Excerpt from my latest book, The Third Rose

This is the book I've worked the longest on and researched the most. All about spies, secret codes, set in the time of Waterloo but definitely not a regency. Too much sex, for one thing. It's coming out April 29th, which is soon, soon, soon.

I love the cover, which conveys some of the suspense in the book. Here's an excerpt from near the beginning of the book, when Wolf is beginning to realize he likes Sara more than is safe for either one of them.

"The night of the opera found Sara dressed early, and sitting in the parlor as rigid as one of its porcelain ornaments. She’d sent Samantha and her aunt to their rooms, saying merely she needed time alone to compose herself. Instead she found she could barely put one thought in order. She finally just sat, twisting her lace handkerchief, with her eyes fastened on the door.
She heard Walters open the door to a distinctly masculine knock, and still sat motionless. His deep voice greeted Walters, and then Wolf stood in the doorway. A magnificent Wolf, in black formal attire which became him enormously, its close fit emphasizing his virile, muscular body. He was impossibly handsome and elegant.
She raised great, wounded eyes to his.
He reached her side in an instant.
“My dear Sara,” he said, pulling her to her feet and holding her lightly against him. “Whatever is the matter? Surely you are not frightened of appearing in public with me?”
“It’s not you, my lord, it’s appearing in public.” Her voice quivered as she found she could no longer meet his eyes.
“But I will be with you every moment.” His tone was puzzled as he did not quite understand what so upset her. This intrepid girl, who’d accosted him with a pistol? And proudly assured him she was equally adept with a rapier?
She would not look at him.
“I should never have consented to this, my lord. What if your friends remember my father’s scandal? I’m sure you must have pieced the story together by now. What if somehow it reflects on you? It will, you know, and then I’ll have injured your mission instead of helping it. I’ve been purely selfish.”
She was looking at the floor and didn’t see his eyes fill with pity, but she felt the small shake he gave her.
“How ridiculous!”
He knew sympathy would ruin what was left of her composure. “All years ago. The ton needs a new scandal every fortnight, and generally finds one. They don’t have the brains to keep nattering away at one subject for long. Your name will probably only bring blank stares. Do you think some old story can compete with the fact the Duke of Danfield’s granddaughter just eloped with her French tutor?”
She raised her golden eyes, a spark of laughter in them.
“She didn’t!” Sara exclaimed.
“She did. And just yesterday. You are stale news, my dear. Not really very interesting.” He lifted her chin with one finger and smiled at her.
He found his smile getting warmer as she gazed at him with eyes not nearly as wounded as before. He breathed a small sigh of relief. Whether for himself or for her he didn’t stop to analyze.
“Shall you call for your aunt now and we will be on our way? You are devastatingly lovely, by the way. Sara. That deep bronze color is unusual and just right for you. If you cause a sensation tonight it will be because of your outstanding beauty.”
If she’d been more worldly he would have caught her hands in his and kissed the inside of her wrists, slowly and warmly, letting his lips linger. Not the thing to do with Sara. But how he would have enjoyed it, seeing if her skin was as warm as his whole body felt. He might even have moved his lips to her seductive mouth.
Well hell, he’d like to move his lips to her breasts and other places on her supple body. He shut off his thoughts. At least his words of praise seemed to please her. Her sudden smile brought even more heat to the room, as well as his unruly loins. He felt as if she’d somehow grabbed his heart and twisted it.
“You are a blatant flatterer, but a brilliant and perceptive conversationalist.” Her smile now blazed at him. “Therefore I accept your verdict. Let me call Aunt Lavinia, and we’ll go to the opera.”
She sailed out of the room, her head held regally high, and Wolf breathed a sigh of relief. It was only he didn’t like his plans interrupted. Surely her feelings couldn’t matter to him. He’d soothed her only as one would an injured child. He’d meant one thing he said, though. She was a beauty. And he found it delightful she’d not protested when he called her Sara."
t

I decided that I would blog on my assigned day...

Instead of missing it again...

I seem to have forgotten to do my regular posts every week on a couple of my other co-op blogs, so I felt it might get the ball rolling in the right direction if I managed to post today.

Such an auspicious day...tax deadline day. I finally got mine done, and put the checks in the mail. This is the first time in my life I have not gotten a refund. I suppose now that I am self-employed as a writer, there are MORE taxes I need to pay. LOL! Plus, I found out the hard way that my retirement only deducts Federal taxes...so I owed over a thousand in State taxes. Sheesh!

Ah, well...at least I still have roof over my head.

I just wish I could get the royalties from all the pirated copies of my books that are running around out there. So far, the total in lost income edges a bit over $12,400. It would sure be nice to have that in my pocket. And that's only from the top three sites.

Better get busy writing, so I can afford my taxes next year at this time. LOL!

Hugs!

Fran Lee
http://www.franleeromance.com

Amber Skyze - Pretend With Me

I'm Amber Skyze and I'll be posting on the 14th of every month. I have a new release coming on the 23rd and I'm going to share a blurb and excerpt with you today.

Pretend With Me is Book 1 of 3 in my Freedom Fantasies series. So sit back and enjoy!

Blurb:

Make all your wildest dreams come true at Freedom Fantasies.
After threatening divorce Paige gives up her fantasy of hot sex with two men, especially when Tommy, the other man she wants to have sex with, is the reason for her divorce threats. When Paige confesses she’s considering leaving Jed to her best friend and owner of Freedom Fantasies, life takes an unexpected turn. Paige finds herself pretending she’s having a hot sordid affair.

