Happy Memorial Day

Take a moment today to remember the men and women who fight for our freedom!

Game Day

Off to see the Red Sox with the DH today. I'm very excited. I'm a huge baseball fan. Before I leave for the day I wanted to remind everyone about the fantastic deal over at Fictionwise. If you haven't read either book and wanted to, nows the time to buy them dirt cheap. Or if you've never read any of my books, the price couldn't be better. :)

You can get two of my books over at Fictionwise for 40% off.
Get two sexy brothers and one lucky woman in Mistletoe Studs for only $2.10 $1.73 if you're a club member
Talk Dirty to Topaz is only $1.80 $1.58 club member price

http://www.fictionwise.com/servlet/mwsearch

You can't go wrong!!!!

Enough about ME - Happy Sunday Everyone. Are YOU doing anything fun?

Cheap Books

I'll be gone most of the weekend, but Fictionwise is running a sweet deal. I HAD to let you know.

You can get two of my books over at Fictionwise for 40% off.

Get two sexy brothers and one lucky woman in Mistletoe Studs for only $2.10 $1.73 if you're a club member

Talk Dirty to Topaz is only $1.80 $1.58 club member price

http://www.fictionwise.com/servlet/mwsearch

You can't go wrong!!!!

Goddess Fish Tour - Featuring Author Mysti Holiday

Did you always want to become a writer?

In between wanting to be a famous actress, a singer in an all-girl band (blame the Go-Gos), a veterinarian (until I found out how many years of school I would have to do... yuck), a zookeeper ... well, you get the idea. But, yeah, even during the years I sang in the choir or acted on stage in school, I was writing.

Do you have a “day” job as well writing?

I’m an accountant, a taxi driver, a chef, a maid, a teacher, a dog trainer, a landscape designer, a laundress, and a lover. In other words, I’m a stay-at-home mom.

How did you celebrate your first release? What was it like to see your very first cover art?

I’m still a bit shocked about “Shut Up & Kiss Me” to be honest. While not my first published work, it IS my first erotic story and was written on both a lark and a dare. I wasn’t trying to be an erotic romance author... I just sort of fell into it. And it’s fun :-)

Most authors are also avid readers. Is this the case with you? If so, who are some of your favorites? Have any influenced your writing?

I’m absolutely an avid reader, but also eclectic. You’ll find many genres on my keeper shelf, with authors ranging from Louis L’Amour and Zane Grey, to Mercedes Lackey and Anne McCaffrey, to Nora Roberts and Jennifer Crusie. There are several faves from my younger years, too, that I still love to read: Black Beauty, A Wrinkle In Time, Nancy Drew. If it’s a good story, I’ll give it a try. But I admit to being a sucker for a good love story.

From the moment you conceive an idea for a story, to the published book, how long does it take?

That absolutely depends. I have three novels sitting on my hard drive, that are first draft finished, but not edited. One has been there since 1999, the others from 2001 and 2005. I have a dozen short stories that are started.

I have another erotic short that I wrote in just a few weeks, though, polished and submitted. I got a tentative contract based on some editing requests, did those and it’s sitting on the editors desk. Assuming it’s contracted officially, I expect another 4 – 6 months of edits (though I’d sure love it to be shorter!). Guess we’ll see how long that one takes soon.

On the other hand, “Shut Up & Kiss Me” had a first draft written in 48 hours, was edited the next week, and submitted a few days later. So – in two weeks, I had it done and polished. After it was contracted, the edits took another six months or so, and my release date is almost exactly 1 Year after I wrote the first draft.

Do you see writing as a career?

Yes and no. I’m an odd mix of dreamer and practical person. So, I can envision writing as a full-time career, but I’m not holding my breath. I firmly believe in hoping for the best, but preparing for the worse.

Do you write better with deadlines and have you ever suffered a writer’s block?

I absolutely write better with deadlines. I thrive on pressure. “Shut Up & Kiss Me” is the result of a challenge between my writing partner, Kealie Shay, and I. We were both stagnating a bit, so I IM’d her and said: Let’s try this – write a complete erotic romance in two days that’s at least 7500 words long. She said: Okay! And the rest is history.

Writer’s block? Yes and no. I’ve participated in and “won” NaNoWriMo more than once. Writer’s block isn’t allowed in NaNo. You just ... do it. The times I can’t write, it’s because I don’t have the incentive to do it. As I stated, above, pressure and deadlines are my friend. I’m hugely competitive and don’t like to lose, so when I really need to push through something that I’m struggling with, I usually challenge another author to a dare. Then I HAVE to get through it, or I lose. I hate to lose.

What is your work schedule like?

For writing? It’s very much willy-nilly. I have a full plate outside of writing, so it’s a matter of making time, even if it’s in fifteen minute blocks. I turn into an idiot at night, though, so I do my best work in the mornings.

Would you like to give another genre a try?

I already am. Besides mainstream contemporary, I’m working on a fantasy, some historical stuff and – for my erotic romance self, I’m beginning the trek into light bondage and ménage.

Do you listen to music while you are writing and if so what music is it?

I love music, but I can’t listen to anything when I write. Not music, not TV, not my kidlet babbling in the background. I’m not even fond of car noise, or lawnmowers. If I had a million bucks to spare, I might invest in a soundproof room.

Big congrats to your latest release, can you please tell us something about the book?

“Shut Up & Kiss Me” is about two people who were antagonists since high school, but have always fought an underlying attraction. The story start when, despite their best efforts, they end up alone together one night and have to face those latent desires.

Are you working on anything right now, and can you give us a little teaser?

I most recently submitted another short erotic romance called “Blue Light Special” about a cop who’s keeping an eye on his friend’s little sister—his friend’s very sexy little sister.

I also have another short erotic piece that’s nearly done about a couple struggling to keep their failing relationship together. This is the one that I’m beginning my trip into bondage and ménage with. It didn’t start out that way, but ... what can you do when your hero opts to tie up the heroine and she doesn’t say no?

Where can readers find you?

I have a website and a blog I share with the other Menagerie ladies –
http://www.menagerieauthors.com/
http://www.menagerieauthors.blogspot.com/


Fun Stuff:

Tell us five random things about yourself.

I have no fear of creepy crawlies. Spiders? Cute. Snakes? Warm and soft critters. Mice and rats? Adorable. Yeah – I’m not really a girly-girl. In fact, my DH is the one who hates them, not me.
I love reality TV – but not those “Survivor” or “Dancing With The Stars” type. I’ll take Ax Men and Deadliest Catch and Pawn Stars over mainstream TV any day.
I can’t sleep without covers. It doesn’t matter if it’s 100 degrees in the house – I have to have SOMETHING over me.
I can do math problems in my head, and firmly believe that anything can be figured out with a little algebra. My mom taught me all kinds of nifty math tricks, and I use them all the time.
Repetitive noise drives me absolutely batty. Forget bamboo shoots under the fingernails. If you want me to spill all my secrets, just tap-tap-tap on the table with your finger for a few minutes.

