Bewitching Books Tours Magazine

Bewitching Book Tours Magazine Issue 13 July 2013 Bewitching Book Tours Magazine is a publication of Bewitching Book Tours and Bewitching Books.

Editor: Roxanne Rhoads Design Editor and Layout: Lisa McGeen Contributors include Bewitching Book Tours Authors and Tour Hosts learn more at www.bewitchingbooktours.blogspot.com Submission details- for every issue we are accept: Articles- topics include writing, research, paranormal, vampires, advice for authors, publishing advice, and more Flash Fiction- paranormal, urban fantasy and erotica (for other genres please query) True tales of paranormal encounters Recipes Poetry Book reviews Please send submissions to RoxanneRhoads@bewitchingbooktours.com place “Bewitching Magazine Submission” in subject line. Contributors receive free ad space in the magazine.

Ad space rates are: $40 full page ad $20 half page ad $10 quarter page ad You can subscribe to this magazine at http://issuu.com/ bewitchingbooktours © Copyright 2013 Stock images from www.123rf.com

Contents Dead Girl Feature Hell’s Belle Feature Tarot In Fiction Her Loving Husband’s Return Green Living Tips Matchpoint Feature ClaraBelle’s Custom Creations The Facets of Passion Review The Necromancer’s Seduction Review Naughty Nook 20 Ways to Find Your Inner Goddess Isis Erotica CJ Ellison Feature Roxanne Rhoads Feature Paranoia Strikes Deep Hers to Command Feature Erotic Haiku Blakely Bennett Feature Jeffe Kennedy Interview

4 8 13 16 20 24 28 30 32 34 35 38 44 50 54 58 62 64 70

Dead Girl: A Romantic Zombie Tale of Revenge Written by Stavros Illustrated by Charles Hearn Genre: Horror/Thriller Publisher: Crazy Duck Press (CDP) Date of Publication: August 2011 ISBN: 9780982812198 Number of pages: 266 Cover Artist and Illustrator: Charles Hearn Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/KThnGvCrijU CDP eShop The Arti(s)fact Store Book Browser Amazon Book Description: “…Death was a dream of sleep where the eternally dying dream the sleep of death. The undeniable evidence in the stillness of her being, the stark paleness of her complexion, and the lack of blood pooling from her cuts after climbing through the window whispered dark truths in her ears. Rigor Mortis. There was nothing familiar to Jamie about her skin. Time and time again, she found herself asking what had happened, only to arrive at the hard won conclusion that she, Jamie Lund, wasn’t alive anymore. Somehow in the foolhardy night, she’d been a dumb girl. She’d gotten herself killed…”

From the mind of Stavros, the critically acclaimed author of Blood Junky, comes a new twisted tale of horror and adventure. An average girl, living in the city is murdered. Nothing new, right? It happens every day. Just another statistic. That is…until she woke up dead.

Trapped within her own decaying shell, the dead girl struggles to piece together the awful events of her untimely death and hunt down the man responsible. Armed only with a kiss from an ancient Egyptian God, a pockmarked memory, her ex-boyfriend, and a murder of crows Jamie Lund comes face to face with something more terrifying and real than mere death…she suffers the agony of being undead!

With twelve black & white illustrations and a full colored cover from tattoo artist, Charles Hearn, this sardonic tale comes alive like no other zombie story, popping from the page with stunning, unnatural brilliance. Dead Girl: A Romantic Zombie Tale of Revenge will keep the reader on the edge of their seat suspended in this unique supernatural thriller.

Praise for Dead Girl: A Romantic Zombie Tale of Revenge…

“A Bittersweet punch with a suspenseful plot and somber romance, showing us the vulnerable perspective of death from the other side. Definitely, not to be missed!” -Tara Lindsey Hall; Writer/Editor

“I couldn’t put it down. I loved it. You are a great writer. Can’t wait to read the next one.” -Bethany Tanner-Evanko, a Facebook Post

“Just wanted you to know…I was about to wrap Dead Girl in festive Christmas paper but decided to read the first page...now I'm on page 88 and I'm keeping the book...and I'm not going to bed anytime soon.” -Sabrina Buckman, a Facebook Post on Dec 21, 2011

“WOW! Holy shit…Thank you for this. Thank you for bringing forth a story that more than restores my faith in a type that has gnawed at my entrails for over a decade. It was different, it was refreshing, it was a damn awesome break from the “same old, same old” crap this genre is filled with. It’s so hard to find an original zombie tale any more. And even harder to find someone who can make an old story their own in some personal way. But this? Definitely not the same old crap.”

-C. Dulaney, author of the Roads Less Traveled series

“OMZG! (Oh My Zombie Goodness) I absolutely Loved this book.

Dead Girl is not the conventional zombie book, but a great one! It’s a book of mystery and revenge with Egyptian influence felt within the pages. Plus the actual attention to detail of rigor mortis and decomposition of the body is spot on and a great additive to the book.

I love this book and highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good revenge tale. Plus I couldn't put the book down!”

-Sunshine Rose, Chicago, ILL. April 2013

Notorious Poet. Fool. Born in Washington DC. Stavros was a writer and editor for The Independent Underground Magazine. Raised in Southern Maryland, he fled the Chesapeake Bay to the wilds of the New Mexican desert. He is a single father of two, whose poetic works have been published in several online and print publications, including Central Avenue, The Sword That Cuts Through Stone, Poets Against The War, Conceptions Southwest, The Mynd, Imagine: Creative Arts Journal, and Bartleby, where he won a specialty award for his poem, Blackbird.

In 1999, he won an Official Selection into the Writer’s on the Edge Festival for his play, The Redline. In 2001, he created the Poetry Television Project for public cable access in Albuquerque, NM. All eight volumes of Ptv’s ground-breaking show were broadcast to over 100,000 viewers on a network of regional PAC channels throughout the Southwest and Baltimore. He helped to launch Unpublished Magazine, sponsored the monthly poetry series, The Word Café, in the Duke city, and produced a political compilation, Poetic Democracy. In 2007, he released the award-winning documentary film, Committing Poetry in Times of War. In 2010, he launched the production management company, Organic Ghetto, and released its first imprint, Crazy Duck Press, with his first novel, Blood Junky. Blood Junky received exceptional praise and review, even being called "one of the best vampire novels ever written," by Living Dead Media. The following year he helped to launch BioGamer Girl, undertook a bigger East coast tour where he began selling his original photographic art, and released two new novels through Crazy Duck Press. Dead Girl: A Romantic Zombie Tale of Revenge features a stunning full-color cover and twelve black and white illustrations from tattoo artist, Charles Hearn. Blood Junky’s sequel, Love in Vein, cemented the One Blood series with its continuation of the story, garnering such review as to claim that the book and the series is "comparable with, and at times surpasses, the 'Vampire Chronicles' by Anne Rice."

In 2012, Stavros joined forces with the Vampire Professor, Bertena Varney, M.A.M.Ed, to co-create the nonfiction annual anthology, Vampire News, and officially became a Fangsmith with the creation of Organic Ghetto's second imprint, Kaos Kustom Fangs. He rounded out the year by writing and editing screenplays for the One Blood Transmedia Project, recording Dead Girl as an audio book, and undertaking his biggest national marketing campaign, The Book & Fang Tour.

In 2013, he and the Vampire Professor released the second volume of Vampire News: The (not so) End Times Edition and is currently working on writing and growing his imprints. Stavros is also a musician who has scored commercials, film shorts, documentaries, and television programs.

Stavros FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/stavros.cockrell Author Blog: http://www.bitemereallyhard.com Kaos Kustom Fangs: http://www.kaoskustomfangs.com/ Dead Girl CDP Page: http://www.crazyduckpress.com/#!dead-girl/c1ekr Dead Girl FB Page:https://www.facebook.com/ogdeadgirl CDP eShop:http://www.crazyduckpress.com/#!shop/c6cv CDP Twitter: https://twitter.com/CrazyDuckPress Stavros Twitter https://twitter.com/VisualLyricist

Dead Girl Tour Wide Giveaway 1grand prize pack containing t-shirt, sticker, art print, button and book 1 prize pack containing a button and t-shirt 1 prize pack containing an art print and button 10 ebook copies of Dead Girl author’s choice of designs for items in prize packs-Physical prizes open to US Shipping enter here: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ba112f297/

What inspired you to become an author?

I always wrote when I was a kid, stories, plays. After finishing a novel or watching a movie, I'd come up with a whole other life for my favorite characters. I was on a path to try to be a professional playwright but life took a detour. When I saw the amazing explosion in ebooks... I guess that was the tipping point. I felt like it was now or never.

My day job is in entertainment, and there are a lot of gate keepers. Over the years, I have witnessed how arbitrary the whole business is--sure it's talent, but maybe the agent already has 10 clients just like you she can't sell... I love that people are no longer stuck waiting for something to happen, or for some random person's approval. We can really create our own destiny.

Do you write in different genres?

It's from the AC/DC song "Hell's Bells." When I was writing plays, a lot of my play titles were riffs on song titles. I am continuing the tradition.

Do you title the book first or wait until after it’s complete?

It really depends, some titles come easier than others.

This title came after the novel was complete. But I think I already have Book 2, which is in the works, titled.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

I think I'd rather leave that up to the reader. I certainly had a larger message in my head while writing, but I don't want to get bogged down in that. I think whatever the reader takes away from it is much more important than my master plan!

Not yet. I love urban fantasy, and that's what I love to write. I do have a YA book in mind, but that kind of spans UF/futuristic/sci-fi, so I think of it as the same genre for me.

Is the book, characters, or any scenes based on a true life experience, someone you know, or events in your own life?

How did you come up with the title for your latest book?

The sense of place, of Providence, Rhode Island, absolutely was part of my life. The characters.... Some of

them are based on people I have met over the years. No necessarily their personalities, but the way they physically look. The people that physically inspired Tavio and Marcello, for example, are not at ALL like those characters (and thank god for that).

If this book is part of a series…what is the next book? Any details you can share?

Yes, it is the first of a series and I am working on book two now. It's tentatively titled Tainted Blood. Frankie and Nina have to cope with a new facet of their relationship (revealed at the end of Hell's Belle). Nina's BFF Darcy is back, so there's a lot more girl bonding. We meet one of Nina's past flames. He complicates things but not in a way you'd expect. And the opener is my favorite chapter yet. My adrenaline was racing when I wrote it.

I love dropping readers right in some crazy action. I think that's a Writing 101 no-no. But I love it.

What book are you reading now?

I am reading a really great book called The Tube Riders, by Chris Ward. It's about a loose-knit group that basically surf the underground in a futuristic Big Brother-type London. I am not too far into it, but so far it's really terrific. There's some solid world building and really interesting characters. I am curious to see where he takes the story.

What books are in your to read pile?

I have the upcoming Richard Kadrey (Sandman Slim) on pre-order. I love his writing. I saw him at ComicCon, along with Kim Harrison, last October. That was a great panel. Also in the cue are Badass Zombie Road Trip, Dead Things, and Vicious Circle (love Mike Carey).

What is next for you? Do you have any scheduled upcoming releases or works in progress?

Right now, I am working on Book 2 in the Hell's Belle series, Tainted Blood. Hopefully that will release in mid2014. And I am chewing on a YA serial idea. My daughter wants me to write something she can read. So there's a little added pressure to produce that one!

Hell's Belle Hell's Belle Series Book One Karen Greco Genre: Urban Fantasy Date of Publication: June 17, 2013 ISBN: 1484830202 Number of pages: 238 Word Count: 74,722 Cover Artist: Jeff Brennan Book Description: Half vampire, half human, Nina Martinez spent most of her life underground as part of an elite secret team of government agents that quietly take down rogue monsters, the human world none the wiser. She moves back to her hometown of to keep an eye on the recent uptick in supernatural activity, and to help run the bar she co-owns

with her aunt. Her attempt at a “regular” life, not to mention a budding relationship with smoking hot FBI agent Max, is cut short because of a string of ritual murders targeting the city's community of witches.

But Nina's investigation unearths deadly secrets from her long buried parents. Now the target of supernatural assassins, could Nina be the most dangerous vampire hybrid to ever exist? No wonder she can’t get a date.

An urban fantasy set in a decaying Providence, Rhode Island, HELL'S BELLE is a fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled roller-coaster ride through a city on the cusp of becoming an urban wasteland. HELL'S BELLE is an energetic, expansive, and cinematic beginning of a new series in the urban fantasy genre.

Hell's Belle by Karen Greco Excerpt Chief. We only let the mayor in on what we were doing because he walked in on a vampire sucking the life out of one of his staffers in his office in City Hall. Even more shocking, Mayor Booker kicked the vampire's ass before driving a stake through his chest. Not only was he unflappable politically, but Mayor Booker’s wild adrenaline surge also made him a first-rate vampire "Do you need me to carry you?" My partner slayer. With that kind of muscle, he deserved to know Frankie, the vampire I was trying to keep pace with, the truth. shouted over his shoulder. His voice was thick with sarcasm.

It was our last night in Newark and, to show his thanks, Mayor Booker threw us a bon voyage party at I slowed down just enough to yank off my heels, his home. I busted out my best outfit for the occasion: a carrying one in each hand. I wasn't expecting to play beautiful strapless number that looked like long silk decoy tonight, and I'd be damned if I was going to lose bandages crisscrossing over each other. The addition of my shoes in some godforsaken overgrown lot in the a bustier underneath made my usually small boobs apmiddle of Newark, New Jersey. These were custom- pear more ample. And, of course, finishing the outfit designed heels from SteamTropolis in Seattle, after all. were my fabulously impractical heels.

These vampires would have to pry them from my cold, dead hands before I let them go.

Since Mayor Booker was the newest threat to the vampires’ stronghold, a vampire nest crashed the party.

Newark had a pretty major vampire infestation. The Six very motivated vamps thundered feet first through despair and decay that the city had fallen into over the his front window. Clearly whoever was in charge conpast several decades lured us, and the population was sidered it a suicide mission and sent out his flunkies. exploding.

Dressed like a cheap imitation of a Hell’s Angels biker gang, it was vampire amateur hour at the Booker Frankie and I had spent the last three weeks here, household. They actually brought human weapons in advising the Mayor on how to eradicate the pests. We with them, including a submachine gun. Some waved are part of a small but efficient top-secret task force of metal pipes. hunters that handle rogue supernaturals for the Defense Department. The program had the highest security An amateur vampire is still a vampire, and still just clearance. Even the President had no idea we existed, as deadly. Between the fangs, the pipes and the gun, or that the crew Frankie and I assembled to help eradi- not to mention the glass shrapnel from the window, the cate their vampire pest problem was flying in to join place was a bloody mess. Newark’s police chief had a Newark's finest the next day. nasty gash on his throat, the vampire missing his jugular by mere centimeters. I was able to stake him with a So Mayor Cory Booker, head of a crime-soaked broken broom handle before he could kill the poor New Jersey city, had one up on the Commander-in- man. Shattered window glass embedded into the arm of I was wearing the wrong damn shoes. Bounding through the pitch-black overgrown empty urban lots, my legs were long past aching and well into screaming territory. I gulped in the crisp fall air and forced myself to sprint harder.

the Mayor’s press secretary. Vampire Moron started shooting up the place, so blood was flowing freely. The carnage appeared to be a violent political hit gone wrong. It’s shockingly easy to hide a supernatural attack.

there. And Frankie wouldn't be able to jump it with me on his back. Too much weight for a straight-up vertical leap. At over 500 years old, Frankie was one of the strongest vampires I had ever met. But a jump like that was pushing it.