Paige is appreciating all the pleasures she’s unable to find at home. Being spanked in the corner, tied to the bed or getting it on in the shower, Paige is experiencing more orgasms than she thought possible. To heighten the excitement her pretend lover brings in a friend.

Can pretending save Paige’s marriage?

Excerpt:

An Excerpt From: PRETEND WITH ME
Copyright © AMBER SKYZE, 2010
All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.
Chapter One

“I want a divorce,” Paige declared. She slid her hoop earrings on for another day at the office.
“What?” She could see Jed’s look of shock from the mirror, but she didn’t care. She was tired of their non-sexual marriage.
“You heard me. I want a divorce.”
“I don’t understand.” He stopped adjusting his tie and walked over to her.
She turned and looked at him pointedly. “I’m tired of being second best in my own house. I’m tired of not having my husband!” As her voice grew louder Jed tried to hush her.
“Paige, he’ll hear you. Can’t you please keep it down?”
“I don’t give a rat’s ass who hears me! I’m tired of playing second fiddle to him. So I hope he hears me. I want a divorce because of him.”
“He’s had a hard time and you know it. Can’t you cut him some slack?”
“Slack? How about cutting me some slack. The two of you are inseparable. I’m always left in the lurch. When’s the last time we had sex, huh? Bet you can’t remember, because it’s been that long.”
“Is this what this is all about? Sex?” The disdain in his voice didn’t go undetected. This only fueled her anger.
“You bet your sweet ass it’s about sex. I’m a woman with needs and if you can’t fulfill them then I don’t need you. I have vibrators who spend more time with me than you.”
She knew her words were like a smack across the face, but it didn’t matter. Since his best friend Tommy moved in, over three months, ago their sex live went sailing out the window. Everything to do with their life went out the window and she was tired of it. She longed for her husband back. She wanted to go for long walks along the beach. She wanted the romantic dinners they used to share or a night out at the movies. Recently, her vibrator became her husband. Whenever she felt depressed she turned to her trusty pink friend. She’d used her vibrator more in the last few months than she had previously in their whole marriage. It was unacceptable as far as she was concerned.
“You’ve been pleasing yourself with your vibrators?” he whispered.
“Of course. Did you think I’d go months without sex?”
“I just thought…yes. I told you the reasons we aren’t having sex. I’d feel bad if Tommy heard us having fun when he’s so depressed.”
“Oh well. Too late, I don’t hide the pleasure I get from the vibrators.” She knew her words were bold and packed a punch. Maybe, just maybe he’d finally realize she was serious. She wasn’t waiting around for him to give her sex. And if he didn’t start acting like a husband she wasn’t sticking around for him.
Hurt covered his face. His brown eyes lost the sparkle they’d always had. She couldn’t stand the idea of hurting him this way, but she couldn’t continue to hide her pain and frustrations either. Something had to be done even if it meant a divorce. Jed had to make a choice—Tommy or her.
“I’m late for work.” She grabbed her briefcase off the bed and promptly walked out, leaving Jed with his mouth hanging on the floor.
He chased her out of the bedroom and down the stairs out the front door.
“We need to talk about this, Paige.”
“We’ll talk when you get your friend out of our house.” She threw her briefcase onto the passenger seat as she climbed into her car.
“I can’t do that.”
“Then I can’t talk about saving our marriage.”
She left him standing with his mouth hung open for the second time in a matter of minutes.

“I don’t know what to do, Kim.” She'd been pushing a tomato in her untouched salad around for the last half hour.
“You need to fix this, Paige. You can’t just let your marriage end because of a roommate.”
“Yeah, Kim’s right. Kick him out if you have to. Your marriage is way too important.”
Paige looked from one best friend to the other. She’d known Brooke and Kim since grade school when she moved to Melville. They were as tight as any two best friends could be, but they made room for her. Poor little shy Paige. The new kid on the block. Paige had come a long way from that shy girl. She’d grown into a confident woman who knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to ask for it.
“I don’t know. Jed isn’t going to throw Tommy out and truthfully I do feel sorry for him, but seriously using my vibrator is getting old.”
“I could hook you up with something fun at the Manor,” Kim offered. Kim was the proud co-owner of a club on the outskirts of town called Freedom Fantasies. She’d opened it as a place for women to live out their deepest darkest fantasies. Paige knew Kim’s biggest reason for starting Freedom Fantasies was to live out her own fantasies with David McKnight, her business partner. She figured if they spent enough time together they’d eventually fall into each other’s bed. So far her plan wasn’t working. David constantly talked about how happy he was to have a co-owner who he’d never slept with. David didn’t believe in mixing business with pleasure. His beliefs didn’t worry Kim. She wasn’t afraid to wait. She knew in due time David would be hers. Paige on the other hand always believed she was setting herself up for failure. She hoped she was wrong in this case, but so far it didn’t appear to be that way.
A room at the Manor was by appointment only and Kim had to approve all guests before they were allowed into her place. She didn’t want any crazies. She ran a well respected place and wanted to keep it that way.
During renovations, Paige had thought about how she’d live out her fantasies with Jed when Kim finally opened for business. She wanted to be first in line. Her fantasy was to be with two men. Two men who would cherish her body all night long. For the longest time Paige thought about how she’d broach the subject with Jed. She didn’t see him as the sharing type. She also didn’t know how to tell him she fantasized about being with him and his best friend. That was until he came to live with them. After a week of Tommy being in their guest bedroom all her thoughts of living out her fantasies went flying out the window.
“You mean like have an affair?” Paige bulked at the idea.
“You’re talking about leaving your husband and this comes as a shock to you?”
Paige studied Kim’s face. She looked dead serious.
“Maybe sex with a stranger is exactly what you need to recharge your failing marriage,” Brooke interjected.
Brooke was single too. The only difference with Brooke was she didn’t have any prospective partners. Brooke was still mourning the death of her fiancé Carl, who’d died in the war almost two years ago. She still wore his dog tags hidden under her clothes. Carl had died days before he was due to come home. A suicide bomber ended his life. For all intents and purposes, Brooke looked like a happy-go-lucky woman on the outside, but Paige and Kim knew she was still hurting on the inside.
“I’d have to give that some serious consideration. I’ve never thought about having sex with anyone except Jed. I don’t consider a vibrator cheating, though if you seen the look on his face when I told him how much I’ve been using it. You’d think I had cheated on him.”

