Why Choose a One-Night Stand?

by Heather Long

When I wrote my first one-night stand last November, I asked myself the question of why would this couple need Madame Eve? Why would any couple actually need a Madame Eve to hook them up?

Not every one-night stand ends as a happily ever after, in fact—in life as in fiction—the one night stand is usually just that. One night of carnal freedom to either be someone else or be yourself with no expectations of tomorrow. In many ways, this is a very liberating event. You can spend the night with a perfect someone whose only interest is mutual pleasure, pack up in the morning and walk away—no fuss, no muss.

Guys do it all the time, but could a woman really do that? These are the questions I ask myself each time I sit down to write a new adventure for Madame Eve’s clients, particularly in my Always a Marine series.

• Rebecca, Once Her Man, Always Her Man - Rebecca agreed to the set up by her business partner because sheÕd lost all interest in romantic relationships never having found anyone that could take LukeÕs place in her heart. She didnÕt really expect anything to happen, least of all the love of her life to walk in.
• Jazz, Retreat Hell! She Just Got Here - Jazz is a Marine. She serves her country, works hard and is one of the toughest guys in her field. She wants a one night stand, because she just wants to fulfill a fantasy, be feminine for a night, and celebrate being alive before she heads out into the field.
• Lauren, Tell It to the Marine - Lauren was an actress, disillusioned with Hollywood and the empty relationships. She had her agent sign her up, and took advantage of the chance to meet a real man. She wanted just a good time, a real moment in time that belonged to her.
• Helena, Proud to Serve Her - Helena was one of those geniuses, who   finished high school and college early and then launched into a power career. But she was so busy building her life, she forgot to live it and when she found herself spending her twenty-ninth birthday alone, enough was enough. She wanted a one night stand to reconnect with the life she could have had.
• Shannon, Her Marine - Shannon actually broke a lot of rules for me, I am not fond of rape as a trope in a story for obvious reasons, but in ShannonÕs case - she literally doesnÕt remember the event. She knows it happened, but she was out and the guy was never caught. So itÕs not fear she lives with, but a sense of shame and loss of control. For her, the one night stand is about taking back her passion, facing her fear head on and freeing herself. 

Each of these women have a very different journey they take, but they are all clients of Madame Eve and each experiences a happily for now - if not a happily ever after and for some, that happily for now is all they need.

What reasons would you like to see for a woman exploring in a one-night stand? I'll pick a random comment (leave your email address!) and give away one of my books of your choice!

A Night of Wine and Marine

by Heather Long 

The Marine Corps makes three commitments:  

We will make Marines

We will win our Nation's battles

We will develop quality citizens

In the Always a Marine series, we meet those individuals, Marines who win our nation’s battles and have become quality citizens. For the most part, the Marines featured in these books have left active duty either through choice at the end of their contracts or because of injuries that sent them home.

In previous books we’ve met Luke, the officer and gentleman who left his heart behind when he enlisted, Logan and Zach, the best friends who would do anything for each other, and James, the psychologist trying to help them all put the patchwork of their lives back together.

In Proud to Serve Her, I would like to introduce you to the stellar chef and former cook of their unit: Damon Sinclair. You may remember him from his brief appearance in Tell It to the Marine.  Damon’s time in the Marines helped him to become a stronger man, but a man with a passion for food that he first learned at his Momma’s knee.

Damon believes that a person’s choice of wine says a lot about them and that food is for the soul, not the belly. When his one-night stand time comes, he makes arrangements to meet his date at the grand opening of his new restaurant. His plan is very simple; seduce her with magnificent food and wine. 

By contrast, his date Helena, has spent so much of her life focused on her education and her career, she’s faced one too many birthdays alone. It took Madame Eve a whole year to find the perfect guy for her one night stand, but is she ready for Damon’s sensual assault?

Excerpt:

“Wines say a lot about someone. A person who orders a dry white is a focused individual, and prefers clearly defined foods, with a smoky cheese. Whereas the patron who enjoys a fruity white is more likely to indulge in a spicy dish.” The lyrical cadence to his words fascinated her.

She rubbed her finger against the warm side of the coffee cup. A swallow of the bitter black brew helped. It was far less than her stomach wanted, but it would have to do for now.

“And red wines?”

“Reds are complicated. First there are the blushes. The shy palate prefers a blush because she knows what she’s getting, but she really wants to experiment. She just doesn’t know how. She who desires a merlot possesses sophisticated taste, but is very clear on what she won't try. And burgundies…” the faux waiter sighed, dragging the word out until the breath caught in her throat. “Burgundies are for those hungry for something they've never had before.”

“And you can tell all of that by what wine a person orders?” Her heart thudded against her ribs with a curious thrill of anticipation. If he was any example, this restaurant would be a smashing success.

“Yes, ma'am. Which wine would you prefer?”

This is probably one of my favorites from the Alwaysa Marine series and I warn you, I was starving while I wrote this. So pour yourself a glass of wine, curl up with a good meal and enjoy Damon and Helena as they celebrate her birthday.

Want to win a copy? Tell us your wine selection, Damon wants to know.