Six Sentence Sunday: Nothing but Ash

Watching Erin walk away was harder than Owen expected. With every step came the urge to call her back, but no. Now wasn’t the time. So he kept his mouth shut and clenched his hands to keep from reaching for her.

The dark swallowed her up in no time. Still he waited at the top of his stairs for her to cross under the first street light and then back into the darkness.


This Sunday my six are from Nothing but Ash. Now available at Liquid Silver Books.

BLURB:

Owen’s life is in shambles. His wife is missing and presumed dead. His daughter is running wild and considered the worst criminal in Midnight Ridge. The sheriff, his former girlfriend, expects him to get his act together and “find his balls”. It couldn’t get any worse. Until his wife’s ghost shows up, determined to lead them to her killer, a wolf hiding among the sheep, picking them off one bad seed at a time...

Want to know a little more about this story? You can find excerpts and related books at:
http://www.lshannon.net/MIDNIGHT_RIDGE/NothingButAsh.html

Check out my other sixes here!

Check out other sixes by other authors at http://www.sixsunday.com/

Shannon
http://lshannon.net/

Guest Author: Evie Balos

WICKED ANGEL
by Evie Balos

Genre: erotica, paranormal.
Part of the Blue Line at Cobblestone Press.

Length: Short

Features a muscle-ripped angel warrior. ;-)

Blurb:

He's going to ruin her for the rest of mankind...

Lana is a gifted healer. Her job is to treat angels who have been hurt by rogue Ahkran. Although awed by the winged race, only one angel unsettles her in ways too deliciously wicked for her own good. Julien. Muscle-ripped and fearsome, the chief enforcer is hardly angelic...could be her undoing if she succumbs to the unexpected interest he's taken in her. Called to treat his injury one night, Lana is determined to control her desire for him, do her job and leave. His proposition, however, stops her in her tracks.

Julien normally doesn't bed humans, yet the lovely healer tempts him beyond control. Surely, three nights with her in his bed are enough to quench his desire...

Book at Cobblestone Press: http://www.cobblestone-press.com/catalog/books/wickedangel.htm

Evie's website: www.eviebalos.com

Blog: http://eviebalos.blogspot.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/EvieBalos

Six Sentence Sunday: Nothing but Ash

“Your daughter is locked up in my jail again.” Sheriff Erin Walker hated these calls with a passion. In a town of under two hundred with the people scattered spaciously around the forested base of Midnight Ridge, crime was rare. This was the third time this week she’d hauled Sienna Sinclair in and put her teenaged ass behind bars.

“Again? What has she done this time?” Owen Sinclair sounded tired, beaten down by the reality of raising a troubled kid alone.


This Sunday my six are from Nothing but Ash. Now available at Liquid Silver Books.

BLURB:

Owen’s life is in shambles. His wife is missing and presumed dead. His daughter is running wild and considered the worst criminal in Midnight Ridge. The sheriff, his former girlfriend, expects him to get his act together and “find his balls”. It couldn’t get any worse. Until his wife’s ghost shows up, determined to lead them to her killer, a wolf hiding among the sheep, picking them off one bad seed at a time...

Want to know a little more about this story? You can find excerpts and related books at:
http://www.lshannon.net/MIDNIGHT_RIDGE/NothingButAsh.html

Check out my other sixes here!

Check out other sixes by other authors at http://www.sixsunday.com/

Shannon
http://lshannon.net/

First Kiss Friday: Nothing but Ash

“If you mean having a fling with my best friend while I was out of town … I forgive you and I know exactly what you should say.” She leaned forward until their lips were a breath apart.

“What should I say?”

She brought them together, kissing him slowly at first, but then deepening the kiss until their mouths became a tangle of heat and need. Closer and closer. On and on. She drank him down, owning him soul deep, letting the last fifteen years fall away until they were teenagers again exploring each other for the first time. Remembering what felt right and how the need to connect consumed them both.

