Welcome to the Diva couch – Taryn (My Secret Romance)

Please welcome Taryn from My Secret Romance to the Down Under Divas today.

We’re especially thrilled to have her because we thought she wouldn’t have time to blog here. Taryn is in the middle of moving across country, and frankly, we have no idea how she has time to breathe, never mind blog. (Seriously, perhaps we should call her blog Wonder Woman’s Secret Romance!)

Taryn’s blog is a feast for the eyes, and when you make your way over there after reading her post, beware. You might find yourself spending ages browsing!

Oh, and here is something you didn’t know about Taryn:

She held my fantasy in her arm.

Twice!

I kid you not. Read on to see what I mean.

Jess

Tell us about Taryn

Hmmm…I don’t know! Haha I hate talking about myself! I never know what to say! Let’s see….Taryn is a very short and small, but an opinionated chick. To be frank- I don’t beat around the bush. I have no time for that and say it like it is. Seriously. I’m just topping in at 5 feet and I have a big mouth. I’m actually very shy but won’t open up until I’m comfortable enough to. Though, you’d never know it through facebook. Everyone is pretty shocked when I say it. But it’s true. 

(Jess popping in to say: anyone else thinking about Dawn now? Remember? The blogger who described herself as quiet?) 

What else… I’ve been with my husband since I was 17. We met on the set of a music video actually where he played the boyfriend and I was a backup dancer. It’s true, I swear! We were married two years later and now have two boys. People see me and assume I’m 18 years old, and the older sister of my kids. It’s cool for the most part, but sometimes it can get annoying.

(Jess again: *Ahem* Where is the video???)

 

Tell us all about My Secret Romance Book Reviews – how it began, how it’s grown, what it’s all about.

It all started by chance really. See, I’m a horrible writer. I’ve always struggled with it. Not as in writing books or anything, just writing in general. I became an avid reader about five years ago and started reading reviews. I was so impressed by the reviews and wanted to write some, but also very intimated by them. The more I got to thinking the more I realized that the only way I’m going to get better is if I start writing. And so I did. A few months later, I wanted to start a blog to share all the books I love to read, but I didn’t have a name for it. I told my husband about the idea and asked for name suggestions. Tony said, “Taryn, you have sex with your books every night. How about My Secret Romance?” And so it stuck! Hahaha And that’s how My Secret Romance began.  

(Jess says: Taryn’s hubby sounds like a genius!)

As MSR grew, I realized I needed reviewers to help. So I put an add out. Long story short, I now have eight reviewers who are the best girls I could’ve asked for- Nadine, Lee Anne, Janna, Amanda, Crystal, Bridget, Alyssa, and Sophie. Some know them as “Taryn’s Girls” LOL Truthfully? I totally credit them for the reason why my blog is still going. Right now I’m in the process of moving from New York to Florida so my girls stepped up and took it over for me. I’m in shock really by how much they’re doing for the blog and helping. They do so much to contribute to the blog and I could never thank them enough for all that they do. My Secret Romance is not just my blog, but it’s their blog as well.

My Secret Romance is a very honest review blog. We don’t star rate books, but we will post any review for any book so long as there is no author bashing in it, which my girls know. I don’t believe in star rating on blogs and I don’t believe in only posting only reviews higher than three stars either. That’s not being honest to me. I feel like that tends to sway readers so I’d rather let them decide once reading a review.

How do you pick which books to review or authors to interview?

For the most part I’m pretty easy going. I want blogging to be fun-not stressful-for my girls so I let them decide what to read. When a review/tour request comes in, it will get posted in our review group and whoever wants to read it can. Sometimes when the review comes in, the author will request an interview or guest post. Or if after reading any book and we want to interview the author, we do. Really, I have no strict rules on my blog. Everything goes!

What was the first romance book you read, and how did your love for romance develop from there?

It’s funny, because before I started reading I hated sappy romance books and refused to read them! I like to say I was just young and dumb at the time and didn’t know what I was talking about!

It started because of Twilight actually.

(Jess again: Anyone else noticing a pattern with Twilight and bloggers?)

I was picking my kids up from school one day when a mother turned to ask me a question, mind you- I had like no friends because I’m so damn shy that I couldn’t open my mouth! One of the mothers said to me, “Have you read Twilight?” I said, “What’s Twilight?” She nearly threw the hardcover at my head and said read it. I remember looking at the book and telling her it’s going to take me a years to read a book that size. Needless to say, I finished it in two days. I loved it, but realized I need a more adult read (and sex!). So the first adult romance book was *I think* the Sookie Stackhouse series. Or it could have been the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Or The Dark-Hunter series. I really can’t remember. When I found I actually liked to read, I started reading everything super fast and the time just started to blend together.

Do you have preferred genres – you know books you gravitate to?

Anything with romance for the most part! Oh, and hot sex too! J I do love reunion romances, cheating, and love triangles. Those are my favorite. If you asked me this four years ago I would’ve said only paranormal romance. Now it’s contemporary romance.

Rubs hands together Oh shit. This make me nervous!

You’ve told me you’re easy…now prove it.

Here are some fun questions for you to answer. The skies the limit with these. Feel free to say ANYTHING that comes to mind.

Your ideal threesome: You and…? To be quite honest, I’ve never, ever thought about this! Haha And that’s probably because my hubby can WORK IT BABY. For real. I’m not lying. Sometimes I feel like I went horseback riding bareback style afterward. Sometimes I even say… never mind.  Hey, you asked.

Your ideal MMM threesome? ^^^ see above.

The one person you would never say no to is…? (And yeah, I mean no to a hot night in bed—or out.) Hubby of course! He is the life of the party

If you could have a quiet dinner with one famous person, who would it be? Mariah Carey. I love her. I know, I know…people laugh when I say her, but I like her!

