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About S.J. Maylee

S.J. Maylee fell in love with storytelling at a young age and with it came a deep-seated desire for everyone to find their happily ever after. She’s finding the happy endings for her characters one steamy story at a time. When she’s not reading or writing, you can find her caring for her garden, laughing with her two young sons, or dancing to her husband’s music. She’s a PMP (Project Management Professional), Nia instructor, and coffee addict. As a writer she has a tendency to break hearts, but she always glues them back together

Happy Release Day to The Sin Circus with Sweet and Sticky Buns from Sabrina Garie

bookboyfriend-2014 x50Click the pic for the
Evernight Publishing
Book Boyfriend Blog Hop!

The Sin Circus

The Sin Circus

Everyone remembers their first trip to the circus–the home of fantasy and dreams. Where the idea that anything is possible meets a creative reality of alluring tricks and amazing acts of defiance. The big top is known for inspiring lust, awe, and happy memories, and now you’ll see it like never before.

Some of today’s hottest romance authors combine the decadent memories of the center ring with all the flavors in erotic fiction in The Sin Circus. Whether it’s with a dominating Ringmaster, a lion tamer’s bratty kittens, or a dark Harlequin King, this show is sure to shock the audience with its dazzling dares and tantalizing tales.

Oh, that sounds fun and now here’s something Sweet and Sticky from Sabrina Garie

The circus abounds with very naughty food.  Cotton candy, popcorn, snow-cones, cracker jacks and so much more.  In the The Sin Circus, my story “Sweet and Sticky,” uses edibles in tantalizing and sexy ways. You may find some new uses for cotton candy after you read it. 🙂

In addition to serving as sexy props, food is also woven into the main story. The hero, Nick, is a literary agent specializing in cook books and food writers. Here’s a pretty decadent recipe from his most successful, and eccentric, authors.  Sweet and sticky, just like the story.

Dorothy Blaine’s Vanilla-iced Cinnamon Buns

Bun Ingredients

  • 2 (.25 oz) active dry yeast packages
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 2 cups warm water
  • 6 and ½ cups all-purpose flour (this will be divided)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • ½ cup of sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Vanilla Icing Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup of softened butter
  • 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 and ½ tablespoons of Milk
  • 1and ½ teaspoons Vanilla extract

Bun Directions

  • Dissolve yeast and 1/3 cup sugar in warm water. Best to use a large mixing bowl for this.  Then, stir in 2 cups of flour and beat for two minutes, then add in the eggs and oil. Add one half cup at a time, then beat well. Continue to do so, one half cup at a time, until you’ve used all the flour.
  • Once the dough is ready, knead it for five minutes on a lightly floured surface. Butter a large bowl (you can use oil if you prefer), add the dough and coat it with the butter (or oil).  Cover and let rise. You want it to double in size. This will take about forty minutes.
  • While the dough is rising, mix together the cinnamon and the remaining ½ cup of sugar.
  • When the dough has doubled, divide it into 12 pieces and roll in the cinnamon sugar then put in a greased baking pan. Cover the pan and let it rise, again about 40 minutes until it doubles yet again.
  • Bake for 30 minutes in an oven preheated to 350 degrees F
  • Let cool then add the icing.

Vanilla Icing

  • Stir all the ingredients (butter, sugar, milk, vanilla) together.  Add when the buns are cool.

Yum! Thank you, Sabrina Garie for sharing that recipe. I can’t wait to try it out. Now, let’s read more about each story in The Sin Circus.

Dark Surrender by Rachel Firasek

He stole her control, but she hasn’t completely surrendered her heart…yet.

http://www.rachelfirasek.com

Claimed by the Blade by Mina Carter

He’s waited years to claim her. Tonight, she’s all out of excuses…

http://mina-carter.com

Ring of Fire by Lacey Wolfe

The Ringmaster must figure out his feelings before his ballerina goes up in
flames…

http://www.laceywolfe.com

Unmasking Her Dom by Jennifer James

Tormented by touch, the King of the Harlequin resolves to release his bratty
sub before she strips away the last barriers between them, and discovers his
secret shame.

http://www.authorjenniferjames.com

The Bratty Lioness Tamer by April Angel

Two sexy female lovers. A new master ready to tame them.
And the performance they’ll never forget.

http://millytaiden.com/

Sweet & Sticky by Sabrina Garie

Recipe for forever: Mix a flailing writer with a down-on-his-luck agent, toss
in a pound of cotton candy and an empty bleacher. Let simmer.

http://sabrinagarie.com/

Twice the Pleasure by Georgina DeBurca

As the bindings unravel, two brothers race to save the woman who has captured
their hearts.

https://www.facebook.com/author.deburca

With the Greatest of Ease by Anne Lange

He traded a trapeze and the catch of a lifetime for a life in a courtroom. Now
he’ll share her, to catch her, one last time.

http://authorannelange.com/

For the final act, the author’s of The Sin Circus have this fun Giveaway. 🙂

photo (4)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Sin Circus released today, April 29, 2014!! 😀

Amazon | AllRomanceEbooks | Kobo

It will be available at Barnes & Noble soon.

Book Boyfriend Blog Hop with JAKE REED from TAKING CHANCES

bookboyfriend-2014

The Book Boyfriend Blog Hop is back and better than ever!

The authors of Evernight have a brand new team of swoon-worthy book boyfriend candidates. A sexy assortment of cowboys, Doms, detectives, millionaires, royalty, vampires, soldiers, and shifters are just a click away.

Get ready to find your next book boyfriend…

Welcome to the ehome of S.J. Maylee. I’m so glad you stopped by. 🙂 I’m sharing with you my love for Jake Reed from TAKING CHANCES, the first in my Love Projects Series. He’s the kind of man who knows what he wants and vanilla is not it.

When Lydia caught his attention, he was conflicted. He sensed the submissive within her and he wanted to set her free, but they weren’t in the safe arena of his BDSM club of choice, Club Voyage. They were at work.

