As usual, gang, business first, then the fun stuff. I’ll be chatting tonight at NovelTalk at 9pm Eastern/6pm Pacific. Join me to talk about this book, others, the crazy business of writing–or whatever! There will be fun and more prizes. Don’t miss out!

Yesterday’s winner of a signed copy of BOUND AND DETERMINED and the other 2 erotic romances is… Angie T. Congrats! Contact me via the contact form on my site no later than Friday to tell me where to deliver your prize.

By popular demand, today’s prize is a signed copy of STRIP SEARCH, along with a copy of HELL KAT (Vivi Anna) and MAKING HIM WANT IT (Renee Luke). To win, just read the excerpt and leave a comment!!

Now, let’s get down to the next juicy excerpt from NAUGHTY LITTLE SECRET!!! If you’re just joining us, this e-book released on Tuesday from Samhain, but there’s still time to grab a copy and join the party!

Excerpt NAUGHTY LITTLE SECRET
by Shelley Bradley
Samhain Publishing – August 2006
Adult Excerpt – If you’re not 18 or older, please navigate elsewhere

Awareness prickled along her spine suddenly. Lauren swore she could hear someone exhale. Raggedly. Goosebumps raised on her arms, getting bigger as her heart raced faster.

Or was it possible she wasn’t alone? Maybe Mr. Mysterious was here, waiting to make good on his plan to ravish her body once for each bloom in that awesome bouquet she’d received earlier today.

Lauren reached for the chair. “Hello?”

Nothing. But suddenly, she felt him here. Yes, she was tired, and it was possible her imagination was overactive…but she didn’t think so.

Her heart raced like it was finishing the final laps at the Indy 500. Bracing herself on the chair, she made to walk out of the dining room and into the foyer to flip on a light. She’d told him to leave Friday night. The man coming back…not a good idea. He would only take her body and mess with her head, if she let him.

She wasn’t about to allow that.

A firm hand clamped around her wrist before she got anywhere near the light switch and pulled, jerking her back against the hot width of his male chest.

Electricity shot down her arm, exploded in her body. She gasped in the darkness. Oh, God. He was back. Here. And given the erect cock prodding her backside, Lauren didn’t have to guess twice what he had in mind.

“Hello, Lauren,” he whispered in her ear. “I told you I’d be back.”

Mr. Mysterious. And she knew what he wanted. His sin-infused voice rasped against her senses. Like the devil’s, his voice seemed to say that he’d returned not just to possess her body but to steal her soul. Adrenaline pumped into her and morphed into arousal that snaked through her mercilessly.

His other hand journeyed from her waist up, up—until his palm smoothed over her breast.

“Hard nipples. Nice welcome. For me?”

His touch was like fire. She swallowed against the zip of pleasure slinking up her spine. “Who are you?”

He tsked at her. “We’ve already played that game. Now’s not the time to rehash it again. I’m here to play something far more interesting.”

“But I never got an answer.”

“All in good time.” As if he knew his answer would piss her off, he tempered the words with a seductive caress of his lips over the sensitive crook of her neck. His fingertips skated over her nipples. Her knees buckled.

“You shouldn’t be here.” Her voice shook.

“You’re right. I shouldn’t be here.” He nudged his hard cock against the small of her back. “I should be…”

The hand he’d anchored at her waist dipped south. Lauren’s belly fluttered as his palm glided over her flesh. Heat blossomed inside her as his fingers inched slowly toward the damp, aching spot between her legs.

He covered her mound with his enormous hand. “Here. Right here.”

“No,” she choked past her urge to whimper and beg.

What was it about the man’s touch? Like an electric kaleidoscope of color and sensation. One touch and she could barely remember her own name, much less resist.

“Did you like your roses?” His hushed voice teased, taunted, made her shiver.

“Yes.” She heard the tremble in her voice. “But what you want…it’s not possible.”

His wicked chuckle in her ear sent a shiver through her. He palmed the flat of her belly, bringing her even closer to him. “It’s inevitable.”

Warm, moist lips trailed a path of kisses from her ear down to her shoulder. His hot breath heated her, stirring across her skin. Lauren shivered.

“I love the feel of you trembling for me. I want to feel that tonight as I fuck you.” He nipped on her lobe. “As I make love to you.”

“No,” she protested.

But it was weak. Very weak. Already, his body heat and her memories were combining to crush her resistance. His mouth at her neck drumming up her desires helped to make her self-control look like a tin can freshly crushed for recycling.

“Yes. You’re special. I want to show you that, give you the kind of pleasure you’ve never had.”

“You already have. Friday night was amazing, but—”

“Friday night was just a start. I’m dying to give you more. Everything.”

Lauren exhaled raggedly. Everything? She didn’t doubt he could. If he did, however, she feared her heart and her body wouldn’t be hers anymore by the time he was done.

“I already said no.”

“I respect that word,” he promised. “But not when you’re quivering in my arms and creaming your panties while you say it.”

Damn! He knew she wanted him.

Of course he knew. The man wasn’t an idiot. He was a single-minded, sexually-driven god between the sheets, his hard body was well equipped to drive a woman to repeated orgasms.

And you’re resisting…why? Her sex drive asked.

Her sex drive was not helping her keep her priorities straight.

“That isn’t the point. I’m not ruled by my panties.”

“Ruled? No. But let’s see if your panties and I can persuade you…”

Before Lauren could breathe or form a coherent answer, Mr. Mysterious had reached beneath her suit skirt and grabbed the panties in question. With a good yank, he ripped them away and tossed them to the ground.

“You don’t wear those again this week, day or night. I want to know that pretty pussy is bare and waiting for me all day.”

“At work—”

“No one at work will know.” He froze. “Unless you plan on showing someone you work with.”

