Wednesday, August 29, 2012

The Sultry Tamaria Soana




Naughty Little Bedtime Stories by Tamaria Soana

Bedtime stories that will heat up your night.
 

Naughty Little Bedtime Stories contains twelve short stories that will arouse your senses. You will find stories that contain light bondage, food play, ménage (m/m/f), and other erotic events. Each story has a different setting and couple who explore all things naughty in and out of the bedroom.

 

Content Warning: adult language, graphic sexual situations

 

The idea for Naughty Little Bedtime Stories came from a writing exercise I used to do to sharpen my sexy scene writing skills. I would look for a steamy image and write 1,000 words scene describing it. So I took a few of those flash fictions and lengthened them. Plus, I thought that even adult needed a good bedtime story!

 

There are 12 short stories included in this book. Here are short excerpts from three of the stories.

 
EXCERPT FROM Strawberries and Whipped Cream

We ate dinner, drank some wine, and talked about our week. Maybe tonight I would finally pop the question. After cleaning up, I refilled our glasses.

Did you get something for dessert? Emma asked.

I smiled. "Yes, I did. Why don't you go into the living room and make yourself comfortable while I get it ready."

Okay. Are you sure you don't need help?

I'm sure.

After she left the kitchen, I gathered the bowl of strawberries and can whipped cream from the fridge. I walked in the room to find her on the couch, sipping her wine. I sat down next to her and placed the food on the coffee table.

I love strawberries, but why the can of whipped cream? she asked with a twinkle in her eyes.

Close your eyes. No peeking, I whispered in her ear.

I took a strawberry and traced her bottom lip with it. She opened her mouth slightly, and I allowed her to take a small bite. A low moan escaped her lips, and my dick twitched in response. I began to feed her another piece of fruit. My cock was getting harder by the minute as I watched her lips wrap around the strawberries.

I want to feed you one, she said as she opened her eyes.

I have a better idea. Close your eyes, I said in a deep voice.

Emma sighed and closed her eyes. I picked up a strawberry and touched her bottom lip with it, and she opened her mouth to take it in. I leaned in and bit the other end, letting our lips meet and eliciting a faint squeal from her.

Would you like some whipped cream? I asked her as I grabbed the can and shook it.

Yes, she whimpered.

I squirted some whipped cream on her bottom lip. She seductively licked them while looking at me lustfully. I groaned, shifted to adjust myself, and placed my lips on hers. She wrapped her arms around me and the kiss deepened. Our tongues rubbed against each other. She tasted like whipped cream. Pulling away, I placed kisses down her neck and made my way to her chest. I lifted her shirt over her head. She was wearing a pink lace bra.

Beautiful, I whispered as I reached around her and unhooked her bra. I slid the straps off her arms, placing more kisses on her neck. "Lay back," I told her as I took my shirt off.

I unbuttoned her jeans and slowly unzipped them. She lifted herself up as I slid them down her amazing legs and threw them on the floor. She was a sight to behold in just a pair of pink boy shorts.

Do you trust me? I asked.

EXCERPT FROM Instant Attraction

We walked out of the restaurant and down the hall into the main lobby of the hotel, my eyes scanning for any photographers. I really didn't want my face all over the tabloids tomorrow.

I had a great time meeting you today. So, what now? Slade asked as he looked deep into my eyes.

I don't know, I whispered. I didn't want the afternoon to end.

I don't want to leave you just yet, Jewel, he whispered in a sexy tone.

I bit my bottom lip and started to fidget. "Then don't." I took a deep breath, trying to figure out everything that was racing through my head. "Would you like to come to my suite for a drink, maybe?" I couldn't believe I'd just asked him that, but I knew what I wanted, and at the moment it was him.

I thought you'd never ask.

We stepped in the elevator and the doors closed. We were alone. Before I could process what I was doing I was kissing him. The simple kiss set all the nerves in my body on fire. The elevator stopped and I pulled away as the doors opened.

This is my floor, I said breathlessly.

We walked into the hallway in silence. The tension between us was so strong. We reached my suite and I swiped my card to open the door. I could feel his gaze on me, it was making me nervous and turning me on at the same time. My stomach was in knots as I walked in, but not the bad kind of knots, the I-want-to-jump-him kind of knots. He was making me crazy. I truly just wanted to go with what I was feeling. I was so attracted to him. As soon as the door shut Slade pushed me against the wall and started kissing me.

