Introducing Myself to Decadent Readers…

Available HERE

by Christi Snow

Hi, everyone! The Christmas Top is my first Decadent release so I thought I would take this time to introduce myself to all of you.

*blinking cursor*

Yeah, there’s really not that much to tell. Flat out….

I adore books.

I know, I know. In this industry, that’s pretty much a given, isn’t it? But honestly, I write books because I love them. Seriously, LOVE them. Three years ago, that love obsession got to the point that I had to have an excuse (for my hubby) why I was reading so darn much (400+ books/year kind of obsession). That was the beginning of my book review blog, Smitten with Reading, which began in December, 2010.

For me, writing has always been a dream, but one I NEVER did anything about..nothing. As my book obsession became bigger, I literally began to dream at night in text…who does that? Answer: a writer who needs to be writing.

By the summer of 2011, I decided it was time to just do it. I wanted to create something that gave other people that feeling. You know what that is…that feeling when you finish a good book…part hangover, part happiness that it was so good, part sadness that it’s over, all emotion. I wanted to do that for someone else…anyone else. What an amazing thing. So, for my 41^st birthday (August, 2011….stop doing that math right now…yes, I’m old) I asked for a laptop and began writing.

Now, seven complete books later and way too many partials to even count, I wonder how I ever did without this.

So, how did I end up writing a Decadent M/M 1Night Stand novella?

Last Christmas, I wanted to challenge myself to write something fun and completely different. One of my good writer friends writes brilliant M/M novels and she knew I’d been playing with the idea since I adore reading M/M. Over the Christmas break, she pushed me to just do it. But up until that point, everything I’d written had been entirely full-length M/F romantic suspense. I’ve always loved the 1NS line…who doesn’t love a quick, sexy read?…and decided to try to write my novella so it fit within the series parameters.

So Mark, an NFL Offensive Coordinator who’s been hiding in the closet, came to me looking for a top….

And then there was Jason, a sexy pediatrician who’d tragically lost his partner two years ago.

They started telling me their story and when I discovered their combined history, I knew Madame Eve would know exactly how to work her magic with these men. Eve, in all her mystical wisdom, knows they need each other. And the result is a magical Christmas Eve….

I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I loved writing it.

Don’t You Love Second Chances?

Buy Bella Ink HERE

By L.C. Dean

An opportunity to embrace things missed or forgotten the first time around. The hope of something bigger and better. A second chance to find exactly what you needed but didn’t know about until it was too late. Sounds good doesn’t it?

I had that opportunity with my characters Jet and Ink. Beautiful Ink was written with the sole intention of exploring an erotic encounter between a local and a vendor at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. I never expected it to be anything more. But Jet walked away with so much potential for love and Ink had such a need for a man like him in her life. I had to see if Madame Eve could help Jet get around Ink’s defensive walls and discover the woman buried beneath the tattoo artist.

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway below for some cool prizes!

Blurb:

Jet Ryan’s haunted by the memory of one night in the arms of a sexy tattoo artist who pushed all the right buttons before she shoved him out of her life. No one else seems to measure up. He needs her out of his system or in his life, preferably the later. But, he’ll settle for one more night with her or a reasonable facsimile as long as he can touch her again.

Ink Monroe avoids expectations that might get her hopes up, doesn’t believe in endless possibilities, and has absolutely no room in her life for a guy who wants to take care of her. But damn, it would be nice to have all those things for a little while. So when a customer gives her a business card for a woman named Madame Eve, she asks for a man to solidify the hazy memory of a single night of passion followed by the best night of sleep she’d had in years.

Both have tall orders for a single evening of passion, but one night can lead to endless possibilities. Madame Eve promised.

Available NOW! Sturgis Rally Riders Book Bundle Including Jet & Ink's beginning!

Excerpt:

“Hello?” She looked around but there didn’t seem to be anyone there. A breeze filtered through the screen leading to a balcony. She opened it and stepped out, breathing deeply of the pine-scented air.