It was bedlam. Frankie and I distracted the hit I bent over at the waist, grasped my kneecaps and squad so the Mayor's security forces could get him out sucked in air as my mind raced through scenarios for of there. It was a good reminder of why I don't usually escape. None of them were good. We were going to get dressed up. have to fight our way out of this.

After kicking my heels off, I closed the distance Reluctantly dropping my exquisite shoes on the between me and Frankie. I could barely make out his ground, I reached down the front of my dress and aristocratic profile in the sliver of moonlight peeking pulled a silver-tipped stake from my bustier. through the dark clouds. Frankie still looked impeccable in his fitted black blazer, skinny trousers and dress Frankie's eyes were wide. "Nice tailoring." He nodshoes, which he was running around in just fine. ded appreciatively and peered down my dress. "What else do you have in there?"

"You need me to carry you, old man?" I huffed, throwing his earlier sarcasm back at him.

I smacked him upside the head. "Focus!"

Frankie laughed, the rich sound echoed down the The five vampires appeared at the mouth of the alalleyway we had turned into. He wasn't the least bit out leyway. of breath.

I crouched low, trying to pick out the weakest link Wait. Echoed? Shit. in the dim light. With my mixed blood, I was stronger than a regular human, but I had to be realistic.

I reached out and grasped Frankie's forearm and squeezed. We skidded to a stop, gaping at the brick "Second from right," Frankie whispered, nostrils wall in front of us. My eyes darted around. There was a flaring. He knew my limits too. "Pretty new dead. Still fire escape about 15 feet above us. Frankie could prob- smells almost human. But watch your back." ably jump it. But there was no way I would make it up

About the Author: An award-winning playwright, Karen Greco has spent close to twenty years in New York City, working in publicity and marketing for the entertainment industry. A life-long obsession with exorcists and Dracula drew her to urban fantasy, where she can decapitate characters with impunity. HELL'S BELLE is her first novel.

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17858864-hell-sbelle Twitter: https://twitter.com/karenThegreco Blog: http://karengreco.blogspot.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hellsbellebykarengreco

The Queen of Cups: The Goddess of Love

by Alayna Williams son's love at every turn, jealous of Psyche's beauI use Tarot cards a good deal in my writing, to give me ty..even to the extent that she sent Psyche to the Underideas about creating characters and develop plot points. world.

Sometimes, I pick cards on purpose that catch my eye, but more often, I deal them out at random. I let my im- But she can also be kind. Tender, and full of mercy. agination roam over the pictures to generate situations She took pity upon Pygmalion, who had never found a and connections among characters. woman worthy of love. She whispered to him to fashion a statue of ivory, which he fell in love with. He One of my perennial favorites named his statue Galatea. Aphrodite brought Galatea to is the Queen of Cups. She's life, to be a wife for Pygmalion. usually depicted as a fairhaired woman gazing contem- Aphrodite is ruled by passion, by the storms of her platively into a chalice. She's emotions. And that's part of the lesson of the Queen of cloaked in artifacts of the sea: Cups. The Queen of Cups, read upright, can be about her garments resemble fish empathy, nurturing, and devotion. She can be the best scales, and her throne has the of love and beauty, showing the compassion that Aphshape of a shell. In the back- rodite showed Pygmalion. ground, we can see the ocean waves. She's the ruler of wa- Reversed, though, she can be a jealous force to be reckter, the element of emotions. oned with. She can absorb the negativity of others, beAnd she's lovely. coming the sea that reflects a storm in the sky. She can be capricious and meddlesome, as shown by AphroIs it any wonder that she's of- dite's affairs and interference with her son's relationten associated with Aphrodite, goddess of love? ship.

Aphrodite was born of sea foam, arriving upon the shores of Cyprus in a sea shell. Her beauty inflamed the passions of gods and men alike; though she was married Hephaestus, her affairs with Ares are legendary. Hephaestus adored her. As god of forges, he made her jewelry, girdles, and crowns...but still, she wandered. Often, she wandered into the arms of Ares, the god of war, and even bore one of his children, Eros.

She is like the sea. She can be tempestuous, cruel. One myth tells of how she jealously interfered with her son's love of the beautiful Psyche. She thwarted her

The Queen of Cups, like Aphrodite, is an eternal archetype. She gives us the positive, passionate face of love...and the dark, negative side. Like love itself, she's a complicated elemental force. She's a woman to be reckoned with.

Image of the Queen of Cups from the Hanson-Roberts Tarot.

ROGUE ORACLE Delphic Oracle #2 Pocket Juno Books Mass Market Paperback, $7.99 ISBN 978-1439182819 Alayna Williams writes with power and poetry, combining old mythos with complete asskickery. You don’t want to miss this series.”

-National bestselling author Ann Aguirre The more you know about the future, the more there may be to fear.

Tara Sheridan is the best criminal profiler around - and the most unconventional. Trained as a forensic psychologist, Tara also specializes in Tarot card reading.

But she doesn't need her divination skills to realize that the new assignment from her friend and sometime lover, Agent Harry Li, is a dangerous proposition in every way.

Former Cold War operatives, all linked to a top-secret operation tracking the disposal of nuclear weapons in Russia, are disappearing. There are no bodies, and no clues to their whereabouts. Harry suspects a conspiracy to sell arms to the highest bidder. The cards - and Tara's increasingly ominous dreams - suggest something darker. Even as Tara sorts through her feelings for Harry and her fractured relationships with the mysterious order known as Delphi's Daughters, a killer is growing more ruthless by the day. And a nightmare that began decades ago in Chernobyl will reach a terrifying endgame that not even Tara could have foreseen…

ROGUE ORACLE is available at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.

Dark Oracle Delphic Oracle #1 Alayna Williams Publisher: Pocket Books ISBN-10: 1439182795 ISBN-13: 978-1439182796 TARA SHERIDAN HAS A GIFT . . . AND IT ALMOST KILLED HER. As a criminal profiler, Tara used science and her intuitive skill at Tarot card divination to track down the dangerous and depraved, including the serial killer who left her scarred from head to toe. Since that savage attack, Tara has been a recluse. But now an ancient secret society known as Delphi’s Daughters has asked for her help in locating missing scientist Lowell Magnusson. And Tara, armed with her Tarot deck, her .38, and a stack of misgivings, agrees to try.

Tara immediately senses there is far more at stake than one man’s life. At his government lab in the New Mexico desert, Magnusson had developed groundbreaking technology with terrifying potential. Working alongside the brusque but charismatic agent Harry Li, Tara discovers that Magnusson’s daughter, Cassie, has knowledge that makes her a target too. The more Tara sees into the future, the more there is to fear. She knows she has to protect Cassie. But there may be no way to protect herself—from the enemies circling around her, or from the long-buried powers stirring to life within. . . .

Her Loving Husband’s Return Prologue

]In seventy years so little has changed. Then, the gate was taller than the tallest person, electrified, eager to shock to the death. Looming above the fence were eight high-standing towers with armed guards with submachine guns who looked down upon the people as though they could be, should be shot for amusement’s sake. They were at one with the enemy across the Pacific Ocean, many decided. They had to be.

They were traitors. They were spies. How else can we separate the good ones from the bad ones? How else can we know the loyal ones from the conspirators?

We must round them up like cattle and pen them here where they’re safe from us and us from them.

Looming above the barracks, higher than the gates, beyond the guard towers, were the mountains.

Always the mountains. They encompassed everything within their distance—one vast, jagged, granite wall stretching toward the heavens from the deepest valley in the Americas, cascading Vs flecked with icy snow, unmistakable even through the wintry clouds. The mountains were everything everywhere. If the gates, the guard towers, and the armed military police weren’t enough to remind you that you were a prisoner here, the mountains shouted your helplessness. You are here, the mountains said, and we will trap you here forever.

I remember when the bus stopped near the guard station, a lonely shack at the edge of the camp, one window on either side, misshapen rocks slapped together with mortar, a pagoda-style roof. The guards spoke to the bus driver and barked directions as though the people inside were orange-clad prisoners linked by irons, but they were only families—fathers, mothers, children, grandparents. I remember the anxiety in those inside the gate, their quick-scanning eyes wide as they drew as close to the barbed-wire fence as they dared, searching those on the other side for

missing family or friends. I remember the fear in those outside as they stepped off the bus and shivered in the bitter desert cold. Their clenched hands grabbed hold of family members and they stared without seeing the nighttime landscape of brush and tumbleweed that promised blinding dust storms, the horizon flat until the mountains. Always the mountains.

The bewildered people outside clutched their bundles of luggage, all that was left of their former lives. The people from the buses were herded inside, shouted at, tagged and numbered. Already they were losing themselves. When the gate slammed and locked behind them they looked toward the outside as though they would never be free again.

So, yes, I have been here before. I have walked this arid wilderness. I have heard the sand blow a maddened howl in the night. I have seen the whiteglow moonlight reflect the saw-toothed horizon.

Through it all, the mountains have remained the same. After all, what is seventy years to a mountain range that has watched millennia pass away? Now, the gates are taller since they guess we can jump anything less. Now, the gates have silver coating, the barbs deemed no longer necessary since they guess the barbs cannot pierce our preternatural skin. Now, the military police carry guns with silver bullets, which we secretly laugh at. Now, I am the one who has been carted away, considered too unpredictable to be out among polite society. Yet the barracks, the mess halls, the natural barrier of the mountains between us and everyone else in the world…so much of it is the same. There are nights when I cannot make the distinction between then, when I was here from compassion, and now, when I am the one encaged.

But do not worry for me, my love. Now, with this silver-coated gate and these imposing mountains between us, I am reminded all too strongly how I cannot

be without you. Soon, Sarah. I will hold you in my arms soon. Be patient this little longer, my love, and I will How far will you go to protect the one you love? return to you. I will.

Finally, after many long and lonely years, James Wentworth’s life is falling into place. Together with his Her Loving Husband’s Rewife, Sarah, the only woman he has ever loved, he has turn found the meaning behind her nightmares about the SaBook Three The Loving Husband Trilogy lem Witch Trials, and now they are rebuilding the life they began together so long ago.

Meredith Allard Genre: paranormal/historical

Number of pages: 276 Word Count: 86,500

But the past is never far behind for the Wentworths.

While Sarah is haunted by new visions, now about the baby she carried over three hundred years before, James is confronted with painful memories from his time with the Cherokee on the Trail of Tears. Through it all, the persistent reporter Kenneth Hempel reappears, still determined to prove that the undead walk the earth. If Hempel succeeds in his quest, James and Sarah will suffer. Will the curse of the vampire prevent James and Sarah from living their happily ever after?

Book Description:

BN—Her Loving Husband’s Curse

What would you do to return to the only one you have ever loved?

Amazon—Her Loving Husband’s Curse

Publisher: Copperfield Press Date of Publication: 4/19/13 ISBN: 9781301084036 ASIN: B00CFA0RJW

Smashwords James Wentworth’s secret is no longer a secret, and now he and his beloved wife, Sarah, have been separated.

While suffering his own internment, James is reminded of his time with Japanese-Americans in the Manzanar Relocation Camp during World War II, and he cannot allow the past to repeat itself. With the help of his friends—Chandresh, Jocelyn, Timothy, even the irreverent Geoffrey—James learns what it means to return, and he is determined to return to his Sarah no matter the challenges—or the consequences.

Will James and Sarah be reunited once and for all despite the madness surrounding them? Will James’s most fervent wish be granted?

The changes in store for the Wentworths may be irreversible.

Smashwords Amazon BN Her Loving Husband’s Curse Book Two The Loving Husband Trilogy Meredith Allard

Her Dear and Loving Husband The Loving Husband Trilogy

By Meredith Allard James Wentworth has a secret.

He lives quietly in Salem, Massachusetts, making few ties with anyone. One night his private world is turned upside down when he meets Sarah Alexander, a dead ringer for his wife, Elizabeth. Though it has been years since Elizabeth's death, James cannot move on.

Sarah also has a secret. She is haunted by nightmares about the Salem Witch Trials, and every night she is awakened by visions of hangings, being arrested, and dying in jail. Despite the obstacles of their secrets, James and Sarah fall in love. As James comes to terms with his feelings for Sarah, he must dodge accusations from a reporter desperate to prove that James is not who, or what, he seems to be. Soon James and Sarah piece their stories together and discover a mystery that may bind them in ways they never imagined. Will

James make the ultimate sacrifice to protect Sarah and ical fiction seminars at Learning Tree University, prevent a new hunt from bringing hysteria to Salem UNLV, and the Las Vegas Writers Conference. again?

Part historical fiction, part romance, part paranormal fantasy, Her Dear & Loving Husband is a story for anyone who believes that true love never dies.

T

About the Author: Since 2000, Meredith Allard has been the Executive Editor of The Copperfield Review, an award-winning literary journal for readers and writers of historical fiction. She received her B.A. and M.A. degrees in English from California State University, Northridge, and she has taught creative writing and writing histor1. What inspired you to become an author?

I first thought of myself as a writer when I was 12 and I was asked to write our 6th grade graduation play. In truth, I was probably only asked because I had the neatest handwriting in the class, but I felt like a writer. In subsequent years, I had teachers who used my writing as examples for the class, and that added to my feeling that I was a writer. I knew that writing was in my future, and I tried out journalism and screenwriting but neither felt right. Finally, I found my way to writing novels and I knew I found my home.

2. Do you write in different genres? If yes, which is your favorite genre to write?

I do write in different genres. Primarily, I write historical fiction, though with the Loving Husband Trilogy I began writing paranormal fiction since the story is about vampires, ghosts, witches, and werewolves.

I had never thought to write paranormal fiction before, but I loved this crazy story idea I had about a vampire missing his long-dead human wife and so I decided to see what I could accomplish writing paranormal fiction.

My favorite genre to write is historical fiction because I love history. I enjoy doing the research required for writing historical fiction. But I enjoyed writing paranormal fiction because I loved that I could let my imagination soar since human limitations don’t apply to the paranormal world. If I ever came up with another idea about vampires or witches or any other supernatural being, I would definitely be up to writing in the paranormal genre again.

3. How did you come up with the title for your latest book?

Book One in the series is Her Dear & Loving Husband, and Book Two is Her Loving Husband’s Curse.

