SCOTLAND WITH A BITE

If you like vampires, along with hot males in kilts, you're going to love SEDUCING SCOTS, the latest release from multi-published Marie Treanor.

Here's a little to warm you on this cold February day.

SEDUCING SCOTS
Marie Treanor
ISBN: 9781419962363
Ellora's Cave



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BLURB:
You're not meant to fall for the bad guy, are you? Not the vampire, nor the possessed, nor the ex-con...

Reluctant Scottish psychic Jenny discovers her true talent is hunting vampires. Yet when that vampire is the evil, sexy gorgeous Karoly, in his quite inappropriate antique kilt, will she be able to fulfill her potential?

Ellie is a strong psychic with a messy personal life. When she decides to clean up the latter, the last person she needs to encounter is carefree Scottish busker Chris, the best ever one night stand from her naughty past. Especially when something evil within him threatens them both.

When the vampiress Draguta, Karoly’s ex, comes to the Scottish Highlands with a social mission, she’s distracted by local pub landlord, Al MacNab – a large, sexy man with a dubious past, a lot of secrets, and some alluring bondage gadgetry in his cellar.

EXCERPT:
“Well? What do you eat, little vampire hunter?”

Vampire hunter? Who did he think I was? Buffy? Right now I would have given much for just one of the Slayer’s powerful kicks. Even the ability to shuffle one foot would have been good. Still, at least I managed to gather my wildly confused wits enough to demand, “Did you hurt Maggie?”

“Who is Maggie?” he asked without much interest. His gaze had fallen to my throat again. One thin, pale hand lifted, two long, finely tapering fingers brushed the skin of my neck. I gasped. Though neither warm nor cold, they didn’t feel remotely neutral. Electricity sparked, tingling through me, and more worrying than anything, it wasn’t even unpleasant. The opposite, in fact.

“The bride!” I gasped. “She just left.”

“Poultry and cheap red wine,” he said disparagingly, without looking up from my neck. His fingers stroked my skin and those sparks were getting worse, shooting right through my whole body, creating some half-understood but overwhelming desire that was only mostly to do with sex.

“You did bite her!” I accused, trying to distract him before I became totally lost in what he was doing to my throat.

“Of course I did,” he chided. “I’m a vampire.”

His fingers slid around to the back of my neck and closed. I gasped again, involuntarily twisting my head. I prayed he would mistake my reaction for fear, but the truth was his touch gave me some fearful pleasure I had never encountered before, triggering new desires that were almost scarier than him.

Suddenly, every inch of me was aware of his tall, strong body. Backed into the table as I was, I couldn’t have moved if I’d tried and now I didn’t want to. I wanted him to touch me more. And the knowledge that it was wicked and forbidden and dangerous only added to the excitement. He hadn’t killed Maggie or Davie, after all, and he must have known that even if I recognized him for what he was, I was no threat. I wondered, with trembling anticipation, what his bite would feel like.

His fingers caressed the back of my neck. Without warning, his body came to rest against mine. This time there was warmth—or perhaps it was just my own flushed body heating his—and something hard, his sporran, pushed sweetly against my crotch. I realized I was moist down there, growing wetter and hotter by the instant. A small sound like a moan escaped my lips. My nipples felt painfully tight and hard against his chest and I wished very badly that I’d been laid in the last few months so that I didn’t disintegrate so quickly into this gibbering glob of desire for someone—something—so evil that even I had felt it across a crowded room.

But the truth was, I wished vampires fucked and I wished very badly that this one would fuck me quickly, here and now.

Involuntarily, my hips pressed forward into his and I saw him smile as he bent his head. Something flashed in his eyes just as they passed out of my view. His fingers gripped my nape more firmly, his other arm suddenly swept around my back to hold me to him and I closed my eyes, letting the wild sensations of pleasure and desire wash over me, fill me.

I felt his lips on my neck, silky smooth. My head fell back against his arm, my mouth opened with a soundless cry of want and anticipation. My hands clutched his biceps, clinging to the hard, muscled flesh for support. His lips felt so good, teasing, sensuously sucking, that I wanted them everywhere on me. His tongue flickered across my skin, tasting, and it was so wonderful, sending such delicious shivers of pleasure through my whole body that I would happily have died just to feel it again. But I wanted more, I wanted his teeth, which I would surely feel, any moment. I wondered if it would hurt, what sort of weird, perverse joy it would give my suddenly depraved body…

But his lips were still. I could hear my heart pounding. My fingers gripped convulsively on his arms, waiting. But he didn’t move. Then, slowly, he lifted his head. His eyes were so dark they looked black, almost opaque save for those flashing flecks of gold as they stared down into mine. Bewildered, stupid with unsatisfied hunger, I stared back.

He said, “Do you know, I drank from a homeless man when I first came here and I was out cold for three nights?”

I drew in my breath, hearing it shudder.

“What is it with me?” I demanded. “Why do men only want to talk?”

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Remember, you can find out more about Marie Treanor and her engrossing books on her website. Catch all her latest news on Facebook or subscribe to her Newsletter. Be sure to join the party on her new blog: Marie Treanor’s Romantic Theme Party.

I'll be back Monday with a review on the awesome hit musical Million Dollar Quartet. Until then...

Happy Reading!

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

HOT VAMPIRES FOR A COLD DAY

Our guest author today is the incredibly talented Marie Treanor who lives in Scotland with her eccentric husband and three much-too-smart children. After the family grew bored with city life, they moved to a picturesque village by the sea where Marie is lucky enough to enjoy herself avoiding housework and writing sensual stories of paranormal romance and fantasy much to this fan's delight.

Please allow me to give you an example of this superb author.

