The Hussies

Halloween Is Coming!

2010-10-04T16:01:00.000-04:00

Halloween is coming! It's time to scare yourself and this is the month to do it. The air is tinged with the promise of cooler weather! Our upper 90 degree weather has finally dropped to the 70s and I'm thrilled to have the break.

I think this has been the hottest summer I can recall and parts of my garden suffered. My bean plants didn't produce due to the heat but as soon as the temps dropped to 90 degrees, they started producing their hearts out. I could certainly understand their reluctance to do anything in the heat. (g)

The leaves will soon turn brilliant colors and pumpkins fields will be opened for eager buyers ready to carve out a Jack-O-Lantern. It's just one of many traditions this time of year ushers in. Ahh… I want to soak it all in. Smell crisp fall air tinged with woodsmoke and listen to the change in the sounds around me.

Tradition is comforting and gives me a sense of belonging and a feeling of continuity in life. There's a sense of permanence that I know deep down is just an illusion, but that's part of the mystique of life. Besides, celebrations like Halloween just make life more interesting and fun, not that I need an entire holiday as an excuse to have fun!

So grab some fun this month, whatever your cup of tea, hot chocolate or coffee blend and enjoy the changing of the seasons. Happy Halloween!

I'm a vampire...

2010-09-01T10:27:00.000-04:00

I've been accused of it for years, not because I have fangs or am pale or because I drink blood - Yuck! I don't do that either.

But because I stay up so late at night. My regular bedtime can vary between 2 - 3:30 am. Drives my acupuncturist crazy as it's now her life mission to reset my internal clock. "Go to bed with the sunset get up with the sunrise" (In what world?)

My clock has always been this way. Even as a kid, I never could sleep more than 5 hrs and I typically would lie awake from 9 pm until 2 or 3 am listening to music and making up stories until I could fall asleep.

A lifetime of sleep deprivation is what my acupuncturist proclaimed I was suffering from.

A vampire is what my loving family and friends call me always followed by laughs and a few crossing of forefingers just in case. (Bwaahhh)

But frankly, I love staying up late. No phone calls typically after 9 except for friends and family who know I'm up, but they're generally asleep by 11 pm, except for some of my author buds and one is in Australia and knows she can always IM me at 1:30 am. I can have 2 or 3 IM conversations going and we all feel normal being up at that hour.

When I worked outside the home, I did keep regular hours, but getting up at 5:30 or 6 am was like torture to me. Even if I got to bed by 12 am, I still would not fall asleep until 3am no matter how tired I was.

My fam and friends don't care that I roam about the house at all hours, writing, watching an old movie, writing some more, chatting with pals on IM at 2 am... They know me and accept my evil ways. BUT my medical practitioners go crazzzzyyy over my schedule. They don't get that the creative stream flows a bit closer to the earth from 12 - 3:30 and I am just naturally wired to ride it.

So to those who want to rewire me... Leave me alone! I'm happy like I am. (vbg)

And, yes, you can call me after 9 pm. I'm up and quite lucid until 4 am.

Love Me Tomorrow Is Out!

