Holiday Cocktails

Available HERE

By Louisa Bacio

Like mixing a bit of schnapps with your peppermint? How about an extra shot of cheer in your dessert coffee? After pursuing many recipes, here are five totally, yummy-sounding, naughty drinks.

5) Hot Buttered Rye – First impression of this drink, I have to admit, reminds me of an adult version of Harry Potter’s Butterbeer.  This whiskey cocktail gets topped off with a maple-cream, via Southern Living.

4) Gingerbread Apple Cocktail – Never heard of Domaine de Canton, a ginger liqueur, until discovering this seasonal surprise. One of my favorite items about winter is gingerbread. Add in vanilla vodka crisp apple cider and enjoy!

3) Dreaming of Zen – Stressed out after a busy year? Unwind with a Zen nightcap. No idea they made a Zen Green Tea Liqueur until I came across this stunning recipe. Plus, it’s green.

2) Candy Cane Cocktail – vanilla rum, white chocolate liqueur and peppermint schnapps. How could you go wrong with this Sandra Lee creation?

1) Champagne with Raspberries – It’s a classic for a reason: simple and elegant. Watch out, though, the bubbly tends to bubble a bit more with the added fruit. Bonus: chocolate-dipped strawberries on the side.

Thanks for pulling up to the holiday bar with me. However you celebrate, may it be joyous and full of love.

A Dance with Death

1Night Stand

She’s a classic…

After recovering from an injury and uncertain of her future in the world of dance, ballerina Isabella treats herself to a dating service–some frolicking between the sheets before she decides what to do with the rest of her life is just the jeté her heart and mind needs.

He’s a bit more modern…

A successful music video choreographer, Raul is constantly surrounded by gorgeous dancers. But his life lacks a vitality and depth he needs to fuel his creative passion. He turns to a 1Night Stand to discover inspiration.

A dance between life and death…

When an accident threatens to cancel the evening of romance, Isabella and Raul will have to dance to a new beat. Can a dance with death change fate?

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | All Romance eBooks | Decadent

Bottoms up, and enjoy!

Tell me: Have a favorite drink (or hunt for one online)? Leave a comment, and a valid email address, and you’ll be entered to win a copy of my first 1NS, A Date with Death.

Louisa Bacio

http://www.facebook.com/louisabacio

http://www.twitter.com/louisabacio

The Holidays with the Wymans

Available HERE

By Lia Davis

Hi! Lia here and I’m standing outside the Wyman’s house. They have graciously asked me to come over for holiday cocktails. Of course this also gives me a change to get in an interview before hand. *wink*

For those of you haven’t meet the Wymans, let me give you a brief low down.

Darian Wyman was a widowed vampire with an adult daughter, Katrina, who still lives at home—it’s common among vampire clans to have their children stay at home until mated.

Emalee Black was a human who wasn’t so human. Her “not so human” part had made her hide away inside a witch’s coven, far away from the paranormal communities who thought she could be a threat.

The two of them were lonely and sought some excitement in their lives. What better way to find it than a 1Night Stand?

                                         

Here the blurb for their story, Ravished Before Sunrise.

Born with the unusual ability to see what truly lies in the shadows, Emalee Black is stuck between two worlds, the paranormal and the human. Neither one accepts or understands her and she's forced to live a quiet, boring life in hiding. When her best friend mentions 1Night Stand dating service, Ema chooses a role-playing adventure straight out of her romantic fantasies. She's to hunt her very own vampire and have her wicked way him.

Vampire Darian Wyman is surprised when his daughter signs him up for a one-night stand with an exclusive matching agency. At first he's appalled by the idea, but as he reads the details of the date he becomes intrigued. For one night he will get away from the life he has long grown tired of to be hunted and captured by a would-be huntress. But he has plans of his own for his little vixen.

However, when Darian discovers the truth about Ema's inhuman abilities, the date could end before it gets started.