BLOOD ON SILK
An AWAKENED BY BLOOD Novel
Marie Treanor
ISBN: 978-0451231567 Paperback
NAL - Signet Eclipse



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Temptation begins at sunset…

BLURB:
Scottish academic Elizabeth Silk is spending the summer in Romania researching historical superstitions for her PhD. While she is tracing local folktales, one subject in particular sparks her imagination. His name is Saloman, legend's most powerful vampire, a seductive prince staked centuries ago. Now, in the ruins of a castle crypt, Elizabeth discovers the legends are real. Her blood has awakened him. Her innocence has aroused him. But Elizabeth unleashes more than Saloman's hunger.

An army of vampire hunters has amassed to send Saloman back to hell. Sworn to help - yet fearing Saloman's deadly blood lust - Elizabeth seeks to entrap him, offering her body as bait. But something stronger than dread, more powerful than revenge, is uniting Elizabeth to her prey. Caught between desire and rage, Elizabeth must decide where her loyalties lie...and what the limits are to a yearning she can no longer control.

EXCERPT:
There was nowhere to go but backward, until the wall ground into her shoulder blades and buttocks, and still he kept coming. Tall and broad-shouldered as he was, his very size threatened her. Most of his handsome face was in shadow, hiding any expression. She could make out only his eyes, blacker than the surrounding darkness, yet glistening with some deep, wild hunger it hurt to look at.

He lifted his hand once more to the wound in her throat. His fingertip was cold, yet seemed to burn her skin. She gasped, quivering, and when he bent his head toward her again, gazing at her bleeding injury, she began to fight, crashing her fists into his chest, pushing uselessly against his shoulders.

He smelled of earth and cold stone, gave off no sense of human warmth. So why did her body begin to weaken its resistance? Her fists, her struggles, made no impression on him. He continued to lower his head to her wounded neck. At least she could no longer see those terrible eyes…

At the first touch of his lips, she gave up: she could do nothing against him and some dark, perverse part of her remembered the unique, agonizing thrill of his first bite.

But he didn’t bite. He surrounded the wound with his lips and licked it once. She shuddered, helpless in the grip of fear and something she couldn’t – or wouldn’t – name. Then he lifted his head and she stared at him, speechless, because the pain had gone.

The hunger hadn’t left his eyes, but in the glimmer of torchlight, she thought it was overlaid with mockery. The bastard was laughing at her.

“I’m saving the rest for later,” he explained.

Her eyes widened. He was letting her live after all? At least for another minute. “L-later?” she stammered.

His fingers trailed across her throat, butterfly light, making her gasp. “Later. Your blood is strong and heady. I’m taking time to absorb it.” He bent nearer her, inhaling, almost sniffing the air around her head and throat. The skin of his face looked so smooth she had an insane urge to reach up and touch it. His sculpted lips moved faintly, as if a smile almost danced across them, never quite forming before it faded.

“Interesting,” he observed, and his voice was different now, quiet, almost whispering, with just a hint of hoarseness. “I have to thank you for waking me…What is your name?”

She swallowed. “Elizabeth. Elizabeth Silk.”

The almost smile tugged at his lips and vanished. His cheek brushed against hers, barely touching, yet her stomach seemed to plunge. “Silk. How apt,” he murmured. “Like your hair…and your skin, so soft and warm…”

His fingertips caressed her face, then slid down over her chin to her throat and she gasped, jerking in panic. But the movement only brought her into contact with his body. He was hard and solid, and surely that stiff ridge against her stomach was his erection… Vampires had erections? Unless that part of him was still made of stone?

Oh Jesus Christ and fuck!

She shrank, pressing her back into the wall once more. Shocked, she could feel wetness between her legs. It’s just fear, not lust, it can’t be…

“And you are English,” he said, changing to that language without warning.

“Scottish,” she returned mechanically. What the hell does that matter?

He inclined his head, clearly humoring her. His body touched hers at breast and hips, hardening her nipples into aching peaks. Perhaps he felt them, for he said, “Do you know how long it has been since I have had a meal or a woman?”

Her stomach seemed to melt into her womb. Sweat had broken out on her palms and was trickling down between her breasts. But somehow she managed to do the math. “Three hundred and twelve years?”

His gaze dropped to her lips. “Don’t ask me. After the first couple of centuries, those decades just fly by.” He lifted his hand from her neck, tracing one tapered fingertip along her lower lip. She was afraid to move.

“Do they really?” she managed.

“No. But they let me work up some heady appetites.”

“For what?” She sounded more suspicious than terrified. Was that good? Perhaps. The almost-smile reappeared and vanished as his face leaned nearer hers.

“For dinner,” he answered. “And dalliance.”

His finger slid to the corner of her lips, pushing gently until she gasped, and when her mouth opened he took it with his.

Heat consumed her, drowning her in some strange, welcome weakness. His cool lips moved across hers, sampling, parting them. He should have tasted of dust and death and corruption. At the very least he hadn’t brushed his teeth in three hundred and twelve years. Yet what she inhaled in panic was something overwhelmingly seductive, an earthy sweetness, powerful and masculine, and God help her, she wanted it. She wanted to give herself to his mouth, feel his kiss deepen and dominate while he pressed that large, hard body closer into her. She wanted to push herself against the hardness nudging her abdomen. She wanted it between her legs, pushing into her, because she’d never known a kiss as arousing as this, and the sex would be so…

Oh God!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You can find out more about Marie Treanor and her engrossing books on her website. Catch all her latest news on Facebook or subscribe to her Newsletter. Be sure to join the party on her new blog: Marie Treanor's Romantic Theme Party.

I'll be back tomorrow with a new release from the spellbinding Marie Treanor. Until then...

Happy Reading!

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

HAIL THE QUEEN

The Queen of Hot, Jan Springer, is back with a new release guaranteed to singe your Kindle.

DARK HEAT, an amazing read, comes with two Reader Advisories:

Dark Heat contains sensitive matter such as forced seductions that is integral to the story. Please use your discretion if such content offends you.

And:

The heroes have a human female give their heroine some sexy loving in a short f/f scene.

They were all I needed to ensure I'd enjoy this well-written novel.