What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten?

I have to admit to not being an adventurous eater, so this probably isn’t all that crazy. Once, way back in high school, though, a bunch of us went to a fine dining restaurant for New Years Eve and we ordered escargot. I found it unremarkable – a little like eating garlic flavored rubber bands dipped in butter.

Winter or Summer?

Summer. Without question. I hate being cold. If I could live right smack dab on the equator, I would.

Favorite pizza topping?

Mushrooms. Or... olives. Maybe onions? Okay, any veggie would be okay with me. But never fruit. Fruit is NOT meant to be served warm with cheese. Ever.

CD in your car?

:::blushes::: The Carpenters 40 Greatest Hits.

Blurb:

Kasey Davenport and Cole Roberts—adversaries since junior high when Cole did nothing but pull her hair, snap her bra strap, and tease her mercilessly—find themselves unexpectedly thrown together when Kasey is in town on a layover. As always, sparks fly between them, but this time the attraction simmering close to the surface explodes into a passion neither of them expected or wanted. After years of mutual avoidance and denying their attraction, can Kasey and Cole stop arguing long enough to discover if what they feel will last more than just one night?

Mysti, it was a pleasure having you here today. I have to say EWWW to the creepy crawlies. I can kill spiders, but don't find them cute! :)

Body Shots - Reviewed

I'm thrilled to post this today. Body Shots seemed to slide under the radar with most review sites.
Sin from Two Lips reviewed it and let me tell you - she "got" it.

Here is a piece of what she had to say: Body Shots by Amber Skyze held my attention. I felt for the heroine after the accident that stole her life. I was happy to see Reed take care of her needs and give her back some sense of herself. Who would have thought body shots could be so sexy?

To read the review in its entirety go here:

http://www.twolipsreviews.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5192&Itemid=36

Strange Neighbors - Ashlyn Chase

I must confess I'm a huge fan of Ash's books. Her ability to write humor amazes me. She has a new release out and I'm excited to brag about it for her. Can't wait to read Strange Neighbors!

Strange Neighbors

When star pitcher and shapeshifter Jason Falco buys a small apartment building, he sees it not only as an investment but as a place to escape the demands of major league baseball. That is, until he meets his tenants--a sarcastic unemployed vigilante vampire; a wereraven with a morbid sense of humor; a werewolf thief who sells security systems; and two witches with an owl who work as phone sex actresses. Not to mention a beautiful, all too human nurse. But with all the hooting, howling, and hollering going on, how's an all-American shapershifter supposed to sweep a girl off her feet?


Strange Neighbors, PG-13 Excerpt.

Strolling away from her car with competing thoughts swirling through her brain, she fumbled in the dark for her back-door key. Suddenly, her feet went out from under her and she found herself hurled to the ground and pinned by some foul-smelling brute. A moment later she realized she had hit hard pavement with her head.
Unable to find her voice right away, or even process what had happened, she lay there, dumbstruck. The moon reflected a glint of metal nearing her face.
“Shhh… Don’t scream and I won’t hurt you—much.” Maniacal laughter followed. A hand fumbled with the buttons on her coat.
Oh my God. What is it they tell you to do in case of rape? Oh, yeah, scream!
Merry inhaled deeply and let out a blood curdling scream. She didn’t even recognize the voice as hers. Suddenly her throat tightened and she recognized another threat—her asthma.
She remembered being told to fight but not struggle. They liked it when a woman struggled. Gouge out his eyes! Punch his nose up into his brains. Fight like your life depends on it.
As she tried and failed to get near the bastard’s face, her assailant grabbed her wrists in one hand and pressed the sharp knife to her neck with the other.
He hissed, “Shut up! I told you to shut up!”
She pushed his arm away from her and freed one hand. Grabbing anything else she could get a hold of, she tried to yank him off of her.
His jeans must have hung low on his hips, because she grabbed onto the waistband of his underwear. Riiiiiip.
The perp yelped. His eyes flashed in horror and she realized she had just given him a world-class wedgie.
Dear God, I’m going to die. I’m going to be raped and killed in a back alley on my first night as an independent adult. I’m never going to fall in love, get married, hug my children, or live in a McMansion.
The knife pressed into her flesh, and the warm trickle down her neck meant he had pierced the skin. Should she scream again? Would he just kill her and leave her rather than rape her? Or would he, ewww, kill her first, then rape her? Oh, my freakin’ God!
As she contemplated what would be the lesser of all possible evils, the man flew off of her and landed a few feet away. At first, she didn’t see anyone else.
When she blinked, two shadowy figures stood over the gasping pervert. One of them clamped his boot on the would-be rapist’s neck and pointed a gun at his face. The other one hurried over to Merry and helped her up.
“Thank you. Both of you. You saved my life!” The man holding her elbow seemed preoccupied with her neck. Awareness rolled over her. She recognized the dark-haired man who had been leaning against the wrought iron fence, watching her move in. Again, he wore all black, but the concern on his face completely changed his ominous air. His dark chocolate eyes were warm and almond shaped, much like her own.
“He missed your carotid artery. You’ll be okay.”
Merry touched her neck. Thankfully, his diagnosis seemed true. Blood simply trickled from the wound, it didn’t gush.
“I saw you yesterday,” she said. “Do you live in this building?”
“Nearby,” he said, then he turned his attention to the other man, a tall blond with broad shoulders—also dressed in black. “Konrad, here, is one of your neighbors. Hey,” he called to the tall blond with the massive shoulders, “leave him to me and take her inside.”
“Good idea, Sly,” the striking Viking said. His white teeth glistened as a grin spread across his face. His canines seemed larger and more pronounced than in most men. Light facial hair and a short goatee softened his jawline. He had heavy brows of the same color. His ears were slightly pointed and poked though his almost waist-length hair.
The dark-haired man called Sly moved with lightning speed, holding down the assailant.
The guy protested, vehemently. “No, please! I’ll do anything you ask. Just let me go.”
The blond Konrad changed places with Sly and escorted Merry to the back door. She glided along beside him, numb, as if in a dream.
As soon as she had ascended the concrete steps, before she stepped through the door that Konrad held open for her, she turned and caught only a glimpse of the scene she had left behind. Sly knelt beside the stranger and leaned over by his head. Konrad placed his hand on her lower back and hurried her in, closing the door on a male scream that emanated from the dark alley.

pre-order your copy on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Strange-Neighbors-Ashlyn-Chase/dp/1402236611/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1270205590&sr=1-1

Katalina Leon is in the house!

Please give a warm welcome to my dear friend and fellow EC author Katalina Leon. She was kind enough to allow me to delve into her world for a bit. Enjoy her interview. :)

Q: Tell us about your favorite character from your books.

Katalina: I’m still having a love affair with my latest Hero “Atellus” from “Owned By Rome”. I was able to really get inside that character’s head and he’s lingering with me.

