I’m an erotic romance writer and a yogi.

A yogi is someone who practices yoga.

Yoga and an erotic romance novel – how does that work? Simple. It was through the calming meditation at the end of class that broke the block that was keeping me from finishing What Happens in Bangkok.

I adore yoga. I go to a minimum of 3 classes a week. I’d go to more, but it’s a very long drive into the yoga studio. I do Hatha, Yin, Restorative and the occasional Power yoga class.

Yoga is great for your body and your mind. It is especially beneficial to writers as we spend a large amount of time sitting hunched over our laptops.

Hatha and Power yoga are more physical. Restorative is bliss and Yin is a head game. Yin is my favourite. Partly because of the incredible personality of the teacher and partly because I recognize how good it is for me.

In Yin, you hold a posture for about 5 minutes. IF you can. That’s what’s so important. You have to listen to your body. Most days I can hold sleeping pigeon for longer than 5 minutes. I could probably fall asleep in it. Then there is the odd day when after a minute, my mind is screaming, “This hurts. Get out. Lay down.”

That’s the head game. Am I just being lazy and don’t want to do the work? Or is something really hurting? New people in Yin class fidget and distract everyone else. They don’t get it and they can’t relax. Yin isn’t physical. It isn’t like running a marathon or doing a hundred push ups, but quite often my body feels like it’s worked that hard.

So when my body/mind is protesting, I try talking to myself, inhale deep calming breaths and try to relax the sore spot. If that doesn’t work, I concede and relax into savasana until the teacher tells us the next pose.

A while back, I damaged my knee. I sprained, strained every ligament and tendon and ripped the meniscus. Did it in a belly dance performance, but that’s another post. It has taken months of physiotherapy and yoga to get back to where I was before I hurt myself.

I let my physiotherapist know, the goal was to be able to get down into sleeping pigeon and hold it for 5 minutes and not be cringing in agony. And I am there.

I know there will still be days when the knee protests and I can deal, but I credit my physiotherapist and my yoga teachers for getting me out of pain and almost completely back to full recovery.

You don’t have to be flexible. You don’t have to be super thin. Yoga is for everyone. Everybody type. Don’t say – I’ll drop 10 pounds and then join. Go find a beginner class. If it doesn’t work for you, go find another studio. At some point, you will click with the teacher – it’s like a bond. And once you are going to yoga and feeling yourself come alive and opening up then you will understand how fabulous this is for you.

Photo – me on vacation. Took my mat to Florida and did class on the deck. This is sleeping pigeon. The damaged knee is the bent one.

There is another connection between yoga and What Happens in Bangkok—Erika and Darien do a class together. So yoga is not only part of my life, but my characters’ as well.

What Happens in Bangkok

To save Darien’s life his brother asks, “Can you walk in high heels?”

Erika Bailey, owner/manager of a drag queen club in Bangkok, Thailand has happily settled into all aspects of her new life, except for her lack of a love life. When a new diva auditions, Erika is bewildered over her instant attraction to the blond God, Apollo.

Darien Scott is on vacation after a world tour and mistakenly figures the safest place to be is at The Black Dragon with the head of a Triad. When the club is hit, Darien is the only person to get out alive. Now   he’s running from the police and a Triad. Mistake number 1.

Disguised as a drag queen, he’s hired by Erika, but falls hard for his new boss, then struggles with not coming clean with her. Mistake number 2.

Can he fix his mistakes and find a life filled with love or is he headed straight for mistake number 3?

Find the book here!
eXtasy Books
Amazon
Amazon – Paperback
Amazon Canada
KOBO
Book Strand

Follow me—@daryldevore

5 Stars—Really must read this one…., (1 line review)

“I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the chemistry between Darien and Erika was so hot that I thought my kindle would melt!”

Excerpt

Scene set: Erika is doing a strip for Darien – they are both in the shower. You have to read the book to find out why – lol

Erika straightened, reached up and slid off her right bra strap. Darien’s fingers ached to peel down the left strap. She lowered it to the side, releasing the front clasp. Pulling it open, she flipped it off and let it drop to the floor. Darien hissed. Having forgotten about the shower, he tilted his head back and sputtered when the water poured onto his face. He shook his head and blinked, then groaned. She’d turned, facing him, but had crossed her arms and covered her breasts with her hands.

