HUMP-DAY HUNK -- Bobby K

Come visit me today over at The Cougar Club and tell me what appeals to you about cougar/cub relationships!


Yes, that's me! I had the pleasure of meeting Chippendale dancer/singer and Ellora's Cave cover model Bobby K at RomantiCon last year. He's very sweet and down to earth, and is a dad to three boys. And of course, he's HOT! He's also a hunk over forty, if you can believe it. Enjoy, ladies!

I love this next cover. The book is by my friend Fran Lee. Two Bobbies are better than one!

MEET THE HEROGarth from Lessons of the Heart

It's always fun when I introduce one of my own heroes. Garth Mackenzie in my western historical novella Lessons of the Heart is one of my favorites. A veteran of the Civil War, he's suffered more loss than any man should. His past still haunts him. This story became a book of my heart. I loosely based Garth's experiences on stories my stepfather told of his time during World War II. The novella is dedicated to him.

You can find Lessons of the Heart here. It's related to my novella The Outlaw's Angel found in the Wild Rose Press anthology Lawmen and Outlaws. The heroines are sisters.

I hope you enjoy meeting Garth.

Blurb:

Spinster schoolteacher Ruth Blackburn has accepted her fate. She's not meant for love, especially not with ill-mannered—though excruciatingly handsome—Garth Mackenzie, the widowed father of one of her students. She'll just have to ignore the fact that he makes her skin heat.

Garth Mackenzie is used to loss. The Civil War cost him his best friend and his ability to sleep through the night, and illness stole his wife and son. To avoid the pain of losing his daughter, he keeps her at arm's length, much to her teacher's dismay. Ruth Blackburn is independent and opinionated—just what Garth doesn't need. But her vibrant beauty and energy awaken feelings in him he thought long dead.

Can he let go of his past and open up to new lessons of the heart?

Excerpt:

“I hurried,” he whispered, “so you wouldn’t have time to change.”

The heat of a blush seared Ruth’s cheeks and neck, and her fingers clenched the fabric of her dress tightly.

Garth walked to her slowly, took her hands and unclenched them. The calico dress pooled at her feet.

“I wish I could kiss you.”

“I—”

“But I won’t. I’m filthy as a pig right now.”

“I suppose it’s too late to have a bath sent up for you,” Ruth said, her voice shaking. She hoped Garth didn’t notice.

“Afraid so.”

“No matter. Go into your room so we don’t wake Mary Alice. I’ll bring the basin of water.” She gripped the porcelain basin and lifted it, but Garth took it from her, his fingers brushing hers. A tremble surged through her. Had he not taken the basin, she would have dropped it.

Though she knew it a bad idea, she followed Garth into his room. She closed the door, but only so they wouldn’t wake Mary Alice.

Garth set the basin on the bureau and lit a table lamp and soon the room was aglow in soft light.

He turned to Ruth and walked toward her. Standing in front of her he fingered a lock of her hair.

“You look pretty like this, with your hair down, falling over your shoulders and down your back.”

Ruth looked away, unable to meet his gaze. “Mr. Mackenzie—”

“Garth. Please.

“I can’t—”

“You did this afternoon. You used my Christian name.”

“It was inappropriate.” Ruth concentrated on a knot in the wood floor under her bare foot. “I shouldn’t have.”

“Are you in love with the doctor, Ruthie?”

“In love?” She looked up, and his bronze eyes burned.

“Did he give you that fancy writin’ paper?”

Ruth furrowed her brow. “You’re talking nonsense. What writing paper?”

“That you used at the schoolhouse. To write down the books for Mary Alice.”

“Oh.” Her linen stationery. “That was a Christmas gift from the children. They all pitched in a few pennies.”

He closed his eyes. Was that relief on his face?

“So you’re not in love with Doc?”

“Gracious, I’ve never been in love. The doctor and I are friends, nothing more.” Discomfort prickled at her. Doc Potter wanted more, she knew. But she didn’t feel that way for him. Her heart didn’t flutter like a bird’s wing, her skin didn’t feel hot and cold at the same time. No, not for Doc Potter. Only for the man whose gaze seared hers at this moment.