Q: Does travel play in the writing of your books?

Katalina: Does time travel and short excursions to other dimensions count? The WIPs I’m currently working on go all over the place! Lol

Q: Tell us about your current release.

Katalina: My latest release is “Owned By Rome” it’s part of Ellora’s Cave Legend Line. It takes place in Western Gaul 64 AD. I chose that time period because Rome had reached the height of its technical achievements but was beginning to loose its political grip on its empire. I chose one disillusioned Roman magistrate and one disenfranchised Celtic woman to represent two clashing forces that eventually learn to love and respect each other.

Q: Has someone been instrumental in inspiring you as a writer?

Katalina: I don’t mean this to sound spooky but several loved ones who have passed on have been very active in helping me find stories. They literally hand over the goods-especially abuela Katalina!

Q: Does your significant other read your stuff?

Katalina: Yes, but I don’t let my husband read anything until the story is completely finished. We do talk about work in progress and it’s always a big help to get a male point of view.

Q: Do you have critique partners or beta readers?

Katalina: The real question is how can a writer AVOID critique partners. Once friends and family know you write everyone becomes a critique partner whither you want the critique or not lol My sister is my beta reader-she’s pretty tough to please…

Q: Who are your books published with?

Katalina: I’m exclusively with Ellora’s Cave Publishing.

Q: Do you hear from your readers? Tell us about your favorite fan letter you’ve received?

Katalina: When my first ebook “Blue Apples” was published last spring a very sweet fan sent me a necklace with a tiny blue apple covered in crystals. I was so touched. It felt like the best good charm in the world. Other readers have sent personal video-messages through YouTube, which I treasure. “Noblesword” brought me some male fans that were convinced I had written about them in the bacchanal scene…Naughty boys. “Adult Education” brought me a wonderful video request for a sequel from a young lady dressed in a fuzzy college mascot costume! I absolutely love hearing from readers. I’m always surprised by what details catch a reader’s attention.
Amber: How awesome...I'm jealous. I've never received anything from fans - well unless you consider fellow authors fans.

Q: What do you think makes a good story?

Katalina: Emotional involvement and a learning experience. We read and reach out to the world to learn something about ourselves.

Q: Plotter or Pantser? Why?

Katalina: I try so hard to plot! I really do have good intentions and I always start off with a structured plot line but as I write the wild horses run away with me and soon I’m lost and at the mercy of the muses…lol

Q: What do you do to unwind and relax?

Katalina: I take a long walk everyday-if possible with my husband, son and dog. It’s part of our family time together.
Amber: Very nice. My hubby and I do the same.

Q: Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers? If so, what are they?

Katalina: Yes, be tough with yourself, be loving toward yourself and invest the necessary time and effort in yourself-you’ll be glad you did.

Q: What would we find under your bed?

Katalina: Medieval looking fur-lined leather wrist-cuffs strapped to the headboard (They’re hidden from kid’s view, just knowing they’re there makes me happy!) and a beautiful old-fashioned leather suitcase covered in travel stamps and filled with toys and erotic goodies to play with.
Amber: Hmmm ;)

Q: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Katalina: Thank you for your love and support, I’m so grateful!

Thanks for being here today Kat! I had fun.

So Much To Do!

I’ve been busy. I finished editing book three of the Freedom Fantasies series and sent it off to my editor. I had to get my chapter’s newsletter out and work, well, it drove me nuts.
This weekend the DH and I cleaned the sunroom from top to bottom, planted flowers got all the deck furniture out and cleaned off. What he doesn’t realize is he’s helping me prepare for his big birthday surprise party! LOL I’m evil.
Speaking of which, I’m I the process of planning TWO surprise parties. My mom has a milestone birthday THREE days before the DH’s. It’s getting confusing and hard to keep a secret. I’m an only child so there aren’t any brother’s or sister’s to help with the planning.
I meet with the cake lady this week. I’m getting him one of the real fancy specialty cakes. Something to do with the Red Sox. No worries he doesn’t read my blog.
I also started self-edits on a full length romantic comedy today. I finished Chapter one. I had to switch from 1st to 3rd person. I didn’t like the 1st person.
Today I’m getting back to my cougar story. I feel like I’m finally free to explore this more. Fellow cougar Dalton Diaz gave me a few suggestions after reading my synopsis and I want to go back and incorporate her idea.
In other news – I received a contract for Freedom Fantasies, Book Two – Spend The Night With Me. This is Brooke and Liam’s story. Let’s just say they have fun with a stripper pole and a swing!
Come back tomorrow when I have an interview with my good, good friend Katalina Leon!

Locked And Loaded - Samantha Cayto

Another SIZZLING story from the Cougar Challenge series.

http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-8371-50-locked-and-loaded.aspx

Blurb:

Former army-turned-ER doctor Grace McKinnon is through with going to bed with nothing more than fantasies and a yearning to resurrect her personal life. She’s determined instead to take the Cougar Challenge with a flesh and hot-blooded younger man. She discovers the perfect opportunity steaming up the curtain of exam room four.

Captain Mark Bennington has been locked and loaded—ready for action—since meeting Grace. He’s on a mission to heat up the Boston nights while on leave. This sexy older woman is lighting his way, fulfilling double-time every sex wish he’s ever made. But it’s going to be the toughest fight of his life to convince her to take a chance on more than just a fling.


By reading any further, you are stating that you are at least 18 years of age. If you are under the age of 18, it is necessary to exit this site.
An Excerpt From: LOCKED AND LOADED
Copyright © SAMANTHA CAYTO, 2010
All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.
Chapter One