Lauren’s mind flooded with images of Noah—smiling, frowning in thought, shooting her a heated stare. Instead of ramping her desire down, the thought of giving Noah a glimpse of her bare, wet sex made her desire spike fiercely.

“Do you?” he demanded.

“N—no,” she stammered. “But that doesn’t mean I’m going to show you.”

“Oh?” He slipped his fingers into her wet slit, right over her clit and gave a soft little slide. “You’re this wet and needy but you plan to ease yourself?”

As if she could… Only he made her ache like this. Damn him.

Even now, those fingers of his, just grazing her clit slowly, rhythmically, slowly destroyed her defiance—and sanity. The coil of need wrapped tighter and tighter low in her belly, right between her legs. She bit her lip to keep from crying out.

But he knew.

“Don’t hold it in. I want you to tell me how you feel.”

“Stop,” she grated out.

He did. Instantly. His fingers ceased their lush, leisurely stimulation. But his fingers remained on her hard clit, which pulsed under his touch, silently begging. The ache between her legs became a clamp of pleasure/pain at the sudden deprivation of his strokes.

Nothing in the world could stop the whimper that clawed up her throat and out of her mouth.

“I know,” he murmured gruffly. “I feel you throbbing under my fingers. It’s the same way my cock throbs for you. Want me to make it better, sugar?”

Have a great day!

Business first, then the fun stuff. I’ll be chatting tonight at Romance Designs at 9pm Eastern/6pm Pacific. Join me to talk about this book, others, the crazy business of writing–or whatever! There will be fun and more prizes. Don’t miss out!

Yesterday’s winner of a signed copy of STRIP SEARCH, an Ellora’s Caveman 2006 calendar and other surprise books is… Jeannette Jackson. Congrats! Contact me via the contact form on my site no later than Friday to tell me where to deliver your prize.

Today’s prize is a signed copy of BOUND AND DETERMINED, along with a copy of Secrets, Volume 13 and Ellora’s Cavemen, Tales from the Temple II. To win, just read and leave a comment!!

Now, let’s get down to the next juicy excerpt from NAUGHTY LITTLE SECRET!!! If you’re joining the party late, this book released yesterday from Samhain publishing to great reviews. I’m already hearing from readers. Here’s a few comments:

“Just wanted to let you know that Naughty Little Secret was awesome. I loved it and can’t wait for more.” ~ Zoe

“Congratulations Shelley the book was wonderful! The sex hot and the storyline captivating. I give it a full 5 panties(and I don’t give out easily.LOL)” ~ Stacey

“I just finished it! It’s awesome!” ~ Claudia

“I loved Naughty!! AWESOME!!” ~ Melissa

I’m pretty excited about having so many wonderful comments. Thanks, everyone! If you read it and liked it (or didn’t), drop me a comment. I really enjoy hearing from readers.

Now, here’s your excerpt…

Excerpt NAUGHTY LITTLE SECRET
by Shelley Bradley
Samhain Publishing – August 2006
Adult Excerpt – If you’re not 18 or older, please navigate elsewhere

“Want you,” he breathed harshly in her ear. “So damn bad.”

His words made her belly—and something a tad lower—pulse with a ferocious beat. Lauren stopped fighting the battle she couldn’t hope to fight. He melted her. Completely. Made her dizzy. Crazy. She’d never known anything like it.

Moaning into his mouth, she arched up to him and kissed him. He answered with a groan, curling his tongue around hers, entangling them again. She invited him to take his fill. Surrendered.

The stranger didn’t hesitate to take his possession deeper. He held her face in his hands gently, as if she were precious to him. But his kiss… He took her mouth again in a fierce mating, throbbing with harsh hunger. The flame of his desire ignited her even more. Lauren felt every crush of his lips and lash of his tongue against her own deep inside her, where she was now soaking and aching and praying he would replace it all with satisfaction. Soon.

She fought the cuffs, wanting to touch him, feel the sleek, hard flesh she knew lurked under his soft cotton shirt. They jangled with finality. Arching, entreating, she whimpered into his mouth. On their own, her legs parted farther, wrapped around him.

“Yes,” he growled. “Give me everything.”

He rocked against her again, and the ache between her legs tightened. She was on fire now. God, the heat raged inside her, demanding she know the taste of his skin, the feel of his bunching shoulders under her palms as he thrust every inch of his cock inside her.

“Uncuff me,” she panted against his chest. “Please.”

“Next time.”

He drew back, and she felt cold without him. Until she heard the rustling of clothing. He was undressing.

This was happening, really happening. A stranger was actually stripping in her bedroom with every intent to have sex with her. Lauren would have thought she was dreaming if it didn’t feel so real.

“If you touch me now, I’ll explode.”

A whisper of misgiving shifted through her. “I’m afraid. I—I’ve never been tied down.”

He leaned over her, and Lauren felt his heat seep inside her, the brush of his bare skin arousing. “Get used to it. I’m going to love having you bound and under me so I can watch you come while you’re at my mercy.”

Oh, God. He’d already stripped down to his skin. Now, he was stripping her of her defenses. His wicked words, coupled with the confession that he wanted her badly, tore away at her patience. But something tugged at her. Something familiar about his voice. Had she heard it somewhere?

A fast, fierce kiss put an end to the thought. His clever tongue swept through her mouth and captured hers. The kiss became a tango of shallow breaths and urgency, all fueled by his buttery-rich skill. He kissed her ruthlessly, like a man with just one thing on his mind.

He was making her think about sex, too. In fact, she couldn’t think about anything else.

The cacophony of sensations ricocheted through her body, settling right where she ached like she’d been without sex for centuries, not a couple of years.

“Hurry,” she demanded.

“I’ve waited so damn long. I’m not rushing this.”

He’d waited? For her?

