Saturday’s here! And I’m letting myself slack off a bit today. Sure, I’ll write my NaNo words, but I’m not going to do much more. I’m definitely not going to sit in front of the computer all day. A certain 9-year-old wants a special day, which to her mind includes popcorn, a movie, and me spending the night. Should be fun!

I’m featuring Tarzan & Janine today. It’s a very funny story, co-written by my sister, Elle James, and myself. We’d written the first draft eons ago, but real life intruded and we let it languish. Our mother insisted we resurrect it. She’d been waiting years for us to finish the darn thing. 🙂 Hope you enjoy the excerpt!

I’ll post the winner of today’s contest Monday morning!

Post a comment and you’ll be entered to win a free download of this book!

See what happens when a secret billionaire and an aspiring actress get a little wild in Texas!

A man with a soft spot for women…

Closet Texas millionaire, Tanner Peschke has three months to prove he can make a profit at the family used car dealership or he will lose his job, disappoint his father and break his promise to his dying mother. The root of his problem is women. He can’t resist them—any of them. All it takes is the scent of delicate perfume or a misty-eyed gaze from an elderly woman with a sob story, and he becomes silly putty in the hands of his feminine customers. Until, with a stroke of luck and a buck of a mechanical bull, he hires Janine Davis to star with him in the dealership’s live TV ads.

A woman who won’t let a handsome cowboy get in the way of her dream…

Determined to make a name for herself, Janine needs to pay the bills between acting jobs. The offer to do a series of commercials for Peschke Motors is a chance to get her face “out there”. Recognizing a player when she sees one, Janine agrees to co-star with her handsome employer fully intending to keep their relationship strictly professional. First break she gets, she’s heading to Hollywood.

Their jungle-themed commercials take a crazy twist, and Tanner finds himself falling…from a sales banner while chasing a monkey. But more importantly, he’s falling for Janine. She’s just the one woman to tame this cowboy’s wild heart. Convincing her to stay with him might be harder than catching a mischievous monkey.

After the first commercial Tanner and Janine shoot, they’re local a sensation. Customers and news crews crowd the car showroom, and Barbara Stockton, a cougar who reneged on a deal with Tanner and fired Janine shows up just when Tanner thinks he’s got things under control…

Barbara let go of Tanner’s arm, a smile curling her blood-red lips. “I want to offer her a job.”

Tanner’s stomach completed a full gainer and he blurted out, “I’m sorry, but she’s working for me through the summer.”

The beauty maven’s professionally arched brows rose. “Do you have a contract?”

“Well, it’s under revision…” Revision, hell. Tanner hadn’t even considered a contract. He’d never hired an actress before Janine. What kind of contract did actresses need?

Barbara’s fingernail scraped across Tanner’s shoulder in a long, slow slide. Her lips puffed out all sultry-like, reminding Tanner of when he’d been inside her hotel suite being sized up as the next meat course on her table. “I feel badly about firing her last weekend, and I want to make it up to her.”

Tanner stepped away from the woman, his eyes narrowing. “She’s not interested.”

“Why don’t we let her decide?” Barbara insisted.

“I promise you, Janine is not interested.” Tanner held back his anger and panic. Janine was turning out to be a gold mine, and he didn’t want anyone else staking a claim on her…talents. Read the rest of this entry »

KILLER MOTIVATION

Anyone who knows me knows I love my villains. There’s something liberating about writing a character so twisted, they keep me up late into the night either writing or lying in bed, wide awake because I’ve managed to disturb myself. That’s not to say I don’t love my heroes and heroines, I do. I love developing their story, watching them grow and fall in love. But, for me, bad guys are so much fun to write! As for motivating those bad guys…talk about allowing the imagination to soar.

So what motivates a villain? If you’re an avid suspense/thriller/mystery reader, I’m sure you’ve read books that have some pretty creepy bad guys in them. That bad guy’s actions might creep you out, but at the same time, have you ever closed the book and wondered, “what was the point?” Chances are, the villain wasn’t motivated enough. Chances are, he/she wasn’t developed enough and you were left not understanding why the villain would go to the extreme they did in the story. I don’t ever want a reader to finish reading my books and be left wondering what’s the point. Ever. Over the years, between reading and sharpening my writing skills, I’ve learned to constantly question why. Why did my villain do that or say this or kill the guy down the street?