The simplest things Lydia did pulled his attention away from their project. Just before lunch on their first day working together, she reached forward to the monitor. His gaze landed on the slope of her neck. Here’s a look into his thoughts…

Jake 2 new

Lucky for us, the road to realization is paved with all kinds of sexual tension. Jake does take a giant chance in this story and it brought Lydia’s fantasies to life. Once she had a taste of Jake and his dominating hand, she was eager for more, but they still needed to complete their project at work…

Jake 4 new

Oh yes, they sizzle and burn as their love grows. However, once this pair opened themselves to each other, they exposed their wounds…

Jake 3 new

It’s that need in him that drives Lydia’s passion higher than she’s ever known. I loved writing these two. Jake held my hand throughout their story and I fell in love with him right along with Lydia.

I’m not sharing how their story ends though. You’ll have to read TAKING CHANCES to find out if Lydia gets to keep her one and only.

Jake Reed is one hot hero. He’s a sexy dominating man that knows how to make your fantasies come to life. He’s also worth losing your heart to. I hope you’ll love him as much as I do.

Taking Chances 200x300

ISBN: 978-1-77130-533-4

+ Add to goodreads

LINKS: Evernight | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

BookStrand | All Romance | Smashwords Ebooks | Kobo | iTunes

Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de

Review from BDSM Book ReviewStory Rating: 5 out of 5 paddles & Sting Factor (kink): 5 out of 5 “S.J. Maylee’s story is one of beauty and well researched or perhaps well experienced. The journey that is embarked upon is gently done instead of pushed. Though a short story, this is well developed and the BDSM scenes are well written. It is not often that a short story can convey the beauty that a Dominant and submissive relationship can have.”

91301-5starReview from Romancing the Book: “The chemistry between Jake and Lydia is blistering. The sex scenes were scorching.”

What’s up for grabs?

  • One lucky hopper will win a $100 Amazon Gift Certificate sponsored by Evernight Publishing.
  • Plus, each author is giving away their own unique prize! So visit each blog hop stop for a host of fabulous prizes to win.

How to enter? Answer this question in the comments below…

Lydia’s love for Jake grew each time
he pushed her to rise to a challenge.
What makes you fall in love?

Be sure to leave the answer and your email address to be eligible to win a prize. Each comment gives you an entry for the grand prize (one per blog hop stop).

SJs Giveaway: I’m giving away one $10 Amazon Gift Card (international) and THREE mini swag packs (US only). To enter click on the Rafflecopter giveaway.

Keep hopping to the next author or blogger. After you’ve met each hero click here to vote for your favorite book boyfriend. You’ll earn an extra grand prize entry!

You’re one step closer to meeting your next Book Boyfriend…

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38.
46.
55.

Mid Week Tease – His Private Dungeon

MidWeekTeaseWelcome to hump day my friends. Thank you to the awesome Sandra Bunino for giving me something to look forward to. I’m sharing once more from my story about Colin and Mary and I’m happy to report you’ll be able to read this story in a new Evernight anthology that releases in June! 😀

This pair has some ill-conceived notions about the other, but that’s all going to change. Last week, Mary started to break down the wall that Colin had erected. This week, I’m going to back up just a little so you can see what was going through Colin’s head as he waited for Mary to arrive for her interview.

____________

He pushed back from his desk and walked into the bathroom attached to his office. With a press to the side panel, it popped open. He turned the light dial located just inside the door and his private dungeon woke before his eyes. He cracked his knuckles and breathed in the clean earthy hints of leather.

Work had kept him too far from Club Voyage in the past year, not even the installation of this room had kept his kink close enough. He leaned against the spanking bench and gazed over his collection of paddles, crops, and floggers hanging on the wall. Above all else, he needed to keep his emotions under control and he knew denying his need to dominate put him on a quick path to misery.

Not much gave him gratification like a willing submissive waiting for his command, not even the closing of the perfect deal. He craved lifting a woman’s need for release and watching as the pleasure consumed her. He made up his mind right then to work long hours this week and to go to the club on Friday night.

He closed his eyes and concentrated on his breathing.

“Your interview is here.” Jen’s warn out voice called from his office and woke him from his meditation.

Perfect timing for Mary to enter, don’t you think. 😉 I can’t wait to share their full story with you. It’s hot, it’s heartbreaking, and I love it.  Unfortunately, these two are destined to misjudge and unravel each forward movement. They’re not going to make a happy ending easy. I know how it all works out and I have to say it’s quite delicious. 🙂

You can see my inspiration board for this book on Pinterest here.

The In Progress Blurb:

Mary is determined not to be distracted by the devilishly handsome Colin whose business deal is halting a much needed park. Armed with a plan, she tries to ignore her growing attraction.

After reading her resume, Colin believes Mary isn’t right for him or his office. However, he’s about to risk his biggest business deal yet when Mary knocks him off his game. The pair gives in to their growing desires, but Mary’s plan might unravel everything they’ve been building.

____________

Thank you so much for visiting me, it means a lot to me that you took the time to visit my little place on the web. Be sure to check out all the Mid Week Teasers:

Inside Look with Carlene Love Flores author of Touch of Sin

Inside Look logo by SJ
Montage of the earth with a glowing blue atmosphere and the moon in one frame.

Happy Earth Day everyone. Not only do I have the fabulous Carlene Love Flores here sharing her brand new FREE read, but I also bring news of Evernight’s earth day sale ~> 50% off! Wahoo. It’s for today only. So, don’t delay, shop today.

