Quick Update


Hey Guys!
Well, due to getting sick last week and writer's block my stories are backlogged. The Valentine's stories will probably be posted sometime during the month as I'm still trying to figure out how to end Sasha's story. Ugh. I'm sorry about this guys. We'll have a few more Author Spotlights coming your way Thrusday and Friday. I hope everyone has a great Valentine's Day. I'll see if I can do a Friday Flash for you guys. *Grin* I hope you like what I do next for the story. On another note. I particiapted in the Wednesday Flash over at Loose-Id's Blog. Here is what I posted:

“Looks like a good crowd,” Brent remarked although his eyes were on one woman in particular. She wore jeans, cowboy boots, a blue plaid shirt and a cowboy hat. Her long dark brown hair was braided into two plaits.
“I’ll be right back guys, I’m gonna rope me a city girl,” he said grinning.
Sliding off of the bar stool he walked over to lone woman in the corner.
“Hey there sweetheart, wanna get roped?” He asked.
She turned toward him and raised an eye brow, brown eyes roamed over his form.
“No, but do you want to be roped?”
Mischief sparkled in her eyes.
“Sure darling, anything you want.”
He held out his hand but she didn’t take it.
“I think your meaning of roped is different than mine. When I want to rope me a cowboy that means, less talk, more action,” she said.
She grabbed his hand and pulled him off the dance floor, down the entry way and out into the parking lot, passed all the cars to the edge of the brick building, pulling him into an alleyway between the bar and the twenty-four seven Stop and Shop.
“Now cowboy, let’s have some fun.”
He pressed her against the wall, his body leaning against hes.
“What’d you have an in mind?”
She pushed him down to his knees.
“Now cowboy, eat me.”
She pulled up her skirt showing him that she had no panties on.
“As you wish my sweet wife, as you wish.”


I hope you liked it. Hugs guys and sorry again.


Selena

Author Spotlight: Sierra Dafoe

Bio:

An erotic romance author for Ellora's Cave, Siren, and Changeling Press, Sierra Dafoe has twice been nominated for Favorite Erotic Author in The Romance Studio's CAPAs. Her Dragon's Heir series at Changeling has picked up numerous awards, including Best Fantasy Book of 2006 and 2007 in the Love Romances Cafe Reader's Choice poll.

Sierra lives in New Hampshire, where she is currently hard at work on her first full-length novel, an erotic contemporary paranormal. Visit her on the web at http://www.sierradafoe.com, or join her reader's group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/The_Sierra_Club/.


Coming Feb. 22nd from Changeling Press:

Double Dragon by Sierra Dafoe
Book 6 in the award-winning Dragon's Heir series

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=792

Cal is everything Kevan wants -- or at least everything he thinks he wants. But as the crown prince of the dragon kingdom, Kevan is expected to marry and carry on the royal line. When Kevan brings the handsome young human back to Djarera, Melgara, the queen, orders him to keep Cal a secret -- after all, what sane dragon would be willing to share her husband's affection with a human male?

In love with Kevan since she was nine years old, Melina Westron is determined to win the prince's trust -- especially when she discovers the secret he's hiding is a man every bit as delicious as Kevan himself! Even better, she's delighted to find that the way to a dragon's heart… is through his lover.

Excerpt:

“Turn around,” Kevan ordered, and she did, flushing, grateful for the darkness which hid the color in her cheeks.

She stood head down, but she could feel Kevan studying her, his breath growing deeper as she stood before him. “Oh, Melina,” he murmured, his voice low and thrilling. “You’re beautiful, do you know that?”

She stiffened in surprise, half-believing he was teasing her. No man had ever called her beautiful before. Sensing her sudden tightness, Kevan gently reached out and lifted her chin -- and Melina stared up at his moon-shadowed face, shocked into stillness at the naked desire in his hazel eyes.

Where had all the cold distance gone? The rigid formality? The silent grimness? His gaze dropped again to her breasts, drinking in the sight of her with obvious delight, and Melina shivered under his scrutiny, amazed to find herself so excited just by being looked at.

Then again, no dragon had ever looked at her the way Kevan was now -- slowly, appreciatively, his eyes dark with desire. She wanted to arch her back, lifting herself to his view. She wanted him to touch her, to trail his fingers across her breasts. They felt taut and heavy, almost aching for his caresses, and a damp, secret warmth pulsed between her thighs as Kevan reached out, tugging the dress past her hips until it fell with a rustle to the floor, leaving her standing naked in the moonlight, her arms at her sides.

His gaze traveled lower, tracing the curve of her belly, her hips… His tongue flicked out to touch his lips as he stared at her crotch, and the heat in her groin spiked up sharply in response. Reaching out, he brushed his fingers over her mound of copper curls, lightly grazing her sensitive nub, and she gasped, her nipples hardening further.

She’d never felt anything remotely like this. Everything inside her seemed to either ache or throb. Her lungs burned as if she couldn’t get enough air. Her pulse thundered in her ears. Her crotch was so damp she could feel moisture slicking the insides of her thighs -- and he had barely even touched her!

She'd been right, she thought dazedly, to think things with Kevan would be completely different. The thought made her want to giggle inanely, but she bit it back, her teeth catching her lower lip. Kevan’s eyes caught the small movement and he checked, dropping his hand. “Melina, I…You’ve done this before, haven’t you?”

She stared up at him, ridiculously reluctant to answer. Would he be angry that she had? Why? It made no sense. She nodded, then added quickly, “Only a few times, just to see…”

“See what it was like?” His warm voice rumbled with humor, and he smiled. “And what was it like?”

“Nothing like this,” she breathed, and saw a sudden darkening of lust in his eyes.

Available Feb. 22nd from Changeling Press!
http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=792

Author Spotlight: Emma Ray Garrett

Bio:

"…and I -- I took the road less traveled by, and that has made all the difference."

