Yesterday was (FINALLY) a spectacular, stupendous day. The best! I’ll get to why in a minute…

But by the end of the day, I realized that yesterday had been beautifully exceptional after a long string of singularly crappy days. I realized late last night that I must have finally done something nice/right/good to experience a day like yesterday.

It started normally enough. Up early to write a little, then off to the day job. An impromptu early morning meeting surprised me…but whatever. The meeting was an announcement. Someone I’d believed for a while should retire finally decided to do so. She’s not evil. I know she means well. It’s just that I work in a very specialized field. People THINK they know a lot about it. It doesn’t sound hard. But do to it right requires certifications and experience. This person has none of the first and only a little of the second. The result is that she’s often directing the rest of us to do our jobs in a way we disagree with. It makes going to work very hard. And…sometimes frustrating. But as I found out yesterday, that will all come to an end on July 31. It’s a relief, and I wish her well.

A bit later in the day, I met someone for a work function. We hit it off right away, had tons in common, had the same philosophy about my job responsibilities. Total breath of fresh air. She’s very interested in other opinions. She really listened. Despite the fact it was a formal work event, I had a great time and left feeling really upbeat.

I came home and checked my email. I found a contract from Samhain for a re-released version of THE LADY AND THE DRAGON! We’re potentially looking at next February. I’ll be so happy to have somewhere to direct readers when they want this book. No more disappointing people!! I’m very psyched!

Then, a few readers posted on a message board for another author friend of mine just how much they loved my new Berkley release, STRIP SEARCH. I had NO idea people were finding copies already, but apparently they are. And hearing from readers that they enjoyed the book is one of the biggest kicks of all!

Last night, I ended the evening with nice time with my family. We spent a little time watching Wayne’s World 2 on some cable channel, but it was fun to just sit down with the ones I love and laugh at a silly movie. It just capped off a great day.

Nothing earth-shattering happened yesterday. Rather, it was just the first day in a while where nothing brought me down. I’ll take it!!

Gang, here’s another excerpt! It’s definitely for the over 18 crowd, so if you’re not legal yet, scram! If you are…enjoy. Hmmm, wonder why the idea of ice cream is suddenly making me hot…?

GIVING CHASE
Copyright ) Lauren Dane, 2006.
All Rights Reserved, Samhain Publishing, Inc
Releasing June 27!
ISBN: 1-59998-113-0

Kyle took her bowl and put it aside. “Done eating?”

She cocked her head at him. “Well, since I allowed you to take my bowl without protest, I’d say yes.

“Good. Because I’m not done eating.” His lips curved up and she gasped as he pushed her back onto the blanket. Making quick work of the buttons on her shirt, he pushed it off. She looked up at him, watching his eyes as he devoured her with his gaze. Smiling like the Cheshire Cat, he reached out and brought his bowl over.

With a yelp, she nearly shot up off the floor as he drizzled ice cream over her breasts. But soon that yelp became a moan as he licked up the sweet liquid with the flat of his tongue. The cold ice cream followed by the heat of his tongue gave her goose flesh.

“Hmmm, where else would this ice cream taste good?” He raised an eyebrow as he spooned it down her belly and over her thighs.

She watched him as he licked his way down her belly and over her thighs. He pushed them open. “I need my hands, Red. Hold yourself open for me so I can lick all of you.”

Her breath caught but she did as he asked.

His cold tongue licked up through the folds of her pussy and around her clit and she couldn’t resist rolling her hips.

“Sweeter than ice cream and I can eat it in any weather,” he murmured against her.

Her hips raised up involuntarily and she whispered his name. “You like that, Maggie?” he murmured and flicked his tongue over her clit. “Damn, but your pussy is sweet. Sweet and wet.” He pressed a finger deep into her and shuddered as the walls of her pussy gripped him. “I like that you’re so slick for me.”

She was beyond a place where she could form the words to tell him how good he felt there between her thighs. All she had were whimpers and breathless sighs as her head slowly moved from side to side. The muscles in her thighs and abdomen began to tremble as orgasm approached.

When he hooked his fingers inside her and found her sweet spot she rolled her hips and cried out. The pleasure was sharp edged, nearly too much to bear.

“Yes, Maggie. Come for me, honey,” he said just before he slowly sucked her clit into his mouth, grazing his teeth over it just slightly.

In a rush of intense sensation, her climax drowned her as her very cells exploded in heat and light and pleasure. Wave after wave shuddered through her in a seemingly endless pattern. Wringing her out, flooding her mind and body.

He continued, not stopping until he’d pushed her into another aftershock orgasm and she sobbed with pleasure and the intensity of feeling, finally pushing his head away and begging him to stop.

Afterwards, his lips on hers tasted of sugar and ice cream and her.