Yes, You're Stuck with me on the 12th

Hello! Linda Kage here. I guess I get to bore—I mean, ENTERTAIN—you all on the twelve of every month. So, I’ll just introduce myself this first post to give you some fair warning about what you can expect from me every thirty days or so.

I love to read all sorts of romance: contemporary, suspense, historical, paranormal…you get the picture, right? If it’s a romance, I’ll devour it. But so far, I’ve only written mainstream contemporary romance.

My first book, The Stillburrow Crush, was released this February from The Wild Rose Press. It’s a contemporary Young Adult story, and strangely enough, the only YA book I’ve finished to date. The other three books I have coming out are all adult romance—not erotic but definitely on the steamy side (Oh yeah!).

The Trouble with Tomboys will be released in August from The Wild Rose Press. It’ll be available in both ebook and print. Then in November Champagne Books will release my third book, Hot Commodity. Hot Commodity will also be available in ebook and eventually print. And my fourth book, Delinquent Daddy, is currently being edited by The Wild Rose Press. They’ll probably release it sometime in 2011 (just a guess).

If you’d like to read more about any of my stories, please feel free to visit my website at www.LindaKage.com. I just love visitors!

Now, if I were a smart person, like Molly Daniels/Kenzie Michaels and Marianne Stephens/April Ash, I would’ve gotten myself a split personality and had two different pen names: one for my YA story and one for my adult work…but nope, I’ve never been accused of being a genius. So, there’s just little ol' me.

But, I digress. So onto my personal life…

I live in Kansas with my husband, daughter, and our nine cuckoo clocks (though we only run one clock at a time because, honestly who wants to wind nine cuckoo clocks every morning and evening—though technically, you don’t wind a cuckoo clock; you pull a string. Sorry, I’m not up-to-date on the correct cuckoo terminology on how to re-energize a cuckoo clock!) Anyway...

This February was a HUGE month for me because not only did my first book come out, but my first baby was born too! I know, WOW, right?

Seriously can’t believe my little Lydia Marie is already two months old. Before I know it, she’ll be walking, talking, and moving off to college. My writing time has greatly decreased since she’s been alive, but stories keep swimming around in my head, so I’m sure I’ll continue to use what spare time I can find to keep up on writing…or reading. I really miss reading as much as I used to read before she came along. But it’s still worth it. She’s been a blessing, an exhausting blessing, but a blessing nonetheless.

So, that’s the basics about me. It was nice to meet you all, and I’ll see you again next Twelfth!

Interview of Claire Ashgrove, RBRU Member Author!

I've known Claire for a number of years, and watched as her career has taken off! I'm honored to interview her and let her tell you what's happening!
Claire has been writing since her early teens and maintained the hobby for twenty years before deciding to leap into the professional world. Her first contemporary novel, Seduction's Stakes, sold to the Wild Rose Press in 2008, and she continues to write steamy, sexy stories for the Champagne line.
Writing, however, isn't her only passion. When she's not sitting at the computer ticking out plotlines, she raises and trains Oldenburg, Thoroughbred, and Arabian horses. Time allowing, she competes in the sports of Show Jumping, 3-Day Eventing, and Dressage. Many of her favorite barn friends make cameo appearances in her horse-themed novels.
Claire lives on a small farm in Missouri with her two toddler sons, fifteen horses, one goat, and five dogs. She credits her success to her family's constant support and endless patience.
Please give us the title of your latest book and buy link.
"Timeless Valentine"
Buy Link: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/claire-ashgrove-m-646.html?zenid=03303abd12deba6b232310147c747da3

Q: What part of the book is the easiest for you…beginning, middle, end. Why?
A: The easiest part of writing a book for me is, hands down, the beginning. Because I’ve spend so much time planning the story, I usually have the scene completely staged down to the itty bitty details by the time I get to putting it in words. That momentum stays for probably the first fifteen chapters.

Q: What part of the book is the hardest for you...beginning, middle, end. Why?
A: This actually depends on the book. Some books require such a significant ending that the ending will bog me down. I know I have to make it impacting, but I’m on the rush of conflict resolution and I have to force myself to slow down and not skip over important things. Other times, I’ve put so much planning into the beginning and end, that the middle takes a lot of focus. If I know the end is going to have fireworks in it, the middle makes me want to rush to the end. So pacing myself when I’m writing becomes key, in either situation.