HUMP-DAY HUNK -- The American Cowboy

Yeah, I love a cowboy! Today I'm celebrating the release of my western historical novella, Lessons of the Heart, over at The Wild Rose Press. Be sure to visit me over at Mama Writers today, too. My hero, Garth, is a homesteader/cowboy with a haunted past. So I thought I'd treat you to some tasty western men today. Enjoy!

MEET THE HEROMax from Before the Moon Rises

Be sure to stop over at The Cougar Club today where Erotic Horizon is hijacking our blog for the day to focus on the cougar/cub hook-up.

A huge welcome back to my good friend Catherine Bybee! She's celebrating her recent paranormal release, Before the Moon Rises, which features one of my favorite heroes, the sexy werewolf. The story is available at The Wild Rose Press.

Blurb:

After a twelve-hour shift in a busy emergency room, Janet O’Brien is beat. Her last patient arrives unconscious and naked. She’s lead to believe he’s a psyche patient off his meds. However, once he awakens, Janet is charmed by his million-dollar smile and agrees to give him a ride home.

Werewolf Max Ritter notices the sassy nurse when he wakes after a night under the full moon. Unfortunately, his archrival is drawn to Janet as well. In order to keep her out of harm's way, he opts to keep her close. When the chemistry between them sparks, Max discovers a completely new reason to keep Janet safe.

A taste of Max:

The scent she gave off drove him mad. Earlier when he leaned into her to open his gate, he nearly lost it. He could hardly wait to see how she would taste.

He maneuvered around the curve a little fast, as she had earlier. He watched her cross her legs and wondered if her body hummed. He felt himself stiffen with the thought. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back. She moved her hips in the seat. Oh, yeah... she hummed.

"What made you become a nurse?" Max needed a distraction. Concentrating on whether or not her panties were wet wasn’t cooling his libido.

"Job security."

"You’re kidding? You didn’t have a Florence Nightingale complex?"

"Sorry to burst your bubble." She laughed but kept her eyes shut. "Not every nurse or doctor is one because of their overwhelming need to save the world. Some of us have bills to pay."

"You’re blowing my illusions out of the water, first the car, now this."

She opened one eye, glanced his way, and then shut it. "Considering you were found naked and unconscious, I wouldn’t cast stones."

Splashing a grin, Max agreed. "You have a point."

The conversation stopped for a few minutes. The soothing roar of the engine was like the strings of a well-played violin. Surf pounded on the rocks of the shore along side them. Janet appeared to sink deeper into the leather seat and said, "Don’t think I’m not going to ask."

"Ask what?"

"Why the medics found you naked."

She wasn’t asking now, he noticed. She simply said she wasn’t going to let him off the hook.

Thank you, Shannon!

Most of you who know me know I don't go out of my way to read reviews. Usually Cari sends me the good ones ;). I found this one on my own when I went to The Romance Studio to quote from the great review Brenda gave The Cowboy and the Cougar (which was brought to my attention not by Cari, but by my editor, Celina.) While there, I stumbled upon a wonderful review for Slow and Wet. Shannon had this to say:

Slow and Wet is pure erotic thrills! Ms. Hardt creates magic with a scandalous book that is bubbling with passion, smoking hot lust and love. Slow and Wet is a marvelous, fast-paced fantasy wrapped in a mind-blowing plot built around a dynamic heroine, hero and his best friend. The author does a superb job of creating irresistible, dynamic and compelling characters with well-developed personalities that the reader can't help caring about. The relationship between Dale and Jillian is believable, touching and fun. Travis will remind the reader of a typical sexy bronco-busting cowboy with his bad boy appeal. Readers will be hankering for this cowboy to have a story of his own. The yummy night of sex, ménage style is hot, varied and delightfully graphic for the reader's pleasure. The dialogue is crisp and realistic and the spicy banter is addicting.