Save a tree. Read an eBook.1926888_252707244915304_8334592605454789277_n

Take it away, Carlene. 🙂

Quick—who’s your favorite Opening Act you’ve ever seen? I’ll give you a few seconds to think about it while I thank SJ for hosting my latest release today. Thank you, SJ! Was that long enough? Did you think of anyone? I have a few I’d love to share with you. Eight years ago there was Ima Robot who opened for She Wants Revenge who opened for Depeche Mode. Another trio-string favorite of mine was seeing The Sounds who opened for Paramore who opened for No Doubt. If I was ever magically blessed to lead my own band, I’d want to do it like The Sound’s Maja Ivarsson. She’s Swedish, sexy and does these amazing kicks. But my most recent faves were this September when I got to see Bat For Lashes open for Depeche Mode. When she sang Laura, you could hear the wind blow at the outdoor venue. It was truly beautiful. And then this February I was treated to Gary Clark, Jr. when he opened for Kings of Leon. As you may have guessed, I have a music problem. I can’t get enough! Which is why I’m very happy to share my latest release with you today. Touch of Sin is the official FREE READ for my rock star romance series, The Sin Pointe Novels, and you guessed it….it’s about the Opening Act. I look forward to hearing about your faves and wish you lots of Happy Reading. Love stories rock! Xoxoxo Carlene

touchsinfree1mTouch of Sin (A Sin Pointe Novel Free Read) Blurb:

Lonerby guitarist Luke Willoughby and his band are under tight scrutiny since a press conference was ruined by a band member’s sudden vomiting attack. They’ve been suspended from the Sin Pointe tour and Luke fears they’ve blown it for good. The last thing he expects is the cute management spy sent to observe him.

No-nonsense Sarrie Walker knows exactly what she’s there to do, and makes no secret of it. Luke is impressed—and powerfully attracted to Sarrie’s strong and sexy innocence. When they end up stuck together in close quarters, Sarrie becomes dangerously irresistible—and very much off-limits. Does she hold Luke’s second chance? And if he gives in to her powerful allure, what happens to his heart?

Excerpt:

Sarrie stepped carefully and mostly on tip toes out of the tiny, grime grouted shower. She’d had to waste one of their two usable towels for a floor mat and made sure to land on it.

The good news was that she no longer teetered on what she’d tell Mr. Keller when they made it to D.C.

Noah was sick and while he’d managed himself at these smaller gigs, he didn’t belong on a massive, nationwide Sin Pointe tour. She tried to picture him night after night and the binge drinking sessions. It hurt her heart to think of it but worse than that was picturing the landslide of sleepless nights Luke would have to suffer through caring for him. Sure, they might all hate her as a consequence, but that’s why it was called tough love. The truth hurt at first. And sometimes for a very long time after. But at least the person would be alive.

She grabbed for the towel she’d left on the toilet seat and found a loosely folded bunch of clothes. Not hers because they were too big and, she pulled the shirt to her nose, they smelled like Luke. “Mmmm.”

Her eyes popped open so wide she felt her lashes touch her brow bone. Yes, she’d just sighed at a man’s smell. It was a first. Maybe it was because her decision no longer hung over her head, but she could get lost in the fact she held the shirt he’d played in. She inhaled and the smell brought back visions of him serving as master of his guitar and the beads of sweat that had dotted his forehead, the one that hung from his nose, and the slick mass that had wet his chest hairs showing through the top of his V neck shirt. He’d been so lost in the music that he hadn’t seen her staring or cared about the sweat. She’d noticed more than she realized and had to stop and breathe through what that meant.

“So that’s it, Sarrie? You’re going there now?” she whispered to herself. “Unbelievable.”

Why shouldn’t she?

Because she’d never had these feelings for a man before? Because the two days she’d known Luke were clearly not long enough and she was here to study him, not fall into a foolish one-sided infatuation? Or was it that his life situation was too close a reminder of the one she’d finally saved herself and her father from? The heaviness of all those truths bowed her shoulders inward and down.

He’s gonna be dealing with Noah’s addiction for a long time to come, especially if he can’t stand to see his baby brother suffer. That’s what enablers did. She knew because she’d watched her mom tiptoe around her dad until the day Mom just didn’t come home.

Plopping down on the toilet seat, she bundled Luke’s jeans together with his shirt and hugged them. A sock fell from the pile. She found its match and could have cried at his selflessness. He was a good guy and he had a ton of hurt coming his way. For a second, she forgot where she was and nearly let her head fall back against the dingy bathroom wall.

Cold air leaking through the thin motel walls made her shiver. So did the thought of wearing Luke’s clothes. But after she made sure to dry off with the one towel, she pulled on her old panties and bra and then his jeans, which nearly fell right back down, and then slipped his V neck shirt over her head. The baggy look reminded her of the girls from TLC, but not one single day in her life had she ever felt crazy, sexy or cool. Well, maybe she could identify with the crazy part. Completely foreign to her was the thought of what Luke would think. And then she had an altogether more shocking thought. If his clothes were in here, what was he wearing?

Hot gusts of air puffed out from her lungs until she managed to calm them down. But all she could really think about were bare, strong shoulders and more than just the tiny glimpses she’d gotten of his chest in the V cut shirt she currently wore. She needed a drink of water. Badly. She wiggled her toes in his giant socks.

A Bit About Carlene:

Carlene Love Flores is a big fan of the stars (especially Orion), honest music (especially Depeche Mode), and her traveling family (no favorites there-she loves them all). These things inspire her intimate style of romance writing. She feels honored to be a member of Washington DC Romance Writers (WRWDC). Carlene currently lives in the D.C. area where she can often be found listening to live music and looking up at the sky on clear nights.  If she could touch someone’s heart with her writing the way others have done for her, she’d say truly there never lived a luckier girl.

Find Carlene Here:

Website  http://carlenelove.com/

Publisher  http://www.evernightpublishing.com/carlene-love-flores/

Goodreadshttp://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6887320.Carlene_Love_Flores

Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/carlene.l.flores

Twitter  https://twitter.com/cloveflores

Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/clove16/

Find Touch of Sin (A Sin Pointe Free Read) Here:

Evernight Publishing: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/touch-of-sin-by-carlene-love-flores/

All Romance eBooks:  https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-touchofsin-1478925-149.html

BookStrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/touch-of-sin-mf

Inside Look with Doris O’Connor author of The Mating Project

One of my favorite authors, Doris O’Connor is back today and celebrating her latest release, The Mating Project. Prepare to be hooked. 🙂

click to see all the Inside Looks at SJs

Thanks so much for hosting me today. I’m incredibly excited to be sharing Maria’s story with you. I knew I had to write her story from the minute we meet her in book one of the Projects Series, The Orgasm Project. In that book she sets up her best friend with her brothers. In book two of the series, The Bear Project, she is there for her human work colleague Emmi, when she comes back from holiday mated to a bear shifter, and we get the first glimpse at Maria’s complicated love life.