Jewel, you are so alluring, he said as he kissed my neck.

Slade, I moaned. I could feel how hard he was as he pressed harder into me.

I want you, he said as his hand grazed my breast. "Do you want me?"

Yes! My heart was pounding in my chest as I led him to the bed. His urgent lips were on mine. He unzipped my sundress and it fell to the floor, leaving me in only a black lace bra and thong.

So sexy, he whispered in my ear as he kissed my neck.

EXCERPT FROM The Great Outdoors

 
Once I knew it was safe, I took off on my horse. I looked back to see that Kristen was in hot pursuit. I enjoyed the feeling of an all-out run with this amazing creature under me. I tugged on the reins and slowed as we came to the opening of the meadow. I dismounted and watched Kristen slow her horse to a stop and dismount with ease and grace.

“This place is beautiful,” she said as she looked around the meadow.

"I found it a few years ago. I used to come here for some peace and quiet,” I responded as I laid out the blanket. “Sit, let’s have lunch, then we can walk around and explore,” I said as I gave her one of my panty-dropping smirks. I knew how to push her buttons.

“Explore?” She had a twinkle in her eye. “Why, cowboy, what do you have in mind?” she asked in her best southern drawl.

“Let’s eat first.” I unloaded the picnic basket and laid out the food.

It was a beautiful Texas afternoon. We talked and joked as we lay on the blanket, feeding each other grapes and cheese. I could have stayed there forever with her. We finished our lunch and cleaned up. I pulled her toward me and planted a hard, passionate kiss on her lips. She moaned and I took the moment to slide my tongue in her mouth and against hers. Our hands roamed up and down each other’s bodies.

 
Suddenly, she pulled away and took off running. “Catch me if you can!” she goaded me.

I let her get a head start. I watched as she unbuttoned her shirt, slid it off, and discarded it. My girl was naughty! Her bra came off next and she tossed it to the side. She turned and looked at me, tipped her cowboy hat, smirked, and ran like hell deeper into the meadow.

 
             Naughty Little Bedtime stories is releasing September 17th

 

Here is the publisher link Beachwalk Press    Click here to watch the Book Trailer

 
Author Bio:






Tamaria Soana is middle aged, but just feels her life has begun.
She writes contemporary romance stories with a higher heat level that always end with a ‘happily ever after’. Growing up she loved to read and make up new places in her head to escape to. In her late teens she began writing short stories and poetry; it wasn’t until her late thirties before she began to spin a full story. She’s married and a stay-at-home-mom of two beautiful young girls, they reside in Western New York. Cuddling up with a good book under an electric throw is her way to escape the cold Buffalo nights. Besides writing, she co-owns Shades of Rose Marketing and Shades of Rose YA Marketing, also hosts a talk show on Talkshoe called

Live with Tamaria ~ Giving authors a voice


 

You can find Tamaria on line at these following places:


 

 


Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Busy Weekend

WOW What a weekend Mollie is moving so we painted her house this weekend and she is getting things moved this week.  I can't wait we will be neighbors now and we have wonderful news we received the contract for Dad's Heartbeat so in conjunction with our new website leave us a note and have a chance for a $10 gift card!!

 Thanks for your support!

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Friday, August 24, 2012

THE WONDERFUL AMAZING ANNE HOLLY


On Waiting

A Guest Post by Anne Holly


“Waiting for the fish to bite

or waiting for wind to fly a kite.

Or waiting around for Friday night

or waiting perhaps for their Uncle Jake

or a pot to boil or a better break

or a string of pearls or a pair of pants

or a wig with curls or another chance.

Everyone is just waiting.”

- Dr Seuss

I’ve heard actors describe their jobs as mostly waiting with brief periods of action. I’ve also heard this is the common experience of people in prison, police officers, and even soldiers at war. The action might be strenuous, stressful, and/or traumatic, but 90% of the time requires patience and the skill of waiting.