2010-07-01T12:30:00.000-04:00

Happy 4th!!! Now, more than ever it's so important to remember all of the brave selfless people who gave the ultimate sacrifice so we have a 4th of July to celebrate. Have a great holiday and God bless America!

~~~~~~ ************************************************** ~~~~~~~~

I'm pleased to announce the single title release of Love Me Tomorrow, previously released in the Fated Mates anthology, which was reviewed by Romantic Times as a 4.5 star, top pick and also nominated for RT Reviewers' Choice Award. I hope you enjoy this futuristic scifi love story. - Sally

Earth, 2360

Shalene Courers leads freedom fighters against the Demrons to retrieve a crystal that is the secret to Earth’s defense. When she captures the mysterious Mecah—tall, blond and very sexy—desires flame and the interrogation soon melts under his scorching passion.

Mecah’s possession of Shalene is more than lust—she’s the kismet mate he’s sought all his life, only she doesn’t believe him. Shalene and Mecah join forces to turn the tide of war, but without winning the heart and soul of his fated mate, he stands to lose his greatest battle.

Excerpt
She changed into a clean uniform, donning a fresh pair of black boots. If she was going to seduce him, then she needed to allow herself to enjoy it. Didn’t she? It was a direct order. She was a good soldier and did whatever she was ordered without hesitation or question. She squared her bare shoulders, looking at her reflection.

Strong arms were exposed from the tight bustier vest. Her breasts rose high and full above the leather lacings. The matching leather pants clung to every curve, and she knew with the high-topped boots, in another time, she would have looked like a dominatrix. All she needed was a whip. She laughed at herself and turned from the mirror.

She reached for the canister of brandy, noticing how her hand shook. The glass was cold against her sweaty palms. She poured the golden liquid into the goblet, letting the bottle tilt longer than normal, until the glass was full. That should bolster her enough to seduce Captain Mecah. It would be easy. He was a willing partner. But was she? Could she do this? It had been fifteen years since she’d been with a man and while it was her choice, it was still something she missed. Would she find, after years of abstinence, her ability to control her passion foolproof, or would the ever-present longing for the feel of a man overpower and dominate her?

The alcohol shot through her, fanning in warm layers, dulling her mind and giving her a relaxed buzz. That felt good. She picked up the helmet, feeling giddy and school-girlish.

Abber waited outside Shalene’s door.

“The prisoner’s demanding food. I ignored his request. I figured food would be part of the…ah…”

“Torture?” Her boot heels clicked faster as she hurried down the corridor with Abber a few paces behind her.

“The general ordered me to get some extra things, so I need to see about it.”

“What things?” She halted and turned on him, her rage seething just below her façade of control.

“Ah.” His face rushed crimson. “Wine, music, candles, ah—”

“You have to obey the general’s orders, Abber. Don’t worry about me. I can take care of myself.” Her heart tugged for the pained look centering his eyes. “While you’re about it, grab a plate of chow for the prisoner and bring it to the room.”

“Aye, Commander.” He saluted and practically ran to the mess hall.

Her hatred for General Jacob flamed at the thought of him using Abber. He knew how close the youth was to her. She balled her hands into hard fists, standing outside the metal black door, dreading what she had been ordered to do. She was a solider and a commander. In spite of all attempts to accept the order, her anger toward General Jacob grew.

So be it! She’d not give Jacob any satisfaction. Donning the helmet, she stiffened her spine and took a deep breath. She would do this her way and to hell with Jacob! She keyed in the passcode and shoved the door open. Mecah jumped from the mattress, not even attempting to hide his excitement over seeing her.

“Commander? I’ve not had a leisurely shower in a long time. A plate of warm food would make this close to utopia.”

She noticed he’d plaited his blond hair into a single braid that fell below his shoulders. His strong, muscled body filled the military-issue pants and T-shirt, highlighting the raw strength of years of disciplined training. As a warrior she could appreciate his body, but as a woman she appreciated it more. She cleared her throat, trying to disentangle herself from the unwelcomed sensations fluttering in her stomach.

“We’re afforded baths because there’s plenty of water down here.” She noticed he had shaved and was surprised by the compelling desire to trace his square jawline with her fingertips. Instead, she tightened her hands into hard fists by her side.

“Plenty of water? Then we have something to bargain with.”

“What would that be?”

“Water in exchange for information.”

She looked away from his intense stare and pushed the helmet down tighter on her head.

“I thought something was wrong since you were gone so long. Had I known you were showering—” He sighed appreciatively and sat down on the edge of the bed, resting his forearms on his legs. “What’s with the helmet?” he squinted. “Oh, I see, ore lined. Just so you know, it won’t stop our minds from reconnecting. Once the initial contact’s made, it can’t be severed. Now, I do like your black leathers, and a lace-up bustier vest always makes me hot.” His gaze swept over her.

Shalene felt as though she weren’t wearing any clothes.

“Do take off that helmet, love, so I can see your silky hair. Frankly, had I known you were grooming for me—”

“Please don’t flatter yourself. I’ve been out on recon for days. And my delay was due to a very boring and typical debriefing. It certainly wasn’t in preparation for you. And you will address me as Commander or Commander Courers but never as ‘love’. Are we clear?”

“Do you really mean never?”

“Are you going to make this painful or painless, Captain?”

“Is that an invitation, Commander?” He flashed a devastating smile and she looked away, attempting to shield herself against his disarming magnetism, but his smile ripped a need through her that startled yet aroused.

“Interrogations can become very unpleasant, as I’m sure you know.” She closed the door behind her. The automatic lock jarred her pulse into an erratic throbbing. She glanced at the wall mounts where cameras had once been suspended. The general would not be playing voyeur. Perhaps Abber had removed them on his own. Relief washed over her.

“I only want to indulge in pleasure where you’re concerned, Shalene.” He took a step closer.

“I will remind you only once more to address me as Commander or Commander Courers.” She squared her shoulders and took a step forward, all the while studying the way the corners of his lips turned up in a very sexy grin.

A sudden urge to feel those lips pressed against hers overpowered all reason. She halted mid-stride, fighting against the impulse. Had he inserted the very desire into her mind without her knowing it? She fought the quivering heat slipping down her spine to her pussy and willed the aching need to leave her body. Instead, it burst white-hot in a passionate urgency to feel his mouth claim hers. Was he right? Was the ore-lined helmet useless?

“You feel it, don’t you?” His voice invaded her protective barriers, storming through her defenses as though they were mere vapor.

“What?” Her voice shook in spite of her attempt to keep it unemotional.

“Kismet. I feel it too. Do you have it in your culture?”

“Do you mean fate?”

He nodded with eyes turning dark plum. His look seared her skin in a fiery path as it dropped to her lips then wandered to her breasts. She knew the bustier pressed their fullness high above the leather lacings. With each rapid breath, the soft leather stretched against her nipples, creating erotic sensations.

“W-What are you saying about fate?” She leaned back, flattening her hands against the cold door for added support.

“There’s a Kismet between us, Commander Courers. Shalene.” He stepped closer.

The way he spoke her name sent excited goose bumps up her arms, followed by electrical jags of heat and desire racing to her pussy. Her heartbeat thumped harder. He was moving closer and with each step, her pulse pounded harder.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Whatever was going on, she clearly had no control over her own body. She stepped across the room in front of him, feeling his stare follow her, slipping down her back to her ass. She knew her body was in strong physical shape from training, yet had never felt such delight in a man’s appreciation. She braved a look in his direction and her gaze was immediately captured by his intense stare.

“You can deny. You can try to resist, but Kismet has its own agenda, as your people say. It won’t rest until it is appeased.”

“A-And just how is it appeased?” she challenged.

“The only way any hunger can be sated.” His laughter was deep and infectious.

Shalene swallowed back the lashing fire that threatened to consume her. Was it his passion or hers coursing through her? How could she discern?

“Stop trying to understand it. There’s no understanding. There’s no avoiding it. When Kismet declares itself to a man and woman, the only solution is submission to its power.”

“You’re a talented mind controller.” She turned her back to him, focusing on anything else that might break the connection with him.

“Like I said, there’s no stopping it. We can play this game forever or you can take that helmet off and sit down with me so we can talk.”

“You’re my prisoner, in case you forgot. I’ll decide when we sit.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

“Have it your way.” He sat down in one of the plastic chairs but continued to stare at her.

Scenes, unbidden, flashed in front of her. He stood over her as she lay naked beneath him, enjoying the way he looked down at her as she moved her hands over her body, spreading the lips of her pussy wide so he could see her better. His excitement charged her, sending a frenetic rhythm undulating to her hips.

Shalene squinted against the vision.

“Stop that!” she yelled.

“I didn’t give you any vision you didn’t want. I merely summoned your deepest desires. They did the rest.” He paused. “Care to share what you saw?”

“I’ll ask the questions.”

“The first being? What do I want?” He smiled.

“Exactly.”

“Aside from you? I want the same thing you do, Commander. The Demrons destroyed.”

Read a 2nd excerpt

Read a 3rd excerpt

Ellora's Cave

Changes that New Years Bring

2010-01-04T12:37:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!

It's that time again, the beginning of a new year. It's a time when we shrug off the past and move blindly into the future. If you're like most people, you do this with a twinge of trepidation and a whole lot of hope for a better year.

2009 was a starting over year for me and my family. We were caught in the last three months of 2008 bank failings since our livelihood was in that industry. I read an astrology article recently about how we change directions in our careers and lives every 10 years due to planetary shifts.

This made me start thinking about my past careers and amazingly, this proved to be true. What about you? Do you see a ten-year period of job changes, promotions, or even complete career changes? Some changes are easy to make while others are very painful and difficult. I think the best thing we can do when change is forced upon us is to accept it. Resisting just makes it more painful and tends to drag the process out longer than necessary.

It's natural to want to hold on to what we've built, I certainly did, (g) but as I've discovered this past year, change is good when it's made with the right attitude. It's getting to that point of having a good attitude that requires all the work. (g)

If you were caught in the wave of change in 2008 and 2009, I hope you've managed to come ashore and find a new path that's rewarding. My family has been greatly blessed ever since we rode that wave into shore. If you're still paddling, have faith and take heart, the sand will be beneath your feet once more.

I wish you and your family a very happy, safe, healthy, and prosperous 2010! God bless!

3 Winners Announced!

