TWILIGHT ZONE MARATHON

SUNDAY JULY 3RD AND MONDAY JULY 4TH FOR YOU SY-FY BUFFS! EVEN IF YOU DON'T LIKE SY-FY, THE TWILIGHT ZONE SHOWS ARE CLASSIC. I'M OFF FOR A 4-DAY WEEKEND SO YOU KNOW WHERE MY BUTT WILL BE PLANTED:)

Name Before the Masses Tour!

Look who's here with us today folks! Sara Reinke is on tour with Goddess Fish Promotions and she'll be talking about her books, research, and tempting you with an excerpt.

Sara on research -

Research is a huge part of writing for me. I try to approach every book as an opportunity for me to either learn something new or apply something I know to my plot and/or characters. Since I’m going to nursing school at the moment, that often comes in pretty handy, lol.

Fifteen years ago, I decided to give up writing fiction and pursue an Associate’s in nursing degree. I enrolled at a local community college and began my nursing coursework. However, I had to leave the program after less than a year because I had a Bachelor’s degree already in another field, and was going broke — as good a time as any to tamp down a dream and go back to work along my original career path.

However, I never lost interest in the medical field. Last year, I enrolled in night school studying practical nursing. My long term goal is to obtain that same elusive ASN I first started pursuing a decade and a half ago, and to be an RN. My mother was a nurse; I grew up seeing how much satisfaction she gained from her work, both personally and professionally. And my own limited experience in the nursing field has demonstrated to me that I like making people feel better; even if it’s only through something as simple as taking the time to talk to a patient and really listen to them, it can make all of the difference in the world.

So now I’m juggling working full-time in public relations, going to nursing school in the evenings, being a wife and mother, plus writing books and now operating my own publishing imprint. Using what I’m learning in school in my writing helps me keep myself motivated and interested in my work. And hey, it sort of works as a studying tool, too, lol.

For example, in my most recent title, Dark Passages 2: Pilar & Elías, my hero is an insulin-dependent diabetic. His condition plays a significant part in the story, as does the fact that the heroine has to learn about it, too, in order to help him cope. From my clinical experience, I’ve seen a lot of patients with diabetes. Learning more about the disease from the viewpoint of Elías, my hero, helped put in perspective, at least for me, the amount of lifestyle changes and degree of diligence diabetics must observe—24 hours a day, 7 days a week—in order to keep their blood sugar under control. At no point did I ever want to portray Elías’s condition as a character flaw or weakness, but rather, simply a part of his life he’s learned to adapt to, and one that definitely influences the outcome of the book.

About The Brethren Series:

Dark Thirst, Book One in The Brethren Series is out of print in paperback through Kensington/Zebra, but is available in Kindle ebook format. In it, Brandon Noble is one of the Brethren, an ancient clan of ruthless vampires. Horrified by his birthright, Brandon shuns the ritual of the first kill, earning his family's lasting wrath. When he finds love with a human woman named Angelina -- forbidden among the Brethren -- his fate is sealed. Can Brandon protect Angelina from his enemies -- and his own dark thirsts?

Dark Hunger, Book Two, is available from Kensington/Zebra in mass market paperback and multiple electronic formats, including for Kindle and the Nook. In it, Tessa Noble-Davenant will do anything to protect her brother, Brandon, even if that means traveling across the country with Rene Morin. A cynical, brooding, yet startling sexy vampire, Rene seems to take pleasure in finding fault with Tessa's every move. Despite this, a sensual attraction begins to develop between the two, one to which neither can afford to succumb. Rene and Tessa are being followed -- and a single misstep will put them at the mercy of forces more dark and powerful than they can even imagine...

Dark Passion, Book Three, is available in trade paperback and multiple e-formats through Double Dragon Publishing. In it, Augustus Noble is a man with secrets. His entire life has been built on half-truths, betrayals and lies—desperate measures to keep the woman he loves, Eleanor Trevilian-Noble, as his own. The patriarch of the Brethren, he has struggled for centuries to create an empire of wealth and prestige for her. Now all that he has fought for is in jeopardy—his grandson Brandon has risked it all in a desperate bid for independence and freedom. And just as Augustus can’t allow Brandon to escape the ages-old traditions of the Brethren race, he also can’t let the Brethren—and especially his longtime nemesis—discover a truth that, if revealed, would see them all killed.

In the fourth installment, Dark Passages: Tristan & Karen, Tristan Morin is a vampire on a mission: to not fall in love with Karen Pierce. To do so would prove that humans and Brethren were meant to be physically and emotionally bound to each other -- something he, as a full-blooded Brethren, refuses to believe. It would be so much easier if Karen wasn't beautiful. And if there wasn't something about her that draws him like a moth to a flame, damn near impossible to resist.

And in Book Five, Dark Passages 2: Pilar & Elías, Pilar Cadana has one thing on her mind: revenge against Pepe Cervantes, the vampire who murdered her father. But her plan to get close to him by working as a stripper in his nightclub backfires when she meets Elias Velasco, the police detective assigned to her father's case. Pilar has known tremendous heartache, sorrow and loss, but in Elias's arms, she feels safe enough to trust again...and even dare to love. But as the passion between them grows, so too does the danger -- because Pilar has dark secretes of her own. And while she's everything Elias wants, he may just prove to be everything Pilar needs.

