Toys-4-Us

Putting off the Work!

2012-02-23T00:04:00.002-05:00

My new promo man who eats cherries! tee-hee

Yep. As a died in the wool Obsessive Worker, I hardly ever suffer Procrastination Blues.

Not my style. Learned long ago to just put my a$$ in the chair and work it, baby!

BUT lately I have a tough time. I am doing that nut ball thing, questioning myself.

I would rather:

go the gym (now you KNOW this is a bad case of put-it-off!)
wash dishes (huh?)
finish the novel I am currently reading which would make that a reward for playing hooky—and how could I possibly reward myself for not working? *headtodesk*
think up a new series which, I must add, I have NO clue when I can write it given that I am up to that same a$$ in other stuff. (YES, you can see how I am constantly doing more than my 24 hours worth.)

IN fact, years ago, make that over 15 years ago, I had to promise hubby and the family that I would stop work at 5 or...at the latest 6 and not go back. Not Go Back.

I have kept to that.

But you know at night, I usually feel my fingertips itching for the keyboard.

So, is my procrastination really fear? Fear of Failure? Yes, might be. BUT see me, hear me do this mantra now, I know that this too shall pass.

I have been here before.

Worked myself out of it.

Worked the work until it was great. (or in my estimation so it was. I have put 2 kids through college with my earnings so it does get me enough $$$ to verify me.)

So I guess this means that now that I have dumped my bucket on you, I will crack my knuckles and, for godsakes, Cerise, stop bellyaching and get back to work!

Two 5 of 5 Reviews For Hard Lovin'

2012-02-22T15:00:00.002-05:00

5 of 5 flames from Kitten, Hotly Ever After Reviews
Kitten’s Review:
"This is my first trip into literary erotica with this author. And I have to say that I was not disappointed. From the moment the book started, I was instantly connecting with the main character. Olivia made me smile at times, and at first I wanted to just hug her. Then, the unexpected happened.
"Not only did a cop come banging at her door insisting on entry. But he busted in, pinned her to the wall, and started to search her! And it wasn’t just a normal pat down, oh no! This was every kinksters dirty little cop fantasy come true. A hunky cop that just goes a bit too far. Add in some handcuffs, a wicked hot anal session, and I am totally a goner!
"Not only was this book spicy and totally earns the label of erotica, but it touched me. Somehow this author got me to love both characters, made me crave a good ending for them, and then drew tears from my eyes at the end of the book. Yes, yes, I was crying with Olivia. I won’t tell you why, that would ruin the fun of you reading the story.
The moment I finished this short, I went in search of the authors other works and can’t wait to read them! It is not an easy task to get that much emotion, storyline, and sex packed into that small of word space. But this author does it for me. She does it, satisfied me, and made me not need more of THIS story, but more from this author in general. If you are in the market for a saucy, quick read, I recommend this!"

5 of 5 Sweet Peas from Mrs. Condit
MRS CONDIT’S OPINION:
"Nicole Austin’s HARD LOVIN’ is a very short, very spicy hot story and in order to not give away any spoilers, this review is going to be very short as well. Olivia is home alone on Valentine’s night after a difficult shift as an ER nurse. Her boyfriend Dex is also doing shift work and will not be able to join her. Olivia’s quiet evening is interrupted by someone banging on her door and… I can’t tell you one more thing. You would be well advised to pick up this short story and read it aloud to your Valentine lover. Things just might get really wild and sexy. Let’s just say Olivia’s vibrator will not be needed this night. And there is a terrific, romantic HEA at the end."

Now Available

2012-02-13T19:50:00.000-05:00

Loving Bliss

Even a rough, tough, badass former Marine knows that Valentine’s Day is the perfect time for a little seduction. So after a stop at Valentino’s Wine and Gourmet Food Shoppe and armed with a decadent bottle of chocolate wine, Noble Loving tracks down Bliss Harper, the star of his most wicked fantasies. His sexy business partner should be firmly off limits, but he’s sick of playing by the rules. Time for some new ones. It’ll take a slow hand and some hot loving to convince the lady she belongs to him, but this Marine is up for the challenge.

My Booty Call Valentine

A snowy Valentine’s Day means pizza for one and another lonely night for the now-divorced Aaron. Or so he thinks. Then a knock on his door introduces him to the decadent delights of choc-wine and sexy new Senate staffer, Susan. She’s offering him one night, but if he’s a very good boy, it might turn into more.

Available Now

2012-02-09T20:13:00.001-05:00

Available Now – Lickity Split

Five years ago Juliet Morgan tossed away the only man she'd ever love and the only life she'd ever want to live. Honorably retired from the Air Force she hops the first plane in hoping there's something left to repair.

Trent Joplin's never gotten over sexy Juliet, but it doesn't mean he's ready to open his heart to her again. Five years is a long time to for love to linger, but maybe it's all about scratching an itch.

Juliet's ready and willing to do anything to win her way back into Trent's life. While Trent takes her body to new heights of passion, Juliet's determined to sneak her way back into his heart faster than you can say lickity split.

Available Now – Lust Becomes You

Kylie Monroe fell in love and in lust with Sam Cooper, reaching new highs of ecstasy as they explored the world of BDSM. She foresaw a rich life together filled with love and erotic sex. When Sam dumped her to pursue success in the legal field, telling her there was “always tomorrow,” she never quite recovered from the hurt.

Ten years later, Kylie’s still gun-shy in the love department and frustrated in the sex department. Nobody could replace Sam. Then on a snowy Valentine’s Day she has an unexpected opportunity to reconnect with him. But can Sam persuade her their love is real this time? Can he woo her back with the kind of sex she’d been missing?

Your fave Valentine's Day story? Tell us!

2012-02-09T00:01:00.017-05:00

When my husband and I were dating, we were in grad school, poor and barely fed.
I had a kitchen in the dorm I lived in. (I was--yes, the GR, graduate resident with 80 undergrad women to help, supervise, counsel, you get me.) Potential hubby did not have said kitchen. He had-ready for this?--a hot plate.
hmmm.
One night in January, he invited me to his rooms. He said he had just had dinner. I asked what it was.
Ready?
Tuna and spagetti-os.
Say what?
I could not believe it.
NEVER had I heard of such a combo.
So. I resolved that for Valentine's Day I would cook him dinner.
And because of campus regs, this plan meant I had to take the cooked dinner down to his rooms. This also meant the food would be--shiver--cold. But hey! I figured cold was better than HIS culinary treat of...oh, boy...tuna and spagetti from a can. ugh.
I made dinner. Not fancy. But fun and substantial. (I was 24 so my culinary tendencies were simpler than they are today.)
I bought 2 handsome (read that as THICK) t-bone steaks, grilled them in the oven. Made baked potatoes and tossed a salad.
He loved every morsel.
He says he changed his mind about me and our "potential" that night. (Good thing for him. I had already decided.)
Today, many years later, the one time each day we adore is cocktail hour while I prep dinner and then, dinner itself. We do dine. We take the time to be with each other and enjoy our food.
And know what?
Our children love to cook and dine, too! (They also are avid readers and writers!!!)
Some things never change.
Some things shouldn't.
Come join more than 200 authors on this bloghop advertised above beginning Feb. 11 thru Feb. 14. Win Prizes galore!
Great prizes and you get to enjoy them for days to come!

Going Down by Brenna Zinn

2012-02-06T18:51:00.000-05:00

Available Now – Going Down

What does one hunky Navy Seal plus a blizzard equal on Valentine’s Day for Michelle Bishop? One hot night in an elevator with nowhere to go and no electricity to get there. Add a holiday gift basket from Valentino’s that’s full of candles, body paint, and chocolate wine, and going down on an elevator becomes a Valentine experience she’ll never forget.

Chocolate Wine for Valentine's Day? Really??

2012-02-05T10:26:00.004-05:00

Chocolate wine.

The two words together remind me of one of my favorite jokes told by Jim Gaffigan. Fruit cake. There's a food that doesn't add up. Fruit - good. Cake - great. Fruit cake - nasty crap.

The same would seem to be true of chocolate wine. Chocolate - good. Wine- great. Chocolate wine??

At least that was what I thought when about four of the Sassy 7 introduced chocolate wine to me.

"Try it," they said.

"I don't think I'll like it," I wined. (Sorry. I know that was bad, but I had to. I just had to.)

"It's delicious," they contended.

"But I don't drink." I protested. "Oh, okay. Just a taste."

If you ask any of the Sassy 7 if this is really how my first experience with chocolate wine went down, I'm sure you'll hear something completely different. Like how I'm really a lush and will drink about anything. Lies. All lies.

Well, maybe not entirely untrue.

Okay. I'm a lush.

Chocolate wine is actually extremely tasty. Delicious. Imagine mixing thick chocolate milk with vodka. That's what chocolate wine tastes like to me. From everything I've read, it really is wine.

The wine we drink is ChocoVine. If you check out their website, you'll not only get some very good recipes on how to use ChocoVine, you can also see videos of a bartender walking through how to mix the recipes. They're fabulous.

Chocolate wine is one of the key items in a Valentine's Day gift featured in my February 7th release of Going Down, as well as all of Decadent Publishing's The Edge stories from the Sassy 7.

Want a taste of Going Down? Well, check it out. Want to win a free story from me? Just leave a comment and you'll be a part of a random drawing. "Share" my this blog and use my name (Brenna Zinn) on FaceBook, and I'll automatically send a free read your way!!

Once the door closed, Steven reached over me to push the Ground Floor button on the control panel, pressing his huge, six-foot something body against mine. For a crazy moment I wanted to poke at his stomach. Nobody really had rock hard abs. Surely the wall of steel pushing into me was a result of wearing a bulletproof vest, not spending hours in a gym.

“I don’t think we’ve ever been introduced. I’m Steven Cayden.”

Little did he know, I not only knew his name, but thanks to the internet and the insignia on his military uniform, I had also figured out Steven Cayden was actually Lieutenant Commander Steven Cayden, a member of the United States Navy Seal team. A highly decorated Lieutenant Commander that.

Heart pounding enough blood into my brain to cause a seizure, I verbally stumbled over my own name. “I...I’m Michelle Bishop.”

He lowered his lips to my ear. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Michelle.”

Hearing him say my name with his captivating voice had my stomach doing more flip flops than an Olympic gymnast on the uneven bars. The crazy way my body reacted, he may as well have said, “I know you’re wearing nothing but a bra and panties under that coat of yours. I’m going to rip that sucker open and tear your thong off with my bare teeth.”

But before I had a chance to utter a word, the lights went out and the elevator came to a screeching, bone-shattering halt. Suddenly the world was quiet and pitch black.

BE MINE and HARD LOVIN' - Available Now

2012-02-01T18:48:00.004-05:00

What a cool surprise. BE MINE and HARD LOVIN' released two days early and are Recommended Reads on All Romance Ebooks. WOOT! Get your copies of these hot stories here...
Be Mine

Hard Lovin’

Friday, BE MINE!

2012-02-01T00:03:00.002-05:00

Short short from Decadent!

Be Mine on Friday?
I'll be yours. In print of course. Digitally. With the debut of BE MINE at Decadent! Love this debut, because once more I'm with my buds, Sassy 7.
While we are drumming fingers on table tops waiting for these yummies to appear, I have been madly writing and editing two more works for you.
Want to see the fruits of my labor?
YES. I know you do.
These are both from www.stockroom.com and inspiration is their second name!

Get some HARD LOVIN' - Friday February 3rd

2012-01-31T02:38:00.002-05:00

HARD LOVIN' by Nicole Austin - The Edge - Valentino's Delight - Available Friday February 3rd from Decadent Publishing

After a grueling graveyard shift in the E.R. and tromping through snow, the only things on Olivia Daughtry’s mind are a nice warm fire, a glass of chocolate wine and some quality time with her vibrator. Being interrogated by a tenacious cop wasn’t anywhere on her list of things to do.

There is too much at stake for Officer Hall to follow department policies or go easy on the sexy suspect. But nurse Daughtry is one tough cookie and the harder he pushes the hotter she gets. From handcuffs and an improvised gag to little blue candies, Hall will do whatever it takes to get the correct answer to his very important question.

Genre: Contemporary, erotic romance, Valentine’s Day/holiday, bondage

By reading any further, you are stating that you are at least 18 years of age. If you are under the age of 18, it is necessary to exit this site.
An Excerpt From: HARD LOVIN' Copyright ©Nicole Austin, 2012

“Police. Open up."

Police? Oh God, had something happened to Dex?

She didn’t bother taking another glance through the peephole. The brash
officer had already scared ten years off her life. Instead, Liv held one hand against
her breast to keep her galloping heart from puncturing through her rib cage; with
the other she turned the lock.

The door burst open and Liv was bodily turned then shoved against the wall
before she could make sense of what happened. A huge masculine form covered
her from head to toe, pinning her in place, not that she’d even think of struggling
against a cop. The door slamming shut rang in her ears like a gunshot.

“Don’t you fucking move,” a sinful, deep voice growled in her ear.

His weight shifted, allowing Liv to take a shallow breath. Capturing both her
wrists in one hand at the small of her back, he held her immobile, kicked her feet
wide apart, and started patting her down.

A blast of terror colder than the storm raging outside racked her body with
shivers. The officer’s big hand slid over her shoulder and arm to the elbow then
grazed her ribs before descending lower. He cupped one ass cheek and squeezed, pulling an indignant squeak from Liv. Copping a feel was so not part of a
standard police pat down as far as she knew.

He didn’t stop there. The officer bent, keeping her off balance as his hand
trailed her outer leg then reversed direction and slid up, all the way up to her
crotch before following the same path on the other leg. When his hand found the
other fleshy globe, he groped her again before finishing off at her shoulder.

Slimy bastard!

Maybe, but being felt up by a man whose face she hadn’t even seen was getting
her hot and bothered. The bite of cold steel registered against her wrist a mere
second before the snick of the handcuff locked her down tight. His next move
shocked Liv to her core.

She was kept facing the wall but the officer shifted, pulling her back against his
broad chest, one thick thigh pressed between her legs, and he now used both
hands to continue his search. Warm fingers trailed over her collarbones, dipped
into the hollow of her throat, and drifted lower in an almost sensual caress.

“Why did you do it?”

His warm breath wafted over her neck as he filled his palms with her breasts,
gently squeezing and rubbing, scattering her thoughts. How the hell did he expect
her to answer questions when he tweaked her aching nipples?

“We’ve been hunting that scumbag Simmons for more than a year and you let
him walk.”

Bert Simmons? Her patient from last night? The guy the cops had banged
around and brought in for treatment. He’d been sound asleep on the gurney
when she’d clocked out and left the hospital.

“I-I didn’t—”

Her denial was cut short by the hands gliding over her belly, slipping beneath
the waistband of her pajama pants, moving lower until warm, calloused flesh
covered her mound. But he didn’t stop there, oh no. He spread her labia and one
long finger slid over her slippery inner folds and plunged deep.

All strength left her with a gasp, and Liv sagged against the officer’s strong
body. At that moment she didn’t understand or care what was going on. He could
do whatever he wanted as long as he didn’t stop.

Lickity Split - Coming February 10th

2012-01-30T01:23:00.000-05:00

Five years ago Juliet Morgan tossed away the only man she’d ever love and the only life she’d ever want to live. Honorably retired from the Air Force she hops the first plane in hoping there’s something left to repair.

Trent Joplin’s never gotten over sexy Juliet, but it doesn’t mean he’s ready to open his heart to her again. Five years is a long time to for love to linger, but maybe it’s all about scratching an itch.

Juliet’s ready and willing to do anything to win her way back in Trent’s life. While Trent takes her body to new heights of passion, Juliet’s determined to sneak her way back into his heart faster than you can say lickity split.

"I love you. Will you have sex with me?"

2012-01-29T06:05:00.006-05:00

Wondering what to get that special someone in your life for Valentine's Day? Good. I'm glad I'm not the only one.

Let's face reality, shall we? It's just not that easy finding a gift that sends the right message to your loved one. That perfect blend of "I love you" and "Will you have sex with me?"

When I wrote Going Down, my soon to be released Valentine's Day story from Decadent Publishing's The Edge series, I needed to include a Valentine's Day gift basket from a popular gourmet gift shop called Valentino's. Because of this, I gave a lot of thought to what kind of fun things I'd like to see in a gift from my special someone. As I looked over the various gift possibilities on the internet, I found most of the typical gifts. Sure, you can't go wrong with chocolates and flowers. But please. Been there, done that. I mean honestly - let's stick a fork in it 'cause that turkey is baked.

What sparked my interest? What revved my engine? Body paints! But not just any kind of body paints. Oh no. Edible body paints.

The notion of licking something tasty and sweet off the bulging biceps of a handsome Navy SEAL (yep, my story has a Navy SEAL it in) sealed the deal for me. And once I had this main ingredient to my story, writing about it was all the more fun.

If you want to read about what can be done with edible body paints, make sure you look for Going Down on February 7. But don't forget the other six members of the Sassy Seven have sexy Valentine's Day stories coming out too.

Want to make your own edible body paints? Check out this recipe (and pic) I found at MarieClair.com

Chocolate Body Paint

Ingredients:
17.5 oz/490 grams high-quality dark chocolate (semi-sweet or bittersweet), chopped
13.5 oz/405 ml cream
1/2 bunch mint, finely chopped
1 chili pepper, finely chopped
Double shot espresso

Method:
1. Divide cream into 3 individual pans

2. Add mint into 1 pan, chili into the second pan, and espresso into the third pan

3. Slowly warm each pan to a near simmer and remove from heat, allowing flavor to infuse for 15 minutes.

4. Place dark chocolate in a small bowl and set over a small saucepan of barely simmering water. Stir constantly until chocolate melts.

5. Remove pan from the heat.

6. Divide chocolate into 3 small pots.

7. Return pans of cream to heat and, once hot, strain each pan of cream into 1 chocolate pot, creating 3 separate flavored-chocolate body paints.

Using 3 small brushes and your imagination, paint away!

2012-01-23T00:53:00.000-05:00

Going Down, Coming February 7th

What does one hunky Navy Seal plus a blizzard equal on Valentine's Day for Michelle Bishop? One hot night in an elevator with nowhere to go and no electricity to get there. Add a holiday gift basket from Valentino's that's full of candles, body paint, and chocolate wine, and going down on an elevator becomes a Valentine experience Michelle will never forget.

Remember those tiny heart candies? BE MINE is my candy for you!

2012-01-19T00:02:00.001-05:00

But Mara Richardson left Jason for a good reason…and after a year of looking for her, he still doesn’t know why. But he has to learn. Has to get her naked, wild for him again. Give her those little sugary candies that say, Be Mine, and show her that, despite only hours with her last year, he needs her to be his. Forever.

A sharp knock at the door had her jumping. She glanced at her watch. Two o’clock. Time enough to listen, dicker and still catch her plane. Mr. Capitol Communications better have a swell counter-offer or we’re both dead meat.

She swung open the door. “Hello, Mister–“

Her throat closed. Her heart pounded. Her nipples beaded reminiscent of that night when that savage hungry mouth had shaped them and sucked them. Her pussy gushed, memories consumed her of how this man had used those firm lips to lick her clit and give her the best screaming orgasm of her entire life.

“Sherwood, Mara. Jason Sherwood,” said the incomparable creature outside her door. His blue eyes wore an appealing apologetic look. His mouth tried for a smile but couldn’t quite make it. He was nervous. He was apprehensive. He was so very damn good looking. And he was determined to come in. “May I?” He nodded toward the conference room. “I brought some things. Hungry? I am.”

She stepped backward. For a former press aide who ate journalists for breakfast and a media trainer who taught people how to tick off talking points like time bombs, she was for once in her lonely life utterly speechless.

And the only thing she cared to do was look at him. Absorb him into her skin. Treasure him.

His sea blue eyes. His sun-kissed hair. Wet from snow. His pink cheeks. Chapped from the icy wind. His comforting height. Five, maybe six inches taller than she. And stepping right up to her, drinking in her confusion and her delight at his sudden appearance, growing confident now. Grinning down at her.

“Hi, baby,” he whispered, one big fist sinking into her chignon and destroying it. “I missed you something fierce. Let me kiss you. Now that I’ve found you, I’m not letting you go until we know so much about each other, you’ll either hate me or never leave me again.”

Valentino's Delight - The Edge

2012-01-18T05:47:00.005-05:00

The first two stories from The Edge, Valentino's Delight, are scheduled to release from Decadent Publishing on Friday, February 3rd. WOOHOO!

Hard Lovin' by Nicole Austin
After a grueling graveyard shift in the ER and tromping through snow, the only things on Olivia Daughtry’s mind are a nice warm fire, a glass of chocolate wine and some quality time with her vibrator. Being interrogated by a tenacious cop wasn’t anywhere on her to-do list.

There’s too much at stake for Officer Hall to follow department policies or go easy on the sexy suspect. But nurse Daughtry is one tough cookie and the harder he pushes the hotter she gets. From handcuffs and an improvised gag to little blue candies, Hall will do whatever it takes to get the correct answer to his very important question.

Be Mine by Cerise Deland

Why shouldn’t an eligible man like Jason Sherwood plan a Valentine’s Day merger with a woman whose elegant body melted at his touch last year on February fourteenth? A mysterious woman who disappeared like a wraith. A vibrant creature who came apart in his arms like only the right woman does for the right man.

