Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Halloween Party!

It's a Halloween Party and the Naughty Nine have gotten dressed up to entertain you...

Okay, those aren't us. 

Moving on...these are our fantasy costumes we're wearing today, so you'll have to decide whose costume is whose. We will give you clues, however...

Here's a clue: this is not any of us either! It's just a random guest.

One lucky contestant (chosen at random) will receive a $5 Amazon Gift Card. So, look through the pics and post your guesses below, or leave a comment with a link to YOUR fantasy costume. Or, if you want, do one or more of the Rafflecopter tasks for even more chances to win. Good luck and have fun!








Our first Naughty picked a very girly costume fit for a very girly girl...We wonder what shoes she'd wear with this? 






Next up, is this regal looking lady. She says her favorite part of the costume is the crown. 

We say: Yup, that's Just about Right...



















This Naughty...oh, no wait. That's another guest. 

He's dressed as a Rugby Player. 

Can't you tell?




















Here's our next Naughty. She's dressed for a day at the office. Do we really need to explain why? 

Hint: her new book is out this week! 























We're really not surprised that this Naughty came armed. It kinda goes with the territory, you know? When you see her coming, y'all better get Ready to Run!








Hmm. All that leather suggests it's time for another musical interlude...







Our next Naughty is dressed as Sailor Neptune. Who's a Pisces, in case you were wondering.
Yes, that would be our hint. What you're not sure which Naughty is our Pisces Girl?


This Naughty claims her Hillary Clinton meme costume requires minimal work on her part. We're guessing the "Drink" in question is Texas Hill Country wine!



This...sorry, did we say Texas? Let us introduce a few more guests. Hmm. There's nine of them. Maybe they'll ask us to dance...


Speaking of dancing, our next Naughty had this to say about her costume: "A little Steampunk and a lot sexy: I'd love to dress as a Burlesque dancer!We're pretty sure that's not her Only Hope..
























This Naughty picked her costume to coordinate with her Halloween-set story.  (It's a very Ritualistic concept).






Our last Naughty might be dressed as one of her kick-ass heroines. 

We think she chose her costume simply for the boots...

Yeah, that's really all the hint you need. 


Enter via Rafflecopter or leave your comments, guesses, or costume links below!

Happy Halloween everyone!



Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Guest Blogger Sami Lee - Embracing the Risk

In real life, I’m not much of a risk taker. Whatever fun I derived from flirting with danger when I was younger (and there was some of that), I think I lost it when I had kids. I’m all about safety now, being prepared like a good little girl scout. But the spirit of the risk taker in me is still alive in my writing. When it comes to playing with words, I love to try something different, even if there’s a chance I won’t pull it off—especially if there’s a chance I won’t pull it off. Call me a sucker for a challenge. Or a masochist.

In one of my recent releases, Erica’s Choice (available from Samhain Publishing or your preferred online bookstore, buy links here http://www.samilee.com/wordpress/?page_id=78. Plug, plug, plug), I wrote male/male scenes for the first time. It was also the first time I’d written a ménage a trois situation that ended in a committed triad relationship. It was a risky proposition, because I had no idea if I would even be able to write this idea down, let alone do it well. I think it’s paid off because I love that book now.

Another new thing I tried recently was writing a novella as part of an anthology with two other authors—the Bandicoot Cove: The Wedding series (http://store.samhainpublishing.com/bandicoot-cove-wedding-series-367.html). All the events took place concurrently, so we had to know what was going on in each other’s stories so we could have the characters interrelate as much as possible. Lucky for me I was writing with two of my best writing buddies, Jess Dee and Lexxie Couper, so it was a totally fun experience. And again, I had to try something I’d never tried before, just coz. This time it was voyeurism. There’s a little bondage and a dominant hero as well, but I’d dabbled there before. The voyeuristic aspects added an interesting bit of spice I wanted to explore. I went into that thinking (as I do with most new experiences) ‘how hard can it be?’. And the answer was, as usual, ‘harder than you think, Sami. Harder than you think’.

But again I had fun with that book, got to use some funky alliteration in the title (Moonlight Mirage—I love the images that conjures), and the risk paid off in the form of a lovely completed book with a beeaaauuutiful cover. I’ve included a little excerpt below to whet your appetite for a torrid affair on a tropical Aussie island. Now that’s something new I bet a lot of people would want to try. Yes indeed.