Writing is a lot like that, too. We do a lot of waiting. Waiting for a book to sell, or a review to come. Waiting for a reader to finish, or a contract to be offered. Waiting for a rejection or an acceptance. Waiting for inspiration, or for energy; waiting, waiting for that break to finally happen. Waiting for a release or edits, or waiting for a cover to come through. There’s a lot of waiting. And worrying.

Writers need patience.

We also need endurance, of course, since writing is a physically taxing and rigorous job. Typing for nine hours straight, sweating blood over phrasing and trying to keep everything clear in your mind until you can get it down, these are not just mentally fatiguing, and are also bodily labour.

But a lot of the time, that endurance is about waiting, and not reacting to the wait. 

Mostly, the waits are horrible. Waiting for a break, the writer can become quite despondent, watching other writers “make it” while your book still languishes. Waiting for an acceptance email after submitting a manuscript can turn you into an obsessive “refresh” clicker. Alternatively, you could be the pessimistic type and wait for rejections, which can be equally agonizing.

So, how does one wait skillfully?

Good examples of how not to wait can be found all over Twitter and Facebook, with writers swinging back and forth between tantrums and whining. Some can get quite bitter. I’m not talking about a few “man, I wish they’d get back to me” status lines, but all-out rants and bursts of awkward unprofessionalism. Writers are human, and I don’t doubt most of us do these same things once in a while, but some things are best done in private.

Instead, most writers learn how to wait patiently, given time, once we realize this is our lot in life. When the dreams of interviews with Oprah and fawning book signings fade away, and we embrace the less showy and dreamy realities of our work, we tend to learn the art of waiting.

Some writers will tell you to fill the waiting times with promoting. But, I’ve learned this is the way to madness. Promo is the least fun part of the job, and isn’t always fruitful.

For me, learning to use the waiting times productively has been essential. Mostly, I read and I write. I gorge myself on books for a period after a submission, and enjoy refreshing my mind with other peoples’ worlds and words. Reading is a rather rare treat during the writing process, for me, since I’m kind of pressed for time. So, in between works, I indulge myself. I also write while waiting, often things that I have no intention of publishing. Fun things, strange things, things that let my mind wander free.

And, then, one day when my mind has been fed on books and relaxed with unfettered creativity, I return to the next project. 

I have dealt with waiting by realizing that a finished book is no longer my concern. Certainly, I am pleased to hear from it now and again, through acceptances, reviews and sales reports and so on, but it’s done. It’s gone. It has left the nest. Now, there is only the Next Book. Waiting for the previous book to move no longer makes sense once you understand this.

So, on to the next book, because a truth remains in this business: you’re only as good as your next project.

Happy reading, writing, and living!

- AH

 

 

Anne Holly is a Canadian writer and author of the novels Strings Attached and Textbook Romance. Anne has published four romance titles, five erotic-romances and one paranormal erotic story, and has been published by Wild Horse Press, Decadent Publishing, Rebel Ink Press, and Pink Petal Books. She is looking forward to releasing her Rebel Ink shorts in a paperback and ebook anthology called All I Want: The Anne Holly-Day Collection in October 2012, and, as always, is working on something new. She is a teacher and mother, and currently resides in Ontario. You can find her on Facebook, Twitter (@anneholly2010) and GoodReads, and visit her blog at http://anneholly.blogspot.ca.

 

            More Info:

            Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Anne-Holly/140519945969686

            Blog: http://anneholly.blogspot.ca/

            GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4509212.Anne_Holly

            Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B004GR1CGY

            Strings Attached: http://annehollystringsattached.weebly.com/index.html

            Textbook Romance: http://textbookromance.webs.com/

            All I Want: http://annehollyholiday.webs.com/thehollydaycollection.htm



 

Thursday, August 23, 2012

WOW IT'S HOLLEY TRENT!!



Hi, folks! I’m happy to visit today. I’m Holley Trent. I write quirky romances that are sometimes hot, sometimes sweet, but always a little bit ridiculous. I gotta ask: do you ever wonder what a writer goes through to name characters in their stories?

(Well, if you’re a writer you already know that answer. Bear with me, anyway.)

I try to be very intentional with my character naming. Most of my stories, including my newest Rebel Ink Press romantic comedy novelette All Shook Up are set in Chowan County, North Carolina. The demographics there are very specific because there’s not a lot population turnover. Most of the surnames are going to be English but there’s a small spattering of Spanish surnames there.