Then she saw him. A long lean cowboy type stretched out in a cushioned chair, boots propped on the railing. Sleep softened what would otherwise be a rugged face. Wheat colored hair fell over his forehead and brushed his shoulders. Gold-tipped lashes hid his eyes. Unable to resist studying him as she had his truck, she moved closer, eager to see what kind of man Madame Eve had sent.

A crisp white button-up, opened slightly at the throat, covered his broad thick chest and disappeared beneath snug jeans. His narrow hips contrasted sharply with the width of his shoulders and long legs seemed to go on forever. His boots had been polished to a fine sheen, but they bore the signs of wear. Everything about him looked solid, reliable…safe. A shiver ran through her. What would it be like to awaken in his strong arms, pillowed on a chest made hard by work? The thought tantalized with the impossible. To be as well-cared for as his boots or his vehicle, to be appreciated scars and all, it would be a fantasy beyond even Madame Eve’s talent.

Still, she wanted it. For at least one night she wanted to be worthy of such tender care.

She hadn’t bothered to read his profile. The 1NS service had sent it to her, but she didn’t want to know. She’d asked them not to send hers either, but she had no idea if they’d done so. Expectations led to disappointment and could distort the appreciation of reality. Though she doubted the man stretched before her was anything but what he seemed—deliciously sexy and rock steady.

L.C. Dean's Blog || Twitter: LCDean || Facebook  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Joy of Music

Buy Just What She Wants HERE

By Barbara Elsborg

Or not if you’re listening to me play the violin or the piano. My mother longed for me to show some talent on the piano. I had lessons for years and I honestly don’t think I improved at all. I refused to do exams because I already had to do those in speech and drama – yes, she was one of those sorts of mothers. Eventually I pleaded too much school work and she let me stop.

What did I do once I got married? Bought a piano. My mother thought she was vindicated and used to sit and listen to me play every time she came to stay until she remembered a pressing engagement with the TV in the other room.  But my kids loved the piano – ah – until I made them have lessons. Like mother like daughter. This time the music teacher begged me to let her stop teaching my son. Son was talented but he did everything off by heart. He hated the piano and he hated the teacher. Daughter plodded on. She took up the violin and being that sort of mother, I took it up too. Daughter ended up playing in the county orchestra. I retired horrorstruck once I realized there was more than one position. Those who play will know what I mean.

But listening to others play or sing, yes, that brings me joy. I can’t write while I listen. I get too distracted but I run and listen and that’s just perfect. The music gives me ideas for stories, for titles and makes me happy.

So what makes you happy?

One lucky commentator wins an ecopy of one of my 1NS stories – your choice – Just What She Wants or On The Right Track.

www.barbaraelsborg.com

www.barbaraelsborg.blogspot.com 

What’s Not to Like?

Buy Almost Perfect HERE

By Jenna Jaxon

In romance, we always want to like the heroes and heroines we read about. We want to fall in love with the hero and we want to identify with the heroine. We especially want to empathize with them. And, for me, most of the time, this happens. I love the heroine and I want to “be” her vicariously.

But what happens when you don’t? When you dislike the heroine?

I’ve been fortunate to only dislike a couple of the heroines in books I’ve read. But they were memorable. One, unfortunately, came from one of my favorite authors. The heroine was plucky, headstrong, moral, decisive, and determined. Strong character traits that work 99% of the time. But she railed against the hero for 3/4s of the book, because he gambled and she disapproved of gambling, even after he’d rescued her from ruin several times. Halfway through the book I was thinking that she didn’t deserve the hero--and he certainly didn’t deserve her. Reading this particular book turned out to be a disappointment (I still can’t figure out what he sees in her, LOL).

I’ve been concerned, however, that one of my heroines, Pam in Almost Perfect, might not be so likable in the beginning of the story. I saw her all along as a headstrong woman, very focused on trivial things--like movies--to the detriment of her marriage. Her character arc has her going from being sarcastic, brash, rude, and hurtful to understanding that she’s lost a true gem of a hero solely due to her abrasive ways. Sort of “you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til its gone.”