Another HOT entry in my Summer of Excerpts, this one from Sasha White, a single bartender and all-around fun chick. The reviews for this book are stunning, and from all accounts, it will simply scorch you! It’s due to release Tuesday. I looked at my local B&N for a copy yesterday. They weren’t out yet :-( But in two little days, woohoo! Here’s a handy buy link for BOUND…just in case *g*

Bound by fantasy.
Everyone thinks small town Katie Long is the good girl looking for tender romance. All she needs is to find the right man. Katie couldn’t agree more. She too has always fantasized about the “right man.” But what she’s looking for is one who’ll give her exactly what she wants. And everything she needs.

Bound by desire.
Joe Carson is that man. A security guard at a local casino, he’s the answer to her sensual prayers. But there’s more to Joe than even Katie realizes. And more to their nightgames than just master and slave.

Now Katie wonders just how far she’ll go with a man who’s more than ready to take her…

Excerpt:

What the hell had I done?

I ran naked, still dripping from the shower, through my tiny apartment. Picking up strewn clothes and notebooks along the way, I stacked magazines neatly in the corner and stashed my latest erotica novel in the kitchen cupboard. I was getting ready to pull out the vacuum cleaner when I stopped dead in my tracks.

This was crazy! Vacuuming was taking things a bit too far. It wasn’t like Joe cared if I was good housekeeper or not. He was coming over for one reason and one reason only. To finish what I’d started at work earlier that day.

Heat pooled low in my belly and my insides trembled at the enormity of what I’d done. Masturbating for him via the casino’s surveillance system at work had sure started this…thing off with a bang.

Well, actually, the masturbation thing had only been a bang on my part. The thrill of knowing he was watching me, and his heavy breathing into the phone while I played with myself had set me off good.

His bang had come a short time later when we met in the surveillance room. And it wasn’t enough for either of us. It was like my first taste of chocolate, I wanted more. Then Joe had told me to go home and get cleaned up, to “be ready” for him in an hour. My heart had pounded and my just “seconds” ago satisfied body had tightened in anticipation.

Now I was running around like a crazy person.

I looked around the room then down at my naked body. Rigid nipples poked out, and I could feel the constant dampness of my excitement leaking onto my thighs. He said be ready. What was ready?

My body couldn’t be any more ready. My mind, well, it was functioning on autopilot, if at all, and my apartment looked like a twenty-six year old single girl lived there.

Clothes might be good.

Dashing to my bedroom, I glanced at the clock as I headed for the closet. Five o’clock. His shift was over now, and the casino was about ten minutes away, so I had at least that much time to get ready. What sort of clothes did one put on when you knew they were going to come off right away?

Scanning my closet I found no sexy peignoirs or silk robes. Not a big surprise there. Spotting a stretchy knit top, I snatched it off the hanger and pulled it on without a bra. My breasts were small enough that a bra would be prudent, but not necessary. For private company that I really wanted to look sexy for, the bra wasn’t needed. After stepping into some bikini underpants, I added a pair of baggy cotton drawstring trousers.

The look was summer, lightweight, and casual. Now all I had to do was achieve that attitude.

Sucking in a deep breath I strolled into the bathroom and looked into the mirror. Big brown eyes stared back at me, looking a little glassy.

“Breathe, Katie, breathe,” I muttered to my reflection.

I grabbed the blow dryer, did some quick work on my hair, and finished just as the buzzer signaling Joe’s arrival sounded. A final glance in the mirror by the door showed me to be a casual looking all American girl with long blond hair and big Bambi eyes. I wondered if anyone looking at me would be able to tell that I was so aroused I could barely think straight.

The door to the apartment swung open slowly and I stood there, unsure of what to say or do as six feet plus of solid muscle walked inside like he owned the place. Thick black hair that was a touch unruly made my fingers itch to touch his wavy locks, but those distant ice blue eyes seemed to suggest that wouldn’t be a smart move. Right now those eyes were guarded, but hot, as they ran over my still form.

Joe Carson.

The man I’d been fantasizing about ever since I first saw him two months earlier when he’d hired on at the casino I work in. At twenty-six years old I’m no virgin, but I can honestly say I’ve never had much luck in the sex department either. None of the guys I’d ever been with were anything to brag about. Until today, I’d never had a male induced orgasm. When I needed to get off, I relied on myself.

Then Joe showed up.

TO READ THE REST OF THE EXCERPT AND MORE BEHIND THE SCENES STUFF ON BOUND, CLICK HERE.

 
I’m supposed to be working on a new proposal. No huge details yet, because I don’t know them. I should, but…

Several times this week, I’ve set aside time to get friendly with my storyboard and colored sticky notes. It’s just the way I plot. I think EVERYTHING through in advance, every scene, every conclusion, every sub-plot and emotional interaction. Then I write the monster synopsis that results. I’m sure my editors loooovvvve that :-/

So most recently, I’d blocked out a few hours to work on this complex series of events spanning 3 books, a new handful of characters and some freaky otherworldly stuff. What did I do with my time? Um, I didn’t plot.