Buy links:  Decadent Publishing||Amazon||B&N||ARe||Smashword

~~~~

Sounds great, doesn’t it? Now let’s get started with that interview:

I rang the doorbell to the large, stone-faced mansion and waited. It wasn’t my first visit to Darian and Emalee’s home, but each time I’m here, I can’t help but take in the beauty of it.

All it needed was a few gargoyles perched along the roof and it’d be prefect.

The door opened and I smiled at Katrina, Darian’s daughter. Her straight black hair hung loose around her shoulders, accenting her ice blues eyes. She smiled back. “I’d told father he should get a few gargoyles.”

Shoot. I forgot Kat can read minds. “I might put a buzz in his ear as well.”

Kat laughed and stepped aside. “Please come in. Ema will be down in a moment.”

“Just Ema?”

Sighing, Kat nodded. “Father was called into the work. One of the clients are freaking out about something.”

“Ah,” I said and walked into the living room.

The biggest indoor tree I’ve ever seen sat in the far corner decorated in red, gold, and silver. Scanning the room, I noticed that almost every inch of the place had garland and lights either wrapped around it or draped over it.

Kat laugh softly. “Ema loves Yule. We had a blast decorating.”

“Lia!”

I turned to Ema’s voice and smiled. Her red hair was pulled back in a ponytail and she wore a light green sweater that matched her eyes and faded blue jeans. When she reached me, she drew me into a tight hug. “It’s been too long.”

“I know. Sorry.”

Ema waved off my apology, took my hand, and pulled me to the sofa. She sat, tugging me with her. I studied her for a moment and my heart warmed. She was happy and very much in love. I could tell by the way her green eyes sparkled and her skin held an almost magical glow to it. Well, not quite a glow, more like an otherworldly shimmer.

I heard it was like that when one is mated to the vampire.

“How is that vampire of yours?”

Ema’s cheeks turned pink. “He’s wonderful.”

Kat sighed. “I’ll just go up to my office now. You two have fun.”

Ema and I waved bye as Kat jogged up the stairs.

“She’s been working too hard,” Ema said with a sad note in her tone.

“She should take a vacation.”

With a sigh, Ema said, “That’s what I told her, but she is as stubborn as her father.”

I nodded. Darian was pretty stubborn and I can totally see that trait in Kat. “So, this is the second Yule you’ve spend with Darian. Any new traditions you started?”

“Well, we celebrate twice since Darian has Christian roots from when he was human. We spend Winter Solstice with coven and we spend Christmas day together with Kat watching the parade, old movies, and have friends over for dinner.” Ema paused to think. “That’s it. Just enjoy the holidays with friends and family.”

“That sounds nice.”

Ema smiled. “It is. Oh! Look at the time. What you like to help me get the appetizers ready? Darian should be back soon.”

“Sure.” I rose and followed her to the kitchen, which was almost as big as the living room.

Ema buzzed around the kitchen, humming while she pulled out items from the cabinets then the refrigerator. I smiled, not able to stop myself. Her happiness was just so infectious. It’s amazing how one night changed her whole life.

About the Author:

Lia Davis is a mother to two young adults and two very special kitties, a wife to her soul mate, and a self-employed romance author. She and her family live in Northeast Florida battling hurricanes and very humid summers.

An accounting major, Lia has always been a dreamer with a very active imagination. The wheels in her head never stop. She ventured into the world of writing and publishing in 2008 and loves it more than she imagined. Writing and designing are stress relievers that allow her to go off in her corner of the house and enter into another world that she created, leaving real life where it belongs.

Her favorite things are spending time with family, traveling, reading, writing, chocolate, coffee, nature and hanging out with her kitties.

Find Lia:  Website||Facebook||Twitter

Giveaway! 

Three lucky winners will each receive a $5 Starbucks gift card and a swag pack. To enter leave a comment answering the below question. Please be sure to leave your email address with your comment. Contest ends on Friday, 12/13.

What are your family traditions during the holidays? 

Let a Sexy Crow Shifter Carry Your Spirit

Crow Magic available HERE

By Mary Quast

After the Civil War, my ancestors settled in Michigan near a large tribal trading post and since then Native American legends, lore and herbal medicine are woven into the fabric of my heritage. My grandmother fascinated us with tales of spirit animals. With a toothless whisper she would often say, “Hush children. Crows are spirit carriers and you don’t want them hear you speak ill of the dead. The crow in the tree above us may be carrying the spirit of the person you are speaking of.  ” I remember watching a handsome crow in her backyard and imagined it carried Grandfather’s spirit to visit her.

