Monday, November 7, 2011

Congratulations to our Monthly Release Party Winner!!


On Sunday, we had a huge party and today we're awarding a $10 Amazon GC to one lucky commenter.

Random.org selected:

Jen B.!!!!!!!!!!


Congrats! Please email us at goddessfish AT gmail DOT com to claim your prize.

Thanks for playing and don't forget to check back on December 4, 2011 for another party.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Thank you from Michael Mandrake and BL

Hi all, 


This as always has been fun.


Thanks all for the comments and views today. I hope you get a chance to check us out and find out more as we release more interesting stories for you to read.


I'll leave you with a piece from Michael Mandrake's story in Bound for Romance anthology, Binding Justice and then the places to find me and the muses.


Buylink


Book Trailer


Thanks again and goodnight



Here is a blurb and excerpt:

Blurb: Binding Justice, the only gay fiction romance story in the anthology is a tale of an older man seeking the assistance after losing his wife to cancer. Throughout his life, he has had the desire to be with another man but due to his strict upbringing as well as his time in the armed forces, Sire Jacobs has suppressed those feelings. At the insistence of his gay friend Gabe, he decides to attend a party to find someone of home he can bring this side out. Enter in Jarvis Densley, a twenty three year old gay male, shunned by his parents and looking for someone to mentor and love him. Apparently, both have similar interests but will Sire's darker desire be what keeps them apart?


Excerpt PG
Sire felt like an old man amongst so many young people. It had been years since he’d been in a place like this.
I’m only here in support of Gabriel.
He reminded himself of that several times. Sire was pretty sure no one coming through that door would catch his eye. By the looks of things he was spot on since the clientele looked to be exactly what he wasn’t looking for.
Did he even know what kind of man he wanted? A young, strong, and pretty one. Not a drag queen or flamer.  
It amazed him he was going over this in his mind as he downed the last of his scotch while still taking in the sights. He never thought he’d get the chance to experience another man.
Still gazing, he noticed Gabe pulling someone’s hand through a crowd. When Sire locked eyes with Gabe, his friend nodded with a smile as the young man with him was turned to the right. After a couple of seconds, Sire got a glimpse of the guy. He was dressed in leather, looking very appealing even from a distance.
Whoa
Sire sat up on his stool, angling his neck trying to get a good look as the twosome threaded through small throngs of people. Before he knew it, Gabe made his way over with a tall, lanky, gentleman with burgundy hair, brown eyes, chiseled features, and a wry smile. He looked a lot like one of the men on the flyer Gabe had earlier; almost the same outfit, his makeup perfect.
His look was just what Sire wanted.
Gabe grinned, “Sire, this is Jarvis Densley. I been talking with him a few minutes about his choice of clothing. He looks a lot like you asked about, right?”
Sire drew up his lips, stroking his beard.
Jarvis Densley, ugly name for a beautiful man.

Links

The Literary Triad - http://www.thelitriad.com/#!


Its Raining Men Blog - http://rainingmenamen.blogspot.com

Thank you and Goodnight! :)

Thank you for joining me today! It was wonderful reading the posts and the comments :)

I'm giving away an e-copy of Snowed in With the Tycoon, and I'll be emailing the randomly-drawn winner, picked from the people who commented on my posts.


And don't forget that Goddess Fish is giving away a $10 GC!

Let's stay in touch! Friend me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter (I follow back and respond to @ replies!). You can also email me at shoshanna.evers @ yahoo.com (no spaces).

About Shoshanna Evers:

Bestselling multi-published romance author Shoshanna Evers writes for Ellora’s Cave, The Wild Rose Press, Cleis Press, and Berkley/Jove, as well as becoming an Amazon bestseller with her self-published books. When she’s not writing hot romance, she’s a stay-at-home mom, a syndicated newspaper advice columnist, and a registered nurse. Her favorite thing to do is cuddle up with a good book…and her husband.
Shoshanna lives with her family and three big dogs in a lakefront cottage in upstate New York. She welcomes emails from readers and writers.