But Mara Richardson left Jason for a good reason…and after a year of looking for her, he still doesn’t know why. But he has to learn. Has to get her naked, wild for him again. Give her those little sugary candies that say, Be Mine, and show her that, despite only hours with her last year, he needs her to be his. Forever.

We will update you with release date info on the other 5 stories as soon as they're scheduled. You can also check out The Edge blog to keep up-to-date on this exciting new series.

Look what new from Desiree Holt!

2012-01-14T13:18:00.000-05:00

Okay, ya'll have to check this one out. Ellora's Cave has just released book one of a fab new series from the amazing Desiree Holt. I just couldn't resist posting about this hot new story. Pick it up today!

Buy it HERE

Book 1 in the Erector Set series.

Who can resist a pint-sized female with luscious curves stranded in a parking lot? Not Josh McMann. It’s his pleasure to save Ness Bowen, especially given the instant sensual chemistry that explodes between them. When she wrecks her car on the way to meet him for dinner, he saves her once again. And dinner at home takes on a whole new meaning as the sexual pull becomes too strong for either to ignore. The more they see each other, the more intense and erotic the sex becomes.

But Ness sees Josh as a player, and she’s been dumped by men like him who were always looking for the next conquest. Josh has his own trust issues, having been burned by women interested only in his money and power.

When a breakfast date goes awry and Ness thinks she’s been dumped once again, it takes a lot of fancy maneuvering from Josh to make amends.

An Excerpt From: ERECTED

Copyright © DESIREE HOLT, 2012

All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.

“Help.” The voice was female and would have been musical if there hadn’t been such a note of panic in it. “Help me. My car’s been stolen.”

Josh jerked himself out of his reverie and stared at the woman clumping her way along the parking lot. And clumping was definitely the right word, what with the walking cast on one leg from her foot to just below the knee. She would have bumped right into him if he hadn’t caught her by the arms.

“Hey. Hold on.” He tightened his fingers when she tried to pull away. “I don’t think trying to run in that cast is the best idea in the world. Now. You said someone stole your car?”

“Yes.” She jerked loose from him, and looked around wild-eyed. “Where’s that idiot valet kid?”

Josh studied the image in front of him. Even with the clumsy cast she could make his pulse speed up without much urging. She barely came up to his shoulders but the anxiety and anger more than made up for her size. A thin, navy sweater and knee-length skirt hugged curves that in any other situation he’d be itching to run his hands over. Thick hair in a rich brown tumbled around her face, framing hazel eyes and a sensuous mouth. He saw all of this in a matter of seconds before she started screaming again, and immediately his physical reaction disappeared.

“Listen to me.” He reached for her again. In his business he was used to dealing with crazy clients. How different could this be? “Can you just calm down a minute and tell me about your car? I’ll see if I can help you.”

At that moment the valet drove up in Josh’s tricked-out pickup. The woman broke away from Josh and limped over to him, managing surprising speed what with the bulky cast. She grabbed the kid by the lapels on his vest and stuck her face close to his.

“You have to help me. Right now. My car’s been stolen.”

The kid paled and looked to Josh, who had followed the woman.

“Okay.” He managed the peel her fingers from the kid’s vest and grab her wrists. “Can we take a deep breath here and find out exactly what’s wrong?”

“Exactly what’s wrong,” she ground out, “is that someone stole my brand-new car. I parked it over there.” She pointed to a spot somewhere further down the parking lot.

“Can you tell me a little more specifically?” Josh was doing his level best to bring some common sense and calm to the situation. “Maybe you just forgot where you left it?”

She pulled herself away from him again. “Not likely. Who the hell are you, anyway?”

“Josh McMann.” He curved his lips in what his last three girlfriends had told him was a killer smile that could make women melt. He hoped it worked this time because this sexy handful was about to self-destruct. “How about telling me who you are?”

“Vanessa Bowen. Ness. And I’m missing a brand spanking new BMW.” Panic washed over her face. “It doesn’t even have fifty miles on it.”

Josh looked at the valet kid. “Did you park it for her?”

He shook his head, his face pale and panic evident on his face.

He makes minimum wage and tips. He’s not about to claim any knowledge of a high-end vehicle.

Ness waved her hands in the air. “Absolutely not. Do you think I’d trust it to some idiot?”

Way to make friends, Josh thought, and dragged out his best smile. “Hey, hey, hey. Let’s calm down and find out what’s going on.”

“What going on is my car’s been stolen.” She took a deep breath, let it out and burst into tears.

Josh looked at the valet, shrugged and pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket.

She looked at him, her face red and tear-stained, and took the handkerchief.

“Thank you. I don’t know what came over me. I don’t usually shriek like a banshee or burst into tears.” She gave him a watery grin. “At least not in public.”

He waited until he figured she was as composed as she was going to get before he spoke again. “Maybe,” he said in a soothing voice, “if you could show us exactly where you parked we might find some answers. There could be a security camera there. I happen to know this mall has several of them.”

”Okay.” She wiped her eyes once more and started to hand the handkerchief back to him.

“Keep it.” He grinned at her. “You might need it again.”

“Oh god,” she sighed “I hope not. I promise you I’m not such a ditz. It’s just…it’s just…the past week’s been such a bitch.”

“No sweat. I’ve had weeks like that, too.”

She opened her mouth to speak and the words fell out like a cascading waterfall. “I got in this accident with my car and it had to be totaled and it took the insurance company forever to settle the claim and I broke my ankle and the guy I’m seeing—was seeing—took off on our vacation with someone else and…” She clapped a hand over her mouth.

The tears started again. Josh thought, along with a broken ankle, she had a major case of stress. What kind of schmuck would take off with another woman when the one he planned his vacation with ended up with broken bones?

“I didn’t hear a word,” he assured her.

“I apologize. This isn’t me at all. Really.”

He could see her struggling to regain her composure. “So how about showing me where you parked?”

She grabbed his hand. “Down here. Let’s go.”

The valet sagged with relief. “I’ll just put your truck over here at the side, Mr. McMann.”

“Good idea.” He slid another folded bill into the kid’s hand. “Keep an eye on it for me, will you?”

“Sure thing.” He shoved the money in his pocket and turned to the waiting crowd of customers.

Ness Bowen was already tugging Josh down the sidewalk, past the restaurant and the very curious crowd of onlookers waiting for their cars. He didn’t have trouble keeping up with her, what with her cast and all. He was more worried about the death grip she had on his hand and the fact she was cutting off circulation to his fingers. They had passed three storefronts when she finally stopped, raked her hair back from her face and pointed to an empty parking space.

“There.” She pointed. “Right there.”

Josh looked. Yup. The spot was empty. It also had a blue and white sign, impossible to miss, with the legend Restricted: Handicapped Only.

Josh wasn’t sure if he should be mad at the woman’s stupidity or laugh at it.

“Vanessa,” he began.

“Ness,” she insisted.

“Okay, Ness.” What the hell difference did it make? “It appears you parked in a handicapped space. My guess is mall security had your car towed.”

She dragged her fingers through her hair. “But I have a temporary permit.”

“Because of your cast?”

She nodded, breathing out a sigh of exasperation. “Damn. I must have forgotten to display it.”

Josh swallowed a sigh. Why did it always happen to him? His brothers always said he was born with the white knight gene and he attracted women in distress.

“Maybe it’s the only way you can get them,” Tyler had joked one night, then ducked before Josh could deck him.

Valentino's Delight - The Edge

2012-01-13T17:23:00.002-05:00

Coming in February from Decadent Publishing and The Sassy 7

Stay tuned for details...

Massive Book Giveaway

2012-01-12T22:34:00.000-05:00

Contest Link - Good luck!

Massive Book Giveaway!

Kick off the New Year with books and other super prizes! Enter below for a chance to win. Deadline is January 31, 2012!

Ebook list:
Cynnara Tregarth -- Backlist choice (ebook) www.cynnara.com
Alice Gaines -- Sinful Wager (ebook)http://alicegaines.blogspot.com/
Selena Illyria -- Dragon New Year: Dragons at Midnight (ebook) www.selenaillyria.com
Cassandra Carr -- Head Games (ebook) www.booksbycassandracarr.com
Mychael Black -- Blood and Fire 1 (ebook) mychaelblack.wordpress.com
Diana Castilleja -- Backlist Choice www.dianacastilleja.com
Belinda McBride -- Voodoo You Love (ebook) www.belindamcbride.com
Anne Kane -- Shifting Priorities – The Collection (ebook) www.annekane.com
Jess Dee -- Winter Fire (ebook) http://www.jessdee.com/Jess_Dee/Home.html
Lexxie Couper -- Suck and Blow (ebook) www.lexxiecouper.com
Tilly Greene -- Konnichiwa Cowboy (ebook) www.tillygreene.com
Rhian Cahill -- Truth or Dare -- Party Games (ebook) www.rhiancahill.com
B.J. McCall -- Wildander (ebook) www.bjmccall.com
Brannan Black –Reader Choice of Wolfman Collection (ebook) http://site.epicromances.com/Home.html
Megan Slayer -- Fallen (ebook)
Nicole Austin -- Good Vibrations (ebook) www.nicoleaustin.net
Missy Welsh -- Reader Choice (ebook) www.missywelsh.com
Jade Buchanan -- Broken Rules (ebook) www.jadebuchananbooks.com
Sharon Bidwell -- All Washed Up (ebook) www.sharonbidwell.co.uk
Kayelle Allen -- Alitus Tales of the Chosen (ebook) www.kayelleallen.com
Kate Hill -- Frenzied (ebook) www.kate-hill.com
Lissa Matthews -- Twisted Up (ebook) www.lissamatthews.com
Sophia Titheniel -- Dance Wars (Collection) (ebook) www.sophiatitheniel.com
Koko Brown -- Player’s Ultimatum -- (ebook) www.kokobrown.net
Willa Okati -- Best Man (ebook) http://www.willaokati.com/Willa_Okati/Home.html
Cat Johnson -- Educating Ansley (ebook) www.catjohnson.net
Marie Treanor -- Ariadne’s Thread (ebook) www.marietreanor.com
Eliza Gayle -- Power Play (ebook) www.elizagayle.net
Jambrea Jones -- Backlist www.jambrea.com
Sienna Mynx -- Before Sunrise (print) http://siennamynx.com/
Christine Cody -- Bloodlands (print) www.christinecody.net
Jessica Coulter Smith -- Moonlight Savior (ebook) www.jessicacoultersmith.com
Josh Lanyon -- Ice Capade (ebook) www.joshlanyon.com
Samantha Kane -- Love’s Surrender (ebook) http://www.samanthakane.us/www.samanthakane.us/Welcome.html
Ashlyn Chase -- Either (choice of ebook or print) http://www.ashlynchase.com
Jayne Rylon -- Through My Window (ebook) www.jaynerylon.com
Lisa Renee Jones -- The Vampire Wardens Trilogy (ebook) www.lisareneejones.com
Lex Valentine -- Reader’s Choice www.lexvalentine.com
Elizabeth Jewell -- Puck You http://elizabethjewell.kabeka.com
G Royale -- Queen for a Day http://www.ggroyale.com

Gift Certificates:
Raine Delight -- $10 Gift Certificate to ARe www.authorrainedelight.com
Diana DeRicci -- $25 Amazon Gift Certificate www.dianadericci.com
Tara Lain -- $10 Amazon Gift Certificate www.taralain.com
Jianne Carlo -- $10 Amazon Gift Certificate www.jiannecarlo.com
Loose-Id -- 5 $5 Gift Certificates www.loose-id.com
Tilly Greene $10 ARe Gift Certificate

Publishers:
Etopia Press -- Reader’s Choice http://etopiapressblog.wordpress.com
MLR and PIP -- Reader’s Choice http://www.mlrbooks.com/books.php http://www.passioninprint.com
Pink Petal Books -- Reader’s Choice http://pinkpetalbooks.com

Other
JFay of Studio 3B -- a sample of her Sinfully Delicious Cupcake Solid Perfume www.studio3bonline.com

Contest Link - Good luck!

The Down Low

2012-01-08T13:30:00.001-05:00

Here I've barely finished taking down my Christmas tree - or at least forcing my daughter to do it for me - and I'm already seeing Valentine's Day stuff up at the stores. Amazing how quickly we shift gears from one holiday to another.

With Valentine's Day in mind, I have to let out a bit of news that has pretty much been on the down low until now. The Sassy 7 authors will soon have another sexy series out with Decadent Publishing. The series revolves around Valentine's Day (imagine that!) The dates for publication aren't out yet, but they should be soon. Can't wait to show off the new cover art once we all get it.

In the meantime, if you want to read some other SHOCKING news, and I mean game changing news (at least it is for me) please check out my blog at http://brennazinn.blogspot.com. While you're there, please become one of my followers. Dearly love me some followers.

Brenna

Kindle Fire Winner

2012-01-07T18:36:00.000-05:00

Kindle Fire is the newest gotta-have-it tablet on the market — web, movies, apps, games, reading, music and more. And we gave one away.

Congratulations to our winner, Drea Becraft! You’re going to love it.

Thanks to everyone who entered and made the Toys-4-Us series such a huge success!

And Life Goes On...

2012-01-07T13:34:00.000-05:00

It's truly nice to know there is actually 'life' after the holidays. The tree is down and put away along with ornaments, stockings, etc and the bottles of bubbly from the New Years' celebration are gone from the fridge. Admittedly, I wasn't totally into the whole 'holiday scene' this year and now I'm feeling downright frisky knowing that life has moved on.

Have spent many hours wondering how 2012 will shake out and I have to say, I'm pretty optimistic. I began the year by finishing a short, short story for Decadent Publishing and I'm thrilled to announce here that they contracted Loving Bliss (which will be out around Valentine's Day). I'm also a contributing author in Ellora's Cave Anthology Something Wicked This Way Comes, Vol. 2. Hoping this book will be available sometime within the next few months (fingers crossed). In the meantime, it's back to my current work in progress and if the Muse is kind, these will release at Ellora's Cave sometime this year. So yes, I'm feeling good and positive as this new year stretches out.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

2012-01-04T04:01:00.000-05:00

Winter has finally hit the Tampa Bay area. Its dropped down into the 30s and all of us warm blooded Floridians are hibernating. When it gets like there there are only two things on my mind--a really hot bed warmer and a yummy hot beverage. Here are some of my favorites of both...

Keoke Coffee

1/2 oz Kahlua
1/2 oz creme de cacao
1/2 oz brandy
4 oz coffee
1 1/2 oz whipped cream

Mix alcohols, add coffee and top with whipped cream.

Hot Toddy

1 oz brandy, whiskey or rum
1 Tbsp honey
1/4 lemon
1 cup hot water
1 tea bag

Coat the bottom of a mug with honey, add liquor and lemon juice, pour in hot tea and stir.

Hot Buttered Rum

1 small slice soft butter
1 tsp brown sugar
optional spices to taste: ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, allspice
vanilla extract
2 oz dark rum
hot water

Place the butter, sugar and spices at the bottom of a mug, mix well, pour in the rum and hot water, stir.

Hot Apple Cider

2 quarts apple cider
1/2 cup orange juice
1 cup high proof Bourbon
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoon whole cloves
Four cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoon nutmeg

Mix all ingredients in pot except bourbon and bring to a boil. Simmer for about fifteen minutes. Add bourbon and stir. Immediately strain and serve. May be garnished with fresh orange or lemon slice, or a cinnamon stick in each mug.

Peppermint Patty

Milk
Hot chocolate powder, such as Ghirardelli
Rumple Minze or Peppermint Schnapps

Heat milk on stovetop or in microwave, add powdered chocolate to taste, add a shot of liqueur and top with whipped cream.

Wreaths, taxes and year's end.

2011-12-29T00:41:00.021-05:00

The tax man cometh.
My math skills don't.
If Excel could just load itself.
I might act less remote.
***
T'was the week after Christmas
And all through the house,
Yesterday's trimmings
Needed removal by my spouse.
***
These verses are why I write prose.

Santa Baby

2011-12-26T05:08:00.001-05:00

Wait, Santa, baby...please don't go! Don't leave us for another year. We'll miss you sooo much!

What's on your Christmas wish list?

2011-12-22T00:04:00.032-05:00

Coca Cola's Guy!

Santa gets around! Delivering gifts all night long once a year, it is no wonder he has different faces in different places over the centuries. Here he is in 3 forms. My fave? The guy I know and love is The Coca Cola Santa!

Ancient Icon of St. Nick

And what do I want him to bring me this year? Hope he can get it in his bag! Here's my list:

My wishes for this year are not in any order of importance, but equally weighed. You can see my past professional life reflected in my interests here as well as my current professional life.

Hope all of you writers out there note #1 and write to your Congressman and Senators to pass this bill!

1. May the U.S. Government please criminalize internet pirates! Now with this new bill currently in Congress, may these people see the wisdom of protecting Americans, like writers and musicians and filmmakers and so on, who work every day at creating art others can and should buy. Legally.

2. May those American elected officials of the two main political parties in this country earn their salaries by negotiating (not a dirty word) to solve our challenges. And they better move like the wind, too!

3. May solid journalism survive the onslaught of those who attack it. And may independent newspapers have enough subscribers to continue to do investigative, impartial reporting.

4. May I please devote one more day each week this year to pumping iron.

5. May people please turn off their cell phones in doctors’ offices, et al!

6. May my husband and I find a new little doggie to love and cherish.

7. May my writer friends flourish in their ideas and production. May my readers enjoy everything we produce!

8. May Santa bring me a(nother) Christmas Day filled with the laughter of those I love, the charm of those I cherish and a fond remembrance of those no longer here to celebrate a safe, warm, serene holiday.

9. May all of you enjoy the very same.

My best,

Cerise

Tintoretto's Saint Nicolas

Men in kilts and other Christmas wishes

2011-12-18T06:10:00.011-05:00

Technically speaking, if Santa were to leave a hulking, six foot something Scot wearing a kilt under my Christmas tree on Christmas Eve, would playing with this most generous gift be a breach in my marriage vows? Yes? I think so too. Damned the luck. I've been cursed with a loving husband and a great marriage.

So if a kilt-wearing Scot is crossed off my Christmas list, what' s left? Honestly, besides the health and safety of my family and a special wish to have my dog's knees completely pain free, I'm at a loss.

With that in mind, I turned to the internet for some holiday inspiration. Here's what I found.

Awk w ard Fa mily Photos 2012 calendar. Seeing other people's horrible family pics makes seeing your own even more bearable.

Want to be able to give anyone, including yourself some good advice? There's a book that can help with that. Check out WTF? How to Survive 101 of Life's Worst F@#$-ing Situations.

For the person who truly has everything on Earth, here's an acre of Mars. Yep. Really.

Austin City Limits festival tickets. Nothing says Merry Christmas in South Texas as much as live music. I have no idea who will be playing during the next three-day music-a-thon, but I know the bands lucky enough to play there will rock Zilker Park. Just know you won't receive a "ticket" until about a month out from the festival. Oh, and you're going to pay through the nose unless you can get them straight from the festival coordinators themselves.

Of course, there's the awesome gift of reading. Why not send the ones you love or the ones you'd love to love the complete Toys-4-Us book collection?

You've got a week left before Christmas and just days until Chanukah. If you're not set for your holiday yet, you best get crackin'.

Merry Christmas!!

Brenna Zinn

'Tis the Season

2011-12-17T10:53:00.000-05:00

"Tis the gift-giving season so what better time to run out and pick up all the naughty (and not-so-naughty) things on your Christmas list. This year my gang all chose BIG things. Kind of hard to put a new bed under the tree, isn't it? Everyone's wish list was HUGE and UNWRAPPABLE. But hey, the tree may be somewhat naked underneath but the ornaments are in place and the lights are shining brightly. Yesterday I got my present from Santa...a new iPhone 4s. Very very cool. Naturally, I'm already using it. So just like everyone else around here there's not a thing to open. That's okay though. I suspect one day we'll have kiddos around for the holidays again and we'll once more have a mountain of boxes, paper and ribbon under the tree. I can hardly wait!

Speaking of the time for giving, please click the pretty pink Toys4Us tote bag at the left of this page, head over to our website and sign up for our big Kindle Fire giveaway. Entering is super duper easy. Good Luck!

Want to spend Christmas Eve with Santa?

2011-12-16T10:24:00.000-05:00

After you've worn yourself out playing with your "toys," kick back with your favorite holiday beverage and spend Christmas Eve with Santa.

Think you're too old?

Who says you’re too old for Santa Claus?

I really don’t think there’s an age limit, is there? My favorite thing to do on Christ, beginning Christmas Eve, is something I only started about ten years ago. How many of you follow NORAD’s Santa Track?

NORAD is an acronym for the North American Air Defense, the bi-national U.S.-Canadian military organization responsible for the aerospace and maritime defense of the United States and Canada.

It all began in 1955 when a Sears store in Colorado Springs mistakenly printed the phone number for NORAD instead of Santa’s Hot Line. The Director of Operations at the time, Colonel Harry Shoup, decided technology could only improve tradition. He set his staff to checking the radar for indications of Santa making his way south from the North Pole. Children who called were given updates on his location, and a tradition was born.

