Thanks so much to my friend, Delilah for hosting me here today. I’m sure she’s expecting me to blab a bit about my brand new Ellora’s Cave release and she wouldn’t be wrong about that. As my readers know, I write erotic shifter and contemporary westerns (gotta love those cowboys) and I tend to go back and forth between genres. Over the years, I’ve found it keeps me fresh. One thing I proudly admit is that I am in total love with my High Plains Shifters series (EC) and have just finished the sixth book in this popular collection. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the stories, these are all set in a fictional town in West Texas. I’d always wanted to build a world where shifters lived and loved by their own set of rules so I ‘built’ the town of Cloverfield, Texas and populated it with wolves who are cowboys, ranchers, oil men, shopkeepers, bankers and teachers. It seemed only right that I eventually expand this world into other areas and chose to set Mad Moon in a small town in East Texas. This sets the book apart from other books in the series yet I’ve still maintained a strong connection between the two wolf packs. I’m also happy to say that though the other books in the series are novellas and short novels, Mad Moon is a full length story. I just loved writing it and hope you’ll pick it up.

Again Delilah…thanks so much for having me here today! If you’d like to leave a comment for me or just send me a hug or two, I’ll give one of you a book from my backlist. How’s that sound?

Book 6, High Plains Shifters

Madden Moon knows what she is the second she walks into the old café. Shifter. Wolf. Trouble.  Struck by her beauty and the air of exhaustion about her, the leader of the Texas Rogues, wishes her straight out of town but as the mating energy of their species sizzles between them and her enemies approach, he has no alternative but to bring the beautiful lycan under his protection and into his bed.

Runaway Lana Vronski is in big trouble. As she races through the woods, local wolves in hot pursuit, she believes all is lost until she is rescued by oh-so-sexy Madden. When he offers her sanctuary and sex hot enough to burn them both, she accepts his proposal but it isn’t until the mating heat between them begins to sizzle wildly out of control that Lana learns her true salvation awaits in his arms. Lana’s enemies are relentless, however, and will stop at nothing as they attempt to rip her from the arms of the man she loves.

About the Author

A bit about me…

I grew up in small town Oklahoma then moved to Texas  where I lived for over thirty years.  Once upon a time I worked as a newspaper journalist, as a public relations director for a university,  and other assorted things but these days I am an award winning, multi-published author.

I like writing that is hot, edgy, and often humorous, and try to put this trademark stamp on all of my stories. These days I live in sunny Florida where I find the temps ‘heat up’ my creative urges.  I am a doting, fawning, and over-indulgent mom to my two adult children and believe them to be the coolest people in the world.

When I’m not penning steamy erotic tales set in  paranormal worlds or writing hot contemporary books (usually featuring a cowboy or two) I  indulge in long chats with friends who help me stay sane and keep me laughing. Wanna be my friend forever? Make me laugh.

Where to find Regina Carlysle:
https://www.reginacarlysle.com
https://www.facebook.com/reginacarlysle
https://www.facebook.com/reginacarlyslesbooksandstuff
https://www.twitter.com/reginacarlysle

Buy links for Mad Moon: Ellora’s Cave Publishing | Amazon

I tried to shake my brain into a plot twist that I hadn’t seen before. Since it was time for me to begin plotting for my next firehouse 17 story, I mulled on a possible scenario. Then out of the blue on my personal face book page I got a friend request. A total blast from the past. Fifteen years in the past to be exact. Thanks to this young man I briefly dated, I had the perfect conflict.  We had a great conversation, where he profusely apologized for misleading me for months. I of course forgave him and laughed off youthful idiocy. For my story, instead of keeping it simple, I of course dug in and went to the dark side with the conflict and fleshed it out. I’d tell you all about it, well but you can read for yourself and probably see where I was going. It’s rare someone in my personal life lends to stories, at least on this level. It’s true that there are both positive and negative consequences for every action we take, and our actions show what our character is. Without mistakes we wouldn’t learn self-evaluation.

Forbidden Deception releases Aug 26^th from Secret Cravings Publishing. Enjoy the blurb and teaser excerpt below!

