Let’s Play Secret Wish

By Starla Kaye

I know it’s dating me, but do you remember those “Calgon, take me away” commercials? If not, the jest of them was that you’ve had a difficult day and really need a good soak in the bathtub…alone. You need to let the warm water and scented bath fragrance soothe away your mental and physical pains. Ever felt that way?

Okay, with that in mind (either doing so in reality, or by letting your thoughts wander along that line), let’s go a step further. Put yourself in a fantasy setting: an island with no electronics around you, no social media harassing or calling to you. Or maybe you’re at a luxury resort with too many options to pamper yourself to choose from. Or you’re in a… Well, you choose your escape from life setting.

What else has been a tempting fantasy for far too long? Maybe you’re at poolside and it’s really hot out. Wouldn’t it be delicious to have a skimpily clad, super hunk offer to fan you…while you savor just staring at every perfect inch of him? Maybe he sits beside you and hand feeds you plump grapes, sweet papaya pieces, or chocolate truffles. Then you lick his fingers and he… Supply your own bit of imagination here. Hey, maybe you want there to be two men, or another woman.

Maybe, like my Maggie in Maggie’s Secret Wish, you have a slightly naughty secret that teases and tempts you from time to time. But you’re reluctant to let the people around you know anything about it. And then someone close to you finds out about it, like her close friend did. Suddenly her little secret wish had the chance to become a reality. A reality that was an irresistible Scottish man experienced in exactly what Maggie had been dreaming about.

Blurb:

Maggie’s boring workaholic life and focus on her obnoxious ex is grinding her down. A friend’s advice sends her to Madame Evangeline’s high-end dating service 1 Night Stand. She hopes to find some fun, a date, and va-va-voom sex…not necessarily in that order. At least she will get out of her apartment for one hot night! Because, yes, she is just that desperate for a change, and there is that secret fantasy she’s been wanting to try out….

As Ian turns forty, his day job as writer of steamy erotica and night job as part-time Dom has him worried he will never have a “normal” relationship. With his particular kinky quirks, what woman would consider him husband material? Madame Eve is pretty good at her own job, are these two a match in a million or just a one night flash in the pan?

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Author Bio:

Starla Kaye wears many hats professionally and as a writer. She is the community coordinator for a Midwestern accounting firm, a gerontologist who volunteers with an active group of senior adults, a mentor/teacher of writing, and a multi-published author. She dabbles in writing romances of many sub-genres: contemporary, historical Western, medieval, sci-fi, fantasy, paranormal, and Regency. To date she has published 20 novels, 38 novellas, 8 anthologies, and 18 short stories. You can learn more about her work at http://starlakaye.com

Website || Twitter || Facebook || Pinterest || Amazon Author Page || Goodreads Page || Authors Den Page 

Having Fun with Hula Dancing

 By Starla Kaye

I’ve always thought that doing the hula looks easy to do and kind of sexy. Okay, maybe for some people. Some of us look a little awkward doing it. Still, it is fun and can be sensually stimulating when doing it for someone you love. Of course, it doesn’t take much to get a man excited. One or two hip sways can pretty much be all of the temptation you need to take things to the next step…if you know what I mean.

In Cowboy Dreamin’, when Kendra started her Tahitian dance in front of the two hunky cowboys for her pre-arranged one night stand date, she definitely got their attention. They went from semi-bored and cautious to “Oh yeah!” in speed of light time. Poor Shane chugged down his beer and worried that his old heart would beat itself to death. Carson, too, was caught under her mesmerizing spell.

In case you might be interested in pushing your lover’s buttons by doing a bit of hula dancing, here are some helpful links:

How To Do Things: How to Hula Dance  

Hula Dance HQ: Hula Dancing Tricks   

Monkey See: How to Hula Dance videos   

Here are some more links for making your own hula costume:

How to make a hula skirt costume from plastic bags 

How to Make a Hula Skirt

DIY: Hula Grass Skirts  

StepByStep How to Make a Hula Skirt

Cowboy Dreamin’ blurb:

Kendra spends her days and nights running a business, sculpting, and leading a Tahitian dance group in Kauai. She can’t squeeze anything else into her life, but she dreams of cowboys. Sexy, hot cowboys in tight jeans, low-tipped Stetsons, and dusty boots. Men who know all about how to please a woman. She enjoys her fantasies, but can’t imagine ever settling down. But one night with one would be so nice. Surely that would get her dreams of a white knight cowboy sweeping her off her feet out of her system.
   Because of an accident that Shane believes left him “less of a man,” he doesn’t see a wife and children in his future. Carson, his ranching partner—and sometimes lover—thinks Shane is wrong. Carson refuses to let Shane settle for a life of rodeo bunnies who only want a romp in bed with a bull rider. Shane deserves more than that. He manages to sign Shane up with a matchmaking service to, hopefully, meet another kind of woman, maybe someone who will appreciate Shane for the man he is. Except Madame Evangeline expects both of the cowboys to go on this special one night date. It doesn’t take long for either cowboy to realize that one night with the purple-haired, hip-shaking beauty in Kauai might not be enough….

