotta, mozzarella and eggs together until well blended.
Cut Fillo Dough in half lengthwise.
Take one sheet of Fillo Dough and brush lightly with oil. Place another sheet of Fillo on top and brush top Lightly with oil. Top with a third sheet of Fillo.
Place a heaping spoonful of cheese mixture onto one of the corners of Fillo dough.
Fold up (as demonstrated in pictures) until you have a triangle shaped Tiropita.
Arrange on cookie sheet and repeat with remaining Tiropita.
Brush the tops of the Tiropita with beaten egg wash and bake at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

From Maison Domine...

"Realizing how hungry she was, Lara filled her plate with the delicacies overflowing the two buffet tables. The foods were so elegant, she didn’t know the proper names for most of them, but knew they would be delicious. She had just popped something light and flaky and cheese-filled into her mouth when another guest arrived to the party. His broad shoulders filled the doorway, his face still trapped in the shadows of the hallway. Tight jeans encased his muscular thighs. Her eyes were drawn to the promise of length and girth tucked to the left of his zipper. Lara immediately started to drool. Wow, she thought, there is one man who would be able to satisfy a woman over and over…and over."

Maison Domine

Organic chemist Lara Brunner is at loose ends. Since childhood, her life has been focused on work and achieving success in her field. Only now, weeks away from her tenure review, she realizes she’s pushed herself too far. Casting about for a way to release her stress-crazed body from career tension, she visits a BDSM retreat, hoping a weekend of sexual submission will do the trick.

Inducting her into the lifestyle is her at-work nemesis—Jaxon Greene. But the sinful intent she encounters in Jaxon’s sexy eyes makes her heart race with desire…and fear. Gorgeous men like him don’t go for zaftig academics like her. Once the fantasy weekend is over and real life returns, he’ll forget all about her.

Jaxon is blindsided by his intense attraction to Lara. The more time he spends with her, the stronger their invisible bonds become. Bonds that are stronger and more permanent than any knot he can tie. He’s not normally into converting vanilla women to his lifestyle, but something makes him want to cast his inhibitions aside and claim her for his own.

First, though, he has to free her from preconceived notions of proper sex…and love.

Buy Maison Domine at Amazon today.


From Guest Author Suleikha Synder

It’s kind of funny that my upcoming novella from Samhain is called Spice and Secrets, because when it comes to both my writing and my cooking, there’s a whole lotta spice and very few secrets! See, the thing about Indian home cooking is that recipes are, to paraphrase Pirates of the Caribbean, “just guidelines.” When I get in front of my stove, I am a total pantser. I just throw stuff into the pan and hope for the best! Still, lest I be derelict in my guest-posting duties here at Nine Naughty Novelists, I’m going to do my best to nail down my basic curried chickpea, aka “chole masala,” recipe.

This serves four, or one singleton over the course of a few days. All spice amounts are approximations. I always throw extra in as I go along.

Chickpea Masala

WHAT YOU NEED:

Two 15.5 oz cans of garbanzo beans/chickpeas, drained of water
One medium-sized yellow onion
1tbsp of canola oil
1tsp of pre-chopped garlic, or 1-2 cloves, chopped
3-4 whole green cardamom pods
2-3 cloves
½ tsp ginger powder, + extra ½ tsp for later
½ tsp coriander powder, + extra ½ tsp for later
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp cumin powder
¼ tsp of turmeric (for color only, too much makes food bitter!)
1 tsp salt
1 ½  cups of water

WHAT TO DO:

In a large frying pan with a cover, or a saucepan with a cover, heat one tablespoon of oil. Add chopped onion and garlic and cook on medium heat until the onions go clear. Add all powdered spices except for the salt, cooking until it’s a nice aromatic base. The spices should stick to the bottom a little. Add the drained chickpeas and stir until they are coated. Add the salt. After a few minutes, add the water and turn up the heat to medium high, bringing the chickpeas to a boil and stirring occasionally. This is where I like to throw in the extra ginger and coriander. (Oh, Hell, who am I kidding? I keep throwing in spices at every stage.) Once the mixture comes to a boil, reduce to low heat and cover. Cook for 20-25 minutes, until the chickpeas are no longer raw and most of the water has been absorbed. There’s nothing wrong with keeping it a little saucy (hey-oh!). Probably around 10 minutes in to this stage is where you want to toss in the dry spices, cloves and cardamom, for flavor. And then…voila! There you have it: quasi-authentic chole!