2009-12-01T12:53:00.000-05:00

Happy Holidays!

I wish all of you and your families a happy, healthy and safe Holiday Season!

Congrats to the three winners of the Thanksgiving Contest! This contest was open only to newsletter subscribers. Because this contest was so popular, the next contest will also have 3 winners and is open to newsletter subscribers. Details will be in the next newsletter scheduled for December 18th, so join the yahoo newsletter list so you can enter! (Just send an email to: Sally_Painter_Paranormal_Books-subscribe@yahoogroups.com that's all )

The entrants for the Thanksgiving Newsletter Contest had to respond to the following scenario:

A demon has marked you for its own. You now have a red aura emitting around your body that lets other demons know you're taken, but you're not going quietly. You must hide from demons. What are the three things you must do or take with you to ensure you survive? Be creative.

Prizes: 3 autographed books awarded: 1 book to 1 winner: Reunited, Book 1 of Gargoyles Seduced, Midnight Treat, featuring To Kiss a Gargoyle and TTGBITN VI, featuring Dream Lovers of Gargoyle Castle.

Here are the winners' responses (all of the answers were fun and creative, so I'm glad it was a random drawing because it would have been impossible to pick from such great creative responses.

Gayle O. Won Reunited:
1. I would drink a lot of Blue Hawaiians to change my aura to purple
(red +blue = purple). They would then think I was royalty and not
Bother or harm me.
2. I would have a shotgun with plenty of silver bullets to shot them
In the head. Hey, it works for Zombies so it must be worth a try.
3. I would take my set of encyclopedias and read from them incessantly
Creating my own demon filibuster. Hopefully the sound of my monotone
Voice going on and on and on will bore them to death, put them to
Sleep or have them leave me alone as they don't want to hear my voice
Going on and on and on for hours on end. :)

Maggie J. Won TTGBITN VI:

1. Go to the beauty salon. Must look my best when on the run.
2. Whip
3. Lots of chocolate

Crystal B. Won Midnight Treat:

1. A magic cloak to cover me and hide my aura
2. A sword blessed by a priest
3. A Blackberry with all loyal contacts on speed dial to help me battle the demons

Big Hugs and Congrats to the winners and to everyone who entered!

$25 Amazon Gift Cert Winner and Next Contest!

2009-11-04T18:42:00.000-05:00

Congrats to Pamela S., who won my Halloween $25 Amazon Gift Certificate. Pamela emailed me today that she'd already used the gift certificate! Thank you all who entered. I enjoyed reading your entries and comments. You're such great fun!

The next contest for November is a Thanksgiving Contest that will have 3 winners. I'm giving away 3 autographed books:

Reunited

Midnight Treat

TTGBITN VI

Contest Scenario
You've been marked by a demon and bear the red aura for all demons to see. It's just a matter of time before the demon claims you. You're on the run.

What are the 3 things you take with you or do?

Details on how to enter are in the Current Contest File Folder in my newsletter yahoo group. If you aren't currently a subscriber, you can easily join by sending an email

*This contest is open only to my newsletter subscribers as a holiday treat.

Dream Lovers of Gargoyle Castle

2009-10-12T16:05:00.001-04:00

I'm thrilled that EC has repurposed Dream Lovers of Gargoyle Castle into a single title. It's great to have the fantastic Syneca cover for one of my first gargoyle books.

To celebrate, I'm holding a contest on my website http://sallypainter.com for a $25 Amazon Gift Certificate. The contest ends at midnight October 31 and the winner will be announced on November 1.

Oh, and The Halloween Newsletter is up and if you wish to join the yahoo newsletter list, (Sally_Painter_Paranormal_Books-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ) it's very low volume with only announcements and a newsletter every 2-3 months. Some of the contests that I've run in the past have been strictly for the yahoo group, so you may wish to hang out and see what's happening for the rest of the year and the big plans for 2010 sign up.

Below is an excerpt for your reading pleasure. Have a great Monday!

An Excerpt From: DREAM LOVERS OF GARGOYLE CASTLE
Copyright © SALLY PAINTER, 2006
All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.

He led her down a hall and paused in front of a door. The air was electric. Keenly aware of his body so close to her, Tessa panted, trying to refrain from reaching down and grabbing his shaft between her hands.

“I have prepared a nice retreat for us.” He opened the door. Candles flickered in the dark room, giving an instant rush of warmth and romantic glow. Before she could comment, he shoved the door closed and gathered her into his arms.

Demanding lips covered hers. He tasted strong, virile and hot. Oh, so hot and ready. His thick cock pressed against her abdomen and large arms ribboned with powerful muscles encased her. The need to feel him inside her blazed white-hot. He was like a rock of male flesh against her tender breasts. Big hands were everywhere, grasping her buttocks, massaging her breasts then plunging beneath the gown to squeeze tender nipples hard.

She moved her lips over his and opened her mouth to taste him fully. Thrusting his tongue inside, he captured hers in a frenetic twisting and curling. Her mind burst with all kinds of longings and fantasies. He would do whatever she asked, after all it was her dream. Long, powerful fingers threaded into her hair as he pulled her head back to receive the rapid plunging of his tongue into her mouth. Electrical pulses streaked to her clit sending the need for relief racing up her spine in jagged, fiery streaks.

“I knew ye would be mine from the first moment I saw ye. I’ve waited for someone all these years and it was ye,” he said and lifted her from the floor, taking long strides across the room to gently lay her onto silky linens. The cool material greeted her but quickly warmed. His eyes reflected the fire scorching inside her.

“This feels so real. It’s the best dream I’ve ever had.”

“I will be the best lover ye ever had, Tessa.” He splayed his hand over her gown, letting his fingers massage her abdomen.

“I-I definitely want you to prove that to me, right now.” She reached around his muscular thighs and cupped his firm buttocks. The contact of his flesh under her fingers sent wild streaks of need pulsing harder to her groin. She wanted to feel him inside her.

He supported himself with both hands planted on either side of her head. His hard cock brushed her thigh.

“Spread yer legs,” he said in a deep husky voice that melted her into a mindless creature with only one thought, to do whatever he asked. “I want to see yer sweet pussy.”

Fire blazed through her. Trembling, she lifted her legs slightly, parting them.

A low appreciative groan vibrated from him.

“Now, remove yer gown,” he commanded.

Again, she did as he ordered with her fingers slipping against the material. Tightening the grasp, Tessa pulled the gown over her head and let it drop forgotten on the bed.

“Yes,” he said with his fiery breath fanning over her stomach. “Oh yes, ye are most pleasing.” He shifted and pushed her thighs wider apart and let his gaze move slowly over her. Waves of heat washed tender splotches over her following the path of his deliberate regard.

“Ye are indeed a gorgeous woman, Tessa, and I intend to make ye my woman.” He lowered his mouth to her shaved pussy, slipping his tongue inside the mounded crease. She moaned, luxuriating in the flicking motion against the tender flesh. His tongue pressed against the aching throb and flickered against her clit. She moaned, moving her hips to thrust against the building sensations. His tongue darted around her swollen nub, teasing against the hood of her pussy. He caught the folds between his lips in a slow kiss, sucked and tugged against her. The sensation made her wild and Tessa released a deep moan, wiggling under his expertise. Incited by her reaction, he plunged his tongue between the fleshy mounds once more and lashed against her clit harder and faster.

Undulating beneath the teasing, she matched the erotic rhythm. Her body tingled with a need greater than any she’d ever felt. When his hand trailed along her waist and to her breasts, her breath rushed from her in expectation. He closed his thumb and forefinger around the tip and squeezed. She gasped against the intense pleasure streaking to her clit. He released the nipple, only to squeeze a little harder, all the while flicking his tongue faster against her clit.

She twisted under the delightful flames lashing against her pussy. A fierce need roiled in her. His other hand trailed down to her leg and joined his mouth against her pussy where he slipped one finger into her, then another. She groaned under the added sensation of thrusting fingers as he finger-fucked her while flicking his tongue harder. His fingers plunged deeper, drawing her breath from her with each thrust. Cascades of pleasure and heat pulsed through her and up her spine, building upon each new wave of pleasure. The rhythm grew and she lifted her hips to meet it, rising higher with each scorching wave until ecstasy burst in shards of hot release. She shuddered and cried out, molten sensations carrying her deeper in wave after wave of orgasmic spasms.

He sucked against the rush of her juices flowing from her opening and eased his fingers from her pussy. He traced circles around her throbbing clit and the walls of her pussy clamped closed and opened again around his fingers.

“Aye, ye are a comely lass.” His words were muffled as he buried his head between her legs to lick her pulsing clit once more. “Let’s have ye on yer sweet stomach, shall we?”

You can also read:
EC excerpt
Sally's Website Excerpt

Free Book - Danu, the Return

2009-09-22T08:03:00.000-04:00

I'm thrilled to offer readers another FREE READ from EC. This is part of The Hussies series. Be sure and let me know how you enjoy it! And, thank you all for being such loyal readers!

The story:

Danu has one weakness—hot, sexy dragon-hunter Ragna. As leader of the Hussy Warrior Hunters, she reaped eternity with him in the Netherworld—until now.

Destiny calls Danu back to Earth—alone. Torn between her sacred duty and her lover, Danu agonizes over losing Ragna forever. Strong, fearless Ragna makes her mindless with desire, and each time he touches her, Danu melts. Ragna is powerless to stop her from being ripped from his arms. His last words ring in her ears… He’ll find a way to return to her.

Get your FREE COPY

FREE BOOK - Not Just an Orgy

2009-04-20T14:11:00.001-04:00

NEW BOOK RELEASE TODAY!

Here's another free book read as my way of saying THANK YOU for being such loyal readers!

NOT JUST AN ORGY

Alexia was in trouble the moment Haden Tate kissed her. The months trying to gain access to him had been worth it. His passion overwhelms her and Alexia's plans come undone in a moment of lust. Desire burns her to her toes and her resolve to remain unemotional about the handsome man and his secret sex club melts under his possession.

Haden is hiding more than a private voyeur club within the walls of his Savannah nightclub. He's protecting a darker secret and if this sexy bombshell reporter doesn't stop teasing him, he may just reveal the naked truth to her.

Title: Not Just an Orgy
Genre: Paranormal
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
ISBN: 9990100000060 Ebook (Digital)
Publication Date: April 20, 2009

By reading any further, you are stating that you are at least 18 years of age. If you are under the age of 18, it is necessary to exit this site.
An Excerpt From: NOT JUST AN ORGYCopyright © SALLY PAINTER, 2009
All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.

Alexia Wrightman knew she was in trouble the moment Haden Tate's demanding lips touched hers. Her pulse throbbed. She had to remind herself to stay focused on the reason she was there. It had taken three months to charm him into this date. Every night during those months she'd pretended to be a thrill-seeker determined to be his next most-willing conquest.

