STAYING STRONG

Michael di Gesu, an amazing man with a huge talent and even a bigger heart, created this blog hop to raise funds for our friend Melissa Bradley to defray the cost of her cancer treatments. Melissa is battling endometrial cancer with tumors that have metastasized to her hip bones. Under Michael's direction a group of people have come together to participate in this hop. We're all showing the uplifting side of an ugly disease. Entries will be collected into an anthology and those proceeds will go toward Melissa's extensive medical bills.

I've had cancer twice and also had family members who fought the villain. And I'm here to tell you attitude is what it takes to be a winner. I am a firm believer in doing normal things in abnormal times and practice what I preach no matter the situation. Cancer was no exception to my philosophy, especially when I had stage 4 larynx cancer. I'm an email type of gal as opposed to the telephone, which I hate. Anyhow, to keep friends and family aware of my life and treatment progress I sent weekly updates. So here's one of those emails for your reading pleasure.

From: Sloane Taylor
To: Cancer Pals
Sent: Saturday, June 30, 1012
Subject: OMG! I'M PREGNANT

is what I told Studs last night. After we got his heart pumping again, he said that was impossible since I'd told him I'd been spayed years ago. "Sure," says I, "but what about Immaculate Conception? Since that's my birthday maybe it's an omen. Hell, look at the rosy glow in my cheeks. It all must mean..."

Two snorts later, he asked, "Yeah, right. So what's going on?"

Well, boys and girls, guys and gals, the chemo has decided to its best to make me remember those long ago mornings of being pregnant with my beautiful daughter. Most of you ladies will relate to that and never want to relive it.:) The nausea pills help and this will only go on through late Monday afternoon. Unless God has another new joke he wishes to play on me.

The glow isn't from radiation. It's from the big bag of steroids they give me at chemo time to stop nausea. I don't know if it works well for that, but it sure as hell fills out the wrinkles on my face. And I'd like to that there really aren't that many. Also, I have extremely dry skin and always have. So there. I come by them honestly. Little K, my 7 year old granddaughter is fascinated by my wrinkles. The girl freaks me out because she gets right up next to me to study and trace the lines. It's too weird, like she's doing palmistry but in the wrong location.

Three radiations down along with three chemos that are literally running through and out of my system. Life's good and I'm still eating real food.:)

Have a wonderful fourth of July, Everyone!

Love, S

Melissa also sent Michael di Gesu this letter.

Thank you so very much for all the supportive and wonderful words of encouragement you have sent me. I feel truly blessed to be a part of this community. I am now done with stage 2 of my chemo treatments and it has been a fight. Particularly this last time as I had an allergic reaction to the chemo drugs. I turned redder than a fire engine and horrific pains in my legs. Yet, all I could think was "freakin" perfect, I look like I could land planes in a blizzard." Yes, I do keep my sense of humor about me. It sure helps to see the funny side of everything.

I've learned a lot about cancer through this experience so far, more than I ever thought I would know. The most important is having a great attitude and keeping your sense of humor. I also know that this disease is very expensive. To that end I'd love to do a blog hop with vignettes of humor from people who have been touched by this disease, particularly reproductive cancer. I'd love to collect these stories in an anthology to be published. I want to share the profits with Gilda's Club Chicago, an organization that helps women fight endometrial, cervical, and ovarian cancers. I'll keep you all posted.

As far as myself, having lost my job (because what else could go wrong, right?), my friends have started a Go Fund Me page to help with my expenses. If you could share this or even donate, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you so much for everything.

Hugs,

Melissa

Learn more about Melissa on her blog and on her Amazon Author's page.

Be sure to check out the other people participating in the BIG C blog hop for Melissa Bradley. Their stories will warm your heart.

AND THE NOMINEES ARE...

Some of the finest books, authors, covers, and publishers in the industry are up for the annual awards from Love Romance Café. Dawn Roberto and her staff worked hard to select the contenders and lay out the voting procedures. A wise and seasoned author told me, "Chosen as a nominee is the honor" and I do believe she was correct.

