The folks at the Day Dreaming blog and Scorching Book Reviews are hosting the Perfect Man event all month. The past week has been BDSM Week, asking who is your favorite Dom/Domme? They were kind enough to include our very own Connul, from Bound by Sunlight. I’m thrilled to be amongst this amazing company. And aren’t the posters gorgeous?

So, fabulous Dawn at Day Dreaming interviewed me, and I did let slip a bit about what I have coming up, though I hope to have more specific news (and an excerpt) about that, soon. Don’t forget, if you’d like my Romance Trading Cards, just email me your address and I’ll send them anywhere (I didn’t say I’d send them quickly, this is me after all!). Lastly, I found out about a fun service called kindlegraph, where readers can request signed notes from authors for their ebooks. You don’t need a Kindle or to have bought your books from Amazon. There are 1200 authors signed up, with more every day. I just signed up for it, so I’m not exactly an expert, but if you go for that kind of thing, give it a shot!

To those who are visiting from the Excerpt Monday sight, you might recognize this new release. I featured a couple of excerpts from Keeping Claire before the book was published.

Excerpt:

It took two trips before they had everything transferred to the lovely nook off Jacob’s kitchen. Instead of blocking her into the middle of the bench seat, Jacob pulled a chair from against the wall and sat opposite her. She wasn’t sure she could suppress her relief so she picked up her wineglass and hid behind it.

Jacob’s sigh suggested he wasn’t unaware of her hiding.

“I think it’s time you told us what’s going on,” he said.

She put down her glass and nudged the basket of garlic bread closer to Ryan so she didn’t have to look at it.

“Fine. I grew up with bad people. Monsters. I chose to leave and they’re not happy about that, so I need to stay hidden. Simple. It’s best to stay ahead of them, trust me, so I’ll just leave here and you don’t have to worry about me, or them, anymore.”

“Monsters?” Ryan glanced at Jacob in surprise before returning his attention to her. “Demons?”

She blinked at him. “Uh. No. Murderers. Rapists. Thieves.”

“Ah.” He sat back with a smile. “We can help you with that.” He resumed eating.

Fear for them tried to intrude but she pulled on her anger instead. “No, you can’t. And you won’t. You’ll stay out of it. Stay safe. Stay away from me.”

Ryan just waved his fork at her, his mouth too full to answer.

Crossing her arms over her chest she leaned back and glared at him.

His confidence should piss her off. Did piss her off. Too bad it was also sexy as hell. A man shouldn’t look sexy eating spaghetti, damn it.

“Let me be very clear. I’m not asking for your help. I don’t want it. The only thing I need from you is to let me walk away. And if you don’t, you won’t just have the monsters to deal with, you’ll have me. If I wouldn’t put up with being ordered around and kept in place by the people who made me, you can sure as hell bet I won’t put up with it from you.”

“Of course you can leave, if you want to,” Jacob said.

Ryan opened his mouth as if to object, but remained silent.

“I would appreciate it, though, if you would tell us your family’s name, so that we might be prepared,” Jacob added.

She looked back and forth between them but neither seemed concerned. Her well-developed sense of the truth told her that Jacob meant what he’d said. So, okay, they were just going to let her go. That was good. Right.

“I’ll think about it.” She tucked back into her dinner. She’d need all the good fuel she could get as she started on the next phase of her life. And the wine didn’t hurt, either.

Jacob managed to get them chatting casually while they finished the meal, thenbrought out ice cream and all the fixings for sundaes. She was too tired to be more than mildly amused that the elegant man kept such items on hand. Pouring heated caramel sauce over the French vanilla ice cream, she caught Ryan’s intent gaze as he added chocolate to his own. A sudden vision of him licking the sauce from her breasts rose in her mind. Her breath caught at the vivid image and she forced her attention back to her hands, righting the jar and placing it back on the table. Ryan picked up the can of whipped cream and slowly leaned over to dispense a long layer of creamy goodness into her bowl.

She refused to meet his eyes as she picked up the maraschino cherries and spooned a couple from the jar. What the hell, she would only have this one night with him, maybe she should give in to the heat that was building between them. Though he wasn’t her usual type, there was no denying that he made her body ache. A sprinkle of nuts finished off the sundae and she picked up the bowl and moved to the living room.