That was wrong. It was his hands that needed to feel her nipples pebble against his palms. He shifted to move, but caught himself. He didn’t want to break the spell. WTF? Who was he kidding? He wanted to shatter the spell, grab Erika, and back her up against the shower wall, drowning her in kisses. After nibbling his way up her thigh, he craved burying himself deep inside her and when both had screamed out a release, he wanted to do it all over again.

In romance novels, as readers, we quickly decide if we like the hero. More times than not, at first we may not find much to like. After all, the author needs to give him some serious issues to overcome before he can win the heroine and achieve a happily ever after.

Every woman in the world, at one time or another, may have fantasized about making a bad boy good. I know I have. But in reality, few of us want a certified bad boy. One who is self-centered and incapable of love. No, we want one who falls so hard, he’ll do anything to win the heroine’s (our) heart.

I say “our” because, I don’t know about you, but I actually become the female lead in every book I read (or write). I put myself right there in those uncomfortable situations. Those smoldering hot, tension gripping, heart stopping, tongue sticking to the roof of my mouth scenes where everything is humming and strumming like a honky-tonk country band on a Saturday night.

The deal is, maybe the heroine doesn’t know her hero is actually beginning to change because he doesn’t show her….yet. But as the reader, we get to know that before she does.

For example, in my latest book, Chirp, the hero, Rance shows up at the house his grandmother left him and finds a strange girl living there. He’s determined to make her leave but he’s met his match. He’s rude, messy, and gets rid of the four cats living in the house, (which belonged to his grandmother, not the girl). Yeah, and I’m sure when that happened, cat lover readers everywhere wanted to scratch his eyes out.

As time passes, he starts to change. Then, he gets her a puppy but doesn’t take credit for it. Just lets her think it’s a stray and agrees to let her keep it. Holy crap! When that happened, I wanted to rip his clothes off, throw him to the floor, and have my way with him.

For me, nothing makes a man hotter than showing an act of kindness expecting nothing in return.

So what makes you think a hero is hot? Is it a chiseled body? Gorgeous eyes? Money? Tight jeans?

Let me know in a comment. I’ll choose one answer in a random drawing* and send the winner a “Come Fly With me to Bluebird, Texas” tee-shirt. Just like the one Rance gave Blaze.

*Sorry, due to out of country postage rates, the contest is for US residents only. 🙁

However, if I have an out of country winner, I’ll send an audio of my best-selling book, Tell Me a Secret. 🙂

Be sure and go here to enter my Rafflecopter giveaway to celebrate the release of Chirp, April 4. Giveaway runs until April 15. Below is the code for your site.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Chirp

A woman hiding from her future…..

Heiress to the largest steel company in America, twenty-year-old, socially awkward Blaze Bledsoe hides out at Dessie Bishop’s farm. For the last three years, Blaze has eluded one investigator after another, but just when she thinks she’s safe, a PI closes in. Her luck is about to run out in more ways than one.

A man running from his past….

Rance Keller, a tough, hard-living ex-con, fresh out of prison for a crime he didn’t commit, arrives to claim the house his grandmother left him. Finding a strange girl living there, his plans for a solitary life take a turn. Her lack of modesty, no filter, and word of the day fetish baffles him, but those big green eyes and sweet mouth have him losing sleep.

Welcome to Bluebird, Texas

Where two damaged people with secrets, discover trust can lead to passion.

Get your copy here!

About the Author

Award winning and Amazon Best-Selling author, Ann Everett embraces her small town upbringing and thinks Texans are some of the funniest people on earth. When speaking at conferences and to writing groups, businesses, book clubs, and non-profit organizations, she incorporates her special brand of wit, making her programs on marketing, self-publishing, and the benefits of laughter, informative and fun.

Website:  http://www.anneverett.comwww.anneverett.com

Her short stories have appeared in The Green Silk Journal, Snag Today, and Story Teller Magazine.

A top reviewer on thenextbigwriter.com, she lives on a small lake in Northeast Texas where she writes, bakes, and fights her addiction to Diet Dr. Peppers.