Heels or flats? I like both. I love to wear heels to go out, but I also like to drink when I got out and worry about falling! Haha No, no. I’m not a sloppy drinker. I just like to have fun, but those cracks in the sidewalk come out of nowhere!

Chocolates or crisps? Chocolate

Coffee or milkshakes? Coffee!!!!!!!!!!

Men or women? For what? To be president? Men. To cook? Woman.

Dogs or Cats? Cats

Your favorite romance book ever? Come on now. You know that’s not an easy question! If I had to pick, I’d say Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward. I love mean bastard heroes. The meaner the better for me.

Your favorite movie ever Dirty Dancing. Gahhh I love that movie!

Worst movie? I watched one with the hubs about a month ago but can’t remember the name for the life of me. I do remember thinking that I couldn’t believe I sat through the whole thing because it was that bad.

The most embarrassing moment of your life? Now why would I tell you that?

(Jess says: Coz these are the juicy details we need to know!) )

 Bill or Eric (and if you say “who?” I won’t be able to post the interview.)

LMAO!!!! 

Go ahead, eat your heart out!!!!

 

 

Oh, yes. TWICE!

*Jess just fainted with jealousy.*

(Does Taryn not know Eric is my not so secret fantasy?)

And on a lighter note…OMFG!!!!! You met Eric/Alexender Skarsgard? You touched him??? OMFG!

Maroon 5 or Jason Mraz Maroon 5!

Star Wars or Star Trek? Neither! I can’t stand either one.

Titanic or Terminator? Titanic

——————————

Any Special links?

I’m a goodreads whore. I love that site-
http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2724584-taryn-at-my-secret-romance

Blog-
http://www.mysecretromancebookreviews.com/

Facebook- 
https://www.facebook.com/MySecretRomance?ref=hl

Welcome to the Diva couch – Kat (The Book Tart)

Day two of blogger week leads us straight to the utterly adorable and completely lovable Kat, otherwise known as The Book Tart.

When I invited Kat to blog with us, I figured she’d answer a few questions and that would be that. Boy, was I ever wrong. Kat grabbed hold of Daydreaming Dawn, and together the two of them have put on an extravaganza.

Here Dawn interviews Kat, but on Dawn and Kat’s blogs you’ll find them reading excerpts of the Divas’ books.

I’ve seen all the videos – and think they are awesome! Make sure to head on over to their blogs to see for yourself.

But for now, let me not prattle on anymore. Here’s Kat…

Jess

Pajama Party!

Dawn of Day Dreaming Book Reviews

interviews Kat, The Book Tart

(in bed!)

Welcome to the Diva Couch…Dawn (Daydreaming Book Reviews)

It’s hard to explain how much we Divas adore Dawn. Not only is she a close friend to all of us, she has become a trusted Beta reader, a gold mine of promo opportunities and an indispensable part of all of our lives.

Quite simply put, we love her.

Welcome Dawn!

Who is Dawn/Drmgl99 – Day Dreaming Book Reviews?

Hmmmm… that’s a good question. Dawn is a quiet housewife, aunt, and caretaker for her grandmother.

(Jess butting in here. Um, did anyone else happen to notice she described herself as quiet? *Snort*)

I have been with my husband since I was 15 and we have been married for over 20 years now. I enjoy traveling and exploring new places.
About 5 years ago I was laid off from a job of over 10 years and that’s when I found my love for reading. It had been over… Never mind, we won’t say how many years! Let’s just say it had been since High School since I read last until my niece asked me to read Twilight for her.

How did you become involved in the wonderful world of romance books?

My mother had always been a reader, more along the lines of True Crime and suspense types…not so much romance. Some of my first reads I picked up on my own, my poor mom got phone calls from concerned teachers, lol. It seems I didn’t read books they thought I should, Go Ask Alice and Helter Skelter, which were just a couple of them. It seemed I was drawn to the dark and I was intrigued by it.

I took a very long lapse in reading after I left school and didn’t pick up a book until Twilight. Once I read that, I was sucked into everything I could grab and believe it or not it was all YA! My dad then bought me my first Kindle for Christmas and I picked up my first “free erotic romance” read—because the cover was so pretty—RG Alexander’s Regina in the Sun.  I never knew there were books like that! Once I finished that book I was HOOKED, in the first week of owning my Kindle I spent over $100 buying up every book I could find by RG Alexander and everyone that was on her “customers also bought” list.

Tell us all about your blog.

Funny you should ask this question… My blog Day Dreaming Book Reviews all started because of a very pushy, loving, wonderful woman know as Jess Dee. I was lucky to meet Miss Jess Dee at my first RT in Los Angeles in 2011. I went to RT with some readers I met on the Smutketeers yahoo group – Kitty Kelly, Gigi, and Ive. I was a new reader and didn’t know many people by name or face, but these girls helped make it easy and I met tons of fantastic authors.

The first night there I met Lexxie Couper and Rhian Cahill… where you ask?… In the bar of course (having a cuppa). After meeting them, it was on from there—meeting people and having fun! Jess Dee grabbed me one day and told me “I’m sending you a book and you will review it on your blog, you need to do one.” LOL.  So, of course, I said yes ma’am and that was it! I went home and started my blog and that’s when Drmglr99/ Day Dreaming Book Reviews began.

I do interviews, reviews, contests, special excerpts, and just plain ol’ fun stuff on the blog. I love having an outlet to show the love I have developed for the romance community. It is an amazing group of authors, readers, and bloggers that I am so happy to call my friends.

(Jess intervening- again: )

Do you work alone or are others blogging/reviewing with/for you?

When I first started my blog it was just me and it was really just for fun and keeping track of my books, but then it grew and I started to get review requests, so I added my bestie Lola. This past year I have gotten a job with All Romance eBooks and it takes a bit more of my time so I have added a few more reviewers Phuong, Casey Lu, Kennedria, and Jennifer. We are currently looking for two more reviewers, so if you’re interested in reading and like to talk about it, shoot me a Tweet or FB message 

Do you have preferred genres – you know books you gravitate to?