In my book, Shadow of Danger (Book 1 CORE Shadow Trilogy), I have two men killing together. I knew I wanted this premise and loved the idea of an evil duo. But why would two men kill together? I had to dig deep and basically profile my villains. And although important, I’m not talking about just their ages, occupations and physical descriptions. I had to pick their brains, get inside their heads and discover what it was about them that made them join forces and do very bad things. I had to get a little twisted with this duo, but I think it made for a killer ending (haha).

In Shadow of Perception (Book 2 CORE Shadow Trilogy), I loved, loved, loved writing my villain, Michael Morrison. In all of my suspense novels I do my best to keep you guessing as to “who did it” and despite that I tell you upfront Michael is a killer, there is more to this story. The key to this book is not only watching the hero and heroine trying to figure out what the reader already knows—the bad guy—but it’s also about the reader trying to pull pieces together to discover the link and identity of a secondary character. This secondary character will leave you guessing and hopefully have you reading with the lights on.

Let’s go back to Michael. His motivation was easy: revenge. But I did my best to take that revenge to a new level. I took an ordinary man, put him in an extraordinary position, then I got into his head. As a mother of four, I know I would do anything to protect my kids. Would I go to the extreme Michael went to? Would I kill for my children? Tough questions and ones I wouldn’t want to be forced to honestly answer. But this is fiction we’re discussing. Still. How does an ordinary man become a killer? How extreme were the circumstances that pushed him to the edge, taking him from an average Joe to a serial killer?

In Shadow of Vengeance (Book 3 CORE Shadow Trilogy), I had the storyline created, knew who my hero and heroine were (they’d both been introduced in past books), the setting and a basic idea about the villain. In this story, young men pledging fraternities are being kidnapped during Hell Week and are never seen again. Pretty extreme, especially because this has been going on for twenty years—at the same university. Okay, so I had to really get creative. I had to climb inside the head of my killer and come up with why. Why kidnap pledges during Hell Week? What was it about this villain that drove him to such an extreme? Had something happened to him that changed him for the worse?

I’m not suggesting that that the psychotic sociopath isn’t fun to read. But for me, I want that sociopath motivated. As I’m reading, I want to get in his head and pick his brain. Leaving a trail of bodies is all well and fine, but why is he leaving a trail of bodies in the first place? With proper, killer motivation, well-developed villains will go from one-dimensional to three-dimensional and become more believable and realistic. Now there’s a scary thought!

SHADOW OF VENGEANCE (Book 3 CORE Shadow Trilogy)

Welcome to Hell Week. You have seven days to find him…

At Wexman University, male students will do anything to get into a top fraternity. They’ll prove their worth during Hell Week by participating in various physical, psychological and even juvenile pranks. But those shenanigans aren’t so funny when pledges start disappearing. What kind of evil has stalked this small Michigan university for the past two decades? Theories range from obscene scientific experiments to grotesque satanic killings…but they’re all wrong. The murdered boys serve a single purpose…the ultimate revenge.

Rachel Davis, forensic computer analyst for the private investigation agency CORE, has been itching to leave her desk behind and work in the field. When her brother Sean, a student at Wexman, is found beaten and his roommate kidnapped during Hell Week, she gets her chance. Only her boss insists former U.S. Secret Service Agent, Owen Malcolm, helps her with the investigation. Owen is the last person she wants on this assignment. She’d been secretly half in love with him for over four years, until the night he’d crushed her ego and destroyed her hopes for any kind of future with him.

For his own reasons, Owen refuses to risk becoming involved with a coworker. Now that he and Rachel are stuck working side-by-side to solve this perverse investigation, he’s having a hard time fighting his attraction to her…an attraction he’s tried to deny from the moment they met. But time is ticking. They have seven days to find the missing pledge and catch a killer. Seven days before the body count rises and the pledge ends up another victim of Hell Week.