No one knows how a solitary lie has the power to rip a heart to pieces. For ten years Ailyn Dominguez has lived with a constant reminder of heartbreak that left her devastated and pregnant. While nothing gives her more pleasure than being a mother, the lie she lives weighs her down like a ball and chain. Even if she knew where to look, her deceit could cost her everything she holds dear.

Responsibility for others has always rested on Seth Mahone. Every day he gears up to protect and serve, leads his men and finds fulfillment in doing his best. With one friend settled down, he reevaluates his life and the cost he paid when the one woman he loved left leaving an in fillable void. Regretting what caused their split, he hasn’t fully let go or found another to take her place.

When the past collides with the present both must confront the deception that split them apart.

“Welcome to Station 17, I’m glad you decided to come.” Seth opened the door for her. She shot him down as he reached to usher her in, avoiding body contact by retaining her distance.

“I can see myself in and open my own doors. What do you want?”

“To discuss what’s on my mind in the privacy of my office.” His smile waned into a frown as he led the way, this time keeping his hands to himself. Good, he learned quickly.

She ignored the questioning glances from the other men as she trailed after him, her eyes riveted to anywhere but his behind.

He opened his office door and gestured for her to move past him. Holding onto her temper, she breezed in before skirting away from him. When he shut the door and systematically drop each blind encasing them in privacy, she swallowed nervously.

“That isn’t necessary.”

“I disagree. We need privacy, and my men don’t need to hear our personal business.”

“We don’t have any personal business. Say what you want so I can leave.” She turned away from him, giving him her back.

“Christ. This is not going how I wanted.  Why didn’t you let me make amends? I tried for months to reach out to you and fix us.”

“Fix us?” Her voice raised and pitchy, Ailyn whipped around and glared. “Fix us? There was no repairing us after your whopper of a lie.”

He held his palms up in an attempt to calm her. “I am sorry for any pain I caused you. You may not believe me, but I deeply regret not being honest with you from the beginning.  But damn it if you’d only have listened for a moment, you’d have seen that I was graduating that year, early.”

“You were still underage! Unless you could’ve magically jumped from sixteen to eighteen, and somehow I don’t think you had the power to time warp. Not to mention we lived in a state where there are heavy statutory laws.”

“Please lower your voice.”

“You know, everyone around you may be fooled but I know the real you. You’re a liar, a master manipulator and an all around bastard. Do you even realize what your duplicity could have cost me?” Has cost me, she wanted to scream.

“Of course not. I was young and in love. I wasn’t thinking about consequences, I was thinking in a matter of months it wouldn’t have mattered.”

“Right, because true love means building a relationship on nothing but dishonesty. Your brand of love burned me.”

“I am trying to apologize.” Frustration radiated from him. She didn’t care or want his remorse. His struggle to find some common ground with her was ten years too late.

“Well thank you. Apology not accepted. Never accepted.”

“I don’t understand why you’re so angry all these years later. I was hoping we could have dinner and a few drinks, laugh over my idiocy and get to know one another now, as adults. A second chance with no secrets this time.”

Ailyn pursed her lips and crossed her arms under her breasts. “Why so history can repeat itself? Sure, let me just get to know you all over again and then wonder if you’re lying about everything. Been there, done that. I will date you when pigs fly and hell freezes over. Now if you’re done with whatever you have to say. May I leave and forget I ever saw you again?”

“Ailyn, we don’t have to be this way.” The emergency tones went off, making her ears ring.

“Don’t you have work to do?” She knew the sound echoing through the stationhouse meant they had people to go save.

“Strip. We’re far from done talking and I have less than two minutes to get on my truck and go. I’ll wait outside. You’re the one who used to make us strip, remember, don’t walk away, figure it out.”

He leaned in as if to kiss her. Closing her eyes, she fought the craving of feeling his lips. Instead, he trailed his finger along her wrist and swiped her keys out of her lax grip before leaving his office.

“You choose now, all these years later, to remember the one thing I learned from my parents about relationships and problem solving?”

“I remember everything. I have to go, either strip or when I get off I’ll show up on your doorstep to finish this where we can both get naked.”

Ailyn froze. He couldn’t ever come to her home. She stripped in record time and thrust her clothing out the door.

