I promised you man candy Sunday, and I’ll deliver but first, I wanted to share the final, official cover/backcover copy for DELICIOUS (Luc’s book)! It’s still scheduled to release March 2010, and I’ll begin writing it next month. But here’s the yummy copy:

[FRONT]
“Shayla Black creates emotional, seeringly sexy stories that always leave me wanting more.”—Maya Banks, author of Sweet Persuasion

Some desires are worth savoring…

DELICIOUS

Shayla Black
National Bestselling Author of Decadent

[BACK COVER:]

He can’t control his desire.

Luc Traverson’s entire future is planned out—but there is one very sexy obstacle in his path: Alyssa Devereaux . She’s a former exotic dancer turned strip club owner and restaurateur. Recently, Alyssa and Luc shared one night of wild abandon that left Luc terrified by his loss of self-control—and Alyssa desperate for more.

And that’s just the way she wants it.

Fulfilling a promise, Luc is the guest chef for Alyssa’s restaurant debut. The sight of her makes Luc wild, so how can he survive a week without letting loose and ravaging her—especially when she’s begging for it? Luc’s desire for her explodes when he realizes he isn’t the only man desperate to have her. But one of the others is deadly. And that’s not the end of Alyssa’s secrets…which are as dark and mysterious and enticing as her fantasies.

I think it fits the book perfectly, so I’m hoping you like it! I’ve already added my input for the cover, so I’m hoping to see it soon.

Additionally, my editor and I have decided that maybe it’s time to give this series a title…so WICKED TIES, DECADENT, DELICIOUS, SURRENDER TO ME and anything that might follow will all be a part of the “Wicked Lovers” series. We’re currently debating where on the book to put that distinction.

And because I’m in the Luc frame of mind, here’s a pic that I’ve used as inspiration.

Inspiration for Luc

This weekend, I’ve been dealing with a variety of things…starting with my washing machine. It works, but it’s old. I got it shortly after I got married, so it’s of another decade–and it looks like it. But I could live with that. What I can’t live with is all the fabric softener that’s been sticking to the insides. I also made the mistake of washing my cat’s bed and now there’s cat hair everywhere. And other assorted gunk up under the lid…and I know I’ve just grossed you out. So I started cleaning it out with antiseptic wipes. Used about half a container of the wipes. Washer is cleaner, so now I can start laundry. Yippee… Don’t I live such a glamorous life?

On the bright side, yesterday I retired my hand-me-down Blackberry. I had been counting the days, seriously. The screen on my old phone was cracked and the volume was always low. No one ever called me because I’d never hear it ring. It just never worked right, so it’s been replaced with a handy, dandy new touch-screen phone. So far I love it, but I’m very aware that I have A LOT to learn about how to work it. I’ve got my email set up, learned how to pick up voicemails, send texts. Still trying to master the camera and speakerphone. Electronics and I don’t always get along, but I’ll endeavor.

The uh-oh part is my revisions on SEDUCE ME IN SHADOW. I was supposed to be done by tomorrow, but it’s taking me a bit longer than I thought. I’m thinking the extra effort will be worth it in the end. Fingers crossed that I finish next week.

I’ll be back tomorrow with some no-cal man candy. Have a great evening!

Sorry for the long silence. I’ve had company and been DEEP in revisions. I’m really pushing a Monday deadline. BUT I wanted to share my new covers and backcover copy. Check out the drafts of my new covers AND backcover copy!

SEDUCE ME IN SHADOW
Doomsday Brethren Series, Book 2
Publisher: Pocket Books
Release Date: September 29, 2009
ISBN 13: 978-1416578444
Genre: Paranormal/Urban Fantasy Romance
Pre-Order: Amazon | Borders | Simon & Schuster
When a villainous wizard escapes from exile, the devastatingly sexy Doomsday Brethren must defend all magickind in the spellbinding second book in bestselling author Shayla Black’s seductive new paranormal series.

Ex-Marine Caden MacTavish has shunned his magical heritage all his life, but he will do anything to heal his desperately ill brother, a Doomsday Brethren warrior in mourning for his missing mate. Posing as a photographer, Caden must convince firecracker tabloid reporter Sydney Blair to reveal the source of her recent exposé on a supernatural power clash. Unfortunately, keeping his hands off the sizzling redhead proves as hard as getting them onto the potent and mystical Doomsday Diary he discovers at her bedside. A bloody rebellion led by an evil, power-hungry wizard is imminent. If Sydney divulges the book’s existence, she will jeopardize magickind’s most deeply guarded secrets and become the ruthless wizard’s number one target. Caden has never trusted magic’s cruel and dangerous powers, but he will protect Sydney with his life and magic—even if it means risking his heart.