A fire crackled and she headed for that, taking a seat on the raised hearth. Jacob followed her in, sitting on the large leather sofa. When Ryan joined them he moved straight toward her, sitting close enough that the heat from his thigh rivaled that of the fire. She considered giving him a good death glare before changing seats but decided she would be spiting herself more than him. The truth was she liked the feel of him next to her. She relaxed her body, letting her leg fall slightly closer to his.

The first bite of the sundae was perfect, just the right combination of ice cream and toppings. She closed her eyes and savored the treat. Her mind wandered back to the vision of Ryan licking sauce from her breasts and she moaned around the delicious coldness.

Ryan shifted restlessly next to her and she suppressed a smile. Oh yeah. One night with him would carry her through years of the dishrags she usually limited herself to. Her nipples tightened at the idea. Another cold spoonful did little to counteract the heat that was consuming her body. Next to her, Ryan was shoveling in his sundae at an alarming rate. Hiding a smile, she slowed her own pace even more, letting the spoon slide out ever so slowly between her lips, eyes closing again to fully appreciate the deliciousness.

The clatter of bowl hitting hearth made her heart beat faster but she maintained her pace, bringing another spoonful to her lips. Her eyes opened slightly when Ryan leaned into her, bracing a hand against her back. She angled the spoon toward him and he parted his lips. She made sure to get cream on his lip before allowing him to draw the spoon inside. His eyes were hot on her, full of intent and promise. A shiver raced up her spine and he pressed his hand harder into her back, his thumb taking up a circular caress.

She pulled the spoon back and he swallowed before darting his tongue out to clean the mess she’d made. Was it intentional that he left the bit at the slightly pointed bow? She hoped so. Leaning forward, she darted her own tongue out to catch the speck of whipped cream. A tiny growl came from him as she pulled back. He tightened his arm, holding her close.

“Are we going to do this?” His breath whispered against her lips. “If you want me to leave, tell me now.”

She put her hand on his thigh and slowly inched it up, eyes steady on his, lips a breath apart. Angling her hand in, she found her prize. He caught his breath as she palmed his length, hard and growing harder.

“You won’t stop me from leaving in the morning?”

“I won’t stop you.”

“You would walk away, right now?” she asked, dismayed to sound so breathless. Damn it, she was going for saucy and in control. To compensate, she squeezed, hard.

“Only if you asked me to.” He brought a hand up to her cheek, a gentle caress that had her heart clenching.

But it wasn’t her heart that she wanted clenching so she closed the tiny distance between them and captured his mouth with hers. She wanted hot, hard, fast. Now. He tasted of chocolate sauce and vanilla and met her demanding kiss thrust for thrust. Her hands scrabbled at his shirt, desperate to find a way inside and feel bare skin. He stood, pulling her up with him, then lifted her so her legs came naturally around his waist. His obvious strength should have frightened her, but she could only be thankful as he stalked out of the room, never backing away from the kiss that threatened to consume her.

If you like what you see, you can find Keeping Claire at Ellora’s Cave or Amazon.

Wasteland: The Priestess
RG Alexander

Damn the rules, damn the gods…even if he has to share her, she belongs to him.

High Priestess Xian has followed the Path of the Peaceful Sun since she was chosen at birth. Yet the joy she receives from helping others is overshadowed by her growing belief that the world they live in is…wrong.

At a crossroads, unsure of her ability to do her job—unsure of anything—she journeys to the ruins of the old city, hoping to uncover secrets that will give her clarity. Instead she finds the path to her goal clouded by an unexpected desire for her handsome guard, Hel, and for the battered stranger they find along the way.

Hel can’t prevent Xian from reaching out to the mysterious Siraj, but there is danger in allowing him to stay. Siraj belongs to no caste, follows no rules but his own. And Xian’s fascination with him makes Hel’s blood boil. No one can know that Hel has always loved her, or the secret he’s kept hidden for years. But Siraj’s advances and Xian’s curiosity force Hel to cross lines he never before dared…

Hearts of Fire, Book Four

Cursed with unusual abilities, orphan McKenna Fulton has always been different, an outcast. But she’s been Chosen. More accurately, she is one of the Chosen. Eight individuals—four women and four men—selected at birth to guard slices of crystal. The Heart of Fire.

