Clare O’Beara! Congratulations, Clare. Sometime today, You’ll receive an E-Gift Certificate from Barnes and Noble. Thank you, Clare, for being a follower of Wild and Wicked!
Another certificate will be given away at the end of May! Each comment left on a blog post gives you another chance at the monthly prize. Thank you, and good luck!
That’s me in a couple of months. I’ll be going west. To Texas. To San Antonio, more specifically.
My husband is receiving an award from the company he works for and the ceremony for him and about 700 other people he’s never met will be held in San Antonio.
I’ve been to Texas. To one of the airports in Houston. I got off the plane, had to sprint to the other end of the airport and board the connecting flight that would take me to Denver. But, I’ve always wanted to go to Texas. I’ve heard a number of people complain about the heat, the humidity, but I’m from Florida…105 degree temps, 100% humidity. And that was near the ocean. The fish got sunburned just swimming in shallow water. However, this trip to Texas takes place in June, roughly 10 days after I return from Cincinnati and Lori Foster’s Reader/Author Get Together.
I’m excited. I’ve heard so much about San Antonio and honestly can’t wait to see it. Our free time is limited as the company has a lot of stuff planned out already. My only real free time to do anything is from Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon. 24 hours.
I need to research the River Walk area, completely. I’ll be the tourist with her camera snapping shots of everything. I’ll be wandering the downtown area. Again, snapping pictures. See, that 24 hour period is a research trip for me. I have a new series set in San Antonio and I love first hand knowledge.
There are several areas and states in the US that I want to visit that in all my 42 years I haven’t. The New England states. Washington, D.C., the Pacific Northwest, Montana, Chicago, Alaska, Wyoming. I want to go back to Denver, back to Philadelphia. I’ve been to Southern California, and once was enough.
I’m a homebody. I like my South. I like my mountains and my oceans and these areas I know like the back of my hand, some of them with my eyes closed. But I also want to venture out and see other parts of the country and this trip to Texas is allowing me the chance to do that for several days.
So, if you’ve ever been to San Antonio, tell me what I should make sure not to miss. I’m not concerned about Sea World or Six Flags. I want real food, real places. If you’ve never been to Texas, or San Antonio, where would you like to go? Doesn’t have to be Texas. It can be anywhere. Where would you like to go? What city or state intrigues you?
I also want to throw in that I have a new release today from Ellora’s Cave, Trouble In The Making. It’s not cowboy related at all which is why it’s here at the end, but rather rock star and friends to lovers.
Johnny Trouble. He’s a commanding presence in leather and tattoos, both on stage and off. He’s had more than his fair share of groupies and lovers, but it’s time for a change and he reconnects with the one woman whose memory has driven him crazy since high school. Liz.
She’s a quiet, shy romance author who likes her comfort zones. But when Johnny comes back into her life after years of living in the spotlight, Liz’s private fantasies shift into overdrive and she nervously asks him to fulfill them.
Just one weekend is all she proposes, but the sparks flying between them when Johnny touches her aren’t temporary. She’s the particular brand of trouble he wants in his bed, bent over, or crawling all over him. Forever.
He just has to convince her by any means necessary…
For more information, an excerpt, and buy links, please visit my Website or Ellora’s Cave.
~lissa
Hi, everyone. I’m at home recovering from a root canal but I’d rather be at conference. @_@ I hadn’t intended to talk about the sequel to River’s Edge yet, but the cover arrived last night, I’m muzzy-headed from drugs (yuck) can’t write, or even think, really. So… behold–my cover for Outrageous Pride.
Blurb:
Tali Fitzwilliam doesn’t know she’s the love child of a Texas rancher until he dies. Her father’s legitimate heirs want the land and money he’s willed her, and to get it, they attack her reputation with vengeance. Her only options are to give up what is rightfully hers or marry to gain protection.
As the drought around Isaca takes its toll, Irish immigrant and bare-knuckle boxer, Kellan “Pride” Lonigan is building an empire by buying up land before it goes to auction. He sees opportunity in Miss Fitzwilliam’s dilemma. She’s refined, beautiful, and chaste; three things a rough brawler can only dream of when he takes a wife.
Though she barely knows the Irishman who’s come to town, desperation has Tali considering the former boxer’s proposal. Before she can accept or decline, lurid rumors about her begin to circulate, provoking Tali to make her own outrageous suggestion to the man who’s offered her respectability at his side.
Excerpt:
This will prove nothing, Mr. Lonigan,” Jeb Carter’s widow hissed. “I’m here to observe this farce and establish forever that Natalie Fitzwilliam is a whoring slut just as her mother was. The two of you suit just fine, trash calling to trash.”
“Get the screeching cailleach out of here,” Kell snarled.
“No, please, just finish this,” Tali whispered, no longer sure that her idea had been a good one now that she lay with her skirts rolled up to her waist. As soon as her peach colored drawers were removed, her naked lower region would be on view.