Readers will find an “About the Brethren Series” page at www.sarareinke.com that fills them in on the series to date, and the different characters introduced so far, if they haven’t read any of the preceding titles. Plus, for a limited time, readers can subscribe to my e-Newsletter and receive a FREE ebook copy of Dark Thirst, Book One in The Brethren Series. There’s no better way to be introduced to the world of the Brethren vampires than with the book that started it all!

About me:

“Definitely an author to watch." That's how Romantic Times Book Reviews magazine describes Sara Reinke. New York Times best-selling author Karen Robards calls Reinke "a new paranormal star" and Love Romances and More hails her as "a fresh new voice to a genre that has grown stale." Find out more at www.sarareinke.com.

EXCERPT from DARK PASSAGES 2: Pilar & Elías:

Son of a bitch, Elías thought as he fought with the tie wrapped snugly around his wrists. After a furious moment’s effort, he worked the knots loose and freed himself. Scrambling to his feet, he hurried after Pilar, catching sight of her across the club as she hurried for the dressing room.

Son of a bitch, he thought again—as much referring to himself as his own frustration with the unexpected situation. God, how could everything that had been so perfect in one moment get so completely fucked up in the next? Pilar had been astride him, he’d watched her beautiful face soften, her brows lifting, her lips parting in a soft, sweet O as she’d approached climax—not a dream this time, not one of his fantasies, but real and warm and with him. And then, with one stupid, thoughtless utterance, he’d ruined everything. He’d driven her away.

I can explain, he’d told her. Yeah, he thought bitterly. Good luck with that one, Elías. What are you going to say? “I’ve been watching you dance for weeks now, Pilar, and I’ve fallen in love with you. Only thing is, one of the guys who killed your father and sexually assaulted you has been found laid out like day-old ham salad in the bayou, and the wheel base for the motorcycle your brother gave you matches one I found at the crime scene. So even though I think about you all the time, dream about you, wake up in the middle of the night reaching for you, that doesn’t change the fact that I think Valien might have used your bike to hunt Miguel Torres down and kill him.”

Yeah. He managed a coarse, humorless laugh. That should clear everything up.

“Wait,” he said, rushing to catch up and intercept her before she could get through the door and escape. He

caught her elbow and she whirled, catlike, eyes wide.

“Please.”

“Don’t touch me,” she snapped, wrenching herself loose.

“I’m sorry.” Holding up his hands, palms facing her, he said it again. “I’m sorry.”

“Forget it.” Turning on her heel, she marched toward the door again.

“Pilar.” He said it quietly so that if anyone else happened to be in earshot, they wouldn’t overhear, but loudly enough so that she would. She froze in her tracks, her entire body stiffening.

She turned slowly to face him and he could tell from her face, her rigid posture, that she was thinking about bolting into the dressing room, hiding from him, not coming out until firmly convinced he was long gone and ancient history.

“Don’t you ever call me that again,” she seethed, almost inaudible, and God, the look of wounded, bewildered betrayal in her face nearly shattered him. “Do you hear me?”

“Please.” Elías kept his hands raised. “I just want to talk.”

The corner of her mouth twitched. “Yeah? That’s not what seemed to be on your mind a few minutes ago.”

“I know that,” he conceded, shamefaced. “And I’m sorry. With all my heart, Pilar, I’m sorry. I promise you—I swear to God that’s not why I came here today. I just…” His voice trailed off and he raked his fingers through his hair. I just lose my head whenever I see you. Madre de Dios, woman, you’re so beautiful and you were right there in front of me. I couldn’t think straight…couldn’t think at all!

“Yeah, and next you’ll tell me you didn’t like it, didn’t want it,” Pilar shot with a frown.

“God, no,” he said, blurting it out, taking himself as much by surprise as her by the frank admission. “I did like it,” he whispered, his brows lifting. “And I did want it…more than anything.” I want you more than anything, he added in his mind, pressing his lips together momentarily to stifle the words. More than you can know. “That’s why I couldn’t stop myself. Or you.”

His confession had visibly deflated her fury, at least for the moment. “Please,” he said. “Just hear me out.”

A heavy hand fell against his shoulder, a low voice with menacing intimacy in his ear. “Hands off the lady.”

Elías turned in start and found one of the club’s very large, very imposing security guards standing there, dressed in a white tuxedo shirt and cummerbund, both stretched tautly across the broad expanse of his chest.

“This guy bothering you, Destiny?” the bouncer asked Pilar gruffly. “You want me to show him to the door?”

Because Elías suspected the man was using “show” in its loosest possible interpretation, he was grateful when Pilar shook her head.

“No, Joey. It’s okay.”

The bouncer, Joey, leveled his surly gaze at Elías for another moment, then growled, “Keep your hands to yourself. House rules.” Then with a reluctant glower—as if he’d been hoping for the chance to forcibly eject Elías from the building and thus highlighting what had otherwise been a boring day for bouncing—Joey turned and walked away.

“Here.” Pilar reached down and took the money Elías had given her out of her waistband. “Take this back. I don’t want it.”

He shook his head. “It’s yours.”

She locked gazes with him, stony and cold. Opening her fingers, she let it drop to the floor. “I don’t want it.”

“Wait.” She tried to leave again, turning away, but he caught her arm. This time, she didn’t try to fight her way free, but she awarded him a look that could have passed as a deadly weapon.

“Please. I need to talk to you.”

“About what?” she asked, huffing out a put-upon sigh.

“Miguel Torres,” he said, leaning toward her, speaking softly again. He didn’t miss the startled intake of her breath or the way her gaze darted abruptly away, like that of a cornered animal surveying its options for escape.