If you’ve read the first two books in the series, you know that James and Sarah have a hard time of it at the end of Her Loving Husband’s Curse. Book Three became Her Loving Husband’s Return because it makes perfect sense once you’ve read the story. Also, one of my all-time favorite trilogies is the Lord of the Rings, and the third book is Return of the King. So I liked the idea of using the word ‘return’ in the title.

4. Do you title the book first or wait until after it’s complete?

I usually have a title somewhere around the beginning of the writing process. With the Loving Husband Trilogy, it was the first time I ended up changing the title after I was finished writing. The original title of Her Dear & Loving Husband was The Vampire’s Wife. A beta reader suggested that The Vampire’s Wife was too much of a giveaway about the story, so after stumbling across Anne Bradstreet’s poem “To My Dear and Loving Husband” I changed it to Her Dear & Loving Husband. The revised title has the same idea as the original title, but it takes a little more digging to figure out what it means. And I love that the poem was able to serve as a connection in the love story between James and Elizabeth and then James and Sarah. Little things like that make me happy.

5. Is there a message in your novel that you want

readers to grasp?

At its heart, Her Dear & Loving Husband is a love story that spans time. It’s about James Wentworth, a 319 year-old vampire who has tried to make the best of his immortal life though he misses his wife, Elizabeth, dreadfully. He meets Sarah Alexander, who looks just like his Lizzie, and though at first he has feelings for Sarah because she reminds him of his wife, he begins to love Sarah for being Sarah. But there’s more to that story than meets the eye, and James and Sarah have to unravel a lot in order to understand what’s happening to them. James needs to navigate between the past and his sad memories of Salem during the witch hunt days and the present when he is faced with a reporter desperate to prove that vampires walk the earth. The underlying question in the novel is: what does it mean to be human? How is it that the vampire shows more humanlike qualities in his ability to love when the humans can cast off or condemn others so easily?

One of the things that set the Loving Husband Trilogy apart from similar books is that the point of view goes back and forth between James and Sarah. That’s one thing I found missing in some other vampire stories— you only got the human girl’s point of view. I always wanted to know what the vampire was thinking and feeling. In the Loving Husband Trilogy we hear from both James and Sarah—what they’re thinking, what they’re feeling, why they make the choices they do. It adds another layer of interest to their romantic story.

7. What book are you reading now?

When I was in Portland, Oregon I had the chance to visit the amazing Powell’s City of Books and I bought a copy of Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall. For someone who loves historical fiction as much as I do, I can’t believe I hadn’t read it before, especially since I loved Showtime’s The Tudors. I’m already looking forward to reading Bring Up the Bodies, the second book in Mantel’s trilogy about Thomas Cromwell.

8. If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Charles Dickens. I do what I do (write novels) because of the influence he’s had on me as a writer. I read David Copperfield and Great Expectations in college, and I thought, “That’s what I want to do. I want to write novels that are worlds unto themselves.” I get a lot from Dickens—the way I structure my stories, my tongue-incheek sense of humor, (my use of parentheses), and I get my social sensibilities from him. My novels aren’t meant to be social commentaries the way Dickens’ novels were, but I love it when readers find deeper meanings in my books. I think of my stories as layered. If readers want to read the books for the entertainment, then the entertainment is there. If they want to look deeper, there are layers that can be peeled back and pondered.

9. Can you share a little of your current work with us?

6. Of all the characters you’ve ever written, who My latest obsession is Downton Abbey, and whenever I become obsessed with something in that way it is your favorite and why? usually plays out in my writing. I can’t say much Both James Wentworth and Sarah Alexander, the more now except it’s going to be a love story set in love interests in the Loving Husband Trilogy, are close to my heart. In a lot of ways James is my alter Victorian England, the generation before Downton ego in the story. James and I have a lot in common— Abbey, which begins in the Edwardian era. No vamwe’re both English teachers, we both read and write pires in that one—at least I don’t think so. a lot, we both think about things probably too much 10. Do you have any advice for other writers? for our own good. Sarah is a lot like me too. I think she gets her personality traits more from me than I The best writing advice I have is simple: just write. If care to admit. And hey, I wouldn’t mind meeting a you have a story to tell, then you must tell it. Take hot vampire man. I would also have to add Geoffrey, your time growing into the writer you want to be. also from the Loving Husband Trilogy, to the list.

Take your time as you figure out what type to stories Geoffrey is…well, let’s say Geoffrey is James’s maker, you want to put out into the world. Learn from writas they would say on True Blood, and Geoffrey has ers you love and then create your own style. And his own sarcastic, tongue-in-cheek way of getting just write. through the world. Geoffrey makes me laugh, and since I love to laugh I imagine he would be a hoot to hang out with.

Homemade Paper

By Wenona Napolitano Have you ever thought about making your

toss a few flower petals, leaves or seeds in

own paper but you weren’t sure where to

with scrap paper fibers it’s very easy.

start or what to do? Well here’s a tutorial for you that can help you out.

Here’s what you’ll need to make your homemade paper: Lots of scrap paper Anything you’d like to add to the paper- fibers, string, flower petals, small leaves, herbs, glitter, confetti, etc A couple of wooden frames that should be a little larger than the size you wish the finished piece of paper to be A window screen a little larger than the largest frame; it has to go over the frame and attach to it

Handmade paper can be made from many

Staples and hand stapler or staple gun (if you

different materials or a combination of sever-

are making your own screen frames, if you

al materials, including bits of old scrap paper

have premade frames you won’t need the

you have lying around the house or even

stapler)

scrap fibers such as cotton. Even dryer lint

An old blender, preferably not one you’ll

can be added to paper slurry for a colorful

want to use again for food processing

touch.

A large rubber or plastic tub, big enough to immerse the frames in

Many types of plant fibers can be turned into

Pieces of felt or wool larger than your frames,

usable paper too, though some raw plant

at least two per sheet of paper, or old

materials need special preparations which can

towels (this id for absorbing water and to

be a lengthy process. But if you just want to

help dry out the papers)

Sponge

straight edges you’ll want to use a second

Rolling pin

frame with no screen; this is called the deck-

Cornstarch to mix into the slurry and make

le. The deckle sits on the mold and defines

the paper easier to write on

the shape of the paper.

Flat, edgeless cookie sheets Optional items, including large cookie-cutter 5. After the paper has finished soaking, mix shapes, an apron, and extra towels and it up in your blender at a ratio of one cup of rags

paper to 2–3 cups of water. Start with 2 cups;

You may have many of these supplies around if the mixture is too thick and lumpy add anthe house. If you don’t you can find paother cup. You want to have a thick slurry, permaking supplies at craft and hobby

smoothie or thick milkshake consistency. If

stores.

you want to be able to write on the handmade paper, add a tablespoon of cornstarch.

The frames and screen are called a mold and The cornstarch will make the paper less likely deckle, and the tubs are vats.

to absorb ink.

To make your paper you need to:

6. Blend your mixture on a medium high

1. Collect a lot of scrap paper, fibers and any blender setting until it has the consistency of extras you would like to add to the paper.

thin oatmeal.

Not all paper is a good choice for making your own recycled product. Newspaper will

7. You can experiment with colors by adding

turn everything gray, and magazines are too

food coloring. Pour it in and mix very briefly.

glossy and will make everything gunky. The

At this point you can also add your flowers,

best paper choices are junk mail, office,

herbs or other materials. Or if you don’t want

computer, and copy paper.

your materials all blended up you can wait until you pour the paper mix into the mold

2. Once you have all your papers, rip them up then add your materials by hand. Do not into small squares or shred into small pieces. blend seeds in the blender. If you want to make plantable paper, wait until your pulp is 3. Once the paper is all ripped up or shred-

ready in the molds.

ded, soak it in a tub of warm water for at least two hours- even better soak overnight.

8. Once your paper is blended into a nice slurry of pulp, fill your tub with about two

4. (Optional- not needed if you already have

inches of water for every blender-full of pulp.

frames or a mold and deckle) To make your mold, cut your window screen

9. Pour the paper pulp into a mold, then low-

an inch or two larger than the frame, then

er the mold into the tub of water at an angle

stretch it over the frame and staple it to the

and shake to distribute the pulp evenly over

back side. If you want your paper to have

the screen. If you are using a deckle, place it

over the mold now, gently shake it back and

er, flatter, and more even.

forth, and pull both the mold and deckle up out of the water tub gently. Let the water

15. You can keep adding new sheets of paper

drain. Allow all of the excess water to flow

to your pile as you make them; just separate

back into the tub of water.

each one with a piece of felt so they don’t stick together.

10. If you don’t want to dip the pulp into the water you can now add your materials such

16. Sandwich all the paper sheets together

as seeds, flowers, and herbs. By not dipping

and keep them lying flat by piling books or

the pulp into the water your paper can be

boards on top of them. If you really get into

thicker but not as even.

the homemade paper process, you could make a simple paper press from boards and

11. Use a sponge, cloth, or towels to dry the

C clamps. Kitchen cutting boards are also

excess water off the back of the screen. You

very effective for pressing the paper to keep

want as much excess water removed as pos-

it flat.

sible so your paper can dry.

17. Leave the sheets alone until they are dry.

12. Now it’s time to lay a piece of felt, wool,

Drying time can vary, but start by leaving the

or thick towel on top of the paper pulp on the sheets overnight. Store the sheets so they rescreen and turn the whole thing over — mold main flat until you are ready to use them. and all — onto a hard surface such as a flat edgeless cookie sheet. If the paper doesn’t

Making handmade paper is a fun though

come off easily, dry the back of the screen

somewhat time consuming process but after

some more, tap it, or carefully peel the paper you get used to it all it becomes less complioff. cated. The first time is the hardest.

This tutorial was excerpted and edited now add flowers, herbs, or seeds to the paper from The Everything Green Wedding Book by mixture. If you choose, make imprints in the Wenona Napolitano.

13. If you have not already done so, you can

paper by pressing plants, leaves, or even textured objects such as lace into the paper.

Leave the objects there until the paper has dried.

14. Cover the paper with another piece of felt and roll over it with a rolling pin to bind the fibers together and to help imprint any designs. This will also help your paper dry fast-

Matchpoint The Matchmaker Series, Book Two Elise Sax Genre: Comedic romantic mystery Publisher: Ballantine (Random House) Paperback Pages: 288 ISBN: 978-0-345-53224-4 Book Description: Lovably troublesome Gladie Burger runs into sizzling danger and a fiery love triangle in the second installment of Elise Sax’s hilarious and sexy Matchmaker romance series.

“Elise Sax will make you laugh. Her larger-than-life characters jump off the page and make crazy seem like a fun place to hang out.”—New York Times bestselling author Christie Craig Since joining the family matchmaking business run by her eccentric Grandma Zelda, Gladie is

always looking for love. But when an unbearable toothache knocks her out of commission and into the dentist’s chair, she prays only for relief. No such luck. Emerging from an anesthetic haze, Gladie awakes to find that not only is her tooth still throbbing, but her dentist is dead—and the lead suspect in the murder, office receptionist Belinda, just so happens to be Gladie’s first real client. Now it’s up to Gladie to find Belinda a man and keep her from being locked up behind bars.

As if that weren’t enough distraction, two gorgeous men are vying for Gladie’s attention: Spencer, the playboy chief of police, and Holden, Gladie’s secretive, gorgeously muscled neighbor. Still, Gladie’s not complaining about having a helping hand or two when the case leads her to a dangerously bizarre cult. She may have met her match—and if she’s not careful, it could be her last.

Amazon Kindle BN BN Nook Booksamillion An Affair to Dismember The Matchmaker Series, Book One Elise Sax Genre: Comedic romantic mystery Publisher: Ballantine (Random House) ISBN: 978-0345532220 Number of pages: 320 Word Count: About 80,000 Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/sox1nLfSEmY Amazon

BN Wal-Mart BooksAMillion

Book Description: Certain to appeal to fans of Janet Evanovich, Jennifer Crusie, and Katie MacAlister, Elise Sax’s hilarious series debut introduces matchmaker-in-training Gladie Burger, who stumbles into a dangerous quagmire of murder and red-hot romance.

Three months has been Gladie Burger’s limit when it comes to staying in one place. That’s why Gladie is more than a little skeptical when her eccentric Grandma Zelda recruits her to the family’s matchmaking business in the quaint small town of Cannes, California. What’s more, Gladie is also highly unqualified, having a terrible track record with romance. Still,

Zelda is convinced that her granddaughter has “the gift.” But when the going gets tough, Gladie wonders if this gift has a return policy.

When Zelda’s neighbor drops dead in his kitchen, Gladie is swept into his bizarre family’s drama. Despite warnings from the (distractingly gorgeous) chief of police to steer clear of his investigation, Gladie is out to prove that her neighbor’s death was murder. It’s not too long before she’s in way over her head—with the hunky police chief, a dysfunctional family full of possible killers, and yet another mysterious and handsome man, whose attentions she’s unable to ignore. Gladie is clearly being pursued—either by true love or by a murderer. Who will catch her first?

Praise for An Affair to Dismember “Elise Sax’s new Matchmaker series is off to a rousing start! . . . Sax gives the comic mystery genre a new spin. . . . A fun read sure to entertain.”—RT Book Reviews “Fans of laugh-out-loud romantic suspense will enjoy this new author as she joins the ranks of Janet Evanovich, Katie MacAllister, and Jennifer Crusie.”—Booklist “Elise Sax will win your heart.”—New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis “In the tradition of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, Elise Sax’s new novel is a funny, sexy ride.”—Valerie Frankel, author of Four of a Kind “What a fun book! It will leave readers begging for more.”—Kim Gruenenfelder, author of There’s Cake in My Future About the Author: Elise Sax worked as a journalist for fifteen years, mostly in Paris, France. She took a detour from journalism and became a private investigator before trying her hand at writing fiction.

She lives in Southern California with her two sons. An Affair to Dismember, the first in the Matchmaker mystery series, is her first novel. http://elisesax.com/ https://twitter.com/TheEliseSax http://www.facebook.com/theelisesax http://youtu.be/sox1nLfSEmY http://www.huffingtonpost.com/elise-sax/ http://www.goodreads.com/author/ show/5766108.Elise_Sax

ClaraBelle’s Custom Creations Book Swag from Bewitching Book Tours Bewitching Book Tours is now offering custom book swag creations that can be added on to tour packages for giveaways or ordered separately.

We are offering high quality, hand crafted, one of a kind items made to match your book.

No two items will ever be exactly alike because of the creativity and materials that go into the creation process.

Currently we are offering beaded key-chains, purse charms, wine glass charms, earrings, and bookmarks.

We hope to offer a wider variety of products soon but we are starting with some of the most popular book swag creations.

These items can be created with colored beads to match the colors in your book cover.

We can also add small charms to coordinate with book content- some of the silver charms available are: vampire fangs, wolves, witch hats, keys, books, hearts, haunted houses, bats, and owls.

You can also opt to have the items completely customized by adding your book cover to a metal charm.

Our goal is to create custom book swag to represent your book.

Forgive my pictures- my photography skills are terrible and do not do these items justice.