“Thought you’d see things my way. I’ll be back soon.” Ailyn heard his pounding footsteps retreat and snapped into action. No way in hell was she waiting for him to come back. She ran to his desk and yanked open his drawers, looking for a T-shirt or something. All she found was random junk and a roll of black duck tape.

“God, I really hate him,” she seethed. Mia was dead wrong. In no way did she want to get to know anything about him as a man.

Yeah, strip naked, stupid. I don’t have any clothes, but I do have a spare ignition key in a magnetic box under my car. All I need is something to pass as clothing.

“Toilet paper and scotch tape?” She didn’t know where the bathroom was and toilet paper tore. Think Ailyn, think. A sudden idea formed and she grabbed the tape. Calming her hammering heart, she peeked out the door. “Anyone out there?” She waited a minute until she knew the coast was clear and jetted for the kitchen, hoping the cameras were down as she streaked across the fire station.

Holy hell, their kitchen is top of the line. Way better than mine. She stopped in awe of the gleaming appliances and fixtures. Sighing, she realized she was drooling and began opening and shutting drawers and cabinets until she hit pay dirt.

Keeping watch on the time, she tore off long strips of black duct tape and lined them on the counter. She took two strips and tore them down the length in half and wove them together.

Humming Mr. Know it All her favorite Kelly Clarkson song, so appropriate in this instance, she set to work. In college she became a pro at fixing costumes for the theater department or making clothing out of anything on hand. Thanks to reality modeling shows, she found a quick untearable solution. Saran wrap, and to her surprise in red. In no time soon she’d have an eccentric, one of a kind creation to get her the hell outta Dodge, before a specific commanding man returned. She cherished the thought of him finding his office empty and wondering how she’d slipped out from under his thumb.

Teaching him such a lesson gave her a heady high. Winding the hazy plastic around her body made her itch, but no one ever said getaways were easy. After numerous revolutions around her body movement became hard. She concentrated on making sure her girls were wrapped tightly enough that her nipples wouldn’t be seen. Certain she was covered adequately, she wrapped the tape under her boobs and smoothed the black tape across her upper back, using the wall to make the tape stick when she pressed her back on it. The last strip was the hem. She wiggled to bend down and placed the last pieces across the bottom of her masterpiece, then took a kitchen knife and slashed a tiny tear in the side to give her room to walk in her micro mini dress. And viola! Impromptu clothing designed to allow her to get to her car without being arrested for indecent exposure.

The firehouse remained silent. She returned the supplies to their designated areas and lit out of there like hell was on her heels. Upon reaching her car, she realized getting on her knees to find the extra key would cause an issue. Once down, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to get up, plus she didn’t relish the idea of giving all an up close and personal view of her bare pussy. She paced the length of her car, cursing her luck.

“Screw it.” She eased down on her back, wiggled under the driver side carriage of her car and slid her hand over the metal to find the box. She didn’t feel it at first and thought maybe it’d been knocked off. Reaching a little further, she closed her hand around it and pulled the slim container free.

“Now that is something you don’t see every day.” Ailyn wiggled her head out from under her car to see Seth’s team of men in full gear openly appraising her.

“Do you mind? Staring is rude.” She bet her salary her face was flushed and the men before her were enjoying her discomfort.

“What do you think she has on? I thought she was stark naked when we left. Lieutenant, get a load of your girl.”

“I am not, and I repeat—not— his girl. Now sh. Don’t call him over here,” she hissed at the men.

“Well, hey darlin’, I thought you were waiting for me in my office.” Seth lay down on the ground next to her. She bit her lip, dying in mortification as he raked a lingering gaze up and down her body.

“Go away. I’m going home. As soon as I get my key.”

“You mean this one? Yeah, I remembered teaching you to put a spare on the underside, since you were famous for losing them back in the day.”

“Thanks for the ride down memory lane. Now go away. I really don’t want to be near you. As you can see, since I was trying to leave before you got back.”

“Come on. You didn’t think I was going to let you walk away so easy this time, did you? Although, I must say I’m impressed with your resourcefulness. Saran wrap has never looked so damn sexy. The tape is a nice touch. To think you did this all for me. New form of foreplay, darlin’?”

