Welcome fellow Wild Rose Press author, Luna Zega...

Hi Luna! Great to have you visit with me again. It's been far too long! Can't wait to find out what you've been up to and, of course, hear all about your latest release. First, we start with my probing questions...over to you :)

 1)   Did you set any goals for 2013? 

My friend, Jan Marler Morrill, author of The Red Kimono, gave me a dream jar for Christmas. I’ve put several dreams in that jar including traveling to Scotland in 2013 and getting my romantic suspense, Ex-Ray, published.  Both of those have come true. Now, I just need to buy that lottery ticket!

2)   Who or what has been your biggest influence as a writer? My favorite author is Elizabeth George, bar none. She’s brilliant. She has the most complex, twisted plots that actually make sense. How she does it, is beyond me.  My biggest influences as a writer have to be Velda Brotherton and Dusty Richards. They run the critique group I belong to. They’ve been running the group for over 20 years. I have no idea how they sit through listening to us newbies read week after week, but they do.

Dusty gave me the best piece of advice I’ve ever gotten as a writer.  He’s an old cowboy, rodeo announcer and auctioneer.  In his cowboy twang, he said “Just finish the damn book!” He then went on to explain that I was self-editing myself into paralysis by analysis—although, he didn’t put it in those words. He said something along the lines of, “Give yourself permission to write horseshit and then go back and shovel out the barn. Just get the damn book finished!”

3)   How long does it take you to write a 50,000-60,000 word manuscript? It really depends on the manuscript. I write the first draft of my contemporary romance, Santorini Sunset, which is 85K in about six months. Then, I spent at least six more editing it. I find that it takes me longer to write erotica because of self-editing. I have to give myself permission to write the repeated phrases and terms and then go back and fix them. 

4)   Tease us with a blurb/short excerpt:

This is a blurb and excerpt from Tokyo Tease, my latest erotic romance.

Blurb:

Passion in the Orient... All-American girl next door, Natalie, jumped at the chance to see the world when offered a job in exotic Japan. Reality, however, proves much harsher than her many dreams...until her co-worker--and the star of her every fantasy--turns up the heat. Kentaro steps behind her on their morning commute, turning the crowded train ride into a journey of sensuality. With every sway and turn, the sexy Asian god's touch tortures and teases, arousing her with the speed of the bullet train. But this is only the beginning. Kentaro unlocks a world of exotic pleasures surpassing Natalie's dreams.

Excerpt:

"How'd it go with the guy you work with?" Sanchez asked.

"He still hasn't really talked to me but . . .well . . . he kind of touched me on the train."

"He touched you?" He bristled as if ready to defend my honor, which I had to admit warmed my heart a little. Before he worked himself into a rage, he asked. "Touched you, how?"

Too embarrassed to go into details, I skimmed over our interactions. "Well, he stood behind me and touched my stomach." My cheeks flamed. "And well, today, he pulled me against him."

"What do you mean?"

I raised my eyebrows hoping he'd get the gist of our exchange, but he gave no indication of comprehension. "You know...he pulled me against him so my well...backside...was against his front side."

"Was he hard?"

The flames burning my face and scorched their way to my scalp. I nodded.

"Hot damn, Natalie. I think the guy noticed you!"

"He told me to wear a skirt tomorrow. What should I do?"

He grinned. "You should wear a skirt."

"Therein lies the rub."

He looked at me like I was insane. "I'm guessing he means something short and sexy."

"Hell yeah." Another grin, bordering on lecherous.

 
"I don't have anything like that," I explained.

"Let me see." He stood, grabbed his wine and headed toward my bedroom.

Stumbling over myself, I finally gained my balance and hurried after him. While I wanted a man in my bedroom, one searching my closet wasn't what I had in mind.

"Good God, woman." Sanchez glanced at my clothes. "Do you work in a morgue?"

"No! Why?"

