HELEN'S HEROES

Got Cowboy?

2012-01-14T14:54:00.000-08:00

Yeah, baby! Come visit me at the Musa blog for a chance to win a copy of Ivy League Cowboy.

RODEO QUEEN RELEASES TODAY

2012-01-13T07:12:00.001-08:00

Find it here.

Chad McCray has resisted a relationship for thirty-two years. Can the girl next store change his mind?

Catie Bay has worshiped much older Chad McCray since she was a child. When she fumbles a seduction attempt after her graduation from high school, she flees to Europe. Four years later, she returns a beautiful, worldly woman, and Chad takes notice. Is the rodeo queen still in love with the sexy cowboy, and is he capable of returning her feelings?

ASPEN MOUNTAIN PRESS SUSPENDS OPERATIONSAll Rights Revert to Authors

2011-12-17T10:57:00.000-08:00

If you've been following the AMP debacle, you know this was coming. I've kept pretty quiet about the whole thing because I'm adamant about not burning bridges in this business, but today I need to shout out the news. This is the letter I sent to Aspen Mountain Press, reclaiming my rights to The Cowboy and the Cougar and Calendar Boy:

Dear Ms. Hicks:

On October 16, 2011, Aspen Mountain Press suspended operations "due to the current health of the owner." Today, December 17, 2011, the website is still down and operations remain suspended.

Section XIX of the contract I signed for The Cowboy and the Cougar and Calendar Boy states in part:

If Publisher suspends operations for more than sixty (60) continuous days, other than for technical difficulties such as a loss of Web Server, all rights hereunder shall immediately revert to the Author.

Because Aspen Mountain Press has suspended operations for more than sixty continuous days, all rights to The Cowboy and the Cougar and Calendar Boy granted to Aspen Mountain Press have now reverted to me as per the contract. This letter serves as notice to you that I now control the rights to those two stories and I am free to take them elsewhere.

I wish you the best in your professional and personal life.

Helen Hardt

To all AMP authors -- congratulations! I hope to see all your work elsewhere soon.

Cookin' with Lizzie!

2011-12-13T13:59:00.001-08:00

Please come visit me at Lizzie T. Leaf's blog. I'm sharing my recipe for Holiday Wassail and giving away a copy of Ivy League Cowboy and 20 pages of deep editing!

GOT COWBOY?

2011-12-03T09:59:00.001-08:00

I got some cowboy again! Visit me at the Musa Publishing blog!

RELEASE DAYA Cowboy and a Gentleman

2011-12-02T17:24:00.000-08:00

Dallas is a cowboy and a gentleman who never makes the same mistake twice...even if it costs him true love.

Newly divorced Dallas McCray wants a sweet country girl like his sister-in-law, so why is he lusting after the new veterinarian in town, striking New Jersey transplant Annie DeSimone? Also divorced, Annie yearns to leave her difficult past behind and start a new life in beautiful Colorado. Sparks fly between her and handsome cowboy Dallas, but attraction and emotion aren’t always enough…especially when a cowboy has vowed never to make the same mistake twice.

Available at Musa Publishing!

GOT COWBOY?

2011-11-20T12:04:00.000-08:00

I do! Come visit me at Musa Publishing's blog, where Ivy League Cowboy is being showcased.

RELEASE DAY!Ivy League Cowboy by Helen Hardt

2011-11-04T10:17:00.002-07:00

This one's a book of my heart, folks, and I hope you you'll check it out. Find it here.

Dusty doesn't fear the the feisty bull...but his owner's another story.

Dusty O’Donovan, an accomplished bull rider, isn’t afraid to ride El Diablo, a feisty stud whose owner, Zach McCray, is offering $500,000 to anyone who can stay on him for a full eight seconds. Though Zach refuses to let a woman ride his bull, he's intrigued by the headstrong Dusty, who he last saw when he was thirteen and she was six. Sparks fly when they’re together, but will Dusty’s secrets tear them apart?

PLEASE COME FOLLOW MY NEW BLOG

2011-11-02T18:09:00.003-07:00

Helen's Haven is here.

The Romance Doctor and the Fiction Doctor (my editing blogs) are here and here.

Hope to see you!

My Blog has a New Home

2011-09-28T12:42:00.000-07:00

Visit me here.

MEET THE HEROCaleb from Creative License

2011-02-21T08:43:00.000-08:00

Please welcome the talented Lynne Roberts who is here to share the hero from her new Samhain release, Creative License.

Lynne Roberts has been writing professionally since 2005 and, after reading some very talented authors, attempted her first erotic romance in 2009.

A hopeless coffee-addict, when she’s not writing, editing or on Twitter—which isn’t often—you can find her in the garden, reading or with her five children. Sometimes all of the above.

Lynne currently lives in sunny California. You can learn more about her on her website and blog. She’d love to hear from you.

Blurb:

Loose ends have a way of tripping you up…

Years ago, a law school graduation weekend in Vegas had been part of Lily MacPherson’s plan. Waking up next to a naked Adonis with a ring on her finger was not. After a quick annulment, she relegated Caleb Anderson to her late-night fantasies—and very short list of mistakes—until his voice on the other end of the phone asks a favor that could shake the foundations of her neat and tidy future.

Caleb is still haunted by Lily’s horrified expression that morning in Vegas. At least it had made it easy to set her free…except they aren’t. The papers were never filed. And when the nosy patroness who could launch his painting career insists on meeting his “wife”, does he confess, or call Lily? He calls Lily.

When she steps off the plane, Caleb’s determination to play tour guide disappears in the San Francisco fog. Lily thought she could keep up the pretense for one weekend, cut the last tie to her past, and move on. But their chemistry still pops and sizzles, finally exploding into passion at Caleb’s studio.

It’s everything they remember…but so is the yawning chasm of differences that, in the end, could once again drive them apart.

Excerpt:

Lily paused behind a wall of people waiting for the machine to eject their luggage. Something like gravity prickled her spine, and she turned to look behind her. Lily’s breath caught in her throat. Caleb walked toward her. She’d never forget that sexy stride. His blond hair was pulled back, emphasizing high cheekbones and bronzed skin. The shadow of stubble along his jaw only improved his rugged good looks. Her hand itched to stroke his face, to feel the rough texture against her skin. Lily’s stomach did a quick flip and she had to remind herself to breathe. Splashes of color decorated the jeans encasing Caleb’s long legs. A white T-shirt stretched over his muscled chest but a long-sleeved flannel shirt hid his arms from view. No. He was nothing like the men she’d dated.

She didn’t have time to ponder more because, as though aware of her scrutiny, he smiled and every other thought flew from her mind. Despite her weakened knees, Lily managed a deep breath and to not wobble as she stepped toward him. “Hi.” She swallowed. A handshake seemed too formal, a hug…dangerous.

He took the decision out of her hands by pulling her into an embrace. God, he smelled good. How could she have forgotten that little fact? His scent was like an electrical impulse right to her core.

“Thank you so much.” His voice rumbled in his chest and she fought the shiver tracing her spine. It was enough that her skin had broken out in goose bumps.

HUMP-DAY HUNK -- Unknown Wet Guy

2011-01-19T01:00:00.000-08:00

Can anyone out there tell me who this lusciously wet god is? I got nothin'...

HUMP-DAY HUNK -- Ivan Rusilko

2011-01-05T12:41:00.001-08:00

Born in 1984 in Meadville, Pennsylvania, Ivan is an American model, best known as Mr. USA 2008. His main passion is medicine, and he graduated from medical school in 2009. Brains and brawn? Gotta love it...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2011-01-03T07:46:00.000-08:00

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

2010-12-22T13:46:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays! Watch out for that one in the middle :). I'll be back Monday, January 3, 2011.

MEET THE HEROESStryver and Blue from Blue Heaven

2010-12-19T16:14:00.000-08:00

I'm thrilled to welcome Jadette Paige as she celebrates her first release with Siren. Isn't that a fantastic cover?

Thanks so much for allowing me to be a guest on your blog. This is a new and wondrous experience for me. Having an erotic m/m novel released is so thrilling. I wasn't sure how I would react to it but honestly, I love it cause I happen to love my characters in this book. They are very memorable to me and I hope they will be to anyone who reads the book.

Blurb:

Take him from Heaven’s Seat. Bring him to me. We will protect his sacred head.

Stryver Zorti’s mission appears simple. Kidnap the Godchild and deliver him to his master. But with the first meeting of the holy man’s azure gaze, desire surges in him to strip bare the God and touch the man within.

Worshiped all his life, the Godchild is shocked by the stranger who dares lay hands on him, even if it is to save him from assassins. With a different name given by his new ally, Blue is freed from the constraints of the holy order for the first time. He revels in the extraordinary experiences opening to him, then in the passion that sparks between him and the hard-edged, oddly gentle Stryver.

But a god does not love, and if discovered, their precarious utopia will shatter, destroying any chance for a future together--that is, if the assassins don’t kill them first.

Excerpt:

Stryver leaned against the broad trunk, waiting with waning patience. Blue had been fine until the rain. He had melted with the first drops, shivering and gasping until Stryver helped him move under the protection of the oak.

He frowned at Blue where he huddled among the roots’ knobs at the base of the trunk. His knees were drawn up against his chest, his thin arms wrapped around them.
Rain never hurt anyone. Why him? Stryver couldn’t figure it out.

Everything about the holy man confused him—in particular, the reason why someone wanted him dead. He didn’t appear to be a threat to anyone, yet from what Aidal said and what Stryver had witnessed in the cathedral, his life was in imminent danger.

Shaking his head, Stryver dug a cloth-covered bundle from his supply bag. He unrolled half a loaf of bread and a small wedge of cheese. He squatted next to Blue, his own back pressed against the bark. He stared at the holy man, his hand frozen in the act of offering him a share of the bread.

Head lowered, gaze caught on something next to him, Blue held one finger out. A small, black ant crawled onto the tip. He lifted his hand, his gaze centered on the ant.

Uncomfortable with the intensity of Blue’s survey of the insect, Stryver released a low laugh. “You act like you’ve never seen an ant.”

Blue’s gaze stayed riveted on the tiny creature as he murmured, “That is its name?”

Confused even more by the strange question, Stryver shook his head. “Yes. You’ve never seen one?”

“No. It’s different from us. So fragile.”

Disbelief replaced his confusion. “There had to be ants at the monastery.”

“No. Only the monks and myself. No other creatures were ever allowed to enter.”

Stryver looked at the ant. What sort of problems could an ant cause? “Why?”

“No distraction, nothing to influence or interrupt my growth. No threats to my development.”

Amazed at the calm, accepting manner with which Blue repeated this simple mantra, Stryver asked, needing an answer, anything to clear the muddle in his mind, “What is your ability?”

This question brought the azure gaze over to meet his. The gentle patter of the rain striking the dirt road and leaves surrounded them, enfolding them in a secluded place. For the space of a breath, Stryver forgot to look away. Then he blinked, focusing on the ant again, making sure not to stare into the innocent orbs studying him.

“I was instructed not to tell anyone.”

“You can’t tell me your name. Now, it’s your true power. Why the secrets? The last Godchild’s name was proclaimed across the land. People rejoiced in his abilities.”

The finger lowered to the ground. The ant hurried away to resume its work. Blue spoke low, and Stryver had to lean closer to hear. “Some things are best not known.”

Unease rippled along Stryver’s back. So there were reasons why the assassins tried to kill him. “You’re not going to tell me, are you?”

“No.”

“Even if it means life or death for both of us?”

Fresh, crisp, rain-washed air breezed over Stryver’s face with the gentle shake of Blue’s head.

The answer struck Stryver full force. So the odds for this mission to fail had increased. His mortality loomed in front of him. All because of one small, quiet man. Compassion for him and unease for what the future held washed over Stryver.

When he broke the quiet, his words came out low and gruff. “Here. Eat. You have to keep your strength up.”

Blue’s slender fingers broke off a small hunk of bread. Stryver pulled the cheese apart and gave him the larger half.

As he chewed in the peaceful rain, he tried to find a way to discover the truth about the Godchild. His life depended on knowing it.

HUMP-DAY HUNK -- Thierre di Castro

2010-12-15T11:04:00.000-08:00

Where's my friend Cari Quinn? I found another hottie for you. What is it about those Brazilian men? I think we need to plan a trip, gf.

I love a man who knows how to smile! On a dare from his trainers, Thierre di Castro, born in 1979 in Rio de Janeiro, prepared for and won the 2010 Model Universe Championships in Miami. The 6'2" former beach volleyball player moved to Hollywood in 2010 where, a month later, he was featured in a national campaign for the Zoosk dating website and an Old Navy TV commercial.

Do you think all the guys on Zoosk look like him?

HUMP-DAY HUNK -- Ivan Scannell

2010-12-08T08:24:00.000-08:00

Now that's a six-pack! Ivan is an Australian model and athlete. He's a cub, girls, born in 1985. Feeling the cougar instinct yet? He's a track sprinter and hopes to represent Australia in the 2012 Olympics. I know I'll be watching...

MEET THE HERONick from A Night for Miracles

2010-12-06T01:00:00.000-08:00

Known for her gritty yet romantic historical westerns, Cheryl Pierson has penned a beautiful holiday tale with A Night for Miracles -- and it's on sale right now at The Wild Rose Press. You can find it here.

A Night for Miracles is a wonderful Christmas tale that is assured to warm your heart. Its characters are so life like you will question if the story could have actually occurred. It is one that will be the perfect way to spend Christmas Eve for its short tale is easy to finish in one sitting.

~Romance Junkies Reviews

Blurb:

When widow Angela Bentley takes in injured ex-gunhawk Nick Dalton and three orphans on Christmas Eve, she is determined only to lend a hand where needed. But when the children drag in a small, scraggly Christmas tree, Angela finds herself wanting to create a memorable holiday for them. Can these visitors become the family she longs for? For those who believe in miracles, anything is possible--even true love, in the most unlikely circumstances.

Excerpt:

He spoke first. “What…what’s your name?” His voice was raspy with pain, but held an underlying tone of gentleness. As if he were apologizing for putting her to this trouble, she thought. The sound of it comforted her. She didn’t know why, and she didn’t want to think about it. He’d be leaving soon.

“Angela.” She lifted his head and gently pressed the metal cup to his lips. “Angela Bentley.”

He took two deep swallows of the water. “Angel,” he said, as she drew the cup away and set it on the nightstand. “It fits.”

She looked down, unsure of the compliment and suddenly nervous. She walked to the low oak chest to retrieve the bandaging and dishpan. “And you are…”

“Nick Dalton, ma’am.” His eyes slid shut as she whirled to face him. A cynical smile touched his lips. “I see…you’ve heard of me.”

A killer. A gunfighter. A ruthless mercenary. What was he doing with these children? She’d heard of him, all right, bits and pieces, whispers at the back fence. Gossip, mainly. And the stories consisted of such variation there was no telling what was true and what wasn’t.

She’d heard. She just hadn’t expected him to be so handsome. Hadn’t expected to see kindness in his eyes. Hadn’t expected to have him show up on her doorstep carrying a piece of lead in him, and with three children in tow. She forced herself to respond through stiff lips. “Heard of you? Who hasn’t?”

He met her challenging stare. “I mean you no harm.”

She remained silent, and he closed his eyes once more. His hands rested on the edge of the sheet, and Angela noticed the traces of blood on his left thumb and index finger. He’d tried to stem the blood flow from his right side as he rode. “I’m only human, it seems, after all,” he muttered huskily. “Not a legend tonight. Just a man.”

He was too badly injured to be a threat, and somehow, looking into his face, she found herself trusting him despite his fearsome reputation. She kept her expression blank and approached the bed with the dishpan and the bandaging tucked beneath her arm. She fought off the wave of compassion that threatened to engulf her. It was too dangerous. When she spoke, her tone was curt. “A soldier of fortune, from what I hear.”

He gave a faint smile. “Things aren’t always what they seem, Miss Bentley.” From the hint of chiding tolerance in his voice, she knew she wasn’t the first to censure him to his face. Nor would she be the last. Somehow, the thought unsettled her. She shored up her determination to show him she didn’t care one whit about his feelings. Or her own rudeness. He was a gunhawk, after all.

“Meaning?” She sat down on a chair next to the bed and pulled it close. Her heart raced as she leaned near the gunman. His dark, tousled hair fell across his tan forehead. His smoldering blue eyes regarded her lazily from behind heavy lids. He’d lost a lot of blood, but not enough to remove the threat completely. He was dangerous. Deadly. Still, she couldn’t help the stirrings of compassion she felt. Or the unwanted feeling of attraction that had shot through her when she’d touched him. She cleared her throat when he didn’t answer. “What should I expect from you, Mr. Dalton? That you’ve changed?” Her voice sounded clipped and distant.

“I guess that all depends on whose version of my life you’ve been listenin’ to, doesn’t it?” He looked away, suddenly seeming to let his guard down. “I might’ve done a couple of good things to go along with the rest,” he said softly. “Whatever you’ve heard, I’m not all bad.”

Cheryl Pierson is a native of Oklahoma. She lives in the Oklahoma City metro area with her husband. The mother of two grown children, and pet-sitter on occasion, she is always busy. A romance author who loves to read, Cheryl also teaches novel writing classes and is co-owner of West Winds Media, an editing/teaching business for writers. She writes true short stories that have been published by Adams Media and Chicken Soup, fictional short stories that have been published through The Wild Rose Press and Victory Tales Press, novels and a screenplay. Her novel Fire Eyes was an Epic Award Finalist and Cheryl received the 2010 PNR PEARL Awards Honorable Mention as Best New Paranormal Author. She also placed third in the San Antonio Romance Authors (SARA) Merritt Contest (historical) with her newest novel, Gabriel’s Law. In addition, Sweet Danger, her contemporary release through TWRP this past October, has received wonderful reviews. She just had three Christmas short stories released through Victory Tales Press. To learn more about Cheryl and her exciting books, visit her at www.cherylpierson.com.

Please Vote for Calendar Boy!