So, what do I do?

I use phone directories and yearbooks to pick out common surnames in the area beyond the typical “Smith” and “Jones.” First names I can be a little more creative with, but nicknames are the most fun to play with.

In All Shook Up, my heroine Nicolette goes by the name “Nikki.” Her beau Charles goes by “Charlie” (whereas his father Charles goes by “Chuck”). You can safely assume if I call a character by their full name, they’re probably in deep doo-doo.
The novel-length spin-off to All Shook Up will be available next month, but I’m already cooking up ideas for the next story set in that little world.

I need your help naming a character for that novel. So, in the comments to this post tell me what your idea of an “old-fashioned” name is and I will randomly pick one from all my blog tour stops this week and use it in the next book. The winner will also get a mention in the acknowledgements and I’ll make sure you get a copy of the book (whenever it comes out).
All Shook Up by Holley Trent is available now for Amazon Kindle, Barnes and Noble Nook, in multiple formats at All Romance eBooks, and also at other fine e-retailer

If you’d like to keep up with news about Nikki and her little universe, check out my website holleytrent.com/blog or see what I’m yakking about on Twitter. Just follow @holleytrent.

**

Tiny Excerpt of All Shook Up:

Mercedes opened the office door, looked out to see if anyone was lurking in the hall, and then pulled her head back in to close it.  “The rumor is that she’s made one of those porno movies—and not even the good ones that you get in the mail in plain brown packages, but one of those shitty internet ones you have to download and then hope nobody finds while they’re on computer printing coupons and shit.”

The right side of my face twitched.  I didn’t even know which part of the statement to address first.  “Do you think it’s true?”

“Wouldn’t be hard to find out.  You want me to find out?”

I imagined Luz stumbling onto the computer her mother had negligently left open on some scandalous link and shuddered.

“Um.  No…um…  Hey, you know what?  I know a hacker-type guy who lives alone in a trailer and who would probably love to do me a favor.  I’ll ask him.”

“You mean that guy who lives out on Yellowhammer who has all his windows painted black?”

I blinked mutely at Mercedes’ knowledge of the county crazies.

**

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

AND THE WINNERS ARE!!!



drum roll please ....dadadadadadadadadada

 
AND THE WINNERS ARE!!!

As you all know we are celebrating our new website and in doing so we have given away 2 gift cards and Kendall McKenna had a give away as well so here are the winners so far:

$10 gift card to Amazon.com and free ebook - Yvette

Kendall McKenna book credit and free ebook - Josie

$10 gift card - Shadow
 

I can't wait to do the other gift cards!!! Stay tuned!!!

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Monday, August 20, 2012

LET'S ALL WELCOME LEEANN SONTHEIMER-MURPHY


    For Love Or Money

            My grandmother, a storyteller in her own right, gave me many old-fashioned phrases along with life advice, love, and some heritage.  She often would use the phrase ‘for love or money’ and it’s one which stuck in my head.  These days, with my lifelong dreams of being an author realized and I find myself chasing to keep up the pace, I’m often asked why do I write? Is it for love of the craft or for the money?

            The honest answer is – both.  I love to write.  I’m blessed or cursed depending on how it’s viewed.  I made up stories in my head as long as I can remember.  I applied early stories to my baby dolls or my Barbies.  I talked siblings and cousins into elaborate scenarios.  We didn’t just play ‘house’.  My version involved wagon trains and westward expansion, a variation I called ‘western days’.  I had another in which our actions happened in the past I dubbed ‘olden days’, easy enough since we all lived in vintage houses at the time.  I made up others like “Story of a Slave Girl” in which I danced with abandon to music on the record player (yes, I’m that old) while at least one male relative reclined to watch my antics in his role as the sheik, king, or prince.

            I probably wasted too much time in school from primary grades through colleges because I often scribbled stories if the classroom activities failed to capture my attention.  Even now, I see inspiration in almost everything – a flock of geese overhead (which I’ve seen two days in a row and it’s very early to see such in August round these parts), an overheard phrase, a lovely sunrise, or anything.  But it’s the mind set I have, a brain which wants to turn everything into a story, long or short.  Although I’ve only entered the world of novels as an author in the past two years, I’ve written for most of my life.  Some of it was published in a variety of magazines, journals, newspapers and online venues and some wasn’t.