The scraping sound of hangers sliding across metal filled the room. "Brown, gray, black, oh, more brown. Look at this, it's . . . nice." He held up a gray cardigan sweater.

http://www.amazon.com/Tokyo-Tease-ebook/dp/B00BSH8WU4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377935155&sr=8-1&keywords=luna+zega

5)   Tell us about a new author you’ve recently discovered:

Linda Joyce writes some mouth-watering romances set in the bayous of Louisiana. They are steamy and full of fun interchanges between the characters.

Celia Bonaduce is a hoot. I loved her latest release: Merchant of Venice Beach.

6)   Name two romances you’ve read more than once:

The Ladies of Missalonghi by Colleen McCullough. There is something about the unlikely heroine that touches my heart.  A poor, downtrodden spinster finds love in this story set in the Australian Outback. I used to read it once a year, but lost my copy during a move. I need to buy another because just thinking about it makes me want to read it again. It’s truly beautiful.

Just about everything by LaVyrle Spencer has been read more than once, but Sweet Memories, Morning Glory and The Fulfillment are the ones with worn out pages. Again, it’s the unlikely heroine that I enjoy so much in these books. I honestly don’t care if a gorgeous eighteen year old, heiress/countess/princess/daughter of the laird finds happily ever after with the billionaire bachelor of the century. I like love stories where everyday people find love.  There are clichés in the everyday person finding love too: introverted bookstore owner, ugly duckling older sister, strong, independent business woman too harried for love. Spencer avoids those scenarios and writes stories about lonely women who have no expectations of finding love and she does it with tear-jerking compassion.

 7)   Tell us about your first car:

Ha! My first car was a 19xx (really old) baby blue Ford F-150 pickup.  I planted an acre patch with 1,000 tomato plants and worked that field every day for an entire summer to earn the money for that puppy. I remember arriving my junior year of high school with an awesome tan and one banged up, but totally awesome truck. I was so cool…not. 

8)   Where can we find you?

www.lunazega.com

http://lunazega.wordpress.com/

So great to catch up with you again, Luna! Comments and questions, lovely visitors???

Welcome erotic romance author, Rose Wynters...

Delicate Devastation (The Endurers #3)

by Rose Wynters

Erotic Paranormal Romance

Categories: Action/Adventure, Horror, Armageddon

Publisher: Rose Wynters

Release Date: June 11, 2013

Heat Level: Sizzling

Word Count: 50,000

Available at:

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Delicate-Devastation-The-Endurers-ebook/dp/B00DGCEMSK/

ARe - https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-delicatedevastation-1222943-340.html

B&N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/delicate-devastation-rose-wynters/1115696797

Print - https://www.createspace.com/4326979

Description:

Peter Rynalt is an immortal Endurer that has dedicated his life to protecting humanity…. And enjoying only the most beautiful women. Born in 1103 in the Welsh countryside, his mortal life as Priest ended when Hell decided to crucify him. Known as the priest by some and the playboy by others, he leads an action-packed, dangerous life fighting demons and taking his pleasures where he likes. Until the night Kim runs into his arms, terrified and desperate for help after a demon attacks her.

Kim Jones is known and respected as a fun-loving, New Orleans beauty. Men want her, and women want to be her. It wasn’t always that way, though. She is haunted by her past and terrified her beauty won’t last forever. One night, fate presents her with a one-time opportunity to have the sexy Endurer that she desires. They discover an insatiable hunger that can’t be satisfied, but is it enough for Peter?

Amidst the desperate and devastated streets of New Orleans, the major players continue to make their moves in a game of destiny that will affect the future of the entire world. Each day brings them one step closer to Armageddon…. And Hell keeps upping the ante. When citizens start disappearing, The Endurers work hard to find the group of demons responsible before they die.

It all comes to shattering climax when one of their own experiences a horrendous act that devastates his life and leaves him in shame. Evil knows no bounds and is determined to walk away the winner. Can Peter capture his queen in time?

Warning: This title is intended for readers over the age of 18 as it contains explicit sex scenes and/or situations and adult language, and may be considered offensive to some readers.

