LADY OF THORNS by Nicola M. Cameron @YesItsNicolaC

November 22, 2017.Reading time 10 minutes.

Hello, and thanks so much for having me on today! Lady of Thorns is the third book in a series that was never supposed to be a series. I’ve been describing it as “Lady Mary from Downton Abbey goes head to head with Alan Shore from Boston Legal—and hijinks ensue!” While I’ve resigned Danaë and Matthias to the background for now, fear not, Mattaë fans—book four will run in parallel to the events of Lady of Thorns and covers what happens when Matthias arrives in Hellas for his first official visit after the wedding.

In the meantime I do hope you enjoy the story of Amelie and Alain, and I can promise that they’ll make another appearance down the line as I now know where I’m going with this series. All I will say about that is: buckle up, because it’s going to be a bumpy ride. Mwahahahaha…

Blurb:

Love was never supposed to be part of the deal…

Lady Amelie de Clerq’s prickly demeanor and earth mage abilities have earned her the nickname “Lady of Thorns,” keeping potential suitors at bay and making her the butt of the nobility’s jokes. Determined to attract a husband who will love her for herself rather than her fortune, she decides to embark on a journey of sensual self-discovery.

Alain LaPorte, wily lawyer and toast of the capital’s social set, has been summoned to Lierdhe to oversee business negotiations with a neighboring earl. When Amelie asks Alain to tutor her in the bedroom arts, he agrees to introduce the virgin mage to pleasure. But lessons in lovemaking soon turn into a matter of the heart, forcing both Amelie and Alain to confront their fears about intimacy, loyalty, and love.

Fantasy, Erotic Romance, MF
Word Count: 80,000
Heat Level 4
Published By: Belaurient Press

Books in the Two Thrones series:

Excerpt

LaPorte returned with two goblets of wine and handed her one, the deep garnet of the liquid lit with reflected fire from the candlelight. “I’m glad you came. I must admit, I was afraid you’d changed your mind.”

Amelie took a deep sip, hoping the cool, tart wine would help soothe her nerves. “I had to persuade my maid that I didn’t require help getting ready for bed.” As it was, she wasn’t sure that she’d convinced Jeanette with her excuse that she planning on going back down to her office. “I apologize if I kept you waiting.”

“No apologies necessary.” He showed her to a pair of chairs set on either side of the fireplace and sat down. “You look lovely.”

She plucked at the light blue wool of her gown, wishing she had worn something more alluring, or at least with a lower neckline. Her mother’s closet was full of silky, clingy dresses with daring necklines, and she would have given a great deal to rummage through them. Instead, I come to him dressed like some awkward girl.

Which I suppose I am. “Thank you. You look very handsome.”

He smiled at that. “Thank you, my lady.”

A silence fell after that. She fidgeted with the goblet, wishing she didn’t feel like such a fool. The weight of his attention was tangible, causing her stomach to flutter. “I don’t know what to say now,” she confessed.

“You don’t have to say anything. Drink your wine and let me look at you.”

Her mouth dried again at that and she took a quick sip from her goblet. “I’m sorry about the plainness of my gown. I’m afraid I don’t have anything appropriate to wear to—” A seduction. “—something like this.”

His lips quirked at that. “I asked you to leave what you had on because I liked it. Pretty gowns make for lovely gift wrapping, true, but it all comes off in the end anyway. Besides, there’s a certain appeal to a gown such as yours.”

“I don’t see what that could be,” she muttered into her goblet.

“It’s what it represents. Youth, innocence, an unknown territory ripe to be explored. I suspect it’s the reason why so many men have a fondness for deflowering virgins—they relish being the first man a woman has known intimately.”

She tried to lock the question behind her jaws, but it popped out. “Do you like that?”

“Deflowering virgins?”

“Yes.”

“No.”

She slouched lower in her chair. “Oh.”

He held up a hand. “Not to say that I have anything against it, mind you. Everyone has to start somewhere, after all. But I don’t fetishize it to the degree that other men do. I see it more as a starting point on a very pleasant journey.”

She hadn’t thought of it that way. “And you don’t think less of me for my request?”

“Not at all, my lady. You know what you want, and you wish an experienced tutor to help you achieve it. It’s all quite reasonable to me.” He settled in his chair, sipping his wine. “As I’m playing tutor to you in this area, are there any questions you wish to ask me?”

There were, actually. “Will it hurt much?”

“It shouldn’t. If I make sure you’re aroused and open first, you should be able to take me without discomfort.”

Take him. Those simple words set warmth surging through her lower belly. “So, no gushing blood or rending pain, then.”

He rolled his eyes. “That might be the case if a maid beds a huge brute of a man who’s only interested in his own pleasure. But that won’t be the case with you, I can assure you. I’m confident enough in my ability to couch a lance without causing you harm.”

Even if there would be pain, she was prepared to bear it for the promise of pleasure afterwards. She wondered how many women he’d taken to bed, but found she didn’t want to know the answer. “How do we do this? Go from sitting here to naked and in bed?”

Alain studied her, then drained his goblet. “Like this, my lady.”

Where to Buy

About the Author

Nicola Cameron is an expatriate Chicagoan who has lived in England, Canada, Holland, and Sweden, and keeps a confusing amalgamation of languages in her head as a result. Currently located in the clavicle of Texas, she has finally mastered the proper use of “y’all,” much to her Chicago family’s dismay.

Despite a healthy interest in sex since puberty, it wasn’t until 2012 that Nicola decided to try writing about it. As it turned out, the skills she picked up during her SF writing career transferred rather nicely to erotic romance. When not writing, she wrangles cats, smooches her husband, makes dolls of dubious and questionable identity, and thanks almighty Cthulhu that she doesn’t have to work for a major telecommunications company any more (because there’s BDSM, and then there’s just plain torture…).

ALPHA’S ALPHA by Elyzabeth M. Valey @evernightpub @ElyzabethVaLey

November 21, 2017.Reading time 8 minutes.

Blurb:

Lee never thought he’d find his mate at a club, but even less so, did he expect him to be, Alkaline, the leader of the mafia organization known as the Claws. If the lion shifter were not an alpha, things might be easier, but as it is, his mate is bent on keeping them apart. Not that it matters to Lee, he’ll hunt him down and make him his.

Alkaline doesn’t do sweet. Nor vulnerable. Nor submissive. So when his lion decides that his soulmate is an alpha puma, he refuses to accept it. After all, whoever heard of two alphas mating? However, resisting Lee is harder than he ever imagined.

With two men battling for dominance, who will end up on top? And will their romance survive the match?

Available at:

Evernight Publishing

Amazon.com

Amazon.uk

Bookstrand

Excerpt:

The beat of the music made the floor vibrate. The strobe lights flashed, creating a maddening effect. Lee lifted his arms toward the ceiling, and swayed his hips. He mouthed the words to the popular song, allowing the rhythm to wash over him and obliterate any thoughts and worries he still carried from the long day at work.

The animal within him stirred. Tossing and turning, it gathered energy from the pulsing tones and climbed to the surface as if awakening from a long sleep. Lee’s blood pumped faster. His vision refocused, throwing everything into sharp contrast, from the shimmering contents of beverages in clear glasses, to the glittery eye makeup of a random stranger. The club smelled like sweat and alcohol. Bodies pressed together, swaying, moving. Glass shattered somewhere followed by a chorus of “Oh!” and loud laughter. All around, people enjoyed a night out, oblivious to anything more than what lay a few feet from them. Unaware of the hunter in their midst.