DARK HEAT
Vampira Book Two
Jan Springer
ISBN: 9781419929960
Ellora's Cave Publishing



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BLURB:
Warrior Queen Megan Bloodrayne was betrayed by her two forced mates. Fleeing them, she hides within Vampira, a secret coven of vampires who live undetected among the humans.

Recaptured, Megan is horrified to learn she’s been framed for crimes she did not commit. Her mates, kings Christian and Zane, believe she may be a traitor and they’ll try anything to get the truth out of her. Megan’s got a secret and she’ll do anything to keep it, including enduring scorching sessions of red-hot sexual torture.

EXCERPT:
Run! Her mind screamed. But to where?

They had her cornered. She realized her mistake now. Upon climbing to the mountaintop she’d ventured out onto a peninsula. Three sides were severe drops of thousands of feet onto solid rock that would kill even a vampire. She was also upwind, that’s why she hadn’t smelled them.

Damn stupid vamp! She couldn’t have been more foolish if she’d tried. They must have been watching her. Waiting for the right moment. Laughing at her stupidity.

Despite the fear curling through her like a suffocating blanket, she recognized the two males who had come to the alpine house that one morn. Yet if only they’d met in another less threatening way…

“Do not do anything foolish, female.” The younger of the two spoke with softness as if trying to gentle a frightened mare. But she was no mare submitting to a ride.

“I warn you. I will not hesitate to kill both of you before you touch me.” She held her spear up in a threatening manner. The males didn’t flinch at her threat. If anything the young one looked worried as he cast quick glances to the cliffs on each side of her, obviously fearing she might jump to her death. If they would be so lucky. Ha!

The older one, the more handsome of the two, to her utmost irritation, quirked the tips of his lips in utter amusement, allowing the erotic length of his fangs to shine fully in the moonlight.

He found her amusing? Did he not realize she could sail her spear through the cold mountain air and pierce his spine, shattering it? Vampires were a strong breed, but a shattered spine would most certainly kill the brute. Even he could not regenerate that quickly to avoid death.

No, she didn’t want him dead, he was much too fine a male specimen. She would find another way to escape.

“Perhaps a good fucking by both of us will calm you, my Lady,” the older suggested. She trembled under his magnificent lusty glare and realized he must have the gift of mesmerizing.

Oh shit, she thought, using the human term she found quite effective when she was in trouble. If she didn’t break eye contact with him, she would be easily taken. And yet, under his stare, she wanted to be taken. By both of them. Just as he’d suggested. Taken at the same time. Over and over again.

Naked male flesh slapping against her. Huge, powerful hands holding her ass steady. One of them plunging into her pussy. The other one coming into her from behind.

Megan caught herself and closed her eyes in the hopes of breaking those naughty thoughts. He must have put the suggestion into her mind. He must have! Wanton heat spiraled through her and hot moisture pooled between her thighs. Her nipples felt so terribly hard and her breasts pleasantly heavy and swollen.

If they captured her she would lose her new-found freedom but maybe gain sexual freedom. The thought came upon her so quickly and so silently she didn’t even realize the two males were several steps closer to her until she opened her eyes again.

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For deeper insight on what makes the Queen of Hot so hot, check out Jan Springer's website. Once there, click on blog in the header for more entertaining reads.

I'll be back Monday. Until then...

Happy Reading!

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

DESTINY BLAINE - CENTER STAGE

Dynamic author Destiny Blaine is here to share her soon to be released novel Waking Up the Arguably Dead.

Here's the tagline: Waiting to Die Can be Such a Drag.

Now that has to peak your interest. :)

Hi, Sloane. Thank you for allowing me to be your guest today. I wanted to stop by and tell you about my upcoming book.

Waking Up the Arguably Dead is a Dark Paranormal MFM Romance with comic relief elements. Readers get a glimpse inside my hometown of Blountville, Tennessee as they flip the pages of this Passion in Print novel. They’ll see what I see while driving down Main Street and they'll discover a country store, while somewhat fabricated, where many of us pop in for an ice cold soda and good conversation.

Waking Up the Arguably Dead introduces readers to Granny Myrtle, a spunky little old woman who is several characters all wrapped up in one. I created Granny from a few country grandmothers I’ve had the pleasure of meeting at least once. As for Addison: Well, I don't know anyone quite like Addison but she sure is one lucky gal. Read the book and find out why a lot of girls in these parts might be a little envious.

In this novel, you’ll meet Melissa, the LPN over at the local physician’s office. I’m happy to say she is true to form. No, there isn’t a Dr. Michaels in Blountville, but Melissa lives here. She’s a saucy little vixen who knows what she wants and doesn’t care to tell everyone how much she’s enjoyed getting it. The first name has been changed to protect the promiscuous and as far as I know the real ‘Melissa’ never worked a day in her life. You'll like her though. She's full of surprises.

Step inside Waking Up the Arguably Dead. Meet my characters. Then, drop me an email, destinyblaine@yahoo.com, and let me know what you think or what would you do if you were in Addison’s shoes?

WAKING UP THE ARGUABLY DEAD
Destiny Blaine
Passion in Print

Genre: MFM Paranormal-Vampire



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BLURB:
Martin Cartwright's neighbor receives disheartening news. She's dying. As far as Martin can tell, Addison has never looked better, but when daily sightings of his beautiful neighbor become few and far between, Martin realizes Addison isn't too keen on living. And he decides to help her get on with dying.

Martin plans to scare Addison into living. Unbeknown to him, someone is watching with similar goals. Only Drake Valentine's interests in the lovely Miss Deveraux vary from Martin's ambitions. Soon, Addison must choose between living in the shadows of sickness and stepping into the darkness where she's always been drawn.

EXCERPT:
Addison Deveraux stared at her family physician for several minutes, unable to speak and incapable of processing the information he relayed. She focused on the white walls around her. She skimmed over the medical licenses and board certifications, eventually narrowing her gaze on the overstuffed plastic brochure rack housing material about common medical problems. The entire time, she remained faintly aware of her doctor’s monotone voice. An avid movie enthusiast, Addison disconnected from the moment and recalled a recent flick she’d watched.