If you are a fan of my historicals and have been looking for either of my first 2 books forever to no avail and/or refused to pay the crazy prices people are asking for a used book when the original only cost $2.56, there’s good news! For some time, I’ve had it in my head that I could request the rights back to THE LADY AND THE DRAGON and SWEET ENEMY, both released in 1999. I could have had the rights back several years ago, in fact. Once Kensington officially releases those rights, I’m hoping to find a new home for them that will enable the readers who have asked me for those books over the years to actually read them. I wrote the letter requesting the rights back a month ago. I expect to hear back this fall. I’ve spoken with the editor of an e-publisher who is amenable to looking at the books. There was just one problem… I couldn’t find the discs the files were stored on. Oops. I even have my old computer sitting in a closet (don’t ask) and looked there for the files. Nada. Damn, where did I put those files?!!!

On my way to my storyboard, I stumbled across them! While fishing out just the right color sticky notes for my marathon plotting session, all the disks were there in the drawer. With a rubber band around them. Clearly marked with titles and dates–everything. Holy cow, when did I put them there??

Anyway, long story short, I hunted down a computer with a 3.5″ disk reader (harder than you think…), extracted the files onto my USB flash memory, then started the laborious process of converting WordPerfect 6.1 to Word 2003. And getting rid of the gibberish. And deleting the weird section markers. And screaming at my computer to PLEASE make the running header work on the top of every page of the merged document. *Sigh* But THE LADY AND THE DRAGON is complete and in said editor’s hands. SWEET ENEMY will make it there by this weekend.

THEN I swear I’ll spend time with my storyboard.

For something fun this summer, I’m going to feature lots of juicy excerpts from new and upcoming summer reads. Print books, e-books, erotic, just plain ol’ good romances–you name it. I hope you enjoy all the excerpts. Check back frequently because I’ve got an inbox full of them!

PRIMED TO POUNCE
Astin Pharmaceutical and Biotech has its share of mad scientists. Delaine must get the goods on the crackpot who is using his scientific genius to create his own personal harem. During her investigation, she meets a man who would give Adonis a run for his money. After a messy divorce, Delaine is in no hurry to love anytime soon, but her spirit guide, a sleek, black mountain lion, is convinced he’s their mate.

When Justin lays eyes on Delaine, he’s dying to get next to her. There’s one problem–he’s seen her walking around a secret part of the Astin facility that she had no clearance to enter. Is she in league with the corrupt scientist he’s tailing? Or is she a mole who could blow his case, or worse, his cover?

When Delaine discovers the man she’s taken a chance on is undercover, a decision must be made. Should she kick his butt for not being honest about his undercover status while working her case? Or should she simply shoot him for sleeping with her best friend?

Excerpt:
By reading any further, you are stating that you are at least 18 years of age. If you are under the age of 18, it is necessary to exit this site.

An Excerpt From: PRIMED TO POUNCE
Copyright TJ MICHAELS, 2006
All Rights Reserved, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.

Delaine showed Justin to the kitchen and ran upstairs to change. She trotted back downstairs in a big tee shirt and pair of jean shorts to find him already busy cooking.

“What’s that smell?” she asked, striding into the kitchen. He stuck a pot under her nose and she pulled her hair back and stuck her nose into the saucepan while he continued to stir. She sighed in appreciation, “Mmmm, now that smells really good.”

“Homemade teriyaki sauce. I’ve got this covered, but do you mind helping me with the rest of this?”

“Sure. What do you want me to do?” she replied with a smile.

The twinkle in his eyes should have told her it was a set up. She gladly accepted the task to wash a head of lettuce and cut a few tomatoes for a salad. It took her forever to do those two simple things. And it was all his fault.

While Delaine washed the lettuce, Justin came up behind her to rinse green onions for the stir-fry. Then he needed to rinse the carrots and bell peppers, one at a time. Then he filled a pot with water and rinsed off the rice before setting it on the stove to steam. And each time he needed to use the sink, he came up behind her, pressed his chest against her back and reached underneath her arms to get to the spigot. The crook of his elbow teased the sides of her breasts as he moved whatever he was rinsing back and forth under the flow of water. Before he moved away to his side of the counter, he took a moment to breathe in the scent of her hair while pressing his stone-hard erection into the curve of her butt. Oh lord, she should have expired from his teasing at least twice over.

Her pulse pounded and a fine sheen of sweat broke out over her brow. Her fingers trembled and her hands were damp, and not from rinsing the stupid lettuce. By the time she was done with her small task, her breasts tingled unbearably, and she was uncomfortably wet between her legs. Here she was in an industrial sized kitchen, with gourmet everything, and more counter space than every display at Home Depot combined. But it was too small for just the two of them? She was so hot and bothered she could have skipped dinner and just had Justin for desert.