KRISTINE MASON BIO

I didn’t pick up my first romance novel until I was in my late twenties. Immediately hooked, I read a bazillion books before deciding to write one of my own. After the birth of my first son I needed something to keep my mind from turning to mush, and Sesame Street wasn’t cutting it. While that first book will never see the light of day, something good came from writing it. I realized my passion, and found a career I love.

When I’m not writing contemporary romances and dark, romantic suspense novels (or reading them!) I’m chasing after my four kids and two neurotic dogs.

You can email me at authorkristinemason@gmail.com, visit my website www.kristinemason.net, or find me on Facebook and Twitter!

LINKS:

FACE BOOK: http://www.facebook.com/kristine.mason.1029
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/KristineMason7
WEBSITE: www.kristinemason.net

A quick reminder!

The huge multi-author rafflecopter contest may be over, however, the blog tour rafflecopter contest is still on! Win an Amazon gift card or free books. All you have to do is drop by our tour hosts’ websites to enter! Click on the pretty picture to the left to find the schedule of events!

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Uniform Desires is starting to fall in the ranking on Amazon. 🙁 We’re still in the hundreds (Thanks so much!), but those double digits were awfully gratifying to see. I hope everyone who planned on getting a copy already has, because we could sure use your support THIS WEEK with sales. And the collection is an awesome deal. Well worth your time. And if you’ve read it, please review it. Tell another reader why they should take the time to purchase and read it. Folks do pay attention to those reviews.

Want to look ahead so you can budget for more books? My release schedule is always a fluid thing. Things pop up I don’t expect, but I think these are pretty firm…

12/3/13 — Texas Surrender   (Ready for Pre-order!) This is a print book, published by Samhain, and it contains four Lone Star Lovers stories! So if you’ve been waiting for the paper version, here it is!

12/??/13— Big Brass Buckle   This one’s a revised re-release of a short story I published a while ago entitled simply “Cowboy.” If you’ve never read my sexy little story, this will be your chance.

12/10/13— Crescent Moon   (Ready for Pre-order!) This story was issued as a serial previously, but now it’s been re-edited and packaged as a novel, both in print and eBook version. If you haven’t read it, it’s kick-ass folks. Even if I do say so myself. Who doesn’t love mummies and demons and heroes with sugar-cane-sweet Cajun voices?

02/25/14— Reined In   Ready for the next Lone Star Lovers book? This sexy cowboy menage is set to hit in February! As soon as I have more details, I’ll be sure to share.

05/06/14 — Her Only Desire  (Ready for Pre-Order!) This will be the next big campaign. A full-length novel published by Forever (Grand Central), set in the Lousiana bayous and featuring a group of black ops guys deep into BDSM. Suspense, mystery, plenty of naughty pleasure. You are going to want this one! Pinkie swear!

5/20/14 — Once is Never Enough (Delta Heat, book #5)  You’ve been waiting for Mondo’s story. And I know it won’t come soon enough, but there’s a date set in stone for ya!

06/10/14 — Cowboy Heat: Western Romance for Women  (Ready for Pre-order!) This is the next Cleis collection of short stories I’ve edited. Plenty of sexy, erotic goodness!

So, that’s the lineup as I see it now. I’m sure there will be little things popping up unexpectedly, little surprises for you, but be sure to mark your calendars and get those pre-orders set so you get the best deal you can.

I’m busy writing, writing, writing. I love hearing from you. Especially those notes that encourage me to write the next book in a series. I do listen and plan accordingly. If you have a hankering from something you don’t see here, let me know. 