Excerpt:

Copyright 2013 Rose Wynters

Her body was mouthwateringly gorgeous, but painfully thin. He walked closer to her, his eyes quickly scanning each injury. She was covered in scratches, cuts, welts, and bruises. They were fully setting in, and he knew they would look much worse before ever looking better. He growled when he saw the fingertip bruises on her throat.

“He choked you?” He enunciated each word, anger making his tone thick and dangerous, even to his own ears. He wasn’t sure why he felt so overwhelmingly protective over her, but something about her made him extremely possessive. It was a foreign emotion, and one he wasn’t quite sure how to handle.

Her slender hand moved up to her throat gently, her painted red nails erotic against the pale skin. “He must have. It all happened so fast. All I know is that I fought hard to get away from him.” Her hazel eyes shut briefly as she inhaled, struggling for control.

She was so damned delicate he couldn’t believe she had walked away from her encounter. Her fragile state reminded him of her mortality, and it angered him. He shoved a hand through his hair in frustration.

“Why in the hell are you so damn thin? Are you sick, or have you been dieting?” He spat the last word out at her, as she pulled the towel free from her hair to comb through the silky strands.

He suspected it was the latter, and he couldn’t understand why women were so obsessed with it. She was so damned beautiful, exuding a raw sexuality that was making the caveman in him roar to life. Desperately he fought the sensual weave she was unconsciously weaving, but it was a battle he was losing fast.

“You look like death, and you’re way too slender. You’re lucky to still be alive.”

She narrowed her eyes at him, as a look of irritation and something unidentifiable flickered across her face. Her arms crossed across her chest before she briefly looked away, her cheeks pink. When she turned back to him, she was completely in control.

“Get laid much, Peter? If that’s your approach, I’m surprised you aren’t a virgin. My weight isn’t any of your business, so butt out. Besides, men love my body.”

He growled, enraged at the thought of another man seeing her. She’d just waved a red flag in front of this bull, and it was a challenge he wouldn’t back down from. When he spoke, his voice was deathly quiet and cold as ice. “Really? Let a lot of them see it, huh?”

She flushed, but didn’t back down. “What’s it to you, one way or another?”

“Nothing,” he responded, his face serious and his voice harsh with lust. “It was nothing to me before tonight. That was before you walked into my bedroom naked, your body begging for this hard shaft between my legs. While you’re in here, you won’t be talking or even thinking about other men. You’ll be too busy thinking about me, feeling me, as I bring that sweet area between your legs pleasure like it has never known before… Or will again.”

About the Author:

When not writing, I enjoy traveling, meeting new people, and having fun! I love plotting what my characters will do next, and thinking up exciting, dangerous, and edgy books. I've been told I have a wicked sense of humor and often this can be seen in my writing.

I have a ton of likes, most especially books, gorgeous men, The Walking Dead, and True Blood. I interact quite a bit on my website, offering unique giveaways and having fun meeting readers. Feel free to drop by and post a comment!

Connect with Rose Wynters

Website - http://www.rosewynters.com/

Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/author_rose

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Rose-Wynters/121652694703696

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7033186.Rose_Wynters

GIVEAWAY INFO:

Prizes are as follows:

FIRST PLACE (Over 18, USA only): Print copy of “Delicate Devastation”, Rose Wynters ink pen, The Endurers bookmark

RUNNERS-UP (Over 18, Int): 2 eBook copies (1 each to 2 winners) of Delicate Devastation

Contest is tour-wide and ends Sept 14. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

RAFFLECOPTER CODE:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f92c86331/

LINK TO SCHEDULE*:

http://www.cblspromotions.com/2013/08/booktour-delicate-devastation-endurers.html

Comments??

Welcome erotic romance author, Melody Kiss...

 Welcome Melody! I am excited to be a part of Breathless Press' 4th anniversary and have an opportunity to interview one of their many successful authors. Hope you enjoy your tour and your time with me today. Over to you!

1)  Who is your favourite author and why? Jane Austen, because she transports me to a nicer time.