And here she finally stood on the precipice of uncovering the truth about the club, River Rat, and its rumored private room, and all she could think about was how good he tasted—a hint of wine mingled with spicy hot. She wanted more. Excitement pounded through her, yet it wasn't because she was so close to landing the biggest story of the century. The tingling sensations racing down her back were because of the man. Not his naughty secret.

She tugged from his kiss, gasping for air. The last thing she wanted to do was sabotage herself by allowing this sexy man to distract her beyond all reason. And the way he kissed…such firm soft lips…

Focus! The mission was to ferret out the rumor of a mysterious secret room called The Sanctuary where he held private orgies. Only a handful of nightclub patrons were invited to enter and tonight she'd just become one of the lucky few. She was alone with Haden. The man of her dreams. The man she'd wanted for her own ever since she'd first seen him months ago. The mysterious club owner who could have any woman he wanted and he'd chosen her.

"Don't you like kissing me?" he asked, and tilted her chin to receive another one.

Firm lips covered hers. Groaning, Haden trailed his fingers down the column of her neck, dipping over the exposed mounds of her breasts. His touch scorched her flesh and her breath caught in her throat as he fingered the bodice edge of her dress. She sensed his longing to plunge his hand beneath the silk and tease her nipples into hardened buds, and held her breath, waiting…

Anticipation trembled all the way to her toes. She was on fire and rubbed against him, writhing under the excited pulses throbbing to her clit. Her nipples ached for his touch and when his fingers finally brushed over the silk bodice, her heart slammed against her chest. A low moan vibrated in her throat. He stroked her, rubbing his thumb in circles to tease her nipples. A streak of pleasure shot to her clit.

Alexia broke from the kiss again and her head fell back against the steel door. She was tempted to remove the rhinestone barrette from her hair and end this charade, but the hair clamp concealing the mini-spy cam was her only protection should things get out of control. She wondered what her cohort Ollie Underwait was able to see through the scope of the lens. Right now, probably the ceiling.

Haden pressed kisses over her cheek, working his way down her neck to the cleavage of her breasts rising above the bodice. She didn't look down, not wanting her best friend on the other end of the hidden camera to witness her succumbing to Haden's skillful seduction. She was lost in a riot of delightful sensations.

Her fingers caressed his strong muscled back beneath the crisp dress shirt. All concerns about Ollie vanished. All desire to prove her journalistic skills seemed unimportant. She nuzzled Haden and he lifted his head. At that moment she only cared that her wildest fantasy was coming true.

"Haden," she panted, and he stopped kissing the fleshy mounds and straightened.

"You're so beautiful," he whispered in a deep silky voice that made wet heat dampen her panties. His brown eyes darkened with desire and fire lashed at her throat. He leaned down to kiss her and she was lost once more. His tongue teased her lips open and slipped between them inside her mouth. God he felt so good. She combed her fingers through his black hair, marveling how soft it felt.

Not Just an Orgy (FREE BOOK)

Thanks and I hope you enjoy it!

Sally:)

Let's go Sexploring!

2009-03-14T08:17:00.008-04:00

This month Nadine (Dini) Summers bursts upon the scene in the third book of the Sexplorations series. Only a week after its release its already garnering great reviews:

"MY FISHNET FETISH is just as wonderful as the first two books in the SEXPLORATIONS series. The friendship between Fenny, Dee and Dini is just as vital as the budding relationship between Dini and Jonas. The conversations between the women are simply delightful with phrases that are laugh out loud funny and leave a vivid image in your imagination. I could completely understand Dini’s reasoning for her outlook on sexual relationships and just how hard Jonas would have to work to change her mind. This is one of those rare stories, and series for that matter, that is an honest to goodness pleasure to read and certainly worthy of adding to the keeper shelf. Sahara Kelly and Ciana Stone have certainly pulled out all the stops and brought their wacky personalities to the forefront for this series – and I’m so thrilled to have had the opportunity to get to know these characters through the authors’ eyes. " - Romance Junkies

If you haven't gotten your copy yet, you're missing out on a laugh-out-loud, sizzling tale! Do pay a visit to the Sexplorations site where each month we have a new contest running.

And maybe it's time to think of having a little Sexploration of your own:)

Happy Weekend!!
Ci

Music to romance by

2009-02-26T10:44:00.000-05:00

Looking for the perfect romantic music for your candlelit dinner or to share a glass of wine at sunset? Try the Second Movement of Bach's Double Violin Concerto in D Minor.

Yes, it's a mouthful, but well worth the effort to locate this piece.

String orchestras are some of the most romantic musical instruments, especially violins when playing a movement like this one. The two violas compete with each other like two lovers desperate to let the other know, "I love you".

While most musicians will tell you the construction of this piece is an excellent example of a technical composition known as counterpoint, you don't have to know anything about music in order to appreciate its beauty. It'll carry you to emotional highs that are a perfect backdrop for a romantic evening.

Still, if you're curious, it might make good table conversation to know a little about the piece. The technique, counterpoint, focuses on two instruments or sections of the orchestra playing different melodies in a kind of duel - note against note. Each violin's melody is independent of the other yet when played together, they fit. The two harmonize and blend into a wonderful bigger sound that is exciting and breathless.

As you listen to the building of the melody, the strings wail with heartfelt emotion and rise almost to a crescendo only to fall back into the melancholic rhythm gradually rising once more.

So set your table, light those candles and enjoy this piece while dining, knowing you're setting the perfect romantic mood.

Wallis Simpson and King James VIII

2009-02-22T01:21:00.000-05:00

Best romantic couples countdown - # 44

Wallis Simpson was an American socialite and married the former King of England. It was a love affair that caused great upheaval. Rumored to be lovers while she was still married to her third husband, Wallis divorced her husband when Prince Edward ascended to the throne in 1936.

The new King of England proposed to her, but there was such an outcry within the royal court because she’d been divorced two times and both ex-husbands were still alive. Gossip and whispers surrounded the love affair and engagement and escalated to the point where King Edward had to choose between his love for Wallis or his duty as King.

On December 11, 1936 it shocked the world when King Edward VIII announced that he was abdicating the throne to “marry the woman I love”.

The controversy their relationship caused didn’t stop there. Rumors followed them wherever they went with rumors about their loyalties to the crown throughout World War II and long after. They were married for 36 years until Edward died in1972.

Kiss me baby!

2009-02-21T01:00:00.001-05:00

We all do it. Love it. Enjoy it. We all remember the first time we did it - Kissed a lover.

Scientists believe that the biological process and motivation of kissing is more than just an attraction or a chemical response. It's all about taste testing. A kiss can help you determine if the recipient is a good match for your life partner. So what does the taste test tell you?

There are many subconscious messages been transmitted to each of you when your lips meet that first time, but there are more conscious messages being processed and evaluated.

It's a known fact that if your romance is escalating and moving to the next stage, the first kiss is going to determine if you keep going or if everything comes to a screeching halt with the sound effect of a needle scratching across an old vinyl record echoing in your head.

Many wonderful romances have been doomed by a bad first kiss. Chances are if that first kiss doesn't curl your toes, you aren't going to grant a do-over. No second chances with the first kiss because you've got all the information you need to make that decision.

So will being a good kisser help you in this taste test? Surprisingly, this is one time practice and expertise doesn't mean much.

The first criteria is to put your heart into it. You can't just kiss someone without genuine emotion and expect your partner not to sense it. Kissing should be fun and exciting. It should set your heart pounding and your senses tingling. If the chemistry isn't there, no amount of kissing techniques can change it.

On the flipside, if that first kiss spark ignites a wildfire, then you're on to more great kisses and romantic moments with your newfound love.

So pucker up those lips and get ready to taste test romance..

Internet Romance Gone Bad

2009-02-20T10:52:00.003-05:00

You’ve heard stories of successful internet romances and then there are the horror stories of deception and in some cases tragedy.

How can you avoid this kind of incident to your internet romance?

It’s easy for people to disguise themselves over the internet. It’s not a unique story of a woman flying to meet a man. She's out of her own territory and trapped.

What can you do to assure this scenario doesn’t happen to you?... Read rest of Article

Free Book - Lap Dance

2009-02-16T01:01:00.002-05:00

Cat’s last task in the Extreme Challenge is to give a lap dance to a stranger. Simple—until she landed on Grant Evanston’s lap. Now she’s a pulsating wreck each time she rubs against him. The new challenge is to not have an orgasm in front of everyone.

Grant needs a woman to accept his true gargoyle form before sunrise or he’ll be imprisoned in stone for another twenty years. His extreme challenge just became to not rip the scant costume from the curvaceous Cat. The sexy redhead has set him on fire and there’s only one way this teasing lap dance can end.

EXCERPT

Stiffening her spine, Cat took a deep breath, before turning back to the handsome man still watching her. His blue eyes were like magnets and latched onto her gaze.

The crowd clapped when she returned and sexy Grant opened his arms wide in a greeting.

“Come on, Cat, I’ll be good. I promise,” he said, giving her a wicked grin.

She closed her eyes. This was the most humiliating challenge yet. She took a deep breath and opened her eyes to the knowing look moving over his handsome face.

“This is not personal,” she said.

“Wanna bet?” he asked with a deep chuckle.

She shook her head and straddled him, letting her bare legs fall against his thighs. He released a deep groan.

Did he have to do that? Her heart pounded faster. She locked trembling hands behind his neck. Well, damn, his neck was like a thick piece of human steel. What did this guy do for a living? Or was he one of those body-builder types?

Her palms were clammy and the nightclub seemed to close in around her. The shouts and cheers were deafening as she rolled her head forward and let her long hair cover his face.

She couldn’t think about how she was sitting on a stranger’s lap about to grind her pussy into… She swallowed hard. Was that…oh yes…it certainly was an erection. She lifted her head, peering at him through strands of curls. He shrugged and a slanted grin lifted one corner of his lips.

Oh, he had no shame or modesty. She closed her eyes, refusing to look at him again and started to grind against him. The last thing she wanted to see was that satisfied grin or the excitement dancing in his eyes.

Get Your Free Copy of Lap Dance

Fae's Gargoyle - Top Pick!

2009-02-15T01:10:00.001-05:00

The reviews are coming in for Fae's Gargoyle. Below are some snippets:

"Fae’s Gargoyle will sweep you up in erotic passion as the plot quickly pulls you into the dilemma that faces the destined lovers. The characters develop with each page to give you a well-rounded romance that sizzles and leaves you burning for more of Ms. Painter’s sexy gargoyle stories. Fae’s Gargoyle is a great read and a satisfying quickie..." Night Owl Romance