Now each year NORAD now puts the Santa Track on the Internet. Millions of people who want to know Santa’s whereabouts can visit the NORAD Tracks Santa website. NORAD uses four high-tech systems to track Santa – radar, satellites, Santa cams and fighter jets.

Want to track Santa? I know I do. It’s become a tradition at our house. Just go to Google Earth and type Track Santa in the search box. Go on. It’s fun!

Yay, Its Christmas Time

2011-12-13T23:20:00.002-05:00

I got the cutest ornament today (on left) from a dear friend, wrapped in this bitchin' attitudinal box (on right), which totally put me in the mood to start wrapping up presents. My attack cat has taken up residence under the tree, guarding it from...well, everyone. LOL!

I hope you are catching the Christmas spirit and enjoy the holiday season!

A Politically Correct Holiday Greeting
Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, nonaddictive, gender neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced with the most enjoyable traditions of religious persuasion or secular practices of your choice with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all.

I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2012, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make our world great and without regard to the race, creed, colour, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee.

By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms:
This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her- /himself or others and is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.

Aw, to hell with all that mess. Here’s the not-so-correct Nicole version, complete with inspirational pictures to get you in the mood. No matter how or what you celebrate, have yourself a very Merry Christmas…

Playing hide the pickle and other Christmas traditions

2011-12-11T09:12:00.003-05:00

Christmas PICKLE???

Yep.

Now I know and you know just how easily I could rant on and on about playing hide the pickle on Christmas day. Who knows - maybe this will be the topic of my next Christmas book. But I'm here to education you today, not make gratuitous sex references. As least so far. I'm winging this here blog, and what I write at the end is yet to be determined.

So the Christmas pickle. What's the story??

Supposedly, way back when in Germany, the Germans of old started a tradition where someone would hide a glass blown pickle ornament in the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. On Christmas morning, the first child who found the pickle received a special prize. An adult finding the pickle received good luck. (Which immediately made me wonder whose job was it to slip the pickle into the tree. Sorry. I couldn't resist. That was RIGHT there.)

However, according to www.ehow.com, because most Germans have never heard of the tradition and they open their presents on Christmas Eve, the tradition finding the pickle on Christmas day doesn't seem to jive. But, there are other legends that may explain the pickle hiding tradition.

Again, according to www.ehow.com, the tradition may have started with "a soldier born in Bavaria named John Lower who was a Civil War prisoner. This legend claims that John begged the guard for a pickle as he was dying, and the pickle gave him the strength to survive. When he returned home after the war, he began the Christmas pickle tradition. According to the Berrien Springs, Michigan, pickle legend, an innkeeper imprisoned two Spanish boys in a pickle barrel. St. Nicholas found and freed the boys and the pickle ornament is hung on the Christmas tree in remembrance of this event."

The truth about the pickle obviously will never be known for sure, but glass blown pickle ornaments are big in the little German towns in Texas. I finally decided to buy one and start the tradition in my house. This will be one of many Christmas traditions in my house including the "no one can open any presents except the stocking gifts until Dad has his first cup of coffee" and the "now that our daughter is a teenager, we have to either wait until noon to open gifts or drag her butt downstairs to get started." (I promise - both are true traditions in my house.)

Ahhh Christmas.

If you have a second, tell me about your Christmas or holiday traditions. I imagine you've got some doozies.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Brenna

Well, we've talked out toys and we've talked about boys, so

2011-12-09T13:31:00.002-05:00

Today let's talk about what kind of man you'd like for Christmas. Imagine you're in a hot man toy store. You can pick out any kind of man you want. He can even be made to order for you. So go ahead. Here's your chance to special order your dream hero. One lucky person who comments will get a choice of ebook from my backlist and one will get a copy of my latest release from Decadent Publishing, HE CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR.

Sex In Public

2011-12-06T23:32:00.003-05:00

Why is it such a turn on? Is it the fact that sex in public is forbidden or taboo that creates the appeal?

Come on, you've read the books, you know how it happens. It may start as a little naughty touching under the table at a restaurant. Or a couple gets hot and horny from rubbing up against each other on the dance floor. Then he's whispering his desires in her ear, enticing her to be daring, push some boundaries, take a few risks.

The thrill of explicit exposure can be a heady aphrodisiac. And after all, stimulating the mind is a big part of great sex. There is definite mental titillation in the idea of getting it on in a public place. The danger of getting caught fires up the adrenaline. Thoughts of someone witnessing such intimate moments can start the heart palpitating. Senses come to life, tingling with awareness at the chance of exposure. Excitement heats the blood at the idea of such wicked behavior.

If your sex life has fallen into a rut, a little daring just might bring it back to life. But—yes there's always a but—both partners have to be into it. If the idea of discovery scares the hell out of you then it would not be fun. If thoughts of someone watching gives you hives think up a different way to spice up your sex life. Fear is not conducive to great sex!

On the other hand, if thinking about possibly being discovered while having sex in public gets your juices flowing, keep one very important thing in mind—location, location, location!

Sex where you work could get you fired. Sex in public places can get you arrested. Sex where kids could see will get your ass kicked and then thrown in prison. Heck, there are security cameras everywhere now. Like in the elevator, stairwells, alley, parking lot... Yeah, definitely think about location. Perhaps semi-public might be a better idea.

That's the problem the hero and heroine in one of my books was facing. They couldn't leave the building where they are, and it was full of security cameras. For them to be caught messing around would not be good. But where there’s a will… *g*

When you do find the perfect spot for some hot and sexy fun, enjoy! And hey, if you feel like sharing places that have worked for you, please do. You just might end up in one of my books. There was this time at a friend's party... um... actually, on second thought, I'm gonna keep that one to myself.

Don't forget to enter our contest to win a Kindle Fire before it's too late. Time is limited so get your entry in by New Years Eve to get this must have device. Or actually, never mind. Don't enter then I can get my hands on it, and I'm Jonesing to get one, which is why they are not letting me pick the winner, dang it. The Sassy 7 won't even let me enter. *pouting* But you can enter and possibly win so get your email sent in today!

Wassailfest???

2011-12-04T09:36:00.005-05:00

First a blog on Wurstfest and today one on Wassailfest? I can hear your thoughts from here. I think she’s just making stuff up now.

But it’s true I tell you.

Long known for it’s German heritage, New Braunfels, Texas is also known for coming up with events that draw people within its borders to generate a sense of community, fun, and, oh ya, cash. But where as Wurstfest is a celebration of that great sausage we all know and love, wurst, Wassailfest is the festival of wassail, a traditional European drink made and drunk in the colder months of the year.

What is wassail? Lord, if I had a nickel for every time I’ve been asked that question…

Wassail is a hot, mulled cider drink, which can come leaded or unleaded, as we say in New Braunfels. For those of you who don’t speak New Braunfelian, leaded means with alcohol, which is my personal favorite. Although the traditional wassail is made of cider, there are many renegade wassail makers who put in orange juice or other juices.

According to Wikipedia, wassail comes from a Middle English phrase waes haeil, meaning literally ‘good health’ or ‘be you healthy.’ AND, way back when, people drank wassail while they went wassailing. No, I’m not making shit up.

Wassailing is a lot like Christmas caroling, but one drinks wassail when going around to singing. Oh, did I mention that wassailing was something that, waaaay back when, people did in orchards to try to promote a good crop of apples for the following year? Nope? Hmmm… I must be slipping.

Usually on the first Thursday after Thanksgiving, the good people of New Braunfels close down the four streets leading to the main plaza, creating walking streets. The downtown store owners open their doors offering wassail to drink and compete in a wassail making contest to see who is the best ‘wassail-meister.’

No, still not making shit up.

In addition to walking around and tasting the various wassails, one can see a live nativity scene, complete with lambs, children dressed as members of a manger, and parents trying to wrangle the various players in place. One can also see children wearing home-made green felt elf hats gather around the plaza and listen to them sing Christmas songs. Further down the street, groups of beautiful little girls in fur-trimmed, red velvet outfits dance to jazzy Christmas tunes. And everywhere you look there are people. Friends, neighbors, and friends you just haven’t met yet all crowd the streets to share in the joyous holiday spirit.

Did I mention that one can even purchase a small, glass wassail mug that can be worn around your neck so that if any of the downtown vendors runs out of small Dixie cups you can still get their wassail?

If the picture I’m painting sounds a little like an old Normal Rockwell sketch, I can tell you that it is. With the holiday spirit continually doing its best to elude me as I grow older, Wassailfest is one of the events that warms my heart and gets me excited about the season. That and the arrival of the little baby Jesus.

Hope your holiday season is just as merry and bright as it is in New Braunfels, Texas, Y’all. Merry Christmas.

A Little Holiday Cheer

2011-12-03T10:38:00.000-05:00

A few days ago I sat here writing an opening scene where the hero and heroine are standing before a crackling fireplace while snow silently falls outside. The scene for some hot action is set to begin and I suddenly start thinking about the holidays. It's weird because I've been slightly depressed since Thankgiving came and went and wondered at it's cause. Maybe it was just that I'd finished my remodeling, spruced up the house, cooked a huge meal for the family and then suddenly it was over. An old 'air gone from the sails' sorta thing.

So as thoughts turn to Christmas, I plan to put up the tree this weekend and actually do some shopping this afternoon. Yay, me in getting this accomplished. Then hopefully I can settle back with my computer, finish some works in progress and relax during the holidays.

The month of December brings with it not only Christmas but a time to think back over the past year and try for all we're worth to end it with a bang instead of a whimper. As January approaches, don't forget to enter our drawing for a Kindle Fire. Entering is simple. Click the little pink Toys4Us tote bag at the left, head over to our website and follow the simple instructions. Done. Easy. Win!

Thought I'd share a recipe that I try to whip up every year. Writing about all that snow and fireplaces and such always puts me in the mood for Hot Buttered Rum. This particular recipe is great because you can keep the mixture in the freezer until company stops by and there is always something to serve that is yummilicious and decadent.

Enjoy!

Hot Buttered Rum

1 cup unsalted butter
1 pound powdered sugar
1 pound brown sugar
1 qt. Hagen Daas Vanilla Ice Cream
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. nutmeg

Cream butter, sugars and spices together in a bowl; add slightly melted ice cream. Mix thoroughly and pour mixture into airtight container and place in the freezer.

To serve: Slightly thaw mixture, add two heaping tablespoons into a mug along with 1-2 oz. rum, fill mug with hot water and stir. Top with a dash of cinnamon and serve.

Today I'm really Cerise

2011-12-01T11:32:00.000-05:00

Poor Cerise Deland. Left high and dry at the auto dealership with car problems. Haven't we all been there? And doesn't it just suck?I told her she should scope out all the hunky men who work there and work one of them into a story. I mean, can't you just imagine saying to some guy, "Hey! Can I touch that big thing that sticks out?" Or maybe, "How about giving me a ride on your lift?"

Well, you get the drift. Right? So here's today's challenge.

What kind of hunk fascinates you? What kind do you love to read about? And what would be your best line to him?

Start commenting because tonight I'll have random.org select a winner for Book One of Nemesis, the series Cerise and I are writing together.

Ready? Set? Go.

That Thing You Do

2011-11-30T01:48:00.000-05:00

What’s my thing? Uh, I don't know, which one? I have so many things. I’m a total book hussy, have a major Jones for cool new gadgets, then there’s the pizza slut thing—as long as there are no anchovies, I’m all over it. Hmm…but none of those are the one thing, my one true obsession I can’t live without.

Figuring out what my one special thing is took a lot of deep thought, and like that old cliché, all of a sudden a light came on and illuminated my thing. Heck, I was doing that thing I do while trying to figure out what exactly my thing could be—

Research!

That one word encompasses a wide variety of activities to which I am totally addicted. Not a day goes by when I don’t perform research for my books. I people watch, eavesdrop, read, hunt for inspirational photos, search for new positions and get my research couples to check out the ones I'm not sure if they actually work (yes, I have real life couples who conduct research for me), look up wild and crazy sexual practices…

I am the queen of research, and I have a helper who has a way of making the Internet cough up difficult to find information. For example, she found an interesting BDSM practice normally used for punishment that I turned into a pleasurable, sexy encounter for a trio of characters. (The book is not finished yet and kind of got pushed to the back burner for a bit.) I even coerced one of my research couples into trying it out and reporting back, then I wrote one heck of a scene that shoots my temperature through the roof every time I read it. The practice—figging.

If you’ve ever used fresh ginger when cooking, you know that the juices from ginger root are very powerful if they come in contact with moist membranes. Basically, don’t rub your eyes with ginger on your hands. It gets very, very hot. In fact, this natural stimulant is much more powerful than any of the warming gels and sexual stimulant lubes available on the market.

Figging was popular in the Victorian era and was typically used in combination with punishment such as spanking, whipping or caning, which results in the tightening of the rectal muscles. When the muscles tighten, the burning from the ginger increases.

In BDSM, fresh ginger is peeled and carved into shapes for use on sensitive sexual tissues. A small sliver can be nestled against the clit, or a large piece cut into a shape similar to a butt plug and inserted in the rectum. The result is an intense burning sensation which can be an effective punishment when combined with orgasm denial. However, when combined with sexual stimulation, it can become a very erotic experience rather than discipline.

Oh yeah, I love research. You can learn such amazing and interesting things on the Internet without ever leaving home.

Happy reading. I hope you enjoy the results of that thing I do!

Last Chance

2011-11-29T04:11:00.001-05:00

The limited time introductory price of $0.99 for the Toys-4-Us books ends tomorrow, November 30th. Don't miss your chance to get all seven books for under $7. And there's only one month remaining in our contest to win a Kindle Fire. Winning is easy, just answer a question from each book. Find out more about the contest by c licking here.

The Evolution of Sex Toys

2011-11-28T14:13:00.001-05:00

Actually, I mean the evolution of my sex toys. I took some time this long weekend to crack the whip (figuratively) over my husband and children to clean up the house. My how we’ve acquired a lot of crap over the years. I tackled my closet and found a box buried deep under unused pocket books and shoes I’ll never wear again. I opened it up thinking it was old papers or some such. Imagine my surprise when I saw all of these long ago toys purchased by a couple starting from the early days of dating to newly married.

It brought a smile to my lips seeing the relatively tame things we bought back then. We’re talking eighties, baby! There were some feathers, some kind of sweet smelling cream, a small vibrator, and naughty books. With the internet at our fingertips, we forget about times spent circling the bookstore, working up our courage to scout out the great works of fiction by “Anonymous!”

When I think about it, I guess that’s me now. I’m anonymous in that I use a sobriquet. But back in those ancient days, the choices were only bodice rippers and straight-up porn. Both could be titillating but left me wanting more. I love romance and I love sex. Erotic romance is the perfect blending of the two. I get to write about interesting (hopefully) characters with depth and powerful women but still turn up the heat. I am fortunate enough to be born at a time when women can embrace both emotional and physical passion.

As for the box, I closed it up and shoved it back into the corner of the closet. I’m not yet ready to let go of everything in the past. It was a fun trip down memory lane, though.

When did Thanksgiving stop being a holiday?

2011-11-27T09:30:00.003-05:00

I generally don't like dragging out my soap box from my closet to air my complaints, but this particular complaint is important. So important that I'm hoping you'll join me in getting out the word.

Thanksgiving is no longer a real holiday.

You know exactly what I mean. Thanksgiving doesn't really exist anymore. As a nation, we all decorate and get jazzed for Halloween. Who wouldn't? It's a very cool holiday where we get to pretend to be whatever or whomever we want for an entire day and act like idiots. But the day after Halloween we're bombarded with Christmas. All the stores have their Christmas displays up, Christmas music plays over the store speakers, even the local radio stations start playing non-stop Christmas music (no lie!)

Don't get me wrong. I love Christmas. I love driving around at night to see the lights. I like the green and red candles glowing in my house. My cats love climbing my Christmas tree and busting every glass ornament they can get their greedy little paws on. But somewhere between Halloween and Christmas there used to be a great holiday called Thanksgiving that we used to get excited about.

Now, on Thanksgiving day, we rush through our dinner, maybe play football outside or watch a game on TV (by the way, HOOK 'M HORNS!! Whooot. What a game!), and then stand in line to shop for the Black Friday specials. The outlet malls in San Marcos, Texas were open at 8pm for Christ's sake! Thanksgiving has become a prelude to Christmas shopping.

With this in mind, I think it's time we take Thanksgiving back. I recommend we start with some Thanksgiving songs that we'll make classics and insist radio stations play the Thanksgiving tunes after Halloween. Here's some lyrics I have in mind.

Not another bite. Not another bite. My pants are already tight. I loosened my belt over an hour ago, but we still have desert to go. How will I ever fit in my skinny jeans tonight?

Or...

Roll me away from the table. I'll wash the dishes if I'm able. But first let me watch UT kick A&M's butt on TV. (Doesn't rhyme, but the sentiment really hits me right here.)

You know. Thanksgiving songs that touch not only our hearts, but our souls.

If you agree with me, then pass on this message to your family and friends. We have a year to protest and make our stand. Anyone want to join me for Occupy Thanksgiving?

Your list! Bet it's got many things like mine!

2011-11-24T00:01:00.036-05:00

Dance Jam on Saturdays at my club does me in REALLY well. Last Saturday, it sent my BP up for a few hours and I was NOT HAPPY. Better now. So, I am here today to list those things I am grateful for. AND not in any order, either.
Just stuff I am happy to have.
Bet your list looks a lot like mine.

a spouse I love (and have for many decades!)
children who are now big big boys and girls whom I am so proud of
basic good health
enough money to eat healthfully
enough sense to work out regularly (and I need to cultivate more of this!)
friends in my profession who are the hardest working folks I have ever known!
friends who are intriguing, lively folks, who like books and travel, music and Impressionism, Shakespeare Festivals and New York theater
a profession I have worked hard to attain and at which over the decades, I have earned enough $$$ to call myself successful. (enough to put 2 kids through private high school and college. not bad.)
a home I enjoy
an herb garden whose bounties make me smile each time I pick some for part of our lunches or dinners
a curious mind (which can make for interesting and messy TBR piles of books, mags and newspaper clippings, which I must clean up before the company comes....)
a DVR which cuts the ads and does not enslave me to THEIR time schedule.

I am certain there are more!!!
WHAT ARE YOURS?
And the pix at the top? Sorrento, taken by moi this summer, from atop the Grand Curso along the Bay of Naples. sigh. Yes. I am grateful for Italy. Among other countries.

Happy Turkey Day!

2011-11-23T00:04:00.000-05:00

Wishing you all a joyous Thanksgiving holiday! I hope you find time to connect with loved ones, as well as reflect on all the blessings in your life.

If you are scrambling for last minute ideas on what to make, here's my favorite family recipe for the holidays. Even those who are cooking challenged can handle this one.

Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole

Ingredients:
6 medium sweet potatoes
½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
½ cup butter, melted
1/3 cup orange juice
¼ cup bourbon
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/3 cup chopped pecans
1 cup miniature marshmallows

Preparation:
Cook sweet potatoes in boiling salted water in a large sauce pan approximately 30 minutes or until tender. Drain; cool to touch, then peel. (Or take the simplified way and buy frozen mashed sweet potatoes)
Mash potatoes in a large bowl. Add sugar, butter, orange juice, bourbon, salt and pumpkin pie spice. Beat until fluffy and smooth.
Spoon into a lightly greased 1 ½ quart baking dish. Sprinkle pecans around the edge.
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Sprinkle marshmallows on top and bake for 5 additional minutes or until the marshmallows are golden brown.
Serves 8 to 10

Feeling The Love

2011-11-21T19:03:00.000-05:00

Miz Love Reviews has chimed in with the first reviews for the Toys-4-Us series and they are AWESOME! Woot!

A Long Time Comin':

"Oh Em Gee. A bloody brilliant tale by Ms. DeLand that had the characters sparkling on the page. Well-written (aren't they always?), engrossing, and with a oh-I-want-them-to-get-it-on-NOW vibe going on right up until the moment they do get it on (Pant! Pant! Get those pants off, man!), you won't be disappointed with this tale. It's hot, it's sexy, and it's un-frikken-believably good.

"Love, love, love! Get it. Bet you won't be able to put it down. Ms. DeLand's voice is ROCKIN'!"

Bound And Determined:

"Who can resist a Desiree Holt book? Not me, and this one is TO DIE FOR, PEOPLE! Mack is one hell of a sexy neighbour (Come to me, my pretty!), and he's determined to play with Alix and her toys. Great writing, a great plot, and the story zings along at a crackling pace. Superb stuff here, with the characters' emotions growing by the minute, their antics in bed kinda making you get all hot and bothered like them (blush!), and that wonderful happy-ever-after that I so wanted to happen for these two.

"Fabulous. Ms. Holt, you are indeed a star!"

Good Vibrations:

"Ah, here's a tale that will have you seething at one point over the nastiness some women display. Not our heroine, who is adorable, but some females at a party who are jealous of how she looks and how men appreciate her outer packaging. Sara has no clue she has this effect on men, doesn't see herself that way, which makes you love her even more. Her ex-husband, Richard, is a total weirdo--and I mean weirdo with a capital WUH. He doesn't seem to get the gist he isn't married to Sara anymore and says things as though they're still together. He gave me the damn creeps.