Thanks to Shannon, and have a great weekend!

HUMP-DAY HUNK -- Brad Kroenig

I admit it -- I'm a sucker for the scruffy type. Brad is an American model, born April 23, 1979 in St. Louis. He attended Florida International University in Miami on a soccer scholarship and originally wanted to pursue soccer as a career. In the middle of his studies, he was approached by an agent. Soon he was modeling for Abercrombie & Fitch. When not modeling, he still plays soccer.

MEET THE HEROJack from The Cowboy and the Cougar

Today I want to spotlight one of my own heroes -- Jack in The Cowboy and the Cougar.

When my good friend Lizzie T. Leaf first asked me to write a story for Aspen Mountain Press's Cougar Club series, I envisioned a hip story with an urban feel. Jack and Holly had their own ideas, however. The story turned into a heart-wrenching tale of two people fighting their own issues and looking for that one special person to share their lives with. I got mixed reactions from my CPs. I honestly wasn't sure the story was right for the series, so I consulted with Lizzie, who consulted with the Editor-in-Chief at AMP. They decided they wanted to see the story. A week later, I had a contract. My editor, Celina Summers, also liked the story, but I was still worried. How would readers react when it released on December 11?

I've been humbled by the accolades. The reviewers love it. The readers love it. It's been the bestselling story for AMP at Fictionwise for nearly two months now. Terri at Night Owl Romance gave it 5 Hearts and a Reviewer top pick. "The warm feelings that I got from reading it just didn’t want to go away." I've been overwhelmed!

The moral? Don't be afraid to let your story flow. Give your characters free rein. Write the book of your heart.

I hope you enjoy Jack :).

Blurb:

A hot time with a gorgeous young cowboy is just what the doctor ordered for forty-year-old Holly Taylor. But after a night of amazing passion, she leaves discreetly. Life has other plans for her at the moment.

After the best sex of his life, single father Jack Sherwood isn’t ready to give up his mystery woman. When he runs into her several months later, he’s relentless in his pursuit, and he doesn’t care a whit about their eleven year age difference.

Holly’s life has taken a new course since her first meeting with Jack, and she’s convinced she’s not what he and his adorable son need. Can her new friends at The Cougar Club persuade her to stop running? Or will she lose the best thing to ever happen to her?

Excerpt:

He placed his palms on the refrigerator, on either side of her shoulders, trapping her. His scent drifted around her—cedar wood, spice and male musk. She could inhale it forever and never tire of it.

“I think you do.” He looked above her head for a moment, as if composing himself, then gazed back into her eyes. “When I woke up that morning and you were gone, I turned that suite inside out searching for something—anything—that would lead me to you.”

“I’m sorry—”

“I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind.” He pressed his lips to her forehead and she ignited. Blazes trailed over her skin from one little kiss.

“I dream about your nipples, you know that?”

She gulped. Moisture trickled between her legs.

“I dream about suckin’ them raw like I did that night. I dream of you suckin’ my cock with those sweet lips of yours. Then I dream about fuckin’ you hard and fast, then makin’ slow sweet love to you.”

Holly writhed under his steady and scalding gaze. Her nipples puckered against her bra. Want—pure, raw want—screamed through her.

His mouth closed over hers. The kiss was gentle at first, tiny licks around the corners of her lips, his tongue like smooth cream. Then he probed with slightly more force and her lips parted. Again, he was gentle, even as he sank into her mouth and kissed her with a slow hunger. It was sweet and sexy at the same time. Nothing like the frenzied passion of their first kiss, but incredible all the same. A soft groan left his throat and vibrated into her mouth, giving her chills.

Holly was vaguely aware of Jack fumbling with the buttons of her blouse and pushing her bra upward. Her ample breasts fell gently against her chest.

His lips left her mouth and she sucked in a much needed breath. He trailed moist kisses over her cheek, her neck, down her chest, across the swollen flesh of her breast, until he caught a nipple between his teeth.

She couldn’t stop her shriek.