Q: Who is your favorite character in your book(s) and why?
A: To date, my favorite character in any of my books is Bahadur Mamoon, the horse in my coming release, Waiting For Yes. He was stylized after my own stallion, and although my horse doesn’t have near the issues this one does, he embodies a lot of his positive qualities. Things that few people would really recognized unless they knew him as I do.

In Timeless Valentine, however, Olivia wins that award. She’s eccentric, outspoken, and when I see her in my head, she dominates the vision. Beyond her personality, and her journey in the novel, Olivia’s past is fraught with little inside jokes – things my girlhood friends and I still laugh about to this day. All authors joke about, “If you make us mad, we’ll knock you off in a book.” Well, in this case, I knocked off about five people in one. No one but my most intimate friends would recognize the nuances, and that makes it even more entertaining. I had a blast developing her!

Q: Facebook, MySpace, Blogs, Chats, or Twitter. Which do you like best and why?
A: Twitter. Although in all honesty I have a very hard time getting into the social networks. I could (and have) spent full days doing nothing but social networking. Facebook plagues me with Farmville. I can zone out and yap all day long on Twitter. So I force myself to take long periods away from them. Otherwise, my productivity goes out the window.

Q: What’s your strongest point as a writer?
A: Peek into any other aspect of my life and it’s chaos, but I am meticulously organized when it comes to writing. I have Giant charts to keep me on track with deadlines and goals. I plot every story often to the nth degree. I force my schedule to allow for time enough to write a chapter a day. I save every query, every piece of correspondence, every everything – all in neat little organized stacks and files. My bookshelves, even my reference books, are arranged in alphabetical order by author – it’s really quite anal retentive. Part of this comes from being a former Project Manager and getting delirious over having boxes to check off as “complete”. However, I hold myself to some very rigid and high goals – such as composing seven books last year. The only way I can meet expectations is to make sure everything has a time slot – even to the point of planning ‘wiggle room’.

Q: What is your favorite romance book that you’ve read?
A: I do a lot of speed-reading so I can keep up with the industry, honestly. Mainly because, while I know it does help my own writing in following what others are doing, especially in my genre, it feels like unproductive time. That said, I tend to latch on to a small handful of authors, so my book preferences almost always end up author preferences. Last year I discovered historical author, Karin Tabke, while looking for paranormal romances in Pocket… I opened the first pages of Master of Surrender and was hooked. She’s now my idol Not just because of her writing ability, but because she’s succeeded in multiple genres, which is my absolute goal. I hope that my career will be as rewarding as hers has become.

Q: Tell us where to find you: website(s), publisher’s page(s), blog(s), Facebook page(s), etc. List them all!
A: My website is: http://www.claireashgrove.com where you can also sign up for my monthly newsletter. I maintain a blog, although use it more as an announcements blog—which I am hoping to adjust as this year goes along: http://claireashgrove.blogspot.com – the link is also on my website. You’ll also find me on Facebook as Claire Ashgrove, and I do keep my former Myspace page somewhat up to date – again, Claire Ashgrove. I’m on Twitter also – ClaireAshgrove
I’m published through The Wild Rose Press – http://www.thewildrosepress.com

Q: Anything you’d like to add that I didn’t mention?
A: I’ve started 2010 out with two sales – Waiting For Yes, and A Christmas To Believe In. Both maintain the theme of horses I began with my first book, Seduction’s Stakes, and the savvy reader will even find a link back to Seduction’s Stakes in A Christmas To Believe In. Both titles should release in 2010, although at this time the release dates are pending.
I will be presenting a program with fellow author, Jackie Bannon, on “The Joy of Sex” – an analysis of the level of heat in today’s market, where a book falls within that spectrum, and what makes a book hot or not – in May, for the Heartland Romance Authors in Kansas City.

TIMELESS VALENTINE BLURB:
Childhood hatred fired their blood. Yet, a Valentine's Day experiment inflames their hearts.

When Lucas Benning relocated to Kansas City, his best friend’s sister became his roommate. Problem is, they’ve despised each other since he cut off her hair when she was fifteen. But with Valentines Day looming, his sentimental side can’t accept Olivia’s jaded perspective the holiday’s for fools. He vows to prove romance doesn’t go hand-in-hand with sex. Except, a game he starts to prove a point awakens a frightening passion he can’t escape.

Eccentric artist, Olivia McDaniels, finds Lucas’ proposal laughable. Yet, when her brother commissions a portrait of Lucas, she sees a different side of the man--tender and selfless. To her horror, he chips away at the walls around her heart. Only, Lucas belongs to another woman, and the feelings he stirs can only lead to pain.

As the holiday arrives, will Cupid’s arrows forge a timeless bridge between their differences, or will they eternally miss their mark?

EXCERPT
At the close proximity, Lucas' chuckle reverberated through Olivia, setting off butterflies in her belly. The faint scent of his cologne – a touch of spice blended with the faintest scent of vague cinnamon – wafted to her nose. Everything inside Olivia arced forward, seeking contact with his powerful frame, yearning to feel those hard planes of muscle. Mere inches away, all she had to do was reach out one fingertip to trace his firm jaw, his full mouth.

His eyes held hers, unblinking. In the next heartbeat, his smile wavered, replaced by a strange softness that sent her pulse bounding and her heart hammering against her ribs. God, if he had been any other man, those signals screamed go. Warned loud and clear kissing came next. Kisses she hadn’t had, or wanted, since Robert.

“Did you finish the portrait?” Lower now, his voice hung in the awkward silence.

She swallowed, finding only the strength to whisper, “No.”