The whole thing is more than a little farfetched. Kenna can handle the part of getting down and dirty with the bad dude. She’s even okay with guarding a crystal. But losing her free will and being stuck with some guy, her destined mate, uh-uh. Not happening.

Local mechanic Ryker Thomas is more than he appears and has his own set of abilities. Kenna wants nothing to do with the Southern charmer. So what if he has a matching crystal and the damn thing hums and vibrates whenever they’re close together. That doesn’t mean she’ll toe the line.

He can’t be the one she’s supposed to be with. Fate wouldn’t be so cruel as to send her a cowboy when what she wants is a bad boy.

Wasteland: The Breeder
Eden Bradley

Destined to serve the desires of an entire city, all she wants is one man. Or maybe two…

Born to the Temple, Nitara knows the Great Goddess’s plan for her: to bring life into what is left of an arid and wasted Earth. Since puberty she has been trained to arouse and titillate, to ensure the continuation of the human race.
As is the custom, the man captured for her is strong of blood, though considered little more than a wild animal. Yet when she looks into his eyes, she sees no primitive creature, but the man whose face and hands haunt her sensual dreams.
For Akaash, a hunter and warrior, it’s his shame that he will be sacrificed to a goddess he doesn’t believe in, for a people who are not his own, leaving behind his Wanderer clan—and his bonded lover, Dhatri. Locked in the bowels of the Temple, he has a month to ponder his fate, all while falling helplessly under the spell of the virgin temptress who will soon take his life.
With each tortuously erotic encounter, however, Akaash realizes that Nitara is as much a prisoner as he. If he can just get a message out to Dhatri, there may be a slim chance both of them can escape…
.

Bryn is a “Rose”, but her life is no garden. A stolen child, prostitution is the only life she’s ever known—except on the nights she sneaks out in stolen men’s clothing to explore the city. A tiny taste of freedom that makes her long for a life outside sexual servitude, at the mercy of any man who can pay.

Xander remembers no other home except his pirate ship, smuggling weapons or anything else for a fee. He’s been happy with his life and his lover, Hawke…until he rescues who he thinks is a young man from robbers.

Figuring she can blend in with the crew, Bryn jumps at the chance to escape the Brothel. Then she discovers Xander and Hawke have a taste for pretty boys—and that she has a taste for them. In their arms, she embraces their incredible gift: control of her own sexuality.

Though women are considered bad luck at sea, Xander isn’t of a mind to give her up. Yet the time is drawing near when the ship must return to Wasteland to resupply. And what awaits them there is a danger that could tear them apart.

Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t have to be published to participate–just a writer with an excerpt you’d like to share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday site or click on the banner above.

***

This is another excerpt from my work in progress, Keeping Claire. It’s a bit further along than the previous excerpt. Just a reminder, this is a work in progress, so it hasn’t been edited! I worked on this scene in a great online workshop at Liquid Silver’s forum, and I just love it, so I had to share. Feel free to let me know what you think.

“What’s your name?”

“Claire Fiordalisi.”

“You’ve already admitted you lied about your name on your application.”

“It’s my name right now.”

He was pretty sure he managed to keep the growl from escaping his throat. “Fine. What was your name before that?”

“Sara Lancaster.”

“And what was the name you were born with?” He had to unclench his teeth to get the sentence out, but somehow managed to keep his hands from strangling her.

“None of your business.”

“I think it is.”

“I can’t really help what you think.”

“Maybe not, but you can’t leave until I’m satisfied, either.”

Her breath hitched at that and she glanced at the clock, her face paling. Was she supposed to be somewhere? Meet someone?

She took in a deep breath, which he recognized as a concession on her part. She was letting them see that she was tired and frustrated. Was she going to stop hiding? Stop pretending?

“All right, look. I didn’t mean to be contrary, but the truth is, as I said earlier, I lied about who I was but I did my best for this company. Nothing else matters. I’m going to leave. If someone comes looking for me, tell the truth. I was here one day and gone the next.”

Her move to stand this time was slower, but when she gained her feet without any apparent dizziness she looked at him, then Jacob. “I’m very sorry if my actions bring any trouble down on you, but it’s best for all of us if I leave immediately.”

She stepped around him and walked to the door, slinging her purse up on her shoulder.