She remembered one scene in particular where a woman learned of her life-destroying health circumstance. Thanks to modern day technology, the character slipped into a mindboggling funnel surrounded by noise typically found in a seashell. The echo intensified and the room scrambled into spinning pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.

On the big screen, the actress sobbed. The doctor calmly provided information about the disease for which she’d been diagnosed and the woman finally zoomed in on those fated words: “You’re dying.”

Addison blinked. “I am?”

“Addison,” Dr. Michaels began gently, “Haven’t you heard a word I just said?”

She swallowed. “No, I was…” Thinking about dying.

“Addison , this isn’t something you should take lightly,” Dr.Michaels stressed, leaning over his desk. An older man with salt and pepper hair, Dr. Michaels wore tinted large-rimmed glasses and resembled someone who might have been chosen to portray a physician delivering detrimental news.

Addison watched his mouth move. His words hummed all around her, beating into her ears like a hollow drum. “Treatment is something we should discuss together. This isn’t the end and that’s it.”

Boom. Boom. Boom. The maddening tempo gained momentum.

Advice slipped from his lips but the words ran together in a never-ending slur. “Think of diagnosis as a transition. By the time you’ve processed the information I’ve given you, you’ll be ready to face the days ahead. In the end, you’ll be much better off.”

She gulped. There it was. The dreaded statement, You’ll be much better off.

How many times had she attended a funeral for one of her grandmother’s friends and heard the same thing? Mary Lou Cornell went to a better place. Dan Bradley was much better off after both arms and one leg were amputated.

Carla Sue Davis found Jesus after living on the streets and working for some pimp who decided to repay her years of servitude with continual beatings. And Barbara Jo Jones faced death the same way she’d faced living; always waiting for the other shoe to drop.

No indeed, Addison refused to walk down the same road chosen by Granny Myrtle’s best friends, or her cousin Gertrude, who for some reason received her bad news and decided to kick the bucket, before the bucket smacked her upside her head. No way. Addison planned to do a little better for herself. She’d die on her own terms.

The way Addison met death was her decision. Since she had a choice in the matter, she planned to go on out there and greet death—take her fate by the horns and ride the daylights out of it.

Yep, it was time to get on with dying.

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Learn more about Destiny and the books she loves to write on her website and be sure to check out Destiny's informative blog.

I'll be back Monday. Until then...

Happy Writing!

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

THE CURSE OF BEAUTY, DO YOU HAVE IT?

Linda Sole aka Anne Ireland is back to share another of her exciting books. THE CURSE OF BEAUTY is an excellent take on vampires and gives us a surprising twist to their myth. It's a book well worth reading.

THE CURSE OF BEAUTY
Anne Ireland
ISBN 978-1-936279-31-9
Amira Press

Genre: Vampire Historical Romance
Heat Level: HOT



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BLURB:
Angelina is haunted by a dream lover. Alone, with no one to care for her, when her father gives her in marriage, to a man she has never met, she can only obey. Is she doomed once more to bitter grief? What mystery haunts the castle, stalking the dark corners like a black fiend—and can she pass through terrible danger to find happiness at last?

EXCERPT:
“Oh, my love,” she whispered, her throat tight. “Why do you not claim me? Take me with you...please. Take me to wherever you are.” She dashed away her tears. “Who are you? Why do you come to me only in dreams, and why do you leave me? Please tell me...”

“My name is Raphael, and the time approaches when you must choose. Choose truly, and you will be mine completely.”

Feeling a warm breath at the nape of her neck, Angelina cried out, her body tingling as she felt the desire curl hotly through her body. It was as if he lay with her in her bed, his mouth sucking at her nub, making her arch and whimper with pleasure. Her limbs dissolved with dancing heat, her lips parting, and moist. She was on fire with sensual need, and her feminine juices dampened her inner thighs.

He was here. She could not see him, but she felt his presence, her body responding as it did in her dreams. Her lips parted as she felt a touch so soft that it was merely a whisper, her breath swift as she panted with pleasure.

“Where are you? I cannot see you. Stay with me. I love you. I need you.”

“I have loved you for six hundred years,” the voice seemed to whisper close to her ear, hoarse with passion and the torment of centuries. “I have searched for you, been driven to despair and haunted by the curse...and now I have found you. Only you can break the curse, my love...but you must choose.”

“Tell me what to do.” Angelina whirled round, looking for him, but the room was empty. She was alone, as always. Was she going mad? Had her mind cracked beneath the strain of her unhappiness...or had he really been here, her tormented lover?

“I shall choose you,” she vowed to the empty room. “Tell me what I must do, and I shall choose you.”

“Do your duty, but when the time comes, you must choose.”

To learn more about Linda Sole, Anne Herries and Anne Ireland, check out their website.

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Have a beautiful weekend. I'll be back Monday with tasty bits from P.A. Brown. Until then...

Happy Writing!

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

DEAD DONE RIGHT

Lizzie T. Leaf has a comedic talent that carries over into all her work, even death. Unsure? Well, read on my friends for Lizzie's unique approach to DEAD.

DEAD DONE RIGHT
Lizzie T. Leaf
ISBN: 978-1601682383
Aspen Mountain Press



DEAD DONE RIGHT is the print version of the first two vampire novellas in the DEAD series.

WAKING UP DEAD:
Things change for Deb Stein when she wakes up smelling pine. Thanks to a weird stranger lurking outside the mortuary, the knowledge she is now one of the waking dead doesn’t do much for her mood. Now she’s out for blood, especially the blood of the one who turned her.

DEAD FAINT:
Billie Joyce’s dream trip to the big city ends in her facing death at the hands of a couple of thugs. The face that appeared as she begged not to die wasn’t an angel, but one of the living dead. Now she’s on their team, but there’s a problem—she faints at the sight of her new food source—blood.