“I think you need inspiration.”

Unbelievably, his gaze dropped to her mouth, lingering long enough to send a wave of heat coursing through her.

She moistened her lips, tamping down a burst of nervousness. “What kind of inspiration?”

Reaching out, he caught a lock of her hair between and twirled it between thumb and forefinger. A jolt of electricity raced down her spine, raising the downy hairs on her arm.

“Not sure,” he murmured. “Tell me what the pose is."

Doing her best to ignore the pleasant sensations of his fingers and the heat that seeped into her shoulder where his wrist almost touched her, she swallowed again. “A… kiss.”

“Hm.” He pushed the lock of hair behind her ear, but instead of turning her loose, slid his fingers through the lengths and drew them over her shoulder.

She’d have sworn the gesture drew him closer. As she glanced down at his chest, he was so near, if she shifted at all, she’d brush against him. God, how she wanted to. One hint of welcome, and that mouth would find hers. She felt it in her soul.

Thanks to Claire for being with us today! Look for her books and find her at various sites. She's also a Member Author at this blog's Yahoo site http://groups.yahoo.com/group/romancebooksrus

For Love Of The Beta

Alpha male, alpha male, alpha male – as aspiring romance authors, we are told time and again the heroes readers love are the alpha males. Who wouldn’t? A touch of dominance to appeal to our innermost feminine, confidence that oozes off the pages, and strength to make our villains cringe. Shoot, other than the occasional arrogance issues, alpha males are take-charge kinda guys, who know what they want, how to get it, and how to make the world bend to their needs, including heroines. Complimenting that set-up, no weak-willed, pansy heroine could satisfy him, and so the heroines are equally strong. A combination almost assuredly guaranteed to make sparks fly – in the romance and in the rest of the plot.

But what about the beta hero?

I have always envisioned the beta hero as the man more likely to be found at the grocery store, taking his dog to a dog park, or simply fixing the leaky faucet. In other words, the beta hero is more common. More what we’d find in our own proverbial backyards.

And I love a good beta hero. One who knows his own faults, nurses his own set of insecurities, and yet, has that one outstanding characteristic that sets him above and apart from his alpha counterparts, who would go to their graves before ever acknowledging personal faults.

Ironically, so does the movie industry. Look at some of the heroes in film.

1. Frodo, from The Lord of the Rings – Frodo has minimal physical strength. He doesn’t want the responsibility initially, he doesn’t believe he’s worthy of it at times, and quite frankly, his sword arm stinks. His redeeming qualities? Courage. Determination. Innocence. Purity. Honesty – both with himself and those surrounding him. We love him, we want him to succeed. Contrasted to a more alpha figure with Aragorn, or even Gandalf, both of whom are confident in their abilities, he is a weak player. But his normalcy makes him strong.

2. Sam, from Transfomers – Sam’s a weak teenager. He can’t make the football tryouts, he’s not particularly socially skilled, and he lacks self confidence. Compared to the Alphas with the military and the Transformers themselves, he’s destined to fail. He openly admits his fears and insecurities. He’s normal.

3. Ahmed, from The 13th Warrior – Ahmed stands out completely. Surrounded by men who are nothing less than completely alpha, he knows he can’t participate at their level, particularly in battle. He is, however, intellectually superior, apt to solve problems with reason, full of quiet strength, religiously faithful to his morals, and he even gets the girl (though that’s a minimal part of the story.)

Beta heroes have been classified as “The Best Friend”, and in today’s contemporary romances several heroes follow that set up. What makes them enjoyable to read and to write is the slow, consistent growth arc these individuals go through, the absolute reality of their normalcy, and often the majority of the conflict is with himself, not with the world surrounding him. (Classic Man vs. Himself).

And in a romance, the end result is a believable love story that, because of the nature of the individual, is guaranteed to stand the test of time.

I took my love for a good beta hero, my love for horses, and A Christmas To Believe In, took life.

Meet Clint King, a man who isn’t afraid of a woman’s tears. A man whose gentleness shows in the touch of his hands and the quiet murmurs of his voice beneath the stable’s rafters.

A man who needs someone to believe in him.

BLURB:

Struggling Thoroughbred breeder, Clint King, hasn’t been home for Christmas in five years. This year, his prize mare's due to foal any day, and in the wake of his father’s death, Clint can’t stand the idea of returning. Except, Alex is getting married on Christmas Eve, and their mother’s put her foot down.

With his mare in tow behind him, Clint prepares to meet a sister he’s never known and Alex’s unexpected triplets. The one salvation he looks forward to is childhood companion, tomboy Jesse Saurs. Yet when he reunites with Jesse, he uncomfortably discovers she’s become all woman.

Jesse has everything she needs – financial security, a home, and a foster child who’s about to become her son. With Ethan’s final hearing scheduled just before Christmas, her dreams will come true. When she learns Clint and his brothers are returning, she anticipates a holiday reunion that’s sure to entertain Ethan. But on the night of Clint’s return, the ‘brother’ she expected leaves her trembling after a hug. Even worse, Ethan makes it clear Clint's not welcome.

Will Christmas destroy hopes and dreams, or will it become the gift they've all been longing for?

EXCERPT:

Clint approached his mare with a faint smile. He stroked the side of her neck, her shoulder, her expansive belly, and Jesse stared, transfixed. In all the years she’d known Clint, she’d never seen such compassion. Such respect. He moved around the mare, murmuring in a voice so low she couldn’t make out the words. But the expression on his face left no doubt about what he said. Praises. Little whispers of affection.