-
Sexily *Evers* After... ShoshannaEvers.com

Titles on Amazon
Titles on Nook
Titles on Ellora's Cave
How to Write Hot Sex
Agony/Ecstasy, Dec 2011, Berkley Heat
Best Bondage Erotica 2012 , Dec 2011 Cleis Press

Blog   Twitter   Facebook

"Fast paced, intense, and sexual...every naughty fantasy come to life for the reader." -Whipped Cream Reviews
"Shoshanna Evers definitely wields kink well." - Joyfully Reviewed
"Kink and spice, beautifully written with characters you invest in." - Happily Ever After Reviews
"Ms. Evers wrote a beautiful love story..." - The Romance Studio

Tempting?

So this month not only do I have my Seductive Rendezvous release I also have a big Book Launch for Tempting Rendezvous which is the whole Rubenesque Rendezvous series in one novel!



Tempting Rendezvous will be available from the 11th November, here's the blurb:

Curvy single mum Leanna is waiting for a man, not just any man. He has to be handsome, intelligent, funny and dominant. Enter Joe. He's a masterful business man who brooks no nonsense and who punishes Leanna in just the way she needs, just the way she likes. He appreciates her curves and uses every excuse to get his hands on them!

Passion sparks between the couple, Naughty liaisons and public games all play to their deepest desires but can their love blossom? Will Joe give up his workaholic lifestyle and can Leanna learn to trust another person with the most important thing in her life - her child?

I'm so excited about this Print Release, my first novel. I started out writing short stories so it's quite a big thing for me to be able to say I've written a novel. Even if I did kinda cheat and write it in 3 parts over a period of four years!

To Celebrate Tempting's Release I'm going to London to partaaay! On Friday 18th November I will be hosting a book launch at SH! Hoxton and my good friend and fellow northern smutmeister, Lucy Felthouse will be my special guest.


For all the details on times and how to book check out the Sh! Website.

It's going to be a blast with cakes and bubbly and free gifts and of course the opportunity to have your book signed personally by that author...that'd be me then!

The next day, Saturday the 19th November I will also be signing books and having fun at Erotica. Which is a huge show at Olympia. I'm going to be there with loads of lovely folks from Xcite and there will be readings and a panel with many opportunities to meet me and some other authors as well as the publishers themselves!


If you'd like any more info on how to get hold of my book or how to meet me on my London Book Launch weekend then don't hesitate to email me! victoria @ victoriablisse. co. uk (no spaces)




Excerpt 3 from Winter’s Requiem, Historical/fantasy, PG

AS_HeckartKelley_WintersRequiem_EB_Final-245x378

Available in Print and Ebook

http://kelleyheckart.com/winters_requiem.html

Winter’s Requiem, Book 3, Dark Goddess Trilogy, Celtic historical/fantasy

Blurb:

Three different women, one ancient curse…

An ancient curse is revealed, leading Domelch, Brigit and Cailleach into certain danger amid a web of deceit. Can they break the curse and put the shattered pieces of their lives back together?

Excerpt:

“Ungild, I am retiring to my room for the night. I will not need your services.” Cailleach concentrated on concealing her thoughts, hoping the old woman would not detect her deceit. Wrapping herself in shadows, she pretended to walk toward the hall to the royal quarters, but instead slipped silently into the woods.

She’d been careful not to use magic around the mortals, but tonight she had no choice if she was to test Aethelfrith’s heart. Concealing herself among thick bushes, she stepped out of her clothes. Her naked skin prickled in the cold autumn night, but the feeling of being naked filled her with a sense of freedom—freedom from the binding fabric, freedom from the laws of mortals.

Calling on her powers, she used all of her concentration and strength, aware of her weakness in this foreign land. Her body tingled with the transformation, her flesh twisted and shifted, sprouting black feathers.

The raven let out a harsh cry, ruffling her feathers and taking flight. Happiness filled her at the freedom this shape gave her to slip undetected through the night, soaring on wings across the treetops. The cold air bounced off her insulated body, her wings slicing with ease through a night illuminated by a full moon. The sounds of pounding hooves and jangling bridles reached her ears and she changed course, flying toward the river. Below outstretched branches, she spotted Aethelfrith and his band of warriors. They emerged from the woodlands into a clearing in pursuit of a stag.

Cailleach flapped her wings faster to increase her speed so she could keep up with the swift hunters. She recalled the thrill of hunting, her heart fluttering with excitement. The riders spread out around the fleeing stag in a skillful formation, cutting off its escape. The majestic beast fell under the might of the roaring spears.

Alighting on a nearby branch, Cailleach waited for the warriors to gather their prize stag, knowing they would probably stop to rest now.

