Sasha White

Shiloh Walker has a new release!

I was going to post my blog about NO PRINCE CHARMING. releaseing yesterday, becasue that was it’s release day, but honestly, I started reading it and forgot about everything else. Don’t you just love it when a book takes your mind off of everything?

While I have read other books by Shiloh, and enjoyed them , this is the first of her Grimm Fairy Tales I’ve read, and I’m going back to search them all out now. Seriously, I loved it. Not only did it suck me in, it made me want to write. A good book can do that too, inspire me.

No, my review doesn’t have any details, cuz you’ll have to read it and I don’t want to spoil anything…so… check it out here…then go buy it!

Her Happy-Ever-After has been a long time coming…

Elle spent years trying to get over her so-called Prince Charming, and she’s finally getting the hang of it. A Grimm—a guardian angel with unique gifts—she spends her nights trolling for demons and kicking ass, and lately, her days have been spent with her on-and-off-again lover, Ren, a fellow Grimm. But fate has other plans in store for Elle, plans that include Michael, the prince from her youth who broke her heart.

“What do you choose…live for her? Or would you rather die?” That was the choice Michael was given all those years ago. Although he knew she’d never forgive him, when Michael was given the chance to become a Grimm, he took it. Still, he isn’t so sure Elle needs him in her life. With a lover at her side and a mission before her, Elle looks like she’s doing just fine without him.

But the not-so-charming prince isn’t going to back off that easily…not if there’s a chance she might need him again. He’d do anything to save her. Kill for her, live for her, die for her…

Warning: This dark, twisted version of Cinderella involves demons, deceit, desire, and debauchery between a princess and two sexy guardian angels, both determined to win the fair Cinderella.

EXCERPT:

“We’ve got to get inside tonight,” I told Ren. Halfway across the parking lot, I picked up my pace. “It’s getting darker in there. We’re going to lose more if we don’t move soon.”

There was so much life…so much emotion.

Lust. Anger. Jealousy. Need. Love. Rage. Hatred.

Emotions—uncontrolled emotions drew predators. That’s why the demons were here. Wherever there were people there would be emotion. And wherever there was emotion there would be demons.

Wherever there are demons there would be Grimms.

There would be us. Unlikely guardian angels trying to keep the unsuspecting mortals from making bad, bad and worse mistakes.

That was our job. We would do it. We would do the job. We would deal with the succubi and incubi. We would find the king or queen and eliminate them. Then Ren or I would hang around long enough to make it clear this area was now under the Circle’s watch.

If I had my way about it, it would be Ren hanging around. If at all possible, I wanted to clear the hell out the second we dealt with the king or queen.

I was planning on getting out of Ohio as quick as possible.

Maybe head for New York this time. Or Chicago—

No. Screw that. I was going to Milan. And the Circle could pick up the damn ticket, too.

I’d asked for a break and I’d ended up with an assignment instead.

They owed me that break, damn it.

I took a deep breath and glanced down at my clothes. Barbie goes badass. That was the look I’d been going for. I had on a black silk corset and, unlike some of the corsets I’d seen around lately, mine was the real thing—it pushed my boobs together and up, cinched my waist and kept my spine ramrod straight.

I was as comfortable in one as anybody could hope to be, but then again, I’d had a lot of practice. I’d grown up wearing these things when I had to—thanks to a doting father, I hadn’t spent my entire childhood in one.

But I had worn them often enough.

Never one quite like this though. Black-on-black silk brocade with blood-red lacing. I’d paired it with leather pants and heels that would break my neck—if I fell, and if I could break my neck in such a mundane manner. Which I can’t. I’d pulled my blonde hair into a high ponytail, gone a little heavy with the black eyeliner and red lipstick.

Barbie does badass, with a little bit of Dominatrix Barbie thrown in for good measure.

“You look delicious,” Ren said as he kissed one bare shoulder. “You sure you don’t have a whip lying around?”

“Oh, please.” I smirked at him and took a few seconds to adjust the bodice. I had my pendant tucked between my breasts. Wasn’t very comfortable, but I couldn’t afford to have the wrong person see it, nor could I afford to be without it. There wasn’t any room for weapons on me, but that had been intentional.

I wanted to look around this first trip in, not fight. I’d made that clear to Ren as well, but he’d have weapons on him. I knew that as sure as I knew my own name.

Still, I knew I could trust him not to draw them unless he had to.

I just hoped nobody forced his hand…or mine. I might not have weapons, but I’m pretty far from helpless.

The air closer to the building felt hot and heavy, a warning of what lay inside.

I’d known from the get-go this wouldn’t be a quick, easy job. I might have been harboring hopes, but they were dying, fading, withering away with every second I remained close to this abyss of darkness.

“Should be a piece of cake,” he had told me. Those had been my boss’s exact words.

“Will, one of these days, I’m going to kick your ass,” I said to myself.

“Hmmm?”

I shook my head. “Just grumbling about Will. He had the nerve to say this should be an easy job.”

“Well, so far all I’ve done is make out with you in view of others and watch other people making out as well,” Ren shot me his trademark devilish smile and in a low voice added, “Seems remarkably easy.”

“Your luck is about to break.”

This wasn’t going to be easy. It wasn’t going to be quick. We would have to kill while we were here. Not tonight, but sometime before the job was over. I knew it as sure as I was standing there. Possession by succubi or incubi was subtle…a seduction. It started out as just a minor need. Sex—something pleasant…maybe even harmless.

But the more the victim fed that need—through sex, naturally—the stronger the hold. It was like an addiction.

