Today’s round of snippets is all about the bad boys. They’re sexy as sin and know it. They wade into danger with a flare. They tempt good girls into doing very naughty things. My favorite bad boy is Quentin. In this scene the heroine meets him, up close and personal. Enjoy!

Post a comment today, and you’ll be entered in a drawing for a free download of any of my backlisted Ellora’s Cave books!

“…congratulations to Ms. Devlin for creating a masterpiece. This story has all the elements that a Gold Star book has in it. The novel has intense suspense that was thrilling and delightful…”
~Gold Star Award, Susan Holly, JERR

“… LOVE BITES is a delicious, emotional romp of a story, a tale that builds powerfully on the old, often-used love triangle and succeeds beautifully in creating something new and exciting.”
~Ann Leveille, Sensual Romance

On the trail of a serial killer, vampire Quentin Albermarle is mistaken for the killer by a police special task force. Once the smoke clears, Quentin finds himself in a delicious position-atop one of the unit’s crack officers, Darcy Henry.

In need of Quentin’s access to the vampire sub-culture, the task force leadership invites Quentin to join the crime unit as a special advisor, much to the chagrin of the men in the unit, and especially, of Darcy.

A no-nonsense cop with no time for romance, Darcy suddenly finds herself embroiled in a steamy love triangle between her mortal partner, Joe, and the handsome vampire. Going from abstinence to wantonness, she is unable to resist the two men’s relentless seduction or her own sensual curiosity about a vampire’s special “kiss”.

When the real killer threatens the life of someone close to her, Darcy makes a choice that forever binds the three of them together.

“He’s coming in. Get ready,” Joe’s voice jerked Darcy Henry to wakefulness.

Berating herself for dozing off during a stakeout, she fumbled for the switch on her night vision goggles. Instantly, the landscape before her was awash in shades of luminescent green. She scanned the water’s edge. The crests of the ebbing tides rolled onto the beach, unbroken by any sign of “Bat-boy.” Had she already missed her opportunity?

“Where do you see him?” she whispered into the mike on her headset, glad the roar of the incoming surf masked their voices.

“Ten o’clock. Get cocked.”

She reached for her crossbow and drew back the linen cord with both hands and latched it in the spring clip. Then she slid a steel-tipped arrow onto the track. Sighting down the shaft of the arrow, she braced the bow in her left palm and dug her elbow into the sand. With the stock snug against her shoulder, her right forefinger slid around the trigger and she turned her sights back to the water’s edge—just in time to see a tall figure stride out of the surf.

He fit the description of the new vamp in town she’d purchased from the barman at the “blood bank.” Only the barman hadn’t filled in all the details. Darcy stiffened against her body’s sudden surge of attraction and firmly reminded herself the vamp’s body was like any other man’s. Yeah, right.

Her gaze flickered over him, inventorying his characteristics—for her After Action Report. Broad-shouldered, leanly muscled, just over six feet tall. Blond, she could tell, despite the fact his hair was plastered to his head. Handsome, too. With broad prominent cheekbones, a longish straight nose, and lips that appeared permanently curved in a smirk.

Unable to resist the temptation, she adjusted the lenses of her goggles to zoom, and her gaze slipped lower. His package was as fine arriving as his ass had been going into the water. His long, uncircumcised cock dangled between his legs. Something not mentioned in the barman’s description—and definitely not something that would make it into her AAR.

“Cease!” Joe said, impatience clipping his words. “A civilian’s in your line of sight.”

Darcy lowered the bow, cursing under her breath. “Where? And how the hell did we miss that?” she whispered angrily.