POSSESS ME AT MIDNIGHT
Doomsday Brethren Series, Book 3
Publisher: Pocket Books
Release Date: October 27, 2009
ISBN 13: 978-1416578468
Genre: Paranormal/Urban Fantasy Romance
Pre-order: Amazon | Borders |Simon & Schuster

An apocalypse approaches in the new novel from bestselling author Shayla Black’s electrifying Doomsday Brethren series, as a magical warrior and a spirited witch ignite a smoldering passion that could destroy them both.

As a mysterious dark cloud drains the life of her beloved brother, Doomsday Brethren leader Bram, Sabelle Rion can think of little else. Still, every time she meets Ice Rykard’s intense green gaze, her body aches with need for the sexy warrior. Their attraction is explosive, incredible—and forbidden. As dangerous as he is unpredictable, Ice is her brother’s sworn enemy. But as Bram weakens, a more sinister force is gaining power. Evil Mathias and his ruthless Anarki army are on a bloodthirsty hunt for the Doomsday Diary. Sabelle must guard the potent book with her life—and Ice vows to protect the beautiful witch with his. Duty demands that Sabelle deny her lover’s fiery call of possession and mate with a man who can sway the magical Council against the impending rebellion. With the fate of magickind hanging in the balance, will she forsake the burning desires she can’t ignore or turn her back on her people for the courageous man she can’t resist?

The covers aren’t absolutely final. The verbiage will be added to and/or changed. But the images are set. I’m really thrilled. What do you think?

In the midst of my folks visiting for the week and my munchkin having a bit of oral surgery today (all went well), I’ve been running here and there. I’m hoping that I’ll have some new goodies to share with you in the next few days, but for now, I didn’t want anyone to think I’d forgotten my usual Monday feature.

Enjoy…

Trip to the beach, anyone?

For those of you following the saga about the ill-fated novella from Pocket that was supposed to release in July with Gena Showalter and Kresley Cole, the anthology was cancelled. As I understand it, not everyone had turned in their material. I don’t know if there were any other extenuating circumstances. I will appear in an anthology at a later date, details to be announced when I have them.

Anyway, when I found out about the anthology not publishing, most of my novella was done, and it’s time-specific. It takes place during the same time as SEDUCE ME IN SHADOW but before POSSESS ME AT MIDNIGHT. So it had to be released now. But without the anthology, what the heck was I going to do with this novella?

Pocket and I decided to make it a FREE read! This August (exact date to be announced later), you’ll be able to download “Fated” as a free Doomsday Brethren eBook. I’m really excited to share this series with lots of people, and this hero is one you’ll meet more of in POSSESS ME AT MIDNIGHT.

As we get closer to the release, I’ll provide more details. But I wanted to tell you what I know now. Cool?

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Just a few quick updates…

First, for those of you who have been asking, STRIP SEARCH is now available for pre-order in trade paperback at Barnes & Noble! July 7 isn’t that far away now, so I’m getting all giddy for this re-release.

The other exciting news is that I got an email from my Berkley editor last Friday asking me for my ideas on a cover for DELICIOUS. The preliminary art meeting is today! I’ll be eager to see what they come back with when the cover process is complete, but I gave her some ideas that I hope they can use. I think it would make the cover quite delicious and I know a few of you are looking forward to Luc.

Last, after my beloved Moonlight was abruptly cancelled (rat bastards at CBS), I resolved to promote new shows that I loved in the hopes that I might actually get to keep one around. Last night on ABC, following Dancing With The Stars, Castle premiered. I LOVED it. The premise is, she’s a NYC homicide detective. Very by the book and no-nonsense. He’s a bestselling crime/mystery author and a bad boy to boot. He’s charming and rakish and completely unrepentant. Throw in a mother who’s every bit as hedonistic and a daughter who’s more mature than he is, and it was a really entertaining show. There are going to be mysteries to be solved each week, yes. But the centerpiece here is the romance. He’s pursuing, she’s trying to avoid…but she’s interested despite herself. The dialogue is, at times, hysterical. But at the end of the day, it’s the chemistry between the detective and the author that makes this show hum. Tune in, pretty please! Mondays at 9 (8 central).