Kell was grim-faced and stern so after the first look at him, she closed her eyes. If she hadn’t been so scared, she’d have been mortified.
This will be over in no time. It’s nothing. I’ll just pretend I’m doing something else. That didn’t help a bit when she heard the rustle of skirts as the ladies moved around the cot to get a better view. Calloused hands remove her pantalettes and Tali recognized Kell’s unmistakable touch.
I will never live this embarrassment down. The cot sagged under her and then he was there, pushing her legs apart.
“Tali, look at me,” Kell said gruffly.
“No,” she whispered. She was shaking so hard the bed moved from the force of her tremors.
He leaned over and brushed his lips across hers, his message hushed and intimate as he said, “It’ll be fine, love. I’ll try not to hurt ye.”
Talia’s eyes popped open at his words. It was all for show of course. She wasn’t his love and he had no real affection for her. But she knew many of the women who’d volunteered to be observers and she was grateful for his pretense.
“They’ll be no chicanery here, Pride Lonigan. I know you think you’re going to spill your own blood somehow to make it seem she’s virgin. I demand that you either show what you’ve got in your pockets or take off your pants.” As the women watched, Celia Carter grabbed Kell, which, given his state of mind, was a mistake.
“I canna smack the lying smirk from yer face, but if ye donna take yer hand off me arm, I’ll put ye on yer arse.”
“Don’t threaten me, you Irish lout.” But Celia dropped her hand and stepped back.
Since Tali’s lower extremities were bare with nothing between her and the women’s stares, she drew a deep breath and ordered him, “Don’t you dare hold back now, Kell Lonigan.”
Without a word, he dropped his pants and climbed back on the bed, again situating himself between her legs.
“Oh, me lovely colleen, ‘tis a fine gift ye bring yer husband today,” he mumured in his lilting Irish brogue before he covered her mouth with his. Distracted though she was by his kiss, she still felt the head of his shaft part the lips of her cleft and brush across the opening of her channel.
He ended the kiss and sat back on his heels so the ladies could see what he was about to do. Tali leaned up on her elbows and looked too. The heart of her womanhood was as dry as her mouth when he rubbed his manhood in the soft folds of her sex. She’d never envisioned her first time being this way.
“Natalie Lonigan, I’ll be making you my wife now.” Talia felt a shiver of awareness as Kell spoke grim words for her ears only and held her gaze as if trying to reassure her. It had the opposite effect. Her flesh chilled and her breath stopped in her chest. She looked at the stranger kneeling over her and then in panic at the women gazing down at them.
Somebody stop this right now. The women’s avid stares announced clearly they were not going to interrupt the proceedings. Celia Carter’s eyes glittered with malice.
“Tali.” Kell cupped her chin, angling her head so that she stared into his eyes. Below, the tip of his shaft nudged and stretched what had never been touched before. She gasped when he pushed harder, breaching her flesh.
He stopped; his expression was almost sorrowful. He stared down at her with his manhood half lodged in her narrow opening and witnesses waiting to testify for or against her purity. It was obviously up to Tali to take charge.
“Now,” she demanded and thrust her hips upward, propelling his thick member through the veil of her innocence.
It was awful. It felt as though the walls of her channel were being scraped with sandpaper. Kell took back control, tilted her for better access, and plunged to her core. Her vow to be silent forgotten, Tali’s scream echoed around the room.
“What the hell’s he doing to her?” she heard someone on the outside of their enclosure say.
Kell shielded the view of her body from the others as he cradled her face in his hands.
“The likes of such loving will be but once, my sweet, sweet Tali.” His gaze held hers as he declared, “I’ll not hurt ye again.”
Their flesh remained joined and their first marital discord witnessed.
“Don’t promise to be a saint when you’re closer to a devil, Kell Lonigan,” she told him. “You’ll hurt me a thousand times more and you know it.”
“Aye, I expect ye have the right of it, Mrs. Lonigan. I’m glad to see ye’ve got yer sass back,” he murmured.
Tali watched his eyes crinkle at the corners in an almost smile and then he hugged her close for a moment before he began the process of withdrawing. It hurt worse. Pain ratcheted through her, necessitating that she bite her lip to keep from crying out again. She could feel a trickle of wet sliding down her cheek and prayed it was sweat and not tears. She would not weep like a child in front of these people.
Kell held her gaze as he withdrew. Then he stood and faced the women with the red of Talia’s innocence displayed on his still engorged cock.
How many of y’all like to go to conferences?
The reason I ask is it’s coming into conference season and there are a ton of them out there. Romantic Times Convention is a biggie going on starting tomorrow I believe and running through 5/6.
I went to this one back in 2009. I had a great time, but it’s a huge conference and you feel kind of lost in the crowd. As an author, most of the time I felt like I didn’t count because it was so geared toward the NY publishing houses and the big authors like Nora Roberts, J.R. Ward and others. They say they try to help the small epress published authors, but I don’t think they do.
