Sultry Summer Nights ~ Day Three

Today's the final day of our Sultry Summer Nights celebration. We hope you've been enjoying these glimpses into Nine Nights in New Orleans--nine short stories inspired by New Orleans--and the pictures we've each chosen to go with them.

Our winners from yesterday are Connie Caputo-Thomas and Shawn Herpy Metzler. Congratulations to you both! 

Just a reminder, there's still time to win! Comment below or comment on like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/the9NN for a chance to win! Or why not all three?

But even if you don't win, don't worry! You can still read these nine steamy stories by picking up a copy at either Amazon or All Romance ebooks

No Last Calls by Kinsey Holley

Eric Balfour is one of those guys who can look hot in some pictures, awful in others. He has an adorable personality, however, and I love him on Haven, and I had him in my head when I wrote NLC.

 “Hang on. I gotta go see what those dumbasses are doing now. Fuck hell!” he called down the bar as he walked away. “Are y’all new here or what?”

She smiled as Ethan yelled at his two employees. He didn’t sound completely serious, and he was seriously cute. She liked tall guys. He was long and lean, with muscles, but not too many.

Naturally she’d just spent the past three years of her life with a guy who expended many of his scant off-hours at the gym. Ryan was proud and fond of his pecs and biceps; he was in good shape because he worked out all the time and ate very carefully, but he didn’t exactly have an active lifestyle. Office, gym, a bar a couple times a month. That was it.

Ethan looked like he probably did a lot of physical labor.

The first two buttons of his white button-down shirt were open. As he moved, she glimpsed the edges of a tattoo.

Ryan had a tattoo on his butt. Which totally which didn’t count.

Ethan picked that moment to change out a CO2 tank beneath the beer taps. She enjoyed watching his biceps as they flexed and contracted. They weren’t bulky, not muscle-magazine-cover size. Just firm and smooth and fun to look at. He was fun to look at.

Hello, libido. Where the hell have you been?

 okssi68 / 123RF Stock Photo

No One Drinks Alone by Kelly Jamieson

Bourbon Street in New Orleans – the perfect place for a fun little flirtation with a sexy stranger. When Kady gets separated from her girlfriends in the crowd, Cam is there to help out. Together they explore magick, exotic dancing and bourbon, eventually ending up in an elegant hotel room. Sex with a stranger...forbidden, risky and oh so hot...does Kady really want to do this?

  
 “This is a cool place,” he said, picking up a small red pouch. He read the label. “‘A powerful magickal talisman for drawing love to you.’”
     Kady smirked. “Looking for love, are you?”
     He met her eyes. “Maybe.”
     She shivered.
     The young man behind the counter spoke up. “That’s a very potent combination of ingredients,” he said seriously. “Excellent for seduction.”
     More heat centered low in Kady’s body and she pressed her lips together and glanced at the thin, sandy-haired kid.
     “Gris Gris bags must always have an odd number of items,” he continued. “The bag comes with an even number and you add your own personal item. You also get a bottle of love potion to dress the charm.”
     “What kind of personal item?” Cam asked.
     The guy shrugged a narrow shoulder. “A hair, nail clipping, a photo.”
     Cam nodded and although his mouth was set in a solemn line, Kady hid a smile at the laughter lurking in his eyes. Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out a bunch of bills, peeling off a couple to pay for the Gris Gris.
     “Give me one of your hairs,” Cam said, once they were standing outside the shop.
     “No way!”
     Smiling, he moved closer to her, close enough that she could smell his aftershave, something clean and faintly citrusy. “Do you believe in magick?” he murmured.
     She licked her bottom lip. Maybe. “No.”

 Sax On a Stick by Kate Davies 

Breaux ran a few scales on his alto, tossing in some arpeggios and a triplet or two. Starting soft and growing loud, then heading the other direction, he made that baby growl and moan as he worked through his warm up. Out of the corner of his eye he saw The Businessman shift in his chair, angling his body so he had a better view.

Yeah, he was watching.

Breaux smiled around his mouthpiece. If the man wanted to watch, he was damn well going to put on a show.