The puzzle made no sense, but his gruff whisper shot both a fresh thrill and a protest through her. Her body throbbed like a ceaseless toothache. He was going to make her wait.

“You’ve flushed the prettiest pink. Everything about you turns me on.” His raspy whisper throbbed inside her.

His voice…low and rough and arousing. A hint of something familiar. Should she know it?

Lauren frowned, trying to puzzle it out with her overheated brain. But he settled on top of her again, her sensitive breasts meeting the hot slab of his chest. Think tank time was over.

A light dusting of hair grazed her nipples. And he was hard everywhere—pecs, abs, cock, thighs—all taut and ready and covering her with the intent to take. Electricity sparked every sensitive spot on her skin. Lauren softened around him, her body fitting against him perfectly, molding her every curve to his hard angles. Amazing. Like pieces of a puzzle made for each other. Perfect.

She raised her hip to him. “Now.”

“I’m dying to.” The words were a tortured moan. “But I have to get my mouth on you first. I have to taste you.”

Before she could protest, his lips brushed the side of her breast. Heat curled everywhere he kissed and laved. He lifted his head, and Lauren swore she could feel his gaze on her nipples. More blood rushed to them, engorging them.

“Fucking beautiful,” he murmured as his tongue curled around the sensitive tip.

Pleasure washed over her, cascading down her senses like a hot fall of liquid desire. She moaned, arched toward him—and he rewarded her by sucking her breast deep into his mouth. Voracious. His hard pulls tugged the ache between her legs into something sharp and impatient. A gentle scrape of his teeth, a subtle nip, then explosions of sensation detonated all through her, and she cried out.

“So responsive,” he praised as he transferred his attention to her other nipple.

He laved it with the same care, a hard suck, a small stinging bite. The pleasure ratcheted up, the ache clamping down deep in her sex. She clenched her hands into fists. Perspiration filmed her chest. She couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think.

Lauren could only want.

And when he smoothed his palm down her belly, yanked off her thong, and slid his hot finger through her aching wet slit, she cried out.

“Oh, hell,” he panted against her breast. “You’re bare. Do you shave?”

“Wax,” she moaned.

“That’s so damn sexy.”

It was merely cleaner to her, but everything he did was sexy. Everything he said made her feel sexy. No one had made her feel like a desirable woman in a very long time. She wanted more. Now.

She opened her mouth to make a demand of her own when he circled his fingers around her swollen, humid opening, sensitizing her to his touch. Before she could take another breath, he plunged two fingers deep.

Oh, God. She was dissolving. Disintegrating. Coming apart already. How much of her mind would she lose if he thrust his cock inside her?

“I knew you’d feel amazing,” he groaned.

But she barely heard. Pleasure ripped a cry from her throat. He was sending her into a spiral she had never experienced, had barely imagined in her wildest fantasies. And he thought she was amazing?

He twisted his fingers inside her and hooked them upward, reaching a sensitive spot in her slick channel that nearly had her coming off the bed. And if he kept touching her there, she’d be coming. Period.

Lauren thrust her hips up and pleaded, “Now. Please.”

“Soon.”

“But—”

As he thrust his fingers deep again, she felt him shake his head. No.

Damn!

Soft strands of his hair tickling her skin as he shifted down, his mouth leading the way. Pressing soft kisses on her shoulder, the side of her breast, her belly…lower, she gasped, writhed, moaned.

“I’ve got to taste you.” The words were a harsh whisper against the bare flesh of her sex as he rubbed and pressed against the ultra-sensitive spot inside her. “Open for me, Lauren.”

She did, probably setting a new world record as she bent her knees, raised to him in invitation. Ready, eager, for him to envelop her, fill her…fulfill her.

“You’re damn tight,” he gritted, maneuvering his fingers into the hot depths of her sex. “How long has it been?”

She was about to explode into a million pieces and he wanted her to answer a question? “Two years, “ she gasped. “And a few months.”

“Then let’s make sure you’re good and wet before I fuck you. Because I’m going to tonight. Hard.”

Have a great day!

Gang, now that NAUGHTY LITTLE SECRET has been released *squee!!*, I’ll be posting a new excerpt from the book every day through Friday. All you have to do is read and leave a comment about the book. For every comment, I’ll enter your name in a drawing in a daily drawing. Check back the previous day to see if you’ve won. If so, contact me so I can send you your prize. Simple, huh?

Today’s prize: A signed copy of STRIP SEARCH, a 2006 Ellora’s Caveman calendar and other surprise reads. Remember, comment today and check back tomorrow to see if you won!

In case you don’t know what the book is about here’s a quick blurb:

After divorcing her never-home husband, Lauren Southall plucked up her courage, dusted off her power suits, and returned to corporate life. Two years later, there’s just one six-foot three, testosterone-packed problem: her ex-husband’s good friend and her current boss, Noah Reeves. Lauren aches for him. But she can’t possibly measure up to the silicone-packed professional cheerleaders he dates. So she hides her desire behind a professional persona and fantasizes.

For ten years, Noah Reeves has waited to make Lauren his. Once her divorce was final, he tracked down and hired the brilliant, dedicated woman. But when he’s with her, it isn’t spreadsheets and profit margins on his brain. Problem is, she’s never seen him as anything but her ex-husband’s pal. Now that she’s finally a free woman and with him 40+ hours a week, well… he’d love to persuade her to throw in her nights and weekends. So Noah decides to romance her by day. By night, he becomes a mysterious stranger devoted only to her pleasure…and discovers she’s hiding a naughty little secret of her own.

NAUGHTY LITTLE SECRET
by Shelley Bradley
Samhain Publishing – August 2006
Excerpt

When she opened her mouth to scream, he covered it and whispered into her ear, “I promised you naked skin and fantasies. Tonight. The whole night. Are you ready?”