2010-12-04T09:31:00.001-08:00

As promised, here is the link to vote for Calendar Boy for Best Book of the Week over at Whipped Cream. Thanks so much in advance!

And for your viewing pleasure...

Ah, Island Time...I Miss You...

2010-12-03T15:01:00.000-08:00

The dh and I just got back from nine relaxing sunny days in Negril, Jamaica. We spent time with good friends (most of whom are still there -- if you're reading this, you suck! lol), ate some great food, drank frou frou island drinks, partied till early in the morning, and generally escaped real life.

I came back home to a lovely review for Calendar Boy. Sweet Pea at Whipped Cream Reviews says:

...Once I picked up this book I couldn’t put it down. I was riveted from page one to the very end. I love Cougar stories and this has just made my top five. I highly recommend this book.

Calendar Boy is up for Whipped Cream's Book of the Week. Voting starts tomorrow and continues through Sunday. I'll post the link tomorrow morning. If you read the book and enjoyed it, I'd appreciate your vote :).

Please stop back here on Monday when my good friend Cheryl Pierson will be visiting to talk about her historical western holiday story, A Night for Miracles.

Until then...Ire!

No No NaNo

2010-11-12T14:54:00.000-08:00

I'm afraid it's true -- for the first time in four years, I'm opting out of NaNoWriMo mid-month. Though NaNo has worked miracles for me in the past, I don't feel the excitement this year. I'd rather opt for quality over quantity. So while I'm going to keep writing, I'm not going to push the word counts.

In no way does this mean I no longer believe in the principles of NaNo. I absolutely do. What it means is that I have other obligations this month that are cutting into my writing time. Consequently, making the word counts means I will end up with a lesser quality product than I want. So I'm taking my time, easing up.

I hope the rest of you are cruising right along!

BEHIND!

2010-11-05T06:47:00.001-07:00

I've started out with a...slow crawl. It's been a busy week. I'm way behind on my NaNo goals, and not likely to get much done today. So here's to a banner next week! How are the rest of you doing?

IT'S NANO TIME

2010-11-01T11:39:00.001-07:00

Don't get it right; get it written.

--Chris Baty, founder of National Novel Writing Month

It's that time of the year again. I've done NaNoWriMo for the past three years and have finished my 50K in a month each time. The first two years went well. I completed an award winning manuscript and its sequel. Last year I attempted a Harlequin Presents type novel. Though I finished, I was not happy with the result. In fact, I considered making last year my last NaNo, but since I did so well in 07 and 08, I thought I'd try once again. I'm officially starting tomorrow with a goal of 4K for the four days of this week. I'll move to 5K per day next week, and 2K per day the week after, which will complete my 50K goal. We leave November 23 for Jamaica, so like the past two years, I have only three weeks to get my writing done. During November I won't be doing my normal hero posts on Mondays and hunk posts on Wednesdays, but I will update every day or so with my wordcounts, and I promise to add something for your viewing pleasure :).

You can find me on the NaNo website at Helen Hardt. Happy Writing!

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-29T10:13:00.000-07:00

BOOBIE WEDNESDAY

2010-10-27T09:31:00.000-07:00

I'm hijacking Hunk Day to highlight a very important subject -- Breast Cancer Awareness. The ladies at boobiewednesday.com change their Facebook and Twitter photos every Wednesday to boobs (either their own or someone else's) and encourage the rest of us to do the same. Men, you can participate too. Use your bare chest or someone else's bare chest.

Yes, this is my cleavage.

I'm happy to have my boobs and I hope to keep them. But we all have to do what we can. Don't forget your monthly self breast exams, a yearly breast exam by a medical professional, and ladies over 40, get your annual mammogram. To all you breast cancer survivors out there, you are an inspiration to all of us. To those who lost the fight, may you rest in peace as the rest of us endeavor to find a cure.

And it is Hunk Day after all...so here are some bare male chests. Enjoy!

MEET THE HEROMichael from Calendar Boy

2010-10-25T09:50:00.000-07:00

I'm pleased to introduce one of my own heroes again today -- Michael Moretti from Calendar Boy, available at Aspen Mountain Press. And that's not a typo in the blurb -- Stacy has two last names, her real name and her pen name :). I hope you enjoy!

Forty-five year old erotic romance author Stacy Oppenheimer has always been an introvert, and her recent divorce has left her scared of her own shadow. But when her favorite cover model, Michael Moretti, corners her at a writers’ conference, she swallows her inhibitions for a moment and teases him a little.

Michael Moretti, age thirty-six, knows his career as a cover model and exotic dancer is rapidly coming to an end due to his age. He has his own reasons for attending this conference—find an attractive older woman who he can woo into keeping him in the lifestyle to which he’s become accustomed. Lovely Stacy Summers fits his requirements nicely.

With Michael’s help, Stacy begins to overcome her shyness and engages in some exciting activities both outside and inside the bedroom. But she’s nobody’s sugar mama, and she makes that clear to him when she finds out his ulterior motive. Too bad for Michael, who finds out he just might be in a little deeper than he thought.

Excerpt (explicit sex and language):

“Let me go, damn it!” She threw her entire body weight against him, to no avail.

“No! Not until you listen to me!"

“I could listen all day, Michael, but I’ll never believe a word you say.”

“Oh?” His eyes burned, his nostrils flared. Ruddiness colored his chiseled olive cheeks. “Then maybe you’ll believe this!”

His lips came down on hers with the force of a hurricane. Strong hands clamped her cheeks.

Stacy squirmed, pressed her lips together, tried, tried so hard…but it was too much. His mouth, though uninvited, was magic on hers. His kiss was hard, raw and unapologetic, and it ignited fire in her veins. He hadn’t shaved, and his rough stubble burned the soft skin of her cheeks. And that burning was good, so good. It added to the carnal intensity of their mouths mashing together. They ate at each other as though they’d been hungry for weeks. He plunged his fists into her hair, growled into her mouth.

They kissed until Michael pulled away and drew a ragged breath. “Come with me.”

He grabbed Stacy’s hand and whisked her down the hallway to a secluded alcove.

“Michael, the book sign—”

“Fuck the book signing,” he said, his voice a primitive snarl. He lifted her skirt and ripped off her lacy thong with his bare hands.

“Michael!”

“I need you, Stace. And by God, I’m going to have you. Now.”

Stacy shuddered. She should run. Run screaming. But something in his voice, in his eyes, held her still. He wouldn’t hurt her, she knew. Need burst to life in her core and rushed through her body. Juice trickled from her pussy.

Michael’s fingers sought her slit. “God, you’re wet. I knew you’d be wet for me.”

Stacy closed her eyes and inhaled. If he didn’t fuck her soon she was sure she’d die an untimely death right here in the hotel hallway. The clink of his belt buckle and zing of his zipper buzzed in her ears. Then the rip of the condom packet. He pushed her against the wall, lifted her, and set her down upon his cock.

The Charge of the Goddess

2010-10-22T01:00:00.000-07:00

Halloween...or Samhain...or All Hallow's Eve...or the Day of the Dead (actually November 2)... Whatever you choose to call it, October 31 is a time to celebrate the "darker half" of the year. The sun sets earlier, the moon rises and shines brighter, and the invisible border between our world and the Otherworld becomes thinner.

If you believe in that sort of thing :).

Personally, I find Halloween to be an excellent time not only to focus on the halfyear ahead, but also to look within myself and remember what is truly important.

The Charge of the Goddess by Doreen Valiente (as adapted by writer and witch Starhawk) moves me every time I read it. Whatever your religious or spiritual following, this short piece is a treatise on the beauty to be found in the simple things, and a reminder that to truly find the divine, we must first look within ourselves. I offer it here as Halloween approaches.

Listen to the words of the Great Mother, Who of old was called Artemis, Astarte, Dione, Melusine, Aphrodite, Cerridwen, Diana, Arionrhod, Brigid, and by many other names:

Whenever you have need of anything, once a month, and better it be when the moon is full, you shall assemble in some secret place and adore the spirit of Me Who is Queen of all the Wise.

You shall be free from slavery, and as a sign that you be free you shall be naked in your rites.

Sing, feast, dance, make music and love, all in My Presence, for Mine is the ecstasy of the spirit and Mine also is joy on earth.

For My law is love is unto all beings. Mine is the secret that opens the door of youth, and Mine is the cup of wine of life that is the cauldron of Cerridwen, that is the holy grail of immortality.

I give the knowledge of the spirit eternal, and beyond death I give peace and freedom and reunion with those that have gone before.

Nor do I demand aught of sacrifice, for behold, I am the Mother of all things and My love is poured out upon the earth.

Hear the words of the Star Goddess, the dust of Whose feet are the hosts of Heaven, whose body encircles the universe:

I Who am the beauty of the green earth and the white moon among the stars and the mysteries of the waters,

I call upon your soul to arise and come unto me.

For I am the soul of nature that gives life to the universe.

From Me all things proceed and unto Me they must return.

Let My worship be in the heart that rejoices, for behold, all acts of love and pleasure are My
rituals.

Let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you.

And you who seek to know Me, know that the seeking and yearning will avail you not unless you know the Mystery: for if that which you seek you find not within yourself, you will never find it without.

For behold, I have been with you from the beginning, and I am That which is attained at the end of desire.

HUMP-DAY HUNK -- Taylor Kitsch

2010-10-20T09:15:00.000-07:00

Taylor Kitsch.

Really, does anything more need to be said?

VISITING RACHEL

2010-10-19T07:07:00.001-07:00

Today I'm blogging with the talented Rachel Leigh. Please stop by her blog to say hi!

And for your viewing pleasure...

MEET THE HERORio from Pay Up

2010-10-18T01:00:00.000-07:00

I'm pleased to turn my blog over once again to the lovely Kaily Hart, who I had the pleasure of meeting in person last weekend at RomantiCon!

Helen, thanks so much for having me here today! It was such a treat to actually meet you in person last week at the Ellora’s Cave RomantiCon conference. It was one of my fan-girl moments and it was so cool to sit next to you at the author meet and greet and at my first book signing! Boy, I’m glad to have that first under my belt now. I’d like to introduce everyone to the hero in my latest book, PAY UP. Rio Reyes is…well, he’s HOT. Smokin hot to be exact. Although his occupation doesn’t feature that predominately in the book, Rio is a firefighter—a gorgeous, ripped, ‘knows his way around a woman’s body’ firefighter. The book is a friends to lovers story so Rio and Carly already know each other well when the book opens. She’s been yearning for him for ages and he’s been…pretty much clueless about it. Although…things aren’t always exactly as they seem.

BLURB

Neighbor. Friend. Lover.

At least that’s what Carly Wagner wanted Rio Reyes to be. She’d settled for two out of three for almost a year and it just wasn’t enough. Not anymore. When Rio proposes a shockingly sexual bet, she knows it’s out of character and he’s not really serious, yet she can’t resist. The pay off could be finally getting her hands on the gorgeous firefighter she’s drooled over since she moved in next door.

The timing had never seemed right for him and Carly, but that hadn’t stopped Rio from imagining wild and wicked things about her. It had been a joke—sort of, but Rio’s shocked when she takes him up on the dumbass bet. Now he’s in a world of hurt, because regardless of who wins, he might be crossing a line he never thought he would and jeopardize a friendship that means more to him than anything.

EXCERPT
Warning: this excerpt contains a hot, ripped firefighter, noisy sex, mention of toys and one frustrated heroine! (From Helen: In other words, READ ON!)

“Yes, yes, Rio, yes…oh…God, yes…”

Not again.

Carly felt heat flare in her cheeks, not to mention the other parts of her body. It washed over and through her all at once, leaving her weak, her breathing unsteady and just plain…hot.

What the hell did Rio do to get them to moan and scream and gasp that way? She’d never called out like that in the throes of passion or anywhere else for that matter. She was also pretty sure it wouldn’t have been with that sense of utter abandon or lack of regard for who might hear her. And let’s face it, she just wasn’t that great an actress.

One of the reasons she’d bought her condo in this building was for its construction, specifically the interior concrete walls. It should have been impossible, but some freak design with the ventilation system meant…they had to be going at it up against the entry wall that backed directly onto hers. Why hadn’t that occurred to her? They’d barely made it past his front door, before…

Whew.

Carly inhaled quickly at the sharp pull low in her abdomen. She swore she could hear a faint rhythmic thumping and muffled groans too, but it could just as easily be her imagination taking over. It didn’t take much to have her picturing Rio’s big body and what he was doing with it to get that kind of response. God, he’d be hot and sweaty, his big body gleaming with exertion, his dark hair damp and sticking up where urgent hands had been buried in it, maybe holding on to him, urging him on. He’d have his shirt off, but maybe he’d been impatient, unfastening his pants just enough, having thrust them down roughly so he could—

She took a deep, shaky breath. She really, really needed to get a life. Unfortunately, she’d heard the whispers and giggles for a long time about how awesome Rio was in bed. About how built he was…down there, and about how he knew his way around a woman’s body like few guys did. Hearing the evidence of it for the second time in a week didn’t help.

Carly could feel how damp her panties were against the hot, aching flesh between her legs. She couldn’t help the clench of her inner muscles when she heard a definite thud and more with the moaning.

They were still going at it?

She’d figured after that crescendo they’d be done. She sighed. Yeah, she’d heard about Rio’s stamina as well.

How could she be hot and bothered and jealous as hell all at once? The hot and bothered she wasn’t so surprised about. She only had to picture Rio shirtless and she was there. Hell, she only had to imagine his big hands, the sharp line of his jaw, the flash of his smile or his startling blue eyes and that was enough. The shockingly intense jealousy had snuck up on her over time. And now? It was like acid burning through her veins at the thought of him and what he was doing with another woman, to another woman.

So, who did he have over there?

He hadn’t dated anyone regularly since the woman he’d been seeing when they’d first met. He never lacked feminine attention though. Being a tall, dark-haired, ripped firefighter didn’t hurt him in that department either, but he didn’t play the field like he could. Sometimes he went weeks without seeing anyone. Not that she was keeping track or anything. Aw, jeez, who was she kidding? She knew every woman he’d ever gone out with. It was the second time this week with the sound effects and it was getting on her nerves, not to mention her libido. So, all right…she didn’t have to stand in the kitchen, close to her front door where the sound seemed to be the loudest. She could have moved and spared herself, because she wasn’t sure her heart could stand much more either, but something kept her rooted to the spot.

She closed her eyes and leaned back against the counter. Her body was on fire, her clothing rough against her overheated skin. Even the softness of her washed-to-death t-shirt seemed abrasive against her pebble-hard nipples. She gasped as the muscles between her legs and deep inside where she burned flexed involuntarily. Her panties were soaked.

Dammit.

It was inevitable. She knew, she just knew, before she went to sleep tonight she was going to be making good use of her vibrator, imagining it was Rio pleasuring her, his unforgiving tongue flickering over the swollen bud of her clitoris before his big body thrust in and out of her as he braced her up against the wall. She had to give in to it, there was no choice, because if she held out, the need and want and lust became unbearable. Been there, done that. Greg hadn’t been able to satisfy that in her either. Despite how pleasant their sex, he couldn’t satisfy the craving she had for Rio. He never had. She snorted. Yeah, thinking sex with him was “pleasant” should have given her more than a clue, a long time ago.

God. Rio Reyes. He’d been her sexy neighbor for just over a year, a good friend for almost the same amount of time and her secret crush since the day he’d helped her “de-wedge” her console table from the apartment elevator. An elevator she wasn’t supposed to be using for moving in her furniture. He’d laughed at her with his infectious smile and gorgeous dimples and she’d been gone.

I’ve also included my ‘inspiration picture’ for PAY UP for your viewing pleasure. I usually have 1 or 2 pictures I find for each book that provides the ‘feel’ or ‘tone’ I’m looking for as I write. This was it for Rio.

You can find PAY UP at - http://www.jasminejade.com/p-8747-pay-up.aspx

You can find me all over:
Web – www.kailyhart.com
Blog - http://kailyhart.blogspot.com/
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/kaily.hart
Twitter - http://twitter.com/kailyhart

ENJOY!

HUMP-DAY HUNK -- Hernan Drago

2010-10-13T10:54:00.001-07:00

Can you believe those eyes? Hernan Drago, born in 1975, is one of the most famous models in Argentina. His first ad campaign was Hugo Boss. He says he doesn't drink alcohol, doesn't smoke and likes to stay home with his wife and kid, but he confessed that his main vice is eating Ben and Jerry's ice cream. What a perfect guy!

MEET THE HEROChandler from Pianist Envy

2010-10-11T15:17:00.000-07:00

Hello! I'm back from RomantiCon in Ohio, so hopefully my blogging will be back on schedule this week. It was great to meet so many of my online friends -- Kaily Hart, Laurann Dohner, Amber Skyze and Fran Lee, to name a few. Kaily will be here next Monday to introduce us to the hero in her newest EC release.

Today I'm highlighting one of my own heroes -- Chandler from Pianist Envy. Although the following excerpt is from the heroine's point of view, it showcases Chandler. I hope you enjoy!

Blurb:

Huge success has so far eluded musician Jane Rock. Coming from a modest background, she’s had to work hard for everything she has. When a music agent attends one of her rock band’s performances at a local club, she thinks her big break has finally come, until an inebriated—though handsome and muscular—patron spoils her show.

Classical pianist Chandler Hamilton has had most of his success handed to him due to his family name. He has his reasons for detesting rock music, but he finds himself drawn to beautiful and talented Jane. Although the two sizzle between the sheets, outside the bedroom they bicker endlessly and envy what they perceive as the other’s good fortune. When Jane needs a favor, Chandler resists. Can love blossom amid clashing notes and tempos?

Excerpt (PG):

She didn’t bother knocking. He wouldn’t hear her anyway. Normally she wasn’t so rude, but the music called to her. His anger, his passion, called to her. Still holding the pot, she stood, mouth agape, as Chandler pounded out disharmonic chords on his nine-foot black lacquer grand.