Back to edits for SEDUCE ME IN SHADOW, y’all… Have a great day!

Today was a day of INTENSE spring cleaning. I can see the bottom of my closet again! To say it’s been a while is an understatement. I cleaned the sink in my laundry room. I don’t use it…and had no idea the cat uses it as a bed. We had the cat hair to prove it. I rearranged closets, threw out shoes I didn’t wear anymore, organized some boxes in my garage, gave away a bunch of clothes the whole family no longer wears. OMG, my back is killing me, and I fear I’ll need a week to recuperate, but it’s a great feeling to have some of these nagging chores scratched off my to do list. Now if I’d just managed to weed my yard and wash my car… As Scarlet said, “After all, tomorrow is another day.” *sigh*

Happy Friday, gang. Today, I’m blogging about author Michelle Pillow’s latest releases today, all from the Realm Immortal series!

King of the Unblessed – Realm Immortal Book 1

Publisher: Samhain
ISBN: 978-1-60504-507-8
Release date: March 6, 2009 (re-release)
Read Excerpt
Buy ebook: Samhain (via My Bookstore and More)
Watch the book video.

Immortality has a way of changing fate.

Merrick, dark elfin King of Valdis, had once been heir to all that was good—happiness and pleasure his domain. Now, trapped as the ruler of mischief, king of necessary evil, he stands on a precipice of choice. On one side, his estranged brother, now ruler of what should have been Merrick’s and, on the other, King Lucien of the Damned. Both would sway him. Damnation is winning.

Lady Juliana of Bellemare is from a human family, protected by the Blessed, coveted by the Damned. Betrothed to an old friend of her father’s, Juliana is resigned to living out her days close to her childhood home, longing for an adventure, never dreaming she’d get what she wished for. When her fiancé is murdered and the children of Bellemare are stolen, Juliana is sent on a quest in a strange realm where appearances are deceiving.

Merrick brings more adventure and passion than any woman could want. Can she withstand the temptations of the Unblessed king? The spell she weaves over him is more than he can resist and, desperate to be the one to rule her, Merrick offers her a choice; either come with him until he tires of her…or die.

“4 STARS! Those looking for an enjoyable, fast-paced tale of mystery and magic will want to grab this book. Pillow has crafted a magical domain” Karen Sweeny-Justice, Romantic Times Magazine.

Faery Queen – Realm Immortal Book 2

Publisher: Samhain
ISBN: 978-1-60504-508-5
Release date: March 6, 2009 (re-release)
Read Excerpt
Buy ebook: Samhain (via My Bookstore and More)
Watch the book video.

It is ill-advised to incur the wrath of a faery, but it is most foolish to do so of a faery queen…

Queen Tania of the Faeries is tired of waiting for Hugh, the Earl of Bellemare, to come back to her. A year has passed since his commitments pulled him from her side and she’s begun to suspect he never intended to return. Disheartened, the queen’s mood darkens until she finds she has no choice but to teach the earl a lesson he will never forget—that no human should dare lie to a faery queen.

Hugh’s hatred of the magical world is well known and he wishes to live out the rest of his life in the mortal realm, doing his noble duty. Too bad his heart hasn’t caught up to his head. Thoughts of a tenaciously seductive queen haunt him, even as he knows the woman only wanted him as a plaything for her bed. But it would seem he can’t run far enough, for the teasing nymph won’t back down and Hugh finds himself at the mercy of a vengeful faery.

“Those who are hardy and brave will applaud this tale of love.” ~ Romantic Times Magazine

Stone Queen – Realm Immortal Book 3

Publisher: Samhain
ISBN: 978-1-60504-509-2
Release date: March 6, 2009 (re-release)
Read Excerpt
Buy ebook: Samhain (via My Bookstore and More)

To gain the only thing he truly wants, he’ll have to risk everything.

Juliana, newly appointed Queen of the Unblessed, has realized there is a bit more to her position than she first thought. Sure, it has its perks: a sinfully sexy husband who is also a king, growing powers and a magical life that’s never boring, but the drawbacks are considerable. To save her kingdom from war, Juliana accepts assistance from a witch. But when her reality turns upside down, she realizes she’s been betrayed.