No, that was an easy question—LOL.  I read nearly everything, but my reading choices do tend to change with my mood and actually the season as well. I tend to read more Paranormal, UF and Sci-fi in the winter and Cowboy, Contemporary, NA in the summer months.  But I’m pretty constant with the BDSM/Kink all year round! 

There are “those” authors for me that I will read all-day any-day no matter what time of the year.

Okay, now let’s have some fun…

So, you took a cruise on a luxury boat. Unfortunately, the darn boat sprung a leak and is sinking. There are over a hundred passengers on board – and only one lifeboat. Why should the captain choose you to be one of the lucky ten who gets a seat on that lifeboat.

Oh please Captian Sir, take me with you. I will be your right-hand girl and help keep everyone in line. I have many skills that you may be in need of and I am willing to help in any way possible.

You don’t know anyone else on the boat. Well, not personally anyway. But there sure are a lot of familiar faces. Just before the captain lowers the lifeboat, he tells you that you can choose one other passenger to climb in with you. It could be ANYONE. Who do you choose, and why?

I can take anyone I want with me? *looks around* hmmmm… Can I take that really tall, thick, dark, strong, guy over there. He looks like he could carry me, climb coconut trees, build a fire, and scavenge a meal up for me when we are stranded on an island together. Yes, he will do nicely.

Your heart is now pounding a mile a minute. You know why? Because on board that lifeboat with you are two people you’ve always wanted to have a ménage with. (Told you there were lots of familiar faces on the big ship.) Who are they?

Mmmm… Oh boy, there are so many pretty and handsome faces but OMFG is that? No it can’t be… it is!! Oh HELL YES! *squeezes down the lifeboat. Excuse me, pardon me, exc… okay squeeze me that’s fine too* wiggles in between Michele Rodriguez and Jason Mamoa.  *looks between them*  Hi

You had to get out of your cabin in a hurry to get on the lifeboat. What are you wearing, and what did you manage to shove into your pockets?

Well damn, I didn’t know I was gonna have to run out and jump in a lifeboat to save my life. I would have put some clothes on! My mind was too busy, focused on locking myself in my room and fantasizing about all the gorgeous people on board. When I first heard the alarms I thought it was my ears ringing from the amazing… well that another story… Anyway, I grabbed what was closest to me, my robe and my vib… oh hell *searches around looking for a place to put it, oh hell, tosses it over board*  nothing else, my robe doesn’t have any pockets.

10) What is the last thing you say to the captain?

*Sidles up to the Captain*  Does the Captain always go down? *wink*

(Jess, having her say again: Best. Answer. Ever.)

______________

You can find Dawn ALL OVER the web. But to be a little more specific, here are some direct links…

Blog – Day Dreaming Book Reviews – http://daydrmzzz.blogspot.com/
Facebook -  https://www.facebook.com/daydrmz.blogg
Twitter – https://twitter.com/drmgrl99dawn
Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4597477-drmgrl99

I would love for you to follow me at all my connections and chat romance!

______________

CONTEST TIME

(We told you Dawn was amazing!)

Giveaway: One commenter will win a ten dollar gift card.

Question:  Tell me what your favorite book of the year has been.

It’s Blogger Week At The Divas

Last week we had a fantastic time with our wonderful readers. (Thank you Connie, Val, Lisa, Bobbie and Phuong.)

This week is dedicated to the fantastic romance bloggers out there. We spend so much time over on their sites, reading their reviews and interviews, the Divas felt it only fair to put them in the spotlight for a change. Just our way of saying thank you for all the incredible, hard work they do – with so much love.

We love you too.

Welcome to the Divas – Dawn (Daydrmzz), Kat (The Book Tart), Didi (Guilty Pleasures), Taryn (My Secret Romance) and Kelly (Kitty Kelly).\We look forward to posting your interviews.

Jess, Sami, RC and Lex

Reading Romance – Lisa and Bobbie’s journeys

Today is a special one Down Under. We Divas don’t just have one wonderful guest blogging with us…we have two!

Lisa G and Bobbie B are long time romance readers, Twitterers and Facebookers. We love them dearly, are proud to call them friends and are very excited to have them both here as part of our Reader Special week.

Oh, and guess what? THEY’RE OFFERING TWO SUPER DUPER PRIZES!

Please welcome Bobbie and Lisa to the Down Under Divas.

Jess

———–

Hi everyone!! We are Bobbie B and Lisa G (aka mamaboo7907 and wolphcall on Twitter). 

(An aside from Jess: Follow these ladies on Twitter. They’re super fun to chat with.)

Thank you Down Under Divas for having us today!!

Bobbie: So the question is what do I love about reading romance? Well, let me see: sex, love, a story so emotionally written it rips my heart out and puts it back in again by the happy ending, sex, vampires, sex , wolves *giggles* See a theme there?

Lisa: ROFLMAO, great minds think alike. No wonder we are best friends. My loves about romance include: hot strong Alpha men, strong fierce women, light your sheets on fire sex, and a happy ending. How can you go wrong?

Bobbie: So Lisa, when did you start reading romance? How old were you?

Lisa: I started with Sweet Valley High around 11-12 years old, progressed to Harlequin and the bodice ripper historicals, and when I was 18 I found Lora Leigh and Christine Feehan. Now I am all about the hot smexy stuff with a good story line. I read, mainly, contemporary and paranormal erotic romance now.  Bobbie, when did you start?  What do you read now?

Bobbie: I have always been an avid reader, but I started reading romance at 12 when I found my mom’s Harlequins. Not long afterwards, Silhouette came out with the Shadows line and my love for paranormal romance began. I found erotic romance when I found Bertrice Small in my local library (which was conveniently three blocks from my home).  I read, mainly, m/m and paranormal erotic romance.  I started finding groups of likeminded readers online after picking up a book by Crystal Jordan and finding the Smutketeers Yahoo group. When did you find online groups, Lisa?