Moonlight Mirage: Excerpt

“Are you calm?”

In a strange way, he was. Even with the force of his sexual needs coursing through him, the sense of urgency had faded to the background. Not fighting the inevitable was freeing. He wanted Hayley more than he’d ever wanted another woman, and admitting the truth of it was more calming than he ever would have expected. “Yes.”

“Are you here, in this moment with me?”

His answer was the absolute truth. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

At last, Hayley took her hands away from his face. “Open your eyes.”

The brightness caused Mitch to flinch as he raised his eyelids. The muted colors of predawn had disappeared. What replaced them were brilliant rays of light in every conceivable hue from bright fuchsia to flaming orange to deepest magenta.

Mitch regularly rose at dawn. He’d seen sunrises before. But this explosion of color was unlike anything he’d ever experienced. Was it because of the location or the woman standing beside him?

Or was it simply that he had never really looked before?

“Isn’t it beautiful?”

Mitch stared at the view before him, not turning his head to look at Hayley. He was afraid to. If the sky took his breath completely away, he was pretty sure his lungs would collapse if he saw Hayley bathed in all that glorious light. Unable to speak, he merely nodded.

“This is what I wanted you to see,” she said. “The start of a brand-new day when everything is untouched until this amazing kaleidoscope of color washes over it, like painting on a blank canvas. When you truly experience the sunrise, you have to believe anything is possible.”

Was she right? Could anything happen? Could Hayley forgive him for being a blind asshole, for not knowing what he was rejecting when he pushed her away? Could a woman like Hayley Bryant ever really want a boring, stuffed-shirt workaholic like Mitch Wood?

“Mitch?”

Mitch took a deep breath, filling his lungs in case it was the last time he’d be able to do it for a while, and turned to look at her. His chest seized, his heart stopped. The slightest of breezes lifted the curled strands of her hair, causing them to float around her face. The golden tresses were shot through with intense orange, making it look like a halo had formed around her. But she was more beautiful than any angel heaven could produce. She was a woman, and she was real, and she stood right before him with the look of wonder and awe on her face reflecting everything that was going on inside him.

For a long time she held his gaze, saying nothing as the sky changed colors around them. Then her gaze lowered, trailing over his face until finally landing on his lips. It was all the invitation Mitch required. Without a word, he stepped toward her and brought his hands up to cup her face. Then he dipped his head.

He wouldn’t have thought it possible for someone to taste like the sunrise, but Hayley did. She was beautiful and golden, and she enveloped him in glorious warmth. He let their lips meld in their own way, not trying to drive the kiss, using no technique whatsoever. The kiss turned brighter and hotter and more vivid until Mitch felt infused with the heat and life that was Hayley.

Utterly lost, Mitch wasn’t even aware of taking her down to the sand. One minute he stood with his arms wrapped tight around her, the next they were horizontal. Writhing beneath him, Hayley drove her fingers through his hair, holding him to her. His fingers found their way beneath the hem of her top, trailing over the smooth flatness of her stomach. It wasn’t enough, so he shoved the garment upward, exposing Hayley’s breast to the gentle morning breeze. He cupped the soft mound and squeezed.

Into his mouth, Hayley gasped. Beneath him, her body arched, her back coming off the sand as she sought a more complete touch. Mitch granted her wish, using his thumb to graze her pebbled peak. It blossomed under his ministrations, growing ripe and plump and all too tempting. Breaking free of Hayley’s ravishing mouth, Mitch trailed his lips downward, over her collarbone and shoulder. He kissed around the puckered flesh, narrowly avoiding the sensitive point that silently begged for his attention.

Hayley’s grip on his head started to pinch as she tightened her hold. “Mitch, please.”

Lust surged through his veins. Goddamn, that was what he wanted to hear. Hayley desperate for his touch, begging him for it. “Ask again.”

“Oh, God. Just put me out of my misery.”

“Ask, damn it.”

Thanks to the Nine for having me!

Cheers,

Sami

Despite falling in love with creative writing in her teenage years, Sami worked a wide variety of jobs on her way to eventual publication. As a bartender she used to scrawl snatches of dialogue on the back of flyers advertising $2 drink specials. Now she types on a computer like a bonafide, professional author—but she wouldn’t mind finding a bar that still sells $2 drinks. If you know of one, please feel free to get in touch with her and let her know ASAP!