ABOUT COWBOY DREAMIN’

Genre: Contemporary, erotic romance, GLBT, gay romance, ménage, western romance

Heat Rating: 5

BUY LINKS:  Amazon     Barnes & Noble     iBooks     Kobo     Decadent ublishing

AUTHOR LINKS:   Website     Twitter     Facebook     Pinterest     Goodreads    Amazon Author Page

One Cowboy + One Cowboy + One Hula Dancer = Oh My!

 By Starla Kaye

I can’t claim to be the most athletic or the most coordinated woman in the world. But I will give many things a shot to test my limited abilities. One of those things that has interested me is hula dancing. It looks so smooth, so easy to do. And sexy, like something to do with your lover or for your lover. Okay, my version, leaves a whole lot to be desired.

In case you’ve ever been intrigued about learning to dance the hula, here are some helpful links:

WikiHow: How to Dance Hula  http://bit.ly/1x6LhBR

How To Do Things: How to Hula Dance   http://bit.ly/1x6Lwwv

Hula Dance HQ: Hula Dancing Tricks   http://bit.ly/1MhB7oO

Monkey See: How to Hula Dance videos   http://bit.ly/1DYrZRp

Now, you’re probably thinking how does the subject of hula dancing possibly apply to one of my stories? Well, it does.

I love writing stories about cowboys, particularly if I can make them suffer in some way…”fun” suffering, that is. In Cowboy Dreamin’ I had not only one cowboy to tease and torment, but two! I enjoyed taking them away from their comfort zone, their ranch, and taking them to Maui.

Kendra Barlow has far too much on her daily plate. She’s a businesswoman and she volunteers as a Tahitian dancer with some friends. A love life…impossible. Until her best friend gets involved. Until Madame Eve and her famous 1 Night Stand service gets involved. Learning about Kendra’s secret fantasy of spending a night with a cowboy, Madame Eve goes above and beyond. She grants her such a night, with a bonus: two hunky cowboys.

Here’s a peek into Kendra’s reaction to knowing she is about to perform her dance in front of the men she has been set up with:

She paced across the small room again, fluffing the sides of her grass skirt again. “First impressions are a big deal, you know. And here I’ll be shimmying my ass around wearing a pink skirt made of fake grass and bouncing my boobs in a dumb coconut shell bra.”

To her disgust, Alexis laughed. “They’ll think themselves the luckiest cowboys in the world.”

And how do my cowboys react to seeing her?

The dancers did a sexy little hip-swishing spin. He swallowed and stifled a shudder. Sweat beaded on his upper lip. No doubt she affected every other man in the area. A glance at Carson told him his good buddy sure was under her spell.

He reached for his beer and chugged the rest of it, hoping it would cool him down. It didn’t. As he focused on the woman in the pink skirt again, he thought his poor old heart would beat itself to death. She had more wiggle to those amazing hips than any of the others. Those shells were working darn hard to contain her tempting breasts. And her smile…. God, he’d never seen one so….

ABOUT COWBOY DREAMIN’

Genre: Contemporary, erotic romance, GLBT, gay romance, ménage, western romance

Heat Rating: 5

BUY LINKS:  Amazon     Barnes & Noble     iBooks     Kobo     Decadent Publishing

AUTHOR LINKS:   Website     Twitter     Facebook     Pinterest     Goodreads    Amazon Author Page 

    

Things that go On and On

By Starla Kaye

Are there some things in your life that you feel are never really done? You take time away from things you would rather be doing, like shopping or going somewhere just for fun or spending the day just goofing off. Instead you use those hours to take care of chores like house cleaning, doing the laundry, or raking leaves. Except none of those chores are ever really finished. It’s kind of depressing when you think about them.

I’m sitting in front of a window at my daughter’s house while writing this blog post, looking out at the yard my daughter and I worked hard cleaning up yesterday. It was spotless when we “finished.” Not one fallen leaf anywhere. This morning the lawn is completely covered with big golden yellow leaves again. (Heavy sigh) What we tell ourselves is that it gives us another opportunity for more exercise.

