Cougar, Cougar Burning Bright
By Mardi Ballou

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As a woman of a certain age, I have to wonder where the term “cougar” came from. Of course I’m not thinking of the sleek jungle predator, but rather the woman who goes for younger men. Hmm, “sleek” doesn’t sound bad. “Jungle” is not the usual setting. “Predator”? Intriguing, but not always the case.

I know it wasn’t for me when I was single. I did “date” two significantly younger men—no, not at the same time. Remove your mind from that interesting gutter, please. I’m smiling as I write this—but I must admit, fun as it was to date those guys, I didn’t have the ego ever to relax about the age issue. Kudos to those who can. Are you a soaring cougar, or does it make you nervous to be with a much younger guy?

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In “Long, Slow Ride”, a Quickie from Ellora’s Cave, 25-year old Jeff rescues 36-year old Lori from wallflower status at a wedding—and offers the ride of a lifetime. Hungry as Lori is for exactly what Jeff has to offer, she pushes him away until she almost loses him.

Gwen, the 40-year old heroine of “Soap Bloke,” a new Quickie coming from Ellora’s Cave Aug. 25, shares some of that age angst—though she’s in a solid relationship with Dirk, age 30. TV stars, they’re lovers both on and off the screen—in fact, they first got together when their characters fell in love. So when the producers write in a new love interest for the vampire character Dirk plays, Gwen is terrified she’ll lose him for real. Dirk loves Gwen, but he’s getting tired of the distrust…

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An excerpt from Soap Bloke by Mardi Ballou, coming Aug. 25

Gwen always viewed sex as a barometer for how their relationship was going. Might be a tad simplistic, but it seemed accurate. If Dirk’s gusto in getting them to the bedroom was indicative, they were in great shape. She could allow herself to relax for the moment. Relax and enjoy him.

He carefully deposited her on their luxurious king-size bed. She slipped out of her clothes, lying in the sexy undies she’d changed into when they got home—guaranteed confidence builder. She lounged on the fine Italian sheets, savoring the silky touch on her skin as Dirk treated her to his bump-and-grind strip show—the sped-up version. No matter how many times she feasted her eyes on his outrageous body—buff with just the perfect amount of hair and muscles in all the right places—she never allowed herself to take him for granted.

Off with his T-shirt, off with his jeans. He stood before her clad only in black silk briefs that did nothing to conceal the erection she’d spent too little time with on the set. She swallowed hard and her pussy creamed in joyful anticipation. This big, hard dream lover was all hers, would be deep inside her in moments. Now there would be no intrusive director, no cameras tracking their every move…

He came over to the bed. “Would my lady care to remove what remains?”

She licked her lips and let her inner coquette come out. “On one condition.”

His cock bobbed in welcome, and she had to restrain herself from taking it in hand. He was so amazingly beautiful, so very tempting. How did she manage to refrain from touching him all the time? “Condition?” His voice sounded husky. “What condition would that be?”

“That you let me take them off with my teeth.”

He roared his assent. She sat at the edge of the bed and drew him to her, bracing herself by wrapping her legs around his, her arms around his slim hips. She clamped her teeth onto the waistband of his briefs, gained purchase and began to tug. In vain. After several moments it was clear this wasn’t going to work. With a grunt, Dirk stretched out on his side on the bed so she could continue her attempts to de-pant him on a more level playing field.

She gripped her teeth on the silk and pulled down. His skin was warm and his scent made her head swim. Maybe that was why she couldn’t move the briefs.

Hmm. Why had she thought this would work? After she’d tried several different times—once biting the firm flesh of his waist—Dirk groaned and gently pulled her away. “Baby, I know you didn’t eat much dinner, but you’re killing me.”
A laugh percolated up from her middle. “I guess hint number seventy-two from Keep It Lively, Ladies is a no-go,” she sputtered.

He pulled her to him and shook his head. “You want to keep it lively, do you?” With that he peeled off her bra with his fingers while he demonstrated the fine art of de-panting with his teeth.