I'm grateful and excited to be a part of this moment. My erotic novella PHOTO Op! is in the running for Best Contemporary Book 2013. This would not have happened without my amazing editor Helen Hardt and those two critique rascals who never let me get by with a thing, Melissa Bradley and Erica Dananay. A special thanks goes to the person who started this all and shoved me onto the right path, my mentor mystery writer Beth Anderson.

There are many close friends who are nominated this year. Three phenomenal authors who are also my Wenches of Words cohorts: Sharon Ledwith, Legend of the Timekeepers Best YA Book, and Sam Cheever Best Author and Declan Sands Blood-Hound Best Series. Another bud who has always been there when I needed her Clare London Best Cover. The other nominee friends are at the top of their genres Jane Dougherty The Dark Citadel Best YA Book, Desiree Holt Lock and Load Best Thriller/Suspense/Mystery, Selena Illyria Mate Not Wanted Best Erotic Romance Book. I am elated to add Musa Publishing BEST PUBLISHER, and they really are.

The excitement builds as the voting begins today. All 4000 plus members of Love Romances Café are eager to choose their favorites.

Congratulations to all the talented nominees and the best of luck to everyone!

Kick-Ass Chicks Are Cool

It's wonderful to make new friends and even better to share them. Today, I'm doing just that. Please allow me to introduce you to a woman with more balls than most men.

The name’s Maxie Briscoe and I am a werewolf...

That’s right, a real live, full moon-loving, Halloween icon. It’s hard out here for a girl like me. To survive, I hide my true self and act the part of a normal human, all while discreetly indulging the Beast within. Talk about walking a narrow ledge. And that’s not even the worst part. Sex is. You see I can bench press a pick-up truck and that spells disaster in the bedroom. You can’t have any real fun knowing you might accidentally crush a lover while in the throes. Kind of kills the mood.

MAXIE BRISCO: WEREWOLF
Melissa Bradley
ISBN-13: 978-1-60272-650-5 (Electronic)
ISBN-13: 978-1-60272-806-6 (Paperback)
Amber Allure

When a friend’s murder shatters the careful existence Maxie has carved out for herself, she comes face to face with Damien and Noah, two of the hottest men she’s ever laid eyes on. And it only stirs her Beast and turns her on more when she realizes they’re hot for each other. They’re also the first werewolves she’s run across since her own conversion. The attraction between the three of them is instant, but complicated, and the sex...explosive.

Too bad there’s a killer out there with his sights set on her...

EXCERPT:
Maxie meets Damien and Noah for the first time…

They materialize from the darkness, hunters intent on their prey. Me.

My breath hitches, the animal inside rippling beneath my skin. I’m nervous, but I refuse to let them see. This bitch rolls belly-up for no one. I stride onto my front porch, prepared to defend my territory. Dressed in loungewear, I am hardly the picture of a strong alpha female, but you go with what you got. I look them both dead on.

I fold my arms over my breasts. “What do you want?” I growl, my voice a low rumble.

“We’ve come for you, little one.” With a voice like muffled thunder, the taller of the two moves forward onto my lawn. Twisted steel with sex appeal about sums him up. His dark hair is pulled back in a tail, tee-shirt molded to his cut frame.

My nostrils flare, catching his scent, fresh like a mountain spring at first thaw; my female parts quiver in anticipation. I want to coil myself around him like a python on a Kapok tree, hugging
every hard inch of flesh. Ruthlessly, I shove down the urge. It’s dangerous. Ulterior motives are written all over the two of them, and I just know one of those motives is to dominate me.

“It took us a long time to find you, Maxie.”

The whisky baritone draws my attention, and I watch the other one emerge, lean and graceful, his muscles liquid precision. Definite hotness is woven into the male half of the werewolf
genetic code. His scent is warm and dark, like night in a jungle. My nipples bead with excitement as he lopes toward me, brushing past the larger wolf. He stops at the base of my stairs, conqueror
etched in every line of his body. This is definitely the alpha of the pair.