Writing stories is another part of my life that goes on and on. I’m absolutely not complaining about that. Writing, to me, isn’t a chore. It’s what I do and what I love.

Think about what tedious tasks you face in your life. Then think about the parts of your life that could be considered repeated chores, but that you actually enjoy. Maybe they involve preparing big meals for your family and/or friends at holiday time. Maybe it’s figuring out how to find time to spend time with your kids, nieces, nephews, or special friends.

This is a special time of year when we have another chance to remember everything that we’re thankful for. My list could go on forever. How about yours?

One of the many things I’m thankful for is the chance to work with Decadent Publishing and sharing my stories with readers. My first release with the publisher was Maggie’s Secret Wish, with the 1 NightStand line.

Maggie’s Secret Wish has a spanking element to it, mainly one borne of curiosity on the heroine’s part. She believes she will never want to be really involved in such a lifestyle, but she wants a taste of what it is like to be spanked. She ends up matched to a very special man who is part of that unique world. But Ian has come to realize that because of his experience with being a Dom, he probably won’t ever find a woman who can truly love him. He doesn’t believe a woman can see beyond his quirks, even if he might be willing to give them up.

Since the release of Maggie’s Secret Wish I have published four more stories with Decadent: Starting Over as part of the 1 Night Stand Series, The CEO and the Cowboy, Acceptance as part of The Edge Series, Cowboy Dreamin’ another part of the 1 Night Stand Series. For Ruby’s Love, a sequel to The CEO and the Cowboy, is in line waiting for a publication date.

Maggie’s Secret Wish

Genre: Contemporary, erotic romance, BDSM

Heat Level: 4

Decadent Buy Link

Author Bio:

Starla Kaye wears many hats professionally and as a writer. She is the community coordinator for a Midwestern accounting firm, a gerontologist who volunteers with an active group of senior adults, a mentor/teacher of writing, and a multi-published author. She dabbles in writing romances of many sub-genres: contemporary, historical Western, medieval, sci-fi, fantasy, paranormal, and Regency. To date she has published 20 novels, 37 novellas, 7 anthologies, and 15 short stories. You can learn more about her work at http://starlakaye.com 

What About Him?

Most of the time when we think about romance, we (women) focus on ourselves. What do we think of as romantic? How can our lover please us? How can we get our lover to…? Well, anything that would make our tender hearts pound in excitement.

What about him? Doesn’t the man you love deserve equal treatment? Of course, this same thought can apply to the other person in your relationship, whether it is a woman-woman one or a man-man one. Generally speaking, there is one person in the relationship who tends to be the leader in the romance department.

I’m focusing here on suggestions about what a woman can do for her man, or the non-romance-leader to do for person they love.

Dress with your lover in mind. Wear one of his favorite outfits or wear your hair in a way her prefers. Buy some sexy underwear or some that has a suggestive message on it. Purchase some body paint and write a love message on your personal billboard just for him. Or wear one of his shirts and nothing else; make sure he knows that’s all you’re wearing.

Are you into touching? So are men. They’re not only visually oriented but very tactile loving. Play footsie under the table in a public place, keeping it appropriate so as not to embarrass either of you. Walk by him and touch his shoulder, maybe give it a little squeeze, and walk away. Give him a big hug for no apparent reason. Give him a hit-and-run surprise kiss on the cheek. Walk by him where he is sitting and lightly run your fingers through his hair.

Do you like being pampered? So do men. They like to know they’re appreciated, too. After he’s had a tough day, give him a massage or run him a hot bath…join him in it. Watch his favorite TV show (or game) with him, put his feet in your lap, and rub them. Buy some massage oil and have him stretch out on the sofa for a soothing rubdown. Set a romantic scene with blankets and pillows in front of the fireplace (or someplace special), serve him your favorite wine or his favorite drink, and….

Keep him aware of you. Put a nice or naughty note in his briefcase, or to open on his laptop. Call him at work and tell him you’re looking forward to having a special time with him that night. Tuck a suggestive picture of you in his shirt pocket. Show up at his office with his favorite snack or with tickets to an event he likes: a concert, a game, a special movie. Give him a long, hot kiss out of the blue.

The list can go on and on. But I think you get the idea. Be creative and have fun with showing your love of the important person in your life.