A small fire sparked below. The warriors gathered around for warmth. Drinking horns gleamed in the moonlight, laughter carried up into the night.

It was time. Cailleach shrugged off the nervous jitters surging through her body, uncertain of what she wanted to happen. Spreading her wings, she landed on the ground, calling on more magic. Her body shifted, her flesh pulling and shaping into the sagging flesh of an old, ugly woman. In this tormented body, she did not have the same joyful feelings as she embraced in the raven’s body. The gnarled, painful joints twisted in a hideous angle, the naked flesh wrinkled and sagging. A sudden terrifying thought filled her that her senses about Aethelfrith were wrong. If he failed her test, she might not have the strength to change her shape back and she would be stuck in the hideous body.

It has to be this way. It has always been this way.

Naked and limping through the trees, she emerged before the warriors who sat in a circle around the fire. All heads turned toward her.

“Who here will give warmth to a lost, cold old woman?” Her voice sounded like a raven’s harsh croak. She parted her lips in a smile, revealing blackened and chipped teeth.

Theodbald looked at her with disgust. “Old woman, you will find no warmth here. Be off with you,” he barked, waving her away.

“Wait.” Aethelfrith stood, peering at her. “Take this to cover yourself.” He took off his cloak and approached her, draping it across her naked shoulders.

She looked at him, hoping he would see through the guise. Her chest tightened in apprehension. “Would you warm an old woman’s frozen lips?”

He gazed at her as if looking right through her. Cailleach’s heart quickened. He pressed a kiss to her lips, awakening the magic.

Her body changed, the bent, swollen joints straightening, the sagging skin tightening into the shape of a young, beautiful woman.

“What is this?” He stared wide-eyed at her.

“King of the land of Bernicia, I am Sovereignty and your seed shall be sown over every kin,” she said, hardly able to keep from revealing herself to him.

He peered at her, recognition glimmering in his eyes. “Frige?”

She gave him an enigmatic smile and called on the magic to change her shape into a raven. The cloak landed in a heap on the ground at Aethelfrith’s feet. Her transformation used the last of her powers until she could rest and gain more strength. The raven stared up at him and let out a parting croak. Flapping wings carried Cailleach away into the moonlit night, her thoughts troubled. She should be happy that he had the heart of a king, but something didn’t feel right.

A blanket of mist sparkled and shimmered beneath the ghostly splash of moonlight over the river dividing Bernicia from Gododdin. The fog emitted an unearthly radiance, parting as if opening a doorway. She tried to turn to avoid entering the strange mist, realizing it was a trap, but the fog surrounded her. In her weakened state, Cailleach’s magic was nothing more than a harmless ember that faded into a cold ash. She experienced a sense of confusion, the cold, wet mist capturing her.

Cailleach struggled to escape the trap. She sensed that Badb had tricked her, luring her here with magic. Badb knew Cailleach was unable to resist the temptation to test the prince for kingship and would be too weak after working such strong magic to be able to escape the trap. The fog encircled Cailleach with a memory, one she wanted to close her mind against. She tried to fight the powerful, magical pull.

I cannot escape from my past.

****

'Ms. Heckart draws the reader into the pages and enchants them with her words.'

Karen McGill, Coffee Time Romance

 

Kelley Heckart

'Timeless tales of romance, conflict & magic'

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/ Check out my long hair hotties!

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

My book page at Mundania Press: http://www.mundania.com/author.php?author=Kelley+Heckart

My author page on amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Kelley-Heckart/e/B002BMOQ3C/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

 

Thanks!

Thanks so much for being a part of this November release party with Firefighter Under the Mistletoe. A special thanks to Goddess Fish for hosting this event and allowing us to tell you all about our books!

I know Halloween was less than a week ago, so it's hard to get in the Christmas spirit when there are still pumpkins on the porch and candy to be eaten! But my kids are already working on their Christmas lists, and I'm wondering what I should write in this year's Christmas letter! I have a feeling December will be here before I know it!

If you'd like to know more about me and my books, you can find me in a few places on the Internet:

1) My website
2) My Facebook Book Page
3) Twitter

Be sure to leave a comment so you're entered in Goddess Fish's $10 Gift Card giveaway. If you like winning gift cards, I run a monthly giveaway on my blog. I also have other contests/giveaways going on this month to celebrate the release of Firefighter Under the Mistletoe! Check my website contest page here for more info.