In the early days it was possible to rid the victim of the demon’s presence. Possible, but not easy, and the longer it went on the harder it would become.

Sooner or later, without intervention, the demon would be in control and the need for sex would dominate over anything else. Everything else.

Either the victim literally screwed themselves to death—forgoing food, water, anything and everything that wasn’t sex. The other scenario—the need for sex became so overwhelming they lost all inhibitions and all sense of right and wrong.

I’d saved people in the past before one of the possessed could rape them.

Somebody in there was already too far gone. Either they were killing themselves without realizing it, or I’d have to kill them when they went too far. Personally, I’d rather find whoever it was and just end it now.

A waste. Such a waste. Somebody had given up everything.

Do I sound slightly bitter? Sorry. Can’t help it. I’d lost my rose-colored glasses a few hundred years ago. Right about the time I lost my virginity and, shortly thereafter, my Prince Charming.

“Elle.”

Speak of the devil.

I knew that voice. It was the last voice I wanted to hear right now. Unless he was saying something along the lines of, “Ow, that hurts!” as I beat him across the head with a heavy, blunt object.

I stood there, frozen. Although I didn’t want to turn and face the music, my partner had no reservations.

I dug my fingers into Ren’s arm.

Why?

Will. Damn it. He’d done this—orchestrated this.

Schooling my features, I turned around and I’m proud to say, I didn’t feel the urge to swoon. Not even for a second.

That angel face of his hadn’t changed at all in the past three hundred years.

He looked as perfect now as he had the day he kissed me for the first time.

Heat flashed through his grass-green eyes as he studied my clothes and despite myself, my belly clenched in response.

Visit Shiloh’s Blog to get to know the author better.

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Wrapped in Seduction Anthology
It’s that time of year when nights are longer, passions run hotter, and for three sisters, naughty wishes come true…

“Wrapped in Holly” by Lisa Renee Jones
Holly’s come home for the holidays, ready to enjoy a few cozy weeks of small-town life. But a fling with a local stranger heats up the nights. When she discovers the stranger’s secret ties to her own family, he ends up Wrapped in Holly.

“Hot for Santa” by Cathryn Fox
The one man Rachel wants is strictly off limits, so she agrees to keep her distance—until he dresses up as old St. Nick and stirs a playful fantasy in Rachel. Maybe it’s the black leather boots. Or the soft fur and red velvet. Whatever it is, she’s Hot for Santa.

“Mistletoe Bliss” by Jodi Lynn Copeland
A broken engagement has left Tori feeling the Christmas blues when she returns to her welcoming family for the holiday. There’s no better way to chase those blues away than with an old flame who sparks a new passion and leaves Tori feeling Mistletoe Bliss.