Disharmonic, yes, but they made a certain musical sense. Discordant in a harmonic way. Sweat covered his brow and a drop hit an ivory key. He didn’t stop to wipe away the perspiration. He punished the keys, ground out eerie yet beautiful music in his raw madness. His fingers danced, his facial muscles tensed, his full pink lips pursed. Another drop of sweat hit a key as he slowed the tempo, softened his strokes, then from piano to forte again as he trilled two notes and boomed through the lower keys.

Jane’s heart thudded in time with Chandler’s now increasing tempo. As he crescendoed, so did she, her breath coming in rapid puffs, her breasts heaving against her chest. His playing conjured images in her mind of a bullfighter twirling a red cape. Vivid reds and oranges swirled through her head.

More chords. Louder, faster…banging, clashing…

Then silence.

His eyes closed and his chest dropped, as though he were only now cognizant of the fact that he required breath. More drips of moisture emerged on his corded neck and rivered down his chest through the few blond hairs that peeked out of his black button down. The stark onyx contrasted against his fair skin in a beautiful way. Jane’s breath caught.

She stood, still holding the empty coffee pot. Should she applaud? Her hands were occupied, and applause seemed inappropriate anyway. This hadn’t been a performance. No, this had been a catharsis, a purging of negativity, a ritual cleansing.

This had been solely about Chandler. Pure, raw emotion not meant for an audience.

Regret flooded her. She shouldn’t be here.

MEET THE HEROJesse from Sweet Danger

2010-10-04T01:00:00.000-07:00

My good friend Cheryl Pierson, known for her gritty, realistic and amazingly romantic western historicals, is leaping into romantic suspense with Sweet Danger, available at The Wild Rose Press! Here's a little about Cheryl and Sweet Danger.

Cheryl Pierson is a native of Oklahoma. She lives in the Oklahoma City metro area with her husband. The mother of two grown children, and pet-sitter on occasion, she is always busy. A romance author who loves to read, Cheryl also teaches novel writing classes and is co-owner of West Winds Media, an editing/teaching business for writers. She writes short stories that have been published by Adams Media, novel manuscripts, and has written a screenplay. Her novel Fire Eyes was an Epic Award Finalist and Cheryl recently received the 2010 PNR PEARL Awards Honorable Mention as Best New Paranormal Author. She also placed third in the San Antonio Romance Authors (SARA) Merritt Contest (historical) with her newest novel, Gabriel’s Law. To learn more about Cheryl and her exciting books, visit her at www.cherylpierson.com.

BLURB:

When undercover cop Jesse Nightwalker enters Silverman’s Deli, he doesn't expect to find himself at the mercy of Tabor Hardin, a sadistic murderer he helped put in prison five years earlier. Now, Hardin’s escaped, and he’s out for more blood—Jesse’s.

Lindy Oliver has had her eye on her handsome neighbor for several months. Fate provides the opportunity for them to finally meet when they both choose the same deli for breakfast. Becoming a hostage was not in Lindy’s plans when she sat down to share a pastry with Jesse, but neither was the hot kiss he gave her when bullets began to fly. That kiss seals both their fates, binding them to one another with the certainty of a vow.

But Jesse’s got some hard-hitting secrets. With both their lives at stake, Lindy has a plan that just might save them—if Hardin takes the bait. Will they find unending love in the midst of Sweet Danger?

Excerpt:

In this scene, Lindy and Jesse have just run into one another in the local deli/bakery on a Friday morning. They have lived 2 doors down from one another for a year, and had their "eye" on one another, but this is the first time they've actually met. And what a meeting! While they are having their "sugar ring" pastry, a gunman and his crew come in, and take hostages. Unfortunately for Jesse, the leader is a man he helped put in the pen for murder a few years back who has escaped.

Lindy looked up into Jesse’s face, scant inches from her own. What would he do? They were somewhat concealed here at the back of the deli, but these men were sporting semi-automatic weapons.

“There’s a back door,” Jesse whispered raggedly. “Get the hell out of here. I’m gonna be your diversion.” She didn’t answer; couldn’t answer. He was likely to be killed, helping her go free. He gave her a small shake. “Okay?”

An interminable moment passed between them before she finally nodded. “Get going as soon as I get their attention.” He reached to brush a strand of hair out of her eyes, his own gaze softening as he leaned toward her and closed the gap between them. “Take care of yourself, Lindy,” he whispered, just before his mouth closed over hers.

The instant their lips touched shook her solidly. Every coherent thought fled, leaving nothing but the smoldering touch of his hot mouth on hers, burning like wildfire through her mind. His lips soft, yet firm. Insistent and insolent. His teeth skimmed her lower lip, followed by his tongue, as he tasted her. Then, he pulled away from her, their eyes connecting for a heart-wrenching second. “A kiss for luck,” he whispered. “Safe passage.”

Lindy didn’t answer, more stunned by the sudden sweet kiss than by the madness that surrounded them. Jesse pushed himself out from under the table and stood up, directly in front of where Lindy crouched. Only then did she hear his muted groan of pain, his sharp, hissing intake of breath. The blossoming red stain of crimson contrasted starkly with the pale blue of his soft cotton chambray shirt as his blood trickled from the bullet wound, soaking the material.

He’d been shot! Lindy gasped softly at the realization. How could she leave him now? He was hurt. Somehow, it didn’t seem right for her to just “escape;” to leave him to deal with these men while he was bleeding and—

Jesse hesitated, and Lindy couldn’t be sure if it was intentional, or if the agony of the hole in his shoulder kept him still for that extra instant before he slowly walked away from the table, his hands up.

Get Your Calendar Boy!

2010-09-29T14:21:00.000-07:00

Calendar Boy is available today at Aspen Mountain Press.

Forty-five year old erotic romance author Stacy Oppenheimer has always been an introvert, and her recent divorce has left her scared of her own shadow. But when her favorite cover model, Michael Moretti, corners her at a writers’ conference, she swallows her inhibitions for a moment and teases him a little.

Michael Moretti, age thirty-six, knows his career as a cover model and exotic dancer is rapidly coming to an end due to his age. He has his own reasons for attending this conference—find an attractive older woman who he can woo into keeping him in the lifestyle to which he’s become accustomed. Lovely Stacy Summers fits his requirements nicely.

With Michael’s help, Stacy begins to overcome her shyness and engages in some exciting activities both outside and inside the bedroom. But she’s nobody’s sugar mama, and she makes that clear to him when she finds out his ulterior motive. Too bad for Michael, who finds out he just might be in a little deeper than he thought.

MEET THE HEROJonathan from Lancelot's Lady

2010-09-27T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please welcome Cherish D'Angelo!

Thank you, Helen, for hosting me during my Cherish the Romance Virtual Launch Party, which celebrates the release of my contemporary romantic suspense Lancelot's Lady. Today I'm giving you a sneak peek at a scene in which my hero, Jonathan, has just found a stranded Rhianna on Angelina's Isle, and he isn't too happy about it. First impressions can be very misleading.

Jonathan almost laughed at the woman. How dare she look at him as if he were some uneducated, impoverished bum. If she could only see herself. Most of the women he’d known would never allow themselves to be seen in such disarray, with hair tousled by the wind, no makeup on whatsoever―not that she needed any―and tired, angry eyes.

Approaching, he surreptitiously studied her. The woman’s creased cotton pants were slightly damp at the hem. The blouse she wore, while feminine, was primly buttoned to the top. And her unmarked suitcase screamed brand new, suggesting this woman either wasn’t well-traveled or worldly, or she was and she bought a new suitcase for every trip.

Rhianna, he recalled.

She had eyes the color of jade, and right now they were flinging daggers at him.

He chuckled. She’s feisty, I’ll give her that.

Now that she was standing, he could see that her head only came as high as his chest, but she was curved in all the right places. She had long, slender legs―the kind he’d like to wrap around him.

Now where the hell did that thought come from?

“Where are you from?” he demanded.

“Miami.”

He let out a huff. “City girl.”

Staring into her thick-lashed eyes, he felt a shock of something akin to recognition. Yet he knew they’d never met before. Shaking his head, he reminded himself that women were nothing but trouble. He’d had enough of that to last him a lifetime.

Liars and cheats. All of them!

“How far is the resort?” she asked.

His laughter echoed through the trees...

Lancelot's Lady by Cherish D'Angelo

A Bahamas holiday from dying billionaire JT Lance, a man with a dark secret, leads palliative nurse Rhianna McLeod to Jonathan, a man with his own troubled past, and Rhianna finds herself drawn to the handsome recluse, while unbeknownst to her, someone with a horrific plan is hunting her down.

Cherish D'Angelo's bio: When romance author Cherish D'Angelo is not busy relaxing in her hot tub, sipping champagne, eating chocolate-covered strawberries or plotting romantic suspense with scintillating sensuality, she is ruthlessly killing people off in her thrillers as bestselling Canadian suspense author, Cheryl Kaye Tardif.

Prizes & Giveaways: I'm giving away prizes at every stop during my launch party today and at every stop during my Cherish the Romance Virtual Book Tour, which runs until October 10, 2010, so join the party and follow me on my journey.

Leave a comment here, with email address, to be entered into the prize draws. You're guaranteed to receive at least 1 free ebook just for doing so. Plus you'll be entered to win a Kobo ereader. Winners will be announced after October 10th.

Special prizes: Purchase Lancelot's Lady today from KoboBooks, Amazon's Kindle Store, or Smashwords and email me with your receipt as proof of purchase and you'll be entered into a special draw for signed paperback copies of Divine Intervention. Two copies will be awarded.

You can learn more about Lancelot's Lady and Cherish/Cheryl at http://www.cherishdangelo.com and http://www.cherylktardif.blogspot.com.

MEET ME AT CATHERINE'S

2010-09-23T12:42:00.001-07:00

I'm visiting Catherine's blog today. Please stop by to read an excerpt from Pianist Envy!

And for your viewing pleasure...Jessie Pavelka, who happens to bear a striking resemblance to my hero, Chandler.

Do You Have Pianist Envy?Get It Today at Ellora's Cave!

2010-09-22T08:50:00.000-07:00

Pianist Envy, my new contemporary erotic novella, is available today at Ellora's Cave! (The hump-day hunk will be making an appearance Friday.)

Huge success has so far eluded musician Jane Rock. Coming from a modest background, she’s had to work hard for everything she has. When a music agent attends one of her rock band’s performances at a local club, she thinks her big break has finally come, until an inebriated—though handsome and muscular—patron spoils her show.

Classical pianist Chandler Hamilton has had most of his success handed to him due to his family name. He has his reasons for detesting rock music, but he finds himself drawn to beautiful and talented Jane. Although the two sizzle between the sheets, outside the bedroom they bicker endlessly and envy what they perceive as the other’s good fortune. When Jane needs a favor, Chandler resists. Can love blossom amid clashing notes and tempos?

MEET THE HEROChase from Kilt-A-Licious

2010-09-13T01:00:00.000-07:00

I'm pleased to welcome back my good friend Catherine Bybee. She has a hero for us today who is truly Kilt-A-licious! And who is that hunk on the cover??

Multi-published, bestselling author Catherine Bybee has been addicted to books for as long as she can remember. With the love of reading romance novels came the desire to write them as well. Creating worlds where passion and intrigue collide gives Catherine the perfect balance. She currently lives in Southern California with her husband and two growing sons. If she isn't busy at her computer or with her family, she's volunteering for any number of organizations or working as a RN in a busy Emergency Room.

Blurb:

Time traveling Highlander, Chase Donnach, would like nothing better than to enjoy his last days in the twenty-first century in the arms of the feisty, redhead Sheri Lansing. When their mutual sexual pleasure develops into much bigger emotions of love and forever Chase has to convince Sheri that he’s the Highlander for her.

All of Sheri’s life the people she grows to love leave her. When Chase slips into her heart, she reflexively pushes him away. Can Chase really love her as much as he says, or are the destined to only be lovers lost in time?

Excerpt:

A hand pushed up her skirt, but before she had a chance to break the weasel’s fingers, a large hand clasped onto the shoulder of fuzz-face and hauled him to his feet. Sheri jumped back to avoid being knocked over.

All noise in the bar stopped.

Pivoting, Sheri sized up Chase who didn’t look all that happy as he sent a death stare to the cop-a-feel reject.

Chase was pissed, and he didn’t hide it.

“The lass said she wasn’t interested.” Each measured word etched into her brain. Damn, that was hot. The way Chase stood staring down the kid with his feet shoulder-width apart was a complete turn-on.

When Chase pulled the man against his chest, she noticed the fear in the kid’s face. As hot as it might be to have Mr. Chivalrous coming to her aid, she didn’t think bloodshed was absolutely necessary.

“Chase, put the little boy down.” The kid did seem to be dangling in the air. He was all of five-ten where Chase was six-three on a bad day.

“I don’t think he’s learned his lesson, love.”

“He’s about to wet himself, hon.” Not that she cared if he did.

Lori fell in place beside her along with John, the bouncer. “Is everything okay here?”

“Fine! Chase, put him down.” When Chase’s blue eyes reached hers, they softened.

Slowly, the kid found his footing, and Chase let go.

The noise around them started to build as the tension dissipated.

Sheri continued to stare into his eyes. Deep in the pit of her stomach, she quivered. Damn, he was delicious to look at. Oh, baby, was it exciting watching him in action. Suddenly, the thought of him fighting with his big, massive sword and his big, burly muscles popped in her mind and had her breathing heavily in seconds.

She reached out and clasped his hand. “Lori, can you cover for me for a few minutes?”

The bartender laughed, obviously having the same Oh, baby, there’s nothing like a big, hunky guy to defend you thoughts Sheri had. “Take all the time ya need.”

Someone turned up the music in the bar. Sheri pulled Chase out of the main room and down the hall to the break room. Juan, the busboy, sat in one of only three chairs in the small space.

“Out,” she ordered. Juan scurried back to work. Once alone, Sheri turned the lock in the door, swiveled on Chase, and latched her lips onto his.

HUMP-DAY HUNK -- Jimmy Thomas

2010-09-08T10:29:00.001-07:00

Yes, I'm taking this opportunity to showcase my new cover for Calendar Boy featuring the amazing Jimmy Thomas! Many thanks to Amanda at Aspen Mountain Press for the wonderful design. Jimmy has appeared on nearly 500 romance novel covers. He's the ultimate Calendar Boy, and I'm thrilled to have him on this cover. For your viewing pleasure, here are a few more of his hot covers...

MEET THE HEROMaximus from Forbidden

2010-09-06T01:00:00.000-07:00

Last week I took part in my good friend Christina Phillips's blog party to celebrate her new Berkley Heat release, Forbidden. This week, I'm happy to welcome her here to talk about Maximus, her hero. Doesn't that name just conjure up all kinds of delicious images? Before we meet the man of the hour, here's a little about Christina:

Christina Phillips has always loved writing, and while her efforts in eighth grade usually involved space ships, time travel and unfortunate endings, as soon as she discovered romance novels a whole new world opened up. She now writes ancient historical romances about strong heroines and gorgeous warrior heroes for Berkley Heat who, no matter how torturous the journey, are guaranteed a happy-ever-after. Christina was born in the United Kingdom, but now lives in sunny Western Australia with her real-life hero and their three children.

Forbidden - the first in a new erotic historical series of magical heroines and sexy warriors

Blurb:

He was a master of seduction - but no match for the magical allure of the woman he wanted most...

Carys knew from the moment she first spied on Maximus in his naked barbarian glory that he was a dangerous Roman centurion - his taut, battle-scarred flesh marking him as a fearless warrior. But her desire for him was as undeniable as it was illicit.

Charged by his emperor to eliminate a clan of powerful Druids in Britain, Maximus never expects his mission to be thwarted by the clan's ethereal princess, Carys, his daring voyeur. Falling under her spell, he doesn't realize her true heritage - until he captures her heart as well as her body.

As Carys's loyalties are twisted, and freedom is no longer her single-minded obsession, an avenging former lover threatens to crush Maximus's people into oblivion. Now Carys and Maximus must overcome the devastation of war and face the ultimate sacrifice if their forbidden love is to survive.

Excerpt ~ Chapter One

Carys held her breath as her secret lover entered the sparkling waterfall, buried deep within the leafy shadows of the forest.

She pressed her fingers against the rough bark of the tree, and inched a little farther along the branch where she lay hidden from his sight.

From this angle she had a perfect view of his magnificent naked body. Even from this distance she could see the numerous battle scars that marred his tawny skin, but they marked him as a warrior. A hero who faced death without reservation and emerged triumphant.

He was the enemy of her people. And yet she couldn’t tear her fascinated gaze from him.

They had never met. They would never meet. Such a catastrophe didn’t bear thinking about. Yet she thought of this tough, brutal warrior constantly. Ever since she had first stumbled across his irregular bathing ritual three moons ago.

He turned within the shimmering rainbows of the waterfall, fingers raking through his short black hair. Carys released her breath in a shaky gasp and her body moved restlessly against her perilous ledge. The men of Cymru had long, flowing hair. How would it feel to touch such severely cropped hair? Sharp, like the points of reeds? Or—not? She couldn’t imagine. And yet she imagined endlessly.

His hands massaged his broad shoulders, and Carys’s fingers dug into woody crevices as she fantasized rubbing her own fingers over his knotted muscles. It had been fifteen days since he had last been to the waterfall. She knew because she had waited here, each morning.

But the wait had been worth it, and her imagination hadn’t enhanced his powerful muscles, his commanding height or his dark, exotic beauty. Her breath shortened as her heart rate accelerated, and her thighs tightened around the branch in reaction.

Slowly his hands slid over wet skin, fingers trailing through the sprinkling of dark hair that dusted his impressive chest. Lightning flickered in the pit of her stomach, and instinctively she rubbed her pussy against the abrasive bark.

Her only lover, whose possessive grip she had finally escaped three years ago, possessed no body hair aside from on his head. How would it feel to press against a masculine form so unlike any she had previously seen?

The tip of her tongue slid over her lips as her secret lover sluiced water over his rigid stomach. And then his fingers curled around his semi-aroused cock.