He dragged her onto his lap, holding her close to him in an uncompromising grip.

Slowly she pulled back, by increments. Joy flooded through her. He still loved her.


This Friday's kiss is from Nothing but Ash. Now available at Liquid Silver Books.

BLURB:

Owen’s life is in shambles. His wife is missing and presumed dead. His daughter is running wild and considered the worst criminal in Midnight Ridge. The sheriff, his former girlfriend, expects him to get his act together and “find his balls”. It couldn’t get any worse. Until his wife’s ghost shows up, determined to lead them to her killer, a wolf hiding among the sheep, picking them off one bad seed at a time...

Want to know a little more about this story? You can find excerpts and related books at:
http://www.lshannon.net/MIDNIGHT_RIDGE/NothingButAsh.html

Check out more First Kiss Fridays here!


Shannon
http://lshannon.net/

Check out the pretty OBAB cover!

Cover art is just like getting a surprise gift. No matter whether the wrapping is fancy or plain old newspaper, you still hold your breath and tear it open, hoping...

Yay! It's fantastic!! And not socks. lol.

Of Blood and Blessings is being released with Liquid Silver Books on April 9, 2012. Since this once one of my very first books and has been through a few rough revisions, I'm very excited to seeing it finally find a new place to be.

Some might remember that this book was originally released with Changeling Press. To be clear I still love them plenty. :) The reason it was pulled and is being released is for two reasons - 1. I wanted to clean this book up some. Since it was written so long ago, I really wanted to improve it using what I've learned in all the recent years. and 2. The third and final book in this trilogy was finally finished and I wanted to release all three books from the same publisher. Since book 2 was with Cobblestone Press, I decided it would be fairest to pull both released books, rework them and offer the three together to a third publisher. I'm very happy I did and can't wait to see them all out there once more.

You can see more about the Blood Royals Trilogy on my website.

Shannon

www.lshannon.net

Moore Money? Yahoo!

Hi everyone. Just thought I'd share a post I recently got from my writing buddy, Deb Moore. So here ya go...



Hey, girl! Guess what I’ve been up to?

My new book, The Business of Writing, went live on Amazon! Unlike other finance and business books out there, this one is geared specifically to writers and the challenges we face.

I’ve been doing bookkeeping and creative writing for over twenty-five years, and I was finally able to combine the numbers side and creative side of my brain to produce a book every writer will find useful.

My book will show how to save time and money all year long as well as during tax season. This way, writers can focus on writing instead of stressing over the financial side of the business.

In the book, I’ve included information on managing the daily bill and receipt piles with a tool called the Money Journal. There are tips and tricks on tracking all financial matters along the way quickly and easily—and in a way that will save them time and money at tax time. The book covers how the structure of our businesses is so important and can make a huge difference come tax time. Also, the book has an exhaustive list of expenses specific to writers—some that writers are probably already tracking, and many they may not be.

There is a lot more information in the book, and I included loads of links to forms I designed, spreadsheets writers would find helpful, and IRS publications every writer should know about.

I know you get financial questions all the time. Here’s the link to the Amazon page. There’s more information about everything the book contains there. http://www.amazon.com/The-Business-of-Writing-ebook/dp/B007A2741Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329595829&sr=8-1

Debra Moore

www.moorebookkeeping.com

Moore Bookkeeping—because you went into business to make money, not count it.

The Wysh

Wysh 1: The Wysh
By L. Shannon
Genre: paranormal m/m romance
ISBN: 978-1-61124-221-8
Released: December 18, 2011
Amber Quill Press
Cover Artist: Trace Edward Zaber
Editor: Catherine Snodgrass


Buy it at Amber Quill Press http://amberquill.com/AmberAllure/Wysh.html


BLURB
Lin struggles to raise his kid brother on a writer's fluctuating income and once more is over whelmed with unpaid bills. Just when he thinks he's out of options, that is when he gets a mysterious note offering him money for a little of his time. Despite knowing the guy will probably be a stalker pervert who thinks he's the woman shown on that back of his books, he still goes to the midnight meeting. What he finds is a ridiculously sexy demon asking for his blood in exchange for enough cash to fix Lin's lacking finances. Lin's just not sure how much of himself he can give up for money. The decisions could change his life forever.