“Didn’t know I was lost.” I widen my stance, ready to spring. If he’s looking for a challenge, he’s got one.

He smiles, teeth bared, the faint light from the scimitar moon exposing the predatory glint in his eyes.

I can feel the hunger resonating through them, matching my own deep desire.

“We can smell your craving, little one,” the taller one rumbles as he joins his partner.

I hate arrogant assholes. “Is this the part where I’m supposed lie back, spread my legs and say, ‘Do me like Red Riding Hood, you Big Bad Wolf’?”

They chuckle in that knowing, masculine way, the sound like tropical waves lapping along my insides, teasing and inviting.

“She’s more than we imagined, my friend.” The dominant wolf smiles over his shoulder at the other one as he starts up the first step.

“Hold it right there, Romeo,” I snap.

He stops, huffs out a breath and moves back to his original position. “The name is Damien Black. And this is Noah Rayburn.” He jerks a thumb toward the larger guy who inclines his head with a gleaming look in his eyes.

They stand there, watching me, probably wondering when I’m going to quit being so difficult and invite them inside. Maybe I will and maybe I won’t. All depends on their explanations.

Amazon Paperback
Amazon Kindle

Melissa Bradley grew up in a book-loving, storytelling family on Chicago’s southeast side. Some of her fondest memories are of her father regaling her with tales of giants and goblins. She has a passion for stories of history, romance, adventure, fantasy, science fiction and horror. Melissa's favorite places include bookstores, libraries and movie theatres. You can find out more about Melissa and her writing by visiting Melissa's Imaginarium, Facebook and Twitter.

I'll be back Wednesday with a new menu. Until then...

Happy Reading!

Sloane Taylor

TURKISH DELIGHT

Melissa Bradley, an exceptional author in any genre she writes, has a new dynamite book her many fans will love. Byzantine Provocateur is a contemporary heat level 3 story that has it all. From light BDSM and exhibitionism in public places to marvelous, yet brief, descriptions of Turkey, we travel through a modern day love story of money and power. It's a satisfaction guaranteed read and sure to capture many news devotees to the delightful talents of Ms. Bradley.

BYZANTINE PROVOCATEUR
Melissa Bradley
ISBN-13: 978-1-61124-072-6
Amber Quill Press - Amber Heat



BUY LINK

BLURB:
An ancient city sparks forbidden desire…

Thalia Burton arrives in Istanbul to relax and enjoy the company of her old friend. Hoping to forget the boring rut her life had become, she never imagines one encounter with Fadi's brother re-igniting the dim flame of passion inside her. Captivated by the heat in his golden eyes, Thalia finds herself tempted beyond reason...

Murat Bahar had only intended to meet Thalia as a courtesy to his family. One look at the lovely American incinerates his intentions. She is an exquisite morsel he longs to taste, a taboo treat enthralling him like a siren of myth. Perhaps just one night…

Once is not enough. Thalia and Murat embark on a fiery, secret affair that could burn them both, costing them friends and family.

EXCERPT:
Murat slid a finger along her jaw, her neck, tracing a tingly path to her décolleté. He stared at the pendant nestled in the hollow of her throat, like he was trying to figure out exactly what to say.

She held her breath, the butterfly touch sending tiny thrills rushing along her nerves. This was crazy. If she were smart she’d turn around right now and find her way back up to the ballroom.

“Once was not enough, tatlim,” he said hoarsely.

“What?” Thalia wheezed, unable to get a deep breath.

His hands slid down, grasping her arms and drawing them around his neck, pulling her into the shelter of his body. The spice of him surrounded her, blending perfectly with the scents of garden and sea, a hypnotic perfume that drugged her senses.

“I think you understood,” he whispered, his palms gliding up to caress her back. His heat through the delicate silk radiated along her skin.

She glanced up, eyes widening at the intense emotions she found reflected in his glittery gaze.

"I have hungered for you these last days and nights.”

Desire rolled through her like a gathering thunderstorm.

Dear, Jesus, please, please don’t let me wake up.