~~~~~

"Fae’s Gargoyle is like a smooth, rich square of silky chocolate; deeply satisfying, incredibly decadent and completely delicious. This one is sure to have existing fans whooping in joy and sure to create new fans in just a few pages. Ms. Painter is proving to be quite the force in erotic romance writing." Sensual eCataromance

~~~~~

"This erotic fantasy will keep you flushed and fanning yourself, as the newlyweds enjoy each other. The sensuality shared between them can only hold danger off for so long; soon trouble comes knocking on the door. Maria has to complete her mission which happens to include her new husband.

Even though this is a petite fable, it is savory. It is everything you would expect in a longer novel only compressed. The vivid writing will make you feel every caress and penetrating kiss." Bitten By Books

~~~~~

"Sally Painter writes passionate full-bodied whimsical stories that never fail to thrill readers. With FAE'S GARGOYLE we meet this unlikely pair (a fae and a gargoyle) who despite their differences and the troubling situation love with a single-mindedness that is simply enchanting. Of course there's plenty of conflict and butt kicking..." Romance Junkies

Fae's Gargoyle available at Ellora's Cave, Jasmine-Jade

Science takes the heart out of romance

2009-02-13T01:03:00.000-05:00

You feel giddy, flushed and unable to think about anyone but your lover. You’re in love and it’s all coming from your heart.

Wrong.

According to neuroscientist researchers it’s actually coming from your head. Science can now explain how romantic love really works and it’s all about hormones, genetics and of course the big processor – our brains.

According to these researchers it all takes place in four little areas of your brain. In other words, it depends on how you’re wired as to how you respond to love and romance.

Another disheartening find for die-hard romantics is that the emotion that love creates is really a chemical response that basically makes you addicted to love. Oh yeah, you already knew love was addictive, but now you have the science to back up your suspicions.

Does this explain why people die for love or even kill for it? Are we truly slaves to nothing more than chemical reactions?

Whether you’re madly in love or horribly heartbroken, it’s still just a chemical reaction that these scientists compare to a cocaine addiction.

So what next? A new drug to give you the same feelings of being in love when you aren’t?

Maybe you’re like the rest of us romantics and simply prefer not to think about the science but just enjoy the way love feels.

For more info: Sally's books are Romantica™ fiction and can be purchased directly from her publisher .

How well do you know your Valentine?

2009-02-11T12:06:00.001-05:00

Surprising, many surveys reveal that women know their men better than the guys know their gals. Okay, maybe you’re laughing about now because you already knew this. What would be the results of your personal survey ?

The following questions will help you determine just how well you know each other.Be sure and get your Valentine to answer the questions too.

You can highlight the questions and then print two copies for each of you. The first will be your answers about your lover and the second will be the answers about yourself. Once finished, swap papers and compare notes. Be sure and leave a comment on how you did.

What is your lover’s…

Ideal romantic weekend?
Favorite gift to receive on Valentine’s Day?

Hobbies?

Favorite school year?

Favorite musical group?

Dream car?

Favorite color?

Best friend’s name?

Deepest passion?

Cherished dream?

Biggest challenge overcome?

Favorite book?

Shoe size and clothing sizes?

Ring size?

Least favorite thing to do?

Favorite food?

Worst memory?

Biggest fear?

Closest relative?

Biggest challenge facing him/her?

Ready for Romance - Valentine's Day Gift

2009-02-02T09:32:00.002-05:00

It's not too early to start planning for your evening of romance. What makes Valentine's Day so special?

Some people think it's because of the excuse to get dressed up to go out with your most beloved while some think it's just a commercial excuse to get you to spend more money.

I prefer to think of it as the first reason. I've had many special Valentine's Day romantic evenings and weekends that were pure fantasy and abundant in romance. Attitude seems to be the determining factor of whether you have a wonderful Valentine's or if you become a jaded valentine. Sniff. Isn't that the way it is with most things romantic? It's all about your attitude and how you feel about the person you are with. If you're in love then you probably jump at any chance to show your lover how you feel. Valentine's Day is the perfect excuse even for those who have a difficult time expressing their feelings.