-The Road Not Taken, Robert Frost


The last line from award-winning author Emma Ray's favorite poem pretty much sums up her life. Her tendency to do her own thing is what her friends and family love best, and least, about her. Chaos is a constant in the Garrett home, which currently houses three intelligent, energetic children, a devoted husband, her grandmother, and a very large, very lazy, white tom-cat.

No matter how busy, Emma Ray writes every day. If she didn't, she says they'd put her in a white coat with buckles. Fans can contact her at emmaraygarrett@changelingpress.com or visit her website at http://www.romance-the-night.com.

Snowbound: Cold Fire
Buy link: http://changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=804

Blurb:

Forest Ranger Eric Lathem's quite a hunk -- and ten years Kate Jeffries' junior. So she's kept her infatuation to herself, her guilty secret. Now Kate's stranded high in the Rockies, and Eric's hiked in to rescue her. Little does she know rescue's the least of his plans.

Official excerpt:

***
"Mayday, mayday. This is Kate Jeffries to Ranger Station Seven. Do you read me?"
The sound of cracking wood startled Kate and she dropped the radio. Forestry work gave her great satisfaction, and being a park ranger was all she'd ever dreamed of, but spending the last two weeks deep in the Rockies had left her feeling unsettled. A spontaneous snowstorm had dumped more than three feet of powder over the last four days. Being trapped in camp, waiting for a rescue, didn't put her in the best of moods.
A cold shiver wracked her body and the hair on her neck stood up. Something was watching her, out there, in the darkness. Leaves crunched, small branches snapped. Kate's breath frosted the air in fast, white puffs of warmth visible in the night, as awareness prickled her skin.
Kate struggled to get her breathing and pulse under control. Her eyes searched the darkness around the small camp, looking for a shape, any shape, among the shadows. Seeing nothing, she moved slowly, carefully toward her tent and the rifle within.
"Kate! Kate! Can you hear me?" The loud calls came from just inside the tree line, right outside the light cast by the fire.
She bit her lip to stop a startled screech and turned to face her guest. "Eric? Eric!" Adrenaline drained from her body, leaving her weak and strung out. Thank god, another human being, she thought.
Eric Lathem emerged from the darkness. "Kate! I've been tracking you through the woods for three days. I tried to let you know I was on my way, but there must be something wrong with the radio. I could hear you, but you couldn't hear me. I got here as soon as I could."
She let out a relieved laugh and pressed a palm to her pounding heart, using her free hand to grip his forearm. She wanted to throw herself at him and hug him hard, but she settled for the simple contact. "Damn it. You scared the shit out of me."
Eric's tall muscular form was a welcome relief. Kate stood five feet eight in her bare feet, but Eric had at least six inches on her. He was ten years her junior and an absolute hunk. Dark blond hair fell about his face in a casual cut. He had large eyes, thickly lashed, and so dark she couldn't tell whether they were midnight blue or black. Broad shoulders, a wide chest, and heavily muscled arms all tapered to a slim waist and a firm ass. An ass Kate dreamed of fondling on a regular basis. His nose was slightly upturned and his jaw, rock solid. He had thin, yet sensual, masculine lips. They were the icing on a scrumptious Eric cake.
"You hiked in?" She crossed her arms over her chest and tried to push away her sensual thoughts. She didn't need a twenty-something stud knowing an older woman had the hots for him. She'd never live it down. "Why didn't you bring the snowmobile?"
"I was in the snowmobile. It's about twelve hours that way." He jerked his thumb over his shoulder. "It was either go forward or go back, and the weather service is forecasting more snow. I wanted to get to you." His eyes glinted in the firelight and Kate warmed under his gaze.
***
Explicit Excerpt:
***
She knew exactly what she looked like to men. An athletic form and no-nonsense attitude drew them in. As did her large breasts, but she wasn't pretty by any stretch. She could see exotic, maybe, with her Cherokee heritage. Kate had a bold look, but she wasn't pretty.
"You seem a little edgy. Have you been sleeping?"

"Do I look like I've been sleeping?"

"Obviously not." His lips turned up slightly.

Kate couldn't help but return the smile. "I'm really glad to see you, but do you have a plan for getting off this mountain?"

"We'll start back down in the morning."

"Don't you have your radio?"

"I did, on the way up. I tried it after the cat broke down, but couldn't raise anything. The storm must have taken out the tower. Don't worry, Kate. I'm the best mountaineer around. We'll get home."

Kate dropped into her chair. He was right, but the thought of being stuck with him overnight, in her tiny tent, made her palms sweat. "You're probably hungry. Let me get you something to eat."

"Okay." He unzipped his coat and shrugged out of it.

"Isn't it a little cold to be without a coat?"

"I'm getting too warm. I don't want to sweat."

Sweating was the biggest danger in the cold, so Kate nodded instead of telling him to put the damn coat back on anyway. The thermal shirt he wore beneath the coat clung to his shoulders and chest, making her want to lick her lips as she imagined the skin beneath. She needed something to do before she jumped all over Eric, so she stood and offered him her seat, then headed to the pot over the fire.

He watched her as she worked. Even though her back was to him, Kate felt his gaze like a touch. After about five minutes, she tapped the wooden spoon on the side of the pot and turned around. "What?"

Eric looked up at her, fingering the hem of his shirt. He gave a small nod before standing, lifting the shirt up and off.

Kate's eyes bulged. "What are you doing? I thought you were hungry?"

"I am. For you." Eric dropped his shirt to the ground, revealing warm skin and a broad, muscular chest. His dark nipples stood out against the light brown tan of his torso.

When she realized she was in danger of actually drooling, Kate snapped herself back into reality. "I'm flattered, really."

"Shut up, Kate." Eric's midnight gaze bored into hers. He slowly slid one hand down his chest, taking a moment to circle one of his nipples.

Kate watched the movement, wishing her fingers stroked his body. "What did you say?"

"I said, shut up." Eric unsnapped the button fly of his jeans. The moment the denim parted, his long, thick cock burst forth.