EXCERPT
(*WARNING* Potentially adult excerpt. Consider yourself warned.)

If this were a book of mine to plot out, the note writer would be some recluse of a hunk, desperate to connect with another human even if he had to buy their company with his blue blood inheritance. A perfect fit for a desperate heroine. In my case, maybe it would be glamorous beauty, driven to the brink of madness from her loneliness. Some pretty delicate girl, petite enough to make me feel big and strong.

A snort slipped out.

But of course not. I'm a cynic. Reality wasn't like that. The truth was more likely going to be either a hideous ugly guy who couldn't get laid or a sicko who couldn't find someone willing to do what he needed to get off.

And here was me walking into this situation. I focused on the fireflies and continued onward with my hands in my pockets. One hand wrapped around the only proof that my desperation hadn't completely eroded my sense of self-preservation. The stun gun was a good model capable of shocking the shit out of a large man. The weapon could even be used multiple times if the guy in need of voltage wasn't alone, or if he really pissed me off. Not that I was completely helpless, but time and experience had taught me that with my frame I was better off with more options.

The dark star-spangled surface of the small lake came into view. The note had ordered me to meet him between the lake and the north bend in the dirt road. Right about... Here.

A shadow of black on black moved ahead of me. Despite the darkness, I could make out someone sitting on one of the two overlook benches. That someone appeared to be alone, but also even sitting looked as big as a mountain.

"Ms. Hamilton, you came." The gravelly voice vibrated across the air to me.

"Are you alone?" Even if I hadn't seen anyone I still had to ask.

"Yes, I came alone. I'm glad you did also."

I expected him to move, stand or do something, but instead the man stayed on his bench, staring out over the lake. Trudging a few steps closer I waited for his appearance to take clearer shape. But no matter how much I squinted, he remained nothing but shadow, hidden inside a long trench coat and obscured by a wide hat reminiscent of Van Helsing.

"Why did you come alone?" His question was tinged with sadness or perhaps disappointment. "Didn't you consider the risks?"

"I don't need a safety lesson from the creepy bastard who lured me out here." And with the earlier use of Ms. I figured it was time to fess up. "Besides, I'm not a Ms. Hamilton. I'm a Mr."

"Mr.? No, she's not married."

"She isn't a she." I shook my head. This was going to take more explaining. "I'm the author. But I am a man, not a woman. The readers expected a female author so my editor decided it would--"

"Ahh, a pen name. I understand."

"It's also my name. I'm Lindsey Hamilton. Most just call me Lin."

"Lin. I see." His voice dripped with doubt. "You came alone."

"So what? You already know I need the money. You seemed to be a fan so the least I could do was hear you out. My words tumbled out in a rush. Better to put all the cards on the table right away. "But even if my gender isn't an issue for you, I won't agree to anything until I hear exactly what you want in exchange for that money."

"Are there things you won't do for a thousand dollars?"

"Yes, there are things I won't do for a million dollars." Although in the most honest part of my heart, I'd have to admit that there were probably damn few things I wouldn't do for a big enough payout. "So spill it. Are you a pervert? Into shit you just can't talk the girls into? Or are you ugly enough to make the girls barf and run away?"

Wind blew in off the lake, sending a shiver dancing over my skin.

And then he was behind me. Just like that, in the blink of an eye, the guy went from still as stone on the bench, across the dozen feet or so and around behind my back. Yet, I hadn't seen him stand or walk or anything. Just bam, there he was.

I jerked, tightening my grip on the stun gun in my pocket. His hands locked onto my arms before I could pull it out.