Lee licked his lips. His cock twitched. It’d been too long since he’d prowled the night for a bed companion. Focused on his work as manager of the shifter bar Moon Point, sometimes he forgot to have fun, to give into his baser instincts. Normally, he’d go home, relieve himself, and fall asleep until the next day. But he was a puma, a night prowler. And tonight, after he’d closed Moon Point, he knew driving to the countryside and going for a run wouldn’t be enough. He was restless, yearning for something more which he could only describe as the need for company, for the feel of skin against skin, for the gentle caress of caring hands, if only for a few hours.

It was time to hunt.

Lee glanced around and caught the eye of a handsome stud with dark, puppy eyes. He grinned. The stranger looked away, then back at him, a small smile playing on his lips.

Game on.

Swerving his hips, Lee started to make his way toward the man and stopped. The hint of a welcoming scent caressed his senses. A desert breeze mingled with rare wildflowers. A spark lit up his core, sending a shiver of excitement through him. The top of his ears tingled. Lee spun. His heart froze, then resurged, pounding frantically.

Alkaline.

He’d never been formally introduced to the lion shifter, but he knew him on sight. He had to. One didn’t manage a bar in one of the seediest neighborhoods of the city without knowing the local gangs. Besides, Alkaline wasn’t exactly easy to miss. At six-foot-five, with shoulder-length red-blond hair, a matching beard, and slightly tanned skin, he stood out wherever he went.

Lee watched him move. His cock twitched. There was nothing submissive about the male specimen coming in his direction, parting the crowd like some kind of god. Alkaline exuded power, force, and unbridled passion.

Their gazes locked and desire rushed through him. Hell, yes. This was just what he needed. A real challenge. Lee extended his hand and Alkaline took it. The lion pulled him close with a firm tug. Hand on his waist, Alkaline guided him to the music.

Lee sucked in his cheeks to keep from laughing. Hell would freeze over before he was the one following. He pushed back, forcing Alkaline to release him. Then, rolling forward, he placed his hands on Alkaline’s hips and took the lead.

The lion snarled. His amber eyes flashed a warning. Lee didn’t retreat. His cock thickened inside his jeans, rubbing against the material. Abruptly, Alkaline dipped him slightly backwards, threaded his fingers in his hair and held, forcing Lee to stare at him.

His puma growled. Bursting through his defenses, it forced his vision to change. It turned sharper, more attuned to the man in front of him, from the tiny wrinkles in the corner of his eyes, to the small mole above his brow, to the thin coat of sweat which made his face glisten.

Alkaline glared at him. Lee’s blood pressure spiked along with his raging libido. He wouldn’t be the first to drop his gaze. He pursed his mouth. The music changed and someone slammed into them, breaking the connection.

They both moved at the same time. Lips clashed. Hungry. Hard. Lee’s fingers threaded into Alkaline’s long reddish mane and Alkaline rested his hand on the nape of Lee’s neck, bringing him closer. Their tongues entwined, desperately seeking for more, until the air ran out of their lungs and they broke apart panting. For a second, they gauged each other, and Lee wondered if he looked as bewildered and as consumed by lust as the other man.

Just when he was about to speak, Alkaline grabbed his hand and placed it over his erection. Lee groaned.