When he bent forward and pressed a kiss to her velvety nose, Jesse’s heart lurched. She’d listened to him babble about the race horses he’d worked with that long ago summer at The Woodlands. Back then, she’d known he loved his job, but she’d never fully grasped what took him away from Kansas City to Kentucky. Now, watching him, a little bubble of pride burst deep inside her soul. He’d gone after his dream. He was good with this horse. Damn good. And his love for his mare was unmistakable.

He stepped away from the horse, her halter in hand, and joined Jesse at the stall’s rail. Elbows propped over the top, he leaned forward and watched his horse.

“She’s really pretty,” Jesse whispered.

“She’s my future, Jesse. Everything’s riding on that foal.”

“How so?” Jesse tipped her head up to look at him. She took in the firm line of his strong jaw, his high-set cheekbones, the way his hair dusted the top of his ears. The shadows intensified the hint of whiskers on his chin, and she curled her fingers into her gloves, resisting the urge to run her knuckle over the stubble.

“I had some bad luck the last several years. So, I changed my tactics. I’ve still got good runners back home, but this one…” He nodded to the horse in reference. “I dumped all my savings into her and this foal. Pray that baby doesn’t make an appearance before New Year’s.”

Giving him a quizzical look, Jesse asked, “Why?”

“The Jockey Club ages Thoroughbreds on January first of every year. They compete, among other restrictions, by age. It will be a yearling come January first, which means that foal will have to run against horses a full year older. Situations like that don’t lead to wins very often.”

“But there’s a chance, right?”

“Slim.”

She turned her gaze back to the mare and fell into silence. She didn’t know much about horses, but the way the mare grunted as she turned around suggested discomfort. As Jesse watched, the horse turned her head and looked at her flank. Her belly moved with the shift of a leg.

“What’s her name?”

When Clint didn’t immediately answer, she inched closer and gave his elbow a jab. “Hey. You in there?”

Clint smiled down at her with a chuckle. He draped his arm over her shoulder and pulled her in against his side. “Sorry.”

At once, the heady aroma of spice and leather seeped into her awareness. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply. She could stand here all night long, soaking up his warmth, pretending he was someone else. Someone who wouldn’t mind if she rose up on tiptoe and stole a kiss.

Instead, she shifted and nuzzled her cheek into his chest. One palm over the steady drum of his heart, she let out a contented sigh. “It’s good to have you home, Clint.”

His voice reverberated beneath her ear, amplifying his low murmur. “It’s good to be here.”



A Christmas To Believe In is the third book in the Three Kings Series and will be available through The Wild Rose Press in December of 2010.

For more information about my books, and the other King brothers, please visit my website -- www.claireashgrove.com

Fighting for Your Man. . .

THE WINNER OF YESTERDAY'S SCAVENGER HUNT IS CHRISTINE!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!

Even if you’re the most gorgeous babe on Planet Earth, you surely have experienced what every other female has – being hooked on a guy who simply cannot commit. No matter how he craves your company and can’t keep his hands off of you, the thought of a forever relationship gives him the dry heaves. It’s easier to get him into a doctor’s office for a prostate exam than to corral him for one episode of Say Yes to the Dress.

And yet, you know in your head the bum loves you. He shows it when he takes your side against family members even though you’re the one who’s been way out of line. He’s there when you have the flu, holding onto your hair as you give up your lunch. He surprises you by doing the dishes and only expecting minor applause for his feat.

Yeah, he loves you. He just won’t admit it to himself. So you’re going to have to fight for him to make certain he does.

That’s the underlying premise in my most recent erotic romance Lush Velvet Nights where anything goes carnally, which leads to an emotional bond that surprises the hero and deepens the heroine’s conviction that he will be hers. Here’s a blurb and an excerpt:

BLURB:

Lush Velvet Nights - When wanton desires & love demand all…

During the day, Adriana’s a lonely corporate heiress, helming a supermarket empire. At night, she hires escorts, scripting provocative fantasies of kidnapping, lust, submission and endless longing. It’s all she has to excite her until she meets Nathan Wynn. Tall, blond and muscular—like a modern-day Viking—Nathan’s a labor relations attorney representing Adriana’s union employees. His imposing presence intensifies her basest desires. When he protects her from an escort he believes is an attacker, she knows he’s wonderfully dominant and unrestrained. Fascinated by Adriana’s underlying sensuality, Nathan brings her to his secluded mountain estate, determined she submit fully to his hunger. At a gentleman’s club, he makes certain she denies him nothing. Engaging in a seductive sexual journey, Nathan’s caught off-guard by his stunning need for Adriana. An attraction he fears because of past events in his life. A growing emotional connection she will not let him deny.

EXCERPT:

(In this scene, Nathan is trying to break it off with Adriana. She’s burrowing too deeply into his heart. However, she’s not about to give up on him. . .she intends to fight for her man. The scene begins in his POV.)

“Do you mind if we change our plans for tonight?”

A look of panic swept across her face. “Why?”

He couldn’t show her how he’d lived since deciding nothing much mattered except having a good time. She deserved better. After a nice dinner at an upscale restaurant, he’d let her down easily and hope to god she didn’t notice how deeply he’d already fallen for her and how bad it would be for both of them. “You wouldn’t like what I had in mind.”

“How do you know?”

He shook his head. “It’s too …” He couldn’t finish.

She did. “Kinky?”