New Release! SANTA TO THE RESCUE by Adele Downs

–CONTEST ALERT! — Leave a comment for author Adele Downs and be automatically entered to win a firefighter themed Christmas ornament for the holidays. USA and Canada mailing addresses please. Follow Adele’s blog tour for multiple chances to win. Weekly winners announced on Adele’s blog Saturdays through December. http://adeledowns.wordpress.com

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SANTA TO THE RESCUE firefighter hero Jamey Tucker and heroine Heather Longhurst, a pediatric nurse, mix one of Heather’s favorite adult beverages for their friends during a holiday party. The firefighters from Appleton Fire Station and the nursing staff from County Hospital mingle at Heather’s place. While the guys take their tequila with lime, the women enjoy something on the sweeter side. Here’s the recipe that gave their party that little something extra. Enjoy! Courtesy of Sauza® Tequila. Posted with permission.

Chocolate Vanilla Margarita Sips:

Serves 12

12 parts of Sauza® Blue Tequila
9 parts of Chocolate Liquor
6 parts of Chocolate Sauce or Syrup
2 cups ice

For the Vanilla Whipped Cream:
1 cup of Heavy Whipping Cream
2 tbsp. Powdered Sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract

If you want to get fancy:
Chocolate block (for shaving on top)

To Make:
Beat together the whipping cream, powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Meanwhile, prepare your mini cordial or shot glasses by dipping the lip in 1 tbsp. of chocolate sauce. Combine tequila, chocolate liquor, chocolate sauce and ice in a shaker filled with ice. To serve these mini-sips, spoon 1 tablespoon whipped cream into each glass. Top with 2 parts of chilled chocolate-tequila. Serve immediately and toast to your good health! Salud!

For more Sauza® Tequila recipes, visit http://us.sauzatequila.com/

SANTA TO THE RESCUE by Adele Downs

A sweet contemporary romance novella
From Entangled Publishing

Firefighter Jamey Tucker knows three things in life to be true: An honorable man doesn’t go back on his word, never hurts a woman, and lasting love isn’t a myth. But with his recent move to a new job at the Appleton Fire station, the long hours don’t offer hope of finding the love he’s looking for.

When Jamey meets beautiful pediatric nurse Heather Longhurst after hearing her sing Santa Baby in a supermarket aisle, he offers her a promise he discovers he can’t keep. Heather has been betrayed by men in the past, making it hard for Jamey to gain her trust. Determined to find a way to win her heart, Jamey uses firefighter engine-uity and Heather’s favorite song to prove he’s got Christmas spirit she can believe in all year.

Excerpt:

Jamey Tucker unfastened his helmet, lifted his facemask and tugged off his fire retardant gloves before gulping a half liter of water. He could almost hear the liquid sizzle against his throat, dousing the heat, much like the smoldering embers behind him turned to sodden ash.

He held out the cup to the volunteer rescue worker manning the drinking water. “More.” That simple word was as much as he could manage. After chugging down a refill, moisture returned to his mouth and tongue. He licked his lips and released a satisfied sigh. All he needed was a hot shower and some chow to feel human again. “Thanks, man.”

“No problem. Merry Christmas, Jamey.”

“Yeah. You too.” He stank like a chimney after fighting a fire ‘till dawn. Dumb kids and their vacant warehouse Rave had caused their team hours of grief and gut wrenching work. Luckily, no one died. The last thing on his mind then or now had been Christmas.

Only .99! — Amazon Link

Only .99! — B&N Nook Book Link

About Adele Downs:
Adele Downs writes contemporary romance inside the office of her rural Pennsylvania home. She is a former journalist, published in newspapers and magazines inside the USA, UK, and Caribbean.

Adele is an active member of Romance Writers of America and her local RWA chapter where she serves as past-president. She has written several articles for RWR magazine (Romance Writers Report), the trade journal of Romance Writers of America, and has presented workshops for writers. When she isn’t working on her current project, she can be found riding in her convertible or reading a book on the nearest beach.

Visit Adele Downs at http://adeledowns.wordpress.com
Like Adele Downs on Facebook!
Follow Adele Downs on Twitter!

I’m getting a late start today because I was up until 2 AM. I’m obsessing over Amazon’s ranking of Uniform Desires. Have you seen it? I took a screen shot after midnight:

So before I talk about the blog tour, I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who bought the boxed collection! As always, I hoped for good sales, but this is phenomenal. All of the ladies involved in this project are very, very grateful for your support! If you’d like to help us keep the momentum going, tell a friend, write a review, post something on your Facebook page or blog—every little bit of help you can provide will make a difference.