“I need to have you, now,” Alkaline said.

~~~~~~~~~

Available at

Evernight Publishing ~ Amazon.com ~ Amazon.uk ~ Bookstrand

About Elyzabeth M. VaLey

Elyzabeth M. VaLey is a writer of sizzling, sexy romance who firmly believes in happy ever after. From paranormal to contemporary, fantasy, or historical, she enjoys exploring her characters’ darker side and writing stories about tortured heroes, strong heroines, and all that comes between them and their love.

When she’s not writing, she can be found walking in the Spanish countryside with her black Lab, exploring castles, or enjoying some tapas with her friends.

Follow her at:

Blog
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram (@elyzabethm.valey)
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CYCLOPS by Gale Stanley @GaleStanley

November 20, 2017.Reading time 6 minutes.

Cyclops (Watchdogs 1) by Gale Stanley

Cover art: Bryan Keller

Genres: Paranormal, Werewolves, Gay, Action Adventure & Suspense, New Releases, Romance

Length: Novella

Page Count: 43

Blurb:

Ray Miller finds his calling in the Army, but an explosion in Afghanistan takes his left eye and his career. Set adrift, he turns to alcohol, until an old army buddy shows up and offers Ray a job. Now Ray has a secret identity. He puts his combat skills to use as Cyclops, a paid assassin who rids the government of bad guys.

Then, one day a chance meeting sets off sparks, and Ray falls for a man who could destroy him. Hooking up with a cop is reckless, but the sex rocks Ray’s world. How long can he hide his secrets before the hitman becomes the target?

Excerpt:

Mission accomplished. A simple in and out job, take aim at the target and pull the trigger. Now it was time to vanish, lie low and keep my head down. I usually played by the rules, but tonight I didn’t want to be alone. Danger is an aphrodisiac and I was one anxious horndog. I didn’t sniff trouble in the wind, so I went to Jared’s apartment, where I could keep my head down and suck his cock at the same time.

My digital car clock said three am when I pulled into a dark spot behind Jared’s building. He’d be asleep, so I let myself in with the key he’d given me. I shed my clothes in the living room and left them on the floor. I wanted to slip into bed beside Jared and surprise him. Quiet as a church mouse, I opened the bedroom door. A floorboard creaked as I stepped over the threshold. The light came on, blinding me for a few seconds.

Jared sat up and looked daggers at me. “Do you know what time it is, Ray?”

I grinned sheepishly. “Time to get busy?”

“What were you doing until 3 am?”

“Missing you.”

“Right.” Jared threw a pillow at me. “Go home, Ray.”

I picked up the pillow and walked over to the bed. “Don’t be such a sourpuss.” I tucked the pillow behind his back. Yawning, I scrubbed a hand through my regulation cut, two inches of hair on the top of my head, and tapered down the sides and back. I like to leave a little for Jared to pull on. The thought made my dick even harder.

Jared lay down and put an arm over his face. “I have to get up for work in a few hours. Lock the door on your way out.”

I sat on the bed and slid my hand under the sheet. Jared’s limp dick didn’t budge when I made contact. Damn, he really was pissed. “Okay, go to sleep. I’ll just lie next to you.”

“I don’t want you here, Ray.”

My temper rose, but I tamped it down. I have a short fuse but I try to lengthen it around Jared. A few slow deep breaths calmed me down. I pulled Jared’s arm back and stared at his face. His eyes were closed and it was hard to tell if he meant what he said. “Look at me, babe.”

Reluctantly, he opened his eyes. God, he was gorgeous. Honey brown hair framed high cheekbones and emerald green eyes. “Come on, babe, you know you don’t mean it.”

Jared and I had been together for eight months, and I’d gotten used to having a steady fuck, or as steady as it could be in my line of work. I didn’t see Jared as much as he would have liked, and the longer we were together, the harder it was to explain my absences. But, nothing worthwhile came easy and I was determined to keep him. I liked knowing Jared was there when I needed him. And right then, I needed him bad.

Available at:

Changeling Press | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks

Author Bio and Links

Gale Stanley grew up in Philadelphia PA. She was the kid who always had her nose in a book, her head in the clouds, and her hands on a pad and pencil.

Some things never change.

Happy Reading!

THE CHEF AND THE GHOST OF BARTHOLOMEW ADDISON JENKINS by Aletta Thorne @evernightpub

November 19, 2017.Reading time 7 minutes.

The Chef and the Ghost of Bartholomew Addison Jenkins

by Aletta Thorne

Blurb:

Autumn, 1982. MTV is new, poodle perms are the rage, and life just might be getting better for Alma Kobel. Her ugly divorce is final at last. Her new job as chef at Bright Day School’s gorgeous old estate is actually fun. But the place is haunted—and so is Alma’s apartment. Bartholomew Addison Jenkins’ ghost has been invisibly watching her for months. When he materializes one night, Alma discovers Bart—as he likes to be called—has talents she couldn’t have imagined…and a horrifying past. What happens if you have a one-nighter with a ghost? And what happens if one night is all you want—and you end up ghosting him? Some spirits don’t like taking “no” for an answer.

Buy Links:

EVERNIGHT AMAZON

Excerpt:

“You’ll turn over the record. Oh, because you…”

“I do like to keep up. Who poured you wine from the … refrigerator? Although, I don’t understand why people of your age prefer it so icy.”

Alma followed Bart into the living room, still wondering why things didn’t seem odder than they were. She remembered the Casper the Friendly Ghost cartoons she’d seen as a little girl. This ghost was acting—well, perhaps a bit more flirty than friendly. He only glowed a bit as they walked through the dim hallway that connected her rooms. You can hardly even tell he’s translucent. What had he seen of her, though? She was glad her frustrating night with Sid had been at his place.

As Bart bent over the turntable and flipped the record, the reading lamp by her couch highlighted the silver buttons of his coat. She curled up on the couch and put her wine glass on the glass-covered orange crate she’d turned into a coffee table.

Bart sat beside her, suspiciously close. He put an arm over the back of the couch, and Alma shook her head again. That’s the old sneaky-arm trick—like a high school kid. It’s kind of cute. She pulled her legs up under herself, and they quietly listened to the music.

“You’re right,” she said after a few minutes. “‘Fountains’ is really good, too. I almost never listen to that side.”

Bart made a quiet harrumphing noise.

Do ghosts clear their throats? Apparently so.

“Dear lady,” he said. “Although I do try not to snoop, as you would say, I have indeed observed your solitude. Let me assure you, your life will soon be happier.” He slid even closer to her.

Okay. Now the ghost is absolutely coming on to me. This is really happening. Oh, hell—why not? He’s not bad—for a dead guy.

“Um, Bart?” she said. His eyes really were a startling color—almost bronze… “You can’t actually be…”

Bart set his fingertips on her cheeks, looked into her eyes, and sighed. Then he smiled. “You think this is a ridiculous situation. It’s not ridiculous,” he said. “Not at all. Allow me to demonstrate … with your permission, m’lady.”

Somehow, that was funny, and Alma giggled. “Granted.”

Bart’s hands were impossibly soft and gentle—and his touch had some of the same fire-and-ice buzz that she’d felt before in the kitchen when he’d tried to get her attention. He guided her lips to his, and gave her what would have been a tiny peck—from anyone else. It shot a bolt of fire straight through her.

“Oh,” she said. It took a minute to get her breath.

HOW TO MAKE AN AVIATION

In The Chef and the Ghost of Bartholomew Addison Jenkins, Alma, the main character, enjoys a cocktail that would have been wildly retro in 1982—and just on the edge of being rediscovered. THE AVIATION is a gin drink, and if you think a Cosmo is a stealth martini, you ain’t tasted nuthin’ yet!

The Aviation

1 and ½ oz. gin

¾ oz. fresh lemon juice

½ oz maraschino liqueur (Luxardo is the best brand)

a scant ¼ oz crème de violette (ask at your booze emporium if they have it)

Put everything into a cocktail shaker with plenty of ice. Shake hard, and strain into a pretty, chilled cocktail glass, garnished with a single cherry. As Alma’s rude bartender says—a single cherry, because you only get one.

It’s still a delicious drink. And the perfect thing to sip while reading this book!

Aletta Thorne believes in ghosts. In her non-writing life, she is a choral singer, a poet, a sometimes DJ, and a writer about things non-supernatural. But she’s happiest in front of a glowing screen, giving voice to whoever it is that got her two cats all riled up at three AM. Yes, her house is the oldest one on her street. And of course, it’s quite seriously haunted (scared the ghost investigator who came to check it out). She is named after a little girl in her family who died in the late nineteenth century, at the age of two.