It’s hard to know which one conferences to go to. I’m scheduled to be at several this year including Lori Foster’s RAGT, Romfest in Gatlinburg, Obsessed Chicks BBQ in NYC, AAD in Savannah, Romance Novel Convention in Las Vegas, Moonlight and Magnolia’s in Atlanta and Southern Magic Luncheon in Birmingham AL in November. Wow!
I do hope to see many of you there! I’ll have books and goodies! I know goodies always make conferences better.
As for the cowboys, I’m working on the second in my Cowboy Dreamin’ series. It’s called The Heart of a Cowboy and it’s the oldest brothers story. He’s been burned badly, but I’m hoping he’ll pull his head out soon otherwise he might just lose the girl. 
The first in the series Make Mine a Cowboy will be out soon. I hope to have a cover to show off in the coming weeks! Stay tuned!
So question, do you like going to conferences and seeing your favorite authors?
~ Sandy
CONGRATS TO randomly choosen commenter…phyllislm52! I’ve contacted you with info. 
Hi All!
No, I’m not giving away an actual cowboy. At least not today…
I’ve been scrambling to get ready for the RT Convention next week, which will be in Kansas City. (And yes, I spent an hour last night on the internet making sure I bought my plane ticket to Kansas City, MO, and not Kansas City, Kansas.) Good news. I bought the right ticket.
If you’re not travelling, I’d like to offer a giveaway here for an Against the Wall mug and spiral notebook. All you have to do is leave a comment below and let me know what you like about cowboys. Or travelling. Or summer.
So, if you’re in Kansas City, there are a couple of fun things going on. First, I’m part of a scavenger hunt where readers will get a sheet, find all of the authors, and then be entered into winning the prizes below.
I’m also going to have fun giveaways for readers who find me after I tweet as part of the Entangled Scavenger Hunt!
To enter to win in the Scavenger Hunt, you’ll need to pick up a game form at our table in Promo Alley or during the Entangled Spotlight and then find all 23 of us so we can affix a special sticker to the game form.
You’ll know who’s participating because our book covers are on the form – and we’ll all be wearing one of our stickers on our nametags to help you pick us out. You’ll want to find author Christine Bell last, because she’s the keeper of the grand prizes – and the first 3 people to show her they’ve gotten all 23 authors’ stickers will win BIG! (Keep an eye on the #EntangledHunt hashtag during the convention for more details!)
PRIZES!
1st Prize: $300 Amazon/BN/Kobo/any e-book retailer gift card. Can be used for anything the winner would like, including an e-reader, tablet, books and more.
2nd Prize: A Kindle Fire & e-books from all the participating authors. Kindle will be given to the winner at RT. Winner will provide an email address so that each author can gift a copy of their e-book via Amazon to them (See all the books included on the back of this flyer).
3rd Prize: $50 Gift Card from e-book seller of winner’s choice.
Spot Giveaways: In addition to the above prizes, each of the 23 participating authors will be doing two spot giveaways during RT. Follow our hashtag on Twitter (#EntangledHunt) as each day, more than a dozen authors will tweet their location at the conference and a directive. Find the author first and follow their directive and YOU WIN! Prizes range from signed book copies, to handmade personalized gifts, from gift cards to fun-filled baskets and more.
I NEED A HERO – CONTEST
Remember this? I sing it all the time. It’s my mantra!
I am self-sufficient. I make my own living. I don’t mind being by myself and sleeping in a quiet, lonely house. I’m not afraid of the dark. But sometimes, I get tired of fighting all my own battles.
I need a champion.
When my world turns upside down and the storms of life threaten to push me beneath the waves, I long for someone big and strong to step in front of me and block the savage winds of trouble and sorrow.
I need a hero.
This hunger for someone to sweep into my life and right the wrongs, kill the dragons and lift me up on the back of his white charger is just a dream – it’s not going to happen. Alas!
That’s why I write.
Really, I lie in the bed and fantasize about a man who is unafraid to get in the face of villains, who thinks I am the most wonderful person in the world and will whip the crap out of anyone who says differently. My hero wouldn’t have to be convinced of my worth, he’d recognize my value and place me on a pedestal that I would willingly share with him.
I’m still waiting. Ha!
I love to write about heroes. I bet you think that, like Willie, my ‘heroes have always been cowboys’, but that’s not true. My very first hero was animated; it was ‘MIGHTY MOUSE’! I found him on nickelodeon and fell in love. That mouse had upper body strength that just wouldn’t quit. After Mighty Mouse lost favor in my eyes, along came Sonny Crocket, or should I say Don Johnson. My goodness! What that made did for a white suit! He looked divine in that suit over a t-shirt and no socks! Plus he had a pet alligator named Elvis that I remembered when I created toothless Amos Moses for Beau and Harley.