Lisa: When I read Three’s Company by Jess Dee, Jayne Rylon, and Lorelei James, I went and found them on Twitter. I paid attention to their conversations, found Day Dreaming Dawn and her blog.  I also found Phoung Phan (aka bookfan747) who introduced me to an ever expanding world of authors. It also lead me to you, Bobbie. You showed me even more than I expected to ever find.

Bobbie: Awww, I heart you too Lisa. Yes, my fellow Divas, reading romance lead me to Lisa as well as an awesome lady in Canada. They are my BFFs, and I couldn’t imagine life without them or romance books. We are always comparing authors, publishers, reviews, discussing scenes, and asking the deep questions like “did they really have sex there”, “is that position even possible”, or “where can I find men like that?”

Lisa: Don’t forget “why would you even want to have sex with that person” or “did you see what that that hussy tried to do to the hero?” One of my personal favorite scene discussions was about Ty the sexy dragon and how he made the beach sand turn into glass. (Thank you, Lexxie!!) *fanning herself* The hotness, the horniness, and where in the hell did the batteries go?!? The essential discussions all readers have eventually.

Bobbie: *giggle snort* I keep stock in batteries no doubt. Romance books have made my life so much better. I found my best friends, some awesome authors, and a huge world of people just like me. Had you asked me three years ago, if I would be posting on blogs or talking to authors now, I would have told you it was impossible, there was no way it would happen.  What about you, Lisa?

Lisa: I got into romance because it gave me an escape from reality. It is my stress relief and sanity keeper. Bobbie and I both have special needs children, and romance frees us from the downhill slide into depression. Three years ago, I never imagined the friends I now have. I am blessed to know so many authors and great people who don’t judge you for what you read. The support in the romance community is priceless.

Bobbie: Ditto.

Bobbie and Lisa: Our favorite authors include: Jess Dee, Jayne Rylon, Lexxie Couper, Mari Carr, Rhian Cahill, Lorelei James, Cari Quinn, Shelly Laurenston/GA Aiken, SE Jakes, RG Alexander, Eden Bradley/Eve Berlin, Robin L Rotham, Crystal Jordan, Shelli Stevens, Jaci Burton, Maya Banks, Shayla Black, Karen Erickson, Kelly Jamieson, LA Witt/Lauren Gallagher, Jambrea Jo Jones, Vivian Arend, Sophie Oak, Melissa Schroeder, Cassandra Carr, Sami Lee, Lila Dubois, Bianca D’Arc, Kellie Kamryn, Beth Williamson, Kate Pearce, Kallypso Masters, Tymber Dalton, Lexi Blake, Lex Valentine, and Carrie Ann Ryan.

Now for the fun part my romance junkies. Lisa and Bobbie are offering up two $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Cards to two lucky people (one per winner, two winners). All you have to do to enter is answer this question: Have you found friends through reading romance yourself?

***Contest is open 72 hours (U.S. eastern time). Please leave your email address in your comment, so we can email you if you win. Open to where ever Amazon or Barnes and Noble GCs go, and you have to be 18 or older to win. Winners will be picked by Random.org, announced here in the comments, and emailed by either Lisa or Bobbie within 24 hours of contest closing.***

Another note from Jess:

Good luck to all contestants, and THANK YOU Lisa and Bobbie for visiting.

(Oh, and I hope you don’t mind me saying, but I kinda like your favorite author list.)

GLBT month going strong at the Down Under Divas

When I wrote my first MMF romance, I had several heated discussions with my friends about about why I chose to write this genre. The discussions always amused me. Not because anyone criticized in anyway, and not because they disapproved of the same sex aspect of the romance. They simply couldn’t understand why I’d choose to write MM love scenes as opposed to FF ones. Male and female friends alike all emphatically believed FF loving was way more appealing than MM.

Now I guess I could have chosen to write FFM romance, but the truth is, it doesn’t hold the same appeal to me. I love exploring the dynamics of the MM relationships – simply because it is so foreign. It’s the one thing that as a woman I will NEVER be able to explore personally. And perhaps it’s the mystery of something that I can never be a part of that makes the genre so appealing.

I’ve written three MMFs now and still haven’t quelled my appetite for this particular combination of lovers. The first book I wrote featured MM action only within the threesome. The second had some hot man on man loving separate from the menage and the third featured a MM happy ending. Each book has gotten more explicit and more focused on the men.

The first one I wrote, the least explicit, holds a special place in my heart simply because it was my first. (And yes, we all love our firsts!) I reread some of it now for this blog post, and realize I may have used a ton of cliches while writing. But still, I love the book, and thought I’d post a excerpt for your enjoyment and in honor of GLBT month in the USA.

GOING ALL IN

The higher the stakes, the harder they fall—in love.

(Three Of A kind, Book 1)

Julia Savage’s weekly poker games are tearing her apart. She’s in love with two of her fellow card players, and much as she’d like to pick and confess her true feelings to one man, she won’t. Not if it means risking the love of the other.

Hunter Miles has wanted Julia for four months, and he’s about to deal a hand she couldn’t see coming. He’s determined to give her a New Year’s Eve celebration she never expected. He’s going to seduce her—in front of his friend and rival for her affections, Jay Baxter. But Jay’s not willing to lay down his cards. He’s going after Julia too, and he’s not above bluffing to get what he wants. Either way, one of them is going to win her over.

Unless they change the rules of the game. If they double up, there’s a chance they can split the pot…

Warning: this book contains two hunky heroes, a heroine worth betting on, sizzling hot three way action (m/f/m and m/m/f), a whole lot of unexpected fireworks, and a New Year’s Eve to remember.

AN EXCERPT:

If possible, Hunter’s cheeks turned even redder. “Don’t push me, Jay. I’ll kick your sorry ass out of the door faster than you can blink.”

