I would like to thank Delilah for inviting me to guest on her blog. It is truly an honor to be here. Delilah has spoken to our writer’s group on a few occasions, and she was phenomenal. This lady knows her stuff about writing. 🙂

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Okay, I have a confession to make. I’m fifty-two years old, and I love all things Vampire Diaries. I adore the show, and I even LOVE going to conventions. I’ve been to two so far, and I will attend more. It’s an amazing time, filled with so many stars and events it boggles the mind.

The last one I attended was this past November 1^st through the 3^rd  in Atlanta, which is not far from Covington, Georgia, the place where Vampire Diaries is filmed. Yep, I went to Mystic Falls! My daughter and I drove 900 miles to attend the convention, and I would go again in a heartbeat (no pun intended), as a matter of fact, my plan is to go the Eyecon convention in Atlanta every fall. If you find yourself in the Atlanta area, you MUST take the time to visit Mystic Falls…er…Covington. Below are some pics from the quaint little town: (recognize anything from the show?)

Back to the convention…

Some of the highlights were:

• Seeing Ian, up close and personal, talking to him, getting a hug from him, and having my pic made with him…with his arm around me.
• Hanging with other attendees at the hotel bar, and seeing the celebrities relaxing and drinking. One evening, I sat right next to Rob Pralgo (the original Mayor Lockwood), at the bar.
• Meeting and listening to Nathaniel Buzolic, who played Kol Mikaelson on TVD. He was a bad, bad guy on the show, but in reality, he is a wonderful person with a strong faith and an uplifting message. His stories and warmth were inspiring to many people. The attendees were buzzing about how amazing he was.
• Ian
• Q&A’s, photo ops, and autographs. It was unbelievable how entertaining, personable, and funny the celebrities were. Getting a glimpse into their lives and personalities, not to mention some of the behind-the-scenes stories, was awesome. One of my favorite anecdotes was the one told by Ian Somerhalder (Damon), and confirmed by Paul Wesley (Stefan), about a day they were filming when the temperatures were below freezing. Paul had to do a scene where he was lying on the ice-cold ground. During a break, he put his face up to a heat lamp…and burned off the top layer of skin. His face was so cold it was numb, and he had no idea he was searing his flesh. Can you imagine, damaging that gorgeous face like that?
• Did I mention Ian? 🙂

Here is a my pic with Ian. In case you’re wondering…yes, I was in Heaven!

Do you have any idea how blue his eyes really are? Looking into them is like getting lost in this magical place you never want to leave…and when he looks at you, it’s like he’s really seeing you, really speaking to you. He has this knack of making every one of the thousands of fans in attendance feel like they are important to him. He’s just a very, very special person. Not only because of his extreme, ridiculous hotness, his friendliness, and his talent, but he’s a genuinely good person, a humanitarian. Read the rest of this entry »

Hello,

I must start by saying it’s an honor to be here on Delilah’s blog. When I told her I would be a guest on her blog and she said sure…I had to read the email like three times to be sure.

A Bit about Me and My Writing

I grew up in a very conservative family. Sex was never mentioned, and when it was, it wasn’t in good lighting. Most of my family believe sex is for marriage and producing offspring. So, imagine my surprise when I snuck a romance novel from my mom’s box of books and read the sex scenes. Wow! I was captivated. I started to sneak more and more books away to read. At the age of 13, I knew I wanted to be a romance writer. I have many stories I wrote during high school, but I’m afraid to go back these days and read them :/

So in 2010, my long awaited dream came true, Secret Cravings Publishing published my first erotic romance novel, NIGHT PROMISES. That’s the moment I knew I could do this. I had what it took to be a writer.

Sadly to say that’s the only book I have had published. Life has a funny way of stepping in sometimes.  I became pregnant shortly after my first book was published, at the end of my pregnancy it was difficult. Also, I had my grandmother who was battling cancer, and my uncle, her son, who also was diagnosed with terminal cancer. My grandmother thankfully beat her cancer, but my uncle passed away hours after my son was born. And most recently, the same grandmother as before was diagnosed with cancer once again. She just had surgery and we are waiting for details of what is to come.

The main thing is I’ve never stopped writing and writing down ideas. I just haven’t focused much of my attention to publication again…until the past four months.

I currently have a book titled, CLAIMED, in edits with MuseItUp Publishing! And I’m venturing out into the world of Indie Publishing.