“She had to have been here when we arrived,” Joe replied. “If I hadn’t seen her hand rise above the dune…” Read the rest of this entry »

So, one of the questions I, and I’m sure every author out there gets asked, is where we get our ideas from. My answer is usually “how do you make the ideas stop?” but for my latest release, Aries Revealed, there were a few specific triggers. I’ve already mentioned on the blog tour (redzworld stop) that the film Soldier with Kurt Russell laid a major seed for the Zodiac series (and, as it happens, the species idea for the Sargosians from Taming the Wildcat) but Soldier just laid the seed. It wasn’t until a friend showed me this image from Magic Mike (of course, I didn’t have a clue what it was at the time)

So, after I stopped drooling on the keyboard (this friend has a habit of sending me images like this just to see me stop what I’m doing and drool. Her favourite subjects are Alex Pettyfer and Jensen Ackles *whimpers* Both of which I am extremely susceptible to, and ceases word production immediately) I started to think about strippers in a sensible, writerly type of way. Okay, okay…AFTER I got over thinking about Channing Tatum and Alex Pettyfer taking their clothes off, I started thinking about things sensibly and just how I could use a stripper character in my cyborg series. I love convoluted storylines and new angles on things so it got me to thinking what if the stripper with the cyborg act really was a cyborg? He’s pretending to play a human who plays a cyborg? The idea was just too much fun NOT to write and thus, Aries Revealed was born!

I would like to point out that there was a second image sent to me shortly after the first, but this one just shorted out my brain so I can’t really claim it helped with the creation of Aries any. But it provided a good hours viewing pleasure 😉

So, now I’ve gone around the houses and up the garden path, let me leave you with some info on the story our lovely lads from Magic Mike inspired!

Sometimes the best place to hide, is in plain sight…

Johnny makes a living on the strip circuits. His most popular routine? The Aries 7000. Bronzed and oiled, he pretends to be the scourge of the universe, one of the deadly and outlawed zodiac cyborgs. But Johnny isn’t really a stripper playing a cyborg. He’s a cyborg playing a stripper.

Milly, a freighter captain, has had a thing for the sexy stripper for months. But when Johnny, the subject of many of her hottest fantasies, asks her out to dinner, she runs. All is not lost, however; a chance encounter yields an Aries 7000 sexbot, hers for a weekend of pleasure.

It seems too good to be true. Sex with the man of her dreams without risking her heart. But Milly’s bot has some secrets…secrets that could save her life when the past returns to haunt her.

Available from: Ellora’s Cave | Amazon | Amazon UK | ARe

* * *Mina Carter was born and raised in Middle Earth (otherwise known as the Midlands, England). After a slew of careers ranging from logistics to land-surveying she can now be found in the wilds of Leicestershire with her husband and young daughter…the true boss of the family.

Suffering the curse of eternal curiosity Mina never tires of learning new skills which has led to Aromatherapy, Corsetry, Chain-maille making, Welding, Canoeing, Shooting, and pole-dancing to name but a few.

A full time author and cover artist, Mina can usually be found hunched over a keyboard or graphics tablet, frantically trying to get the images and words in her head out and onto the screen before they drive her mad. She’s addicted to coffee and Nutella on toast.

Where to find Mina…

Twitter
Facebook

Don’t worry if you try to click on the widget below and it doesn’t work. If you click on the picture, you can head over to where it really does! I posted the picture so you’d know about tonight! I’ll be the live guest at Lette’s Chat, an online radio talk show, at 8 PM ET. You’re welcome to call in questions, but if you miss the chat, I’ll post a link on my site so you can listen in and hear what happened! 🙂

Is there anything you’d like me to work into the conversation? Something you’re dying to know?

[Sorry–photos removed!]

To check the names of the three winners from yesterday’s blogfest,
see the top of yesterday’s blog! ~DD

Thanks so much to Delilah for inviting me on her blog today. My name is Jennifer Bernard and I’m a fireman-a-holic. I know I can’t be the only one who drools over those smoking hot guys in (and out of) their strangely sexy turnout gear.  I mean …

That would be enough to get my blood sizzling, but what about their heroism? Their willingness to risk their lives? Their involvement in community events? Their kindness to old ladies whose cats are stuck in trees? I could go on, but I’ll spare you.