“For lack of a better word, yes. We’ll have dinner at Melisse. I’ll call now and wrangle us a table. Get in.”

“No. I don’t want dinner.” Resting her hand on his chest, she slid her fingers past his suit jacket and tie to touch his tattooed pec. It jumped too readily. She murmured, “I want to know about you. Everything. Including where you planned to take me tonight.”

He frowned. “You won’t like it there, Adriana.”

“Will you be with me? Can I count on you to keep me safe?”

“Hell, yes. But that’s not the point.”

“Of course it is.” She cupped his face in her free hand, providing tenderness and affection he hadn’t known in too long. “Show me something wild, Nathan. Make this a night I’ll never forget.”

He sighed helplessly. “You’re fucking nuts, you know that?”

“I’m being honest. Show me.”

“It’s a gentleman’s club, Adriana. Anything goes, and I do mean anything.”

Her passion didn’t abate. “Am I overdressed?”

Nathan laughed, wanting to give her a bear hug, aching to be as guileless as she, knowing it could only lead to remorse for both of them. “You’re beautiful, but disobedient. You didn’t wear stockings.”

“Couldn’t with my sandals. But I did wear something underneath my dress I know you’ll like.”

She was killing him.

“Let’s go, Nathan. It’s too late to turn back now.”

The tenor of her voice, her words and expression made a persuasive argument. She wanted to know about him and didn’t fear whatever he’d show her. He wished to god he deserved her confidence. Because he did not, he’d have to convince her how misplaced it was. His explanation would never do. She’d have to see it for herself. “Fine.” He gestured her into the passenger seat. “I’ll take you to Zanes.”

The name had no meaning to Adriana and she didn’t ask for a description of the establishment or what went on there. “Anything goes” pretty much summed it up. With another man, she would have been terrified. With Nathan, she settled into a state of paralyzing expectation mingled with building bliss. The kind she’d experienced as a kid when her mare Penny attempted a particularly high jump and succeeded without killing either of them. Her love for the animal gave her the confidence to hope for the best and to see things through.

Nathan drove slowly and said little, apparently not sharing her mood. They left the Los Angeles basin and drove up the coast, away from too much civilization. In Malibu, he pulled up to a gated estate overlooking the Pacific. As with many mansions in the area, the public couldn’t see the home from the street. Nathan was well down the asphalt drive before Adriana caught sight of their destination.

Her heart made a weird twist in her chest. She’d been wrong to think Nathan’s Lake Arrowhead estate was as formidable as the chateau where O began her sexual journey. This place held the distinction. Gothic in appearance and constructed of what looked to be black granite, the three-story structure called to everything wanton in a human’s soul.

Nathan eased to a stop well short of the valet, a young woman with blonde hair hanging to her waist. Her breathtaking features made her an aspiring model, actress or a future trophy wife. She wore tight black pants, a low cut white blouse and spike heels. Adriana pulled her gaze away from the girl’s perfection and caught a glimpse of the rolling sea sparkling beneath the moon. Did Zanes’ patrons make love on the beach? She suspected they did not, considering the activity and locale too tame.

Nathan shifted in his seat. “Is your nickname Lizzie?”

Surprised at his question, she looked over. “Yeah—did Joe call me that when he grilled you?”

He nodded. “Did you tell him we met at a spa?”

“No. He knows you negotiated Greco’s union contract. Why do you ask?”

“No reason.” He pulled up to the valet.

She opened the passenger door first. Adriana shrugged out of her wrap, leaving it on the seat. To help her from the vehicle, the valet offered her hand. It was velvety soft, her manner so seductive heat rose to Adriana’s chest and cheeks, warming her despite the chilly night. The stiff breeze delivered the young woman’s fragrance—magnolias and ripe youth. “Ma’am,” she murmured.

Not lingering for a response, she went to Nathan’s door. There, the girl offered him a feline smile and barely contained excitement. "Nice to see you again, Mr. Wynn." She kissed Nathan on his mouth, driving her fingers through his wind-tousled hair. His hand went to her ass, his long fingers cupping and squeezing her right cheek as they necked freely.

Adriana’s heart dropped.

You won’t like it there, he’d warned.

At her sudden dizziness, Adriana locked her knees, unable to look away, watching the scene helplessly.

Too many seconds passed before Nathan finished the kiss. The valet suckled his neck one last time then got into his car. Looking over, he held out his hand to Adriana, a wordless command for her to join him. She met his eyes. They were absent of passion, unlike the times he’d kissed her. Instead, his gaze held renewed counsel for her to call this off.

No way. She would prove he belonged to her. No matter how many other women were inside, he would see and want only her.

With an accelerating pulse, she joined him and placed her hand in his. “Let’s go inside.”

Lush Velvet Nights is available April 14th from Ellora’s Cave

Buy link

Website/Blog: http://www.tinadonahue.com/


SCAVENGER HUNT RULES: (I'll announce the winner Wed, April 7)

1. Throughout the day, I’ll post four questions here and at my website (answers found on my website)
2. Keep your answers until all four questions have been asked
3. The first person to email me at tina@tinadonahue.com with the correct answers to all four questions will win her choice of one of my following titles:

1. Adored – 4 Stars Romantic Times; Second Place Winner NEC RWA contest

2. Deep, Dark, Delicious – nominated for Book of the Week Whipped Cream Reviews

3. Close to Perfect – 4 Stars Romantic Times – “A walk on the wild side for romance readers!”

4. Bad Boys with Red Roses – an erotic anthology with my novella Tempt Me, Tease Me, Thrill Me

5. Take My Breath Away – 4 ½ Stars Romantic Times – a Romantic Times top pick – Booklist wrote: “Fans of Lori Foster will enjoy Donahue’s light, sexy romp.”