I have crows nesting in the woods on my property and they are truly magnificent creatures to behold. My muse has wings and enjoys frolicking with the creatures. A crow landed with a gentle thump on the ground not far from where I sat one day. He tilted his head and watched me. Perhaps he expected a treat. I wondered whose spirit he carried. With a flutter of his wings he boasted his size. A vision of black silken feathers brushing seductively against pale skin tickled my mind’s eye. When the crow morphed into a drop-dead sexy man with is obsidian eyes, long black hair and tanned skin covering delicious muscles came to me, I couldn’t refuse his story. 

The intelligent gaze, silken feathers, strength of flight led my imagination to create the hero in Crow Magic. Tecumseh, aka Seth Crowe, is a Shawnee shaman who guides people out of the spiritual darkness of their lives, but at a cost on his own stability. He is naturally charming, but from his demanding 'work' his family fears he’s on a path of becoming bad-tempered and destructive. His family convinces him to use Madame Eve and her 1Night Stand service to find a special woman.

When the time comes for his date, the mischievous crow in animal form visits unsuspecting Lucy who opens her heart to the creature. Seth is moved and his spirit animal is drawn to her.  Once he makes his appearance as a man for their date, he uses his magic to draw out her fears and carries more than just her spirit out of darkness.

Now, my advice to you…never speak ill of anyone, especially when a crow is around. However, they are great listeners of dark secrets.

***************

Romance author and Artist Mary Quast lives in a log home affectionately named "Camp Run-A-Muk" located in the woods of Michigan with her husband, three sons, and a collection of animal family members. As a professional artist, Mary Quast answered the call to express herself creatively. With her descriptive writing style she has developed a knack for creating passionate characters and realistic settings. When she’s not busy writing contemporary erotic romance novels, novelettes, and short stories, Mary Quast doles out sensual tips and yummy eye candy on her blog “Romantic Interludes”.

Visit Mary's website www.maryquast.com or her blog at www.maryquast.blogspot.com

Check out another 1NS story from Mary Quast,  Handcuffs & Silk

Stephanie "Stiff" Johnson, is a tough Las Vegas cop who many men find too intimidating to date. Steph begins to wonder if something is wrong with her so she turns to Madame Eve to find a man who could be the yin to her yang, even if it's just for one night.

Hunter Morgan left behind years of living as a sub to a female Domme in New York. Upon return to his hometown, he questions whether he wants to continue with the "lifestyle" or find something different. Turning to 1 Night Stand, he hopes to sample his options.

A simple one-night stand opens a whole new sensuous world to both. 

Let’s Get Physical

A Dance with Death available HERE

By Louisa Bacio

Working with two flexible characters has its advantages. Both Isabella and Raul from A Dance with Death, my latest 1Night Stand, come from the world of dance, and I had a blast choreographing their sex scenes.

The poor duo barely makes it into the bed – and that’s only to sleep. Some writers complain about writing sex scenes: been there, done that. Really, though, it’s the characters that infuse the story with life.

In A Dance with Death, Isabella and Raul clash on the surface. She’s a ballerina, whose artistic training shines on the stage. He’s a hip-hop video choreographer – all flash.

Neither is happy with their lives. She’s at a crossroads, and unsure of where to go from here, and he’s hit a creative block. The first 1Night Stand A Date with Death began more with the female character. For Dance, Raul stood out. He spoke to me. The opening scene came quickly … and I wanted him to find his happiness. The question was who would fuel his passion, and act as a complementary contrast to give him the needed kick in the ass.

Although the story is set in the contemporary world, an element of paranormal runs throughout. There are little hints here and there of a darker alternative if this date does not work out. At odds, they can’t understand why they were matched. The two share a past, and must come to grips with their differences in order to have a future.

The dynamic between them explodes immediately, and it’s a good thing both have plenty of stamina. 

She’s a classic… 

After recovering from an injury and uncertain of her future in the world of dance, ballerina Isabella treats herself to a dating service–some frolicking between the sheets before she decides what to do with the rest of her life is just the jeté her heart and mind needs.

He’s a bit more modern… 

A successful music video choreographer, Raul is constantly surrounded by gorgeous dancers. But his life lacks a vitality and depth he needs to fuel his creative passion. He turns to a 1Night Stand to discover inspiration.

A dance between life and death… 