Sultry Summer Nights ~ Day Two

Welcome to day two of our Sultry Summer Nights celebration  in honor of Nine Nights in New Orleans--our collection of short stories based in New Orleans. Pick up your copy at either Amazon or All Romance ebooks or comment below or on Facebook (yes, "likes" count, but we really hope you'll leave a comment) at: https://www.facebook.com/the9NN for a chance to win!

Our winners from yesterday are Christine (lacombejc@suddenlink.net) and  Jane Lavigne Congratulations and good luck to today's entrants!

Although we came up with the idea for this anthology while we were together in New Orleans, and we brainstormed titles to some degree we didn't really discuss our stories with each other very much until they were more or less done. So any random similarities (and there were several) are purely serendipitous.

Here are excerpts from our next three stories...


Ghost of a Chance by Sydney Somers 

“What was that?”

She heard the smile in his voice, but it only stoked the anger brewing inside her. The unexpected emotion eroded the shock at finding herself face to face with the man who broke her heart.

“I stopped by your room, but you weren’t there.”

Her head snapped up. “You knew I was here?”

He nodded, carrying the broken plate to the garbage can. “I never thought you’d actually come. Figured you’d cancel once you knew…” he trailed off, his brows drawing together. “You didn’t know, did you?” He stopped opposite her.

“You arranged this?” He’d left messages before, though not for a few weeks, but she wouldn’t have imagined he’d pull something like this.

Sam’s hand closed around hers, and her eyes nearly slid shut at the tingling warmth that spread across her skin.

Then she remembered how mad she was, how devastated she’d been.

“So no one gets hurt.” That heartbreaking smile was back in his voice, and she glanced at the hand that gently pried the largest chunk of broken glass from her fingers, then meet his eyes.

He set the glass on the counter, then took the bottle of wine from her as well. “I’d rather not play the odds.”

“Thinking about hiding the knives too?”

He shrugged. “Frying pans are closer. I’m assuming you’d go for those first.”

Laissex le Bons Temps Rouler by Juniper Bell

There he was, the devil who’d been ruining her set. He stood with legs apart, hands gripping a saxophone, lips wrapped around the mouthpiece. At least he wasn’t singing at the moment, but his sax playing was just as bad. The man had no technique whatsoever. He just threw notes out there as if they were cheap Mardi Gras beads. Fast and raw, the notes scampered up and down the scale. The dancing crowd gyrated right along with the madman, faster and faster, as if they’d all die if they stopped – or even slowed down.

Then he pulled the sax out of his mouth and yanked the mike to his lips. And Arrietta came close to fainting. The man was … what were the right words? He was like some kind of god -- the pagan kind. He had black hair, thick as blackstrap molasses, with a shiver of black stubble on his jaw. His eyes glittered like midnight swamp water, like alligators sidling alongside bayou skiffs, like wild Southern belles throwing tossing up their skirts on a hot summer night. Every naughty thought, every dangerous, spontaneous impulse gleamed in those eyes. And every woman in the place knew it.

No Beignet Left Behind by Erin Nicholas 

On first glance, she didn’t seem that different from all the other beauties of the ball, but there was something about how curls were escaping her updo, and the streak of dust on the hem of the dress, and most especially the way she was wrapping a beignet in a paper napkin—and putting it in her purse—that made it impossible for him to look away. When she added a second beignet, he was intrigued.  When her purse wouldn’t zip completely shut over the contents, he was smitten.

Sultry Summer Nights ~ Day One

To celebrate summer and the release of our newest joint venture--Nine Nights in New Orleans--which we premiered here a few months ago, and which is now available from Amazon and All Romance ebooks we're throwing a party all weekend long.

This is NOT a parody. These are nine separate short stories inspired by our trip to New Orleans last October. The only connection between the stories is the city in which they're all set...and three words we thought it would be fun to include in each one.

Over the next three days, we'll be posting blurbs, excerpts and pictures of some of the main characters from each of our stories. And we'll be giving away books! Two copies each day. To enter, just leave a comment. We'll pick winners from comments left here and on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/the9NN

And now, let the good times roll...