Hot for Santa
by
Cathryn Fox

Twas two weeks before Christmas…

Nick Grant . . .
God, just thinking about him made her wet.
Wet, wild, and wanton.
Seated at her mother’s kitchen table, advertising executive Rachel Reddy briefly closed her eyes and allowed her mind to drift to Nick.
As her body flooded with warmth, it had her craving sex. Hard, carnal, unapologetic, handcuffed-to-the-bed-and-make-her-beg-for-it kind of sex. A far cry from the wham-bam, thank-you-ma’am drivel she was accustomed to, that’s for sure.
Rachel wasn’t sure if it was her client’s killer smile, rock-hard physique, big, rugged hands, or hewn thigh muscles that had her mind conjuring up erotic fantasies about him. Or perhaps it was the way he took such painstaking care of his customers’ needs at his sporting goods store that had her feeling feverish with lust. Either way, she wanted him. Up against the wall, down against a mattress, but mostly, between her legs.
She wasn’t normally so lascivious, but something about a guy who paid such special attention to others led her to believe he’d take that same meticulous care with her naked, needy body. And that got to her in a way that made her sex throb like it had never throbbed before. Heat and desire prowled through her as she visualized herself held hostage to his bed, tortured and tormented by his deft hands and skillful ministration.
Yummy . . .
Rachel shivered in sensual delight, then worked diligently to redirect her thoughts. Here she was in Haven, New Hampshire, watching her mother mill about in the old homestead kitchen, which was so not the place to be fantasizing about a client; someone who’d simply hired her firm to create a professional advertising campaign for his new outerwear line.
Commanding herself to focus on something else, she drew her knees to her chest, wrapped her arms around her legs, and watched the wind whip light, fluffy snowflakes past the windowpane. As she contemplated what to wear to the town’s annual outdoor skating party later that night, she caught sight of her father, Thomas Reddy, trudging down the long icy driveway with his trusty ax in hand, and his loyal Labrador retriever, Murphy, in tow. Thomas was off to help out Old Man Denby with his woodpile, no doubt. She smiled to herself, pleased at how some things never changed. She took a moment to think about Old Man Denby, his wife, Gracie, and their son, Travis—a man Rachel had always thought would one day be her brother-in-law. Unfortunately, things just hadn’t worked out between Travis and Rachel’s younger sister, Tori.
The old house creaked and groaned in distress as another huge gust battled the exterior, and Rachel hugged herself tighter, comforted by the warmth and coziness inside. It was an unusually cold day in Haven, blustery even—not a great day to be outdoors. She crinkled her nose in dismay and glanced at the ominous gray sky overhead. Perhaps she’d have to rethink the annual skating party that evening.
Her gaze wandered to her father’s beaten-down snowmobile path. Even though she would love to head out, to stretch her legs on one of the cross-county ski trails, go sliding on the frozen duck pond, or take Murphy for a hike up to Grandma Reddy’s cottage, she suspected it was little too nippy for such extended exposure to the elements.
The falling temperatures might be keeping her—a lover of the great outdoors—inside, but Rachel really didn’t mind, because she’d been back in the old homestead for the holidays for a couple of days now, and was feeling quite happy and content, despite the fact that she didn’t have someone special to share the Christmas festivities with. Someone intelligent. Someone with integrity. Someone lip- smacking scrumptious.
Someone like Nick Grant.
Nick . . .
Rachel bit down on her bottom lip to suppress a moan as fantasies of Nick kept intruding upon her thoughts. Everything about him aroused her. Intrigued her. Heated her up in a way the hot, burning embers in the living room fireplace never could. Good Lord, drop her in a snowbank and her scorching body would likely melt a path around her. No need for sidewalk salt when she was thinking about Nick.
What the heck happened to her hard-fought battle to pull herself together and block Nick from her mind? Once again she quickly recognized that now was not the time or place for such scandalous thoughts. She’d wait until later tonight when she was nestled all snug in her bed, visions of sugarplums dancing in her head. And by sugarplums, she meant Nick.
Marshaling her libido for the time being, she ran her fingertips around her steaming mug of hot chocolate, and turned her attention to her mother, Margaret Reddy, who was bustling around the big farmhouse kitchen, cooking up a storm in celebration of the season. Her eyes were bright with laughter, anxious and excited to have all her children come together under one roof for the holidays.
Now that her mom and dad were retired from the university, and their children were all grown up and gone, Margaret had embraced the Christmas season wholeheartedly. It was the time of year for celebration and family. That, and it allowed her to show off her exceptional culinary skill, none of which Rachel had inherited, thank you very much.
Truthfully, it felt good to be home, to enjoy a home-cooked meal instead of Chinese takeout or nuked food that had intimately introduced itself to her hips. Not great for a girl who loved physical activity yet no longer seemed to have time for it. It also felt good to climb back into her favorite comfy sweats, and let her long curly hair down for a change. Back in New York she wouldn’t be caught dead out in such an outfit, but here in Haven she could kick back in comfort because she didn’t have to dress to impress.
Humming along off beat to a Bing Crosby Christmas tune drifting in from the dining room stereo, her mother plopped a tray of cookies onto the Santa place mat smack-dab in the middle of the long oaken table and wiped her hands on her gingham apron. Rachel pulled the warm sweet scent of fresh gingerbread into her lungs, letting the scent awaken her olfactory senses and bring back childhood memories.
She smiled and recalled her girlish dreams of moving to New York. She’d always envisioned herself living in a big, spacious apartment in the village, a place where she’d make her mark in the business world, and find herself a knight in shining armor.
Of course, as a few of her friends had recently told her, and Meat Loaf had so eloquently put to music: two out of three ain’t bad. Except it was bad, or at least the guys she attracted were bad. Bad with a capital B. Greedy, insensitive jerks who were merely concerned about their own needs. Men who wanted her at their beck and call, and who had no respect for her long hours or dedication to her job. Sure, it was fine for them to have professional careers, but if those needy New Yorkers were looking for a mother figure or expected a Susie Homemaker because she’d come from a small town in New Hampshire, they had another thought coming. Having grown up in a family with two scholarly parents, education, goals, and professional pursuits were most important to the four Reddy offspring.
Despite her ever-expanding hips, Rachel scooped a hot cookie from the tray and let out a long- suffering sigh, wondering why all the good guys were either taken or gay. She thought about her younger and only brother, Mason. He was definitely one of the good guys. Any woman would be lucky to have him, except he was happily playing for the other team and had been for quite some time now.
And then there was Nick . . .
Nick Grant, owner and CEO of Hilltop Gear. A gorgeous hunk of a guy who had been completely off-limits.
Until now.
Now that the campaign had been put to bed, so to speak, the only thing separating them were a few hundred miles. But that would soon be rectified when she went back to New York after the holidays. Then she’d see about putting something else, or rather someone else, to bed. Until then she planned on spending the next two weeks relaxing in the homestead while visions of Saint Nick danced in her head.
“So what’s he like?”
Rachel shot her mother a glance in time to see her pull a new bag of sugar from the floor-to-ceiling pantry, a beautiful yet functional addition to the home that helped bring the country kitchen up-to-date. Rachel did a slow perusal of the room, noting that her parents had invested quite a bit of time and money into modernizing the old homestead. Everything from the new appliances, warm cranberry- colored walls, ivory-painted cupboards, and rich granite countertop had the kitchen looking like a real- estate show home. Not that her parents ever planned to put the place up for sale, however.
Rachel’s glance roamed back to her mother, who was studying her, awaiting a response. “What’s who like?” Rachel asked around a mouthful of warm gingerbread. Little pieces of cookie crumbs fell onto her white knit turtleneck sweater, and she concentrated on brushing them away while trying to feign innocence.
Margaret Reddy laughed, and Rachel knew the jig was up. Busted. Cripes, it’s not like any of the Reddy offspring could ever get anything past their mother. Even into her retirement years, she was far too quick on her feet and far too astute for any of them.
“Come on, Rachel. You’ve got that look in your eyes again. The one you used to get when you were a little girl daydreaming about Prince Charming. So tell me, who is he?” Margaret wagged her finger and quickly slipped back into mother mode. “And don’t talk with your mouth full.”
Rachel swallowed, and took a sip of her hot chocolate, not really wanting to tell her mother about Nick—especially all the delicious ways she wanted him to take command of her body—but desperately wanting to talk about him just the same.
“He’s just a guy who hired my firm for a job.” Oh, but he wasn’t just any guy. He was a guy who seemed to respect her as a professional, and with the way his eyes caressed her body in admiration, it was clear that he’d never forgotten she was a woman. He was sweet, funny, and thoughtful, the antithesis of the men she usually attracted.
Margaret narrowed her blue eyes and tucked a silver lock behind her ear. “And . . .” she prompted.
Rachel shrugged. “And, well, he’s nice.” Nice and hot with a panty-soaking smile that had her itching to shed her clothes, as well as her inhibitions.
With her eyes alive with curiosity, her mother questioned, “Nice, huh?”
“Yeah, nice.”
“Does this guy have a name?”
“Nick,” was all she offered. Once again, just thinking about him made her wet.
“So you’ve gone out?”
Rachel averted her gaze, suspecting her mother could read her every lusty thought. “I have strict rules about dating clients.” But, of course, now that the ad was completed, technically Nick was no longer an active client. He was just a hot hunk of a guy ripe for the picking—providing he wasn’t taken or gay. Rachel was pretty sure he wasn’t. At least she hoped. But she still couldn’t help wonder why a great guy like Nick was still single.
Her mother quirked a brow and probed, “Is he cute?”
Desire slammed into her and heat ambushed her sex as she conjured up memories of his roguish good looks and blatant masculinity. She steadied herself and strived for normalcy.
“Yeah, he’s cute. . . .”
“And?”
Her tongue darted out to wet her lips. Without conscious thought her gaze wandered to the porch door. “And, well, he’s . . . he’s . . . he’s . . .”
Out of her peripheral vision she caught her mother’s curious glance. “He’s what, Rachel?”
He’s standing in the archway!