Whatever you do to celebrate this special day with your special someone, remember that it's not so much what you do but that you take the time to spend it with your lover. Those moments all add up and create a strong basis for your relationship for the times when those bonds will be tested in the future. Cherishing each other is something each of us needs to take the time to do. Romance is not just for special days of love's celebration. Romance is for every day.

Gifts are things we give to show others that we appreciate them and care. I'm participating in the Ellora's Cave's new FREE READS called Naughty Nooners launches February 16, and one of my free reads, LAP DANCE will be given away starting on that day. I hope you'll enjoy it. Be sure and drop me an email and let me know what you think about it!

Here’s a little teaser:

“That’s it, now grind your hips,” Cat Ramey’s best friend coached her.

“Grind my hips? Are you crazy? I haven’t even sat down in his lap, yet.”

The man sitting in the chair laughed. It was a deep baritone sound that reminded her of warm sultry nights. She’d introduced herself after Pam had approached him to participate in their video.

She felt his stare moving over her and regretted letting Pam talk her into the provocative skimpy costume. Stiffening her spine, Cat met his dark gaze. Her pulse spiked.

“Get on with it, will you?” Pam whispered.

She turned to her best friend. “You have no idea how silly I feel, Pam. “I’m never going to be able to do this.” She turned to leave.

“Dammit, Cat.” Pam grabbed her by the forearm. “You want to win the contest or not?”

Her friend dragged her over to the alcove near the bar, her brown eyes narrowing into an angry squint.

She’d hated that look ever since the first time she’d seen it in kindergarten.

“You’ve accomplished four of the challenges. This is the last one and you have to do a better job than anyone else to ensure you win. You have to put your heart into this.Pretend he’s your boyfriend. I don’t care what you have to do to make it real, but make it real.”

She glanced back. The nightclub was loud. The dimly lit club was filled with brilliant, strobe light, colors flashing around them. “I can’t do this. People are gathering around―”

“Yeah, it’s a club where lap dances are done. Duh! Come on, you’ve come too far to give up now.

Think about how much you want to go back to college. You can become the doctor you were going to be before your mom…well, you were a good daughter, Cat. You quit to take care of her. Now it’s your time. Stay focused on the prize and what it means to you. You’re going to win the car so you can get back to your classes. So suck it up and sit in that guy’s lap.”

“Grant,” Cat said. “His name is Grant Evanston.”

“Whatever, go lap dance your heart out just the way you practiced.”

Stiffening her spine, Cat took a deep breath, before turning back to the handsome man still watching her. His blue eyes were like magnets and latched onto her gaze.

The crowd clapped when she returned and sexy Grant opened his arms wide in a greeting.
“Come on, Cat, I’ll be good. I promise,” he said, giving her a wicked grin.

She closed her eyes. This was the most humiliating challenge yet. She took a deep breath and opened her eyes to the knowing look moving over his handsome face.

“This is not personal,” she said.

“Wanna bet?” he asked with a deep chuckle.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Fun With Condoms

2009-01-29T20:42:00.003-05:00

Make sure the kids aren't looking over your shoulder when you watch this. LOL!

Male sexual sweat - women's brains recognize

2009-01-13T10:09:00.001-05:00

Below is the press release sent to me that I found very interesting. I hope you do too:

New study by Rice University psychologist finds women's brains recognize, encode smell of male sexual sweat

Rice University
Office of Public Affairs / News & Media Relations

News Release

HOUSTON -- (Jan. 8, 2009) -- A new Rice University study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that socioemotional meanings, including sexual ones, are conveyed in human sweat.

Denise Chen, assistant professor of psychology at Rice, looked at how the brains of female volunteers processed and encoded the smell of sexual sweat from men. The results of the experiment indicated the brain recognizes chemosensory communication, including human sexual sweat.

Scientists have long known that animals use scent to communicate.

Chen's study represents an effort to expand knowledge of how humans’ sense of smell complement their more powerful senses of sight and hearing.

The experiment directly studied natural human sexual sweat using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Nineteen healthy female subjects inhaled olfactory stimuli from four sources, one of which was sweat gathered from sexually aroused males.

The research showed that several parts of the brain are involved in processing the emotional value of the olfactory information. These include the right fusiform region, the right orbitofrontal cortex and the right hypothalamus.

"With the exception of the hypothalamus, neither the orbitofrontal cortex nor the fusiform region is considered to be associated with sexual motivation and behavior," Chen said. "Our results imply that the chemosensory information from natural human sexual sweat is encoded more holistically in the brain rather than specifically for its sexual quality."

Humans are evolved to respond to salient socioemotional information.

Distinctive neural mechanisms underlie the processing of emotions in facial and vocal expressions. The findings help explain the neural mechanism for human social chemosignals.

The understanding of human smell at the neural level is still at the beginning stage. The present work is the first fMRI study of human social chemosignals.

The research, co-authored by Chen and Wen Zhou, graduate student in the Psychology Department, appeared in the December 31 issue of Journal of Neuroscience.

The research was supported in part by the National Institutes of Health.

Who Knew?
Located in Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked one of America's best teaching and research universities. Known for its "unconventional wisdom," Rice is distinguished by its: size -- 3,001 undergraduates and 2,144 graduate students; selectivity --12 applicants for each place in the freshman class; resources -- an undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5-to-1; sixth largest endowment per student among American private research universities; residential college system, which builds communities that are both close-knit and diverse; and collaborative culture, which crosses disciplines, integrates teaching and research, and intermingles undergraduate and graduate work.

Happy Holidays!

2008-12-22T02:52:00.001-05:00

A Politically Correct Holiday Greeting

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, nonaddictive, gender neutral celebration of the summer solstice holiday, practiced with the most enjoyable traditions of religious persuasion or secular practices of your choice with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all.

I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2007, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make our world great and without regard to the race, creed, colour, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee.

By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms:
This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her- /himself or others and is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.

Aw, to hell with all that mess. Here's the not-so-correct version. No matter how or what you celebrate, have a very Merry Christmas...

And a Happy New Year!

Christmas caroling party

2008-12-14T10:20:00.004-05:00

Most people have filled their calendars for the holidays, but if you enjoy singing, then you may still have time to organize a Christmas caroling party. It could be a great chance to invite that guy you've been too shy to approach. Maybe you’ve just started dating a special someone or you and your lover are looking for a different way to celebrate the holiday season.

A Christmas caroling party can be a great way to spend more time together without the pressure of an official date. Just make sure your new love can actually sing or the evening will be disastrous.

==Where to start==

Make a list of people you know who enjoy singing and who would be fun to spend the evening with. A good place to start is your church choir and other church choirs.

Call your fellow carolers for an impromptu neighborhood caroling.

For a festive look, ask guests to wear red and green. If this isn't possible, then at least dress in holiday hats, scarves and don't forget to wear gloves. If you live in a warm climate, you can adjust your apparel to still be festive.

Purchase actual sheet music or a book of carols for each caroler or borrow hymn books from your church.

Map out your route. Now that everyone has the music and attire, you're ready to carol. If you can squeeze in a practice before heading out.

==A progressive Christmas caroling party==

This one will take more time to plan, but can still be done on between now and Christmas if you're willing to put in the effort.

To make things more interesting and fun, enlist the help of your carolers and those on your caroling route to host a progressive party. This can be very simple and be nothing more than a warm drink or other refreshment and one hors d’oeuvres or holiday cookies.

An added benefit of doing a progressive party is with each home you visit of your carolers, you can add another singing voice to your group or at the very least visit with each other’s family.