An author of hot, unashamedly romantic stories, Sami and lives in Australia with her husband and two stupendous daughters. If that’s too far away for you, visit her web home at www.samilee.com. You can also catch her on facebook (http://www.facebook.com/sami.lee.39#!/SamiLeeAuthor), twitter (https://twitter.com/divasamilee) and goodreads (http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1166869.Sami_Lee).

Monday, October 29, 2012

Monthly Round-up!


We have a lot of news to report this month. First up, for any of you who might have missed it, Meg Benjamin's novel, Fearless Love, was released on October 9th. Here's its gorgeous cover...

Fearless Love is the seventh book in Meg's Konigsburg, TX series.

Sweet music doesn’t come without a few sour notes.

MG Carmody never figured her musical dreams would crash against the reality of Nashville. Now the only thing she has going for her is her late grandfather’s chicken farm, which comes with molting hens that won’t lay, one irascible rooster, and a huge mortgage held by a ruthless opponent—her Great Aunt Nedda.

With fewer eggs to sell, MG needs extra money, fast. Even if it means carving out time for a job as a prep cook at The Rose—and resisting her attraction to its sexy head chef.

Joe LeBlanc has problems of his own. He’s got a kitchen full of temperamental cooks—one of whom is a sneak thief—a demanding cooking competition to prepare for, and an attraction to MG that could easily boil over into something tasty. If he could figure out the cause of the shy beauty’s lack of self-confidence.

In Joe’s arms, MG’s heart begins to find its voice. But between kitchen thieves, performance anxiety, saucy saboteurs, greedy relatives, and one very pissed-off rooster, the chances of them ever making sweet music are looking slimmer by the day.


Product Warnings
Contains hot kitchen sex, cool Americana music, foodie hysteria, and a whole lot of fowl play.


Book six, Don't Forget Me, will be out in paperback on November, 6.

You can read more about the series HERE.




Unleashing the Receptionist, the third (and final? Gah! Say it isn't so!) book in Juniper Bell's Receptionist series releases October 30. Juniper will be on tour. Check out her blog for details...

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

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. 


Product Warnings
Contains hot three-way M/F/M sex, highly inappropriate office behavior, a shocking secret, a kinky accountant and some really bad girl-on-girl porno reenactments.





Just a Kiss, the long-and-eagerly-awaited fifth book in Erin Nicholas' The Bradfords series also releases on October 30. 

This is Kevin's story: 

She’s unforgettable…and that’s exactly what got him into trouble the first time. 

As a paramedic in the busiest ER in the city, Kevin Campbell knows there’s no such thing as a typical night—but this one definitely has them all beat. 

His dad’s been stabbed with a fork, his mom’s been in a fight, and it’s all because of a younger half-brother he never knew existed. And if that’s not enough, everyone seems to agree that Kevin should take the boy in for the six months during his mom’s rehab. Oh, and the annulment he thought he got fourteen years ago? Never went through. 


It’s really too bad he gave up drinking and swearing.



Eve Donnelly is shocked to see Kevin again, but not surprised they’re still married. After all, she was the one who refused to sign the annulment papers. Now that she’s got Kevin back in her life, nothing else matters. Not even her past fourteen less-than-virtuous years. In fact, the truth about her life without Kevin isn’t even worth bringing up. She hopes.



When Eve offers to help Kevin with his younger brother, a sweet, devout preacher’s daughter seems like an answered prayer. Besides, things can’t get more complicated. Can they?


Product Warnings
Contains a bad boy gone good, a good girl who knows all about being bad, and lots of hot, sweet, so-this-is-how-married-couples-do-it sex.


* * * * *
With Strings Attached, the first book in Kelly Jamieson's new San Amaro Singles series (available at Samhain in 2013!) has a lovely new cover:

AND it's already available for pre-order on Amazon!

The melting point is where it all comes together…or makes a big mess.

Corey Fenwick keeps her bitter past as hidden as the sweet centers inside the handmade chocolates she sells to a growing list of upscale customers. Experience has taught her the only person she can rely on is herself, so her best-friends-with-benefits relationship with Matt is perfect—no strings attached.

After his last girlfriend deemed him “boring”, Matt Ferber watched her ride off on the back of a Harley with a rock musician. Figuring he’s doomed to “let’s just be friends” with the women he cares about, the arrangement with Corey suits him fine too. Until his old friend Dylan Schell rolls into town to hang out while recovering from a surfing injury.