“Here you go, Doc Mac, the film for your next patient.”
Dr. Grace McKinnon took the x-rays from the emergency room nurse and flipped through the patient’s file. She raised her eyebrows. “Drunk and hitting walls at four o’clock in the afternoon. My, my, this young man is ambitious.”
Silvie, a veteran of the ER, merely shook her head. “I don’t think he’s drunk.”
Grace frowned and took another look at the patient’s chart. “It says he’s acting belligerent and had to be persuaded to get the x-ray.”
“That’s right. His friend brought him in under protest and cajoled him into being seen. There’s a lot of tension in that young man, but the good news is that the friend not only seems to have the upper hand, he’s also totally ripped. I didn’t feel the need to call in security or anything.”
“Great,” Grace replied with a complete lack of enthusiasm. She was at the end of her shift. Tackling an angry guy who may or may not have been drinking, and who was not happy to have her help was not something to look forward to. She braced for confrontation as she entered the treatment cubicle.
She stopped short when a set of hard eyes locked onto her. Light blue and crystal clear, they were set deep into a square-jawed face right above a strong nose with bit of a crook from a long-ago break. Every detail stood out starkly because the man’s blond hair was cropped short. Not quite a buzz cut, but close. He was tall and muscular, his impressive biceps visible under his t-shirt, and his hands jammed inside the pockets of his jeans.
The sight of this man took her aback. She stood staring at him, drinking in the primal perfection he provided. Her tired body perked up with interest, and she forgot what she was doing for an instant. He was military, had to be given his bearing and the hint of a dog tag chain around his neck. Seeing him brought her back to her own army days. A wistfulness joined the heat flaring in her belly. She had loved serving and loved soldiers, too. But the doctor in her couldn’t ignore the look on the young man’s face. His expression was both weary and concerned.
“Finally!”
Grace pulled away from the lure of the man in front of her and turned to the man who had spoken. He was sitting on the examination table, an ice pack over his right hand. This was her patient, not the guy she’d spent a second or two, or hell three, ogling. This one was equally well-built and made her think military, too. His face, though, was haggard and angry, his hair a shaggy mass of reddish curls and his clothes were worn. His expression was pure mad. She worked to be patient.
“Mr. Conroy? I’m Dr. McKinnon.” She put her best doctor tone into her voice, the one that said she was both the detached professional and the caring one. When he didn’t answer, she continued anyway, talking the film out of its folder and shoving it into the light box.
“I have your x-rays here.” She stood back to take a look at the film and bumped into something hard. Blue Eyes had moved up behind her for a closer look. He pulled back with an apology.
“Sorry, ma’am.” There was a slight Southern drawl to his voice. “I’m worried about Sean’s hand.”
“I understand we have you to thank for getting him in here,” she replied, keeping her tone even, trying not to show how his proximity unnerved her. He was only a kid, for goodness’ sake. She could have fifteen years on him, and damn her soul if that point didn’t tickle her deep inside.
Hands still in his pockets, he shrugged and glanced at his friend who stared at the floor, petulant look still plastered on his face. “I was afraid he’d broken it.” With a nod toward the x-ray, he asked, “Did he?”
Grace pulled away from the lure of the unnamed friend and concentrated on her patient’s test results. “No, fortunately not.”
“Shit, Mark, I told you so.” Conroy was surly and ungrateful. He was also suffering emotionally. It didn’t take a doctor to see it.
“Watch your language, mister,” the friend, Mark, retorted. “Sorry, ma’am,” he added with a rueful grimace aimed at Grace.
“Not a problem,” she assured him. “I’ve heard the word before. I served in the army for over fifteen years.” Now why had she gone and told him something so personal? It was unlike her, unprofessional. Mark’s face lit up at the news, however.
“Really, ma’am?”
“Who cares?” muttered Conroy, but he shut up and stared at the floor again when Mark shot him a stern look.
Okay, time for her to get her head out of her ass and get these guys on their way. Besides, there was something far more important for her to speak to this Mark about than her military service. “Mr. Conroy, I’m sending in a nurse to bandage your hand.” Turning to Mark, she added, “May I speak with you a moment?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He gave his friend another look that said, “Behave yourself” before following Grace out.
She gave the high sign to Sylvie before continuing farther away from the cubicle so she could talk freely. When she judged they were far enough away from Conroy, she turned and hit that wall again. Mark muttered another apology as he backed up a pace. He acted as flustered by the contact as she felt. But that was ridiculous. Her reaction was normal. He was young and ripped and designed by God to get a woman’s juices flowing. She was forty-two and while pretty and fit, also ragged from a tough shift in the ER. No way this guy was into her. A pity because as a younger man, he fitted her idea of a fantasy lover. This wasn’t one of those erotic romance stories she loved to read, however. She put aside her growing attraction and tackled the important issue at hand.
“Why isn’t your friend being seen at the VA hospital?” She crossed her arms as she demanded the answer, trying to put emotional distance between them. This wasn’t a bar, after all.
Mark opened his mouth and then shut it again. A few seconds ticked by before he finally answered. The look on his face told her he had waged some inner battle before picking a reply. “I had a hard enough time getting him to come here and it’s right around the corner from his apartment.”
“I’m not talking about his hand, Mr.…” She paused waiting for an answer. She was surprised at how interested she was.
“Bennington. Mark Bennington.” He cleared his throat. “It’s ah, Captain Bennington, actually, of the United States Army.” He grinned briefly, a boyish grin with a cute-as-a-button dimple on the left side. The kind of grin that said he was proud as punch. As well he should be because God, if he was older than his late twenties, he wore it well, and to have the rank of captain was a real achievement.
He extended his hand and she took it. “Grace McKinnon,” she supplied which was stupid because she had already announced that she was Dr. McKinnon. Everybody knew that doctors stressed the title because they were proud as punch, too, of their achievement and needed to maintain a professional detachment from their patients. Of course this was not her patient. Still.
His hand was warm and rough and squeezed hers with just the right amount of pressure before he let it go. In fact if she used a little bit of imagination, she’d think he held her hand a few seconds longer than necessary. Wow, she must be really tired to think a thing like that. Focus, Grace.
“Okay, as I was saying, Captain Bennington, why isn’t Mr. Conroy being treated at the VA for PTSD? You do know he’s suffering from it?”
His expression turned pained. He stared at his feet and rocked back and forth on his heels a few times before heaving a big sigh. “Yes, ma’am.” When he looked at her again, his eyes were clouded with worry.
It was a kick to her gut. Hot and vulnerable, a deadly combination. She wanted to wrap him in her arms and hold him tight, make everything better. Crazy but the urge was strong. Instead she went with the mundane. “You don’t have to ma’am me. I’m not in the army anymore.”
He shrugged. “I am. Habit. Besides, I’m from the South so I grew up calling every woman ma’am, from my mother to the gal serving me fries with my burger.”
“I understand.” To be honest, being called ma’am by this guy turned her on even more. Best not to think about it. She was revved up enough. “How long has your friend been out?” Yes, talk about your patient, Grace. That’s your job, remember?
“Almost a year. He was up and didn’t reenlist. I had hoped being a civilian would help him. The emails he’s been sending me said otherwise. I’ve got twelve days left of a two-week leave before I deploy again. I’m worried about him.”
“Does he have family around here?”
“Yes, ma’am. Sean’s from Boston, but they’re not much help. His father has always told him to man up and deal, you know?”
She did know. It was hard for men, especially military men, to face emotional problems. Yes, she had seen plenty of good, strong men fall prey to post-traumatic stress while serving. She was worried. It helped, though, to have a friend who cared. Sean was lucky to have Mark, if only for a few days. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out her business card and handed it to him.
“Here. I’m not a psychiatrist, and I’d really like your friend to get the help he needs from the right people. But call me if things get worse and you need to talk to someone.”
He took the card and studied it for a moment before putting it into his own pocket. “Thanks, I will.”
He smiled and man it made him even more attractive and younger looking. Her body jolted in reaction, arousal erupting in all the usual places. Good thing she had crossed her arms. As a doctor, she understood she couldn’t help her body’s response. Her female parts were capable of imaging how good the captain’s male parts would make them feel. They didn’t care that his body wasn’t looking for her middle-aged one with its wrinkles and sags. It wanted an equally young, hard female body to rub against. Even if she was wrong about that and this was the perfect chance for her to take the Cougar Challenge that her friend, Elizabeth Winters, kept urging her to do, the situation was all wrong. Captain Bennington was not her patient, but his friend was and hitting on a guy in the ER was unethical if not downright illegal.
The really dumb part was how much her brain was getting in on the act. Images of her tangled with all those perfect male muscles popped up unbidden. Her body didn’t care about the practical or the ethical. It only knew what it wanted and what it wanted at that moment was Captain Perfect naked in her bed. She mentally shook herself. The whole attraction was ridiculous under the circumstances. This was reality, not a romance story.
She was tired, that was all. All she really needed was to clock out, go home, order delivery from her favorite Chinese restaurant and catch up on episodes of 30 Rock. Then she could retire to her comfy, albeit empty, bed and read her latest book until her body exploded with a sleep-inducing orgasm. Wow that sounded pathetic. A little self-help once in a while was fine, but it had become her way of life. She needed to get out more and date real men, age-appropriate real men. Or, maybe she did need to take the Cougar Challenge. She’d been lurking for a while on the Cougars’ blog site. Those women were obviously happy with the way their challenges worked out. They inspired her, although she was still uncertain. She had always been such a sensible, duty-bound woman. Throwing caution to the wind and having a fling with a younger man was so unlike her. Could she do it? She didn’t know. Hanging around any longer with the tempting Captain Bennington wasn’t making her head any clearer. Seeing Sylvie leave the cubicle, she jumped on the opportunity to make a getaway.
“Looks like your friend is all set. Take care and good luck.”
Mark glanced over his shoulder, his mouth tugged in a hard line. “Thanks.” Wagging her card, he added, “For everything.”
“You’re welcome.” Grace wheeled around and walked away, trying not to hurry. It was hard. She sensed Mark’s eyes on her all the way down the hall. Damn, maybe she’d better pull out her DVDs and run a Johnny Depp marathon. She needed to put this guy out of her mind and fast.