"However, she has the gorgeous Jack, and together they do more than steam up the book pages. Oh my LORD, the sex is HOT and fast, and I loved every bloody word!"

Private Showing:

"Oh, what a super-sexy read, not only because we have a dashing hero, but because that dashing hero has an accent. Can we say SERWOON? Or even och aye, or however it's spelled? Colin is gorgeous, a man I fell for straight away. He's caring and just so damn cute I wished I was Gianna. Him having an accent made me go all funny, and that's all the information I'm giving you on that! Not only that, but Private Showing is very well-written with a superb voice that suited me down to the ground.

"A fantastic read that is well worth the asking price and a bit more. Download it today. Make YOURSELF go all funny too..."

Slippery When Wet:

"Once, long ago and in a galaxy far, far away (LMAO! You'll "get" this when you read the book)... I honestly can't imagine Ms. Standifer writing anything that doesn't tickle your funny bone every so often and make you wish you could write with half the wit she does. She's FUNNY, but not only that, she knows how to pen a tale that will have you squirming in your seat with the need to uh...yeah, well, that's enough of THAT!

"Petra has no idea her ex's friend has been hankering after her at the same time she's been dreaming about him. When she gets locked out of her house, and with Roman being the only one who can let her in (you'll see!), she gets more than she bargained for. More than him just opening her door, if you know what I mean.

"Slippery When Wet is sexy, sultry, amusing in places, and a downright fabulous read. Honestly, it's one of those that will stick in my mind for a while, because ladies, Roman is one hero you'll wish warmed your bed!"

Wet Ride:

"With her extremely busy life, you'd be forgiven for thinking Emily hasn't got time for a tumble in the sheets, but Kevin makes sure she finds the time. He's working in her house, and oh, how cute it is when he finds himself taking his time so he's there when Emily has finished her long day and returns home. What an absolute sweetheart. Together they make a wonderful pair, and I rooted for them all the way.

"This is a first for me from Samantha Cayto, and I must say I enjoyed her voice and style one hell of a lot. (Nudge, nudge, Ms. Cayto, the submission guidelines are on the tabs at the top and emailing with Attn: Miz Heart as your subject line would really be appreciated...your delightful freshness has me wanting to read more of your work. Pretty please?)

"I can't fully explain how this book made me feel. Warm, fuzzy, happy, hopeful to name but a few things. It's romantic, it's special, it's just grand. Buy it. End of discussion."

Whiz Bang:

"Lotion that made a woman's clit sit up and sing. <-- How can you resist lines like that? Well, you don't have to resist any longer. Whiz Bang is filled with many such glorious sentences, all strung together into one delightful read that will make you nod if you've ever felt your sex life needed a kick up the backside so it returned to those heady days of a new relationship.

"Rather drunk after a sex-toys party with her friends, Hannah realises she really wouldn't mind a loving relationship with all the bells and whistles. Enter Sean, a man she's had a thing for, but she's resisted doing anything about it because he's her friend. But a friend can also be your lover, right? Damn right! Hannah finds that out PDQ after speaking about sex with him on the phone. Their relationship soon changes from pals to partners, and you are in for the ride of your life with this little beauty of a book.

"It's a HOT tale with sweetness, longing, desire, and too many other wonderful things to mention. Of course, it's by Regina Carlysle, so I wouldn't expect anything less. Race off and purchase. Go, go, go!"

Food Anyone?

2011-11-21T11:23:00.001-05:00

Food, glorious food! Yes, Thanksgiving is just a few days away and I love it. I love to cook and in particular I love to bake. Thanksgiving means pie - pumpkin, apple and pecan to be exact. And what goes with pie? Whipped cream, ice cream and perhaps some chocolate sauce. I like to put a little of me in each of my heroines, and for Wet Ride, I gave Emily a love of cooking. I also introduced chocolate sauce as the very first “toy” that she and Kevin try.

Food can definitely be a sex toy. It’s also handy and affordable. For anyone new to the idea of using toys in sex play or maybe shy about doing so, try looking in your refrigerator and cupboards. Whipped cream is a good choice – who doesn’t love it? A dollop on the nipples (hers and his) gives additional temptation to lick, nibble and suck. Start there and work your way down. The coolness of it on a clitoris can be surprisingly stimulating (better yet, try an ice cube down there – I swear it works!).

Chocolate sauce and even honey are obvious choices. Both sweet and sticky, they force you and your partner to take extra long ministering to certain sensitive parts. Splash some liquor (choc-wine anyone?) down your lover’s front and lap it up. You’d be surprised what you can come up with. All it takes is a little imagination and maybe some courage. Perhaps the best part if going organic is that food in the bedroom isn’t something you have to necessarily hide from the kids or others.

The one drawback with using food is the need to shower afterward. Or maybe that’s just me. I don’t like being messy once the afterglow has worn off. Then again, taking a shower together creates all kinds of new possibilities!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone, and please don’t forget to enter our contest for the Kindle Fire. Word on the street is that this thing is awesome!

My date with Clive Owen

2011-11-20T08:33:00.006-05:00

I have to admit that writing today's blog was extremely difficult. "Why?" you ask. Good question.

I had the chance at blogging about my super secret, super sexy date with Clive Owen, but decided not to in order to give you an opportunity of a lifetime. My sacrifice is only for you, kind reader.
I want you to win a new Kindle Fire, only the hottest piece of electronics this season. And I want you to win this while the winning is still cheap.
Here's why I'm saying this. To win, you need to read all seven books in the Toys-4-Us series and submit the correct answers to the questions below by midnight EST December 31, 2011. On January 7, 2012, one winner will be drawn at random from all entries received. Limit one entry per person — multiple entries will result in disqualification. The winning is ridiculously easy.
But in November, all the Toys-4-Us stories are only $.99 each. Really cheap, I know. In December the price goes up.
So do yourself a huge favor. Buy the books, read them, then answer the easy questions below. Once you have, Click here to email your answers. Good luck!

Are you ready to play?
In A LONG TIME COMIN’ by Cerise Deland –What is the psychological issue that John Ramos struggles to overcome?
In BOUND AND DETERMINED by Desiree Holt — What does Mackenzie “Mack” Taylor do for a living?
In GOOD VIBRATIONS by Nicole Austin — What is the name of Sara Cooper’s charity?
In PRIVATE SHOWING by Brenna Zinn — What is the name of the restaurant Gianna Romero wants to open?
In SLIPPERY WHEN WET by Allie Standifer — What is the only thing(s) in Petra’s fridge/freezer?
In WET RIDE by Samantha Cayto — What big thing does Emily like (No, not that thing, well yes, that thing, but what other big thing)?
In WHIZ BANG by Regina Carlysle — What is the name of Sean O’Brian’s club?

Gobble Gobble

2011-11-19T12:32:00.000-05:00

I woke up this morning not thinking of books or writing but of Thanksgiving. As many of my friends know, it's my favorite holiday. Maybe it's because there isn't that mad rush to buy gifts or lug the tree from the attic and the other countless things we due for Christmas. Yes, I love Christmas. Who doesn't? But I'll confess here and now, the holiday wears me out to the point I just want to crawl into bed and sleep for a week. Thanksgiving is about friends, family and good conversation with those you love. This year I'm thankful for so very many things and in that, I include my wonderful friends. How could one woman be so lucky?

Speaking of friends...you remember that little series of books called Toys4Us? Believe me, I haven't forgotten and I just wanted to remind everyone of our contest. We are giving away a Kindle Fire to one lucky entrant (to be announced Jan. 7). So please clink the link to our website for all the details. Good luck!

It's all about the chocolate wine

2011-11-18T09:26:00.002-05:00

Since an abundance of chocolate wine was responsible for the sex toys party that started the whole Toys-4-Us series I thought I'd give you a recipe for a drink using ChocoVine. I picked rock star because…well…I released a book this year in which the hero is a rock star so…have at it and enjoy!

Rockstar

2 oz ChocoVine
½ oz Coco Lopez Coconut Cream
¾ oz Tequila Cream Liqueur
¾ oz Rum

Combine ingredients in a mixing glass. Add ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with freshly grated cinnamon and chocolate spirals.oVine
½ oz Coco Lopez Coconut Cream
¾ oz Tequila Cream Liqueur
¾ oz Rum

Combine ingredients in a mixing glass. Add ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with freshly grated cinnamon and chocolate spirals.

Doing research brings you a few speechless, wide-eyed moments.

2011-11-17T11:16:00.000-05:00

Like this page:
http://www.stockroom.com/Leather-Male-Chastity-Harness-P336.aspx
What more do I need to say?
GULP.

Diesel

2011-11-17T04:16:00.002-05:00

The Toys-4-Us series is now available at the Diesel e-book store and all seven books are still $0.99 for a limited time. Seven books for under $7, don't miss out. And don't forget to enter our contest to win a Kindle Fire.

Ice Breakers

2011-11-16T01:30:00.002-05:00

So a guy walks into a bar... Yeah, I know, you've heard that one before. But seriously, you're at a bar or club and a guy wants to buy you a drink. He's taken that first bold step and approached you. Now its your turn. You give him the once over and decide its worth your effort to talk to him, get to know him a bit. Or maybe he's totally hot and gets your hormones all worked up. How do you break the ice?

Why not ask make your drink choice a sexy, flirty or naughty one? Something beyond Sex on the Beach (which you really don't want because the sand gets in places that are very annoying, but that's a whole different topic). There are so many possibilities. Here's a few that could be interesting conversation starters or even a clear statement of what you're interested in.

French Kiss

1/2 cognac
1/2 Martini & Rossi Spumante (champagne)
1 sugar cube (optional)

Between the Sheets

1 oz brandy
1/2 oz light rum
1/2 oz triple sec
sweet and sour mix

Screaming Orgasm

1 oz vodka
1 1/2 oz Bailey’s® Irish cream
1/2 oz Kahlua® coffee liqueur

Sex Machine

1.5 oz. Coffee Liqueur
1.5 oz. Irish Cream

Pop My Cherry

1/2 oz cherry vodka
1/4 oz triple sec
1/4 oz orange juice

Tight Snatch

ice
1 shot vodka
1 shot peach schnapps
orange juice
cranberry juice

Royal Fuck

2 parts Crown Royal
1 part Sour Apple Pucker
1 part Cranberry Juice

Ménage à Trois

1 oz dark rum
1 oz Triple sec
1 oz light cream

Slow Comfortable Screw

1 oz sloe gin
1/2 oz Southern Comfort® peach liqueur
orange juice

Creamy Pussy

1 oz Bailey’s® Irish cream
1 oz Tequila Rose® strawberry cream liqueur

Strawberry Stripper

5 oz. Orange Juice
1 oz. 7-Up
1 splash(es) Grenadine
1 oz. Strawberry Schnapps

Fuzzy Dick

Kahlua
Gran Marnier
coffee
whipped cream

Mountain Dew Me

2 oz midori melon
1 oz triple sec.
4 oz pineapple juice
splash of 7-Up

Panty Dropper

1 oz kahlua
1 oz sloe gin
splash of half-and-half

The Leg Spreader

1 oz tequila
1 oz vodka
1 oz gin
1 oz rum

Friends, food and toys

2011-11-14T11:44:00.001-05:00

When I’m not down in Texas hanging with the Sassy 7, I’m up in the Boston area hanging with other writer friends, like Dalton Diaz. This past Veteran’s Day, DD and I had an impromptu lunch with a couple of other friends and naturally the discussion turned to sex. And then to sex toys. When you have that kind of thing to talk about, the conversation never dies down and never gets dull. Of course, we did have to come up with another topic for about a half hour because the restaurant sat a woman with her two kids right behind us. But we picked up right where we left off once they were gone.

Honestly it was the end of a long week for me and the beginning of an even longer weekend of work, so I wasn’t feeling very energetic when I first sat down. Three hours later, I reluctantly said good-bye to my friends and drove off feeling like a million bucks.

Being with friends, knowing you can talk about anything without discomfort or judgment is awesome!

Romancing the Wurst

2011-11-13T08:19:00.006-05:00

Okay. Even I know blogging about the New Braunfels, Texas Wurstfest is a stretch in terms of relating the event (only the best U.S. Octoberfest but in November) to erotic romance, but what the heck. Let's give it a try.
Before I do though, let me give you some quick reminders. You can EASILY win a brand new Kindle Fire. Just click on the pink Toys-4-Us bag on this page or the line that says, "click here for more details", and you'll find out for yourself just how easy winning the Kindle Fire is. I promise it's so easy even my husband can do it (insert drum and cymbal rat-a-tat now.)

So, what do Wurstfest and erotic romance have in common?
Let's start by talking about what Wurstfest is. According to the Wurstfest website (www.wurstfest.com), Wurstfest is a unique celebration rich in German culture and full of Texas fun located in beautiful New Braunfels, Texas! Enjoy good fun, food, special events and the finest in Alpine and Bavarian Style Entertainment.

Besides the obvious - long sausages - (let's get our minds out of that particular gutter), they also involve adults of all ages having a great time, sometimes costumes (Ha! that WAS a good point if I do say so myself), good food and drink, dancing, the opportunity to fall in love, and a great chance at having some pretty awesome sex (in the case of Wurstfest - preferably after leaving the Wurstfest grounds.)

Imagine this... You walk up to the Wurstfest grounds with your best group of friends. The smell of savory meets and fried dough fills the air, as does the sounds of umpa bands belting out your favorite German tunes. You and your friends grab a beer and a sausage on a stick when suddenly you look across the dance hall and notice the most handsome man wearing leather short pants (lederhosen) you've ever seen. Your gazes connect and a heady zing hits your stomach.

Your breath catches as the handsome stranger walks toward you. Your friends stand back in awe as he introduces himself to you.

"Hello, Fräulein. Can I have this Chicken Dance?"

He puts out his large hand, which makes you grin because you know the old saying about how a man with big hands has a big...heart, and then he leads you out to the dance floor. Before you know it, he's danced with you the entire evening, bought you more wurst and sauerkraut than you thought your stomach could hold, and he then tells you that he was hoping to meet a beautiful girl like you.

You both discover that you're staying at the same quaint bed and breakfast. Soon you and he (with your friends in tow) leave the festival to all go back to the B&B. When you arrive, he asks if you would be interested in a nightcap in his room. You say yes on a sigh, kiss your friends good night, and happily mosey down to his suite for a night of passion you'll never forget, especially as you and the handsome stranger decide to keep in touch and you both eventually fall in love and live happily ever after.

The end.

Aside from that, I'm going to admit drawing a bit of a blank about how Wurstfest and erotic romance are similar - though the big sausage thing does kind of stick out, doesn't it?

Another excerpt and a Contest

2011-11-12T10:41:00.000-05:00

Well, yes, there is life after release day but honest to God, we are all still feeling the HIGH that comes with sending new work out into cyberspace. If you haven't picked up all seven of the Toys4Us series, please do and be sure to enter our contest. We are giving away a Kindle Fire in early January!!!! It's the hottest new device coming from Amazon. To find out all the scoop on this, click the little pink Toys4Us tote bag at the left and head over to our website for all the deets.

I'm actually in my 'writing cave' today so I thought I'd leave you with another excerpt of Whiz Bang. Be sure to pick this up along with all the other stories by the smokin' hot Sassy Seven.

A little excerpt from WHIZ BANG (available at Kindle, Smashwords, and All Romance E-Books):

The resort was an unbelievably beautiful spot on the planet.
Hannah had chosen this place primarily because of the singles activity but tonight she was just too tired to mix and mingle. She’d checked in a couple of hours ago and had been shown to her neat bungalow near the shore of the Caribbean. After unpacking, showering, and donning a floaty sundress that was perfect for the tropics, she ordered up room service and a bottle of bubbly to celebrate this whole shopping-for-sexy-men business. Now, sitting on her private patio, watching waves lap gently at the shore, she began to waver in her resolve.
What the hell had she been thinking?
Oh yeah. Sex. Sex and toys that whirred and buzzed.
Whiz bang. How could she forget?
She listened to sounds of laughter and faint Salsa music in the distance. Hannah closed her eyes, loving the warm breeze that washed over her. Tomorrow she’d hit the beach, meet some interesting, available men, and put her wicked plan into action. Right now she just wanted peace. Knowing she wasn’t really ready to think about this yet, she breathed deeply and tried to calm herself. Being aggressive was new to her, but it was time to step out of her shell, damn it. It was time to take charge of her life. Hannah was sick of sitting on the sidelines like a good girl while others had adventures, met men, and ultimately fell in love.
So why hadn’t she headed straight to the nearest club to troll for hot men? Oh yeah. Terror.
As Hannah stretched out on the comfy padded lounge chair, she wiggled bare toes, reached for her half-empty glass, and took a sip. Bubbles burst over her tongue and she closed her eyes thinking of Sean. What would he think of this beautiful place? Expelling a breath, she recalled how quiet he’d been, how withdrawn when he’d said goodbye to her at the airport. She thought back to the sound of his voice the night they’d had that smoldering phone sex.
The whole episode was, no doubt, just a blip on the sexual screen for him. But to her? Well, she couldn’t get it off her mind and just wished that things were different. Sean was, had always been, the star of her deepest, sexiest, naughtiest fantasies. She’d never told him, of course. It would totally blow their friendship out of the water, and she didn’t want Sean to disappear from her life.
But oh how she wished he were here with her right now.
“Hey, beautiful. You look mighty lonely sitting here in the moonlight. Care if I join you?”
Stunned, Hannah gasped, her eyes going wide to see Sean standing there looking like the hottest hero from any romance novel. Rugged, dark, and her perfect vision of masculine beauty, he stood there wearing a pair of jeans, a tee, and a sexy grin. His suitcase sat on the walk nearby.
She didn’t stop to think about why he was here. She couldn’t. Happiness rose, filling her up when she jumped to her feet. “Sean! Oh my God!” Running to him, thrilled that he met her halfway, she lurched into his arms and twined her legs around his hips. His hands instantly went to her ass, pressing her close to his body. Yeah, she’d known she was lonely but hadn’t realized how hard that emotion gripped her until just this second. Seeing his face. Feeling his body. It was better than she could ever have imagined.
Before she could catch her breath, Hannah acknowledged the press of her pussy against his fly. Sean’s cock was hard, crushed to her tender flesh, and sensation zipped through her body, but she didn’t move away. She couldn’t. Hannah barely restrained herself from rubbing over him like a cat. Her nipples settled flush over the firm muscles of his chest, and she hoped he didn’t notice how hard they were. She ached for him. She always had. Unable to resist, she set her lips on the warm column of his throat and felt his fingers tighten on the globes of her butt.
“Sean?”
“Yeah, darlin’?”
“Why?”
He pressed his mouth to her hair to nuzzle before blowing out a breath. “Why did I follow you? I’ll tell you why…the thought of you fucking a bunch of strange men made me a little crazy.”
Hannah’s arms were anchored around his neck, so she held on tight and leaned back enough to focus on his blue, heavily lashed eyes. Night shadows flickered across the lines of his rugged face, emphasizing the taut line of his jaw and the firm set of his lips. He was obviously a man with something on his mind. “So you followed me? To stop me?”
Sean’s hands moved to her thighs as he untangled her legs from around his waist. Slowly, she slid down the length of his body, loving his hardness against her softer curves. Pleasure tightened in her belly, and anticipation caused her heartbeat to accelerate. When she finally landed on her feet, she’d been prepared to take a step back, but his arms went around her to pull her close. He bent his head until he stood nose to nose with her. His eyes glinted with a hard edge she’d never seen in them before, and when he spoke, his lips brushed hers.
“From the minute you told me about those sex toys I’ve been obsessed. Yes, we’re friends but we’re more, too. Surely you feel the sexual current drawing us together.” His voice dropped to a raw whisper. “I kept thinking of those nipple clamps and lotions. Of you letting another man use them on you and it made me want to fucking kill somebody. Yeah, you need an adventure more than any woman I know, but I’ll be damned before I let you share this experience with anyone but me.”

Celebrating Veterans Day

2011-11-11T09:00:00.001-05:00

On the day we honor our military and the sacrifices they make for our country, I thought instead of a lot of rhetoric I'd give you some sexy military guys so you know why we love to write about them.

Why is Marilyn Monroe in A LONG TIME COMIN'???

2011-11-10T14:16:00.000-05:00

You asked! I answer! WITH illustrations and things to amuse you, too. (Videos, Pix!)
Like so many of my talented author friends, I try to make people live in my stories. Now, true, screen icon Marilyn Monroe is gone, sadly, but her legend in many things lives on.
In A LONG TIME COMIN', my heroine Cait Hagerty owns a vintage clothing shop on the River Walk in San Antonio. (Trust me, this area is no low rent district! So she must earn BUCKS, baby, BUCKS!) Now Cait has in her shop has the only copy of the gown ever made for Marilyn Monroe when she sang Happy Birthday to JFK in 1962.
(THIS copy is fiction. Repeat, there is no copy.)
But this line of thinking gave me a few ideas on my heroine's personality.
Who is Cait?
A woman who likes old dresses. Okay.
But she also is rather traditional in other aspects.
She is a calm, reserved business woman who knows how to navigate the world. She understands her lover's challenges and copes with them. Perhaps better than he does!
So owning a vintage clothing store also got me a plus: I could talk about Cait's figure. Always a great idea when writing erotic romance! I could write also about the absolutely out of this world gown. WHICH incidentally, Marilyn had to be sewn into the night--the only night--she wore it when she sang Happy Birthday to John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden.
Only weeks before she died of an overdose.
The other thing you need to know about vintage clothes, this dress and their value?
MM's dress is a good example. In 1999, this dress sold at Christies' auction house for... ready? $1,267,500.00
Lots of dinero.
To see this lovely creation, go here: http://www.marilynmonroecollection.com/Lot55.htm
And to see Marilyn sing Happy Birthday to JFK, go to YOUTUBE here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4SLSlSmW74
CIAO, my lovelies!
Happy reading!