About the time I was in high school, I discovered a fictional character in a series of novels by Clive Cussler. His name was Dirk Pitt. Matthew McConaughey played his character in Sahara, but I was in love with the man before Matt came into the picture. He was a cross between MacGyver, James Bond and Indiana Jones – he was everywhere, doing everything and totally sexy at every turn. I inhaled the books.
Jess has always been into superheroes – Superman, Batman, Iron Man – you name it. He spent the first ten years of his life with a towel pinned to his shoulders jumping off the couch and the porch. So, heroes have been a major part of the fabric of our lives. From the pages of books and the hours in front of the television, my idea of what a hero should be like was formed. J. R. Ewing, Magnum P. I., Clint Eastwood, even the Beast from The Beauty and the Beast with Linda Hamilton and Ron Perlman – and yes, Elvis Presley – all were different – all were larger than life – and all were heroes.
These men influenced me to create Aron McCoy, Ky Landon, Eric McAlister, Beau LeBlanc and Patrick O’Rourke – to name just a few of my many guys. So, now I have some questions for you. I want to give away three copies of mine and Jess’s new book – FOR A HERO. So, I want to know what you think about a few things.
You can answer one or all of the questions and Jess will pick three random winners.
1 – Who is your favorite superhero and why?
2 – You know I’ve done everything from Texas Rangers, to Marines, to sex therapists. What type of a hero or a situation for a hero would you have me write about next?
3 – What are the three most important characteristics of a hero? Is it his sex appeal? His strength? His kindness? His sense of humor? Inform me of what it takes to put a man in the hero category for you.
Here is an excerpt from FOR A HERO and the cover and the buylink – just for fun. Thanks for reading.
Excerpt –
“Dammit!” After pacing her floor for hours the next day without a word from David, she remembered. They still hadn’t exchanged numbers. That had to be it, right? Surely he wasn’t hurt. He fought fires all the time. Everyone called him a hero. And he definitely had a great time with her last night, didn’t he? He had seen her breasts after all, and she had great breasts she assured herself. He must be dying to see her again. ‘Oh, well I guess it’s up to me to go see him this time.’
He was the fire chief, so he would be at the fire department. ‘I will pay him a visit with something special. THAT will ensure a third date.’ Jenna looked around her house. She wanted to cook him something, but what? What did men like? What do big, burly, gorgeous, sexy, heroic firemen like? Meat! Jenna rushed to her fridge and freezer and peered in. Alas, she had just moved in days before and wasn’t even that big a fan of meat. It looked like the ASPCA’s dream. Not even a whisper of an animal in that freezer.
What does she have? ‘Hmm, I have milk, flour, eggs, chocolate. . . that’s it! I’ll make him cookies! Men love cookies! David seems like a chocolate lover.’ Jenna hadn’t ever really cooked before, and didn’t really know where to start. However, in this day and age, the internet made everything knowable.
She excitedly sat at her computer and typed in “chocolate cookie recipes.” After reading through reviews and comments, she decided on one delicious-looking picture called “Mark’s Favorite Super Soft Chocolate Chip Cookie.” Well if they’re Mark’s favorites, then they had to be good.
She diligently wrote the ingredients and the procedure down before heading into the kitchen. ‘Ok, Jenna, this is your first time cooking. What do you need? An apron, a cookie sheet, and oven mitts. I totally have an apron, a few sheet cake pans will serve as cookie sheets, and I’m a big girl. I don’t need oven mitts.’ She gathered her things. ‘Just like Rachel Ray.’
Jenna began reading the ingredients and checking them off of her list. ‘I don’t have butter, but I have margarine. That’s basically the same thing. Flour, I definitely have that. Vanilla extract? I have vanilla pudding; that will do. I don’t have baking soda, but I think baking powder is the same thing, right? Adding it. Finally the chocolate chips, which I will substitute with Cocoa Puffs cereal. Jenna, you are a genius.’
She whipped up her concoction, adding cinnamon and a few other spices that had big, delicious sounding names, and threw it in the oven. Ten minutes later, Jenna became the chef to her very first batch of cookies. ‘I didn’t exactly follow the recipe, so these aren’t Mark’s favorite cookies any more. They are my creation. It is my responsibility to give them a suitable name.’ She laid them on the counter and looked at them. ‘I have it! Chocolate surprise!’
David hated training. Same amount of work, but he didn’t get to save anybody while he trained. He got it, though. It was important to stay in peak physical condition and keep those fire-fighting skills sharp and at the forefront of the mind. It could save lives in the future. But he still hated it. This was a bad day for it, too. The fire last night kept them up late and it took David a while to shake off the feelings he would get, the memories, the house exploding, the car burning, the voices of his parents. ‘No, David. Focus. The sooner you finish training the boys, the sooner you can get away from Alex and get back to Jenna. Just a few more hours and you’re home free.’