CONTEST: Share either something you’ve tried to show appreciation to your lover, or another suggestion to consider. I will select a random winner from the responses on October 27^th. The prize is a $25 gift card to Babeland Toys. Winner will receive one e-book of their choice from my Decadent Publishing backlist. Good luck!

Starla Kaye’s 1Night Stand books:

Maggie’s Secret Wish

Starting Over

Acceptance

Starla Kaye’s Contact Info

Website: http://starlakaye.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarlaKayeWriter

Twitter: https://twitter.com/starla_kaye

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/starlakaye/

Keeping the Romance Going

This month I’m revisiting another pair of my beloved characters, Corbin and Matt from Starting Over. Their story was my second one written as part of the 1 Night Stand Series and my first published M/M story. I enjoyed writing about these two very special men and their path toward healing internal issues from their pasts. It was a second chance at love, a coming out, and a fairly hot romantic discovery.

Here’s another look at the story’s blurb and a quick glimpse into their lives today. I’m also offering a contest in honor of my two heroes. Be sure to read all the way to the end of the post.

BLURB:

   A virgin gay man, Corbin is finally ready to ease into his new lifestyle, still, making the move scares him shitless. He’d spent years fantasizing about embracing his true self, but what had possessed him to agree to a 1 Night Stand hook-up? As he nears his date, a long, lean man with shaggy, graying hair, a hard on pushing at the front of his swim trunks, and a sexy-as-hell grin, dreams pale in comparison, and easing in takes on a whole new meaning. 

   Though tired of being lonely, Matt considers changing his mind about the one-night arrangement until a tall, well-built man strolls across the pool area toward him, then all thoughts of leaving flee. Those broad shoulders, the amazing pecs, the spattering of dark hair on his chest…all of it calls to him. He wants to touch it, play with it. He forces himself to calm down. Matt would be his date’s first male lover, and he intends to find the inner strength to take his time. 

   Intense physical attraction and Madame Eve’s magic ignite a nearly uncontrollable sexual fire, but will it be enough for two men stating over?

A LOOK AT THEIR LIFE NOW: 

   Corbin was running late, again. It seemed like that was how he operated these days: too busy and always late. He drew in a steadying breath as he headed for the same private bungalow at the Caribbean resort where he’d first met Matt almost three years ago. His stomach rolled with nerves just as it had on that fateful day. He’d been about to face his first male lover. 

   That had been the craziest thing he’d ever done. He’d been so far out of his element, scared bone deep, and yet determined. He wasn’t out of familiar grounds now, but he was bone deep frightened again. He’d allowed far too much distance—emotionally and physically—to come between he and Matt over the last six months. It hadn’t been just life getting in the way. No, he’d let business almost take over his life. And he’d sensed that he was losing Matt. 

   As he put the key card in the slot, he tried to calm his pounding heart. He couldn’t afford to screw this up. But he still didn’t even know if Matt would come here. They hadn’t seen each other in nearly a month. When Matt had told him he was moving back to California temporarily because of business, Corbin had been too involved in a big project to give it much thought. Until Matt had emailed him to say he’d probably be staying longer than he’d planned. Finally, panic spiraling through him, he’d come up with this “second honeymoon” type plan. 

   What if Matt didn’t show up? What if…. 

   When he heard the front door of the bungalow opening, a huge sense of relief rolled over Matt. Corbin had arrived, thank God. Even though his lover had sent him the tickets here as an out-of-the-blue surprise and left a somewhat cryptic email and voicemail, he’d wondered if Corbin’s plans would change. Too many other times they’d made plans over the last year something had come up. Matt had tried to be patient, to assure Corbin that it was always all right. In truth, it hadn’t been. 

   He sipped on the same fruity island drink he’d had on the day when he’d first met Corbin. Except he’d had the bartender put more alcohol in it this time. He’d needed the liquid courage, especially if…. 

   But he didn’t need the drink now. He released the tense breath he’d been holding when he heard the rattle of the door handle. Yet he stood by the sliding doors to the patio, pulse racing, nervous. He wasn’t proud of himself, but he wanted Corbin to make the first step here. 

   Their gazes locked. Matt didn’t say a word. Actually, conversation of any kind wasn’t what Corbin was interested in at the moment. Particularly not with Matt waiting for him, standing there in nearly naked invitation. The black swim trunks he wore only added to Matt’s male perfection. They hid little, and Corbin knew exactly what they hid. All he wanted was to touch the man who owned his heart. It had been too long. His fault. 

   He closed the door, dropped his bag to the tiled floor, and strode across the living room. Heat, need, desperation sped through him. His cock pressed against the front of his slacks. When he noted the desire simmering in the depths of his lover’s eyes, he began lifting off his polo shirt. 