“This is a cute story of miscommunication with HOT FOR SANTA. Rachel is in for a shock when she finds out what Nick really is up too. Nick is a bright alpha male that you will love to meet. Rachel is comical and a sweet someone you will not forget. When you want a cute, sweet love story you want HOT FOR SANTA.” — TwoLips Reviews on HOT FOR SANTA

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I’ve been a huge fan of Carrie Vaughn’s Kitty Norville series since the first book, Kitty and The Midnight Hour. After I read that first one and I looked her up on the internet I glommed as many of the short stories with that character I could track down, and nothing made me happier than when I learned there were plenty more Kitty Books to come.

Kitty’s House Of Horrors, the 7th in the series, releases in January 2010, and I know what I’m using my Xmas gift cards on. If you haven;t read these books yet, you should! :)

Chapter 1

I knew if I stayed in this business long enough, I’d get an offer like this sooner or later. It just didn’t quite take the form I’d been expecting.

The group of us sat in a conference room at KNOB, the radio station where I based my syndicated talk show. Someone had tried to spruce up the place, mostly by cleaning old coffee cups and takeout wrappers off the table. Not much could be done with the worn gray carpeting, off-white walls filled with bulletin boards, thumbtack holes where people hadn’t bothered with the bulletin boards, and both of those covered with photocopied concert notices and posters for CD releases. The tables were fake wood-grain-colored plastic, refugees from the 1970s. We’d replaced the chalkboard with a dry erase board only a couple of years ago. That was KNOB, on the cutting edge.

I loved the room, but it didn’t exactly scream high-powered style. Which made it all the funnier to see a couple of Hollywood guys sitting at the table in their Armani suits and metrosexual savoir faire. They seemed to be young hotshots on the way up–interchangable. I had to remember that Joey Provost was the one with slicked-back light brown hair and the weak chin, and Ron Valenti was the one with dark brown hair who hadn’t smiled yet. They worked for a production company called SuperByte Entertainment, which specialized in reality television. I’d looked up some of their shows, such sparkling gems as Jailbird Moms and Stripper Idol.

They were here to invite me onto their next show, the concept of which they were eager to explain.

“The public is fascinated with the supernatural. The popularity of your show is clearly evidence of that. Over the last couple of years, as more information has come out, as more people who are part of this world come forward, that fascination is only going to increase. But we’re not just trying to tap into a market here–we hope to provide a platform to educate people. To erase some of the myths. Just like you do with your show,” Provost said. Provost was the talker. Valenti held the briefcase and looked serious.

“We’ve already secured the participation of Jerome Macy, the pro wrestler, and we’re in talks with a dozen other celebrities. Name celebrities. This is our biggest production yet, and we’d love for you to be a part of it.”

I’d met Jerome Macy, interviewed him on my show, even. He was a boxer who’d been kicked out of boxing when his lycanthropy was exposed and then turned to a career in pro wrestling, where being a werewolf was an asset. He was the country’s second celebrity werewolf.

I was the first.

While working as a late-night DJ here at KNOB, I started my call-in talk-radio show dispensing advice about all things supernatural, and came out as a werewolf live on the air about three years ago. Sometimes it seemed like yesterday. Sometimes it seemed like a million years had passed. A lot had happened in that time.

Arms crossed, I leaned against a wall, away from the table where the two producers sat. I studied them with a narrowed gaze and a smirk on my lips. In wolf body language, I was an alpha sizing them up. Deciding whether to beat them up because they were rivals–or eat them because they were prey. They probably had been talking to Jerome Macy, because they seemed to recognize the signals, even if they didn’t quite know what they meant. They both looked nervous and couldn’t meet my gaze, even though they tried.

This was all posturing.

“That’s great. Really,” I said. “But what is this show going to be about?”