AMAZON BUY LINK:

These stories may be purchased as individual E-books.
WAKING UP DEAD BUY LINK
DEAD FAINT BUY LINK

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DEAD HUNTER
Lizzie T. Leaf
ISBN: 978-1-60168-257-4
Aspen Mountain Press



BLURB:
Arie Anne Hews is a trained vampire hunter out for the kill. A chance meeting with the hated beings has Arie in turmoil. Especially, when handsome Dr. Jonas Nickels is on the scene.

Jonas Nickels has no desire to be involved with a mortal, but can't resist the dark-eyed beauty. Even if he is on her hit list.

Family secrets tinged with evil make an impossible path for star-crossed lovers.

Family secrets tinged with evil make an impossible path for star-crossed lovers.

EXCERPT:
Vampire hunter, ArieAnne has possibly met the man of her dreams, but he triggers her alarm which she chooses to ignore. Is it because of the other emotions he triggers?

Blinded by the driving rain, Arie rounded the corner and slammed into a wall—a wall with arms that reached out to catch her before her ass hit the ground. Steadied against the hard body, she knew she’d scored. The hardness that dug into her stomach shouted volumes about his reaction to their close proximity.

Hot and horny, my two favorite things in a man. Especially when the man is Jonas Nickels.

Jonas transferred his hold on her body to her arm and pushed her toward the door.

“Let’s get inside before we drown.”

She’d be willing to drown if he kept holding her that way, but didn’t resist as he hustled them into the restaurant.

Settled in their seats with their raincoats dripping from two empty chairs, Jonas leaned forward and gave her a look that drove chills and heat throughout her body. “I wish you would have let me pick you up tonight. We could have gone someplace closer to your home and we both would be a little less wet.” He covered her hand with his and smiled.

Arie shifted uncomfortably. The last thing she needed was for a man to ring the doorbell and have Pop answer it. Her father was her best friend but, like all fathers, he seemed to labor under the impression his little girl was an innocent babe-in-the-cradle.

Dating was a subject they’d briefly discussed when Arie was sixteen and it was obvious her father discouraged it.

“You can date when you’re thirty,” he’d joked.

Okay, she was thirty-plus now and still not sure how her old man would react to a member of the opposite sex picking her up for a date, especially when he saw how she was dressed. Her uniform of t-shirt, jacket, loose pants—all in black—with the only contrast her red high-tops, had been replaced by a pushup bra, a scoop-necked mini-sheath and a pair of come-fuck-me stilettos.

And she knew damn well her barely disguised lust for the man she sat across from right this moment, wouldn’t go over with the uptight minister side of her father.

That brought her around to the lust. Why did she feel it so strongly for Doctor Jonas, given her few ventures down that path had been disappointing? The hardness of his male anatomy when they’d collided earlier had excited her. Arie wanted tonight to end with more than a chaste kiss on the cheek like last night. Was she setting herself up for yet another disappointment?

What was wrong with her? She liked men but in bed she hadn’t met one who could ring her chimes.

A squeeze of her fingers pulled her from musing about her lack of sexual excitement. It was time to focus on tonight’s potential. Jonas wasn’t a vampire whose ass she could kick and move on. But then again, there were those chills across the back of her neck. Why did she get such conflicting readings? Did heightened sexual energy play havoc with her system? She’d never experienced this kind of tension before and it was all new to her. A smile played across her mouth at the thought of the possibilities in store for her.

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Here are Lizzie's links to read more on her DEAD series and her other superb books:
WEBSITE

MYSPACE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

Thanks to Lizzie for sharing her work with us. My VISA will get a good airing today. :) I'll be back next week. Until then...

Happy Writing!

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

CHOCOLATE, ANYONE?

Selena Illyria is back to share insight on another of her exciting books CHOCOLATE SNAKE BITE. Here's what Se has to say:

I decided to delve into a relationship that I’d mentioned in my books Mudslide and White Russian (both books are a part of the Del Fantasma collection). I had fun writing this story, it was great to finally take a peek at the Snake Demon Court. Like Chocolate Bliss, I had this story rolling around my head for quite awhile and like Chocolate Bliss I planned to write an orgy scene but never really got to it. Somehow it seemed to take away from the true story.

And now for your pleasure is my latest offering to the Del Fantasma line from Aspen Mountain Press.

CHOCOLATE SNAKE BITE
Selena Illyria
ISBN: 978-1-60168-285-7
Aspen Mountain Press



BLURB:
Every relationship has problems and for months now all Dale and Val have been doing is fighting. He wants it to stop. So drastic times call for drastic measures. Dale takes the Love’s Bane potion hoping that Val will be too busy lusting after him to fight with him, but sex can’t solve every problem.

Val doesn’t want part of her lover. She wants all of him, even the dark aspects of his sexual desire. She yearns for his brand but every time she brings up the subject he shuts her down. How can they communicate when he won’t open up?

Will the arrival of his brothers and a trip to the Demonic Snake court help their relationship or hurt it?

EXCERPT:
"Don't do it," Cody warned.

Dale looked into Cody's hard sea blue gaze and nearly reconsidered his actions. His thoughts turned to Val and the last few weeks. He shook his head, path resolved. "I have to do it. There is no other way."

"This kind of magick isn't something you just pickup. It's not something you mess around with. Do you even know what's in this so-called aphrodisiac?"

Dale winced. "No. Look, it comes from a reliable person. I trust my source."

"What does Pietro say about this? After all, that kind of potion is restricted to demons." Cody picked up a glass and started cleaning up. His eyes focused on Dale, making him squirm.

"He doesn't know..." Dale's voice trailed off as guilt surfaced for the umpteenth time. Ever since the thought had entered his mind about gaining a small sample of the Love's Bane, He'd felt guilty. Pietro. King of the Demons, was one of his best friends. If he found out what Dale was up to, Pietro would have his balls.