David stood outside one of Austin Fire Department’s few simulated structural fire buildings. This one was right behind the fire station. David was thankful the live fire trainings didn’t have to be such an ordeal. These structures were the newest in firefighter training technology. They were lucky to have them. They created the most realistic fire-fighting experience possible short of fighting an actual fire. It was a lot safer than using a traditional burn building or an acquired vacant building because computers control the spread of the flames and the speed of the burning although the fires may not burn as hot. He watched as the men held the hose in proper position, rotated through operating the nozzle. Everything was looking good, except for Alex. He kept hogging the nozzle and not rotating quickly enough.
“Alex, it’s important that everyone get experience working the hose. Some of these guys aren’t as initiated as you are. The better they are, the more lives we save.” He always tried his best to be diplomatic, even when Alex made it difficult on him.
“Whatever you say, Chief. Some people are just better with their hoses than others.”
David elected to ignore that one; it was just a little too childish to deserve a response. Then, something happened that he couldn’t ignore.
“He’s right, you know. Alex is the best I’ve seen. Others have no restraint and hurt people with their ignorance.” Veronica approached them from the fire hall.
“Veronica, please get back to the station. We have a live fire training in progress right now. It’s not safe for you. Wait for Alex back in the dining hall; we’ll all be back in ten minutes.”
“Don’t lose control, David. You know what your aggression does to people.” That viper just couldn’t let David be mature. She couldn’t let it go.
David closed his mouth. He watched the training finish, took his notes, prepared his constructive advice for the boys and retreated back to the station without saying a word. A knocking came on his office door.
“Who is it?”
“It’s Hank, Boss.”
“Come in.”
“Hey, Man. How do you feel?”
“Fine.”
“No, Sourpuss. None of that. You really don’t need to take that from those idiots. You are Alex’s chief. He does behave like an arrogant imbecile. You can write that up on his personnel file and nobody would blame you for it.”
“I know, Hank, but it is my responsibility as Chief to always do what is right, it may not always be what is easy, but always I must do what is right. Alex acted like an asshole out there, but he passed the training. I’m not going to say anything.”
“You are too good of a person, Boss. I’m afraid that one day, you are going to be put in a situation where you’ll have to choose between being sensible and doing the right thing, and you are going to be that great person you are at your own expense.”
“I do every day, Hank. I’m a firefighter. And you’re one to talk, Num-nutts. You are always flying somewhere or jumping off of something.”
“That’s for fun. This is completely different. What I do is a calculated risk for nobody’s benefit but my own. No one else is involved. You should try sometime. Rock-climbing is awesome.”
“No. I’ve tried that. I think I’ll stay here on the ground. Thank you very much.”
Scott burst into the room. “Sorry to interrupt, guys. Chief, you have someone, ahem, special here to see you.” He put his hand up to his mouth as if to keep a secret. “It’s a girl.”
Hank elbowed his friend in the ribs. “Ooooh. You’ve got a girl here to see you. I bet she is going to give you a very special thank you for being her hero.” Hank raised and daintied his voice. “Hey Chief. Thanks for saving my life. Here is my body and virtue for your besmirching.” He ripped his shirt open, pretending to show his ample bosom to David in thanks for a job well done.
“That’s enough, Fellas.” Just a shadow of a laugh broke through in David’s voice and that was enough for Hank.
“Alright, Boss. Let’s go see this girl of yours.” He jumped up and Scott and he ran back to the front door.
David stood. “Who could it be?” The thought crossed his mind that it may be Jenna, but he didn’t remember his luck being that good. He joined the others.
There she stood, like a little princess. Within an instant all of the stress of the day melted away. He involuntarily grinned and strode toward her. He began to realize that the guys were surrounding her. He loved Hank and Scott and the others but they were men, and his Jenna was a perfect-figured, flawless faced, heaven-sent treasure. He sped up a little.
“Hey Jenna. What are you doing here?” David stepped through the guys, puffing his chest out a tad. He hugged her and stood near her after. The guys noticed.
“Hey Baby! I just thought I’d stop by and bring you a treat! You went off to save some people last night and had to leave me so soon. I thought you could use some cheering up. Here!” She held out a plate, wrapped in plastic, and covered in the most obtuse-looking chocolate chip cookies he had ever seen.
“I didn’t even have one because I was saving them all for you! Your nice friends can share if you like.”
David took the plate. “My nice friends, huh?”
“Yes, this nice one was just telling me how valiant you were last night.” She, glad to have her hands empty again, wrapped her arms around David’s arm.
Hank spoke up quickly. “Scott does say things like that about David. We think he has a little man-crush.”
“This is Hank, and this is Scott. Fellas, this is Jenna.”
Hank stepped out first and extended his hand in greeting. “Nice to meet you, Ma’am. We have noticed David’s improved humor the past few days. No doubt that had something to do with you.”
Scott followed. “Yes Ma’am. Forgive our rudeness. We should have introduced ourselves to you already.”