“Where’d you learn to do that?” Gwen shivered in his arms.

“Vampire secret,” he muttered in his best Transylvanian accent before proceeding to apply his lips and teeth somewhere much more interesting than her panties…

My husband and I visited a prep school friend of his in San Diego in late July. I fell in love with the white buildings with red tile roofs, palm trees nodding overhead, the old church towers rising on hillsides. And of course the harbor – home to every type of vessel from sailing ships to Navy carriers. I watched surfers and dolphins playing in the waves, beach volleyball games and families on the beaches. Even got to watch my husband on a surfboard—briefly. He’s such a stud-muffin.

I was sure I’d love San Diego, from photos and descriptions. But I was nervous about staying in the beach house of a couple I’d never even met. Would they be glad to have me tagging along? Would I have anything in common with our host’s wife? Would we connect?

My fears were allayed when our host greeted us at the airport, with a big California smile and hug. His wife was just as charming and friendly. She directed us to our room, complete with private bath. And there on the bed were two fluffy white robes—embroidered with our initials!

I felt as if we were at a luxury spa resort. And the feeling lasted as we chatted our way through walks on the beach, tours of local attractions and quiet evenings around the pool. We talked about our children, laughed about the guys’ high school experiences on blind dates and compared notes on how we finally met the right people to truly fall in love, and marry. Mellowed by wine and sunsets, we shared deeper feelings.

On the plane home to the Pacific Northwest, I opened my little Acer to jot down notes and impressions of San Diego. I’ll surely want to set a story there. But I got to thinking. Reading a new author is like going to stay with strangers. You spend your hard-earned money for the trip and hope it will be a grand, positive experience.

I want my stories to be as welcoming to you as that Del Mar beach house was to me. I love reading books by my favorite authors. When they are my hosts, I know I’m guaranteed a certain kind of experience. I’ll be welcomed into their characters’ inner worlds, given a tour of the sights and brought along on a sexy, romantic adventure with thrills and even a few laughs along the way.

I hope when you begin one of my stories, you’ll look forward to the same welcome. And know that as hot and dangerous as the adventure may be, you’ll wind up safe in the arms of love … and happy ever after.

Best,
Cathryn Cade

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Here’s an excerpt from my new ebook, Prince of Dragons. A shape-shifting prince travels the galaxy to find a virgin bride, but falls instead for a beautiful warrior famed for her seductiveness. He will fight beside her to protect the spaceship Orion from deadly saboteurs, but can he convince her that he is the one man for her?

… Unable to sleep, Sirena had just stepped out of the shower-dry and belted on her flame silk robe when she heard musical laughter out in the corridor. It sounded familiar.

“Holo-cam on,” she commanded. “Passageway.”

She stood stock still, rage burning inside her as she saw the image that sprang up. Two of the Aquarian princesses were just coming out of Slyde Stone’s room. One was patting her tousled hair, the other fastening her robe.

“Thank you, Commander.” One of them giggled. “That was lovely.”

“Yes,” the other added. “We hope you enjoyed it too.”

Sirena’s eyes narrowed dangerously. He was grinning like a fool, his uniform was unfastened halfway down his broad chest and his short hair was tousled, as if someone—or two someones—had been running their fingers through it.
“Thank you, ladies. My compliments on your treat. I’ll take care of cleaning everything up.”

Why, the sneaking, slithering bastard. He had lied to her so completely, so thoroughly. She had actually swallowed his tale of waiting in solitude for her.

She waited until the two had rustled away and then snapped open her hatchway.

Slyde looked over at her, still smiling a little, until he saw the look on her face.

“What is it?” he asked.
Read the rest of this entry »

I have several pet peeves.

Smacking. Grinding of teeth. Slurping. Picking of toenails (no, seriously). Bad ass kids. Oops. Can I say that?