Serve with rice or flatbread.

Plating up Spice and Secrets is slightly less time-consuming. Pre-order it now.

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Spice-and-Secrets-ebook/dp/B008Z434WE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1352121222&sr=8-3

NOOK: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/spice-and-secrets-suleikha-snyder/1112568002

Samhain store: http://store.samhainpublishing.com/spice-secrets-p-7065.html

Spice and Secrets’ leading man, Rahul Anand, enjoys cooking as well. There’s even a scene where he’s making rogan josh — a dish that I have never made! Be sure to let me know if the story tastes okay…

About Suleikha

Editor, writer, American desi and lifelong geek, Suleikha Snyder published her first romantic short in Ravenous Romance's 2011 TOUCHDOWNS anthology. 2012 brought a bevy of releases, including Suleikha's first novella from Samhain Publishing, SPICE AND SMOKE, a Wild Rose Press short story called HEART MURMURS, and a short in Cleis Press' June SUITE ENCOUNTERS anthology. Suleikha lives in New York City, finding inspiration in Bollywood films, daytime and primetime soaps, and Hell's Kitchen wine bars.

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Show Us Your Books! AKA Happy Anniversary to Us!

It's hard for us to believe--because time really does fly when you're having this much fun--but the Nine Naughty Novelists are celebrating anniversary number three this month. To celebrate, we're giving away a great big bag of NOLA souvenirs we brought back from our trip there last month. We had an outrageously good time (as you can probably tell from the video below) and winning this contest would be the next best thing to your being there with us...

So okay, maybe winning won't be that much fun, but it's still a really nice collection of goodies just the same. How do you win? That's the really fun part.

Y'all know what you have to do to get beads tossed your way during Mardi Gras, don't you? Well, in the spirit of NOLA and Mardi Gras...even though it's NOVEMBER and a THURSDAY and some of us are maybe having a little trouble remembering why we decided that was a really, really amazingly AWESOME fantabulous theme for today's party (after, you know, two or three...or ten...bottles of wine...naming no names) we're asking you to...

SHOW US YOUR BOOKS! Or, you know, OUR books, as it happens.

Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below and post pictures of yourself with any of your favorite Nine Naughty Novelist books. You get three points per post. Only have ebooks? Not to worry. Post a comment letting us know about any of your favorite NNN moments from the past three years and you'll earn two more points. Or tweet about the contest (up to once a day) for an additional one-point-per-tweet. Because three years = three ways to win!  Yeah, we're complicated like that.

Now, here are some of our favorite memories of our times together...

Well since I didn't get to NOLA or manage to meet any of my fellow Naughties in person yet, I'd have to say that brainstorming the serials have been my absolute favorite group memories. We didn't even need to be in the same room together to find each other hilarious as we all tossed out suggestions, building off each other's ideas, each one crazier than the last until we ended up with The Zillionaire's Secret Werewolf Babies and If You Give A Duke A Duchy. ~ Sydney Somers

The first time the Nine Naughty Novelists sat down to plot out our first serial, the story that eventually became The Zillionaire Vampire Cowboy's Secret Werewolf Babies, was one of the funniest episodes in our three-year history. Between PG's insistence on space-bound cruises, all nine of us trying to talk over each other, and me being in a coffee shop getting dirty looks for laughing out loud, it was certainly memorable. And every time I look at our finished work, I remember all the plot twists and ideas we thought of, deemed too quirky, and set aside to make room for the incredible story we ended up writing! ~ Skylar Kade

How can I share just one memory of the last – HOLY CRAP – THREE YEARS?? So I’m just going to share one memory which is -  New Orleans, our most recent get-together. Eight out of nine of us all together at the same time. So many smart, funny, creative, talented ladies all in the same room! I love that you all know exactly what I’m talking about when I talk about my writing – my characters, my frustrations, the voices in my head that keep me awake at night. I’m in awe of all of you and humbled that I’m part of this group.  ~ Kelly Jamieson