Let's Talk Toys

2011-11-09T00:01:00.007-05:00

Through my research (some of my Google searches have probably landed me on FBI watch lists) I have learned that there are as many different adult toys out there as there are different flavors of sex. If you can imagine it then someone has probably already made it! I will show you pictures of some but others you are welcome to Google if you are 18 or older. Allie has already discussed water-proof shower options so I'll skip those.

There are vibrators (like the one to the left) curved perfectly to reach the illusive but oh so wonderful G-spot. Something to consider when buying vibrators is the placement of the bullet within the device. With this little purple wonder you can see the bullet is in the tip, right where it will directly vibrate against the G-spot. If the bullet were in the base only muted sensations would be delivered to where you most want them.

There are also a wide variety of toys (like the one on the right) that have pumps which apply suction. This particular toy is called a clitoral pump . It vibrates and also has that little ball you pump which creates suction and simulates the sensation of lips sucking at your clit. Similar to a blood pressure cuff, there is a little valve that releases the pressure in an instant. Oh la la! I've also seen suction toys for nipples and if you'll keep reading, you'll learn about a very naughty suction device someone in the BDSM world devised.

And then there are the designer vibes (aka expensive, top-shelf toys) like the one to the left. But it does do a lot of different things for the $130 price tag. This wireless, rechargeable, "rabbit" style vibe has 2 motors that will deliver a programmed pattern of vibrations or if you hook it up to your iPod (or other MP3 player) it will vibrate to the rhythm of your favorite songs. And yes, all you iTunes junkies, there is an app for that. More than one. There's even a BodyHeat app that works with this vibe. It's also supposed to be whisper quiet for discreet usage. Just think of all the money you'd save on batteries since it rechargeable. No more frustration over weak batteries...oh my.

Many of the sex toys I've come across over the past several years while researching BDSM blew my mind. I mean really, who comes up with something like this...

The Ass Sucker – The name of this device alone is scandalously naughty so of course I had to use it on a character in one of my books. This device does exactly what the name says, it adheres to the rear-end and when the remote control is triggered, it sucks at the anus.

Also from some wicked BDSM research I discovered the nipple tree (on the right) which I may be using in a future book. The black base of this device is placed against the sternum, the clamps are attached to the nipples and the knob is turned, which pulls on the nipples. Owwie!

One final BDSM toy that blew my mind (not showing a pic of this one - look it up on Wiki if you are of age). A humbler is a restraint used to restrict the movement of a male sub. Its a testicle cuff that clamps around the base of the scrotum, mounted in the center of a long bar that is locked behind the thighs. It forces the sub to stay on his knees and not straighten his legs otherwise its extremely painful.

There are many places out there to discretely shop for toys online and they will be shipped to you in packaging that does not let others know how naughty you are. One of my favorite sites is Eden's Fantasy because not only are their prices reasonable but they give you exact measurements, images of each toy from a variety of angles and honest reviews from others who have bought the toy. The also have a scale rating the intensity and noise level. On many of their pages you'll even find video reviews.

So why are you still here? What are you waiting for? Go forth and shop. Buy yourself something nice for Christmas! This is a practice I started several years ago, I always buy myself something for my birthday and Christmas, that way I get at least one thing I know I'm going to love and not have to return. And what better gift to give yourself than some big Os and Good Vibrations?

Come play

2011-11-08T00:01:00.001-05:00

So it's over. The release day jitters are gone & no one is set out after us with pitchforks. Yay! Now it's disappeared and I'm left wondering...this is it? All the work, all the stress & pop it's over. It's say it's like great sex, but the afterglow is missing. What's next? Where do we go from here? Or do we go anywhere? Personally I think a series based on shower sex would be great, but that's just me :)

Nic Austin, goddess of websites, covers, blogs & everything shiny, is already making noises about doing another series. I'd threaten to kick her, but her legs are longer than mine. When we all get together in Vegas I'm sure the idea will pop up again. Then I'm make sure to get everyone drunk so they won't remember the idea in the first place :)

Since this is our second week into it I'd like to say thank you! Thank you! Thank you! To all of you who took a chance on us, bought our books when they hit the shelves & gave us rave reviews. Without you we'd still be writing, but have no one to share the voices in our head with! So please remember to enter our contest to win the Kindle Fire! All the rules and other stuff is on the website.

What else is there to say except we write because we love it, but it wouldn't be the same without our amazing readers!

HEA

2011-11-07T13:27:00.000-05:00

I have to confess that when I first saw the initialism “HEA” I didn’t know what it meant. It took me longer than I care to admit to realize it means “happily ever after” as in the heroine and the hero ending up with each other at the end of the story in love forever. I started out as a writer of romance, not erotic romance. When I stuck my toe in the naughty waters of hot, explicit sex, I figured I had made a switch from romance to erotica, sex more than love. I even labeled my stories as erotica when I pitched at conferences. Then an editor politely corrected me. She said I was writing erotic romance, not simply erotica.

Once it was pointed out to me, I saw the difference easily enough. I have never lost the desire for my characters to end up HEA. I guess I’m a hopeless romantic but I can’t help it. All of my characters live beyond the pages of my story. In my mind, they are still together, happy, maybe married but if not yet, they will be. Given enough time, they will marry, have kids, then grandchildren, a dog or two (or a cat or two – I like both). Their sex lives will rock until the day one of them dies. They will buy toys for themselves to enjoy, too, because they will want to keep their life as spicy and vibrant as it was when they first met.

Emily and Kevin spent this past weekend together as they have every weekend since they met. He took her to his favorite dungeon (bet you didn’t think they had those in Texas, but honey, they have them everywhere!). She had a great time, but I assume you knew that already. She will soon introduce him to the other Sassy 7 gals because she wants him to fit into her social world and those women mean the world to her. He’s working on getting her to agree to meet his parents over Sunday dinner. She’s not ready yet for meeting the folks. Give her time.

See, they live in my head all the time. Give me a second and I can relate all the details of their lives, past, present and future. I love a happy ending and while sex in and of itself is awesome, I still want that HEA.

Bright lights, sexy city

2011-11-06T05:53:00.003-05:00

As I write this, the smell of baking pizzas fill the air, as does the sounds of honks from cars at the nearby intersection. I'm in the big city of New York, baby, and taking in everything I can - especially the food. I can say with complete conviction New York is one sexy city, as it has more sex toy stores, lingerie shops, and peep shows than any other city I've ever visited. Even the street performers are running around in their tighty whiteys. After visiting one of the adult stores, I feel fairly certain the array of goodies that were available to me and the rest of my girlfriends during Alliepaloosa last year was only a sample of the what can be bought out in the real world. My face is still flushed, I promise you.

Catching a sexy show on Broadway is also possible. Venus in Fur on 47th Street is a hot show with a streak of S&M running through it. Seems a beautiful woman auditioning for a part has some kind of power over the playwright, making him submit to her demands. At least that's what the advertisement for the production boasts. Hmmm. Sounds good. If I'm able to get tickets to this afternoon's show, I'll let you know if the hype is true on my personal blog http://brennazinn.blogspot.com this Tuesday.

By the way, to all the runners I met during my stay - good luck during today's marathon. You rock just for participating.

In the meantime, if you're looking for something hot and sexy for yourself, do yourself a favor and pick up the books from the Sassy Seven. Here's a little something about my story.

Gianna Romano has a dream, and opening her own restaurant has been a lifelong commitment requiring strict dedication and personal sacrifice. Now that her goal is almost within her grasp, she’s not about to jeopardize everything for a relationship with her next door neighbor. She can’t afford to lose focus and doesn’t have time for a man. Not even the sexy Scot with a delicious accent who wants to unleash her lust and make her a permanent fixture in his life, as well as his bed.

Kept at a distance by the strong-willed woman he desires, Colin McPherson faces the most agonizing decision of his life. The time has come to give up his lucrative computer security job and return home to take his place in the family business.
But Colin can’t leave without getting at least a taste of Gianna. Just how far will he go to satisfy his hunger? And after a night of explosive passion, how can he walk away?

Slurp

2011-11-05T17:51:00.007-04:00

Click on the picture to get an up close view. Go ahead, click it. You know you want to. :D

Whoo-damn! Now that's one Wet Ride. Slippery When Wet even. I could generate some Good Vibes with him, maybe get some Whiz Bang happening too. If I could arrange a Private Showing, I'd be Bound And Determined to make sure we were both A Long Time Comin'. :D

The next door neighbor fantasy

2011-11-04T10:26:00.000-04:00

Okay. So as many people know (and a lot more don't know), I live in the middle of nowhere (I mean REALLY nowhere-people who manage to find me think I'm really in the witness protection program). My daily companions are my three cats, members of the herd of white tail deer who show twice a day for meals, and assorted wild critters like Ralph the Raccoon who was wonderful until he chewed his way through a screen on the porch and decided he really wanted to be part of the family. So neighbors are kind of a fantasy for me.
I actually do have some neighbors although we are separated by acreage. Oh, yes, wonderful neighbors. On one side is a woman who is so warm and fuzz she had two husbands walk out on her and had a meltdown on my front porch. On the other is a couple who think when they bought their property they became royalty out here and can do whatever they want. They have some gores horses and a jackass (no, not them, the fourlegged kind) who brays at all hours of the day and night.
So pardon me if when I sit at my computer I day dream about the kind of neighbor I'd REALLY like. Let's say he's,um, oh, six foot four (of course I'm barely five feet so that brings about all kinds of interesting sexual calisthenics). And he has a body that is hard0muscles, tanned, with some interesting scars that could make for discussion in the wee hours of the morning. He's good looking but not in the classic way. No pretty boy here (remember, I'm surrounded by cowboys who all look like the Marlboro Man). Thick brown hair that reaches just to his collar that you can run your fingers through. Square-jawed, with high cheekbones. But that's not the best part of his face. Oh, no. The best part is his eyes, which can see right inside you and send messages that melt your panties.
Oh, and when you finally get naked with him, the sex will be off the charts. So far off they can't even describe it. Anything and everything goes.
And he wants this with ME! ME, ME ME!!!!
It's a nice fantasy, right? You betcha. And that's how I created Mackenzie (Mack) Taylor, the hero of my Toys-4-Us. I keep looking out my window, hoping he'll show up but alas! So far all I see is the crazy lady and the jackass. But if you want to get down and dirty with my imaginary neighbor, you'll have to get your copy of BOUND AND DETERMINED, just one of the seven great stories that make up the Toys-4-Us series.
Start shopping today. The links to purchase are right here on the blog. So start shopping!

Do erotic romance authors talk to themselves? About what? Toys? Positions?

2011-11-03T10:09:00.000-04:00

You wonder. Sometimes I do too!
I get in the shower, in my car, (put the top down, wind in hair, sunglasses on in south Texas sun), turn up the iPod, mutter and sing. I also cook. As in, the kitchen, knife in hand, wine glass at the ready for assistance. Then I mumble to myself.
Yes, I am a talker. I don't let too many people see me at this. Not good PR. But it is the best way to get a new story going in my head.
With this TOYS-4-US series, the story development was so easy that I flew into this story. When you have six gal pals who are TALENTED to their pedicured tippy-toes and who WORK like YEOMEN on the docks at their profession, story development for a series is less of a challenge than a Laugh Riot.
We developed and decided together on the place, the time of year, the premise of the Sex Toy Party and the set-up, so the characterization was our biggest piece to individually develop. After that, the plot centered on the conflict and its resolution.
In a short novella, I find that the conflict is the impetus of the action. It is the foundation of the dialogue and even puts a dramatic push to the great sex. (And the sex in an erotica is ALWAYS great, donchaknow. It is also such damn fun to write. But I digress.)
So for me, what I mumble to myself about for days when beginning a new story is the conflict. "Tell me what your problem is!" I yell, beseech, scream, cry to my hero and heroine. Once they answer, we are off and running to solve their mutual problems.
See me smiling. I love my job.
I love working with my six gal pals, too. They know their stuff! And have you heard: seven minds are better than one?
Read all our books and I know you will agree!
Ciao, my lovelies. Happy day to you. And go talk to yourself awhile. It clears the head.

Exposed

2011-11-02T00:01:00.023-04:00

For years before I actually started to pen my own stories, I'd watch movies and read books, figuring out the plot in suspense/thrillers long before I should have. I'd comment to friends and family, "I could write this and do a better job of it."

When I finally shut up and started writing, I discovered that this writing gig is much harder than it looks. Especially now that I'm working on an erotic horror. Talk about pressure. Horror stories have to be very descriptive and give the reader not just a clear visual but one that increases their tension, providing that whole creepy vibe. Yikes!

So many times I've stared at a pristine white Word doc and the blinking cursor thinking the damn thing was mocking me. I could hear the taunts running through my head. "Ha, you thought it would be such a peace of cake so write the next great novel already."

Once you actually get something written it's all very exciting. Sending in the book, waiting on pins and needles to find out if your editor likes your work. Then sending in the contract. On the first one, I sent it return receipt and paid extra for tracking. I stalked the USPS website anxiously wanting to make sure the publisher got this very important document. And getting an email with the cover art--indescribable. I was afraid to open it and when I did see my first book cover I cried because its so awesome and perfect for the story. Going through edits can be painful at times but tends to result in an even better book. The whole process is rather similar to giving birth then sending my baby out there into the world.

No matter what genre I write and regardless if the characters gender, all of my stories have a bit of ME in them. Sometimes there's a whole lot of me. This is where the exposure comes in. You pour your heart, blood, sweat and tears into your book, get a great cover, survive edits without taking them too personally and the big day arrives--release day. How wonderful...and absolutely terrifying!

Readers start buying your book and discovering your most personal inner thoughts, getting to hear the little voices in your head and seeing a side of you that is rarely shown. Your most private inner self. In a nutshell, you are completely exposed!

I remember the feeling very well from my first book release. It was as if I stood on a stage under bright lights before the entire world, naked and vulnerable, waiting to be judged and found lacking or deemed a brilliant success. Very exciting and scary as hell!

That feeling still comes over me every time another one of my books is released to the public, although thankfully to a lesser degree now since I have more than 30 books under my belt. But its not gone. And I find with my latest book, Good Vibrations, along with the Toys-4-Us series, my sense of exposure has increased drastically.

Why? Well, you see all those pretty book covers over there on the left side of this blog? Those are mine. All of them. I created each one, agonized over the fonts and colors, the placement of the pink bag and then waited to hear what The Sassy Seven thought of them... Holy crap did I ever do a lot of sweating!

The cover art is a very important part of a book. If it doesn't catch your attention, you'll never take the time to read the blurb. To my great relief, The Sassy Seven are all very happy with my artwork, along with the website and blog.

I hope the covers have drawn your attention to this fabulous series, tempted you to take a look at the blurbs, possibly even investigate the excerpts and buy the books. There are many choices in reading material available out there on the big wide web, if you've chosen to read the Toys-4-Us books, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and hope you enjoy the journey as much as I have!

A shout out to my dear friends--The Sassy Seven--Allie, Brenna, Cerise, Des, Reg and Sam. Thank you for abduct...er, I mean adopting me into this rather zany group. Our incredible friendship is blind to age differences, varying geographical locations and personalities. Taking this ride with you is an amazing and rich experience!

Okay, the books are out. When are we starting the next series? :D

Win Toys-4-Us

2011-11-01T08:00:00.001-04:00

To celebrate the release of Toys-4-Us, all 7 books in the series are up for grabs in the Book-A-Day giveaway at The Romance Studio today. Make sure you register for a chance to win! Good luck!

Toys-4-Us Available NOW

2011-11-01T00:31:00.013-04:00

Yay, the books are showing up online as I type this, a day early. WOOHOO! I'll update this post and add the links as they become available.

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...

2011-11-01T00:30:00.001-04:00

Okay so it's not really Christmas, but it's cold outside & I'm wide awake as I impatiently wait for my first ever self-published book to come out. Don't know how much sleep I'll get tonight. There's something so very different about putting a book out there without the safety net of a publisher behind you. It's scary, people, I mean really haunted house scary!

That said I'm just as excited as I am scared. Mostly I hope those of you buying the book will overlook any flaws you may find. Not that you will with the covers 'cause face it Nic Austin is a cover goddess! I love my cover, my website & my blog. Have I hit the lottery with friends or what? Because without these six amazing women I never would have made this journey. Thank you Nic, Brenna, Desire, Sam, Cerise & Regina for pushing me out of my comfort zone & into the big bad world of self-pub. It's been a hell of a ride & I can't wait to see what's around the bend next!

So I sincerely hope all of you will dive into this journey with us and you have as much fun reading our stories as we did writing them. To entice & tease you here's an excerpt from Slippery When Wet!

Shoving down every naughty thought, desire and impulse, Petra pasted a polite smile on her face and allowed the sex god in blue jeans to guide her to the front door. For the first time since building her home, she wished the damn sidewalk was a whole lot longer. Maybe if she could keep the flesh on flesh contact going and play a few of her naughtier fantasies all staring Roman, of course, she could build herself up to a nice quiet orgasm. How cool would that be? If it worked she'd make sure to see him once a week for a quick little cha cha pick me up.
"Is the alarm turned on?"
"Huh?" Damn she had to stop doing this. No one able to read her thoughts would ever believe her IQ hit three digits, not with the one track sex parade she had running through there.
"Alarm? Is it on?" He asked in a patient tone people generally used for the slow-witted and window lickers of the world. "You know the loud beeping thing, summons the men with guns and bright flashing lights on their cars?"
"Um yeah, I always turn it on especially if I'm going out of town." When did it get so hot outside? The Texas sun, already dipping low in the sky, felt centered on her and her alone.
A dark brow drew up at her statement. "You were out of town?"
"Yep, the big birthday bash." She didn't have to explain more. Roman would remember from those times before.
"Oh yeah Petrapoolza, how could I have forgotten? What city was lucky enough to deal with the invasion of you and your friends?"
"Hey we're not that bad and this year we actually stayed in Texas and descended on Alix's house in the Hill Country."
"She still living out there by herself?" He reached in the pocket of his faded jeans and pulled out a key ring with a large pink diamond.
Her heart leapt at the sight of it. Years ago she'd given him the key and keychain during the construction. Bright and totally girly Petra expected him to laugh and ditch the bright pink fake jewel as soon as humanly possible. Instead he'd kept it.
Tears fought to spill from her eyes. "That's so sweet," she admitted.
"It has nothing to do with being sweet and everything to do with being efficient. No way would this testosterone draining girly monstrosity ever get lost or thrown out."
Petra bit back her laughter, enjoying the teasing banter even as he used the key to open her thick oak door. "Punch in the code before we both get arrested for the use of bad puns."
Doing as he said, Petra hit the six-digit code, immediately the loud warning beeping noise stopped. Silence hung between them as did the open front door.
"Come in, the least I owe you is a beer for rescuing my damsel in distress self. And you, my friend," she pulled him in making sure the door closed tightly behind his tall form, "owe me a story. It'd better be good too since I've almost convinced myself to allow you at the barbeque pit."
He snorted out a laugh. "You're too kind and gracious." But he didn't make a run for it. Instead he followed her lead through the dark cool house into the wide-open kitchen.
Flipping on the lights she said over her shoulder, "Check out the fridge and freezer while I grab my bags from the car."
Sunglasses pushed to the top of his head, Roman gave her another dumb ass look. "Why don't you explore the empty arctic tundra you call a fridge while I grab the bags?"
Enjoying the hell out of herself Petra put her hands on her hips and tried to look intimidating, knowing she failed utterly when Roman burst out laughing. "There's stuff in there." She pointed to the large silver sub-zero machine keeping her cotton candy vodka at the perfect temperature.
"What about stuff not of the liquid variety?"
"Oh, go get my bags," she huffed out and went to yank open the door. "I'll deal with your fridge prejudice later."
"Sure thing, Petra." Looking completely at home Roman crossed the bright jewel toned marble floor, opened the door leading to the garage and walked out. "Crap, Petra, have you moved any boxes out of here since my guys left them?"
"Keep moving, nosy man. The bags and barbeque wait for no man, " she cheerfully chirped out ignoring the heavy sarcasm in his voice.
"Keep it up and I'll leave you with the garage door on strike."
"You’re one of the good guys, Roman. You'd never be able to do it. The possibility of guilt alone would keep you up at night and torment you throughout the day. Not worth it, friend."
He didn't reply, but she hadn't really expected him to. A man on a mission Roman wouldn't stop or be deterred until her garage door worked liked new and he fed her. Too bad the sexy, but infuriating, man was right on one point. She really didn't have anything in her fridge but liquids and ice cream.
"And that's why the good Lord gave us delivery people." Reaching for her ever-present phone Petra opened the app for her favorite pizza restaurant and placed the order before Roman even made it back from the car.
"Hey, what's taking forever, long, tall and sexy? It's not like I packed for a cruise or anything." Quickly she ran over the contents of the cargo area in the back of her SUV. Two bright orange suitcases, computer case, make-up case and her pink satin bag.
"Oh shit! Wait, Roman!" Petra slammed the thick refrigerator door shut and raced across the kitchen, hoping like hell she could stop him.
The heavy sinking sensation in her stomach warned her she was too late. Roman had used the side door off the garage and as she raced to follow him Petra stopped short right as the garage ended.
Roman stood at the back of her green SUV, cargo door wide open, two suitcases at his feet, her vintage looking laptop case slung over his shoulder and something in his hands she couldn't see, but he couldn't seem to take his eyes off.
"Shit," she whispered shifting from foot to foot all the while wondering what to do next. The mature thing to do would be to walk up and laugh it off, but too bad Petra wasn't feeling very mature at the moment.
Nope, her only option would be to play stupid and ignore the bright pink elephant sitting on her chest. Slowly and desperate to draw no attention to her cowardly self Petra backed up and retraced her steps back into the kitchen.
"Shit, shit, shit, shitty, shit!" Desperate to smack some sense back into her brain, but not wanting to draw Roman's attention to a bright swollen red knot on her head, she dismissed the idea of introducing her forehead to the marble counter.
"Petra?" Low and husky his voice still managed to reach all her naughty parts even in the midst of a full blow panic/freak attack.
"Um...yes?"
"Is there something you want to tell me?"
Even knowing he wanted her to turn around Petra refused keeping her gaze glued to the pretty swirled countertop. "Not that I'm aware of. So you want a beer?"
"No, darlin’, I want to know about this. And why you won't look at me?" The man must be part cat because he moved as quickly and quietly as one. Before she could laugh at him and brush the accusations away his hot broad chest brushed against her back.
"Nothing...to..ah...tell." Was she panting? Did drool really drip down her chin? Why oh why didn't she live somewhere with at least the chance of an earthquake? She'd love nothing better than to have the ground open up and swallow her whole. A little death would take away the horrible embarrassment heating her cheeks.
Before she could offer a prayer to Hades a shiny pink satin bag appeared in front of her innocently dangling from a long tanned finger.
"Sure you have nothing to say?"