Yeah, there are several habits that are guaranteed to tap my nerves. I almost had to put my son out of the house because he smacked so loud that I could hear him clear across the room! But since he was only five years old at the time my husband frowned on evicting him. Good news is he learned to chew with his lips closed later that year so crisis averted but I didn’t get that home office…

So, as in life, there are several pet peeves I have when reading books. Some that yank me right up out of the story and make me yell, what the fu— Oops. I know I can’t say that. See? Just thinking about them has me lobbing F-bombs!

Here’s one. I love sexual tension as much as any red-blooded woman. The whole will-they-won’t-they- sexual-innuendo-hot-kiss-heavy-petting-but-timely-interruption thing is not only sexy but it draws you into the hero and heroine’s relationship. It has you rooting for them to get together and experience that special moment. It’s the big payoff! Yeah, so you thought. Three hundred pages in the book, the first love scene is on page two hundred and seventy five and its one and a half pages long! Wow. Really? Won’t be sticking around for the Epilogue. I’m too pissed. And unsatisfied.

Another irritation guaranteed to get my Agent Orange acting up? What I like to call the Sybil Syndrome. Case in point. Jane is a straight-laced, sheltered librarian. She doesn’t curse, has never had so much as a whiskey sour and the most dangerous situation she’s faced is a killer hang nail. One night she’s walking to her car after the library closes and a mugger jumps out of the bushes. Suddenly, Jane drops her stack of periodicals to the ground, leaps in the air and whirls around, nailing her would-be attacker in the jaw with a round house kick. How ‘bout that? I thought this book was about the sexy, bad boy hero turning the inexperienced heroine out. Not a woman with multiple personality disorders…Character consistency! Sheesh! Is she the Plain Jane or Jackie Chan?? I’m confused. And I ain’t finishing the book.

And one that I will return a book for? When characters change or compromises their belief system or standards for loooove. I recently read a book where the heroine did not want to become a mistress like her mother and live a kept existence that depended on the whim of her current lover. She fell in love with the hero, who was above her station, and at the end of the book consented to being his mistress because it was the only way they could be together. Okay, I’m still a little p.o.’d. Yes, they ended up together but I lost respect for the heroine in the process. She was willing to throw her beliefs, her standards that defined her on the altar of loooove. For a man. Yes, love conquers all but it shouldn’t ask you to demean yourself in the process. Unhuh. Not buying it. Well, technically, I did buy it but I took it back to the store the next day…

So now that I have vented and you all know the close call my son had with homelessness, what are your pet peeves in a book? What makes you want to drop kick a hero or heroine in a story? C’mon! Share!

Come visit me at my website and check out my current and upcoming releases with Ellora’s Cave Publishing!

Honeymoons can be dangerous.

I know what you’re thinking. Honeymoons are supposed to be all fun in the sun, margaritas served by cabana boys, and lots of lazy days in bed. Well that’s one way to do it.

My fiancé (now husband of twelve years) and I planned a more adventurous start to our marriage, and not the whips and chains variety. We decided to spend three weeks exploring New Zealand. We rented a campervan and there started the adventure.

Kiwis drive on the left side of the road. Since I’d never driven outside the US, it took me a little bit to get used to that. And I kept the damage to the campervan to a minimum. Hey, can I help it if that sign hung too low? Ever heard the tearing of metal to a rented vehicle? Not fun. So, yes, I got to figure out insurance claims in a foreign country.

Speaking of insurance claims, how could I forget to mention the inch long gash in my husband’s hand that he got on the way to the airport to leave? Like the alpha male he is, he wrapped it in paper towels and masking tape and got on board our flight. When we got to New Zealand, we headed to the nearest clinic thinking he’d need stitches and we’d be in for a huge medical bill. They cleaned him up and charged us “full price” because we didn’t have insurance. It was less than an emergency room co-pay here in the US.

I love New Zealand.