"Eric!" Kate's jaw dropped. She tried to close her eyes, but miracles weren't happening.
***

Author Spotlight: Marteeka Karland

Bio:
Marteeka Karland is an ordinary woman with an overactive imagination. Thank God for a computer, or tape recorder, or pen and paper… whatever she can create a story with! Her husband sometimes thinks she's nuts and asks her every time she gets frustrated with her latest deadline, "Is it really worth all this?" And every time, she answers, "HELL YES!"

Apart from writing, Marteeka's alter ego has worked in the Emergency Room for more years than she'll admit. She has a loving husband, who still chuckles when he tells a buddy exactly what that Goddess of Water T-shirt is all about, and a son who is blissfully ignorant to anything other than he's not allowed to "push buttons" on Mommy's computer.

Marteeka welcomes mail at mkarland@gmail.com, and you can visit her website at http://www.marteekakarland.com/.

Buy link: http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=789

Bite Blurb:

The last thing Dryson expects when he takes his latest shipment of smuggled goods to Spaceport Adana is to end up with a Rajian sex slave, Sasha. Sure, he planned a little R & R, but the impulsive buy is proving to be more than he bargained for. Sasha is a force to be reckoned with, and her bite is definitely worse than her bark.

Something else Dryson doesn't expect is to find himself face to face with an assassin sent to kill him. Belin, the large and very experienced killer, has other plans. Instead of killing Dryson, Belin wants to recruit him to smuggle much-needed goods to his home planet. Unfortunately, the Interplanetary Alliance Council has strong objections to letting Dryson live.

When Dryson is taken hostage, Belin and Sasha must keep their cool and use all their cunning if they're going to rescue him. Keeping a level head is not something a Rajian is capable of when her mate is in danger.

Either of them.

Bite Excerpt:

Sasha had forgot about the damned locater chip her "master" had implanted underneath her skin when he'd first bought her. She yanked her chains in annoyance. It was her own damned fault she was naked and back on the auction block this soon. So much for a nap. She really liked naps. Naps were good. Unfortunately, naps also made one vulnerable. She'd awakened when Mathum had dragged her out by her hair. From there, he'd at least cleaned her up before bringing her here. Not that she minded, but it was damned embarrassing to have been caught by a SOP like Mathum.

Blowing an errant strand of hair out of her face, Sasha glanced at her master, sitting on the side of her display wall. He stared at her, absently flicked a wicked looking barbed whip back and forth over his legs. If Sasha knew him, he was trying to figure out how he could get away with flogging her in public without diminishing her value. If he whipped her with that flogger, there wouldn't be much left of her skin. That would diminish her value considerably.

As it was, he could get top dollar for her if he knew what he was doing. Her grayish blue skin and distinctive tattoos marked her as Rajian. Her species was known for being highly sexual and rarely formed attachments. Most people thought that made them ideal sex slaves. Unfortunately, those same people didn't stick around to hear the rest of it. They were ideal sex slaves…

Until they got bored. If one wanted to keep a Rajian, it was always best not to let them become bored, but very few people knew how to accomplish that. The very nature of a Rajian meant they tired of sex partners quickly unless one could figure out what he or she liked best. It was worth it, though. Few races knew the art of pleasuring quite like a Rajian.

Again, Sasha heaved an exaggerated sigh. She could almost hear Mathum grinding his teeth in frustration. She'd only been with him about three weeks, but it didn't take a mate to know he always ground his teeth when she wasn't properly impressed with him. He looked exactly the same way when she didn't bat an eyelash at his Cosmetic Regeneration enhanced dick. Yeah, it was long and thick, but she already knew he didn't know how to use it.

Unlike that blond beefcake walking toward her. A man wearing only black pants, heavy combat boots, and a gun belt with a wicked looking pistol sitting snugly in the holster caught her gaze. Just the way he carried himself bespoke his confidence in himself and his abilities. He stopped at Master Hayden's block and looked at several women, but none seemed to catch his fancy.

Master Hayden. Now there was a man who'd know what a girl needed. He'd tried to tell Mathum he was wasting his time with Sasha, but the stupid man couldn't see past her race and foolishly thought sucking his cock would keep her occupied. Master Hayden had only shrugged and gone on his way. Now, he spoke with the blond man at length and after a couple of minutes, they both looked in her direction.

Sasha's heart rate increased, and she was anything but bored now. She stood up straighter and looked the gorgeous man in the eye. This man might think he wanted a slave, but no man with that much confidence and air of authority would want a woman as weak-willed as Mathum wanted. No. He'd want an equal. Maybe he'd be able to physically overpower her, but he'd want someone who could hold her own with him. Oh, yes. This was someone she could have fun with for a few months.

They stared at each other for several heartbeats. Nothing else seemed to matter. The lust sparking between them was almost palpable. When he started toward her, he didn't even look at anyone else, including Mathum.

"I want her." His rich, deep voice washed over her and sent a shiver through her cunt. A warm drop of her own intimate moisture fell onto her inner thigh and trickled slowly down her leg. "How much?"

"Ten Thousand." Mathum didn't miss a beat, apparently betting he'd get that much simply because she was Rajian.

"You're kidding. Right?" The man smiled. "Word is you've not tamed this little hellcat. Word is, she bit you in spite of your efforts. While I don't mind paying top dollar for what I want, I'm not paying for someone else's fuck up."

Sasha's mouth twitched, and she would have laughed out loud if this man's gaze hadn't been so all-consuming. She felt like he could see to her very soul, like he knew everything her heart desired and was perfectly capable of giving it to her. If he chose to.

"Eight. Not a credit less," Mathum growled. "Fuck up or not, she's worth at least that."

"I'll give you five," he said. "Rajians never make good slaves. A fact anyone in this business already knows." He shrugged. "Everyone else will learn from Master Hayden."

Mathum's normally pasty skin turned a very unflattering shade of pink. "I'll kill you both!" he exploded and leapt from his place at the foot of the dais Sasha was chained to. He would have been on top of the newcomer if Master Hayden hadn't yanked him out of the air by the collar of his tunic. The newcomer didn't even flinch, as if he'd known what Master Hayden would do.