I hope your holiday season is full of love, laughter and Christmas Magic!

Enjoy!
Melissa

Goodbye and thanks for joining me Goddess land


It is time for me to say Goodbye and release the answers to my earlier trivia question…


1.) How much time does the average person spend kissing in a lifetime? 20,160 minutes
2.) How many calories does the average person burn during sex? 70-120 an hour for a 130lb. woman and 77-155 an hour for a 170lb. man
3.) What is the longest word in the English alphabet that requires only the left hand to type it? stewardesses
4.) What is the most popular method for burning calories and lowering blood pressure? Kissing
5.) It occurs one in a minute, twice in a week, and once in a year, what is it?
The letter “E”

Thank you so much for joining me today.  I hope you get a chance to check out my books, and congratulations to all today’s winners.

Charity Parkerson

Unending Desire - Adult Excerpt


Regina,” he warned, reaching for her.
“Yes, Nikoli.” She spoke submissively even as she remained clear of his grasp, opening the mirrored cabinet above the sink. From it, she chose a slender can of shaving cream and her razor.
He straightened in the tub, his legs splashing the water, sending more of it over the porcelain lip. “What is that? Why do you have it?”
“To shave you.” Enjoying his surprise, she went to the side of the tub and sank to her knees. “Now, don’t move. I don’t want to cut you.”
He grasped her hand that held the shaving cream. After reading the label, he asked, “Have you ever shaved a man before?”
“You’re the first.”
Delight lit up his face. “And is this what you meant by taking care of me? You intend to shave my face?”
“For starters. There’s so much more to come.”
This time, unlike the last, her vague reference to their future clouded his expression, reality and reason replacing the magic she strove to create. Refusing to acknowledge what tonight would bring, she spoke breezily. “Lean back and relax.” Edging closer, her lips so very close to his, she added, “I don’t want to hurt you.”
Again, something within him shifted. This time it returned his amusement. “Whatever you do, I promise I won’t scream…at least not too loudly.”
“You are a brave man.” She pecked his lips, placed the shaver on a counter to the side and shook the can. Once she had a mound of the lather in her palm, she brought it to his face, then halted suddenly, not touching him.
Nikoli studied the foam, his manner growing cautious. “What’s wrong? Is it going to burn?”
She had no idea. “Have you ever used this stuff before to shave? Have you ever been exposed to anything like this?” Did his people use it to torment the malcontents on his side?
Nikoli shook his head. “On E2, the men use a device that vaporizes their beards and the upper layers of what you call skin.”
Regina made a face. “Oh my God, are you kidding? Doesn’t that hurt? Doesn’t that—are you laughing at me?”
“You make it too easy.” His shoulders trembled with suppressed laughter.
Dropping the can, she slapped his shoulder.
Nikoli’s smile remained. “Is that also foreplay?”
“You wish. So how do you get rid of your beard on E2?”
“With a device that pulls out the hairs one by one.”
Regina arched a brow, guessing he was putting her on.
With a sigh, he slumped against the back of the tub. “Very well, it pulls them out all at once. The pain is more intense that way, but it doesn’t last as—”
She smacked his shoulder again.
He laughed loudly this time, tears streaming from the corners of his eyes. “Forgive me,” he sputtered.
She enjoyed seeing him like this, but pretended to be annoyed. “Maybe.” With a bit of the lather on her fingertip, she said, “If this hurts at all, tell me.”
His laughter drifted away, replaced by a tranquil smile. “It won’t. The men on my side shave as yours do, Regina. The only difference is, the foam we use doesn’t have an odor.”
Hers had a faint lime scent. “Does this smell bad to you?”
“Not at all. It reminds me of the bacon.”
Sure. Ignoring his renewed laughter, she warned, “If you don’t want to be hurt, then keep quiet and still.”
Reaching out, he ran his damp fingers around her nipple, causing the areola to constrict. Regina’s limbs went weak. Nikoli murmured, “Are you certain you want that?”


Tina

Tina Donahue
“Heat with Heart”

SiNN (Menage - Available NOW)
UNENDING DESIRE (Erotic Paranormal - Available NOW)
THE YEARNING (BESTSELLER)
SENSUAL STRANGER (BOOK OF THE YEAR 2010)
DEEP, DARK, DELICIOUS (HOLT MEDALLION AWARD OF MERIT)




Excerpt 2 My Lieutenant BLMorticia

Hi again.