“What about him?” she asked.

Stepping closer, tilting his head, Elías spoke softly into her ear. “He was found dead in the middle of Highway 1226 this morning, half-eaten by alligators.”

He felt a slight tremor work its way through her, whether a shiver at the revelation of Miguel’s discovery or at his proximity, his breath rustling her hair, he couldn’t be sure. Because in all the weeks he’d been coming to Melaza and all the times he’d watched—longing, envious—as Pilar had danced for other men, he’d never seen her perform for anyone as she had for him. More than just a dance, she’d moved against him, responded to him like a lover. Like she’d wanted him too.

“What…what’s that have to do with me?” she asked, close enough now so that when she glanced up at him, her cheek dragged lightly against his own, and when he moved in turn to meet her gaze, his mouth hovered just above hers, so close… Madre de Dios, he thought, agonized, as he fought the impulse to lean in and kiss her. Mother of God.

“You tell me,” he breathed.

Her hands fell lightly against the front of his shirt; then she pushed him away. “Not here.”

“Pilar…”

Her brows narrowed. “I said not here.”

“Then tell me where. Tell me when.”

Again, her eyes swept nervously about. “I…I don’t know.” He reached for her, but she shook her head and backed away. “I’ll call your office. I’ll let you know.”

And with that, she was gone; with a sparkle of sequins and a flip of blonde hair, she hurried toward the dressing room, letting the door fall sharply shut behind her.

URL:
Home: http://www.sarareinke.com
Blog: http://sarareinke.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/people/Sara-Reinke/100001807057213
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SaraReinke

Do you think as we get older that we appreciate life more? I've been thinking about that a lot lately. Wondering why it seems some people just don't care, or realize how fragile it is. That's apparent by the poor little critters I see littering the side of the interstate on my way to and from work every day. I know you can cause an accident by braking to avoid an animal, last night my hubby and I had to make that heart-breaking decision not to. But I can't help but question, how do so many end up on the side of the road? Sometimes I wonder if people purposely swerve over to the shoulder to run over them. It's an awful thought. Don't try and tell me that they crawl to the side and die. Not all of them do.

Not the big turtle I saw today...

5 Hearts for The Promise!

...from The Romance Studio!

For those that like plenty hot and sensual sex in your romances, you will enjoy this because there was plenty of heat generated between Ryan and Shannon. I will gladly recommend this story to anyone who likes a great love story and doesn't mind shedding a tear here or there.

Thank you Ana!

Monday Man Candy

Which one did you look at the longest?

My New Toy

LOL...okay, since no one guessed what my new toy is I thought it only fair to tell you. Especially if it's burning a hole in your brain. It's a Nextar GPS! The friend who drove to Maine with me brought hers for us to use and I fell in love with it. We named him Bob so when I got mine I named it Bob Jr. However, mine doesn't have a man's voice so I will have to give it a new name.

Four Stars!

Recently reviewed by Sugarbeat's Books and posted on the Romance Reviews website.

TALK DIRTY TO ME takes being verbal during sex to a new level! This hot little story will steam up your glasses and leave you with a happily ever after. Great little read!

I loved this short little story. The characters were real. The imagery was vivid and the story was rewarding from the beginning to the end. This author does an outstanding job of creating visual images of her characters and writing the story in such a way as to make the reader a voyeur on the action. Despite the shortness of this story, it feels like a full novel. The history of the two main characters' relationship is well outlined so that the reader feels like they are stepping into the middle of the unresolved affair between them. The pace of this book is fast. The action just rushes along, taking the reader for a fast ride of passion!

I highly recommend this book!

It's shark day on sy-fy today, anyone watching? In the last show I saw, just about every time someone got snatched up by a shark blood splattered on the camera lens. LOL Guess the cameraman was shooting the scene too close.

A Little Humor

Two Reasons Why It's So Hard To Solve A Redneck Murder:

1. The DNA all matches.

2. There are no dental records.

___________________________________________

A blonde calls Delta Airlines and asks, 'Can you tell me how long it'll take to fly from San Francisco to New York City ?'

The agent replies, 'Just a minute.'

'Thank you,' the blonde says, and hangs up.

___________________________________________


Moe: 'My wife got me to believe in religion.'

Joe: 'Really?'

Moe: 'Yeah. Until I married her I didn't believe in Hell.'

___________________________________________

A man is recovering from surgery when the Surgical Nurse appears and asks him how he is feeling.

'I'm O. K. But I didn't like the four letter-words the doctor used in surgery,' he answered.

'What did he say,' asked the nurse.

'Oops!'

___________________________________________

While shopping for vacation clothes, my husband and I passed a display of bathing suits. It had been at least ten years and twenty pounds since I had even considered buying a bathing suit, so I sought my husband's advice.

'What do you think?' I asked. 'Should I get a bikini or an all-in-one?'

'Better get a bikini,' he replied. 'You'd never get it all in one.'

He's still in intensive care.

___________________________________________

The graveside service just barely finished, when there was massive clap of thunder, followed by a tremendous bolt of lightning, accompanied by even more thunder rumbling in the distance...

The little old man looked at the pastor and calmly said, 'Well, she's there.'

Warning...18 or older only!

Excerpt It's All in the Jeans


It was five o’clock in the morning when the sound of something banging against the house woke Logan. Not that he’d been sleeping all that soundly, listening to the wrath of Mother Nature on and off during most of the night. They were lucky. The hurricane had indeed turned, leaving them with tropical force winds and rain in its wake. The Carolinas was going to get the brunt of the storm, which had thankfully shrank down to a category one.