****

“Oh, no,” Emmi said. “You’re not getting out of this so easily. Spill, Maria, what in hell is going on? You made it sound like some sort of dire emergency on the phone, so I drag myself here on my day off, and then you turn up half an hour late, and looking as though you’ve been dragged through a hedge backwards.” Emmi stopped and properly looked at her friend. “And you were wearing those clothes yesterday. I knew it, you’re seeing someone! Who is he?”

She had to be. Maria was always perfectly turned out, and she’d never wear the same clothes twice in a row, and she had sounded desperate on the phone.

Emmi crossed her arms and glared at Maria, and she squirmed.

“Them, actually, but you can’t tell anyone, promise me, please.”

“Two?” Emmi laughed. She couldn’t help it. Here she was on the verge of combusting with sexual frustration, and Maria had snared herself two guys. “What is it with your family and threesomes?”

Maria paled, and something in her intense blue gaze told Emmi that all was not well here.

“Promise me, Emmi, you mustn’t tell a soul. Not Anastasia or my brothers and certainly not Cole. Promise!”

****

Yes, it’s complicated, and dangerous, and Maria and her men break all the rules.

I recall my editor telling me in no uncertain terms that I’d better be writing Maria’s story next, when she read that bit in The Bear Project.

*grins*

So, this is it. Maria gets her men…or does she?

You’ll have to read the book to find out.  🙂

thematingproject1mBlurb:

Being together could mean death to them all, but walking away is not an option…

Bloodlines need to be protected at all costs and as a true-blood cougar Maria is expected to mate with a council-approved shifter. Too bad the one chosen makes her skin crawl for all the wrong reasons.

But running away already landed her in hot water once before. Wolf shifter Malachi Luca saved her life ten years ago, and then promptly disappeared with her heart. So much for true love.

Now time is running out and Maria is feeling the strain. Seducing Professor Silas Deacon should be a welcome distraction except the human turns out to be her mate, too.

And that damn wolf—yeah he’s back and determined to claim both his cat and his human. What’s a girl to do? Fight for love and enjoy the awesome sex, of course.

Be Warned: menage sex (MMF), m/m sex, bondage, spanking, anal sex

Excerpt:

Maria couldn’t get enough air into her lungs, and she yanked on her restraints, the longer the two of them just stood there watching her through hooded lids.

Relax, little cat. Let us take care of you, and we’ll deal with the rest of the world tomorrow, or next week.

Silas winked at her, and Maria’s agitated cat calmed down. In fact the animal bowed her head in submission and hissed her approval when Malachi pulled his tee over his head. Her throat went dry taking in the hair roughened expanse of his chest and the force of his erection straining his jeans. Silas, too, shrugged out of his shirt and kicked off his trousers and boxer briefs in one impatient move. His magnificent cock bounced up to his navel, and Maria whimpered when he took himself in hand and stroked along his impressive girth. She couldn’t tear her gaze away from the slow movement of that hand. Not even when Malachi tore her dress off her with one abrupt flick of his clawed hands.

Cool air fluttered across her exposed skin, and her breasts grew heavy as her nipples tried their best to punch through the lace of her bra. The bed dipped again when Malachi knelt next to her and with a few well-placed flicks of his claws cut away their lacy covering. He continued a downward path of pleasuring pain toward her mound, using just enough force to leave a red trail behind. The slow slide and drag of those razor-sharp nails of his caused her whole body to tense, as sensations bombarded her. More of her juices gushed out of her as her pussy clenched in desperate need to be filled, and her hips pushed up when he circled her clit with his claw, lazy, incredibly slow circles that had her panting and undulating her hips in an effort to increase the pressure to that little swollen nubbin.

“Lie still, princess, or so help me I’ll leave you hanging.” Malachi’s hot hand landed on her belly and pushed her hips back down on the bed at the same time as Silas stepped close enough for Malachi to grasp hold of his cock. The action meant he abandoned Maria’s needy clit, and she whimpered when he licked away the bead of pre-cum that had appeared on Silas’s dick.

“Fuck, yes.” Silas hissed the words as Malachi took all of his lover’s dick in his mouth and fondled his balls with one hand. The other still held her hips down, and Maria bit her lip as arousal fizzed through her veins. She wanted to come so badly, and she was so damn close that the slight wafts of air, created by Malachi bobbing his head up and down on Silas’s cock made her clit contract with need.

Silas fisted his hands in Malachi’s hair and fucked his mouth with an urgency and brutal need that he’d never displayed with her. She tore her gaze away from the sight of Malachi’s lips stretched across Silas’s dick to find Silas’s gaze riveted between her thighs.

Maria whimpered at the heat of that gaze, until Silas pulled away from Malachi and knelt next to her head instead.

Grasping his dick, slick with Malachi’s saliva, he ran it across her bottom lip, and Maria opened her mouth eagerly to take in as much as he could. Silas kept his hand on the base of his shaft to stop her from choking on his length, and she shot him a grateful look, as he started to fuck her mouth. The taste of him mixed in with Malachi’s earthy scent, and she swallowed the first spurts of his cum down.

“Fuck, that’s so hot.”

Malachi’s words sounded strained and slightly distorted as though he was more wolf than man right now, and Silas fucked her faster. One hand wrapped in her hair as he held her head at just the right angle to serve his needs, and the knowledge that he used her to his ends, had her grow even wetter. The rip of fabric as her underwear tore made her shudder, and there was the swipe of Malachi’s rough tongue, and her body tensed. His claws dug into her ass as he lifted her up to give himself better access to her drenched core, and she screamed as her first orgasm ripped through her body.

Malachi chuckled into her pussy and then stepped up his efforts as Silas pulled out of her mouth and his hot cum splashed over her breasts.