When an accident threatens to cancel the evening of romance, Isabella and Raul will have to dance to a new beat. Can a dance with death change fate?

Excerpt:

If Raul had met Isabella before that moment, he would have remembered her. She moved with the gait of a lifelong dancer. Elegant. No wonder ballerinas were described with terminology such as a gazelle. He worked with pop stars and modern artists so often, he’d forgotten the beauty of the more simple pleasures. Isabella seemed to shun simple. She embodied grace, refined and fragile.

Where had that thought come from? Despite being in dance—way back in the day—and working as a choreographer and producer, Raul’s image of himself was tilted, off-centered. He lacked agility—an ogre, a brute who would break the porcelain figurine the minute he got her between the sheets. His hard-on raged at the thought of her lithe body stripped bare, wriggling beneath him. Oh, he’d have to go slowly and gently, but she’d scream his name before the night ended. He could use the little ego boost and extracurricular activity.

She watched him, and he grew tired of the stalemate. Time slipped away, too precious to waste on the monotony of hard feelings.

“You need to loosen up.”

She opened her mouth, a line creased her forehead, and he moved, kissing her.

Full lips. His arm slipped around her waist and held her firm against him. She squirmed in his embrace, but soon her lips became more pliant, she leaned into his body, and let out a soft moan.

“That’s more like it,” he said, releasing her. “We need to spend more time kissing than arguing. Deal?” 

Louisa Bacio

http://www.facebook.com/louisabacio

http://www.twitter.com/louisabacio

http://louisabacio.blogspot.com

Bio: 

  A Southern California native, Louisa Bacio can’t imagine living far away from the ocean. The multi-published author of erotic romance enjoys writing within all realms – from short stories to full-length novels. 

  Bacio shares her household with a supportive husband, two daughters growing “too fast,” and a multitude pet craziness: two dogs, five fish tanks, an aviary, hamsters, rabbits, hermit crabs and rolly pollies. In her other life, she teaches college classes in English, journalism and popular culture.

Bad Ass Biters

This Time Next Year available HERE

By Catherine Peace

As a connoisseur of sexy fanged men (and grateful for spell check because I can’t spell connoisseur on my own), I spend a lot of time considering certain attributes of the delicious vampires that inhabit popular culture. Three of my favorites? Ridiculously hot and devious Eric Northman, brooding and loving John Mitchell, and kindhearted and moody Louis du Point du Lac, on whom my hero Kiernan is based…. The point (get it?) here is that there are plenty to choose from. And I didn’t even get to the Vampire Diaries. (I don’t read the books or watch the show, but Ian Somerhalder, if you somehow see this, have your people call…um…me.)

But which of these badass biters would be the best 1Night Stand date?

The Contenders

Eric—Oh, Eric. This tall drink of True Blood is the show’s resident undead panty drencher. On the outside, he’s cold, calculating and ruthless, but as season two showed us, he’s got a much softer side that is just as gorgeous as the package it comes in. Plus his intense loyalty to those he cares about puts him in the front running for a successful 1NS match. If you can get past his deviousness and into his heart, a happily ever after is almost guaranteed. HEA potential: Extremely high

Mitchell—Anyone unfamiliar with this amazing and beautiful vampire from BBC’s Being Human is missing out. More than once, this hunk of Irish goodness almost made me late for work. He’s basically vampire perfection—he can be ruthless and cruel when he has to be, but he can also be tender and loving, quick with a joke, and kind. Essentially he’s a mixture of Bruce Wayne and Tony Stark, minus the billions of dollars, abandonment issues, and alcohol problems. He’s also extremely loyal and has a lot of love to give. HEA potential: High

Louis—Louis…Louis, Louis, Louis. I’m partial to him for many reasons, one of which being we share the same birthday (October 4^th, which is also Anne Rice’s birthday). He’s broken, wracked with guilt over his brother’s death, and is in serious need of Madame Eve’s matchmaking services. If anyone deserves a happily ever after, it’s Louis, and I have confidence he would give as much—or more—than he gets, which is probably why there’s so much of him in Kiernan. HEA potential: Extremely high, if he can stay away from Lestat

Want a guaranteed happily ever after? This Time Next Year is available at Decadent Publishing, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.

Blurb:

  Kiernan Shaw has never forgotten the night twenty years ago when he’d been forced to stand by while another vampire killed a six-year-old girl’s parents in front of her. He’s spent the better part of the last two decades watching over her, protecting her and hoping for an opportunity to make amends one day.