Jay raised an eyebrow. “So that’s what you want to do with my ass? Kick it?” He snickered in obvious disbelief. “Mate, after the quality of that blowjob, I think there’s a lot more you want to aim at my ass than your foot.”

Julia’s jaw dropped open.

Hunter’s chair crashed to the floor. He was on his feet and advancing on Jay at killer speed.

“Hunter. No!” She grabbed his arm, trying to yank him to a halt. Her shoulder about jerked out of her socket before Hunter reacted to her anxiety and stopped.

“I’m sorry, Jules,” he said without looking at her. He stared daggers at Jay. “But you need to let me go. Now.”

Damn it, so much testosterone flooded the room there was only one way this argument was going to end. With someone lying on the floor, injured. While Jay might be taller than Hunter, Hunter was broader. It was anyone’s guess who’d be the first man down.

Jay stood a little straighter. “No worries, Jules. You can drop your hold on him.”

Not a chance. The muscles bulged in Hunter’s arm, warning Julia he was preparing to throw the first punch.

“See, he’s not going to hurt me,” Jay explained as he stared straight back at Hunter. “He doesn’t want a fight. He wants…this.”

To Julia’s flabbergasted surprise, Jay flashed Hunter. Even from five odd paces away, she could see the way Jay’s cock stood proud and erect. Good God, he was turned on. With all the craziness going on around them, he was aroused.

Before she had a full second to process her thoughts, Hunter had ripped free of her grasp and leapt at Jay. He landed against him with a sickening thud. The force of his attack sent them both crashing to the floor. Jay landed on his back, spread-eagle. Hunter landed on top of him.

Hunter pulled back, lifted his arm and clenched his hand into a fist. He looked murderous.

If his hand connected with Jay’s nose, he’d break it.

Jay said something in a voice so soft Julia couldn’t hear. But Hunter did and he froze. He relaxed his hand then clenched it into a fist again. Then relaxed it.

Julia dropped to her knees, closer to the men. When Jay spoke again, she heard him.

“It’s what you want, Miles.”

“No, Baxter.” Hunter’s hand formed the fist again. Muscle strained in his back and neck. “What I want is to smash your teeth in.”

Again Jay spoke too softly to hear.

“Never,” Hunter roared and his arm flashed through the air.

Before his fist met its target, Jay flipped them both. This time Hunter landed on his back, with Jay on top of him, pinning his body down with his chest and holding his arms with his hands. They were inches away from Julia.

“You’re lying,” Jay snapped. “You want it as much as I do.”

“I want Jules, you stupid fuck. Not you.” Hunter panted as Jay pressed his weight on his chest.

“Then why do you have a massive hard-on?”

Hunter bared his teeth. “It’s adrenaline, asshole. I’m about to beat the shit out of you, and I’m excited by the thought.”

Jay shook his head. “You want to fuck the hell out of me, dickhead.”

“It’s Jules I want to fuck. You I’m gonna beat to a bloody pulp.”

“You want to fuck both of us.”

To Julia’s astonishment, Jay twisted his hips, as though dry-humping Hunter.

“Fuck you,” Hunter bellowed.

“As you wish,” Jay shot back and dropped his head fast.

For the second time in minutes Julia stared slack-jawed. Jay crushed his mouth over Hunter’s in what could only be a bruising kiss.

Hunter froze for a second before roaring back to life. Sheer brute force must have motivated him. Jay lay like a dead weight on top of him, yet in a blur of motion the men rolled a second time, and once again Hunter was on top. “Goddamn you, Jay,” he snarled.

And then his lips were on Jay’s, his tongue pushing for entrance into the other man’s mouth. The kiss looked like a violent scuffle, or a nasty battle of wills, and Julia feared one of them might do permanent damage to the other.

But Hunter gave a small moan, and the fight seemed to ebb out of him. His arms relaxed and the tension in his back visibly slackened. Any violent undertones dissipated in the air around the two men.

Julia watched, gobsmacked, as Hunter’s mouth began to seduce rather than attack, as Jay’s arms wrapped around Hunter’s back and his hands traced the outline of his spine and shoulders. She watched as the kiss transformed into a seductive sharing of passion rather than a lethal end to a friendship.

Jay was right. Hunter did want him.

Had he wanted Jay all along?

—————–

Going All In is available at all your fave ebookstores, including Samhain, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Jess

It’s been a long time coming

Nope, I’m not talking about this blog post. Altho, if you consider how slack I’ve been about blogging here lately, you wouldn’t be wrong in jumping to that conclusion.

I’m talking about my next book release.

It feels like forever since I’ve had a new release. And I guess in e-book terms, it has been forever. Seven months. That’s a loooooong time.

But the wait is almost over. Because in just five days, the first book in my brand new “More Than” series, releases from Samhain.

WAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHOOOOOOO

Um. Er….Ooops. Sorry, that just kind of slipped out.

So, wanna know more about More Than Friends? Just read on for the blurb.

MORE THAN FRIENDS:

He was her best friend…until he became her fantasy.

A More Than Story

Lucy Lawson’s got it bad. Bad as in stunned speechless by the situation she’s in, by the feelings sitting on her chest, ready to explode. She’s in love…with her best friend.

Problem is, telling Sebastian Blackford could destroy the best thing in her life, but the longer she keeps her feelings under wraps, the stronger the need to spill her secret.

The last thing Seb suspects is that his best mate is madly, wildly in love with him, or that he’s the star of her seriously dirty fantasies. Worse, he’s just started seeing someone he’d like to see again—and Lucy knows it.

So why does her confession hit him like a runaway train? And why can’t he get her explicit description of her fantasies out of his mind? They’ve never been more than friends, but now that he knows how Lucy feels, everything is out of whack.

Seb figures it’s up to him to get their relationship back on track. He’ll do it too, just as soon as he establishes which track is the right one.