            `Would I do it for free? No.  I wouldn’t.  While many folks these days have decided I am bloody, filthy rich because I have books out in the world, I’m not.  I’m actually a long way from it.  Heck, I don’t even have what I consider complete financial security.  How much would it take for me to feel rich or secure? I don’t know – but I would love to determine the answer.  Writing has become my business and it generates income.  I just received royalties this past week and yes, those royalties helped pay for some needed school supplies for my kids, office supplies to keep my cottage industry going and some groceries to keep the family fed.  But rich? Excuse me while I roll on the floor laughing with a pile of bills in my hand.

            So I write both for love of the craft, a love of story and also for money.

            Because after all, authors have to eat, put shoes on their kids feet even in the Ozarks, keep a roof overhead and have a little fun once in awhile.

From my latest release, a contemporary romance from Rebel Ink Press, Heart of the Ozarks, the blurb and an excerpt:

After St. Louis TV weathercaster Cole Celinksi loses his almost estranged wife and three children in a car crash, his boss orders him to take a leave of absence.  Against his will, Cole leaves the city in late May to find the rest and relaxation everyone else thinks he needs. Without anywhere else to go, Cole heads for Lake Dreams, a resort on the quiet side of Lake Taneycomo in the Ozarks he visited each summer as a child with his grandparents.  Some of his best memories were made in the lakeside vacation haven with his summer friend, Maggie.

Upon his arrival, Cole learns Maggie now runs the place.  Twenty years have passed but from the minute he returns, they reconnect and soon their mutual attraction ignites.  He fishes in the lake, takes Maggie to visit some of the places he remembers and begins to find out who he truly is. Before he can heal, he must learn to deal with his loss and to see if he can create a new family with Maggie and her children. It’s a task he’s not sure he can handle but if he wants to be with Maggie, he must. A near tragedy brings them all together into a close knit unit and afterward, Cole may be able to make his dreams reality.

           

Heart of the Ozarks – Sweet, Emotional Excerpt



Within a half hour, he fried all the fish, took the fries out of the oven and put a bowl of salad at each place.  They sat down at the small, rickety dinette table and before she took a bite, Maggie linked hands with him.  She said a simple grace and they shared the meal, the first one Cole truly enjoyed at the cabin since he arrived.  Supper evoked past memories of gathering around this table with his grandparents.  They’d eaten fish then, too, on many occasions. Cole recalled old times with a rush of nostalgia and joy, filtered through the decades.

The remembered sense of family rested easy on his soul and as he watched Maggie’s expressions shift as she talked and laughed, Cole felt like she was also family. He’d known her for most of his life and they were connected in a deep meaningful way.  A flash of guilt threatened to consume him because he’d never thought of Victoria as family, not in the way he did Maggie.  She’d been his wife but Cole hadn’t felt the same. To prevent self-reproach, he reasoned it wasn’t disloyal, just the way he felt.  He couldn’t change it or help it.

 A spectacular sunset commanded the western sky with a panorama of vivid color.  Most of the earlier clouds and rain moved away to leave behind the beautiful show. The red, orange and pink streaked sky created a stunning image.  Cole saw it through the window and pointed it out to Maggie.  They headed out to the porch for a better view and stood close, his arm draped across her shoulders.

“It’s gorgeous,” she breathed.  A rapt look of wonder lit her face. 

“Oh, yeah,” Cole said. “It’ll be fair tomorrow and sunny.  No more storms for now.”

Red sky at night, sailor’s delight,” Maggie said and Cole smiled too.  He relished the old weather folklore, the adages and sayings.  At the television station, he kept a collection of them in a special file.  Cole tried to come up with something witty to say back to preserve the moment but instead he noticed the rainbow, vivid and colorful, off to the far right horizon.

“Look, Maggie!” he cried. “Do you see the rainbow? God, it’s pretty.”

“Oh, how beautiful,” she said, looking up into his face. “You know a rainbow is a promise, don’t you?”

 Cole lacked words but not emotion.  He turned her to hold her in his arms and lowered his mouth close to hers.  “So’s this, Maggie.”

