For the final day of the 12 Days of christmas contest, I’ve got quite a few goodies for you. As always, to be entered, all you have to do is comment here and/or subscribe to my newsletter. I’ll be selecting winners from both pools next week. Announcements will be made here and in my January newsletter on or about New Year’s Day.

I’m going to share a little bit of my current work in progress with you, literally. It’s from Doomsday Brethren 3, POSSESS ME AT MIDNIGHT. I’m still writing on this book, and like with the excerpt of SEDUCE ME IN SHADOW, anything is subject to change by my editor. But this hero is quickly replacing all others as my all-time favorite! Here’s a little snippet. I can’t actually give you a synopsis of the plot without giving away critical plot points of book 2, but I can share an excerpt. Enjoy!

POSSESS ME AT MIDNIGHT (unedited excerpt)

She was completely alone with a man most regarded as mad, one she barely knew.

Sabelle bit her lip and held it in. A glance up told her that Ice still watched her, his stare unblinking. What the devil was he thinking?

He shifted closer, and the towel parted, leaving one powerful thigh—and the dark shadows inbetween—exposed. Sabelle tried not to stare. But the dusting of dark hair on his thighs grew more dense at the top of his leg, and she found herself insanely curious about what he had under that towel, if all of him was that large.

Heat crept up her face. Damn. She was probably turning ten shades of red.

“Do you…ah, need to finish your shower now?” She looked anywhere but at him.

The fire crackled. The air stilled. The silence deafened. Her mouth turned dry.

“No.” He grabbed her chin and forced her to look at him. “Are you all right?

Sabelle tore away from his grasp. Times were serious. Desperate. She had no business staring at a man, no matter how much her eyes fancied the visual candy. “Fine.”

“Don’t lie.”

My, he was blunt. Then again, everything about him was. Hair, manner, stare, words—all of it no-nonsense. She needed to adjust, remember he was no diplomat, nothing like the Council members she’d dealt with of late. Clearly, Ice was used to rolling up his sleeves and accomplishing whatever he set out to achieve.

“Don’t push,” she shot back. “It’s not important now.”

“The devil it’s not. If you need something—”

“I will deal with it.”

Anger passed over his face before his green eyes turned flat and his expression followed. He removed his hand from hers. “Naturally.”

There was a wealth of meaning behind that one word. “What does that mean?”

He raised a slash of dark brow. The firelight illuminated his face, and she noticed for the first time a slashing diagonal scar through the middle of that brow. In fact, he carried a nasty gashing scar on the top of his shoulder, and a pair around each wrist. Magickind healed faster and more efficiently than humans. It was fairly rare to retain scarring for more than a few months. But these wounds looked very old, indeed.

“Do my scars bother you, princess?”

Did he think that she would not want to be in his presence because he wasn’t perfect? “I wonder what you must have suffered. I can only imagine the pain—”

“Don’t.” He shook his head and leaned against the back of the sofa, putting distance between them.

In other words, he refused to discuss it. His business, of course. But Sabelle couldn’t deny that his refusal upset her. She wasn’t hurt, exactly. But sensed a deep well of pain, and she had no idea where it stemmed from. And she hated being shut out…even though she knew she’d done the same to him.

Ouch!

“Do you need anything else?” His gravel voice raked over her.

“Do you?” Sabelle couldn’t stop herself from reaching across the sofa and layering her fingers on his arm. After all he’d done for her and her brother today, the least she could do was ease his pain. But when she opened her senses to send him joyful and peaceful thoughts, he ripped his arm away and stood.

“I don’t need your siren abilities to force happiness on me, princess. I’m just fine.”

“I—I’m sorry. I simply thought… I brought up something painful, and—”

“I’ll live. I hardly grew up with rainbows and sunshine. I don’t need them now.” Hands on his hips, he took a deep breath, then another, staring down at her.

Sabelle felt instantly contrite. “I’m sorry.”

He sighed, and the anger seemed to drain from him. “So am I.”

With that obscure apology, he pivoted away and headed again for the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

He didn’t want to hear about Bram, and now that they weren’t fighting for their lives, every other conversation with Ice was somewhere between strained and confusing. A few words. Five minutes, and she was mystified. And completely curious.

Where had the scars come from? What exactly had his life before the Doomsday Brethren, as a member of the Deprived, been like? Why did he and Bram despise one another?

The wind outside howled, reminding her that the enemy awaited them just on the other side of that door. None of her questions mattered now. Nor did their answers, not when they were fighting for their lives.

Ice walked back in wearing the other dressing gown supplied by the bed and breakfast. Black, sleek, it draped lovingly over his muscles, clinging to every physical feature that fascinated her.

He finished belting the garment around his waist, then looked up. The green of his eyes stood out, grabbed her by the throat. Sabelle’s heart pounded.

“Food should be here soon.”

And then what? Sabelle shook her head. Much better to focus on that question than gawk at Ice’s body—again.

“What shall we do next?” she breathed.

POSSESS ME AT MIDNIGHT releases the month following SEDUCE ME IN SHADOW, November 2009. I can’t wait to share it with you!

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Today’s feature is a coveted ARC of SJ Day’s first Marked book:

EVE OF DARKNESS
TOR Books
ISBN-10: 0765360411
ISBN-13: 978-0765360410
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Pre-order from Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Borders

Cursed by God, hunted by demons, desired by Cain and Abel… All in a day’s work.

For Evangeline Hollis, a long-ago fling with a bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks just became a disaster of biblical proportions. One night with a leather-clad man of mystery has led to a divine punishment: the Mark of Cain.

Thrust into a world where sinners are drafted to kill demons, Eve knows her learning curve must be short. A longtime agnostic, she begrudgingly maneuvers through a celestial bureaucracy where she is a valuable but ill-treated pawn. She’s also become the latest point of contention in the oldest case of sibling rivalry in history…

But she’ll worry about all that later. Right now she’s more concerned with learning to kill while staying alive. And saving the soul she’d never quite believed she had.

Excerpt

“Sin is crouching at your door, it desires to have you, but you shall master it.”
– The LORD to Cain, Genesis 4:7

The Devil is in the details.

Evangeline Hollis understood the true gist of that saying now, surrounded as she was by thousands of Satan’s minions. Some wore Seattle Seahawks baseball caps, others wore San Diego Chargers jerseys. All bore detailed designs similar to tribal tattoos on their skin that betrayed both what species of cursed being they were and what their rank in Hell’s hierarchy was. To her enhanced eyes, it looked like a damn festival for sinners. They were drinking beer, devouring nachos, and waving giant foam fingers.

In reality, the event was a football game in Qualcomm Stadium. The day was classic Southern California perfection–sunny and warm, the eighty-degree temperature balanced by a delightfully cool breeze. Mortals mingled with Infernal beings in blissful ignorance, simply enjoying a bit of afternoon spectator sport. To Eve, the scene was macabre; like watching hungry wolves sunning themselves alongside lambs. Gore, violence, and death were the inevitable result of any interaction between the two.

“Stop thinking about them.”

Alec Cain’s deep, sensual voice made her shiver inside, but outwardly she shot him a rueful glance over the top of her sunglasses. He was always telling her to ignore their prey when they weren’t on the hunt. As if rogue fae, demons, mages, werewolves, dragons, and thousands of variants of the same were easily disregarded.

“There’s a woman breastfeeding her child next to an incubus,” she muttered.

“Angel.” His nickname for her moved over her skin like a tangible caress. Alec’s voice could turn driving directions into foreplay. “We’re taking the day off, remember?”

She blew out her breath and looked away. At a few inches over six feet, Alec was blessed with a powerful chest and tautly ridged abdomen that were noticeable even through his fitted white tank. He had long, muscular legs presently showcased in knee-length Dickies shorts and biceps so beautifully defined they were coveted by both men and women.

He was her lover… occasionally. Like all sweets, Alec was delicious and satisfying, but too much of him caused a sugar crash that left her dazed and reeling. He’d also ruined life as she had known it. Her career aspiration had been interior design, not Infernal bounty hunting.

“If only it was that simple,” Eve groused. “How can I go on vacation when I’m surrounded by work? Besides, they stink even when I’m ignoring them.”

“All I smell is you,” he purred, leaning over to nuzzle his nose against her cheek. “Yum.”

“It creeps me out that they’re everywhere. I went to McDonald’s yesterday and the person serving me at the window was a faery. I couldn’t even eat my Big Mac.”

“Betcha ate the fries.” Pulling down his shades, Alec looked at her with somber eyes. “There’s a difference between staying on your toes and paranoia.”

“I’m cautious, not a basket case. Until I find a way out of this mark business, I’m making the best of it.”

“I’m proud of you.”

Eve sighed. Having Alec for a mentor was such a bad idea, and not just because it was the equivalent of a Hollywood casting couch in most Marks’ eyes. Never mind that the true “casting couch” was the exchange of sexual favors in return for a position you wanted. No one ever wanted the Mark of Cain.

The Marks’ hierarchy started at the bottom with the newbies and topped off with Alec, the original and most badass Mark of them all. There was no way to surpass him. There was also no way to work with him. He was the quintessential loner, the very definition of the word. Yet here was Eve, a six-week newbie in the field, perched solidly at the top because he didn’t trust anyone else to watch her back. She was important to him.

The other Marks thought working with God’s primary enforcer had to be a vacation. While it was true that Infernals didn’t mess with Alec unless they had a death wish, it didn’t make things any easier. Demons now targeted her as a way to get to him. To make things worse, Alec had been marked so long that he’d forgotten what it was like to be new and confused. There were things he expected her to simply “know,” and he became frustrated when he realized she didn’t.

He squeezed her hand. “What happened to the girl who just wanted to forget about everything for a couple of hours?”

“That was before she was kidnapped and nearly blown to smithereens.” Eve stood. “I’ll be back. I need to use the little girls’ room.”

As she stood, Alec caught her wrist. Her brows rose in silent inquiry.

“Angel.” He kissed the back of her hand. “When I tell you to stop thinking about them, it’s not because I want you to live in a fantasy world. I just want you to see the good stuff around you. You saw a mother nursing her baby, but you didn’t see the miracle of it. You were too busy looking at the demon next to her. Don’t give them the power to ruin your day.”

Frowning, Eve absorbed his words, then nodded her acceptance. Alec had lived with the mark since the dawn of time and could still see miracles; she could try.

“I’ll be right back,” she said.

He released her. After inching her way past the other spectators in their aisle, Eve sprinted up the wide cement steps. She still marveled over the speed, strength, and agility that came with the mark burned into her upper arm. She’d always been athletic, but now she was Supergirl. Well… she couldn’t fly. But she could jump really damn high. She could also see in the dark and bust through dead-bolted doors, talents she’d never anticipated needing or appreciating.

Eve reached the concourse and followed the signs to the nearest restroom. The line protruded just outside the entrance. Luckily, she wasn’t desperate. More than anything, she’d just needed to get out of her seat.