"Now, now, you asked for the details." His words whispered over the back of my neck, sending a tightening sensation down my body. With a twist to look over my shoulder at him, I saw only pale white skin and glowing amber eyes. His height was just as I'd expected, towering over me at probably six and a half feet. And he was broad at the shoulders. I could tell that much even with his physique hidden by the trench coat and the darkness. My gaze returned to his glowing eyes. So sad and...glinting with something dangerous.

I couldn't tear my gaze free. "What are you? What do you want?"

"Let's start with you not trying to electrocute me and work our way up from there." He blinked and loosened his grip on my arms. "I won't hurt you. I won't take anything you can't willingly offer."

I turned slowly. "What the hell does that mean? And how about we back up to the part where you answer me and explain just what the hell you are."

"So tough." From beneath the brim of his hat, one side of his lips quirked upward, revealing a neat line of teeth...except for one that was long enough to definitely be called a fang.

Icy fingers slid down my back. This guy was way out of my league. His brute strength alone would probably crush me if that was what he wanted. Yet, his huge grip remained gentle. "Answer my question or we're heading back down the 'shock the shit' road once more."

This time he chuckled. "I'm a..." His words faded to nothing.

"A what? I make my living studying people and I've seen enough to know you aren't one. Are you a..." This time it was my words that failed. After all, I could hardly ask him if he was a vampire. Who the hell could ask that straight out into the honest night? "You're not human. I don't even need you to answer that question. But I'm not a bigot or anything. So just say it in one word or less. What are you?"

His head tilted forward. The brim of his hat hiding all of his face.

I just knew it. He was going to actually say that word. He was going to say right out loud that he was a vampire.


END EXCERPT

For more information or to buy this title at
http://amberquill.com/AmberAllure/Wysh.html

The Jade Prince

Dragonbound: The Jade Prince
By L. Shannon
Genre: Erotic Urban Fantasy (m/m)
Length: Short Story - Amber Kiss (6k words)
ISBN-13: 978-1-61124-202-7 (Electronic)
Released: November 6, 2011
Amber Quill Press
Cover Artist: Trace Edward Zaber
Editor: Catherine Snodgrass

Buy it at Amber Quill Press
http://amberquill.com/AmberAllure/JadePrince.html


BLURB
Cal has loved his best friend forever but since Jin is straight, the relationship has no hope of ever being fulfilled. Or at least that was what he thought until the day he accidentally binds Jin to the spirit of an insane dragon. Now Cal will do anything, even offer his flesh and grab hold of a twisted form of his most desperate desire in order to keep the jade dragon from using Jin's body to rampage through the city.

REVIEWS

EXCERPT
(*WARNING* Graphic excerpt. Consider yourself warned.)

...Cal held out the small box with the pendant. “Here. It’s a thank you gift from me and Tory.”

“You didn’t have to—”

“Shut up, Jin. Just be gracious and accept our thanks. What you’ve done… Well, you won’t let us make much out of it, but it does mean a lot to me, to us both.”

Jin nodded and opened up the plain box. “A jade dragon?” Picking up the pendant, he let it dangle from his fingers. “Very pretty.”

The way the light danced off the green stones made it look far more expensive than it had in the dusty pawn shop. Now it gleamed almost alive with the shine of the jade.

Jin draped the chain around his neck and the pendant landed perfectly at the dip between his collarbones. “Ah! What the hell?”

“What’s wrong?”

“It burns!” He pried at the pendant but it didn’t budge. “Help me get this thing off.”

Cal leaned in close and tugged at the loose chain. That much still moved freely, but the pendant itself might as well have become part of Jin’s flesh. And when his fingers hit the now hot stone, it sizzled with what felt like damn near electric shock. “Hey!”

“Cal!” Jin’s body bucked back into the sofa cushions, his spine arched painfully. After a long moment the shaking started.