“Well,” Provost said, leaning forward, then leaning back again when he caught sight of my stare. “We have access to a vacation lodge in Montana. Out in the middle of nowhere, a really beautiful spot, nice view of the mountains. We’ll have about a dozen, give or take, well-known spokespeople for the supernatural, and this will be a chance for them–you–to talk, interact. We’ll have interviews, roundtable discussions. It’ll be like a retreat.”

My interpretation: we’re going to put you all in a house and watch you go at it like cats and dogs. Or werewolves and vampires. Whatever.

“So. . .you’re not using the same model that you’ve used on some of your other shows. Like, oh, say, Cheerleader Sorority House.”

He had the grace to look a tiny bit chagrined. “Oh, no. This is nothing like that.”

I went on. “No voting people off? No teams and stupid games? And definitely no shape-shifting on camera. Right?”

“Oh, no, the idea behind this is education. Illumination.”

Ozzie, the station manager and my boss, was also at the meeting, sitting across from the two producers and acting way too obsequious. He leaned forward, eager, smiling back and forth between them and me. So, he thought this was a good idea. Matt, my sound guy, sat in the back corner and pantomimed eating popcorn, wearing a wicked grin.

I had a feeling I was being fed a line, that they were telling me what would most likely get me to agree to their show. And that they’d had a totally different story for everyone else they’d talked to.

I hadn’t built my reputation on being coy and polite, so I laid it out for Mr. Provost. “Your shows aren’t exactly known for. . .how should I put this. . .having any redeeming qualities whatsoever.”

He must have dealt with this criticism all the time, because he had the response all lined up. “Our shows reveal a side of life that most people have no access to.”

“Trainwrecks, you mean.”

Valenti, who had watched quietly until now, opened his briefcase and consulted a page he drew out. “We have Tina McCannon of Paradox PI on board. Also. . .Jeffrey Miles, the TV psychic. I think you’re familiar with them?” He met my gaze and matched my stare. One predator sizing up another. Suddenly, I was the one who wanted to look away.

“You got Tina to agree to this? And Jeffrey?”

Both of them were psychics; Tina worked with a team of paranormal investigators on primetime TV, and Jeffrey did the channeling-dead-relatives thing on daytime talk shows. I’d had adventures with them both, and the prospect of spending two weeks in a cabin in the middle of nowhere taping a TV show was a lot more attractive if I’d be doing it with them.

“What do you think, Kitty? Do we have a deal?”

I needed to make some phone calls. “Can I get back to you on that? I need to check my schedule. Talk it over with my people.” Most of my people were already in the room, but the Hollywood talk amused me.

“Of course. But don’t take too long. We want to move on this quickly. Before someone else steals the idea.” Provost actually winked at that, and his smile never faltered. Valenti had settled back and was regarding me coolly.

“You’re not scheduling this over a full moon, are you?” I said.

“Oh, no, certainly not,” Provost said, way too seriously.

“Just one more question,” I said. “Have you signed on Mercedes Cook?”

Provost hesitated, as if unsure which answer would be the right one. I knew which answer was the right one: if the Broadway star/vampire/double-crossing fink was on the show, I was staying as far away as possible.

“No,” he said finally. “She turned us down flat.”

Wonders never ceased. But they’d asked her. And she’d said no, so that was a point in the show’s favor. “Ah. Good,” I said, and Provost relaxed.

We managed polite farewells and handshakes. Ozzie and I walked the two producers outside to their rented BMW. Provost continued to be gracious and flattering. Valenti stayed in the background. Sizing me up, I couldn’t help but think.

After they’d driven away, we returned to the building. The summer sun beat down. It had been a beautiful day, a recent heat spell had broken, and the air felt clean. Smelled like rain.

I turned to Ozzie. “Well?”

He shrugged. “I think it’s a great opportunity. But it’s up to you. You’re the one who’s going to have to go through with it.”

“I just wish I knew what kooky tricks they have up their sleeves. What are going to be the consequences if I do this?”

“What’s the worst that could happen?” he said.

I hated that question. Reality always came up with so much worse than I could imagine. “I could make an idiot of myself, ruin my reputation, lose my audience, my ratings, my show, and never make a living in this business again.”

“No, the worst that could happen is you’d die on film in a freak accident, and how likely is that?” Trust Ozzie to be the realist. I glared at him.

“Who knows? At best it’ll draw in a whole new audience. To tell you the truth, with people like Tina and Jeffrey involved, it kind of sounds like fun.”

“You know what I’m going to say,” Ozzie said. “Any publicity is good publicity.”

So far in my career, that had been true. I was waiting for the day when it wasn’t. “Let me call Tina and Jeffrey and find out why they signed on.”

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HOTTER THAN HELL
by Rain Weaver

Want a taste of Heaven? Go to Hell.
Legend has it that the Incubi were originally fallen angels, irresistible creatures who sacrificed their place in Paradise for the touch of mortal lovers. They live among us still, in the shadowy, dream-haunted fringes of modern society, indulging their insatiable lust and feeding on our desire—with our blessings.

The Rose Legacy
A valuable inheritance is passed from one female member of a wealthy family to another, as it has been for centuries. But Camille Price, the beneficiary, doesn’t know it’s a generational curse that includes sacrificing her body and soul to an Incubus who fulfills her every erotic dream—and nightmare.

Ravenous
Failed cleric Adam Bachmann knows a demon when he sees one. He just can’t seem to resist succubus Leyla Cheval, even though her insatiable sexual appetite is draining him of life. To save himself and others, he must sacrifice the only heaven he’s ever known and destroy the dark angel he’s come to love.