So she waited patiently, rocking in her flip-flops with her hands in her pockets. An occasional breeze passed by, ruffling through her ponytail. It carried the mingled scent of evil and rotting souls, a pungent stench that made her stomach roil. It fell somewhere between decomposition and fresh shit, and it amazed her that the Unmarked couldn’t smell it.

How had she lived twenty-eight years of her life in complete ignorance? How had Alec lived centuries in complete awareness?

“Mom!” The young boy in front of her was holding his crotch, crossing his legs, and wiggling madly. “I have to go!”

Although the woman looked as if she could be the child’s sister, Eve wasn’t unduly surprised. Many women in Southern California didn’t age. They just became plasticized caricatures of their youthful selves. This one was bleached blonde with a perfect tan, breasts a size too large for her slender frame, and plumped, glossy lips.

The mother looked around.

“Let me go in the boys’ bathroom,” he begged.

“I can’t go in there with you.”

“I’ll be done in a minute!”

Eve guessed the boy was around six years old. Old enough to pee by himself, but she understood the mother’s concern. A child had been killed in a public restroom in nearby Oceanside while his aunt waited outside. The demon who orchestrated that horror had used the oldest trick in the book–pretending to be God.

The harried mother hesitated for a long moment, then gave a jerky nod. “Hurry. You can wash your hands here in the girls’ bathroom.”

The boy ran past the drinking fountains and ducked into the men’s room. Eve offered a commiserating smile to his mom. The line moved incrementally forward. Two teenagers joined in behind her. They were dressed in the predominant fashion of layered tank tops paired with low-rise jeans. Expensive perfume saturated the air around them, which created a welcome relief from the odor of decay. In the stadium, the crowd roared. One of the Chargers’ outside linebackers was a werewolf. From the high-frequency praise of the Infernals in the crowd, he’d done something worth cheering about.

“Why is the line so long?” the girl behind her asked.

Eve shrugged, but the woman in front of her replied, “The bathrooms down there–” she pointed to the left with a French manicured nail “–are closed for repairs.”

As if on cue, the mark seared into Eve’s deltoid began to tingle, then burn. She sighed and abandoned her place. “You can take my spot. I don’t have to go that bad.”

“Thanks,” the teenager replied.

Eve headed to the left, muttering to herself, “Some vacation.”

“You were bored anyway, babe,” purred a familiar voice.

Glancing to the side, Eve watched as Reed Abel fell into step with her, his mouth curved in a devilish smile that belied the wings and halo he occasionally sported for shock value. He was a mal’akh, but there wasn’t much angelic about Alec’s brother.

“That doesn’t mean I wanted to be put to work.” Reed was the handler in charge of her assignments, which was just a nasty trick in her opinion. Why God allowed and encouraged dissension between the two brothers was beyond her comprehension.

“We could blow this taco stand,” he suggested. “Go have some hot, sweaty fun.”

She wasn’t touching that invitation with a ten-foot pole. Like his brother, Reed scorched a girl in both good and bad ways. “Are you kidding about the assignment? Do you need me for something more substantial or what?”

“You thought it was substantial enough before.” He winked mischievously.

Eve smacked him. “Don’t be crude. I refuse to be the latest toy you and your brother fight over. Go find something else to play with.”

“I’m not playing with you.”

There was something sincere in his tone. She ignored it by necessity, although less circumspect parts of her perked up.

“The bathroom?” she asked instead, when the yellow Out of Service sign came into view.

“Yeah.” He caught her arm and tugged her closer. “Raguel suggested it was time for an extension of your classroom training. I’ll go get Cain.”

Raguel was the archangel whose jurisdiction she fell under. He was the bail bondsman, Reed was the dispatcher, and she was the bounty hunter. It was a well-oiled system for most, but her road had been bumpy from the very beginning.

She sniffed the air. The acrid stench of Infernal wrinkled her nose. “You know… this is like sending a medical student into brain surgery the day she first reads about it.”

“You don’t know your own strengths, babe.”

She glared. “I know when I’m getting my ass kicked.”

“You’re batting a thousand so far. This one’s a wolf and you’re good with them. But be careful anyway.”

“Easy for you to say. You’re not the one risking your hide.”

His lips pressed to her temple in a quick, hard kiss. “Risking yours is enough, trust me.”

Skirting the Out-of-Order sign, Eve entered the men’s restroom, lamenting the fact that she was wearing her favorite flirty sandals. Due to the rigors of her “job,” she’d taken to wearing combat boots whenever she left home, but Alec had coaxed her into going casual today. She should have known better.

The harsh ammonia smell of stale urine assaulted her nostrils. Finding her target was easy. He stood in the center of the room, alone. A teenage werewolf who was eerily familiar.

“Remember me?” he asked, smiling.

The boy was tall and thin, his face long and unremarkable. He wore a dirty gray hooded sweatshirt and jeans so low his ass was hanging out. A dark spot moved across his cheek and came to rest on his left cheekbone. His detail–swirls around a diamond shape. Like the mark on her arm, it served a similar purpose to military insignia.

Recognition hit her hard, followed by an immediate chill down her spine. “Shouldn’t you be in Northern California with your pack?”

“The Alpha sent me down here to even the score. He thinks Cain needs to learn what it’s like to lose someone he loves.”

“There was no way to save the Alpha’s son,” she argued. “Cain doesn’t pick and choose his hunts. He follows orders.”

“He made a deal. For you. And he broke his promise.”

Eve frowned. Alec had never mentioned a deal to her. But that was something she would explore later. There was a more immediate question. “You think you can take me by yourself?”

His smirk turned into a grin. “I brought a friend.”

“Great.” That was never good.

The large handicapped stall in the back slammed open and something absolutely horrific thundered out. Holy shit. An Infernal that large should have reeked for yards. Instead, the only thing Eve smelled was wolf.

The dragon hadn’t fully shifted. He still wore his pants and shoes, and dark hair still covered his head. But his mouth was a protruding muzzle of razor-sharp teeth, his eyes were those of a lizard, and all of his visible flesh was covered in gorgeous multihued scales.

“You smell tasty,” he rumbled.

She’d heard that Marks smelled sickly sweet to Infernals, which made her laugh inwardly. There was no such thing as a sweet Mark. They were all bitter. “You don’t smell like anything.”

We failed, she realized with a sinking feeling in her gut. Infernals still had the means to hide themselves in crowds.

“Brilliant, isn’t it?” the wolf asked. “Obviously, you didn’t wipe out our operation completely.”

The dragon roared and it was a fearsome, deafening sound that echoed in the confined space of the bathroom. The mortals couldn’t hear it, though, and Eve’s eardrums were invincible despite their celestial sensitivity. Another boon granted by the mark. The dragon shoved the wolf aside and stomped closer.

“Guess that’s my cue to leave,” the kid said. “I’ll give the Alpha your regards.”

Eve’s gaze remained riveted on her opponent. “Yeah, tell him he screwed with the wrong chick.”

The wolf laughed and departed. Eve wanted to do the same.

For all her bravado, she was out of her league. If she had been capable of physical reactions to stress, her heart would be hammering and she’d be short of breath. No doubt about it, she was going to be suffering when this confrontation was over…

…if she was still alive.

* * * * *

I’ll top today’s final installment of the contest with a signed copy of TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS, a sneak peek of the first 3 chapters of SEDUCE ME IN SHADOW, a signed copy of MASTER OF SURRENDER by Karin Tabke, and both a $10 iTunes gift card and more chocolate.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone. I hope you’ve enjoyed this contest! Looking forward to a great 2009!

Merry Christmas Eve! It’s getting late, and parents everywhere are likely tucking little ones into bed. I’ll be doing the same shortly. In the meantime, I’ve got lots of goodies for you tonight. First, I want to share a bit of my next Doomsday Brethren novel with you.

SEDUCE ME IN SHADOW  (completely made up, unedited blurb)

Caden MacTavish reluctantly comes to the UK to care for his older brother, Lucan, who’s suffering acute mate mourning. All he needs to get his life back is track down Lucan’s missing female and reunite the divided lovers. Except…a pesky human reporter learns some critical information about magickind’s class war and publishes it in one of London’s rags focused on the supernatural. The Doomsday Brethren already have their hands full fighting Mathias and the Anarki. The last thing they need is human curiority or, God forbid, a witch hunt. Caden, being firmly rooted in the human world, is the most equipped to put a stop to the reporter. But he never expects her to be a sexy redhead with the kind of moxie that turns him unbearably hard–and sets off all the magical instincts he’s trying to suppress. But he soon learns that neither magic nor love can be denied.

SEDUCE ME IN SHADOW (unedited excerpt)
Caden rang off with Bram just before Sydney’s door burst open. In walked the source of his frustrations and fantasies, carrying the little red book.

A fresh wave of lust blazed across his senses. An electrical pulse revved down his spine, then shuddered across his skin. He twitched with the need to touch her. What the devil was wrong with him? Lately, he’d felt…off. Tired one minute, wired the next. His eyes burned, his fingertips tingled. The odd sweating out of nowhere…bloody awful, but it fit with his libido being ever ready.

He had no idea what ailed him. A frustrating mission, courtesy of a crafty wizard, coupled with a red-headed dynamo, was driving him beyond sanity, yes. But it was magic. Was his transition coming? Maybe it was stress. Hoped it was, in fact. He certainly had enough of it. The pressure to right Lucan’s life loomed large. He had to get back to his adopted home in Dallas, away from all this hocus-pocus, before it swallowed him up.

“What is it, MacTavish?” She thrust one hand on her hip. The other held the Doomsday Diary casually. God, if she had any idea what that book could do… He had to wrest it from her as quickly as possible.

Surreptitiously, he withdrew his mobile phone from his belt, pretending to sort through the menus. Quickly, he snapped a picture of the book.

“Hey!” she protested. “You wanted to talk to me or take pictures?”

“Sorry. New phone. Was trying to silence it. Still learning.”

She paused. “What did you want? If you’ve no need to talk, I have a pub stool and an ale waiting for me.”

She was in a snit. Caden hoped she wasn’t angry that he’d dismissed Jamie. The thought that she might have any interest in that knuckle-dragger made him want to grind his teeth.

“Right, then. I have some questions.”

“Don’t you always?” She crossed the room, slim hips swaying.

A caustic Sydney was a dazzling sight. He shouldn’t stare, but instead get down to business, but with her fair face tinged pink and her auburn hair tumbling across her shoulders, brown eyes flashing…wow! Did she look like that when she came?

Don’t think that. Think smart. Think mission.

He’d rather think about having her naked underneath him.

“I’ll get to the point.”

“Lovely.”

Despite her five foot, three inch frame, Sydney stood her ground and stared back with admirable moxie. She defended her stories with all her passion and wit, fighting back when things got rough. The fact she was also smart and sexy made her damn near impossible to resist.

“But let me first say,” she went on. “If you’re going to warn me about the evils of Jamie, I’m a big girl.”

He hadn’t planned on bringing it up, but since she had… “Are you actually interested in him?”

She shrugged defensively. “Why do you care?