Even with her arousal at a constant hum just beneath her skin, Delaine actually enjoyed their meal of chicken teriyaki stir-fry, and fresh tossed salad with fresh balsamic vinegar dressing. Afterward, she led him into the living room where he left her sitting while he ran to the garage and hauled in a few logs for a fire. With a blaze in the hearth, they sat on the floor in front of the couch. Delaine paid no attention as “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” played on the flat screen plasma TV mounted over the mantle. She’d smiled when Justin pulled the DVD out earlier, but now she couldn’t care less that Angelina Jolie was in the middle of laying some whoop ass on Brad Pitt.

Delaine sat sideways in Justin’s lap, toes curled into the carpet as she snuggled into his big body. Her shoulder leaned lazily against his chest as he reclined against the couch. His masculine scent filled her lungs, enticing her to nuzzle into the crook of his neck while his fingers traced tiny circles up and down her arms.

Justin pressed light kisses on the top of her crown, then dipped his head to plant light kisses over her forehead, her temples, her cheek. Her stomach flipped over when his soft lips traced the shell of her ear, blowing lightly. His fingers strayed to her shoulders and massaged the tense muscles there. Her breathing deepened at the insistence of his hard cock pushing up against her butt through his jeans.

His touch was tender and often, as if he savored caressing and arousing her. She took delight in the affection he lavished on her, even as her body heated and her blood simmered. His touch was magic. A deep, needy groan traveled up her throat when one of his large, strong hands traced the line of her neck, teasing each individual vertebrate as he worked his way down. His free hand slid across the quivering planes of her stomach, and around to her waist to hold her tightly to him.

His growing erection told her how much he enjoyed touching her. It royally turned her on to feel him harden and stretch underneath her. Slowly, so slowly, her hips began to writhe, seeking more of the hardness pressing against her. Her eyelids drooped closed as body and mind accepted his sweet attention on a sigh.

Her breasts swelled and ached, the tips so tender she gasped with an erotic shiver when Justin’s forearm accidentally scraped against them on the way to wrap around her body.

Oh please, please touch my breasts, she willed him silently with each tormented breath pulled from her chest. As her body reached out for him, Delaine felt Sapa slip completely away from her. On the verge of panic at the sudden emptiness in her mind, the bond vibrated softly. Sapa was giving her privacy. Privacy to mate.

Delaine lifted her head from beneath his chin. Her tongue flicked out and tasted the sweet muskiness of his skin, salty from the sweat she hadn’t realized was there. His skin felt hot against her lips. She opened her mouth against his throat and allowed her tongue free reign. Licked and tasted with wild, carnal slides of her tongue along the column of his throat, smiling against the taut muscles of his neck when he leaned his head back with a moan and ground his hips up against her ass.

Justin leaned forward and whispered in her ear. “You feel so good in my arms, Delaine. You’re driving me crazy, baby. I can smell your heat and I’m trying really hard to keep my hands to myself.” His breathing deepened with each word.

She stretched sensuously against him and said, “I don’t want you to keep them to yourself.” Delaine reached for his hand splayed across her hip and placed it boldly on her breasts. She closed her eyes on a swift intake of breath as Justin proved he could more than take it from there.

Since I promised you a juicy excerpt from STRIP SEARCH the other day, I’m keeping my promise. Here’s a little taste of what’s coming. Just 17 days until release!!!

“You’re not still pouting about your costume, are you?”

Nicki. Mark whirled toward the sound of her voice to see her entering the stage area from the left, dressed in a denim skirt that showed a long length of thigh and a white sleeveless top that gathered right beneath breasts, which he lamented that he hadn’t gotten his mouth around when he’d pressed her between the wall and his raging hard cock three days ago.

She’d been avoiding him since.

“I don’t pout,” he returned.

Rolling her eyes, Nicki flashed him a kitten’s smile. “All men do. Whether you call it brooding or contemplating or ‘needing space,’ it’s pouting.”

“So do you women have a name for that thing you do when you avoid us, like you’ve been doing to me?”

Her mouth tightened. “I have not.”

“Isn’t that code for ‘needing to catch up on a few things?’”

“There’s no code for being busy. It’s just a fact of life. I have more to accomplish than to buff myself up at the gym by day and take my clothes off at night.” She tossed the glossy curtain of her inky hair behind one shoulder. “Besides, I don’t owe you an explanation. We’re not dating.”

Mark cupped his chin and pretended deep thought. “No, we’re just almost having sex against your breakfast nook wall.”

“It was just a kiss!”

He held in a laugh. “Okay, we’ll go with your terminology. A kiss, as I knew it, was much less involved. But I definitely like your idea better. I’ll be sure to win more bets from you so we can…explore that definition more.”

Nicki’s face turned several shades of pink. “Don’t be a smart ass. You cornered me and we kissed. I let things go on a bit too long. Out of curiosity, more than anything else.”