BLOND by E.D. Parr @evernightpub @parr_books

November 18, 2017.Reading time 7 minutes.

MM Romantic erotica, shifter gay romance

Blond

by E.D.Parr

What would you think if the guy you were dating raced off every night before midnight and would never say why? Would you succumb to the urge to follow him one night?

Liam Hale can’t believe his luck when he meets the man of his dreams, Karl Oberon.

Hunky Karl is the sexiest man Liam has ever met, but his mysterious disappearances start to tease.

Gorgeous Liam is the only man Karl has ever loved.

Together they spark and sizzle with passion, but Karl doesn’t know how to tell Liam why he races away. Maybe keeping Liam’s mind off the question with mind-blowing erotic encounters will work.

Warning this book contains:

MM sex, MM anal sex
in various positions, MM oral sex, MM sex in restrooms of gay bar, MM partner
masturbation and anal play

Read a teaser 18+

Karl rested his face on Liam’s. He whispered on Liam’s mouth. “You’re hot as hell. I’m fuckin’ desperate to feel your hard cock in my hand.” Then he kissed Liam.

The passion that traveled over Liam as Karl’s lips merged with his in a slow, soft, lingering kiss, weakened his thighs. The skin between his legs under his balls throbbed. His cock jerked in his pants. He returned the kiss grabbing Karl’s head and thrusting his cock in upward strokes on the hard column in Karl’s pants. He kissed Karl until every fiber of his being screamed to come. He murmured between kisses. “The restroom here is a good place for desperados.”

Karl smiled against his mouth. “I was hoping you’d say that.” He crushed Liam close in a final hug as the song ended and then he broke away.

Liam followed Karl across the dance floor and through the door that led to a short corridor and the restrooms. These weren’t like the toilets in some gay bars that Liam disliked for their barren and sometimes grubby surrounds. The restrooms in this bar were sparkling clean and spacious. Two of the stalls at the end of the row had benches and wash basins. Liam had laughed at them when he’d first seen them, but now he walked past Karl and showed him into one.

Karl flicked the catch along on the door lock. He pushed Liam against the wall with one hand, and as his tongue forced Liam’s lips open, with the other hand he dragged Liam’s jeans zipper down.

Liam moaned, overwhelmed with the need to feel Karl’s hands on his cock. He grabbed his jeans to help, and jerked them down his ass to his thighs as he sucked Karl’s tongue into his mouth. His cock sprang free, but not for long.

Karl grasped the shaft. He drew way from Liam’s lips and gazed into his eyes. “You’re leaking. You look ready to be fucked. Do you want that? To be fucked? To have my hard dick ram into your ass until your cum spurts up your chest?”

Liam’s entire body went into meltdown. His cock throbbed and his balls lifted so tight he instinctively reached his hand down to stroke them. His fingers met Karl’s wrapped around his dick. Liam’s stomach tightened inwards and he groaned. “I need to come so bad I’m about to fall down.”

Karl knelt and pushed his fingers between Liam’s legs. He stroked Liam’s balls with his thumb and clamped his other hand around Liam’s cock tight. The helmet head poked out of his fist and Karl lapped at the slit then circled his tongue around and around until Liam was gasping and thrusting.

Karl pumped Liam’s dick fast and hard. He teased at Liam’s ass with his fingertips and his palm cradled Liam’s aching balls.

Liam orgasmed with such intensity he grabbed Karl’s shoulders bending his head, and groaned open mouthed against the white linen shirt Karl wore. He thrust up into Karl’s fist and only stopped as the waves of delicious pleasure waned and left him drowning in satisfaction and gratitude.

Karl pushed Liam’s shirt up with strong hands and licked up his stomach.

The trail of exquisite sensation he left made Liam wince and sigh. He grasped Karl’s head, his fingers slipping through Karl’s soft, abundant hair, trying to bring Karl’s face to his for a kiss. “Kiss me, please…”

Copyright E.D.Parr

BUY the book:

MM Romantic erotica
https://www.amazon.com/Blond-D-Parr-ebook/dp/B076L3JC63
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blond-D-Parr-ebook/dp/B076L3JC63
https://www.amazon.ca/Blond-D-Parr-ebook/dp/B076L3JC63

On launch special price at Evernight
http://www.evernightpublishing.com/blond-by-e-d-parr/
Global Amazon link http://a-fwd.com/asin-com=B076L3JC63

Coming soon to Siren Bookstrand

Find E.D.Parr:

Evernight Publishing http://www.evernightpublishing.com/e-d-parr/

Twitter https://twitter.com/parr_books

Amazon page https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01MUNJ3I8\

Blogs:

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https://edparr.blogspot.com

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RUSH by C.E. Vescio @evernightpub @CaraVescio

November 17, 2017.Reading time 9 minutes.

RUSH

By C.E.VESCIO

BLURB

As the prima ballerina for a prominent San Francisco ballet company, Scarlet Rush is used to being on her toes- but after a failed kidnapping attempt, even her nimble feet aren’t enough to keep her out of reach of her rivals. Begrudgingly, she’s forced into the protective services of Alex Strong, a former private military contractor turned bodyguard. Scarlet isn’t thrilled to have Alex follow her every move, but as hidden dangers rise, she has no choice but to trust him.

Soon, Scarlet and Alex find themselves passionate partners in a dance all their own. Alex is captivated by Scarlet and knows he must protect her at all costs despite the pain of past demons still haunting him.

BUY LINKS:

Amazon // Evernight // Barnes & Noble // Book Strand // Smashwords

GOODREADS

RUSH SPOTIFY PLAYLIST

RUSH EXCERPT

Alex kept his gaze intently locked on her, watching the fluid movement of her silent twirls. He heard the soft thumps of her shoes and the sharp intake of her breathing as she glided over the dance floor. When she danced into the light, her expression held a soft sadness, and he could tell she was immersed in a secret world where no one could touch her.

From the point of her toes to the tips of her fingers, her grace held him captive, and he had to remind himself to blink. He understood now why Edward had chosen her. She commanded eyes to watch her with just her presence.

Scarlet danced around, holding her hands out to nothing, as if pleading to an invisible partner. Her leg rose in a controlled lift, and she extended her reach out. When her leg descended, she executed a turn, overstepped, and stumbled.

“Shit,” she muttered. She stopped and bent down to grab a towel on her bag. She wiped her forehead, then let her head lean back to stretch her neck.

Alex took another few steps into the room. “Is your back feeling better?”

Scarlet jumped, her hand flying to her mouth. She squinted at Alex, and recognition registered on her face. Scarlet smiled, putting the towel down to grab a water bottle.

“Yeah,” she said, taking a quick drink. “This is just a duo dance and it’s a little difficult when I don’t have my partner around, but he has a social life.”

Alex nodded. “So, even if you weren’t under curfew, you’d be here?”

“I like it here,” Scarlet said. “My grandmother always said dancing is the closest thing to magic.” She looked around and shrugged. “Guess I just get lost in my world. You don’t mind, do you? I won’t be much longer.”

“It’s fine,” Alex said. “I like watching you dance. It’s calming, even without music.”

Scarlet kept her eyes on him for a moment before she tilted her head in question. “Hey, do you want to do me a favor?”

Alex blinked. “Uh, depends.”

She chuckled, throwing the water bottle down. “I just need you to stand here as a base. I need to nail this sequence and the fouetté. Grab under my leg when I raise it to you. Then lift me from a floor position to mid, which is where your chin is, and right back down. I’ll guide you.”

Alex had no idea what she said, but he doubted it would be that complicated. He shrugged. “Okay.”

“Thanks.” She pointed at the floor. “Just stand here.”

Alex unbuttoned his blazer, removing it and his gun. He placed them on a chair against the wall and moved to the middle of the floor as directed.

Scarlet took a deep breath and her face relaxed. She fell into the same zone Alex had observed earlier, where it seemed nothing existed to her but dance. She stepped up to him, brushing her hand from his shoulder down to his palm. She grabbed hold and leaned in, kicking up behind her. He closed his eyes briefly as her movement made his pulse quicken.

Scarlet moved around him like an ethereal creature, her agile and controlled movements softly brushing against him. She ran her hands over his shoulders and his chest. He could hear her short breaths as her arms and legs executed their perfect action. He tensed up, attempting to push out the not-so professional thoughts that were slowly invading his mind.