Maria was too far gone to care, because Malachi now pushed two fingers into her channel, and finding her sweet spot in record time sent her over the edge twice more.

By the time she could draw air into her lungs, Silas was removing her leg shackles and Malachi had rid himself of his trousers. His cock was just as thick, if not thicker than Silas’s. It wasn’t quite as long, and the head of his dick looked swollen and purple, the balls drawn up tight to his body as though he was barely holding in his cum.

Malachi’s stubble glistened with the evidence of her arousal, and when he bent to devour her mouth his with his, she tasted herself in with him. It pitched her need for him sky high again, despite her earlier orgasms, and she pleaded with him in between kisses.

“Please, please…”

He pulled away and with a wicked grin bent down to lick the sticky evidence of Silas’s cum of her breasts. Silas joined him on the other side, and the dual sensations sent her clit and pussy into overdrive. There was something so dirty and yet terribly arousing in the act, and when both men bit down on one erect nipple each, another orgasm ripped through her.

 

Buy it from Evernight Publishing. For all other Buy links, please check here.

 

*****

Author Bio:

Glutton for punishment would be a good description for Doris… at least that’s what she hears on an almost daily basis when people find out that she has a brood of nine children, ranging from adult to toddler and lives happily in a far too small house, cluttered with children, pets, dust bunnies, and one very understanding and supportive husband. Domestic goddess she is not.

There is always something better to do after all, like working on the latest manuscript and trying not to scare the locals even more than usual by talking out loud to the voices in her head. Her characters tend to be pretty insistent to get their stories told, and you will find Doris burning the midnight oil on a regular basis. Only time to get any peace and quiet and besides, sleep is for wimps.

She likes to spin sensual, sassy, and sexy tales involving alpha heroes to die for, and heroines who give as good as they get. From contemporary to paranormal, BDSM to F/F, and Ménage, haunting love stories are guaranteed.

Stalking Links

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Evernight Publishing

              Amazon | All Romance E-Books | BookStrand | Barnes&Noble

ROW80 Check-in #96 Deep Yes and Coming Soon Times TWO

Hello Weekend Writing Warriors. I’ll be back very soon.

The writing challenge that knows you have a life.

Oh what a difference a week makes. The week started with distractions from my mom and MIL. They helped me to regain normal. I cleaned my house and my inbox. I read a few books and countless blog posts. I finished lots of evil day job and volunteer stuff. I played games with my kids. Real life distractions were my ticket to surviving the anticipation of waiting to hear on my latest submission.

The waiting all ended before the work day was over on Tuesday. I’d already learned a lot from the experience, but I wanted in the anthology. Their answer was …

Accept!

Holy cow! I did it. 😀

Five days later and I’m still pinching myself.

coming-soon 300x450coming-soon 300x450My Books page now has TWO coming soon covers. Wow.

I’ve been loving Kait Nolan’s Three Awesome Things posts and this week one of the awesome things really spoke to me. Lots of things to love about the TED talk by Justine Musk, including this line: “Behind every no is a deeper yes to whatever it is that you do want.” <~~ This is something I need to remember, especially as I try to stay on track for my next submission, edits on my two books releasing soon, and all the marketing to come. To gain my balance AND to protect what I want, I’m going to utilize the deep yes.

The Goals – week-2 results

  • Spend at least 1-hour a day with my characters-  not done. I did spend a couple evenings with my characters. I need more though before I have hope of writing the missing scenes in my WIP. I probably have less than two weeks before edits will arrive and I’d like to see good progress before then.
  • Daily progress in writing craft, word count, editing, and/or plotting- done. It was craft study all week.
  • Take care of and be kind to myself (start w/ a relaxing ritual, the healthy journey, and daily breaks from technology)- almost done. I accomplished everything here except the workouts. I did some exercising and some stretching which totaled maybe fifteen minutes. I need more. I want my physical strength back.

What you might have missed here this week:

Spotlight: Barb Drozdowich and Babs Hightower and Their Guides for Authors

Spotlight: Extreme Heat AND Surrender Sweet Succubus by Jewel Quinlan

Mid Week Tease – Changing His Mind <~ from my anthology story.

Cover Reveal: Freed by Stacey Kennedy

SJ’s Taco Soup – I was at Romance Cooks yesterday and I shared my secrets for Taco Soup AND my homemade taco seasoning. 😀

Cover Reveal: Freed by Stacey Kennedy

FreedFREED – CLUB SIN #4

Contemporary Romance – Erotica

Publisher: Loveswept

(Random House Publishing Group)

ISBN: 978-0-553-39119-0

Release date: September 23, 2014

Perfect for fans of Fifty Shades of Grey, the Club Sin series continues with Freed, a wicked, wild eBook original novel from USA Today bestselling author Stacey Kennedy.

Mary Schmidt knows only too well how thrilling a Master’s touch can be. Her husband, Charles, had been her ultimate fantasy, a seducer in the erotic dance of dominance and submission. She misses the sensual lifestyle they shared, but mourns him so deeply she cannot bear to embrace her submissive needs with another Dom—until a man who exudes temptation reawakens desires she can no longer deny.

Elliott Foster is dazzled by Mary. He instantly knows that she’s the woman he’s been waiting for—a woman who turns games into need. As her Master, he dares to unlock the deepest pleasures of her flesh, releasing her from pain and healing her mind. When Mary’s lithe body comes to life under his, he knows their connection goes beyond sex. Now that he has found the perfect woman, the perfect partner, the perfect submissive, he desires only to give her everything she craves.

Freed is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences.

Buy links:

Amazon – http://amzn.to/1epP7lg

B&N – http://bit.ly/Ri31fp

More buying options – http://bit.ly/1qxPv3g 

About the Author:                                                          

Stacey KennedyUSA Today Bestselling Author, Stacey Kennedy is an urban fantasy lover at heart, but she also enjoys losing herself in dark and sensual worlds. She lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, who gave her a happily-ever-after. Together, they have two small children who can always make her smile, and who will never be allowed to read Mommy’s books. If she’s not plugging away at a new story, you’ll find her camping, curling up with the latest flick, or obsessing over Supernatural, True Blood, Lost Girl, and Sons of Anarchy.