Curiosity? Yeah, right. Did she expect him to believe in the Easter Bunny, too?

“Hmm. So the hard nipples in my palms and the damp panties pressed against me, that was curiosity?” He grinned. “I like your way of being curious. I noticed the more demanding I got, the wetter you got. What other burning questions do you have that I can help you solve?”

She drew in a harsh breath and stepped closer, blue eyes flashing. Oh, boy. Nicki had a temper, and Mark had no trouble guessing that he was pissing her off good.
Too bad. He wasn’t about to let her deny that their “kiss” packed all the punch of an X-rated Christmas and Fourth of July celebration rolled together.

He couldn’t forget it. Why should she get off easy?

“Oh, and your reaction was so cerebral?” she shot back. “I doubt very much that was a…a lead pipe in your jeans.”

Mark figured he could play this one of two ways. One, he could ‘fess up to the fact she’d charged him up enough to supply Vegas’s power grid for a month. Two, he could downplay, even deny, his intense reaction to her–and watch the fireworks.

He’d bet his second degree black belt that her pride wouldn’t stand for the latter.

Feigning a shrug, he said. “A hard-on is like a reflex for a guy. You’re female, I’m male… It happens. It doesn’t mean anything.”

“Really? And you’re just tossing my reaction up in my face to inflate your own ego?” Her glare was half disbelief, half fury.

Pretending to ponder, Mark wandered a bit closer. “I hadn’t given it much thought. Maybe I am.”

She gritted her teeth and closed her eyes. Mark swore she was counting to ten.

“This is why I don’t date. No one in the asshole population appeals to me. You all feed us every line of crap you can think of and–”

“You think I’m lying?” Mark did his best to sound offended.

Nicki’s eyes threatened to bulge from their sockets.

One way ticket to Las Vegas: three hundred fifty dollars. A week’s stay at the Bellagio while he convinced Nicki to give him this crazy job: eighteen hundred dollars. Cost of pizza to bribe his way into her apartment: fifteen bucks. Seeing her reaction to his claim that she didn’t particularly affect him sexually: absolutely priceless.

Holding in his mirth, Mark regarded her with the blandest expression he could manage…anticipating the imminent pyrotechnics.

“Yes! You pinned me to a wall. You extended the kiss. You–you lifted my shirt and–”

“I enjoyed it. Don’t get me wrong.”

“But I personally didn’t affect you? Any pair of breasts would do? You just had an erection that felt harder than granite for no other reason than the fact I’m estrogen-based?”

Nicki was winding herself up, and Mark was enjoying the view. Amazing that she hadn’t stopped long enough to realize he was feeding her a line of bullshit just to yank her chain. His sister Kerry had ceased falling for his elaborate practical jokes when they were still teenagers and taken the fun out of everything. His sexy new boss was fresh game.

“You know, I don’t know,” he said finally. “Not just any female gets me going, obviously. I doubt someone like Joan Rivers would get a rise out of me.” Mark paused, pretending to consider the situation. “Come to think of it, I haven’t really been interested in anyone for awhile. Maybe it is you.”

“Maybe? But you really don’t know?”

Her feminine pride stung, he could tell. Poor baby. Next time, she’d know better than to write off the amazing chemistry between them. But today, he had a point to prove.

“Yeah, maybe.” He shrugged. “How can I really know?”

Nicki’s gaze, full of fire and challenge, skimmed his body, pausing over what he might politely call his lap.

“No lead pipe at the moment, it appears.”

“Nope.” Mark nearly bit the inside of his cheek to hold in a grin.

She slowly prowled toward him, hips swaying, those blue eyes glinting with an adult-style dare. No question, she was coming after him with both barrels.

He could hardly wait.

Mark expected the full frontal assault. It was her easiest and quickest shot to his libido. But no. She surprised him by brushing past him, her breasts barely grazing his arm. Stopping behind him, she ran a finger lightly down his spine–a mere ghost of a touch. Sensations shivered their way through his body, bursting out from his center.

His cock began to twitch.

Drawing in a deep breath, he waited, feeling Nicki ease to his left. Her hand trailed from his hip, over his ass and down his thigh, as she sidled up to his left shoulder. Once there, the lodging of her breasts on either side of his arm was clearly no accident. Damn, he wanted to turn to her, grab her, introduce her back to the stage floor for about the next two hours. Reminding himself that he was trying to convince her that he was unmoved, at least for now, he did nothing.

“You know,” she whispered, her voice sex-filled and uneven, “It’s important that the male dancers remain impervious to all the temptation presented by the club’s female guests. If you have trouble controlling your reaction to women in general, we’re going to have a problem. You’ll need to practice resisting your…reflex.”

He looked down, and Nicki’s sultry smile nearly blasted a hole in all his plans. Half challenge, half invitation, that smile beckoned, communicated her power as a woman, taunted him with her self-confidence. She would do her utmost to turn him on.