She’s been featured on:
Proud of East Texas with Joan Hallmark, KLTV-TV, Tyler, Texas
East Texas Live and Mid-day, KETK-TV, Tyler, Texas
KTSS-TV, Hope, Arkansas
The Authors Show with Don McCauley, Internet radio show
The Chandler & Brownsboro Statesman, Chandler, Texas
The Daily Tribune, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Tyler Morning Telegraph, Tyler, Texas
InMagazine, East Texas

Ten things you won’t know about Ann by reading her bio:
She’s been married to her high school sweetheart.
She loves shopping at thrift stores.
She doesn’t remember her first kiss.
She hates talking on the telephone.
A really sharp pencil makes her happy.
She secretly wants to get a tattoo.
A charter member of National Honor Society in high school remains one of her proudest moments.
She’s thankful wrinkles aren’t painful.
She sucks at math.

Ann’s Books:

Tizzy/Ridge romantic suspense trilogy

Laid Out and Candle Lit
You’re Busting My Nuptials
Tied With a Bow and No Place to Go

Contemporary romance companion books

Tell Me a Secret
Two Wrongs Make a Right
Say You’ll Never Love Me

Non-fiction

Strong Verbs Strong Voice: A quick reference to improve your writing and impress readers (Amazon best seller)
Body Language: A quick reference for character action and description
Sweet Thangs: Southern Sweets from Two Sassy Sisters

I have another of my refurbed stories ready for prime time! Pay attention to the warning:

Warning! Burning up the sheets is putting it mildly!
Inhibitions are out the door with scenes of m/f/m, m/f/m/f, f/f, and m/m!

Enjoy an excerpt! Happy reading!

Raw Silk

A wicked, no-strings one-night stand turns unexpectedly complicated when lonely hearts collide…

Camille sacrificed romance for success long ago. Now that the lingerie company she and her best friend built is hugely successful, she has a few regrets. Wanting to let down her hair and explore the possibilities, she agrees to meet a man at a bar for drinks only to wind up needing help when she rebuffs his sexual overtures.

Jake and Daniel are two firefighters hitting the bar for a quick drink after a long shift when they see a classy beauty fending off an overzealous boyfriend. With a flex of biceps, they chase him off then settle in to seduce the lovely woman whose eyes reflect a hunger they understand all too well.

What starts as a simple, pleasurable one-night stand, quickly burns up the sheets. While Jake falls deeper into love with Camille, Daniel still thinks he can walk—until he gets a whiff of Camille’s best friend Lacey. Suddenly, three isn’t enough.

Warning! Burning up the sheets is putting it mildly! Inhibitions are out the door with scenes of m/f/m, m/f/m/f, f/f and m/m.

Get your copy here!

An excerpt from RAW SILK…

Camille’s hands shook as she inserted the key in her apartment door. The two burly men flanking her hadn’t given her an inch of space to breathe, hadn’t left her alone a single moment to rethink this plan.

It had all happened so fast. One minute her focus was Malcolm and the contract his company had been on the verge of offering. Then in the blink of an eye, she’d been seduced away from her purpose by two slick firefighters with bodies to die for. Was she really going to make love with both of them? Was she that desperate?

The lock clicked. Jake reached around her and shoved open the door.

She shouldn’t have been excited by the urgency his action telegraphed. Alarm would have been a more natural reaction, but she did like the way he took charge. How long had it been since a man did anything other than follow her politely inside?

Danny pushed her through the door. His hands were already tugging away her jacket and going for her blouse, reaching around her to unbutton the long row while he touched her intimately down her front.

Too late, she remembered the creamy, ultra-feminine floral bra she’d donned at the shop. As soon as her blouse opened, her nipples peeked above the “shelf”.

Danny’s breath hitched, jerking his chest against her back. His hands cupped her bare flesh, squeezing.

Jake closed the door behind them and stalked past, pulling his T-shirt over his head. All she could do was gape. With a strong male body heating up her backside and all that luscious muscle to view while she was being stripped, she knew she was in way over her head.

When he glanced back, Jake’s face was taut, his gaze narrowing on her mostly naked chest. Looking at him was like eyeing a tiger at the zoo, only there weren’t bars between them to keep her safe.

Holding her gaze, he strode toward her and knelt, his gaze smoldering. He eased his hands under skirt.

Her breaths shortened when his fingertips traced the tops of her thigh-high hosiery. His fingers lingered, slipped inside the snug bands and let them go.

The snap and the darkening pleasure etched on his face made her knees weak. He rolled the hose downward, lifted one foot at a time to slip off her pumps and the stockings. Then he was back under her skirt again, swooping upward. His hands stopped at the edge of her lacy panties then traced the elastic around her hips.