The Evolving Romance Heroine

I fondly remember snatching an hour to read while my sons were taking their naps. That's been many years ago and I admit that the memories have as much to do with my children as the virginal historical heroines being saved and the domineering males who finally admitted they couldn't imagine life without them.

These days our favorite heroines are smart enough to save themselves and the heroes they end up with are more apt to admire them for it than be perplexed. How much of this has developed because of our own satisfaction at figuring out our problems and having the freedom to do something about it? Reader expectations have changed since the days when many heroes were at least fifteen years older than the heroine and expected to guide said heroine into releasing her feminine power.

Today's heroine is also more apt to be ten years or older than the hero and has discovered her feminine power many years before finding him. And he's not complaining. Perhaps that's a change brought about by the evolving hero. When you think about it, these heroes are of an age to have been raised by women from a generation who believed they could do anything. And did.



Which leads me to my personal favorite, the kick-ass heroine. She can be a demon hunter, a vampire slayer or a cop. Or someone who doesn't know how powerful she truly is and ends up taking a heroes journey with a hero who is helping her.


How about you? What kind of heroine did you start out reading and enjoying and what kind of heroine do you prefer these days?

Hugs,
Paris
http://parisbrandon.com

Meet Annie Alvarez

Hello Everyone,
I'll be posting on the 2nd of the month and I wanted to introduce myself. I have several ebooks published with eXtasy Books. I'm currently working on the Hightower Series, a F/F vampire story and on a love story between a therapist and her client, soon to be released.

I've been preoccupied with the arrivalof my sister and her family. My 10 month old niece is the cutest baby, I've ever seen and smart. She already has everyone, including her parents wrapped around her finger. I'm extremely proud that she has the "Alvarez" gene in her.

My 11 year old nephew is adorable. I know. I know. If he hears me call him adorable, he'd have a cow! I won't tell, if you don't. LOL

The family is getting ready to depart tomorrow, April 2nd and I am sad to see them go, but I know that all good things must come to an end. My hopes are that I can convince them to move to Texas.

My nephew keeps saying, "people are nice here." I hope that's incentive. LOL
In the meantime, I haven't written a single letter or vowel. I am feeling deprived from my daily routine of writing, checking emails, and posting. *sigh*

I'm excited to be here and I can'T wait wait to share with you next month.

Cheers,
Annie

http://www.anniealvarez.net/
http://naughtylittlevamp.blogspot.com/

A HUNK For My Easter Basket!

Before I begin and you get to see my "dream" Easter gift, please check out our new ROMANCE BOOKS R US Yahoo group at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/romancebooksrus
Lots of fun for readers, pre-pubbed, and authors! We also have some Romance sites, Yahoo Romance Groups, and an editor who've joined. I'm looking for more people/groups! NO SPAM! Contests are posted every Friday. Schedule and more information can be seen on the Home Page. Just click on the link above! APRIL is a special month for me...my birthday month...and I'm celebrating with lots of contest giveaways...but you have to join the Yahoo group to participate!

BLOG:


Where's that Easter Bunny? I've got a terrific suggestion about what I'd like to find in my Easter Basket this coming Sunday. I've been reminiscing about all those childhood years and what I dreamed about finding in my basket Easter morning. Now that I'm an adult, all that has changed. Well...some things will always be desired, but then...

Chocolate? Hmm. Sure. Lots of that. But that's not my great idea.Jelly Beans? Marshmallow chicks? Colored eggs? Uh...yeah. But I've gone beyond that line of thinking. And, I've bought a giant Easter basket for my treat...(and the Easter Bunny can leave the chocolate, marshmallow chicks and colored eggs, too!)

Now, here's a basket I think will be big enough to hold what I want. Of course, I'll have to decorate it with 

lots of pastel Easter type of stuff, but that won't take long! It's already kinda colorful, don't you think? Has the right colors for Easter...just needs some "grass" and ribbons! 

                                   What, you might ask, can fit into this that I could possibly ask for?

 Okay, so he's asking about going camping for an Easter holiday vacation, but that doesn't appeal to me. Other things...ahem...about him do. So I figure the Easter Bunny can put him and his attributes in that basket...keep the tattoos and lose the shirt covering his interesting "package"...and I'll come up with something to keep him busy. The shirt won't be needed...he'll be covered with all colors of Easter basket "grass", chocolate, jelly beans, marshmallow chicks... Hmm. I'll have to eat my way to find him, I guess. Sigh. Nothing but work, work, work. What hardships we sometimes have to face!

This is DEFINITELY not an Easter basket for kids!

Story idea: Heroine makes a wish for the Easter Bunny to leave her something "tall, dark, and handsome"...and she finds my basket and HUNK in her living room on Easter Sunday! What should she do? What would you do?
For more about my books and updates, visit http://www.mariannestephens.net and http://www.aprilash.net
"Anything You Can Do" available at http://www.breathlesspress.com
5 STAR, Reviewer Top Pick from Diana Coyle, Night Owl Romance!
And, it's in the top 7.5% best selling list of romantic comedies at:
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/category150_4.htmlPhotos: Flickr: carbonNYC, riptheskull,  inpastel's photostreams. Target.com. Rockshots.com