He pulled back the covers and jumped from the bed when he heard something crashing around in the backyard. The wind was strong enough to shake the house, and he could only pray the hurricane shutters held up. He was worried about the trees around the place, too. If one of them came down, it would pierce the aluminum roof like a toothpick.

He pulled the curtain back to peer out his bedroom window before remembering the shutters, and then reached for his jeans. He slipped them on, not bothering to turn on the light. He knew the power was still on though, thanks to the digital clock on the dresser. As he made his way through the darkened house, he passed his snoring grandfather where he’d fallen asleep on the sofa. Shaking his head with disbelief, Logan grinned when he noticed the weather channel was still on.

Remembering there was a flashlight in the junk drawer next to the stove, Logan retrieved it. He turned it on before leaving the kitchen to make sure it worked, then opened the door just enough to squeeze through. As soon as he stepped out onto the porch he was blasted with a sheet of wind and rain. Other noises began to penetrate Logan’s consciousness. The dim lights at the end of everyone’s driveways allowed him enough light to see the dark shadows of flying debris.

Someone’s trashcan was rolling down the street. A couple planters blew by, minus the plants. God knows where those were. Pieces of rain gutters were scattered here and there as the fragile aluminum was ripped off the houses. Someone’s wind turbine, possibly their own, was on the front lawn.

As far as Logan could tell it wasn’t anything major. No one’s porches or carports were flying around. The street was flooded though. He couldn’t see if there were any trees down but daylight would provide more answers. When he opened the screen door the wind almost tore it from his grasp. He made sure it was secure, and then dashed down the steps.

As he headed for the backyard, a light coming from Margaret’s house drew his immediate attention. He could clearly make out that she was standing in front of what he knew was the kitchen window. However, he couldn’t tell if she was doing something at the sink, or looking outside. Then a loud bang snagged Logan’s attention and his gaze shot to the large piece of metal the wind was holding hostage against the tool shed. He wondered whose house it had broken loose from. The shed door had somehow blown open too and was banging noisily against the side.

As he turned to head there a beam of light hit the large oak tree to the right of him, and he came to a halt. Then he saw something move out of the corner of his eye. At first Logan thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. He couldn’t possibly be seeing Libby, walking around in the rain with a flashlight in her hands. She was obviously searching for something. Is she crazy? What does she think she is doing? A good gust of wind would pick her up without much trouble. As it was she was having trouble staying on her feet.

She halted when her light went out. She hadn’t noticed him yet, and began slapping the flashlight against her palm to get the light to come back on. He shook his head with disbelief and made his way to her.

“What the hell are you doing out here?” he growled loud enough for her to hear him over the howling wind. He pointed his flashlight at her face. “Trying to get killed?”

She glanced up, blinking against the wind and rain, brushing wet strands of hair out of her face. She was as soaked as he was, and wearing just as little. In fact, closer inspection revealed it was a nightgown of some kind. The cloth made transparent by the rain.

She faced his anger with an unconcerned laugh. “Not really!” she yelled above the storm, blinking at the light he was shining in her eyes. “Looking for Rufus! Gram’s about to give herself a heart attack because she can’t find him! She’s frantic!”

“You’re risking your neck for a cat?” Now he knew she was crazy. “Come on!” Logan took her by the arm with every intention of dragging her back inside.

Libby pulled back. “I have to find him!” She turned toward the shed.

Groaning with frustration, Logan wrapped his arm around her waist and picked her up off the ground. He whipped her back in the direction of the house. “I’ll look for Rufus; you get your little butt back inside!”

“Logan,” Libby struggled against his arm but he had no trouble keeping hold of her. “He’ll never come to you! Let me at least check out the shed and then I’ll go back inside, I promise!”

He hesitated reluctantly, realizing she was making sense. What would it hurt to let her check out the shed? It wouldn’t take that long, and he’d be with her if anything happened. He lowered her until her feet were on the ground again. “Okay, but make it quick.”

He was right behind Libby when they entered the dark shed, drawing the door closed behind them to keep the inside from getting any wetter than it already was. A large crack remained because the door was old and bent. He felt for the light switch and flipped it on. The room was instantly bathed with the dim glow of a twenty-watt bulb. Not much light, just enough to take in the lawn mower, various tools and gardening supplies kept on hand. And the wet temptress poised directly beneath the light.

Logan’s gaze dropped, moving over Libby. She might as well be naked. Whatever she had on was plastered to her like a thin layer of tissue. It stopped at the top of her thighs, the transparency revealing she wasn’t wearing any panties. Logan tried to put the brakes on where his mind was heading as his eyes rested on the fascinating curve of her buttocks. He recalled what she looked like naked, but for some unexplained reason this was far more sensual and tempting.Heightening his senses with a teasing display of what his hands had only discovered the day before. His palms tingled, he tried to swallow.

Then she whipped around to face him, an innocent smile on her face as she brushed the wet hair away. He watched her movements, letting his gaze slowly take in the clear outline of her breasts with their darker nipples, proudly pointing in his direction. When his eyes landed on the darker patch between her thighs lust swept through his body in crippling waves.