He kissed her.  Cole tasted her lips, soft velvet, and relished the taste.  Her mouth yielded to his without protest and her arms curled around his neck until her wrists rested on his shoulders.  He shifted until her body touched his and tightened his embrace.   The shared kiss touched off a fuse and Cole swore he felt the fire move through his body as it ignited every nerve.   Passion roused within but he tempered it with a care and grace, one shifting lust with tenderness.  Cole’s long dormant body revived and revved like a finely tuned race car engine.   Maggie’s flesh relaxed against him, gave over to his arms with open surrender.    If they stopped, he realized, it would be his call but Cole didn’t want to quit.

Back Story:


Buy Links:








Sunday, August 19, 2012

Introducing Ella Jade



http://beachwalkpress.com/make-me-stay/

Why do ropes, blindfolds, and hot wax excite us?

There’s no denying the recent surge in the popularity of the BSDM genre in romance books. I currently have three Dominant/submissive titles out, and I’m working on my fourth. Be My Everything is my highest selling book, having made the Amazon and All Romance EBooks Best Seller lists. The interest got me thinking about why I like to read and write about this subject.

I’ve always been drawn to a strong, domineering, alpha male in my romance novels. I like a man who can take control and get what he wants. When I write a dominant hero, I want him to take charge in the bedroom, but I also want him to take care of his woman. By blending BDSM elements into my stories, I get to create some pretty intriguing characters. I love a flawed man. There is always so much growth potential for a hero with issues. I can’t resist a conflicted Dom. An alpha who thinks he’s above falling in love until he finds the right girl is ultra sexy.

My submissive characters are usually subservient in the bedroom, but know how to challenge their man in all other areas of life. I try to strike a balance between the two main characters. I like showing just because the heroine is a submissive doesn’t mean she’s weak. Creating the dynamics and setting the boundaries between the hero and heroine is the most fun for me when developing the plot. And, of course, throwing in conflict, struggle and explosive sex can’t hurt.

During my research into the lifestyle, I found there are certain aspects of it that frighten me a bit. I think it was that fear of the unknown that drew me into the genre. Having fantasies of the BDSM world holds the allure for me. If I can flee into the pages of a well-crafted romance that focuses on bondage and relinquishing control, I’m thrilled. A good romance takes me to another realm, and allows me to imagine what it could be like to be in the heroine’s place. Romance is an escape. My escape includes creating sexy, tie-me-to-the-bed and have your wicked way with me men. We all got something;)

My BDSM books aren’t hardcore. They focus on the romance side of the story while adding the Dominant/submissive ingredient to create a unique journey for the lead couple. I always deliver the HEA! I hope you’ll get lost in my words… http://ellajadeauthor.weebly.com/



Make Me Stay


Can the sub teach the Dom to play?

Natural submissive Gracie Miller thought she had found her other half in Cade Jameson. Not only did he help her through a difficult time in her life, in the bedroom he brought her more pleasure than she could have ever imagined. They seemed perfect for each other.

Cade knew what he wanted in the bedroom. Gracie brought out his domineering side and ignited his passion. But he feared he was too dominant for this beautiful, naïve girl, who was so young and impressionable, so he ended their relationship.

Two and a half years later, Gracie returns to town a new woman. She had moved to the city and found a "Master" who showed her what she was truly capable of. Now she's back and wants to show Cade exactly what kind of submissive she could be for him.

But after hearing all that she's experienced, Cade now wonders if he's dominant enough to satisfy her. Can he be the man Gracie needs him to be?

Content Warning: graphic sex, BDSM themes

*** GIVEAWAY***

I’d love to give away an eBook copy of Make Me Stay to one random commenter. Leave me a comment with your email address and I’ll randomly choose a winner. Thanks for joining me today. And a special thanks to Wendy and Mollie for opening up their brand new, beautiful blog to me today.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