I hope to soon have better images for everyone to see but I wanted to get the news out that we now offer Custom Book Swag.

Email RoxanneRhoads@bewitchingbooktours.com for price quotes Items available: beaded bookmark/bookthongs Keychains Purse charms wine glass charms earrings Tell us what you wish to order, what colors you would like and what kind of charms If you would like book cover charms please send a high res jpeg of your cover

Beaded Book thongs are $5 a piece, set of 4 keychains or purse charms is $20, earrings are $7 -$10 a set, and a set of 6 wine glass charms is $25 All can be customized with your color scheme to match your book cover.

You can also customize with charms- we have wolves, vampire fangs, witch hats, vampire bats, keys, and several others to choose from.

Book cover charms also available. We can add your book cover to a metal charm to include on your bookmark, keychain or wine glass charms. These are an additional $1 per item ordered with a charm. So for a set of 4 keychains, each with a book cover charm, the set would now be $24 instead of $20.

For the wine glass charms, since they are a set meant to be displayed together, I would suggest putting a book cover on one of the wine glass charms then choosing other charms for the rest to create a set that represents the book.

Review of The Facets of Passions Series by Jeffe Kennedy

Saph's Review of Platinum : Book 2 in the Facets of Passion Series by Jeffe Kennedy Saph's Review of Ruby: Book 3 in the Facets of Pas- http://saphssteamybooks.blogspot.com/2013/06/reviewplatinum-facets-of-passion-book-2.html sion Series by Jeffe Kennedy http://saphssteamybooks.blogspot.com/2013/06/vbtreview-ruby-facets-of-passion-book.html Platinum stars Althea Grant Danielle Sosna is in New Or- as the female leading characleans for a week long photo ter. She's a prim and proper shoot prior to flying away to lady with a gallery of pastel take a new job in Paris. Dani watercolor paintings that are is a person who craves self- not helping her pay the bills. control and order and will do She has convinced herself anything to achieve success, that she is happy and content usually at the expense of her with where her life is at this own happiness, wants, or moment. She has a nice, needs. When she meets a sensible boyfriend, her art chef in a local restaurant her gallery is in the upper echeneed for control are tested lon of society, and as such and she ultimately fails. Yet there are standards that she has imposed on herself ~ she finds herself drawn to most certainly due to her high class upbrining. When him. And he leads her into an artist know for his works with metal comes strolling the secret life of fetish and into Althea's gallery she knows he's not a good fit with bondage. her style. His $10,000 offer to rent her basement for a few months, however, is very tempting and needing the Dani is a high strung woman working in the fashion money, accepts his offer.....with rules. industry. Bobby Prejean is a gourmet chef by day with a not-so-secret entry into the world of carnal acts. In Steel has just received a contract to create a huge metal the week that Dani is in New Orleans, Bobby introduc- piece of art. He's been given enough money to pures her to sexual pleasure mixed with pain that she fully chase all the supplies he needs plus just about anything absorbs and becomes completely comfortable with. We else. In order to get the piece done he requires quiet get to see Dani change before our very eyes and we get space where he can work and create without being to see a multifaceted Prejean. The emotions that Dani bothered. A high society gallery is right up his alley, experiences when meeting Prejean for the first time in and when the assistant to the owner of Chalkstone Galhis restaurant, during the sex play, concerning her job, lery lets him know their gallery has a basement, Steel and her family are written so well. It's hard not to bewastes no time introducing himself. He was not expectcome completely immersed in her life and feel all of the ing the pale little owner, Althea, to light his fire. With emotions as she experiences them. the distraction in the gallery above, will Steel be able to concentrate on the artist piece he's been commissioned Ruby is another good BDSM book by Jeffe Kennedy. to create?

She takes the wild and hidden life of whips, paddles, chaines, costumes, and sex toys and bring it to the sur- The short story of 117 pages packs quite a punch; so face. Jeffe also keeps the books based on reality. She much that it's almost overwhelming and rushed. In the describes the pain a woman feels after rough sex; the time span of about a week a very prim and proper lady sting of a paddle on sensitive flesh; and the not-soof society fully submits to a BDSM relationship with a pretty aspect of anal play. person she knows absolutely nothing about. In fact, she doesn't even find out his real name until close to the end of the book? Who does that? Apparently Althea, a person who's spent her entire life trying to please other people while sacrificing her own happiness.

I've read many reviews that state this short story doesn't have, well, a story. That it's all kink and sex and huge penises. Well be that as is may, there is an underlying theme to Platinum. Yes, there is kink -and lots of it. Althea gets tied up, spanked, ordered around, and used up sexually....but only in the safe zone that Steel created. Yes, there is sex - can't really have kink without sex - and lots of it. Yes, not only does Steel have a huge cock, but apparently his new piece of art does as well. The underlying part of this book is the fire brewing within Althea that no one has ever allowed her to show.

She doesn't always want to have sex, missionary style, in a bed. Deep down she always wanted a little more spice but lived with the manta that "good girls don't do that kind of thing." I can sympathize with Althea. But I digress....this isn't a review of me, my upbringing, or my sex life. She wanted to be comfortable in her own skin with the ability to date who she wanted, have sex the way she wanted, and with whomever she wanted.

Steel helps bring her sexuality to the surface to be explored. She also wanted to have whatever career suited her fancy.

the book a bit longer. Steel is full of innuendos that cause Althea to blush constantly, which is entertaining.

This story is hot, sensual, oh-so-very naughty.

Saph's Review of Sapphire : Book 1 in the Facets of Passion Series by Jeffe Kennedy http://saphsbookblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/reviewjeffe-kennedys-sapphire.html

This is the first book in the Erotica genre that I've read.

I've read a lot of "adult" books but nothing with S & M like this one. This story has M. Taylor Hamilton as an organized woman in complete control over every aspect of her life. When she ends up in a compromised position with Adam Kirliss, a business associate, he then challenges her to a date. Little did M. Taylor know this would involved dom/sub rules and a potential shattering of every wall of restraint and control she worked so hard to build. At the beginning of their evening Adam gives M. Taylor a safe word to use to Part of the underlying theme isn't strictly about the sex end whatever it is they are doing at that particular moeither. Althea is talked down to about the gallery by ment; a safety net for M. Taylor for if/when things beher father and put in a position that makes her feel not come uncomfortable. worthy or incapable of success. Steel brings out the woman hiding inside of Althea. He brings forth the I thought it was good considering it's a new genre for artist she was meant to be and casts aside the artist that me and I'm not at all familiar with dom/sub. I don't she ultimately came to be - the artist that she thought expect that everyone will enjoy it. You will just have everyone wanted her to be; the artist that didn't do her, to try it out for yourself and see. or the art world, any justice. This new Althea also takes the plunge and, one month later, completely It's a shorter story and gets pretty intense at times. changes the theme of her gallery.

There were a couple uncomfortable parts Back to the submission sex. It is very intense at times. for me (again I'm a There is one scene where Steel loses control and forces noob at the erotica Althea to scream her safe word. It is a very hard scene dom/sub thing). The to continue to read. But when she says her safe word, story line seems okay everything stops and Steel consoles Althea and apoloespecially if restraints gizes for going to far. Ok, I'll buy that this time but if and spankings are it became a habit - everything would end. Sexually your thing. abusing someone due to frustration or whatever reason, is not acceptable.

Not suitable for anyone under the age of Overall, the story was pretty good. Jeffe Kennedy was 18. very descriptive of each scene/character without going overboard. It didn't seem like filler like I've been subjected to in other books just so the author could make

Review of The Necromancer’s Seduction by Mimi Sebastian Reviewed by Jocelyn Dex Original Post Here: http://jocelyndex.blogspot.com/2013/07/review-of-necromancers-seduction-by.html

The Necromancer’s Seduction Book One Mimi Sebastian Genre: Urban Fantasy Publisher: ImaJinn Books Cover Artist: Patricia Lazarus She has never feared the walking dead. It’s the power required to reanimate the dead that startles her, seduces her.

The power that dwells inside her…and is growing.

For Professor Ruby Montagne, being a necromancer has brought her nothing but heartache, and she walked away from that part of her life long ago. However, her quiet existence in San Francisco is shattered when she stumbles upon the body of a slain witch, and the supernatural community insists she transform him into a revenant to track the killer. But his murder was just the beginning, and Ruby soon realizes that the stakes are higher than anyone can imagine—and that revenants have nasty minds of their own.

Now demonic creatures have escaped into the human world, and zombies once again walk the streets. For humanity’s sake, Ruby forms an unlikely alliance with a witch, a zombie, and Ewan March, a demon warrior who sets her senses on fire.

She’s always distrusted demons and Ewan is no exception, but circumstances push them closer together, and Ruby not only finds it harder to resist him, she isn’t sure she even wants to. But she suspects his job of patrolling the portal separating humans and demons conceals a dark and deadly past that may consume them both.

With events spiraling out of control, Ruby unravels a plot that not only threatens the human and demon realms, but puts Ruby’s very soul in jeopardy. Because when the dead walk, no one is safe. Especially Ruby.

Review The Necromancer's Seduction was an entertaining read with just the right amount of action, dialogue and character development. Ruby, the heroine and reluctant necromancer, was a strong and likable character. Her best friend, Kara a somewhat bitchy witch, was a good addition to the story. Ewan, the demon lust interest, was sexy, charming and protective. I also really enjoyed Adam's character but won't say much about him so I don't spoil anything.

I love books with a little demon romance in them and this book had that and a helluva lot more. You'll find zombies, witches, revenants, demons and necromancer's woven into this exciting tale. The writing was solid, sometimes funny, sometimes creepy and sometimes scary. If you enjoy an urban fantasy with a little romance and sex on the side, you'll probably enjoy The Necromancer's seduction. I did.

20 Ways to Find Your Inner Sex-Goddess

By Roxanne Rhoads

Being a sex goddess isn't about how you look, it is about how you think and how you feel. You don't have to look like a Victoria Secret model or a porn star to be a sex goddess. You just have to learn to think sexy and feel sexy, it's all about attitude.

Here are some simple things you can do to alter your way of thinking, define what you think is sexy, and help you find your inner sex goddess. You might want to grab a notebook and a pen because some it requires you to write things down.

These are simple things that can help you see yourself and your sexuality more clearly. They can boost your confidence and help you live life fully and sexually.

1) Evaluate yourself in the mirror, what are your best features? Decide what you would like to change about your physical appearance, if it can be changed- start doing something about it, if it can't -learn to accept it and love it. Learn how to accentuate your strengths and your best assets. Learn to love yourself and see your inner beauty.

3) Write down a list of your strengths and weaknesses both physical and mental/emotional. Work on enhancing your strengths.

4) Make a list of the women you think are sexy and why. This could be a fictional character in a movie or on TV or it could be your next door neighbor or someone you work with.

5) Describe what you think is sexy, define sex appeal to you.

6) Make a list of things you would like to do (ex: take a Pilates class, an art class or learn to tango) pick one item from your list and go do it 7) Make a list of places you would like to travel to (they can be 30 or 3000 miles away or anywhere in between).

Now make arrangements to go to one of these places.

8) Read an erotic romance novel or some great erotic short stories that you can find online.

9) Watch porn. You may cringe but there are movies made specifically to cater to women, movies by Playgirl or made for Playgirl Television and 2) Start exercising; get your body in shape for sex. A anything by Candida Royalle. There are also many healthy body is a sexy body. Plus exercise combats de- websites that cater to women. You need to broaden pression and releases natural endorphins that make you your horizons and let go of your inhibitions. A sex feel better which will help you feel sexier. goddess is uninhibited. There are also many websites that cater to women.

selection of vibrators and dildos, scented massage oils, lickable/edible body oils and lotions, tickling feather, candles, cock rings, condoms (depending on your situation), etc...

You could also store your copy of the Kama Sutra and your selection of porn magazines and DVD's in your little treasure trove of sexual goodies.

10) Write down a sexual fantasy of yours in explicit detail.

11) Order some lingerie catalogs or shop online, buy some new and sexy lingerie.

Get something you would have never considered buying before, be bold and daring.

12) Get a makeover, color your hair, get a new hairstyle, do something that changes how you look and makes you feel good, makes you feel like a new woman.

18) Pamper yourself, give yourself a wonderful treat, take some time to yourself, do something that feels good that you find relaxing.

19) Have sex as often as possible, be an active partici13) Give your bedroom a makeover; turn it into a love pant. Enjoy the sensations. Be open to giving and renest with exotic bold colors, sensual fabrics, soft light- ceiving pleasure. ing, lots of fluffy pillows, and candles. Get rid of the pink frilly ruffles and lace, think sexy, silk, satin, vel- 20) Make a list of sexual things you would like to do, vet, damask, brocade, rich sumptuous fabrics that will pick one and start experimenting or remember that fantease and tantalize your skin. tasy you wrote down in explicit detail, go act it out.

14) Touch yourself, learn how your skin feels, how it responds to your touch, discover how you like to be touched, what feels good to you. Use different items like silk scarves, feathers, leather straps, delight in the different textures and how they feel. Wear a blindfold to increase the sensations 15) Masturbate, often. A woman that can control her own pleasure is a woman in control. This will help you be able to give and receive pleasure which is a major turn on. Invest in some sex toys.

16) Accept your sexual identity; do not be afraid of your sexuality or your desires. We are sexual creatures and we should not be ashamed of that.

17) Put together a sexual treasure chest, in it you should have things like a blindfold, fuzzy handcuffs, a

Isis Erotica The Complete Trilogy Sandra Gore Genre: historical time travel erotic romance Publisher: Tajine Publishing Print 978-0-985344566, Ebook: 978-0-984279999 ASIN: B007J88ATE Amazon Kindle

Amazon Print

Book Description This is a romantic erotic adventure story - edgy, intelligent, and sensual. Set in Las Vegas and Ancient Egypt, Isis Erotica is the steamy shorter version of the novel, The Red Mirror, and is packed with intrigue, action and torrid love scenes. If you want to go right to the juicy parts, use the links in the special Table of Contents to jump to those vignettes.

The Hathor Power. They teach in the temple that there's an animal energy in us that conjures up base desire mingled with the potent allure of intense sensuality and deep mystery. The magical spell of the goddess Hathor transforms raw lust into the promise of pleasure and satisfaction known only by the gods.

"I have secrets," her aura teased. "Wonderful secrets that only I can share."

" here is more to this collection than a love T story. Add in reincarnation and mysterious artifacts that cross time. The writing is high quality and full of imagery. I highly recommend Ms Gore's work."

Four hot men. They all want her. Who will have her? Does she have to choose?

Who says a woman should have only one man?

downloaded as ebooks in three parts: The Red Mirror, The Persian General and The Great Green Part One: The Red Mirror. Who knew an old mirror in an antique store would promise pleasures more sensuous than any dream? Isis meets River God of bronzed flesh and snowy linen, the man with The Touch. She will do anything to feel that touch, even cross through time.