BL here with the last post of the night from the wicked gal.


Its an excerpt from My Lieutenant again, my Silver Star. Watch for me out there since I have more yummies coming later on this month.


Check out my other posts as well.


Have a great one!


Now available at Amazon,ARE and Bookstrand


See Excerpt One Here


Once we made it to the Hot Plate diner, Bryant and I sat across from one another in a small booth towards the back. On the way, we talked about me, my paintings and my taste in music. We’d figured out both of us liked a little of everything which was great.

Now with our menus over our faces, we were completely silent. Seemingly, Bryant didn’t want to talk much since we were about to eat. This couldn’t go on, even if he was only interested in breakfast. I had to at least attempt to make friendly conversation.

“So, this place,” I started after putting the menu down on the table. I drummed my fingers on the wood. “You come here a lot? The food looks delicious.”

The waitress came over, filling both our cups with coffee.

“Yep, I love it. It reminds me of an old time restaurant like back in the sixties or seventies.” Bryant picked up some cream, pouring it in his beverage. I noticed he’d taken about four within the span of two minutes.


He put the mug to his lips. “Nope, I like a lotta cream,” he smirked, sipping the hot drink while his brown eyes were still fixated on me.


I grinned, raising an eyebrow.

Did he just flirt with me?

I cleared my throat, adjusting myself on the cushion. My trousers felt more than uncomfortable. We locked eyes again. “I see, well, I happen to like mine a bit darker.”

Bryant leaned forward, licking his lips. The sight made my dick twitch. I reached under the table, tugging at my pants.

“Like caramel,” he asked, giving me a wink.

I slurped a little, nodding my head in agreement. “Yes, light. Right in the middle.”

He was teasing me and I liked it.

What the fuck?

Didn’t he turn the Here channel off in favor of Law & Order? Time to find out the truth. “Um, Bryant…”

“Yes?” Bryant leaned in closer.

“I wanted to ask you…” I tried to collect my thoughts.

“Yes…” he nodded, taking another drink. “Yes, I do like what I see. Yes, I am attracted to you and I would’ve turned my head if it were anyone else but…knowing it was your place, I had to step in.” He continued to drink out his cup of Joe.

My eyes widened, not believing he was openly confessing that he liked me.  “I…” I stammered.

“Listen, Nathan. I’ve only been in the building about two weeks and ever since I saw you, I wanted to get to know you better. I’m a little shy. I didn’t wanna just come out and say it.”

“Okay, well, then… I guess that answers my questions…sort of.” I grinned again, still dumbfounded by what I’d heard. This hot man, who seemed to be so straight, said he wanted to get to know me.


Bryant broke our gaze a moment as he chuckled. “Look, I’m sorry for being so forward, it’s just…well…it’s been hard being so secretive the whole time, you know? Now that I’m getting the chance, I don’t wanna hold back.”

Interrupting our conversation, the waitress came back with our food, placing it on the table. I really wanted to hear what else he had to say, especially that sentence about being secretive. What the hell did that mean? I guess I’d find out after we’d had breakfast but at least I knew I was way off base about Bryant’s feelings. That made me very happy.


BL is currently a published writer with Rebel Ink and Naughty Nights Press. Her first two novellas, My Lieutenant and Something Fresh Served Hot will be due out in November. She writes bi weekly for Erotic Diaries with Rawiya and a column twice a month on Blak Rayne Books.

The Perfect Hero

How does a romance writer create that perfect hero? Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. In paranormal and fantasy romance, they may even be supernatural. There are Alpha, Beta and Omega males to choose from. The Alpha hero seems to be popular, but I prefer a hero somewhere in between Alpha and Beta. While the Alpha can set a female’s blood on fire, he does not make a great long term, monogamous romantic partner. A Beta is a better choice, maybe not as exciting as the Alpha, but give him some Alpha qualities and he can make a woman’s pulse race. Either way, the perfect hero should be appealing to the reader. It can be challenging for a writer to combine just the right ingredients to make that ideal hero.

My heroes are usually warriors, which is weird because in real life I am married to a pacifist musician. Ancient warriors are fascinating to me because they are a mix of courage, fierceness and passion. I grew up reading about them in Greek classics like The Iliad, in the tales of King Arthur and in Irish/Celtic mythology where they usually battled mythical monsters and were enchanted by goddesses or faery women. Some of them even had magical powers of their own.