Lauren froze, the unfamiliar whisper echoing in her ears. The pounding of her heart almost drowned the sound out. Almost…but she could still hear him breathing. Hard.

As he leaned against her, she could tell that his breathing wasn’t the only thing hard.

Oh. My. God. The stranger was in her house. In her bed. Suddenly, she was terrified. She tried to remember everything she’d ever read about serial killers and rapists. But she was blank, rushed by a dousing of cold panic.

Half his body lay over hers. Judging from the fact her feet tangled with his calves and his wide chest enveloped her in solid heat, he was built tall, at least six feet, and like a wall of iron. While he didn’t exactly pin her to the mattress, he made moving a challenge. Well, him and the handcuffs encircling her wrists.

She wasn’t going anywhere, and he was making sure she understood that without a single word.

Fresh fear zipped up her spine. Holy cow, Mr. Mysterious hadn’t failed to show up after all.

Be careful what you wish for…

Yeah, Lauren wished she’d thought in detail about the fact a stranger had vowed to strip her down and fill her up, rather than focusing simply on how nice it was to be noticed and wanted. This stranger had sneaked into her house, and he didn’t have a rousing game of checkers on his mind. Oh, God. Would she wind up a police statistic?

“I can’t wait to be inside you, to make you mine.”

His deep, husky voice penetrated her panic and scratched her senses. Adrenaline jolted her. She opened her mouth to scream…but his hand still covered it.

Something about his words tore at her mind. I can’t wait to be inside you, to make you mine… His voice sounded both menacing and seductive. Did he mean those words to be a promise or a threat?

Fear and thrill clawed at her belly. She couldn’t separate them. Her mind spun, her heart pounded, and an icy slide of dread shocked her bloodstream. With the erection he pressed against her thigh, he felt fully prepared to do exactly what he’d stated and had beyond adequate equipment with which to do it. Way beyond.

For a flash of a second, she struggled. She should have told Noah she needed extra security. Should have called the police. God, how had this man stolen into her house? Handcuffed her to her own bed? Yes, she wanted excitement, but not the kind that meant she and her funeral arrangements would be the talk of the five o’clock news.

“Shh. You’re going to scream. Long and loud. But not out of fear. I won’t hurt you,” he promised. “Ever. Just pleasure you.”

With one hand over her mouth, the stranger placed the other on her shoulder and skimmed her flesh just beneath the strap of her camisole. Instead of tearing into her, he stroked her, his touch torturously unhurried. Lauren held her breath as his fingers moved across her skin, closer and closer to her breast.

What would he do? How would he touch her? It seemed unlikely he’d just seduce her and not hurt her. On the other hand, did the average serial killer have lingerie delivered to his victim’s office first? No.

That realization only confused her more. She’d love to believe this was just a seduction. But why would he go to this much trouble just to get her into bed? She was hardly movie star gorgeous.

For some reason, he had gone to great lengths to get her beneath him—and doing a damn fine job with his opportunity—as he traced the swell of her breast, toyed with the hint of cleavage above the camisole. She held in a gasp.

Against her better judgment, tingles erupted. Her nipples peaked. Pleasure bubbled inside her, scraping against fear to create a totally new sensation. Jagged. Intense. Parts south suddenly gushed with moisture.

Oh, God. She was out of her mind. Her stomach coiled with fear and she got wet when he touched her. What was the matter with her?

Ashamed, afraid, aroused, Lauren trembled as his fingertips traced ever-smaller circles around her nipples. What should she do? Fight this stranger who’d invaded her home and promised to do the same to her body? Yes!

But his gentle invasion, his touch, sent frissons of excitement dancing across her skin, sugary sensations that pushed past her resistance and roused the dormant woman inside her. God, would it be too wrong to give in to the heat building inside her and let him have his way?

Before she could answer her question, he plucked at the ties, gave a little yank, and the garment opened, fell away. Lauren couldn’t see, but the cool air caressing her nipples told her he’d bared them to his gaze. They tightened again. She held her breath, hoping he wouldn’t touch them.

Hoping he would.

“I’ve got to see this. See you.”

At her side, he shifted, leaned away, dropping his hand from her mouth. Then she heard the little click of the small light on her nightstand. Though she could see nothing behind her blindfold, she knew a muted golden light now suffused the room.

He curled his fingers around her breast and swiped a thumb across one of the peaks, groaning low and long. Lauren swallowed, her heart racing like a rollercoaster on a downhill run. He did it again. She bit her lip to hold in a moan.

The bed dipped beneath his full weight again, and he continued his attention to her breast, squeezing, rolling the hard tip between his fingers. “Gorgeous. I’ve imagined…”

His strained whisper scraped at her composure, her resistance. He burned her. Was she so desperate to be touched that a stranger who’d broken into her house and fondled her could turn her on? In a word, yes.

“Who are you?” The shaking in her voice was unmistakable.

“Shh. Later…”

“But—”

He transferred his attention to the other breast for a moment, plumping her flesh, stroking her nipple. Lauren’s words died, forgotten, under an onslaught of sensation.

“Your breasts are gorgeous, rounder than they look in clothes.”

“I sometimes wear a minimizer bra,” she blurted.

“Don’t. Ever again.” His voice was like the lash of a whip. “You’re too beautiful to hide.”

Pleasure shot down her belly, centering…right where he’d need it if he intended to get inside her. And the way she felt now, she didn’t think wetness was going to be a problem.

Was she insane? Was she actually contemplating having sex with a total stranger?

She couldn’t. Shouldn’t. It was crazy. Certifiable. Totally insane.

All true, yet…Lauren felt his exhalation brush her lips, like he hovered right above her. Like he was going to—

Before she could complete the thought, his mouth crashed over hers in a kiss that tore her breath—and every rational thought—away. Fear barely had time to flicker inside her before it was lost in the feel of his hot mouth sliding over hers, his strong hands tilting her head so he could find the perfect fit. He groaned deep from his chest.