Breathe, he commanded himself.

She stretched her body away from him, balancing perfectly on the tip of one foot, then turned back into him. Her back pressed into his chest and she brought her hands up toward his head, not quite brushing his face. He looked to the mirror across the room, studying the lines of her body.

He held his breath in again, as if it would help him feel less.

Scarlet spun around him one more time, ending in a series of turns before dropping down to his leg, and pushing away from him as if frightened.

He looked down at her in worry, but without missing a beat, she stretched away from him, arching her back.

Scarlet reached up a graceful hand to him. “Now pull me up to you.”

He took her hand, and pulled too hard. His strength lifted her easily off the floor and into his arms, which automatically closed around her as she collided with his chest.

She stopped and looked up at him in surprise. Both of their breathing elevated, despite Alex not having moved a muscle. He swallowed again and parted his lips, wanting to say something, but not knowing what.

Scarlet lifted her chin a little. Alex stared at her lips. The seemed to inch closer, full and waiting. He wanted to let the heated captivation of her dance push him over that edge, and the heavy tension of their embrace dared him to make that move. The sudden rush of desire surprised him.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

E. Vescio is a jack of all trades- and mastered at least one. Her first novel, Elegantly Wasted, touched on the demented and humorous side of a delightfully dysfunctional family. She’s a fan of writing and reading science fiction, urban fantasy, romantic suspense and contemporary fiction.
E. is a Navy vet, professional photographer, web designer, gamer, cosplayer, and a sporadic burlesque performer. She’s from Phoenix, but lives in Las Vegas with her husband, John and three mutts. They’re expecting their first child in January of 2018.

She’s passionate about typography, Shakespeare, theology, the music of Paul Simon, and Loki as portrayed by Tom Hiddleston.

FOLLOW C. E. VESCIO:

WEBSITE // TWITTER // FACEBOOK // INSTAGRAM // PINTEREST

FIELD OF GRATITUDE by Jacqueline Anne @AuthorJacAnne @sirenbookstrand

October 30, 2017.Reading time 17 minutes.

Field of Gratitude

Book 4 of The Field Series

They say things can change in a split second.

After surviving a hellish childhood as an orphan, Buccaneers pitcher Carlos Castillo keeps to himself, fearful of losing everything. That is, until he’s stranded during a snowstorm and rescued by antique shop owner Hope Hartmann.

With a passion for treasures and stories, Hope dreams of the fairy tale love and won’t settle for anything less. Then one extraordinary snowy day, a handsome ballplayer knocks on her door. Taking him in, she discovers a connection she’d never before experienced.

Carlos can’t ignore his feelings for Hope or the light she sheds on his painful past. He shows Hope heaven during hell, a time filled with threats and destruction.

It was a love Carlos never knew existed, and one Hope always wished for. Will a dangerously mysterious treasure ruin their chance at love?

[Siren Classic: Erotic Contemporary Romantic Suspense, M/F, HEA]

Pre-order – 10% discount! Available October 31st.

www.bookstrand.com/book/field-of-gratitude

STORY EXCERPT

He walked in, stomping the snow off his sneakers onto her doormat. “Sorry to be a bother, ma’am. Me llamo Carlos Castillo,” he said with an accent. She immediately knew English was not his first language. “May I borrow your phone? My car broke down and my cell phone battery is almost dead.”

“Sure. Hope Hartmann. Nice to meet you, Carlos.” She held out her hand. He removed his gloves and shook it, her breath hitching at his touch. She had shaken tons of hands over the years, and it never felt like this. It was as if he was caressing her, his hand both rugged and smooth.

Snap out of it, Hope.

“Right this way.” She gestured for him to walk toward the counter. She didn’t want him behind her, just in case. Oh, who the hell was she kidding? She had the sudden urge to check out his backside. As he walked by her, she inhaled his masculine scent and admired his tight tush clad in denim.

They reached the desk and she handed him the phone.

He grabbed a card from his wallet and dialed. He spoke to someone in Spanish, making her wish she could remember more from her high school classes, but either way, she was thoroughly enjoying hearing him talk. After a few minutes, he hung up.

“Thank you. A tow truck will be here within two hours. Is there a food place open?”

“Lucky for you, there is one bar open until midnight in this small town,” she explained. It wasn’t a big place, but Hal’s would do.

“Gracias. Um, would you like to come with me? I would like to buy you some comida for your troubles,” he offered with a genuine smile.

Food from Hal’s actually entailed greasy burgers and fries, but beat a granola bar any day.

“Sure. Thank you. Give me a few minutes to finish up here and we can walk over. Why don’t you charge your cell phone while you are waiting? I have a few different chargers for my customers to use while they shop. It often keeps them in the store longer.”

* * * *

Carlos plugged his phone in a charger then watched the woman move around the charming shop full of various items. Hope Hartmann was a vision and there was something intriguing about her. She was beautiful and possessed the girl-next-door vibe, as his teammates explained to him one day since he had never heard that term before.

His heart rate had picked up a bit from the first moment their eyes met. No matter how much his English tutor had helped him, when he got nervous, he mixed Spanish and English together. It drove some of his teammates crazy.

“Is this your shop?” he questioned.

“I am the H in F&H Treasures. My twin sister, Faith, and I own this place. What brings you through this town other than car troubles?”

“I’m on vacation, although it hasn’t been a good start so far. I’m heading to a lakeside cabin a few towns over.”

“By yourself?” She quirked an eyebrow then continued putting away some more items.

While he was used to the idea of being by himself, being in the presence of a beauty like Hope, reminded him of the many downfalls. “Trying something new for the holidays this year.”

“What made you select somewhere cold? I’m guessing by your attire that you aren’t used to the snow.”

“Dart game with some friends.” He chuckled, remembering the late night after Graham and Jordan’s wedding. It was Cece’s idea, the free-spirited one. She had grabbed a map from a box in Tyson’s SUV and taped it to the wall at the bar. Carlos didn’t think most people owned maps anymore, but Cece explained she wanted it for some art project.

“I’m from the Dominican Republic. This is my first snowy winter. I usually spend my off-season in Florida.” He purchased a small condo not too far from the beach when he first signed with the Buccaneers. It made sense since he was down there for spring training, and he preferred the warmer weather.

“Off-season? What do you do?”

“I play baseball.”

“As in professionally?”

He nodded. He was proud of his achievements, but still felt awkward talking about his career. It was a dream job for many that only a few got to experience.

“Oh.”

He wasn’t sure about her simple response. When most people discovered what he did, they would start asking a bunch of questions and ask for his autograph, and he found it overwhelming.

Hope grabbed her coat and bag, turned off the lights, and locked up the store. He stayed beside her as they walked toward the bar when Hope began to laugh uncontrollably. It confused him, but the wild sound warmed his heart.

“Hope? What’s so funny?” he curiously asked.

She quickly covered her mouth. “I’m so sorry. I’m not laughing at you. This whole day has been odd. First, there was this peculiar snow globe. Then you, this gorgeous professional baseball player, comes knocking on my door. Literally.” She giggled again. “I had pepper spray in my hand ready to use it in case you were a burglar or a rapist.”

Gorgeous, huh? He grinned at her compliment. “Better to be safe than sorry. Now that I think about it, I am very grateful you even opened the door.

ADULT EXCERPT

“I’m really hoping you are going to join me in here rather than stand there,” he urged, snapping her away from ogling.

She took a few steps in and leaned against the sink. “Maybe I’m enjoying the view,” she countered.

“It’s much better from in here.”

She had no doubt. Smiling, she undressed, his eyes watching her the whole time. The way he looked at her made her hot, and she could feel the passion exuding from his cinnamon brown eyes, like he was mentally devouring her.