He was beginning to wonder how much of the meek and compliant thing was an act. Sure, she’d come quietly when they’d gone to get her. She’d let him search her and been polite even when telling them to shove it. But her instinct when waking up had been to come up swinging and she’d managed to tell them essentially nothing so far, despite that acquiescent attitude.

When she reached the door, he held his breath, strangely eager for her reaction. She didn’t disappoint.

…

No matter how much she pulled, the office door refused to budge. It wasn’t locked, the knob turned freely and there was no deadbolt, but the door remained closed.

“Fuck! What part of I have to leave to keep you two asshats and your fucking company safe are you not understanding?”

Was that a snicker she heard? Whirling around she found both men right where she’d left them, faces solemn. She narrowed her eyes, too furious to keep her expression guarded any longer. For fuck’s sake, how was she supposed to keep them safe if they wouldn’t let her go? Ryan, it had to be Ryan who’d laughed. He was trying too hard to look innocent.

She advanced on him, finger raised.

“I am trying.” She poked her finger into his chest. He raised his eyebrows at her.

“To help you.” Another poke.

“To keep you from becoming the target.” Poke. Poke. “Of some seriously deranged motherfuckers.”

Tiny little crinkles appeared next to his perfect lips. He’d been pissed before, but now he was laughing at her? He’d better keep it inside or she was going to test out her knee-to-testicle coordination.

Ryan’s warm hand gently enfolded hers and brought her still pointed finger to those damnable lips. Her eyes bugged out in shock as he laid a gentle kiss on the tip before bringing it back down and urging her whole hand to lay flat against his chest. His rock hard chest. Wait, that wasn’t the point. He—

“Careful. I don’t want you to hurt yourself,” he said, allowing a tiny smile to form.

Oh no, he didn’t! “Arrrrggghhh.”

Not exactly articulate, granted, but the phrase perfectly expressed her feelings at the moment. She tried to pull her hand free but he held firm.

Fine. On to plan B after all.

Careful not to telegraph her move, she brought her right knee up sharply. Only, she didn’t connect with his gonads as she’d expected. Instead his other hand caught her neatly below the knee which he moved to the side as he stepped in close.

The sound of a throat clearing reminded her that Jacob was also in the room. Ryan didn’t move however, and she was unable to.

“As entertaining as this is,” Jacob drawled with a hint of an accent she hadn’t really noticed before. “Perhaps we could get back to the matter at hand?”

Claire swallowed hard as Ryan let her leg drop, his hand running along her thigh, pressing it into his own leg as she lowered it. She found herself practically straddling his leg, his hand on her ass.

“Links to other Excerpt Monday writers

Note: I have not personally screened these excerpts. Please heed the ratings and be aware that the links may contain material that is not typical of my site.

I plan on making up for my lack of actual romance with some Valentine’s Day reads. Romance Divas did an ebook challenge and their authors came up with these free reads for everyone to enjoy. You can go to the official page or use the list below.

Enjoy, I know I will!

The heat leves are Sweet (with no sexual cotent), Sensual, Steamy, and Caliente (anything goes).

Melissa Blue’s Talk Nerdy to Me is sensual (Women’s Fiction)
Jax Cassidy’s Hot Shots is steamy (Contemporary)
Eva Gale’s Hysteria is caliente (Historical)
Kathleen Gabriel’s The Kansas Connection is steamy (Romantic Comedy)
Lauren Johnson’s My Secret Valentine is sweet (Contemporary)
Kim Knox’s Xander is caliente (Fantasy Romance)
Adelle Lauden’s Save Your Smiles for Me is sweet (Contemporary)
Nara Malone’s Owned is caliente (BDSM Contemporary)
Jennifer McKenzie’s Puzzle of the Heart is sensual (Contemporary)
Dawn Montgomery’s Ocean Dancer is caliente (Fantasy Romance)
Debbie Mumford’s Something Unexpected is sweet (Contemporary)
Lauren Murphy’s Locked in Love is caliente (Contemporary)
Rylee Myst’s Accidental Date is steamy (Contemporary)
AJ O’Donovan’s None So Blind is sweet (Light Paranormal)
Emily Ryan-Davis’ Joe’s Change of Heart is sweet (Contemporary)
Bryl R. Tyne’s Wrong Trousers is caliente (m/m Romantic Comedy)

A nice mix of heat levels and genres, I can’t wait to read them.