Lauren gasped at the scalding shock of desire jolting her. And her stranger took advantage of her parted lips, stealing inside and thrusting deep. She tasted his hunger, his hot, wild demand. Pure desire went to her head faster than liquor.

The man could kiss. Make a woman feel utterly possessed with just his mouth.

He slid his hands beneath her in an urgent grip, pulling her under every hard, hot inch of him. Then those big hands grasped her thighs and pulled them apart. Lauren didn’t even have the chance to draw a breath before he settled into the cradle of her thighs, as if he belonged there. Had every right to be there. With his muscled legs, he shoved her thighs wider.

Since so few people liked my last bit of eye candy (perplexing,really–but I like intensity and am not a big fan of hairy chests), I thought I’d try a different sort of eye candy.

On August 6, I left with my family and my folks to cruise the Western Caribbean on Carnival Conquest. We had GREAT time! I spoke with some people who did not get much (or any) of a summer vacation in this year, so I thought I’d share.

Yours truly will be your guide through the ports of call, and I’ll show you some gorgeous sites. See how handy this is? No passport needed, no bags to pack. Just off we go…

Here’s a picture of the ship just before we sailed off. This is from the top deck, beside the water slide, overlooking one of the pools.

We had two days at sea before reaching our first port, which gave us plenty of time to take in views like this one from our cabin’s balcony…

Our first stop is Jamaica. I have lots of pics from here, but this is one from the top of the mountainous island looking down to the bay. The enormous ship docked is ours!

Our next stop is Grand Cayman. Unlike Jamaica, Grand Cayman is flat. But very clean and with beautiful beaches, friendly people and a fun little town called Hell. Our guide kidded that many men like to stop at the Hell post office and mail postcards to their mothers-in-law saying, “Wish you were here…”

The view below is from the tender back to the ship of the waterfront shopping area. You could buy ANYTHING there, it seemed. We even bought a t-shirt that’s white indoors and turns to various colors once UV light from the sun hits it. Very cool!

Our final stop is in Mexico. The photo below is of Playa Del Carmen. We weren’t here for long, but what we saw looked lovely and charming. The sand alone made me wish we could linger there.

We spent the majority of our time traveling to the Mayan ruins of Tulum, which is farther down the coast. I’m usually very interested in such things and love to explore. However, this day was excessively hot, and by the time we reached the parking lot and hiked to the ruins, no one was in any mood to do anything except find a cool place to sit. Most visited the beach just below the ruins. But we did stop long enough to snap a few photos.

Then after another relaxing day at sea, we were back home. No one wanted the trip to end. It was my mom’s first cruise in 30 years. My dad had never been, fearing he’d be dreadfully sea sick. Other than a bad interaction with a motion sickness patch, he had a GREAT time. We’re already planning another family cruise for Summer 2008! Until then, back to reality for me.

Hope you enjoyed the virtual vacation. Pretty sweet, huh? No laundry, no sunburn, no airplanes. Come back again! :-)

Well, gang, because I continue to immerse myself in my deadline, I’m sparing most of my words for Kimber, Deke and Luc right now. But I must entertain you, right?

Um, yummy! But back to the title of the post. He needs… Never mind. Why don’t you tell me. I have ideas like, oh, maybe a sweaty two hours with me and/or a smaller towel, but I’d love to hear your ideas.

And in case you’re wondering, no, my DH is not back in my good graces after giving me this crappy cold yet. He might get back there. Someday. When I stop coughing… :-( Until then, I feel compelled to ask my friend here if I can borrow his towel. *evil grin*

To continue the theme from the other day, I don’t have anything particularly scintillating to say, mostly because the cold I thought my hubby was giving me materialized into something really odious. Breathing is sort of a requirement for me, and with this, you don’t. Plus, the stuff I’m taking to stay upright and alive is making me really loopy. Which is NOT my usual condition, despite what some of you may think. *tee hee*

So, rather than 1 theme for this blog, as the title promises, you’ll get a little of this and a little of that.

First, in 1 itty-bitty week, my first e-book, NAUGHTY LITTLE SECRET releases from Samhain. I’ve already been blessed with a 5 star review from Romance Junkies and hope to hear more review news soon. Nice quotable from the review is on my home page, if you want to peek. BUT (here’s the part I wanted to tell you), back by popular demand, it’s daily excerpts!!

Starting next Tuesday, I’ll post a new excerpt every night until next Friday. And for every comment you make on the blog during those days, I’ll enter your name in a drawing. I’ve got some cool prizes just waiting…but I’ll keep them a secret until next Monday. Yes, I know I’m evil. :-)

Next, I found out that erotic romance is in the news again! Click here to read a great, well-researched article about the explosion of erotic romance. There’s even a nod to Passionate Ink, the Romance Writers of America chapter devoted to erotic romance, of which I’m VP. I don’t think there’s any registration to read the article, free or otherwise. So enjoy!

Last… Ah, Deke and Luc and Kimber. The story continues. Naturally, since I have about 250 pages to write in the next 10 weeks, I can’t even pretend to be done, but every so often, they surprise the hell out of me. The last time I spent with them was no exception. It’s always interesting when characters tell you their deep, dark secrets (and no, I don’t need a rubber room–this really is interesting), but when one character tells you another’s deep, dark secrets, it’s even cooler! We’re talking MAJOR fireworks here! This kind of stuff makes writing so fun. Am I going to tell you who has a deep, dark secret and what it is? Nope. DANGEROUS AND DELICIOUS is out in 14 months. You don’t mind a little sweating, do you?

I’m evil, you say? Yeah, we already covered that. Ta-ta!

