UPDATE: The winner of the Amazon gift card is…Karen!
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I know some of y’all hang out here for the puzzles! So, here’s a fun one.

For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, solve the puzzle (post your time if you like!), then tell me which you prefer!

Open Contests!

1. Flashback: Animal (Contest — Three Winners!) — This ends Sunday! Win a FREE book!
2. Scent Memories (Contest) — This ends Sunday! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. TGIF! Contest! — This ends Sunday! Win a FREE book!
4. Where in the World? (Puzzle-Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
5. Story Cubes: Tell me a story… (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
6. Hard to let go… (I’m talking about my landline!) (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
7. Desiree Holt: Protecting Susan and The Protectors series! (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!

UPDATE: The winner is…Delaine McLafferty!
*~*~*

Leave a comment for a chance to win a $5 GC

THE PROTECTORS

Protecting – Keeping safe from harm and injury
https://desireeholt.com/the-protector-series/

I am addicted to heroes because, to me, they are, well, heroic! The person who puts themselves in harm’s way to save another is the iconic hero. For me, it goes even further, with much admiration for the military Special Forces – SEALs, Green Berets, Delta Force, Force Recon Marine, Army Rangers (forgive me if I inadvertently omitted something). I know that’s the reason they are all my heroes and have given rise to my series THE PROTECTORS in Susan Stoker’s Special Forces World.

My most recent one, PROTECTING SUSAN, is dedicated to, well, Susan Stoker, a woman who is strong, smart, and compassionate, just like my heroine, Susan Stryker. It all began with PROTECTING MADDIE, which was originally written as a stand-alone. If you haven’t dived into the series yet, here’s a brief rundown to, I hope, whet your appetite.

PROTECTING MADDIE

When Maddie Winslow talked a student out of his gun in her classroom, she never figured it would set off a chain of events that put her life in grave danger, and the lives of her parents. She needs a protector desperately. Hunter “Hawkeye” St. John, a Delta Force team member, is on medical leave recuperating in Tampa and chafing for some action. When he and Maddie meet, the sparks flying between them sizzle the air. But if Hawkeye wants to move forward with Maddie he first has to keep her safe and then eliminate the bad guys.

PROTECTING CASSIE

Sam Alvarez is newly discharged from the SEALs with a bad injury to his left arm that ended his career. The tiny isolated cabin in Maine former SEAL John “Tex” Keenan found for him gives him an escape from people. Physical therapist Cassie Malone by accident she discovered her boyfriend one of Boston’s drug kingpins. Now she’s hiding out in tiny Castile and scared he’ll find her. When Fate throws Cassie and Sam together, neither of them counted on or expected the hot, hot attraction blazing between them. When drug smugglers show up and put everyone in danger, including Cassie, it’s up to Sam to use his skills to take them down and save the woman he’s come to love.

PROTECTING AMY

Amy Ressler was a vivacious, outgoing person until the murder of her family sent her into hiding with a growing case of agoraphobia. Quinn McCoy had been part of the Teams for eighteen years and suddenly an injury left him with no place to go, except to visit his friends Melody and Tex Keenan. Where they introduce him online to KitCat, Amy in her online disguise, a terrified woman who needs a bodyguard. When Matthew Baker escapes from jail the hunt is on, led by the US Marshals. But with Amy helpless in her self-imposed prison, Quinn accepts the job as her personal bodyguard, and they discover that what starts online can explode n the bedroom. As long as he can keep her alive.

PROTECTING ARIZONA

She’d never see him again so she could indulge every need and desire she had with this hot, sexy, intense, troubled man. Now DEA task force she’s on prepares to take down dangerous drug kingpin Luca Vasquez. Then a personal tragedy causes her to leave the task force to find her missing niece. A disastrous mission ended Clint “Razor” DaCosta’s career with the SEALs. Dreams of raw sex with a passionate redhead are the only things that keep the nightmares at bay. No one is more shocked than Razor and Arizona when he answers her call for help. They must to put aside their memories of their scorching sex to find her niece and avenge her sister’s murder. And hope they both don’t get killed in the takedown.

PROTECTING TERRA

When Terra Oenning and Griffin Dunne were paired in a Department of Homeland Security Op, neither of them expected the heat that exploded between them like the cabin they were surveilling. When the trail on the op takes them to Maine, even the icy tempt isn’t enough to cool them down. Still, the assignment comes first. Terrorists, computer hackers, and the Croatian Mafia are combining to destroy the United States and Terra and Griff must focus on destroying them. But when it goes awry and Terra is caught in the crosshairs, it will be up to Griffin to rescue her, a wake-up call for both of them that maybe, just maybe, what they have between them is real.