Part Two: The Persian General. A wild desert hunt goes all wrong when Isis is kidnapped by the Persian General. A bull of a man with legs One man and one life are not enough for Isis. like the columns of a temple, he holds her life She has the Power. in his thick fingers. But Isis has a destiny, and Isis has the Power - the Hathor Power.

"I was transported through time to a world of Egyptian gods and goddesses, temples and Part Three: The Great Green. Isis is the chohigh priestesses, honeyed dates and cleansing sen one, chosen by her father Hermes Trismeoils. And a woman who will never be satisfied gistus to protect the Emerald Tablet. But Isis by just one man, although Isis does love them needs protection herself from the evil Crown all with great intensity. She has great taste too Prince and the invading Persians. Cosmic - these men are to die for." forces bring together the circle of souls in two passion-filled nights - one below deck on RivThe Isis Erotica collection is comprised of er God's ship on the Nile and the other on the three connected adventures that can be Las Vegas Strip.

Who says there's a Mr. Right?

What inspired you to become an author?

good sex scene has both.

I’ve lived a marvelous, adventurous, exotic life.

I want to share! Magical mystery tours full of intrigue, romance and action play in my head.

If I could make films, I might do that. Instead, I write the movies of my mind.

How did you come up with the title for your latest book?

Do you have a specific writing style?

The 1st book was “The Red Mirror.” The 2nd was titled “The Emerald Tablet.” For the third, I needed color and a mystical object. As the book revolves around black magic in Roman Egypt, the title “The Black Scroll” fit the bill.

My style varies with the mood I’m creating, but I’m always very visual and use strong imagery. Do you title the book first or wait until after Action needs tight sentences. Atmosphere calls it’s complete? for color, smell, temperature, and sound expressed in more complex, poetic phrasing. A I don’t have a lot of rules. Each book is differ-

ent. I wrote my first novel as “Isis,” and the 2nd as “Athena.” I later changed the titles to “The Red Mirror” and “The Emerald Tablet.” These women were utterly real to me. I created book covers with pictures of their eyes and kept it right by my laptop as I wrote.

“Isis Erotica” was the title from the very first moment I thought to recast the Isis story.

Isis! In all her incarnations! Isis—every man’s dream. Athena—every woman’s dream. Elektra—Worship me!

Why? Isis has the Power. It takes her some time to learn to use it. Several lifetimes in fact.

She evolves from the first page of the first book to the last page of the third. What a woman!

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Who’s my favorite of the four incarnations of Isis? Athena of “The Emerald Tablet.” IntelliWomen, be powerful! Use everything you’ve gent, wise, sensuous and balanced, she’s in got to your advantage. Believe in your own charge of her sensuality and has great capacity power and don’t be afraid to use it. for love. She’s so perfectly Greek. They were so brilliant. They said everything. We’ve been Is the book, characters, or any scenes based repeating their wisdom ever since. on a true life experience, someone you know, or events in your own life?

If this book is part of a series…what is the next book? Any details you can share?

Most everything in my books stems from my life experience, which doesn’t mean that I tell “Isis Erotica” is drawn from the 1st book of the it in exactly the way it happened. I’ve been in Red Mirror series titled “The Red Mirror.” I’m sand storms. I’ve sailed the Nile. I’ve never working on the 3rd book, “The Black Scroll.” been kidnapped, but have found myself in posi- After the Black Scroll, I’ll put together “Red tions of no power.

Mirror Erotica,” a compilation of sex scenes from all three books of the Red Mirror series. I The characters are drawn from people I know, haven’t decided if I’ll weave a story to connect but only loosely. They become real and unique the scenes or present them as vignettes. when I put them on the page and “birth” them I created “Isis Erotica” because one of my First into this world. Antinous and Hector are two Readers photocopied the sex scenes before faces of my Viking husband. passing on the book. I thought, why not write a version that’s all action and sex? Why not create a special Table of Contents that goes Is there a genre(s) that you’d like to write straight to the juicy parts? that you haven’t tackled yet?

I want to write a memoir of the years I spent hitchhiking in North Africa. Possible working titles: “Not in Kansas Anymore” or “Cowgirl in the Sand.”

Of all the characters you’ve ever written, who is your favorite and why?

When I began the process, Isis took on another persona. I wrote in sensual mode. I wrote in first person. The story is told entirely as seen through Isis’ hypnotic green eyes.

The Red Mirror series is a continuous story in the present, but Isis visits a different past life in each book—Pharaonic, Greek and Roman Egypt. All of my Isis-theme books contain par-

allel stories with the same circle of reincarnat- Do you have any advice for other writers? ing souls, past and present.

Horace said it perfectly. “It you want to be a writer, write.”

What book are you reading now?

“Goodbye Darkness – Memoir of the Pacific War” by William Manchester. My father gave me the book. He and Manchester were Marines together in such hellholes as Guadalcanal and Guam (WWII). It’s given me tremendous insight into the nightmare that formed the complex, tortured soul who is my dad.

What books/authors have influenced your life?

Tell yourself that your writing is the most important thing in the world. Artists have to be self-centered. Life is full of distractions and responsibilities. It takes guts and commitment to push everything aside and declare, “Sorry.

Not now. I’m working.”

What would your readers be surprised to learn about you?

When people read my books, I think they When I was about 12 or 13, I spent the sum- might expect that I go around hunting men. mers swinging in a hammock, devouring the Or that I have multiple lovers. In fact, I am outrageous romance novels from my Aunt Jer- happily married in a monogamous relationry’s fireside bookcases. They were utterly ship since 1975. trashy and deliciously exotic with handsome pirates kidnapping refined beauties. They When you’re not writing what do you do? were my first taste of faraway places and Do you have any hobbies or guilty pleastimes—a taste that developed into a voracious ures? appetite. When I was twenty, I started a 25year odyssey through Europe, Africa and Lat- Guilt? Maybe I like martinis too much. Or in America. single malt whiskey. I love life, especially the beautiful parts, and suffer no guilt from any of it. If you look at my blog SLGore.com, you’ll If you had to choose, which writer would see that cooking and decorating are big pasyou consider a mentor? sions. I spend a lot of time on twitter, espeI wouldn’t mind learning a few tricks from cially my political account @LVview which is Dan Brown. focused on global social change, especially the Middle-East. Languages are also an obsession for me, as is foreign travelling and all Who designed the cover of your latest things ancient and mysterious. book?

I design all my book covers and do the interior layout. I’ve got an art degree so my writing is double pleasure. I get to create visually as well as verbally. A fan wrote, “Sandra’s not a writer, she’s a painter of words.”

What is next for you? Do you have any scheduled upcoming releases or works in progress?

I’m finishing the 3rd novel of the Red Mirror Series, “The Black Scroll” about magic in Ro-

man North Africa with visits to modern Libya and London. Isis of Las Vegas travels through the Red Mirror to her life as Elektra and rises from slave to goddess.

About the Author: Born with wanderlust, forever living in a fantasy world, Sandra Gore escaped the prairies of Kansas and followed the yellow brick road on a 25 year odyssey that took her to Europe, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.

Starting with a one-way ticket to Iceland, Sandra returned with a Viking husband, an art degree and speaking five languages. She and her husband have two adult children and divide their time between a California beach house and a Las Vegas condo.

Sandra's work Red Mirror Series: The Red Mirror, The Emerald Tablet, The Black Scroll Isis Erotica Isis Beach Read Sex and the Zen of Shopping: How to Live Rich by Shopping Smart Life Choices Anthologies: Navigating Difficult Paths "A True Love Story" Pursuing Your Passion "The Muses Whisper" Never Too Late "Road to Vegas" Find Sandra online http://sandragore.com/ https://twitter.com/GoreNovels https://www.facebook.com/GoreNovels Sandra’s Magazine http://www.sandraoffthestrip.com/ Sandra Political Activist on Twitter https://twitter.com/LVview

Do you have a specific writing style?

Both books in my Walk on the Wild Side series I write in first person present tense. It’s becom- are meant to encourage readers out of their ing more widely seen, but when I first began comfort zones. Whether that’s with their current writing in ’09 I had a lot of peers tell me to sexual relationship and the hum-drum routine switch to past tense or it wouldn’t sell. they’ve fallen into, their own lives in how their perceive themselves and the people around Do you write in different genres? them, or in learning to accept (hard truths, small lies, or flaws) as the first step toward finding Yes, I do. My first love is the action, excitehappiness. ment, and intrigue of a good paranormal tale— vampires or shape-shifters. Throw in a little sex Is the book, characters, or any scenes based and I’m a happy camper. These interests lead to on a true-life experience, someone you know, my urban fantasy series and a few erotica noor events in your own life? vellas. I recently added contemporary erotic romance to the mix and I’m thoroughly enjoying I think there’s a little bit of me I every character the freedom of multiple genres these days!

I write. Sometimes it’s what I’ve experienced in life, an emotion I’ve felt, or a problem I’ve If yes which is your favorite genre to write? faced on my own. I borrow often from the people around me, too. Life is ever inspiring.

Hands down, I love writing my paranormal series the most. I wish it sold more. I’d happily What is your current “work in progress” or dive back into those books and never look back. upcoming projects?

I love the characters and their complexities. It’s never a dull moment at the V V Inn. I’m plotting the follow up book after Avoiding Mr. Right. It will be Andrea’s story, who is Is there a message in your novel that you Andy’s twin sister from the book. I’m also want readers to grasp? working on a paranormal novella with Boone

Brux. It will bridge her characters and mine in commit. I had a great time with both heroines an action packed, funny tale based at the deso- and am looking forward to how I can twist the late inn above the Arctic Circle. next one to be just a bit off the norm, too.

Who designed the cover of your latest book?

Is there anything you find particularly chalKim Killion from Hot Damn Designs. She did lenging in your writing? a bang up job and I LOVE it.

The most challenging thing at the moment is trying to create a storyline that hasn’t bee done Do you have any advice for other writers? to death. I really enjoy taking traditional roles and swapping them in my work. For example, We used to hear over and over again that you should never write to the market and to write Heather in Vanilla on Top was the one who first initiated sexual contact with Tony, and she the story inside of you. With the acceptance of self-publishing and the ability to hire profeskept that pattern up for most of the book. It was only when they became more comfortable sional editors, cover artist, and formatters, I with each other that he slipped into the tradi- think you can break out and write to the market if you can get the book out fast enough. tional male-aggressive gender role.

Times are changing and so must a writer’s In Avoiding Mr. Right Carla takes on the more mind set to succeed. After all, there’s more masculine role of a player who doesn’t want to than one way to skin a cat.

Avoiding Mr Right Walk on the Wild Side, Book 2 C.J. Ellisson Genre: erotic romance Publisher: Red Hot Publishing ASIN: B00D69AJEY

Carla Johnson thinks issuing orders to a lover will keep her heart safe and leave her in charge of her own destiny. Afraid for Carla’s future, her best friend Heather implores her to change her self-centered ways, handing her a list of love life mistakes to steer clear of: 1. Casual Sex 2. Friends with Benefits 3. Avoidance of Intimacy Carla ignores the list—unwilling to face she might have a commitment problem. Until she in-

vites a co-worker to her place one night. She instantly regrets the hum-drum sexual encounter and discourages the accountant from pursuing her.

feisty blonde dumps. It'll take a patient man with a strong hand to unlock Carla's sexual awareness and win her heart. He’s up for the challenge to convince her he’s the one—and eager to prove this number cruncher Andy Shea refuses to become another lover the won’t make a boring bedmate.

Vanilla on Top A Walk on the Wild Side Novel CJ Ellisson Entangled Brazen USA Today & NYT Bestselling Book! #1 overall top seller at Barnes & Noble!

Book Description: Discover your inner bad girl, and set her free...

Heather Pierce is done being a wallflower, both personally and professionally. Desperate to live a different life for one night, she attends a speed dating event. Maybe here, anonymous unless she chooses otherwise, she can become someone new. When a man way out of her league sits across from her, Heather gathers her courage and takes charge of what she wants, secretly fearing he won't desire the real person she's desperate to hide.

Top acquisitions officer and international playboy Tony Carmine is about to close the biggest deal of his career. But then he meets Heather at a speed dating event . . . and discovers losing control may be exactly what he needs. Her blossoming sensuality occupies his every thought, consuming him with the need to possess the most intriguing lover he's ever encountered-until he walks into the boardroom and sees Heather on the other side of the negotiating table.

Excerpt from Chapter 1 of Vanilla on Top I smirk with a confidence I’m not completely feeling. “Nice of you to join me, Tony.” I relax against the brick and check him over from head to foot, making sure he knows with just my eyes exactly how desirable I find him. You can do this, don’t panic. He won’t laugh at you.

I nod toward the stacked chairs. “Take off your coat.” He slips the expensive garment from his shoulders, pulling the starched fabric of his shirt across his defined chest. I nod my approval and his eyes glint with desire in the dimming light.

I grab my skirt’s black material and work it slowly up my thighs. Tony’s eyes grow round as he follows my movements.

“Get down on your knees,” I say, forcing out my voice in a firm tone. Keep it together, girl!

He looks like he’s game. Keep going.

He smiles, seemingly eager to play whatever game I’ve got in mind. “Anything else?”

I tug the fabric up, until my skirt scrunches up around my waist and my black lace underwear I push down my inner anxiety and grin, in is bared to the night air. The handsome man’s what I hope is a teasing manner. “Your tie.” breath rushes out and I worry he’s going to balk, leaving me here with my skirt rucked up His eyebrows shoot up, but he loosens the knot like a fool. and pulls the material free. The red silk slides over his shirt, and then is tossed carelessly to- The intensity of the sexual moment overward his coat. whelms me a bit and I slide a finger over my heated mound, teasing the aroused flesh underHoly crap, he’s doing it. He’s listening to me. neath. Desire pushes me to be bold. “Did you What now? not hear me, Tony?” Strength pours into my voice, making me sound more sure of myself “Unbutton the top two buttons of your shirt.” than I feel. God, if he laughs at me now, I’ll The command springs unbidden to my die. thoughts.

Tony steps closer and sinks to the cobblestone He complies and reveals the golden skin below terrace, reaching with two eager hands toward his throat, with a few stray chest hairs visible my hips. He buries his face in my crotch and near the neck of his undershirt. He looks so breathes deeply. “You smell so good.” He rubs good I’d like to grab his shirt and rip it open, his cheek back and forth against my panties. licking the skin as it’s uncovered.

“What do you want me to do?”

Holy cow, where did that come from? I’m not this aggressive woman I’m pretending to be.

“How’s that?” he asks.

My pulse pounds so loudly in my ears I can only nod, afraid I’ll give too much away if I answer. I clear my throat, reaching for nonchalance. “It’ll do.” My hands slide to my hips and I take the plunge, pouring every ounce of courage I possess into my next actions.

A shudder ripples through me as the breath of his whispered voice warms my skin through the thin lace. He wants me to tell him what to do. I can do this.