A Hero Who’ll Steal Your Heart

If you’ve read my books, you’ve probably realized that all heroes are NOT cut from the same bolt of cloth. Yes, they may all be Navy SEALs or government special agents, but that doesn’t mean they all have to be terse,  deadly, and brooding. Occasionally, they can be exactly that. But because I’m an amateur psychologist, I give a lot of thought to personality types and how my characters express their unique traits. As a result, I strive to make sure no two of my heroes are alike. And that’s how ATF Special Agent Tobias Burke, hero of THE ENFORCER, came to be.

“Toby” is an Artisan Performer, according to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. That makes him warm, enthusiastic, dynamic, humorous, upbeat, and willing to put on a show, while still being very manly and potentially deadly. He’s the perfect antidote to THE ENFORCER’s wary, vulnerable, suspicious, and cynical heroine. And Toby can sing! He also wears humorous T-shirts with messages on them that seem perfect for every occasion. Here are some examples:

Readers are first introduced to Toby in THE GUARDIAN, in which he wears this shirt that pretty much sums up not only his occupation with the ATF but also his philosophy on life:

At the end of THE GUARDIAN, Toby has the guts to stand next to the Attorney General of the US Justice Dept. during a live news broadcast, wearing this shirt:

In his own book, THE ENFORCER (buy yours now!), Toby infiltrates a militia in West Virginia to inform against a beautiful, dangerous, and very high-strung woman named Dylan. In order to prove her a killer, first Toby has to worm his way into her heart and starts by wearing this shirt:

But after he gets to know her better, he finds himself just wanting to get Dylan to relax and enjoy life…life with him, and his shirts become a little more personal in their message to her:

The test of a good hero is this: Did you fall in love with him over the course of the book? I certainly fell in love with Toby, and I trust that you will, too. Get your copy of THE ENFORCER today! (paperback release Sept 2, 2013). Kindle, Nook, Kobo, other.

Visit www.marlissmelton.com for more information.

Covers

What is it about a book cover, whether it’s print of digital, that like most? Is it a hot cowboy, a couple smiling lovingly into each other’s eyes, a spooky scene or a wide-open countryside with prairie grasses blowing? What colors catch your eye? What images make you want to read the blurb?

Harlequin Intrigue has had the same kind of covers for a long time, and with the competition being more fierce in the publishing industry, they’re trying out new cover images to capture the readers’ attention. TRIGGERED from my Covert Cowboys Inc. Series started out in the old cover images and the second book in the series TAKING AIM is in the new format. What do you think?

I personally like the new cover format, but I think it could use a little more color. But dang! I love the cowboy on TAKING AIM. He’s hot, sexy and gritty. What more could I ask for? No really, what more could I ask for? A girl on the cover? A horse? I’d be interested to hear what you have to say. I’ll leave you with the images of all four of the books in the series so you can see what’s changed and where they’re going.

And I hope you enjoy the following blurb and excerpt from:

TAKING AIM

Covert Cowboys Book #2

by Elle James aka Myla Jackson

Amazon | Nook

Don’t forget to sign up on the Rafflecopter for the SWAG BAG I’m giving away as part of
TAKING AIM RELEASE DAY Giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

A kidnapping offers an FBI agent a second chance at redemption in Elle James’s Covert Cowboys, Inc. miniseries.
After witnessing the murder of his partner, former FBI agent Zach Adams suffers the weight of his own guilt. An unexpected assignment hunting down the members of the Texas gang responsible—who have kidnapped a local woman—could offer long-awaited revenge.

Zach understands the danger of tracking the cartel, but it’s his desire for the sister of the missing person that he fails to anticipate. Determined to find her twin, Jacie Kosart is as strong-willed as she is alluring. But when Zach’s ruthless search for the kidnappers lands Jacie in the crosshairs of deadly enemies, Zach realizes he’ll risk everything to keep her alive…even if it means confronting the demons of his own past.

EXCERPT

“Yeah, but not only are they putting themselves and the horses in danger, they’re putting the two of us at risk as well.” Jacie hesitated. “Come to think of it, maybe we should head back while there’s still enough light to climb the trail out of the canyon.”

Tracie sighed. “I was hoping you’d say that. I don’t want you to get hurt out here.”

“Me? I was more concerned about you. You haven’t been in saddle much since you joined the FBI.”