The rise of his eyebrows and the amused quirk of his lips was all the reaction he gave. Hidden under his skirt, he tugged the slender elastic, tightening it between her buttocks.

She bit her lips rather than bleat a breathy Jesus, because she had the feeling she’d be praying for release over and over again this night.

How the hell had she gotten herself into this situation? Did she really want rescuing? Maybe she just needed them to slow down so she could catch her breath—or so she could savor the scandalous delight.

This was all her sister’s fault. Amy’s newfound happiness with her husband had Camille rethinking her own life choices. Including the one that had excluded any long-term relationships. How could she have known she’d have such a long drought of partners?

She’d wanted the career and the opulent storefront. However, the soft chubby-cheeked baby she’d held in her arms last weekend had reminded her that time was marching on, and she wasn’t getting any younger.

If she was going to find Mr. Right, she had to get out more. Malcolm had seemed an appropriate choice. She’d mistaken him for a gentleman.

These two enthusiastic men weren’t on her agenda at all, but then again, she needed some practice. What would one night of freaky sex hurt anyway?

It wasn’t as if they were ever going to see each other again. They didn’t run in the same circles. They could have their choice of women given their attractiveness and sheer maleness. So it wasn’t likely that either of them would give her another thought past this delicious moment.

She could do this…let some of the pent-up yearnings she’d ignored unravel a bit. And she couldn’t think of two better candidates for the job.

Jake was the taller of the two, his shoulders nearly as wide her doorway. He’d had to duck to step inside. He was handsome in a rough-hewn way with a blunt nose and chin. His eyes were a startling blue. Even his close-cropped brown hair appealed. For as large as he was, he moved with grace. She remembered the way he’d danced, his body surrounding her, supporting her with his thigh and the tender crush of his fingers.

Danny, only slightly less tall and broad, was still mouthwateringly masculine. His brown eyes danced with easy humor until aroused, then glinted darkly, his expression growing almost feral. Scary, in a completely sexy way.

And she was going to experience them both. Somehow, she knew they wouldn’t be one-minute wonders, and that the competition between them would only spur them to provide her greater delights.

If Lacey could see her now, she’d be shocked. And beside herself with laughter. Steady, much-too-sensible Camille was about to be the filling in a very naughty sandwich.

“You’re thinking too much,” Jake said, still kneeling at her feet. Her blouse was open, her bra hanging off her arms, and Danny was peering over her shoulder at her breasts while he played.

The corners of Jake’s mouth curled, and he grabbed the hem of her skirt and began to roll it upward, baring the length of her legs then passing her crotch until the fabric bunched around her waist.

Out of reflex, she pressed her knees together, but he wasn’t having any of it. Jake slipped his hands between her legs and pushed apart her thighs.

Danny pinched her nipples, distracting her, and then Jake leaned closer and pressed kisses on her upper thighs. When his fingers grazed her sex through the delicate lace, she jumped, gasping. But he only smiled and planted his thumbs on her outer folds, pressing through the fabric to spread them open. He gave a quick upward glance and winked, catching her open-mouthed expression.

She swallowed hard as he stuck out his tongue and touched her there. Rubbing it over the lacy fabric above her hooded clit. Just that one little spot when she was ready for him to plunge deep. But the teasing little flicker sent darts of electric pleasure zinging toward her womb.

Danny pinched her nipples harder, and she quivered, jerking softly against his chest.

Jake burrowed deeper and latched his wicked lips around her cloaked clit and suckled, the moist sounds obscene in the silence surrounding them. She was the only one nearly naked. The only one exposed.

“Are you close, sweetheart? Tell me when you’re close,” Danny whispered in her ear.

“Almost there,” she moaned. Her breath caught, and her eyes widened because, amazingly, she was beginning the spiral.

Jake leaned back and smoothed his hands up the outside of her thighs, soothing her while she caught her breath. He lurched upward and grabbed her waist, hoisting her off the ground. Danny’s hands fell away.

“Put your legs around me,” Jake growled. “Where’s the bedroom?”

Hi, Delilah. Thanks for having me here today. And greetings to your readers.

I’m one of those writers who actually holds degrees in writing. Because I have a master’s degree, I’m qualified to teach on the college level, and I did so for a couple of years. The moderator of one of my critique groups was fond of saying that degreed authors as well as writing professors wrote terrible novels. That was two strikes against me. Three and I was out before I even started.