Some reviews of Almost Perfect have said that they didn’t like Pam in the beginning, but did like the way she repented and tried to make amends. We all like someone who grows enough to be able to say, “I was wrong.” And I made Pam funny, almost as if she’s the screwball in one of the screwball comedies she loves to watch. You have to love someone who makes you laugh. Just ask Roger. J

Have you run across many unlikable heroines?

Blurb for Almost Perfect: 

Pamela Kimball’s birthday present, a 1Night Stand adventure, promises to jump-start her life, put a new man in her bed, and help her forget her past. Unfortunately, movie-buff Pam’s Pirates of the Caribbean fantasy takes an alarming wrong turn when she’s abandoned on a not quite deserted island—with ex-husband Roger Ware.

Forced by hunger to accept Roger’s offer of dinner, Pam realizes the geek she married has transformed into one of the most charming, sexiest men she’s ever met. His newfound confidence—and hot body—re-kindle old fires. A simple kiss leads Roger to challenge her to discover how much his lovemaking skills have improved, leaving Pam torn between self-preservation and burning desire.

With time running out before they’re rescued, Pam must decide if her heart can survive the consequences of becoming Roger’s “almost” perfect 1Night Stand.

Excerpt from Almost Perfect: 

She snared the bottle, shot him a look of triumph, only to realize it remained capped. To open it she’d have to use her other hand.

Furious, she shifted her gaze from the tantalizing object to his gleeful eyes. “Would you open this for me, please?”

“Suddenly lost all your strength, have you, hon?” His eyes took on a hunger she remembered. “It’s not as if I’ve never seen your breasts before.”

“Then you don’t need to see them again, do you?” Heat rose in her cheeks. “Come on, open it. You said it was a peace offering.”

“And these are part of the peace negotiations.” He stood, arms crossed over his muscled chest, better looking than she remembered. Not fair.

“I’m bored. My date still hasn’t turned up, so I thought I’d come harass you a while. I’ll tell you what.” He reached for the Perrier and unscrewed the cap, but didn’t offer it to her. “You show me yours, I’ll show you mine.”

“And why would I want to see yours again?” Her eyes remained on the bottle resting at his hips and watched the carbonated bubbles rising to the top.

“For old time’s sake?” His eyes flashed with mischief as he tipped the sparkling water up and started to drink. She stared, her parched lips opened in outrage. Glug, glug. He made that sound on purpose. Was he going to drink the whole damned thing?

After swallowing at least a third of the contents, he came up for air. “Ah! Hits the spot every time.” He grinned. “Still can’t take a joke? Too bad. Here.” He thrust it toward her. Grabbing with both hands, she shoved the end into her mouth so quick the glass clicked against her teeth. Greedily, she sucked in and almost choked. The exquisite, light lime-flavored water rushed into her body to hydrate the parched cells. Three more guzzles and she breathed deeply, satisfied for the moment.

She pulled the lip away and wiped her hand across her chin where she had dribbled some. Holding it out to him, she noticed his slack-jawed attention riveted straight on her chest. Which meant….

“You still look fine, Pam. Mighty fine.” Her ex-husband licked his lips, his grin reaching almost ear to ear. If there weren’t still some water left in the bottle, she’d brain him with it.

He reached down and slipped off his sandals, then untied his drawstring, all the while gawking at her breasts. With one swift movement, he shucked his pants to reveal a hard, tanned body, complete with a serious erection.

She hadn’t seen that coming. Her mouth dropped open as the Perrier hit the sand. She stared at his fully aroused cock, a shiver of pure desire sparking through her before she dragged her gaze back up to his face. A low chuckle rumbled deep in his chest. “A promise is a promise. You showed me yours.” He threw her one more impish grin before taking off for the water. “You coming?”

She stared as he splashed in and dove under. His pale, rounded butt flashed her before sliding under the waves. Her heart pounded and blood sang through her veins as it had not done in years. A deep ache bloomed between her thighs, pitifully familiar; it too had lain dormant until now. The problem was it had been so long since she’d had sex. She’d be twice as horny if that were her pirate out there. At least she fought to believe it.