If you don’t live in town, but are in the country, then hook up a trailer, add some bales of hay and combine a hay ride with your caroling. Just be sure and call ahead of those on your route to make sure they’re home. If you don’t have access to a hayride, then create a caravan of carolers and stop at each home. Sing long enough to give everyone time to open their doors.
If strolling through a neighborhood, then continue to sing as you walk to create the ambiance of traditional caroling.

==Last Home On Route==

The last stop in your caroling route will be your home. Have someone assist you in preparing this final party destination. You'll want to serve your guests with beverages and finger foods. You can also have the carolers' families bring their leftovers and combine for a fun finale to an entertaining evening.

==The spirit of Christmas==

Just remember, this parfy is to be fun and festive. If it becomes too involved in the planning stages or begins to get away from you and you’re stressing out over the details, then reign it back in and make it simple. You can easily get three or four friends together and strike out on a spontaneous caroling trek, just make sure your neighbors are home.

Merry Christmas!

New Cover Goodness - Candyman

2008-12-11T10:26:00.006-05:00

Once again, the amazing cover goddess, Syneca, has smiled down upon me. OMG! The cover for Candyman is purrrfect! Exactly what I imagined with the heroine reflected in the glass. Classy, hot, sexy...YUMALICIOUS. And the hero...rawr! Love those eyes. He's dark and gorgeous and...WOW! I'm in LOVE with this cover!

Candyman
Coming January 28, 2009 from Ellora’s Cave Publishing
Vampire

Elisa Wilde’s recurrent dreams transcend time and place. Dreams so real they seem to be actual memories of a bygone era. Driven to unravel the mystery and reclaim her life, she’s drawn into an amazing adventure—the search for another woman’s lover.

In a tragic twist of fate, Michael Claret lost his truelove. He has waited decades for her return, but getting her back is only a small part of the battle. Edie has changed, evolved into a different woman. Not only will Michael have to once again win her heart, he must also gain her acceptance of his true nature. And to keep her requires she make a huge leap of faith by completing the mating bond—a sharing of blood binding them together for eternity.

Fate is a cruel mistress who will not be cheated or denied. To make the most of their second chance, Michael and Lis must alter the path chosen for them, and rewrite their love story or be lost to each other forever.

True Beauty

2008-12-03T23:39:00.007-05:00

What is beautiful? It’s rather hard to pin down a definitive answer as beauty means something different to each individual and each culture.

According to dictionary.com:

–adjective
1. having beauty; having qualities that give great pleasure or satisfaction to see, hear, think about, etc.; delighting the senses or mind: a beautiful dress; a beautiful speech.

2. excellent of its kind: a beautiful putt on the seventh hole; The chef served us a beautiful roast of beef.

3. wonderful; very pleasing or satisfying.

–noun
4. the concept of beauty (usually prec. by the).

5. (used with a plural verb ) beautiful things or people collectively (usually prec. by the): the good and the beautiful.

6. the ideal of beauty (usually prec. by the): to strive to attain the beautiful.

–interjection
7. wonderful; fantastic: You got two front-row seats? Beautiful!

8. extraordinary; incredible: used ironically: Your car broke down in the middle of the freeway? Beautiful!

Culture has a great impact on our definition of beauty. In Brazil, France and here in the US, we are inundated with advertisements showing off the thin, beautiful people with their supposedly perfect bodies. When asked, most men in these countries will describe Barbie when defining beauty—large breasts, tiny waists and mile-long legs. Get real! The models in the ads have had a team of pros working them over to make them look picture perfect. The photos are touched-up and air-brushed to exemplify an unattainable image of beauty.

The ads make me want to run to the nearest plastic surgeon for an entire body overhaul. I have fought the battle of the bulge my whole life. Swimsuit model skinny is not physically possible for me. I will never be below a size 8 on bottom due to my wide pelvic bones, and even if I had my breasts surgically removed, I’d still be a size 10 on top because of my broad ribcage. Even when I was in the military and in excellent shape, I was still a size 10. And you know what, that’s all right. Personally, I think being curvy and healthy is a lot more attractive then looking stick-thin and starved.

Guess what? Without all that makeup and team of pros even movie stars lose their shine. Want proof, just look at Sharon Stone without all the glitz and glamour.

Throughout history and in many non-Western cultures, large women are considered desirable as they are seen socially as having wealth. Obesity is viewed with admiration in many countries, including Africa, where fat women are thought to be more sexually desirable. Being fat is seen as a sign of fertility, strength and prosperity. Women are actually fattened up before marriage.

Hmm…I may need to relocate. LOL!

Most of us have known someone who seemed pretty average or not that attractive upon first meeting. But then you get to know that person and they grow on you. What's happened is you've stopped judging by the outer appearance and seen that persons inner beauty. Then average Joe isn't quite so average anymore.

We are so superficial that we tend to judge beauty more by the outward appearance than what’s on the inside. IMHO, truly beautiful people are the ones who have beautiful souls. So don’t stress over your weight or what you perceive as your flaws unless they’re causing health problems. Be beautiful on the inside and it will outshine everything else.

Have a Little Faith in Me - Available Today!

2008-11-28T03:14:00.004-05:00

Have a Little Faith in Me, a stand-alone book in The Hussies series, is now available from Ellora’s Cave Publishing. I can think of no better way to spend Black Friday than safe and sound at home with a good book.

Genre: Paranormal/Interracial

Blurb:
Believing in the paranormal is no stretch for healthcare worker Andreana Costas. She’s used to dealing with things most people won’t admit exist. But convincing a man of science to have faith in her intuition—impossible. Andi has no choice. A mystical warrior assigned her a mission that will have a profound impact on all mankind. Success requires big personal sacrifices, like the career she loves and the hunky doc she desires.

Helping trauma surgeon Darius Raines race to the rescue and save the world just in the nick of time is going to require all the bravery and strength she can muster. That, along with some duct tape, several silk ties and a nice firm bed.

Excerpt:
*Nicole Austin’s books are intended for those readers 18 years old or older. If you are under 18, please click here.*

When the light changed, she drove to his middle-class family neighborhood. Kids gathered on one corner to wait for the school bus. Adults walked dogs, pushed strollers and collected the newspaper from green lawns.

She watched the house numbers for the address the doc had written down, and stopped in front of a modest ranch-style house with an average sedan parked in the driveway. Andi scratched her head and figured she must be on the wrong street. Every doctor she knew drove exotic cars and lived in big, expensive homes.

Prepared to pull away, she felt her jaw drop when the door opened. Dr. Raines stepped outside, cup of coffee in hand, and waved to a neighbor. As he bent to pick up the newspaper their eyes met. With the most devastating smile stretching across his sexy lips, he headed toward her car.

A legion of butterflies started salsa dancing in her belly. “Oh crap. He’s perfect…and you’re screwed.” Raise the white flag and toss in the towel. Like it or not, Darius Raines owned her heart.

He stopped at her door, bent down and arched his brow. “Plan on sitting in your car all day or would you like to come inside?”

Before she had the chance to work up a protest, he opened the car door and extended a hand. She reacted without thought, placing her trembling hand in his. Andi’s mind failed to function as he drew her in close. She melted under the heat of his dark gaze and welcoming smile. “I’m so glad you decided to come.”

She almost did, come that is, right there in his front yard with all the neighbors watching. As his head lowered she took a deep breath of his clean, fresh-out-of-the-shower scent and parted her lips for his kiss. His tongue plunged, twining around hers, filling her mouth with the taste of coffee and his own unique flavor.

The world tilted on its axis. Andi grabbed hold of his thick biceps and held on tight. They were both panting by the time he pulled back and stared at her intently.

“Get inside, Andreana…now. Before I no longer care who is watching and take you right here on the hood of your car.”