PROTECTING SUSAN

For Susan Stryker, the chance to start a new life with a new name, halfway across the country from her abusive ex, was like a miracle. But she can’t forget Levi Hawke, the troubled former SEAL she met on that journey. Two years later she’s about to spend two weeks on a farm where she will teach self defense skills to abused women. Tex Keegan, who helped her create her new life, insists she take a bodyguard with her, despite her objections. When Levi Hawke shows up, all those buried emotions come raging to the surface. Then all hell breaks loose, from both the past and present. For Levi this is a must-succeed mission, to save the woman he admits he loves. For Susan, it’s a chance to finally bury the past.

Please visit me at desireeholt.com and join my Facebook group, Desiree’s Darlings.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/DesireesDarlings

UPDATE: The winner is…Shirley Long!
*~*~*

This post will seem a little strange to some of y’all. Or maybe you’ll just think I’m really, really old (although my dd feels the exact same way!). Today, our family decided to do away with our landline. You know, the old-fashioned phone you plug into the wall that never lets you down, power or no power. After all, we have five cell phones in the house that have proven they work and connect in the worst of conditions.

You’d think we would’ve cut the cord long ago because, at $40 a month, it’s not an expense we need to pay. We never used it except when we (okay, I) called my cellphone number to find the damn thing.

However, that landline, with that number, holds a lot of nostalgia for our family and extended family. My parents had that number since the ’70s. When it was first installed, I remember we had a “party line.” For those who’ve never experienced it, a party line was shared with neighbors. When you made a call, you lifted the receiver to listen to know whether someone else was using the line. It was a pain in the ass when one neighbor hogged the line. You’d be polite the first time you picked up and quietly disconnect. The second time, you might clear your throat. The third or maybe fourth, you’d butt into the call and ask how much longer she would be. Fun times.

My mother was the hub for family information and reunions for the extended family. Everyone knew our number and would call regularly to chat. When my brother and I were stationed all over the world, we’d call that number to let the folks know how we were doing or when we’d be coming home for a visit. That line, that number, is part of our family history.

But today, it is no more. I’m heaving a big, heavy sigh.

For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, is there some object or service you had trouble letting go of because of the memories attached to it?

I sent this out in my newsletter yesterday, so sorry if this is a repeat for you… 🙂

I recently received the rights back to some of my older titles. I didn’t immediately republish them. I sat on them while I thought about what exactly I wanted to do with them. They are stories that take me back to my roots in this industry writing erotic romance.

First, I had a series with Avon over a decade ago. A dark, erotic paranormal series, Dark Realm. They gave me back the three short stories associated with the series and the first two novels out of four. I was majorly bummed they didn’t give me back all the books. I did nothing while I wondered what could I do with only the first two titles? I’ve decided I’m going to republish them, and then write some other stories related to that world. Something tangential to the original plotline. The first two stories are full-length novels, something I don’t write anymore because I suffer from W.A.D.D. — Writer’s ADD. (It’s only a real thing to me.) So, the follow-on stories will be short novels. If you’re ready to sink into something very sexy and dark, with creatures based on my favorite mythologies, you’ll love my Dark Realm series. I’m releasing a short story next week, Sleeping with the Enemy, that’s a SHORT STORY related to the series. Have to say that twice because folks sometimes complain when the story was short even when they were warned! Don’t worry, it’s FREE in KU and only $0.99 if you purchase it. But it will give you a little tasty bite of what’s to come.

The other story I’m excited about, is yes, another vampire story. This one’s set in a dystopian, post-apocalyptic world — Texas to be exact. I wrote one story for Samhain years ago, but it’s one that I’ve had readers ask me for the sequels many times over the years. I plan a trilogy of stories in the Texas Vampires series, but first, I’m re-editing the story that was originally known as Undeniable. Now, it’s Her Sanctuary. And yes, it’s sexy as hell.

There are a couple more books in the works that will be more familiar to you. Something for everyone, I hope.

Happy Reading!
~DD

Sleeping with the Enemy

Sleeping with the Enemy: A Paranormal Vampire Short Story
Dark Realm series
Releases August 10th!

A lone rogue vampire mingles among his hunters in a blood bar, undetected…until a beautiful woman snares his attention. Suddenly, he’s running, leading her on a chase until she corners him, stake dangling from her slender fingertips. Now he has a couple of choices, play it sexy or safe?