In the blink of an eye, Sasha's man moved to slam Mathum against the wall. "It's always best to know your enemy before you attack." Her man slowly let Mathum go and backed away from him, flashing a wicked smile. "Fortunately, I don't feel like killing you just now." When Mathum would have advanced, Sasha's man stopped him with a look. "Though I could change my mind easily enough."

The two men stared at each other for a few heartbeats before Mathum lowered his eyes. "Five then. Deposit it to my account by cycle's end." Mathum pitched Sasha's man the identikey to her chains, turned, and stomped off.

Sasha's heart raced, and she couldn't get her breath. Her man was one who would take her! He wouldn't stop at his pleasure, either. Unless he meant to give her greater pleasure later. This was a man who at least partially understood her kind and everything she required. This was a man she couldn't resist, at least for now.

Friday Flash Finding the Past Part 4


Finding the Past Part 4
By:
Selena Illyria
© 2008 Selena Illyria, All Rights Reserved
I/R, Paranormal


“Why is she here?” Vulcan asked looking over the sleeping Lea.
“I told you she needs to be watched,” Toryn said, eyeing Lea, trying to not notice her curves. His cock hardened, remember watching Sebastian taking her over and over, bringing her to the brink of orgasm only to stop before. He turned his gaze away. He needed to stop lusting after his brother’s wife. But he couldn’t stop looking, his eyes wandered back to her. It didn’t help that she looked like the woman he had loved so long ago. The woman he had loved and lost all due to betrayal. Sighing he turned away. He caught Cable’s glance and then looked away from his brother’s knowing glance.
Cable rose from his seat as Toryn left the room. Cable followed him grabbing hold of arm.
“Don’t say it, don’t even think it.”
“I wasn’t going to say anything except, it wasn’t your fault.”
“I know.”
“But you can’t stop blaming yourself. She betrayed you.”
“I know but I can’t stop the pain nor can I help that Lea looks like her.”
“She may look like her, but she isn’t her.”
“I know.”
Tryton joined them.
“Do we have to strap her down? She looks fine now.”
“It’s for her safety.”
“Why?”
“She’s come over and over again. It could drive her mad if she isn’t already. Also, she could hurt herself or one of us, until we can figure out a way to stop this, she has to be tied down.”
The brothers were interrupted from saying anything when they heard a roar echoing through the doors.
“Sebastian’ s home,” Tryton said grinning.
“Let’s go before he tears this place apart, damn David for telling him,” Toryn said as he rushed out of the room, the brothers on his heels.
They met Sebastian in the main hall of the Stone Tower.
“Brother,” Vulcan said.
“Where is she? Where is my wife? Why did you take her?” Sebastian demanded shoving past his brothers, looking around.
“We had to take her,” Toryn said.
“No, he took her. I had nothing to do with this,” Vulcan said.
Toryn turned to him, glaring “Tattletale.”
“Better have him know now rather than later. She’s in your bedroom,” Cable said.
Sebastian rushed up the stairs, his brothers fast on his heels.
“Sebastian, something’s wrong, she’s . . . she keeps . . . coming,” Tryton said.
Sebastian stopped short causing his brothers to crash into him.
“What? What’s wrong?” Toryn asked.
Sebastian didn’t answer them, he ran toward his room, throwing back the covers, he ripped her shirt, shoving it down to expose her shoulders. He ripped off the bandages, there on her shoulder he found the puncture marks, swirling, black marks, extending their delicate tendril, stretching out; enlarging the design.
“Shit! What is that?” Toryn asked looking over Sebastian’s shoulder.
“That is the question. What the fuck did those bastards do to my wife?!?” Sebastian roared.
Sebastian started to strip off her clothes until she was naked, writhing, sweat beaded her skin. The brothers could see more swirling designs along her skin all seeming to come from her back. Sebastian rolled her over gently. They could see a larger swirling pattern on her back, writhing, reforming in different patterns.
“What is that?!?”
“I don’t know. Go find the healers, find father as well,” Sebastian ordered.
The brothers took off, Toryn was the only one left.
“Sebastian?”
“Yes, Toryn?”
“It’s good to have you back, your highness. It’s time you took the throne.”
Sebastian bowed his head.
“I know, but not without my queen.”
“I know, Sebastian. I know.”
Toryn turned and rushed out of the room leaving Sebastian and Lea alone. Reaching out he brushed away curls that had fallen in her face.
“I will help you my love. I promise,” Sebastian said. He leaned over and brushed his lips. His eyes widened when she reached up, sliding her hands into his hair, holding his head down, her lips moving over his, nibbling, sucking, when he opened his mouth to her, she slipped his tongue inside of the wet cavern of her mouth. She pulled her head away, her dark brown eyes blazing with a fire he had never seen before.
“Fuck me Sebastian, fuck me now,” She begged.
* * * * * *
19 Years ago . . .
Mr. Humphreys stared at the demon standing in the circle, long dark brown hair, flowing down his back. He stood at seven feet tall, eyes like obsidian observing his surroundings. Swirling, delicate, inky, black designs swirled over his bronzed skin, constantly shaping and reshaping its design.
“You know my terms. You summoned me here now you must pay me.”
“You want to fuck my wife?”
“I require flesh and blood, Mr. Humphreys, those are my terms. Besides you have not fucked her in a year and you are also sterile. This she doesn’t know. If you wish to have an heir, this way we can help each other.”
Mr. Humphreys paced back and forth, his mind going a mile a minute. He was successful, business was booming, he had enough high profile clients to keep in rolling in money and traveling the inner circles of the powerful, wealthy and successful for years. He also had a wife that seemed to adore but behind closed doors she loathed him, she wanted to the full picture of perfection and that picture included a child. Despite the fact that she hated his touch she tolerated having sex with him all for the sake of her goal, having a child. Running a hand over the back of his neck he turned to the demon known simply as Riken.
“Fine, fine, fuck my wife and give us a child,” Mr. Humphreys said as he leaned down, took hold of two candles and moved them out of the way. The barrier between the inside and the outside of the circle shimmered for a moment like a diamond caught in the sunlight and then vanished. Riken stepped over the remainder of the candles and breathed deeply. He smiled and turned to Mr. Humphreys.
“I promise to make it pleasurable for her. Get some loud music and earphones. It’s going to be a long night. And she will forget after it’s happened.”
Riken walked pasted him walking across the room in two steps. The scent of sandalwood and jasmine in his wake, Mr. Humphreys felt a rush of heat through his body, his stomach tightening, his cock hardening and lengthening. He reached out to cradle the bulge. He closed his eyes and sank down into his executive chair. The first thing he heard was a scream of fear followed by a moan of pleasure. Without thinking Mr. Humphreys reached for his belt, undoing it and then pulling down the tab. He shoved his pants down, slipping his hands into his boxer briefs, taking hold of his cock. He couldn’t stop himself, he was so horny. He needed release, badly. He had read the risks of summoning a demon of the second dimension but didn’t think it through; he wanted more, more power, more notoriety. He summoned him knowing the payment and yet he hadn’t thought it would lead to a demon fucking his wife. He closed his eyes and pictured them together, in his mind, so clear he could see them, intertwined grunting, thrusting against each other, faster, harder, he pumped his cock faster. All night long he saw the two of them and all night long he jerked off until the morning when Riken strolled into Mr. Humphreys’ study buttoning his shirt. “It is done,” The demon said simply. Leaning down he took the blood and the gold coins from Mr. Humphreys’ private collection. In a puff of dark brown smoke, Riken disappeared and nine months later Lea was born.