Website – http://www.staceykennedy.com/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/authorstaceykennedy

Twitter – https://twitter.com/#!/Stacey_Kennedy

Loveswept websitehttp://www.readloveswept.com

Check out the latest release in the CLUB SIN series…

rsz_1kenn_bared_9780804178884BARED – CLUB SIN #2

Publisher: Loveswept

(Random House Publishing Group)

ISBN: 9780804178884

Release date: February 10, 2014

“Bared is a seductively haunting tale of control and surrender that will tantalize existing fans of the series, while enticing new readers into the passionate world of Club Sin.” ~Eliza Gayle, New York Times bestselling author of SUBMISSIVE BEAUTY

In a novel that’s perfect for fans of Fifty Shades of Grey, Stacey Kennedy returns to Club Sin with another wicked and wild tale of submission, seduction, and love.

At Las Vegas’s exclusive Club Sin, Aidan Knight is the Master, unleashing the erotic yearnings of his submissive lovers. But his dominant façade conceals a devastating loss—something he instantly recognizes in his personally trained submissive Cora Adams. Sworn to unearth her secrets, Aidan uses his seductive skills to ignite her wildest desires until Cora yields to the pleasure she can find only with him.

Cora came to the BDSM club to act out her sub-and-dom fantasies without ever revealing the heartbreak that haunts her. But Aidan’s masterful touch is bringing her closer to the edge . . . and deeper into a world of control and surrender. He refuses to allow her to submit to any other man—nor does she want to. It’s a dangerous game they’re playing. For as they give in to passion, they must lay bare their souls for a love that could heal—and free—them both.

Bared is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences.

Buy links:

Amazon – http://amzn.to/1epPWKY

B&N – http://bit.ly/1662YSV

More buying options – http://bit.ly/1lPgBAu

Mid Week Tease – Changing His Mind

MidWeekTeaseI’m on a roll. Two weeks in a row, I’ve shared a tease. Love it!

I’m sharing again from my story about Colin and Mary. The pair has some ill-conceived notions about the other, but that’s all going to change. Last week, Colin got his first look at Mary. You could say her appearance took him off guard. Let’s see if she can continue to change his mind.

“You must spend a lot of time on your outreach commitments. Is it hard for you to balance work and your personal interests?”

She sat up straighter. “To be honest—”

“That’s all I ask.” He took hold of his pen without breaking his gaze from hers. With his thumb, he stroked the smooth surface back and forth and wondered if her pussy would be just as smooth.

“At times I have.” She crossed her legs and grabbed her knee with both hands. “But, I have learned from experience.”

“Would you expand on that?” He let go of the pen and sat back.

“I learned to only commit to the things I can finish. I’ve also learned not to deny myself the things I’m passionate about. Plus, the kids I work with help me to keep my head straight.”

“I can imagine. Will you continue spending time there?”

“I’ll always be there for the kids.” She uncrossed her legs and leaned on his desk. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure, I’m an open book.”

“You already know if you’re going to hire me, don’t you? You knew before I walked in here.”

“Maybe.” He admired her for getting to the point. It showed she valued her time and his. His opinion of her doubled.

“Is there nothing I can do to change your mind?”

If it were only that easy. These two are destined to misjudge and unravel each forward movement. I know how it all works out and I have to say it’s quite delicious. 🙂

You can see my inspiration board for this WIP on Pinterest here.

The In Progress Blurb:

Mary is determined not to be distracted by the devilishly handsome Colin whose business deal is halting a much needed park. Armed with a plan, she tries to ignore her growing attraction.

After reading her resume, Colin believes Mary isn’t right for him or his office. However, he’s about to risk his biggest business deal yet when Mary knocks him off his game. The pair gives in to their growing desires, but Mary’s plan might unravel everything they’ve been building.

____________

Thank you so much for visiting me, it means a lot to me that you took the time to visit my little place on the web. Be sure to check out all the Mid Week Teasers: 


Spotlight: Extreme Heat AND Surrender Sweet Succubus by Jewel Quinlan

Click the Spotlight image to see all the Spotlights here at SJs

 

It’s two for one day in the Maylee ehouse. Jewel Quinlan is here with not only one new release, but two. The first is from Evernight Publishing’s Romance on the Go line. You know I love these hot and fast romances. Yum! She’s also brought her just released Surrender Sweet Succubus. She has me with the title alone. Enjoy!

extremeheat1mBlurb: When photographer Chloe Gaige gets assigned to cover the Pro Kiteboarding finals in Morocco she never expects to run into her childhood crush. Back then, their age difference is what caused her to pull away. Would he resent her for how she treated him back then?

Fully grown, pro kiteboarder Kai Shephard is a tough competitor used to going after what he wants…and getting it. When he catches sight of Chloe in the crowd with her camera, nothing can stop him from trying to be with her again. Except Chloe, that is. Would she see him for the man he is now?

Where you can buy Extreme Heat:

Evernight Publishing | Amazon | All Romance e-Books | Barnes and Noble | BookStrand | Apple iBooks | Sony or add it to your shelf on Goodreads

Excerpt:

“I’m glad you’re here, Chloe.”

“You are?”

He turned his head toward her and looked into her eyes, his hands pressed into her back, drawing her closer. “Because I’ve thought of that night hundreds of times.” His words were loaded with meaning.

Chloe skimmed her eyes over his handsome face. He was positively smoldering with emotion. She swallowed hard. This was the moment, the one she would never forget. Her eyes locked on his and her mind churned over the different signals and sensations her body was picking up.

“Have you?” he whispered.

They were so close. His lips were right there, and he could kiss her any second. His deep, dark eyes were drawing her in.

She nodded.

He lay still, waiting, but she said nothing more. “You have to give me more than that,” he said. “I still don’t know what happened. I thought you liked it when I kissed you.”

Anxiety filled her. It was time to come clean. What would he think of her reasons? How would he see her after she admitted what a weak person she was? “I did,” she said blurted. “It was just….”