Well, she was welcome to try. More than welcome.

“No…reflexes?” he asked.

Nicki slanted a saucy smile up his way. “G-strings don’t leave much to the imagination. It’s a no-no to show too much. Takes all the mystery out of things.”

“I see. How do I practice resisting, as you suggest?”

“Let’s see how much practice you need first.”

Her game amused and thrilled the hell out of him all at once. He couldn’t wait to see where this was going. “All right.”

Blue eyes lit with mischief, she stood on tiptoes to whisper, “Pretend you’ve just finished your first number and you’ve approached my table. Let’s see how you react to this.”

Before Mark could even begin to guess her intent, Nicki nibbled on his earlobe, then brushed her mouth against the sensitive column of his neck. He shivered as the mounds of her breasts pressed against him, her warm breath heating his skin.

Damn, she smelled good, like cinnamon and citrus all mixed. But he managed to keep in control.

Nicki reached across his body. One of her hands founds its way into the disco-deep V of his costume’s black shirt and nestled against his skin. The feel of her touching him…wow. More than one of his fantasies in the last few days had been all about that.

He swallowed as she smoothed her palm down his bare chest and abdomen. Her slow fingers journeyed back up, leaving tingles in their wake. That added to his rising temperature.

Might be a good idea to start thinking of Joan Rivers right about now…

As her slow, sure palm reached his chest once more, her thumb toyed with his nipple in teasing strokes, back and forth, back and forth. Both nipples stood at attention. Goose bumps broke out across his skin, along with a light sweat.

Nicki tossed him a teasing smile and licked those full red lips he hadn’t quite forgotten tasting. At the sight, he sucked in a breath, as a jolt of desire radiated down toward his dick.

Gritting his teeth, Mark managed to keep his “reflex” under control. Barely.

“See,” he said. “I’m good to go.”

Liar, liar, liar. The strain in his voice proved it.

“Oh, I’m just getting started.”

That sounded deliciously ominous.

“Nicki…”

The woman predictably ignored him and pulled him down to press a barely there kiss to the corner of his mouth, a series of kisses against his jaw. She pressed her entire body flush against him, and the feel of her nipples against his chest nearly drove him past his control. She was small and lush and fiery in his arms, and Mark clenched his fists at his sides to keep from grabbing her and letting his hands communicate his rapidly growing interest in the concept of having her naked on top of him.

Mark barely realized that Nicki was nudging him backward until he almost stumbled. She kept on, driving him back with her hands at his hips and her lips grazing his throat.

Holy shit, she smelled good. Noticing a woman’s scent…he couldn’t remember the last time he had unless, like with Tiffany, the store-bought musk made him sneeze. But this was all Nicki. A pinch of spice, a bit of tang–and a hint of her arousal, the scent he knew he’d wallow in once he had her naked and legs spread for his waiting tongue.

Oops, his “reflex” was kicking into gear at that thought.

She forced him back another step. He retreated the next pace on his own, hoping he could avoid contact with her lower body, especially the good parts. She would know she’d won then.

Time to think of…oh, even Joan Rivers wasn’t killing his mood, mostly because he couldn’t get Nicki out of his head. Damn it! Remember jail. Think of Blade Bocelli’s ass nailed to a prison wall. Picture Barney Fife break dancing.

Too late.

The back of his knees hit a chair that doubled as a stage prop, and down he went. He landed on his ass with a thud in the metal chair. His bulk nearly sent it tumbling back, but he caught himself. He had no time for self-pats on the back, though.

Not when Nicki dropped to her knees in front of him.

Gang,

I’m running short on time today. I’m promising a nice juicy excerpt from STRIP SEARCH sometime this weekend. But right now I’m behind, and the NBA finals are on, so I’ll keep this short and oh-so sexy.

Enjoy yourself… He looks like he might do the same. :-)

Well, I’m not a vampire, so if anyone was expecting Lestat, sorry to disappoint. Besides, I’m WAY too much of a morning person to go vampire.

Instead, you get Interview with a Writer–Me. I’m going to post a few excerpts here, but you can view the full interview by visiting The Bookstore’s website (in Radcliff, KY). Debbie over there was nice enough to interview me over the weekend. So here’s a few highlights. Now you’ll REALLY know I’m a little off base. LOL!

Please tell our readers what kind of books you write. How many books do you have our now?

I write anything that’s sizzle from the heart. I’ve written historicals, contemporaries, eroticas. I’m toying with a paranormal series. But in anything I write the underlying theme will always be very sexy, very emotional, and always a romance. Between what’s been released and what I’ve sold, I’m at 15 books and counting…

How did you get started in your writing career? Is this something you have always wanted to do? How long have you been writing?

I started reading romances in college, and I was hooked! I started writing seriously shortly after I married, about 15 years ago. I can’t imagine loving anything more than I adore writing these stories that live and breathe inside me.