Funny thing is, writing was always a stress-reliever for me, so it was never something I considered as a career. Because of that, when I started college, I was a business major. Hated that—math, statistics, optimization. Ugh. Despite having no design portfolio, I managed to switch to architecture, which I loved then. Still do, actually. But they were training us to be commercial designers, and I wanted to design homes. That necessitated another change. I thought about interior design or landscape design, but again, I had no portfolio. Then I seriously considered art history or archaeology, because I thought working in a museum would be amazing. But I also wanted to graduate before I was fifty. I was two years into my college career, and I didn’t have any course credits that would apply toward those degrees.

So, I did the only thing that made sense to me. I became a writing major. If I overloaded for a few semesters, I’d be right on track and would graduate in my four-year window (which I did, by the way). Once I had my bachelor’s degree, I could get a graduate degree in art history or archaeology and go on to be a curator.

Two things wrong with that. First, curators spend a lot of time in the business aspect of museums, and I already knew I hated that. Second, I freaking LOVED writing. So, when it came time to get a master’s degree, I stayed with what I knew and loved.

Why am I boring you with this biography? Because it’s relevant to fiction.

I wrote a novella (When We Finally Kiss Goodnight) with characters who are archaeologists. One works in the field, the other in a museum. I got to explore the parts of archaeology that interest me while avoiding the tedium of business management.

I’m also in the middle of a four-book saga (the Medici Protectorate series) with characters who are in the building business. I have an architect in Bleeding Heart and a construction pro in Mind Control, and when I finish the series, I will have an interior designer in Body Armor and a landscape designer in Tortured Soul.

Maybe my critique moderator was onto something. It’s not that writing majors and professors can’t be good authors. It’s just that people from other professions have different experiences and interests to draw on that make their writing richer.

Doctors write medical dramas. Lawyers and police write crime fiction. Military personnel write war stories. You get the idea.

I have plenty of interests. Maybe I shouldn’t have become a writing major. Maybe I should have studied architecture or archaeology. I might have been professionally content. (Note the stress on might.)

But this way, writing fiction, I can be all those things—be anything. Writing lets me live vicariously through my characters. I can be a sea captain, cryptozoologist, doctor, or astronaut. Maybe a wizard or an alchemist.

Actually, I get to be an alchemist in the Medici Protectorate series, too. As well as a mergers and acquisitions executive, a lawyer, an IT guru, and a security specialist. Yep, those of you who have been counting have it right. I’ve got nine different vocations going on in that series, and I get to have fun with each and every one of them.

What is an alchemist like, especially one who mastered immortality and has been alive for five hundred years? Is he experienced, wise, and benevolent? Maybe jaded, calculating, and bored with society? How do you think an architect gets along with a business mogul? A construction foreperson with a lawyer? An interior designer with a hacker? A landscaper with a security expert? Do opposites attract? Do careers even impact interpersonal relationships?

If you’re interested in finding out all those things and more, I’m running a sale right now. For a limited time, Bleeding Heart is on sale for 99¢ and Mind Control for $1.99.

Medici Protectorate Series Premise:
The four Notaro sisters are the secret legacy of the Medici, famed rulers of Italy. Michelangelo promised his Medici-benefactor that he’d always watch over the family, and as such, he formed the Medici Protectorate to guard them throughout the generations. Now, Italy is in political turmoil and revolution is imminent. The people are calling for new rulers, and the Notaros are poised to assume control. But a nefarious opposing faction wants the power for themselves. Never was the family in more jeopardy. The four sisters are protected by the Brotherhood—four elite warriors of the Medici Protectorate prophesied to keep the family safe until they fulfill their destinies. They journey around the world in an effort to keep the family safe and the future of Italy secure.

Reading fiction is fascinating because it lets us escape our personal realities and become someone or something else. Writing it is even better, though. It’s the best of both worlds because it allows us to do what we’re good at (telling stories) while exploring our other interests.

It took me a while to declare my major, but I’m convinced I made the right choice. I get to be something different every day. How many careers offer that kind of flexibility and excitement?

Looks like the only third strike I’ll be getting is if I write a baseball-themed novel.