Warning: After reading this, you may just be tempted to jump your best friend. It’s recommended you keep your partner on speed dial or a toy with fresh batteries on standby.

More Than Friends releases on Tues, 28 of May.

You can pre-order your copy at Samhain, Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

(Go on! pre-order your copy. You know you want to…

Okay, you know I want you to.)

Jess

Next stop… Panic Station

I had intended to blog today about the release of my newest print book, Office Affair. I am truly delighted that this book that sold so beautifully in e-format is now available in print.

However, today put me way out of celebration mode, and straight into status panic.

What happened, you ask? Well, sit down, have a drink (I sure did) and let me fill you in.

It began early this morning as I walked into my office to check my emails. My usually twinkling computer was unexpectedly…Not twinkling. I mean it was dead. Seriously, my trusted Mac had checked out on me.

Pretending everything was fine, I simply rebooted it and waited for that screen to flicker happily to life. Which it did. For all of one minute, and then it checked out again. So I stopped, took a deep breath, and repeated the process. Several times. As did my hubby. He continued to do so as I dropped the kids at school. But even heroes cannot achieve the impossible, and heroic as Mr Dee is, he finally admitted defeat, and phoned the Apple store.

Two hours later I sat at that genius bar, pouring out my sad tale of woe to the guy helping me. Along with my woefully dead computer, I had our back up time machine. We thought I could take it along just to make sure I had my most recent back ups from the day before.

So, Mr Helpful at Apple gets us all plugged in, switches on my computer, does a thorough check on it, and proclaims it is still alive and functioning beautifully. (Cue my grateful tears of relief.) Then he checks our time machine, and informs me, in a very solemn voice, that while Mr Dee’s computer backed up yesterday, the last time mine backed up was in August. Of 2011. (Cue more tears, this time, not grateful ones.)

He closed down the computer and sent me home to back up everything.

Bless Mr Dee. He did just that, then a few hours later, returned to check it had all backed up. And guess what happened as he tried? You got it. My beautiful, faithful computer checked out once more. And guess what else? It hasn’t checked back in again. So now I have no idea what was backed up today and what wasn’t.

Okay, I’m trying breathe regularly. Seriously I am. But let me fill you in about another few details of my life.
1) I have a book due to my editor on 1st of May, of which I have written one fifth.
2) Next week, school breaks up til the end of April. I have to look after two kids full time for the duration of the holiday.
3) two days after school breaks up, Mr Dee heads overseas for a business trip for a week.
4) I leave for RT on the 26th of April. (Yes, this is wonderful. But remember the deadline? It means that the book I owe my editor needs to be finished beforehand, so my deadline moves up to April 25.)
5) as I checked my emails earlier (thank God for my iPad, giving me Internet access) I found a lovely email from that very same editor, with a first set of edits for More Than Lovers.)

Make no mistake, I love my editor very, very dearly, and thank the powers that be almost everyday that she is my editor.
But all of this, on top of my now defunct computer means only one thing for me:
FULL BLOWN PANIC.

So forgive me if I neglect to talk about Office Affair.
Forgive me for pouring out my tale of woe to you here, and forgive me if you don’t hear from me again for a while.
I am currently drinking a very lot of alcohol and doing my best to hold my life together as panic slams me straight between the eyes.

Jess

Rhythm Of My Heart: A sneak peek

Just two weeks ago I typed those two little words every author strives to type:
The End.

The book I’d been working on was finished, the manuscript complete. The third book in the Speed series was finally done. Zachary Pace/Jonah Speed had his story.

I’d love to tell you I felt fantastic. Love to tell you I was on a high from the accomplishment. After all, I’d been waiting a year to write this book. A year to find the story and put it in words. But the truth is, when I typed those two words I felt a horrible sense of loss. I was saying goodbye to the characters I’d spent so much time getting to know and understand.

I’ve been living with these two characters for fourteen months. Listening as they whispered in my head, giving hints of their lives to me. I’ve also lived in utter frustration, desperate for them to give me more than a sentence or two every now and again. So when suddenly they started talking and refused to shut up, I sat up and took notice. And six weeks later, their story was told. But in the process of them telling their story, I grew rather fond of Zachary and Eve. So much so that I’m still thinking about them all the time. I’m not ready to let them go just yet.

And so even though their book only releases in October, I would love to share a snippet of their story with you. So here you go. This is the first kiss in the third book of the Speed series:

RHYTHM OF MY HEART (An unedited sneak preview snippet)

Her eyes closed and she let out a soft moan of pleasure.

“Good?”

Eve’s “Mmmmm” reverberated down his spine and echoed in his groin.

How the fuck could eating a chocolate turn into the most erotic encounter on earth? Eve made it look like she was lost in the throes of spectacular sex. The woman had a chocolate in her mouth, that was all. Yet the bliss on her face and satisfaction in her soft moan had Zachary hardening to a point of pain.

Christ, he hoped no one noticed.

She chewed, her red lips a beacon to his gaze.

He wanted to kiss her, wanted to mold his mouth to hers and taste the pleasure on her breath.

Yeah. Not going to happen. Not here, in a room packed full of curious eyes and cameras.

“If you carry on chewing like that,” Zachary’s voice was a low growl, “like you’re about to have an orgasm, I am going to throw you under the table and eat every last bit of you.”

Eve’s eyes popped open, and she swallowed quickly. “You know it would be way simpler if you just ate the truffle?”

“Maybe. But it wouldn’t taste half as good.”

“You know what you are, Jonah Speed?”

Aroused? Frustrated? Horny? “What am I, Eve Andrews?”

“A first rate, grade A flirt.” She lifted a second truffle to her mouth and licked it. Those cherry-red lips of hers framed the milk chocolate, and her tongue was just visible, dabbing at the treat.

The room full of curious eyes and cameras faded to insignificance. Sound faded too. The chocolate and Eve’s lips were his sole focus. His sole desire.