2)  When did you first consider yourself a writer? I considered myself a real writer last year when I received my first contract.

3)  Describe your writing space? I sit on one side of the settee in the living room and have my pc on a table next to me. I can’t write when it’s quite and so like to have the family around me when I’m thinking of stories. Usually something they do or say ends up in my books.

4)  How many books have your written?  Which is your favorite? I’ve written two shorts at the minute and my favorite appeared in the Hot Flashes anthology An Unexpected Visitor an erotic Tale of what if. That friend you’ve always had a crush on came round to visit.

5)  What comes first, plot or characters? My characters come first and then they tell me their story and I go from there.

6)  Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? I have with my non-fiction book as it is emotionally draining to write. It has happened to someone lose to me so I may not be the best person to actually write it. I won’t give up though.

7)  What do you like to do when you’re not writing? I love to read or go for relaxing walks in the countryside.

8)  Tell us about your latest book? My latest novella is ‘Fun In the Guard House.’ which is in the Ad Dick Tion anthology. It’s a m/m/f erotic short about a soldier meeting a stranger in a bar.

9) What’s next for you? I have a true life story that I am writing of abuse and neglect. And also a short erotica novella I am doing.

Breathless Press Fourth Anniversary

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

Breathless Press is an e-book publisher specializing in Romance and Erotic(a) stories.

Our mission statement is simple: To provide the opportunity for readers to connect with romance authors through the purchasing of quality e-books at a low price.

Starting in the summer of 2009, Breathless Press came into existence. Since then, we have been producing top end romance and erotic stories for valued readers to enjoy.

Breathless Press will be giving away the following prizes to randomly drawn commenters during the tour:

Grand Prize: 1 Kindle Fire
Second Prize: $25.00 Gift Card for Breathless Press
Third Prize: $10.00 Gift Card for Breathless Press
Fourth Prize: 10 x $5.00 Gift Cards for Breathless Press (individual gift cards, 1 per person)

Each host will receive a $5.00 gift card for Breathless Press.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e43417/

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/05/virtual-book-tour-breathless-press.html

Author Bio:  Melody Kiss, Writes hot erotic fiction both m/m and m/f. Living on the English Riviera of Brighton East Sussex this diverse place gives her plenty of ideas for stories.  She uses her own sexual experiences as a basis for her stories.

https://www.facebook.com/melody.kiss.16

Blurbs:

Hot flashes anthology:  An Unexpected Visitor by Melody Kiss

Can a simple visit from a friend turn into a night of passion for Cassie?

Ad Dicktion Anthology:  Fun in the Guard House by Melody Kiss

A night out with friends unexpectedly changes Justin's life. Just who is the sexy stranger from the club? 

Comments??

Novella Number 4 is here!!

Good morning, lovely readers and followers!!

I am thrilled to be launching my latest release with you today - I LOVED writing this story :)

Teach Me To Ride isn't officially released until December but is available right now exclusively from Amazon - grab your copy and get a little down and dirty with my fabulously sexy...and entirely British characters, Michael Canton and Caroline James. These two are on fire!

Blurb:

 Caroline James wants to be the best investigative journalist London has ever seen. But until she has the money to leave the small town of Fayre Mead, she's stuck and her resentment is building. So when she’s assigned to cover the Lakeland Horse Trials and meets sexy, dark-haired, and astoundingly fit horse trainer, Michael Canton, she is happy to vent some sexual and emotional frustration…and write the story of her career. But after getting personal with Michael, can she remain impersonal with the article?

Michael Canton will do anything in his power to silence his tyrannical father once and for all. Under extreme pressure to compete in the countries show jumper trials and prove his worth, Michael’s fiery emotions are running high. Caroline’s beauty and sexual confidence stokes an inner strength and determination he never knew he had. But can he trust her to know the difference between fact and fiction? Together, they are a formidable team…but will their burning ambitions ultimately blow them apart?