My First Indie Release

I am expecting this book to release early January, about to send it off for edits now.

THE PROPOSITION (Part 1 of The Mistaken Identity Series)

After being mistaken as a hooker Krystal decides to go with it, especially when men her father owes half a million to finds her and demands she find a way to pay up or suffer the consequences. Victor Wilcox is offering Krystal more money than she ever imagined a call girl making in duration of her entire career as a hooker.

Victor is on a mission to find some bratty daughter for the Mayor of Nevada, no reason he shouldn’t enjoy the company of a beautiful, willing woman while he’s on his manhunt. And Krystal seems like the perfect escape to his failed marriage and dealing with a crass Mayor who believes everything is owed to him.

When Victor lays out his proposition on the table, will it make Krystal run in the opposite direction—especially when he tells her about the kinky lifestyle he leads?

A Sneak Peak at the Story

“You think I’m a hooker!” Gasping Krystal nearly dropped her martini glass. “I’m afraid you’re mistaken.”

“I’m in no mood to play games, what was it, Krystal?”

“Yes, Krystal! I’m not playing games,” she placed her glass on the bar and crossed her arms almost stubbornly.

“Look, I don’t really like to talk business out in the open,” he tilted his head towards the V.I.P area. “If you would like to join me somewhere more private we both can lay all of our cards on the table.”

Licking her lips Krystal glanced towards the area he was referring. A tall, muscular bouncer stood guard, several beautiful women tried to saunter passed the man, but he was firm. Krystal had to admit she was surprised. Glancing back at Victor, the man who had bought her a drink only twenty minutes and nearly wooed her panties off, was starting to get under her skin. Even in dark jeans and a cream sweater he looked like old money. When he had walked in the room it was like he owned the place, every man wanted to be him and every woman wanted to be with him. Why had he picked her? Because he believed she was a call girl.

“I’ll follow your lead,” she said slipping off her bar stool.

“Good girl,” he murmured grasping her elbow and walking forward.

Want to Read More?

I am hosting a contest on my Facebook page! I am currently at 1,000 likes, once I hit 1250 I will share more of the above scene with everyone. And when I reach 1500 I will share the full cover….but for you guys I will make an exception and share the cover here today!

Be sure to like me on Facebook and follow me for  more updates!!

Find Tonya

Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/authortonyareneecallihan)
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Cover Artist: Carey Doucet
(https://safariheatbooktoursandauthorservices.blogspot.com/)

Broken Men

There’s something intensely sexy about broken men. Maybe it’s the shred of humanity lingering inside, waiting for the right person to draw it out. Maybe it’s a single act that proves the man in question indeed has a heart and a soul. Whatever it is, I’ve always been a sucker for such guys in stories.

Such men usually fall into the anti-hero category as well–another literary weakness of mine. Lord knows folks are probably tired of hearing me ramble on about how much I absolutely adore Heathcliff (Wuthering Heights). He was my first anti-hero, the first one to spark what has become something of an obsession.

I’ve written a few anti-heroes over the years, and every one of them remain close to my heart for one reason or another: Triarius (Inferi Brotherhood), Braen (Secrets of Socendor), the list goes on. But there is another favorite that I didn’t write; Shayne did.

“Shattered Dreams” was written for Phaze Books’ Obsession line back in 2008, 2009. It’s a weird mix of modern, dark fantasy, and science fiction, with plenty of paranormal and magic thrown in for good measure. The character I wrote is Li–Kulisael–a demon commander. Shayne’s character is Cody Slate, a human wizard capable of immense power and driven by unfathomable revenge.

When we wrote “Shattered Dreams,” we weren’t sure how folks would respond to it. It doesn’t have a truly happy ending. More of a ‘kinda-happy-for-now’ ending, really. But it’s one of our stories that’s stayed with me over the years.

Cody truly is a broken man, hellbent on revenge against everyone–including his ex-lover, Li. Li, for his part, had nothing to do with the events that led Cody down a path of destruction. He also still harbors love for the human–a love that threatens to completely destroy them both.

But…love prevails. Sort of. Or maybe Li just got tired of waiting for Cody to get a grip and decided to take matters into his own hands. Either way, the two star-crossed lovers remain a favorite pair of broken men for me.

***

Bio:

Howdy!

Call me Katherine or Mychael–I’ll answer to both. I’m a mother, partner, student, author by trade, and editor by compulsion. I’ve been in the publishing business for several years, namely as a writer but also as an editor on occasion. It never fails, though. I always end up editing eventually.