He grabbed Jin and pinned his writhing body in place. What the hell was happening? A seizure, but what caused it? The pendant? It had to be the pendant, but how and why? All he could do was hold on and pray for a miracle...

END EXCERPT

Buy The Jade Prince at http://amberquill.com/AmberAllure/JadePrince.html

Guest Author: Jerry Race

Muse It Hot Publishing

releases

More Than A Stud

a novella

by Jerry Race

on September 2, 2011

To buy More Than A Stud click on this link .

http://tinyurl.com/3fjrq36

 


Genre: Paranormal Erotica M/M Romance
Editor: Lea Schizas
Line editor: Anita Baron Ford
Cover artist: Suzannah Safi
Words: 31269
Pages: 110
ISBN: 978-1-927085-56-1
Price: $4.50
Warning: Adult Content
Blurb:
Will stakes and fangs keep Shane and Jamie from being a couple before their relationship begins?
Shane Richards, 24, male model, has a few problems. His rival threatens to discredit him if he participated in the upcoming America’s Top Male Model contest. Near his twenty-fifth birthday, the dormant vampire abilities within him begin to surface and he starts having nightmares about meeting his so-called father whom he’s never met. As if that isn’t enough one of his male friends who has the hots for him is determined to make him his lover. On his twenty-fifth birthday his nightmares come true and he winds up risking his life in a battle with his father over a pendant with supernatural powers.

Thank you.
Jerry Race
Seductive. Sensual & hawt romance!

Excerpt:

Steam swirled throughout the bathroom as Jamie Donovan entered and warm vapors caressed his naked body while he shut the door. Anticipation tingled his skin at the thought of getting to see his boyfriend without clothes for the first time.

As badly as Jamie wanted his boyfriend sexually he had to force himself not to rush into things. If he did he’d surely lose him and after everything he’d gone through to be with Shane Richards he didn’t want to be back to square one, alone. For that not to happen he’d need to win his trust and he was determined to follow through no matter what it would take.

During the time they’ve been together he learned a lot about Shane. Too many people, mostly men, used him to get what they wanted. Once they had sex with him they’d forget he existed. Of course, Shane was aware he allowed all that to happen. But how else was he going to have sexual contact with someone. Hand jobs became much too boring.

His persistent waiting was about to pay off. Until meeting Shane he’d doubted love would ever surface.

Pausing near the frosted shower door a light shiver slithered over him. Something is wrong. I’ve never felt weird vibes come from Shane—never.

Without a word from the other side the shower door opened. A long arm shot out. He gasped as long, thick fingers grasped the wrist on his right hand, yanking him inside. Hot water instantly pounded his body as he slammed against the naked, stunning physique before him. His eyes gazed into a smooth brown face then glanced up into mocha color eyes and tiny sparkles of crimson flickered in those eyes. How odd.

Jamie stepped back letting his eyes travel from the soaked ebony hair and down the taut wide chest. His tongue brushed over his lips at the sight of the impressive cock pointing at him. Mmm. It’s much thicker and longer than I ever expected.

Just as he reached for the thick shaft a hand brushed them away and his boyfriend stepped back. A nervous smile formed on his lips as their eyes met. His lids lowered while his boyfriend brought his lips closer to his. Jamie moaned the moment Shane claimed his lips. Oh Shane.

Feeling Shane pulling his mouth away his lids lifted.

“Now, give me that ass,” A deep, male voice softly demanded.

Hands gently grabbed his shoulders. The balls of his feet slid on the wet floor as his body swung around. Facing the blue gray tile he leaned his cheek against it. Needing something to hold on to he rested the palms of his hands on the wall. Sensing the thick cock head sliding between his ass cheeks his body tensed.

“Come on Jamie, relax,” he heard Shane’s seductive voice in his ears.

“Just take it easy, Shane.It’s been too long since I’ve had sex. Besides, I’ve never had a cock as big as yours.”

Tension continued to flow through him. No matter how hard he tried, relaxation wasn’t working.