Jenna looked at the three men. All of them were tall and broad-shouldered, muscular and lean. Hank was almost as tall as David. His hair was browner and lighter and his eyes were the most wicked shade of green. She could see a devil-may-care attitude in him but also noticed the same giving spirit of David. Scott was shorter than the other two, though still taller than the average man. His hair was golden, like lightning. His eyes were a hazel that was closer to red. She could tell Scott was a sweetheart. He probably made some girl-next-door a very happy woman. Then she looked up at David. He was clearly their leader. He towered over them in presence and stature. His bravery and power had been seen by the other men, and they told of it loudly in the respect they gave him just through body language. She felt so lucky.
“Dig in, Guys!”
David unwrapped the plate and pulled a cookie into his grip. It reminded him of a discus that had been melted down. His fingers noticed how impregnably hard the pastry was and his teeth winced. He bit into it, if you could call it that. His teeth didn’t sink all the way to the bottom. It was like finding a bone in a piece of chicken. Worst of all, it tasted like soap.
David closed his eyes, using leagues of strength he didn’t know he had to protect Jenna from the knowledge of exactly how dreadful her cookie was.
Jenna watched David close his eyes. “Oh, you like it! Wonderful! I call it chocolate surprise!”
His eyes popped open. The guys! He spun his head around just in time to see them wincing and moaning.
Hank shouted. “Oh my god! What the hell is in this?”
David caught his eyes in his stare and lowered his brow. He made a most commanding face, took another bite from the wretched baked good and silently and inconspicuously told Hank and Scott everything they needed to know.
Hank continued to shout. “Like I said! What is in this? Manna from Heaven? Crack cocaine? Blood diamonds? Why is it SO GOOD? I am dying from the quality of this treat!” A tear streamed down his cheek.
Scott, with a full mouth, (refusing to swallow) patted Jenna on the shoulder and said, “Thank you, Jenna. They are wonderful.”
Scott and Hank walked quickly into the men’s bathroom.
David forced his down. “Thank you, Honey. You didn’t have to do that.”
“I know, but I thought it would be nice to pay you back for such a wonderful time last night. Speaking of that.” She moved into his neck and whispered. “I have something else I need to pay you back for.”
“You do?”
She leaned back and enjoyed the fluster on David’s face . . . .
If you happen to be in Kansas City, Missouri on Thusday, May 2 between 4 pm and 6 pm, drop into the RT E-Book, Indie Publisher & Graphic Novel EXPO at the Sheraton Kansas City at Crown Center. I’m signing and selling books, and holding a drawing where one lucky winner will go home with:
~ a beautiful, handmade Wild and Wicked Cowboys messenger bag
~ a purple cowgirl hat decorated with Randi Alexander ribbon
~ a signed, paperback copy of Cowboy Bad Boys
~ an inflatable cactus! Woo-hoo!
~ and the chance to sit and have a glass of wine or cup of coffee with me (not mandatory, but I promise it’ll be fun!)
Look for me throughout the conference. I’ll be wearing a purple cowgirl hat (of course!) and handing out fun tchotchkes.
Randi
“Rode Hard and Put Up Satisfied”
RandiAlexander.com
What is it about those cowboys?
I have friends who gush over cowboys. They say these guys are sexy, charming, the perfect foil for a romance hero. Really? They are just men in a hat and boots. Or so I thought…
Here in dry, hot Las Vegas, I never would have expected to see cowboys. However, every year, twice a year, the cowboy community converges on our “tiny” town for events such as the Professional Bull Rider competition and the National Finals Rodeo. I’ve been in a few downtown casinos during these two events and instead of the sexy romance hero I only ran across rude, egotistical people in too tight jeans that looked fresh off the rack—never to have seen the saddle—and scowls on their faces.
And then I attended a writers’ retreat in Bandera, Texas, just an hour’s drive from San Antonio. Okay, Texas is full of cowboys and I was truly expecting to run into a bunch jerks like I’d encountered in Vegas. What I found surprised the hell out of me. The “real” Texas cowboys were nothing like those guys I’d see. These cowboys had charm, they opened doors, tilted their hats, and…oh my God, did he just call me ma’am?
At the retreat the cowboy…excuse me, the wranglers were fabulous. The personalities were captivating. They made me feel at home and boy howdy could they make you feel like a woman. I’m not saying there was hanky panky going on, they just knew how to flirt without coming across as creepy.
That weekend I became JJ Ranger. They awaken my erotic muse who would not rest until I’d birthed Dustin and Dane Dumen—two of the four Dumen brothers. With the collaboration of fellow author Callie Croix, the Dume (pronounced Do Me) Ranch was created. Dustin and Dane are books 2 & 4 in the series. Callie tamed Deacon and Dillon in books 1 & 3.