I’m a proud bibliophile, to which my poor sagging bookcases can attest. I read all the time, namely fantasy and romance.

When not writing or reading or editing, I…eat. Maybe sleep. Or watch Spongebob. Yes. I am a self-proclaimed, thirty-something year old Spongebob Squarepants addict. Much to my partner’s dismay. It’s fun.

If you’re curious about what I write (and who wouldn’t be?!), then you can find me below:

https://www.mychaelblackbooks.com/
https://www.mychaelblackbooks.com/category/blog/
https://www.facebook.com/mychael.black
https://twitter.com/kjohnson1976

***

Shattered Dreams
by Shayne Carmichael & Mychael Black

Sometimes happily ever after just doesn’t happen. Cody knows his lover, Li, is a demon. Yet he remains with him, waiting for Li to tell him the truth. The truth never comes, but Li’s brother, Vaul, tries to destroy Cody in a vicious attack. Because the demon seems to know every one of Cody’s magical secrets, Cody can’t defend himself.

What’s left of Cody is sent to a suspension chamber and requires twenty-cycles to regenerate a body. As the time passes, Cody, trapped inside a medallion, learns and grows more powerful. Anger becomes twisted rage that only thirsts for revenge. Near insane when he steps out of the chamber, Cody sets out to destroy every demon present at the attack, make Li pay for his betrayal, and to destroy Vaul.

https://phaze.com/book.php?title=Shattered+Dreams

“Kulisael.”

Li cursed under his breath and turned. “Yes? Do I know you?”

The man who spoke was taller than Li’s six and a half feet. Looking at the black and white uniform with red insignia patches, Li knew this demon was high level.

“I thought as much,” the man said dryly. He smirked at Li.

“What do you want?” Li started backing up, and the man advanced.

“You are required to return home.”

“Home?” Li shook his head, not once looking away from the coal-black eyes staring through him. “I no longer have a home.”

The man pulled out a small square card and handed it to Li. “Your service is requested.”

“Something tells me this isn’t a volunteer thing,” Li remarked. The man simply laughed. Then he was gone in the blink of an eye.

“Fuck.”

* * * *

Skulking on the outer fringes of Caeunial, Cody stayed well away from its demon populace. He had his own agenda to take care of, and the thirst for vengeance had led him here. It fucking figured it would be the one place Cody really didn’t want to be. Keeping a low profile in the midst of demons, as a human, wasn’t the easiest thing to do. Sitting in front of the small fire he’d set to ward off the chill of the coming night, Cody stared into the black flames.

“I thought I might find you here.”

Cody didn’t freeze with the sound of the voice, but he refused to turn around and look at the speaker. He knew who it was. “That’s odd. I didn’t think I would find you here.”

“I was on my way to…work.” The speaker emerged from the shadows and knelt across from Cody, on the other side of the fire. “You look worse for the wear.”

“You were called in to deal with the zombie problem, weren’t you?” Cody’s gaze remained on the fire as he reached into the pack near him. Pulling out a can, he opened it and drank his dinner. “Are you going to provide additional incentive from the Counsel to hire me on?”

“How do you know any of that?”

Shrugging, Cody tossed the empty can back into the pack. “They already tried to hire me. I told them ‘no thank you’. I just didn’t think they would bring you into it.”

“I don’t know what they’ve called me in for. And I guess it’s safe to assume that you’re still pissed off.”

“Now why would I be pissed off?” Finally looking over at Li, Cody gave his ex-lover a bland look. Li hadn’t changed one bit. The demon still was one of the most incredibly handsome creatures Cody had ever seen. From the top of his golden blond curls to the innocent looking features of an angel, Li had eternal youth and extraordinary good looks on his side.

“Why else would you storm out?” Li asked him. “Why else would you turn away from everything?”

“Things change. Didn’t anybody ever tell you that? I learned the hard way myself.” Cody had found out in a hard way exactly what Li was. In the lesson, he wasn’t given a chance to choose, either by Li or the demons who’d damn near killed him.

“Fair enough.” Li stood and ran his fingers through his hair. “For what it’s worth, I haven’t changed, Cody.”

“That mean you still don’t tell the truth?” Cody stood and went to a pile of small sticks. Picking up several of them, he turned back to throw them into the fire.

“What?”