The sexy bad boy makes Corey’s mouth water, and she figures a harmless fling won’t hurt, especially when Dylan suggests she come between him and Matt—in bed.

It’s a win-win-win situation…until somehow there are strings attached. And too late they realize they’re getting all tangled up.

Warning: This book contains an independent woman, two hot guys, some trash talking, a little jealousy, a few beers, chocolate body paint and scary stuff like falling in love.


Friday, October 26, 2012

Baking with Vampires & More


Nine Naughty Novelist PG Forte

When I started writing about vampires, I didn’t expect my characters would be spending quite so much time in the kitchen.  Turns out my vampires like to bake. Who knew?  Mostly what they make are cookies. Julie’s favorite is chocolate chip.  Since one of the best cookies I ever made were chocolate chunk cookies from an old Paul Prudhomme  recipe. And since we just got back from New Orleans , that made them even more perfect to share this week. This is an adaptation of that recipe, since I lost that cookbook years ago.

Best Ever Chocolate Chunk Cookies


WHAT YOU NEED:

1 cup butter, softened (2 sticks)
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
½  teaspoon salt
3/4 cup medjool dates, chopped
2 cups all-purpose flour
½  teaspoon baking soda
¼  teaspoon baking powder
½  cup grated coconut
½  cup granola
¾ cup macadamia nuts, chopped (you can substitute other nuts—pecans, walnuts, almonds, or a combination, if you want)
16 ounces (or 2 cups) dark chocolate, cut into chunks

WHAT TO DO:

Cream butter and sugars together
Add in eggs, vanilla and salt and blend well
Add the dates  and beat at high speed until creamy
In another bowl, sift together flour, baking soda and baking powder
Add dry ingredients into wet mixture, a little at a time, and mix well
Stir in coconut, granola, nuts and chocolate chips
Drop spoonfuls onto lightly greased cookie sheet.
Bake 10 to 15 minutes until lightly browned
Cool cookies on wire rack.
Makes about 4 dozen cookies. Store cookies in airtight container.

 In the Dark

When you live forever, you’re bound to make a few mistakes.

Children of Night, Book 1

1969 San Francisco. World-weary Conrad Quintano should have known better than to fall in love with a human—much less Suzanne Fischer, the barely legal, adventure-seeking hippie beauty known as Desert Rose. And the very last thing he should have agreed to do was to raise her babies and protect them with his life. But even twelve-hundred-year-old master vampires can find it hard to reject a deathbed request—especially when issues of love, guilt and blood are involved.

Present day. Raised in virtual isolation, twins Marc and Julie Fischer have always known they are vampires. But they never knew their parentage—or their unique status in the vampire world—until their “uncle” Damian comes to fetch them home. The family reunion, however, isn’t what they expect. They’re thrust into a world for which they’re totally unprepared. And the father they expected to see, Conrad, is missing.
How to find him…and whom to trust? Solving the mystery of betrayal and vampire family values will prove the Beatles had it right. All you need is love…and an occasional side of blood.

Product Warnings:

While reading this book you may experience any of the following, an increased desire to wear flowers in your hair, dress in tie-dye or nap during the day. Other symptoms may include an intolerance to sunlight, an aversion to garlic-flavored tofu and a pronounced urge to bake…or get baked.

Buy link: http://store.samhainpublishing.com/in-the-dark-p-4722.html


Guest Author Moira Keith

Strawberries and Champagne Mousse

WHAT YOU NEED:

1 cup heavy cream
4 egg yolks
1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp. granulated sugar
1 1/3 cups champagne
2 1/2 tsp. powdered gelatin
3 tbsp. champagne
2 cups fresh strawberries (or raspberries if you prefer)


WHAT TO DO:

In a medium bowl, whip the heavy cream with an electric hand mixer until stiff peaks form.  Place in refrigerator until ready for use.

Place a saucepan filled 1/3 with water over medium-high heat until water is simmering.

Combine the egg yolks and sugar in a stainless steel (or glass) heatproof bowl.  Whisk until lightened in color.  Add the champagne and whisk until combined.  Place bowl over simmering water.