  Ever since surviving the vampire attack that killed her parents, Moira Curran has dealt with the resulting nightmares and abandonment issues the only way she could—by throwing herself into her biochemistry career, preferring a life of a hermit in her lab to facing the reality of her lonely life.
  Madame Eve brings them back together for one fateful night. An immediate bond of sizzling chemistry and respect forms, but can it heal her fears and his guilt?

Add TTNY to your Goodreads TBR pile.

Find Catherine at:
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Goodreads

Going from Nobody to Somebody 

A Date with a Vampire. Or: Why we love the brooding undead? Let’s switch it up a bit!

Love, Transylvania Style available HERE

By Stephanie Williams 

When I first decided to write Love, Transylvania Style, I already knew how I was going to portray Thaddeus, the Vamp and hero.

I have read (or tried to) many Vampire stories, and although most of the stories I’ve attempted have been written very well—they kinda gave me the creeps and got me depressed.

I understand the whole brooding dark hero that has issues from his past. I know about adult angst. That’s what makes these heroes so fascinating to the heroine. He’s mysterious, dangerous, taking risks emotionally and physically sometimes.

He’s the ultimate Bad Boy with a past.

But let’s face it. How many stories of angry, brooding, bitter Vampires do you want to read about? Now I am not knocking those books. I wish I could write dark stories like that. And they have their place. It’s part of the genre. But that’s not me. So I decided to take a different approach with Love, Transylvania Style.

I gave Thaddeus a bit of humor. And yes, for you die hard Vamp lovers, there is a bit of darkness there too. In fact, when he brings up the inevitable to Donna, his love interest, I bring out some of that gloom and doom. LOL

But I could not have him be the typical, prototype Vamp. For instance, the story opens up with him making a blind date with Madame Eve. Usually, vampires find their victims, sink their fangs in them and the story goes on from there. Or he’s hunting and seducing his or her intended prey, and then occasionally has flashbacks of how he or she became vampires themselves.

Very bitter.

Thaddeus actually tries to talk Donna out of a decision that could change her life—literally

On the whole Thaddeus is fun, a bit of a cynic and sarcastic. He makes jokes, but more importantly, he knows how to show a woman a good time. Hell, he brings her flowers and chocolates!

I mean really, have you ever thought about a hot date in Dracula’s castle in Romania?

Blurb:

Thaddeus Dumas is a Vampire looking for love. Well, he was at first until he realizes that finding true love means changing a potentially unwilling female. So he settles for a night of one-night stands, starting with Madame Eve’s services. He can’t possibly fall in love with a one nighter, and he can just move on to the next female. He didn’t count on the feisty Donna Kent.

 Donna Kent is bored crazy with the men she’s been dating. The same old same old. Dinner, dancing, hanging out and dull sex. She wants something extraordinary. She’s more than surprised when Madame Eve finds that someone. But is this the extraordinary she’s willing to sacrifice herself for

Excerpt:

Room 506. He took a deep breath then knocked. A few seconds later, the door slowly opened.

“Mr. Dumas?”

“Ms. Kent?”

A broad smile spread across her luscious, tawny face. A petite woman, standing about five-three, she possessed a curvy figure accentuated by a tight fitting, low cut knit dress and high heels. Nice neck, too. Okay, I need to stop that.

“Please, come on in.” She stood aside as he brushed passed her. “Have a seat.”

He paused and took a good look at her pixie-like face, captivated by large eyes the amber of light scotch, sweet dimples, and bow lips. She wore her thick, tightly curled hair pulled back in a ponytail.

He found her the epitome of cute. He also found her very nervous.

Her vibes were out of control. The room was literally vibrating. It wasn’t a fearful nervousness, however, which piqued his curiosity even more. So she wasn’t scared of him. Hmm. Interesting.

“Um…these are for you.” He handed her the flowers and candy.

“Thank you. They’re beautiful.” She stuck her face in the bouquet and inhaled. “Nice. And these chocolates just became my new favorites. I discovered them since being here. They gave me a little box of them at the front desk.”

“I’m glad you like.” As she replaced the blooms in a vase provided by the hotel with the ones he’d brought, he thought about how to approach the pink elephant in the room. He shrugged. After arranging the flowers to her satisfaction, she showed them to him. “This whole set up is new to me. You?”

“Umm…yeah. Ms. Kent. I think you should be aware that—”

“You’re a vampire. And please call me Donna.”

Where you can find Stephanie Williams: 

Blog: http://missstephaniewilliams.blogspot.com/

Blog: http://stephaniewilliamsauthor.wordpress.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/StephanieWilli5