Ash Wednesday by Meg Benjamin 

Blurb: Maggie Beaulieu is a woman with a mission—an errand for her late Uncle Claude that brings her from Houston to New Orleans’ famous Moon Walk beside the Mississippi. Only she’s the family screw-up. Can she actually do the right thing for once or is she doomed to failure? Derek Bartel sees the sad-eyed beauty standing above the river bank on his way home from his nightly gig as a street musician in Jackson Square. Is she really suicidal, or is he letting his memories of the past get in his way? And what can he do to help? Derek’s soft heart ends up entangling him in Maggie’s mission, which involves a perilous climb down to the Mississippi and an encounter with a grumpy cop. Now can he convince this visiting Texan to give NOLA more than a single night?

Excerpt:

Maggie stepped back from the edge of the walk and felt a quick stab of uneasiness. A man was watching her a little way down the sidewalk. He carried something, and she strained to see what it was in the dim illumination from the street lights along the walk.

Looked like an instrument case of some kind, maybe a violin. Her shoulders relaxed. Nobody who played a violin could be threatening, could he? Unless he was actually hiding weapons in the case, like some Philharmonic Jack the Ripper or something.

Letting your imagination go a little crazy, right Maggie?

The man took a cautious step closer. “Good evening,” he said. “Nice night.”

Maggie nodded carefully. “Yes, it is.”

“Are you looking for someplace in particular? I live around here—I might be able to help.”

He looked a little like a poet, although Maggie wasn’t sure she’d have thought that if he hadn’t been carrying the violin case. His hair curled over the top of his collar, brushing his eyebrows in front. She couldn’t be sure of the color in the dim light, but it looked reddish brown. Brown eyes too, as far as she could tell. Tall. Slender. Long tapering fingers that were probably really good for playing the violin.

And other things.

Stop that. It wasn’t like she was here for a relationship. She had Uncle Claude to think about.

Blame It on the Voodoo by PG Forte 

A girl, a vampire, a dungeon, a love spell...or then again, maybe not. Either way, this is a love story that could only happen in New Orleans.

Excerpt: Out in the street, warm night air caressed Rene’s skin and teased his tastebuds with a mélange of scents and flavors—bourbon, brown sugar, crawfish boil, dark coffee, rum—trivial things for which he had no longer any use. Ah, but there had been a time, he could still remember it, when he’d found them enjoyable, when such simple pleasures had the power to satisfy all his appetites. The sultry-sweet sound of a sax floated on the breeze and up ahead he could see a young couple dancing together on the banquette.  They look happy, innocent, in love; for a moment, he envied them that. Once, he had been just like them—before time and loss had twisted his soul. The pleasures he craved now were darker, hotter, more intoxicating and far more dangerous. Like the pleasure of mastering Zirondelle Doucette.

Bourbon Street Blues by Skylar Kade 

Alexa, Baron, and Stephan will return in late 2013!

“Eat, Alexa.” Baron offered her a forkful of something that looked delicious and smelled divine. “It’s not magic, but it’s so soothing you’d swear the pastry chef was a Voodoo priestess.”

Her lips quirked in a smile and she took the fork. True to his word, the cake melted in her mouth in a sweet, salty, chocolate explosion. “What is this?”

Baron took a bite and washed it down with a sip of his bourbon. “Chocolate pecan crunch cake. My very favorite.”

So there you have it. Check back on Saturday and Sunday for more! And don't forget to leave your comments below...

Thursday Thirteen: Recharging your creativity

Sometimes, despite our best precaution, the creative well runs dry. Instead of staring at the blank page, we step back and do something to "refill the well."

