Remember, you have to post to be in the running for one of the prizes!! And today, I’m playing at Ellora’s Cave. If you can’t make it to the chatter’s loop, I’ll be in a live chat room at 11:00 AM CST. Stop by and ask me anything you like. Email me for details!

All my “Texas” books take place in and around a little town called “Honkytonk.” Yes, it’s a fictitious town, but it’s a place I’m really familiar with. I lived in a small Texas town, taught school in another small Texas town, so I know what it’s like.

Honkytonk’s the kind of place where everyone knows your business. It’s hard to hide secrets, and once a man breaks his bond with another person, he’ll have to work like hell to regain his reputation. It’s the kind of town some men might move to if they desire to sink deep roots.

The heroes in Down in Texas all live on ranches outside of Honkytonk. In the next volume, Texas Men, the heroes live in or play inside the city limits.

In southwest Texas, the sun carves lines in a man or woman’s face no amount of sunscreen can protect you from. The critters can be lethal—rattlesnakes, cougars (rare these days), black bears, feral pigs (I could tell you a story or two about rednecks hunt them–but it would turn your hair white). Everything’s bigger in Texas, in case you’ve never heard, but it definitely applies to bugs. I’ve chased tarantulas, wolf spiders, six-inch centipedes and walking sticks out of the house. But scorpions have to be the freakiest—nothing kills them but a heavy shoe.

So you might wonder why a woman would like to live in a place like that? Where do you think real men live? 😉

We’re almost there. Amazingly, I still have a few more things to talk about. 😆

Imagine a book where you have three cowboys with different issues, different takes on love…you truly have three choices for which cowboy you want to spend some time with. A real mind-f@#k of a threesome. Now, isn’t that one of the best reasons you can imagine?

One day, after you’ve already devoured the three stories in a single sitting, you’ll be pining to read about the gentle, stubborn one. You’ll page to Danny’s story and become lost in the wonder of a cowboy who won’t let the woman he loves think she’s anything but perfect for him.

Maybe, you’ll want the edgy strength of Brand, who always wants to do the right thing, but when he levels his gaze on one particular woman, he has to bend his own rules because she’s too damn tempting to walk away from.

Then there’s the scarred, haunted and achingly lonely Mac. He’s the one you’ll want to lie down with after you’ve fished out the vibrator from your panty drawer.

See? Three choices for three different moods, and you can have them all in one luscious book!

Psst! Congrats to yesterday’s winner, Sara Hurt! Tomorrow, bright and early, I’ll be playing at Ellora’s Cave. If you’d like to join me, be sure you’re signed up! Ellora’s Cave Chatters Loop

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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