She wanted to kiss him, to wrap herself around him like a vine and never let go, but… Her darned conscience nosed its way into her fun.

“You said all those things,” she managed in a surprisingly steady voice. “How can you just turn all that off? And what about Fadi, your parents?”

His arms tightened as he nuzzled his lips into her throat. He whispered to her in Turkish, as though he were too overcome to form the right words in English. The exotic syllables fell hotly against her sensitized skin and her breath caught at the tiny electric thrills.

He drew back, the moonlight rendering his golden eyes silver. The torment there matched her own.

“This is a quandary, I know, but you are a rare breath of sweet fresh air, Thalia. My world has become too narrow, too constricted. Always doing what others expect. I need to be with you, if only for a little while.”

BUY LINK

Keep up with Melissa Bradley on Myspace and follow her exciting blog Melissa's Imaginarium.

Have a great weekend. I'll be back Tuesday with a new teaser. Until then...

Happy Reading!

Sloane Taylor
Sweet as Honey...Hotter than Hell
www.sloanetaylor.com

VAMPIRES, ZOMBIES AND MORE!

Are you into Halloween and all its traditions? If so, check out Melissa's Imaginarium for posts that unravel all the dark secrets. I guarantee you'll enjoy this tweleve day spookathon!

Sloane Taylor
Sweet as Honey...Hotter than Hell
www.sloanetaylor.com

PARTY ON!

Join me today, and several of my good friends, for a fun time at LOVE ROMANCES CAFE from 11:00am - 2:00pm EST. I'll have an easy contest for you to win free downloads along with offering great recipes and lively conversation.

Hope to see you there!

Sloane Taylor
Sweet as Honey...Hotter than Hell
www.sloanetaylor.com

KICK-ASS CHICKS

It's wonderful to make new friends and even better to share them. Today, I'm going to do just that. Please allow me to introduce you to a woman with more balls than most men.

The name's Maxie Briscoe and I am a werewolf…

That’s right, a real live, full moon-loving, Halloween icon. It’s hard out here for girl like me. To survive, I hide my true self and act the part of a normal human, all while discreetly indulging the Beast within. Talk about walking a narrow ledge. And that’s not even the worst part. Sex is. You see I can bench press a pick-up truck and that spells disaster in the bedroom. You can’t have any real fun knowing you might accidentally crush a lover while in the throes. Kind of kills the mood.

MAXIE BRISCOE: WEREWOLF
Melissa Bradley
Amber Quill Press
ISBN-13: 978-1-60272-650-5 (Electronic) $5.25
ISBN-13: 978-1-60272-806-6 (Paperback) Available Mid-March



When a friend’s murder shatters the careful existence I’ve carved out, I come face to face with Damien and Noah, two of the hottest men I’ve ever laid eyes on. They are also the first werewolves I’ve run across since my conversion. The attraction is instant, but complicated, the sex… explosive.

Too bad there’s a killer out there with his sights on me …

EXCERPT:

Maxie meets Damien and Noah for the first time…

They materialize from the darkness, hunters intent on their prey. Me.

My breath hitches, the animal inside rippling beneath my skin. I’m nervous, but I refuse to let them see. This bitch rolls belly-up for no one. I stride onto my front porch, prepared to defend my territory. Dressed in loungewear, I am hardly the picture of a strong alpha female, but you go with what you got. I look them both dead on.

I fold my arms over my breasts. “What do you want?” I growl, my voice a low rumble.

“We’ve come for you, little one.” With a voice like muffled thunder, the taller of the two moves forward onto my lawn. Twisted steel with sex appeal about sums him up. His dark hair is pulled back in a tail, tee-shirt molded to his cut frame.

My nostrils flare, catching his scent, fresh like a mountain spring at first thaw; my female parts quiver in anticipation. I want to coil myself around him like a python on a Kapok tree, hugging
every hard inch of flesh. Ruthlessly, I shove down the urge. It’s dangerous. Ulterior motives are written all over the two of them, and I just know one of those motives is to dominate me.