Whisk mixture constantly.  The champagne will cause the mixture to fizz and foam.  Keep whisking! Mixture will begin to thicken.  When the mixture is ready it will have thickened and gained volume, and it will have lost its foaminess.  Remove bowl from the simmering saucepan and continue to whisk for 1-2 minutes.  Set aside.

Place the 3 tbsp. champagne in a small microwave-safe bowl, sprinkle gelatin evenly over the liquid.  Let set until absorbed - about 5 minutes.  Heat the absorbed gelatin mixture for 10 seconds in the microwave, or heat until the gelatin has completely melted.

Whisk gelatin into the champagne mixture. Fold in the whipped cream with a rubber spatula.

Refrigerate mousse for 10-15 minutes or until stiff enough to pipe.  Transfer to a large piping bag fitted with a large star tip and pipe into champagne glass.  Refrigerate until ready to serve. Place glass in center of dessert plate, surround with fresh strawberries. Indulge in pure decadence and feed to your favorite hero (or better yet have him feed them to you).

About Moira

Moira Keith has a penchant for men in kilts, is a lover of shoes, Celtic mythology, connoisseur of Guinness, baker of cupcakes and overall complete mess! As an author of paranormal, urban fantasy and contemporary romance, Moira writes stories that are often filled with the magic of love and the mayhem that ensues, threatening to keep her couples apart. Currently, Moira resides in Las Vegas with her twin zombie sons, their beta fish, and a turtle.

Find Moira Online:

Website -  http://moirakeith.com

Blog – http://moirakeith.com/news

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/authormoirakeith

Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/moirakeith

Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2909057.Moira_Keith

Thursday 13: Retracing our Steps in New Orleans




The 2014 Romantic Times Convention is at the Marriott in the New Orleans French Quarter, and it's NEVER too early to start dreaming about a trip there! Here are the 13 places we visited that definitely deserve a repeat in '14:
  1. The Everything Shop: across the street from the conference Marriott, this is where you get your souvenirs, late night snacks, and wine--lots of wine.
  2. Huck Finn's Restaurant: Delicious for breakfast! They have TVs streaming football, so it's boisterous and crowded during games. Skylar recommends their Gator Bite cocktail--it's served in a souvenir cup, perfect for wandering the French Quarter!
  3. Woldenberg Park: Take the Natchez Riverboat, listen to awesome street performers, and have your picture taken in front of the Mississippi River.
  4. Cafe du Monde: grab a table quickly and prepare to leave covered in powdered sugar. 
  5. French Marketplace: more souvenirs, crafts, and awesome hats than you can shake a stick at. Like a swap meet with NOLA flair. Catch live music and demonstrations on the weekends.
  6. Marie Laveau's House of Voodoo: This Bourbon Street staple provides voodoo dolls, incense, love charms, palm reading, and tarot card readings.
  7. Royal House Oyster Bar: Break into pairs and ask to sit on the second story balcony (though the steps are steep and kind of narrow). Delicious cocktails, seafood stuffed mushrooms, and seafood gumbo!
  8. Frenchmen Street: hear amazing New Orleans jazz! About a mile walking distance from the Marriott, this is where the locals hang out. 
  9. Somethin' Else Cafe: A local's favorite! Great breakfasts, and the staff is SO nice! This is a must-try restaurant. 
  10. Starbucks: If you have to... there's one across the street in the Sheraton. But really, you should just walk down Decateur to the Cafe du Monde. 
  11. Bourbon House Seafood: Our waiter, Joshua, was oh so charming. This is a little upscale, so the appetizers are in tiny portions--however, the desserts more than make up for it. YOU MUST try the Chocolate Pecan Crunch Cake.
  12. Ruby Slipper Cafe: Across the street and up a half-block from the Marriott, this little joint is PACKED on the weekends. Head there during the week for amazing omelets and fried green tomatoes. They returned to New Orleans and opened after Katrina, choosing the name because "There's no place like home."
  13. Bourbon Street: Wander on a Saturday night to people-watch; visit during the rest of the week for a little breathing room. This is only a few blocks from the Marriott. 

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Confessions of a T.V Junkie



I love this time of year. Kids are back in school and routines are in full swing again. The weather is cool, but there isn’t any snow yet. Christmas is close enough to look forward to, and still far enough away there’s no need to panic yet about too much to do and too little time.

And all my favorite fall television shows are back.

I’m a wee bit of a television junkie. Maybe even a twelve-steps kind of junkie, but thankfully no one seems to worry about it too much. Except maybe Master Chef who has to listen to my zombie impersonations during commercial breaks when we’re watching The Walking Dead.