Luckily, I’ve found ways to cope with my little problem.  First, I wrote some books. THE FIREMAN WHO LOVED ME and HOT FOR FIREMAN are out now, and a third book, SEX AND THE SINGLE FIREMAN, is coming in January 2013. They’re part of the BACHELOR FIREMEN series, which takes place in a California firehouse filled with sexy, single firemen.

It takes a long time to write and edit a book, not to mention research it. My research involves countless calls and emails to a kind fireman I happen to know. Tough life, I know. If you add together all that time, it’s hours and weeks and months spent in the company of my fictional fireman hotties.

Then comes the promotion. What better way to promote books about firemen than spending hours on the internet hunting for sexy photos? Every Friday on my Facebook page is Fireman Friday – it’s even a hashtag on Twitter. It’s my job, my duty, to find new and awesome photos to post. I’d be letting down my Facebook friends if I forgot. Not that I’m likely to. I mean …

I get to do some promotion in real life too. I’ve visited the real San Gabriel firehouse, given books to the firefighters at my “fire consultant’s” station, and eaten dinner with the guys there. Read the rest of this entry »

The winner, on this blog, of the free download of any of my backlisted Samhain books (other than Fournicopia, is…Stacie D! To find out who won on the other two sites, check the comments at those blogs! ~DD

I’m two places today! Catch me at my sister’s site, MylaJackson.com, where I’m talking about why I love my job. And if you post a comment there AND here today, you are entered in a drawing to win a download of any of my Samhain titles (except today’s release!). Can’t wait to chat! ~DD

CORRECTION: I’m THREE places today! Check out Cecile Smutty Hussy’s Place for yet another chance to win! There, I’m talking about writing BDSM!

Both of these books are available today! Click on the covers and read a sexy excerpt, then click on those Buy Links! And if you’d love to help an author out, select the Amazon.com links and click on those “Like” and “tag” buttons. It would be greatly appreciated! Enjoy my naughty stories…

[Sorry—photos removed!]

Twice the treats! Today, you get Indie sensation Sharon Hamilton dishing out a delicious excerpt below—can’t get enough SEALs, can you? Then AFTER you’ve posted a comment here (remember the pendant contest!), head on over to Lissa Matthews’ website, where I’m her guest and giving away and stuff there too!

GIMME A HOT MAN IN A UNIFORM (OR OUT OF ONE!)

Navy SEALs have gotten a lot of press lately, and while most of this is well deserved, SEALs themselves shy away from such publicity. And perhaps that’s why we love them. They live in this super secret community of elite warriors, keeping only to themselves and their families and ducking the limelight. Part of this is because of the nature of their work. And part of this is because of who they are and how they are trained.

How can we not fall for a guy who is so physically well developed, capable of doing so many impossible things, but yet doesn’t have to boast to the whole world about it? Those strong silent types. Still waters run deep. Very deep. Just the way we like it.

We love them because they are take charge. But boy, don’t we love to see them brought to their knees by that heroine? They know everything about blowing things up and doing a high level extraction, but fall hard for a woman without scaring them off? That is a different story. I like to write them so they are way outside their comfort zone. Make them squirm. Yes, I admit it. I like to torture them.

My fictional hero in Accidental SEAL, Kyle Lansdowne, has come back from Afghanistan with a stronger desire to set down roots and perhaps find something more satisfying than the string of one-night stands he is accustomed to. But he is really not prepared for how fast the he will land right in the middle of a hot romance with Christy. Although their stormy first encounter is by accident, he soon learns she is something he wants, on purpose.

Christy Nelson embarks on her new career in Real Estate by holding her first open house. Entering the wrong house, by accident, she finds the nude sleeping body of a young man.

Navy SEAL Kyle Lansdowne, on a mission to find his AWOL Team buddy, is staying at his buddy’s home while investigating the disappearance.  When someone breaks in, he takes protective measures. He doesn’t expect to find that a beautiful young woman is responsible for his teammate’s abduction.

What starts out as a meeting by accident becomes a hot affair neither one is ready for. Kyle is conflicted about getting Christy involved in his mission, but his hand is forced when he learns the same San Diego gang responsible for his teammate’s abduction has kidnapped her.