Roger’s head broke the surface and he flipped his hair out of his face. “Come on in. The water’s great!” She didn’t move. “I promise not to bite.”

“But I might,” she muttered, starting for the water, afraid they had the makings of a real live Blue Lagoon.

Almost Perfect is available at:

DecadentPublishing 

Amazon

Barnes& Noble

AllRomance E-Books

Bunny Goes Underground!

 Good Morning,

My name is Bunny and I’m your host today on the 1Night Stand blog. Once a month I find a poor sap, I mean victim, I mean interviewee, to sit in my hot seat. Today I have Doctor Lukas Gerard from down under.

No wait. Don’t go throwing your shrimp on the barbie just yet. Dr Gerard is all about going deep—into the earth that is. One wonders why a perfectly good specimen such as Dr. Gerard, feels the need to crawl around in the dark and dirt, but then again, there is much to say about dirty boys—they need showers, and lots of them.

Welcome Dr Gerard. *Glances down at his boots*

Hi Bunny, Thanks for inviting me to your…parlor?

Don’t mention it. You can come visit any time.

Let’s get on with the chat, shall we?

What size boots do you wear? I must say those are rather impressive. I have a thing for big—shoes. So, do tell. Is there any correlation between the size of a man’s.... Oh stop looking at me that way. I’m not the only one thinking it. Look out there in the audience. That blonde over there is waiting with baited breath for the anwser. So big boy, is there?

Size 14…and there is no scientific proof to back up your implication. But I will say I’ve never had any complaints.

Buy Virgin Under Ground HERE

Virgin Under Ground? Mmmm. Was your date your first, you know, virgin? How’d that go for you? If you’re looking for a woman with a tad bit more experience that is familiar with magma, I might be able to hook you up with a really cute single demon.

I’ll have to take a rain check. Jane might object. Does she have any prepping skills? There’s always room for someone who can can whole chickens and make eggs last up to a year without refrigeration.

Ugh. Can? I think not. Does this manicure in any way reflect that I do manual labor?

*Sighs* You don’t know what you’re passing on, but you can forget food preservation if you want to set me up with one of your nerdy buddies. Now, I do have some serious skills with shopping, and could get you some good deals on whatever your little heart desires. Just a teeny, tiny contract involved, and a little signing in blood. It doesn’t hurt much, I promise.

So I understand you like rocks. I hear you have a gold mine? Any diamonds or gemstones? I once had this boyfriend, he bought me a diamond cuff, and all kinds of jewels. Let me tell you, I milked that relationship for all it was worth. After a while, he got too clingy and wanted to give me a diamond ring. When I told him I just didn’t see a future with him, he wanted all of it back. So I shoved him in a lava pool.

Well then he probably dissolved quickly. Especially if it was Hawaiian lava which is much hotter. Now if it was from somewhere like Mt. St. Helens it would be about 200 degrees Celsius cooler, but  that’s still close to 2,000 degrees.  So it doesn’t matter, you killed him.

No, not the Islands. Daddy has this lake in hell. Have you heard of it? It’s quite the tourist attraction. We get quite a few lawyers and telemarketers, and a couple of ladies from the DMV. It’s a hot spot. You should check it out sometime. Very exclusive resort.

As for the ex.... *Shrugs* No big loss. We just weren’t meant to be. I just can’t stand it when a man starts talking commitment. Like I want to see him walking around my house for the next twenty years in his undershorts and sock, scratching his ass and belching. Jewels are much more agreeable, don’t you think? The saying is true; diamonds are a girl’s best friend. We’re real buds and nothing gets between me and my jewels. Men come and go, but diamonds are forever. I know where my priorities lie. I have a thing for men with big rocks. *Eyes Dr. Gerard.*

But enough about me. What hobbies do you have, besides digging in the earth? Anything apocalyptic? End of days? I am so into the whole end of days thingie. Really I am. It’s just so...me. I once dated one of the four horsemen. Do you know them?