I love the Naughty Nine in all their moods, but I have a special fondness for the moment I looked around suite 709 at our hotel in New Orleans (that's the suite where all the fun happened) and saw everyone bent over their laptops, wine glasses within reach. Skylar and I stretched out on the fold-out couch, our computers on our laps. The rest sat around the table. Wine bottles, snacks, chocolate, and enough freaking talent to power a rocket ship. I got chills!  ~ Juniper Bell

I loved the night we were all in our room with our laptops and bottles - I think after Kate and Juniper came back from French street? Kelly and I staggered off to The Everything Store for more wine? That was a fun night. ~ Kinsey Holley

I have lots of great memories, but ONE of my favorites was doing our panel at RT last year.  The chemistry that seems to always be there online was there in person in front of other people, which was so cool. ~ Erin Nicholas

One of the things I like best is going online and reading about what the others are getting up to on Twitter…while we’re in the same hotel room.  Or receiving a text late at night summoning me upstairs (or downstairs, as the case may be) for a spur-of-the-moment brainstorming session (no. apparently none of us ever sleep) that includes the instructions, “bring wine, because we’re all out.”  I gotta tell you, these are eight of the funniest, most creative women I’ve ever known. Last year’s spontaneous “Kelly’s Shoes at ECWC” contest is just one example of the wackiness that ensues whenever any of us get together. I can’t wait to find out what the next year will bring! ~ PG Forte

First, exploring Frenchmen Street with Juniper. I wanted an old-time jazz experience in New Orleans, and this felt the closest to it for me. Wandering in and out of clubs and bars, listening to old time country and traditional jazz bands and a bluesy/jazzy jam session that had the entire club on its feet. Plus a sax player that hit all the right notes. Second, sitting next to the pool at the hotel, sipping champagne, and writing with Kinsey and Skylar. Encapsulated everything excellent about our retreat - lovely surroundings, great friends, time to write, and a little something extra to imbibe.  ~ Kate Davis

My memory would be sitting upstairs at the Royal Oyster House, sharing stuffed mushrooms and foodie advice (who knew PG was a chicken expert?). Also, the little bar we all stopped in on our way back from Bourbon Street, where they talked me out of a Sazerac (probably a good idea), but brought me a very nice Pimm's cup instead. Soft jazz playing. Exposed brick and vintage posters, Great company. Yeah, that I remember. ~ Meg Benjamin

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UNLEASHING THE RECEPTIONIST - Release!

Believe it or not, my most recent release, UNLEASHING THE RECEPTIONIST, is my 9TH RELEASE! I still can barely comprehend that I've written nine books. I still remember when the idea of finishing one book seemed an incredible achievement. I still remember when I got my first book accepted. I remember all the firsts ... the panic to get my first website up. My nervous first post at the Samhain Cafe. My first blog post -- boy, I slaved over that thing! The first time I saw my name pop up on the Samhain bestseller list. My first ever review -- from Mrs. Giggles. (And yes, I survived.)

I don't know why this book is making me sentimental. Maybe it's because it's (most likely) the last book in the Receptionist series. Maybe it's because the Naughty Nine are about to celebrate our 3rd anniversary. Maybe it's because I actually dedicated this book to "the naughty in all of us, and especially to the Nine Naughty Novelists." (Love you guys!)

Maybe it's natural to get a little weepy when we hit certain milestones. Nine has always been one of my favorite numbers. I looked up its spiritual meaning on a numerology website, and here is what it says:

Nine: The spiritual meaning of number Nine bring us to the very height of vibrational frequencies. Nine represents attainment, satisfaction, accomplishment, and our success to achieve an influence in our circumstances. The spiritual meaning of number Nine deals with intellectual power, inventiveness, influence over situations and things. Nine beseeches us to recognize our own internal attributes, and extend these abilities out into the world to make a positive, influential difference.

Now is that perfect or what? No wonder I'm getting sentimental. So get out there, Ms. Dana Arthur the Receptionist, and make a positive, influential difference in the world!