His clasp on her back remained firm and he turned his body to face hers so their fronts were pressed together. “Just what?”

Chloe could feel her face filling with the heat of embarrassment. Did he really want to talk about it? “It was just…school and my friends and….” She stopped and buried her face in his chest, not wanting to say anything more. He smelled so good. The warm scent of athletic male and ocean breeze.

He grasped her chin with his hand and lifted her face. “What else?”

Looked like she wasn’t going to be able to get out of explaining. He had that earnest look in his eyes again, the one she remembered from long ago.

“I need to know,” he said.

She couldn’t deny him. “Our age difference,” she said with a wince.

“Seriously?” His breath whooshed out with his surprise. “I mean, I know you’ve made comments about it before, but that was the reason you wouldn’t talk to me anymore?”

“Yes. No. Sort of,” she said in a rush. “Couldn’t you see how strange it would have been?”

“No.”

She sighed. “Of course not. You are such a male. If you were a teenage girl you would understand.”

“What is there to understand?”

She pulled away from him and lay on her back once again. “All the pressure,” she said. “To fit in, to be cool, to be part of the group.”

“And you and me would have been a problem?” he asked, sounding hurt.

The tone in his voice caused her long-held guilt to well up. “Not a problem, exactly. Just…not usual. I don’t think the guys in the senior class we always hung out with would have accepted you even if some of my friends had,” she explained. “Come on, Kai. I’m sure you remember what it was like being a teenager.”

He ran a hand through his hair and stared up at the stars. “I do but what I don’t remember is ever having problems fitting in.” After a moment he gave a great exhale. “Okay, sure. I guess I can understand. Not that I’ve ever lived my life caring about that stuff, but…I get it. I don’t like it, but I get it.” Using the arm still cushioning her head and shoulders, he turned her to face him again. “But you did like me then?” he asked.

She nodded.

He smiled. “And what about now?”

She felt shy and squirmy under his gaze but admitted with hesitation, “Yes.”

He beamed at her response. “And does our age difference still bother you? I’m twenty-one and you’re twenty-three. We’re always going to be a couple of years apart.”

She looked away from him feeling very shy and hating it. He still liked her? Was it possible after she’d rejected him? A small thrill shot through her stomach. “No. Why should it bother me?” she said, with a small shrug. Chloe was sure she looked braver than she felt.

“Because I want to be with you, Chloe. I want what was lost to us before.” He searched her face with his eyes and then added in a low voice, “And because I’m going to kiss you.”

Surrender Sweet Succubus CoverBlurb – When Dr. Stephen Wallace, a fertility specialist from Sydney Australia, is approached by his brother and sister-in-law for help conceiving a child there is no way he can refuse. Since they have already exhausted all the possibilities modern medicine can provide, Stephen turns to his skills as a shaman for alternative solutions. His search leads him to Las Vegas, Nevada on a slim lead to capture a succubus who he hopes has the power to help. But when he meets Geneva, the exotic and passionate succubus, he finds himself being captured instead.

Where you can buy Surrender Sweet Succubus

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Apple iBooks | All Romance eBooks

Or add it to your shelf on Goodreads

A peek inside Surrender Sweet Succubus:

“I came here because I was looking for a succubus…” he began.

“Mm hm. Well, you found one.”

He lost his train of thought as she rolled a tube of lipstick over her lips. The same lips that had been wrapped around his cock last night doing the most wicked things to him.

She finished and started to walk back into the bathroom but her feet stopped short just before the door as if she had hit an invisible barrier. The look on her face was almost comical.

“What the…?” She backed up a step and then tried to move forward again but was halted once more in the same place. She reached in front of her and grabbed the doorway then tried to pull herself through but from the waist down, nothing else moved.

“What the hell is going on?!” She sounded scared now.

He stood. It was working, the binding spell was working! “Okay, I don’t want you to get upset but I put a binding spell on you.” He couldn’t help feeling bad about it. It wasn’t really in his nature to cast such spells but it had been necessary.

“You did what?” Her tone turned to acid and her eyes narrowed.

“A binding spell,” he repeated, “So you can’t go more than three yards away from me. Sorry, were you trying to go to the bathroom?”

He moved closer to give her more slack so she could go in. She stumbled slightly as the perimeter of the bind shifted. She straightened, looking even more upset, and moved away from the bathroom towards the front door.

“How dare you!” she raged. “I am not to be held in bondage by any man. Release me at once!” Her hands scrabbled at the door behind her for the knob.

“I’ll remove it I swear! It’s just, I need your help with something and I didn’t want you to disappear. I wasn’t sure how you would react when I told you I knew what you were.”

“You think I’m going to help you now!?” She looked like she would hit him if she could. Her eyes blazed emerald fire.

“I think, when you listen to what I have to say, you will.”

“And what if I don’t want to listen? You’re going to force me?”

He started to negate it but then stopped. She was right. The look in his sister-in-law’s eyes had haunted him since they’d spoken. He couldn’t let her down. Couldn’t let them both go on with the heartache of being childless. He shook his head, not knowing what to say.

“That’s it, I knew it! You men are all the same. You just take what you want and bend other people to your will.”

He held his hands out to her in pause. “Now look, I don’t even know if you can help me. I just wanted the opportunity to discuss it with you. That’s all. But before we do there’s something else I have to tell you about.” Better to come clean right away. He slowly inched forward towards her.

She yanked the door open. “I don’t care! Whatever it is, I’m not doing it you jerk!” she said, turning to go.

He quickly called out, “I just wanted to be honest and tell you…”

She took one step and then crumpled into a heap on the carpet.

“…about the sedative.”

About the Author:

From a young age, Jewel Quinlan had an abundant imagination and strong desire to write novels.  She particularly enjoys writing paranormal and fantasy romance. An avid traveler, she has visited fifteen countries so far (which she enjoys using as settings in her novels) and has plans to see more of the world. She has a particular fondness for Bavaria and studies the German language as one of her hobbies. During the day, she works as a pharmaceutical sales representative and, at night, she writes romance. She currently lives in Orange County, California with her two dogs; Shimmer and Penny.