I…what? Horsemen? There are quite a few horse owners in the Reno area, but I spend most of my time either on campus  or at my bunker. I mean at home. Of course at home…working on my inventions. My latest would probably have interested your late boyfriend. A flame resistant suit that will protect the wearer in very high temperatures. It hasn’t been tested in a lava lake yet, but if you are dating anyone now he might want to volunteer to beta test it.  

Oh, you have a sense of humor, I like that. Let’s move onto the next question, shall we?

Have you ever stood under a garden hose and washed the dust from your naked torso?

I happen to have brought one with me today, if you’d like to give it a whirl.

What? I don’t think I’m dusty just now…why are you unbuttoning my shirt?

Oh come on. It’ll be fun. *Twists and pulls green hose from shopping bag.* I got it on clearance last spring, but it’s still in working order.

No?

Okay. *Bites lip* You’re sure?

Fine. We’ll talk about your date. My bad. Back on topic then.

Tell me about the questionnaire you completed for your little date. What attributes were you looking for in your one night stand? Do you like horns? A little tail?

Never complain about a girl who looks good walking away.

I look good coming too, if you get my drift. Ah, yeah. Back to our chat. You’re a scholarly one, aren’t you? Let’s see what was her name again...? Lucy? Was she everything you thought she’d be?

Jane. And then some

Hmm. Well, beggars can’t be choosers, now can they?

I think you’re twisting my words.

That’s what demons do, dear. If you dance with the devil...you’ll get ridden hard and put away wet, or something like that. At least in Bunny’s world, that’s the way it goes. Okay, let’s get to the quickies. You like quickies, yes?

About the speed your ex dissolved?

Pretty close, try to stay with me, okay?

Brains or beauty?

A beautiful woman with brains since  you’ve asked.

Lips or eyes?

Doing what?

Oh good one. I’ll talk to you later about this. Stick around after the show.

Top or bottom?

Yes

I like you. A lot. Do you have any stalkers?

I don’t think so…but we young, brainy professors do attract the occasional pretty co-ed.

Want one? A stalker, not a pretty young co-ed.

You? Maybe…you do look pretty hot sitting there. I’ll see if my lady would like to spice up our love life. Although it’s pretty steamy with just the two of us…wouldn’t want me to combust would you?

Are you suggesting...? *Blinks* Why you wicked little devil. I’ll take that as a yes. I’m a certified stalker, but the chick has to go.  I work alone. Like I said, stick around after the interview.

Well that about wraps up our time. Thanks for stopping by today. Don’t mind the GPS I tossed in your Jeep. It’s there for scientific purposes only.  Research. For my dissertation. *raises hand* I swear on it. I’m studying the...geo thermal properties of, um, this mountain in Nevada. I hear it gets hotter the deeper you go, and I like hot. Very hot.

*Eyes flash*

Just how deep do you go, Dr. Gerard?

Wouldn’t you like to know, Bunny.

Just so we’re on the same page here, I have ways of finding out, so don’t tease a girl. K? You really, really don’t want to tease me.

Okay, the guy at the camera is making some obnoxious motion that I have to go. Be sure to come back in February to see who gets to sit in my “special chair.”

To find out more about Dr. Gerard’s and his date, check out this tell all exclusive, Virgin Underground. Kate’s Website or Decadent Publishing.com

Ciao,

Bunny. 

Flyover

Buy Flyover HERE

By Desiree Holt

Flyover is a funny word. It can mean a lot of things. It can be a high-level overpass that crosses over a highway interchange or intersection. It can be a flyby, a celebratory display or ceremonial flight, a ceremonial or honorific flight of one or more aircraft such as the Super Bowl flyover. It can be close-up aircraft reconnaissance. It can even be aerial survey.

So exactly how does this fit with sex and romance?

Well, first of all, for me, everything has to do with sex and romance. Just ask anyone who knows me. Potato chips, for example.   I think about scooping some dip and slathering it on a handsome hunk. Strawberries. Ooh! With a warm chocolate sauce that you can…you know.  What about a honkin’ big truck. You know what you can do in that big, wide truck bed! (Pause for knowing chuckle.)