The possibility drove him mad. He’d never been jealous of such a wanker. He’d never been jealous, period. Splendid, a new low for him. And if the truth slipped free, she would know how seriously he wanted her in his bed, her nails in his back, screaming his name. He must have latent masochistic tendencies because he could think of nothing but telling Sydney in excruciating detail exactly how he wanted her. But if he let himself be distracted, he may never find Anka. His brother could pass to his nextlife.

There were other unpalatable magical possibilities he wanted to ignore.

“It’s none of my business, I grant you. We’ve been working together just a few days, and it’s not as if I know you well. But I think you can do better.”

Sydney cocked her head. “Are you offering?”

Caden’s heart skipped a beat before beginning a furious rhythm. Though every muscle in his body tensed at her suggestion, he doubted Sydney had any clue how close she was to learning how her desk felt against her back.

“I’m merely saying that you’re a beautiful, talented woman. You deserve more.”

Sydney looked at him from beneath the veil of her ginger-shaded lashes. Cunning shone those brown eyes. And desire. The seductive sight was a blow to his gut. Bloody hell, that was the kind of look that made him stiff and aching to give her everything she desired.

*     *     *     *     *

Today’s feature is from hot historical author Monica Burns. She’ll be giving away a copy of FORBIDDEN PLEASURE and OBSESSION, along with some other goodies, plus an ARC of…

MIRAGE
Samhain Publishing
ISBN-10: 1599988313
ISBN-13: 978-1599988313
Genre: Historical romance
Format: Trade paperback
Buy from Amazon | Borders

A man without a country…
Half Bedouin, half English, the Viscount Blakeney has always been Sheikh Altair Mazir in his heart. A victim of prejudice from both cultures, he’s learned to trust no one. But a feisty American archeologist and the heat she ignites in him is about to change all that. And more.

An independent woman hunting for a Pharaoh’s treasure…
Alexandra Talbot is used to men questioning her intelligence simply because of her sex. But the mysterious Viscount isn’t like other men. He never questions her ability to find the lost city of Ramesses II, only her resistance to the sinful pleasure of his touch.

An ancient prophecy…
Bound by a Pharaoh’s prophecy, desire flares between them beneath the desert stars. But murder and betrayal turn their quest into a deadly game, pushing their fragile trust to the breaking point. Their survival hinges on rebuilding that trust.

Reviews
Top Pick — 4.5 Stars! “A strong storyline, engaging characters and seductive love scenes make this a must-read.” — Romantic Times BOOKreviews

Excerpt
She’d just finished dressing when an authoritarian knock sounded on her door. Startled, she jerked her head toward the noise. Her heart instantly skipped a beat. It was a distinctive knock. She visualized Altair on the other side of the wooden barrier. When she hesitated, the knock came again. Insistent and impatient. It was him.

Crossing the room, she threw open the door to see his tall figure filling the doorway. She fought to keep breathing. There was only one word to describe him. Magnificent. Unable to take her eyes off him, she struggled to calm her erratic heart beat. Somewhere in the back of her mind, curiosity made her question why he was dressed like one of the natives. The thought was a fleeting one as she fought to keep her senses from responding to his commanding presence.

Dressed in the dark blue, flowing garment of the Mazir, he looked as if he had been born to wear the desert clothing. No longer the English lord, he was as lean and predatory as a leopard. A utility belt filled with rifle cartridges crossed his chest, while a pistol was tucked into a belt around his waist.

His entire appearance emanated a sense of danger and excitement. Beneath his eyes, Mazir tribal symbols stained his brown cheeks. His wavy brown hair, no longer restrained by a ribbon, tumbled down over his shoulders. The image of spiking her fingers through the dark, glossy curls sent a stream of liquid fire through her.

Good lord, she barely knew the man, and yet here she was ready to offer herself to him. She drew in a sharp breath, as she looked up into the warmth of his brown eyes.

“Good morning,” he murmured. The deep notes danced across her skin with a potency that set off alarm bells in her head. If she were to open her mouth, she was certain more than a dozen butterflies would flee their captivity in her stomach.

“Good…morning.” The breathless quality of her voice dismayed her. Oh God, she sounded as flustered as she felt. The sudden glint of satisfaction in his eyes made the fluttering wings in her stomach stir restlessly. Her voice had revealed far too much about the effect he had on her. Desperate to regain control of her senses, she swallowed the sensual urges threatening to take control.

“I…you…you look so different. Not like yourself at all.”

“And how do you think I should look, Alex?” His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied her intently.

The dark, disturbing expression in his gaze sent her heart slamming into her chest. Tiny frissons caressed her skin as his gaze slid over her. Aroused by the mysteriously hungry look in his eyes, she shook her head as if doing so would help clear her thoughts as well as the desire curling inside her.

“It’s just that you surprised me. I wasn’t expecting to see you dressed like a Mazir.”

“I find the gambaz cooler and more comfortable than my English clothes.”

She nodded at his explanation. Oddly enough, he did look comfortable. Far more so than when he was wearing the starched shirt and tie he usually wore. Relaxed and at ease in the gambaz, the flowing garment enhanced the dangerous edge of his darkly handsome features.

Did the man have any idea how devastating he was dressed like a Bedouin? There was a wicked savagery about him that tantalized her senses and made her breath hitch. Trying to suppress the urge to reach out and touch him, she inhaled a deep breath.

“Is something wrong, Alex?” The gleam in his eye made the palms of her hands damp.

“No, not all,” she forced the words past her lips, alarmed by the need building inside her.

A brown finger traced the outline of her lips as he leaned toward her. Cedarwood and sweet fennel tempted her senses. “Liar,” he whispered, as a smile of satisfaction curved his mouth. “Your heart is beating like you were a jerboa caught in the claws of a leopard.”

The similarity to her earlier impression of him as a leopard was ironic given how she was feeling just like a mouse trapped beneath his masterful gaze. The dark brown eyes holding her gaze hostage glittered with a dangerous light. Drinking in the masculine scent of him, her lungs tugged in a sharp breath of need. She wanted him to kiss her. Appalled she tried to find a footing on the slippery path she was treading. Diversion. That’s what was called for—a diversion.

“I…I…why do you wear the Mazir marks on your cheeks?” She almost blew out a whoosh of air as she asked the question with great relief. That would help lessen this tension between them.

“They reflect the sunlight and protect my eyes. But they’re also a sign of my respect for the Mazir.” He arched an eyebrow at her as his finger trailed along the edge of her jaw in a slow, seductive stroke. The touch singed every nerve in his path. “But that’s not what you really wanted to ask me, is it?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She took a quick step back from him.

“Ah, so you didn’t want to ask when we were to visit the Pyramids. As you wish.” As he turned away from her, she sprang forward. The man was tormenting her by making her think he wouldn’t take her to the Pyramids. Determined to halt his departure, her hand clutched at his arm. How soft the material of his robe was beneath her fingers.

“Don’t you dare tease me like that!”

A quick flame came to life in his dark eyes as he turned and looked down into her face. The slight curl tilting his firm lips upward made her heart slam into her chest wall, and her breathing hitched. The man was far too attractive for his own good.

“How would you like me tease you, Alex?”

She took a quick step backward at the surprising question. With an abrupt shake of her head, she pressed her hand against his chest as he followed her.

“I don’t…I meant… I want to visit the Pyramids.”

“I see. So you weren’t hoping I’d find some other way to tease you?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she spluttered.

His dark hand reached out to caress her cheek. No. If he kissed her again, she wouldn’t be able to control the desire shooting through every part of her body. She took another step back. Once again, he followed her. Now the space between them was almost nonexistent. He lowered his head. The heady aroma of cedarwood and sweet fennel smelled so good. It tormented her senses. A shiver pulsed through her as the warmth of his breath stirred the wisps of hair at her ear.

“Don’t you? That’s disappointing because I’m finding it increasingly difficult to get the image of your full, lush body out of my head.”

She gasped at the seductive heat of his words. He nipped at her ear lobe and reason slipped out of her head.

“Do you know what I dreamed about last night, Alex? I dreamed I was sucking on those beautiful, dusky nipples of yours.”

“Oh, God,” she whispered, unable to say anything else.

“Can you imagine what else I dreamed about? Shall I tell you?”

Don’t moan, Alex. Whatever you do, don’t moan. She swayed into him, her fingers splayed across the upper part of his chest.

No.

No. This wasn’t good at all. Looking up at him, she knew he was going to kiss her. She wanted him to. The shivers of delight skimming through her told her just how eager her body really was for him to kiss her. She should have been shocked. Instead, she simply offered her mouth for the taking.

*     *     *     *     *

In addition to today’s feature book, MIRAGE, you’ll get a signed copy of TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS, a copy of Victoria Alexander’s WHAT A LADY WANTS, a $10 iTunes gift card AND a 3 chapter sneak peek of SEDUCE ME IN SHADOW. All you have to do is comment.

Tomorrow is the last day of the contest…and I’ve got some special goodies and another new excerpt.

Merry Christmas and/or happy holidays! I’m so grateful to everyone who visits here and supports me by buying, reading, and spreading the word about my books. Thank you so much. I hope that you all have a wonderful holiday!

Um…Lords a leapin’? They don’t sound real alpha male, so I’ll pass. LOL. Instead, I’m featuring a recent release from the fun, fabulous Cathryn Fox:
THE HOT LINE
NAL HEAT
ISBN-10: 0451223055
ISBN-13: 978-0451223050
Genre: Erotic Romance
Format: Trade paperback
Buy print book from Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Borders

It’s The Hot Line, an on-call service that dispatches totally authentic, fully equipped firemen to explore the secret fantasies of women

in need. What an irresistible dare for three best friends feeling the heat…

Reporter Sara Jack has the Fever to do a story on The Hot Line. There’s no better man to help with research than Mitch Adams. The solid stud is all pro, but in Sara he’s met a woman willing to fulfill one of his fantasies—if they’re ready to accept what comes next.

The Siren has sounded and shy lingerie designer Jenna Powers is finally ready for a real man to tamp her desires, break through her inhibitions, and show her the naughty side of love. Enter Dean Beckman—again and again.

For sous chef Megan Wagner, a Flash Fire has the sparks to change her life—especially with someone like Brady Wade to put it out. In and out of uniform, he’s driving her wild, but her fear of commitment could drive him away…

Reviews
4 Stars! “The Hot Line is a super-sexually charged erotic romance featuring a trio of couples… As readers experience the lovemaking, both public and private, as well as the pole dancing, spanking and the lingerie fatalities, hearts will race and brows will rise.” ~ Romantic Times magazine

5 Angels! “The Hot Line should come with a warning. The chemistry between these three couples is hotter than a three-alarm fire, so make sure to have a cold glass of water near you, or a fire extinguisher if you burst into flames! It’ll have women everywhere searching their local communities for Hot Lines of their own.”
~ Fallen Angel Reviews

Excerpt
The shrill of their special phone pulled him from his musings and helped marshal his thoughts. “I got it.” Welcoming the distraction, he jumped to his feet and pushed away from the card table. Without haste, he made his way across the room.

Fuck. Maybe tonight he’d take the call. Although it had been a long time since he’d participated in The Hot Line, perhaps a soft bed and even softer woman would help take the edge off and get his mind off Sara.