I love that my annual favorites are back, like Grey’s Anatomy and occasionally Glee—for those moments when I’m in need of high school melodrama juiced up on Journey or Lady Gaga. And since it’s no secret that I’m crazy in love with zombies (emphasis on crazy according to Master Chef) I’ve been looking forward to a new season of Walking Dead for months.

This fall I’ve also discovered Arrow. I’ve always been a sucker for a superhero and thankfully instead of being cheesy and cliché (okay, maybe a little) this one is darker, more suspenseful. Also suspenseful is the wonderfully eccentric Sherlock Holmes in Elementary.

But my most recent favorite would have to be Homeland. Intense and intriguing, and guaranteed to drive you crazy with their cliffhanger endings every single time. Love it!

So what about you guys? Any annual favorites or new shows that have snagged your interest? I’m always on the lookout for something new to watch.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Guest Blogger Renee Field - From Old Hag to Sexy Momma – How the view of witches has changed through the ages

A hundred years ago a witch was viewed as old, ugly and with a wart on her face. But time changes and perspectives move forward.

Witches have been around since the beginning, but their names have changed with the times. In the 15th & 16th centuries, witches, or anyone believed to use supernatural powers (and yes, that would include at that time a person who was good with plants or an herbalist), were persecuted throughout Europe. While a few witches burnt at the stake were men, those of course were the ones who failed to pay their taxes for the most part, the majority of witches condemned to die were women. France and Germany were keeners when it came to witch hunts back in the 16th century, but don’t forget that’s also when there was a rise in Christianity and if there’s one thing religious leaders quickly keyed on, it was marketing – good versus bad. Witches, again mostly women, were viewed as bad for religion, especially those women who wanted to be left alone or ones not wishing to marry, because only married women were saved from the whispers of the Devil, who was bad.

Fast-forward to 2012 and witches are now sexy. Who doesn’t want to dress up like a sultry witch on Halloween? Why did the image of witches change? You can all thank the feminist movement and trend to a more secular society. And I for one applaud it. My great-grandmother used to be called a witch in her community because she had the ability to read tea leaves, help people who were sick and see the future. Some of her gifts have been handed down through our family line and yes, my odd childhood is all because of her.

I grew up seeing ghosts, reading people’s auras and relying on my sixth sense when I felt things were going to be bad. Has that served me well? Yes. I knew when my oldest son was three years old he was dying, and after being sent home from the emergency room twice, I told them I’d sue if they didn’t do a barium test to prove my point and what do you know, I was right. He had emergency surgery the next morning with a team of doctors and they even apologized but I knew by looking at him. Am I a witch? Only if I can claim to be that sexy witch –lol – but at my age not so much. But I’m a free thinker and my life has been far from ordinary, so just maybe I am a witch.

I’d love to hear from readers. Have any of you had weird experiences you couldn’t explain? Do you have special “magical” powers? Let me know and I’m giving away two e-copies of my latest erotic novella, Witch Me Good, plus a copy of my latest HQN Spice Briefs novella, Claiming the Temptress.

Excerpt: Witch Me Good by Renee Field

Chapter One

“This is for your own good.”

That was the last thing Bella heard in her head from her meddling Aunt Cat, and while a part of her laughed at those ominous words another part screamed, “Oh no!”

Bella Pickman wanted to retort with a sarcastic remark but before she could she felt the sizzle of her aunt’s magic zap through her like a dozen demon-infested cats—fast, furious and mind-numbingly scary. When Bella opened her eyes again she had to blink a few times, first to clear her fuzzy head from the overload her senses had just experienced and secondly, she had to absorb where the heck she’d been thrown to. A place that made her skin crawl while a dozen unwanted memories boiled through her.

Bella had been transported back to her home town of Salem, Massachusetts. Would figure!