Time for a Wet Ride!

2011-10-31T13:51:00.001-04:00

Emily pulled into the driveway of her new home and nearly rear-ended a paneled truck parked in front of the garage. Slamming on the brakes, she leaned forward to stare out of the windshield at the intruding vehicle. It clearly belonged to a workman of some sort. She strained her memory to figure out what was going on. Then she remembered. Her decorator, Sue, had said the contractor hired to redo her master bathroom was scheduled to start work today. Not that she had met the man. She had hired Sue to sketch out plans for the renovations, help her pick tile and fixtures and hire the best person for the job. With her work schedule as hectic as it was, Emily had no time to see to the details herself. Better to pay someone else to do it. She turned off the engine and lugged her briefcase out of the car.

As she walked to the front door, she saw the side of the truck said “Brandt and Son, General Contractors.” She hefted her bag higher on her shoulder and rolled her eyes as she opened the front door. She figured she was in for a whole lot of country music and butt cracks for the next few days. She called out as soon as she entered the spacious ranch house she had bought.

“Hello?” It felt funny warning someone she was coming into her own home, but she could hear the sounds coming from the back where her bedroom and bath were located. The last thing she wanted to do was startle Mr. Brandt or his son into shooting a nail through his hand.

“Hello, I’m home!” she called again and dumping her bag in the living room, continued down the hall. She walked through the bedroom and poked her head into the doorway of her soon to be new master bath. Already the expanded room had been roughed out. She could see where the double sinks and counter were going in. Beyond that was the space where her super colossal shower would be encased in wavy glass. With Sue’s help, she was creating her own personal grotto, a refuge from the rat race she lived and worked in. The thought of standing between the multi-headed jet panels, being bombarded with hot water, made her body shiver with delight. Too bad she’d be hanging out there alone, but she wasn’t going to go there.

A sound caught her attention. She peeked around to the right and saw the soles of a beat up pair of work boots attached to folded legs encased in worn jeans. Looking farther up, she saw a small, tight ass, a tool belt and a worn black t-shirt molded to a muscular back. Thick arms moved squares of tile into place in the corner of the shower’s floor. A man was measuring and gauging their placement. Shaggy dark hair outlined an angular face with tanned skin and a straight nose.

Seeing him caused her body to still. Her eyes fixed on him, her heart did a quick tango. Her body, already a bit warm from her short time in the Texas sun, flushed with heat. Her skin slicked with perspiration. She stood staring at his hands, watching how they placed the tile, made them move this way and that. He stared at them, studied them and contemplated their placement. All she could think was she wanted to be that tile. She wanted his strong hands on her body, posing her, holding her in place, commanding her.

She must have made some kind of noise because he turned abruptly and stared back at her. For long seconds, neither of them said anything, their gazes locked as if in a contest of wills. He was the first to crack.

“Oh, hey, you must be Ms. Driscoll.” He stood up and wiped his hands against the front of his thighs. “Sorry, I didn’t hear you come in.”

“I saw your truck so I called out,” she said not really paying attention to her own words. Her eyes followed the movement of his hands. Now that he was standing, she could see he was tall and lean. She swallowed hard and forced her eyes up to his face. “Where’s your son?” she asked rather inanely.

The man’s eyebrows shot up. “My son?”

“Brandt and Son. It says it on your truck.”

His face lit up with a smile. It transformed him from merely handsome to downright gorgeous. “Oh, right. I’m the son. My father retired a few years ago and it seemed pointless to change the name of the company. Besides, I may have a son one day who joins me in the business.”

“Or a daughter,” she replied in a knee-jerk reaction. She had fought her whole career against the notion she was in the wrong place as a woman.

He grinned again. “Or a daughter.” Running his hand through his hair, he added, “Of course, then I would have to change the name. I’m Kevin Brandt, by the way.” He held up his dirty hands. “Best not to shake.”

“I’m Emily Driscoll.” And she was damn glad to have an excuse not to shake. Just looking at this man had her hot and bothered. Touching him would probably cause her to burst into flames.

Kevin’s body tightened as he stared back at his new client. When the decorator had described Emily Driscoll as a hard-as-nails business woman from up north, he’d pictured buttoned down, prim and plain. Two-thirds of his speculation was spot on. The woman was encased in a pant suit and a plain white blouse with a high collar. It was the kind of clothes that said “don’t touch” but man, was he itching to do just that. This northern gal was anything but plain. Her clothing did nothing to hide the luscious curves underneath. And her face was arresting. Pale and oval-shaped with surprising brown eyes considering her blond hair, it was the kind of face one could picture on a water nymph.

Christ, he was getting fanciful. It wasn’t like him. He was a straight-forward, take-charge, kind of guy. He liked his women to be open and honest. He also wanted them submissive and trusting in bed. His right hand opened and closed on an imaginary flogger because this woman inspired the Dom in him. He had been in the lifestyle since his early twenties and had gained a lot of experience as a top. He enjoyed it as did the lovely women who submitted to him. But lately things had gone stale for him. He wanted more, although he hadn’t realized what that more was until now. The woman standing in front of him was clearly strong and competent. Hell, no one got to be a big time executive without being determined and commanding. And that was the appeal. What would it be like to control such power, to have a strong woman submit to his will?

He was dying to find out.

Ready for a little Private Showing?

2011-10-30T01:33:00.003-04:00

Private Showing and the other six books from the Toys-4-Us series are due out in only two more days. I can't begin to tell you how excited I am about having Gianna and Colin's story out for you to enjoy.

To wet your appetite a little before Tuesday, here's a sneak peek from my story. Please note, this excerpt contains adult material and is intended only for those 18 years old and older.

"What are you doing?" The pink flush on her cheeks deepened as she gasped for air. Sparks glittered in her velvet eyes. "This," she started but reconsidered her words. "We won't end well. Believe me. I care too much for you to hurt you."

Her unexpected confession surprised Colin but bolstered his resolve. "Just give me tonight," he growled in frustration.

"Colin, even if we give in for only one night, we'll make things complicated between us." She looked down and sighed. "I don't have the time for complications. You just have to understand that."

"I do understand, lass." He reached for her hand, drawing her back to him, and then held her close. "After tonight, no complications. As you Americans like to say, ‘scouts' honor.’"

For now.

Breathing in her scent of jasmine and pressing into her soft curves crumbled the reservoir of restraint he'd maintained since first meeting the tempting siren. Lust, jagged and rough, surged through his system like sandpaper, making each nerve ending raw and sensitive.

Unable to reign in his primitive need, Colin crushed his mouth against hers. He coaxed open her lips and brushed his tongue along the inside of her sweet mouth, wishing he could taste more—needing to be closer to her. His lips still locked with hers, he guided her backward until her feet bumped the glass of the great room's window.

Though he expected more resistance, Gianna didn't try to pull away. Instead, she melted into his embrace, the weight of her body slowly giving way to his hold. A moan escaped when her tongue met his and ran down its side, then plunged back again, striking with a fervor he never imagined she possessed. She tilted her lower body against him and rotated her hips in slow circles. With each gyration, her short skirt inched higher, her long bare legs becoming another tease.

Sliding his hand down, he placed his palm beneath her knee and lifted her leg. To his delight, she ground her cunt against the solid length of his thigh. His jeans offered no protection from the moist heat her pussy generated. His dick leapt to life, only to be agonizingly held down by a layer of underwear and denim.

Gianna broke the kiss, but not before biting his bottom lip.

Colin's breath came out as a ragged hiss at the pleasurable pain. "So it's like that, is it?"

"Let's just call it fair warning." She placed her foot on the floor and leaned back against the window, her red mouth slightly swollen. "I'm serious when I tell you this can't end well. Even if we give in for just this night."

"I think I'll take my chances." He ran his free hand up her shoulder then behind her neck, allowing his fingers to tangle in the ebony locks flowing down her back. He grabbed hold of the silken strands and gently pulled.

Heat burned in the embers of her dark brown eyes, and a sly smile curved the corners of her mouth. "I'll give you an hour to stop that. If you're a really bad boy, I'll make it three."

Ready for a little Whiz Bang?

2011-10-29T09:47:00.000-04:00

YAY!!!!! The Toys 4 Us series (by me, Desiree Holt, Cerise Deland, Nicole Austin, Brenna Zinn, Samanth Cayto and Allie Standifer) drop TUESDAY. Can't tell you how excited we are to see this naughty set of stories launched into the world. Kind of like giving birth, ya know. Exciting, new and fun...and unlike childbirth, no pain is involved. We have soooo enjoyed taking this journey toward publication together.

In Whiz Bang, Hannah West sees life passing her by and decides (after prodding by the other members of the Sassy Seven) to get out there and finally have some naughty fun. Here's a little excerpt of what you can expect from this story. Hope you like it!

Whiz Bang (adult excerpt)
Hannah climbed into bed loving the cool feel of lavender-scented sheets against her skin. The room was semi-dark and now only spinning slightly but finally she sat up and dragged the Toys 4 Us sack closer. Reaching inside to explore the stash, she pulled out one of the assorted vibrators, this one a neon purple with glittery stuff sparkling everywhere. Nope, the damn thing didn’t at all resemble a real cock, but in the dark, who really cared? Hannah thumbed the rubbery tip and grinned as she reached into the drawer of the nightstand to pull out a couple of extra large batteries. Unscrewing the end of her new ‘joy toy’, she dropped and twisted the bits into place, and before she could blink, a low hum broke the quiet tranquility.
Hmmm. Battery-operated pleasure sounded mighty attractive at the moment, but what she wouldn’t give to not be alone while climbing to the heights of ecstasy. Fact was, she was damn sick of every aspect of her ‘aloneness’. Aside from her gal pals, work, and her adoration of best friend, Sean O’Brien, she was pretty much on her own. The truth was undeniable. It just sucked to be her right now.
Sean.
Damn it. She would have to think of him while clutching a handful of plastic pleasure. Instantly, his image formed in her mind. Tall, lean, and muscular in all the right places—her only male friend— was well over six feet of studly, yummy-goodness, and firmly off limits. Despite her bone-deep longing for him, they’d been solidly planted in the friend zone since their accidental meeting several years ago. Just like every other living, breathing woman, she’d been instantly attracted to his charm, his dark good looks, and the warm smile that drew others to him with an ease that was breathtaking. From their very first introduction she’d known there could only be friendship between them. She was a practical woman, after all. Hannah was the girl-next-door and fairly nauseating in her wholesomeness from all accounts. Not a damn thing exciting about her, she figured. In direct counterpoint, the women he normally dated were downright gorgeous, long-stemmed beauties who never seemed to have a hair out of place. They possessed a sophistication that she’d never have and would sure as hell know what to do with a big bag of sex toys.
Frustrated, she blew out a breath, hiccupped, and set the ‘purple pleasure’ vibrator on top of her bare belly as memories of past relationships rolled through her mind. A few had been serious until more sexually adventurous women had entered onto the scene. Hannah was a total cliché…lied to and cheated on. These days she had no illusions. Men wanted excitement and perfection, and it was time she faced the fact that she was pretty damn boring. Nearly every man she’d ever dated had left her feeling that way. Over the years her self-esteem had taken a beating, leaving her with an inability to trust either the men in her life or her own intuition.
The phone on her nightstand pinged out a little song, and squinting, she reached for it to gaze blearily at the name flashing across the screen.
Speak of the devil.
Flutters beat through her belly, zeroing down to her pussy, and her nipples tightened when air from the overhead ceiling fan brushed her skin. The image of Sean’s lips closing over that puckered flesh sent a shiver racing over her nearly naked body. Slamming her eyes shut, she tried to focus on the fact that Sean was a friend and that was all he ever would be.
Rolling to her side among the sheets, she settled the vibrator against her belly and cradled the phone to her ear as she answered.
“Hey gorgeous.” Sean’s voice rolled low and sexy into her ear. “How’d everything go with the Sassy Seven tonight?”
“It’s after three. Checking up on me?”
“Hell yeah. Someone has to do it. How much have you had to drink?”
“Ummm. Too much. That chocolate wine has a nice little kick to it.” She hiccupped again and buried the side of her face against the pillow. “Shoot. The room is spinning.”
Sean went quiet for a moment. When he finally spoke there was a slight edge to his voice. “You didn’t drive, did you? Why didn’t you call me?”
“Not a stupid bone in my body and you know it, buster. Took a cab and I’ve just poured my drunken ass into bed.”
“In bed, huh? You could have called me.”
“Silly man. You were working tonight. How was business at Crazy Charlie’s?” Sean owned a popular bar on San Antonio’s famous River Walk and worked amazingly long hours. He’d opened the place a few years ago and aptly named the hot spot in honor of his dad who’d passed on when Sean was still in college. It was his tribute to his father and only made her love him all the more.
Love?
Well, yeah. Love.
“You’re changing the subject, darlin’.”
Lordy! She loved when he called her darlin’ in that slow, Texas drawl. Pleasure whipped over her flesh. “Nah, not me.” She hiccupped again. Her face heated.
“You really did have a lot to drink. I swear those women are a bad influence on you.”
“That’s what I keep telling them. It was Petra’s birthday. We had to party. I was fine with the choco wine, but then I switched to chocolate vodka. Blame Gianna! She brought that shit. Mmm. Good stuff.”
Sean’s laughter rolled low into her ear. “Sounds like it. You’re gonna feel mighty bad come morning.”
Hannah groaned and closed her eyes as the beginnings of a headache thrummed through her brain. “Mmm. That’s what I figure. Gah, what a dumbass, but it was worth it.”
“Fun huh? Wish I could’ve been there.”
“Nope. This was girl stuff. Far, far removed from ‘man world’. We had a sex-toy party.”
Quiet fell and a small series of sounds told Hannah that Sean was, like herself, in bed. Oh the images that conjured.
He cleared his throat. “Say that again.”
Ooh. What was that new edge to his voice? Something raw. Something primal infused it and her lonely pussy responded, prompting her to press her thighs tightly together. “Sex toys. Hey, how’s your mom? Haven’t talked to her in ages.”
“Hannah. She’s fine and you’re changing the subject again.”
“Oh yeah. Sorry. Um, yes, we had a sex-toy party.”
“Did you buy something?”
“I can’t say.”
“Hannah?”
“Umm. Okay. Okay I did but I blame the liquor. I blame Alix who kept saying…ooh look at this. Ooh this looks like fun. Jeez. She was relentless. And then there was that cream stuff.”
Sean’s voice, if possible, dropped another octave. “Cream stuff?”
“Shit. I’m drunk. Seeeean, don’t make me.”
“Come on, sweetheart, tell me about the cream.”
Hannah slammed her eyes shut. Her pussy was feeling mighty creamy right now, come to think of it. “Umm. It’s this stuff.”
“Stuff? Come on now, don’t leave me hanging.”
“It’s…um…a clit stimulator.”
Sean groaned.
Uh oh.
“Did you try it?”
Hannah had never heard Sean’s voice achieve such a deep, heavy timber. She’d imagined it many times. Oh, yes she had, but heaven help her, the imaginings were nothing, nothing like the reality. A shiver swept her, and without thinking, she reached down for the vibrator and trailed her thumb over the big purple head. She and Sean had talked about a million different things over the years but never sex. Her pussy fairly quivered with the need to throw caution to the wind. She wanted to turn that damn vibrator on and slide it deep inside her vagina. What the hell was wrong with her?
“I shouldn’t be talking to you about this.”
“Yes, you should and if you don’t tell me now, I’m walking the two blocks to your house and knocking the door down.”
“Okay. Okay. Whew. Cool your jets.”
“Tell me, Hannah. About the cream. The clit stimulator.”
“I have to?”
“You know it.”
“Well, um, it’s this stuff you put on your, um…”
“Clit. Say it.”
“Clit.” Hannah wasn’t a woman who used sexual language freely unless she was with her girls. With Sean? Oh my. “Caitlyn, Sara, and Emily took turns trying the stuff out.”
“They had samples. Shit.”
Hannah rushed onward, hoping if she spit out the story quickly enough they could move on to safer topics. She rolled her eyes. Who was she kidding? She wanted Sean like her next breath. She’d dreamed of talking sex with her ultimate fantasy guy. Should she pinch herself? “Petra and Alix did it next, and then shoved the tube into my hand. I swear their eyes were bugging out so I just knew there had to be something to this stuff.”
“Details, darlin’. What did you do?”
Hannah paused. Truth to tell the little dab she’d applied to her clit earlier was still tingling over her flesh. She couldn’t tell him that. “We took turns going into the bathroom to try it.”
“That’s not what I want to know. How did it feel?”
“Tingly.”
“Can you still feel it?”
“God, Sean! I can’t talk to you about this.”
“Yes you can. Tell me.”
An edgy demand rang in his voice, and Hannah swore her clit throbbed in response. It was on the tip of her tongue to ask something trite like “what are you wearing?” But she stopped herself just in time. Damn if she didn’t know where this was heading.
Jumping onto the rollercoaster, Hannah gathered her courage, fought her misgivings, and mentally fastened her seatbelt.
“Yes,” she whispered.
“Yes what, honey?”
“I can feel it. Still.”
“Describe it to me. God woman, you’re killin’ me.”
Hannah knew they shouldn’t do this. They were friends but, oh boy, did she ever want to be more than casual with this sexy man. She could argue with herself until the end of time but facts were facts. She wanted him. Tonight she’d give in and take what little bit she could and tomorrow she would blame it on the alcohol. Jeez. Pathetic.
“Sean?”
“Hmm?”
“What are you wearing?”

The History of Sex Toys

2011-10-28T10:58:00.001-04:00

On November 1 the series, Toys-4-Us will launch. If you’ve been following the blog and the postings, you know it’s a series based around the women who attend a sex toys party. Toys are featured in a lot of erotic romance stories and there are certainly more than enough places to buy them. But did you ever wonder about the origin of sex toys? Since we’re writing about them I thought I’d do a little research.

Adult toys have been around since the tenth century, if not before. In ancient Greece and Rome, dildos were carved out of everything they could get their hands on from wood, glass, leather, gold, silver, and even animal horns. In China during the Ming Dynasty between 1368 and 1644, penis rings were made out of jade and ivory and in Japan the first Ben-War Balls were made out of lead and mercury.

In 1949 Alfred Kinsey reported that 20% of women used some kind of object for sexual insertion: cucumbers, bananas, candles, and so on. Anything you use at home to enhance your lovemaking is a sex toy. Whether it's a scarf to blindfold or restrain your lover with, an ice-cube to rub on the inside of your lover's thigh, some whipped cream on the nipples, or a spatula for a little light spanking.

The great explosion for the sex industry came in the sexual revolution of the 1960's, but most dildos were too hard and made of materials such as metal and hard plastic. By the 1980's sex toy technology produced new softer plastics.