“Kiss me,” I rasp, my voice barely above a whisper.

His soft lips press against the thin garment as the heat from his flesh teases me higher. My every sense feels on high alert during this encounter. I’ve never done anything so daring in

my entire life. The next kiss presses harder and “Not yet.” There’s no way I could handle his little shocks of arousal dart through my core. mouth right now. I’d lose it completely and my credibility on driving the bus in this scenario “That’s nice,” I say, resisting the primal urge would blow up in my face. My breath hitches to grind myself into his face. “But I need and I gather myself, aiming for calm, cool and more.” collected. “Only when I say.”

I glance down into Tony’s light brown eyes and see an intensity I’ve never seen on a man’s face. To know it’s directed toward me feels even more amazing. “Tell me what you want.”

His hot hands skate up my thighs to rest near the aroused juncture between my legs.

A moan of protest echoes into the night, cutting off when his hungry kisses pepper my thighs. My legs widen of their own accord and I slide down the cool brick a fraction of an inch, heedless of the snags my clothes will receive. The stiffness of his thumb pushes deep inside me and after a few plunges a small groan erupts from my lips.

I feel the wetness pooling in my panties, my body eager and ready to be with this man I just met. More than anything I want his fingers It’s been months since I’ve been with anyone. teasing me to a release. “Slip your thumbs un- I’m so turned on by this man doing exactly der my underwear and stroke me.” what I want, what I told him to do, that I fear I won’t last long. The slick pressure on my clit He pulls his hot lips away from the damp cot- starts to circle, driving me even higher. ton panel of my panties and breathes deep.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Come here and kiss my mouth,” I say. His hands pull away and I feel bereft of his touch.

A prickling ignites my skin, sending the hairs I hastily add, “Don’t stop touching me. Use on end when he calls me ma’am. I like it. your fingers instead.”

I like it a lot.

In a flash, the sexy businessman stands, ravaging my mouth with a passion I’ve never had Two thick digits slide under the delicate fabric, directed toward me. A deep rumble sounds in one angling for my aroused bud and one slip- his throat while his lips cover mine. The frenping deeper toward my waiting wetness. A jolt zied action reveals his pent-up arousal and deof pleasure rips through me the second his sire, and I’m almost giddy with the power thumb makes contact with my clit. An instant surge I feel. He truly wants me. Not just what I later, his other thumb presses against my tight can do for him, but wants me and what I’m opening. making him feel. What a rush!

“You’re very wet.” His voice rumbles into the evening, almost reverent, like I’m a precious object he’s not sure how to handle. “I want to taste you.”

Two slick fingers pump into my sex while Tony sucks on my bottom lip, nipping it once in his haste. He leans in to deepen the kiss and the length of his erection presses against my hip. I want nothing more than to tell him to

take me right here—to beg this gorgeous man once, I want to be the desired one. My mind to do me until I scream his name—but a part of empties as exquisite waves of pleasure build my brain still holds on to the act. and spill through my limbs.

I bet he can have any woman he wants any time. I need to stand out from the others. For

I break the intense kiss to focus on what I need to do. “On your knees,” I whisper. “Now.”

About the Author:

C.J. Ellisson is the USA Today Bestselling author of the NYT Bestselling book, Vanilla on Top, the bestselling V V Inn series, and several erotica shorts. She lives in northern Virginia with her husband, two children, two dogs, and a fluffy black cat who makes her sneeze.

Unlike most full-time authors, she's also battling severe chronic illness. C.J. works daily to put her Lupus into remission and continues to fight numerous bacterial infections while her immune system slowly attacks her body.

She turned to writing when she could no longer work outside the home and claims the escape of penning contemporary fantasy, erotica, and erotic romance has helped save her sanity.

To learn more about C.J. and her other books, please stop by the author's website http:// www.cjellisson.com or visit her on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/c.j.ellissonfanpage

Something More Than Friends

By Roxanne Rhoads Story One A Hot and Sinful Summer: 5 Tantalizing Tales of Sizzling Summer Seduction I slid my mouth over Dave’s, tasting cigarettes, Jack friends…to more, to friends with benefits.

Daniels, and that flavor uniquely his, part of that certain something special that drew me to him and always But no one could know except us. brought me back, making me want more.

I broke off the kiss and threw my head back as his Maybe it was because he was forbidden. How we alhands slid under my shirt pushing my bra aside. ways love things that are forbidden, especially when young and consequences aren’t as real as they became “God, Nicki, you feel so good.” He moaned against my when one is older…and wiser. neck sending shivers down my spine. His nuzzling kisses trailed up my neck then he moved back to my Dave was my best friend’s ex-boyfriend. His ex, Jan- lips, this time really kissing me. nie, and I had been BFFs forever, so the rules clearly stated that exes were off limits, even if she was now I think I stopped breathing. thousands of miles away, pregnant (not by him) and married. And it didn’t matter how close he and I had When he put everything into his kisses…oh my god, become since she moved away. She and I were still they were exquisite. My heart stilled as my chest grew BFFs and he was her one that got away. tight. The ache made me want to cry. I returned his kiss shoving away the flood of emotion that threatened to So Dave and I shouldn’t have been doing…whatever drown me in tears if I didn’t distract myself with the the hell it was we were doing. You couldn’t call it da- pleasure of his body. ting; I wasn’t sure what to call it.

He grabbed my hips with his large hands and thrust Something had drawn Dave and I together, maybe we himself against me. Desire thrilled my nerve endings as were bonded in our loneliness. Neither one of us could his bulging need pushed against my own heated, achhave the person we really wanted. His love was on ing core. I rocked back and forth, teasing. His erection again off again and mine…was so…complicated. threatened to burst the zipper of his jeans.

Complicated as in married. Dave’s girl was just psycho if you ask me. Who knows? Young love is always so His breathing became ragged and his kisses more urdramatic. gent. “Nic, I need you,” he pleaded.

So Dave and I commiserated with each other, bonded in our sorrow, found comfort in each other. We had always been rather close, even playful and flirty, but the last couple months we had progressed from

I loved it when he pleaded. It wasn’t pathetic, more like sexy and needy. A man unafraid to let you know he needed you, wanted you. A girl could get used to being wanted like that.

It had all started with a tease. See I loved to tease and hadn’t expected it go further, ever. One night it did.

We were always so flirtatious with each other. Then one night we were both sad, alone, broken and the not -so-innocent-flirting became deeper, more involved, as in all the way involved.

And tonight it looked like he wanted a replay.

“Here? In the cramped space of the car?” I glanced around the front of my Regal where I sat on Dave’s lap in the passenger seat. We parked in a secluded area on a hot summer night. Not like anyone would notice.

bed…or wherever else we decided to have sex.

As he situated himself I struggled out of my shoes, jean shorts, and panties. Finally naked from the waist down, I positioned myself on Dave’s lap, settling over the hard length of him.

I moved in for another mind blowing kiss as I slid my wetness over his length, teasing, taunting, sliding…

We were too far gone to stop now, but the tease was always sooo good. I wondered how much of it he could take.

Obviously not a lot because within moments he grabbed my hips pulling them forward, lifted me slightly just enough to expertly angle his cock, and I caved. I knew all along this was what we’d come plunged it deep into my hot, wet, aching pussy. here for. At least I had secretly hoped it was why he I moaned loudly with the initial penetration, he drove asked me to take him home and not Eric, even though inside me so fast and deep that I saw stars. Heated Eric taking him home made more sense since they sensations crept over and through me as his hips kept lived near each other. As soon as he had asked me, my pushing upward, thrusting his shaft deep within me, heart raced and my body tingled at the prospect of a so very deep inside me. I held on and just took him in, secret tryst in my car, thrilling. not being able to move, all I could do was allow the sensations for a few moments.

It wasn’t like we could hook up at my place where our friends were currently drinking and watching movies. When I finally recovered, I rocked my body to meet And his place was totally out of the question since he him thrust for thrust, riding his body, drawing him still lived at home with his parents, one of the down- into me and loving every second of it. Loving every falls of being a young twenty something going to col- inch of him inside me. lege close to home.

Even though I knew I shouldn’t.

To our friends this secretive rendezvous was just supposed to be me giving Dave a ride home since his We were friends with benefits. Best friends. We told truck was broke down. Instead, the little detour was each other everything. Every sordid detail. We knew me giving Dave a very different kind of ride. A very each other well enough to know we didn’t need conenjoyable ride. doms as long as I was on the pill, well enough to know when we were tested for things and what the I reached for his zipper as I wiggled back against the results were. Well enough to know we were safe in dashboard putting some space between us so we could each other. more easily bare body parts.

I couldn’t let myself acknowledge the feelings creepThe heat we were putting off already had the windows ing through me, crawling into my heart, pushing into of the car fogging up, no worries about anyone seeing my head making me think such crazy thoughts. us. It was going to get hot. I cracked the window just Thoughts that would change things. Complicate a bit so we could breathe. things.

I tugged on Dave’s jeans as he lifted his hips. His large cock sprang free and automatically I licked my lips in desire. He was impressively endowed with length and girth…and the ability to put them to very good use. I could understand why Jannie had been so hung up on him. Dave was sexy, funny, and great in

Love would complicate everything. Ruin it all.

It always did.

I mentally shook myself. This wasn’t love. Couldn’t be. Dave and I used each other to push away the lone-

liness, to distract from the sadness, to drown the pain. I didn’t want to take him home. Not to his home. I We were each other’s drug, each other’s security blan- wanted to take him back to my place and curl up with ket, something to reach out to in the darkness so we him all night in my bed. didn’t have to be alone.

To hell with our friends and what they thought. Sorry But as I rode him, his body filling me with such inJannie, you lost him, now he’s mine, all’s fair in love tense pleasure, as he held me, I felt so safe in his arms. and war. Right? Wrong.

I kissed him like I couldn’t get enough…I knew… knew I felt so much more for him than just friendship. And honestly it wasn’t about them. It was about us, But I also knew it would never ever work between us. Dave and me. We were good friends but so not comSo I enjoyed every moment, savoring every thrust as patible as boyfriend and girlfriend. We knew each othour bodies joined, pelvis to pelvis, in an intimate pri- er well, enough to know that. I knew that. I was too mal dance. We kissed, we thrust, we moved inside our practical to have a committed relationship with a man secret little world in the front of a window fogged car like Dave. He was a fun friend but not the type of guy on a hot summer night. At that moment there was no- I’d settle down with. I knew him well enough to know where else I’d rather be, and I prayed he felt the same that wasn’t going to change…ever. Plus, if you went as our bodies joined as one and there was no more into a relationship thinking you could change that perloneliness in our world. son, well, then you were definitely with the wrong person.

I held on tight and let the rest of the world along with all other thoughts and feelings melt away.

So I took him home, whether I really wanted to or not.

Sometimes life was about doing the right thing, not the The car turned into a sauna but it just increased the thing you really wanted to do. Damn, I was growing need as our sweat slicked bodies slid together, merg- up. I struggled against it, not wanting to grow up, ing as one, together in our desire to be, to feel somewanting, needing so bad to just give into my childish thing more. desires.

Stars twinkled behind my eyes as my body tightened and trembled. My pussy tingled and throbbed, gripping and clutching his rock hard cock until the orgasm rocketed through my body and almost bounced me off of him and into the roof of the car.

Within minutes we pulled into his driveway.

He turned to me, leaned in and gave me a gentle kiss.

“Thanks, Nic. I’ll give you a call tomorrow.”

I closed my eyes as my heart did that little stop and leap thing it tended to do when his lips touched mine.

He held me tight as his rhythm grew wild and frenAs I sat there almost drunk off him I opened my eyes zied, primal male grunts and growls matched his and realized he was staring at me. What was he thinkthrusts until his cock grew rigid inside me and every ing? Did he feel what I felt? Could this be more? Did other body part stilled except for that huge cock gush- he want it to be more? ing liquid heat into me.

I stared and silently questioned wanting to drown in Then we just held each other, breath ragged, bodies the beauty of his blue eyes. But I didn’t ask any of my joined in a wet, sweaty union on the front seat of my questions, I didn’t say the things running through my car. head and my heart. Instead I said, “Sure, I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

I pulled away first, untangling our legs and scrambling for my clothes. I cleaned us off with my panties. Then He looked at me like he wanted me to say something I struggled into my jean shorts, sans underwear, while else. His eyes searched mine, but after a few moments he pulled up his boxers and jeans. he finally turned and hopped out of the car.

I watched him until he was inside the house then I After stuffing my panties into my purse, I crawled backed out of the driveway and headed home. I drove back into the driver’s seat without a word. in silence, acutely aware of the emptiness in the car and the awful ache deep within myself.

A Hot and Sinful Summer 5 Tantalizing Tales of Sizzling Summer Seduction

By Roxanne Rhoads Genre: sizzling erotica Five sinfully seductive tales of scorching summer trysts grace the pages of this short story collection.

Something More Than Friends- a clandestine hookup in the front seat of a car is anything but casual as two friends simmer with emotion while hiding their secret affair from the rest of the world.

Sun Worship- The heat brings out carnal urges in Gina, urges she can't control as the hot summer sun beats down upon her bare skin. You won’t believe the naughty things she does to appease her needs...while her neighbor, Joe, secretly watches.

Lawn Service- Serena's loneliness and the relentless summer heat have her aching for something sinful. Her wishes are granted when Rob, a sexy lawn service technician, shows up to get her yard in shape for the annual 4th of July party.

A Hot and Sticky Summer Night- It’s a hot summer night and a young couple are plagued by boredom. They drive around looking for something fun to do. They end up making love in the woods... and it's anything but boring.

Not Another One Night Stand- Rebecca has been watching Damon at the nightclub for weeks.

One night she finally works up the courage to approach him...and he goes home with her. Will it be just a one night stand or could it be something more?

Warning: heat level is hot and explicit About the Author: Story strumpet, tome loving tart, eccentric night owl...these words describe book publicist and erotic romance author Roxanne Rhoads.

When not fulfilling one the many roles being a wife and mother of three require, Roxanne's world revolves around words...reading them, writing them, editing them, and talking about them. In addition to writing her own stories she loves to read, promote and review what others write.

Roxanne is the owner of Bewitching Book Tours and operates Fangtastic Books, a book blog dedicated to paranormal and urban fantasy books.

When not reading, writing, or promoting Roxanne loves to hang out with her family, craft, garden and search for unique vintage finds.

Paranoia Strikes Deep...

By Carole Remy Should we feel protected or outraged by government (and non-government) surveillance? Kristen Lamb wrote a brilliant post a few weeks ago, "Santa Claus Recruited to Improve NSA’s Public Image & Head Intelligence Operations." Stop right now and take a few minutes to read it. You'll be glad!

Edward Snowden is all over the news. Is he one of the heroes or one of the villains of the 21st century?

The US Supreme Court has nullified a major provision of the Voting Rights Act. States have already begun to enact changes to voting laws. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=DIoKr9VDg3A

"For What It's Worth" by Buffalo Springfield Maybe because I grew up in that era, this song by Buffalo Springfield sums up where my mind is about now.