Here's a little more about UNLEASHING THE RECEPTIONIST.

You can tie a girl up, but you can’t keep her down…

…the Receptionist, Book 3

In the year since Dana joined Ethan and Simon’s firm, the three of them have found the perfect balance of power and pleasure in their three-way, work/play relationship. Not only that, but it’s been the firm’s most successful year financially.

Except something is missing. Her men won’t tell her anything about their past. How they met, or how they formed such an unconventional business and personal partnership. Until they start sharing their secrets, Dana fears she’ll always be the odd girl out.

Everything changes when a vengeful former partner resurfaces. Suddenly, both the business and their idyllic relationship are under siege. With a tax auditor watching their every move, the three must be on their best behavior.

Never one to back down from a challenge, Dana seizes the chance to prove herself—and finally win her sexy bosses’ full trust and confidence. Now the race is on to root the evil nemesis out of their lives once and for all—before her dream relationship cracks under the pressure. 

---

Are you ready for an ADULT EXCERPT? Read no further unless you're of age and don't mind things extra-sizzing!



-->

The red button on my phone blinked—Ethan was calling me into his office. “I’ll come by later,” I told Standish, and hurried to find out what Ethan wanted.

Apparently he wanted to glower at me with a double dose of Blue Fury from behind his desk. “What are you trying to pull?”

I twined my hands behind my back, a perfect little schoolgirl. “Excuse me?”

“I warned you about Standish. I said we were to behave with complete professionalism.”

“Which is exactly what I’ve done.” I lifted my nose in the air. This had the effect of accentuating my breasts. His gaze flicked across me.

“That outfit is hardly professional.”

“Depends on your profession,” I said pertly. From behind me came a click.

Excitement churned inside me. I knew that sound—the remote controlled lock on Ethan’s door. The atmosphere in the room turned suddenly heavy and charged.

Ethan’s voice dropped into the sudden tension with two stern words. “Come. Here.”

“Fine.” I stepped forward. “But I feel I should remind you of the current policy against physical contact established by the head of this firm...” I broke off

with a squeak, finding myself suddenly turned across his lap. In the space of half a second, I was staring at the beige carpet and feeling my skirt yanked over my head.

“You’re pushing me,” Ethan growled. The sound of a drawer opening came next. Ethan’s treasure chest of sex toys. Excitement shot through me, made me wet between the legs. All these sounds were like cues to me, announcing we’d reached Punishment Time.

About time. All that abstaining stuff had been driving me crazy. I decided to push him harder.

“You’re breaking the rules, Ethan. You said no physical...”

Wham. The paddle. The flat wood came down on my right cheek. I yelped as adrenaline flooded my brain. The next spank followed right on top of the previous one. When Ethan paddled me, he gave me no room to rest, no room to catch up to the pace of his strokes. I clutched the side of his leg, afraid I’d lose all sense of where I was. The carpet blurred before my dazed vision. He maneuvered his knee so my clit, with its delicate piercing, pressed against the fabric of his trousers—a fine woolen weave. Caught between his hard spanking and the pressure of his knee, I felt wild spirals of arousal somersault through my body.

Click to buy  

If you'd like to win the first two books in the Receptionist series, sign up here for a Rafflecopter giveaway! I'm also giving away a $25 Amazon gift certificate. Happy reading!

Guest Blogger Miranda Baker - I Want a Tattoo

I want a tattoo. I do. I really do. For years, I’ve admired other peoples’ tattoos. I give the characters in my books tattoos. Last summer, I even stopped a complete stranger at Fantasy Island and asked her where she got her gorgeous tattoo! I’m old enough not to regret doing it, my husband is all for it and I don’t care what my parents will say anymore.

But I don’t know what to get.

I’m a words girl. My voice chatters in my head 24/7 but I rarely think in pictures. Heck, I rarely SEE pictures in my head. Back in my days as a cake decorator, I’d get an order and I would fight the urge to write words all over the cake. You want Dora? Fine! Swiper, no swiping! Vamanos! Do YOU hear something? Of course, that desire probably had something to do with the fact that it takes about thirty colors to do a Dora cake, and I didn’t want to mix that many bags of buttercream. Eventually word cakes became popular for weddings and celebrations, but they never gave those orders to me because my handwriting is truly horrid. But I digress.