I usually base my heroes on the Irish Fianna. In early Ireland, fianna were small warrior bands living apart from society as mercenaries, bandits and hunters, but could be called upon by kings in time of war. They appear in Irish mythology as an otherworldly, fierce band of warriors with the hearts of poets. Yes, I said poets. Along with other rigorous tests to prove their supernatural strength, expertise and bravery, one of the requirements to be initiated into the Fianna was to be a skilled poet. That mix of fierceness, courage, passion and sensitivity fascinates me and I like to create heroes with those qualities.

When I say perfect, I do not actually mean that the hero should be without imperfections. I like complicated heroes, ones with flaws. This is where a writer needs to use caution because a hero with too many flaws or unlikable traits might turn a reader off. For instance, I had the challenge of taking a real sixth century Irish king known as one of the most feared warlords of his time and turn him into the hero in my latest release. He was called Aedan the Treacherous in the Welsh poems. I thought about this and realized that his enemies would probably not call him something nice, but to be a successful king in that century he would have to be a tough ruler. And to the outside world he is strong and merciless, but in private with the woman he loves, he shows a more tender side. But he is not without his faults. He can be arrogant and has a jealous streak. This adds some conflict to the story, but I had to be careful not to take things too far or my hero could come across as a tyrannical jerk. Those are the risks writers have to take when creating a flawed hero.

My perfect hero has some qualities of the Alpha male, he is a leader and has a touch of arrogance, but also possesses some Beta qualities like compassion. Oh, and he should have a cool name. My perfect hero is also tall, muscular and has long hair. That last part about long hair is probably influenced by my real life infatuation with musicians.

What type of male is your perfect hero?

************

AS_HeckartKelley_Cat's Curse_EB_Final_print cover

http://kelleyheckart.com/cats_curse.html

Blurb for Cat’s Curse, Book One: Dark Goddess Trilogy: A Celtic prince, an ancient vampire and two curses…

Excerpt from Cat’s Curse:

The man started at her sudden words, turning toward her with the sword blade stopping just before the blade cut into Cardea's neck, the coldness of the iron striking a shudder in her. That was the second time in one night she almost lost her head to his sword blade.

“Why are ye following me?” Irritation filled his voice.

“You look like you need some help starting that fire.”

“I do not need yer help.” He stared at her. His brows knitted together, his eyes scrutinizing her. “A good Christian lass would not be out here all alone in the forest at night,” he remarked with a sneer.

Cardea’s mocking laughter filled the air.

“Do I amuse ye?” He peered at her, eyes narrowed in annoyance.

She found her courage again. “You presume much of me, but what about you? I can only imagine what dreadful act you committed to be banished into these dark-winged woods. Though I can assume your misdeeds had nothing to do with fire,” she smirked, crossing her arms and planting her feet firm to the ground.

“Ye lass, are a rude minion of the Devil himself.” His handsome face rippled with indignation.

“That I may be indeed.” She stared hard at him. His ranting recalled images of the hated Levite priests. A shudder tore through her body and rage fumed inside of her, threatening to rise. She flirted with the temptation to rip his neck open and drink him dry. No one would find his rotting corpse out this far in the forest. The beasts would clean the bones of all flesh. She did not understand why she held back, but her hesitation had something to do with the odd way this man stirred her senses.

He turned around and strode with great arrogance back to his fire pit, striking the blade with the flint rock in angry thrusts. After watching him for a few moments, she approached him.

“Do ye have more insults for me?”

“No. I just cannot stand to watch you make a mockery of fire starting.”

“I can start the fire,” he insisted, turning back to the fire pit.

She watched him struggle again with the stone and blade, trying not to laugh.

“Please, allow me to assist you. It is much too cold tonight to be without a warm fire.” She did not understand why she felt compelled to help him and reached for the dagger she carried on her belt. His cold blade touched her throat before she could blink. Three times now his blade touched her throat and she wondered if it were a portent. “I need my dagger to start your fire.”

He eyed her with suspicion, but withdrew his blade from her throat.

“Ye live alone?” he asked, giving her room to start the fire, but he did not sheath his sword.

“Yes.” She noticed how he bit back a derisive retort.