When he glanced at the caller ID, his heart raced, his blood pressure soared. Jesus H. Christ. Everything in him reacted to the name displayed in the small glass window. Tension rose in him as his cock urged him to answer the phone, along with the sexual demands of his body.

What the fuck was he supposed to do now?

Despite his rock hard cock screaming at him to pick up that phone and give Sara exactly what she wanted, he took a measured step back, but not far enough that he still couldn’t reach it. If he wanted to. But he didn’t want to. Okay, he wanted to, but he wasn’t going to.

He was not going to pick it up.

No way.

No how.

Walk away, Mitch. Just walk away.

Before he could stop himself, his fingers closed over the receiver and squeezed until his knuckles turned white.

Just then Dean poked his head around the corner. Grinning like the crazy, intuitive son-of-bitch he was, he asked, “You want me to get that?”

The image of Sara with another man curdled his blood. “No,” Mitch growled and ripped the phone from the cradle. He pressed it to his ear and said gruffly, “Hello.”

Sara’s soft sexy voice sounded on the other end. “Mitch?”

“Yeah?”

Foregoing pleasantries and getting right to the point, she said, “My kitty stopped purring. I think it needs to be resuscitated.”

Sweet Mother of God! Mitch slapped his hand to his forehead and drew a steadying breath, working overtime to tamp down his roaring libido.

He failed.

Lust ripped through him like a raging forest fire, making him tremble with pent up need. He growled low in his throat, unable to tame the primal animal rising up inside him, crumbling his resolve to keep his distance. Despite knowing better, he had every intention of breathing life back into her kitty, over and over again, using every means possible, if he had to.

If she expected anything less, she’d called the wrong guy, on the wrong night.

*     *    *     *     *

In addition to THE HOT LINE, I will, of course, send the winner a signed copy of TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS, a copy of TUMBLING THROUGH TIME by Gwen Cready and, what the heck, more chocolate! Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, so I’ll be throwing in some of those extras I’ve been promising. Hopefully, you’ll enjoy the holiday goodies!

Welcome to another fun-filled post of prizes! Today’s feature is a book from fan favorite Sasha White!

WICKED
Berkley Heat
ISBN-10: 0425219186
ISBN-13: 978-0425219188
Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance
Format: Trade paperback
Buy print book from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Borders
Bad-boy divorce attorney Karl Dawson has seen all the ways love can go wrong. That’s why he’s given up on it. Jaded and feeling restless, he has playmates, not girlfriends. A leather-clad Dominant, he comes and goes in the city’s after-dark playgrounds as he pleases. That’s how he likes it.

Lara Fox is an independent jack-of-all-trades who can do anything she sets her mind to – except that falling-in-love thing. She’s got a need for control too strong for most men, and an inability to walk away from a challenge. Including a challenge like Karl. He’s cocky, arrogant, and demanding. That’s how she needs it.

They’re perfect for each other. But what begins as a sensual battle of wills turns into a journey neither is prepared for when Lara is threatened and emotional walls start to crumble.

Reviews

5 Angels! “This fast moving story is sure to keep you wanting more with its erotic action, delightful characters and intriguing plot. It was also nice to hear Karl’s story after getting to know him a bit in Bound and Trouble, though reading the previous stories isn’t imperative to keep up in Wicked.”- Fallen Angels Reviews

Excerpt

“Why is there a woman under your desk?”

Karl Dawson’s steps faltered as soon as he entered the office. He stopped walking to enjoy the view of the denim covered heart shaped ass sticking out from under his assistant’s desk. Definitely female. And the way it was tilted up at an angle that made his hand itch to spank.

“I’ve switched sides.” The smirk on Graham Nelson’s pretty face as he said that made it clear he was full of shit.

Dressed in black slacks, a purple shirt and a pink tie, he was such a flaming homosexual that Karl toyed with the urge to hose him down with the fire extinguisher, just to see what would happen.

Instead, all he did was raise an eyebrow, fix his assistant with a look, and deepen his voice slightly. “Graham.”

“My friend Lara. She’s installing a wireless network for us.” Graham stood back from his desk, planted a hand on his outthrust hip, and eyeballed him. “Your client base has increased thirty percent in the last two months alone. This is needed.”

Karl eyeballed him right back. The divorce business was booming, and Graham was right – his legal services were in high demand with no signs of slowing down.

Shit. He hated changes made to his computer. Computers were not his friend. Anything beyond email gave him a headache and Graham knew it. “If you put more crap on my computer and my life gets more difficult … so does yours.”

“Actually …” a muffled voice came from Graham’s desk and Karl tried not to notice his body’s reaction to the delectable ass wiggling and waving as the woman backed out from beneath it.

She stood casually, thick black locks streaming down her back as she tossed her head and met his gaze head on. “Once I get my hands on your laptop you’ll be able to connect to the Internet from pretty much anywhere in the building, including the restaurant downstairs. We’ve set up a dedicated server for your files and all your data has already been transferred. I can teach you how to navigate the new programs in less than fifteen minutes, and life will be easier for you both.”

Graham waved his hand airily. “Trust me on this, Mr. Dawson. The upgrade will make my job easier, therefore your life simpler.”

The words barely registered in his mind as Karl watched Lara check him out. He recognized the appreciation in her gaze and an answering hunger stirred inside him.

He arched an eyebrow her way. “You’re going to teach me?”

“Sure.” Her smile turned suggestive. “I have no problem teaching a man how to do things right.”

“I don’t usually need instruction from my women.”

She shrugged. “All men need instruction at some point or another.”

Fire leapt to life inside of him, but Karl didn’t bother to respond. It had been a hell of a morning and he wasn’t really in the mood to deal with attitude from anyone, sexy or not.

And she was very sexy.

Bright blue eyes, smooth honey colored skin, and lush cocksucking lips made her very tempting, but she wore her arrogant attitude like a second skin. A second skin that blanketed a small, tight body in faded jeans and a skimpy pink t-shirt that made it clear she wasn’t wearing a bra. When his gaze lingered on her pert breasts, her nipples hardened and surprisingly, his mouth watered.

The image of her stretched out on his bed, tied down and still trying to tell him what to do flashed through his mind and he shook his head. She’d be too much work.

“I’ll be in my office when you’re ready.” He strode into his office, aware of her eyes on him as he walked, and closed the door.

Spring fever had hit full force this year and he’d been fighting his restlessness for a while. How it happened he didn’t know. Work was great. The divorce business was booming, and as one of the city’s top sharks in that pool, he was making more than enough money to make him happy.

Women had always been easy for him. He wasn’t blessed with particularly good looks, his blond hair had just enough curl to make it unruly and his brown eyes were nothing to speak of, but women still wanted him. Even more so since he’d started making the big bucks.

He could get as much sex as he wanted, in any way he wanted, and he’d enjoyed it a lot in the past. But lately, sex just didn’t seem to be enough to hold his interest, and the fighting and negotiating of high profit divorce work was becoming tedious.

At least when he was at The Dungeon he knew it was him the women wanted. When the divorcees and society ladies he met through work hit on him, he was sure they wanted the successful lawyer, not the man.

And yet, last night, for the third time in the last two weeks he’d left The Dungeon alone.

The underground sex club had been his playground for many years, and his reputation as a Dominant had grown so much that offers for companionship were never lacking. More than a couple of offers for sexual play had been made the night before, but he’d turned them all down.

If one of his regular playmates, Jan or Marie, had been there he might’ve been into it. His girls were always eager to please, and that was always fun, but he hadn’t been in the mood for someone new. Strange considering he used to thrive on the challenge of training a new submissive, or just having a new girl for one night. But, the usual sex games had become … boring.

Hell, his life had become boring. Something was missing.

A sharp rap on his door had him shaking his thoughts off, and focusing on the day ahead. “Come on in.”

Lara strode into his office, a challenging smile on her lips and a gleam in her eye. “Ready for your lessons?”

This one was definitely not boring.

Yet, something tightened in Karl’s chest when he looked at her, and he wasn’t sure if it was annoyance, amusement, or … arousal.

Lara Fox couldn’t help herself, she loved flirting too much.

She’d flirt pretty much anytime, anywhere, and with anyone. It made her feel good – made her feel strong and sexy, and in control.

Normally she didn’t initiate flirtations unless she was looking to pick someone up for a night, or hustling him at the pool table. But Graham’s boss was pretty yummy, and she was suddenly very hungry. Despite his obviously expensive suit, crisp navy blue tie and polished shoes, Karl Dawson had an edge to him.

Maybe it was the scar running through his eyebrow, or the hint of ink she saw on his neck when he turned his head and his hair shifted. Then again, it could just be the look in his dark chocolate colored eyes – the look of a man who knew his way around a woman’s body.

“I promise I won’t hurt you,” she said when he didn’t reply to her taunt about the lessons. “Just show me your laptop and we can get started.”

“Sweetheart, you couldn’t hurt me if you tried,” he said as he opened up his laptop.

Oh, you might be surprised, Lara thought with a hidden smile. But instead of saying so, she winked and played a little more. “Is that an invitation?”

Dark eyes flashing, he held out his hands, palms up, and flashed her a cocky grin. When he didn’t say anything further Lara sauntered around the desk to stand beside his chair. Their eyes met and a tingle zinged through her.
So tempting to just straddle his lap and plant a big kiss on him. Just to see his reaction. Well, and to enjoy it too, because there was no doubt in her mind that she’d enjoy kissing him.

A small smile graced her lips and she turned to the laptop, bent at the waist, and started tapping out commands without another word. The silence stretched and the tension built. Lara’s blood heated and she shifted her stance, arching her back a bit more and locking her knees as she bent over the desk.

If they’d met at another time in another place, she was sure they’d have a hell of a good time for a few hours. But he was her friend’s boss, and that could make things awkward when she wanted to walk away — and she was always the one to walk away – so it wasn’t going to happen. Which meant she had to keep her hormones in check.

The heat of him next to her as she worked was distracting. She worked faster, keeping her eyes on the computer, but she couldn’t help flirting with the fire just a little bit by shifting her weight so that her hip brushed against his shoulder, then away again.

Karl’s chair shifted back a little and she felt his eyes on the tribal tattoo on the small of her back, her ass, her legs. The desire to be touched, to connect – just for a short time — awakened inside her and she closed her eyes briefly.

This was not good. Not good at all. She needed to get out of there. Her lunch break was almost over and she had her own job to get back to.

Yeah, that was it. Work.

She gave herself a mental head slap and straightened up.

“Okay, look at this,” she called him forward. “It’s obvious you’re familiar with the Internet and email, which means you also know that it’s not always reliable. With the dedicated server you can store all your files on here and they can be accessed by anyone with the passwords.”

All business, Lara went on to explain what the passwords were, and how he could change them to his own. How he could make certain areas accessible only to him, and leave others open to Graham and anyone else he needed to share information with. She showed him the new programs she’d installed at Graham’s request, all the files they’d already transferred, and showed him how to work the system, as well as the advantages of the wireless connection.

“Got it?” she asked.