Carys stretched to the very edge of her branch, risking safety and the threat of discovery, but temptation was too great. She had seen naked men without number in her life, knew how insanely proud males were of their treasures, but she had never been impressed by that part of the human body before.

Not even her ex-lover’s. Especially not her ex-lover’s. And yet this man’s cock, this man who would murder her without compunction if he knew who she was, held fascination beyond reason.

HUMP-DAY HUNKS -- Gerard Butler and Clive Owen

2010-09-01T11:08:00.000-07:00

Two classic hunks today -- why, you may ask?

Why not?

Actually, there is method to my madness. I'm helping my good friend Christina Phillips celebrate her Berkley Heat release, Forbidden. She and I have clashed for years over who is hotter, Gerry or Clive. Hmm, Scottish accent or English accent? It's a tough one for sure. So leave a comment and cast your vote. Me? I gotta go with Gerry :).

Once you've decided, visit me at Christina's blog where I'm talking about my favorite story of forbidden love. Leave a comment there and you might win downloads of two of my backlist!

MEET THE HEROCall from Marrying Mattie

2010-08-30T01:00:00.000-07:00

It's my privilege to welcome western author Tanya Hanson today! If you've read Marrying Minda, the first of her Paradise Brides novels from The Wild Rose Press, you already know you're in for a treat with the second, Marrying Mattie. She's here to introduce us to her amazing hero in Mattie, but first, a little about Tanya.

Tanya Hanson is a California beach girl happily married to a firefighter. Her two kids are the best thing she’s ever done, and now, she gets to be a gramma to the dearest little boy ever.

Favorite things after her family: Travel, being left-handed, McDonald's iced coffee, and Brooks and Dunn.

Although she’s totally hooked on the Western historicals she writes for The Wild Rose Press, she is finding a wonderful home writing contemporary Western inspirationals for White Rose Publishing.

Her hubby is a two-year testicular cancer survivor and since his ordeal, her mission is to encourage readers to get the guy in their lives to check his family jewels regularly. It could save his life.

Blurb:

Call Hackett knows everything abour horseflesh and nothing about women, yet he's managed to snare beautiful Mattie Carter's heart. With their wedding coming up and him nervous and inexperienced, his beautiful bride manages to ease his worries in just the right way.

Mattie Carter, betrayed by her wealthy husband back home, seeks a new life with the handsome horse doctor she's promised to wed. But her ex halts their vows, claiming to the whole church she's still his wife. Can she regain Call's trust? And can the two of them find out the truth?

Excerpt:

But right now, he still had his secret to reveal, and his heart began to thump with dread. “Mattie?”

Her forehead crinkled. “Call, is something wrong?"

“About tomorrow…”

“What about tomorrow? Caldwell, are you having second thoughts?” She grasped both his hands right, and the despair in her words and use of his full name broke his heart.

“Oh, no. No, my dearest darlin'.” He draw her close like he’d never let her go. Even through her thick velvet, her breasts merged with his chest, and an erection raged. His stomach churned as his heart pumped wildly. His bridal night couldn’t come soon enough, yet he wanted it to hold off. What if he ruined everything?

“Then what?” She pulled back from him a little.

Seeing her eyes misting, Call took a deep breath. To ease her fears, he needed to let it out now. But he had to look away for her troubled gaze.

“I want tomorrow night to be perfect,” he said, low. “But I fear I’ll disappoint you.”

“Disappoint me? We discussed this, love. I don’t want a fancy hotel room. I want our wedding night to be right here. In our very own house.”

He fidgeted against her, but it had nothing to do with the hard wooden bench. “Mattie, I’ve never… I’ve never had a woman. It’ll be my first time.”

For a while she was quiet, dead quiet, and then she smiled. “Is that all? Sweetheart, it’ll be my first time, too.”

“What?”

She cuddled closer than ever “With you.”

“But…”

“No buts,” Mattie insisted. “My other life was long ago.”

A peaceable feeling lay on him, warm as sunshine. She was loving and understanding, hadn’t gasped or looked at him as if he were a zoo animal. Still…

“Call, my life with Woodrow was very brief. I’ve blocked most of it from my mind. And I haven’t been with a man for two years. He never truly loved me. You do. Now, stop your fretting.”

In spite of their close embrace, she shoved him off and stood up. “I debated whether to wear this dress tonight. But it’s such a sultry evening. I’m quite uncomfortable.”

A thought crept into his mind, a dream that would come true tomorrow night. Seeing her wearing nothing, nothing at all. The heat in the crotch of his trousers grew to boiling.

As if reading his thoughts, she smiled, coy, eyes half-lidded. Even in his virginal state, he understood the look completely. “All these buttons. The ties, the boning. Thank God I have a landlady close by. Women just simply cannot easily dress themselves. Or…” She turned her back to display the row of carved fasteners up her spine and tossed back over her shoulder. “Or undress themselves.”

He stood up promptly, front against her back, bending his head with his lips at her ear. “Just what are you saying, Mattie?”

“The bridal bed is a nerve-wracking place, Caldwell.”

He swallowed so hard he was sure she could hear.

She turned to face him, her arms right around his neck. “Most cultures hold the promise of betrothal to be as binding as the wedding vow.” Stepping back, she began a slow unbuttoning of his shirt. Then she looked him straight in the eye with a dare. “I happen to share that conviction.”

Then she held her head her mouth met his nipple. Then her tongue swirled, her teeth gently tugged. Deep inside, stunning pleasure like a wildfire raged through his privates.

“Oh, Mattie, we can’t—”

“Oh, Caldwell, yes, we can. Now unhook all my contraptions.”

Lord, have mercy, how could he refuse? Even though he’d never undressed a woman before, he understood most of the mysterious components after his boyhood unloading stock in his parents’ store, and he had no difficulty at all.

“Why on earth do you wear this fool bustle? You—” He breathed shaky and deep before he placed a kiss at the small of her back. She gasped. “You are so perfectly made.”

When she stood before him, white and soft, bare as a goddess in a myth, she cupped her breasts as if to invite his lips. Red-gold curls beckoned between her legs. Then she pulled his shirt from him and tossed it on the floor. When they embraced, her nipples heated against his chest, and he cooled them by dipping his head to suckle gently.

She tasted of the sweetest desire he could have imagined. Summer, sunshine, and strawberries all at once. He groaned as she undid the placket of his trousers. Then she reached inside his drawers.

Her hot soft hands traveled the ridge of his desire, playing him like a musical instrument. Then her hand tightened into a fist, releasing pressure now and again as her fingers they made their way from his groin to the tip. His groans became calls for survival.

“Come. Get out of these,” she whispered.

In a daze, Call obeyed, and his clothes puddled on the floor. Hanging hard on her hand, he hobbled into the bedroom.

In full view of his wondering eyes, she knelt between his legs and placed just the end of her tongue on his tip.

“I’ve heard of that,” he gasped, “but I didn’t…” A tingle raced into a flaming surge from his gut to his erection, and his heart thundered along with the blood in every vein.

Mattie’s breath came quick. “Let’s wait on that. I don’t want anything to happen unless you’re inside me.”

He shuddered from head to toe, and shivers settled at his cock, growing it harder than ever. Oh, how would he ever survive entering her if the mere tip of her tongue drove him to such distraction?

FORBIDDEN

2010-08-27T07:33:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited to be taking part in my good friend Christina Phillips's launch party for her upcoming Berkley release, Forbidden! Christina has put together this fabulous trailer for the event. See below for more information. Big congratulations, Christina!

To help celebrate the release of Forbidden, Christina Phillips's debut Roman/Druid Ancient Historical Romance from Berkley Heat, she's holding a launch party with lots of amazing authors and fabulous giveaways! In addition, Christina's giving away a signed copy of Forbidden to one lucky person who helps spread the love. All you have to do is mention the party (you can copy and paste this blurb), being held from 1st to 6th September at http://christinaphillips.blogspot.com. You can Tweet about it, blog, Facebook, MySpace or anything! And then drop her an email at ChristinapPh @ gmail dot com (no spaces) to let her know. Please put Forbidden Launch Party (or something similar) in the subject line. The winner will be drawn on Monday 6th September.

HUMP-DAY HUNK -- Radoslav Vanko

2010-08-25T12:39:00.001-07:00

Radoslav Vanko, born in 1983 in Zilina, Slovakia, is a model. He holds an undergraduate degree in physical education and a master's degree title as a teacher and personal trainer. He likes to ride his bike, go to the gym, and play tennis in his spare time. He also loves traveling.

Cover and Release Date for Pianist Envy

2010-08-20T10:46:00.000-07:00

What a week!

I've had major back pain, and I must apologize profusely for missing hunk day on Wednesday. I've fallen behind on my work as well... Help!

Then yesterday Dorchester dropped another bomb -- editorial director Leah Hultenschmidt and editor Don D'Auria have been let go. Chris Keeslar remains the sole editor at the publishing house now. If you thought his slush pile was gigantic before...

The publishing industry is definitely changing.

I do have some good news to share. Pianist Envy will release September 22 at Ellora's Cave, and it has a gorgeous new cover designed by Syneca.

Blurb:

Huge success has so far eluded musician Jane Rock. Coming from a modest background, she’s had to work hard for everything she has. When a music agent attends one of her rock band’s performances at a local club, she thinks her big break has finally come, until an inebriated—though handsome and muscular—patron spoils her show.

Classical pianist Chandler Hamilton has had most of his success handed to him due to his family name. He has his reasons for detesting rock music, but he finds himself drawn to beautiful and talented Jane. Although the two sizzle between the sheets, outside the bedroom they bicker endlessly and envy what they perceive as the other’s good fortune. When Jane needs a favor, Chandler resists. Can love blossom amid clashing notes and tempos?

MEET THE HERO(ES)Nick and Landon from Primal Instinct

2010-08-16T10:58:00.000-07:00

It's always fun for me to spotlight my own heroes. Nick and Landon from Primal Instinct are a couple of my favorites, and artist Angela Anderson captured them perfectly on the gorgeous cover she designed. I hope you enjoy the following excerpt. Warning -- it's not for the faint of heart :).

Blurb:

The Rocky Mountains are the perfect place for Erin Monroe to contemplate life as a permanent single—until she meets Nick Foster and Landon Kay. One dark, one blond, both gorgeous--they saunter toward her as though they're used to getting exactly what they want. And they want Erin. The primal attraction is hard to resist and instinct tells her to let them have their way. But are these sexy creatures truly what they seem?

Excerpt:

Her blood boiled. From Landon massaging her clit? Or from Nick nibbling on her nipple? Both, most likely. And simply from being sandwiched between two beautiful men.

At this rate, she’d be a puddle of honey on the floor before long.

“Oh!” Make that now. Puddle on the floor. Landon’s long finger drilled into her pussy.

“Tight,” he purred. “And wet. Feels so good around my finger.” He inhaled against her neck. “And you smell like tart apple pie. Damn, I can’t wait to taste you.”

“Mmm.” Nick’s breath whispered against the swollen flesh of her breast. “Cut you a deal. You taste her first. I get to fuck her first.”

Nick’s jean-clad erection pushed like granite against her thigh. A soft moan left her throat.

“You like that, honey?” Nick rasped against her nipple. “You like Lan to rub your hot little clit and finger fuck you?”

“Yes.” The word was more breath than speech.

“Wait till I stuff your pussy with my cock.” He left her breasts and stood tall, leaning to whisper in her ear. “I’m going to make you scream.”

Red heat whirled around her. So hot in this room. So very hot.

Still, this situation... She had every intention of following through. Oh yeah, to hell with her mini-retreat. But she needed to know more. “You guys, I need to know why you’re doing this. Why you...together...”

“Shh.” Nick traced the outer shell of her ear with his hot tongue. “We’ll explain it all later. Now is the time for pleasure.”

“But—”

“You just concentrate on us. Feel Lan’s fingers sliding in and out of you. Think about me shoving my dick into you. I’m so hard right now. I’m going to fuck you soon, Erin Monroe.”

“And when he’s done,” Landon’s warm breath caressed her shoulder, “I’m going to take you. Ram my cock into you until you don’t know your own name.”

Erin. Her name was Erin. Beyond that she couldn’t remember much.

“We’re not easy lovers,” Landon continued. “We’re going to take you hard. And you’re going to enjoy every heart-pounding, breath-stealing minute of it.”

HUMP-DAY HUNK -- Antonio Rojas

2010-08-11T11:21:00.001-07:00

Antonio was born in Caracas, Venezuela and is a model and TV host. He comes from a family of 12 brothers where he is the youngest of the boys. Do you think they all look like that?

MEET THE HEROHimiin from Spirit of the Mountain

2010-08-09T01:00:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to welcome back my good friend Paty Jager. Her new release, Spirit of the Mountain, has something for everyone, including a hero to die for. (And if you look closely at her gorgeous cover, you'll see my very first cover quote.)

Hi Helen and all, thanks for having me here today!

My hero in Spirit of the Mountain is a spirit put on the mountain for the good of all the creatures that live on the mountain. Being a spirit he has a pretty high esteem of himself. It takes falling for a mortal Nimiipuu maiden to bring him down a notch and find out he isn't so different from those he looks after.

Bio:

Wife, mother, grandmother, and the one who cleans pens and delivers the hay; award winning author Paty Jager has brought her husband of thirty-one years to maturity, along with four children. Currently the empty nesters farm 130 acres. She not only writes the western lifestyle, she lives it.

Paty has been a member of RWA for twelve years belonging to several online chapters as well as EPIC, Women Writing the West, and Central Oregon Writers Guild.

She has five historical western romance novels available through The Wild Rose Press and one contemporary western, which won the 2008 Best Contemporary Romance EPPIE. To learn more about Paty drop by her website: http://www.patyjager.net

Blurb for Spirit of the Mountain:

Wren, the daughter of a Nimiipuu chief, has been fated to save her people ever since her vision quest. When a warrior from the enemy Blackleg tribe asks for her hand in marriage to bring peace between the tribes, her world is torn apart.

Himiin is the spirit of the mountain, custodian to all creatures including the Nimiipuu. As a white wolf he listens to Wren’s secret fears and loses his heart to the mortal maiden. Respecting her people’s beliefs, he cannot prevent her leaving the mountain with the Blackleg warrior.

When an evil spirit threatens Wren’s life, Himiin must leave the mountain to save her. But to leave the mountain means he’ll turn to smoke…

Excerpt:

Wren’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. “My gift is to save The People. The weyekin who came to me in my vision quest said this.” She wrapped her arms around herself as if staving off a cold breeze.

Himiin hated that they argued when they should relish their time together. He moved to her, drawing her against his chest, embracing her. The shape of her body molded to his. Her curves pressed against him. Holding her this way flamed the need he’d tried to suppress.

He placed a hand under her chin, raising her face to his. The sorrow in her eyes tugged at his conscience. To make her leaving any harder was wrong. But having experienced her in his arms, he was grieved to let her go. Even for the sake of their people.

Her eyelids fluttered closed. Her pulse quickened under his fingers. Shrugging off the consequences, he lowered his lips to hers. They were softer than he imagined. Her breath hitched as he touched her intimately. Parting his lips, he touched her with his tongue, wanting to see if she tasted as sweet as she smelled.

Honey.

This is the second day of my six day blog tour that includes a puzzle and a prize. Copy the puzzle piece in this post to a document and collect all the pieces at the blogs I visit. Then when you have them all, send them to me at patyjag@gmail.com and I'll put your name in the drawing for a copy of Spirit of the Mountain and other goodies. I'll draw the name and post it on my blog on Monday July 16th. If you want to go back and check out all the blogs to join the contest, hop over to my blog and find the places I've been. http://www.patyjager.blogspot.com

If you'd like to read more about me and my books or enter my website contest go to: http://www.patyjager.net.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes....

2010-08-06T14:31:00.000-07:00

Straight from Publisher's Weekly, folks...

Dorchester Drops Mass Market Publishing for E-Book/POD Model

Mass market romance publisher Dorchester Publishing has dropped its traditional print publishing business in favor of an e-book/print-on-demand model effective with its September titles that are “shipping” now. President John Prebich said after retail sales fell by 25% in 2009, the company knew that 2010 “would be a defining year,” but rather than show improvement, “sales have been worse.” While returns are down, the company has had a difficult time getting its titles into stores as shelf space for mass market has been reduced, Prebich explained. Dorchester recently let its field sales force of seven go, although Tim DeYoung remains with the company as v-p of sales and marketing. The editorial team remains intact, although Prebich said the number of titles released monthly will likely be reduced from over 30 to 25. He said the schedule for 2011 is set and Dorchester has books in the pipeline through June 2012.

Dorchester will continue to do print copies for its book club business and has signed a deal with Ingram Publisher Service for IPS to do print-on-demand copies for selected titles. According to Prebich, some e-books that are doing well in the digital marketplace will be released as trade paperbacks with IPS fulfilling orders; the company, however, will not do any more mass market paperbacks for retail distribution.

Prebich said Dorchester’s e-book business has had “remarkable growth” which he expects to double again in the next year. Still, digital sales accounted for only 12% of total revenue prior to the company making the transition to the e-book/pod model. Prebich conceded that Dorchester will have lower revenues, but he expects margins to improve. He said the company is working out a new royalty rate with authors that he expects to announce next week. Editors are talking to authors now about the changes. “We hope they’ll stay,” Prebich said. Dorchester’s e-books are available at most major vendors and compatible with most platforms at an average price of $6.99. Trade paperbacks will be priced in the $12 to $15 range.

On his decision to drop the mass market format Prebich explained: “These are like pioneer times in publishing. We felt like we needed to take some chances and make a bold move."

We're definitely entering into a new age in the publishing industry. What do you all think?

HUMP-DAY HUNK -- Nick Ayler

2010-08-04T15:55:00.000-07:00

I thought about taking the time to surf the web for more pictures of model Nick Ayler, but really, what would be the point? Does it get any better than this?