1. Swim in the ocean. (Juniper Bell) 
2. Go to a concert or a play or a hockey game--something that involves people who are really good at whatever they do. (Kelly Jamieson)
3. Do something differently-creative - sing, act, paint, whatever gets those creative juices flowing. (Kate Davies)
4. Attend a local writer's meeting--a great RWA speaker or commiserating with other authors does wonders for creativity. (Skylar Kade)
5. Get out of the house and do something else--shopping always works! Otherwise, read a book, reorganize your closet, wash your hair--basically anything that doesn't require a whole lot of creativity. (Meg Benjamin)
6. Read--old favorites, mostly. (Erin Nicholas)
7. It depends. If it's the serious "well is dry, can't stand anyone's writing" kind of exhausted then I need to totally veg out--see several movies in a row, spend time in the garden, drive up the coast and visit wineries, go for a hike (or better yet, a sail)--anything that gets me out of my usual environment or provides sensory input but doesn't involve reading or require me to think...in fact, better get someone else to drive. If it's more mild, the "I just finished this book and don't know what to work on next" kind of thing, then an extended date with my TBR pile is in order. If I'm merely irritated with my WIP, well, that's what housework is for. And, can I just say, my kitchen has never looked better than it does right now! (PG Forte)
8. I know it's already been said, but my tip is reading. Although I'll add reading ANYTHING can help - a good book but also magazines (I get lots of ideas from Cosmo and Marie Claire, also news magazines like Macleans here in Canada (similar to Time or Newsweek) and the newspaper! (Kelly Jamieson)
9. Watch something you've seen (and loved) before. Favorite movie, tv show, videos on YouTube. Anything that won't require too much attention paid, but makes you happy. (Kate Davies)
10. Do some in-depth "research" with my husband. (Juniper Bell) 
11. It's hard, but I try to get really busy with something else for awhile. Always helps to clean out the "garbage" and get a fresh start. (Erin Nicholas)
12. Get together with non-writing friends, drink wine, and remember that life doesn't ENTIRELY revolve around my writing. (Juniper Bell)
13. Listen to talk radio or a podcast. I like NPR's "This American Life" or anything that tells true stories. They always either inspire a whole new plot (or plot twist) or distract me enough to get over my creative block. (Skylar Kade)

Round Up for May 2013

Skyler Kade would like to announce that Heat Up the Night, a BDSM novella from All Romance, is available now! To celebrate, Skylar is running a contest until 6/6. You could win a copy of the book, a $10 credit to All Romance, or a $50 gift certificate to The Stockroom (for all your naughty toys). 

Link: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-heatupthenight-1186667-147.html

Contest link: http://skylarkade.wordpress.com/2013/05/27/heat-up-the-night-release/

Kelly Jamieson's Rule of Three is free at most online etailers for a limited time.

Amazon
B&N 
Samhain Publishing

Juniper Bell has received word that a print edition of The Receptionist -- all three novellas in one volume—is in the works. Stay tuned for news of a release date!

Sydney Somers wants to announce that the next book in her Pendragon Gargoyles book, Primal Temptation has a tentative release date of October 22, followed by the next Spellbound book, Must Be Magic, in mid December.

Erin Nicholas wants to remind fans that She's the One, book one in her new series, Counting On Love releases June 11th and It Takes Two, book two, is scheduled for September.

And speaking of awesome covers, Kate Davies is thrilled with her new cover. Carina Press’ art department has done it again. Check out Life Of The Party!  

PG Forte is running a contest in connection with her newest release, Ashes of the Day. Details can be found on her blog:  http://www.rhymeswithforeplay.blogspot.com/2013/05/ashes-of-day.html

SamhainPublishing

Amazon

B&N 

ARe

PG is also excited to announce the print release of A Taste of Honey, book four in her Oberon series.  The rest of the series is also scheduled to be released in paperback before the end of the year.

Amazon

SynergEbooks 

Guest Blogger Heather Long - What Part Of Marine Don't You Understand

Thank you to the Nine Naughty Novelists for hosting me today! From the first moment Matt McCall appeared in Tell it to the Marine, I knew his story would have to be told. Matt had such a powerful impact in that story, including an interruption for James and Lauren’s date. Matt made another appearance in Proud to Serve Her and things seemed to be going well for him in a job he took at Damon’s restaurant, but appearances can be deceiving.

In Her Marine, Damon used Matt as a red herring to get Brody on his "date," filling in for Matt who wasn’t up for it. Matt appeared again, often in the background or as a mention in passing at Mike’s Place, but I never forgot about him. I knew Matt’s journey was special and that he needed not only the right woman, but the right framework to let his story be told.

One morning while watching Good Morning Texas, I saw a story on Patriot Paws and the work they do providing service dogs to disabled veterans.

In a flash, I knew Matt’s story, I saw it unfolding and I saw the woman who would be write for him—and I sent the info off to my editor. She immediately wrote me back and said ‘do it.’

One year after Matt debuted in Tell It to the Marine, his story begins in What Part of Marine Don’t You Understand? Matt is not in a good place when the book begins, but he has a new friend—a dog named Jethro and together, they took me on an amazing journey of healing and hope.