Virtual Book Tour News

News for the Virtual Book Tour Site

We're having a great week at the Virtual Book Tour website and I'd like to extend an invitation to each person to visit us. We have three great authors touring this month and they have posted a wealth of information about their books. You will find book summaries, excerpts, information about how current events tie into their books, why they decided to write that particular book and much more.

For people who haven't heard of the Virtual Book Tour website - let me share a few details. Each month a variety of authors are featured on the site and they share all sorts of information about their books. The website is www.inspiredauthor.com/promotion. Each touring author has their own tour page and all information about their tour can be accessed from that page. This is the page for February - http://inspiredauthor.com/promotion/february-authors-2008.

Feature Authors for February 2008 -- Click for tour details

Earl Ofari Hutchinson - The Ethnic Presidency
www.inspiredauthor.com/promotion/Earl+Hutchinson+-+Feb+2008

Steven Clark Bradley - Nimrod Rising
www.inspiredauthor.com/promotion/steven-clark-bradley-author-nimrod-rising

Virginia Vassallo - How The Stars and Stripes Began
www.inspiredauthor.com/promotion/Virginia+Vassallo

We invite you to visit each author to learn more about their books.

The Ethnic Presidency by Earl Ofari Hutchinson - Who hasn't heard about the presidential primaries this week? In many of the news programs, one of the topics of conversation is the part that voters' race and gender will play in their vote. This is the topic of The Ethnic Presidency. Take a look at the part race plays for each and every candidate in 2008 and he provides many examples throughout the last century to show how race affects the elections. On Thursday February 7th, Mr Hutchinson is making a guest appearance on several different sites. You can visit him at any of these links - http://philipharris.blogspot.com/2008/02/ethnic-presidency-how-race-decides-race.html, www.americanchronicle.com/articles/51521 and http://community.myfoxmaine.com/blogs/PhilipHarris

Nimrod Rising by Steven Clark Bradley - Nimrod Rising is a book about the history of life itself and the origin of evil. The story and the geographical and historical background, centered around current events, will cause readers to pose such profound questions as, Who are we? Where did we come from? What was here before us? Where are we going? Are there answers to the question of why the world faces its current condition today? Nimrod Rising offers "possible" answers to those questions. It will awake the imagination and the cause self perception as they read. I am convinced it will hold your attention to the very end.



How The Stars and Stripes Began by Virginia Vassallo - Have you heard of the military newspaper, the Stars and Stripes? Have you ever wondered how it was started and who was the driving force behind its birth? If so, you must visit with Virginia. Her grandfather, Guy T. Viskniskki, the dynamic first officer-in-charge and editor-in-chief of The Stars and Stripes newspaper. This book is partially based on his autobiographical notes, family history and military records.

Any questions, feel free to contact me at nikki_leigh22939@yahoo.com. You can also visit the website to learn more about book promotion. There are over 100 promotional articles and interviews posted at http://www.inspiredauthor.com/promotion/node/46.

Nikki Leigh

www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm

Author Spotlight: Jayha Leigh and Jeanie Johnson




Title: SMOKIN’: Carolina in the Storming

Authors: Jeanie Johnson and Jayha Leigh

ISBN: 978-1-4357-0960-7

Available formats: Print and Adobe e-file Print copy:

Print: 547 pages, 6" x 9", perfect binding, black and white interior ink

Download: 1 documents 1 document, 1899 KB

Copyright: © November 2007 Jeanie Johnson and Jayha Leigh

Language: English

Country: United States

Edition: First Edition

Genre: I/R…It’s a HOLISTIC story – meant to affect the mind, body, heart and soul. That is, it makes you think, laugh out loud, cry, rage, throw your fist in the air, sigh, and the love scenes will make you close your eyes, cross your legs, throw back your head and say 'mercy'.

Available at: http://www.lulu.com/content/1961443


**AUTHOR BIOS**

Jeanie Johnson and Jayha Leigh

Besides being intelligent divas who pen kickass prose, Jeanie and her momma are dessert-eating, take-no-shit, tell-it-like-they-feel instead of tell-it-like-people-want-to-hear-it women. They are women who have brains and aren't afraid to use them; feelings and aren't afraid to express them; and, middle fingers which they'll happily use to salute out of line peeps. Independently, both are forces of nature that leave you begging for mercy or begging for more…depending on your level of tolerance. Even better,
when they’re in cahoots, they transform into the best tag team duo, bound together by the pen.