Facebook: http://facebook.com/StephanieWilliamsWriter 

Dragon Series Dilemma

By: Kali Willows

Double Dragon Seduction available HERE

For fans of my bestselling 1NS erotic romance of fiery parahuman twins & a divorcee with a tricky twist of her own in Double Dragon Seduction, there is a sequel to this sizzling paranormal tale, and now a third dragon story coming in October 2013!

But that’s not all…a fourth story; a prequel to it all is underway with plans to put the collection in a print edition!

What is the dilemma you ask? Well, coming up with single titles is usually fairly simple for me, with each dragon story added to the series, it took more thought and contemplation. Now, to name the whole series has me in quite the quandary.

I want you to weigh in and tell me what appeals more to you for the title, & does it need more steam for an erotic paranormal romance series?

The stories in order are:

                              Dragon’s Bond (prequel currently WIP)

Double Dragon Seduction

Dragon Temptation

                             Dragon’s Breath (releasing in October 2013)

“Double Dragon’s Blood” Or “Double Dragon Legacy”

The other part I need your feedback with is my custom swag. In part, I’m focused on the Romantic Time Convention in New Orleans next year; this is my one convention goal to complete; go to RT loaded for bear with swag and print books for all dragon lovers to enjoy.

To avoid any duplication of my esteemed fellow authors’ creativity, I’m looking for something unique and dragon related, I’m also taking into consideration the Mardi Gras atmosphere of New Orleans.

What I’ve come up with so far, are custom glow in the dark, (or regular) temporary tattoos I’m designing, flavoured fortune cookies with messages from the series, Chinese fans, customized dragon’s blood votive candles (they smell so yummy), glow in the dark beads and a few other possibilities.

What do you prefer for swag? Something useful, mementos, theme related…? Help? This is one version of the tattoo I’ve been working on, and wonder if you like?

© Kali Willows 2013

Leave your comments for a chance to win an eBook copy of the first dragon story in the series Double Dragon Seduction. Don’t forget to leave your email so I can contact the winner to send your prize!

Happy Reading,

Kali Willows

DOUBLE DRAGON SEDUCTION BLURB:

Gwen Trembley is disturbed by the upcoming wedding of her reprehensible ex, and coping with her emerging fiery talent. Gwen seeks the services of 1NS for a night where new carnal knowledge will revive her damaged soul. Madame Eve has the perfect arrangements, but perhaps twice what she bargained for.

Twin brothers Tatsu and Yong Li, are in desperate need of a unique woman who can accept them as inseparable. They carry not one, but two secrets. These exotic brothers can’t be with just any woman, and if Gwen is willing to try, she will face the most passionate, lust-filled night of her life, but will she survive? Will they? 1NS finds a match they never expected possible.

Only REAL Guys Need Apply

Buy One Knight in Brooklyn HERE

By Casea Major

Sometimes in romance we tend to feminize our heroes because—let’s face it—sometimes real guys just aren’t that romantic. But I love when a writer can take a real man with chest hair, one-word answers, and a temper and make them a swoon-worthy hero.

I love this song by Brad Paisley which sums it up quite nicely.

My hero, Robert, in One Knight in Brooklyn is like that. He’s not always politically correct and his manners may need some polish, but he is one of my all-time favorite heroes. At times he’s a little crass, but there’s no question he’s all man. And there is no question he is up to the challenge of saving the heroine…and doing other stuff for her too.

After signing up for a one-night stand through an exclusive matching agency, hopeless romantic Marianne Caldwell is swept away to a medieval land where she hopes to spend the night with a worthy man of honor.

Unsure of how she got from the Castillo Hotel in Las Vegas to a castle in the English countryside, Mare finds Robert, whose stunning physique and winning smile immediately convince her he's the Robin Hood she's been seeking.  But despite his efforts in saving her from a corrupt sheriff, his Jersey Shore accent and coarse ways unravel her romantic visions.

With her fairytale fantasies coming unhinged, Mare must decide if Robert is just a crass car salesman from Brooklyn or the chivalrous knight she's looking for.

Here is an excerpt of just how delicious Robert MacKnight can be. I hope you enjoy.

“Well, Dallas, what did a pretty gal like you expect from this deal?”

There was no way in hell she would answer that question. So she employed her stellar skills of diversion and subterfuge. “What did a guy like you expect from this deal?” Okay, maybe not the cleverest line she’d ever come up with, but this guy with his mesmerizing eyes messed up her mojo.

