Miss August

I did something today I never imagined doing. Not that I have any sort of problem with it, I just saw no point before now. What is it, you ask? I bought a Playboy magazine. Specifically the August issue of Playboy. Why? Because I met the centerfold, Kayla Collins, a gazillion years ago when she was merely a pretty kid instead of the beautiful woman she is today. Okay, so it wasn't that long ago. She's only 21 now so it couldn't have been. There's a picture on her bio of how she looked when I knew her in you're interested.

How? I worked for her dad. I can't help laughing. You see, with how the offices were arranged I was able to hear many of the non-work conversations that took place between the guys back then. Total pigs, the lot of them when it came to this sort of thing. Oh yeah, as bad as they come. I'm sure you know what I mean. We've all overheard such things whether we wanted to or not.

I haven't spoken with him in years now so I don't know how he's reacting to his little girl being the focus of such discussions but I can't imagine it's favorable. I'd heard that he was not at all happy when her tanning poster appeared on the hunting camp wall and that was wearing a bikini. Hm, perhaps there's a lesson to be learned here. Like maybe you should watch what you say about someone else's daughter because one day it might be yours?

While I was at Borders picking up the magazine I spent a moment chatting with the woman having a book signing. At one point, one of the store personnel stopped to join us and she introduced me as another local author. One thing led to another and I ended up speaking with the manager about the possibility of my own signing. Okay quit laughing. I could maybe do it if Dakota flew in to be there with me. Or maybe if I hired someone to pretend to be me for the beginning of it so I could lurk on the fringes until I got over being such a coward. Any volunteers?

At this point it's not an issue. Borders doesn't carry the Bound Brits Anthology. It's not even in their system. The manager explained how I could go about getting it there. That might be my break time project later on. She did tell me to stop back in to arrange something once that's taken care of. I'll have to think about that one.

Tour de France update -
Winner Stage 20, July 26 - Schumacher, Germany

Overall Leader - Sastre, Spain
Cadel Evans is in second

Technically there is one more stage to go but the finishing order was settled today. The last day when they ride into Paris is more of a celebration than a competition. In the 105 years of the Tour it's become tradition to not attack on the last day so the standings won't change unless there's some sort of scandal or a sudden illness that prevents someone from riding the final leg.

Good So Far

Today has started out very well indeed. The Bound Brits Anthology is finally available at Amazon US. I was so pleased I ordered copies to be sent to both my great aunt and my mother. I'm not telling them. I prefer to leave it a surprise. My aunt will be thrilled...my mom, your guess is as good as mine.

Also, in even bigger news, my goddess of an editor accepted my new book, Drake's Rules, for Cerridwen Press. How awesome is that! I haven't written the blurb yet but I'll post it once I do. This is just the sweetest book. It made me sigh repeatedly as I was writing it. It also made me chuckle because there's a scene-stealing six-year-old who says exactly what she's thinking.

Last night, I was chatting with Anny Cook and her Frog Friends on the Ellora's Cave yahoo group and the excerpts I posted seemed well-received. Want to see the sweet one? I'll take that as a yes. Keep in mind this is unedited.

“Daddy, the bread’s gone. Can we get ice cream now?” Christy bounced on her toes in front of them.
“Megan?” Drake deferred to her since it was meant to be a thank you for her kindness.
“Fine by me.” She hopped off the bench. “Lead the way. And for future reference, I consider ice cream to be a staple, consumable any time, day or night.”
“What’s that mean?” Christy chose to hold Megan’s hand instead of Drake’s.
“That means,” Drake responded as he clasped Megan’s other hand, “That we’re going to keep an eye on her so she isn’t a bad influence on you.”
“Daddy,” Christy sighed. “Talk kid English.”
“It means that I don’t always eat the way I should, honey.” Megan caught his amused expression and looked relieved that she hadn’t offended him. “I eat sweets instead of real food sometimes even though I know I shouldn’t.”
“Ooh, that’s bad.” Christy’s eyes were huge. “Daddy says we have to eat all sorts of stuff so we don’t get sick.”
“Your daddy is right,” Megan assured her.
At the small ice cream parlor, they sat at one of the tables outside while Christy devoured her cone. Drake was having trouble not staring at Megan’s tongue as she licked the chocolate sprinkles from her ice cream until Christy stopped eating, mid-cone.
“Daddy said about Mommy and Jimmy,” she stated to Megan.
“Yes,” Megan confirmed.
“He gets sad when he says about them. Uncle Adam says it’s ‘kay ‘cause they can’t be with us ever now and Daddy misses them. Uncle Adam says they had to go be angels ‘cause they’re very special. He says that Mommy and Jimmy are in my heart forever and if I get scared or lonesome I can talk to them there and they’ll help me,” she paused to ponder Megan. “Did Mommy make you find me? I was talking to her in my heart and then you came.”
“I don’t know,” Megan answered truthfully.
“But Uncle Adam said she’d take care of me from where angels are.”
Drake had to swallow several times before he could speak. “Christy, there’s no way to know if Mommy sent Megan or not. Angels help without letting us know. But even Uncle Adam will tell you that sometimes things just happen the way they do without involving angels. Do you believe Mommy sent Megan to keep you company?”
She chewed on her lip before nodding. “Yeah. I think Mommy sent her to make you happy too, like when I was little.”
Drake ignored the ice cream smeared on her cheeks and hugged Christy tightly. “Maybe she did,” he whispered, his voice unsteady as he watched Megan’s reaction over her head. “I love you, Christy.”
“I love you, Daddy. Always and forever.”
“Yep, always and forever.”