Today you can get sex toys made out of realistic jelly rubber, silicone and elastomer, a hypoallergenic material most suitable for people with allergic reactions or chemical sensitivities. And I’ll never look at olive oil the same way again. Used to be, it was what it was … a healthful, diverse product squeezed from the delicious olive to enhance our food and keep our garlic from sticking to the pan. Diverse indeed. In researching the history of sex toys, I found that since around 350 B.C., cooking with this slippery fruit juice doesn’t happen only in the kitchen. Our ancestors were making whoopee wilder with olive oil lube. Mmmm! It was quite a clever idea, really, and after all, KY Jelly wouldn’t come along until 1927, and even then it was sold only to doctors until 1980.

Did you know you can take courses online in the use of sex toys, at, of all things, Loveology University? Buy instructional videos? Watch instructional videos on YouTube?

And get the really intimate details about them in the seven stories that make up the Toys-4-Us series. Watch for the launch November 1 at Amazon, All Romance eBooks and Smashwords.

EXCERPT from A LONG TIME COMIN'

2011-10-27T00:08:00.001-04:00

You can certainly have great sex without toys, but for this group of women, the idea of using them brings out new aspects of their individual characters. And that's why this series is so intriguing to me...and I think it will be to you, too!

In A LONG TIME COMIN', we watch two people grow and change, deal with their lives in new ways.

The set up?

A sex toy party with her six sassy gal pals? Caitlyn Hagerty is IN! Getting that tingly feeling just looking at the goodies, Cait buys four and screws up her courage to commit to one dynamite plan. She’ll show them to the only man in her life she gets all hot and wet for–and who has no idea he’s the one man she’s craved for too damn long. When Delta Force hunk John Ramos flies home on R&R, Cait promises herself to seduce Ram–or cut him from her life forever.

Ram spots the risque items on Cait’s bed and realizes his claim of her voluptuous body has been too long comin’. It’s time to treat her right. Fess up to what he’s wanted all these years. Take Cait into his chaotic life–for one wild night.

And if she wants more?

She has to know that time is not on their side. Right?

Here's your nibble of my newest cherry:

Two reasons why you must tempt John Ramos to be your lover? Quick! Remember those? Come on, woman!

Fidgeting, Caitlyn Hagerty spied Ram at the top of the escalator in the arrival terminal at San Antonio Airport and her heart skipped a beat. Two reasons, Cait! You know them. The first is no one else makes your heart melt and…

Ram grinned at her as he drew closer and Cait felt the punch in her gut that she always did when she first saw him on arrival home. Though he never declared it outright she knew he was Army, Delta Force, super-duper secret soldier, here today, gone tomorrow. But no matter what he was in his professional life, he remained her childhood friend and over the past few years, she had fallen crazy in love with him. Who knew when. She knew why though she’d never told him, never tried. Courage fled every time she began.

But not tonight.

She waved at him, eager to get her seduction of him started.

Are you nuts, girl?

No. Absolutely not. Her eyes scanned his massive terminator body and her own flooded with wet desire. He was a sight for her hungry eyes. Big, bold and confidant, Ram was an appropriate nickname for a man who dominated any room and always got what he wanted. Tonight, unlike his last R&R, he looked less like a skinhead gladiator and more like a scrumptious businessman whose hobby was bodybuilding. He had grown his black hair out so that it curled at his nape. He wore civilian clothes, too. Charcoal grey trousers, a crisp white shirt sans tie and a tailored black blazer that fit his broad shoulders like a caress.

And that is why, Cait, you can’t wait any longer to show him how you feel. That’s why you pledged to your gal pals, the Sassy Seven, that the next time Ram came home on leave you would strap on your cojones and tell him you wanted his toned bod in your bed!

"Because I cannot go on like this!” Finding no other man I want more has been a bitch! “And my friends are right. I’ll use the sex toys and seduce the man!"

Next to her, a woman who waited for another traveler raised a brow at her, then quickly stepped away.

Okay. So now I act a little loco.

Cait shoved her hands in her trouser pockets as she forced herself to meet the laughing, onyx gaze of the incredible hunk who rode down the escalator toward her. And lord, she couldn't help how her blood beat in her veins and how her pussy got all tingly just looking at the man who bounded down the last few steps, hauled her up in his arms and swung her around.

His lips, hot and firm, were on her ear, her cheek and, ever so briefly, on her own. "Caitlyn, you are a sight for sore eyes. How are you, honey?"

"Great. Now that you're here." She'd promised herself to be blunt with him this visit. No diplomacy. No hesitancy. No chummy Cait, best friend of his youngest sister. Just crazy-in-love-with-him woman. "And gee, do you look like hell!"

"This leave couldn't come soon enough for me." His two big hands pressed her against him so hard, Cait got pictures in her mind of how fierce he'd be in bed. Her channel gushed in hot, juicy need. "I had to see you."

November 1 all of the stories in the wonderful series debut! Get them for 99 cents only until December 1!

Excerpt - Good Vibrations

2011-10-26T00:01:00.004-04:00

Only 6 more days...WOOHOO! I'm so excited that I can't sleep.

Here's an excerpt from the hero, Jack Taylor's point of view. Enjoy!

Note: Nicole Austin's books are intended for those readers 18 years old or older.

Leaning casually against the wall, legs crossed at the ankles and thumbs hooked through his belt loops, Jack Taylor gave the outward appearance of relaxed calm. His restless agitation remained bottled up inside, where he paced like a caged lion. For him the crowded, noisy airport didn’t exist. All he saw and heard were his turbulent thoughts churning in an endless loop, always coming back to the same point.

Sara bought sex toys.

A suitcase full of sex toys.

“I bought flavored lube, arousal cream, a bullet, an egg, a rabbit, a dual penetrator, a glass dildo and a vibrating cock ring. Oh, and nipple clamps—can’t forget them.”

No, he couldn’t—wouldn’t—forget them. In fact, he had no trouble picturing them compressing Sara’s swollen nipples into diamond-hard points.

Was she finally ready to get on with her life? Leave Richard “the Dick” Pembroke in the past and live again? Have sex again?

Jack had waited so damn long, been as patient as a saint. Was his suffering at an end?

In his mind, if Sara wanted to have sex, there was only one conceivable conclusion. She’d be having sex with him. There were no other options, because hell if he’d let her turn to someone else. No fucking way. Sara would be his and his alone.

Yeah, and what if she has other ideas?

Too bad.

She’d have to change them. End of story. Jack intended to spend days, if not weeks, exploring Sara’s gorgeous body, showing her how to use each and every one of those toys to achieve more pleasure than she’d ever imagined. Until they were so exhausted and sated they couldn’t move. And then he’d start all over again.

He’d leave no room for doubt or misunderstanding. Sara belonged with him and Jack intended to hold on tight with both hands. For the rest of their lives. But with Sara he’d have to move slowly, use every ounce of patience, ease her into a relationship.

From the first moment they’d met…was it eight years ago?…while working together on a charity project, the two of them had been casual friends. That friendship had grown and over the past few years they’d become as thick as thieves. They clicked, like pieces of a puzzle fitting together smooth and seamless. Their personalities were a good fit, and they shared many similar interests. Yet regardless of how close they’d become, Sara had kept quiet about her marriage.

Her ex resented their friendship and had done his best to keep them apart. Jack gritted his teeth thinking of how Richard Pembroke had harassed Sara since the divorce, acting as if he had a say in what she did and with whom. If Sara didn’t put an end to it soon, Jack would. Someone had to stand up to the dickhead, and Jack was the perfect man for the job. He would have done so already, but confrontation upset her. She had enough stress without him adding to it.

Clipped to his belt, his cell phone vibrated. Grabbing it, he glanced at a text from Sara.

Landed. Getting on shuttle.

His spine stiffened and his heart beat faster as Jack’s focus locked on the escalator delivering passengers to the baggage claim area. Agonizing minutes and hundreds of people later, a familiar pair of kick-ass black leather boots with metal heels and draped in thin chains came into view, followed by the most spectacular pair of long, toned and tanned legs.

A smile curved along his lips as he recalled Sara’s excitement when she’d special ordered the New Rock boots from Spain. The two-month wait for them to be handmade had driven her nuts. When the company emailed the tracking number, she stalked the shipper’s website. On delivery day she’d lain in wait for the poor delivery guy who had no idea what was coming. In her desperation to get her hands on the boots she practically tackled him on her front lawn.

Regardless of the summertime Florida heat, she wore those damn boots almost every day for a month. At least now the fall weather made them a bit more practical.

She had on cutoff denim shorts, and the red tee shirt from a barbeque joint that claimed to serve “Tender butts and sweet racks” molded to her pert breasts. Hell, she needed a shirt warning of dangerous curves ahead because there wasn’t a red-blooded man alive who wouldn’t kill to get his hands on the sexy bombshell.

Her shoulder-length honey-blonde hair was in its typical state of wavy disarray. And wouldn’t you know it; her mouth ran a mile a minute, talking with a man who crowded into her personal space on the narrow escalator.

Jack straightened, body going stiff as he stepped away from the wall. He scowled as the interloper handed Sara a business card that he’d likely scrawled his number on. He watched as she carelessly shoved it into her front pocket and considered how difficult it would be to accidentally-on-purpose help her lose the little slip of paper.

But the guy didn’t stand a chance. As soon as her boots hit the tile floor, Sara’s gaze swept the area, lasering in on Jack. Biting her lip, she held back for the space of several heartbeats, giving him a thorough once-over. Then, with a loud squeal, she dropped her carry-on and ran the remaining distance, launching herself into his wide-open arms.

Holding Sara’s lithe body plastered against his, Jack buried his nose in her hair, drinking in the familiar scents of sunshine, cinnamon and woman while spinning her around in circles.

“It’s so good to be home,” she breathed against his neck.

Heedless of the crowd moving around them, they held each other tight until Jack reluctantly set Sara back on her feet. Keeping one arm wrapped possessively around her waist, he guided her over to the discarded suitcase. She didn’t notice his deft fingers plucking the card from her pocket and dropping it in a trash can.

“Come on, sweetness. Let’s get out of here.” He squeezed her hip and bent to whisper in her ear, “We’ve got a lot to talk about.”

All seven books in the Toys-4-Us series will be available November 1st...YAY!

The Wet Truth

2011-10-25T00:01:00.006-04:00

35% of all home accidents happen in the shower.
As accident prone as I am somehow I can picture this happening to me. I guess it's why the tub toys industry is such a growing business. You can buy pretty much anything you want for a little one on one play in the shower. Need a foot rest? No problem you can buy a suction mounted one guaranteed to withstand up to 300lbs. What to do with you hands since wet tile leaves little to grasp onto? Why buy a suction hand bar. For those of you wanting to get your freak on while playing hide the soap? There are black water proof handcuffs to be tied up with for those of you with a naughty streak. Those are only a few examples of some of the fun things out there to spice up your sex like or make those solo sojourns a little more interesting. You'll be squeaky clean and feeling relaxed just in time for bed.

In Slippery When Wet I mentioned only a few toys because to bring in too many would leave me & you confused. However there's a great sponge with a small vibrator inside perfect for a little rub-a-dub-dub. Not to mention getting all those hard to reach places with just the right amount of...stimulation.

Peta Brandt is a woman happily alone and satisfied with her life. A pink satin bag of toys is guaranteed to keep her satisfied too. Until Roman pops back into her life after two years and shows her how much more fun toys can be when shared.

November 1st is coming up fast. I hope all of you are ready for the ride of your lives with Toys-4-Us and the Sassy Seven. I promise we'll leave you looking at your bathroom in a whole new light!

Kudos,
Allie

From Domme to Submissive

2011-10-24T08:57:00.001-04:00

When Allie suggested all of us do this writing venture, I sat down to consider what kind of story I wanted to write involving sex toys. Normally my stories come knocking on my brain of their own volition, so this was different for me. It was hard to pick just a few toys because there are so many choices and I do enjoy a fairly large array of them myself. It was no surprise to me (or any of the others I imagine) that I picked BDSM ones. Most of my friends know how much I love my black and red suede flogger hand-made in Germany!

But then I wanted to do something out of my comfort zone. It would have been easier to write a story in which a strong, commanding woman uses her flogger and handcuffs on an alpha male. I’ve done that already with Mistress Mine. Every one of my heroines is a little bit me. I always put myself into my stories to get the woman’s POV down the way I want it. So writing about a Domme – easy. That’s me. Writing about a strong woman whose secret fantasy is to be dominated – hard!

I really had to sit with this idea for a long time. I tried to imagine what it would feel like to put myself in the control of a man. Long ago, I tried experimenting with my husband and found out pretty quickly that I don’t like being restrained. As for pain? Causing it, yes. Receiving it, no. In other words, I make a lousy switch. I understand the psychology behind being submissive, though, so I went with that. Some people who are in stressful jobs with a lot of responsibility really relish the release of someone else making the decisions and find pain soothing. It transports them to another place, to subspace. It’s a place I’ve never been, but I hear it’s wonderful!

I wasn’t sure, honestly, whether I could get into a submissive woman character. But as the story progressed, I found I empathized with Emily. I can appreciate how her new relationship with Kevin relieves the pressure she is under. It did take some effort, though, for me to put her further into the submissive role. I think it’s something she will come to more as their relationship continues. Maybe I’ll revisit them sometime in the future and see how they’re doing.

Sharing how I get my freak on

2011-10-23T00:01:00.006-04:00

What inspired the story behind Private Showing? Telling you would share a deep, personal secret that I've harbored since hitting the legal age of consent. This is the kind of secret that could destroy me. Make me the butt end of jokes. Seriously damage my most excellent reputation.

But seeing as how we're friends and all, I guess I can spill the beans just this one time. You won't tell anyone, right?

I love Scottish men.

This isn't some passing fancy. Oh, Hell no. This is a love so strong and powerful that I become spellbound when I hear a Scottish lilt or happen to see a man wearing a kilt. Seriously. This obsession is so bad that my husband has given me a free pass at any man who is from Scotland. He gets a free pass with Jennifer Anniston. I figure we're just about even here.

So welcome Colin Macpherson, the hero of Private Showing. The only thing I didn't do was write him as wearing a kilt. I know, I know. That sucks. Sorry everyone. But there just aren't that many Scots in San Antonio (the location of the story) walking around in their kilt. It's a sin really, don't you think? By the way, the photo I used is copyrighted by Richard Findlay, all rights belong to him. Thanks Richard! Not only did you get a great pic of a hot Scot in a kilt, you happened to find the Scot who inspired my book's hero.

The other inspirations for the book came from loads of different places. My heroine, Gianna Romero, was inspired by the toy consultant from the Alliepaloosa party. Our consultant was a beautiful woman who had such exotic looks, I just HAD to somehow get her into my story. Plus, with my heroine as the toy consultant for the Toys-4-Us series, my book could incorporate just about any damned sex toy, lube, gizmo, and gadget I could dream of. I'm no dummy.

If you want to find out just what toys Gianna and Colin got to play with, you've only a few more days to wait.

Yes, I know. I'm excited too!

Brenna

Toys and Lemondrops

2011-10-22T12:57:00.001-04:00

As everyone knows by now, a group of us (great friends all) got together to write a series of seven books called Toys 4 Us which releases November 1. Though each story can be read as a stand alone book, they share the use of adult toys within the storylines.Most of you also know that we concocted this series idea after a raucous sex toy party at Desiree's house during a weekend get together. Many of us have attended these parties in the past, and normally they are great fun.

My first 'toy' party attendance happened several years ago. I honestly didn't know what to expect because, like many toy-shoppers, I bought battery-operated-fun on line. But when a friend called me up and invited me to one of these, I couldn't say no. Admittedly, I was curious. She also knew that I wrote erotic books and gleefully provided me the chance to have a little booksigning during the get-together. How could I say no?

That December night, I gathered with about a dozen other women and the Lemondrops and Margaritas flowed until, without inhibition, a group of strangers became fast friends as we examined adult toys that whirred, hummed and buzzed. We checked out assorted creams and lotions along with toys for not only women, but the fellas too. Oh, and need I say that I sold all my books? Yes, erotic romances and toy parties go together like peanut butter and jelly. It was a night of female bonding, laughter and Lemondrops. Lots of lemondrops.

Whiz Bang (dropping on Nov. 1) is my favorite kind of story to write. Who doesn't love that moment when friends choose to take a risk and become lovers? Hannah West, one of the sassy seven, has had her share of hard knocks when it comes to men and deep in her heart has always wanted her sexy neighbor, Sean O'Brien. They've been great friends for several years but dare she take things to the next level? Maybe a pink satin bag full of sexy tricks is just what she needs to not only conquer her fears but add a little Whiz Bang to her life.

Blurb:

Hannah West needs some whiz bang, baby. And after attending a raucous sex-toys party with her best buds, the Sassy Seven, she aims to fulfill that urge. If it means hunting down a man or two to experiment with battery-operated pleasure, then so be it.
Tired of boring, ho-hum and downright pitiful, she plans her escape to an exotic and highly erotic locale. But nothing eases her desire for the one man she can never have, her off-limits best friend.
Hannah wants a little whiz bang? With a complete stranger? Or strangers? The thought makes Sean want to cuss. Oh hell no! He’s wanted sexy Hannah for years. No way is he letting some stranger put his hands on the lush brunette. If she wants excitement and plastic pleasure, he’ll deliver the goods…and more. On the bed, against the wall, in the shower. Sean aims to show Hannah that best friends can make the very best lovers.

So where did Alix and Mack come from?

2011-10-21T11:07:00.001-04:00

I think my heroine in Bound and Determined, Alix Townsend, was born from many of my own life experiences. As the grand dame (so to speak) of the group, I lived during many, many eras of male domination, where the career options for women were very limited. The glass ceiling was bulletproof and one could get a headache from hitting one’s head on it too often. Or, also, from being patted on the head by arrogant, condescending men.

I managed and promoted rock bands in a male-dominated era, where I was such an anomaly the guys didn’t know what to make of me. Or how to adjust to the fact that I had the nerve to compete with them on their level. Even in later years, when I became a player in economic development, when I was introduced as the chairman of a major board or council many men would look at me as if I had two heads.

So what did this mean if I wanted to be successful? It meant I had to be in control of myself at all times. I could laugh and joke but not in a way that revealed too much of myself. My business attire always had to be top notch. I had to work twice as hard to be successful and keep a tight lid on myself to stay there.

Would I go back and do anything differently if I could? Not one thing, because they all combined to make me the person I was when I met my own Prince Charming, a man who knew no equals. A totally alpha male so comfortable in his own skin that he cheered and encouraged my success.

So now, enter Alix Townsend of Bound and Determined, my contribution to the Toys-4-Us series. She’s a high-powered litigation attorney known for being hugely successful for her clients. But she has to be very tightly wound to maintain that success in a male-dominated world. In private she longs for a man who will allow her to cast off the bonds of self-control and submit to him in the bedroom without losing who she is as a person. One who respects all sides of her.

Could it be her very sexy next door neighbor, Mackenzie “Mack” Taylor, DEA agent who she secretly lusts for?

Mack frequently works undercover for the DEA and can be gone for long stretches at a time. He’d love to find a woman who has a life not totally dependent on him. Who can more than survive during his absences without feeling insecure. Who matches him both intellectually and sexually. Ever since he moved into his house he’s had the hots for his neighbor, Alix Townsend. More than anything he wants to find a way to strip away that tightly wound veneer and see if there really is all that heat burning beneath the surface that he senses.

When he spots her on her patio with her little bag of toys from the Toys-4-Us party he gets hard enough to pound nails and leaps the dividing wall to check things out. The next ting he knows he’s inviting her to dinner on Saturday. “And be sure to bring your little pink bag,” he tells her.

So will Alix cast off her uptight control? Will Mack be the one to tap into the real woman in the bedroom? And can two such independent people figure out how to make a life together?

You’ll have to read Bound and Determined to find out.

Release date: November 1.

Got any favorite toys at your house?

2011-10-20T00:01:00.060-04:00

So often we authors get asked where do our stories come from. More often than not, this is tough to answer. We writers are creatures who are captives of our own minds.
Put us together in one room, mix liberally with alcohol and food...and inspiring items such as rubber duckies, rings (wink, wink) and cords...and we get laughter. You get stories.
This week's theme among us was to reveal where our separate ideas came from.
Mine?
Comes from a major theme in my own life.
What's that? Hubbie...and the military. No, he was not a career man. But he was IN during Vietnam. (Now you know how young we both are!) He had orders for Nam twice, once set was cut 2 days before we were to be married.) Both sets of orders were rescinded for various reasons and we went instead to Japan. Our first years were, as I often say, spent with both of us enlisted. Years went by. Now, he does some work for the DOD and in that capacity, I tend to learn snippets over the dinner table about the challenges of the everyday lives of our men and women in uniform.
With only .05% of our population now in military and fighting our wars (as opposed to 10% during Nam), Americans as a group know little about the huge challenges these men and women must deal with daily.
From financial to family issues, physical and psychological, these are not simple or tiny matters. And while I may have just turned you off by talking about such a less-than-upbeat issue, I want to say that my couple--John Ramos and Caitlyn Hagerty--must deal with his reality to find any joy in their love affair.
And now back to our previously hoped for FUN.
This series is a royal BLAST. Yes, I have read almost all of our stories by now, and I can say that you will adore these couples.
The toys are sooooo cool. They'll inspire you to order a few on line, too.
Which means, of course, you will have to write to us here and tell us what you bought!
Do you have any now you especially love?
DO SHARE!