“It took us a long time to find you, Maxie.”

The whisky baritone draws my attention, and I watch the other one emerge, lean and graceful, his muscles liquid precision. Definite hotness is woven into the male half of the werewolf
genetic code. His scent is warm and dark, like night in a jungle. My nipples bead with excitement as he lopes toward me, brushing past the larger wolf. He stops at the base of my stairs, conqueror
etched in every line of his body. This is definitely the alpha of the pair.

“Didn’t know I was lost.” I widen my stance, ready to spring. If he’s looking for a challenge, he’s got one.

He smiles, teeth bared, the faint light from the scimitar moon exposing the predatory glint in his eyes.

I can feel the hunger resonating through them, matching my own deep desire.

“We can smell your craving, little one,” the taller one rumbles as he joins his partner.

I hate arrogant assholes. “Is this the part where I’m supposed lie back, spread my legs and say, ‘Do me like Red Riding Hood, you Big Bad Wolf’?”

They chuckle in that knowing, masculine way, the sound like tropical waves lapping along my insides, teasing and inviting.

“She’s more than we imagined, my friend.” The dominant wolf smiles over his shoulder at the other one as he starts up the first step.

“Hold it right there, Romeo,” I snap.

He stops, huffs out a breath and moves back to his original position. “The name is Damien Black. And this is Noah Rayburn.” He jerks a thumb toward the larger guy who inclines his head with a gleaming look in his eyes.

They stand there, watching me, probably wondering when I’m going to quit being so difficult and invite them inside to fuck. Maybe I will and maybe I won’t. All depends on their
explanations.

BUY LINK

Hope you like my new friend, Maxie, and want to learn more about her. I guarantee she's worth the effort. I'll be back later in the week. Until then...

Happy Writing!

Sloane Taylor
Sweet as Honey...Hotter than Hell
www.sloanetaylor.com

IS IT REAL?

Have you ever heard such good news that you’re positive the message can’t be true? Reread it a zillion times and it still won’t sink in? Or been offered a tangible item that is so precious, so important you’re completely blown away?

All that happened to me Wednesday, and two days later I’m still in happy shock. This news has to be shared, then maybe I will believe it's real.

I am ecstatic to announce AMBER QUILL PRESS has offered me a writing contract for my latest work CZECH MATE, a sexy little number that takes place in Prague. An editor is assigned and a tentative release is scheduled for this spring.

I am grateful to my critique partners, Beth Anderson, Melissa Bradley, Erica Dananay, Virginia Deweese and Dorothy Emery for whipping me into shape so this fantastic opportunity could become a reality.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I will return to dancing around the room and screaming my head off at just how good 2009 will be!

Have a great weekend! I certainly will.

Sloane Taylor
Sweet as Honey...Hotter than Hell

HOT SEX with MELISSA

It's the last day of my Birthday Bash. MELISSA BRADLEY is up front with hot sex and more. Be sure to check out her easy contest! I hope you’ll join us at http://www.sloanetaylor.com/blog for a fun time.

Each day I’m giving away a free download to one person in a simple contest. The winner gets to select the book of their choice from my releases. All you need to do is email me sloanetaylor @ comcast.net, no spaces, on the day you wish to enter the contest. Type BOOKS in the subject line and the title you’d like in the body of your email. Told you it was easy! You can enter as many times as you like. I’ll draw a winner each day and announce them on my blog.

The winner for December 13 is SHEILA who chose FRENCH DELIGHTS. The book has been sent!

Also, if you like bookmarks and postcards send your snail mail address to me, sloanetaylor @ comcast.net, no spaces, with FREEBIE in the subject line. I’ll be happy to send you a packet no matter where in the world you live.

Sloane Taylor
Sweet as Honey...Hotter than Hell
TEDDI TURNS ON 2009 EPPIE Finalist - Erotica www.aspenmountainpress.com
FRENCH KISS www.eternalpress.ca
www.sloanetaylor.com www.myspace.com/sloanetaylor