About the Author

Staci Troilo has always loved fiction, ever since her parents read her fairy tales when she was a young girl. Today, her interests are much more eclectic. She loves getting lost in sci-fi battles, fantasy realms, horror worlds, suspenseful intrigues, and romantic entanglements.

As goes her reading, so goes her writing. She can’t pick a single genre to focus on, so she doesn’t even try. She’s proud to say she’s a multi-genre author.

When she’s not reading or writing, she’s spending time with family and friends, possibly cooking for them, or maybe enjoying an afternoon in the pool. To learn more about her, visit http://stacitroilo.com/.

Social Media Links:

Web | Blog | Newsletter Signup | Twitter | Amazon | Additional Social Media Links

Hi! I’m Opal Carew and I’d like to thank Delilah for inviting me to be a guest blogger today!

Do you enjoy old movies? I love watching old B&W classic romance movies. I used to watch them with my mum when I was a kid.

I loved musicals, like Singing in the Rain, and any Fred Astaire movie, but I particularly liked the fun and poignant romances that would make you laugh and cry. One of my favourites was An Affair to Remember.

Knowing my love of old movies, my husband suggested that I write a book called A Fare to Remember with a female taxi driver, which I thought was a great idea! When he asked me when I’d write it, however, I told him it would probably be about five years.

Fast forward fifteen years and it’s finally done!

Originally, it was scheduled to be released on his birthday (Jan 3^rd), which was so wonderfully appropriate. Unfortunately, it got moved to April 4th. But, finally, he can now see it out in the world!

And the cover… Oh, I just LOVE it! A close friend told me it looks like a movie poster and that gave me the idea to have it made into an actual poster, which I gave to my husband for Christmas and we now have hanging on the wall!

A fun fact: I hadn’t finished the book when my publisher (St. Martin’s Press) showed me the cover for the first time. When I saw it, I knew I had to work in a scene to fit that sexy image! I’ve included an excerpt of that scene below.

Now if you think that because this book is based on an old movie that means it won’t be my usual sizzling hot erotic romance, check out the teaser below! 😉

So a few of my favourite old B&W romance movies are:

• An Affair to Remember
• Bell, Book and Candle
• The Desk Set
• The Apartment
• Some Like It Hot

What are some of yours?

Remember the mention of free books?

I’m not offering a contest where only a couple of peple will win, because every one of you can get several free books by signing up for my Reader Group (OpalCarew.com/ReaderGroup) and by taking advantage of the great new InstaFreebie anthology (instafreebie.com/free/U3fBd) I’ve put together with several other authors. This gives you a chance to sample my writing (and the other authors’ too) to see if you enjoy it. If it’s not your style, you can unsubscribe anytime. No worries! 🙂

A Fare to Remember

A chance encounter leads to a passion they can’t forget in Opal Carew’s newest erotic romance!

Stevie has given up on love and just wants a simple life driving her taxi. But her plans are turned upside down when gorgeous billionaire Reid Jacobs steps into the back of her cab. Commanding and mysterious, he’s a temptation she can’t resist―and soon their torrid one night stand leads to an intoxicating affair.

In Reid’s strong arms, Stevie finds herself falling harder than she ever imagined. But is she ready to trust again? And when his business partner falls for Stevie, will it change everything? One thing is clear: she’s about to take the ride of her life….

“Carew brings erotic romance to a whole new level…she sets your senses on fire!” – Reader to Reader

A Fare to Remember by Opal Carew is one sexy ride!

Buy Link (goes to all major vendors):

http://bit.ly/2mdsS6S

Excerpt of A Fare to Remember

This is the scene that was inspired by the cover. It’s one of my favourites in the book!

~ ~ ~

Stevie drove to the office tower, then pulled up in front. Dylan strode out the door and over to her cab.

“Hey, thanks for picking me up,” Dylan said with a smile as he got in the back of the cab.

She gazed at him in the rearview mirror and smiled. “It’s what I do.”

He laughed. “Yes, well, I appreciate it. It’s murder getting a cab on a wet night like this.” He pulled off his damp suit jacket and lay it down beside him.

“So where to, sir?” she asked with a grin.

“Well, I have this great penthouse. How about you take me there and we both go up and I’ll show you the fabulous view?”

She caught his gaze in the mirror. “I might be persuaded.”

He opened his briefcase and pulled out a shopping bag from a designer store. “Would it help if I gave you a gift?”