   Matt met Corbin halfway. Who took a “first step” no longer mattered. They would be okay again. 

I hope you enjoyed this little look into Corbin and Matt’s life as it might be today. Too often we all get caught up in the whirlwind of life and begin to miss out on the magic of a loving relationship.

CONTEST: One lucky commenter will win a really fun “To Do” list and a small surprise. The winner will be chosen May 19^th.

Starting Over

Genre: Contemporary, erotic romance, GLBT

Heat Level: 4

Decadent Buy Link

Starla Kaye website

Twitter

Facebook 

#starla_kaye, #decadentpub

“I vow to grant you….”

By Starla Kaye

Every so often I like to go back and revisit my favorite characters, Maggie and Ian from Maggie’s Secret Wish are two such people. Here’s another look at the story’s blurb and a new glimpse into their lives today. And I’m doing a contest in celebration of my fun-loving couple, so be sure to read all the way to the end of this post.

BLURB:

Maggie’s boring workaholic life and focus on her obnoxious ex is grinding her down. A friend’s advice sends her to Madame Evangeline’s high-end dating service 1 Night Stand. She hopes to find some fun, a date, and va-va-voom sex…not necessarily in that order. At least she will get out of her apartment for one hot night! Because, yes, she is just that desperate for a change, and there is that secret fantasy she’s been wanting to try out….

As Ian turns forty, his day job as writer of steamy erotica and night job as part-time Dom has him worried he will never have a “normal” relationship. With his particular kinky quirks, what woman would consider him husband material? Madame Eve is pretty good at her own job, are these two a match in a million or just a one night flash in the pan?

A LOOK AT THEIR LIFE NOW:

Ian had missed his precious Maggie more on this lonely book tour than ever before. After being married for almost three years, he’d thought his feelings for her would calm down, his need for her would lessen. Neither had.

He worried about her not eating right when he was gone. Without him around to cajole her into cooking “real” meals, she tended to simply nibble on whatever was easiest. She was his Snack Food Queen. And without him to entice her into bed at a decent time, she would stay up until the wee hours. She’d work on her websites or respond to emails or post blogs on Facebook. She would do anything to keep from crawling into bed alone…or so she’d told him.

She needed him. But he needed her so much more.

He pulled into the driveway of his home in the Highlands and his breathing sped up, his body ached. Ever since his flight had left New York City he’d thought of little beyond striding into the house, searching out his lovely lass, and then scooping her up into his arms. He couldn’t wait to carry her upstairs and toss her down in the middle of their big bed. He didn’t think he could even take long enough to strip either of them first. Once he joined her on the bed, ripping their clothes off suited him just fine.

All he wanted was to get his hands on her…his mouth on her…his cock deep inside her.

He grabbed the special gift he’d bought her—them actually—from the passenger seat and climbed out of the car. A “Kinky Vows for Adventurous Lovers” activity card set he’d spotted one day in a store while wandering around the city, missing Maggie. He couldn’t wait to try them, sometime. Right now he didn’t need any sensual suggestions for seduction. He knew exactly what he wanted to do.

Striding toward the house, he thought about his bags. Later. Maybe tomorrow or the next day. He didn’t plan to leave their bed for a good long while.

As he reached the bottom of the steps, the front door opened. His beautiful wife stood there in all her naked glory. Naked except for a wide red ribbon wrapped around her waist. A huge bow was tied at her cute little belly button. The tails of the bow trailed directly down to her curly mound. Lord help him!

He froze, heart pounding so loud that he imagined she could hear it. He struggled to breathe, to think, to move.

Her face pinched in annoyance, she stepped barefoot onto the porch. “Get a move on, husband. I’ve got a serious need of you.”

“Ah, lass, I’ve a powerful desire for you as well.”

I hope you enjoyed this little look into Maggie and Ian’s life once more. It’s always fun for me to play around with what they might be doing.

CONTEST: One lucky commenter will win the Kinky Vows for Adventurous Lovers card set mentioned in this snippet story. The winner will be chosen April 28^th

Since the release of Maggie’s Secret Wish, I have published four more stories with Decadent: Starting Over, The CEO and The Cowboy, Acceptance, and most recently Cowboy Dreamin’.

Maggie’s Secret Wish

Genre: Contemporary, erotic romance, BDSM

Heat Level: 4

Decadent Buy Link 

#starla_kaye, #1NS, #1nightstand, #decadentpub