Thanks to my Always a Marine readers who have supported this fantastic journey in exploring every Marine’s story. Matt will always have a special place in my heart—and I hope in yours. A portion of the royalties from Matt’s book will be donated to Patriot Paws (http://patriotpaws.org/) to help them continue their work!

What Part of Marine Don’t You Understand?

Matt McCall’s struggles to reintegrate into civilian life have been an ongoing battle for the better part of two years. Daily group sessions and weekly one-on-ones have only allowed him to grow so far. Twice he’s returned to his home state of Indiana and twice, he retreated to Mike’s Place. Uncertain of where he belongs in the world, he silently battles depression. The unexpected gift of Jethro, a black Labrador Retriever, perks his spirit…and a chance meeting in the park gives him a precious gift…

Aspiring country singer, Naomi Sparks, comes from a long line of Marines, so she knows all about sacrifice and struggle. When her Congressman brother asks her to visit Mike’s Place on his behalf, she discovers a real opportunity to make a difference. And meeting former Marine Matt McCall inspires her with the real challenge of discovering love and daring heroes who takes risks. Writing music has never been so sweet….

Can one woman who believes in him really heal the wounds in this Marine’s heart?

All Romance eBooks | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookstrand | Decadent Publishing


Excerpt:

“We should probably let you compose—without distraction.” He didn’t sound like he wanted to go.

“No, you’re exactly the kind of distraction I need.” Did she dare tell him? Oh, what the hell. He deserved to know. “You inspire me.”

Surprise rippled across his face. “I do?”

“Oh yeah. I even wrote a song about you last night….”

Wariness creased his brow. “Oh?”

Grinning, she started playing. If only performing in front of the world was as easy as singing for Matt. By the second refrain, he relaxed and by the last he laughed. The song detailed their kiss and exposed her vulnerability, her growing affection for him laid bare in every note. When the song ended, she held her breath and waited.

Matt leaned forward, rested a hand atop hers and brushed her mouth with the lightest, sweetest, and most heart-wrenching kiss. “Thank you.”

Her pulse jackrabbited. “You’re welcome.”

The bubble of tension wrapped around them burst with his slow grin. “No, I mean it. Thank you.”

“I didn’t do anything—I completely blame you for the song. You knocked on the door.”

He chuckled. “You opened it.”

“But you kissed me….”

Slanting his mouth across hers, he silenced any further words. He brushed his thumb across her knuckles, sending tingles racing across her nerves until she hummed like a guitar strung too tight. Every time she thought the kiss would end, he tilted his head to the other side and darted his tongue in and out, teasing her.

Nose to nose, he finally let her come up for air. “You kissed me back.”

“Yeah.” She laughed. “You kissed me again.”

“I did.” He nodded, brushing their noses together, whispering another kiss on her cheek and again to the corner of her eye. “You don’t mind, do you?”

Her laughter rode on a shuddering breath. “No, not at all.”

Learn more about the Always a Marine series | Always a Marine on Facebook

Release Day: Heat Up the Night by Skylar Kade (Excerpt and Giveaway!)

Today, my BDSM novella Heat Up the Night releases. I'm so excited about this one, guys! Not only is the hero a smokin' hot celebrity chef, but it's set in Las Vegas.

This novella is part of the 9 Shades of Naughty series and today at 4pm PST I'll be chatting with Lexi Blake and Eliza Gayle, two of the other authors. Join us on Shindig to chat about our stories, BDSM, and more. 

Heat Up the Night is exclusively available on All Romance (you can add it to your wishlist or purchase it here)

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Can they find love without losing themselves…

Tovia Douglas has devoted her adult years to sheltering her mentally ill mother and ensuring her sister's independence. When Tovia turns 27, those lost years come into sharp, painful focus and she decides it's time to start enjoying life, starting with a little mental vacation through submission at her local kink club.

Keilor Branson grew up believing in love at first sight. He just figured his other half would feel it too. Instead, feisty new submissive Tovia runs from their emotional connection. Determined, Keilor must chip away at her walls and prove that love is worth the risk.

When family troubles lead to Tovia's change of heart, their roles are reversed. Now she must prove to her man, her Master, that while love isn't always perfect, they are perfect for each other.

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To celebrate my new release, I'm doing a blog tour and giving away a $50 gift card to the Stockroom (anyone need another crop?), a $10 credit to All Romance eBooks, and three copies of Heat Up the Night.