MEET THE HERORajeev from Intrigue in India

2010-08-02T01:00:00.000-07:00

My friend April Vine is one of my favorite authors -- she writes with passion, humor and grace and has never failed to move me with her work. Today she's here to talk about her hero in her current release, Intrigue in India, available at The Wilder Rose Press.

Take it away, April!

I write no holds barred erotic romance by night and am a mother and wife to two boys and one very tolerant husband by day. My sole ambition in life is to ensure my mother never discovers my pseudonym! I have an unhealthy interest in shoes and I live between the sultry mountains of South Africa where, coupled with chocolate, day dreaming comes easy.

Blurb:

“All you have to do is disguise yourself, pretend to be me, go to India and meet the man I’m supposed to marry. By the time he realizes you’re not me, I’ll have already eloped…”

After a break up with her boyfriend, Haley Kent agrees to her best friend, Anjali’s, madcap plan, hoping mystical India will help her find inner peace. Instead Anjali’s arranged future husband turns out to be a gorgeous Indian God with a touch that scorches.

Rajeev Yuvaraj refuses to be outsmarted by the sexy, blonde, blue-eyed American and devises his own retribution. A bride is what he expected and a bride is what he would get even if it meant handcuffing Haley to his wrist during the marriage ceremony.

But when Haley discovers the true nature of his secret scheme, can Rajeev seduce her back into his arms again?

Excerpt:

“Any luck?”

Haley spun around, her breath freezing as she took in the man standing in the center of the room. He had removed his bridegroom clothes and wore only a pair of black silk drawstring sleeping pants. Her eyes grazed over his golden skin and followed the contours of his wide shoulders, deep collar bones, angles, planes and sinewy muscles of his chest and abdomen and lower to the impressive bulge in his pants.

She ignored the need to rake her fingers through his midnight blue hair, denying the need to know if it felt as soft as it looked. She refused to be mesmerized by his aphrodisiac hazel eyes, veiled with the thickest, silkiest, and darkest eyelashes. She had no desire for him to drag her beneath his body while his beautifully chiseled lips skimmed her skin. She swallowed uncomfortably. Then why were those thoughts rampant in her head? It must be the air.

“Gandhi would have turned the other cheek.”

“I am hardly as saintly.” His eyes roved the length of her body, lazily outlining her nakedness beneath the negligee. She held her breath as his blazing gaze scorched the delicate red lace scarcely concealing her breasts. Her nipples swelled in supplication. He glanced back up at her, daring to her react. Haley barely resisted the overwhelming urge to offer them up to him.

She tilted her head, narrowed her eyes and hoped for a show of indifference. He licked his sensual lips and her indifference faltered. Even tightening her legs failed to prevent the drizzle of cream seeping onto her thighs.

“Have you ever been cuffed and fucked before, Haley?” he drawled, leaning onto a marble desk, nonchalantly twirling the set of satin-covered handcuffs in his long, toffee-colored fingers. The very handcuffs she wore to her wedding.

TWO REVIEWS AND A DEADLINE

2010-07-30T09:07:00.001-07:00

Still working on Calendar Boy for AMP. I estimate another 6000 words, then editing and revising tomorrow. If all goes as planned, I should have it to Celina by my deadline of August 1.

In the meantime, two amazing reviews came in this week. The lovely Starla Kaye at Got Erotic Romance Reviews gave Primal Instinct 5 Diamonds. She says:

Primal Instinct is seriously primal, seriously hot. You’ll need a fan, a cool drink, and time to sit and just enjoy the short read.

The equally lovely Tiger Lily at Whipped Cream gave Loving Eve 4 Cherries. She says:

I know when I open a Helen Hardt book, I’m in for a treat. This story is no exception. Loving Eve is indeed hot. I had to check my screen for melted spots. I felt like I was right there with Eve, suffering her anxiety and overwhelming passion as she was wooed by the men in her life.

Many thanks to both Starla and Tiger Lily, and of course to my editors, Diana Carlile and Sue-Ellen Gower, respectively, who helped make these stories shine.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! Be sure to come back on Monday to visit my good friend April Vine. She has a sizzling Indian hero to share with us!

HUMP-DAY HUNK

2010-07-28T09:39:00.001-07:00

I'm in deadline hell this week -- help! Unfortunately that means I haven't had time to find a new hunk for today, so here are a few from my files for your enjoyment...including one for those ladies over 18 only!

MEET THE HEROTy from Ex Appeal

2010-07-26T01:00:00.000-07:00

I always love it when Cari Quinn visits! She and I met two years ago when we were both editing for a small press. We became CPs and good friends! My favorite Cari/Helen story involves her first release, Full Disclosure, and my cougar story, The Cowboy and the Cougar. We hadn't told each other about our stories, but when we exchanged pages for critique, we found out that 1. we were both writing cougar stories; 2. both our heroines were named Holly; and 3. both our Hollys were attorneys. Being that much in sync with your CP is a great thing indeed!

Today Cari is introducing us to the hero in Ex Appeal, a sequel to Full Disclosure. Ex Appeal is available at The Wilder Rose Press.

Blurb:

As the webmistress for one of the Northeast’s hottest dating sites, Hunk Du Jour, Jenny Talbot is no stranger to reading the applications of potential clients. But when the latest application that crosses her inbox belongs to Ty Randall, the guy she broke up with a mere twenty-seven days ago, she does a double take. Reading what Ty wants in bed not only gets Jenny hot, it also makes her rethink ending their relationship. All she longed for was a little more spice in the bedroom—okay, a lot more—but he let her go without an argument. Faced with the possibility that Ty may really be moving on, getting her ex back becomes more appealing than ever. But will revealing exactly what she needs allow Jenny to finally experience ultimate pleasure or will she drive away the man she loves for good?

Excerpt:

The weight of his stare made her open her eyes. He’d turned to face her again, but he’d moved no closer. "I told myself it was your problem, not mine. Yeah, I've been distracted. Busy with other things. But then I realized that if a woman leaves your bed wanting, that's your own damn fault." His eerie mirror of her earlier thoughts made her breath hitch as he returned to her and gripped her upper arms. Not roughly, not painfully. Possessively. "I need you in my life. Which means it's up to me to keep you happy. Whatever it takes."

She started to roll her eyes at his melodramatics. But before she could shoot back a response, he swung her up in his arms and hauled her up on the deck. His hold brooked no arguments, but that didn’t stop her from slapping at him as he carried her inside and dumped her on the bed.

“You’ve got a lot of nerve.” She shoved her dripping hair out of her eyes. Eyes that were now thankfully bone dry. Anger always had that effect on her.

“And we’ve got a lot of time to make up for.” Ty bent over, then tossed the pink bag from Adult Playland onto her lap. Out bobbed cranberry lace and satin and the erotic crayons she hadn’t yet shown him. “You want to be tied up?”

For some reason, she blushed. “You’re making me feel like a naughty child.”

“I won’t say what you make me feel like.” Flashing her a thin smile, he pawed through her purchases with absolutely no finesse. Might as well have been digging through the sandbox. “Here we go. Over the door. Hooks and straps and this little silk nightie for me to tear to shreds with my teeth.”

Visit Cari at her blog.

AMP TURNS FOUR

2010-07-23T14:37:00.000-07:00

One of my publishers, Aspen Mountain Press, is turning four! The celebration begins today at the AMP Community loop. You can join the loop here. Be sure to stop by to visit with your favorite authors and for the chance to win some great prizes!

AMP is the home of The Cowboy and the Cougar. I'm pleased to announce that my editor, Celina Summers, recently contracted a new cougar story from me, Calendar Boy. This is the first offer I've gotten on a proposal so now I have to write a really great story :).

Happy Birthday AMP!

HUMP-DAY HUNK -- Henri Castelli

2010-07-21T10:32:00.000-07:00

Does it get any better than those eyes and those lips? What is it about Brazilian men? Yes, Henri has been my hunk before, but I feel okay about featuring him again. I don't think I'll get any complaints!

MEET THE HEROSam from Picture This

2010-07-19T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please welcome my good friend Kaily Hart!

Hi Helen. Thanks so much for having me here today! What can I say about Sam Steele, my hero from Picture This? He’s rude, crude and rough around the edges. He’s also arrogant and demanding and too used to getting his own way, particular when it comes to women and sex. Yeah, he’s a real gem, until he meets the heroine, Jillian, and it throws his usually predictable world upside down. I love to write the alpha male hero. I love to get into their POV. They’re so much fun, especially when I’m torturing them over their reactions to the heroine, reactions they typically don’t have much control over!

BLURB

Desperate and young, Jillian Moore did something she knew would one day come back to bite her in the ass. She’d posed nude. For money. Years later, and on the fast track to a successful career, she’s still haunted by her mistake. She can’t help but wonder when her past will catch up with her.

Samuel Steele is not short on female attention, but the women who warm his bed pale in comparison to the fantasy he’s created of the seductive temptress in the painting hanging prominently in his bedroom. A fantasy that has ruined his once satisfying sex life. When he discovers that her exact likeness works in his building—for him—things get…interesting.

EXCERPT

Christ, he was a sick fuck.

Sam rubbed his hand over the rough stubble on his jaw, the raspy sound loud in the quiet room. Carla, Carrie, or whatever the hell her name was, had left. Hell, she hadn’t been able to get away fast enough once she’d figured it out. He could still smell the unmistakable scent of sex. It was thick and heavy in the air and wafted up from the ruined sheets he was lying on every time he moved. It’d been good—hard, fast and impersonal, just how he liked it. Okay, so it’d gone to crap at the end, but he’d gotten his rocks off and had no complaints in that regard. She’d been gorgeous and built, with a tongue that was more talented than most and a way of moving her hips when she rode him that had almost blown the top of his head off. So what was his problem and what the fuck was he doing? He shouldn’t still want to, shouldn’t need to—

He shook his head in equal parts resignation and disgust as his hand unerringly found his hard cock. God, here he was. Playing with himself like some horny teenager, fantasizing about pussy and wild, rough, out of control sex—as if he didn’t get enough as it was. It shouldn’t even be possible for him to be this hard again this fast. He shuddered at the sensation as he wrapped his fingers around his shaft and parted his legs to give himself more room. He couldn’t prevent the groan of anticipation when he reached down and cupped his balls with his other hand.

Eyes riveted to the opposite wall, he gave in to the raging need that had plagued him for weeks, a need that was unrelenting in its fierce grip. A need he knew he couldn’t fight for long. It just made it worse.

Yeah, he’d become one sick fuck all right.

BIO

Kaily Hart, a seemingly straight-laced mother of four left corporate America and a high-powered, lucrative career to be a stay at home mom. Ha! That lasted about four weeks, during which time she realized she had a deeply repressed dream - to write. Romance! By day, Kaily plays conservative wife and soccer mom, but at night crafts hot and steamy tales of romance and love with gorgeous heroes who wouldn’t dream of leaving the toilet set up. Ever. She’s smart and sassy, at least in her own mind, and is trying her best to bring the alpha male solidly back to contemporary romance. Two years ago she never would have thought she’d be doing this, but now that she is? It just feels so right.

PRIMAL INSTINCT AVAILABLE TODAY

2010-07-16T10:56:00.000-07:00

The Rocky Mountains are the perfect place for Erin Monroe to contemplate life as a permanent single—until she meets Nick Foster and Landon Kay. One dark, one blond, both gorgeous--they saunter toward her as though they're used to getting exactly what they want. And they want Erin. The primal attraction is hard to resist and instinct tells her to let them have their way. But are these sexy creatures truly what they seem?

Buy Primal Instinct here.

HUMP-DAY HUNK -- Gerard Butler

2010-07-14T10:38:00.000-07:00

Two days until Primal Instinct!

And now, a man who needs no introduction -- one of my all time favorite hotties, that beautiful Scotsman, Gerard James Butler!

MEET THE HEROCamden from Take It Off, Warrior

2010-07-12T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please welcome the lovely and talented Eliza Knight! Eliza's new EC release, Take It Off, Warrior, is a sizzler.

Thank you so much for having me on your blog! I love heroes, and hope readers enjoy my latest, Camden MacLeod.

I know they will! Here's a little bit about Eliza to start, then read on for an excerpt:

Eliza Knight is the multi-published author of sizzling historical romance and erotic romance. While not reading, writing or researching for her latest book, she chases after her three children. In her spare time (if there is such a thing…) she likes daydreaming, wine-tasting, traveling, hiking, staring at the stars, watching movies, shopping and visiting with family and friends. She lives atop a small mountain, and enjoys cold winter nights when she can curl up in front of a roaring fire with her own knight in shining armor.

Blurb:

Sixteenth-century Highland laird Camden MacLeod wakes up in the modern world. Confused with his surroundings, he haphazardly throws on his kilt and goes in search of whoever has played such a foul trick on him. What he finds instead is beyond tempting…

Valerie is thoroughly exploring the medieval Scottish castle she’s rented for her best friend’s bachelorette party. Not only does an oddly shaped stone in tower catch her fancy—it somehow brings her dream man to life.

Excerpt:

Copyright © ELIZA KNIGHT, 2010

Isle of Skye, Scotland
Summer, Present day

“Oh yeah, strippers are on the menu. How about some sexy Highlanders in kilts?”

“Val, you’re the bestest friend a girl could ever have. What would I do without you?” Trish shrieked on the other end of the phone.

“Just leave it to me. Get the ladies on a train up here and I’ll make sure your bachelorette party rivals all others.”

Valerie Bennett hung up the phone and gazed around the little bookshop she now called home. She closed her eyes for a moment and took in the scent of the books, the smell of freshly baked bread from the baker next door and the aromatic flowers Tavia had dropped off for her this morning. All of them calming and somehow magical. A small smile crept over her lips as she opened her eyes, feeling fresh and alive.

Although she’d only lived on the Isle of Skye for a few months, she felt more at home here than she ever had in London. The Book Cove held a lot of precious memories from her youth, and although her grandmother had passed away, she was glad to still have the shop to remember her by.

She clicked on the internet and began to do a search, mindful of the few customers browsing her stacks of books. Renting a castle for the party would be a dream. None of her friends had made it out to visit her yet. Actually, all of them had thought she was slightly insane for packing up and leaving busy London for the quiet Isle. Even both of her parents had thought it a risky move. But she was doing quite well for herself, and enjoying the little niche she’d made here.

She wanted to make this trip as magical for her friends as possible. Maybe they’d see the pull Scotland had for her. The enchantment that took her breath away and made her feel like she was floating through a fantasy. The fresh air, the misting skies and the history. The sexy men who still dressed in kilts… It was a dream come true for her.

As she searched through the venues she recalled a man coming into the shop a few weeks prior. Laird MacLeod she thought he’d said, current owner of Dunvegan Castle. Shutting down the internet, Valerie walked down the different aisles of books, quickly skimming through the travel and history section until she found the book she was looking for. Dunvegan Castle. She sank to the floor and thumbed through the pages. God, the place was gorgeous. She’d always had a fascination with castles and history. Something about chivalry, valor, royalty just struck her as so romantic.

Dunvegan had been built some eight hundred years ago and still held tons of relics inside. It was perfect place to show her friends the magic of Skye—and they did rentals for weddings. Would they possibly let her rent it out for a bachelorette party?

Hadn’t Laird MacLeod said something about being very close to her grandmother and if there was anything she needed…

No, she couldn’t.

He certainly wouldn’t.

With that, she slammed the book closed and picked up the phone. Ten minutes later she shot an email off to Trish with the destination.

Castles and warriors, here we come.

* * * * *

Valerie wandered the halls of Dunvegan Castle and the Fairy Tower. Laird MacLeod had deemed this wing to be hers for the weekend. Paintings lined the walls, from ancient medieval battle scenes to more modern portraits. She smiled as she ran her fingertip over a carved table and came to stop in front of a sculpture. Her gaze widened as she took in the life-sized marble rendition of a warrior, from his Michelangelo feet to the top of his wavy-headed hair. The muscles carved intricately into the marble were so realistic. She reached out and ran her hands over the cool stone. Valerie licked her lips as the cool marble and muscled shape brought wicked images into her mind.

“If only you could come to life,” she murmured, looking down at the plaque at his feet, “Alasdair.”

While her girlfriends were out exploring Skye, she’d be booking the entertainment. And lord, she could only hope at least one was modeled after this sculpture.

Looking at her watch, she realized she still had time before her last “guest” was to arrive. Exotic males dancers had been streaming through the castle doors all morning. Already she’d booked several. She continued down the hall, her finger tracing some of the antique furniture, until she came to the end. An oak door, ancient symbols carved into the wood and a hooped metal handle adorning its face, stood slightly ajar. Curious beyond belief, she eased it open a bit and stuck her head inside. A winding stone staircase was the only thing behind the door. This was a separate set of stairs from the one she’d used earlier in the day to get to her room. Should she go down or up?

From what she’d learned, down would lead her to the sea gate…an eerie place that should only be discovered with a partner. She wasn’t sure she could fare the darkness that seemed to rise from below. Besides, even though she knew things like ghost stories couldn’t possibly be true, if there was a thread of truth to them… She shuddered and rubbed her arms. So many battles had been fought here, so many lives lost.

Just when she was about to turn around and continue toward the great hall, giving up completely on exploring the rooms of the tower, the sun cascaded in through an upper window. Rays spread out like fingers, beckoning her to continue her exploration. Warmth covered her, and suddenly the fear she’d felt was replaced by excitement.

“And the mystery continues…” she whispered as she slipped through the door and began to climb up.

NEW COVER AND NEW CONTRACT (and some hunky buns!)

2010-07-09T11:18:00.001-07:00

The talented Angela Anderson has done it again! Check out the cover for my hot menage coming to The Wilder Rose Press on July 16. I love it!

Blurb:

The Rocky Mountains are the perfect place for Erin Monroe to contemplate life as a permanent single—until she meets Nick Foster and Landon Kay. One dark, one blond, both gorgeous--they saunter toward her as though they're used to getting exactly what they want. And they want Erin. The primal attraction is hard to resist and instinct tells her to let them have their way. But are these sexy creatures truly what they seem?