For more information about books by Jewel Quinlan visit her website and blog or you can follow her on Facebook and Twitter

 

Spotlight: Barb Drozdowich and Babs Hightower and Their Guides for Authors

Click the Spotlight image to see all the Spotlights here at SJs

Book BloogersBlurb:Do you feel out of your comfort zone when dealing with book bloggers? They are the New Gatekeepers to book publishing success – but how can you tap into that source of free promotions by putting your best foot forward?

The Author’s Guide to Working with Book Bloggers combines the advice of 215 blogging professionals collected in a survey covering all aspects of communication between authors and Review Blogs. Whether you are a new author, or have many titles under your belt, let us demystify the promotion of your book on a book blog.

You’ll learn about whom and where book bloggers are, and the following:

The Query,

The Review,

The Giveaway,

The Author Interview,

The Guest Post,

The Book Blurb Excerpt and Cover Reveals and more!

“I’ve found Barb’s advice on forging a professional relationship with the blogging community indispensable. Her step-by-step approach will help you garner the reviews needed to increase book sales.”

–Christine Nolfi, bestseller author of Treasure Me

The Author’s Guide to Working with Book Bloggers is available on:

AmazonUS  AmazonUK  |  Kobo  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Smashwords

Author PlatformCreating buzz for your book – and your career as an author – just got easier. Go Global: Building an International Author Platform That Sells will help you decode the mystery behind building a powerful author brand and navigating the social media platforms essential to publishing success. Social Media and WordPress Consultant Barb Drozdowich will steer you through the technology behind international marketing without all the techno-speak. She has helped many authors just like you build an author platform that engages readers and builds sales.

Go Global teaches you why you need the various facets of the author platform to build visibility. Barb uses a simple analogy, Operation Book, to help you understand the steps to successful book marketing in the media age. She covers:

– The Difference between a Website and a Blog

– What Your Blog Should Contain

– The Important Components of a Blog

– The Nine Essential Social Media Platforms

– Newsletters

– Amazon’s Author Central

With simple-to-follow steps, Barb will help you create and manage an Author Platform to support your career.

Go Global: Building an International Author Platform that Sells is available:

AmazonUS |AmazonUK | Kobo | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

Book Blog ToursWhat are Book Blog tours? Are they something that you have tried yet? “Book Blog Tours – An Essential Marketing Tool for Authors” covers the topic of Virtual blog tours from beginning to end with the following topics explained:

• What is a book blog tour?

• How is a tour different from Online Public Relations

• How to set goals for a blog tour

• How to choose a Book Blog Tour Company for your book

• Giveaways and Tour Graphics

• Author responsibilities before, during and after the tour

• Follow up and planning for your next tour

• Book Blog Tours from the point of view of a book blogger

 

This book covers all aspects of a Book Blog Tour in easy to follow language that will help any author take on the challenge of a blog tour with confidence.

Book Blog Tours – An Essential Marketing Tool for Authors is available:

AmazonUS | Amazon UK | Kobo | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

GoodreadsThe Ultimate Goodreads Guide for Authors is the must have book for all authors. Every author has heard of Goodreads – some like it, some not so much. With over 120 color graphics, this book leads you through the process of creating your account, adding your books, making friends and so much more.

 

Let us share with you all those little gems of networking potential that Goodreads offers, such as:

– Blog posts

– Excerpt downloads

– Widgets

– Apps

– Event invitations

– Groups

– Polls

– Lists

– Trivia and Quizzes

– And many more

 

The Ultimate Goodreads for Authors is the most comprehensive book available today. Suitable for all authors, from the newly published to the experienced. It has something for everyone to learn.

The Ultimate Goodreads Guide for Authors is available:

Amazon US |Amazon UK

Public Relations

Getting help to promote your book just got easier. Public Relations for Authors Take Hold of Your Own Promotions will help you locate that special publicist who will help you promote your book the right way. A Publicity Director for two publishers Babs brings knowledge to this book.

Public Relations teaches you why you need a publicist and how to find the right one for you. To understand what you need she covers:

How publicity can help sell books

What you need to know about publicity

Writing Pitches

Media Kits

Press Releases

Where to find a PR agent

What to send to your PR agent

A practical, step by step book that helps you find the correct publicist, when publishing a book. ” by Lynelle Clark

Public Relations for Authors is available:

Amazon US| Amazon UK| Kobo| Barnes & Noble| Smashwords

About the authors:

Barb Drozdowich

Bio: Social Media and WordPress Consultant Barb Drozdowich has taught at Colleges and Universities, trained technical personnel in the banking industry and, most recently, used her expertise to help dozens of authors develop the social media platform needed to succeed in today’s fast evolving publishing world. She owns Bakerview Consulting and manages the popular Romance Book blog, Sugarbeat’s Books.

Barb can be found: 

Bakerview Consulting (Business Site) http://bakerviewconsulting.com

Barb Drozdowich (Author Site) http://barbdrozdowich.com

Sugarbeat’s Books (Book Blog) http://sugarbeatsbooks.com

Facebook(Author blog) https://www.facebook.com/BarbDrozdowichAuthor

Twitter http://twitter.com/sugarbeatbc

Google+ https://plus.google.com/110824499539694941768

Babs Hightower

Bio: Babs has been helping authors since 2000. She owns a book review blog Babs Book Bistro which got her started in PR and helping authors promote themselves. In 2012 she started working for Entangled Publishing and worked her way up to Publicity Director over the Scandalous Imprint. She is a publicist for World Castle Publishing. She is also known as Morgan Kincaid writer of Historical Romance.

Babs can be found: 

Babs Book Bistro website: http://www.babsbookbistro.net

Babs Hightower PR website: http://www.babshightowerpr.com

Author website: http://morgankincaid.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/babsbookbistro

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BabsMorganKin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BabsHightowerPr

Facebook Author: https://www.facebook.com/authormorgankincaid

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/babsbookbistro/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1970552-babs

Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/102563748897854093407/posts

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/babsbookbistro