On my old website I had a feature called “Behind the Book”, which told readers what the heck I was thinking when I wrote the story. Here’s the story behind Garden of Desire. Tomorrow, you’ll get a chance to win it.

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In the first book in this series (the Desire series), I introduced First Mate Cantor Marlowe. I knew in that first scene that I would be coming back to visit him. He was too sexy, too sure of himself. He was a smart-ass and looking forward to the new adventure the pirates were embarking on—colonizing a new world.

When I finally sat down to write Garden, I wondered what would happen to a pirate who gets everything he ever wanted? The answer came immediately—he’d be bored stiff.

Poor Cantor! Just a few months on the new world and he’s ready to chuck the responsibility of governing a bunch of land-locked pirates and marriage-minded ex-cons. He misses the adrenaline rush of his old profession. I’ve known guys like Cantor—hell, I’ve dated them. Once the first blush of conquest is past, they’re looking for the next one—be it the next woman that catches their eye or the next, greatest adventure.

Once Cantor figures out he’s not made to be domestic, he rejects anything that smells conjugal—new curtains for his cabin, a certain blonde who’s made no bones about the fact she intends to “land” him.

Of course, the story wouldn’t be a romance if I gave him what he thought he wanted—freedom from emotional entanglement. But the right woman had to catch him unawares. Actually, Cantor being Cantor, he needed a lot of encouragement—one woman wouldn’t succeed. Give him two who conspire together—and he’s a goner.

So, first I give him every man’s favorite fantasy—a harem-raised virgin. But while Fahgwat was innocent, she wasn’t stupid. Nor could she be shy. Cantor is attracted from the first moment he sees her, but instantly recognizes that this little bit of eye candy is extremely dangerous to his freedom. He’s never had a virgin, but knows instinctively that once he takes her, he’s going to feel obligated. He resists temptation.

But Martha recognizes a chance to trap Cantor by using his powerful attraction to the girl and offers him teasing glimpses of what life with Fahgwat would be like. A thief by profession, she connives to help Fahgwat, by offering herself as a “safe” substitute to rid himself of his excess ardor. Martha’s relentless and works herself under his skin like a chigger.

When I envisioned the pirate’s new world, I offered a view of my ideal world. I’ve traveled a lot, but have never found anything lovelier than the forests of the Pacific Northwest or Scandinavia. So I blended the two to build my world. Log long-houses like those used in Scandinavia during the times of the Vikings became the temporary homes for my colonists.

But there always has to be a “snake” in paradise. Only the “snake” in my mind isn’t necessarily evil—facing it leads to enlightenment.

I hope the adventure doesn’t end with this book. I don’t have specific plans for my colonists, but maybe I’ll come back in the future to see how they’re doing.

One of my favorite things to do when I’m in a new city is visit an old graveyard. The Seattle trip in early September was no different. Thank goodness my friend, Sasha White, was down with that. In fact, as soon as she found out who their most famous resident was, she was all over a trip to the graveyard. She studied martial arts and Bruce was one of her idols.

I have several reasons I love to go. You get a feel for who established a city, what nationalities, what their interests were. I always come away with images that will inspire a story. And face it, I love the creep factor.
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It’s been a couple of weeks, so I should have tons more to report, but a trip and family obligations have interfered with my focus. Not something I generally allow to happen, but I decided to relax and go with the flow.

I had some good news this past week. I have a new editor at Ellora’s Cave, one I’ve wanted for a long, long time, and already I can tell she’s going to be “the one”. The two books that were languishing there are now contracted, and I have tentative release dates in November and December for Knight of My Dreams (yes, the next MIK book!) and Raw Silk (a contemporary m/m/f/f story).

More good news: The cover for my next cowboy ménage, coming November 24th from Samhain Publishing, is just about perfect!

The past couple of weeks, I’ve purchased books about Norse runes, which I’ve been pouring over for a scene in one of the books I’m working on. I also ordered two spy books, one on gadgets and the other featuring stories about real-life spies, for something I want to begin plotting. So, while I’ve barely written three pages, I have been thinking about what I want to write.

Today and the next couple of days, I’ll be working on some slight revisions of the two newly contracted EC books, then digging deep to get back into the writing groove. I’ll have the house to myself and no obligations pulling me away—so no excuses not to write!

Lastly, I know I have pictures to post. I’ll get to them shortly. Promise. Stay tuned, and I’ll also shares some sneak peeks at those upcoming releases!

Yesterday’s winner has been selected, but I’m gonna make you read to the bottom because I’m not done talking yet!