“You’re right, of course.” She smiled at Jacie. “Let’s get out of here.”

“Agreed. Let them be stupid. We don’t have to be.” Jacie turned her horse back the way they’d come and had taken the lead when the sharp report of gunfire echoed off the canyon walls.

“What the hell?” Jacie’s horse spun beneath her and it was all she could do to keep her balance.

Aramis reared. Tracie planted her feet hard in the stirrups and leaned forward, holding on until the gelding dropped to all four hooves.

More gunfire ensued followed by the pounding of hooves, the sound growing louder as it neared them.

Tracie yelled, “Go, Jacie. Get out of the canyon!”

Jacie didn’t hesitate, nor did her horse. She dug her heals into D’Artagnan’s flanks, sending him flying along the trail. She headed back the way they’d come, her horse skimming over the rocky ground, his head stretched forward, nostrils flared.

Before they’d gone a hundred yards, Rocky, the gelding Mr. Jones had been riding, raced past them, eyes wide, sweat lathered on both sides, sporting an empty saddle, no Mr. Jones. Rocky hit the trailhead leading out of the canyon, scrambling up the slope.

Jacie dared to glance over her shoulder.

Mr. Smith emerged from the fork in the canyon trail, yelling at Ginger, kicking her hard. Both leaned forward, racing for their lives.

Elle James’s Bio:

Elle James spent twenty years livin’ and lovin’ in South Texas, ranching horses, cattle, goats, ostriches and emus. A former IT professional, Elle is proud to be writing full-time, penning intrigues and paranormal adventures that keep her readers on the edge of their seats. She has 39 works with Harlequin, self published works under pen name Elle James, over 40 works with other publishers including Samhain, Elloras’ Cave, Kensington and Avon and 18 works self-published under pen name Myla Jackson. Now living in northwest Arkansas, she isn’t wrangling cattle, she’s wrangling her muses, a malti-poo and yorkie. When she’s not at her computer, she’s traveling, out snow-skiing, boating, or riding her ATV, dreaming up new stories.

Social Media:

ELLE JAMES  Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

I was asked how this story happened. A few months ago, I received an email from an acquisitions editor at Ellora’s Cave, saying she had visited my website, was impressed, and wondered if I had any books in the pipeline that I could submit. After I picked myself up off the floor 😉 I re-read the email, and decided it must be spam. But a quick check of the editor’s name online showed me that she was indeed one of EC’s editors, and the request was real. The only un-contracted work I had available was a short piece that I had written in response to a friend’s challenge to create a male strip-tease scene. It featured a female dominant, which I (incorrectly) assumed Ellora’s Cave would not want. I mentioned the story in my reply, and was surprised to get a request to read it. I had a contract three days later. I’ve always believed that fortune favors the prepared. Seems to me, this story shows it’s true.

Rai trusts Koo to submit. To keep him, she must trust her heart.

A Romantica® BDSM erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

This book is in the Taboo line — one of the Ellora’s Cave Quickies

A recent college graduate, Koo hires Rai as his attorney after thieves total his car and then dare to sue him. She wins, and takes him out to celebrate. Dinner leads to the hottest sex in his life, and a long-term relationship as her submissive. He adores the way she makes him feel, and the way she makes him burn. He longs to show her he has more to offer. He has a heart, and it’s hers, if only she’ll let him give it.

A successful attorney in her late thirties, Rai has a penchant for handsome young men with long hair. Koo, her newest client, becomes more than her usual boy toy. He likes being tied up and whipped, and he yields the way she’d always dreamed. But he has a future ahead of him, and she’s a jaded lawyer. He wants sex, not love. Right? He wouldn’t stay with her forever. She trusts him to submit. To keep Koo, Rai is going to have trust her heart.

Inside Scoop: Our hero willingly submits to his Dom lady love and all her toys in their BDSM play, including whips and bindings and more.

Buy Link: https://ellorascave.com/keeper-of-my-pleasure.html

Trailer for Keeper of My Pleasure: https://youtu.be/pXmsf8gb6DI

Music is “Road Adventure” from iStockPhoto, used with permission.