Normally, I try to say something that will either make you laugh or give you insight into the crazy life of a writer. Or I like to give you information about upcoming books by fellow authors. Today… I’m just going to provide a little cheese and crackers and a whole lotta whine–not the kind made from fermented grapes. Tune out if you want.

First, my hubby is sick. Really sick. Started as a sinus infection and quickly became bronchitis. Not that he’ll admit the latter. Men! I woke up this morning feeling like he felt about 5 days ago, and if gave this to me, I’m going to beat his butt. I’m JUST getting back into Luc and Deke’s good graces, paying them the kind of attention they want. Getting sick is SO not in the plan.

I’m behind on my deadline. DANGEROUS AND DELICIOUS is due November 1. It’s NOT going to happen, I fear. I’m just pushing page 100. Gee, only 250 pages to go. Not that I think my editor will hang me for being a few weeks late, but I don’t like to be flaky, you know?

Earlier this week, a neighbor called my husband to say that our air conditioning unit on the side of the house looked like it was leaking condensation. Did my husband call someone to come look at it? Nope. He took it upon himself to get in the attic. Then he missed a support beam and stepped through my ceiling. Now I have this lovely hole that someone will have to fix, but he’s been too sick to call and I’ve been too busy. To make matters worse, he got a huge gash on his leg when he stepped through the ceiling. Did he go to the emergency room for stitches? No. He didn’t “need” them. But when he went to the doctor the other day, she told him he should have had 3-5 stitches. This is one instance when it doesn’t trouble me in the least to say “I told you so.” Men!

On Wednesday, I finally picked up my car after a month in the shop. A month after a fender bender! Well, I first picked it up on Monday and the air conditioner didn’t work. We’re working on 30+ straight days of weather over 100 here. Not having air conditioner is out of the question. So I had to turn it back in. Wednesday came, the air conditioning worked–but now there’s a crack in my windshield. They’ll fix it next week, they say. Hmm. I have a feeling I’m going to have to pursue this one or donkeys will fly first.

I broke a nail, my cat keeps laying in front of my monitor so that I can’t see, and I’m up at a crazily early hour whining like an idiot. So I’ll stop.

Whew! Thanks for listening. As a treat for putting up with me, you want a sneak peek at Deke and Luc in action? This is all unedited, and I can’t promise this will ever see the light of day, but I’m having fun. Hopefully, you will too…

Excerpt from DANGEROUS & DELICIOUS
Berkley HEAT, October 2007

Kimber paused, pondering. Then she stood. “Okay, I get it. I don’t…light your fire or whatever. Fine. I’ll just figure something else out.”

He should let her believe that and let her go, but Deke couldn’t. She had to understand that she lit his fire—and was now playing with it.

Deke stood and blocked her path. “You think you don’t light my fire?” He looked down toward his cock, thick and hard and straining the front of his jeans. A moment later, her gaze followed suit. Her little gasp only made him harder. “Kitten, you have no idea the thoughts that have been running through my mind since your request that I teach you all about sex fell out of that pretty, fuckable mouth. I doubt you want to know.”

Fresh color stole up her cheeks. She glanced at his crotch again. Bit her lip. She did that when she was nervous and thinking.

“Yes, I do, if it has anything to do with sex the way you like it. The way Jesse likes it.”

Annoyance spiked in Deke, so hot right out of the shoot, it was damn near a boil. If he ever touched Kimber, big if, she wouldn’t be thinking about that pansy-ass pop star. She’d be too damn busy coming.

But saying no to her felt like he was turning his balls inside out. Hell, she was serving herself up on a platter for his lust. The lust he’d been harboring for over five years. Lust that created a nagging ache in his cock and clawed at his gut to be quenched.

Innocent. Virgin. Danger!

Time to put a stop to this now. She thought she was adult enough to handle his sort of sex?

Yeah… He could scare her off in about two seconds. And he’d better, before he did something crazy like grab her, touch her, drive her to the brink, then stuff her full of cock.

“The sex I like isn’t sweet or pretty or romantic, kitten. It’s raw, sometimes a little painful for a woman. It can require a spine of steel and a lot of stamina.”

Kimber tensed, swallowed again. She was nervous…but intrigued. Curiosity swirled in those pretty hazel eyes. Finally, she nodded. “Go on.”

Deke stepped closer. He couldn’t resist. Now he could smell her. Peaches and brown sugar and a hint of female arousal. Were his words making her hot—or was it knowing she could turn him on that got her wet?

Another foot forward, and he leaned into her personal space, putting his lips near her ear. “Sex my way is ménage, two men driving a woman so insane, she forgets her name and screams the roof down.”

Deke leaned away to gage her reaction. Her mouth opened on a silent gasp, but no sound came out. Her eyes widened, pupils dilating just as quickly. Oh, shit. On some gut level, the idea appealed to her? His cock was ready to do the tango, despite his brain doing its best to shut off the music.

“Why ménage?” she barely managed to whisper.

“I get off watching a woman come utterly undone, on having her so aroused she’s willing to do anything for her lovers’ pleasure.”

More color bloomed in her face. The scent of female arousal now hung heavy in the air. Her nipples peaked, even as her tongue danced nervously across her lips.

“I understand.”

His gut clenched at the sight of that little pink tongue. “Do you?”

“Well, mostly. Two men, one woman. I’ve heard about such things. Physically, I think I understand how that works. Um…what—what about emotional bonds?”

“Emotional bonds?”

God, what kind of question was that? A female one. He must be from Mars because that question was definitely from Venus. What about the curiosity he’d expected: where did the cocks go? How did a woman handle two men at once? That he could answer. In detail. He’d love clueing her in about the dueling slide of dicks, one in her tight pussy, the other in her untried ass.

Damn, he had to stop thinking like this before his jeans strangled his erection.