I told you it was sweet!

Hm, what else? Oh I know. A few weeks back you may remember I was feeling nostalgic and wrote a letter. The end result of that was an email today from a friend I used to hang out with at the music festivals I went to in high school. Last time I heard from him was at least 15 years ago so now I'm sitting here smiling.

Soon I'm off to a picnic for Neeley's sister's birthday. And, believe it or not, I'm taking a guest. I haven't warned them I'm bringing him so they're not going to have the inquisition planned out. I'm sure it'll occur anyway. I must admit I feel slightly guilty, springing my friends on him our first outing but not too much since he didn't hesitate one bit when I invited him. Hm, a courageous man, how about that!

Tour de France Update -

Winner Stage 14, July 19 - Freire, Spain

Overall Leader - Cadel Evans, Australia

Happy Dance Time

Sorry but break out your umbrellas.

Beyond Meddling released today from Total-E-Bound. This story is very special to me. Nope, I'm not explaining why. You'll have to read it and then I'm sure you'll understand. I posted a tame excerpt a few days ago to help Molly write my release ditty. Never read any of Molly's work? Shame on you! I'm honored so be sure to check it out.

The wonderful and talented Amarinda Jones posted an adult excerpt today so I'll post one that's in between.

Excerpt Beyond Meddling, not so tame:

As he thought back to the first days of their reacquaintance, his fingers gripped his cock. Before they left the coffee shop Be had accepted his invitation to meet again the next day. They ended up going for a walk around the lake. At one point they took a break to sit on a bridge and watch a pair of swans. It had warmed up by then and Be unzipped her jacket. He couldn’t help but notice she was braless. By her grin he could tell that she knew he’d noticed.
Mm, he sure had. How could he not? Her top was pale green and light weight. Her nipples were protruding and he could see them clearly. He squeezed his shaft, stroking faster at the memory of how much he’d wanted to slip his hand under her shirt and touch her. Or even better, pull her shirt off so he could sample her. Just the thought of having his mouth on her luscious breasts made his cock throb. He’d kissed her then. Or she’d kissed him. He wasn’t entirely sure. All he remembered was one moment they’d been talking, the next he’d lost his train of thought because he was staring at her chest and then they were kissing.
Oh God her lips were so soft. He was lost as soon as he first felt them caressing his. Then she’d leaned closer, her breast ended up pressed against his arm. It had taken all his self-restraint not to devour her. And that was before he’d heard her little whimper. The thought of that sound, so full of desire, pushed his control to the edge.
“Evan,” she’d sighed. “Touch me,” she’d whispered, her breathing ragged as her hand guided his to her breast.
The memory of that first touch was more than he could stand. He groaned as his cock pulsed, emptying himself until he was drained. He slumped then, resting his head against the arm he rested on the shower wall until he finally noticed the rapidly cooling water. His heart sank. Be was already gone for him. In a few short days she’d be gone from the area and it would be final. He wondered how long he’d continue to torture himself with thoughts of the woman he wanted more than life itself but could never have.

In other book street-dance-worthy news, the Bound Brits Anthology was reviewed by Joyfully Reviewed.