“Never mind. Water under the bridge, Li.” In a more conversational tone, Cody asked, “So, are you going to wade into the zombie problem?” Internally, Cody cursed the Counsel. Whether it was deliberate or not, sending Li into it would be an excellent way to drag Cody in as well.

Li eyed him dubiously. “If that’s what my orders are, then that’s what I must do.”

“Never one to do what you want to do, or what you really should do, are you, Li?” Cody tried to keep his own personal issues out of it, but it was hard to do. “You’re on your way to the Scarlet Chapel, then.”

“Excuse me?” Li stepped closer and glared at Cody. “I went against laws you have no concept of, just to be with you!”

Those laws had been beaten into his body by a group of extremely angry demons, and Cody had precious little use for them.

Now out: Ride a Cowboy!

What’s better than one cowboy? Why two cowboys, of course. So take your pick, saddle up and get ready for a wild, hot ride.

Pick your favorite cowboy from the excerpts below taken from the two novellas inside Ride a Cowboy, and leave me a comment.

I’m giving away two prizes: one signed print copy of Ride a Cowboy and one digital copy (that I’ll sign through Amazon’s Authorgraph). And each winner gets a Ya Gotta Love a Naked Cowboy Button.

* * * * *

From “Back in the Saddle”

When Molly Hayes’ marriage fell apart, she ran home to Hayes Ranch to lick her wounds. What she really wants to lick is foreman Chance McDaniel, the star of all her erotic fantasies. But he had never given her the time of day. Why would he give her his nights?
Kink is a mild term for the kind of sex Chance McDaniel enjoys. But he’s learned the hard way not all women can handle his darker desires. He aches to give Molly the ride of her life but fears she’ll shy away from his wilder ways. Will the past become a stumbling block or will both Molly and Chance, once wounded, climb back in the saddle?

“Dance with me, Molly.”

Danger! Danger!

She opened her mouth to refuse him, but somehow instead, found herself rising from the booth and following him to the dance floor. Only two other couples were making use of the music. Chance tactfully led her to a corner where the lights didn’t hit them. She was stiff within the circle of his arms, moving like a windup doll, until one hand slid up her back to hold the nape of her neck.

“Relax, Molly.” His mouth was at her ear, his breath a warm breeze against her skin. “It’s just a dance. Sometimes it helps to shut out everything else and just fall into the music.”

She was trying, but his body was so warm against hers and there was no mistaking the hard thickness of his cock pushing against her through the denim of his jeans. His scent teased at her nostrils, a heady blend of something woodsy and the smell of leather and horses. She was sure he’d showered but somehow, for men who worked at ranching rather than playing, the aroma burned its way into their skin. She loved it. Always had. If she wanted to be truthful, it was almost an aphrodisiac. She pressed herself just a millimeter closer.

What she would have given all those years ago to be where she was right this minute. But a lot of water had washed over the dam since then, and the last thing she wanted was to have Chance McDaniel feeling sorry for her.

“I…haven’t danced in a while,” she said lamely as she tried to relax in his grip.

God. Could I sound any more idiotic?

He chuckled, a low rumbling sound. “I think it’s like riding a horse. You never really forget. I think you could probably say that about everything.”

His lean fingers massaged the knot at the nape of her neck, his arm holding her against him as they shifted their bodies minimally in place. The stroking of those fingers sent shivers down her spine, but they also coaxed her to relax and move in rhythm with him. She actually found herself leaning her head against his shoulder.

“That’s it,” he whispered. “I learned music can make you forget just about any damn thing.”

 From “Eight Second Ride”

Jessie Wade is a tough as nails sheriff until bull rider Kyle Mitchell ends up in her jail. With his bone-melting good looks and seductive voice, he knocks Jessie’s defenses down one by one and awakens the sensuous woman she’s hidden beneath her uniform. But Jessie can’t afford to be soft. Or allow herself to fall for a cowboy who’s never in one town longer than it takes to ride a bull. Kyle never backs down from a challenge, but after a passionate night with Jessie, he realizes there’s a hell of a woman behind the handcuffs and badge.  Can Kyle convince Jessie he can take her for more than an eight-second ride?

 Kyle Mitchell wanted to pry his eyes open but someone was pounding a drum inside his head so hard he was afraid to see daylight. Not only that, but whatever he was lying on was harder than a concrete floor and killing his back. He needed aspirin and coffee in large supply. He tried to raise his hands to press them against his aching temples but something jerked his right hand and prevented him from lifting it. Now he opened his eyes. And wished he hadn’t.