Inside Peek: Keeper of My Pleasure This free, illustrated eBook provides insight about the book, its characters, and its creation. When you click the link, it will either offer you a download, or open in a new window, depending on your settings. To read it, you need Adobe Reader, available free.

About the Author

Kayelle Allen is a multi-published, EPIC Award winning author. She writes Contemporary Romance, Gay Romance, Erotic Science Fiction Romance, Mainstream Fantasy, BDSM, and non-fiction. She likes to attend Science Fiction conventions, and has been a speaker at DragonCon, Outlantacon, and Gaylaxicon. Kayelle is the founder of the author-mentoring group Marketing for Romance Writers, and manages the successful Romance Lives Forever blog. She is a US Navy Veteran, and founded the graphics and eBook conversion company The Author’s Secret. Kayelle is married to her personal hero, and makes her home in the southeast.

You can find her at:
Homeworld
Unstoppable Heroes Blog
Twitter
Facebook
Pinterest
Goodreads
Romance Lives Forever
Marketing for Romance Writers
The Author’s Secret

Rhythm Maker

There is a subtle rhythm that beats when you read. One you probably don’t even notice it.

From that first word of any book you read it pulls you in and takes you on a journey. Each step gives you various beats that resonate with you. That first blush of meeting and the little catch that you get when you read it. The foray of the characters as they do that dance of seduction, which keeps your heart racing as you wonder when will they will do it or will they at all. Then when they do, your pulse skyrockets with each kiss, caress and thrust as they come together.

Then you go on the journey of their affair. The up rhythms of them getting to know each other after the sexual encounter. A laugh at their antics, which makes your body move in time with them. That little sound you make as something they do pleases you. The humph as they act the fool. The sway as you enjoy this journey that makes you go up then down and all around. When that obstacle comes and your fist clenches while your heart wonders how can they fix this and the tears fall with the person most devastated after that moment. Then ultimately the triumph they get when they overcome it all to be together. Your soul rejoices and you love it. Once done you exhale and that dance is done at least until the next time.

All this is rhythm that comes from within. One that is individual as each of you. No two rhythms you feel are the same. Heck when you reread the book, the rhythm changes. I love reading books and how it makes the rhythm of my soul move. And this is what I work for when I write. A rhythm that will resonate in a reader. Make them become part of the fabric of the dance I am creating in my story.

As I write and the story progresses I feel the back beat of many rhythms that drive the story. Make it pulse in my soul as I put it on paper. I’ve been called everything from writer, author, storyteller and all the in between. I am all those things and so much more. Of all the names I’m called, I like to call myself … Rhythm Maker.

****

Taige Crenshaw is a multi-published author with books available at Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Liquid Silver Books, Loose Id, and Total-E-Bound. Taige has been enthralled with the written word from time she picked up her first book. It wasn’t long before she started to make up her own tales of romance. With novels set in today, in alternate dimensions, or in the future she writes with adventure, fun sassy heroine’s, and sexy hero’s. Always hard at work creating new and exciting places Taige can be found curled up with a hot novel with exciting characters when she is not creating her own. Join her in the fun, frolic, interesting people and far reaches of the world in her novels. You can find out more about Taige at her website: https://www.taigecrenshaw.com or blog: https://www.taigecrenshaw.com/blog.

Dark Callings—When faced with your destined bond you either accept or face the consequences.

Buy here at Total-E-Bound.

When I grow up I want to be a…

Hang on…I’m thinking. That’s a really big decision.

I’m just kidding. Actually, I’ve reached that age now where I am things. Which is kind of a weird realization when it hits you. You’re in college with the world open to you one day and the next you wake up and you suddenly are things. Wife, mother, and writer are the top three answers I give when people ask me what I am. There are, however, a million subsets to those answers. As any wife, mother, writer will tell you. I’m a housekeeper, a cook, an accountant (not a great accountant but I did do our taxes last year so I’m taking it), a crisis manager (two young boys, one house!), everyone’s personal assistant, and the resident taskmaster. Yep, a whip is constantly on my Christmas wish list but Santa hasn’t delivered yet. This is the year, though. I can feel it. I’ve been a very good girl all year long. I promise.