So what did the word flyover make me think of? Well, a hot, sexy pilot. What else, right? Especially one crossing over the interchanges of his life. And a woman with her own interchange challenges. So what happens when they’ve arranged a “ceremonial flyby”—a 1 Night Stand set up through the fabulous Madame Eve.

They’d tried to make their plans carefully. Chelsea Haller saw this as a chance to turn things around in her life. She needed a new job in a new place, and definitely a new man. Preferably one who was not only hot but knew how to treat a woman. Alec Ramsey, a veteran pilot at home in anything that flies, was also at an “interchange” in his life. Looking at The Big 4-0, he yearned to find the right woman to settle down with. One who was a match for him sexually and intellectually.

They didn’t want much, right? (wink)

But Madame Eve assured them she could find the right people to fit their specific requirements. When a snowstorm stranded both of them at the airport in Boston, little did they know when they met in the nearly empty bar that they were Madame Eve’s clients. Or that the sate she’d arranged was with each other.

But it gave them a chance over a last drink to do a little “close-up aircraft reconnaissance” before acknowledging the sizzle between them. The sparks. The dynamic chemistry.Soon the icy snow was forgotten as the heat between practically melted the sheets. It was a night of erotic adventure beyond anything they’d expected from a 1 Night Stand. A “flyover” of epic proportions

Short excerpt:

Alec thought he should check the minibar, maybe offer her a drink. Talk a little while. They hadn’t done much of that in the bar. Get to know a little about each other. But the sexual tension was so strong he could almost see it. He didn’t remember the last time a woman had aroused him that fast without even any foreplay. Did she feel the same electricity? The same connection?

He walked up behind her and hesitated a moment before resting his hands on her shoulders. When she didn’t try to shrug him off or move away, he knew she felt the same attraction he did. Was he moving too fast? Hell, sex was the main item on  thenight’s agenda, anyway. They both knew it. If she shut him down he’d be no worse off than before.

But she didn’t. When he brushed aside her thick mane of hair and skimmed his lips over the soft skin of her neck, a shiver ran through her. A silent acceptance of his touch. God, she smelled so good, like flowers and the ocean and sin. He licked her skin lightly then nibbled on the lobe of one ear.

She pressed back against him and he turned her to face him, studying her for a moment then brushed his mouth over hers. Her lips were lush and full and tempting, with the feel of soft velvet. Tracing the seam of them with the tip of his tongue, he urged her to open for him and thrust inside her.

Jesus!

Her mouth was hot and liquid, her tongue dancing like a live wire. He moved his hands up and down her back, feeling the heat of her through the fabric of the dress. She gripped his biceps with her fingers and when she pressed her lower body against his, every nerve in his body fired. He wanted to go slow, take it easy. Give her the chance to get used to him. They’d barely gotten to know each other. But his body and his brain were engaged in a fierce battle for control.

Their mouths still fused together, he slowly lowered the zipper at the back of her dress and pushed the material down toward her hips. Again paused a fraction of a moment, waiting for her response. She made a slight sound of impatience, backed away from him and shoved the dress the rest of the way down her body, kicking it and her shoes away. His mouth watered at the sight of her in a demi bra, a thong and thigh-high hose. He wanted to grip her round hips, cup her generous breasts, and lick the inside of her curvaceous thighs.

Holy God! He wanted to lick her all over.

Thank you, Madame Eve.

Come visit me at:

www.desireeholt.com

www.desireeholttellsall.com

Follow me on Twitter at @desireeholt

Friend me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/desireeholtauthor

Check out my boards on Pinterest

Email me at desireeholt@desireeholt.com

The One that Got Away

Buy Reunited HERE!

By Sabrina Sol

His name was Christian.

To this day, I can’t help but think of him whenever I hear that name. He made my knees weak, made me fluster my words and, basically, turned my whole world upside down.