I'm also excited to announce that my new editor at Ellora's Cave, Briana St. James, has contracted Pianist Envy, an erotic novella. This will be my first collaboration with Bree and I'm looking forward to working with her.

And on to the hunky buns...

HUMP-DAY HUNK -- Joe Manganiello

2010-07-07T10:05:00.000-07:00

I admit it. I totally stole today's hunk from my good friend Monica Kaye. No, I don't watch True Blood, so like Monica, I was ignorant of the existence of this specimen of male perfection. I really don't need to say much about him (except that he seems to be channeling a little Gerard Butler, which only makes him HOTTER). Let's let the photos do the talking...

MEET THE HEROClay from Doctor in Petticoats

2010-07-05T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please welcome my good friend Paty Jager! Paty's introducing Clay Halsey, the exciting hero in her current release Doctor in Petticoats, available at The Wild Rose Press. First, a little about Paty, and then onto a delicious excerpt...

Wife, mother, grandmother, and the one who cleans pens and delivers the hay; award winning author Paty Jager has brought her husband of thirty-one years to maturity, along with four children. Currently the empty nesters farm 130 acres. She not only writes the western lifestyle, she lives it.

Paty has been a member of RWA for twelve years belonging to several online chapters as well as EPIC, Women Writing the West, and Central Oregon Writers Guild.

She has four historical western romance novels available through The Wild Rose Press and one contemporary western, which won the 2008 Best Contemporary Romance EPPIE. She has two new releases this year, one a paranormal historical, Spirit of the Mountain, set among the Nez Perce and the fourth book in the Halsey brother's series, Doctor in Petticoats, she is also excited about her recently contracted contemporary western, Bridled Heart. To learn more about Paty drop by her website: http://www.patyjager.net To purchase her books to go http://www.thewildrosepress.com/

Blurb:

After a life-altering accident and a failed relationship, Dr. Rachel Tarkiel gave up on love and settled for a life healing others as the physician at a School for the Blind. She's happy in her vocation--until handsome Clay Halsey shows up and inspires her to want more.

Blinded by a person he considered a friend, Clay curses his circumstances and his limitations. Intriguing Dr. Tarkiel shows him no pity, though. To her, he's as much a man as he ever was.

Can these two wounded souls conquer outside obstacles, as well as their own internal fears, and find love?

Excerpt:

“Slip your undergarment and dress back up. Someone’s knocked on the door twice.” He kissed her forehead and helped her into the top half of her dress.

Clay ran water into a basin and steadied his racing heart. If not for the man wanting in here, he would have taken her the first time in a washroom. He grimaced at his lack of control.

Rachel slid off the counter. Her clothing rustled, and when he deemed she was put back together, he handed her a wet cloth and buttoned his shirt.

“Thank you.” She took the rag and kissed his cheek. “For the rag and the wonderful ride.”

A knock sounded louder.

“I think we better head back to our seats.”

Walking out of this room with him would be embarrassing for Rachel. He wouldn’t see the looks and leers, but she would. Once again he’d let his body overrule his head. “I-I hope you don’t get ridiculed for this.”

She tucked her arm in his. “Let me worry about that.

They walked to the door, a wooden slat slid, and she pushed the door open.

“Excuse me, sir, could you step back. My husband is blind, and I don’t want him tripping over you.” Rachel tugged on his arm. “Thank you.” They walked the fifteen steps to their compartment.

Her hat bumped against his shoulder. “See, nothing to it. Not a snide remark or over-calculating look.”

Clay shook his head and smiled. After the way he’d ravaged her in the washroom, she should have been blushing and fumbling about, but his Rachel could handle any situation.

HUMP-DAY HUNK -- Eric Carlson

2010-06-30T01:00:00.000-07:00

Eric Carlson is an American motivational speaker, founder of Leading Edge Power, and fitness model who has appeared in numerous fitness magazines.

He grew up in Round Rock Texas where he excelled at sports. Although his early years were complicated by tragedy in the form of domestic violence, heavy drug use and alcoholism, he was determined to rise above the suffering. He attended college in Arkansas and Iowa where he played football.

Eric believes that everyone deserves to be happy, successful and prosperous. That all have the ability to attain any goal they desire, they just need the tools. He provides these self-empowering tools and experience’s through his energetic workshops.

Oh...and he's HOT!

MEET THE HEROCaleb from Crimson Moon

2010-06-28T01:00:00.000-07:00

I'm back! I'll blog a little about my trip on Friday, but for now I'm excited to welcome my good friend J.A. Saare who is celebrating her new release, Crimson Moon, which is available at The Wild Rose Press. Take it away, Jaime!

I wanted to take a moment to thank Helen for having me on her blog. I'm a huge fan of her heroes and am extremely excited to share an excerpt with all of you. Crimson Moon is a paranormal romance, involving werewolves, vampires, and a bit of magic.

Blurb:

An average morning is what Emma Johnson envisions when she visits Joe’s Café for a steaming cup of coffee. But the world isn't the place she imagined it to be, and neither is she…

After Emma is rescued from a horde of bloodthirsty creatures, she discovers she is the daughter of a powerful Vampire from the House Deviard, her rescuer, Caleb, having been sent to see her safely home. For Caleb is also unique, a werewolf procured to protect the royal Vampiric bloodlines from harm - but nothing more.

Soon, the undeniable connection Emma and Caleb share evolves beyond attraction into something unexpected. When she is forced to make a choice, what path will she take - vampire or wolf?

Excerpt:

“Emma.” Caleb placed his hand on my leg and I turned to him, biting back a gasp. He had silently moved across the distance and was right beside me. The incredible woodsy scent that clung to his jacket was so much better, so much sweeter, radiating from the direct source.

The thought, wolf, entered my mind.

“Yeah,” I croaked, causing him to chuckle softly.

“We’re almost there, and I think I should prepare you before we arrive.”

He kept his hand on my leg and my body was keenly aware of his touch and nearness. I could feel each and every one of his fingers individually across my jeans.

“Okay?” I managed to keep my voice even, breathing the word in a soft exhale.

The warmth of his breath caressed my face and my eyelids fluttered. His eyes met my own, moving down my nose until they rested on my lips. Shyness caused me to avert my face. My gaze flickered down, eyes freezing on his chest. My heart was racing erratically, somersaulting over and over, excited and very much alive. His nearness swamped me, the mere touch of his hand on my leg so distracting I couldn’t think clearly.

“You always do that,” he whispered thickly.

I felt his knuckle nudge my chin, forcing my eyes upward. I looked into his face, but he wasn’t smiling anymore. His expression changed to something that made my breath cling in my throat.

Our eyes locked—green hazel clashing with the darkest blue. I raised my hand until it touched his, unaware I had even moved.

Derek cleared his throat, breaking the spell.

I shook my head, leaning back and blinking, slightly disoriented and extremely embarrassed. I did not react to men—much less strange men—like this. A disappointed rumble emitted from Caleb, but he allowed space between us.

“This place isn’t exactly where I’d hoped to take you.” Caleb’s voice was a seductive caress that made my skin prickle and thrum. My eyes fluttered and
my heart pounded.

As if sensing my reaction he smiled slightly, lifting the corners of his lips. “When we go inside, keep the jacket on, don’t take it off. My scent will mark you. It’s best we keep together inside. We couldn’t tell anyone we were coming, just Sam and
his people know.”

“So.” My voice came out raspy and hoarse. “You want me to act like we’re a couple?”

“Do you think that would be too hard?”

When I couldn’t find my voice, I shook my head in response.

He reached for my hand, encircling his fingers around my own. His palm was slightly rough but not distractingly so, our hands a stark contrast, small and pale, large and tan; yet, they blended perfectly together.

“Don’t be afraid of what you might see, I won’t let anything happen to you.”

MEET THE HEROSilver Eagle from Capture an Eagle

2010-06-14T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please welcome Joyce Henderson! Joyce writes amazing Native American historical romances. I instantly fell in love with Silver Eagle, the hero in her newest release, Capture an Eagle. Find this sizzling story at The Wild Rose Press. First, a little about Joyce, and then an excerpt.

Joyce Henderson is a multi-published author who writes Native American Romance set in Central Texas where she was born. Joyce writes "what she knows," horses and ranching, and she loves researching Indian lore.

Her books have finaled in national contests: National Readers' Choice Award, Georgia Romance Writers Maggie, and several others. During her 25-year writing career, she's mentored a half-dozen or more writers who have gone on to publication. And she worked for local newspapers for several years writing a by-lined column "It Ain't Necessarily So."

Married forever, she has three children and three grandkids, plus six step-grandkids and six step-great-grandchildren. She loves to hear from her fans. www.joycehendersonauthor.com.

Excerpt:

Silver Eagle tugged on the right rein as he stepped sideways. The horse shied, then pricked his ears forward at the calm voice speaking Comanche.

“Easy, boy, that was not uncomfortable. You will soon learn to turn from slight pressure.”

Today he had chosen to plow rein his commands. Separated reins presented the horse with less confusion.

He glanced toward the logs laid end-to-end forming a makeshift barrier on one side of the meadow. Quiet Bird perched comfortably on a blanket, her back resting against a log. His sister had always been a bit fearful of horses. Drawing no pleasure from riding herself, she preferred to watch him train.

At the sound of approaching horses, Quiet Bird turned. Silver Eagle quickly pulled the reins through his hand for a firmer hold on the gelding. He smiled when he recognized Tanner. The pleasure died when he saw Mariah Kelly behind his best friend. His body tightened. The Spirits appeared to laugh at his paltry attempts to avoid her.

“Hey, Sil, mind us watchin’ you school the horses?”

Silver Eagle noted Tanner’s wince as he stepped down. His mouth went dust dry, and his member throbbed just watching Mariah Kelly’s long, shapely legs and lithe body as she gracefully dismounted. Not good.

“Is no problem.” The lie tasted sour on his tongue, her presence sure to destroy his concentration.

Tanner doffed his hat. “Hello, Quiet Bird.”

She ducked her head, cheeks flushed.

Silver Eagle focused on her, his brow creased. Did his sister also long for someone she could not have? Suffer from the same kind of futile wish that burned in his own chest?

The Kellys secured their mounts’ reins around trees. Gathering his wits, Silver Eagle refocused on the task at hand. He again led with double reins, coaxing the horse forward with a gentle tug and release, tug and release, until the sorrel realized he was expected to continue walking until stopped. The sun had climbed halfway into the sky before the gelding finally followed without hesitation.

Every time Silver Eagle put up his hand and quietly said, “Whoa,” the horse kept walking until he pressed his nose into a cupped hand. Silver Eagle shook his head and murmured in Comanche, “We will try that again.” He signaled the horse to walk. He repeated the command a half dozen times before the horse stopped, but still he failed to stand quietly.

“You are not paying attention, my friend.”

Neither was he. Every time he passed by his sister and the Kellys, his gaze shifted to Mariah. And every time he wanted to kick himself in the butt. Though he only gave her a fleeting glance, the horse sensed his divided attention and faltered every time.

This would not do.

But how could he persuade Mariah to leave without divulging his disquiet at her presence? He could not, so he led the horse to the far side of the meadow. Finally focused, he led and stopped the horse with the patient attention he had acquired long ago. Each time the horse responded as commanded, Silver Eagle gave praise, “tsaatï,” and a pat to the jowl or the neck.

As the sun had dipped to near the treetops, the time had come to quit for the day. In English he said, “Is good.” He scratched below the horse’s ear and combed his fingers through the long mane.

“Tsaatï,” he repeated in Comanche and rubbed the shoulder.

The sorrel stood quietly as he gathered the long reins and looped his arm over the gelding’s neck.

“Tomorrow we try obstacles, my friend.”

Silver Eagle had never examined his habit of speaking to the Kellys’ stock in both Comanche and English. His own mount and those of the band responded only to Comanche because that is all they ever heard. Now, he congratulated himself that he had focused so well on the training exercises that he had not thought of Mariah Kelly for quite a while.

He had his body under control, thank the Spirits. That is, he did until he turned to lead the horse across the meadow and spied Mariah leaning against the log, her long legs stretched on the ground before her. She was alone.

Did the Spirits bear him ill? It certainly appeared they intended to send him into his ancestors’ hunting grounds on the receiving end of a bullet or with his neck in a noose.

“I’ve done nothing to provoke you, Silver Eagle,” Mariah said. “Why are you scowling at me?”

Clearly, his expression gave away too much. He assumed he had perfected the indifferent, even bored, appearance over time. Many moons ago, when he had placed the barrier logs here, he had never considered Mariah Kelly would use one as a comfortable backrest. Though he might wish to, he could not banish her from this spot; it was, though on the fringe, Broken Spur land.

“I no scowl.”

“Could have fooled me.”

Realizing he could not win this argument, he changed the subject. “Where my sister is? Where Tanner is?”

“Quiet Bird was ready to go home. Tanner accompanied her.” Mariah gained her feet as she spoke, brushed off her backside. “Besides, he wanted to thank your grandmother for her care.”

“No need.” He barely got the words out, so distracted was he imagining his own hand brushing the leaves from Mariah’s trousers.

She grimaced. “Maybe you don’t think so, Silver Eagle, but Ma would have our hides if either of us was less than courteous to your elders. Not only will Tanner thank her with a small gift, so will I.”

Bewitched by the floral, womanly scent that was uniquely Mariah’s, he barely heard what she said. His member pulsed. When his fingers involuntarily tightened on the leads, the green-broke horse tossed his head in protest.

Silver Eagle turned enough to hide the evidence his body betrayed and brushed a soothing hand along the sorrel’s neck. Mariah did not help the situation at all. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her approach, extending an entreating hand to the horse.

“He won’t bite, will he?”

It is not the horse you should be concerned about, woman. Steeling himself, his body rigid, he faced her. “Horse no is danger.” He extended the leathers. “You want, you may lead.”

She cocked her head, ignored his offer, and asked, “Silver Eagle, why do you dislike me?”

Her thick, fiery mane framed that unforgettable face, and her voice echoed as if in a dream. Spirits, kill me now.

He could no longer remain aloof and distant. No one would know how hard he had fought his forbidden attraction to the woman gazing up at him with such bewilderment, such distress.

For the first time in his life, Silver Eagle abandoned his duty and dropped the reins of a halter-broke horse. One that did not belong to him. Focused on Mariah’s grass-green eyes, he willingly stepped into the path of that bullet, the one that would surely find him if Tanner or Mr. Kelly discovered the passion so long hidden in his heart.

“I no dislike, woman.” He reached out and swept her supple body against his.

Though startled, her beautiful eyes wide, she did not struggle. No, she waited and watched as he slowly lowered his head and claimed her lips. Her gasp of surprise fueled his desire. He deepened the kiss. She did not pull away. She did not stop him. Instead, her arms circled his neck, and she kissed him back. The tiny sound in her throat mingled with his own moan of pleasure.

MEET THE HEROKaige from Were Seduction

2010-06-07T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please welcome the always entertaining Lia Slater!

Hi Helen! Thanks for featuring my hero, Kaige, from Were Seduction (Ellora's Cave.) I hope your readers enjoy the excerpt.

Bio:

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.

Lia is well on her way to helping the world become a better place by writing steamy romance with heart-pounding emotion.

Website: www.liaslater.com

Blurb:

Were Seduction, Book 2 in the WERE LEGENDS series.

After living a century without the touch of a man, Ambria Nogle is surprised that seducing Count Kollens isn’t all that difficult. Unfortunately, falling in love with the Were is just as easy. As an empath, she can see right through Kaige’s brooding façade and into his heart. Now if only she can convince him that her heart is just as genuine.

Kaige isn’t sure what to think of the wicked little witch who’s stolen his nights and captured his thoughts. Their sizzling chemistry dulls his usually sharp when they’re together, making him uncertain of her intentions. But soon he finds trusting Ambria isn’t the problem. Falling in love with her is.

Excerpt: (Warning: Explicit sex and language)

“Have you been with a man before?” He had to ask. His bloody conscience wouldn’t allow him to willingly ruin a virgin.

She nodded. “Yes,” was her only answer.

“One? Two? How many?” Why he cared, he wasn’t sure, but he hoped it was no more than a couple. Every woman he’d been with in the past had experienced multiple lovers and it hadn’t fazed him. Somehow his feelings were different this time.

“Only one.” She whimpered as his hand ran down her perfectly-shaped calf. “Does that bother you?”

“No, not at all. Don’t be silly.” He tried to swallow his next words but they escaped his mouth. “I only wonder how I’m lucky enough to be your second.” His suspicion of witches was an annoying concern in his mind. He wouldn’t end the evening if she outright told him she was using him to gain riches. No, that would make the sex more exciting, in fact. Afterward, he’d have her shackled overnight in the castle’s dungeon as punishment. But if she planned on secretly deceiving him and making him look a fool, then she was asking for bigger trouble. He’d been used plenty in his long life and he was done with it. He may not have had control when he’d been a Vamp’s blood slave but he did now.

Her expression changed a few times, making it hard for him to read her. Such a peculiar woman.

“Kaige.” Her voice was soft as she sat up and kneeled in front of him. “I’ll admit there’s a lot more to me than meets the eye. And I’ll freely explain those quirks to you if we continue our relationship after this evening.”

His cock hardened as she reached for his buckle and began undoing it. “You’re trying to distract me, lover.” He grasped her wrists in one hand and pulled his belt free with the other.

Her breath hitched but she wasn’t frightened. With his Were senses he could smell her lust, the ripeness of her pussy. She was soaking wet for him.

“It’s been a long time since you’ve been with that one man, hasn’t it?”

She gulped. “Longer than you could possibly imagine. When I saw you tonight, Kaige, I knew I wanted to be with you. I usually shy away from men but you’re different. I’m comfortable with you.”

His jaw twitched as he held back a grin. Interesting how he believed every sweet word she uttered. He wasn’t usually this trusting but he wanted to believe her with every cell in his body. She looked up at him now with such innocence and longing. Her seductive eyes enchanted him. Her responsiveness to his touch enthralled him and made him mad with curiosity. How would she react when he licked her succulent pussy? How crazy would he make her when he slid his cock into that tight little passage?