She grinned. “I don’t know. Depends on what it is.”

She pulled off the main road and down a quiet street, then pulled over. She turned and took the bag he offered and peeked inside. She pulled out the tissue and found a lovely white shirred dress. It was very elegant, but at the same time, sexy, since the slinky fabric would cling to her every curve.

She gazed at him questioningly.

“We thought we’d dress for dinner.”

“Should I be insulted?” she teased. “My plaid flannel shirt isn’t good enough for you fancy penthouse dwellers?”

He chuckled. “Personally, I love your plaid flannel. It’s so”—he grinned—“soft to the touch. Especially with you inside it.”

The thought of him touching her shirt . . . stroking over the fabric . . . cupping her breast . . . sent her hormones spinning.

“The fact that you gave this to me now rather than when we reach the apartment . . . I assume that means you want me to put it on now?”

He nodded. “That way from the time you park the cab and we start upstairs, it’s like we’ve started a date.”

She smiled. “A date with two men. I could go for that.” She pulled away from the curb. “I’ll take us somewhere I can change.”

* * *

Dylan was looking forward to this evening. He and Reid had put their heads together to plan the perfect evening to convince Stevie that what Reid could offer her surpassed anything she could get from being with her ex-fiancé, in case she was having second thoughts. Reid felt his biggest weapon was Dylan—a second man to ramp up the excitement.

Dylan was thrilled to be a part of it.

Stevie turned down a quiet street, then into a dark alley. She pulled over and stopped the cab.

“What are we doing here?” he asked, glancing around.

She tossed the shopping bag into his lap, then she got out of the car, opened the back door and climbed into the backseat beside him. Then she started unbuttoning her shirt.

“You’re changing here?” he asked, his eyes widening as she slipped off her shirt, then tugged her navy tank top over her head, revealing her black lace bra.

“Sure. Why not?”

“I . . . uh . . . guess.”

She’d kicked off her shoes and was already slipping off her jeans, pushing them to the floor of the car. At the sight of her in her tiny bra and panties, his groin tightened. She held up the dress.

“Hmm. It’s off the shoulder, and I definitely don’t want a black bra underneath.”

She dropped the dress and reached behind her. His cock swelled as she peeled away her bra and dropped it on the seat. She grinned at him, clearly aware of the effect her perfect, round, naked breasts were having on him.

She pulled the dress over her head and let the slinky garment glide down her body. She pulled it into place, smoothing it down. It lovingly hugged every curve. And he couldn’t help noticing that her hard nipples were clearly visible through the thin fabric.

She pushed herself up on her knees. “Do you like it?” she asked, swiveling a little to give him different views.

“Oh, yeah.” His gravelly voice made it clear how much.

She smiled. “Can you see my black undies through the white fabric? Because I wouldn’t want that.”

His gaze jerked to her groin.

“I . . . uh . . .” Just say yes, a little voice shouted in his head.

“Better not to take any chances.” She tugged the hem up a little and slid her hands under the dress, then began to wiggle.

“What are you doing?” But he knew damned well exactly what she was doing.

Dylan almost salivated as Stevie sat down again, then glided her panties down her shapely calves and slipped them off her feet.

“Any shoes?” she asked. “My sneakers will just ruin the look.”

“Uh . . . yeah. In the bag.”

God, she was totally naked under that dress. His cock swelled some more.

She pulled out the shoes—white satin stilettos with rhinestone trim—and slipped them on.

“Nice.” She smiled at him and pushed herself onto her knees again, but this time she pulled up the hem of the dress enough to straddle his legs.

Her fingertips moved down his chest and he realized she was unfastening the buttons of his shirt. She pushed it open and smiled as she stroked his naked flesh.

“Thank you for the pretty gift.”

“It was from Reid, too,” he said absently, mesmerized by the glitter in her eyes.

She rested her hand so her palm cupped his nipple, keeping it warm, then she teased his other nipple with her fingertips.

“I’ll thank him later.”

Freebies

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About Opal

As a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of erotic contemporary romance, Opal Carew writes about passion, love, and taking risks.  Her heroines follow their hearts and push past the fear that stops them from realizing their dreams… to the excitement and love of happily-ever-after.