"Let me remind you why it's banned. Love's Bane is an aphrodisiac that is highly addictive. Taken in high quantities it could poison you. If there hadn't been a pact between demons and warlocks the magickal beings would still be trying to destroy your asses with it. So, I don't care how bad your relationship problems are. Don't. Do. It."

Dale looked away from Cody. "Look, I'm at my wit's end. I don't know what to do about Val. She and I have been fighting, a lot. I mean we're a passionate couple, but it's just too much lately. I'm starting to worry that she'll want to break it off with me."

He loathed feeling so vulnerable. "I'm Dale Thornston, heir to the Serpentine Throne, the fourth most powerful house in all of Demon world and I'm here, sulking in a bar, drowning my troubles in some drink called Chocolate Snake Bites and talking to you about things I would never tell another soul, not even my best friends or brothers. It's pathetic. I should be home fucking the daylights out of my mate, not here. If she hadn't had to work late, again..." He stopped talking and dragged a hand over his face. "I'm tired of being alone at home."
"The why don't you ask her about her feeling instead of doing something stupid?" Cody asked.

"Such a simple question. Don't you think I've tried that? We either get interrupted or in a fight and I always end up sticking my foot in my mouth. It just feels like we're never going to stop fighting. It doesn't help there's a new guy in her office and it's very clear that bastard wants what's mine." His stomach roiled. Anger boiled in his veins as an image of Val's new co-worker and boss, a werewolf, rose in his mind. The bastard had made it clear he wanted Val and would play dirty to get her.

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I guarantee CHOCOLATE SNAKE BITE is a thigh-clenching book you'll want to read several times. We'll be back tomorrow with more from Selena Illyria. Until then...

Happy Writing!

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

IN STEP WITH SELENA ILLYRIA

This week we have the spellbinding and effervescent Selena Illyria with us. Selena's work covers a wide scope with each enchanting story guaranteeing satisfaction. You can learn more about Selena and her work on her website. And now, a few words from Selena...

Hi Everyone!

The wonderful Sloane asked me to guest on her blog and I just wanted to say thank you so much, Sloane! I’m here to talk about some of my latest releases.

The first one up is from the Sex and Chocolate multi-author series at Changeling Press.

CHOCOLATE BLISS
Selena Illyria
ISBN: 978-1-60521-401-6
Changeling Press



BLURB:
All Connor wanted was for his significant other Roxi to relax. Opening her new café has been stressing her out. So to help her unwind he concocts his special Bliss Out Hot Chocolate. Only it doesn't go quite as planned.

Roxi's not relaxed at all. The seal containing her succubus nature is deteriorating and the hunger for sex is wearing down her self-control. Connor calls on his best friend, an incubus, for help.

EXCERPT:
Tired of losing control, she'd sought out the advice of a witch who told about the sealing ceremony. "The magicks involved are volatile and dangerous. You could die," the witch had warned her.

"I don't care. Just make it happen." Guilt, fear, anger and desperation had driven her to this point. She wanted either to die or have the monster inside of her sealed away if it couldn't be killed. Roxi felt as if the hungers were trying to claw their way out of her. Every second that went by, a little more of her control eroded away. The arousal extended thin fingers, tracing light touches up and down her spine. It lit nerve endings on fire and caused her pussy to contract. Her clit ached for a touch, anything to ease the need.

The world was a swirl of heat and desire. She swallowed and tried to push it all down. The power only shoved right back. Roxi stumbled backward and gasped as the energy surged upward. It stole her breath and sent her head spinning. She tried to breathe through the heat that was consuming her. A hand settled on her shoulder. Roxi looked up to find herself staring into calm, steady, golden eyes. Rough fingertips trailed over her cheek. She turned into the touch. Her lips connected with his palm. Without hesitation she kissed the soft skin and sighed. The desire simmered in her veins, but for the first time since her changing, she could control it.

Roxi closed her eyes and kissed his hand again. She inhaled his scent, a mixture of musk edged with something wild and chaotic. The effects of his cologne rushed through her. It sparked fires within her. Her succubus nature didn't rise. Instead, it lay content at this man's feet. He pulled his hand away. For a moment the need came roaring back, out of control. Then it was pushed away when he cupped her chin, leaned forward and kissed her.

The first touch of his mouth was tentative, hesitant. When she didn't push him away, the kiss became more. She heard his heartbeat in her head. The sweet and salty tastes of blood rolled around her mouth. Roxi hungered for him to sink deep inside of her until they were one. A thirst for his blood rose up so strong that she bit him. Instead of moving away from her, he groaned. She felt his arms wrap around her. He pulled her close. When their hips touched, she felt his erection pressing against her stomach. Her pussy contracted. Desire dampened her panties. She wanted to feel every inch of him inside of her, fucking her hard.

Roxi broke the kiss. Her breath came out in soft pants as desire threatened to tug under its riptide. She looked up at him. Although her gaze was pulled toward his golden eyes, she studied his features fully from his high brow, to his sculpted cheekbones, aquiline nose and sensual lips. What shocked her most were the scars that slashed through his cheek and dragged the left side of his mouth down.

She reached up and traced the fine lines lightly.

He grabbed her wrist. The world stopped. Fear that she had done something wrong caused her to look away.

"It's okay. The wounds still hurt, that's all. Besides, I'd rather have your nails tearing up my back." He smiled. Heat flushed her cheeks as she imagined their legs tangled with one another as their bodies moved together, trying to reach climax. "I'm Connor, by the way, reformed warlock."

He gave her a kiss which made her smile against his mouth. She kissed him back. Roxi lifted her hand and threaded her fingers through his hair. The silken strands trailed against her palm and sent pleasure up her arm. He rocked his hips against hers, and she moaned and grabbed a handful of hair. Roxi pulled back to look up at him. "Don't start something you can't finish."