Someone caught their breath, and their eyes met. If Logan didn’t know better he’d swear the look on Libby’s face revealed she was feeling uncharacteristically shy and nervous. So unlike the self-assured, sassy little witch they both knew she was. All at once she glanced away, and he couldn’t help wondering what she was up to. Yesterday she’d stood before him proud and naked, practically demanding he make love to her. Now she resembled more a delicate damsel in distress facing her conqueror.

“When Rufus is frightened he’ll hide almost anywhere,” she said, looking everywhere but at Logan. Is her voice trembling? “He likes people to believe he’s big and bad but inside he’s really just a big baby.” She moved to an old desk that Vincent used for a worktable. “Rufus?” her soft voice coaxed.

She bent over the desk to peer behind it, and seeing how her wet nightgown outlined her shapely bottom, Logan lost it, achieving a hard-on in record time. He sucked in his breath, his body twitching with awareness recalling how good it felt sinking inside her welcoming body. Logan moved behind Libby, pinning her against the desk, not quite sure what his intentions were. Only knowing he needed to feel her against him like he needed air to breathe.

Catching her unaware, he felt her slight jump. “Do you know what you’re doing to me?” he asked gruffly against her ear. Logan brought his arms around her and covered her breasts with his hands. He thrust his hips, letting her feel the power of his erection against her bottom.

“Oh!” she cried again, this time with soft acceptance.

Logan closed his eyes and groaned low. If he had any doubts Libby was receptive to his boldness the thought went right out the window the moment she pressed her bottom against his cock.

“There’s a damn storm out there, Libby, and all I can think about is a repeat of what we did in the pool house.”

Her soft laugh filled the small room, heard above the pounding rain on the tin roof. “I haven’t stopped thinking about it,” she admitted. “I’m embarrassed at how, ah, slutty I acted with you.”

“Do you know what I think?” he whispered, caressing her breasts and nipples and noticing how perfect they felt in his palms. Like they belonged there. “I think you’re a witch and you put a hex on me.” He sucked in his breath when she arched her back, forcing her bottom more fully against him. His knees actually buckled in weakness.

She laughed again, trembling wildly. “My great grandmother was said to be a witch,” she confessed.

Growling low, Logan leaned forward and put his mouth against her collarbone. His kisses traveled a slow path to the graceful arch of her neck, where she tilted her head so he could have better access. He closed his teeth over her in a gentle love bite, and then sucked the brief pain away. Libby shivered wildly, turning her face toward him with a sigh of longing on her lips.

Logan didn’t think twice about accepting her silent invitation. His mouth swooped down on hers, parting her sweet lips and thrusting his tongue inside to mate with hers. Mutual moans of pleasure echoed around them. It would be so easy to lose control with Libby. But did he want to use her in that way? The truth was Logan didn’t have the strength to pull away.

His arousal pounded full and heavy behind his zipper, demanding he do something about it. His heart was beating rapidly to keep up with the rush spiraling through his blood. And the hungry movements of Libby’s body as she writhed against him, her audible whimpers, seemed to indicate she was working toward that same goal.

Logan forced himself to break their heated kiss. “Libby…God, I don’t want to hurt you,” he whispered, out of breath.

“You would never hurt me, Logan,” she gasped right back. “I’ve never felt like this with anyone.” Not what he wanted to hear right then. “Besides, how can something that feels this good hurt me?”

He knew of several reasons why. His mind was clouded with desire, and his body ached with the need to make love to her. Yet it didn’t keep him from having a conscience. Libby knew the score; he’d made sure of that from the beginning. He should release her and step back; she deserved better than this.

“Logan?” Libby whispered. “Did you fall asleep on me?”

He burst out laughing, he couldn’t help it. “Hell no, honey.” He turned her around so that she was facing him, keeping her close. “Just let me hold you for a moment,” he breathed raggedly, encircling her in his arms. Libby placed her head against his chest.

Her arms glided around him, her hands brushing the moisture off his naked shoulders and down his back. Logan tried to calm his body down, ignore the soft woman in his arms who smelled of rain and something sweetly wild. But every breath she took made him aware of her in every way. And there was the obvious problem of his hard-on, which was nestled against her demanding attention and straining toward the pleasure it would find in her body.

“What are you afraid of, Logan?” she asked against his chest, her warm breath singeing his bare flesh. “I thought we had an understanding; sex for sex, nothing more, nothing less.”

In spite of what he was feeling, Logan stiffened at her question. What was he afraid of? Falling for a little witch with flaming hair and sparkling eyes? Afraid he wouldn’t be able to walk away? Whatever the answers were he wanted Libby more than he’d ever wanted another woman.

“Is it so bad wanting to make love to me?” Whether she was aware of her actions or not, she moved her lower body against his, keeping him hard and hungry.

Was that her tongue against his skin? He jerked back so he could meet her eyes. “I want you so much that I’m afraid I’ll hurt you,” Logan confessed fiercely. “You should know better than to
bait an aroused man.”

“What if I said I want you too?” she asked huskily, her eyes half closed with desire. “Right here…right now.”

Logan half expected her to remove her clothes as she had in the pool house. Instead, she did something just as shocking. She gave him a shove, at the same time bringing her hands up to cup and caress her breasts through her wet nightgown. Her nipples were brown little crowns, clearly visible, taunting him to put his mouth on them. He swallowed with difficulty.

“Libby…” He struggled to ignore the lust boiling through his blood, knowing the thin thread holding his control in check was going to snap at any moment. “Don’t…”

“You did this, Logan,” she began, throwing her head back and arching her spine, purring with pleasure as her hands caressed her breasts. “You’ve turned me on so much that I’m throbbing, too, like you,” she whispered. “If you won’t put out the fire, I’ll have to find another way.”