Opal loves nail polish, cats, old movies, crystals, dragons, feathers, pink hair, the occult, Manga artwork, Zentangle, and all that glitters. She earned a degree in Mathematics from the University of Waterloo, and spent 15 years as a software analyst before turning to her passion as a writer. She grew up in Toronto, and now lives in Ottawa with her husband, huge nail polish collection, and five cats.  One of her sons just finished his second Masters degree in Geopolitics (first at Sussex University in the UK and second at Carleton University in Ottawa.)  The other son has an undergraduate degree from Carleton University and is now working at Apple.  Yes, mom is proud!

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Kralj, the hero of Dark Thoughts, my latest release, EATS his enemies. Dark Thoughts IS a romance. That’s all I write. But it is a dark different romance with a dark different hero, an antihero.

What is an antihero?

Wikipedia ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antihero ) defines an antihero as “a protagonist who lacks conventional heroic qualities such as idealism, courage, or morality. These characters are usually considered ‘conspicuously contrary to an archetypal hero’.”

Romance antiheroes are almost always courageous. They usually have a code of honor also. It simply isn’t the code of honor that the average human in today’s world has.

Kralj is a futuristic hero and he’s not entirely human. That makes his antihero characteristics, to me, more understandable. Kralj is half Beta Taurian Shadow Beast, which is why it is natural for him to eat his prey. Beasts do that.

I find the antihero fascinating to read and to write because the antihero is such an individual. He has his own unique way of looking at the world, his own rules, his own motivations and rationale for being who he is. His backstory is often complex and shocking.

He is delightfully different and, as someone who reads, on average, a romance novel a day, I like that. It is a refreshing change from the noble Dukes, the justice-serving policemen, the hat-tilting cowboys, all of which I vastly enjoy reading about but sometimes appreciate taking a break from.

As a romance writer, I also love the challenge of finding the perfect love interest for the antihero. Anyone could love a nice guy. What type of being would love a flawed male, a male who devours his enemies? That being is tougher to find.

I paired many females with Kralj, my hero, off page. They didn’t work out. The females were too weak for him or they were too grim or they didn’t understand and would never understand why he was the way he was. Kralj isn’t going to change. He isn’t going to magically become a nice, cuddly male. His personality might soften but it wouldn’t shift that dramatically. I needed to find a female who would love him for who he is.

That female is Dita, a pint-sized assassin who is as different as Kralj is. She is a bit of an antiheroine. Kralj calls her a fellow monster. Again, she has her own code of honor and together, they are magical as a couple.

For a chance to win any one eBook from either my backlist or Delilah Devlin’s backlist, let me know in the comments who your favorite fictional antihero is!

Dark Thoughts

Can love redeem a monster?

The Refuge is home to some of the most violent beings in the universe. Kralj, its leader, reigns over the remote outpost with terrifying ease, ruthlessly squashing any rumors of rebellion, killing anyone who breaks his rules. Primitive, deadly, powerful, he’s a monster, scarred both on his face and his soul. He has never met a being he couldn’t control.

Until he meets her.

Dita has one mission—to kill the three targets claiming sanctuary within the Refuge. Or so she claims. For the first time in his long lifespan, Kralj isn’t certain of another being’s intentions. The tiny assassin is immune to his powers, her thoughts unreadable. He can’t predict her movements, can’t control her, can’t stop wanting her.

Dita is rare, as unique as he is, and, to keep the residents of the Refuge safe, Kralj will have to kill her. But first, he’ll touch her, taste her, show her how passionate the beast inside him can be.

Dark Thoughts is a STAND-ALONE SciFi Romance.

The hero might be tall, dark, and scarred but don’t be fooled by his appearance.

He’s truly a monster.

This story is not for readers with delicate sensibilities.

Order Now:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Thoughts-Refuge-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01MRAABGC/
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dark-Thoughts-Refuge-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01MRAABGC/
Apple/iBooks/iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/dark-thoughts/id1200022597
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dark-thoughts-cynthia-sax/1125580992
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/dark-thoughts-3
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/699393

About Cynthia Sax

USA Today bestselling author Cynthia Sax writes SciFi, contemporary and paranormal erotic romances. Her stories have been featured in Star Magazine, Real Time With Bill Maher, and numerous best of erotic romance top ten lists.

Sign up for her dirty-joke-filled release day newsletter and visit her on the web at www.CynthiaSax.com
Website:  CynthiaSax.com
Newsletter:   http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/
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