AN EXCERPT FOR YOU:

The Rose Legacy

“Camille!”
The sound of her name blew through the open window like a late afternoon storm. Rosemary’s voice coming from below, sultry as always, but curt and businesslike—and obviously expecting an immediate response.
“Oh, hell.” Cam hurried toward the window, pulled up short and hurried back to Mace. “Don’t leave. We need to talk. Stay right here—and out of sight, please.”
She leaned out of the window, giving the drapes a tug to be sure the safety pins held close around her, smiling as if nothing was wrong. “Good afternoon, Aunt Rosemary.”
Roe stood beneath her, a slim flute of champagne in her hand. She wore a black lace teddie with thigh-high boots and nothing else, her hair whipping in the wind. Camille almost laughed. Incredible, how Mace could always seem to lighten her mood. She couldn’t honestly say she liked her aunt, but the woman definitely had her own style. Only Rosemary could dress like that for a stroll and look totally cool.
“My afternoon hasn’t been any better than yours, and yours has apparently been a nasty one. I’ve been walking the grounds. I’ve seen what you did to David’s car. Tell me you didn’t make an absolute fool of yourself in town.”
Oh, hell. She couldn’t take a piss without her aunt knowing. The woman was all over her. “It was just a minor fender-bender. Nobody got hurt and I fully intend to take care of the damage myself. In fact, Reverend Osgood was the only witness and he didn’t seem to think—”
“You went to see the preacher?”
Her aunt’s voice became even sharper as her eyes narrowed. Was visiting the clergy also a no-no? “Well, yes.”
Rosemary laughed, rubbing her legs together in delight. “Well, if he can forgive you, I suppose I can too. What do you think? Isn’t he about enough to make you cream?”
“He has good things to say about you too.”
“What the hell are you doing stuck up in that room on such a nice day?”
Mace snickered behind her, and Cam pulled the drapes even closer. She was not going to let him distract her, or have her aunt come upstairs to see what was really going on. “Actually, I was…daydreaming. Yes, that’s it. Sitting here and mentally laying out plans for the future. Imagining what I’d do with the house, the roses, the garden in general. It could be such a lovely property, I think.”
“Really? Tell me about it.”
Oh, hell, dammit and back to hell. Cam tried to remember the plans she’d formed on her own walk around the grounds—when was that? A year or two ago? Opening her mouth to speak, she clamped it shut in horror as she felt her skirt lifted from behind.
“Camille? Are you all right?”
“I…um…”
“You look a little pale.”
Forcing a tight-lipped grin, she rested her weight on one arm and swatted back at Mace with her free hand. She not only failed to land a single blow, but suddenly found herself hobbled when he smoothly slid her panties down around her ankles. What was he doing? Was the sonofabitch insane? “It’s the accident. I’m afraid it knocked the breath right out of me.”
“Are you ill? We can’t have you getting sick now, not when I’m so close to leaving. If you want, I can come up and—”
“No.”
She fervently hoped she hadn’t shouted the word as loudly as she thought. And that Rosemary hadn’t heard Mace’s soft chuckle.
Or the rasping sound of his zipper going down. “I’m fine. Really.”
Roe peered up at her, one eye closed to the sun. “Then I’m waiting to hear these hot-shot plans, princess.”
“What are you doing back there?” Cam muttered between her teeth, trying to mimic a smile. “I’m gonna kill you.”
“Now, now.” Mace’s voice, whispery and seductive, flowed over her, even as he grasped her buttocks with both hands, kneading possessively. “Mustn’t let Auntie Roe know you’re being a naughty little girl, hmmm?” With a tiny growl from deep inside his throat, he nestled closer, probing her cleft from behind with one thick finger. “Don’t mind me. I’ll just find something to occupy myself while you two girls talk.”

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I haven’t read an Iris Johansen book in a long time, and I completely admit it was the cover of this book that had me picking it up and carrying it to the counter. And I ever glad I did. I loved it!

Devon Brady is a devoted veterinarian working in a makeshift hospital on a remote search and rescue mission. When a man arrives with his wounded black Lab, Ned, she has no idea that she is about to be plunged into a whirlwind of terror and destruction.

Jude Marrock is out for revenge and has no choice but to involve Devon in a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game with an escalating body count. She doesn’t trust him one bit, but when the shots start flying and friends start falling, she finds herself with nowhere else to run. And there are innocent lives, both human and animal, at stake, including those of Ned and his mysterious pack. Is Jude Devon’s salvation or her damnation? Are the secrets he’s protecting worth killing for…or dying for?

I’d link to the authors website, but to be blunt, it sucks. I tried to find the blur on there, or an excerpt to link to, but nada.

That, however, does not distract from the fact that the book rocked. The characters were very well developed. I was kept guessing almost to the end if one in particular was a good guy or bad guy. (Which to me is great storytelling) The storyline itself was unique. And the ending pretty much perfect. It was an all around engrossing read that kept me hooked from the first page to the last.

I’ll definitely book looking for more books with some of these characters hopefully showing up again.

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I wish I had somethign to post about, but honestly, right now I’m just sort of doing normal every day things. I’m finishing up my taxes for 2008 (Yes, I’m behind on them. This year has gone past WAY to fast.) I’m working 4 shifts a week at the bar, trying to watch what I eat, trying to get some writing in. Trying to get some photography in.