Her hands moved to the hem of her short gown. He watched in speechless fascination as her fingers inched the material up her thighs until there was no doubt what her intentions were. Coupled with the forbidden visual her words conjured, it was the final straw for Logan. As her fingers reached the glistening curls between her thighs, he sucked in a sharp breath and reached for her.

Different Ways of Looking at Things

Two guys were discussing popular family trends on sex, marriage, and family values.

Bill said, 'I didn't sleep with my wife before we got married, did you?'

Larry replied, 'I'm not sure, what was her maiden name?'

_________________________________ __________

A little boy went up to his father and asked: 'Dad, where did my intelligence come from?'

The father replied. 'Well, son, you must have got it from your mother, cause I still have mine.'

___________________________________________

'Mr. Clark, I have reviewed this case very carefully,' the divorce Court Judge said, 'And I've decided to give your wife $775 a week,'

'That's very fair, your honor,' the husband said. 'And every now and then I'll try to send her a few bucks myself.'

___________________________________________

A doctor examining a woman who had been rushed to the Emergency Room, took the husband aside, and said, 'I don't like the looks of your wife at all.'

'Me neither doc,' said the husband. 'But she's a great cook and really good with the kids.'

___________________________________________

An old man goes to the Wizard to ask him if he can remove a curse he has been living with for the last 40 years.

The Wizard says, 'Maybe, but you will have to tell me the exact words that were used to put the curse on you.'

The old man says without hesitation, 'I now pronounce you man and wife.'

The 5 Outfits Guys Secretly Hope You'll Wear

I saw this article the other day and thought you might find the pictures interesting.

The simple, sexy little dress. Don't you think she needs more curves?

Jeans will always be sexy. I think it has something to do with how it showcases a woman's backside. Especially if he's an ass man.

Sweat pants surprised me. Of course, these aren't what I think of when I think of sweat pants, there's nothing baggie about them. The sexy off the shoulder top doesn't hurt the look.

This was a given. What man doesn't want to see a woman in her pretty undies?

The thin pencil skirt and heels. I can definitely see this as being a turn on!

My only question is, what's left?

Oh! Oh!

I think I may be in trouble. I pass a Starbucks on the way to work every morning. And I love their mocha iced coffee. Need I say more?

I guess there's more expensive habits out there:)

The Romance Reviews Gives Breathless Surrender 4 STARS!

Book Reviewed by yadkny


The best way to get noticed by the hot guy next door? Become an unknowing participant in a covert FBI take down.

Alexis has tried many things to gain the attention of her sexy next-door neighbor, so when drastic times call for drastic measures, being kidnapped was not part of the seduction plan.

Reid is very observant of both his surroundings and the people he comes into contact with, which is a must in his line of work. Alexis' arrival into his life couldn't have come at a worse time, but there's no way he can make a move until his current assignment is done. Unfortunately, the bad guys have other plans.

This short story is incredibly fast-paced and starts off with quite a bang. The situation the characters are in may not be entirely relatable, but it is attention-grabbing. It is important to note that there is an intense scene of forced seduction that some readers may find objectionable, however it is brief.

It was hard to emotionally connect with the characters due to the length of the story, but readers looking for instant sexual gratification will not be disappointed with the vividly described erotic scenes. All I could think after reading this story is that I wanted more.

This is a must read for any Tory Richards fan and fans of short story erotica.

THE ROMANCE REVIEWS

A Reader's Review for THE PROMISE

You know I love hearing from readers! What a nice surprise I got the other day when I opened my email to the message below. Thank you Lucy!

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I read literally hundreds of romance novels and you have at talent for writing erotic scenes. Because I am a copious reader, many times the sex scenes start to run together. They are important to the story but not particularly memorable. You managed to combine the erotic and explicit with the emotional, beautifully. Not every writer in the genre, even gifted story tellers, can pull that off. I look forward to reading more of your work.

As a reader and new fan, thanks for sharing your talent.

Best, Lucy

When I asked Lucy if I could post her review this is what she said:
"Absolutely, I've since read one more and whew! you really do have those love scenes down pat! The intensity is, er, uhhm, impressive. ;-> "

Monday Man Candy

Two cowboys. The top one is a little too pretty for me, but I like the bod. The bottom stud is a little more to my liking. He looks like fun!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DAD!

MY REAL DAD PASSED AWAY 13 YEARS AGO. HE WAS A MAN I BARELY KNEW, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN I DIDN'T LOVE HIM ANY LESS. COMING FROM A BROKEN MARRIAGE OFTEN SEPARATES CHILDREN FROM THEIR PARENTS.

THE MAN WHO RAISED MY SISTER AND I WAS THE BEST STEP-DAD ANYONE COULD WISH FOR. HE TAUGHT US WHAT FAMILY IS ALL ABOUT. HE ALWAYS PUT US FIRST. AND I CAN HONESTLY SAY EVERYTHING HE DID WHILE WE WERE GROWING UP HE DID OUT OF LOVE. HE WAS AND IS THE KIND OF MAN WHO DIDN'T HAVE TO RAISE HIS HAND, OR HIS VOICE. WE KNEW BY THE WORDS HE WAS SAYING WHEN HE WAS DISAPPOINTED WITH US. AND LET ME TELL YOU, THAT HURT MORE THAN ANY BELT!