“You were right,” he nodded. “These changes will make things a bit easier. Thank you.”

She chuckled. “Try not to choke on the words.”

“Hey, it doesn’t happen often, so when it does I don’t mind admitting I was wrong.”

She perched her butt on the edge of his desk and leaned back on her hands. The posture thrust her breasts forward and the air sizzled between them as his gaze swept over her. “A little arrogant, aren’t you?”

“Not arrogant.” He grinned wickedly. “Confident.”

Her mouth ran away without her brain again. “It’s been my experience that men as confident as you are often overcompensating for something. What do you think about that?”

“I think you haven’t experienced me.”

An unladylike bark of laughter jumped from her lips. “Oh ho! Is that a challenge?”

His eyes darkened and his smile became almost predatory. “Maybe it’s a warning.”

Lara’s heart pumped faster and blood raced through her veins. Suddenly she was feeling very alive.

She pushed away from the desk and started for the door. “Too bad. I’ve always been a sucker for a challenge.” Her hand was on the doorknob when his next softly spoken words halted her in her steps.

“But a warning scares you off?”

Now that was a challenge.

*     *     *     *     *

In addition to WICKED, the winner will also receive a signed copy of TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS, a copy of THE DARK GARDEN by Eden Bradley and, because everyone seems to be digging the chocolate, I’ll add another chunk of the yummy stuff to this prize pack.

I am going to be traveling tomorrow. I may not get the 10th day up until Friday. But I will be back with more goodies. And maybe a new excerpt or two from one of my upcoming books. Stay tuned!

It’s the 8th day of this contest, and I neither know nor am giving away a maid a milking. And aren’t you glad? What am I giving away? Scrumptious Avon historical author Jenna Petersen’s first release of her “Lady Spies” trilogy:

FROM LONDON WITH LOVE
Avon
ISBN-10: 0060798610
ISBN-13: 978-0060798611
Genre: Historical Romance
Format: Mass market historical
Buy print book from Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Borders

Meredith Sinclair is everything a lady of society should be. She sparkles at every party, men fall at her feet and every woman longs to be like her. But beneath that popular exterior lurks a serious spy. And her newest assignment is very personal.

She is sent to investigate Tristan Archer’s involvement in the robbery of a painting that may have hidden secret information about the British Army’s movements in France. Meredith knows she shouldn’t grow to close to a potential traitor, but many years ago Tristan saved her life. And it’s harder and harder to believe he could be so wrong when his kisses are so right.

Will the evidence break her heart… or will her heart set them both free?

Reviews
“…as romantic as it is mysterious…” — Joyfully Reviewed

“…a very erotic and heartfelt journey…” — Romance Junkies

“If you love romances that curl your toes and tales that provide page turning excitement you will find a place for From London with Love on your keeper shelves.” — Fallen Angel Reviews

Excerpt
Chapter 1

1812

Meredith Sinclair held her breath as she knelt before the safe, a lock pick clamped between her teeth and a candle flickering on the floor as she gave the door a pull. Her lips tilted into a smile around the pick as the safe door swung open, revealing two identical velvet boxes.

Withdrawing them both, she pulled a tiny magnifying glass from the pocket of the fitted gentleman’s trousers she wore as a disguise and removed the first necklace from its box. She barely held back a gasp of pleasure at the beauty of the piece. The diamonds sparkled in the glow of the candlelight and the amethysts reflected a violet so rich and deep that it was worthy of a king.

She dipped her head and examined the piece. When she didn’t find what she had been looking for, she opened the second box, to reveal a necklace that was identical to the first in all ways.

“All ways but one,” she murmured to herself with a smile as she found the tiny mark on one stone that indicated a forgery. She replaced the real necklace in its case and put it into her bag, then got to her feet.

Carefully, she slipped from the room and down the dim hallway to the servants’ entrance she had paid a disgruntled footman to leave open for her. The home was silent as a grave, its occupants at a party across London, where they were no doubt scouting out their next piece of jewelry to steal. The servants had the night off or were in their quarters.

It was all too easy.

Meredith stifled another smug smile as she made her way into the garden behind the estate. In a few short steps she would be in her waiting carriage hidden around the corner and on her way back home. Another case solved.

The thought had no more than passed through her head when she heard a shout behind her. She glanced over her shoulder to see three men burst from the home in her direction.

“Damn it,” she muttered as she started to run. The door leading from the garden onto the street was still a good twenty feet away.

That was when the first shot whizzed past her ear. Without breaking stride, Meredith looked back to see the second man lifting his gun as the first man fell behind to reload.

She dropped her shoulders and darted to the left as she reached the garden door, just as a second bullet slammed into its wooden face and splintered wood flew in all directions. She grabbed the door handle and pulled…

Only to find it had been relocked since her entry into the home not half an hour before.

A wide variety of curses passed through Meredith’s mind, but she didn’t utter them. For one, she had to save her breath for running, and two, since she was in disguise, she didn’t want her pursuers to know she was a woman. That would only complicate matters.

She bounded along the garden wall in hopes she would find something to be her salvation. And then it appeared. A wheelbarrow propped against the wall by some helpful gardener.

“Thank you patron saint of spies,” she murmured as she jumped onto the rounded top of the wheelbarrow, balanced for a brief moment, then braced her hands along the garden wall and pushed herself over the top.

She hit the cobblestone below with a jarring force that made her teeth rattle, but was instantly on the move again. Her carriage was parked in sight in the dark shadow of a nearby building and her driver had turned, looking for her. Likely he had heard the gunfire inside the garden, for his own rifle was raised to cover her if need be.

With a yank, Meredith pulled the carriage door open and dove inside.

“Go, Henderson!” she called as another bullet shattered the glass window on the door. She reached back and pulled the damaged door shut as she flattened herself against the floor in case her pursuers fired again. “Drive!”

The horses had already begun to move before the second order left her lips. They roared forward under Henderson’s skilled whip, leaving her hunters behind, their loud curses echoing along the quiet streets.

*     *     *     *     *

In addition to Jenna’s book, the winner will also receive a signed copy of TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS, a copy of SLAVE by Cheryl Brooks and more chocolate! Start commenting now! More tomorrow…

Today’s prize package is up early today because a) I’m going to be REALLY busy today with last minute holiday stuff and b) I KNOW people are going to be totally excited about. Because she’s awesome and we’re doing an anthology together, FOURPLAY, in 2010, Maya Banks was kind enough to donate a signed copy of SWEET SURRENDER and the very hot (’cause I read it myself)…

BE WITH ME
Berkley HEAT
ISBN-10: 042522404X
ISBN-13: 978-0425224045
Genre: Erotic Romance
Format: Trade Paperback
Buy print book from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Borders

Three men. One woman.

Hutch Bishop, Cam Douglas, and Sawyer Pritchard were juvenile delinquents with a reckless and wildly sexy side. But they had more in common than that. They had Regina Fallon, a wealthy but lonely girl from the right side of the tracks who formed an unusual friendship with the boys. She felt protected. She felt needed. She felt loved… for the first time in her life. By all three.

So much closer than just friends.

Today, she’s a police officer, dedicated to her badge, and wary of reigniting her relationship with the hot trio after one night of passion left her confused—and stunned—by what they wanted from her. But when a mysterious attempt is made on her life, Hutch, Cam, and Sawyer jump in to protect her again. Now, Regina and her three lovers are forming an all-new bond. It’s more exciting, more intense, and—as a killer looms in the shadows—more dangerous than ever before.

Excerpt
When Regina opened her eyes, she groaned and slammed them shut again.  There wasn’t an inch of her body that wasn’t screaming like a girl.  She heard the murmur of voices and cracked open an eyelid to see who was there.
           
Birdie.  Regina smiled then winced.  Damn, even smiling hurt.  Her gaze skirted over to where Jeremy stood with his wife Michelle.
           
“Where’s the kiddo?” she croaked out.
           
Relief echoed in Jeremy’s expression.  “Jake and Ellie have him.  How do you feel, Regina?”
           
He and Michelle moved closer to the bed, and Michelle gave her a sympathetic smile.
           
“Do I look that bad?” Regina asked.
           
Before Michelle could answer, a cool hand fluttered across Regina’s forehead.
           
“Birdie,” Regina whispered.  “I’m sorry to have worried you, but I’m so glad you’re here.”
           
The older woman smiled and bent down to kiss Regina’s cheek.  “As if I’d be anywhere else.”
           
“You’ve been here all night, haven’t you?”  Regina frowned.  “For that matter, how long have I been here?”  She looked up at Jeremy as more of what happened came back.  “Did you get him?  And damn, why does it sound like I’ve got a horde of frogs in my throat?”
           
Jeremy grimaced.  “One thing at a time, okay, girl?  No, I didn’t get him. But we will.  And you sound like shit because he tried to choke you after beating the hell out of you.”  His eyes glittered with anger.
           
His wife put a reassuring hand on his arm and squeezed.
           
Another thought hit her, and panic gripped her throat.  “My gun, Jeremy.  He knocked it out of my hand.”
           
“It’s all right.  We recovered it on scene. It’s being processed, so you’ll have to do without it for a few days. Not like you’ll be coming back to work tomorrow anyway.”
           
She grimaced.  No, she wouldn’t be back tomorrow, but if she had anything to say about it, she wouldn’t be laid up for very long.  She glanced up at Jeremy and his wife.  He looked haggard, and he probably had better things to do than sit here and babysit her ass.
           
“I’m fine now, so you two should go home. I appreciate you coming, though,” Regina said.
           
“Are you sure you don’t want us to stay?” Michelle asked.
           
“You two go on,” Birdie interjected. “I’ll be staying with her no matter how much she fusses about it.”
           
Jeremy nodded then stared hard at Regina.  “We’ll get him.”
           
Regina nodded and regretted moving her head when the room swam in her vision.  A few moments later, she heard the door shut, and she slowly turned her head so that Birdie was in her sight.
           
“How bad is it?” she asked.
           
Birdie let out a soft hmmpph.  “It’s not good, but you’ll live.  Half the department has been by to see you.  The other half has phoned.  I finally had to turn the ringer off so it wouldn’t disturb you.”
           
“What happened?  I don’t remember much.”
           
Birdie sighed.  “I think your department is hoping you can fill them in on what happened.  Jeremy said he responded to your request for backup and found you inside the house with a man’s fingers wrapped around your throat.”
           
Regina raised her hand to her neck and rubbed lightly as she remembered the hand that had squeezed.
           
“Do you hurt?” Birdie asked.  Her face softened in sympathy.  “I can call the nurse and get you something for pain.  The doctor said you’re pretty banged up.”
           
Regina looked down, and for the first time, registered that she had a brace on her left wrist.  She grimaced as she raised it to view the damage.  “Is it broken?” she asked, hoping to hell it wasn’t.
           
Birdie shook her head. “The ligaments in your wrist are strained, and the doctor wants you to nurse it properly until it heals. They were concerned you’d broken some ribs so they took X-rays.”
           
“So when can I get out?”
           
“You’ll stay put, young lady.  Don’t get any ideas about moving too quick.”
           