 Excerpt:

Still sitting in his lap, she reached behind her and lowered the zipper of her dress. It fell down over her shoulders, revealing naked breasts. His erection ached at the sight of her creamy white, perfect tits with nipples big and dark. He licked his lips and moved forward to suck one hard tip into his mouth. Her gasp sounded above him.

Her skin smelled of something sweet and sexy, innocence mixed with danger. He inhaled deeply as he grazed her pebbled nipple with his teeth before reclaiming her mouth. Her tongue was rigid and demanding against his as they fought for supremacy.

Rolling her over, he shimmied the dress down her body and tossed it to the floor. Naked, but for tiny satin panties, darkened by juices at her clit, Michael didn’t think he had ever seen a woman look more beautiful. He drank in every inch of her, knowing deep inside that this might be the only moment he’d ever see her like this. The only chance to take her, to watch her enjoy unadulterated pleasure. God, he wanted to give her pleasure.

“Michael…”

He snapped his gaze to hers. She watched him. Her eyes were heavy lidded, screaming for him, wanting him. Male pride surged like a fireball behind his ribcage. He crawled up beside her and kissed her, his fingers trailing over her breasts, lower over her torso before diving into her panties.

She was wet. Soaking wet.

His hand glided over her narrow strip of pubic hair to her rigid clit. He circled, stretched, and teased, then moved lower until his fingers found her slit, his blood roaring in his ears. He felt alive, masculine and powerful. Her legs opened and he thrust two fingers deep inside.

Amazon Buy Links:

US

http://www.amazon.com/Teach-Me-To-Ride-ebook/dp/B00EPQPNMU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377242656&sr=8-1&keywords=teach+me+to+ride

UK

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Teach-Me-To-Ride-ebook/dp/B00EPQPNMU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377242701&sr=8-1&keywords=teach+me+to+ride+rachel+leigh

Happy Riding!!

Welcome Ellora's Cave author, Natasha Moore...

Blurb:

When Meredith is stood up by another blind date, she hooks up with sexy coworker Sam at the local bar. She’s drooled over Sam for months, but getting to know him better in a back booth makes her wish guys like him want to stick around.

Sam’s been attracted to Meredith’s lush curves, bright-green eyes and throaty laugh ever since he met her. Sharing drinks, bad-date stories and sexy innuendo makes him like her even more. But her lousy one-night stands have convinced her she’s not worth a second glance. Spankings and a little bondage just might help the voluptuous Meredith understand that not only can they share adventurous sex and pizza at midnight, but a future together as well.

Excerpt

Delightful shivers danced along her skin and she leaned in close, placed her hand on his shoulder. “Okay. What are we doing here?”

He leaned in even closer. “Getting to know each other a little better?”

The scent of spicy musk reached her over the smells of booze and perfume, and she took a big whiff. “Are you hitting on me, Sam?”

“I’d hoped the hitting on was mutual.”

It was hard to resist a guy who made her laugh. Especially a hot guy who made her laugh and squirm on her seat. But from prior experience, she knew a hot guy like Sam wouldn’t want her for more than a one-night stand. “We have to see each other at work.” Life could get awkward fast.

“I know.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Those guys are leaving. Want to grab that booth?”

“Yes!”

He laughed, grabbed her arm and snagged the back booth before anyone else noticed it was free. She scooted onto the bench seat and instead of taking the seat on the opposite side of the table, Sam slid in beside her. Between the two of them—one big and tall, one big and wide—they took up most of the space.

“I hope you don’t mind,” Sam said softly. “We can talk without shouting across the table and besides, now I can do this without drawing too much attention.” He placed his hand on her knee, then began to slide it slowly up her bare thigh until he reached the edge of her dress. Her pussy quivered in anticipation and he wasn’t even close to her center.

Two could play that game. Meredith put her hand on his thigh. It was so hot and hard. But his leg was covered by fabric and that was so not fair.

Her mind was whirling with the implications of what was happening here tonight. She’d been stood up by one guy but now was getting up close and personal with a coworker. A totally hot coworker who at this moment was sneaking his fingers underneath her dress. She slid her hand up at little closer to his groin.