Holy cats, thought Bella as the sounds of some wild street party jarred her senses. Without a doubt she knew exactly what was going on. It was All Hallows’ Eve which meant Salem was partying like never before. Well, before last year, that was. The annual street party traditionally encompassed five blocks, all of which were filled with mostly drunk tourists looking for a good time. A slight smile began to form on her cherry painted lips. She might have been thrown back to Salem as punishment for once again dropping in unannounced but that didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy some fun while here. With a zap, Bella quickly changed outfits. She smoothed down her now snug black dress and knew without a mirror she looked damned sexy in the form fitting outfit she’d conjured which of course also came with a black Halloween witch’s hat. Her sister Sarah would have a hoot if she saw her now. She made a mental note to call her sister first thing in the morning so she could at least reconnect while in town. By tomorrow Bella thought her Aunt Cat would have cooled down enough to allow Bella’s magic to zap her out of Salem. If not, Bella would simply ask her younger sister for a travel spell. Bella seriously hoped her sister’s spells had improved because a decade ago she couldn’t even conjure up a good date on her own.

Bella wasn’t dressed entirely in black. She had a red thong and matching push-up bra on because the color represented fun to Bella. As she sashayed down the cobbled sidewalk she loved knowing she wore the skimpy red lingerie. It made her feel straight up sexy. She’d also conjured up red four-inch heels. They made a slight click on the old-fashioned sidewalk.

Suddenly, before Bella could react, a dozen crazed cats headed headlong into the street. Four cars crashed into each other at the three-way stop sign. A fifth car flew straight into an orange fire hydrant, sending a torrent of water squirting out, which just added fuel to the panicked felines. And when another car came speeding at her Bella froze, feeling much like the cats wishing for a way out but not able to move.

Chase Castille hated parties. Street parties he detested even more. He should have left the office hours ago but lab work never bored him. As he made his way through the throng of people, most of whom had consumed more alcohol than he did in a year, he felt nothing but annoyance. Why the heck were they celebrating like kids when they were adults? It had been bad enough growing up being classified as a geek in New Orleans with its voodoo magic and snake charmers but Salem on Halloween seemed slightly tired and old. Or maybe that’s just how I feel?

All work and no play would shame his Mama. She was mighty proud of his accomplishments as a renowned gene sequencing scientist but that didn’t mean she wasn’t like any other southern mama wondering if he had a girlfriend and when he’d get married. Since he didn’t have a girlfriend that negated marriage. Just once Chase wished for the comfort of a warm, willing woman in his bed and that thought made him realize the last time he’d gotten laid had been well over a year ago, when he’d dropped back home for a quick visit.

Jostling through the crowd, a loud crash drew his attention. Turning the corner quickly he heard the yowling of cats and couldn’t believe his eyes. There, standing like a deer frozen by the headlights, had to be the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Thick, long, black wavy hair fell to the middle of her back and she had to be wearing some type of lycra dress because it hugged all her marvelous curves. On her head was the most outrageous costume witch hat he’d ever seen. The hat was so wide she had to grasp it just to keep it from falling off. She was tall at about five foot nine, slender with long, athletic looking legs the color of honey and she looked terrified.

Chase didn’t think. For once in his life he relied on his athletic instincts, which had served him well enough in the past to secure a football scholarship to attend university. With seconds to spare he dashed into the street and grabbed her, the car’s mirror hooking her right arm in the process, throwing them both to the street. Taking the brunt of the fall, Chase hit the uneven cobbled stones hard, banging his head in the process. He held onto the woman, ensuring she was safe. His mama would have been mighty proud of him for his Southern gentlemanly instincts as they kicked in to save a damsel in distress. Knowing his breathing was slightly ragged he asked, “Are you okay?”

Two mesmerizing exotic cat shaped eyes the color of sparkling green gemstones blinked at him. She smiled and squirmed a bit in his hold. He felt all those lush curves of hers to the marrow of his bones, forcing him to gulp and attempt to dampen down the arousal flaring to light. Over a year without a woman certainly had taken its toll, thought Chase. His hands flared wide, cupping her ass in a very intimate hold, which at any other time in Chase’s life would be highly improper. Since, however, he’d saved her, he let his hands stay exactly where they were.

“Thank you,” she said.

Monday, October 22, 2012

#NNNdoNOLA -- Photo Recap #1

It's no secret that we've been showing NOLA how to be Naughty!
From beignets at Cafe du Monde to beads on Bourbon Street, we're doing it all...

The French Quarter has the most gorgeous balconies...

Kinsey with the local FD, which is selling shirts to benefit Susan G. Komen during Breast Cancer Awareness Month...

At the Cafe du Monde...

 Skylar had beignets and a frozen Cafe Au Lait--it was delicious!...

 The charm of the French Quarter...