Battling a cadre of dirty law enforcements hell-bent on getting military equipment, especially state-of-the-art firepower, Kyle is forced to admit that he would be willing to die to protect her.

This excerpt happens after lunch when Kyle asks Christy to help him find a place to buy. Christy is in the process of showing him a model home in her condo complex…

“Some of these places went for close to a million dollars when they first came up for resale,” Christy said as she let them inside the furnished model with her passkey. “My mother was one of the first to buy. She got in under a special housing density program.” They both stepped into a beautifully staged great room and kitchen. Through tall picture windows, the bay gleamed as if covered with shattered glass. Kyle opened the sliding glass door and stepped onto the balcony.

“Nice place. Doubt I could afford it.” He turned, resting his back against the black iron railing, his bulging package prominent. He cocked his head, removed his sunglasses and asked, “How much?”

“This one’s five sixty. But we could make them an offer. It’s owned by the bank. If you have some sort of down payment, this could be financed VA.”

“Not sure I have enough.” He walked past her and waited by the slider opening.

“Want to see the rest of the place? It has a nice big bedroom.” Read the rest of this entry »

Yesterday’s winners (I decided to choose 2) are named at the bottom of this post!

I’m a blog-hoppin’ babe!

I’m going to be doing some blog hops in the coming weeks to celebrate the releases of three books: Fournicopia, She Shifters, and Cowboy Lust! Be sure to stay tuned to this blog, my Facebook page and Twitter, for news about where I’ll be.

Today, I’m at Fictional Candy. Be sure to drop by to enter to win a free book. I’m talking about titles. And you know I have fun with those!

Live radio chat this week!

Yeah, I’m doing a live web/radio chat on Thursday. And I’d love for you to tune in, and if you’d like, phone in questions. Ask me anything. I can plead the 5th if I think my answer will get me into trouble. 🙂

Here’s the link so you can learn more: BlogTalkRadio

Two books releasing this week!

Both books release, officially, on Tuesday, July 10th, although She Shifters is already shipping from Amazon!

Click on the covers to read an excerpt or for “buy” information! And if you happen to head to Amazon to take a peek, please “like” and “tag” the books. If you’re amenable to posting a review, I’d be forever grateful too!

The Pretty Pendant Contest continues!

Don’t forget! Every comment on this blog until July 17th counts as an entry in the contest. Two luck winners will get a pendant! Check here for details: The Pretty Pendant Contest

* * * * *

Sunday Report Card

This week has been stone-cold crazy!

* I wrapped up all the editing for the short stories I included in my draft of Smokin’ Hot Firemen for Cleis Press. And no, I can’t tell you which stories made my first cut, because Cleis gets the final approval. There were soooo many great stories I had to leave out due to word count issues. I also wrote my short for the collection, “Johnny Blaze.” It took me months to come up with an idea, but between all the hoopla over the Magic Mike film and my own daughter insisting I should tell the story of her 18th birthday party at a male strip club, I created the perfect tease of a story.

* I finished the final draft of Laying Down the Law—my next Western for Samhain—and shipped it to my editor! It’s the first of a trilogy of TripleHorn Ranch stories, has a very exciting suspense plot, and no, sorry pervs, not a ménage.

And now, I’ve moved on to the next big book. A sexy BDSM novel set in southern Louisiana. I have the rough of the first chapter complete. This week, I’ll be adding pages to that WIP (Work-in-Progress), and maybe playing with a short story, as well as tackling deep edits for a book my sister and I co-wrote that we’ll publish with Samhain. Have a taste for wealthy Texans and romantic comedy? Well, you’ll just have to wait.

And that’s all folks. I’m housesitting for my daughter while her family’s in DC. Other than taking care of her 4 dogs and 4 cats, I’m treating this time like a retreat—nothing by writing. Be thinking of me, my stubby fingers curled over the typewriter…

Have a great week! ~DD

Yesterday’s winners can choose any one of my Lone Star Lovers books.
Congratulations, Kathleen Charles and Aniya!