All patched up and back to the campervan. We drove along the wind-swept green hills through sheep grazing in pastures. Idyllic and gorgeous. Until the wind caught the side of the campervan and nearly shoved us off the side of a very large drop. We truly thought we’d die. But the wind only blew us a few feet off the road and we managed from there.

Let me see… what else? Oh, the small, tiny airplane that took us through rough weather, over the southern alps, and then dived down into a small landing strip. Couldn’t forget that. Scary. Really. Scenery was gorgeous, but next time, I think I’ll take a larger plane. Please.

Don’t get me wrong. We loved it. I’d do it again in a heartbeat. And we certainly enjoyed ourselves. After all, first born in a honeymoon baby. We had our lazy days, too.

But yes, honeymoons can be dangerous.

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The Forbidden Chamber by Ella Drake was released August 3rd by Samhain Publishing. In this gothic historical paranormal, the heroine Isabel learns how dangerous a honeymoon can be—with a cursed husband who turns into a giant Raven on their wedding night and warns her she will die if she enters the forbidden chamber.

Ella is a Dark Paranormal and Science Fiction Romance author published with Cobblestone Press, Liquid Silver Books, and Samhain Publishing. She has two releases coming soon from Carina Press, Silver Bound and Jaq’s Harp. Sometimes she dabbles in Weird SF stories (read The Adventures of Daphne for free on her website). To learn more about Ella, visit her webpage. Ella can also be found on facebook and twitter.

Nurse Ratched and Me
by Meg Benjamin

Thanks to my efforts at healthy diet and exercise, I’ve been spending a lot of time with Nurse Ratched lately. You remember Nurse Ratched, the nightmare administrator from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest? What you may not know is that most writers have a Nurse Ratched living in our heads. She’s the one who mutters “Shouldn’t you be writing?” as you sit in the sun, reading your paper and sipping a latte. She’s the one who says, “Three pages? Really?” when you’re ready to knock off for the day. She the one who sneers, “You call that a love scene?” over the pages you spent hours constructing. Nurse Ratched keeps you writing, but she also makes you miserable.

In my case, Nurse Ratched usually takes over my efforts to diet. This has its good and bad points. The good, of course, is that she really does keep me on course as much as possible. The bad is that she drives me crazy. If I want a snack, Nurse Ratched steps in—“You’re not really hungry, you know. You’re indulging yourself.” If I want to take a day off from exercising, Nurse Ratched is there. “A day off? With those hips?” Nurse Ratched surveys my wardrobe with a critical eye, pointing out that that shirt I was going to wear is just a wee bit tight around the middle. She counts the glasses of wine I have with dinner, and starts muttering at glass two.

Now eventually, I’m either going to reach my diet goal or decide I’m tired of dieting—that’s what usually happens. The problem then becomes making Nurse Ratched shut up. Because, of course, she never goes away when you want her to. Chances are I’ll have Nurse Ratched on my case for several months to come. I only hope I can distract her back to being my muse. Cranky, never satisfied, eternally critical. Yeah, that sounds about right.

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A future with the woman of his dreams is within his grasp…if the past will stay that way.
Konigsburg, Book 4

Erik Toleffson wasn’t looking to become Chief of Police. He’s got enough trouble trying to rebuild his relationship with his three brothers who, until just recently, ran the other way when he approached. He’s not the bully they grew up with, but bad memories are tough to overcome.

Morgan Barrett is as worn out as a vat full of crushed grape skins. She never planned to run Cedar Creek Winery, but there’s no one else to shoulder the load as her father recovers from an injury. All she needs is a little sleep. Just a five-minute nap in the booth at the Dew Drop Inn…if that guy across the bar would stop staring at her as if putting her head down on the table is a crime.

After Morgan yawns in Erik’s face, there’s nowhere to go but up. With time, though, their relationship warms like a perfectly blended Bordeaux. Until the shady mayor digs into Erik’s past and dredges up information that could drive a permanent wedge between him and his brothers—and sour any chance of a future with Morgan.