Regina sagged onto her pillow.  Another day or so in bed sounded pretty good, not that she’d admit that to Birdie.  A sudden thought occurred to her, and she turned her head to look at Birdie.  “You didn’t call my parents did you?”
           
Birdie sighed.  “No, of course not.  I know you wouldn’t want that.” 
           
She didn’t quite meet Regina’s gaze, though, and that worried Regina.  She eyed Birdie suspiciously, and then her face tightened in alarm.  “Birdie, you didn’t.”
           
Birdie frowned.  “I didn’t what?”
           
“You didn’t call them. You wouldn’t.”
           
Birdie sighed in exasperation.  “What are you talking about, Regina?”
           
Regina groaned. “You did, didn’t you?  You called them.”
           
Birdie pursed her lips and leaned forward in her chair.  “When are you going to stop running from them, Regina?  From yourself?”
           
“That’s a damn good question, Birdie.”
           
The low drawl sent a flutter of excitement through Regina’s stomach.  She ventured a look at the doorway to see Cam, Hutch and Sawyer standing there in various poses.  Cam had his arms crossed over his chest, Hutch had his hands shoved into his jeans pocket, and Sawyer leaned indolently against the door, watching her.
           
Hutch was the first to move.  He strolled over to the bed, raised one brow when he looked her over, then dragged a chair to the bedside and slouched down.
           
“You look like hell.”
           
Regina laughed and promptly regretted it as pain wracked her body. God, she’d missed him.  She’d never admit it in a million years, but she was glad to see them all.  Too glad.
           
Cam moved closer to the bed, his dark eyes glittering with anger and concern.  He put a hand on Birdie’s shoulder then leaned down to kiss her.
           
“You should go home now, Birdie. Get some rest.  We’ll take care of her from here.”
           
Birdie flashed a guilty look in Regina’s direction then smiled and patted Cam’s cheek.  “Someone has to take care of this one.  She won’t do it herself.”
           
Regina growled under her breath.
           
Sawyer chuckled and elbowed his way by Cam.  Regina turned her cheek as he leaned down to kiss her, but he nudged her chin with his fingers and kissed her lingeringly on the lips.  His goatee tickled her skin and sent a shiver down her body. He slid his palm down her jaw to the bruises around her neck.
           
“I’m going to kill him,” he muttered.
           
Regina shoved at him in irritation then fixed her glare on all three of them.  “See, this is why I didn’t want Birdie to call you.  I knew you’d come barging in, swimming in testosterone, beating your chests and muttering threats against humanity.”
           
Sawyer laughed.  “You wouldn’t exaggerate now would you, Reggie?”
           
She shot him a quelling look, but he only grinned in response.
           
Cam sat down on the edge of the bed and laid a hand over her leg.  “Whether you wanted us here or not, we’re here.  We’ve been here all night, and I have to say, you’re a lot easier to get along with when you’re sleeping.”
           
Damn it, she would not smile.
           
“Furthermore, you’re coming home with us when you’re released.”
           
She opened her mouth to protest, but Sawyer touched her arm, Hutch put a hand on her shoulder, and Cam’s grip tightened on her leg, and she forgot all about saying anything.  How did they do that?
           
“I’ve already spoken to the doctor,” Cam continued.  “He wants to keep you one more night for observation.  He’ll release you in the morning as long as you have a place to stay.  Your house alone doesn’t count.”  He stared pointedly at her.
           
She sighed.  “I have a job to do.  I have a killer to catch.  I don’t have time for you guys to fuss over me, and I seriously doubt you have the time either.”
           
“We’ll make the time,” Hutch said.
           
She turned to him and frowned.  He was the one she could usually count on not to treat her like an invalid.  She’d been so grateful when he walked in and said she looked like hell, because it meant he wasn’t going to start posturing like the other two and make a big deal over what had happened.
           
“I’m a pushover, Reggie, but not when it comes to what’s best for you,” he said as if he’d reached right into her mind and plucked out her thoughts.  Damn the man.
           
“I agree with them, Regina,” Birdie spoke up.  “You shouldn’t be alone right now.  There’s no way you can go back to your job until you’ve properly healed.”
           
“Traitor,” she muttered.
           
“Birdie, you sound tired,” Sawyer said.  “If you like, I’ll drive you home.  We’re here now.  We’ll take good care of Reggie.”
           
Birdie smiled even as Regina scowled.  “I can drive myself.  You boys came a long way to see Regina. I’ll leave you to it.”  She leaned down to kiss Regina’s cheek.  “I’ll be back later. Is there anything I can bring you?”
           
Regina shook her head.  “Thank you, Birdie.”
           
Birdie squeezed her hand.  “No need to thank me.  You feel like one of mine. Just like these boys do.”
           
Regina smiled and watched the guys momentarily forget about her as they gathered around Birdie to give her hugs and kisses.  Birdie did love those boys.  She’d given them a home and love when no one else wanted them.  And they loved her every bit as much as she did them.
           
There had been times growing up that Regina had envied Cam, Hutch and Sawyer. It sounded silly.  She’d had a privileged childhood in that she’d never gone without food or clothing.  But the one thing she’d missed was love, the one thing that the guys had never lacked for once they’d come to live with Birdie.
           
She’d envied them that.  They would have laughed at the idea that she, the daughter of one of the wealthiest men in the state, had envied dirt-poor boys who had been in and out of foster homes and juvenile detention.  But in a lot of ways, they had more freedom than she’d ever dreamed of.  And they had Birdie.
           
It wasn’t until junior high that the bond had formed between her and Hutch, Cam and Sawyer. They had lived with Birdie a few years, Hutch being the last to arrive.  It was Hutch who ultimately brought the four together.
           
He had stumbled across Regina’s “pretend place,” what amounted to a little hollow in the creek bed a mile from Birdie’s house and across the pasture from Regina’s own home.
           
Regina hadn’t appreciated the interruption any more than Hutch had liked coming across a girl.  But with no place else to go and nothing else to do, they’d formed a grudging truce and agreed to share the space.
           
When Cam and Sawyer had discovered Hutch’s new friend, they’d teased him relentlessly.  That is until Regina bloodied both their noses.  While Hutch was a little mortified to be defended by a girl, the three developed a healthy respect for the tiny little spitfire.
           
By the time they reached high school, the friendship between the four of them was solid.  Labeled as hellraisers and not given a spitting chance at ever amounting to much (by the townspeople), the three boys hadn’t cared much about fitting in.  But no one bad-mouthed them around Regina.  Even her father had learned the futility of that.
           
She sighed.  She’d give a lot to go back to those days.  Things had been simple.  They’d had so much fun.  They’d been inseparable.
           
A warm hand closed over hers, and she jerked her attention back to the present.  Birdie had disappeared, and now Regina faced three surly looking men.  Hell.
           
Cam, ever one to take the bull by the horns, didn’t bandy words.  She usually liked that about him except when it was her he wanted to be blunt about.
           
“It’s time we talked, Reggie,” he said firmly.
           
She glanced to Hutch and Sawyer in a silent plea for mercy.  The determined looks on both their faces told her she wasn’t getting any.
           
“Captive audience, darlin’,” Hutch murmured.  “You won’t be running like a scalded cat this time.”
           
She closed her eyes and clutched the sheet with bloodless fingers.  They wouldn’t really bring up that, would they?
           
“You pretending we didn’t have sex won’t change a damn thing,” Cam said.
           
Yeah, they would.
           
Embarrassment heated her cheeks but she worked, at great pain to herself, to keep the humiliation from her expression.
           
Sawyer leaned down, tucked one finger under her chin and tapped upward until she met his gaze.  “It would be one thing if you didn’t enjoy it, Reggie, but we all know that isn’t the truth.  It would be different if you didn’t have feelings for us or we didn’t have feelings for you, but we also know that isn’t true.”
           
She pressed her lips into a mutinous line and glared up at him.
           
“We have all the time in the world,” Hutch said casually.  “You won’t be getting away from us this time.  You ran hard, Reggie, and we let you.  That’s on us.  But it won’t happen again.  That’s also on us.”
           
Helpless rage tightened her chest.  She hated how they made her feel.  She loved the way they made her feel.  She hated how out of control they made her feel.
           
She swallowed and winced at the pain in her throat.  Sawyer stroked his hand over her forehead and gazed tenderly down at her.  “We’ll get you something for pain, Reggie.  You need rest.  We’ll be here when you wake up.  We’re not going anywhere.  You count on that.  You also need to know that we’re going to talk about this. Us.”
           
He lowered his head and once again kissed her.  Hot tears pricked her eyelids, and she blinked furiously, pissed that she’d allow him to affect her so deeply.
           
“It was just sex,” she whispered.
           
His blue eyes flashed and narrowed.  “You keep telling yourself that, Reggie, and one day, you might actually believe it.”
           
“I don’t need you here.”  The words caught in her throat, and she immediately regretted them.  Weak.  She was weak.  But her rejection didn’t anger the guys.
           
Cam just smiled at her, while Hutch stroked her arm above the line of the brace.
           
“You may not want us here, but you do need us,” Cam said with confidence that grated on her nerves.
           
“And we need you,” Hutch said simply.
           
She turned to look at him and felt her stance weaken.  What they wanted, no, what they demanded, she couldn’t give them.  How could anyone?  It wasn’t normal.  It wasn’t done.  It wasn’t possible.  Not in her world.  Not in any world.
           
Sawyer ran his hand through her hair again, and she instinctively moved closer.  He tucked the short, curly strands behind her ears and ran his finger down the sensitive skin behind her ear.
           
They were doing it again.  Lulling her, numbing her senses with their touch, their presence.  Hutch stroked her arm, rubbing lightly while Sawyer continued to finger the strands of her hair.  Cam laid his big hand over her knee, and she could feel the heat of his fingers through the sheet.
           
She felt safe.  More than that, she felt comforted, as if for this one moment, everything was all right.
           
She jumped when the door opened and the nurse walked in.  She scowled at the interruption even as she realized she should be grateful for the reprieve. 
           
Somehow, Sawyer had maneuvered himself onto the bed beside her, all while stroking her neck.  Smooth bastard.  He sat with one leg hanging over the side, her head nestled in the crook of his arm.
           
She realized how cozy, how intimate, they all looked, Hutch on her other side, his hand resting possessively on her arm, Cam sitting at her feet, absently rubbing her knee, and her all hugged up to Sawyer.
           
The nurse raised an eyebrow but didn’t say much as she navigated around the males to get to Regina’s IV.  The line had been disconnected but the saline lock was still in place to administer medication.  Sawyer gently pulled her arm up and rested it on his lap but made no effort to move for the nurse.  She shrugged and reached for Regina’s hand.
           
“My best oblivion cocktail coming right up,” the nurse said as she uncapped the syringe.  She swabbed the port and deftly inserted the needle.
           
In seconds, Regina felt the slight burn as the medication hit her veins.  It swept up her arm, and when it got to her shoulder, she relaxed and sagged further into Sawyer’s embrace.
           