''There's something happening here But what it is ain't exactly clear...

All of the recent intrusions have confused, annoyed, worried, and unsettled me, but it took a more personal announcement to bring it all home.

The Catalyst A friend of mine shared an email she had received.

Important Update to Adult Content Policy on Blogger You are receiving this message because you are the admin of a blog hosted on Blogger which is identified to have Adult content.

Please be advised that on June 30th 2013, we will be updating our Content Policy to strictly prohibit the monetization of Adult content on Blogger. After June 30th 2013, we will be enforcing this policy and will remove blogs which are adult in nature and are displaying advertisements to adult websites.

If your adult blog currently has advertisements which are adult in nature, you should remove them as soon as possible as to avoid any potential Terms of Service violation and/or content removals.

Sincerely,

The Blogger Team

The Questions...

Whew! Can you get any more ambiguous than this email? What exactly is adult content? What exactly is monetization?

Though I didn't receive this email directly, these questions socked me in the gut. Is adult content a cover word now for both erotica and pornography? My blog is PG 13, but my novels aren't. Is showing the covers of my novels with links to Amazon monetization of Adult content? The deeper question is, Why is adult content (not just exploitative pornography) being demonized?

What is Adult Content?

I support the prohibition of pornographic content, which to me includes depictions of victimization in any form, whether by drugs, violence, age disparity, power disparity, or even vampirism!

Google Blogger's own rules are clear, and I fully support them and might even add a few more.

No incest or bestiality content: We do not allow image, video or text content that depicts or encourages incest or bestiality.

Child safety: We have a zero tolerance policy towards content that exploits children. Some examples of this include: Child pornography: We will terminate the accounts of any user we find publishing or distributing child pornography. We will also report that user to law enforcement.

Pedophilia: We do not allow content that encourages or promotes sexual attraction towards children. For example, do not create blogs with galleries of images of children where the collection of images or text accompanying the images is sexually suggestive.

All adult content isn't pornographic!

But slow down. The Blogger Team email nowhere mentions pornography. To me, there's a huge uncrossable line between pornography and erotica. In a word, the line is VICTIM. Erotica is the visual or verbal exploration of sexuality between consenting, fully conscious, adult individuals. Erotica doesn't include victims or exploitation. Google itself states that We do allow adult content on Blogger, including images or videos that contain nudity or sexual activity.

So, is ALL adult content now a not-to-be-promoted evil?

What is monetization?

According to Google, we may not use Blogger as a way to make money on adult content.

Many of my good friends own book blogs for erotica and erotic romance. Many of these blogs have hosted my novels over the last few months. All of them contain links to every site that sells each author's books. Is this monetization? Is Amazon now banned from Blogger links for being an adult-content-including website? It certainly sells adult content (like pages and pages of dildos) by Google's definition. Are many of my friends' blogs in danger of disappearing?

''Paranoia strikes deep Into your life it will creep It starts when you're always afraid Step out of line, the men come and take you away On my own blog, do I have to take down the links to Amazon for my own books? Kind of defeats the purpose of an author blog, yes?

Daily, I thank people who host my books by sharing links to their blogs. Do I now need to remove all those links? If one of those blogs is eliminated, am I then guilty by association?

Thought police What bothers me most about the Google email is that somebody, somewhere is going to decide, behind closed doors and probably with little recourse or explanation, whether or not the content of a blog breaks the rules. Google encouraged millions of people to use Blogger to make a living. Now Google has announced that it will modify its enforcement of standards with a few days' notice in a way that could put a lot of people out of business.

The fact that adult content is being cracked down on strikes me as way too close to extreme religious ideology. The choice of words is suggestive. Google isn't cracking down on pornography (something we'd probably all support), but on the amorphous, ill-defined adult content. Don't we have bigger problems, like global climate change, starvation, disease, and overpopulation? Seriously? Google is cracking down on monetization of adult content?

To me, Google has always been one of the good guys. Call me naive. My conspiracy theory would run something like extreme pressure in a quid pro quo. No notion what the quo might be, but cracking down on adult content seems to be the quid.

I think it's time we stop Children, what's that sound?

Everybody look - what's going down?

What do you think? Was the Google email a tempest in a teapot? A prank, a hoax, a late April Fools' joke, even? Or do you think something bigger is going on? Another adjustment in the grand compromise between freedom and protection? If we can't beat back gay marriage, let's attack adult content?

Carole Remy writes erotica and erotic romance. Five of her sexy fun novels are on Amazon Kindle.

@carole_remy http://tinyurl.com/caroleremyblog http://tinyurl.com/caroleremyfacebook http://tinyurl.com/caroleremyamazon-us http://tinyurl.com/caroleremypinterest

The potent aphrodisiac enveloped Fleur in a dizzying swirl as she swallowed the last of the jeweled goblet's contents. It tasted of wine, cinnagin and musk. The heavy door to the ritual chamber opened. A scarletrobed man strode through, pulling the door closed behind him. He halted abruptly, standing motionless, fixing her with a long stare before lifting an ironic eyebrow.

docenti told me that under the influence of cinnagin, I would happily service a bald-headed cave troll. You, sir, are not a cave troll.” He looked taken aback, then just snorted.

A sudden flush sent her equilibrium reeling. “This aphrodisiac is affecting me strangely. I feel a little—dizzy.”

Swaying where she stood, her gaze shot up to him as he moved silently to steady her. His large hand felt cal“You are my partner? You are tiny. I could break you.” loused and warm against her upper arm. A strange His rich baritone vibrated in her feminine places. Her course of electric sensation pulsed between them. My senses rioting, she inhaled the clean scent of lingnum mind is playing games with me. soap borne on a waft of air. Her senses reeled under the masculine assault of the warrior standing before His other hand held leather cuffs and lashings. She was her. His robes indicated a seventh-level magister of unable to hold his amber gaze, unwilling to betray her advanced magicks. His scarlet robe of office loosely precipitous arousal and mounting fear. Trembling, she draped a tall, broad-shouldered, spare body. Warrior stepped out of his gentle hold. Without thought, she braids at his temple swept back heavy, shoulder- rubbed her arm where his touch had sparked that length, auburn curls, leaving his high cheekbones and strange electric tingle. strong jaw in clean profile. His hazel eyes regarded her with the intensity of a great hunting cat. You are a very Fleur moved to the glazed window overlooking the large man. profusely blooming courtyard below. Some young children laughed gaily as they pursued each other around Fleur stood as tall as her five-foot-nothing would allow. the central fountain in a carefree game of tag. Such “I am sturdier than I look.” sweet innocence. It reminded her why she was here.

She wanted to give them a lifetime of carefree days.

Her eyes wandered over the height and breadth of “You know we must succeed.” Fleur carefully placed him. Patricio is right. He has a physical presence. “The the goblet on the sill and steadied herself, bracing both

hands against the framing, her heart suddenly racing, his arousal pressed into her back. She heard the catch her breath coming in short pants. in his breath as he bared her. The warmth of his whispered, “By the goddess, you are exquisite,” flowed “Yes. I am aware of the stakes.” across her shoulders. “Lady, you have no conception She threw a glance toward him, at his dry, sardonic how cruel the next few hours will become. We cannot response. Her thoughts spun frantically. What do I rely solely upon your self-control, for in every way you know about House DeTano? They are superb horse- must submit to me.” men. “I don’t remember seeing you at court,” she said.

His baritone voice rumbled through her. Now it begins. She would risk anything for even a chance of suc“Before the invasion, I lived off-planet for a number of cess. “Yes. I submit. Everything depends on it.” years. I came back to fight for Her, for the Senzienza, and for my people.”

“Yes, everything.” He nipped her shoulder then gently kissed the sting away.

Fleur straightened in astonishment. “She has spoken to you? The Senzienza, Verdantia, has spoken to you?” “I am going to caress every part of you and keep you He inclined his head slightly. “Yes.” aroused until the crystals sing with power. The longer you stay at the edge of climax, the faster the crystals “I’ve never met—.” She shook her head. “Later.” He is can draw on your energy. Sometimes it takes merely a vastly more than he seems. day to replenish their power. If you should go over, I will bring you right back up. As long as you are able, Fleur glanced nervously to the leather cuffs held in her you must deny yourself or tell me when you approach magister’s surprisingly elegant hands. “Being bound is your peak. Do you understand?” difficult for me. But I will submit to you.” His head tilted in question, and then his hazel eyes softened.

“Yes,” she whispered. “And when I can no longer disci“Most certainly, you will submit to me. I have per- pline myself? If I am beyond self-control?” She gasped formed the Great Rite many times, my Lady and in air, her heart pounding in her ears. “What then?” though I would spare you, the binding is necessary.”

She could not control her trembling. He moved to Swaying, unsteady on her feet, her eyes were drawn stroke her bare arms in reassurance. Again, that to the implements hanging on the far wall—whips, strange sensation pulsed through her. paddles, manacles, bars and others she could not identify. Her fear spiked upward.

“Don’t fear me. I’ll take care with you,” he murmured.

Don’t fear him? Heat from his body engulfed her. Her “Then I will bring you back up, repeatedly.” He had skin tingled where his calloused hands caressed her followed her gaze. The corner of one lip quirked up arms. She didn’t understand why his erotic pull was so and his amber eyes narrowed wickedly. “By whatever strong. It must be the cinnagin. means necessary.”

His hard thighs easily trapped her against the marble At this, her knees buckled. If the conte had not been windowsill as he gathered her hair aside to pull at the quick to catch her, she would have shared the floor golden cords holding up her gown. The firm length of with her robe, then all went dark.

Hers To Command Verdantia Series Book One Patricia A. Knight Genre: ♂♀♂ Erotic Romance, Sci-fi/futuristic Publisher: Troll River Publications Date of Publication: 6/4/2013 ISBN: 978-1-939564-10-8 ASIN: B00D5KVIV2 Number of pages: 193 Word Count: 73,428 Cover Artist: Truenotdreams Book Description: Conte Camliel Aristos deTano, Ari, has long spurned the marriage forced upon him. Princess Fleur Constante, his contractual bride and the beautiful future queen, though young and inexperienced, is willing to risk everything – including her own sanity – to save her planet.

The inhabitants of the sentient planet, Verdantia, are poised on the precipice of extinction following a brutal invasion by an off-world, nomadic horde. Verdantia’s capital, Sylvan Mintoth, must have its failing energy shield restored, or the planet is doomed. The Elders know the shield can draw energy from only one thing—a very arduous and grueling coupling of two specific people pre-chosen by the planet, Herself, and promised by prearranged marriage contract.

Verdantia draws strength from the duo, but the sentient planet whispers to Ari that a third is necessary – Ari’s aide de camp, Visconte Doral deLorion, an angelically handsome, skilled assassin who silently surrendered his heart to Ari long ago.

The trio struggles to make this surprising partnership harmonious, pushing through pride, scars of past abuse, fears of inexperience and distrust. To save Verdantia, they must overcome their individual weaknesses and realize their full potential. Only the tetriarch and their combined synergy, can harness Verdantia’s immense power to shield its citizens from invasion.

About the Author: Patricia A. Knight is the pen name for an eternal romantic who lives in Dallas, Texas surrounded by her horses, dogs and the best man on the face of the earth – oh yeah, and the most enormous bullfrogs you will ever see.

Word to the wise: don’t swim in the pool after dark.

I love to hear from my readers and can be reached at http://www.trollriverpub.com/ or http:// www.patriciaaknight.com Check out my latest “Hunk of the Day,” book releases, contests and other fun stuff on my face book page: https://www.facebook.com/patricia.knight.71619

Erotic Haiku by Roxanne Rhoads smooth satiny skin soft silken shimmering sheets sexy seduction

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CHAPTER ONE My Body Mine

The crazy odyssey I had come to know as my new life had quieted down somewhat, but I knew the hiatus for what it was, a mere reprieve. I had healed, mostly, from my recent ordeal and settled peacefully into Marcello’s comfortable home. Janice, Marcello, and I had found an easy daily rhythm, and they both allowed me the space I required to repair the damage to my psyche and soul.

However, my time for coasting was coming to an end.

True to his word, Marcello persisted in prodding me to move forward into a more submissive relationship with him. So far I had held him off, but he had begun to show his impatience in the way he raised his voice before quickly regaining self-control. Not unlike Luke, my previous Dom, he intended to possess my body, control my sex, and rule my life by his own erotic urges.

Marcello loomed taller and broader than Luke, overshadowing us both in contrast. He captivated me with his thick black hair, olive skin, and deep-set dark eyes, but it was his wide mouth and full lips that really drew me in. His capacity for cruelty seemed at times greater than Luke’s, but I had ultimately found him to be much more reasonable. Like

Luke—until things went awry—Marcello showed his generosity by buying me whatever I needed or wanted. He owned a successful Italian restaurant in Hollywood—one of the most highly rated in South Florida.

“Jane, pick a safe word,” Marcello said as if we had sorted everything out between us. He took a seat next to me on the brown leather couch closest to the front entrance.

“I could leave …” I said, using my trump card again.

The last thing he wanted was for me to move out from under him, literally and figuratively.

Even though our sexual encounters had become more aggressive, I had yet to allow him true dominance. There had been no bondage or discipline between us, short of the spanking I had received the day before. The only fallout from that had been a mildly inflamed ass. I had giggled and squirmed and resisted, causing his large phallus to poke against my stomach.

His hospitality had run its course and now I needed to decide whether to move out or submit. Could I give Marcello the submission he hungered after and

still keep my psyche intact? I existed in constant fear of losing myself again. I longed to be more like Janice, who really owned the person she knew herself to be and fully embraced the choices she’d made. I, on the other hand, constantly second-guessed my decisions and lived in dread of repeating my recent mistakes.

In my own way I loved Marcello and a part of me wanted to give my body over to him. Another part of me—the survivor—argued that my sanity hung in the balance.

Once again I introduced a topic we had discussed several times over the past few weeks. “Janice told me a while ago that you don’t use safe words.”

“We’ve been through this, Jane. I haven’t, so far, but you and I need to start from the beginning, just as Luke should have done with you from the onset. We need it for the contract … which you will ultimately sign.” His penetrating stare was meant to compel me into submission.

Dancing my part in the repeat performance, I said, “I’ll consider signing when you show me that you understand the concept of negotiation and compromise.”

“I’ve already given up control over when you eat.

That’s a huge compromise.”

“We disagree on that point. As you already know, I prefer no contract between us.”

Marcello sauntered over to the bar to pour a scotch. “Our type of relationship must have rules and boundaries and clearly defined expectations.

You need to know what to expect from me and what I require of you.”

“I’m having a déjà vu, Marcello. I’m not ready for what you want from me.” Confronting him directly, I added, “Why does our relationship have to be like the one you already have with Janice? You can take her to your S and M parties. She’s accustomed to that.”