Warning: Contains hot sex with mango sherbet, crooked politicians, yuppie bikers, Bored Ducks, and a Maine Coon Cat with attitude.

Read an excerpt here
Buy a copy here

When I received the email from my editor at Ellora’s Cave telling me my novel, Sheet Music, had been accepted for publication, I was very quiet…for about ten seconds. Then, I let out a scream that was heard around the block. Or, at least by my father, who came running to see if aliens were trying to abduct me.

In that excited moment, and the blissful days that followed, I had no real concept of what awaited me on the road to publication. I knew edits would likely be part of the process. And a web site—I needed to get one! I had vague thoughts about contracts and covers, but really, what loomed ahead of me was the promise of uncharted territory and an exhilarating ride.

For those of you who are curious about what goes on behind the scenes, here is a diary of my actions from the day of that wondrous email to right now, as I sit here writing this blog post. For those of you who are published, I hope it will bring back fond memories. For those of you who are seeking publication, at least with an e-book publisher, I hope it will shed some light on what you can hope for.

~ Tibby’s Diary ~

5/21/2010 2:23 PM: Receive acceptance e-mail from editor.
5/21/2010 2:24 PM: Dance around the house and call everyone I know.
5/21/2010 4:46 PM: Reply to editor that, yes, I will take her editorial suggestions for additional changes to the manuscript. Of course I want them to publish my baby!
5/23/2010 5:20 PM: Receive a boatload of documents, including the coveted contract, from Ellora’s Cave in my email.
5/23/2010 7:33 PM: Send contract to my lawyer to look over.
5/23/2010 7:51 PM: Write the author bio which must be submitted among the other forms that came with the contract. (Realize later that when Kelli Collins tweets that everyone seems to have started writing when they were pre-puberty, she is probably referring to my author bio. Yes, I am embarrassed, but decide to leave in this tidbit since it’s true! *grin*)
5/23/2010 9:01 PM: Receive email response from editor that if I received contract documents, both my book title and my pen name have been accepted.
5/24/2010 7:54 PM: Send revisions to editor and receive reply that, wow, while it’s appreciated, the edits weren’t expected until I received the full line edited manuscript. No problem though. It’s less work to do later on.
5/24/2010 11:10 PM: Send revised synopsis to editor.
5/24/2010 7:22 PM: Receive email from lawyer advising me on changes to request in the contract. Turn email around to publisher requesting changes.
5/25/2010 7:23 AM: Received a few small edits to synopsis from editor, with directions to include final copy with contract.
5/25/2010 10:49 AM: Receive offer on new contract based on the changes I requested. One change has been accepted, the other denied. Turn email around to publisher stating that offered amendment is acceptable. Receive amended contract less than an hour later.

Over the next few days, I go on a road trip and attempt to return the contract to the publisher before my editor goes on a week’s vacation. This proves disastrous, as I overnight the packet without one of the most important forms. I receive an email from the publisher stating that the form is missing, and have to pay to overnight the package again, missing the deadline I’d set for myself.

I spend the week of 6/1/2010 working with a web designer on putting together my web site.
6/15/2010 11:10 AM: Receive word from editor that contract has been processed. Also receive another boatload of documents, including a hefty style guide to peruse!
6/20/2010 3:15 PM: Receive MORE documents detailing additional publisher policies, as well as invitations to author chat loops.
6/20/2010 5:32 PM: Receive line edits for Sheet Music.
6/20/2010 11:09 PM: Return edited manuscript to editor.
6/22/1010 9:28 AM: Receive PDF version of the signed contract.
7/2/2010 11:30 PM: Return completed interview form for my first blog interview!
7/10/2010 7:38 AM: Receive Final Line Edits (FLEs) from editor.
7/10/2010 11:01 AM: Return manuscript incorporating (FLEs) to editor.
7/14/2010 10:16 AM: Receive cover art and verify to publisher that my name is spelled correctly on the cover.
7/26/2010 1:10 PM: Receive copies of novel in official formats!
8/4/2010: Sheet Music is released!