All Roads Lead to Ripon is intriguing. Barbara Huffert kept me guessing about Simon. I thought for sure All Roads Lead to Ripon was going to have some paranormal elements because of Simon’s secretive nature. When I found out what Simon was all about, I had an ahhh moment. Ms. Huffert kept me on my toes.

Thank you, Jambea! Click here to read the full review.

Well that's about it for today. It's about to rain again so I better go close up my windows.

I Love Ebooks But...

I love the entire ebook concept. Think about it. No matter what time day or night it is you can shop for a new read. With a handheld ebook reader you can take up to 200 books to the pool with you. Or to whatever appointment you know will leave you sitting in a waiting room for an extended period of time. Not to mention how environmentally friendly they are.

Okay that said, I have news to share. BIG NEWS!!! Bound Brits will be available in paperback on May 15th. Although I knew this was in process it was still a thrilling shock to find it on Amazon yesterday. I googled myself while chatting with Neeley. Yes, multi-tasking here with the best of them! Perfect timing for it too. Neeley's in the middle of finals. She's on the post-one set, pre-another rollercoaster so my excited shriek served as a good distraction for her. Hopefully her eardrum will recover shortly.

Click here to view the page. Now before you do I should tell you that it's still being set up. There isn't a lot of information. When I first looked at it there wasn't even an image of the cover but I fixed that post haste. Check back again on the 15th and everything should be in place.

So yes, as much as I adore being an a part of the whole ebook system I must admit it is still pretty damn cool to be a print book as well.

Book Stuff

Another bit about Scarlet Magazine. This is Total-E-Bound's ad that will appear in the April issue. Yummy, isn't it? And look at the middle cover on the left. Mine! See what good things happen when a wonderful cover artist designs a hot, hot, hot cover for you. Thank you again Anne Cain. I still grin every time I look at it.



There's a new review for the Bound Brits Anthology on the Erotica Readers & Writers Association website. It was posted by Ashley Lister and is not only a fantastic review but entertaining as well.

Equally compelling is Barbara Huffert’s "All Roads Lead to Ripon." This story is set firmly in Britain’s most romantic location: Yorkshire. Yorkshire, for those unfamiliar with this most beautiful part of the world, is famous for its wild and untamed beauty and deliciously desirable natives.

Did I mention that I was born in Yorkshire?

Emily Bronte exploited these characteristic features of Yorkshire and Yorkshire-folk when she wrote Wuthering Heights. Barbara Huffert exploits it with the same descriptive skill as her heroine, Jane, is pursued from Harrogate through to Scarborough, Knaresborough and Ripon.

Again, this story is as romantic as it is erotic. The sexual tension is built on the intrigue of the central characters getting to know each other as well as getting to know themselves. There’s a fine line between a stalker and an ardent admirer pursuing the object of his desires. Barbara Huffert treads this line carefully and skilfully as Jane is wooed and won by her mysterious and masterful admirer.

Click here to read the full review.

Have I mentioned how much my writing horrifies my mother? Well, it does. So much so that she hasn't mentioned it to any of her friends. And of course, I delight in adding to her discomfort. The other day when I learned I was to be in Scarlet, I called to inform her. Her comment - What did she do to deserve a daughter that writes this stuff? Well today, as I read the review to her, I could hear her cringing over the phone. She was an English teacher and having Emily Bronte's name mentioned in conjunction with me in any way at all is just too much for her. Yes, I admit it was snarky of me but how could I resist?

Dancing in the Street

When I received the email informing me that my first submission was being forwarded to the publisher's acqusitions editor I went out and danced in the street in celebration. A new tradition was born that day. Ever since I've done the same when any good book-related event occurred from contracts to hot covers to awesome reviews.

Today is an awesome review dance day.

Melissa Kammer of Novel Talk says:

Six fabulous authors combined to create this lushly erotic collection. I admit that I am new to reading BDSM, and honestly I was surprised by these stories. Each author’s offering sparked my interest, and held me spellbound to the end. Every tale flowed with adventure and romance. BOUND BRITS is a thrilling, highly arousing book and an overall spanking good read.

Click here to read the specifics for each of the stories.

I'm so proud of us!

One thing I've noticed about this tradition that may or may not become a concern - it seems to bring rain. Lots and lots of rain. Yep, every time I've had some news and gone out to dance the rain followed. Hm, perhaps I should go visit Amarinda Jones next time I anticipate something good book-wise. Australia's still in a major drought. If I write my fingers off and enough people like it maybe I could help with that.