Where were when you saw your first book on the store shelf? What was your reaction? Did you have a celebration? Does it still give you a thrill to see your books on the store shelves or even better on someone’s keeper shelf?

I was at Wal-Mart the first time I saw my book on a store shelf. Reaction? Gosh… Cool, neat, wow. I hope people like it! Your first book is a nerve-wracking experience–or was for me. When people tell me today that I’m on their keeper shelf, that’s far more special to me. I know my keeper shelf is small, so I feel honored when a reader tells me I’ve made it onto that hallowed space.

You have two contemporaries out. BOUND AND DETERMINED, a January 2006 release and STRIP SEARCH, a July 2006 release. Tell us about these two books. I believe they are connected. In STRIP SEARCH, will we be revisiting any of the characters from BOUND AND DETERMINED?

BOUND AND DETERMINED follows the (mis)adventures of a young Florida waitress/student doing everything she can to keep her brother out of prison for a crime he didn’t commit. In order to prove that, she commits her own crime–kidnapping a top electronic security expert and holding him captive until he agrees to help. And as my backcover copy says, Kerry soon realizes that the only way to get her way is so let Rafe have his way…with her. It’s a fun story that’s still very dear to my heart, and I’ve received so many wonderful accolades and great pieces of reader mail regarding this book.

STRIP SEARCH is a continuation of this series. If you read BOUND AND DETERMINED, you know there’s one character whose life falls utterly apart as Kerry and Rafe are committing to their happily ever after. When I started B&D, I never imagined giving this character a book…but I just couldn’t leave such a great person in despair. So STRIP SEARCH was born. I’m thrilled that people will get to see how this character copes, recovers, falls in love. It’s sizzling and, to me, touching to see the recovery and healing. I hope readers feel the same.

Can you share with us what you do for fun and relaxation? Do you have a favorite activity or comfort good that automatically makes a bad or super busy day better?

Fun and relaxation… Not a lot of time for that, but I love reading, going to Disney World, anything Harry Potter. I listen to a lot of music because, no matter where I am, I can get off in my own zone with my iPod going. Once a month, my daughter and I go out together and have our nails done. It’s a nice, just-for-girls activity. About 3-4 times a week I head to the gym and do an hour of step aerobics and weightlifting. It’s a good de-stresser and helps me sleep better. Food, well, I’m all about Mexican food. Love Italian, too. Of course, I LOVE chocolate. Yellow cakes with chocolate frosting are a particular weakness of mine–so I don’t keep that stuff in the house!

Is there anything you would change if you were starting over? Has there been anything different that you expected?

No. I’ve learned a lot along the way. It’s helped shape me and give my a perspective on publishing and my work. I have hopes going forward, but I wouldn’t change the past.

Beach Party – Summer Chat
June 14- 10:00 PM EST
You can access the chat at the Romance Designs chatroom:

Come One! Come All! Don’t miss this opportunity to
chat with some of your favorite authors!!

Cornelia Amiri, Melanie Atkins, Roz Bailey, Sandy Blair, Jen Bokal, Geri Buckley Borcz, Shelley Bradley, Nicole Byrd, Charlene Caesar, Kristina Cook, Kate Donovan, Karen Fenech, Metsy Hingle, Alesia Holliday, Jackie Ivie, Pamela K Kinney, Brianna Martini, Sandra Marton, Dorothy McFalls, PJ Mellor, Eugenie Seifer Olson, Lisa Richardson, JoAnn Ross, Marilyn Shoemaker, Elizabeth Stewart, Kelley St. John, Hope Tarr, Kimberly Ungar, Lori Wilde and Beth Wylde