“How do you make relationships work without petty jealousy interfering?”

“There’s no relationship. Just sex…any way it can be accomplished in threes.”

“Oh.” She blinked, then looked away. “I should have realized…you’re not the relationship type.”

“Lust works just fine for me.” Anything more had catastrophic potential. Been there, done that—and he didn’t want to think about what had happened next.

“Well, with you, lust works fine for me, too. I—I just want to learn whatever you can teach me.”

Still? “Are you serious?”

Kimber clutched at her purse and squared her feminine little shoulders. “I drove over two hundred miles today to talk to you, a man I haven’t seen in five years. One who’s never liked me much. I swallowed my pride to admit to you why I want this and the fact I’m still a virgin. Would I have bothered if I wasn’t very serious about learning to please Jesse?”

Jesse. There was the prick’s name again, right from her mouth. Stupid Backstreet Boys copycat son-of-a-bitch. He and his melodious falsetto constantly topped the charts. Deke couldn’t imagine why any man wanted to sound like a female with the whole world listening.

“I’m not the man for the job, Kimber. I’m not doing it.”

Her lips tensed. Her fingers tightened around her purse strap. “Why not?”

“A million reasons. I don’t do virgins. Period.”

“I didn’t ask you to do me. In fact, I want to save my virginity for Jesse. I don’t know why you’d say no to some explanations of the…acts involved.”

“Because explanations aren’t going to cut it, kitten. You won’t know what you’ve gotten yourself into until you’re getting pounded by a pair of hard cocks.”

“Pounded where exactly? In what way? With the intent to create pain?”

His assertion hadn’t shocked her in the least. Her questions stunned the hell out of him. Wasn’t she freaked? He sure the hell was.

“I’m not having this conversation with you. You want to learn about ménages, keep reading.”

“As you pointed out, words aren’t a substitute for real experience.”

“Then let the girl-voiced pretty boy give you the experience. It won’t be me.”

“Fine.” She maneuvered around him. “Now that I know your sexual preferences… Who did you hang out with when you worked for my dad? Oh, Adam Catrell. I remember hearing whispers. He lives near here, doesn’t he? I’ll just go look him up. And if he’s not interested…wasn’t Justin Wheeler a friend of yours, too? He might be willing to help me. See you later.” She bolted toward the door.

Deke bristled. Oh, yeah. Both Adam and Justin would be more than happy to help her—right out of her clothes and right onto her back. But neither was known for being gentle. Virginity wouldn’t mean a damn thing to either of them. They’d see fresh, sweet meat and dive in, teeth bared, like hungry dogs.

It’s her choice…her problem. Deke tried to tell himself that.

Yeah, but if he just let her walk out the door now, she’d get mauled by that pair of ravenous rottweilers. The thought really pissed him off. She’d be overwhelmed in minutes…and for some damn reason, he just couldn’t let that happen. Residual loyalty to the Colonel or something.

Damn. He was going to have to dissuade her from pursuing this path before he sent her on her way. Grinding his teeth together, he mentally sorted through the ways in which he could do that. They were, unfortunately, limited. And so far, talking hadn’t done jack shit.

Time for action.

Deke grabbed her arm and pulled her against him. Her breasts, sweet and firm, burned his skin as if his shirt didn’t exist. He hissed at the contact. Fuck! The girl had always gotten to him. Five years later, her affect was only more pronounced.

Kimber gasped as their bodies brushed. Her gaze skittered up to his. Awareness burned across her face, glowed in those dilated hazel eyes. From her expression, Deke guessed this was the first time she’d felt something for him beyond annoyance.

It wasn’t a comforting notion.

This plan better take three minutes or less…

“Wait.” His fingers tightened on her arm before he forced himself to relax his grip. “I get that you’re serious. I’m reconsidering your request. But it has to be all…hands-on demonstration.”

She swallowed. Her pulse jumped. God, she had no idea how perilously close she was to being laid out on the kitchen table for his afternoon snack…

“Okay. Who would, um…join us?”

Luc took that cue to saunter into the kitchen, with a sultry smile and a hard on that was impossible to miss. So his good ol’ cousin had been listening, huh? Deke turned Kimber to face him.

“Hi, sweetheart,” he drawled.

Deke felt Kimber tremble in his arms as she glanced at his cousin. He fought an instinct to soothe her. The point was to show her exactly she was getting into, make it so fast and furious, she’d dismiss the plan on her own. Comforting the girl was the last fucking thing he should do.

“Hi.” Her voice shook. “You and Deke share…?”

“We do.”

Even her exhalation trembled. She was nervous. Good. Finally, something had gotten to her. Now it was time to ramp up her hesitation into a full-blown no.

Deke glanced up at Luc, sent him a warning expression and a nod. His cousin responded with a ghost of a smile, then strolled toward them.

If you thought this, you thought wrong. As I embark on my second (and final) signing for STRIP SEARCH this Saturday (see Appearances for details), I’ve been wondering why I’ve been dreading the occasion.

After 11 books, I’ve done my fair share of booksignings, some fabulously successful, others dismal. Lots of factors go into that, like time of year, weather, road construction. But there are the moments along the way that, no matter how seasoned you are, you just don’t anticipate.

Here’s a collections of things people have said to me or things that have happened during my various signings over the years.

1. “Where’s the bathroom?”
My response: If you find it, let me know. I need to go, too.

2. “Could you recommend a good mystery author?”
My response: I’m sorry, no. I know LOTS about romance authors, however. If you’re interested, pull up a chair and let’s chat.

3. “My daughter (usually around 10-12) wants to be an author. I’d love to get her a copy of your book and have you sign it to her.”
My response: Not unless you want her to have a far more thorough sexual education than many adults have.