Cardea held the stone with the sharp edge facing the blade and struck the blade in one swift movement. A spark shot out and the dry peat began to smolder. She struck the blade one more time and a flame rose from the peat, sending out warmth.

“You have to strike the blade in one swift movement with the stone to create a spark. Rubbing it like you were doing only wears the stone down. And it is best to strike the blade with the sharpest edge of the stone.”

“I have a capable pair of eyes. I saw how ye did it.” The bitter tone of his voice revealed his irritation toward her.

“I did not intend to offend you.”

“Good night to ye.” He waited for her to leave the fire before sheathing his sword. Keeping his eyes on her, he stoked the flames.

She stepped toward him and he jumped up, moving away from her. “Do not touch me.” His eyes turned an angry shade of dark blue and an aura of torment surrounded him. “I wish to be left alone.”

Cardea bristled at his surliness, thinking him to be the most arrogant man she'd ever met.

*********

Kelley’s Bio:

Kelley writes Celtic historical romances with fantasy elements. Her stories reflect her passion for history, storytelling and the supernatural. Inspired by the ancient Celts, her tales are filled with fierce warriors, bold women, magic, conflict and romance.

Kelley’s links:

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/ Check out my long hair hotties!

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

http://www.goodreads.com/kheckart

Kelley’s book page at Mundania:

http://www.mundania.com/author.php?author=Kelley+Heckart

Kelley’s book page on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Kelley-Heckart/e/B002BMOQ3C/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Ready for SiNN??

Here's another excerpt :)


With his hand on her back, he forced her body even closer.
She made primitive noises that matched his, their kiss sloppy, impassioned, deep.
Exactly what every man lived for. Even Toby. Jake sensed his partner watching him and Lea. No doubt frowning.
Too fucking bad. Nothing short of Toby’s gun to Jake’s temple would stop this.
Angling his mouth for greater penetration, Jake swept his tongue over Lea’s, liking how soft it was, how good she tasted. Who the fuck needed food or booze when this was available? On a low, needy groan, Jake kissed her even harder, with less finesse than he would have liked. He was back to being that kid on the reservation, reckless with passion, wanting what he’d been denied for too long. Afraid it wouldn’t last.
It wouldn’t.
The thought encouraged Jake to lose himself in Lea’s scent—musky, yet fresh, with a hint of melon—to enjoy having her body against his. Her ripe curves were the stuff of men’s wet dreams, her height expected, but she was also narrow, decidedly delicate, and here he was behaving like a fucking bruiser.
He gentled his kiss and eased his hold on her.
At the change in his behavior, Lea paused, no longer sucking his tongue. In the next moment, she dug her nails into his back and forced him from her mouth so she could fill him with her tongue instead.
Maybe she wasn’t so delicate after all.
He really liked that.
Holding her as tightly as he wanted, proving his strength, Jake suckled her even deeper and squeezed her breast, using her with a right she’d given him. Hell, she’d practically dared him not to do this.
He’d accepted and crossed that particular line. There was no turning back now. He wanted far, far more. Every fucking thing, not just a damn kiss.
Pulling his mouth from Lea’s, Jake looked down at her.
Long lashes rested on her cheeks, nicely rosy from his passion. Her bruised lips were parted and damp.
He waited as she forced her lids to open. She blinked slowly as though trying to focus.
Proud of what he’d accomplished with her, Jake grinned.
Toby adjusted his weight, his shoes tapping the floor.
Lea didn’t appear to notice, or if she did, she wasn’t letting on. Running her fingers down the buttons on his shirt, she breathed, “Take it off.”
He never got the chance. Lea grabbed his shirt and tugged so hard, the fabric ripped. Buttons flew everywhere, one of them striking his chin.
Jake lifted his brows.
“Sorry,” she said, sounding unrepentant as she planted her palms on his torso.
He swallowed convulsively at the heat of her hands, the way her fingers stroked his flesh as she worked her way up to his pecs.
She cupped his muscles, kneading them as he had fondled her, her thumbs dragging over his nipples.
Jesus. What she was doing sent a surge of heat to his cock, thickening it even more, making the fucker really hurt.
“More,” she insisted, sounding as if she’d reached the end of her patience.
And he hadn’t?
Before Jake could reclaim control of the act, Lea slipped her hands beneath the top of his shirt, dragging it over his shoulders, stopping at his left biceps.
Her already sultry expression grew downright wanton, her delicate nostrils flaring slightly as she stared at his tattoo. A black tribal band of stylized figures that curved in all directions and ended in sharpened points.
She spoke on a sigh, “Wow.”
He grinned. Stupidly, he suspected, and didn’t care. “You like?”
“Oh yeah.” She ran her tongue over its length.