I had first encountered Janice through Luke’s photographs. Janice, bound and displayed in the throes of passion and submission. I had been so jealous of her history with Luke. Her lush Mediterranean beauty put mine to shame. She had a curvaceous body, silky straight black hair that hung to her waist, deep mystical dark brown eyes, thick black lashes—the kind of exotic good looks that make men lose their moral compass. I had more of a runner’s body and had always thought of myself as Plain Jane, until Luke had made me love my fit physique and appreciate my unadorned,

girl-next-door prettiness.

“It’s time for you to let go of what happened with Luke,” Marcello said. “I think it would be best for you to get a divorce and move on. My offer still stands. My attorney is at your disposal.”

“I don’t want a divorce and I’ve been very clear with you about that. I don’t intend to marry again so there’s no point.” I knew I should listen. No one could understand why I wasn’t running to get back the money Luke essentially stole from me.

Somehow divorce symbolized an end that I wasn’t yet strong enough to face.

“Divorcing Luke symbolizes your willingness to move on. It will allow us to really begin our life together.”

I had a sudden flashback to walking down the aisle, naked, my body gleaming with gold body lotion, my new nipple piercings on display, my mother and my friends in shock that I had agreed to marry with only jewelry and cuffs adorning me.

Luke had insisted on the demonstration of his ownership, on his terms, and at the time I had thought his conditions reasonable—or at least I was too besotted to resist his will.

I shook off the memory and asked, “What’s wrong with what we have now?”

“You know the answer to that question, Jane.”

Marcello started to raise his voice as he approached the couch. “How many times have we been over this?”

“Let’s finish this tango later, shall we?” I said, rising to my feet. “I need to get my run in.”

“Later, Jane,” he said, the intensity of his regard daring me to look away.

I did turn away, with an audible sigh. Realizing how tense my shoulders had become, I consciously relaxed them.

“We can speak of this later,” he said. “Ciao.”

“Goodbye,” I said with a conciliatory wave. Frustration was taking its toll on Marcello. I could see it in the hard set of his features.

A part of me agreed with Marcello, that because of Luke and the leap of faith I had taken by marrying him, I had sold my apartment, quit my job, and ended up with nothing. I deserved at least enough compensation to get back on my feet again. But I could not yet contemplate divorce, no matter how much my rational self demanded it. I didn’t want to admit any reasons beyond my unwillingness to think too much about the life I had left behind when I uttered those so-called “safe words” and exiled myself from Luke’s life forever.

My BodyMine My Body Trilogy, Book three Blakely Bennett

534-5 Number of pages: 324 Word Count: 87,000 Cover Artist: Sabrina Sun

Luke or Marcello. Jane’s rapport with Chase is lighthearted and subtle, allowing her to gain a new perspective on men. She is intensely attracted to Chase but does not feel free to consider him as more than a friend.

Once Jane gets a real picture of Marcello’s extremes, she knows what she must do. Her feelGenre: Erot- ings about Luke and Marcello and her own sexic Suspense uality must be resolved before she can find true love with a man who appreciates everything she Publisher: has to offer. Can she possibly find the kink she Fanny Press has come to desire without the full-time subDate of mission?

Publication: July 15th My Body-Mine is the final book in the My Body Trilogy.

ISBN: 9781-60381My Body-His (Marcello) My BodyTrilogy, Book 2 Blakely Bennett Genre: Erotic Suspense

Book Description: PubJane has accepted that her relationship with her lisher: husband Luke, who drew her into the darker Fanny side of BDSM, is over. She has taken refuge at Press the home of Luke’s powerful friend Marcello and his submissive, Janice. With Marcello’s pa- ISBN: tience exhausted, Jane must either submit to his 978-1demands or move on from his household and 60381his support. Ultimately, she signs a six month 525-3 contract of sexual servitude but, as Marcello and Jane grow closer, Janice feels neglected and Numjealous, creating tension in their normally easy ber of daily rhythm. pages: 264 In an effort to help Jane, her best friend Parker Word introduces her to Chase, a confident and flirta- Count: tious man who lacks the arrogance of either 76,000

Cover Artist: Sabrina Sun Amazon

My Body-His My BodyTrilogy, Book 1

BN

Book Description: Jane Stiles has embarked on an intense odyssey into the world of domination and submission. She no longer recognizes herself. She has quit her job, surrendered her possessions and agreed to a wedding where she is the only one naked, all for the sake of the elusive Luke—a man so compelling, she can deny him nothing.

Now there is no going back. Her new life will revolve around Luke, his friends and clients.

Hovering in the background is Luke’s best friend Marcello, whose ego is as towering as his stature. Marcello has set his sights on Jane. She is drawn to his power, his masculinity, and the challenge he represents, even though she fears and dislikes him. After Luke discovers that Jane has breached one of his many “rules,” he sends her to Marcello for punishment and lessons in Dom/sub culture.

What happens there will change her forever. Blakely Bennett Jane and Luke reconcile, and even find a rhythm that includes not only bondage and punishment but genuine love-making. Just when Jane is convinced that the happiness and devotion she has always craved is within reach, Luke pushes her beyond endurance, and she rebels in a way her harsh husband cannot forgive. From there, her life spins out of control. But Jane has a strong spirit, and she will prevail. My Body-His (Marcello) is Book 2 in the My Body Trilogy.

Genre: Erotic Suspense Publisher: Fanny Press ISBN: 978-1-60381-523-9 Number of pages: 246 Word Count: 74,000 Cover Artist: Sabrina Sun Amazon BN Smashwords

Blakely is married to a wonderful, loving and supportive husband, also a writer, who helps to Book Description: keep her grounded. She is a mother, a communitarian, a lover of music (always on while she Jane Stiles is successful in business but bored is writing—thank you, Pandora), and a good with her socially mundane existence. One night friend. An advocate of love and female empowat a party, she meets an intense and compelling erment, she is a facilitator for a women’s group. stranger named Luke. This fateful encounter She loves to walk and hike for exercise and prompts her predictable life path to veer into finds that, since moving to Seattle, WA, she is uncharted territory, sweeping her along on a now one of those “crazy” people who walk in frightening erotic journey into the world of the rain. bondage, domination and submission.

Kindle

Jane had never experienced genuine desire, and now passion consumes her life, robbing her of free will. Her new lifestyle creates an emotional chasm between her and her old friends. Will they understand why she has abandoned her high ideals and long-term plans for a traditional wedding? What society considers right or wrong no longer matters.

Prepared to surrender everything to Luke, she wonders if her everything will be enough. She now needs his discipline as much as she craves his love and approval. How far down this dark path is she willing to go? Jane’s pilgrimage into domination and discipline has created a war between her mind and her body, and her body is claiming victory.

About the Author: Blakely Bennett grew up in Southeast Florida and has been residing in the great Northwest for over eight years. She graduated from Nova Southeastern University with a degree in psychology, which accounts for her particular interest in crafting the personalities, struggles, and motivations of her characters. She is an avid reader of many genres of fiction, but especially erotica and romance. Writing has always been her bliss. She is attracted to stories of selfstruggle and ultimate recovery.

www.BlakelyBennett.fannypress.com Author Blog: http:// blakelybennett.fannypress.com Twitter @BlakelyBennett www.goodreads.com/author/ show/6551789.Blakely_Bennett http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-BodyTrilogy/359307324147300 Pinterest My Blog Talk Interview

Interview with Jeffe Kennedy Do you have a specific writing style?

I tend to be a descriptive writer. Place and sensual experiences are as important in my stories as anything else. One reviewer captured it this way: “…loved the use of imagery which I think is pretty much a trademark of Jeffe Kennedy … lush and vivid and it propelled me into the book because it was that rich in tone.

how to spin a story around that color, jewel and all the associated ideas. Yes, the song Ruby Tuesday figures in.

Do you title the book first or wait until after it’s complete?

It depends on the book, like how it worked with Ruby. As often happens in publishing, my title isn’t the one the publisher settles on. For examDo you write in different genres? ple, Five Golden Rings started out life as Oro. I still love that title, but I get that not all readers Yes. Besides erotica and erotic romance, I write know that “oro” is the Spanish word for gold. fantasy romance and adult fantasy. I’ve also written creative nonfiction and poetry at various What book are you reading now? stages in my career.

I’ve been reading Ann Aguirre’s Sirantha Jax If yes which is your favorite genre to write? series. I’m halfway through book 6, the final one, Endgame, and have really enjoyed it. The I can’t choose! That’s why I write in so many character progression has been fascinating to me genres. I like them each for different reasons. as a writer.

How did you come up with the title for your lat- What books are in your to read pile? est book?

I think after this I’ll read Anne Bishop’s Written Ruby is the most recent release, the third in the in Red. Facets of Passion series. The first two books were Sapphire and Platinum, so I knew I want- Can you share a little of your current work with ed to continue that theme. Also, because all us? three take place in American coastal cities, I liked the idea of following a red, white and blue I’m in the midst of line edits on Five Golden scheme. I picked the title Ruby before I knew Rings, but I can share a snippet with the caveat much about the story itself. It was fun, figuring that this text is not the final proof. :D

“I’m not sleeping with you tonight, if that’s what you’re

Do you have any advice for other writers?

thinking. We just met.” Now, tomorrow night…

“Sleeping with you is decidedly not what I have in mind. I intend for you to be awake and fully aware of everything I plan to do to you.”

That got her attention. That and the hot desire in his eyes. The warm night, the tropical flowers, the surf crashing right below—all conspired to make her throw caution to the Mexican breeze. This would be a hell of a vacation. Fuck Greg.

“Tell me more,” she nibbled on slice of pineapple.

He nodded at the menu. “Decide what you want to eat and I will.”

She was starving. Eagerly she flipped through the menu.

“I’m having the most fattening, decadent thing on here. Oh my god—lobster nachos? Score!”

My best advice is to write every day. Yes, I know it’s not *always * possible, but most days it is. The only way to make progress as a writer is to write a lot and write consistently What is next for you? Do you have any scheduled upcoming releases or works in progress?

As far as erotic romance, a new installment in the Facets of Passion series, Five Golden Rings, will be out November 17. It’s a very naughty take on The Twelve Days of Christmas. Right after that, the first episode in my eserial, Master of the Opera, will begin in January. That’s a modern and sexy retelling of The Phantom of the Opera.

“And here I thought you’d order the filet migon.”

“Nope. I’m indulging. For the next two weeks it’s nothing but sin and fun for me.”

“That fits my plans well.”

“So, speak to me of these mysterious plans.”

“Tomorrow is the first day of Christmas.”

“Like in the song?”

“Yes,” his lips twitched in amusement. “Though it’s an old tradition. For each of the twelve days of Christmas, we will indulge in something…special.”

“Something sexual?”

“Yes.” “Do I get to know what it will be?”

“No, these will be surprises for you. But you have to agree to accept these gifts with an open heart. Each morning I’ll give you something. I will spend time with you as I can—” “When you’re not fighting with people.”

“Exactly. And in the evening, we will indulge ourselves.”

“Okay.”

He laughed, that warm, open laugh of his. Like gold and sunshine. “No other questions or terms?”

“Nope.” She grinned at him over the rim of her margarita. “Sign me up. Twelve Days of Sexy Vacation Christmas.”

Ruby Book 3 Facets of Passion Jeffe Kennedy Book Description: Danielle Sosna has no problem denying herself in order to achieve her goals—after all, that attitude landed her a dream job at Vogue Paris.

But in New Orleans for one last assignment before heading overseas, she's faced with the most decadent of temptations. Seductive Cajun chef Bobby Prejean takes Dani's strength of will as a challenge, and offers her a night of wild indulgence—if she will agree to obey his every command…

Dani can't resist Prejean's invitation to join him in a world of carnal desire, complete with fetish costumes and masks. Determined to keep her emotional distance, she gives Prejean everything but her name. A night becomes a week, as she spends Mardi Gras suspended… in the delicious space where pleasure meets pain.

By Jeffe Kennedy Too late, she realizes the cloak of anonymity Publisher: Carina Press has not protected her—and that chasing her dream might come at the expense of her heart.

A successful executive, M. Taylor Hamilton is on For more Facets of Passion, check out Saptrack with her ten-year phire and Platinum, available now! plan. Too bad her personal life consists of hitting the Platinum Book 2 Facets of Pas- gym and grocery shopping.

Enter the seductive Adam Kirliss. They may sion have a working relationship, but everything Jeffe Kennedy changes at an office party when he handcuffs her to the rail of a yacht. Taylor writes the adAlthea Grant is doing fine. Sure, her Charles- venture off as too much champagne, but when ton gallery is suffering Adam challenges her to a date, she agrees to from the bad economy, meet up with him. And follow his rules. They and her artistic aspira- share a night of exquisite intimacy, brimming with both pain and pleasure. But afterwards, tions have gone nowhere. But she’s happy fearful of losing her heart, Taylor pulls back emotionally. Adam is determined to prove that enough. When rugged metal sculptor Steel rides up on his motorcycle looking to rent stu- she longs for the loss of control he can give her – and the passionate release it provides. dio space, his infusion of cash is more than welcome. But his art is raw, visceral, sexual— How can he make her see that he wants her, and not just her body? and completely inappropriate for her pastel world of watercolor landscapes.

About the Author: Steel, fascinated by Althea’s rare albino coloring, sees in her the key to his next piece: a metal satyr that can be used for bondage games. Moving into her gallery basement is the first step; seducing the coolly polite lady into modeling for him is the second.

Jeffe Kennedy took the crooked road to writing, stopping off at neurobiology, religious studies and environmental consulting before her creative writing began appearing in places like Redbook, Puerto del Sol, Wyoming Wildlife, Under the Sun and Aeon. An erotic novella, Petals and Thorns, came out under her pen As Steel peels away her careful manners and name of Jennifer Paris in 2010, heralding yet tasteful outfits, Althea begins to realize her life another branch of her path, into erotica and isn’t just fine at all—it’s as pale and washed- romantic fantasy fiction. Since then, an erotic out as the watercolor paintings she’s failing to short, Feeding the Vampire, and another erotic sell. Can she transform her life and accept her novella, Sapphire, have hit the shelves. most secret desires?

Sapphire Book 1 Facets of Passion

Jeffe lives in Santa Fe, with two Maine coon cats, a border collie, plentiful free-range lizards and frequently serves as a guinea pig for an acupuncturist-in-training.

Bewitching Book Tours Magazine is accepting submissions for : August- theme witches, witchcraft and magic Submission details- for every issue we accept: Articles- topics include writing, research, paranormal, vampires, advice for authors, publishing advice, and more Flash Fiction- paranormal, urban fantasy and erotica (for other genres please query) True tales of paranormal encounters Recipes Poetry Book reviews Art Jewelry designs and creations Please send submissions to RoxanneRhoads@bewitchingbooktours.com place “Bewitching Magazine Submission” in subject line Contributors receive free ¼ or ½ page advertising in Bewitching Book Tours Magazine and two months of free sidebar ad space at Fang-tastic Books