4. Being placed in Wal-Mart between a stack of tires and a display of flags so that no one could possibly see me.
My response: Grrr!!!!!

5. “Do you work for the publisher and edit books?” (Despite a “Meet the Author” sign at the table.)
My response: Um, no. See the sign?

6. “Oh, I love smut books!”
My response: Why do you classify books about monogamous relationships that lead to love and commitment as smut?

7. “I don’t read THOSE books. They’re all the same.”
My response: Yes, romances all end with a happily ever after, so they have that in common. All mysteries end with the solving of a crime. Does that make them all the same, too?

8. “I’ve never heard of you, but I just love Nora Roberts. Don’t you?”
My response: As prolific as Nora is, you’d be constantly waiting for new books to read if you read only Nora. Have you thought about trying some else? Live on the edge a little.

9. “I can’t read books with sex in them. I’m just sure that God will strike me dead and send me to hell that instant.”
My response: Is there really a response to this that’s going to change this person’s mind?

10. “I see you’re wearing a wedding ring, so I know you’re married. But are you happily married?”
My response: You know, this booksigning thing is just a front. It’s really an elaborate way to troll for new guys to hook up with. *rolling eyes*

Not to give anyone the impression that all people who attend a booksigning are rude and insensitive toward romance, requiring me to curb some of the more sarcastic replies sitting right on the tip of my tongue. In fact, over the years, I’ve had plenty of wonderful, enthusiastic fans come to signings. It’s just every so often, someone will throw me totally off base and leave me speechless—which is saying something. Let’s hope this Saturday is busy, but relatively uneventful.

All summer I’ve been posting excerpts of other authors’ books, an average of 1 per week. Well, the last 6 weeks I’ve been gone more than home, so I’ve fallen behind. Shocker, huh? Don’t answer that.

Anyway… I’m posting several here now, in an attempt to get back in front of my schedule on this. The rest of my schedule is bad. Very bad. Deke and Luc are still pissed off at my neglect. Maybe I’ll have to try more than kissing and making up. *wink*

The first book is from a good writer and a friend. Sherrill Quinn’s Whiskey Creek Press Torrid novella DRAGON’S BANE.

What happened after Cinderella married Prince Charming? This is the story of Adara Tremeirchion, fairy godmother extraordinaire, and Ruarc of Melthione. After she did her job and got Cinderella together with her Prince Charming, Adara was considered the best in the guild. She also had made an enemy of Cinderellas stepmother, a devious, powerful witch. When Adara sees Ruarc for the first time, her heart recognizes him as her One True Love. But the wicked stepmother has other plans for both of them. Ruarc is cursed to be dragon by night, man by day. Adara is stripped of her magic, and both of them are sent to the Hinterlands, where the dragons rule. In order to return to his life, Ruarc needs the blood of a virgin. For Adara to regain her magic and once again save Cinderella, she needs the blood and scales of a dragon.

Magic, dragons, wicked witches and True Love. What more do you need?

Here’s what reviewers have said about Dragon’s Bane: “The humor in this book made Dragon’s Bane irrisistably charming. There seems to be no limit to the talent of Sherrill Quinn.” 5 Kisses!–TwoLips Reviews

It sounds awesome! (Making note to add to my TBB list…) If you want to read the juicy excerpt, click here. To get your hot little hands on this book, click here.

Next is an Ellora’s Cave book that comes from another friend and all around fun, fun, fun woman to be with. Mackenzie McCade has scored a lot of FAB reviews for her recent release THE CHARADE, which is the second book in the Ecstasy series. Delicious stuff! *shiver*

Waking up naked with a dead man at her side and a bloody dagger in her hand was not what Ciarra Storm expected from a night on the town. When every bit of evidence points to her, she panics. In the year 2106, criminals are incarcerated on the Moon. She flees and takes on another person’s identity—an identity that forces her to travel to Ecstasy Island. Nothing can prepare her when she discovers the woman she is masquerading as has signed up for a two-week course in BDSM. Nor is she prepared for the man in charge of ensuring that she gets her money’s worth.

But secrets have a way of coming out, and Shawn’s determination to uncover Kitty’s leads to a shocking revelation when a murderer strikes on Ecstasy Island—a deadly assassin whose name might turn out to be Ciarra Storm.

To read an excerpt or buy this juicy read, click here.

Last, is fellow Samhellion Kate Davies’s Release, TAKING THE CAKE. This looks like a good one, y’all. Listen to this:

A walk on the wild side with her favorite bad boy is just what this good girl needs!

Cade Gallagher has wanted Mollie for years. And when she asks him to help her prove to the world—and herself—that she’s not just a good girl, he knows he’d be a fool to say no. But she wants a temporary fling. Will two weeks be enough time to convince her to take a chance on him—forever?

Yep, this is another something that’s going to have to go on my TBB list. It sounds like my sort of read.

To read an excerpt or grab your own copy, click here.

Okay, that kinda/sorta gets me caught up. I have about half a dozen more of these and only 2 weeks to do it. Think I can make it? We’ll see… :-)

I’m back, and I had a WONDERFUL trip! Cruising the Caribbean was a delightful way to pass a week. Once I figure out how to work my new camera and download the pics, I’ll post a few. Weather was great, food was to die for (and in plenty!). The whole family enjoyed.

Now, it’s back to reality. I came home to everything you read in my subject line, along with a few other joys, of which I’ll spare you the details. Suffice it to say, I’m behind. WAY behind. If you’ve emailed me and I haven’t answered you, please be patient. Someone will throw me that life jacket soon so I can stop drowning, I’m sure.

Even worse, Deke and Luc are pouting because I enjoyed family time and fun in the sun…and neglected (again) the hunky pair of testosterone oozing bad boys. So this week, I have to kiss and make up with them. Wow, is my job ever difficult. :-)