Dustin’s Gamble
After leaving for a career in NYC, Shannon Piermont has come home to Bandera, Texas. Her cousin is getting married and her grandmother has died, but all she can think about is Dustin Dumen. The sexy ranch owner had once been able to charm her pants off, but not this time. Just because they’d once shared a passion hotter than the Texas sun, didn’t mean she’d settle for barefoot and pregnant in a one-horse town.
Dusty knew Shannon couldn’t settle down until she’d seen the world and he’d taken a huge chance she’d find her way home. Now that she has, the stakes are higher and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her there. He’d gambled with their love once–he won’t do it again.
Can Dustin convince Shannon she can have it all—a career and a family—or will he have to settle for one last ride of passion?
Excerpt:
Drawing in a deep breath, she raised her hand and pressed the doorbell. She waited for two minutes and then hit the button again. She leaned her forehead against the oak door and tried to calm her ever present nerves. How would Dustin react when he saw her? Did he really know she was coming? And what would he think when he found out she intended to stay for good?
“Guess nobody’s home,” she mumbled.
The door swung open, and she lost her balance with a startled squeak. She reached out to grab something, anything to stop her descent, and latched on to a pair of denim-clad hips. The material slipped down and with it, she landed on her knees, face-planted against a very masculine crotch. The tip of his cock peeked from the front of his red plaid boxers. Heat flooded her belly and moisture pooled in her panties in response to his arousal. The familiar scent of leather and sandalwood tickled her nose.
Dustin. Memories of a night over a decade ago filled with sweat-lathered bodies on the bank of the creek swam before her eyes. She shivered. All it would take was the slightest turn of her head and…
“Not that I’m complaining about your enthusiasm, honey, but you’re a little too far to the left,” a familiar, deep masculine voice teased.
She looked up into Dustin’s amused face. That crooked grin hit her in the gut with lust so fierce she wanted to toss away caution and jump him right there. Mortified, she pushed away and leapt to her feet. Dammit, of all the impressions she could have made, falling face first into his cock was not the way she intended to go.
Heat burned in her cheeks. “Dillon needs you at the lodge.” She turned on her heel.
“Wait.” He gripped her hand. “Aren’t you going to say hello or anything?”
Shannon shook her head, keeping her gaze locked on the safety of the door. “I can’t talk to you with your…your thing exposed. Pull up your pants, for God’s sake.” Only he could make her feel like a blushing virgin.
His laughter vibrated through her breasts, and her nipples hardened against the lace of her bra. “Well, darlin’, my exposed thing never bothered you before. But if you insist…”
The rustling of denim against skin teased her imagination and whetted an appetite she hadn’t known in a long time. She squeezed her eyes shut, blocking out the image of his cock saluting her.
“You can turn around now.”
Drawing in a deep, calming breath, she did. He’d fastened the button-fly of his jeans, much to her relief. But the exposed V of his pelvis was too distracting for her peace of mind. She focused above the waistline and on his face. Hazel eyes were emphasized by small lines around the edges. A strong jaw was softened by full lips. Gone was the boy she’d fallen in love with. In his place was a man who could very well destroy her if she let him get too close.
“Hello, Dustin.” Shannon forced a smile and resisted rubbing her damp palms against her thighs. “Dillon asked me to let you know you are needed at the lodge.”
His eyes smoldered, and the corner of his mouth kicked up. “So you said.”
She gave a tight nod. “Right. Well.” She lifted a shoulder in an awkward gesture. “I had better get to the cabin. Have to get ready for tonight.” She swiveled toward the door. “Nice to see you, Dusty.”
“Welcome home, Shay.”
Dane’s Restraint
With parents who own a Vegas strip club, elementary school teacher Sara Piermont has always steered clear of kinky. Now she’s ready to sow her own wild oats and give in to the sexual fantasies taunting her. Her cousin’s bachelorette weekend at an all-inclusive dude ranch seems the perfect place to let her hair down. And Dane Dumen is the rugged cowboy she has set her sights on for a weekend of uninhibited passion.
Dane loves to walk on the wild side, and sexy Sarah is the perfect muse for a fantasy weekend filled with restraints and other naughty things. Though he’s never stepped over the line between a fling and commitment, Sarah proves to be a lure he can’t resist. Dane quickly finds he’s playing with fire and has to decide…rein in his heart or risk a permanent brand.
Excerpt:
Excerpt:
It took Dane less than thirty seconds to decide to follow her. He slipped through the door and checked to make sure they were alone.
Her reflection frowned at him. “You realize this is the women’s restroom, right?”
Her eyes were suspiciously bright. Had she been crying? He felt like an ass for upsetting her, though he wasn’t really sure what he’d said to cause her angst.
Those pouty lips and come-hither bedroom eyes just begged for attention, and he’d be damned if he let any of those jokers in the bar near her. Not when she was wedged so firmly under his skin already. He hadn’t been kidding when he said it’d be safer for her back at the ranch. There he could keep an eye on her, make sure she didn’t end up with some guy who could really hurt her.