The Glam Life - Part 2

Last Friday over at Romance Books R Us, I talked about the glamorous life of a writer. I used blunt examples and I certainly don’t apologize for my choice. My life is so far from glamorous. I’m not going to continue telling of all my woes in my personal life, but I will give you a small example of how much money I rake in.
Last May a story of mine was released in an Anthology. This anthology has been well received by the reviewers, but apparently not by the readers. A year ago, I received a check for $25 as an advance against future sales. The three other authors received the same amount. I haven’t seen any more royalties from this story.
I get my statement every month and I watch our negative numbers creep lower. I might see .25 in July or August. Granted the story probably took me seven hours to write, but let’s look at how that averages out. 25 divided by the 7 hrs is $3.57 an hour. Hmm, gotta love the writer’s life.
Believe me I’m not trying to sound whiny or bitchy because I feel blessed to be published. I get to express myself through my characters and storylines. Not everyone is as lucky. I love creating different scenarios for my hero and heroine to get themselves into or out of. I enjoy the path to happily ever after. If I were in it for the money I’d a quit a long time ago.

In other news, I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned this, but I signed a new contract for Submit With Me. It’s a quickie. No release date yet, but I’ll be sure to let you know as soon as I do.

Spank Me Twice New Review

Got Erotic Romance reviewed Spank Me Twice


Title: Spank Me Twice
Author: Keta Diablo, Tara S. Nichols, Jude Mason, Amber Skyze
Anthology Editor: Keta Diablo
Publisher: Noble Romance Publishing
Publication Date:2009
ISBN:978-1-60592-037-5
Genre: Erotic Romance
Length:79 Pages
Buy Link
Author Website Jude Mason, Amber Skyze, Tara Nichols, Keta Diablo
Rating: 4.5 Diamonds
Heat Level: Erotic
Other: anal/oral play, bondage, m/m, fetish, voyeurism, exhibitionism, spanking, and that’s all I can remember, but let it be said there is variety here.
Date:5/15/10
Four very different couples, the only thing they have in common their enjoyment of a spanking when the moment is right. In Ticket to a Spanking by Jude Mason, Ken finds out he shouldn’t have tried to hide his speeding ticket from wife Julia,but if he had how would she have been able to illustrate to her friend Christ just the right way to spank a hubby who’s stepped out of line. Amber Skyze’s Rein Me In’s Delia is a shopaholic whose habit needs to be reined in. Tara S. Nichols’ Road Trip is an adventure with a bit of an exhibitionistic theme and, last but certainly not least, Lip Service by anthology editor Keta Diablo is an endearing tale of trust and lust between its two committed male partners.
By the time I’d finished the four stories, I had changed my opinion on spanking stories. So many of them follow seem to be formulaic and their characters very 2-D, but that was not the case in any of these tales. All the main characters were loving people who valued their partners and that made the difference for me. I actually have not read Spank Me Once, but I plan to pick it up. And while I have read a couple of these authors before, I really enjoyed seeing this side of them in these amusing, sexy tales.

4 Steaming Cups for Pretend With Me

PRETEND WITH ME

AMBER SKYZE

ISBN#: 9781419928574

April 23, 2010

Ellora’s cave

http://www.ellorascave.com/

E-book$4.45

89 pages

Contemporary Romance with BDSM elements

Rating: 4 Cups

Paige has decided enough is enough. Since Tommy moved in with them, Jed has been spending all his time with Tommy and their marriage has gone down the drain.

Jed is torn between needing to put time into his marriage and needing to stop his best friend from doing something stupid after the nasty breakup of his marriage.

Thanks to the suggestion from one of Paige’s friends, Jed and Paige meet at an exclusive club and spend the afternoon together pretending to be strangers, agreeing to make this a weekly arrangement to make sure they keep the new sparkle in their marriage.

Paige and Jed are both strong and compassionate people who care deeply for each other and their friends. Ms. Skyze has shown how lack of communication can split a couple, but luckily, she also shows us how love can bring them back together. This is a hot, emotional and fantasy packed story that will leave you thinking of your own fantasy lovers.

HollieReviewer for Coffee Time Romance & more

Fran Lee - Nothing But Sex

Please help me welcome another terrific author in the Cougar Challenge Series.


http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-8365-50-nothing-but-sex.aspx

Blurb:
A standalone story in the Cougar Challenge series.

Lee Blackhorse is hardly Cougar material, no matter what her friends over at Tempt the Cougar say. A forty-two-year-old woman who lusts after her thirty-year-old weekend helper is just plain nuts. Or is she? Mike Running Elk is the sexiest thing ever to don tight jeans and a second-skin t-shirt. She’s secretly yearned for the man for years.

Mike has no problem seeing himself in the role of Lee’s lover. In fact, if he can just get the hot-as-hell woman to realize he’s plenty old enough to ring her bells, he plans to do more than just clean her barn and mow her grass. He’s waited for her long enough.