For a brief time, Merrick knew happiness, as much happiness as the king of necessary evil could ever feel. Juliana has become the light in his darkness. Though he can never tell his wife he loves her—or risk upsetting the balance of both the mortal and immortal realms—the words are understood between them. Or so he thought. When she falls prey to a wayward spell, becoming encased in stone, he knows he’ll have to risk everything to gain the only thing he truly wants.

“4 STARS! Twists abound in Pillow’s third Realm Immortal tale, which boasts drama, intrigue and unique characters. ” ~ Romantic Times Magazine

Happy Friday, everyone!

I’m thrilled that TODAY, one of my favorite books re-releases in trade paperback: BOUND AND DETERMINED!

Berkley HEAT
ISBN-10: 0425226905
ISBN-13: 978-0425226902
Genre: Sexy Contemporary Romance
Re-release Date: March 3, 2009

WANTED FOR KIDNAPPING: A bubbly blonde with a penchant for trouble. May be armed (with good intentions) and dangerously seductive…

Kerry Sullivan is running out of time-and patience. With her brother wrongfully accused of embezzling millions, she can’t face one more humiliating hang-up from the man she’s begging for help. Rafael Dawson may be one of the top electronic security experts in the country — and the only man who can prove her brother’s innocence — but his phone manners are appalling. Damn Yankee. Too bad kidnapping the man isn’t an option. Or is it?

There’s nothing Kerry wouldn’t do for her brother. There are lots of things she longs to do to Rafe Dawson when he’s lying tied-up and naked in her secret hideaway. Rafe is certainly something to look at, but Kerry’s brother’s life is riding on her pulling off the impossible: getting this man who’s always in control to lose it. But when the tables get turned, Kerry finds herself at Rafe’s mercy. And the only way to get her way is to let him have his way — with her…

Click here to read an excerpt.

REVIEWS:

***Top Pick***
“Shelley Bradley has outdone herself with this highly entertaining read. Falling in love should be so much fun!” — Romantic Times Magazine

“BOUND AND DETERMINED is steamier than a Florida night, with characters who will keep you laughing and have you panting for more!”
— New York Times Bestselling Author Susan Johnson

“A searing, frolicking adventure of suspense, love and passion…A must read!”
— New York Times Bestselling author Lora Leigh

“Plenty of chick-lit wit… In BOUND AND DETERMINED, much sexy fun is had by all.”
— New York Times Bestselling Author Angela Knight

“BOUND AND DETERMINED is a flawless story that grips a reader from page one and doesn’t let up… Ms. Bradley’s imaginative storylines and irresistible characters keep her readers coming back for more… Don’t miss it!”
— Road to Romance

“BOUND AND DETERMINED had me laughing out loud one minute and reaching for a glass of ice water the next… a definite Perfect 10.”
— Romance Reviews Today

“This fast paced romantic adventure will take you on the hottest ride of your life.”
— Coffee Time Romance Reviews

“You simply won’t want to put BOUND AND DETERMINED down once you turn over the first page. Ms. Bradley simply shines… A fabulous book I’m not likely to forget in a hurry.”
— Aggie, Just Erotic Romance Reviews

I’ve also completed an interview with the lovely Greta at her “I do not want to wait, I want the book now” blog. Stop by and read the interview…and stay for a chance to win a copy of BOUND AND DETERMINED today.

It’s been another killer week of playing catch up. I like to think I’m making a dent in my to-do pile, but I feel as if I’m falling farther behind. I’m hoping matters improve. Pray for me, y’all. LOL!

One very cool thing… For everyone who asked, DANGEROUS BOYS AND THEIR TOY is now available in print from Ellora’s Cave as of today. The Amazon listing should be coming soon, but if you gotta have it  now, EC is the place to go!

I also managed to ask for and receive from my web designer some new cool goodies.

and…

and lastly, for folks who haven’t yet friended me on MySpace…

While it’s not new man candy for the day, I think they are pretty.

March is editing month, and I have to finish SEDUCE ME IN SHADOW and POSSESS ME AT MIDNIGHT editorial stuff in the next 30 days. Then I’ll begin work on DELICIOUS, which I’m really looking forward to. Oh, and BOUND AND DETERMINED re-releases tomorrow, so I’ve got something fun planned for a Tuesday, as well as some new releases to feature on Friday.

Have a great week!