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Another friend of mine, Lorie O’Clare, has a brand new book out now! She never disappoints and this one looks hawt!

Detective Rain Huxtable works alone, and she likes it that way. But when a fourth spouse turns up dead in Lincoln, Nebraska, Rain’s superiors call in help from the FBI. They’ve either got a serial killer or a hired murderer on their hands, and their solution is to team Rain up with Special Agent Noah Kayne – and send them undercover as a married couple.

Noah is infuriating…and infuriatingly attractive. Rain wants no part of this charade, but with four people dead under suspiciously similar circumstances in a matter of months, she has no choice but to play the part of a doting wife and investigate a close-knit group of suburban couples. It’s hard enough to keep up a professional facade when the heat between her and Noah burns so dangerously. But it may be even more dangerous for Rain to let her guard down once she realizes that the couples involved are playing a very sordid – and deadly – game…

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October’s moon is the Blood Moon. Sounds spooky, huh? According to The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft, it’s also known as the Hunter’s Moon, and is a time to set new goals, seek protection, and spirituality. Makes sense, right? You’ve harvested the crops and have winter to get ready for.

What does that mean in a metaphysical sense? A season of action and growth has ended. Now’s the time to tidy up, get out the sage for some smudgin’. Before too long we’ll be wearing sweaters and staying inside more. So take a little time to get prepared, emotionally and physically—don’t you need to pull out the winter coats and clothing? Maybe prepare some clove oranges to keep the smell of sunshine inside and your spirits high.

Okay, have I kept you in suspense long enough? Yesterday’s winner (by random number generator), of her choice of SUNSTROKED or THE HOTLINE by Cathryn Fox is…Maribel!

My good friend and fabulous author, Cathryn Fox, has a new book coming Octover 6th! Take a peek! And if you want a chance to win an autographed copy of HOTLINE or SUNSTROKED, be sure to post a comment!

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Instinctive: An Eternal Pleasure Novel
NAL Trade (October 6, 2009)
ISBN-10: 0451227948
ISBN-13: 978-0451227942

In Fox’s titillating new series we enter Serene, a supernatural playground where sexy shape shifters live behind the white picket fences…

Free spirited Jaclyn Vasenty is about to inherit a cosmetics empire, yet her scandalous personal history may ruin her chance for a corporate take-over. Saying goodbye to her naughty ways, she moves into a quaint gated community in Serene, New Hampshire. But these gates are locked at sunset…

The town’s dark sensuality rocks Jaclyn’s insatiable appetite to the core—and stirs desires that are… inhuman. That’s because Serene is home to demons, witches, vampires, lycans, and panthers, for whom primal exploration comes naturally. Especially for shape shifter Slyck, the cunning panther who’s pushing Jaclyn to the brink of erotic possibilities and making her feel wildly…feral. As tension between species rises, Jaclyn learns she must draw on all her feminine wiles and join forces with Slyck if she wants to make it out alive.

Romantic Times Magazine Review: Fox’s tale of paranormal beings and primal exploration lurking under the surface of a quaint New England town is a winner! The strong heroine and hot panther hero are a combustible combination. This book is hot enough to steam up the windows and exciting enough that you’ll ruin your manicure.

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In a move that took her off guard, he caught hold of her hand and hauled her into the dark alley way between buildings. Breathing ragged, and body tense, he pinned his arms on either side of her head, caging her between him and the wall. The clean scent of his freshly showered skin reached her nostrils and she pulled it into her lungs. His seductive aroma curled through her blood, reminding her she was a libidinous woman – a libidinous woman with so very many unsated needs. Slyck touched a damp lock of her hair and searched her face.

His gaze was so dark and intense it took two locked knees to keep herself upright. The air grew ripe with the scent of her arousal. She watched the way Slyck’s nostrils flared when he caught her excited tang as it saturated the narrow alley way. His eyes closed for the briefest of seconds.

She touched his face. “What—”

He cut her off and brought his mouth closer and she could have sworn she heard him purring. “You need to get out of here.”

“Why?”

He pulled her against him. Turmoil flashed in his green eyes. “Because if you don’t, I’m going to ravish you. And I don’t think it’s in your best interest,” he said with quiet certainty.
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Take today’s horoscope:

You’ve got plenty to think about today—but your mind just can’t stay focused! It’s not that big a deal, because you should know by now that your side paths lead to some amazing places.

And since I have to go babysit for most of the day, I sure hope it’s true. I’m taking along The Dictionary of Angels and A Field Guide to Demons. Not to read to the little ones. Promise. Maybe some of those “side paths” will prove productive.