When Mike shows up at her door with an injured hand, he notices Lee can’t pull her eyes off his naked, ripped chest. Mike can’t believe she’s as oblivious as she acts. The ice has been broken and he intends to heat things up even more…

Reader Advisory: Our poor heroine endures some mild violence in a particular scene, but don’t worry—the hero’s got her back.


Excerpt:
An Excerpt From: NOTHING BUT SEX
Copyright © FRAN LEE, 2010
All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.

Mike swore foully as he caught his glove on one of the murderously long barbs on the roll of wire fencing that he was trying to move and he tugged his leather work glove off to find that the barb had made it through to his palm. He shook his head and shoved his hair back from his face with his other hand before he tugged his unused handkerchief from his back pocket and wrapped it around his hand, which did very little to stanch the flow of blood. Swearing at his own clumsiness, he headed across the wide work yard to the back porch and stepped inside, knocking on the inside screen door.
She appeared from the archway to the living room, her face pink and her lower lip caught between her teeth as she caught sight of him and he realized that he hadn’t bothered to pull his damn shirt back on. He saw the way her eyes darkened as they slid over his body and he felt a shot of anticipation run from his gut to his cock. Her lips were full. Her eyes were smoky blue. A small vein throbbed in her throat. And it struck him forcibly that she most certainly was as aware of him as he was of her.
But before he could wrap his mind around her reaction to him, she was hurrying up the stairs to the bathroom and he was following, his appreciative eyes on the lush swell of her generous, gorgeous ass as he held the tea towel tightly to his bleeding hand. Sweet Jesus, but he loved her ass. He had loved it ever since he’d first seen her, when he was just eighteen, and he had asked her if he could do some odd jobs around the place to make some cash every week. Right after his dad had died. Watching her walk around in tight jeans had made him forget a lot of the pain in his life back then.
She filled a pair of jeans like they’d been poured onto her. His mouth watered and his cock grew impossibly harder. Even the stinging pain in his hand couldn’t distract his attention from that ass.
As she entered the bathroom and stretched up to the shelf above the toilet to lift down the first-aid kit, he almost whimpered. Was she trying to kill him? If she didn’t stop wiggling around, he was gonna blow.
“I can handle it from here,” he grated as she opened the box and started to take the soaked tea towel out of his grip. But she shoved his free hand away and gently placed his hand in the sink, rinsing it with icy-cold tap water that nearly made him yell at the pain. He stared down at her bent head as she probed and cleaned the wound and each time her body brushed his, he almost lost it.
He lost track of what was happening with his hand as every drop of blood in his body raged into his groin, threatening to explode. Maybe that was a good thing, because his hand might stop bleeding.
“I still think we need to get you to the clinic and get this stitched. It’s way too jagged to heal right, and it’s still bleeding.”
Her words were lost in the hot muddle of his emotions and body. But when she looked up into his face, he forced himself to pay attention. “Hold this clean towel in your palm. Press it tight. I’ll get my car keys.”
And as she left the bathroom, he sank down onto the closed toilet and gasped for breath. If he didn’t get his cock to calm down, he would throw her down on the damn bathroom floor and fuck her blind. And somehow, he didn’t think she would respond well to that technique.

http://www.franleeromance.com

Bogged Down

I hate to use this excuse, but the simple fact is – it’s the truth.
I just finished edits for Sliding Home which is coming from Aspen Mountain on June 4th. I’m in the middle of the cover art request. I have to write TWO synopses. I don’t like writing these!
I’m in the middle of writing my cougar story and still trying to finish up self-edits on book three to send off to my editor. I’m barely coming up for air these days.
I’d like to say sorry to everyone for not posting enough lately. I’m ashamed to say I haven’t been making the rounds too much either. I’ll get back to commenting when life gets a little simpler.
The cold weather has returned to the northeast and I’m not happy. Add in the day job which has picked up…no wonder I’ve had a migraine for three days.
Til I see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Happy Tuesday

Welcome Marianne Stephens/April Ash

1. How did you start your writing career?

I’d always enjoyed reading. Started with Shakespeare, then biographies, then historical romances. Finally read some contemporary romances and was hooked. Also love paranormals. In 1994, I thought maybe I’d try writing a romance book. I bought a copy of “The Romance Writers Pink Pages” and found agents listed. Sent queries. Two asked for partials and one asked for full manuscript. All were rejected…but the agent who read the full suggested I put DIALOGUE in my story…I’d written most of it as a narrative. I had much to learn! I took some writing seminars, joined RWA and some local chapters. And, got into critique groups.

2. Tell us about your favorite character from your books.

Katie O’Hara from “Gone to the Dogs” is my favorite character. I wrote the book in first person…and LOVED being in her head the whole time! She tries her hardest to be self-sufficient, but can’t ignore the handsome fireman itching to get into her good graces by helping her.

3. Has someone helped or mentored you in your writing career?

I’d have to say all the people in my local RWA chapter have helped me. Some have been super supportive, and my critique groups never failed to make me face reality. Lots of names I could mention, but Carla Cassidy was a big help when she told me I wrote episodes, and needed to connect them. When I looked carefully at what I was doing, I realized she was right. Once I got that fixed in my writing, I felt better about my work and then sold my first book.

4. What is the hardest part of writing your books?

The middle! I ALWAYS get this slump going in the middle of the book. It’s not like I don’t know what I should be writing, but I stumble and groan about it. Sometimes it takes me weeks to straighten it out before I can continue to the end
.
5. Do you use a pen name?

If so, how did you come up with it?I use two pen names. Marianne Stephens is a combination of two first names of people I know. April Ash…my birthday is in April and I wanted a last name that was short and towards the beginning of the alphabet (fits better and easier on promo items).


6. Morning Person? Or Night Person?

Night, although I’ve gotta watch if I’m tired. I can write some pretty awful stuff and make lots of mistakes if I’m tired and stay up late. Nights are quieter for me, even though my kids are grown. I still have lots of family responsibilities that distract me during the day.
7. Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Newest release: “Anything You Can Do” by Marianne Stephens, available at http://www.breathlesspress.com.

Blurb:
What happens when a childcare, clueless male CEO mixes with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers for a week, all because of a dare? Can he keep up with the kids...and maintain his sanity...while becoming more and more attracted to the daycare's owner, the woman who issued the challenge?

Marianne Stephens has contemporary/paranormal romances for Cerridwen Press.

April Ash has contemporary erotic romances at Ellora’s Cave.

Come join me at a new Yahoo group for fun, contests, book/industry news! Join: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/romancebooksrus. I send out my newsletter through the yahoo group. This group also has a blog: http://romancebooksrus.blogspot.com.

Visit my websites for information about my books/interviews/reviews/blogs. Go to: http://www.mariannestephens.net and http://www.aprilash.net.

I also blog every Monday at: http://sevensexyscribes.blogspot.com.