He leaned back with his elbow on the mattress and flashed a brilliant smile. She swallowed hard. “To get to know a lovely young woman such as yourself and have a little adventure. You think you can handle that?”

Could he be any more cocky? His thinly veiled innuendo struck her with the delicacy of a baseball bat. No question he was hot. From a purely physical standpoint, he was perfection, but did anything rattle around behind those blue eyes?

She crossed her arms over her chest and tilted her chin. “What I want to know is, can you handle that?”

Oops, she hadn’t meant for that to sound like a challenge or an invitation, but even to her own ears, it did. He stood, his long legs closing the distance between them in two strides. She braced her legs to hold her ground, but retreated toward a wall. So much for holding my ground. Pressing her head back against a branch, she looked up into his even stare. God, his eyes were Ceylon blue, his lips full and lush. He stopped in front of her, but continued to lower his head toward hers. Other than the rustling wind, only her ragged breathing sounded amongst the leaves.

Robert braced his hands on either side of her shoulders, effectively trapping her between him and the tree. Every cell in her body buzzed with electrical current, and her gaze helplessly transfixed on him. The lids of his eyes lowered, and his straight nose brushed against hers.

“Can I kiss you?” His whispered request tickled her skin.

Chills swept over her heated body. Her knees gave way, and she sighed out some inaudible response he apparently took as affirmative. He brushed her lips with a kiss.

With agonizing leisure, his mouth eased over hers, first feathering her closed lips then caressing each one between his. His velvety flesh wisped like flower petals against hers, and the aroma of fresh mint scented his breath. The languid motion of his kiss ignited a desire that throbbed all the way down between her legs. The longer he lingered, the hotter she burned. He never sped his pace or reached for her in any other way. It was only a kiss, yet so much more.

His warm tongue slipped between her lips and slowly explored her mouth, sliding across her teeth and stroking her tongue. A soft moan escaped her and excruciating tension built in her core with each lazy thrust.

She wrapped her arms around his waist and trailed her fingers down his hips as she molded to his body. He gasped and ended the kiss. The staggering length of his arousal pressed into her abs and the burn in her sex flared into a raging inferno.

He rested his forehead against the tree, and she laid her hands on his chest with his body lightly molded to hers. The heat radiating between them smoldered hotter than the Vegas asphalt at high noon. His breaths were steady, but his heart pounded against her open palms.

His voice, deep and husky, sounded near her ear. “Maybe. Maybe not, Dallas.”

She opened her eyes. “Huh?”

He kept his eyes closed and rubbed his cheek against hers. “I was just answering your earlier question.”

She couldn’t remember the question. She'd be lucky to remember her own name.

Major Love ~~~ Major Romance

Prior to becoming a writer of romantic fiction, Casea Major worked in the legal field for a non-profit dispute resolution company for ten years.  She is now a full-time mom to three children with whom she and her husband live happily...most of the time.  When she isn't chained to her laptop, she enjoys Cary Grant movies and crocheting.

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Passion & Romance, Can It Stand The Test of Time?

Buy Designing Passion HERE

By: Kali Willows

Being in a marriage of 18 years, often people will ask me how DH and I keep the romance alive? I have to admit, we have good times, and bad, just like everyone else. We do have to work harder at it some days, and there are others when we feel like love struck teenagers.

I would love to say “I know without a doubt it will last forever with no bumps in the road,” but that is fantasy talking, not real life. Romance in books is perfect, the heroes/heroines love, lose, conquer their foes and overcome their fear of intimacy. The author has all creative rights to ensure a HEA.  In real life, well, life gets in the way, and we have to work at it.

Intense emotions, fears, past traumas, let downs and high expectations, these are all pivotal for writers in character development and plot building, but in real life, these things often deter our romantic goals. Without a solid plan, they can hold us back from reaching our highest potential for happiness. Reality is messy and inconvenient, but it is what we have to face eventually. We and our partners don’t follow a script determined by an author with the dedication to ensure the optimal outcome. Most often we have to wing it, and pray for the best, and stand by our intention of eternal love and commitment.

DH is my inspiration in many areas of my life; love, strength, courage and passion. There are days when we are nowhere near on the same page and things may grow stale and discouraging. Others, I can’t believe how fortunate and full my life is, and the years seem to fly by.