You already know about the Uniform Desires rafflecopter contest with the huge bundle of prizes we’re all giving away, right? If not, click on the link and head that way. You don’t want to miss out on your chance to win some very cool stuff!

In addition, Book Monster Promotions has organized a blog tour for us. Again, we have prizes, a chance to read sexy excerpts, and we’ll chime in at every stop to answer your questions or comments. Don’t worry if you missed the first day’s stops, you can circle back and comment. The list of stops and their links is below the pretty picture!

Uniform Desires (Make Mine Military) Box Set Book Blast – November 11 – 24

11/11 My Secret Romance Book Reviews
http://www.mysecretromancebookreviews.com/

11/11 Recommended Romance
http://recommendedromance.com

11/11 Shayna Renee’s Spicy Reads
http://shaynareneesspicyreads.com

11/12 Swept Away By Romance
http://www.sweptawaybyromance.com/

11/13 Riverina Romantics
http://riverinaromantics.blogspot.com/

11/13 Where the Night Kind Roam
http://paranormalromancenovel.com/

11/14 Close Encounters with the Night Kind
http://closeencounterswiththenightkind.blogspot.com

11/14 Crazy Four Books
http://crazyfourbooks.blogspot.com

11/15 Book Pages and Dripping Ink
http://bookpagesanddrippingink.blogspot.com

11/16 Mythical Books
http://mythicalbooks.blogspot.ro/

11/17 Snarky Mom Reads…
http://www.snarkymomreads.com

11/18 – Book Monster Reviews
http://www.bookmonsterreviews.com/

11/19 Miscellaneous Thoughts of a Bookaholic
miscellaneousthoughtsofabookaholic.blogspot.com

11/20 For the Love of Bookends
http://loveofbookends.blogspot.com/

11/21 KT Book Reviews
http://ktbookreviews.blogspot.com/

11/21 We Love Kink
http://www.welovekink.com

11/22 Book Lovin’ Mamas
http://booklovinmamas.com

11/22 Celestial Reviews
http://cecesreviews.blogspot.com

11/22 Coffee Talk Writers
http://coffeetalkwriters.com

11/23 Manga Maniac Café
www.mangamaniaccafe.com

11/24 Literal Hotties Naughty Book Reviews
http://literalhottiesnaughtybookreviews.blogspot.com/

11/24 Vampires, Werewolves, & Fairies, Oh My!
http://vampireswerewolvesfairiesohmy.blogspot.com/

Again, big sloppy kisses to all of you who bought the stories! Thanks for the exciting ride!

 Update: The winner of Elle’s swag pack is…Judy Ree!

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SEAL’S Honor by Elle James (also writing as Myla Jackson)

Comment for a chance to win this prize!

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Navy SEALs jeopardize their lives and hearts in a battle-torn land when they vie for the love of one sexy Night Stalker helicopter pilot

Reed Tucker doesn’t believe in commitment, not when you’re a SEAL deployed in dangerous situations that could lead to death or dismemberment. Until he tangles the sheets with one hot pilot, Delaney O’Connell. His phobia against commitment is challenged when his best friend asks Delaney O’Connell to marry him and she doesn’t say no.

As a helicopter pilot for the 160^th Night Stalkers, Delaney O’Connell knows the risks of loving a SEAL. She’s ferried her share of soldiers and frogmen into and out of danger. All she asks is that Tuck own up to his love for her. When he allows his friend to ask her to marry him without staking his own claim, she’s hurt and disappointed. When his friend loses an arm in battle, she can’t refuse his hand in marriage, not when he’s sacrificed so much for his country. In love with one man, about to marry another, she’s torn. Caught in a triangle of his own making, Tuck can’t dishonor his friend by stealing his fiancé. Tuck and Delaney must come to grips with the happiness they owe themselves and the happiness of their friend who has given so much of himself.