“It’s your turn,” she said, her voice a little breathless.

His slow slide up her thigh stopped and he gently squeezed her flesh. “My turn?”

She settled in closer, shoulders touching, thighs rubbing, hands a little hungry for more. “For another bad-date story. Surely there was someone worse than the greedy woman who just wanted you to buy her food for the next week.”

Sam smiled and resumed his voyage beneath her dress. The waves of arousal swimming through her system grew larger and more insistent. She was glad she hadn’t worn a tight dress. The waitress came and they ordered another round of drinks. This would have to be her last one, and then she’d have to get some food in her stomach. Her head was whirling slightly but it was more from the man beside her and the intimate way he was touching her.

Meredith shifted in the much more comfortable seat, dropping her leg slightly to give him better access. She barely worried about what he thought about her fleshy thigh. The liquor had apparently done a good job of lowering her inhibitions.

“There was the woman who took her cat with us on our date,” he said. “The furry thing was curled up in her lap the entire time. She petted it and talked to it for the entire drive down the coast. I might as well have been their chauffeur. ”

“Maybe she was afraid you were going to try to get in her lap and she wanted protection.” She laughed louder when the thought hit her. “Ha! She was petting her pussy so you couldn’t.”

Sam joined in her laughter. His fingers had made it to the edge of her panties. Any worries she had about her thick thighs went flying from her mind when he skimmed a finger down the wet center.

Buy Links - Pre-order now - Voluptuous releases 9/6

Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Voluptuous-Curve-Appeal-ebook/dp/B00CMUO6FQ/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1376980606&sr=8-9&keywords=natasha+moore

Barnes & Noble

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/voluptuous-natasha-moore/1115367563?ean=9781419946578

Welcome M/M erotic romance writer, Lee Brazil...

Hi Lee! Very excited to have you visit my blog today - just loving your cover! Yummy! I'll give the floor over to you. Enjoy :)

1)  Who is your favourite author and why?

My favorite author is John Steinbeck. I can always lose myself in his books, no matter how many times I've read them before. I seem to find something new in them on every reading.

2)  When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I first considered myself a writer when my story Keeping House was contracted by Breathless Press. I'd written before of course, and even published, but the realization that I was a writer came with signing and returning that first contract, as though it validated something for me.

3)  Describe your writing space?

I write in my kitchen, so my space is overall very bright and fresh, but confined to a tiny corner, so a bit cramped, and regretfully, at the moment quite cluttered.

4)  What are you reading now?

I just finished Mercy Celeste's Sidelined, and started on Amy Lane's St. Truth Be Well, both of which are very enjoyable reads.

5)  How many books have your written?  Which is your favourite?

Oh, wow. I always lose track of this one. I think I've written about thirty stories so far. They’re all novellas and shorts, so they don't take as long as novels. My favorite one at the moment is The Librarian.

6)  What comes first, plot or characters?

The answer to that question is pretty fluid. Sometimes I start with a character who needs a story, and sometimes a plot comes to me first. In the case of Temptation, I came up with the character first. I actually awoke form a dream with Lake Wynters fully formed in my head, announcing "My name is Lake Wynters, get used to it, I had to." The whole story grew around his character.

7)  Do you ever suffer from writer’s block?

Indeed I do. It's very frustrating to sit at the computer and have an urgent deadline looming, and no words will come. When that happens, I take advantage of my office location to do some baking. Baking usually helps loosen things up.

8)  What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I like to do a lot of things including reading, walking, cooking, and I harbor a not so secret addiction to crime television and The Antiques Roadshow.

9)  Tell us about your latest book?

Temptation is an m/m/m ménage contemporary romance form Breathless Press. It's the story of a shallow, self-centered man who falls in love for the first time, with not one, but two men.

10) What’s next for you?

I'm currently working on a m/m contemporary romance about a college professor and a student. IT should be out around September.