And why the hell did he care about her getting hurt? She wasn’t his anything. Damn, listening to Dustin wax poetic love for Shannon was starting to rub off on him and turn him into a pussy. He didn’t care how many grandchildren his mother wanted. He wasn’t ready to get married.
Realizing she was waiting for him to speak, he gave a lazy grin and lifted his shoulder. “I’m up for an adventure.” And he hoped she was, too.
Sara grinned, and the brilliance took his breath away.
She locked the bathroom door, barring anyone else entry and crooked her finger. “Well, let’s get to exploring.”
Shit, yeah. Let’s go exploring.
Both books can be purchased at: http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/wildcatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=134 or on Amazon.
Chewy
When your children are young you spend much of your time as mother, chauffeur, sports coach, tutor, craftsman, launderer and hero (chasing monsters from under their beds). You’re so caught up in raising them that you can’t see that far ahead to the day when they leave the nest and venture out on their own. It’s a time filled with mixed emotions. You’re happy for the adventures they will experience on their own and sad because they aren’t your little ones anymore.
I’m a person who needs to be needed. I went in search of surrogate children to fill that need of needing to be needed. (my editors would go nuts with the repetitious words…hehehe)
Sweetpea
I wanted children who would never grow up, always be little and love me no matter what I feed them, how I look when I’m working or how lame I am at playing with them. And they couldn’t shed. They make me get up every hour to play or let them out and beg for food, thus I’m not completely glued to my chair.
Enter lap dogs. Okay, so they’re not dogs a cowboy would have (…hmmm….might have to give one to a cowboy and see how he handles it…)
I went to the puppy store for one surrogate child and came back with two—a Yorkie and a malti-poo. They’ve been with me now for seven years and I love them dearly. Now I’m one of those people who vacations in hotels that are dog-friendly and even took the most adventurous of the two dogs on a five-week long driving trip to Alaska.
I love my real children absolutely. But my surrogate kids need me and that is all I could ask for.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Welcome back to the Ugly Stick Saloon!
She wants no strings…but he wants it all.
After her philandering husband left her, Lacey Lambert found sanctuary, and a better class of friends, at the Ugly Stick Saloon. Where she learned that the best revenge—against her ex, and the “friends” who kicked her out of the Temptation Garden Club—is to live life to the fullest.
Now that her best friend is moving out of her apartment building, she’s feeling a little lonely. And more than ready for a little commitment-free sex with the hot new downstairs tenant.
Freshly divorced, Nick McBride isn’t looking for another failed relationship. But when the luscious brunette offers no-strings sex—with him and his brother—he can’t come up with a good reason to refuse.
After he gets over the shock that she likes it loud, long, and in front of an open window, he finds himself wanting more time with her. Maybe even on a permanent basis. But it’ll take every ounce of his cowboy charms to convince her to let him sweep her off her feet.
Hello friends–new and old! I’m so excited to be posting here on the Wild and Wicked Cowboys as an official member of the group! I’ve coveted a position among these amazing authors for a long time and am so blessed to have been offered a spot.
A little about me. I’m a mom of four crazy elementary-age kids and a mischievous Labradoodle puppy named Daisy Hasselhoff.
Say hello to Daisy
I write panty-soaking erotic romance involving gritty characters. I love the common man and his problems. Give me a fireman, logger, or cowboy any day! I want to see calloused hands and five o’clock shadow. Let’s see plaid shirts and l0w-slung, worn jeans. If he’s got a pair of boots and a hat, all the better!
Speaking of boots, I’d like to introduce you to mine. Yep, I brought my boot collection today. Because what’s a country gal without something to stomp in?
On the far left you have the shit kickers. These are cheapo boots from Target that are perfect for muddy ball fields, standing in pastures watching Fourth of July fireworks, and picnics along the river. Get ‘em muddy, hose ‘em off.
In the center you have Baby Blues. Oh, how I heart these little boots! Blue ombre treatment, perfect for jeans, miniskirts, maxi skirts. All around perfect! Are you drooling yet?
Last are my favorites. I coveted these beauties for a month before I bit my lip and laid down the bills for them! Those rhinestones–to die for. The heels amp up my shortness so I can reach heights nearing 5’1″. I wear these boots every day, from church with the kiddos to school choir concerts. I can shop till I literally drop in them, and I’m currently writing up a clause in my will, asking to be buried in them.
A life lived in these boots. I hope to keep adding to the collection (crushing on a pair of slouchy brown Durangos right now). So which are your favorites?
Find out more about me on my website, FB, and Twitter. And also monthly here with the cowgirl divas of the net!
cowgirlbeth
Delilah Devlin
desiree01holt
empetrova
Gem
jenniferjakes
Lissa Matthews
maricarr
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sablehunter
sandys37
SaydeGrace
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staceyespino