LET'S TALK TO MOLLIE!!! - FREE $10 GIFT CARD

Hello everyone! Mollie here (shocker, I know). Lol. But seeing as how it’s been a year since Wendy and I started this writing adventure, I thought it about time that I said hello to our readers. Wow, a year. Really? It sure doesn’t seem like it. But oh what a year it’s been! We have released our first two books, Chase’s Love and Allison’s Dilemma, thanks to Rebel Ink Press. (By the way, they are turning 2 this month!) So I guess that makes me an author, huh? I would have never imagined I’d be able to say that. And I owe every bit of it to Wendy Smith. This has been an amazing journey with her and I can’t wait to see what we come up with next! We are working on polishing our next two releases, Dylann’s Long Road Home and Toni’s Heartbeat. Toni’s story is the next installment in the Lion’s Den group of books. Ya’ll have gotten to know Rachel and Allison so far, now it’s time to get to know Toni and her story. I know you’ll love it. And then there’s Dylann’s Long Road Home. It’s the first in the Valiant, OK series. Something a little different than the other three, but definitely a story you will enjoy. Wendy and I have really enjoyed putting this one together and while it still needs some polishing (yes, I’m a bit of a perfectionist) I can’t wait for it to hit the ebook shelves.

And of course, I want to say thank you to all of our readers! Thank you for supporting us in this adventure! I hope you all have a great weekend!

I hope that you all will continue to communicate ideas and thoughts so as a thank you please be sure to leave me a quick "HELLO!" so that you can be entered to win yet another $10 gift card!

Mollie

Friday, August 17, 2012

CASSANDRE DAYNE - HEROES-UNIFORM OR NOTHING AT ALL?



















HEROES – UNIFORM OR NOTHING AT ALL?

Cassandre Dayne

 I have all these sexy m/m pieces coming out and I’m writing about all kinds of male characters lately. One this I’ve realized is that we all love heroes. It doesn’t matter what kind we need a man or a woman we can get behind and rally for. Heroes come in all shapes and sized and I think we need that sense of protection around us in a world full of criminals and strife. They are also the ones we simply look up to. So on this day I thought I’d honor our heroes – and give you a taste of what I think.    

     Any of you that know me realize that I love bad boys. I have this thing about men on Harleys and tattoos and that slice of danger you feel when you see a hunk on the other side of the room in ripped jeans and two day stubble. Remember when you were in high school and the bad boys were the ones that skipped class and hung with the smokin’ crowd? Ah, those were the days. Wouldn’t it have frightened your mother to death if you came home with one of those on a date? WHEW – oh I can hear the cuss words now!

     Did I have a bad boy when I was younger? Yes, I have to admit that I did and he was an American Indian with long shaggy ebony hair and ripped muscles and stood six foot four and yes, he had a Harley. I laugh now because I had no idea that I was developing a “type” at sixteen. Who knew? He was also almost ten years older than me and while he came from a very good family, my mother initially freaked out. Oddly enough, she loved him later because he was only a bad boy on the exterior. He was sweet and luscious and well…I won’t tell you any additional naughty details. What did he happen to do for a living? He was a fireman and saved many a life. I’m not sure it mattered to me then but when I was thinking about the heroes that I create now in several of my pieces, they’re our hired heroes that keep use safe.

     There doesn’t seem to be a manner in which we love our heroes – they just matter to us in how they live their lives and try every day to save us. Okay then again they are sexy as hell. Is it something about their uniform or perhaps our wicked thoughts of stripping off their uniforms?

     I think we realize that they’re on the line almost every day saving our cities, our property and sometimes our lives with pay that isn’t the best and they step into the line of firepower or fire without question. Heroes have always played a role in society and in romance stories from the world wars to cowboys and Indians. The love is nothing new but we don’t mind reading about the sexy fireman that saves lives during the day and then perhaps strips in a club after work for the ladies? Do we? Be honest ladies, don’t you want to perhaps go to see the Chippendale’s men and take in a show where they’re dressed as cops? Hmmm… any of you ever see The Full Monte? I think that movie truly shows that every day man can be sexy as hell and our hero and in turn, they’re the new bad boy we crave taking just a little taste of.

     I’ve penned a collection called Hot Summer Nights – and they originally were meant to be fun and playful in the presentation. You know what I mean – hot and sexy and nothing else. But after the first one something happened. They all have heroes nestled within the pages, bringing you a level of life and love that I didn’t even anticipate.  It’s funny about heroes. We don’t care what color, flavor or sexual orientation when they are saving us.

So my latest Hot Summer Nights is all about a hero and one that’s our every day in a baseball player. When he’s down on his luck, we all want to rally around him. We all love sports and I think this one will resonate with the readers.