I am reading a lot. Not many new books though. Mostly old favorites. I try a couple of new books every now and then, but to be honest, I’m not finding many that interest me. It just seems like lately every time I pick up a book either it sounds too familiar (as in, I’ve read this over and over already) or it sounds great, I read it, and find the story itself, or the writing, lacking some magic. I’m not sure if that’s me being too picky, or the writer in me being too analytical. Or if there really is something missing from those stories. So, I’ve gone back to reading some of my tried and true favorites.

What are you reading right now? Anything you think I should give a try?

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So, I was sick all week. I blame it on living in northern Alberta where it’s warm shining sun one day, and then snowing the next. Yep, it’s May in Alberta, and it’s impossible to know if I should have and extra sweater in my car or blanket on my bed. That of course leads to a nasty cold – and I’m either a whiny baby or a mean bitch when I get sick.

But, I think I’m better now. I’m hoping I am, cuz I have things to do and people to see. :)

However, I did do some reading while I was sick…so here’s my thoughts on a couple of books.

RELENTLESS by Lauren Dane.
Loved it. RELENTLESS is a sequel of sorts to UNDERCOVER, Lauren’s first book for Berkley. By of sorts, I mean it’s set inthe same world, and you get a glimpse of the characters from the first book. But the story stands alone. If you’ve not read UNDERCOVER don’t let that stop you from reading this one. It was quite a bit more political than I expected, but that didn’t bother me. Ms.Dane wrote the story in a way that even I- the most unpolitical person you can imagine – enjoyed it. There weren’t any real surprises plotwise in the story, but that didn’t matter either. This book wasn’t about intrigue or twisty surprises, it was about the characters, their relationships, and their world. I don’t need to tell you it was hot and steamy, because that’s a given with this author. I was sucked into their lives, and I didn’t want to leave until they had their happy ending. Even then, I didn’t really want it to end. The good news is that there will be more stories set in this world from Ms.Dane in 2010.

DEATH ANGEL by Linda Howard.
Linda Howard is a hit and miss author for me. Some of her stories I love, some I can’t get past the first chapter. DEATH ANGEL I loved. I’ve always bee n a fan of the “Bad Girl” and this story delivers. It hooked me from the first page, and kept me enthralled and cheering for the protagonist the whole time.

MAGIC BITES by Ilona Andrews
It was good. I would like to say I loved it, but I didn’t. I liked the story idea, I liked the authors voice, and I liked what I thought the characters could be, but for me personally, it felt like it was lacking something somehow. I can’t tell you what because I couldn’t put my finger on what it was. It was just one of those books that I read right through, and enjoyed, but ultimately it left me feeling a bit let down. I like it enough that I will pick up the next book in the series though, because who knows, maybe it was just my mood that day.

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Cursed by God, hunted by demons, desired by Cain and Abel… All in a day’s work.
For Evangeline Hollis, a long-ago fling with a bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks just became a disaster of biblical proportions. One night with a leather-clad man of mystery has led to a divine punishment: the Mark of Cain.
Thrust into a world where sinners are drafted to kill demons, Eve knows her learning curve must be short. A longtime agnostic, she begrudgingly maneuvers through a celestial bureaucracy where she is a valuable but ill-treated pawn. She’s also become the latest point of contention in the oldest case of sibling rivalry in history…
But she’ll worry about all that later. Right now she’s more concerned with learning to kill while staying alive. And saving the soul she’d never quite believed she had.

This is my official Blurb review of Eve of Darkness:

Day lets her imagination free with an Urban Adventure that is not only fast-paced, but erotic, and addictive.

This book has layers that mean you should take your time with it, yet, that’s hard to do because there is so much fast action, I just wanted to read and find out what was going to happen next. So, it’s become a book I’ll re-read time and time again, and love it a bit more each time. I can’t wait for more Eve.

I’ve known Sylvia for a number of years, and I’ve always enjoyed her writing. But in her new incarnation as S.J. Day, I have to say… I Love it. There are many ‘kick ass’ heroines out there, but I think Eve is on her way to topping them all. This first book is just the beginning, and I’m ready for more. Thank God they next 2 books release in June and July!!

Read an EXCERPT

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My super talented friend, Cathryn Fox has a new release out from Samhain! Check it out!

It was just a sexy game. Then things went south…

Taylor Dayton has been holding back a secret from her best friend, firefighter Christian Bain: he’s the only man who can douse the flames

inside her. It’s time he noticed her as more than an ice cream and movie pal. What better way to melt the blinders from his eyes than propose an irresistibly sexy grooming session?

Christian can hardly believe the woman from his erotic dreams has just issued a siren call no red-blooded male can resist. He’ll give her what she wants, and when he’s done with her, she’ll need more than a fire hose to cool her down.

When their little game leads them to discover their secret fetishes and fantasies, they realize that this sexy seduction is no longer just a game.

This time, it’s for keeps.

I loved this friends-to-lovers short story because it was written in a fun, quirky sense that had me smiling through most of it. The sex scenes were intense and erotic while also carrying forward that sense of fun and adventure…That made the relationship work on so many levels. I highly recommend One on One for anyone looking for a sexy fun short read to warm your body and soul!~ The Romance Studio, 5 Hearts

Excerpt:

“Okay, what do I have to do to get Christian to look at me like that?” Taylor Dayton asked her two friends as they all sat around The Hose, the local watering hole where the firefighters from Station 419 gathered for a nightly game of eight ball.

Megan, Taylor’s friend and coworker at Chez Frontenac, the finest French restaurant in Chicago, twisted sideways and shot hunky firefighter Christian Bain a glance.

With his stance casual and his body language confident, Christian’s eyes filled with lust as he perused one of the regulars who’d just sensuously sidled up to him, her body conveying without words what she wanted to do with his hose.