Unfortunately this wasn’t the first jail cell he’d been in, but he was pretty sure it was the worst. And he was pretty sure it hadn’t been modernized in the last fifty years. One wall consisted of the usual arrangement of bars with a portion of it hinged for a door. The sleeping arrangement, rather than a crummy cot that would have been a vast improvement, was a flat piece of wood with a mattress on it so thin he was sure he’d be able to see through it. And it was the kind that pulled down from the wall on chains.

And speaking of chain, he yanked at his right hand again and discovered he was handcuffed to one length of chain.

Damn! What the hell had happened? What had he gotten himself into now?

Squinting against the brightness of the light from the ceiling lights he looked down the length of his body.

Boots. Check.

Jeans. Check.

He clapped his left hand over his waist in a sudden panic.

Champion belt buckle! Okay! Check.

Shirt. Check.

He rubbed a hand over his square jaw, feeling the stubble of yesterday’s beard growth. Testing everywhere on his face he discovered his nose was tender but not broken, but the rest of his face felt as if a bull had stomped on it.

Wait. Was that what had happened? The last thing he remembered was lasting the full eight seconds on Sodbuster before landing in the dirt of the rodeo arena. Everything else was a blur.

“Well. It looks like you’re finally awake.”

The voice was pure music, soft, with a faint drawl. Squinting through the bars he thought for a minute his heart was going to stop beating. In the hallway looking in at him was about five-foot-four of the most breathtaking woman he’d ever seen. Dark blonde curls tumbled down to her shoulders, framing a lightly tanned face with emerald green eyes peeking out from thick, thick lashes. The stiff fabric of the uniform shirt she wore couldn’t conceal the lush ripeness of her breasts any more than the pants hid her mouthwatering curves.

But what really shook him up was the star gleaming from its place of prominence on her shirt, right over one of those nicely rounded breasts.

Holy hell! This was the sheriff?

He looked at her and something inside turned over. He had an urgent need to see this woman naked in his bed, but not the way he did with the usual women he rolled in the sheets with. Not an eight-second ride and done. No, even in his pitiful condition he could imagine making slow, soul-searing love to her. Everything from his balls to his brain went on instant alert.

* * * * *

www.desireeholt.com
desiremeonly.com
Twitter: @desireeholt
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UPDATE: The winner of Edie’s contest is…Gail Siuba! Gail, Edie will be in contact shortly!

* * * * *

Post a comment today for a chance to win the first book in 
Edie Ramer’s Rescued Hearts series, Hearts in Motion! 

For me, the real meaning of Christmas isn’t presents and decorations and cookies – no matter how lovely and delicious all of that is. It’s about having a home and a place to stay – even if it’s just one night in a barn. And to have people around you who care and who you care for.

All of that is in Christmas at Angel Lake, and it’s odd that I just realized it as I wrote this for Delilah’s blog. So thanks to Delilah for her generosity to me and many other writers for giving our books this temporary home!

Tell me, what does Christmas means to you?

**25 cents from every CHRISTMAS AT ANGEL LAKE book sold will go to the Washington County Humane Society in Wisconsin.**

A kitten saved her…

Broke, pregnant and deserted by her boyfriend, Maddie Barrymore swerves to avoid a kitten while driving in a Wisconsin blizzard—and her life takes another turn. Like Puss in Boots, she stays in an empty house. She has the baby, the kitten, gets a job and a degree…yet every day she’s ready to flee if the real owner shows up.

Five years later, he does…

Dumped by the woman he loves, film producer Logan MacLeesh’s heart is as dark as one of his movies. He plans to hole up in his grandmother’s old mansion and throw himself into his work…until he discovers the sexy squatter and her four-year-old son. Before he can call the sheriff, Maddie’s tale of how she ended up there entertains him. They make a deal that as long as she tells him a story every night, she and her son can stay. Even the cat, though Logan’s always been a dog person.

A dog in need of saving…

Far away in another state, a homeless dog lifts his head, sniffs…and smells him. The human who’s meant for him. As he heads through the snow toward the scent, his journey seems impossible, even though it’s Christmas, a time when miracles happen.

Amazon | Apple/iBooks | B&N | Kobo | Smashwords 

Excerpt:

The other shoe fell.