HOT SUMMER NIGHTS – COZUMEL

“That was a damn awesome game, Troy.” Patting him on the back, the older man grinned and glanced around the perimeter of the ball field. “I could tell you were struggling with the last few pitches, but I tell you what, you’re a damn trooper. I know the arm has to hurt like a son of a bitch.”

Troy Underwood sniffed and glanced up and down the almost sad look on Coach Taylor’s face. “It’s not so bad.” Like fucking hell it wasn’t. He was on fire every time he even tried to move his right arm because of the way his shoulder felt, screaming bloody murder with every throw of the ball. There was no doubt he was facing at minimum debilitating surgery and if his doctor’s summation was right, the end of his pitching career. Cringing, he looked away.

“Hey man! God that was awesome. You kicked ass and then some.”

“Hell, I was just trying to make sure we made a good name for ourselves.” Troy wasn’t the oh-shucks kind of guy, but if he had been on his game, they’d have made the playoffs instead of ending the season a pitiful fifth. He smiled at his teammate but suspected every member of the team was thinking the same damn thing. How could they not be? There was no one else to blame but himself. Damn it! Being on the Cincinnati Reds was the dream of a lifetime come true and he’d been on his way to taking his beloved ball team back to the glory they once held and then…

“I know that look, my friend. Why don’t you come out for a beer later?”

Shrugging, he glanced at his best buddy and debated the thought. Sky Wilkens was a true ladies man and the only guy on the team who could make him laugh no matter what mood he was in. “Yeah, all right.”

“You make it sound like I’m going to be pulling your teeth or worse,” Sky said as he gave Troy a harsh glare. “You ain’t gettin’ out of this one. The guys are going to Spanky’s around eight. We’re going to watch a few games on the television, snag a girl for a treat and you know what, buddy? You’re getting laid tonight for the first time. Be there or I hunt your lily white ass down with tracking dogs. You got it?” His eyes sparkling, he leaned over and gave Troy a subtle finger before taking two giant strides backwards.

“You better run or I’ll chase you down the street. I might have a bad right wing, but I can still chase you into a corner!” Troy snared playfully and thought about his less than lackluster love life. He hadn’t been laid in well over a year and somehow he didn’t think tonight was going to change anything. His mood and particular needs didn’t warrant what Spanky’s had to offer. Still, he’d go and pretend, just like a good boy and the hottest bachelor on the circuit. At least according to Sports Illustrated. An honor he didn’t deserve. Inhaling deeply, he plastered on a fake smile and flicked his fingers under his chin for effect. “Bite me.”

“Promises. Promises. Later, dude.” Sky gave him a salute before heading off toward the team room.

Coach Taylor waited until Sky was out of hearing distance before moving in front of Troy. “What have you decided to do, son?”

“Meaning?”

“Don’t play coy with me. I can tell exactly what you’re going through. I can see the excruciating pain you’re in. You need to have the surgery and you know I’m right. If you don’t, your career could be in the toilet soon. The reporters are already sensing something is going on with you.”

That Troy realized intimately. He’d been getting phone calls from one too many who wanted what they called the “real” story. He wasn’t even certain what that was any longer. All for a hot and very exclusive story on one down trodden hero. Rubbing his shoulder, he truly wanted to get away for a little while, take some time to figure out the best course of action. “The injury isn’t that bad.”

“Forgive me for saying this, son but bullshit! You and I know it. I’ve been around a hell of a long time and I can see blind stinking drunk career ending when it’s happening. You need to get your head out of your ass and take care of yourself or there won’t be any minor league you can go to, even if you can still play.”

“Said like my coach.”

Coach Taylor moved within an inch of his face. “Said like a man who gives a damn about you. Remember, I knew your father and he would want you happy and healthy. If you can’t play baseball again, fine, but you have the rest of your life ahead of you so don’t blow any future you might have on a reckless decision. I’ve talked to your doctors and…”

“What the hell?” Interrupting, Troy wanted to be incensed but the truth was he knew Mike Taylor was a kind and caring man who did indeed have his best interests at heart. He’d been the father figure in his life since he was a teenager.

I hope you enjoyed and of course you can find me at all the usual places. Let me know what you think.

Kisses xxx

Cassandre

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