Temptation

by Lee Brazil

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

BLURB:

After a hot interlude at a holiday party, Lake Wynters and Solomon Arsdale exchange phone numbers but not promises. Lake is fine with that until something happens he's never experienced. As days pass without Solomon calling, Lake discovers he just can't forget the sexy older man. Giving in to temptation, he takes matters into his own hands and visits Solomon at his office, breaking his own dating rules.

Waiting in Solomon's office, Lake is shaken to the core by how much Solomon's acknowledgement of their encounter means to him, and how much more he wants it to lead to.

But when the door he's eagerly watching opens, it brings new temptation in the form of Adonis Kosmias. Adonis isn't anything like Solomon. Not many would call him beautiful. His features are too harsh, his body too angular. But he moves with fluid grace and his hair falls in perfect waves and his eyes sparkle with warmth. From the first touch of his hand Lake is thrown into even greater confusion. So distracted by Adonis's touch is he, that when Solomon finally makes an appearance, their hands are still clasped.

Meeting Solomon again while holding hands with another man wasn't in Lake's plan. Neither was anything that happened afterward.

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

EXCERPT

I'm Lake Wynters, I reminded myself as I paced, keeping an eye on the massive oak door that stood stalwart between me and the man I'd come to see. The secretary tried to make me sit, even offered me a copy of a news magazine to read. I think my blank look surprised her. She wanted me to sit in that plush but horrible amber colored chair and wait quietly for Solomon to decide whether my claim to friendship was a lie. I sort of was, and I sort of wasn't. But that wasn't why I paced.

And it wasn't because I wasn't sure if my pants would crease or fuzz would stick to my butt either. I just couldn't be still. It was unbelievable how much my existence seemed to hinge on his decision to acknowledge me. So I paced around the soft brown carpet, from the window that overlooked the parking lot and a very distant view of the sparkling waters of the ocean, to the chair. The door didn't open, even though it felt like it must have been a half hour since she'd called through and his deep voice had asked for a few minutes.

He's going to remember me, he's going to see me; he's going to be glad I came. He wouldn't have given me his number otherwise, would he? I wanted to believe that so badly. Because I wanted to see him. I didn't want to get brushed off. Why wouldn't he want to see me again? I was pretty...we would look great together, and I'd already proven to him that I knew what the fuck I was doing. That thought had me cursing silently as my cock stirred a bit. Okay—no remembering the blow job in the vestibule.

Just remember the indulgent smile. The way his hand closed around the number written on his palm. The way his thumb wiped the tiny drop of semen from the corner of my mouth. Yeah, those were the things I needed to remember, the things that said more than getting off for fun, the things that said maybe what we'd had meant a little something more.

Every little sound fell on my ears like a blast from a car horn, from the coiffured secretary's hands clattering on the keyboard to the hushed slur of paper in the printer. Wearing me down, tearing at the confidence I'd mustered in order to come here today.

I wanted to double-check my appearance, run to the nearest restroom and check my makeup, the shine on my boots, the cut of my jeans. I wanted to tell her to forget it, to run out and get my hair done, buy new boots, new jeans, anything to chase away the doubt this man created in me.

I was on edge and I didn't like it. I didn't like being here. I didn't like that he hadn't called me. Why hadn't he called me?

Everyone always calls me.

Not Solomon Ardale. I closed my eyes and his face hovered there in front of me, dark, solemn eyes, strong smooth jaw. The bold, aquiline nose I'd kissed playfully two weeks ago, the thick dark brows I'd traced with my fingers.

The moist hot mouth that had captivated me with one swift brutal kiss before he'd pushed me aside. Had he tasted himself in that kiss? Certainly his taste lingered in my mouth. That flavor was so imprinted in my memory that I could savor its echoes today, the blend of salt and sweet and bitter, smooth and slick against my teeth, my tongue.

But he left me there, mouth hanging open, clutching the little white business card he'd given me after I wrote my number in eye liner in the palm of his hand.

He hadn't called.

Not to ask me to dinner, or the theater, or a movie.

He wasn't even interested in a repeat performance.