Still, as much as I love my life, every once in a while I see a help wanted ad and think, I could do that. I’ll fantasize about the life change for a couple of days and then dive back into whatever work-in-progress I’ve got going on. Things I’ve daydreamed about doing? Being a birth doula—I had one with the birth of my first son and Oh.My.God was she phenomenal. Also working in PR. Mainly for politicians and police departments. This usually happens when I see a story on the news that’s handled so poorly I know I could do a better job spinning it. Tends to go something like this, “Who goes on the news and says there’s no way to stop the current alien invasion? Your job is to foster hope and keep the masses from rioting. You say, “We’re looking into all avenues of diplomatic resolution available to us.””

Yes, that was made up. There is no alien invasion. Though that would make an awesome story. File that little mental ramble under stories for another day. But it does kind of bring me to the point. One of the things I love so much about being a writer is with each new story I get to recreate myself. I’m never going to be a rancher on a settler planet. But when I was writing Ulterior Motives, I got to think like one. I got to visualize what her life would be like, what challenges she’d face, and what she’d be looking for in that perfect mate. It’s what I love the most about writing. I get to think like another person in another life. And then, when I reach happily-ever-after, I get to return to the life that’s perfect for me.

Which is all fine and good. But what about this rancher, you ask?

Universal Defiance, Book One

On a rural settler planet, Kat must resort to putting out an ad to find a husband. She doesn’t expect to find love—that’s a dream in these parts—just a partner to help work her ranch. Then the devastatingly handsome Jasper answers her ad and turns her on in ways she never dreamed possible. Too bad he’s not who he says he is.

Jasper doesn’t know what he’s getting into when he ventures undercover to investigate a legal claim against Kat’s ranch. But after a toe-curling night under her roof and in her bed, he’s willing to do anything to stay there. He can’t say no to the tough-as-nails businesswoman who makes his body come alive.

When people start getting hurt, though, both Kat and Jasper have to decide how valuable one piece of land is. And the ranch that brought them together might be the very thing standing between them.

A Romantica® sci fi erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

Buy links:

Amazon | Ellora’s Cave | All Romance EBooks 

When he opened the door to the guestroom, though, the blaring of an alarm stopped him from going any farther. At first he thought he’d somehow triggered the noise but as soon as he smelled the first wisps of smoke, understanding filled him. Something was on fire. He wanted to rush out into the safety of the open grounds but he fought against the instinct. He had to make sure Kat got out as well.

He raced back to the bathroom to find her standing in the hallway, wrapped in nothing but a towel, with her dark hair flung over one shoulder in a curly mess. There were no tears or hysterical rants despite the fear clearly reflected in her expression.

His job required him to make quick assessments of situations and he excelled at it. But sometimes that left him blind to the more subtle aspects of life. He’d seen a competent businesswoman when he’d first laid eyes on Katarina Maxim. She’d been nothing but efficient and practical from the moment she held her hand out to him. But now, as she shivered in front of him with alarms going off in the background, he realized how much he’d missed in that original assessment. He’d seen her as a businesswoman but the person standing in front of him now possessed so much more.

The vulnerability of the moment and her calm resolve in meeting it added to her strength and touched him.

“I came to find you as soon as I heard the alarm.”

“Most men would’ve gone to battle the blaze first.”

His heart sank at her words. She saw him as a coward. Not that it mattered how she saw him. He wasn’t really trying out for the role of her husband. As soon as he finished his report, he’d be on his way back to his real life. But her words still stung. He’d like to be the hero at least once. To be the one who rushed in and saved the day.

“Don’t look at me like I just kicked your damn puppy. I meant that as a compliment. Most men stupidly let their hormones control them and they tend to get in the way,” she added as she walked past him. “I’ve never been impressed with the gender as a whole.”

He felt fairly certain they did not share the same understanding of the word “compliment” but didn’t dare ask for a clarification as she bustled down the hallway all businesslike.

Author Links:
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Twitter: @ChandraRyan

Bio:

Being from a rather nomadic family, Chandra Ryan loves to travel and meet people. But she’s found that sometimes, like when you’re stuck inside because of a good old-fashioned Southwestern heat wave, you have to make do. Fortunately for her and her loving family, who don’t like seeing her suffer from cabin fever, she’s found creating new people and places equally as fascinating. Also, you’re a lot less likely to spill your ice tea.