I could easily choose words to tattoo on my body. Joy. Balance. Strength. Inspiration. Love. But coming up with pictures for those things is more difficult for me. Considering I’m a pastry chef, I suppose I could have a great big scale tattooed on my back—for balance—but that isn’t quite what I have in mind. I’m not a yin-yang girl, either. I’m hoping an idea will come to me in a huge burst of energy that will carry me through the process. After all, last week I had no idea what I wanted my new kitchen floor to look like, and right now I’m sitting on it. Is waiting for tattoo inspiration another form of trust the process?

I hate trusting the process. I like instant gratification, and so many things in my life are about enjoying the journey. That’s my answer, I guess. I need a big ole road right down the center of my back…or perhaps winding around my body. The character in my latest release, Hook Up, Book 3 of the Come Again series, has a hot pink orchid tattoo on her shoulder. Orchids symbolize rebirth, new beginnings, love, maturity—a perfect tattoo for a woman who rebuilt her life after a one-night stand in college left her with empathic powers. It was easy to pick a tattoo for Crystal. Alas, my own body is another story. What about you? Do you have a tattoo…or tattoos? Do you want one? If so, what do you want? Leave a comment and I’ll put your name in the drawing for a Hook Up Survival Kit!

The Hook Up Kit includes:
Orchid temporary tattoo (just like Crystal’s!)
Mini Magic 8-ball (to check the auspices for a hook up)
E-copy of Bottoms Up, the first book in the Come Again series (because I can’t actually hook you up, but I can offer you a few hours of reading pleasure. If you already have it, you can re-gift it!)
Two STUDDED condoms (Safety first! In Hook Up, Ryan buys condoms at Come Again and discovers there is more to life than ribbed.)
Romance Trading Cards for Bottoms Up and SoloPlay (because I love e-books, but I do miss actual book covers!)

Hook Up Blurb:

A blast from the past can be hell on the heart.

“Spend the night with me, Crystal.”

One college hook-up with Ryan Anderson ripped Crystal LaRusso’s emotions wide open and hot-wired her to the world around her. After gaining control of her new abilities, she rebuilt her life and started a business as a sensual psychic. She’s bold, fearless and, admittedly, a little freaky. Black leather, exotic makeup and a reputation for only dating women keeps the world at a necessary distance—distance she can’t maintain when Ryan reappears in her life.

Ryan has spent the last ten years wondering what went wrong between them, and now that she’s back in his life, Crystal has a lot of explaining to do. The chemistry is just as potent as it was ten years ago, so why does she keep running away? One night won’t be enough to satisfy Ryan’s need for her, but it might take the edge off. At the very least, he can ask her why she broke his heart—and this time he’s not leaving without an answer.

Product Warnings

This book contains an unforgettable one-night stand, a heroine with a taste for beautiful women, a quest that begins in a sex shop and ends in a sex club, and enough mind-blowing psychic sex to change one lucky man’s life forever.

A Hook Up excerpt can be found here:

http://store.samhainpublishing.com/hook-up-p-7041.html?osCsid=f62df445555dd310a6fc0561847ff7f2

and Hook Up can be purchased wherever naughty books are sold!

About Miranda Baker

It makes me chuckle to think about all the romantic short stories I wrote in my rather too literary creative writing classes in college. If only one of my professors had steered me toward popular fiction! On the other hand, if I had discovered my calling back then, I wouldn’t have gone to culinary school, I wouldn’t have met my husband, we wouldn’t have had three children and I wouldn’t have turned to erotic romance to get my mojo back during all this hair-raising kid raising. To learn more about me, please visit:

My den of iniquity: http://www.mirandabaker.com

My home away from home: https://www.facebook.com/MirandaBakerfans

Or my favorite hangout: https://twitter.com/Miranda_Baker

Don’t forget to comment below to enter the giveaway! Thanks so much to the Naughty Nine for letting me visit their site today, and thank YOU for stopping by. Let’s talk tattoos!