Why did it fucking matter? I didn't think he was in love with me. I didn't expect him to even like me overly much. After all, a half an hour at a party isn't much to base affection on.

And yet, here I was, wasting prime holiday shopping time sitting in a stuffy office hoping to see someone I'd only met once.

The door behind me clicked and I spun around, expecting to see Solomon, but instead it was a younger man, handsome in his own way, but leaner with a darker appearance. That explained why Solomon hadn't admitted me right away. He was with someone. The relief I felt made me a little wobbly in my heels, but I smiled at the newcomer, letting my suddenly lighter spirit show. Maybe I smile too much for the camera and it came off as flirty instead of friendly, because one arched brow rose high and I nearly giggled. It made him look very much like an inquiring Vulcan and less wicked than I'd first thought.

He looked me over slowly, extending a hand in greeting. "You're Lake Wynters?"

I accepted his hand, squeezing gently, just as my behavior coach had taught me. "I am. You'll get used to it. It's my real name. My parents were wannabe hippies. I had to get over it, just one of many things." Jesus, why was I babbling? More to the point, why did this man's dry, firm touch send goose bumps up my arm?

"Will I? Get used to it, I mean?" He smiled a little, just the tiniest quirk of his lips, but I felt at ease suddenly.

"I think so. At least, I hope so. And you are?" I wanted to put a name to a face that I would surely remember for a long time. I had the feeling we could be friends, maybe more than friends.

"I'm Adonis Kosmias. Alas, my parents were also enamored of odd names." He smiled fully now, white teeth gleaming between full dark lips.

"Adonis?" He seemed to find the name amusing, but it sounded nice to me. So did the husky note in his voice and the gentle laugh that came as he recognized my confusion.

"He's the Greek god of beauty and desire. Come in, Solomon will see you now." I realized our hands were still clasped, though neither of us made any pretense at shaking and felt my neck and ears flame instantly. I blushed. I'd be walking in to see Solomon with my ears and cheeks flaming red. So much for appearing sophisticated and debonair. My cover, such as it was, was blown.

But, the Greek god of beauty and desire? Yeah... I could understand his laughter. Not many would call this man beautiful. His features were too harsh, his body too angular for beauty. But he moved with fluid grace and his hair fell in perfect waves and his eyes sparkled with such warmth.

His touch distracted me from Solomon, who was now willing to see me. On the other side of the door I'd been obsessed with just minutes earlier.

The door opened before I remembered that I could tug my hand out of his grip and didn't need to wait for him to release it. So, what the man I'd dreamed about for two weeks saw when I stepped into his office, was me holding hands with another man.

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

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

A multi-published author with Breathless Press, Silver Publishing, Evernight Publishing and Total-e-Bound, Lee Brazil is a retired teacher of grammar and composition. Moving around the country a lot as a child meant a constant stream of new schools, new locations and new people. As a child Lee was swept away into incredible worlds with the turn of every page, from Camelot to Sherwood Forest, the deck of a whaling ship, or the frigid Alaskan tundra. Every book spurred new adventures. Even before Lee started putting what if's on paper, the stories were there. As Lee grew into adulthood, the stories changed, and the focus changed from wild adventures and feats of daring to simpler, more enduring themes. Today Lee writes about one of the most basic of human needs...the need to love and be loved.

Contact Links

Lee on FB http://www.facebook.com/lee.brazil

Lee on Twitter @leebrazil

Lee Blog http://leebrazilauthor.blogspot.com/

Pinterest  http://pinterest.com/leebrazil/

You Tube http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKmjXLWlO4c2_5ZZQigbeZg?

Facebook Links

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Buy Link http://www.breathlesspress.com/index.php?main_page=product_free_shipping_info&cPath=1&products_id=451

Lee will be awarding an E-copy of The Park at Sunrise to a randomly drawn commenter at each stop, plus a $5 ARE Gift Certificate to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. A $5 ARE Gift Card will be awarded to a randomly drawn host.

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: 

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/06/virtual-book-tour-temptation-by-lee.html

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