He looked up. “Too much?” His word hummed against the wrinkled flesh of her areola.

“God, no, but—”

He took the nipple again and tugged. Lightning flashed to her core and she jerked backward, the magnet digging farther into her flesh.

He let her nipple go with a soft pop. He stood, touching his forehead to hers, his hands cupping her breasts and his fingers gently kneading the tight buds. “Let me back in your bed, Holly.” His voice was husky, primal. “Please.”

HUMP-DAY HUNK -- Aitor Mateo

Today I have an interview posted at the Erotica Romance Reading Challenge blog. Please stop by! After you read the interview, to leave a comment you have to go to the top of the page, click on "home," and then click on "have your say" at the bottom of the blurb of my interview.



What a perfect Grecian nose! Aitor Mateo is not Greek, though. He's Spanish. This gorgeous model was born in Madrid in 1981. After getting his start in Europe, Mateo moved from Madrid to New York. For fun, he enjoys hanging out at the beach and playing the guitar. Sigh...

Where Did My Baby Go?

That's the question I'm posing at Mama Writers today. Please come visit me there.

Happy Tuesday!

MEET THE HEROMace from WereSlave

A huge welcome back to my friend and chaptermate Lia Slater! Her first EC release, WereSlave, is a scorcher. Before we meet her gorgeous Alpha, here's a little about Lia:

Lia Slater thinks the world would be a better place if everyone read romance novels. There’s so much to learn from the storylines. Love. Loyalty. Confidence. Passion. Desire. Conflicts would be resolved with happy endings. And, of course, the sex would be mind-boggling. She’s well on her way to helping the world become a better place by writing steamy romance with heart-pounding emotion. Visit her at www.liaslater.com.

Blurb:

As the Queen of Paqualette, Nayla is forbidden to have a husband or a human lover. Her life is a lonely and disciplined existence, so when she’s given the opportunity to choose a Were from her dungeon as her sex slave, she takes a chance. Werewolves, she knows, are nothing but senseless monsters, but after the one she selects to be her WereSlave turns out to be more of a man than she’s ever known, she must question her beliefs.

As the alpha leader, Mace is responsible for his pack. He’ll do anything to keep them alive, even give into the Queen’s sexual demands. But not unless he’s in control. Turning his enticing captor into the submissive is the only way to show her he’s more man than she realizes. Falling in love is out of the question, but so is leaving her behind.

And now, a taste of the man of the hour, Mace:

Mace raked his gaze down to the lush cleavage spilling from her dress. He gave up trying to fight the attraction. It was an impossible mission. The wolf inside of him, the part that was difficult to control, was clawing to be released, weakening his human side. It had been too long since he’d transformed, too long since he’d felt the moon’s empowering glow.

He gritted his jaw. How simple it would be to break through the boarded windows and run into the night. But leaving wasn’t an option as long as his pack was imprisoned. Which wouldn’t be for much longer if Nayla was honest about agreeing to feed them. If it were true, soon they might have enough strength to overpower the guards.

With his naïve Nayla occupied, they might have a better chance.

“Do you trust me, Mace?” She stared up at him, her eyes glossy against the dim light of the oil lamp. “I promise I’ll make your life pleasant. And I’ll be loyal to you.” She brushed her fingers down the center of his abdomen and her voice dropped to a sensual whisper. “If you continue to satisfy me, I’ll give you my all.”

His stomach clenched against her touch as pressure built in his groin. No, he’d not be so foolish as to put his life in this woman’s hands. But he’d gladly allow her to satisfy him for now. And, damn it if he didn’t want to give her more pleasure.

Like an addict reaching for his drug, Mace seized her wrist and pressed her hand against his erection. His blood coursed through his body, rushing toward her touch as she wrapped her cool, soft fingers around his cock.

He inhaled a rough breath and guided her up and down his shaft. With his hypersensitive Were senses on overload, he caught the musky scent of her pussy as she grew moist for him.

His balls knotted achingly tight. “Have you ever had a man in your mouth, Nayla?”