That was the thought in Maddie’s mind when he came downstairs as she was trying to find a show on TV in which men were not saying stupid things to each other in the mistaken belief that it was funny; in which woman were not being assaulted, chased, or horribly killed; in which housewives in full makeup and five-inch heels were not bullying each other.

She’d finally found her comfort station as he stepped into the living room, where he obviously was taking up too much air, because she felt a whoosh of oxygen leave her body. And she did not like it.

“HGTV?” he asked. “You planning on renovating a house?”

“Not this one, so don’t worry.” She spared him a glance then nodded at the TV. “That’s my perfect man.”

“A contractor?”

“A hunky contractor. He fixes things and has better taste than I do.”

“He’s probably gay.”

If it were anyone else saying that, she would wonder if he was jealous. Though why not him?

The thought cheered her, even as she wished it wouldn’t. If not for Zach, she would pack up and leave this place. She was only staying here because she didn’t want to uproot him. “Are you ready for your story for the night?”

“When your heartthrob is on TV?”

She leaned her elbow on the arm of the chair then rested her chin in her palm. She was so tired she might fall asleep in the middle of tonight’s story. “I’ll settle for seeing him in my dreams.”

“We don’t have the same dreams.”

“I can imagine what yours are like.”

He raised his right eyebrow and lowered his voice. “If you could, you would be running scared.”

“Did anyone tell you you’re a drama queen?”

He stilled. For a second, she wondered if she’d gone too far.

But what the hell. If she’d gone this far, why not go further?

“Why are you trying to scare me away?”

“Because you’re a mother who cares for her son. And because that son is tucked in his bed, sleeping.” He leaned in closer. “And because you want me as much as I want you.”

She sat back. But not too far back. She didn’t want him to think he frightened her. Didn’t want him to think he was right. “I couldn’t do anything with you, either. You’d always know you’d be second choice.”

His eyes narrowed, and she could’ve sworn she felt a freezing blast of wind whistle through the room. “And who’s first?”

“You forgot about the hunky contractor already?”

He blinked, as if he’d gone to a dark place and, in that instant, he stepped out of it. “If you’d like”—he lowered his voice so it curled around her—“I could show you my saw and hammer.”

“That would impress me so much. Will you let me hold them as you undress?”

His lips didn’t curve, but laugh lines crinkled around his eyes. “What do you plan on doing with the hammer and the saw?”

“You don’t want to ruin the surprise, do you?”

He straightened. “You are something else. I’m getting a drink.”

“A cold one, I hope. With lots of ice. Next time, don’t try to seduce me.”

Edie
https://edieramer.com
https://www.facebook.com/edieramer.author
https://twitter.com/edieramer

TO SEND OR NOT TO SEND

Thanksgiving has past and now the holiday season is upon us (we won’t discuss how the retailers think the holiday season starts after Halloween. That’s a different post for a different time). For the Cullen family that means putting up the tree, dragging out the decorations, and Christmas cards.

It saddens me that over the years the act of sending out Christmas cards has dwindled. I love reaching into my mailbox and finding a stack of cards, of reading the Christmas letters and looking at the pictures of everyone’s kids.

I guess in this age of social media and being so connected through Facebook and Twitter that people just don’t feel the need.

I’m not bashing Facebook or Twitter or any other social media site by any means. I’m addicted to all of them. But there are still some “old ways” that I cling to and one of those is sending out my annual Christmas cards.

Another one is my address book.

Yes, I still have an address book. The physical kind that has the three rings and the little laminated letters on the side so you can flip to the correct part of the alphabet.

Every year I dig that address book out (it seems I only need it at Christmas time) and I look through it. I’ve had the same book for about twenty years and that means there are lots of addresses crossed out and new addresses written beneath it. My grandmothers, both now deceased, are still in there as well as friends I haven’t seen in a long time.

It’s sort of a walk down memory lane for me to open that book. It makes me smile, reliving memories of the people written on those pages.

I hope that sending Christmas cards never truly goes away because I think it’s a wonderful way to reconnect to people that you normally don’t “see” on the internet or real life.

What about you? Do you still send out Christmas cards?

In Sharon Cullen’s sizzling novel of scandal and seduction, a headstrong beauty is pursued across Europe by London’s most notorious rake.