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I had so much going on when it came time to write this story. It had been rolling around in my head for a long while, but I didn’t have time. Once I sat down to write it the story had changed quite a bit. The characters had decided to switch things on me. Don’t you hate/love when that happens? Their way was much easier to envision. I’d had a lot going on in my original plan. Like an orgy scene. I have no clue how I would have written it. Now I actually wanna see if I can. LOL. Hmmm…

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The next book is also from Changeling Press. It comes from the multi-author series Bedtime Stories. The stories are set in a fictional e-publisher where you get to peek into the lives of some of the staff and writers, very sexy fun, I assure. My story takes a peek into the life of Kelsey, cover artist at Bedtime Press. She’s an elemental and a cat shifter who’s in heat. So when she makes a wish the results are… well, I’ll let you find out.

INSPIRATION
Selena Illyria
ISBN: 978-1-60521-120-6
Changeling Press



BLURB:
Cover artist Kelsey is on a deadline for Bedtime Press but her elemental powers are out of control. As a cat shifter, she's in heat, which is interfering with her concentration. An electrical surge, power outage and the appearance of two sexy digital models come to life may be the answer to her prayers.

EXCERPT:
One session and you were hooked like a moronic fish.

Shut up, you, before I find the catnip. Besides, look at what we can do now.

Oh, of course it was all worth it. Digital models you can drool over. Do they come to life? Are they willing to fuck us to stop this damn heat? Hmmm? Didn't think so.

Kelsey rolled her eyes. She opened a few images of her past work. Comparing then to now showed she'd improved immensely. Life before the Electric Ray 3-D plus package had seemed mundane. Going back to outdated models that looked awkward and at times not even attractive was impossible, not when she could make them so lifelike.

Kelsey whimpered as she looked up at the walls. Framed artwork of some of her digital art goddesses were lined up neatly in a row. Gorgeous models in various erotic poses and situations with so much detail they were surreal. Effective use of layering, colors and utilizing various brushes, all to create mini masterpieces. With Electric Ray 3-D she would be one step closer to the perfection she found in work from Leslie Stella or Anne Renée. Kelsey cursed her current situation.

To make things worse, the cover art requests were piling up. She'd just managed to send out her last cover only to get five more last minute requests. A scream rumbled up from her throat. It expanded and pushed upward, ready to burst forth. All she could do was swallow it down. No use getting frustrated. Work was work. Getting paid to feed her software habit was of the utmost importance.

Besides, anger was not good in this situation. Her energies were acting up. It was bad enough being a cat shifter who had gone into heat, but to be an elemental witch, as well, whose gift was electricity, was very dangerous to her equipment. She couldn't afford to call Troll and request another custom built system along with the charge that went with reloading her software. Every time she was late with a cover or asked for some new software or computer equipment, that was another year to her contract. So far she was up to twenty years.

With a sigh, she got to work. Kelsey brought up her favorite new models, Jonny and Maximus. A quick scan of the printout for the cover art request form and she was off to the races. She'd blindly reach out and hit repeat or play on her little CD player while adjusting this and that. After four hours, she was almost happy with what she'd gotten accomplished. The poses were what the author had requested, and the background was almost right, but something felt off.

She peered at the screen. They don't look lifelike enough. Kelsey saved her work and put it on her backup disc before she went searching on the internet for something that would help make it look right. Scrolling through the forums of her favorite artwork sites, she tried not to drool at some of the things she saw. There was a new package out for elf garb and some new action features she coveted with a vengeance. Then there was the movie star look-alike bundle that made her fingers tingle with want.

"It's too bad I can't use any of this," Kelsey murmured with a sigh. She didn't have enough hours in the day to test out the latest rendering tech. Vacation time was impossible when you were on Troll's clock.

After two hours, she still hadn't found what she was looking for, so she loaded up her art program again and got to work trying to figure out where she went wrong. After deconstructing her cover she discovered what the trouble was. There was no spark, no it that made the models look alive. No amount of rendering software could replace the ghost in the machine, as it were.

"They don't look lifelike enough, but I'll damn well try. Gotta keep tweaking the UV map and shader editor."

Kelsey got up and put on another pot of coffee. She did a few yoga stretches before pouring a cup of java and getting back to work. Life faded around her until it was just her and the cover art. She used every trick she could think of to make the models seem as close to human as possible. Midnight had come and gone, and she was so buzzed she felt jittery, but none of that mattered. She was so close to finding what she was looking for.

Kelsey took a moment to look at the screen. She saw the sharp features, rugged good looks and chiseled abs of Maximus and almost drooled. Then there was the lean, athletic body of Jonny with high cheek bones, a boyish grin and a twinkle in his eye. "Damn, I wish these guys were real."

Energy surged through her body. The hairs on the back of her arms and neck rose. Kelsey cursed before a major burst of power erupted from her fingertips, frying the keyboard and monitor. The lights in her office flickered before they went out.

Sound yummy?
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My next offering is from the Strange Hollow series at Liquid Silver Books. Strange Hollow is a place where outcasts find inclusion and a community to support them. Are you vampire who prefers V-8 to blood or a werewolf who suffers from Selenophobia? Then Strange Hollow the place for you. You’ll find acceptance and support. My offering to the series is about a witch who has no magic and a werewolf who was exiled from his pack.

SEDUCING A WALLFLOWER
Selena Illyria
ISBN 978-1-59578-681-4
Liquid Silver Books



BLURB:
All Nia Reynolds has known is being seen and not heard. Being the only one in her family to not have magical ability is hard. On her thirtieth birthday, all Nia wants is to do something different. When she enters Sensual Were on a dare from Jacinda, she doesn't expect the instant attraction to sexy store manager Bishop Steward.

Bishop has had his eye on the sweet and innocent Nia since he first came to Strange Hollow. After being publicly shunned by his pack and his mate, he came to Strange Hollow to recuperate and be among outcasts like himself. Now that his heart is mended, he wants to go after love again and has Nia in his sights. This wallflower doesn’t stand a chance against his onslaught. So what if he insists of public displays of a sexual nature, can’t stop whispering sweet, dirty nothings in her ear, and gives her a birthday to remember? It’s only for a night, right? A sexy werewolf like him wouldn’t want a shy girl like her? Right? Wrong--and he's got a lot of tricks up his sleeve to convince her she’s just what he wants.