Besides being the author of the Otherworldly series, Jeanie is a shagalicious word slinger, who will be world ruling side-by-side with her momma. As long as her Polar Bear (shhh it's a secret) does not drink all of her Cokes, all will be well. After gifting her clan with a knee buckling narrative or two, Jeanie intends to relax by throwing on her favorite hoodie and jumping in her chromed-out truck in search of the alpha that is the basis of the heroes in all of her stories.

Her momma, Jayha, author of the Wild, Wild series, is a lot closer to the convent than Jeanie, which is ironic considering that she's been accused of being the catalyst for the fall of the Roman Empire and a cult leader with low aspirations. When not indulging her torrid affair with ESPN, she finds time to grace Mr. Me with her presence. Jayha constantly hones her skills, so that when she ascends to her position as world leader, stupid people will be punished and desserts will be easily acquired on every corner. Until that fan-freaking-tastic day arrives, she’ll continue to walk among the people rocking her standard outfit of Crocs and a blue t-shirt, composing rapturous reads…all while straightening her crooked halo.



**SYNOPSIS**

Carolina Gilchrist-Williams is a feisty, educated, sexy full-figured black woman whose sole purpose is to get to her baby (Mariana Madeira from Hot Like Fire: The Taming and Deliberation of Mariana) in Colorado who has just discovered that she’s pregnant.


However, when Carolina arrives, she is greeted by the one man…the one who has taken it upon himself to invade her damned fantasies for the past month and a half. The fine MF had been doing that since she’d gotten her first glimpse of him at Mariana and Samson American wedding ceremony. She had no idea who he was except that he was freaking hot, arrogant, damn hot, big, smoking hot, and to the absolute horror of her inner dashiki-clad activist whose enemy was ‘the man’ and whose goal was challenging harmful social structures...he is white!


Mackenzie Roberts was literally floored by the stark violence that had been directed his way by the luscious, fully-figured African-American woman at his good friend Samson Madeira’s wedding. But damn it all to hell the woman’s less-than-welcoming demeanor hadn’t done a f**king thing to cool his ardor. If anything it had inflamed it!


Events at the wedding had prevented the two volatile personalities from getting together and…

…cuss that fine MF out (her)

…drag that tempting woman in my arms and drink from those luscious lips (him) but now their worlds are about to collide and the North American content is going to hear all about it!


Carolina and Mackenzie epitomise the age old saying of: Where there’s SMOKE multiple orgasms are bound to follow.


Welcome to Book 2 of the Hot Like Fire Series by Jeanie Johnson & Jayha Leigh! Hold on, it’s gonna be a hella ride...and you’ll like it…and beg for more! J


**BLURB**


Prelude I: Whoever she is she’d Look even Better under Me



Mackenzie Roberts smiled politely at the bevy of southern women who were patrolling the dining area like generals. He knew they were southern from their accents and also from the way that they piled food onto plates. They had a gleam in their eyes that said no one was leaving here without being close to cardiac arrest or a sharp increase in their cholesterol level at the very least. Though he’d been to many receptions and been fed pretty good he knew he’d have to loosen his belt before sitting down to eat. His stint in Atlanta had taught him that nobody took eating as seriously as southerners. Looking around, he saw that the tables were plied high with delicacies. There were some he couldn’t wait to sample -- such as that barbeque -- and some he was sure that he didn’t want anywhere near his stomach -- such as that salad. He was pretty sure it was salad as there was lettuce and other vegetables in the dish, but he wouldn’t bet on it because it was struggling under a bed of fried chicken pieces, bacon (real bacon in strips, not the bits), turkey and ham. Yep, some people were going to be rushed to the ER tonight, but they’d enjoy the events that led up to it. Southerners didn’t have blood pumping through their veins; they had gravy or grease. It was a wonder that they hadn’t died out but then they did tend to drink a lot of grain alcohol (the homemade kind) and that cleaned out their arteries. Of course, that shit could clean rust off of the Titanic, but hey who was he to criticize considering the fact that he damned sure enjoyed southern cuisine. In fact, that was the one thing that he missed about Atlanta: the food. And if he’d have really felt like being honest with himself he would’ve remedied that statement and admitted that he also missed the women. Southern women had a way about them. Once they got in your blood; they stayed there.

But before he could get to the food, he had to haul his ass to the front with the other groomsmen and see his close friend Samson Madeira marry the woman of his dreams…for the second time. Though this was the second ceremony, Samson was still antsy waiting for his bride to walk down the aisle. Having just flown in from Utah that morning, where he was overseeing a project, he hadn’t had the pleasure of really getting to know her (of course she’d been kept prisoner in Samson’s opulent master suite). He knew that she had to be a stellar woman though and not simply because damn near everyone sang her praises but because she’d managed to do what no other human had ever attempted let alone had a hope in hell of achieving. She‘d conquered Samson. Though he wasn’t much on marriage, Mackenzie couldn’t help but be happy for him knowing how much Samson valued family. Mariana was a beautiful woman with a smile that could bring a man to his knees and an inner strength and integrity that was equal to Samson’s. It was clear that they were destined to be together and as far as Mackenzie was concerned, it couldn’t have happened to two more deserving individuals.

Mackenzie took a moment to appreciate the surroundings. Samson’s spread was a little over two hundred acres in some of the most beautiful land in all of Creation. In his opinion, Teddy Roosevelt, the twenty-sixth president of the United States had been dead on right when he’d remarked that there weren’t enough words in the English language to adequately describe Colorado. Samson’s property was spectacular. Not a particularly religious man, whenever he was in Colorado, especially in this region, he felt close to God. God was evident everywhere: in the ruggedness of mountain areas such as Indian Peaks Wilderness, Routt National Forest, Zirkel Wilderness, and Mount Evans; in the waters of Gilpen Lake, Green River, Hans Peak Lake and the Colorado River; in the endless greens of Buffalo Pass, Yampa Valley, and Ouzel Creek.