THIS MAN RAISED SOMEONE ELSE'S CHILDREN. BUT HE WOULD TELL YOU WE WERE HIS CHILDREN FROM THE MOMENT OUR MOM BROUGHT HIM INTO OUR LIVES. AND WE ARE SO LUCKY AND BLESSED TO HAVE HIM!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, DAD! I'LL BE CALLING YOU LATER:)

I got a new toy!

I've been anxiously waiting for it to arrive and it finally came in the mail yesterday! Isn't it cool how you can buy things on ebay, anything, and have it delivered right to your door? I'd like to think I got a deal on it. I did my research., and it's the same name brand my friend has.

Now I just need to get it out of the box and play with it a little, figure out how this one works. Just because it has the same name doesn't mean it's exactly like my friends. I couldn't believe how many different kinds there were when I was looking them up. Gone are the simple days when companies only made one good product and you didn't have to think about it. Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a little but you know what I mean.

I couldn't sleep so now I guess I'll open the box and play with my new toy. I've already given it a name. Bob Jr.

Any guesses what I'm talking about?

NATURE IS SO COOL!

Thoughts to Ponder

Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out when in trouble; it is
a "steering wheel" that directs us in the right path throughout life.

Do you know why a car's WINDSHIELD is so large & the rear view mirror
is so small? Because our PAST is not as important as our FUTURE. So, look
ahead and move on.

Friendship is like a BOOK. It takes few seconds to burn, but it takes
years to write.

All things in life are temporary. If going well enjoy it, they will
not last forever. If going wrong don't worry, they can't last long either.

Old friends are like Gold! New friends are Diamonds! If you get a
Diamond, don't forget the Gold! Because to hold a Diamond, you always need
a base of Gold!

Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, GOD smiles from
above and says, "Relax, sweetheart, it's just a bend, not the end!

When GOD solves your problems, you have faith in HIS abilities; when
GOD doesn't solve your problems HE has faith in your abilities.

A blind person asked the Lord: "Can there be anything worse than
losing eye sight?" He replied: "Yes, losing your vision."

When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them; and
sometimes, when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed
for you.

WORRYING does not take away tomorrow's TROUBLES; it takes away today's
PEACE.

Monday Man Candy

Hubba hubba! Too bad it's not a frontal though:)

HE'S PISSING ME OFF!!!


LOL...good friend Nancy just emailed me thinking something was missing on my original post above, so I thought I should clarify why the HE'S PISSING ME OFF comment. Someone on my staff was irritating me...royally...and I had to vent somewhere.

Two More Days!

Hey my friends! The blog tour for The Promise is almost over! Below is the schedule. Each blog will have a different post or interview from me. And as you can see there's a prize involved! So be sure and leave your comments.

I will be giving away a $15 gift card to Bath and Body to one randomly drawn commenter and to the host with the most comments, not counting my or the host's own comments.

6/1/2011 Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews
6/2/2011 Realmantic Moments
6/3/2011 Book Junkie
6/6/2011 Delaney Diamond
6/7/2011 Sizzling Releases
6/8/2011 Alisha Paige
6/9/2011 Cali Cheer Mom
6/10/2011 Theresa Stillwagon
6/13/2011 Sugarbeat's Books
6/14/2011 D. Renee Bagby Presents First Chapters

Good luck!

What a terrible night I had! I finished up a coffee drink right before turning off the TV. Duh! It's funny, I can drink tea all day and it doesn't bother me.

Thank goodness this is my sy-fy Saturday and I can take a nap later if I want to.

Book Wenches gives The Promise a Great Review!

Rated 4 by Bobby D. Whitney

I was captivated by the Hayes family in this story. Ms. Richards has imbued them with color and energy and humor, and I found myself believing in them and enjoying the dynamic that exists between the married siblings.

The sexual tension that exists between the two main characters in The Promise is well-executed and intense. The love scenes exhibit enough heat to fog your glasses, steal your breath, and make you sweat. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself yearning for a cool breeze as you read them, because these two lovers have enough chemistry between them to make you believe in spontaneous combustion.

Readers looking for a combination of sweetness and sensuality will find that The Promise fulfills those expectations. This Christmas-themed story has enough warmth and humor to entertain, sufficient sensuality to spice things up, and a heart-catching storyline that will fully involve your emotions.

Read the whole review here: http://www.bookwenches.com/june11reviews.htm#750026628

WHOOHOO!

Another great review just came in from Happily Ever After Reviews!

HER HANDS ON MAN is everything a short story should be. From the beginning, you have ingrained chemistry between the characters, aided by their conflicted past, and a fast paced race to the finish. From the get-go, the energy between Ivy and Jake is positively electric.

FOUR TEACUPS!

Well, I think I'm finally loosing my taste for McDonald's Hazelnut iced coffee. The last time I bought one, I shared half of it with my niece;)

EXCERPT - THE PROMISE

“We can move if you like. It’s no bother, really.”

Ryan glanced at his bed, visualizing her lying there, hair spread out around her. Only she wasn’t alone. He was there with her, they were naked, and making love. Twisting like wild animals among the sheets. Damn! The tingle in his cock warned him he was getting a hard on. How many times in the last five years had he turned hard just thinking about Shannon? How many times had he fantasized about sliding into her soft body and screwing the hell out of her?