The Story Behind Good Vibrations

2011-10-19T00:01:00.001-04:00

My idea for Jack and Sara's story came straight from the evening news. This one particular story stayed on my mind several hours later as I headed to the gym. As usual, I popped in my earbuds, cranked up my workout playlist, opened my ebook reader and started my 10 miles on the bike. But reading wasn't happening. The news story wouldn't leave me alone. I just couldn't understand how a man who played a very alpha hero in the movies could perpetrate such a heinous betrayal on his beautiful wife. And how on earth does a woman recover from that?

If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm talking about Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver and the most horrible betrayal of trust possible. Not only was Arnold cheating but doing so in their home, with a longtime employee who Maria had befriended. Bastard! Its like something out of a bodice ripper story, secret baby and all. Only the love child is nearly a teen by the time the wife finds out. What a nightmare! And the news kept showing this clip of Arnold, looking incredibly arrogant, strutting along smoking a cigar. God, how I wanted to reach through the TV and smack the smug expression off his face!

For an author, the next best thing is to torture his ass in a book. *G* Of course there are many differences between the news story and my version. And no, I didn't kill off the cheating husband in the book, no matter how much I would have liked to. But don't fear, the Arnold in my story, Sara's ex-husband Richard, does get what's coming to him.

In Good Vibrations the focus of the story is the heroine overcoming the betrayal, moving on, living again. Loving again. For the rest of my unique twist on this story, you'll have to read the book.

Good Vibrations, coming to ebook stores all over the web on November 1st.

A standalone book in the Toys-4-Us series

Thanks to her ex-husband, Sara Cooper’s personal humiliation was splashed over the covers of every gossip magazine. But then being dealt the ultimate betrayal by society’s prince charming is news. Big news. And as usual, the wife is the last to know.

Recovering from the ordeal has taken two long years. In that time, Sara’s shed the socialite persona, rediscovered herself and helped hundreds of women through the charity organization she created. There’s just one thing left on her to-do list…

Get Jack Taylor into her bed.

And Sara has found the perfect lure to land her best friend—sex toys.

Jack’s patiently waited for Sara to be ready. Ready to move on, live again, love again… The pink satin bag stuffed full with erotic toys is like a flashing neon sign.

Sara wants sex and there’s only one conceivable option. She’ll be wrapping those long, lean and luscious legs around Jack’s hips. Even if he has to battle her megalomaniac ex, Sara will be his.

Jack’s going to grab that bag of toys and together, Sara and he will generate some good vibrations.

Please visit http://toys4usbooks.wordpress.com/ for more information about the other books in this series.

Water Proof

2011-10-18T00:01:00.002-04:00

I'm the type of person who wants to know how water proof the expensive watch you bought is. Or exactly what they mean by heat resistent new gaget. Yep, I'll test, tear apart and basically give you back a nice pile of possibly wet, soggy or hot, melted gismos. What does this have to do with adult kink toys? I'm so happy you asked.

As everyone is aware by now and probably sick of hearing Desiree hosted a sex toy party for my 3---- something birthday. The party presenter or whatever you want to call her probably retired after that night. We had NO shame. Well really Brenna & Desiree had no shame. I sat there, drank and watched the tub toys. Ummm, I really liked those. Vibrators inserted in large sponges, suction cup hand and foot holds. Seriously, how cool is that? Any writer worth her imagination would have followed the same path my brain did.
A series of books dedicated to water toys! Yeah, so that part didn't work out like I thought it would. But still I talked all of my friends into writing the series. Yep, I got mad skills :)

Have you ever really heard about all the tub toys out there? Suction cup handcuffs, wallbangers suction cock, suction cup restraints including ankle cuffs, vibrating suction lips, booty bumper suction kit, wall suction tushy trainer and more.

Can you see what my brain almost exploded with possibilities??? So many choices, so little time. Oh well what I learned then I can always use in future books, right?

As you may have guessed my book Slippery When Wet contains almost 90% shower, tub, pool and once on the washer sex. I didn't use as many toys in the book as I thought I would, but the ones I did *fanning face* whew hot hot hot. So hot there was steam coming from my ears.

My characters have a history of being friends through an ex on her side. Two years have passed when fate strikes and the sexy pink Toys-4-Us bags manages to grab the hero's attention. The rest...well you'll just have to read about it!

Here's your first taste or tease :)

Flush with the success of her birthday party and thrilled with her Toys-4-Us purchases, Petra Brandt heads home to Houston only to find herself locked out thanks to a malfunction with her garage door. There’s only one person to call. One tall, dark and hot Texan she wants to come riding to her rescue.

Roman Hunter’s waited two years to show Petra he’s more than her ex’s friend, and he’s up for giving her more pleasure than any toy she bought.

When morning comes will Petra finally be convinced of Roman’s love and sincerity? Or will she blame everything on the toys, the passion and one night of lust?

So - the toys!

2011-10-17T12:08:00.003-04:00

First, though, I have to say that it is amazing to see myself through my friends' eyes, even if I think their vision needs a little laser treatment! Some readers might think our Sassy Seven friendship is manufactured, but it's not. I'm as surprised as anyone that such different women could become such a tight group so fast. It happened though, it really did, and at my age, it's no small thing to form new and lasting relationships.

But I digress. I was going to talk about the toys. When mulling over my story, I had trouble picking just a few toys to write about. I do love them! I think I might have fallen in love with my husband when we were vacationing in Montreal. Our relationship was less than a year old, and I was shy about my kink. I really thought there was something wrong with me (hey, it was the early eighties). Then as we walked down some street and passed a sex toy store, my boyfriend stopped and turned to me and said "Would you mind going inside and taking a look around?"

I couldn't believe it. My mid-western, catholic boy who literally was sent to a seminary at the age of 14 to become a priest was hoping I wouldn't be offended by his desire to go in to check out all the naughty stuff for sale. Well, it was the beginning of the beginning for us. Once we opened up to each other, there was no limit to what we were willing to ask each other (not that the answer is always yes, but you have to be able to ask).

My adventure down in Hill Country with the Sassy Seven produced a similar result. Not just the sex toy party. I was overjoyed at being part of that with my friends. But Allie also made me extremely happy by going to a strip club with me. I have a little, shall we say, addiction to watching boys strip. I'm quite delighted by the lap dance, too, truth be told.

The rest of the Sassy ladies have promised to join me at a strip club in Las Vegas. Can't wait.

I also can't wait for Wet Ride to come out so I can share my toys with everyone.

Big Girl Toys are SO Much Fun

2011-10-16T00:01:00.006-04:00

As you all know, I'm the good girl. The innocent. (Allie, don't laugh.) I'm the one who didn't utter a foul word until I eloped with a sailor and didn't write about naughty parts until I met members of the Sassy Seven.

If you all believe this, then you obviously have not been reading the other Toys-4-Us blogs.

Be that as it may, I never pictured myself as an erotic romance writer. Romance? Sure. Paranormal? Why not? Erotic romance? Who me? It couldn't be.

But anyone who really knows me knows that I'm game for just about anything, including writing what my friends and family call "porn with a happy ending." Despite the fact there was once a time that I giggled each time I wrote the word cock and had the strong desire to use the term "twig and berries" in a story, I eventually overcame my sexual shyness and plowed through my first hot sex scene. Fast forward to today and there's not much that I wouldn't write, including a sex scene where my heroine has the hero tied to a chair with a six foot length of red satin ribbon. (Yep, that's in my story Private Showing. I must admit I absolutely LOVED having my hero immobile and at the mercy of my heroine. So much so you can expect many more stories with a dash or more of BDSM in the future.)

The other items in my story really did come from Alliepalooza and the infamous sex toy party. The exploits of the party have been written about several times this week, so I'll try to add only information no one else has had the balls to mention, including the several trips to the bathroom to test the tingling sensation of the various lubricants and how our right hands were used for the "licking" products and the left hand was used for the "smelly" products. And how one of us demonstrated for those of us who are naive what the downward facing dog looks like. Gee, who could that be?

After the party we all had a private session with the sex toy consultant to choose toys to suit our own sexual appetites. Thank God for credit cards and anonymous billing, as well as "research deductions" for my IRS return, because I am the proud owner of several gadgets, gizmos, lotions, and thing-a-migs. After talking with the other ladies in the Sassy Seven, it's clear that I didn't buy nearly as many items as they did. *Sigh* But there's always Alliepalooza in Vegas next year, which may involve more toy parties, a visit to a strip club, and (fingers crossed) a trip to a BDSM club for more "research."

If you want to find out more about the toys each of us bought, make sure you read all seven stories. Hopefully you'll find out for yourself just how much fun owning big girl toys can be.

Choco Wine and Friends

2011-10-15T13:11:00.000-04:00

The Birth of the Sassy Seven: Sometimes all it takes to make the world a brighter place is a bottle or ten of choco wine and a handful of friends who make you laugh! That has definitely been my experience with a group of ladies known as the Sassy Seven. We firmed up our spectacular friendship at EC's Romanticon last year and by the end of the conference we simply KNEW that we couldn't just see each other once a year. Funny how these things happen but the group of us just clicked. Age differences or life experiences didn't deter us a bit. In fact, it's our differences that seem to make us stronger and closer. I love that about my friends.

In the beginning, it was Desiree Holt, Cerise Deland, Allie Standifer, Nicole Austin, Samanth Cayto and myself. Little did we know then that we'd add yet another impossibly wonderful friend into the mix. Brenna Zinn came along to complete our zany group and the rest, as they say, is history.

Once we'd determined we just HAD to see each other at least every four months, we plotted, planned and eventually decided to meet at Camp Holt, Des's own beautiful spot in the Texas Hill Country. February brought Allie's birthday and we figured that celebrating the occassion would be the perfect opportunity to get us all together again. That's when I first met the delightfully adorable Brenna. Instant clickification, folks. Love love love her. We all do. Nic flew in from Florida and our very own New Englander, Sam Cayto joined us too. As mentioned in earlier posts, we lolled around the place, laptops open, stuffing our faces, indulging in chocolate wine, and laughing...omg...laughing until tears poured. Yeah, more instant clickification.

Now let me tell you about my friends!
Desiree Holt- feisty, sassy and uber talented. Don't dis her friends or she'll come at you like a spider monkey on crack. I so admire her. She is kind, gorgeous and such a support to all who know her...yes, generous. She is the author of eleventy-gazillion smoking hot books and I credit this amazing woman with my foray into writing erotic romance. Any success I may enjoy, I owe to her. Love doesn't begin to cover how I feel about this wonderful woman.
Cerise Deland- classy, refined and intelligent. Beautiful...mustn't forget beautiful and sooo very talented that I drool when she has a new release. As a friend, CD is a ROCK and believe me, I've leaned against that rock a time or two.
Nicole Austin- one tall, cool customer. Gorgeous as heck with a tomboy attitude that doesn't begin to hide the sexy woman lurking beneath. Nic is quiet (most of the time) and you just know when you speak she is really listening. Talented. (Have you noticed I keep mentioning TALENT? Well, there's a reason for that). I couldn't ask for a truer friend.
Samantha Cayto- quiet, intelligent to the max, classy. I loved her at first meeting and later, as our friendship grew, I was struck by her deep, deep love for her children. Yes, I notice stuff like that and her devotion to them won her a permanent place in my heart. (I don't think I've ever told her that.) There are a million reasons to love this woman (her talent, her warmth) yet this is the thing I would mention first if ever asked to describe WHY I love her so much.
Brenna Zinn- where do I start. She is beyond beautiful...that perfect face, soft smile that makes you just go WOW is so winning that I instantly adored her. I soon leaned that she has a wicked sense of humor that kind of jumps up out of nowhere and smacks you in the face until you simply die laughing. Classy and bawdy all at once..that's Brenna. I could spend hours with her and never, ever be bored. Often she writes, just out of the blue, to ask how I am when she knows I might be stressed by life.
Allie Standifer- yes, she is a stellar writer but I often wonder if she missed her true calling. Allie is possibly the funniest woman on the planet and could have had quite a career as a comedienne. Thankfully, she writes so we can enjoy her amazing talent. What many don't know about Allie (and the reason I love her so much) is that in quieter moments and in times of trouble, she is often the first to call. Loyal to the max! That's my Allie and why she occupies a special place in my heart.

Our Addiction:
Here's the story on our chocolate wine addiction. Yes, we are all happy addicts of the creamy, chocolatey, red-wine based heaven-in-a glass. I'd been introduced to the drink of the gods by one of my daughters college roomies. Fell in love instantly and so when I headed south to Des's place, I picked up half a dozen bottles as my contribution to the festivities. Umm. All I can say is, during our visit to Camp Holt we headed into town for MORE. Lushes, much? :-)

Our Brand New Series:
Perhaps the highlight of the long long weekend was our Toy Party. Yes, sex toys. Toys for grown up girls and boys. Imagine seven drunk-on-their-cute-butts erotica writers among a bevy of toys that whir and buzz!!!! Oh yeah. A perfect recipe for laughter and lots and lots of book ideas. It was there that we came up with the idea of writing Toys 4 Us about a group of friends who leave a sex toy party with very naughty ideas about what to do with their purchases (all stuffed into pretty pink bags).

Beginning on November 1 (our release day) look for all seven stories at your favorite e-book store. Each story is priced at .99 so hey...seven bucks, seven stories. What a deal! Head over to our website and read more about this sexy, smoldering series.

http://toys4usbooks.wordpress.com/

The real lowdown

2011-10-14T00:01:00.003-04:00

Okay, you’ve had four other versions of the birth of the Toys-4-Us series, created by the Sassy Seven. Now it’s time for my version, because it was MY HOUSE that was invaded and that gave birth to the series. Yes, that’s right. I was the hostess with the mostest for the pajama party to end all pajama parties.

You’ve heard of Lalapalooza, right? Well, every year we have Alliepalooza, a birthday celebration for the very talented and funny Allie Standifer. It’s always held at different locations and always wild and crazy. When Allie asked last February if we could have it at my house, I said, “Sure. No problem!” I smiled and nodded when I should have run for my meds!!!!

I mean, can you imagine seven erotic romance authors together for five days along with several bottles of chocolate wine and whipped cream vodka? Staying up all night and staggering around during the day? Brainstorming? I repeat, brainstorming? I think the same aliens that nearly kidnapped Nicole Austin invaded our brains because you would not believe some of the zany ideas we came up with.

Picture this. Seven crazy women in a house on six wild acres in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. The most action I get out here is from the herd of white tail deer. Oh, and my three crazy cats who kept wandering around wondering what the hell was going on. Hanging out in their pajamas, pleasantly buzzed, computers in front of them, spouting off whatever comes to mind at that instant.

Oh, I should mention that occasionally I get a yummy cowboy or two strolling by on his horse but I think that weekend they call kept as far away from us as possible.

So, anyhoo…We wanted to do something special for Allie for her birthday. Now, what would you expect erotic romance writers to come up with? A sex toys party! What else? I’d love to give you details, including when I knocked over my red wine and Allie had to mop it up, but ya know? What happens in Texas stays in Texas.

But we had such a good time at the party (no, still not giving details) that the idea for the series was born. Seven women at a house party celebrating a birthday with a sex toys party and what happens in their lives after that.

So, mark your calendars. November 1 is the BIG SPLASH! Look for the stories by Allie Standifer, Cerise Deland, Samantha Cayto, Nicole Austin, Regina Carlysle, Brena Zinn and me, the zany Desiree Holt. And watch this blog for further action.

7 Sassy Gals with 7 Sassy Tails! ah, no! TALES!

2011-10-13T00:07:00.019-04:00

Inspiration comes from your friends, their wine choices, their wardrobes, their purchases and...yes, even their taste in sex toys.
Ever gone to a sex toy store? With your friends? Great fun. How about with your significant other? MORE fun!
I recall the first store I ever went in to, located in classy, refined, sedate Georgetown. LEATHER, screamed the window. Whips, corsets, cuffs. Big, black and bold. I had to go inside. And did I marvel at what was offered for sale. Yes, this is Washington, D.C., home of Puritans real and imagined, where no one ever even knows about S.E.X. in the usual ways, let alone with the assistance of goodies like those that were displayed here.
I marveled at the items in the back room, too. That was back in the day and many of these items are now displayed in stores out front.
Like what?
Plugs, clips, rings. Ticklers of allllll sizes.
I also remember another time, years later, when I entered a store with a group of authors, all of us on a book tour. A few had a virgin experience that day, never having ever been in a store like this before. They blushed, they giggled, a few bought.
In today's world, the internet brings us the stores we love to browse.
Or in the case of the seven women in this TOYS-4-US series, an at home party filled the bill!
And once you put 7 authors in a room, you get 70 great ideas! One of these became this series. And how could you miss with these?
Allie Standifer writes about women her age (think 30's) with Attitude. Like Allie herself. Have you learned yet she calls (and dresses) like a Princess? Welcome to Royal Laughter!
Desiree Holt, our Grand Dam, really rules the coop. Why? Cuz the lady has more than 130 books out there. Not read her yet? YOU MUST.
Nicole Austin, a tall lovely lady with a penchant for dancing and great costumes, writes about women who claim the men they want.
Regina Carlysle is our resident Texan who specializes in writing cowboys who rock. She also knows her wine. Chocolate and other!
Samantha Cayto hails from the East Coast and has strong ideas about how a woman must treat a man--or more. She's so quietly observant, you'd never know she has strong opinions. But they come out in her novels. Read her yet? A must!
Brenna Zinn is one sassy looking hot mama who knows how to shake it and strut it. In person...and on the page.
Hope you like our stories about 7 Sassy buds, who discover that toys make the man...and the woman into a darling couple!
Come preview all our Toys! Excerpts here: http://toys4ustales.blogspot.com So do return!
The books debut on the same day at the same time and ALL are 99 cents until November 30! Then too buy all, answer the questions and be entered in the drawing to win a KINDLE FIRE! Details here: http://toys4usbooks.wordpress.com/win-a-kindle-fire/
Hurry! Toys are not just for kids any more!

I Was Abducted!

2011-10-12T00:01:00.001-04:00

No, I was not taken by aliens, regardless of how much I think I'd enjoy that experience. Even have the perfect outfit for the occasion. Never thought I'd see the day but I was abducted...by Texans! Can you believe it? I'm still in a state of shock. Here's my story.

In September of 2010 I traveled from Florida to Ohio for RomantiCon. There I met some amazing authors who I already knew from online--Desiree Holt, Regina Carlysle, Cerise Deland and Samantha Cayto. Sam and I are the only non-Texans in the group. Through these ladies, I was introduced to Allie Standifer--our sparkly, short bus driver. The two of us are trouble but an absolute blast to be around!

They appeared to be nice, relatively normal people (yes, they had me fooled), but a few months later they abducted me to Texas. Took me out into the heart of Hill Country--literally the middle of nowhere--and I spent a long, crazy weekend at a place I like to call Camp Desiree. That's where I met the final wild child of this ragtag group--Brenna Zinn. Allie was worried about the two of us meeting and rightfully so.

The rowdy Texans introduced me to the most amazing beverage known to womankind--chocolate wine. Such a perfect drink, a smooth combination of red wine and chocolate that packs quite a punch. Yes, chocolate wine sounds bizarre but trust me on this one and give it a try!

After getting me drunk, they threw a party featuring an adult toy consultant. I don't think that poor woman knew what she was in for when she agreed to show sex toys to seven intoxicated erotic romance authors. Damn, was that a ever fun!

The idea for the books started to form the same night, although initially it was going to be a series about shower sex using devices that suction to the shower wall. A certain someone was a bit fixated on the shower sex angle. Over six months it evolved into the Toys-4-Us series about seven sassy friends who had a toy party.

Each of the seven stories starts after the party, when the women went home with pink satin bags containing their purchases. And what better way to break the ice with the men they desired than to show off their new toys and get some help in using them? While each of the seven are standalone books, you're going to want to read each unique tale.

I can't begin to express how thrilled I am to have been adopted (a term all the lawyers agreed on) by this incredible group of authors. They don't even mind the fact that I'm a vampy Florida girl and have extended an open invitation to Camp Desiree. Now I spend my time plotting my next chance to escape to Texas. Allie is even on standby for airport pickup service. How cool is that?

Toys-4-Us -- available at your favorite e-book stores on November 1st for the limited time only introductory price of $0.99. Get all 7 books for under $7. What a steal!

A Long Time Comin' by Cerise Deland
Bound And Determined by Desiree Holt
Good Vibrations by Nicole Austin
Private Showing by Brenna Zinn
Slippery When Wet by Allie Standifer
Wet Ride by Samantha Cayto
Whiz Bang by Regina Carlysle

Make sure you check out our contest for a chance to win the hottest new tablet available, the Kindle Fire!

Keep a look out for the Sassy Seven as the ideas for future series are already brewing and it won't be long before our next chocolate wine induced plotting session! Vegas will never be the same.