EXCERPT:
Thirty. The big three-O. Another year older. Nia sighed heavily and contemplated the looming specter just a few days away. Birthdays weren't a bad thing per se, but when you lived such an unremarkable life, as she had, there wasn't really much to celebrate. She was an anomaly in her family, the only one lacking magical ability. Nia couldn't even perform the most basic of spells like warming water or levitating a feather.

Isolation became a constant companion when she mingled in magical circles. Everywhere she turned, her contemporaries were doing extraordinary things. All Nia could do was fade into the background like a wallflower. She got so used to being invisible that she automatically hid in a corner at social functions. She had lived her life in corners and it was starting to wear on her.

She'd broken out of that life nine years ago when she stumbled upon an Internet ad for Strange Hollow. The town was for outcasts and anomalies of the paranormal variety like her--people who just didn't fit in. So on her twenty-first birthday she packed up as many of her things as she could carry and left in the middle of the night, without even leaving a note to her parents. Now she had a life of her own. Nia owned her own teashop, Pot Luck, had a cottage that she loved and a few friends that accepted her. The one thing that was missing was someone to share her life with.

She had just begun to clean the counter when the bells over the door jangled. Nia glanced toward the entrance and smiled. Jacinda, the town's founder, strolled into the shop. The fairy's energy sent a soothing wave toward her, and she instantly felt at ease.

"Hello, darling, how're you doing? I'll have a green tea latte." Jacinda sat down on a stool at the counter and leaned forward, mischief sparkling in her eyes.

Nia got to work, hoping Jacinda wouldn't bring up her upcoming birthday and anniversary. If the events weren't mentioned, she wouldn't have to admit she had no plans.

Unfortunately, that wasn't to be. "So, your birthday and anniversary are on Friday. Doing anything special?"

"Nothing." Nia stiffened.

"Not even ice cream and cake or a movie marathon of your favorite films? What about a small party with some friends? No? We can't let this momentous event pass without any acknowledgment. Let me think. What can we do?" Jacinda put her elbows on the counter-top and rested her head in her hands.

Nia didn't want to know what Jacinda was thinking. There was a mischievous sparkle in those violet eyes that she didn't want to read too much into.

"Have you been to Sensual Were?"

Nia wasn't sure where Jacinda was going but she had an uneasy idea. "No," she said softly.

A wicked smile curved Jacinda's lips. "Idea! I dare you to go to Sensual Were and pick up a sexy toy for yourself. Do something daring for once. Honey, you've lived in a corner for far too long, it's time to drag this wallflower into the light."

"But--" Nia started.

"Why but?" Jacinda gazed at her in question. "You've lived your whole life not interacting with people for fear of the disappointment and rejection your parents and others have handed you. Isn't it time you lived for you? Come on, Nia, when have you done something for yourself? I've seen the way you interact with others. You let them tell you what to do, how to do it. You don't do what you want to do. What's there to be afraid of? All I'm suggesting is to check out Sensual Were. Go in there and get something sexy for yourself. You deserve it. Look at you."

Nia knew what she looked like and she was nothing like the gorgeous Jacinda, with her luminescent skin, violet eyes, long dark hair and curvaceous figure. Last she checked, Nia was plain, with unremarkable dark brown hair, dark brown eyes, milk chocolate skin and an average figure. Her simple clothing did nothing to flatter her body. She also wore glasses, and in her book that screamed nerdy and unsexy. To hide her reaction, she said nothing and finished making Jacinda's drink.

"Have you ever felt sexy? What makes you feel good about yourself?"

Heat flushed her cheeks as she thought of her fantasies, which usually involved sexy men who were good with their hands and other things and wanted her unabashedly.

"Come on, sweetie, you can tell me. What makes you feel sexy?"

"Well, um, a sexy, gruff voice--"

Jacinda cut her off with a laugh. "No, no, no, babe, not what is sexy but what makes you feel that way."

The blush encompassed her face, and Nia found herself floundering for a response. "Um, well..."

"Lingerie, perhaps? Or maybe sensual music? How about an erotic story? This is about making you feel desirable and good about yourself. I'm not saying we give you a makeover, you're beautiful. I'm talking about doing something sexy for you and only you, no guy required."

Jacinda smiled, and Nia felt unsure. "I've never... That is to say, I don't know..."

"How about this? Friday you go to Sensual Were and poke around, see what you like, explore and find what intrigues you. Then we meet on Saturday for brunch and talk."

"Talk?" Nia put Jacinda's latte down before her.

"Yeah, we talk about what you thought of your little trip. Honey, you've been here for nine years and you haven't stepped out and explored this place. Including me, Tanya and Ryana are your only friends here." Jacinda took a sip of her drink.

Nia became very interested in her shoes.

"Ry is out of town and Tanya is visiting relatives. Neither woman will be back by Saturday, so it's up to me to coax you out of your shell. So, here's the deal. Barring an emergency, I dare you to go to Sensual Were and pick out something sexy for yourself. Thanks for the latte, hon. I have to go welcome a new resident to Strange Hollow. I'll see you on Saturday." Jacinda stood and picked up her cup.

"Bye," Nia called out as Jacinda left with a backward wave. Once the door closed and quiet settled on the shop, questions and humiliating scenarios swirled around in her head. What if I break something? Her palms began to sweat at the thought of picking up a vibrator and have it start shaking and then shatter in her hands. She'd never been in an adult toy store before. What if it was filled with pictures of naked people? She didn't like looking at herself naked, much less see anyone else in the buff. Well, except for sexy men. Part of her wanted to take up Jacinda's dare and go to Sensual Were. On the other side of the coin, she was terrified of the unknown.

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We'll be back tomorrow with more from Selena. Until then...

Happy Writing!

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