Without warning, a burning spasm raced down his injured leg, paralyzing him with intense pain. He dropped his bag and reached for the doorjamb to keep from falling, and grit his teeth to hold back a groan. The doctors said in time the spasms would go away but in the meantime he was at their mercy, never knowing when one was going to hit. Praying that it was one he would be able to handle like a man.

“Ryan!”

He could hear the alarm in her sharp whisper. She rushed towards him as she’d done in the kitchen. This time she ignored him when he motioned her back. She pried him away from the doorjamb, draped his arm across the back of her naked shoulders and led him toward the bed to sit down. She thought she was helping. But as she started to lower him another stab of blinding pain jerked him out of control and he fell back with a savage groan, dragging Shannon down with him.

“Oh hell!” he said sharply, sucking in his breath as the pain became almost too much to bear. He tried to recall what the therapist had said. He closed his eyes and sucked in slow, deep breaths, releasing them slowly. It didn’t seem to help. He clenched his hands into the bed.

“Ryan?” Shannon whispered with obvious concern in her tone soft tone. “Tell me what’s wrong, what I can do to help. It’s obvious you’re in terrible pain.”

He was surprised and thankful she wasn’t angry for her current situation. The last thing he needed was to have a squirming, indignant woman on top of him. “Just don’t move,” he ground out between his teeth, terrified she’d jar his throbbing thigh. It felt as though someone was pushing a hot poker through his flesh.

She complied, barely breathing against him. After a few seconds, the spasm gradually let up and he was able to relax beneath her. Ryan quickly became aware of other things. Like what it finally felt like to have the woman he wanted sprawled on top of him, in nothing but a towel.

“Do you need something?” she asked innocently.

Yeah, but he’d bite off his tongue before telling her he wanted to fuck her until neither of them could walk. Ryan was aware of every inch of Shannon. The weight of her full curves, the sensuous scent the enveloped her freshly washed body, the softness of her skin where he gripped her upper arms. And God help him he could feel her sweet breath against his neck as it warmly caressed his flesh. He inhaled deeply, praying for strength.

Everything about Shannon sharpened his arousal into a painful knot of desire. He had to get her off him soon or she was going to find out what she was doing to him.

“Ryan?”

He opened his eyes. Was it his imagination or had her pupils dilated? “I’m sorry if I hurt you, Shannon.”

“You didn’t, and I think you’re the one who’s suffering,” she whispered with compassion. “What happened?”

There was no way he was going to continue lying there with Shannon splayed out on top of him and try to hold a normal conversation with her. It wasn’t humanly possible.

“Do you think we can have this conversation later?”

“Of course. How can I get off you without causing you further pain?”

What do you think about when you look at this picture?

I'm not sure this works but I thought I'd pass it on anyway. You never know!

A woman's experience with burns . . ..

Some time ago I was cooking some corn and stuck my fork in the boiling water to see if the corn was ready. I missed and my hand went into the boiling water.... A friend of mine, who was a Vietnam vet, came into the house, just as I was screaming, and asked me if I had some plain old flour... I pulled out a bag and he stuck my hand in it. He told me to keep my hand in the flour for 10 minutes which I did. He said that in Vietnam, there was a guy on fire and in their panic, they threw a bag of flour all over him to put the fire out...Well, it not only put the fire out, but he never even had a blister!!!!

... Long story short, I put my hand in the bag of flour for 10 mins, pulled it out and did not even have a red mark or a blister and absolutely NO PAIN. Now, I keep a bag of flour in the fridge and every time I burn myself. *Cold flour feels even better than room temperature flour.

I use the flour and have never ONCE had I ever had even a red spot/burn mark, or a blister! I even burnt my tongue once, put the flour on it for about 10 minutes ... the pain was gone and no burn.

Try it . . . Keep a bag of flour in your fridge and you will be happy you did!

BTW, don't run your burn area under cold water first, just put it directly into the flour for 10 minutes.

Can anyone back this process up?

Monday Man Candy

Um, ah, do I dare guess what that bulge against his right thigh might be?

TOP PICK for Her Hands-On Man!

Guilty Pleasure Alert! Hot sex against the wall and uncontrollable lust start this story off on the right foot. After Ivy and Jake dispense with the pesky details that others bring into their relationship, and the anger and resentment are dealt with, the two realize that they’ve been misdirected and abused. Very sexy and emotional, although Jake’s willingness to believe the worst didn’t set right. I supposed we wouldn’t have had a story if he hadn’t acted the way he did, but still it stung. A don’t miss read.

Night Owl Reviews

Her Hands-On Man Review!

Shameless Romance Reviews
GREAT uber quick read! This is a very short novella, but an actual solid storyline can be found. And the sexual aspect of the novella is EXPLOSIVE!!!!

I want more of Richards!

Do you remember when...

When a quarter was a decent allowance?



I got 50 cents.

SHAMPOO ALERT!

Oh dear god! As I was conditioning my hair in the shower this morning, I took time to read my shampoo bottle. I am in shock! The shampoo I use in the shower that runs down my entire body says "for extra volume and body"! Seriously, why have I not noticed this before? Now I understand why I am so "full-figured"!

Tomorrow I am going to start using "Dawn" dish soap. It says right on the label "dissolves fat that is otherwise difficult to remove."
It pays to read the warning labels my friends!

Coffee Time Reviews

The Promise gets 4 cups from Coffee Time!

Explosive and Hot! This couple’s chemistry leaps of the pages at you. What a great story filled with love and loss; add in a grand family, and Ryan oozes sex appeal. What more could you ask for in a romance? Ms. Richards does a great job and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.