Then he broke my heart without even knowing.

He was my first, real unrequited crush. I loved him desperately and he, well, he thought I was nice.

Sigh.

The story is as old as some of my favorite John Hughes’ movies. New shy boy in school from the wrong side of the tracks is befriended by a group of outsiders – including one shy girl who secretly falls in love with him. All is wonderful until someone encourages new boy to join the football team. New boy does and is immediately embraced by the popular crowd. New boy doesn’t look back. And shy girl never tells him how she feels.

Double sigh.

Christian disappeared after graduation. I have no idea where he ended up or what he is doing today. I tried once to find him on Facebook, but was unsuccessful. Not because I wanted to finally confess my feelings or anything. After all, I’m a happily married woman. But I was still curious.

Now that I think about it, it’s probably better this way. My memories of him are innocent and dramatic all at the same time. Reality would ruin the story. Wouldn’t it?

In Reunited, my first book with Decadent Publishing, former geek Magdelena Cruz is hoping that reality lives up to the fantasy she’s had since high school—finally getting her crush to notice her.

What would you do if you had the chance to sleep with your unrequited high school crush?

If you’re former geek Magdelena Cruz, you’d do him in a heartbeat. But you’d lie about your true identity first and hope your new sexy persona is enough to create a night you’ll never forget with the one man you’ve always wanted. Meanwhile, Will Hudson is a workaholic assistant district attorney who doesn’t have time for a love life. He signed up for Madame Evangeline’s 1Night Stand experience expecting to scratch an itch with a willing stranger. He has no idea that his date is no stranger at all.

A reunion between these two classmates will be hotter than the scorching Las Vegas sun. But will the heat be enough to spark something deeper or will they both end up getting burned by Magdelena’s charade?

Want to learn more? Check out my new book trailer for REUNITED at www.theromancechica.com and you’ll have a chance to win an ebook of your choice from Decadent Publishing!

I’d also love to hear about your Christian (or Christina)? Do you know where they are now, and if so, would you ever want to see them again?

Share your story below for a chance to win a copy of REUNITED. I’ll pick one random commenter and announce the winner on Monday. Just visit my blog to find out if it’s you.

I’ll leave you with a quote from one of my all-time favorite movies – the John Hughes classic Sixteen Candles:

"That's why they call them crushes. If they were easy, they'd call them something else." – Jim Baker (Samantha’s dad)

Them are wise words, Mr. Baker. Wise words indeed.

Do you travel for the holidays?

Buy The Great Oudoors HERE!

by Becky Moore

I like to travel for Thanksgiving, and during the weekends leading up to Christmas since we like to be at home for Christmas Eve and Day. And regardless of the season, one of our favorite locales is Asheville. It’s nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where the Swannoa River meets the French Broad, and a hop, skip and jump away from the Blue Ridge Parkway, Grandfather Mountain and Linville Gorge. The rolling hills and mountains call to us with their Siren’s song, but we keep our beloved outdoorsy stuff for the spring and fall.

Christmas trips to Asheville are made specifically to visit the Biltmore Estate, and the Grove Park Inn. Did you know the Biltmore Estate has a table where Napoleon’s heart once sat? Or that it has the nation’s first indoor bowling alley? It took six years to build the house (our nation’s largest house), which is modeled after a 16^th-century French chateaux. It has 4 acres of floor space, 34 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces. CNN’s Anderson Cooper has a connection: his mother is Gloria Vanderbilt, and I believe it’s still owned by one of Vanderbilt’s descendants (though, it’s neither Gloria nor Anderson) … but I digress. George Vanderbilt had the estate built, and opened it officially to guests on Christmas Eve 1895. They welcomed countless dignitaries, including Edith Wharton, President Teddy Roosevelt, Henry James, and President Woodrow Wilson. And, sigh, it has a two-story library that is truly spectacular. There’s an enviable Tiffany glass collection, an indoor swimming pool, elevators, and an intercom system. The Vanderbilt’s weren’t messing around, I tell you. The estate is lit by candlelight during Christmas, and every room is awe-inspiring. The tree on the front grounds is larger than the one at the White House, and is lit like a beacon on the mountain.