Megan arched a brow. “He’s a real hottie, isn’t he?”

As Taylor acknowledged the flare of desire deep between her legs, she said, “Oh yeah, he’s hot all right. Hot enough to set off the smoke detectors in our apartment complex.” Taylor took a much-needed sip of her strawberry daiquiri hoping the cool drink would help tamp down the passion rising in her. Waving her hand in front of her face, she continued with her litany of why Christian was so damn hot. “Honestly, it’s hell living next door to him sometimes.”

“How so?” Megan asked.

Taylor angled her head for a better view. No two ways about it, the guy was downright scrumptious. Her gaze raced over him, taking in his roguish good looks and virility before stopping to linger at the apex between his legs. She took a brief luxurious moment to conjure up the image of those muscular legs entwined with hers. The mere thought of it had her body reacting with urgent demands.

With his seductive blue eyes, sun-kissed blond hair, and strong, athletic body, the guy was all rolled up into one perfect package designed for sex, sin and seduction.

As languorous warmth stole through her, Taylor blew out an agonized breath. “Christian’s a regular carnival attraction, the neighborhood bicycle, if you will. He has women lined up a mile long, eager to take a ride on his banana seat.”

Astute eyes trained on Taylor, Megan flashed a cocky grin. “Everyone but you, I take it.”

Under the cotton of his blue T-shirt, his striated muscles bunched and relaxed again with each easy movement. Liquid desire moved through Taylor as she studied him, taking pleasure in his every enticing shift. She also took pleasure in the way his long capable fingers slid up and down his pool cue in a smooth, fluid motion as he chatted with Miss Hot Pants. Her mind took her on an erotic journey, imagining how those fingers would feel stroking her body in a similar fashion, one part in particular, actually. As she indulged her wayward thoughts, her body quaked with excitement. An erotic whimper bubbled in the depths of her throat.

Damn, he was yummy.

When her eyes met his, a sensuously wicked grin turned up his mouth. His smile was a little arrogant, and a whole lot sexy. Sexual longing swamped her as he fueled the flames inside her belly. Feeling suddenly feverish, she licked her dry lips. Honestly, the man oozed sex appeal like none other.

Taylor worked to compose herself. “Yeah, everyone but me,” she croaked out.

“So ask him out.” Megan tossed a salted peanut into her mouth. “What’s the big deal?”

“The big deal is it’s too late for that. We’re in the friendship zone.” She paused to do air quotes around that one word. “I’m his buddy, his pal, someone to eat chunky monkey ice cream with or watch movies with.

“Come to think of it, I haven’t been attracting a whole hell of a lot of attention from any of the guys around here lately. And those few men I have ended up between the sheets with haven’t bothered to call back for seconds.” She glanced at her friends. “Is there something wrong with me?” Toying with her ponytail, Taylor took note of her jeans and loose-fitting blouse. At twenty-nine maybe she’d skipped right over the vivacious-vixen stage and straight into grooving granny.

“No, there’s nothing wrong with you.” Megan gestured with a nod toward the washrooms. “Look at that cutie over there. He’s speaking to another guy right now and pointing your way. I think he’s got his hose aimed in your direction, chicky.”

Taylor glanced toward the long hallway housing the washrooms—a hallway that she’d come from minutes earlier—and took note of the guy looking her way. As far as cute went, that firefighter had it in spades, but he was no Christian Bain. Not by a long shot. Still, he looked like a guy who could get the job done. And tonight, after watching Christian work the pool table, she desperately needed the job done. Either that or she was about to spontaneously combust.

As Mr. Cute Guy moved across the room, toward her, she noticed Christian’s body language and took in his watchful eye. Gaze riveted, he leaned against the pool table and perused the action with mute interest. His brotherly instincts were kicking into high gear, no doubt. When his blue gaze flitted across her face, it triggered a craving deep inside her—a craving she knew only he could sate.

Bending forward, Mr. Cute Guy put his mouth close to her ear, his warm breath hot on her neck. Speaking in whispered words, he said, “I think you lost something.”

Oooh, a new pick-up line. How refreshing. Taylor waited to hear more, but instead of whispering sweet nothings and telling her all the naughty things he’d like to do to her later that evening, he held his hand out.

Mortified, she swallowed down the lump rising in her throat and glared at the hair net swinging from his extended fingers.

Oh hell!

“I think this fell out of your bag earlier, ma’am.”

“Thanks,” she blurted out. With little finesse she snatched the hair net and stuffed it into her pocket.

How. Totally. Frigging. Embarrassing.

After Mr. Cute Guy twisted around and made his way back across the room, Taylor threw her hands up in the air, knowing it was time to make some changes before she turned into one of those little old ladies with four hundred cats.

“Okay, girls, I’ve had it. That’s the last time a hot guy my age is going to call me ma’am.” She slammed her hands down on the table, her voice taking on a serious edge. “It’s time for drastic measures.”

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Have you picked up Lauren Dane’s UNDERCOVER yet? if not, you should!

Finally, a futuristic erotic romance that has it all.

Characters I could love…and uhmm drool over. CHECK

A world that made me wish I could time travel. CHECK

Hot sex full of emotion and style. CHECK

In UNDERCOVER Sera is the main character, and she’s stuck between an old flame, Ash, and a new one, Brandt. Not only is this story a menage story, but it’s a BDSM one. Dane does not hesitate to try and do it all, and she pulls it off. Undercover is Exciting, Emotional, and Arousing!

If you like original and erotic stories, then you’ll love UNDERCOVER.

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