Our secret to keeping it steamy? (sshhhh, don’t tell him I’m sharing…) In no particular order, there are key ingredients we swear by:

Trust, honesty, communication, spontaneity, team work, and one really major factor to ensure success, “only one of us is allowed to lose it at a time.”

Okay, I admit that was a line from the 1989 movie Immediate Family, with Glen Close and James Woods, but when we saw it together, that line resonated with both of us, and still does to this day; it’s our relationship mantra. On occasion, we need to remind ourselves, whose turn it is to fall apart for a little while and the other needs to stay strong and sensible, but, it does work! As long as we stick to this recipe for success, we continue to enjoy all the perks to longevity in romance.

Perhaps that was why, my very first 1NS creation was about true love and second chances. It holds a very dear place in my heart, being the hopeless romantic that I am J

Designing Passion takes place in castle in Spain, with a Venetian ball and a night of erotic passion the hero and heroine will never forget. It’s a steamy story about second chances and romantic escape.

Blurb:

Fifteen years ago, Tawny Reeve was in love, but her wealthy, jet-setting parents went to cruel lengths to separate her from her middle class lover. Emotionally barren, she despairs of ever finding love again. A friend sent her an email address with only a name in the subject line: “Madame Evangeline”. Tawny doubts she is capable of a normal, loving relationship, but maybe she can handle a one-night stand, at least meeting her body’s needs, if not her heart’s.

Wyatt Mackenzie is an accomplished architect with a lonely lifestyle. None of the debutantes and gorgeous women he dates have brought him the electrifying passion he hopes to rekindle from his youth. There was only one who captured his heart, and then smashed it into a thousand pieces. An email from his client at the Castillo hotel in Vegas, offers a solution to his passionless life: “Email Madame Evangeline, and she can make your wildest dreams come true.”

Excerpt:

At the foot of the staircase, Tawny stopped, removed her sparkling pumps, and carried them in her free hand. The cool grains of beach sand caressed her feet and buried her toes as she walked alongside him.

“What place?” Relishing the strength of his hand wrapped around hers, she stepped quickly to keep pace with his long legs.

“Down the beach is the tower and courtyard of the original castle this hotel was modeled after. It’s quite beautiful if you would like to see it?”

“That sounds wonderful.”

The thought of being out of sight of Alejandro brought about uneasiness, but she had developed a greater comfort level than she anticipated with her date. Her excitement grew.

Her weighty skirt flapped in the brisk wind, while the splashing sound of the heavy waves lapping against the sand and the rocks commanded her attention. A few stray seagulls walked solemnly along the waterline, scavenging through the swept up piles of sopping green seaweed. A flock of the squawking birds farther down the shore circled a larger prize, pulling and grabbing, then flew away with their bounty.

As an incoming wave of water and foam washed over Tawny’s toes, the ebbing tide left a starfish sprawled helplessly in its wake.

“Oh, this is so beautiful.” She gathered her skirt as she bent down to inspect the reddish, five-pointed creature. Her escort kneeled beside her.

“He’s remarkable.”

“How will it get back to the water?”

“That’s the beauty of it; when something gets lost or misplaced, nature usually finds a way of getting it back to where it belongs.” He gave a witty smile as the incoming whoosh of another wave drew closer. Taking her hand, he guided her to her feet before the cascading water arrived. Caught in his penetrating gaze, she followed his nod as he looked back to the wet sand left by the receding tide. To her pleasure, the starfish was gone.

“See, he’s finding his way home as we speak.”

Tawny returned his grin, still holding his hand. Off in the distance, the squawking of the seagulls faded as they flew away under the darkened sky. Her inhale carried the tangy odor of brine and the heady scent of musty ocean life.

They walked hand in hand while she eyed the shallow pools left in the hollows of the shoreline.

“Are you cold?” The mystery man paused, removing his long coat. Before she could reply, he draped it around her exposed shoulders.

“Thank you.”

“I look forward to taking it off, too.” He pulled the edges of the coat over her exposed flesh with a dark, sexy grin.

I want to know, what advice you would give others to help them achieve longevity in love? One that will stand the test of time? Of trials and tribulations? Of adversity or eventual boredom? Tell me what you think is the magic ingredient to success in romance, and don’t forget to leave your email address for a chance to win a Decadent eBook Designing Passion!

Happy Reading,

Kali Willows