He glanced down at her wrists as he held her with one hand. She wasn’t trying to break free. She wasn’t frightened of him. She wasn’t bartering her body for gold or jewelry. She wanted him, plain and simple.

MEET THE HEROT'Kon from Forbidden Love

2010-05-31T01:00:00.000-07:00

I'm so happy to have Kaye Manro visit today! Kaye was one of the first authors I met when I started my blog two years ago, and we've been faithful followers of each others' blogs and careers since then. Kaye is celebrating her very first release, Forbidden Love! Take it away, Kaye!

Thank you so much Helen for inviting me as a guest on your blog today.

FORBIDDEN LOVE is a futuristic sci-fi erotic romance. Yes, there is space travel at FTL (faster than light). But there is also lots of sexy sensual exploring between the hero T’Kon and the heroine Maya, who hail from different galaxies and evolutionary paths. Rules on T’Kon’s planet forbid interspecies mating. When he crashes his spacecraft on Maya’s world close to her desert home, what else is he to do but let this lovely alien tend his, umm, injuries?

Here’s a blurb that many like best because it is from T’Kon’s view:

T’Kon and Maya are galaxies apart, so different yet so much alike…

Exploring the galaxies at FTL (faster than light) is routine for the inhabitants of Asconage. T’Kon’s planet is a cool-blood culture that exists in the scorch of binary suns. Yet there are governing archaic rules to prohibit interspecies mating with those from different worlds and evolutionary paths.

When T’Kon crashes his spacecraft on Terrain, a seasonal planet barely on the cusp of space travel, he cannot resist the warm-blooded audacious Maya who gives him aid. His desire for her entices him to abandon his species moral code.

There is little time to linger inside their illicit passion. The warring factions of her world are closing in. A quick fix of his spacecraft and a fast exit is his best choice. But can T’Kon leave Maya behind and forsake their emerging Forbidden Love?

Now for my favorite Forbidden Love excerpt of all:

...She was upon him so near he could feel her breath, sense her warmth. She reached out and ran a hand through the air, searching the length of him.

“Maya,” he blew her name on a sigh.

“Take me with you," she implored, as water filled her astounding tawny eyes. "I want to be with you, T'Kon.” She melded her body against his invisible one.

“You know nothing of me or my world.”

“Teach me, show me everything.”

He felt her heat burning inside him, yet the absurdity of her request burned brighter. “What you ask is not possible.”

“Will you please become visible so I can look at you?” She asked. “We need to talk about this before you go flying off into the universe.”

He unshielded his body so she could see him. “I cannot take you.”

“Why not? You can’t say it was coincidence that you happened to crash land in my back yard.”

No, an unfortunate accident. The truthful certainty traced across his mind. Yet his arms enclosed her and he lifted her up. Her legs straddled his waist, and he held her close against his body. A fit so right he could not deny it.

“I wish it were not so, but it is,” he whispered, breathing in her pungent scent. “You would not survive on my world.” He dropped his head to taste her lips before she had a chance to counter his words. “Just one last kiss.” Her mouth opened to allow his tongue entry and he explored the soft moistness, losing himself in her tang.

The stars help him. He did not want to leave her.

Without warning, a sudden and dangerous noise yanked T’Kon from his sexual stupor. He sensed peril approaching. In a rapid-fire move, he raised his palm. A copper arch flashed and shimmered before them revealing the entryway to his concealed spacecraft. He dragged her inside. Tapping a pad the opening closed leaving them hidden behind an undetectable shield.

Bio for Kaye Manro

As a romance author, I lean toward the adventuresome in my writing. I love science fiction and all the enticing quantum theories surrounding it. Where characters rush through outer space at Faster than Light speed, or teleport into another time, and even slipstream into an alternate reality. I like creating love scenes too with strong heroes, and captivating heroines. It just seemed natural to combine all these elements together in my stories and write (SFR) Science Fiction Romance.

I hope you enjoy reading FORBIDDEN LOVE my new Science Fiction Romance as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Links
FORBIDDEN LOVE Buy Page: http://redrosepublishing.com/bookstore/product_info.php?products_id=772
Kaye’s Web Site: http://sfr.kayemanro.com
Kaye’s Blog: http://kayemanro.blogspot.com

HUNKS ON HIATUS

2010-05-26T16:18:00.001-07:00

It's sad, I know... Yes, the hunks are going on hiatus while I travel to New York and Europe for the next month! Hopefully all the culture will spark my muse. The bitch has been lying dormant far too long.

While I'm away, please be sure to stop by and visit some good friends of mine who will be taking over the blog while I'm gone.

May 31 -- Kaye Manro
June 7 -- Lia Slater
June 14 -- Joyce Henderson

They'd love to see you!

And to keep you warm until the hump-day hunks return...

RT PHOTOS

2010-05-21T07:26:00.001-07:00

Eventually I do get around to posting my photos! My roomie Monica Kaye and I had a blast at RT.

My name in lights at the EC Lady in Red Party. Very cool!

Here I am with the new Mr. Romance, Jamie Ungaro, and author Arianna Skye at the EC party. Arianna and I met last year at RomantiCon and it was fun to catch up with her!

Monica getting down at the EC party!

A very bad photo of the Cavemen dancing. Sorry! They all came out poorly....

In the bar before the Faery ball -- me, Monica, and urban fantasy author Jessa Slade.

At the Faery Ball -- historical author Delilah Marvelle, me, chaptermate Liz Pelletier, and Monica.

EC author J. Hali Steele (a fellow Suzette who I also met last year at RomantiCon) and thriller author Andrew Peterson. This is at the Vampire Ball dinner.

HUMP-DAY HUNK -- Upen Patel

2010-05-19T13:21:00.001-07:00

Many apologies for being late with today's hunk! But he was worth the wait, don't you think? Though born in Britain in 1980, Upen is an Indian model. He has modeled for Hugo Boss, among others. He's currently waiting for the right film role to come along. Do any of you have any ideas?

MEET THE HEROSam from Promise Me

2010-05-17T01:00:00.000-07:00

Today I'm thrilled to welcome Deborah Schneider! Last year Deborah was honored as RWA's Librarian of the Year. Her newest release, Promise Me, is available at The Wild Rose Press. It's a wonderful story with a hero to die for -- Sam Calhoun. Before we meet Sam, though, here's a little about Deborah.

A love for American History drew Deborah to the field of education and teaching American History right after college. She resides in a small town near the Cascade Mountains in the Pacific Northwest, where she fulfills her dream of waking up every day to look at a mountain. She’s the winner of the Molly Award for Most Unsinkable Heroine for her book, Beneath A Silver Moon. She loves writing about strong, smart women who aren't afraid to challenge the men they love. She's employed by one of the busiest library systems in the US, is the 2009 Romance Writers of America Librarian of the Year, and believes in the power of books to change lives.

Blurb:

After spending years in an arranged marriage as the repressed wife of an older man, Amanda Wainwright has learned the hard way that money can’t buy happiness. She arrives in Willow Creek, Montana determined to keep a deathbed promise to her husband and do something to help other people. When Amanda meets a handsome, mysterious stranger who tempts her with sweet promises and long nights of passion, she discovers a fiery, passionate nature that could lead her to disaster.

For Samuel Calhoun, falling in love wouldn’t just be foolish, it could be deadly. He’s on assignment as an undercover agent for the Secret Service. In order to maintain his secret identity he accepts an offer from a consortium of mine owners to seduce, humiliate and ruin the Widow Wainwright. Before long, Sam knows he’s met the woman who can banish the aching emptiness in his soul and he’s willing to risk everything – even his life – to be with her.

And now a taste of Sam:

Amanda’s delicate fingers finished unfastening his shirt. She gave him a saucy, heavy-lidded look.

“I’m no authority on this, Sam, but wouldn’t it be easier if we were both naked?”

Sam gritted his teeth as the image of their bodies entwined upon the bed flashed through his mind. His erection tented the wool of his trousers, and he couldn’t tell if this frightened or excited Amanda.

“A widow might consider herself something of an authority about such things.”

A flicker of sadness darkened her emerald eyes, and he wondered at the cause.

Her tongue traced a delicate pattern down his chest, and he closed his eyes to savor the sensation. She knew enough, if her current demonstration was any proof of her carnal talents.

Sam took a step forward to set her back upon the bed, then he fumbled with his clothes. His fingers felt thick and clumsy, and he couldn’t get his boots off without stumbling. He took a deep breath and looked up to discover she was laughing.

“You’re such a handsome, glib-tongued fellow; I thought you’d be better at this.”

Sam growled and tossed his boot across the room and flung his frock coat after it. His waistcoat lay crumpled at his feet and his shirt was fully unbuttoned as he folded his arms across his chest.

“You can’t play with fire without getting burned, Amanda. I’ll walk out of here right now if you’re not sure about this.” He swallowed. And go home and shoot myself.

She stretched across the quilt, her softly-curved female body enticing him with all its secret delights. Her long, copper curls formed a halo of flame on the pillow, and he realized she wasn’t going to send him away. He heaved a sigh of relief, because despite his offer, he didn’t know if really could have walked away.

Sam fought a war of conscience, his badly tarnished sense of honor reminding him he was a scoundrel for staying with Amanda.

Amanda’s golden body shimmered in the light of the candles spread throughout the room. A heavy ache pulsed in his groin. Even the most well intentioned and honorable man would find it hard to walk away from this angel.

“Are you afraid of me, Sam?” Her voice purred with confidence.

He removed his shirt and dropped down heavily onto the bed next to her. “Terrified, darlin’.”

RT, A New Contract, and a Great Review!

2010-05-14T01:00:00.000-07:00

I haven't had a chance to blog about RT yet, and since my dear friend Monica Kaye has said it so much better than I ever could, I direct you over to her blog to read about our adventures. The new Mr. Romance, Jamie Ungaro (below) is as sweet as he is hot. He's shy, which was very endearing.

The lovely Diana Carlile at The Wild Rose Press recently contracted my new menage, Primal Instinct. First round edits are done so I should have more news shortly.

And last but certainly not least, Brenda at The Romance Studio gave Lessons of the Heart an awesome review! She says:

Ms. Hardt has once again written another well-developed, interesting novel. Her characters were so believable it was as if I lived on the outside of the cabin looking in. The main characters had such dynamic, emotional personalities, it seemed as if they were destined to find each other. However, a happily-ever-after was not simply reached. The style of Hardt’s book grabbed my attention.

The sensuality of the book wasn’t too graphic. There were some flashbacks of the war which did get explicit. She wrote intelligently about the situations and made them very real to this reader.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical romance. Hardt is an author whom I expect to see more and more of in the future.

Thank you, Brenda, and have a great weekend, everyone!

HUMP-DAY HUNK -- Enrique Iglesias

2010-05-12T01:00:00.000-07:00

Enrique Iglesias -- really, does anything more need to be said?

HUMP-DAY HUNK -- Peter Le

2010-05-05T10:25:00.000-07:00

I'm in the mood for something spicy and Asian today -- and I don't mean Kung Pao Chicken! So I'm bringing one of my past hunks out of retirement. Meet Peter Le. He's also a dead ringer for my hero, Dylan, in Seduced in Seoul. Except Dylan has longer hair, of course. All my heroes have long hair ;). Peter is a personal trainer and model, and he's been known to model (gasp) nude!

MEET THE HEROWolf from The Third Rose

2010-05-03T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please welcome Jean Hart Stewart as she tours blogdom with Goddess Fish Promotions! Jean is here to introduce us to her hero in her Red Rose Publishing release, The Third Rose.

Blurb:

When Sara Coverly hides in Lord Wolverton’s bedroom to avenge him for the rape of her friend, she is determined to shoot him so he can never ruin another female. Instead she finds herself wondering if she’s picked the wrong man! Wolf decides he needs a token fiancée to cover his tracks as he searches for a spy, and soon Sara finds herself helping him. And falling deeply in love.

Wolf’s espionage duties bring danger to them both. When he decodes a message threatening the assassination of Wellington at Waterloo, they both set out for Brussels to catch the villain.

Can their growing love endure through war, a desperate villain who is out to stop them, and Wolf’s determination to save Wellington at any cost?

Excerpt featuring Wolf:

“I love the room, Josh. I can see why your mother loved it, also. It’s truly charming.”

“As are you, my new wife. I’ve promised not to force you, but that does not include never kissing you. Come to me, Sara.”

Wolf took her and turned her into his arms, lowering his head to hers. Her lips were soft, incredibly soft, and warm as honey standing in the sun. He’d meant to only give her a taste of the joys of loving, but he found he could not possibly stop at just one kiss. He gathered her closer, pressing his body against her, wondering if she noticed the arousal she so quickly caused.

She gave a little gasp, and leaned into him, returning the kiss in an untutored but most pleasing manner. The lady had definite possibilities as a seductress! He sucked at her lower lip until she slightly opened to him, and then he plunged his tongue in, fully tasting her sweetness. Her flavor was indescribably satisfying as he kept exploring her mouth. When he found himself looking at the bed, and judging how many steps he’d need to reach it, he woke to the fact that he was about to break his word and carry her to it.

He set her from him, reluctantly, but with a smile at the shadow of regret in her eyes.

“I am not given to ravishment, my dear, as I once told you, or I would carry you over to the bed and have my wicked way with you.”

When she still looked bewildered, he gave a little laugh. “I’ve told you, I’ll not take you until you are fully ready. You are closer than you think, you know. Come to me soon, Sara.”

He gave her one last soft, lingering kiss, making her cling to him and bury her face in his chest. Well pleased with her reaction, he turned abruptly and strode to the door.

She might not yet know it, but she’d soon be truly his. It would put a strain on the lustful side of his regrettable nature to wait, but wait he would.

“Till tomorrow, wife,” he said huskily, and left her standing in the middle of the room, her lips slightly parted.

Tips from Writers

2010-04-29T11:05:00.000-07:00

The lovely Shelley Munro has been sharing tips from her fellow writers all month, and mine is up today! Hop on over to her blog to read it.

AT RT!

2010-04-28T12:58:00.000-07:00

My apologies for missing hunk day. I'm in Columbus, Ohio at RT enjoying the real hunks! I met last year's Mr. Romance, Charles Paz, who's as nice and hot in person as he is in his photos and his guest appearances on my blog.

I had a pleasant flight with my chaptermates Lizzie T. Leaf and Melissa Mayhue, and I'm rooming with my good friend Monica Kaye. Last night was a meet and greet for Ellora's Cave authors and I met my blogging friend Sam Cheever.

All in all a great start to RT!

See you back here on Monday when the talented Jean Hart Stewart will be here.

Visiting Skhye......and My First Cover Quote!

2010-04-23T12:24:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday all! Today I'm visiting Skhye Moncrief again, this time talking about the research I did on Native American history for Rhythm of the Drum. Hope to see you there!

And speaking of Native Americans...I'm excited to display the cover for my good friend Paty Jager's upcoming release, Spirit of the Mountain. Not only is this a wonderful story, but it marks my very first cover quote! Look for Spirit of the Mountain on August 13 at The Wild Rose Press.

Have a great weekend!

HUMP-DAY HUNK -- Niko

2010-04-21T08:44:00.000-07:00

Niko is a personal trainer, model and (ahem) adult movie actor. I have one other photo of him that I didn't feel I could post, even on my gated blog.

Let your imaginations run wild, ladies...

MEET THE HEROLogan from Right Where I Need to Be

2010-04-19T01:00:00.000-07:00

I've been hanging out with Wendi Zwaduk on the loops and blogs for quite some time, and I'm thrilled that she's making one of her current blog tour stops here at Helen's Heroes! Wendi's new novel, Right Where I Need to Be, is coming April 30 to The Wild Rose Press. Before we meet her tasty hero, Logan, here's a little about Wendi:

Wendi always dreamed of writing the stories in her head. Tall, dark, and handsome heroes are her favorites, as long as he has an independent woman keeping him in line. She earned a BA in education at Kent State university and currently holds a Masters in Education with Nova Southeastern University. She loves NASCAR, romance, books in general, Ohio farmland, dirt racing, and her menagerie of animals.

Blurb:

Sometimes the love of your life isn’t the one you expect, but he’s the one you need.

Cass Jenson needs an actor for her made for TV movie. The previous actor dropped out, leaving her stranded. Her savior shows up looking sinfully sexy and totally right for the part, but what part is she auditioning him for? Her movie or her bed?

Logan Malone needs an acting job and fast. With his string of broken hearts, his professional life lies in shambles. To resurrect his career, he must audition for a television role which could be the job of a lifetime. That is, if he can work with distraction and Cass is a major distraction with a heart of gold. Is their budding relationship enough to survive separation, lies, and a couple zany fans?

And a taste of our hero:

Logan’s hand caressed her shoulder. “Can I help you finish? You and your friend should be sipping margaritas and ordering the lawn boy around, not sweating yourselves to death.”

She raised her brows. “You thought being a movie star meant you were entitled, that’s what.”

A wolfish grin curled his lips. Flecks of gold lit his hazel eyes, sending a fresh rush of lust to her core. He leaned in very close to her ear. “Maybe.”

She took a fortifying breath and fought the urge to taste him. Damn that cologne. Her heart skipped a beat. She donned her best sultry smile. Two could play his game. “Really?”

He nodded. She licked her dry lips. How could one man be so irritating and damn sexy at the same time? She scooted close enough so her bare knee brushed against his denim-clad thigh. Firm muscles without an ounce of fat. Ooh. “Do you want to explore?”

“Uh-huh.”

HUMP-DAY HUNK -- Scott Herman

2010-04-14T01:00:00.000-07:00

You all are the best! Thanks to everyone who stopped by to comment on the pen name bashing. You guys rock and I have all your backs, I promise. So I owe you a drool-worthy hunk today :). And I think I found him. The green tighty-whities have to go, but God I want to lick those abs!