Excerpt #1  Tuck lurked in the hallway outside the ladies room, waiting for her to emerge. When Delaney stepped out, he snagged her arm and pulled her into the shadows at the end of the hall and into his tight embrace. At first stiff, as soon as she realized who it was, she semi-melted into him, her body fitting perfectly against his. “Damn it, Tuck, you scared the crap out of me.” She batted his arm and stared up at him, her brow twisted into a tight frown. “You can’t go around grabbing me.” He grinned. “Kiss me.” “No.” “Then I’ll have to kiss you.” “What part of no—” Almost a full foot taller than the petite, perfectly packaged helicopter pilot, Tuck bent to close the distance, sealing her mouth with his and effectively cutting off her argument. Loving the feel of her warm, full lips against his, he clamped his arms around her, lifted her, wrapping her legs around his waist and spun her until her back was against the wall. He deepened the kiss, thrusting his tongue past her teeth, whipping down the length of hers in a long sexy slide. For a full fifteen seconds, she resisted, her hands pressing against his chest. Then her fingers curled into his shirt and she was kissing him back. Not gently, but like she’d gone without food for a week and was hungry for him, her mouth working over his, devouring him. God, she tasted so good, like peaches and rum. Sweet, tangy and devilishly intoxicating. When he broke for air, she leaned her head to the side. “I swore I wouldn’t do this again.” “Why?” Tuck trailed kisses down the line of her exposed neck. Tuck paused at the base of her throat where her pulse thrummed like the patter of machinegun bullets, fast, furious and adrenaline-pumping. He liked it when he made her excited. “Whatever this is between us has to end,” she insisted, even as her thighs tightened around his hips. “Why now?” Tuck slid his hand down her arm, skimming the side of her breast. The nipple beneath her T-shirt puckered temptingly. His cock hardened in response. Where she’d been all hesitant to start something physical with him, in the end, she’d flown at him like she couldn’t get enough of him. He thought once would be enough with Delaney. Once had lasted all night and through not two but three orgasms. She’d come so readily, she had to have been denying herself for a very long time.   Excerpt #2  When she emerged from the shower tent, wearing her flip flops and carrying her boots and uniform, a  shadow slipped up beside her. Before she could throw her boots at him, he slipped an arm around her waist, crushing her back against his front and clamping a hand over her mouth. “Shh. It’s me, Tuck.” He dropped his hand from her mouth and turned her to face him. “Damn it, Tuck. You can’t go around scaring a girl to death all the time.” “You were so deep in thought, I’d have startled you either way. At least this way I get to hold you in my arms for a moment.” He wore a tank top, gym shorts and tennis shoes. “How’d you find me?” “I pulled a few strings.” He bent to sweep her lips with his. “Are you mad?” “I don’t want anyone getting the idea we’re fraternizing.” He eased her into the deeper shadows between a tent and a Quonset hut made of sturdy metal. “How’s this?” She raised her arms, pressed her body into his, her damp towel, T-shirt and flight suit dangling down his back. “Better.” All he had to do was part her robe and… Tuck slid his hand up the back of her thigh and beneath the edge of her robe, cupping her naked bottom. She’d gone to the shower with only her robe and what she’d been wearing, so flustered by her talk with Lindsay, she’d forgotten clean underwear and her pajamas. Now she was glad she had. Excerpt #3 His chest tightened and before long, he had a hard time regulating his breathing. Finally, he slowed, turned and ran the opposite direction. He’d jog in the heat of the day rather than watch Ringer woo his girl. Instead, he ran sprints near the volleyball nets until he couldn’t stand it a moment longer. After a while, he walked back toward his quarters, the long way. The path that would take him back by Delaney’s tent. When he realized what he was doing, he almost turned around and headed back for more sprints. Until he saw Delaney step out of the shower tent wearing clean shorts, a T-shirt and carrying her robe, towel and toiletries in hand. That robe was the clincher. Tuck’s groin tightened on sight at how beautiful she’d been wearing it last night in the moonlight. And how naked, soft, warm and wet she’d been beneath. He sped up, determined