The Grove Park Inn has a wonderful history, as well. It was built in 1913, and counts Eleanor Roosevelt, Henry Ford, John D. Rockefeller, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and President Woodrow Wilson among its distinguished guests. The first time I stayed was with my mom, the summer between high school and my freshman year at college. She won an award at work, a long weekend at the Inn with tickets to the Biltmore Estate. Since times were super lean when I was a kid, that award was like getting the keys to the castle. The stone fireplaces are so huge that we could stand fully upright inside of them. We spent our money sparingly, and saved enough to order room service the day we left: pancakes, sausage and freshly squeezed orange juice. Heaven. I’ve stayed twice more, with my husband, since then. Though, when we stayed for our first anniversary, we were in one of the historic rooms and when my husband opened a bottle of champagne, the cork flew into the ceiling and chipped out a good wedge of plaster [sheepish grin]. During the holidays, they host the National Gingerbread House Competition. I watch it on television, but we never manage to get there to see it.

So the next time you’re planning a trip to Asheville to see the leaves changing in the fall, put it off for a couple of weeks to experience the quaint town, and its two historic landmarks, decked out in Christmas regalia. It’s worth the wait, and sure to become a new family tradition. Whatever your plans for the holidays, I hope you are warm and safe, and spending them with friends and family who love you as much as you love them.

The Great Oudoors

Tallulah Murphy is a busy woman. As the newly appointed Director of Education for the Atlanta Art Museum, she has a thousand and one things to do on any given day. Dating is not high on that list; in fact, it’s not even on the radar.

Three hundred miles away in Charleston, South Carolina, Lieutenant Mitchell Weaver is gearing up for his promotion to be the youngest police chief in the city’s history. And unfortunately, as a prominent city official with all eyes watching his every move, a quality date seems untenable. But when good friends and good fortune set Tallulah and Mitch on a fateful adventure with Madame Evangeline’s high-end dating service, 1Night Stand, they may find a little matchmaking magic can reset their spirits of adventure and open their hearts and minds to the possibility of love.

Chatting with Strawberry Kiss's GAVIN

Buy Strawberry Kisses HERE

 by Dominique Eastwick

Thank you Gavin for taken a minute and coming to chat with us.

Tell us a little about yourself? I am a boring accountant, divorcee with a teenage son.

What music do you listen too? I love Jazz

What is your perfect evening? Hmm that would be hard. I evening at a ball game with my son is always perfect but an evening with a certain lady now that’s divine.

Is there anything you wish Dominique Eastwick had kept their mouth shut about? Well she did go into quite some detail but then it was a hot night with Mia. I am just happy she didn’t talk about the following nights. That might have gotten us arrested.

Do you feel you were portrayed fairly? Yes

Tell us about Mia what drew you to her? Mia is everything I have ever wanted in a woman, she is considerate and confident. She has curves where women should have curves. Within seconds I knew she was the one I had been waiting for.

What do you do to relax? I sit back listen to Jazz sip on some bourbon and curl up with Mia.

What’s your favorite sports team? L.A. Lakers

What about the Man on the cover is that a fair representation of you? At the time of this story, yes I had been working out a lot in preparation for my 1NS date.

What’s you biggest turn ons? Do you really have to ask? MIA!

What is your biggest fear? That I will wake up and Mia will have just been a fantasy.

Strawberry Kisses.

Are they ready to gamble on a 1Night Stand? 

Mia hides behind her computer, designing popular computer games. And though she knows just what to do to keep men coming back for more on the other end of the modem, she doesn’t seem to have the same knack in person.

Gavin hides behind numbers. Since his wife left him, the only thing he cares about is his son and his job. One failed relationship was enough, but if the right curvaceous woman came into the picture he just might manipulate the numbers a bit.

Can two meddling sisters enlist Madame Eve to bring Mia and Gavin together and show them two is always better than one?