See contest announcement at the bottom!

Today’s a “two-fer.” Not only am I continuing my countdown to the release of Down in Texas, but it’s my turn to remind you of the upcoming release of the Allure Author’s next hot anthology, Alluring Tales 2: Hot Holiday Nights!

So, how can I make this posting serve both books? How about…you can judge an author by the quality of the company she keeps. Take a look at the Allure Author’s lineup and tell me you can find a more dynamic, prolific and succesful group! And our second anthology is hawt, hawt, HAWT!

Alluring Tales 2: Hot Holiday Nights
HarperCollins Avon Red
ISBN: 0061463175
November 2008

What is your most wicked fantasy?

Seven steamy tales that are sure to heat up the holidays from the authors of the immensely successful Alluring Tales: Awaken the Fantasy. Each of these authors uniquely brings something special to her story–perhaps a bit of paranormal, or humor, or fantasy. And together they have created one of Avon Red’s most popular anthologies.

The holidays are heating up—with seven wickedly sensual stories guaranteed to spice up those chilly winter nights!

A psychology student goes online hoping to live out her steamiest fantasy—and ends up on a hot mystery date with a wickedly imaginative stud who brings out her inner pole-dancer. . .

A determined lady comes home, burning for her girlhood crush—a sexy lawman who totes a big gun. . .

A creative ad man’s passion is aroused when he sees his buttoned-up coworker in a revealing new light—dressed in sizzling red satin on a giant billboard. . .

A professional dominatrix wishes upon a star, and her fantasy appears—an insatiable alpha male in biker boots who’s literally out of this world. . .

A tall, dark, handsome warlock finds himself obsessed with his “familiar”—a sleek and sexy cat-woman who turns out to be the purr-fect lover. . .

She was always hot for big brother’s best friend—and now her erotic dream is here in the taut and tempting flesh. . .

A pair of fugitive lovers finds themselves warm and toasty in a sultry Caribbean paradise—and ready for some red-hot fun in the sun. . .

Can you tell how excited I am about this book? The stories are different genres—something to please everyone and every mood. And mine is, get this—set in Texas!
Take a peek!

Since we’ve just received boxes of our lovely new book, how about I give away one copy? Post today, and you’ll be in the running. I’ll make the announcement in the comments later tonight!

We’re running down to the wire now. Just five more days! And now, I’m wishing I’d decided to countdown for only a week. :confused:

So, thinking really hard about it, I believe a really good reason to get your own copy of the book is one that a reader recently had. If you have the book and read it, you’ll have a great reason to come back and keep the conversation going! You think that’s lame? Weeeeelllll! Think how you’ll feel when everyone else is debating which of the stories is their favorite, which cowboy would be the one they’d love to snuggle up with in front of a campfire, and which one they think had the best line or technique. If you haven’t read it, you won’t know who to choose.

See there? You’ll want to know what everyone else is buzzin’ about!

All right. Whew! Four more days to go. In the meantime, I’m itching to give away another book and another of the pretty bookmarks from Delilah’s Treasure Chest. Here’s the prize:

And the winner is…Tamara Bennington! Tamara, email me privately with your mailing address!

Need I say more? This book has men wearing Wranglers and chaps—and not because it’s a fashion statement! They ride ’em—horses, that is!!

In fact, the first scene of the book has Lyssa McDonough watching Brand come over a rise like the Marlboro Man. *sigh*

Not strong enough a reason? Yeah, I know, I was stretching for that one. Let me think and I’ll do better tomorrow.

In the meantime, I did want to award another prize. I’m giving away a $25.00 Amazon.com gift certificate today. Tomorrow, I’ll be giving away a signed copy of something.

But for now, congratulations go out to…Fedora!! Fedora, hon, email me!!

Psst! Be sure to post to be eligible to win a prize. Later tonight, I’ll post another winner’s name! To double your chances, be sure to visit me at Romance Junkies blog today!! They should have the posting up shortly!

I get to do some blatant bragging now! So, don’t groan and roll your eyes—I earned it!!

If you’ve been following the blog postings since the start of the countdown, you know my very first review came from Fallen Angels and that they gave me 5 Angels and a Recommended Read rating. I had high hopes for more spectacular reviews, and yesterday, when I came home from my field trip, I found two more reviews waiting in my inbox. Take a peak!

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From Emmy at Joyfully Reviewed: “…HOT! HOT! HOT! Down in Texas is three tales of hot cowboys and the women they tame. I found myself compelled to read the novel from beginning to end enjoying every moment and falling in love all over again with cowboys. Ms. Devlin’s descriptions drew me in immediately and did not let me go until I realized that Down in Texas was finished. All I wanted was more, so I read Down in Texas again, enjoying it for a second time. I am hoping that Ms. Devlin gives one of my favorite characters, Tara Toomey, her own story. Down in Texas is now a book in my permanent reread pile. As such, I Joyfully Recommend Down in Texas.”

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Five Blue Ribbons from Chrissy Dionne at Romance Junkies (the review isn’t posted yet!): “…Brandon and Lyssa [from “Wearing His Brand”] have such remarkable chemistry that they practically ignite the pages. She’s a spirited determined female intent on getting and doing exactly what she wants. Brandon’s an equally strong character and knows exactly how to handle her ornery attitude…There’s something almost inspiring about this story [“Slow Ride”]. Maggie doesn’t view herself as desirable and has a difficult time believing that Daniel could truly want her. He’s capable, determined and absolutely loveable. I especially love his brand of ‘convincing.’…As a reader I couldn’t help but fall in love with Mac [from “Straight Up Soldier”]. He’s a delicious combination of soldier and cowboy that’s just a little too appealing. Suki’s a perfect match for him. She’s tenderhearted and still strong enough to take him at his surliest. I especially loved this story because of the way Mac’s vulnerability makes him endearing without making him overwhelming.