You'll accumulate entries on Rafflecopter by commenting on posts and joining me on social media. Enter today (below the excerpt) and join me at each blog stop for another chance to enter!

5/28: Pauline Allan

5/29: Lacie J. Archer

5/30: Regina Ross

6/1: What Daydrmzzz are made of...

6/2: The Book Reading Gals (get an extended excerpt in Sunday Snippets!)

6/3: The Smutty Kitty

6/6: Night Owl Reviews 

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His face hit her like a fist to the stomach. Even after seeing him in her dreams every night for a month, she was still awed by him. Dark brows framed laughing hazel eyes, now serious, which led to a nose that would have looked oversized on anyone else, with its reset-bone bump. It just gave him character. More laugh lines around his mouth, and the beginnings of a goatee. That was new. It was the only hair on his head.

She’d never been attracted to bald men, but Keilor was so sexy that even his bare skull turned her on. She knew it was by choice. She’d worked a little Google-Fu after their first scene together and found recent pictures of him with a full head of thick, brown hair.

Warning bells went off, but they were drowned out by his voice.

“I’m sure Master Mike will be tickled to learn he has such a steadfast champion.”

Waves of subtle lemony air drifted over her, as they always did in his presence. Or they did during their one scene together. She hadn’t been able to serve a Lemontini since without her panties getting wet.

Tovia sighed at his teasing even as the little hint of jealousy in his voice made her stomach jump. She shouldn’t react, but her body betrayed her so easily. “What do you think you’re doing here?”

Laughter rumbled her bones at every point of contact with his body. “I’m an elite member. I’m here all the time.”

“Not since we—” She bit off the rest of her sentence before she could dig herself in further and tried again to wriggle from his lap.

“Silly girl.” His words gentled, soothed. One rough hand slid up and down her arm. Damnit, she should not like that. “I was in Greece. The owner of the Hellena sent me over there to sample food and wine vendors. I assumed you knew.”

Now he’d think she was pining after him. Just because she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about him didn’t mean she missed him. Or wanted a repeat that lasted all night.

No, because that would be ridiculous. Douglas women didn’t need men. It was practically the family motto.

To keep things light, she teased him back, ignoring the way her skin heated beneath his touch. “Oooh, poor thing. That must have been such a hardship.” A smile even teased at the corner of her lips despite her efforts to remain unaffected by his presence. When was the last time she smiled at a man who wasn’t tipping her for drinks?

Keilor stared down at her. “Actually, it was.”

Oh boy. She wasn’t touching the wealth of subtleties in those words. Not going down that path.

Keilor lifted her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm. Butterflies hatched in her chest, then died when he said, “You look tired.”

She scowled. “Well if that isn’t what every woman wants to hear from an attractive—” Her jaw clunked shut around the foot in her mouth.

He nipped her forefinger, zinging arousal to all her naughty bits, then stole her breath when he kissed her nose, her cheek. “Do you get a freckle every time you sass a Dom?”

An indelicate snort escaped her. “Sure. The freckles are a little-known Dominant Warning System saying ‘steer clear of the angry redhead!’” Yes, she thought, hold dear to your sarcasm. It was her current chastity belt of choice, and that was swiftly crumbling at the edges.

“Good. Less competition.” His lips drifted to her neck, where he pressed kisses to random patches of skin still exposed around the edges of the blanket.

Oh shit. She clutched the soft brown cover around her, remembering what she wore beneath—absolutely nothing aside from her short shorts. Like flipping a switch, her nipples hardened and her pussy clenched. He could so easily expose her. Not that she hadn’t been naked in the club every weekend, but it was different now, with Keilor watching her.

Dangerous.

“What…what are you doing?” His exploratory kisses had turned into sizzling nips to her collarbone.

“Counting your freckles.” He tugged at the blanket, playing momentary tug of war with her until he stopped fighting and simply went around the mountain. His hand slithered beneath her shield to scald her stomach, then higher. When the back of his hand brushed across her nipple, she moaned. “I need a baseline count. Scientific study and all of that.”

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Leave a blog post comment for three entries into my Rafflecopter giveaway, and let me know what city YOU think is made for sin!

a Rafflecopter giveaway