With one hand, he plucked the saucer from her hand and set it on the table. With the other he plucked her hand from her mouth and tossed the half-eaten chocolate over his shoulder.

Before she had a chance to object—and by the look in her eyes she intended to object, vehemently—he yanked her against him, bent his head and kissed her.

Just claimed her mouth with his, taking advantage of her surprised gasp to slip his tongue between those cherry-red lips and sample the chocolate she’d just licked.

Jesus, fuck. She was right. The chocolate wasn’t just good. It was delectable. Mouth-watering. It blew his mind. And he hated chocolate.

Eve sagged in his arms, as though she’d turned boneless. He hauled her closer, molding her to his body, squashing the rose between them. Her soft curves pressed tight against his firmer bulk. She clutched at him with one hand, grabbing his arm, squeezing it, then slowly letting her hand skim up over his shoulder until she buried it in his hair.

Her tongue drifted over his, toyed with it. Tasted him like he tasted her. And damned if it wasn’t the sweetest, hottest kiss Zachary had ever shared.

He kissed her harder, lost himself to the creamy, rich flavor of Eve and chocolate.

The chocolate had nothing on the woman. Couldn’t compete with her.

Lights flared against his eyes. Once, twice, a million times. Fireworks? From a kiss? That was a first. Not surprising though, not with the way his body reacted to the kiss, but a first.

Fu-uck.

Sanity returned like a sharp slap.

Those bursts of light weren’t fireworks at all. Not even close. They were flashes. Camera flashes. Tons of them.

Zachary broke the kiss with a silent, foul curse and stepped back, holding Eve’s arms to steady her.

Jesus, how stupid could he have been?

She blinked once, then again, scrunching her eyes against the flares of light, looking bewildered at first and then just a little terrified.

“Hell! I’m sorry.” He whispered the apology as he scanned the room. Luke would sort this out, instantly, leaving Zachary free to slip away with Eve. “I wasn’t thinking.”

No, he definitely wasn’t. All rational thought had fled his mind as she’d devoured those chocolates.

Shit. Shit, shit, shit.

The band manager was nowhere to be seen, which meant it was up to Zachary to initiate damage control. Problem was, hundreds of people had caught him and Evie, lip-locked, on camera. There was very little he could do about it.

Even now flashes continued, and mobile phones were more visible than faces. Every Tom, Dick and photographer had caught Zachary’s impulsive behavior on film.

It was just a matter of time before those photos appeared on the net, in newspapers, on TV, and in every gossip rag around the world.

—————–

Rhythm Of My Heart releases from Samhain on the 8th of October.

I truly hope you love this story as much as I do.

Jess

Special guest author – BEVERLEY OAKLEY

It is my absolute pleasure to once again welcome Beverley Oakley to the Down Under Divas. Yes, I’m biased when it comes to Bev, but I love her work, and have for many, many years. She and I belong to the same incredible critique group, and she (and the group) have been my support and my rock for ten years now.

So when I have an opportunity to brag that Bev has a new book out, believe me, I am going to brag. And guess what?

BEV HAS A NEW BOOK OUT!!! A hot historical from Ellora’s Cave.

So, now you have a choice. You can ignore the rest of the post and get straight to EC and buy the book. (Just click this link.) Or you can read the post and then get to EC and buy the book. Either way…BUY THE BOOK!

Jess

Welcome Bev….

Her Gilded Prison

By Beverley Oakley

Hi Sami, Jess, Lexxi and Rhian. Thanks so much for having me here to guest blog.

And hi everyone ‘out there’. I hope your Easter holiday plans are taking shape nicely. I’m gearing up for the trip of a lifetime immediately after the break to do a two-week camping/motorcycle trip through California with my husband before heading off to the Romantic Times Convention in Kansas City where I’m looking forward to meeting up with fellow erotic romance writers and old friends like Jess, Sami, Rhian and Lexxie.

In the meantime I have all the excitement of my first Ellora’s Cave erotic Regency Historical to nurture and promote. Her Gilded Prison was released on Friday.

Now, I’m a real devotee of BBC period dramas and could watch every Jane Austen remake a dozen times, as I have the Downton Abbey series this past year. I love these stories and they unashamedly inspire my own Regency and historical romances, except that my stories go beyond the bedroom door. Way beyond.

Her Gilded Prison is an older woman, younger man story and as the story unfolded I was surprised by developments. I’d never considered writing an older woman younger man story. In fact, the heroine was supposed to be Araminta, the exquisite, self-centred daughter of Lady Sybil, my long-married new heroine. However Araminta was going through the worst phase of her fiery adolescence. She just did not deserve to be the heroine of her own book. When she’s grown up a bit she’s getting her own story in Book 3.

Her Gilded Prison begins as my hero Stephen Cranbourne, the gorgeous, randy twenty-four year old heir apparent of ageing Viscount Partington, starts his journey to take up his new position. En route he’s waylaid by an attractive, scheming fortune hunter… with consequences that return to haunt him.

Once ensconced on Lord Partington’s estate, The Grange, Stephen sets several feminine hearts aflutter and it’s hard to say no when the viscount’s vibrant, beautiful daughter, Araminta sets her cap at him.

But another contender for the viscountcy knocks Stephen from his perch.

Edgar, Viscount Partington’s cabbage-headed clodpoll of a nephew turns up from the battlefield, not having died a hero, but having disappeared a deserter.

This is when my real heroine steals the show. Always overlooked, lovely, loyal Lady Sybil, Viscount Partington’s neglected wife, realises that she must take bold measures to ensure the estate and title does not go to Edgar.

And for this she needs Stephen’s help.

Below is an extract from the first chapter.

HER GILDED PRISON

Chapter One

The three men were on their knees, heads craned forward, eyes fixed with prurient interest on the amorous adventure playing out on the gossamer web before them.