to catch her. What he’d say when he did, he didn’t know. Tuck only knew he had to say something. This deal with Ringer was eating at him and somehow it had to stop. Before he reached her, Ringer jumped out from another path, carrying a giant  teddy bear with a big red bow tied around its neck. Delaney ground to a halt and laughed. Tuck’s gut knotted at the sound. Even her laugh was sexy. Damn. She accepted the teddy bear, hugging it close and burying her nose in the soft fake fur. Where in hell had Ringer gotten a teddy bear in the desert? Wherever he’d acquired it, Delaney was enjoying it more than Tuck liked. She leaned around the bear in her arms her lips puckered, aiming for Ringer’s cheek. Ringer turned at the last second and her kiss meant for his cheek landed square on his lips. The asshole grinned, captured Delaney’s cheeks between his palms and kissed her again. “I knew you’d taste that sweet. And that’s just the beginning.” Tuck’s fists balled and he lunged forward. Before he’d taken two steps, Delaney was shaking her head. “Cory, I don’t—” Ringer pressed a finger to her lips. “Don’t decide anything. I’m not done yet. Be watching.” Ringer left before Delaney could complete her sentence. Damn. Surely she’d been about to tell him to take a hike. After kissing her like that, she should have slapped him. Unless… Tuck stopped still in his tracks. Was it possible she could fall for Ringer? After last night? Delaney stared down at the bear. “I can’t take you to the shower.” She turned toward her tent, her gaze finding Tuck standing like a lunk in the middle of the path. Her smile immediately turned downward on the corners. She marched toward the tent, passing him with barely a glance. “What are you doing here, Tuck?” “You kissed him.” “So?” She stopped in the doorway. “Why did you let him kiss  you again?” “Why does it matter to you?” She hugged the bear closer, like a shield between her and him. Tuck wanted to rip the damned bear from her arms and tear it to shreds. “You don’t love him.” “I could learn to love him. At least he cares enough about me to share his feelings.” “Is that what you want?” He gripped her arms, the fuzz of the bear’s fake fur burning against his skin. “You want me to share my feelings? I’ll share. I’m pissed as hell.” “I don’t see why?” “You know damn well why.” “I know that you aren’t into commitment. I know from your track record that you’ve pushed away every women you’ve ever let closer than a one night stand. ” “I didn’t care about them.” “And you care about me?” “Yes.” “Enough to say three simple words?” “What words?” “Oh, forget it. We have nothing left to say. I’m done.” She ducked into her tent and closed the door behind her. “We’re not done until I say we’re done,” Tuck practically shouted, making the group of soldiers in uniform passing by at that moment turn and stare. “What are you looking at?” “Man, you need to turn down the volume. Some people are still asleep,” a staff sergeant said. Tuck wanted to tell the staff sergeant to shove it, but thought better of it. He outranked him and therefore had to set the example. And he wasn’t doing a good job of it. Which made him even madder. About the Author ELLE JAMES also writing as MYLA JACKSON is an award-winning author of stories including cowboys, intrigues and paranormal adventures that keep her readers on the edges of their seats. With over seventy stories in a variety of sub-genres and lengths she’s published with Harlequin, Samhain, Elloras’ Cave, Kensington, Cleis Press, and Avon. When she’s not at her computer, she’s traveling, out snow-skiing, boating, or riding her ATV, dreaming up new stories. Learn more about Elle James at www.ellejames.com Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Newsletter Or visit her alter-ego Myla Jackson at mylajackson.com Website| Blog | Facebook| Twitter | Newsletter

Yes, tomorrow’s the official release date of Uniform Desires, but I think you already know what a great deal it is and about the huge contest the authors are running! So ’nuff said, right?

This post will be quick, because I have words to commit to the page. At the moment, I am flying through Mondo’s story in the Delta Heat series. So far, so good. He’s found the perfect girl—someone dying for his brand of kink—an unschooled subbie ready to be molded if he can teach her the joys of actually submitting heart and soul…

What is the worst first impression you’ve ever made? It could be something that happened in a job interview, a first date, anything. Have fun!