Delilah Devlin’s DOWN IN TEXAS is a fabulous anthology that kept my attention throughout each and every story. Each story flows easily into the next because the majority of the characters are present throughout each of them. The stories are all special in their own right but together they’re truly spectacular. The Tynan and McDonough families are honorable and strong families and reading about how they find and set about holding onto their significant other makes me just a little envious. Ms. Devlin has proved herself a capable storyteller before but with DOWN IN TEXAS she’s cemented a place on my ‘most watched authors’ list.”

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So, there you have it! And I didn’t have to tell you how much I think you’ll enjoy the stories. They did it for me!!

Remember, you have to post to win! The next winner will be announced tomorrow!

Layla, Shayla and I are staying a day longer than I knew about in North Arkansas. Guess I should have paid attention to their plans, but I was writing with my head down, ignoring everyone last week. Not important, but it means I had to find a place to log on and get today’s message up. WiFi isn’t common, it seems, in hillbilly country.

So, let me think. I’ve given you glimpses of the three rugged, sexy heroes in the three stories. We’ve explored the settings. Would it be enough of a reason for you to check out this book if you knew it was the start of a series set around the little town of Honkytonk? Would you like to know that another book coming in March 09 is related to this one and tells a love story that includes two characters you will meet in Down in Texas?

I think it’s important to know. And I think, a little glimpse of the man Lyssa McDonough uses to make Brand jealous in the first story of Down in Texas, will do just the trick. Following is an excerpt from “Bound and Determined” from Texas Men. Please remember it’s unedited!

When the DJ’s speaker set crashed to the floor as the first women to arrive rushed the tables nearest the stage, Tara Toomey scrambled for a replacement and chalked the mishap up to high spirits.

When one of the volunteers carrying a tray of Jell-O shots tripped, and cherry and lime gelatin slid in glistening trails down his face and naked chest, she laughed as eager women offered to lick him clean.

However, it wasn’t until one of her staff whispered in her ear that she knew she was in for a long night. The main attraction had yet to arrive.
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For those just now finding this countdown, here’s what’s going on! This is what I said when I began the countdown at the start of this week:

“In only fifteen days, DOWN IN TEXAS, will hit the shelves. So, it’s my mission to make sure that you are all so pumped about the book that you a) beg your local bookstore to make sure they have a copy ordered for you, or b) pre-order the book so that it’s shipped as soon as it’s available. And be warned, I’m going to make it irresistible for you to ignore my siren’s call. I love this book. I believe 100% you’re going to love it, too. But don’t take my word for it now. Let me seduce you for the next fifteen days.”

Today, I’m heading to Little Rock to attend a meeting with the Diamond State Romance Authors. My friend Layla Chase is flying up from San Antonio, and together with Shayla Kersten, we will go from the meeting straight up to north Arkansas for some location research. ROAD TRIP! I promise I’ll take a lot of pictures, but for now, what that means here is that I won’t be posting tomorrow’s reason. So, I thought I better have one great big reason to satisfy you for the next two days.
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Of course, you’re only here to see who the first winner was, right? Well…you have to read to the end to see. I know, I’m just mean that way!

I don’t need to repeat the introduction now, do I? You all know I’ve been giving you plenty of compelling reasons to pick up your own copy of Down in Texas when it releases on October 28th. I left off yesterday with Reason #3, or Hero #3 more accurately.

Meet Mac McDonough, whose absence has been felt throughout the story to this point. Mac’s been in Iraq, serving with his reserve unit. But he’s back early, and you know that’s not good. Here’s the first time you meet him in the story “Straight Up Soldier.”

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Mac McDonough’s body ached with the need to sink into soft, wet woman.

An escape, no matter how brief, from the constant, throbbing in his shattered leg.

Like an answer to his prayer, a familiar SUV crawled up the rough gravel road. His body tightened. Tara Toomey had offered the last time she paid him a visit, for old time’s sake, but he’d turned her down because he’d still had just enough pride and just enough affection for his old friend not to want to use her like that.

Today, she wouldn’t make it past the door. The thought of her blond flyaway curls wrapped around his dick made him throb with anticipation.

As she slowly made her way up the winding, rutted road, Mac McDonough closed his eyes and turned his face into the gusting, humid air and inhaled the fresh scent of the coming rain—a fierce reminder of just how far he’d come.

Over seven thousand miles and another lifetime.

The cabin nestled high on a ridge overlooking hills covered with live oak and cedar seemed as far removed from his version of reality as the face of Mars.

Sure the ground was a bed of sand and rock, but the sand was grittier, the grains larger than the wheat flour a Hummer could kick up into the air, leaving a trail that could be tracked for miles across the desert floor.

The air was almost as hot, but filled with so much moisture it felt thick as he dragged it deep into his lungs.

Mac curled his fingers around the porch rail and leaned into it, savoring the solitude he’d needed to heal his soul that no amount of therapy or medicine could compare with.

Only thing missing from the picture was another case of whiskey to help him sink into a stupor to ease the pain-filled tension in his body and shut out the memories that haunted his dreams.

And a woman. Not that he was willing to leave the cabin to go on the prowl for one, but the longer he remained in his self-imposed isolation, the more urgent became the need. Any woman would do—so long as she didn’t want to talk, didn’t want to be wooed. He hadn’t the time or the heart left for either.
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