Friend me on Facebook: For Marianne Stephens: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=1518319389&ref=profile and for April Ash: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?id=1683746739&ref=profile

Amber, thanks for the opportunity to do this interview!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the MOM's out there!

Sore

So I'm suffering from Shin Splints. Yup, overuse of the treadmill. This happens everytime I get back to walking after long periods of no exercise. It will pass, but until then....waaaaaaaaaaaahhhh! LOL



Okay, now that I got that out of my system. I have to give the ladies at Whipped Cream 2 a big shout out! I chatted with them yesterday and I had a lot of fun. I'd love to return in the future.



In other news: I hate waiting. My editor is extremely busy right now so it may take the full 8 weeks to hear back. It's been almost 3 weeks and she's never made me wait that long! I'm such a baby. Oh one more waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Now I feel better.

Waiting on edits for Sliding Home, which is due out on June 4th.

In other other news:

I’ve been dreaming a lot lately. My dreams are always about MEN. Some I know and some I’d like to know.

Last night I dreamt about a former boyfriend. We were in a bar and I walked up to him to talk and all that came out was a bunch of slur. He kept looking at me like I was insane. It was obvious he was frustrated with me too. He kept repeating “I can’t understand a f’ing word you’re saying.”

And before someone asks, no, I don’t have any resolved feelings for Scott. We’ve been over for twenty years and last I heard he was divorced because he couldn’t change his cheating ways. Hmmm, seems to be the reason we broke up.

The weirdest part of the dream was half the bar was a bar. This was normal, as Scott was a singer in a band. Yes, I loved musicians in my day. There were other guys I knew present. I didn’t date any of them or have any desire to and I had NO trouble speaking to them.

Behind the bar was NOT a bar. Inside of shelves housed with liquor bottles, there was an area where a group of people were training lions and tigers – as in the circus performing kind. So while I was trying to have a conversation with Scott, I was also watching the trainers.

The circus IS in town, but how that’s relevant to my dream. I don’t know.

So there you have another crazy dream in the life of Amber. Maybe I need a shrink to figure out what’s in my head. I know those darn dream books are no help.

Anyway, another busy day at work today.

Happy Thursday!

Chat and New Cougar Release

Today I'm chatting over at Whipped Cream...stop by and say hello if you get a chance.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/whippedcream2






Take a look at the newest Cougar Challenge book to be released. Driven by Jayne Rylon is another H-O-T story in this series.


Blurb:
A standalone title in the Cougar Challenge series.



Lynn Madison transformed from repressed corporate drone to bold seductress overnight when her online friends at Tempt the Cougar encouraged her to take charge of her destiny. Their advice haunts her as she drools over the hottest Italian stallion on the planet while stranded in an airport.



Sebastian Fiori is a master of speed. A rally car driver, he’s used to winning on and off the track. He sees no need to put on the brakes when a sexy sophisticate revs his engine. After spotting Lynn’s decadent ménage novel, he decides to take her for the ride of a lifetime—with his navigator Mark.



Storm delays would be far more upsetting if Lynn’s young stud wasn’t offering a first-class ticket to indulge her fantasy. Neither of them expects their rendezvous to last beyond their transatlantic flight on his private jet. But sometimes there’s no escaping the forces of nature.



Reader Advisory: Novel offers a racy little treat—an m/f/m ménage.

Excerpt:

An Excerpt From: DRIVEN

Copyright © JAYNE RYLON, 2010

All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.

Chapter One



“Ladies and gentleman, this is your captain speaking.”

Lynn Madison strained to hear the distorted announcement despite the shitty airplane speakers and the baby who’d been screaming since they’d taken off over an hour ago. She didn’t blame the munchkin. She would bawl too if she didn’t get that the gray clouds causing the turbulence, which bounced their regional jet across the sky, weren’t as ominous as they appeared.

“We’ve been in a holding pattern, circling New York for the past fifteen minutes. Air traffic control just radioed. They’re closing the airport until this cell blows over. No one’s allowed in or out. We’ll be diverting to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania but the delay shouldn’t cost us more than an hour.”

Groans of disappointment and frustration drowned out the sporadic whispers of concern proliferated by less-seasoned fliers. Lynn jumped straight to rearranging her tight schedule in her mind as the pilot droned on.

“We’ll grab some fuel then wait for an update. If the situation changes, we’ll let you know. We should be on the ground in about twenty minutes. Thank you for your patience. Be sure to keep your seat belt fastened; the air will be bumpy during our descent. Flight attendants, please prepare for landing.”

Before the beady-eyed flight attendant could scold Lynn about stowing her netbook, she clicked to her browser window then hopped on the Tempt the Cougar blog she shared with a circle of friends. Her college roommate Rachel had introduced her to the group of erotic romance enthusiasts after Lynn had bitched about her bland sex life. The ladies had recommended several novels that had her eyebrows climbing and her fantasies growing spicier by the minute.

They’d quickly become very close, welcoming her into the fold and encouraging her to follow their lead in prowling for a younger man to seduce. She had to admit, the stories she’d heard since hanging around them had inspired some wicked fantasies.

Lynn envied the women who’d found love along with their wild adventures. But their proactive attitude in snatching the reins of their lives had resonated with her more than their steamy affairs. Enough to spur her to some serious introspection on what she wanted to do with the rest of her time on earth.

She’d set up a get-together with the members who lived in the tristate region while she killed time during her layover. She hadn’t wanted to wait until next year’s RomantiCon to meet them in person.

Thank God she’d splurged on the in-flight Wi-Fi.



LynnLuvs2Travel: Only have a few seconds, ladies. Flight is being diverted due to weather. Looks like I might have to bail on dinner. Was so looking forward to it! Sorry L Expecting an update when we land. Fingers crossed I don’t miss my connection to Europe!!!



Lynn sighed as she snapped the lid closed then tucked the netbook into her seatback pocket. Figured this would happen on the first day of her new life. The monumental changes she’d implemented had almost seemed too easy so far. Like blowing out the single candle that had topped the cake Rachel had baked for Lynn’s fortieth birthday.

In the instant before she’d snuffed the flame, she’d wished her destiny were her own. No more wasted years, working on someone else’s clock. Figuring out what she’d rather do, since retiring early would mean living in a cardboard box for twenty years or so until her investments kicked in, had taken a bit longer. But not much.

Three months later, she’d quit her job as a sourcing agent for a high-end retailer. Instant lightness had pervaded her soul when she turned in her resignation, reaffirming her decision.

After a dozen years of dreadful stays in spartan hotels, eating meat-and-potato meals or hauling ass through sketchy parts of foreign cities—all on the recommendation of her male counterparts—she knew better than most that a series of travel guides aimed at professional women going solo constituted an undiscovered niche in the market. It wasn’t that the guys had deliberately sabotaged her, but her priorities ran more to a clean room, a spa and healthy meals than the number of strip clubs in a half-mile radius or a smoky bar with nonstop sports playing on a bazillion flat screen TVs.