Having vowed never to wed again, widowed viscountess Claire Hartford is about to do the unthinkable: travel unaccompanied across the continent in search of a lover. Her adventure begins sooner than expected, when she meets a magnificent cloaked stranger on her ship’s gangplank. He is Lord Blythe, a man whispered about in London’s ballrooms and drawing rooms, a scandalous rogue hell-bent on seduction.

Nathan Ferguson curses the day he agreed to look out for his best friend’s wayward sister. The charismatic earl is traveling to Paris to uncover the truth behind his father’s death, but his desire for Claire threatens to be his undoing. From France to Italy, on a journey of passionate discovery and danger, Nathan is honor-bound to protect her—from himself most of all. What can he offer Claire? Only love, as he sets out to prove to the woman of his dreams that she belongs to him—body, heart, and soul. 

Advance praise for Loving the Earl

“Loving the Earl is charming and fast-paced. It’s filled with passion, intrigue, a resourceful heroine you’ll love, and a delicious hero you’ll fall in love with. An absolute delight!”—New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jacquie D’Alessandro

“Sharon Cullen is a natural-born storyteller. Her twists and turns will keep you turning the pages.”—Margo Maguire, bestselling author of The Highlander’s Desire

“With its bad-boy hero and spunky heroine, Sharon Cullen’s Loving the Earl is sure to please readers looking for more than the typical Regency come-out story. Intrigue and romance fuse seamlessly in this adventurous romp that takes the reader from Dover to Paris to Venice and finally to a sigh-worthy happily ever after.”—Shana Galen, author of True Spies

Sharon Cullen’s BIO:

Sharon Cullen is the author of the historical romance, THE NOTORIOUS LADY ANNE, LOVING THE EARL, and PLEASING THE PIRATE (available February 2014). She’s also published in romantic suspense, paranormal romance and contemporary romance.

Her other job descriptions include chauffer, laundress, cook and mediator to her three very busy kids, her husband and two dogs. She lives in southwest Ohio with her brood although her dream is to someday retire to St. Maarten and live on the beach.

If you’d like to find out more about Sharon and her books, you can visit her website. She’s addicted to social networking so you can find her on Facebook, Tumblr and Twitter. Friend her! Like her! Follow her! She’d love to hang out with you and talk about her passion—books.

Links for LOVING THE EARL:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Random House

Got Ink?

Writing is my dream job, but my day job is actually about as stodgy as it gets.  The forced conformity has started to chafe like an ugly polyester uniform, over a girdle in a size too small, and toe-pinching heels.  All around me, I see tattoos decorating arms, legs, wrists, and backs.  The book covers in my favorite genres sport heroes with tattoo-painted muscles.  The real me wants purple hair, a piercing, and a couple of tattoos. 

My characters have the freedom that I am denied.  In Too Fast, Savannah has her nose pierced, and Luke has a tattoo.  They live in Athens, Georgia, home of the University of Georgia, and a city close to my heart.  In Athens, the unique mix of music, culture, and higher education has fostered an environment that encourages individuality. 

Luke is no billionaire.  In fact, he’s got the responsibilities of a man twice his age and the means of a twenty-year-old.  Luke wouldn’t spend money on a tattoo without a good reason.  Since he didn’t have any friends who were tattoo artists (which by the way, each of us should have), Luke needed body art with real meaning.  His art signified his commitment to caring for his younger sister.  He works to shield her from the tumultuous home life caused by his mother’s mental illness.  Luke’s tattoo ends up playing a big role in the story.

I believe that the act of getting a tattoo always has meaning—sometimes a rite of passage, coming of age, or act of bravery.  I have seen body art honoring loved ones, memorializing special events, and featuring literary characters. 

Do you have a tattoo with special meaning? 
How do you express yourself through body art?

Too Fast by Alexia Haynes

Twenty-year-old Savannah enjoys a one-time one-night stand because a real relationship would never fit into her busy schedule.  Working two jobs and pursuing her degree takes all of her time.  Besides, the guys she has dated haven’t been much better than the random barfly.

It’s a good thing Luke’s body is honed by the long hours of carpentry and construction because he carries the weight of his family on his shoulders.  School hasn’t been an option for him since he dropped out to make the house payments his mother had failed to make. 

Luke finds what he’s been longing for in a night with Savannah.  She’s determined to stop with a one-night stand, but he wants more.  Neither can deny the perfection of their passionate interludes, but with such imperfect lives, do they have any chance for a future together?  Suddenly they’re falling in love but it’s all happening much too fast.