 The Crescent City Connection spanning the Mississippi River...

 St. Louis Cathedral...

 Dinner is served! Pizza and wine--what more could you ask for?...

 Hello Bourbon Street!...

 Breakfast at the Something Else, suggested by author Pauline Trent!...

 Dessert at the Bourbon House Seafood...

Stay tuned: we'll be sharing more, and don't forget to follow us on Twitter for live tweets!

Saturday, October 20, 2012

First Lines... and more!


Thanks to authors 
Sami Lee, Meg Benjamin and Jayne Rylon
 for  loaning us their first lines yesterday!

Here’s more about these three awesome books!  Check them out!



Line #1:  “You’re not getting here until Saturday? What kind of best man rocks up the day before the groom’s wedding?”

from Sunset Knight by Sami Lee

Good things come to those who dare.

Lana Green is looking for a lover. At twenty-three, she’s more than ready to shed her shyness and shake up the status quo. Lucky her, the aloof bad boy she’s always wanted to shake it with, Brody Nash, is back in town. Too bad he barely knows she’s alive. Then an unexpected kiss makes her think her days of lusting from a distance are over. Despite the fact she’s no femme fatale and has zero clue how to seduce a man, she sets out to do exactly that.

Brody hardly recognizes the alluring woman as the same gawky computer geek he left in Graceville six months ago. Lana has him spellbound, but his temporary stay in town is strictly business—running his friend’s restaurant while the man’s on his honeymoon. Brody doesn’t do relationships, and he doesn’t do permanent. But when he finds her asleep on his boat, he can’t keep his hands, or any other part of his anatomy, to himself.

Things get complicated when he discovers what he thought was a casual sexual encounter has just cured her of the one thing she wanted to get rid of—her virginity.
 
 Buy Sunset Knight here!



Line #2:  Blissful people made Pete Toleffson want to puke.

From Wedding Bell Blues by Meg Benjamin

Who knew you could find the love of your life at the wedding from hell…

Konigsburg, Book 2

Janie Dupree will do anything to make sure her best friend has the wedding of her dreams, even if it means relinquishing what every bridesmaid covets and never gets—the perfect maid-of-honor dress. Problem is, family drama as tangled as a clump of Texas prickly pear cactus threatens to send the skittish bride hopping aboard the elopement express. Janie could use a hand, but the best man’s “help” is only making things worse.

Pete Toleffson just wants to get through his brother’s wedding and get back to his county attorney job in Des Moines. He never expected to be the engineer on a wedding train that’s derailing straight toward hell. Janie’s the kind of girl he’d like to get close to—but her self-induced role as “Miss Fix-It” is as infuriating as it is adorable.

If they can just fend off meddling parents, vindictive in-laws, spiteful ex-boyfriends, and a greyhound named Olive long enough to achieve matrimonial lift-off, maybe they can admit they’re head-over-heels in love.

Warning: Contains hot steamy sex, wedding-based cussing, drunken revelry, dart assaults, Momzillas, and the most beautiful bridesmaid dress ever.

Buy Wedding Bell Blues here!  



Line #3:  “My hands are full, stick it in my mouth."

from Nailed to the Wall by Jayne Rylon
 
The crew is back and they’re dirtier than ever.

Five sexy men with a penchant for love and lust in any variation have formed a crew. They work hard and play harder—together. Though their partnership began in construction, renovating houses and selling them for a mint, they’ve formed a bond around their shared goal to provide women, and each other, with the ultimate sexual experience.

Over the past year, as each member discovered his soul mate—or two—they expanded the reach of their circle, lighting up their nights along with their souls. Monogamous relationships and the desire to start families threaten to put their libertine revelry on the back burner. Will the passion that bonded them fade away? How will the crew’s new wives cope with the complex relationship the men will always cherish and crave?

Determined to prove they stand by their men, the women decide it’s time to flex some muscle and give the crew a dose of girl power. They collude to take the guys as their horny hostages, using some big guns: boudoir photos, a pillow fight and a calculated foray into partner swapping. But will they have the guts to go through with their plans?

Warning: By Book Five in this series, fans will attest that anything goes in the crew. Be prepared for ménage in every flavor–m/f, f/f, m/f/m, f/m/f, m/m/f and more–along with a slew of that’s what he said jokes. No throwing tomatoes at the author, please!

Buy Nailed to the Wall here