She drowsily registered his lips nuzzling into her hair and him murmuring softly.  As the nurse moved away, he pulled her even closer.  She raised her other hand, blindly reaching for Hutch.  The action contradicted her every word, but as much as she said she didn’t need them, didn’t want them there, for the last year she’d felt like a huge part of herself was missing.
           
Hutch caught her hand and lowered it back to the bed, his fingers cautiously laced with hers.
           
She struggled to open her eyes one more time, and her gaze connected with Cam’s.
           
“I missed you,” she whispered, too foggy to call back the words before they slipped from her mouth.
           
Cam’s brown eyes softened.  “We missed you too, sweetheart.  Now rest and get better.”
           
“Don’t go,” she murmured as she fought against the lethargy slogging through her body and brain.
           
“We’re not going anywhere, Reggie,” Sawyer said close to her ear.  “I promise.”
           
She drifted off with the comfort of that promise echoing in her mind.

*     *     *     *     *

In addition to the awesome signed Maya Banks books, you’ll receive a copy of SEA WITCH by Virginia Kantra, (of course) a signed copy of TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS and a little something for your chocolate craving. Good luck!

Welcome back for another prize during this wonderful season. We’re half done with the contest. If you’ve been commenting and have signed up for my newsletter, you’re definitely in the running. If you want your friends and family to have chances to win too, be sure to pass on the URL. So, on with the holly jolly part of this post…

Today, I’m featuring friend and fellow author Melissa Schroeder. She’ll be giving away not one, but TWO books for this prize, so y’all get your fingers limbered up for commenting. She’ll give away A LITTLE HARMLESS SEX and…

A LITTLE HARMLESS PLEASURE
Samhain Publishing
ISBN: 1-59998-540-3 (eBook)
ISBN:1-59998-561-6
Genre: Erotic Romance/Interracial
Format: Trade Paperback
Buy print book from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Borders
Buy eBook from: Samhain | Sony | Mobipocket
View the Trailer!

Cynthia Myers meets Chris Dupree at her former fiancé’s wedding. After a little dancing, and champagne, she ends up back in Chris’s hotel room. For one night of down and dirty sex. That’s it, that’s all. He lives far away, and she has other things to do…like get a life.
Chris is a switch. He likes to dominate but he also likes to play the role of a submissive from time to time. His last relationship with a sub turned nasty and since then, he has shied away from anything but straight vanilla sex. When he meets Cynthia, he finds a woman who could change his mind. His mate. The only problem is he has to convince her.

In a carefully orchestrated seduction, Chris teaches Cynthia about submission and dominance, allowing her take the reins. As he leads her through pleasures she thought she’d never experience, Cynthia’s self confidence soars and she finds herself falling in love with him. But, when he asks for submission in the bedroom, can she surrender to prove her love or was it all about a little harmless pleasure?

Warning, this book contains: Lots of sex, of course; bondage and submission done in a tasteful but wonderfully arousing way, propositions from a drunken woman, hot phone sex, southern accents, Hawaiian scenery, and OH MY, a m/f/m ménage that will send tingles all the way to your toes, along with other various body parts. A glass of ice cold water for refreshment is recommended while reading.

Reviews
“This is a delicious and frisky novel that is sure to please any erotic lover’s taste buds.” ~ The Romance Studio,

“This is a melt in your mouth and ask for more story.” Just Erotic Romance Reviews

Excerpt

(c) 2008, Melissa Schroeder

“You’re embarrassed to be seen with me.” He said the words, worried they might be true. He didn’t think Cynthia was prejudiced, but he was in South Georgia, the heart of Dixie. It was different from Honolulu. Her family came from old Southern money, the kind that didn’t like to mingle with people of color—unless they were being served by them. But besides the color of Cynthia’s skin, there was the added problem of her background. She’d been taught to be ashamed of her sexuality. Even as she frowned at him, he slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her to him.

She settled against his chest. Her golden hair contrasted against his dark skin. He drew in a deep breath. The hint of her flowery perfume lingered beneath the scent of sex coating her skin.

“You know I’m not embarrassed to be seen with you. In fact, I would probably gain points for the gossip it would cause.”

He heard the smile in her voice and responded in kind.

She shook her head. “It isn’t being seen with you that would bother me. It is everyone knowing…well, knowing.”

Resting his chin on top of her head, he gently rocked her. “What does that matter? Everyone knew about you and Max.”

The sigh she released was filled with irritation. “Yes, they did. But, you see, I was marrying Max. A Myers doesn’t have one-night stands.”

He heard the scorn in her voice. He hoped it was more for what she’d had to endure than what had occurred between them. Glancing over his shoulder, he located a chair just a few steps back.

“Tell you what,” he said as he walked both of them to the chair. “Why don’t we have breakfast, and then you can go?”

When he reached the chair, he sat, pulling her down with him. She wiggled and crossed her arms beneath her breasts. Breasts he wanted to touch, lick, taste. Since he was nude, he knew she felt his erection. She stilled, looking down at him, her eyes simmering with passion.

“Chris.” She was trying to sound like she disapproved. It wasn’t working. Mainly because he could see the pulse in her neck jump and hear her breathing increase. “You would think…”

She closed her eyes as he grabbed hold of her hips and ground against her. “Think what?” He nipped at her earlobe.

She drew in a shuddering breath. “Chris…”

This time, there was such yearning in her voice it made him want to shout with triumph. She needed him like he needed her and playing fair was off the table. Knowing how sensitive her breasts were, he slid one hand up under her blouse and beneath the fabric of her bra. A few strokes of his thumb was all it took. Her nipple pebbled, and she moaned.

“Come on, chéri. Once more.”

And even though he said it, he silently acknowledged once would never be enough. He’d never felt this connection with a woman, the need to bring her into her own, to teach her the things that would make her complete. He moved his hand to caress her other breast, and she relaxed against him.

“This is our one chance.” He didn’t believe that. He would figure out some way to make it work, even thousands of miles apart. “Why would we not enjoy ourselves?”

She shuddered, her rear end wiggling over his erection. As the blood rushed from his brain, he had to beat back the caveman who said to throw her down and show her just how good they were together.

He slid his hand beneath her skirt. As he skimmed one finger along her slit, he pinched her nipple with the fingers of his other hand. Her gasp was filled with surprise and arousal.

“Chris…”

Her sex was so damp her panties soaked with her passion. She moved with him, her body taking over even if she still harbored doubts.

“That’s it, baby. So wet.”

In one abrupt motion, she pulled away from him and off his lap. He opened his mouth to argue with her, but she shook her head. She settled her hands on her hips, her breath coming out in gasps. Licking his lips, he noticed her nipples pushing against the fabric of her shirt.

“You know, you like to tell people what to do. But I’m not sure I want that.”

Again, his mouth opened in protest, but she touched her index finger to the tip of his cock, spreading around the beads of moisture that had bubbled up. Catching his gaze, she lifted her hand to her mouth, licking her fingers. A simple act, but it was probably one of the most erotic things he’d witnessed in his life. She put her finger between her lips, sucking the rest of the liquid off.

When she finished, she slid her finger out and smiled. “I was right, Mr. Dupree. You are delicious.” Her voice dripped with seduction, arousal, her Southern accent deepening, turning him inside out. He moved to stand, but she stepped forward and placed her hand on his shoulder.

“Uh, uh, uh. Mr. Dupree, I think we are having problems communicating here.” She trailed her fingers over his chest as she walked around the chair. Once she was behind him, she settled her hands on his shoulders, rubbing his tense muscles. “I think for once I should be the one to decide about this. True, you played along with me yesterday, but I don’t know if you suffered enough.”

He wanted to tell her that he had not been playing along. That he understood her need to dominate. She stole any rational thought as she moved her hands to his head, massaging his scalp. Chris closed his eyes and leaned his head back to rest on her breasts.

“You know, I have a feeling you enjoyed yourself last night.”

He chuckled. “How did you guess?”

She ignored that comment. “But you know what? I don’t think you ever told me what you like.”

Her hands skimmed down his face, past his chest and stomach, to his cock. He was held mesmerized watching her elegant, ivory hands contrasting against his darker skin as they moved down his body. Leaning against his shoulder, she draped her body over his and took hold of him at the base.

“It was all about making me happy, which is good. I don’t know if anyone ever thought about that before. But you know what would make me happy?” She nipped at his ear, then licked it.

“What?”

She stroked him again, allowing her thumb to pass over the head. “I want to drive you crazy.”

“You’re doing a good job of it right now, Cynthia.”

She pumped him a few times. Tension gathered along his nerve endings, his body coiling, reaching for the pinnacle. His balls were so tight, he was amazed he had held on this long.

“Not good enough, in my opinion.”

Once more she stroked him, teasing him with the release he needed, then she was gone and walking around the chair again. His body was pulsing, clamoring to reach fulfillment, and she left him. He opened his eyes and found her in front of him. Without a word, she dropped to her knees. She placed a hand on each of his legs and leaned forward. Touching her tongue to the base of his cock, she licked up one side, swiped over the top, and down the other side.

“Sweet. You taste so sweet.” He didn’t miss the excitement in her voice. She made him sound like a tasty confection, one she would relish, lick by lick, until she had completely devoured it.

She wrapped one hand around the base, took him into her mouth. She couldn’t take his entire length, but she did her damnedest. Closing her eyes, she set to work, sucking, kissing, licking him, driving him out of his ever-loving mind. Again, the tension mounted. He curled his toes, trying to hold off. Just as he felt he might not be able to stop his orgasm, she pulled away.

He looked down and almost came at the sight of her tongue darting out over her swollen lips.

“Hmmm.” That was all she said before she leaned forward to lick and suck his balls. Jesus. He’d created a monster.

*     *      *      *      *

In addition to Mel’s tasty offering, I’ll be giving away a signed copy of TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS, a nifty copy of RIDING TEMPTATION by Jaci Burton and a some bath goodies. Hope you enjoy. Happy Friday!

While I’d like 5 gold rings, chances are, I’m not getting any…so I don’t have any to pass on to you. What I DO have today as the feature is a signed book from Lauren Dane:

ENFORCER
Ellora’s Cave (print)
ISBN-10: 1419958313
ISBN-13: 978-1419958311
Genre: Erotic Romance
Format: Trade paperback
Buy from Ellora’s Cave

Nina Reyes is a just barely reformed grifter who has left her past and her criminal record behind. That is until her brother shows up on her doorstep with some rogue werewolves out to kill him.

Nina gets drawn into the web of intrigue further when Lex Warden, Cascadia Pack’s Enforcer, comes to her for help and she ends up needing his protection.

There’s missing viral agents, the werewolf mafia, death threats, arson and a whole lot of scorching sex and acerbic wit between them.

Welcome to the Northwest and Casadia Pack.