Tina

Tina Donahue
“Heat with Heart”

SiNN (Menage - Available NOW)
UNENDING DESIRE (Erotic Paranormal - Available NOW)
THE YEARNING (BESTSELLER)
SENSUAL STRANGER (BOOK OF THE YEAR 2010)
DEEP, DARK, DELICIOUS (HOLT MEDALLION AWARD OF MERIT)



Finding the Right Voice - Post from Sharita L

Good evening!

Still here at Goddess Fish. I'd like to thank everyone for the comments so far.

2 of my muses have spoken today, and I'll let them close out the posts this evening but I wanted to talk about my experience of finding the right voice to match my story.


When a writer speaks of their voice, they’re not talking alto or soprano.*laughs* In my opinion, they’re speaking of the style in which they write. Every author has a different style so no 2 authors should be the same. Sure, we have similarities. One may be a lot more sensual as opposed to the other that might be a lot more erotic.

Now, imagine the author having to do this with his or herself. *raises eyebrow* The voices that speak to you in certain kinds of stories may clash between pennames. You find your sensual writer has now become you more erotic writer. Maybe your snarky one as made your more long winded and eloquent voice more of a bad ass. *shudder*

I confess, I’m a newbie so I still struggle with this. In certain stories, Michael might pick up BL’s style of smart ass and Rawiya might sound more like Michael. Is this okay? Erm, in some instances yes but not always. The key is making it work for a particular story or character.

In short, Michael Mandrake writes long winded, eloquent, stories about people in love. If humor comes into his tales, it’s more of a dry humor, yet, my latest story, A Second Chance, has a character that would typically be a BL type of man. Captain in Training, Daniel DeClerc. He, along with his new partner, Farris are both smart asses, but because the story is about 2 cops who are facing the challenge of loving after losing a partner in the line of duty, it works.

Can you imagine being gay on the homophobic police force? In order to avoid scrutiny, you must keep yourself closeted. Because they have to deal with this fact, both men settle into personalities where they have to keep themselves laughing to avoid crying.

The characters make a lot of snide remarks, especially Daniel since he’s the one in charge. *snicker* But it works because if he were more of the dry humor type that Michael would usually write then you wouldn’t really connect with Daniel or feel what he is feeling.

In the next story, The Power of Muse, Michael is his eloquent self once again. Since his MC is an author, he's very proper in his speech and so I wrote the story as if the writer was doing a speech. Perhaps something like an English teacher. 

Make sense? Hope so.

So in closing, if you’re a writer with penames or even an author with one or your own name, have you found your correct voice? This, I’m sure, takes time to master and I haven’t done so just yet, but I know as I get better, they might not clash as much. However as you can see, sometimes that works.

Here is a bit from The Power of Muse and Inspiration from XOXO publishing. Coming very soon.


Blurb: No such thing as vampires!

William Chatterley is an up and coming author looking for a partner after many dead end dates. Finally, he believes he’s found a suitable mate in Andrew and they see one another.

The vampire Jude is weak from being without love in his life. When he sees the author, he desires him right away but his companion is a stumbling block.

How will he get passed it and when he does, will the mortal want to be his partner? What will he choose? Will Jude convince him to become his eternal lover?

PG Excerpt

“Yes, yes, come to me my child!” Jude lay his head against a dead tree. He sensed two virile young men he might like to enjoy for a double entree. Since he couldn’t have love why not fill up his belly with young blood for nourishment. He waved his long fingers and opened his eyes, gazing around the open field till he caught sight of the two he’d seen in his mind’s eye.
As always the faces were skewed when he looked deep within to see his prey but now that they’d come into view, he noticed one he didn’t want to destroy.
“Wha…I…” At a loss of words was Jude, gawking at the handsome man running away from another. “My, I’ve never seen in all my years a more gorgeous sight.” That moment the old immortal felt his muscles strengthen and his face tightening. A new feeling of love and inspiration came over him.
A mortal, so lovely and beautiful, the desire to live started to return.