She stepped into the shower, and Carlos shifted her right under the water. Closing her eyes, she leaned her head back to wet her hair, welcoming the steamy liquid when Carlos began sucking on her breasts. An erotic moan escaped her as his hands slithered down her body and cupped her sex. She gazed into his eyes and saw a mischievous look, and then he was kneeling before her.

“Hold on to the walls,” he requested. He lifted her left leg, causing her to squeal and try to keep her balance, and then he placed it over his shoulder. “I won’t let you fall, Esperanza.”

The statement sounded like a promise but took on so many different meanings in her mind. She didn’t want to lose her balance in the shower, but the man caressing her made her weak in the knees. She didn’t want to fall flat on her face when it came to life or her business, and he had been right beside her the past two days.

She couldn’t help falling for him.

She nodded at his words, deciding either way falling wasn’t so bad with Carlos around.

Watching his deliberate movements, he smoothed his hands up her legs, one remaining on her butt holding her in place while fingers from the other sank into her pussy. With a sharp intake of breath, she caught his attention, and it earned her one of his sexy smiles displaying nothing but sensuality and desire. Their gaze remained on each other while he moved his fingers in and out of her. Despite the rush of water flowing over her, she could feel the heat and wetness seeping from her. The way he moved and the look in his eyes slowly tantalized her, turning her on even more. For in that moment, their pleasure was their only care in the world.

Carlos dipped his head with his tongue darting out to taste her. She gripped his head, enjoying the silkiness of his wet, dark hair. He dug his fingers into her ass, deeply massaging the curves as he continued licking her. Feeling his fingers roaming closer to her anus, she moaned and rocked her hips wanting more, and he began probing the tight hole.

“Oh God, Carlos. That feels so good,” she enticed him.

She felt her orgasm start to build. Carlos was sucking her clit and fingering her, increasing the intensity when he splayed his other hand over her behind and his finger slid past the tight opening of her ass.

“Fuuuck!” She groaned at the full feeling as euphoric tremors seized her.

Carlos was relentless with the pleasure he gave, drawing out her orgasm to the point where she was sure she would collapse right onto the tiled floor. He must have sensed it because he quickly changed his hold to prevent her from falling. Then he stood and immediately pulled her into his arms, her head settling onto his chest while she tried to slow her breathing.

The passion this man had was mind-blowing, and she wanted him to feel the same way.

Pressing soft, open-mouth kisses over his pecs, stopping to lick each of his nipples, she moved her tongue down over his abs, feeling the dips of each defined muscle. She watched him closely as she moved to her knees. His expression was a mixture of longing and gratitude.

“Hope,” he said breathily.

She licked the entire length of his cock, drinking up the pellets of water. She dragged her fingernails up his legs, feeling the coarse hair covering his strong limbs. Reaching his hips, she moved one hand to his fine ass and cupped his balls with the other, all while sucking him deep into her mouth.

“You’re boca, Esperanza.” He growled. “That feels so fucking good.”

She loved hearing the Spanish roll off his tongue, knowing he was extremely turned on right now. Swirling her tongue around his tip, tasting the saltiness of his pre-cum, she took him into her mouth again, her tongue dancing around his dick, feeling the smoothness mixed with the engorged veins. As she felt his balls tighten up, she began to gently knead them.

Carlos gripped her head and began moving his hips, fucking her mouth. She took everything he gave her while she kept exploring and licking his cock.

“Hope, I have to—”

She knew he was about to come and wanted to taste him. Moaning her approval, the sound vibrating her lips around his length, he rocked into her faster then stilled, a low growl arising from his chest as he ejaculated into her mouth.

He went to pull out, but she stopped him, wanting just a few more soft sucks of his now sensitive cock.

“Oh Dios mío.” He shuddered.

She loved the fact that she could make this tall, strong, sexy man—a man who she could only imagine had his choice of women—quiver with her touch.

Connect with Jacqueline Anne:

Website: www.authorjacquelineanne.com

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/authorjacquelineanne

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/8537336.Jacqueline_Anne

Amazon Author: www.amazon.com/author/jacquelineanne

Twitter: www.twitter.com/AuthorJacAnne

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MASTEMA’S OBSESSION by Ravenna Tate @evernightpub @RavennaTate

October 29, 2017.Reading time 8 minutes.

MASTEMA’S OBSESSION
Demons On Wheels MC 3***Click HERE to purchase
directly from Evernight Publishing***

BLURB

Kayla Romanowski is having trouble adjusting to life as a dancer in Scotty’s Place, the posh strip club that the Demons on Wheels MC owns and operates. She hadn’t really expected to be assigned domestic duties, even though it was a clear expectation when she was hired As a result, her days involve resentment and dubious glances from the other women.

All that changes when she finally allows Mastema, the club’s Secretary, into her bed. Kayla is gun shy from her past experience at other clubs, but there’s something about Mastema she finds irresistible and trustworthy. He also helps her put everything in perspective, including her extra duties and their importance to the running of the club.

As she and Mastema grow closer, she opens up about her life, and discovers he’s harboring a secret of his own. Can they let go of their pasts and embrace their future together?

EXCERPT

“You want me to tie you up, we’ll use something else.” Mastema released her, and Kayla’s heart pounded as excitement coursed through her. He glanced around, finally dropping his gaze to her breasts.

“This will do.” She gasped as he pulled off her tank top. She hadn’t bothered with a bra today. The sexy grin that spread over his face as he eyed her boobs sent a gush of wetness to her pussy.

What a rollercoaster ride of emotions this day had been! But she was exactly where she wanted to be right now. With Mastema, his muscles, those incredible blue eyes, and the cock inside his pants that was surely hard as a rock. She couldn’t wait to have it inside her once more.

He grasped her breasts and teased them with his teeth and tongue. “You want to be tied up again? You want me to fuck you while you can’t get away from me?”

Kayla moaned loudly as fresh arousal assaulted her senses at those words. “Yes!”

Gasping again as he picked her up, she tried to keep breathing when he carried her toward the pole in the corner.

“I hope you’re not making that sound because you’re about to tell me again you can’t believe I carried you someplace.” He placed her on her feet, facing the pole. “Bend over.”

She had gasped for that reason, but not because of her body image. “No. It’s because you’re very strong and I find that incredibly sexy.”

“I find your body incredibly sexy.” He tied her tank top around her wrists. “Keep your hands on the pole so you don’t slide, and bend over a bit more.”

Once she did as he asked, he pulled down her shorts and helped her step out of them. She moaned again as he molded his body against hers. Even though he was still dressed, it was so damn arousing. And, she could easily get the tank top off her wrists if need be, but she loved the idea of pretending she was his prisoner once more.

“Kayla…” He reached around and grasped her breasts, kneading them until she was ready to scream in frustration. “Maybe I should go and get more condoms and the lube after all?”

One hand moved to her clit, rubbing it slowly. Her pussy was so wet that her labia made noises as he massaged her. “On the other hand, I love teasing you this way.”

Except she was so ready to come it was insane. “Please!”

He moved to the side and slid his other hand around to her ass, pushing one finger into her asshole. While he finger-fucked her ass, he continued to caress her clit with his other hand. “Please what?”

“Oh, God! Please fuck me!”

“You’re so fucking wet already.”

“How can I help that?”

“I love it.” He removed his fingers and pulled down the zipper on his jeans, taking out his dick. “But we’re going to make this last, Bedroom Eyes. You will come when I’m ready to let you come.”

Mastema moved next to her face and turned it toward his cock. She licked her lips at the sight of it, red and swollen, with tiny beads of pre-cum already dotting the tip. “Open your mouth.”

Kayla didn’t even hesitate. He shoved his dick inside, holding her head still as he slid it in and out, so damn slowly it drove her wild with need. She curled her lips around her teeth and relaxed her throat muscles.