Reviews

4 1/2 Stars! “The first book in the Cascadia Wolves series starts out with a bang, and the action never lets up. An intricate world of werewolf tradition and pack hierarchy sets the scene for the well-developed characters. The very steamy sexual scenes, including a threesome, are well done and integral to the story.” ~ Romantic Times

5 Angels and a Recommended Read! “I was blown away by the world that Lauren Dane created in Cascadia Wolves: ENFORCER. The characters, the hierarchy of The Pack, and the intricacy of the world itself was amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Nina Reyes was the perfect mix of moxy and insecurity. Lex Warden was absolutely too yummy to believe. He was willing to do whatever he could to ensure her happiness. ‘Watching’ these two interact was fun and Ms. Dane’s phrasing made me laugh out loud a few times. I cannot wait until the next book in her series comes out. I gladly give Cascadia Wolves: ENFORCER a Recommended Read rating and two thumbs up to Ms. Dane for a fantastic book.” ~ Fallen Angels Reviews

Excerpt

He stroked his fingertips over her stomach and she cracked an eye open and turned her head to look at him.

“I hope you’re not thinking I’m doing the work and being on top. I was just nearly killed and all.”

“Nina, beautiful, let’s just rest. Go to sleep.”

She rolled over onto her side to face him and frowned. “Don’t you want me?”

“Oh god, yes! Of course I do. All day long. Every moment of the day. But you’re recovering from traumatic injuries, I can’t! It would be taking advantage.”

Nina blinked at him. “Are you fucking kidding me? Look, Dr. Phil, shut up already and fuck me. I’m not saying I’m up to sixteen pages of the Kama Sutra or anything, but I can most assuredly handle a nice bit of slap and tickle.”

“Sweetheart, you’re my mate. It’s my job to protect you.”

With a sigh she reached down and grabbed his cock. It was so hard that she felt it throb in her hand. The head glistened with pre-cum. She slid her thumb up and over, through that silky slickness and brought it to her lips. He groaned.

“If you don’t fuck me, I’ll go insane. That’s how you can take care of me, Scooby. Come on, give me some of that magic semen of yours,” she teased.

He rolled his hips, thrusting himself into her hand. “Come on. I promise that I’ll nap afterwards. You know you want to. If you don’t, I’ll tell all the other wolves you don’t satisfy my naughty, dirty, filthy, unspeakable urges.”

“God, you’re one of a kind. You know that?” Lex laughed as he extricated himself from her hand and gently pushed her back onto the bed.

“Well, of course,” she replied, breathless with anticipation.

He didn’t disappoint as he lined himself true and nudged himself into her pussy. Both of them closed eyes for a moment as he made an inexorable push into her body with his own.

Beads of sweat lined his forehead and his spine as the molten, wet silk of her pussy parted for him. She hugged him, welcomed him. When he hilted it felt like home. Had anything ever felt this way? Good and right—the way you feel when you come back from a long vacation?

He kept most of his weight off her body, taking it on his arms. She rolled her hips up to meet his thrusts and she opened more fully when she wrapped her legs about his waist. She used her calves to pull him deeper and hold him there.

“You feel so good, Lex. Nothing has ever felt this good.” She whispered the words as she stared deep into his eyes.

He felt the catch of her emotions and heard it in her voice. He knew then that she’d never laid herself bare emotionally like that to anyone before. That humbled him, made him realize just how special she was, crunchy exterior and all.

“That’s because it is good, beautiful. You and me? We’re it.”

“Sweet talker,” she said, ending on a gasp as he held her hips so that he could change his angle, stroking the fat head of his cock over that bundle of nerves deep inside her.

“Yeah, I still got it.”

“Okay, Lassie, less talking, more fucking.”

“God, you’re a test on a man,” he sighed and she laughed. He realized that he’d heard her snicker and giggle and even chuckle but never a full out laugh. Not like this one, full of joy and free of hesitance and pain.

“I love you, studly,” she said in a rush and her eyes widened in shock.

“Hey, I love you too. Don’t be afraid to love me, Nina. I hope I never make you regret it.” He looked into her face and then blushed. “Oh, well, except for the whole last month or so.” He kissed her. Her lips were gentle and full beneath his. He sipped at her.

*     *     *     *     *

In addition to a signed copy of Enforcer, you’ll recieve a signed copy of my own TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS, a lovely (though unsigned copy) of  Catherine Mann’s ON TARGET and a $10 Starbucks gift certificate. Enjoy and get to commenting. As always, more prizes tomorrow!

Back again with more prizes and surprises. In addition to the usual…

• Signed copy of TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS
• Signed copy of the daily feature
• Copy of another recent romance title (not signed)
• And a surprise

Today’s feature and signed book giveaway is a tasty holiday anthology from Ellora’s Cave, signed by the one and only Mackenzie McKade!

WHITE HOT HOLIDAYS, Volume 1
Featuring “A Very Faery Christmas” by Mackenzie McKade
Ellora’s Cave (print)
ISBN-10: 1419956000
ISBN-13: 978-1419956003
Genre: Erotic Romance
Format: trade paperback
Buy from Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Ellora’s Cave

Christmas and faeries and floggers…oh, my!

When a mischievous wood faery pops out of her newly purchased Christmas tree, Candice Lowry knows this Christmas will be…special. Under the bossy faery’s guidance, Candice gets a makeover and learns the power of her own sexuality. Maybe now she can attract her handsome new neighbor…

Gordon Nash can’t believe the transformation in Candice. Already intrigued by his shy, mousy neighbor, Gordon is captivated by her sexy new look. And when a book on BDSM falls from her bag, he knows that she is perfect for him.

Excerpt

Tremor after tremor shook her and she didn’t know how to stop them. Her skin felt too tight. The silk of her bra was tormenting her taut nipples. The string of material wedged between the cheeks of her ass—the patch of cloth now damp with her arousal—needed to be replaced by his hand, his mouth, his cock.

A moan slipped from her trembling lips. “Gordon,” she whimpered.

“Do you want me to touch you?” Deep and sexy, his voice teased her with the wicked question. “Touch you in front of all these people?”

Yes. She was a breath away from screaming the word. Yes.

Instead she heard the word, “No.” It didn’t come from her mouth, but Gordon certainly thought it did, as he released her and took a step backward.

Damn Hector. That wood faery was interfering again. Making out in a parking lot probably wasn’t wise. But she was this close to holding a man who apparently wanted her as much as she wanted him. Couldn’t Hector understand what that felt like? Moisture touched her eyes and she fought to hide it from Gordon as she focused on her purse.

He reached for her and she let him take her into his arms, burying her face into his chest. “I’m sorry, Candice. Did I push too fast?”

“No!” she answered quickly, before Hector could throw his voice again. “I want to experience everything you described.”

When he held her at arm’s length, he placed a kiss upon her nose. “Tonight? Now?”

She nodded. This was what she wanted.

“We’ll start slow. But you’ll have to promise to follow my orders without hesitation. Do you have a safe word?”

She had read about this part. “Yes.”

The gentleness disappeared from his voice as he guided her between two cars. “Yes, Master. You must call me Master when we’re at play.”

“Yes, Master.”

He placed a finger beneath her chin, raising her gaze to meet his. “Your word?”

“I choose faery. Um, Master.”

“Take your panties off.” He held out his hand. “Place them in my palm.”

She froze. Her pulse leapt. Without hesitation, he’d said. As she reached beneath her dress her gaze darted around the parking lot. You want this, Candice. You want to experience something new—different.

Hector grumbled, but she ignored him. Stepping out of her panties, she placed them in Gordon’s hand. A gust of cool air swept up her dress. She trembled.

He rewarded her with a smile as he slipped her panties into his pocket.

There was no mistaking Gordon’s intentions. Tonight he would dominate her and make all her dreams come true.

Taking her hand, they closed the distance to the restaurant. It felt sexy and naughty to be walking into the restaurant with no underwear on.

They were seated immediately. Gordon took charge, ordering for them both. As the soup was delivered, he quietly explained her role. All she had to do was obey and pleasure him. The waiter dumped sizzling hot fried rice into the broth, dished out the soup and then promptly left.

With a spoon to his mouth, Gordon said, “Spread your legs.”

Her face grew hot. She took a breath of courage and parted her thighs. 

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The other giveaways today include a copy of LESSONS FROM A COURTESAN by Jenna Petersen and a $10 iTunes gift card. Happy commenting. More tomorrow!

French hens aside, it’s time for more chances to win prizes/prezzies from me. Again today, the prize includes:

• 1 signed copy of TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS
• 1 signed book (sometimes more than 1, to be described each day)
• 1 other book (usually not signed but still wonderful)
• Another suprise

Today’s feature book is by newcomer Diana Cosby, and she’s giving away her sophomore release:

HIS WOMAN
Zebra Books
ISBN-10: 1420101099
ISBN-13: 978-1420101096
Genre: Scottish Historical
Format: mass market paperback
Buy from Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Borders

TRUSTING HER WAS UNTHINKABLE

Lady Isabel Adair is the last woman Sir Duncan MacGruder wants to see again, much less be obliged to save. Three years ago, Isabel broke their engagement to become the Earl of Frasyer’s mistress, shattering Duncan’s heart and hopes in one painful blow. But Duncan’s promise to Isabel’s dying brother compels him to rescue her from those determined to bring down Scottish rebel Sir William Wallace.

RESISTING HER WAS IMPOSSIBLE

Betraying the man she loved was the only way for Isabel to save her father, but every moment she spends with Duncan reminds her just how much she sacrificed. No one could blame him for despising her, yet Duncan’s misgivings cannot withstand a desire that has grown wilder with time. Now, on a perilous journey through Scotland, two wary lovers must confront both the enemies who will stop at nothing to hunt them down, and the secret legacy that threatens their passion and their lives…

4 Stars – HOT
“Former lovers find each other again in book two of Cosby’s Scottish trilogy. She deftly combines historical accuracy, well-rounded characters and continuous action in this sweeping romance, which should keep readers engaged until the last page.” – Romantic Times

Excerpt:

Duncan tilted his head and appraised her with eyes that held a combination of ice and heat. “I was thinking you are the most beautiful lass I have ever seen.” As Isabel caught her breath, he added, harsher, “and the most deceitful.” He stepped toward her. “I have waited for the truth, Isabel, a truth I will have this night.”

She held his gaze. “Any lie I have made had a purpose.”

“Purpose?” His face darkened with anger, his body cast in the outlines of flames at his back adding to the ominous image. He strode to her and caught her face between his hands. “Hear me, Isabel,” he said between gritted teeth. “Tonight, you will tell me everything.”

“It is not so simple,” she whispered. Frasyer’s threats to kill Duncan if she broke her vow of silence of their arrangement clattered in her mind, more so of the twisted ways the earl would seek vengeance.

“Nothing of importance is.”

Panic swirled inside her. She could not allow harm to come to Duncan, but neither could she lie to him further. Already, too many mistruths had passed her lips, but she’d given them to save Duncan.

Except he would not see it as that.

And he would hate her.

When she loved him with her every breath.

Wanted him as no other man.

“Isabel!”

His harsh voice unnerved her further, but she held her ground. “I will tell you what you want to know, but first,” her voice trembled but she reached her hand over to cover his, “can we not share this one night?”

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The other prizes today include a copy of Delilah Devlin’s INTO THE DARKNESS and some Burt’s Bees goodies, in addition to a signed copy of TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS. You know the drill…start commenting. More tomorrow!