…and win some very cool prizes…
1 Stuffed toy fox from Cornelia Amiri
1 Cherished Witness mug filled with all sorts of goodies from Melanie Atkins.
1 Advanced readers copy of POSTCARDS FROM LAST SUMMER by Roz Bailey ( August 2006)
1 Festive porcelain serving dish shaped and designed like a postcard from a tropical getaway From Roz Bailey.
1 Package of Scottish fudge and an autographed copy of A ROGUE IN A KILT by Sandy Blair.
1 Devil’s Knight by Geri Borcz
1 Loving Glory by Geri Borcz
1 Asking For Trouble by Geri Borcz
1 One Wild Rose by Geri Borcz
1 For Pete’s Sake by Geri Buckley
1 Signed copy of BOUND AND DETERMINED by Shelley Bradley, along with a 3 chapter sneak peek of STRIP SEARCH and some other goodies.
1 DEAR IMPOSTOR by Nicole Byrd
1 Signed copy UNDRESSED By Kristina Cook
1 signed copy of one of Kate Donovan’s Silhouette Bombshell titles, Winners Choice.
1 “Beach pack” consisting of my “Black Silk” tote bag stuffed with copies of BLACK SILK by Metsy Hingle and a copy of Metsy Hingle’s latest Silhouette Desire, THE RAGS-TO-RICHES WIFE, the launch book for the new Secret Lives of Society Wives series. Also included is a commemorative magnet, pen and bookmarks.
1 Autographed copy of BLONDES HAVE MORE FELONS By Alesia Holliday
1 Copy of Tender is the Knight By Jackie Ivie , and signed coverflats of my upcoming one, The Knight before Christmas.
1 PDF file of Pamela K Kinney’s erotic fantasy, “Wedded Magic” by LoveYouDivine.Com
1 Autographed manuscripts of, THE SUN, THE MOON AND THE STARS, erotic poetry ebook by Brianna Martini including 4 autographed postcards, 2 bookmarks. (title subject to change)
1 Autographed manuscripts of, LORD BRYON AND LADY FRANCESCA, an erotic historical romance by Brianna Martini including 4 autographed postcards, 2 bookmarks. (title subject to change)
1 Autographed tee shirt of Brianna Martini’s bookcover, 4 autographed postcards and 2 bookmarks
1 Signed copies of Sandra Marton’s current, best-selling trilogy THE KNIGHT BROTHERS for Presents UNCUT Including: THE DESERT VIRGIN, CAPTIVE IN HIS BED, and NAKED IN HIS ARMS.
1 digital download of THE HUNTRESS by Dorothy McFalls
1 Signed copy of LOVE IN THE TIME OF TAFFETA by Eugenie Seifer Olson
1 Signed copy of THE PAJAMA GAME by Eugenie Seifer Olson
1 “Beach Pack” with everything you need for a fabulous summer reading vacation: a Kenneth Cole beach bag; a beach towel; autographed copies of BAYOU BAD BOYS by JoAnn Ross et al, and its sequel, BAD BOYS SOUTHERN STYLE by JoAnn Ross et al ; THE CALLAHAN BROTHERS TRILOGY (featuring all three books: BLUE BAYOU, RIVER ROAD, & MAGNOLIA MOON in one trade-size edition) by JoAnn Ross; last summer’s hot, hot, hot! romantic suspense, BLAZE by JoAnn Ross ; and, of course, to keep you from getting burned while reading all these sexy beach books, sunscreen!
1 $25.00 gift certificate Barnes and Noble on behalf of Seattle Snoops from Marilyn Shoemaker.
1 Download copy of THE REMEMBERER by Elizabeth Stewart.
1 Autographed hardcover of GOOD GIRLS DON’T by Kelley St. John .
1 Signed copy Hope Tarr’s of back list titles, A ROGUE’S PLEASURE, MY LORD JACK, and TEMPTING to one winner as well as a signed cover flat for my July ’06 release, VANQUISHED.
1 THE SEA KING by Jolie Mathis.
1 autographed copy of YOU ONLY LOVE TWICE by Lori Wilde
1 autographed copy of ANGELS AND OUTLAWS by Lori Wilde
1 autographed copy of DESTINY’S HAND by Lori Wilde
1 autographed copy of SAVING ALLEGHENY GREEN by Lori Wilde
1 Free download of Beth Wylde’s novella FULL MOON MADNESS.

See you there!!

For everyone who (like me) misses those delicious Viking books, check out this debut from Berkley Sensation from Jolie Mathis:

THE SEA KING – June 2006
by Jolie Mathis
ISBN 0-425-21065-0 / Berkley Sensation
www.joliemathis.com

Kol Thorleksson, the powerful Viking warrior known as the Sea King, owes his life to the young Saxon woman who risked everything to free him from bondage. Two years later, he has returned to Norsex, this time to wreak vengeance on those who plotted to destroy him. He is shocked to discover that the lovely woman who helped him regain his freedom is the sister of the tyrant who sought to take it away.

Not a day has passed without Princess Isabel of Norsex thinking of the handsome Viking who crossed her path. But when her peaceful world is threatened by barbarians, the last thing she expects is to find Kol at their helm. Now, with danger lurking in every corner of her kingdom, Isabel finds herself torn between her sworn allegiance and her traitorous heart…

What others have to say about THE SEA KING:

“Jolie Mathis pulls out all the stops and gives you a wonderfully entertaining book with a strong hero and a heroine who will steal your heart… A marvelous debut.”
~ The Best Reviews

“The passionate tension will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Jolie Mathis is a great writer with a creative flair that will surely take her far.” ~ The Romance Studio

“If you’re looking for a delightful, delicious read, look no further.” ~ Katie MacAlister, USA Today bestselling author

“Stunning evocation of a fascinating time and place… a window to the past that lets you join the age of Vikings and Saxons for a thrilling, nonstop adventure.” ~ Susan Squires, NYT bestselling author

Jolie is hosting a contest through her blog this month! Go to Jolie’s blog for a chance to win a $40 gift certificate to www.art.com!