Note: Over this time I had also been working on promotional efforts, including my web site, blogging, and have started two new novels, one of which is half finished! No rest for the wicked, but being wicked has never been so much fun!

You’re invited to read an excerpt of Sheet Music on the Ellora’s Cave web site. Here is the cover blurb:

Music journalist Kyra Martin faces the toughest assignment of her career—to write a cover story about enigmatic heartthrob David Tallis. Deadline looming, Kyra plans to go undercover. When she ends up under the covers with the sexy superstar instead, can both her career and their budding relationship survive?

With a closet full of skeletons to hide, and a paparazzi-fueled divorce behind him, David Tallis despises the press. When Kyra Martin bribes her way into his life, her sexy assets have him composing a duplicitous seduction. Ensnared in a media maelstrom of his own making, can David face the music? Or will he lose Kyra, along with another piece of himself?

Please contact me at tibby@tibbyarmstrong.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Unlikely Cover Model Paired with Hunky Caveman
by Cris Anson

At last October’s RomantiCon, Ellora’s Cave’s first annual erotic romance conference, I was invited to participate in a photo shoot. I was paired with hunky Angelo at his virgin cover-model gig for the Romantica™ publisher. (The other EC authors were Tara Nina posing with Taylor and Eve Vaughn with Rodney). My immediate reaction: Is the Pope Catholic? Does the sun set in the west?

If you’ve attended a Romantic Times convention, you’ve seen the Mr. Romance contestants or the Ellora’s Cavemen posing as a group with one attendee at a time, proceeds to charity, three minutes max and on to the next person in line. And yes, I have a few of those mementoes myself.

But this. This was fifteen minutes of permission to stand seriously close to that gorgeous Venezuelan Caveman, to look deeply into his warm brown eyes, to run my fingers through his long black hair. To have his undivided attention as he held me in his muscular arms.

Have I mentioned that Angelo is hawt?

He was wearing only a towel, as you can see from the photo gracing the cover of my July release WHAT SHE NEEDS, and I’m not positive (or maybe it’s wishful thinking), but he might have gone commando. Be still, my heart!

Alas, I could never quite forget the photographers arrayed around us—standing, kneeling, moving to get different camera angles. Furniture had been moved to the side. Sunlight poured in through the hotel room’s windows. Lights had been set up to the side and behind us. Directives flew like machine-gun fire.

“Look this way.” “Turn around just a bit to your left.” “Now move behind her.” And so on.

The results astounded me. Or, I should say, the results of Ellora’s Cave Art Director Syneca’s efforts with PhotoShop astounded me. Instead of the old broad I really am, I look like…someone Angelo might want to get closer to. Like someone living the script she wrote. Like Delia Barnes, the heroine of WHAT SHE NEEDS, who found her younger man in a most unexpected place—an erotic romance convention.

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Older widow Delia Barnes greets fellow authors before an erotic romance convention sporting a black eye, which she explains away with “I didn’t say ‘Yes, Master’ quick enough.” Sitting at the bar, burned-out ad executive and former Dom Kurt Reinhardt overhears that comment once too often and interrupts to suggest she needs a new Master.

Urged by her friends to accept the younger man’s invitation to learn some D/s basics—hey, an author needs to do her research, right?—Delia joins him to get first-hand experience at being submissive, starting with removing her panties in a corner booth. Later, she learns more than she bargained for when she spends a weekend at Kurt’s home with his eager business partner added to the mix.

But an innocent misstep brings Delia’s world crashing down around her. Can she trust Kurt with her heart…and her life?

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You can read an excerpt of WHAT SHE NEEDS and buy the book here: What She Needs

If you want to know more about RomantiCon 2010, here’s the link. We’ll be eagerly looking to see which of the Ellora’s Cavemen attend. *tha-THUMP tha-THUMP* Romanticon

To read more about me and my books, please check out my website, my MySpace page and my Amazon profile.