“Oh, yes! That’s fucking exquisite. You can’t get away from me. God, Kayla. You should see how fucking sexy you look right now. Bent over and tied to this pole. I’m going to ask Gorgon to put a second one next to it so I can tie you up between them, spread-eagled, and fuck you until you beg me to stop.”

That image sent tiny contractions to her clit, which throbbed now from the need for release. He fucked her mouth harder. The tip of his cock touched the back of her throat with each thrust. Kayla flexed her Kegel muscles and tried to make herself come as hot desire spread through her.

But before she could bring herself to orgasm, he withdrew from her mouth and kissed her, hard and rough. “I will never get enough of you.”

“Same here.” She could hardly breathe, let alone form a sentence. Mastema trailed his dick over her face, lightly slapping her skin with it, before moving to her breasts to do the same to her nipples.
He alternated that with grasping them, rolling her taut peaks between his thumbs and forefingers the way she loved. The effect sent tiny jolts of electricity straight to her clit, until she was poised right on the edge of a climax.

“I can’t stand it any longer. Please let me come!”

“No fucking way.” He grabbed her head and shoved his cock back inside her mouth. “I’m having too much fun teasing you.”

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A FIGHTER’S LOVE by Lily Harlem @evernightpub @lily_harlem

October 28, 2017.Reading time 10 minutes.

A FIGHTER’S LOVE

Book #3 in the LONDON MENAGE series.

By Lily Harlem

Lily Harlem’s newest ménage a trois novel is a hot MMF boxing story set in Eastend London. Like all Lily’s LONDON MENAGE novels it’s fine as a standalone read – it’s just the female characters who are loosely linked – and it is seriously steamy!

Blurb:

After battling her demons, Jenny has finally found the courage to stand up for herself and fight for the life she’s always dreamed of.

What she doesn’t expect is to find that as she emerges from her chrysalis, she’s very much caught the attention of two super-sexy, incredibly talented boxers at the club she helps out at. They’re enchanted by her, they’ll do anything for her, and heaven help anyone who tries to hurt her, including her miserly ex, Billy.

But as things heat up, it’s clear Dale and Jackson are no ordinary sparring partners. Beneath their tough exterior and lively banter, they share a softer relationship that’s kept well hidden from the rest of the world. Will Jenny be allowed into that gentle place? Can they make it work when passion and lust hits them all hard? There’s only one thing for it, and that’s to trust love in all of its forms.

BUY FROM AMAZON NOW

OTHER RETAILERS

Find out more about LONDON MENAGE on Lily Harlem’s website.

Excerpt

After slotting in the last stack of papers in the filing cabinet, Jenny paused with her hands on the cool surface, and blew out a breath. It was time to go home and she’d managed the entire evening without seeing either Dale or Billy. What a relief.

Suddenly she was aware of a presence behind her. Close up. The scent of man enveloped her and heat from a large body burned against her back. “Jenny.”

It was Jackson. She went to turn but he pressed his big gloved hands on the top of the filing cabinet, trapping her within his colossal arms.

“What do you—?”

“Sh.” He pressed his lips against her temple, his stubble scratching her flesh.

Her heart pounded, her pulse thudded in her ears. She closed her eyes and pressed her lips together. Was he furious about what had happened between her and Dale? Was he going to order her to mind her own business about their relationship, or tell her she was a raving lunatic to suggest they were anything other than straight?

She could hardly think. Being surrounded by his thick, hot muscles, and the feel of his breath on her cheek, down her neck was beyond distracting. Jackson was neat testosterone and it was doing strange things to her female hormones.

“I learned today,” he whispered hotly against the shell of her ear, his lips brushing her flesh, “that you kissed my boyfriend last night.”

She drew in a breath. Had she heard Jackson right? Had he just confessed? Confirmed her suspicions in one heated sentence?

“I’m sorry,” she managed, not knowing what else to say. “For everything. But I’m going home soon and I won’t be back here, at the gym.”

He made a strange growling noise. It wasn’t like anything she’d heard before and it vibrated from his chest onto her back. “We don’t want that.”

“But…” Again she went to turn. Again she was blocked by his solid body. “What do you want?” she managed.

“You, tomorrow night. Dinner.”

“Dinner?” That had been the very last thing she’d expected Jackson to say.

“Yeah, we’ll pick you up at eight.”

She hesitated. “We?”

“Yeah, the three of us are gonna sit down and talk…” he paused, “about this unusual situation we’ve found ourselves in.”

“I don’t understand.”

“That’s why we’re going out.” He pressed his lips to her temple, the section now warmed from his breath. It wasn’t a real kiss, just a press of his mouth but it sent a skitter of little tingles over her scalp.

Jenny balled her fists, and kept her eyes closed. They were going out? All three of them?

As quickly as Jackson had surrounded her, he was gone.

The air seemed to flood her torso, chilling her, but her breaths became easier to catch. She spun in time to see Jackson striding from the room. His vest top had a line of sweat down the gutter of his spine and the ends of his hair were damp and sticking like tiny commas to the nape of his neck.

He’d come into the office, stated what was going to happen and then left. She should be mad. Wasn’t this the new Jenny? Not being told what to do. But how the hell could she refuse the chance to spend an evening with both Dale and Jackson? And what did he mean by ‘unusual situation’?

About Lily Harlem

Lily Harlem lives in the UK and is an award-winning author of sexy romance. She writes for publishers on both sides of the Atlantic including HarperCollins, Totally Bound, Pride, Evernight, and Stormy Night Publications. Her work regularly receives high praise and industry nominations.

Before turning her hand to writing Lily Harlem worked as a trauma nurse and her latest HarperCollins release, Confessions of a Naughty Night Nurse draws on her many experiences while nursing in London. Lily also self-publishes and The Silk Tie, The Glass Knot, Cold Nights, Hot Bodies, Bite Mark and Shared have been blessed with many 5* reviews – all available on Kindle Unlimited.

Check out Lily’s new reverse harem series – The Challenge, which so far consists of Castaways and Tearaways – also on KU.

If you love sporty romance don’t miss Hot Ice a seven novel 5* series about those sexy bad boys of the ice all available on Kindle Unlimited and the first book FREE when you sign up to her newsletter. And also check out Formula One themed novel Accelerated Passion and sexy soccer story Scored.

Lily writes MF, MM and ménage a trois, her books regularly hit the #1 spot on Amazon Bestseller lists and Breathe You In was named a USA Today Reviewer’s Recommended Read of 2014. Her latest MM novel is Dark Warrior and you can grab Part One of her MM series Caught on Camera for FREE!

Lily also co-authors with Natalie Dae and publishes darker plot lines and suspense under the name Harlem Dae – check out That Filthy Book which has been hailed as a novel ‘every woman should read’ and is available in book stores nationwide. The Sexy as Hell Trilogy, a critically acclaimed boxed set, is available on Amazon and KU.

One thing you can be sure of, whatever book you pick up by Ms Harlem, is it will be wildly romantic and deliciously sexy. Enjoy!

Visit Lily’s website for more details of her other books or her Amazon Author Page. Subscribe to her newsletter to get a FREE ebook and be the first to hear of new releases, and if you enjoy Facebook hop on over there and say hi!

LIGHTNING’S HIDDEN MENACE by Kory Steed @KorySteed @evernightpub

October 14, 2017.Reading time 16 minutes.

Thank you, Sarah, for inviting me to your blog. I appreciate the opportunity to share my second novel, Lightning’s Hidden Menace, published by Evernight Publishing, with your readers. At 65+K words it’s the second installment in my Lightning Series. The story picks up right where we left Jason and Aaron in From Lightning to Love, on the helipad just outside Jason’s secluded, mountain estate. Having given up his dreams of a future with Aaron, Jason is stunned that after nearly three month of separation, Aaron suddenly appears to him when he climbs out of the cargo hold of a delivery helicopter.

I wanted to connect these two flawed and damaged men with readers because they were able to find hope, happiness, and ultimately, love in each other at a time when their lives were at their bleakest. Jason suffered from PTSD for eleven years following two tours in Iraq as an army medic, and Aaron lost his life-partner in a horrific plane explosion. The first book has done very well, and I’m optimistic for this one. Since its release, the first week in September, it has begun to pick up steam, and I received a wonderfully positive review, in which the critic really understood and appreciated what I had hoped to convey. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the gift of a review. When someone takes the time offer you their thoughts, they’re giving you a little bit of themselves.