The city of de Vires was a picturesque city that was beauty personified. Tucked between mountain ridges, Samson’s spread straddled the border of the Northwest Territory and The Front Range…and it backed up against his. A little higher up in elevation, his spread was actually located in the even smaller city (and calling it a city was stretching the truth a bit) of Villedemann Ridge. Just under fifty acres, his spread wasn’t as big as Samson’s spread, but it boasted more diverse topography. Other than his home -- which was way bigger than a single man needed -- he’d allowed Nature to have its way with the rest of his property. He loved this part of Colorado. The area was so beautiful that he often felt like he was sitting between Jesus and God. You just didn’t get any more perfect than that.

Mackenzie hadn’t been able to attend the first ceremony, but everyone had remarked on the beauty of New Zealand. He didn’t doubt that the South Pacific was beautiful, but it wasn’t Colorado. Inhaling, he slowly let out a deep breath and looked at the place that Samson had selected to exchange vows with his bride. There were no flowers, but there didn’t need to be. Not in that spot, where it seemed that God was showing off His skill. The only concession was the tasteful lighting, which was needed since the ceremony was taking place in the evening to honor the Navajo wedding custom.

Even though there was three officiates -- a Navajo elder, a Baptist preacher, and a Catholic priest (which sounded like the beginnings of a bad joke)-- the ceremony lasted only a few minutes. When Mariana waltzed down that aisle, he swore that he’d never seen a more beautiful bride. And from Samson’s reaction, neither had he, even though he’d had the pleasure of seeing her as a bride just a few weeks prior. Wearing a deep red gown that highlighted her womanly curves, Mariana was the epitome of woman. Walking between her father and brother, she didn’t merely walk down the aisle; she waltzed. And when the men of her family placed her into Samson’s care, Mackenzie witnessed Samson tremble. In that moment he knew, that the long wait Samson had endured had been worth it. Now that the ceremony was complete, and the pictures were taken, Mackenzie simply waited for a chance to congratulate the couple so that he could get to the grub.

Consumed by thoughts of a proper southern banquet, Mackenzie let his mind wander. It wasn’t until he felt eyes on him that he focused and looked around. He immediately became aware of the woman glaring a hole into him as if she was metaphorically lining him up so she could take him out. He so didn’t like the look that she was giving him and as such surreptitiously looked for evidence of a sniper rifle on her person.

Mackenzie was pretty sure that she didn’t have a sniper rifle, but his gut told him that she did have a weapon on her person…and more importantly, knew how to use it. Since she wasn’t making any sudden moves toward him, he took a moment to really look at the woman who looked like she was about to set the dogs and security on him. She wasn’t your average woman. The truth was that nothing about the woman said average. That woman had eyes that alternately flashed caveats and wisdom and an aura surrounding her that said: ‘try me.’ And though he may well be taking his life into his own hands, Mackenzie knew that regardless of the consequences he definitely wanted to try her -- over and over and over. A full-figured woman, she was blessed with a rather impressive bust line and ass that not even that expertly-tailored blazer could conceal. Her mocha-colored skin was flawless. Her full lips were devoid of any artificial color, but the gloss she wore was simply an invitation to kiss it off…to see if it had a flavor. She had a head full of well-maintained locs that were pulled back before flaring out into a riot of curls. Like Mariana, she carried herself with a regal awareness that many women of color possessed.

Mackenzie should’ve been concerned with the caveats that burned in her eyes, and he would be…later, after he’d looked his fill. He began another slow perusal of her lush figure starting at her feet, which were encased in some deadly looking shoes that he’d like to see while she was flat on her back and her legs were resting on his shoulders. And those hips -- damn. There was a song about hips like those -- something about baby-making hips. When he finally made it to her eyes, he noted the unwavering gaze and knew that it wouldn’t be long before she marched over to him -- most likely to give him a piece of her mind. And if his hunch was correct, even after she’d given him a piece of it, she’d still be smarter than most of the people he knew. She was about to make her way towards him when she was side-tracked by Mariana. And when she looked upon Mariana he saw what the woman kept so well hidden: love and softness.

The look that she directed at the bride -- who had thrown her arms around her and hugged her tightly -- robbed him of breath. Mackenzie watched as the woman lifted a hand and brushed an errant curl from the bride’s cheek before kissing her forehead. It was a gesture full of care, full of gentleness and underlined with love. If they didn’t seem so close in age, he would’ve pegged her as the bride’s mother, but he’d met the bride’s mother who’d wept through the entire ceremony. Knowing that she didn’t have a ring on her finger, Mackenzie felt no remorse about lusting after this woman, instinctively knowing that if this woman was some man’s wife, she’d have on a ring. Settling back against the huge evergreen, he took a drink of liquid sugar flavoured with tea, and continued to watch the woman interact with Mariana. He was intrigued with the way she smiled at the bride with the patience borne of loving someone so much that you wanted to hear everything that they had to say.

His reverie was broken by Samson who clapped a hand down on his shoulder. Turning his head, he greeted him. “Congratulations, Samson. You’re a lucky bastard.

“That I am, and so are you having me as a friend and all,” Samson joked.

“Ah, there’s that modesty you keep so well-concealed,” Mackenzie joked.

“Thank you for coming, Mackenzie,” Samson said sincerely before grabbing him in a bear hug that damn near busted his ribs.

“There’s no way that I would miss this. After all, you have a southern spread,” he laughed as he returned the hug.

“The benefits of marrying into a southern family,” he joked as he stood next to Mackenzie and looked out at the boisterous crowd.

Anyone looking at the two men standing side-by-side would be taken aback by the picture that they made. Both standing close to seven feet in height and carrying the bulk to match, they looked like light and shadow. Samson, with dark, good looks and an easygoing demeanor, and Mackenzie, with his slightly darker-than-white-skin and his do-not-fuck-with-me disposition were two peas in the proverbial pod. Regardless of how laidback they appeared in the moment, everyone present knew that to fuck with them or theirs would not end well...at all…but it would definitely end.