Preoccupied with reliving the whirlwind of the past couple weeks, she was surprised at the squeak of the wheels meeting the runway.

As soon as she peered through the fogged plastic porthole to the tarmac, she abandoned hope. No fewer than a dozen jets kept their stranded plane company. Even if the sun shone bright at JFK in the next half-hour, the snafu had induced a logistics nightmare.

Sure enough, the pilot emerged from the cockpit to address the cabin face-to-face. “I’m sorry, folks, but things look worse than we originally thought. Traffic is being rerouted along the entire East Coast. We’re going to let you head into the terminal until we receive a better estimate on our revised departure time.”

Lynn’s heart raced in her chest. She had lived well within her means despite her hefty corporate paycheck. The nest egg she’d accumulated had supplied her a shot at pursuing her dream but, in this economy, she’d had a hell of a time securing outside investors to back a no-name upstart. If the delay caused her and several hundred other people to camp out and compete for the limited vacant spots on cramped international flights, her itinerary could be ruined.

Everything hinged on making it to her starting point as scheduled. Train passes, local guides, connections, sold-out hotels…

The idea of all the lost work, not to mention cash for the original reservations and the last-minute bookings, had tears stinging her eyes. Would her old job consider rehiring her if this venture flopped? Probably not.

She gathered her belongings then filed down the stairs onto the tarmac for the march into the dinky terminal. On top of everything else, they had to be stranded at a two-gate airport with rudimentary facilities and limited options for connections.

Note to self… Include a chapter on travelers’ insurance and the appropriate amount of time to leave between flights. Not that the six hours she’d allotted would help much in this situation. The insurance policy she’d selected would cover her flight arrangements if necessary but nothing could recoup the lost time. She’d have to drop chapters of her book.

As the herd of disgruntled passengers trundled up the ramp into the steel and glass building, which seemed out of place in the surrounding fields, they merged with the unfortunate occupants of the other impacted flights. A red-faced man doused in cheap cologne yelled into his Blackberry. He cut her off in his dash to hit up the airline representatives waiting inside. He rammed into her shoulder, knocking her oversized purse containing her netbook onto her elbow. The shifting weight threw her off balance on the slick surface.

Lynn skidded several feet toward the railing before a warm, muscled arm wrapped around her waist and a grumpy mumble washed over her earlobe. “Asshole.”

She flinched, attempting to shy away. “What is wrong with people? I tripped.”

One touch from an unknown man and she just about swallowed her tongue despite his rude treatment. Lame!

A carefree laugh replaced the foul temper she’d attempted to deflect. “Sorry, gorgeous. Not you. I meant that asshole who shoved you. He’s lucky I don’t kick his inconsiderate ass.”

Her imagination ran wild at his tone—confident, worldly, bold, gallant but not too stuffy. The midnight voice colored by subtle hints of a Mediterranean accent inspired a million dirty thoughts that had her squirming. The broad hand on her ribs flexed so close to her breast she sucked in a gasp, willing her nipples to stop hardening beneath her thin, silk blouse.

“Damn, are you hurt?” He spun her into the shelter of his arms, his palms bracing her shoulders.

So young! Heat blossomed in her cheeks. Here she was, lusting after a man at least a decade younger than her who probably thought himself a good Samaritan for helping his elder. As quick as she chastised herself, a naughty whisper invaded her embarrassment. The Cougar ladies had scored men like this. Those lucky bitches!

Hell, some of them had even managed to bag two virile studs.

“Let me help you inside.”

Did he think her deaf and dumb on top of clumsy after that giant space out?

“I’m fine. Really.” She shrugged from his hold, instantly regretting the loss of his touch. Her skin tingled where his fingers had rested. “Thank you.”

“Any time.”

She picked up the pace to avoid an awkward silence as he shuffled along next to her through the crowd, but he somehow managed to dodge a harried mom pushing a double stroller, a gentleman wrestling with a cello and a couple holding hands to keep even with her.

In her peripheral vision, she admired the agile maneuvers of his lean but built body. His black duffle, peppered with logos, rode against a trim hip covered in the dark navy denim favored by recent trends. The lighter creases around his upper thighs led her straight to dangerous territory. She jerked her gaze upward but had to cant her head pretty far to glimpse his unruly brown waves beneath a red baseball cap with something embroidered on the front.

His scruffy jaw couldn’t obscure his sculpted cheekbones. The shadowed skin highlighted the contrast of his bright blue eyes. The impact of his stunning looks almost had her tripping again. It’d been fifteen years since she’d gotten her hands on prime beef like that.

Lynn Marie, how crass! Maybe the Cougars really were rubbing off on her.

Whipped Cream has interviewed me. Check it out. http://www.longandshortreviews.com/WC/interviews.htm

Rainy Monday

Another rainy day. We had a great weekend though. The temps were close to eighty and we ran, ran, ran. The dogs enjoyed quite a few trips to the park. They love running free. We have a huge yard, but the park is much larger. The best part is hardly anyone uses it. I’m sure as the weather improves that will change. It could be that the kids in the neighborhood are just too old to hang out there.
I attended my chapter meeting Saturday. Hillary Rettig was the guest speaker and she spoke about procrastination. That’s my middle name! LOL
She said procrastination isn’t just a fear of failure it’s a terror. I believe that’s true for most. Sometimes that’s the case with me…most of the time it’s just laziness.
She also talked about not beating ourselves up when external forces interfere with our plans. This was great advice. Life happens. Just deal with it and adjust the plans. I have a few friends who beat themselves up constantly – YOU know who you are!!!! ;)
Feeling good about myself I jumped on the treadmill today for thirty minutes. I’ve been saying I was going to do this for a few months. I finally did it! I just have to continue doing it. I watch the DH doing it 4-5 times a week, surely I can too.
Off to do some writing while the grand daughter is off visiting her father.
Happy Monday!

Where Was My Head????

Thursday and Friday I edited book two in the Freedom Fantasies series. The first twenty pages had me banging my head on my desk. Where was my brain? I repeated myself way too many times, changed eye color for my hero and left out important details. Let’s just say thank goodness for edits. Though I hate them I know they’re needed. These were mistakes I made when I was just starting out. so why the heck am I making them now?
I really don’t have the answers but I hope it will be limited to this book. Needless to say, I managed to send the book to my editor.
A friend and I are doing our own version of Nano in May. I have the cougar challenge book to finish and she has a cozy mystery. I’d also like to get started on my new suspense once the cougar book is done.
Off to finish edits on book three so my lovely editor can have this book by the end of the week. :) She’s probably cursing me sending three submissions in two weeks.

Amber's Ramblings May

Newsletter is now available. If you haven't signed up, join to the left. This month if you're a member and send me an email asking to enter you in the monthly drawing you could win a copy of one of my books.

Happy May!