“He’s launching in, for God’s sake! Dipping his wick—if you could only see it! Look at him.” The young Earl of Barston’s breath was hot on Stephen’s arm, his gaze rapt as he asked in an excited whispered, “She’ll kill him for it?”

Stephen’s host, Sir Archie Ledger, laughed coarsely. “You say he knows his reward is death?” The young baronet jostled his companions for a better look and his eyes bulged with excitement.  He twisted his head to dart a glance at his wife who sat calmly embroidering at the far end of the drawing room, before adding under his breath, “The fuck of eternal damnation, eh? I reckon that’s what I got.”

It was no secret Sir Archie had been pressured into marriage following an indiscretion with the lovely but sharp-tongued Miss Julia Preston.

Lady Julia raised her head at the commotion and her voice cut like scissors into the schoolboy game Stephen was orchestrating. “I say, gentlemen, what’s more interesting than paying some attention to the ladies? Mr. Cranbourne, I want you to please take a seat by me and tell me all about your new benefactor.”

The three young men huddled closer, eyes still fixed on the spider’s web just below the escritoire. “Take cover, gentlemen, here she comes.” Sir Archie’s tone soured. “No, it’s no good. She’s found us. Story of my life. Fun’s over.”

Stephen, still on his knees, blinked to see first Lady Julia’s well-turned ankle and then, as she bent down, her lovely face. As her lively green eyes locked with his he wondered at Archie’s discontent. She was a diamond of the first water.

“What is so fascinating, gentlemen?” Her intimate murmur sounded as if it were just for him. Her gaze was certainly focused on him as her mouth curved in a secret, knowing smile.

Stephen sucked in a breath and found he was quite unable to answer. Since he’d come back from war he was unused to mixing in such elite company, though he remembered frequenting houses like this when he was a boy before his mother’s decline.

Just when he assumed she’d solicit her husband for information, she brushed his hand with hers, the smile that was just for him still in place.

Good God, he thought he’d imagined it before. Now, with Sir Archie still on his haunches to her right, reluctantly in the process of rising, Stephen was quite clearly being conveyed a secret message. Lady Julia admired him. He forced himself to breathe evenly as his cock sprang to attention. He could not rise now, for God’s sake. He must keep them watching at least a few seconds longer.

“She’s going to devour him.” The urgency in his voice that had nothing to do with the mating spiders.

“Nothing happening.” Archie sounded bored as he groaned and gripped the table leg to heave himself up. Stephen had wondered at a match between the spindly-legged, chinless baronet and the ravishing debutante conducted in such haste the season before. He’d not thought about the lovely Miss Julia again until news spread that the couple had been blessed with twin boys within a barely timely eight and a half months of their nuptials.

Now Lady Julia looked as dewy fresh and desirable as she had when Stephen had admired her in the ballroom as a young man experienced in battle but completely unprepared for London society. His mother had left him little of the vast fortune she’d frittered away through drink and gambling but enough to at least deport himself like the gentleman he’d been born.

He managed. Just.

“No, nothing happening,” muttered Barston, rising unsteadily. “I’ll wager a thousand monkeys you’re all hot air, Cranbourne.”

Lady Julia, who’d straightened, bent at the waist to peer again at the scene that had so excited the gentlemen. “Oh, my goodness, the spider jumped!” she squeaked, twisting round so suddenly she tripped over her husband’s arm and fell full length upon Stephen.

For a second he just lay beneath her, eyes wide with shock as her soft curves molded his hard—very hard—contours, not all of them his bones.

“Get up, Julia. Cranbourne, do you accept the wager?” Archie, who sounded as if these were everyday occurrences, took his wife’s elbow and hauled her to her feet. But not before Julia had slanted a knowing and very provocative look at Stephen.

“What? Er, yes,” Stephen mumbled, paying only half a mind. He rarely gambled these days. He had only to recall his wretched, fatherless youth and the antics of his feckless, beloved, wager-mad mama.

“Good fellow!” A hearty handshake followed as Stephen rose. He took refuge behind the back of the Egyptian sofa and forced a strained smile at his hosts.

“I do love an unusual wager.” Lady Julia adopted a pose of rare solidarity beside her husband. “So this big, bold, female spider—obviously a prime article in the arachnid world—has just suffered the amorous attentions of her tiny, boring, timid, ineffectual husband.” Her knowing smile broadened and her words were heavy with emphasis as she enunciated each one. It was impossible to miss her meaning and Stephen could only wonder that Archie didn’t bristle at the obvious allusion to their own marital situation. She stroked Archie’s arm while asking Stephen in silky tones, “You’re the celebrated man of science in the room, Mr. Cranbourne. Please explain in…explicit terms…the courting rituals of the spider world.”

Stephen flicked a glance at Archie. Fortunately he appeared to be his usual good-humored self—and just as keen for information as his wife.

He cleared his throat. “The male spider will court the female and…and then after he…”

“Impregnates her?” Lady Julia supplied with an inquiring smile.

“That’s correct, yes, the female will devour him.” Stephen let out his breath in a low whistle as his erection finally subsided. God, he hoped Archie hadn’t noticed. Lady Julia was a diamond of the first water but she was dangerous and Stephen wasn’t in a position to alienate the few advantageous connections he’d made since his unexpected elevation in the world.

“Nonsense!” Archie let out a guffaw. “The male of every species is infinitely superior in every respect and I’ll wager the insect world is no exception. Cranbourne, if this pretty boy spider is still safely in his love lair, gazing raptly at his lady love in two hours, then I’ve won the wager.”

END OF EXTRACT

That was a bit of fun. Gorgeous Stephen had better take care, hadn’t he?

You can buy Her Gilded Prison at Ellora’s Cave

and read more here:

www.beverleyoakley.com

www.facebook/AuthorBeverleyOakley

http://beverleyeikli.blogspot.com

https://twitter.com/#!/BeverleyOakley