Pre-Order your copy now!

Her Sanctuary

Her Sanctuary
Texas Vampires, Book 1
Releases August 24th!

A woman surviving on the edge of a dark frontier strikes a sensual bargain with a handsome stranger hiding a dangerous secret…

In a post-apocalyptic future, creatures who’ve hidden in the shadows for millennia are freed to roam in a world shrouded in darkness. Rancher Kate McKinnon runs Sanctuary Ranch—a last refuge on the western frontier. While running herd over her cowhands and integrating refugees into their self-sufficient refuge, she escapes her responsibilities the only way she has left—via radio to pockets of other survivors. One man, Ty Bennett, is her confidante, and she thinks she might be falling in love with his deep, rasping voice. Although they’ve never met, he seems to know her heart.

On a patrol to scavenge supplies, Kate and her cowboys are surrounded by a gang of renegades intent on claiming her. Rescue comes unexpectedly by a militaristic band led by the man she’s spent so many hours talking to through the dark nights. She brings him home only to discover she’s brought vampires inside the refuge.

Already half in love with the human woman, Ty offers added muscle to her defenses and promises to move her people to safety. Fighting his own nature and appetites, he seeks redemption for his many sins but can’t control his hunger to possess Kate. Getting past her prejudice and choking responsibilities tests his seductive powers.

Note: This story was previously released under the title Undeniable. It has since been revised and expanded and will be the first in at least a trilogy of new stories.

Pre-Order your copy now!

Cowboys: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology

Cowboys: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology
Releases October 12th!

Cowboys is filled with tales of those rough and rugged cowboys, whether they’re riding a fence line in Texas or Australia, or herding animals on a newly colonized planet!

If you crave a sexy tale about those gruff, capable men, this collection will embody that earthy alpha male hero who isn’t afraid to show the gentle, nurturing side of his complex nature along with his rough and rugged ability to protect those he loves.

Get ready to fall in love with tales filled with the earthy scent of horses, cows, and crisp, clean sweat; the sight of sun-leathered skin and crow’s feet; the feel of work-hardened thighs and arms; and the sound of a deep-voiced drawl…

Pre-Order your copy now!

Cowboy

Cowboy
Montana Bounty Hunters: Dead Horse, MT, Book 5
Releases October 26th!

I haven’t written the blurb yet, but it will be chock-full of fun adventures with the “Chase and Cowboy” show…

Pre-Order your copy now!

Dark Legacy

Dark Legacy
Dark Realm, Book 1
Releases November 16th

How could everything have changed for Natalie Lambert so radically, so quickly?

Escaping from a tragic past, the virginal beauty arrives in New Orleans and falls victim to a series of strange, unearthly attacks. Now, for the first time in her life, Natalie aches with sexual desire. Confused, frightened, out of control, she struggles desperately to understand a world that is transforming around her. But soon she will be powerful and magnificent in ways she could never have imagined…

A ruggedly handsome Cajun policeman, Detective Rene Broussard has come to rescue Natalie in her time of greatest need. And when he inexplicably wakes in bed beside her—both burning with a lust impossible to deny—he doesn’t care that a dark and vengeful enemy has brought them to this moment. All that matters is the irresistible curve of her body, the heat of her passion…and the forbidden pleasures the night promises.

With one sharp, sensuous, biting kiss, he will be hers for life…and beyond.

Note: This book was originally released as Into the Darkness. The author is re-releasing the book and continuing the series. There will be new stories to tell!

Pre-Order your copy now!

UPDATE: The winner is…pc!
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I bought this little brainstorming tool years ago at some writers’ conference. “Story Cubes” is a brainstorming game. You roll the dice and whatever pictures appear face up are the ones you use to riff off a story. Do any of these symbols tell you anything? You can pick some or use all of them.

To make this fun, I’ll offer a prize—a $5 Amazon gift card—good for purchasing one or two stories…

Have fun with this! Don’t overthink! Here’s the roll… 

It is a thing, actually. And it’s celebrated the first Sunday of August.

To those of us who have sisters, and love our sisters, this is a great time to remind your sibling that you love them!

So, to my beautiful, talented sister, Elle James—Happy National Sisters Day!

Here’s one of my favorite pictures of the two of us together. I’m sure it was some Romantic Times convention pajama party, and of course, we went in polar bear pajamas and animal slippers rather than negligees!