Prelude II: Put Your Damn Eyeballs Back in Your Fucking Head


Carolina was so glad that her baby had Samson. Samson was quite a man. Sure he was intelligent, wealthy, and smoking hot, but even better than that, he was loving, gentle, and attentive to Mariana. He treated Mariana as if she was the center of his whole world. She couldn’t have created a better man for Mariana even if she had a state-of-the-art secret lab.

They’d had a beautiful wedding in Auckland. And even though it was in April, because the seasons were reversed, it was still warm enough to have a beach wedding. And though it was damn near June here in the city of de Vires, Colorado, it was colder than a motherfucker to a southerner such as herself. While all of the native Coloradans had on short-sleeves or shorts, damn near all of the southerners had on blazers or sports coats. There was an upside to having to wear a blazer -- it allowed her to conceal her weapons. Yeah, yeah. She knew that there were laws and all that, but she wasn’t taking any chances out here in the fucking woods with a bunch of strangers surrounding her baby. If something broke off and her baby was hurt in any way whatsoever, there’d be a misunderstanding of colossal proportions -- one people would still be talking about a millennia from now when archaeologists excavated the place and came across a shit load of bodies.

Carolina had watched the ceremony with interest, never having attended a ceremony that had so many officiates. There was a Navajo Elder, a Baptist Preacher, and a Catholic Priest. Somewhere, she was sure that there was a good joke in that that would be the catalyst in her downward spiritual spiral, but still it was funny. Though she’d paid attention to the goings on at the Altar, she’d kept one eye on the crowd. She had momma eyes that allowed her to see everything going on and put an end to any nonsense with the quickness without even having to turn her head in the direction of aforementioned nonsense.

She’d been minding her own damn business minding everyone else’s when she’d spotted the white boy. Well, he wasn’t a boy, but he was definitely white. He would’ve been that kind of fine that made women lose their damn minds, with that honey-colored hair and fuck me body, but he had that crazy, about-to-make- the-evening-news look about him. And he kept looking in the direction of her baby…and that was unacceptable. She was on her way over to give him a piece of her mind and a swift kick in that delicious-looking ass when she was waylaid by her beautiful baby. Dammit. She’d have to put the fear of God in that man another time. Right now, her baby was hugging her, and she had to concentrate on maneuvering her baby around so that her body shielded Mariana. Oh damn, she loved that little girl something fierce, with those big eyes and that cute little pout she got when she was in danger of not getting her way. Luckily, she was hardcore and had ice water running through her veins (well either that or barbeque sauce) so Mariana couldn’t use those eyes and that pout against her at all. Okay, well maybe once or twice…a day. Dammit, she was a grown damn woman and Mariana was her baby so she didn’t have to say no to her if she didn’t want to so everyone could just shut the hell up. She was in the mind to kick someone’s ass. Where did Mr. Fine disappear to?


©2007 by Jeanie Johnson and Jayha Leigh All Rights Reserved

Chris Marie Green on Midnight Reign, Vampire Babylon, Book Two

Chris Marie Green on MIDNIGHT REIGN, Vampire Babylon, Book Two

Years and years ago, when I still played with Barbies, Saturday nights were a magical time. They were all about steak dinners with the family around the candlelit table and my dad smoking his cigar in the backyard afterward. Saturday nights were also when IN SEARCH OF… aired on TV, and I remember watching it, enthralled, and oftentimes, scared to death when Leonard Nimoy told us about things like The Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot.

Of course, I was young, and I freaked out at everything. So when a certain episode abut vampires aired, it left an indelible impression that’s stayed with me until this day.

Long claws, sharp teeth, a woman in bed with a gnarly shadow creeping over her…. I was hooked, and it’s no surprise that I’m writing about vampires now for Ace Books.

In keeping with what scared me when I was younger, my own vampires usually have a mean streak and will do anything to survive. In fact, my first vamp book THE HUNTRESS (for the defunct Bombshell line from Silhouette) featured a tribe of female bloodsuckers, feral and hard to slay. I loved those gals, but the real villain in that story was vampirism itself.

I suppose you could say the same about my Vampire Babylon series, a noir-mystery-fantasy with romantic elements. This particular group survives because of secrecy; among their many gifts, they’re great spies who continually mess with the heroine, Dawn Madison, and her new team of hunters. Every book in the series revolves around a vampire-related mystery, but to me, the horror comes from how far a person might go to capture long-lasting life, youth, and fame.

Here’s a hint of what the first book in the series was about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkQTdpPunes

But NIGHT RISING, Book One (2/07), concerned more than Jesse Shane’s death. Dawn got sucked into the search for a vampire underground when her dad went missing, and her personal discoveries go hand-in-hand with what she finds out about these vampires—and what her own mother’s death might’ve had to do with them.

As you can see in this next trailer, the second book, MIDNIGHT REIGN (2/5/08), continues Dawn’s search for her dad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWENWQPBzHg

There are a lot of twists and turns for you mystery fans. And for those of you who want to follow the relationship between Dawn and The Voice? There’s plenty of that, too, and BREAK OF DAWN, Book Three (out in September) is going to delve into Dawn’s search for who “Jonah” really is!

I hope you stop by my Web site at www.vampirebabylon.com because, among other things, I’m giving away a great prize for the contest. It’s a “museum quality” Giclee print called “Little Blood Sucker,” and it’s signed by the artist, Billy Martinez of Neko.



Isn’t it great? I’ve got one hanging on my own wall.

Thank you for reading, and happy hunting!

Chris Marie Green (AKA Crystal Green) writes full time across the genres. Besides her Vampire Babylon series, she writes for Harlequin Blaze and Silhouette Special Edition. You can visit her other web sites at www.crystal-green.com and www.myspace.com/vampirebablylon.