Scott Herman, born in 1985 in Salem, New Hampshire, is an American model and fitness trainer. Aside from everything to do with the gym and fitness lifestyle, Scott enjoys doing a little bit of everything else like trying to learn new things, working on cars, acting, and meeting new people.

Any new people out there who might want to meet this hottie?

Bloggers and Pen Names and Karma...Oh My!

2010-04-12T12:14:00.000-07:00

This morning my lovely friend Amber Skyze alerted me to a blog post. I won't post a link because I don't want to publicize the blog. They don't deserve my publicity. Suffice it to say it wasn't flattering to Amber or me. This particular blogger decided it would be a nice day to make fun of erotic authors' pen names, and Amber and I were among those chosen. The blogger compared erotic authors' names to porn star or stripper names. Well, I've never heard of a porn star named Helen. Isn't that a grandma's name? Helen is actually my real name, and I always hated it. I grew up among Lisas, Kathys, and Tracys, and all those little girls had grandmothers named Helen.

Anyway, I can only guess that the reason my name was included was because of the last name Hardt, which of course has the word "hard" in it. I almost never comment on nasty blogs. Why waste my time? But I did today. I couldn't help myself.

You see, my pen name has a sentimental meaning. Helen Hardt was my grandmother's name. (Didn't I tell you everyone had a grandma named Helen? lol.) I chose this pen name when I first decided, as a young girl, to become a writer -- long before I decided to write erotic romance. My father, an aspiring writer, used Hardt as his pen name. A few years ago, when I got my first author contract, I considered other names, including my real name. Even though I've never cared for the name Helen, I decided to keep it because it felt weird to me to be called anything else. After lengthy discussion with my husband, we both decided that Helen Hardt was the way to go. It was the name I had chosen long ago, and now that I was realizing my dream, it seemed appropriate to use it. It's a nod to my roots. I also like the alliteration -- makes it easy to remember. And it sounds like "heart" which works well for romance.

Never did I consider the word "hard" embedded inside it. Hardt is a German surname. I am a fourth generation 100% German-American, which also makes the name appropriate. My married name is Scottish, though I don't have a drop of anything but German blood in me :).

Amber told me she chose her last name because it was part of a romance magazine she owned ten years ago. Another sentimental reason.

Why is it that some bloggers out there have nothing better to do than try to drag others down? Believe me, I wish I had that kind of time on my hands. Do they think it makes them look intelligent? Witty? Personally, I think it makes them very small people.

The foregoing notwithstanding (yes, I was a lawyer in my previous life, lol), I'm not overly upset about this. I just felt it was worthy of mention. Tell me about your pen name? Why did you choose it? Is there sentiment behind it?

Tuesday update -- I was telling my 17 year old son (who's a very optimistic person with a genius IQ) this story and he said, "Look at the bright side, Mom. You're well known enough that they make fun of you."

Ha! Very good point! I'm reminded of a quote from one of my favorite movies, Pirates of the Caribbean:

Norrington: You are without a doubt the worst pirate I've ever heard of!

Jack Sparrow: But you have heard of me.

Visiting Skhye Today!

2010-04-09T09:50:00.000-07:00

Today I'm over at the lovely Skhye Moncrief's blog talking about some of the research I did for Lessons of the Heart. Please come by and say hi!

My AMP editor, Celina, alerted me to another great review for The Cowboy and the Cougar. Dawn at Love Romances and More says:

THE COWBOY & THE COUGAR is a great story that will appeal to those who enjoy an “older woman/younger man” scenario, strong chemistry between the main characters, and some really explosive sex that had me panting in the end. Add in some wonderful secondary characters to keep the story flowing smoothly, this author does a great job in capturing all the inner turmoil, vulnerabilities and hearts of her characters perfectly. I am looking forward to more from Ms. Hardt in the future. If you enjoy a really hot, sexy book that will leave you breathless then grab THE COWBOY & THE COUGAR. I do recommend having a bucket of ice or your significant other nearby to help ease the ache after reading this one. Truly a spectacular read and one I plan to enjoy again. I look forward to more Cougar Club books in the future.

Thank you, Dawn!

Have a great weekend everyone!

HUMP-DAY HUNK -- Rafael Lazzini

2010-04-07T09:17:00.000-07:00

My blogging troubles appear to be over! So I'm back to regular blogging and commenting. Today I'm at The Cougar Club. Please come by and say hello!

On to today's hunk...

What is it about those Brazilian men? There's Henri, Caco, the other Rafael... So for Cari and all you others, myself included, who love those sexy Brazilians...I give you Rafael Lazzini -- six feet two inches of gorgeous Brazilian masculinity.

Many thanks to the lovely Kealie at The Menagerie for introducing me to this hottie!

HUMP-DAY HUNK -- Hot Biker Guy

2010-03-31T08:26:00.001-07:00

My profound apologies -- I'm having major security certificate issues with my blogger account, so I'm not able to post today's hunk. Here's hot biker guy to keep you warm until next Wednesday, when, hopefully, all issues will be resolved.

MEET THE HERORaven from Rhythm of the Drum

2010-03-29T01:00:00.000-07:00

Well, the taxes are done and filed!

Today I'm introducing Silver Raven, the gorgeous Native American Hero in my last release, Rhythm of the Drum, part of the Earth Songs series at The Wild Rose Press.

Blurb:

Ella Morgan loves her mother and father, but she's grown weary of their overbearing protectiveness. She longs for excitement, adventure, and most of all, love. When she finds an injured Lakota warrior hiding in her barn, she's intrigued by the brave and handsome man.

Silver Raven has found his soul mate in the woman with eyes the color of violets at first bloom. Can he convince her to leave her home and family and take her rightful place as his woman? Or will Ella's father and the prejudices of society keep them apart?

Excerpt:

Ella’s mouth dropped open as she stared into Raven’s smoldering gaze. When he lowered his head and took her lips with his, she didn’t resist.

The sensation of his tongue in her mouth was new and different. But not unpleasant. Oh, no, not at all. It was hot, so hot, and she tasted him. Raven. Slightly sweet, like cinnamon sprinkled over a tart apple. He explored her mouth, touching every crevice. When she tried to speak, to ask what to do, only wordless sounds, muffled by his mouth over hers, emerged.

If only she knew how to please him. She wanted to kiss him back, to tangle her tongue with his. To grasp his strong shoulders and pull him ever closer until nothing could separate them.

Such impure thoughts! But she didn’t chide herself, because only seconds later she couldn’t think at all. She only felt. Felt with all her body, all her heart, all her soul, that she wanted Raven. Wanted to be with him. In every way a woman could be with a man. She boldly forced her tongue into his mouth.

He groaned and tightened his arms around her. Instinctively, she knew her actions pleased him. And she wanted to please him. In all her life, she had never wanted anything more.

She let her tongue wander over his teeth, caress the inside of his cheeks. When he pulled back, panting, she traced his full lips, first the upper, then the lower, and she reveled in his moans. She smiled against his mouth.

“Do I please you?” she whispered.

“Always, tehila.” His breath caressed her cheek. “Always.”

She sighed and turned her head to draw a much needed breath. To no avail, however. When Raven pressed a trail of wet kisses down the side of her neck, she lost her air once more.

“Will you let me show you,” he whispered, “some of the wonders that exist between a man and a woman?”

“I-Isn’t that what you’re doing?” Ella barely recognized her own voice. It seemed lower, earthier.

“Yes, but there is more than kissing. I can take you to the stars and back. If you will allow me.” He rained kisses over both her cheeks, then found a place below her ear and nibbled. Ella’s skin heated, yet she shivered. Such sweet contradiction.

“I don’t understand.”

“Surely, you know what occurs in the marriage bed?” Raven untied the string binding her braid and slowly tunneled his fingers through her thick locks. The gentle tugging of her hair, the warmth of his hands on her scalp—all good, all touched her soul.

“Y-yes. Of course.” She knew of the physical act. She inhaled deep. What a warm night!

Raven’s chuckle tickled her neck. “Would you enjoy soaring into the sky with me, tehila? I could lead you to places you have never dreamed of, all without taking your maidenhead. Just say the word, and I will.”

Thank You, Seriously Reviewed!

2010-03-26T01:00:00.000-07:00

My good friend Paty Jager brought the following review for Lessons of the Heart to my attention. Many thanks to the readers at Seriously Reviewed!

I could NOT put it down! I could feel the heat and attraction between these two characters starting in the first chapter. He is hot HOT! and she is not bad looking herself.

This story is about an old maid school teacher and a widowed farmer in Dakota Territory in the 1870s . She thinks she is unattractive, plain and too tall (she is six feet). He is a large tall handsome blond father. She is romantic and caring, while he is cold and emotionally crippled with nightmares about the Civil War. And now, two men want to marry her, but neither mentions love.

They meet at the schoolhouse where she teaches his daughter.Their strong personalities clash at this first encounter. They seem to be total opposites, but like the old saying, 'opposites attract'. WOW, did the attraction sizzle between these two. They could not keep their hands off each other then and throughout their story. The weather is hot and steamy and so are they.

This short story is packed with action; from grass fires to his daughter's health.

I could not put this story down. I enjoyed every page and I can't wait until I read another book by Ms. Hardt.

HUMP-DAY HUNK -- Drew Pare

2010-03-24T01:00:00.000-07:00

I couldn't find out much about Drew except that he's a model, he's 6' 1", and he has amazing blue eyes...then again, do we really need to know any more?

MEET THE HEROJon from Loving Eve

2010-03-22T07:58:00.000-07:00

Monday again! They just keep coming, don't they? Today I'm over at Mama Writers introducing my six part series on sensory detail. Once I have the dates, I'll post them here.

I took last Monday off at this blog, but today I'm back to introduce you to Jon, the second hero in Loving Eve. If you remember the post on Brian, you'll see that Jon is much different.

Belly dancer Eve Costello has a problem. She’s in love with both her roommates. Satisfied to simply worship them from afar, she’s unprepared when they drop a bomb. Jon and Brian are in love with her, too, and they want her to choose between them. Their solution? She spends one evening with each of them, allowing them to woo her before she makes her decision. Will she be able to choose one over the other? Or will she be condemned to choosing neither, leaving all three of them miserable?

“Oh…” Her soft sigh drifted over his cheek like the lightest desert breeze.

He lay down on the bed and pulled her against his body. “Tell me what you want, honey.”

He wanted her to take the lead. He wasn’t a submissive. Nothing like that. But he liked a strong woman in the bedroom. He spent all day in control of others’ lives. He told them what to eat, how to work out, when to see a medical professional. He didn’t mind being in charge. He loved his job. And he certainly wasn’t averse to taking the lead in bed. But what really revved his motor was a woman who took what she wanted.

He’d give Eve anything. When he’d returned from turning off his cell phone and she’d demanded he lick her pussy, he’d almost creamed all over himself right there.

Eve was the strongest woman he knew. She knew how to get what she wanted in life. Now he wanted her to take what she wanted in the bedroom.

From him.

“What do you want, Eve?” His deep voice trembled and he steadied it. “Tell me.”

“Anything you want, Jon.” She winked at him and his cock hardened even further. Damn, she was beautiful.

“I want you to take what you’re after, gorgeous.” He steadied his voice again. “Do whatever you want to me.”

“Hmm.” Her foggy eyes twinkled. “I do have something in mind, handsome. Lie down.”

He complied, the rumpled blankets a soft comfort against his tense, needy body. He waited for another command, but instead she backed toward the door.

“Where are you going?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be right back.”

She returned momentarily, her hands filled with several of the smaller scarves she used as color accents on her various dance costumes. What did she have up her sleeve?

Hell, he didn’t care. Whatever it was, he was game.

“Grasp the headboard, Jonny.”

What? He widened his eyes. She sat on the edge of the bed and fingered the silky fabric. Her chestnut hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders. Curls dangled over her milky breasts. His erection surged in time with his rapid pulse.

“You heard me. You’ve been begging me to take charge all evening.” She leaned forward and brushed her satiny lips against his. “This is something I’ve always fantasized about. Now grasp the headboard.”

EROTIC HORIZON REVIEWS TWO OF MY BOOKS

2010-03-18T13:00:00.000-07:00

THE COWBOY AND THE COUGAR

THE COWBOY AND THE COUGAR is a sweet read. I love a book with a great start and when within the first few pages both the hero and the heroine throw caution to the wind and made a meal of each other - I was not expecting a smooth ride.

Holly and Jack did not disappoint me. Holly is a great gal but with bad news and trying to put her live in order – her idea of long term relationship is not the same as Jack's, because there is little doubt that Jack has given his all to Holly.

I really liked Holly and Jack, mix in a precocious little boy and ranching along with some sarcastic humour – I was good. The younger man/older woman plot is never an easy mix at the best of times, but I thought Ms. Hardt delved beyond the great sex that they were having.

She showed the worry, the need to conform and of course what happens when there is nowhere left to turn. All in all I really like this one and Ms. Hardt got a whole lot of this book right.

LOVING EVE

The tale starts with belly dancer Eve pondering over the fact that she has fallen in love with her two roommates Jon and Brian, both men have also fallen in love with her and this is where the story begins in earnest…

When both men confess that they are in love with her, Eve comes up with a plan. Both men spending time alone with her - one on one and making her see what they each have to offer her.

There follows all three doing the dance of lust, the dance of love and what a dance it was – on the piano, on the table and I was having a blast with it all.

After the dance has ended however Eve must choose one of these men or she may have to give them both up – because she wants it all.

Ms. Hardt has put together a nice little romp in LOVING EVE. As I mentioned before this is a slice out of these three lives, it just happen to be the slice where they have to sort their feeling and their future out.

...The book is all about these three connecting beyond the boundaries of friendship. LOVING EVE is a great little read- most certainly worth the time.

HUMP-DAY HUNK -- Rick Mora

2010-03-17T01:00:00.000-07:00

Today I'm blogging at The Cougar Club. Please come say hi!

This Native hottie is Rick Mora, an actor, model, photographer and producer. My new release, Rhythm of the Drum, features a Native American hero, so I thought Rick would be a great hunk for today. Rick says, "I am a dreamer committed to bringing my dreams to reality."

Enjoy!

HUMP-DAY HUNK -- Francesco Cura

2010-03-10T10:22:00.000-08:00

I have my friend and chaptermate Viola Estrella to thank for introducing me to this hottie. Francesco is an actor and artist. Enjoy!

MEET THE HEROBrian from Loving Eve

2010-03-08T11:30:00.000-08:00

Back for one of my own heroes again. This time it's one of two! Yes, Loving Eve, my new release from Ellora's Cave, ends in a menage relationship. Today you'll meet one of the heroes who wins Eve's heart, Brian. I hope you enjoy!

Blurb:

Belly dancer Eve Costello has a problem. She’s in love with both her roommates. Satisfied to simply worship them from afar, she’s unprepared when they drop a bomb. Jon and Brian are in love with her, too, and they want her to choose between them. Their solution? She spends one evening with each of them, allowing them to woo her before she makes her decision. Will she be able to choose one over the other? Or will she be condemned to choosing neither, leaving all three of them miserable?

Excerpt (R):

“Do you like it hard, Eve?” He leaned toward her, his breath a hot caress. “Do you like to be fucked this way?”

Her moan was her answer. Brian’s fingers entwined in her curls and found her clit. He pinched the inflamed button and she shattered. The climax raged inside her pussy. She spasmed around his cock. Her outer lips prickled and tiny convulsions spread through her tummy, up to the rapid pounding of her heart, out to her arms and legs. Upward she soared until she floated above the piano. Brian still hammered into her. She cried his name, begged him for more, and he gave it. He fucked her hard and fast, just like he’d promised.

And just as she peaked, he thrust into her one last time and his release pulsated within her.

She lay atop the piano sated, her lover clamped between her legs, still inside her. She sighed. “Good, Bri.”

He let out a husky chuckle. “Good doesn’t even begin to describe it.”

She smiled. “You aren’t what I expected.”

He winked. “You expected a nice gentlemanly fuck, didn’t you?”

“Well, I’m not sure. Maybe, to a certain extent. I knew sex with you would be good, no matter what type it was.”

“Good?” He curved his lips into a lazy half-grin. “Just good?”

“Okay, great.”

“Hmm. Great. Not bad for the first round.” He pulled away from her, disposed of the condom, and extended his hand to help her off the piano. “We’re by no means done, sweetheart.”

Eve’s breath caught. Not done? Thank God. She didn’t want to be done. She let out a nervous laugh. “I’m yours for the night.”

“And the night is still young.” He kissed her fingertips. Back to gentlemanly. Her insides squirmed. How she loved him!

“I hope our dinner isn’t too cold,” she said.

“That’s what the microwave is for.” He pulled her into his embrace. Perspiration dripped between them. Eve inhaled the crisp, male scent of Brian. So good.
“What do you want to do, then?”

He cupped one swollen breast and pressed his lips to her cheek. “I want to finish our dinner.”

“Okay.”

“And then I want to eat you for dessert.”

HUMP-DAY HUNK -- Kris Kranz

2010-03-03T01:00:00.000-08:00

Here's an all American blond boy for you! Kris Kranz, born 1985 in Bloomington, Minnesota is a model. His career evolved from an appearance in Cosmopolitan Magazine's Cosmo Guy Without His Shirt feature when he was just 19. Modeling agencies came out of the woodwork to sign him. And can you blame them? Look at those lips!

Loving Eve Available Today!

2010-03-02T10:36:00.000-08:00

Belly dancer Eve Costello has a problem. She’s in love with both her roommates. Satisfied to simply worship them from afar, she’s unprepared when they drop a bomb. Jon and Brian are in love with her, too, and they want her to choose between them. Their solution? She spends one evening with each of them, allowing them to woo her before she makes her decision. Will she be able to choose one over the other? Or will she be condemned to choosing neither, leaving all three of them miserable?

Buy Loving Eve here.

COMING TOMORROW TO ELLORA'S CAVE!

2010-03-01T10:51:00.001-08:00

HUMP-DAY HUNK -- Bobby K

2010-02-24T01:00:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-22T01:00:00.000-08:00

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.