“Open up, damn it,” Shane ordered. “Sorry about this kiddo, but—”

“Ow!” Jamie cried out as the thick erection plowed in him. Tears swelled in his eyes when he felt the cock shoved deeper.

“Oh yeah. Nice and tight.” Shane pulled his cock back.

Fuck! I doubt I’ll ever get used to that monster.

Again the thick erection moved forward. Without further hesitation Shane picked up the pace plunging his cock up and down making their bodies rock in unison.

Jamie clenched his teeth tighter from the swift movements. I never thought I’d say this, but I wish he’d hurry and get this over with.

 As if Shane heard his thoughts he slowed down and made a sudden stopped. “Ahhh.” His scream bounced off the walls. Then all Jamie could hear was the water spewing from the shower head.

Unexpectedly, Shane leaned against his back.

Warm breath blew in his ear and teeth nibbled on his ear lobe. Jamie shuddered when sharp teeth clamped on his neck A few seconds later his boyfriend spoke softly in his ear. “I love you, Jamie.”

Jamie grinned. “And I love you too, Shane.” Feeling the teeth sink through the skin on his neck Jamie screamed. “Ow. Shane, giving me a hickey is one thing, but—”

His body tensed as he heard his blood rushing up his throat. Within seconds his knees wobbled and about to buckle. As his hands slipped on the tiled wall darkness filled his mind.

Ka boom!

His body lurched from the emphatic sound and the rapid pounding of his heart slammed against his chest. Awaking, he heard a gasp escape his throat. A bright light flashed from the other side of the room as he sat up in bed. Glancing at the window thick sheets of rain slapped against the pane. Movement to his right made him look away and his eyes settled on Shane lying on his back, opening his eyes . “What’s wrong, hon?”

“I just had the wildest dream,” he answered.

Sitting up, Shane asked, “What about?”

“I don’t wanna talk about it, at least not now.”

Shane snuggled beside his boyfriend and brushed his lips over his ear, whispering,  “Have I ever said that I love you?”

Jamie cringed. Then he glanced at Shane focusing his attention on his boyfriend’s mouth and nodded. Without another word he threw the bedding off and leaped out of bed.

“Jamie?” Shane asked. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

Without bothering to answer he ran out of the bedroom refusing to look at Shane.

Yay! I just heard that The Jade Prince will be picked up by Amber Quill Press! I'm so excited!! It is tentatively scheduled for a November release.  I'll post more as I know it.

Shannon
www.lshannon.net

Guest Author: Selena Blake

Have you ever been seduced?

There's something so nice about being swept off your feet. Especially when you least expect it. According to Wikipedia "the word seduction stems from Latin and means literally 'to lead astray'." It goes on to say "seduction, seen negatively, involves temptation and enticement, often sexual in nature, to lead someone astray into a behavioral choice they would not have made if they were not in a state of sexual arousal." But sometimes I think a little sexual arousal and a dose of seduction lead you exactly where you need to be.

Case in point: my latest release, Seduced by a Cajun Werewolf. The heroine certainly isn't expecting to be seduced. She's got a job to do and distractions aren't allowed.

But come on…since when has a werewolf played by the rules? Especially one as sinful as Laurent Deveraux. Handsome as heck with a smile that will make your toes curl, he's got seduction on his mind. She doesn't stand a chance.

If you like your romance erotic and paranormal, why not give SBACW a look?

Ultra sexy werewolf Laurent Deveraux thinks that Violet, the love of his life, died two hundred years ago until she shows up in New Orleans looking for him.

Violet, now a vampire, thinks she’s someone else. Her powerful and dangerous sire has bound her memories, taught her how to kill and Laurent is her next target.

Laurent is determined to awaken her memories and her undying passion before danger steals her away again.

For more info and an excerpt visit: http://site.selena-blake.com/bookshelf/series/stormy-weather/bound-and-determined/