As I approached the end of the first draft, I realized it was getting very large, so I went back in and began to cut out scenes because my publisher’s maximum word limit is 100K. Unfortunately, I didn’t accomplished what I had hoped to because by the time I’d completed the final chapter, it was up to 105K. I knew that if I remove any more, the story would become choppy so I sought the advice of my author-colleagues, and several suggested that I divide it into two.

After considering the manuscript for several days, I realized it contained two climatic turning points, so I made the split after the first. This, however, created a new dilemma because it left the word count of one a bit light and the other, a bit heavy. Because I had saved all my earlier scene cuts, I was able to add them back in, but I also identified scenes where I had held back as I tried to keep it below the dreaded 100K mark. I fleshed out many of them and in particular, I significantly fleshed out the sex scenes which made them more dynamic and intense. In the end, I wound up with two separate manuscripts that were each over 65K.

At the end of September, I submitted the third book in the series, and I’m excited to share that it has just been accepted for publication. I’m also super excited about the first book in a new spin-off series I’ve just completed. One of its main characters first appeared in Lightning’s Hidden Menace as a summer fling for Jason and the other is an old high-school classmate of Aaron’s. I’ll be submitting it soon.

Again, thank you so much for allowing me to visit with you today.

Blurb:

Jason cannot believe that Aaron, the man whose life he saved and who helped him break free from PTSD, has suddenly returned to him. Healed, whole, and ready to renew their growing love, they begin to plan a future together. With their first night of torrid lovemaking, they dream of many more, but fate is against them.

A dark nemesis from Jason’s past reappears with lethal intent, driven by a grudge from having been disgraced by a military tribunal. The fallout for Jason and Aaron is far-reaching and heart-wrenching and tears into the fabric of the life they have so carefully begun to weave.

When hatred strikes in a barrage of gunfire, they are left fighting for their lives. Their only focus is to take back what has been ripped away from them; their only hope, that the strength of their love will be enough.

Adult Excerpt:

“You look beautiful,” Aaron said as Jason approached the bed.

“So do you. How did I get so lucky?”

“Luck had nothing to do with it, baby. You saved my life. You were kind to me, and you took care of me, and day by day, I fell more and more in love with you, and now you’re stuck with me.” Aaron opened his arms, and Jason climbed into them.

“I can live with that.”

As they began to kiss, Aaron rolled Jason onto his back. “Now let me take care of you for a change.”

“Just go slow, Aaron, and remember, just because I can’t go for too long doesn’t mean that I don’t want to.”

“Yes, baby. I’m going to take such good care of you.”

“I’m all yours, Aaron.”

“Yes, you’re mine.”

Aaron rolled to his side and began to slowly run the back of his fingertips across the thick, trimmed hair that covered Jason’s chest, lingering over each nipple when he crossed them. Then he moved it up and down his belly, barely making contact, raising goosebumps. “I could do this for hours, baby, but I know I’d be pushing it, and I don’t want to put too much stress on you.”

“It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s just…”

“Hush, my love, I know,” he answered as he covered Jason’s mouth with his own.

He ran his fingertips through the manicured lawn above Jason’s growing shaft and then cupped his balls into his palm, gently squeezing and massaging them.

Jason’s lips parted. As he let out a moan, Aaron drove his tongue deep inside Jason’s mouth.

“Baby, I could come just like this,” Jason moaned again as he pulled his mouth away.

“Is that what you want?”

“No, I want to come with you inside me.”

“Then I’ll make that happen.”

Aaron slid himself down along the length of Jason’s body until his face hovered above his shaft. He lowered his head and gently squeezed his balls as if he was testing the ripeness of an orange, just enough to bring the first drop of sweet nectar to the surface. When it appeared at the slit in the head, he flicked the tip of his tongue across it, lifting the drop as it emerged. Immediately, he encircled the reddened helmet with his mouth and began to flick his tongue around the corona and down the frenum. Then he began to suck.

Jason’s body spasmed. “Oh! Oh, my! Aaron.”

Aaron rose to his knees and pivoted around while moving his right thigh across Jason’s chest until he straddled it. He opened his mouth as wide as he could and slid down the shaft, deep throating it until his nose became buried in Jason’s balls.

Jason lifted his head and pulled Aaron’s sack into his mouth as he nuzzled his nose behind it, inhaling Aaron’s musk.

Aaron sucked Jason’s shaft hard as he pulled up and lingered over the crown, then he released it for a moment. “Oh, Jason, your scent. It drives me wild.”

Instinctively, Jason spread open his thighs when Aaron began to milk his shaft with his mouth. When Aaron reached down and began to circle his middle finger around Jason’s hole, Jason groaned and tightened his abdominal muscles, causing his hips to roll upward. “Ow! Aaron, help me. It’s pulling on my ribs.”

“Where the chest tube was?”

“Yeah.”

“I’ve got you, baby.” Aaron grasped Jason’s butt cheeks with his hands, spreading them apart, while he slid his mouth from the head and traced his tongue downward along the underside of Jason’s shaft. When he reached his balls, he mouthed them one at a time, rolling them against his tongue. Then he moved down further, licking along the shaft as it ran beneath the base of his pelvis until he reached Jason’s clenching hole. In one long motion, he spread his tongue wide and licked along the crack from the base of Jason’s cock and across the hole, until he came out the other end. Then he tightened his tongue into a lance and began to drive it against Jason’s outer sphincter, jabbing and wiggling it as he went until it relented and opened itself to him.

Jason’s body began to tremble and lurch in time with Aaron’s advances. Guttural sounds erupted from his throat as Aaron devoured him like a predator feasting over a fresh kill. The louder Jason became, the more Aaron was driven into a feeding frenzy as he sucked and slurped and swallowed until he breached the final barrier.

Aaron pulled away and reached for a bottle of lube. He popped it open and squeezed a huge glop over his fingers, then wiggled his middle finger against the outer sphincter of Jason’s hole at the same moment he dove down on his shaft again and began to suck, feverishly. Jason’s hole puckered, but then opened as he advanced past the inner sphincter. Making small circles as he probed deeper, he massaged the muscles and coated them with the slick lube until his finger was in to the last knuckle. Then he added his index finger and began sliding them together in and out and around and around.

“God!” Jason shouted. His breathing became ragged as he gasped against the advance of Aaron’s ministrations, and when he added a third finger, Jason began to pant.

“You’re almost there, my love,” Aaron said as he readied the fourth.

“I’m ready, Aaron. Please. I’m ready.”

When Aaron had all four fingers inside him and began to caress his prostate, Jason’s hips began to buck, wildly. A jet of pre-cum was ejected from the now purple head, and Aaron sucked it down his throat, greedily.

“Easy, baby. I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”

“I can’t help it, Aaron. Not when you do that!”

“I’m sorry, I was too aggressive. I forgot…”

“Don’t apologize! Not for that! Not ever!”

“Roll onto your side, baby. I’m going to take you slow. Slow and steady. Just let me do everything. I don’t want you to rip open any stitches. How would I explain that to your doctors?”

“Aaron, forget the fucking stitches! They’re coming out tomorrow. Now, please,” Jason moaned, “make love to me.”

Aaron’s cock bounced with each heartbeat, aching for release. He slid his body next to Jason’s, rolled him back onto his side, and encircled him in an embrace. Then he slowly slid his shaft along the cleft between Jason’s butt cheeks, through his thighs, and under his balls until its head found daylight on the other side. Jason reached down and scooped up what remained of Aaron’s saliva and mixed it with the pre-cum that oozed from his slit. He grasped the engorged head of Aaron’s cock and began to lubricate it.