Rough with urgency, his deep voice got her moving. Fast. Andi raced toward the door, not even slowing when a harsh sound of animalist need rumbled through his chest from behind her. She hurried, pushing through the door without pause. He was on her before she made it past the foyer, a strong arm wrapping around her waist and pulling her in tight.

Darius felt out of control. All his plans for romantic seduction buckled under the force of his need. To hell with cooking her breakfast, taking his time and slowly working her arousal. The woman did crazy things to his insides.

Their bodies met and his hard cock pushed between the lush cheeks of her round ass. Her muscles contracted, squeezing him tight. His jaw clenched as he fought against the hunger raging through him, screaming for him to take her. Hard. Against the closest hard surface.

He forced down the savage need, determined to at least make it to the bedroom where she’d be comfortable. He didn’t take the time to explain or reassure. Grabbing Andreana, he slung her over his shoulder and charged down the hallway, not stopping until they landed on the mattress.

“I’ve waited too damn long for this, Andreana. I can’t do slow.”

Propelled by her own lust, she pulled at his clothes. Darius took her actions as agreement and let go. He had no patience for working Andreana out of her scrubs. Instead he grabbed the material in his fists and tore the scrub top down the center. He offered up praise to the inventor of front-clasping bras when her soft breasts spilled into his waiting hands.

Any remaining restraint he may have possessed escaped as he took in the erotic contrast of the creamy white globes overflowing his dark brown hands. He brushed his thumbs over her dusky rose areolas, mesmerized as they puckered and plump nipples lifted toward him.

“So fucking beautiful,” he groaned and buried his face in her cleavage. Her back arched as he drew a pebbled tip between his lips. Darius licked, nibbled and sucked on her succulent flesh, intoxicated by her sweetness.

They both continued to work at removing the layers of clothing keeping them apart. He tasted each new section of skin he discovered, reveling in her sexy whimpers and moans. She had no choice but surrender as he made his way lower, shouldering her legs apart and diving into the pink folds of her sex. Flattening his tongue, Darius licked from the bottom of her slit to the top. He coaxed her tender flesh open, dipped the tip of his tongue into each niche, tasted everywhere, taking all the cream she gave and demanding more.

Andreana undulated beneath him, thrusting her hips, fucking his face with her pretty pussy. He slurped, drinking her in as if he’d been dying of thirst…for her. She quenched and intensified his need, taking him to a heightened state of lust beyond anything he’d ever known.

She keened as he lashed her clit with his tongue. So close. He was dying to make her come. “More, honey. Give me more. Come for me, Andreana.”

ARC Winner

2008-11-24T15:25:00.002-05:00

Congratulations to Maggie Johnson, who has won the ARC of Have A Little Faith in Me! The book will be available to everyone through Ellora’s Cave Publishing on Friday, November 28th.

Is it Friday yet? I can't wait!

Contest - Win an ARC

2008-11-19T04:09:00.005-05:00

Have a Little Faith in Me, my next book in The Hussies series, will be available on November 28th. WOOHOO!

In honor of the occasion, I'm giving away an ARC (Advance Readers Copy) of the book.

Winning is easy, just answer this question. What is the title of my other coming soon book?

Hint: The answer can be found on my website and my blog.

Send an email with the answer to contest@nicoleaustin.net by midnight est on Sunday, November 23rd. Make sure to put "ARC" in the subject line. The winners name will be chosen at random by an impartial party (my son).

Good luck!

An exciting new film!

2008-11-15T10:17:00.003-05:00

Today I'd like to do a little "shout out" for some dear friends and very talented actors who have an upcoming film soon to be released. Tara Cardinal and Christian Boeving star in The Legend of the Red Reaper. It's directed by Matt Dean, a tremendously talented director.

Ya'll check it out and if you're so inclined, visit their page on MySpace and drop them a note.

Red Reaper Trailer Voice Over by Tara Cardinal

Heart Symbol for Romance

2008-11-13T01:15:00.003-05:00

The heart is probably the most recognized symbol for romance and love. It's been a long held ideology that our emotions come from our heart. We even have catch phrases using heart as a metaphor for how our emotions are conveyed:

♥ Speak from your heart

♥ Put your heart into it

♥ Heartfelt

♥ Heartless

♥ Breaking my heart

♥ Cold heart

♥ Heart of stone

♥ Heart on his sleeve

So just how did the symbol for the heart become something other than the actual shape of the human heart? There are several theories about this unique symbol.

==Magic==

During the time of alchemists, the heart symbol was used and accepted as the symbol for romance and love. These masters of chemistry and magic used heart symbols in their spells. Certain rituals also utilized this symbol in an effort to strength love relationships.

==Christianity==

The Sacred Heart of Christ is well documented and used within the Roman Catholic Church. The symbol is one of divine love, compassion and good will. Within this emblem of religion is also the message of divine truth. So the heart symbol becomes the purest form of expression for love. All kinds of love. It was cemented into the church’s symbolism sometime in the 1600s. This was when Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque received a vision. In this moment of enlightenment, the shape of a heart inside a crown of thorns was revealed to her.

==Ancient Egypt==

The heart is also symbolic of the soul. In ancient Egypt, the heart was removed from the dead and weighed on a scale in balance to the Feather of Ma’at, Maat, or Mayet, (pronounced, (Muh-aht) Egyptian goddess of truth, balance, justice, law, and mortality. This symbol represented the judging the dead and determining if the person's heart was lighter than the fabled feather. If it was, then the soul was deemed worthy enough to cross over into paradise. (No documentation exists about the results of this weighing in only that it was a death ritual.)

==Playing cards==

In the 15th century, the suits for playing cards were created and the heart was used as one of the four suits, clubs, spades, diamonds, and hearts. The color red was used to symbolize blood.

==Human anatomy==

Others believe the shape depicts several female anatomical attributes. It’s further believed that the symbolism was created during a time when there was male dominance in the world. This gives the symbolism a very different meaning and removes it from love into lust.

==Silphium seed==

In Cyrene, located in ancient Greece (7th century BC) now present-day Lybia, the silphium plant was abundant and a big commodity for the city. While it was marketed as a spice and seasoning, it was also used as an herbal method of birth control. This enormous fennel type plant, which is now extinct, had seeds that were heart-shaped. It was so important to the Cyrene economy that the coins minted by the city depicted a heart-shaped seed of the silphium plant with a double outline around the heart.

==Swans==

The mating ritual of swans has long been depicted in various romantic symbolism. When their long necks arch so they can butt heads, the shape formed is that of a perfectly formed heart.

==Hearts are an expression of romance==The heart symbol for romance seems to be ancient. The heart shape we use in so many everyday expressions of love and romance will no doubt remain an emblem to convey those emotions.

For more romance articles visit Sally at Romance Examiner.

Another upcoming book in The Hussies Series!

2008-11-09T08:59:00.004-05:00

First, my apology to Nat. When I posted about the upcoming books in The Hussies series I didn't realize she had a new book coming out this month.

But she does, so get ready for some spine tingling action and toe curling sizzle when Gladius debuts!! Oh baby, I can't wait to get my hands on this one.

I'm not going to give away any of the secrets of this book, but will give you a tiny tease...

In a faraway colony crushed by tyranny, only the strong survive.His cardinal rule is simple. What Dar Skara wants, Dar Skara takes.

Hey now:) Sounds like a yummy alpha male to me. Don't miss this book, ya'll. It releases on Nov. 26th!!

This is Ciana for The Hussies, wishing you a hussiliciously good day!!

Excerpt - Fae's Gargoyle - available today

2008-11-05T03:13:00.004-05:00

EXCERPT

Maria Jennings opened her eyes and was startled to find a naked man lying beside her. Her erratic heartbeat pounded in her ears. She jerked up in bed but the painful throbbing in her temple forced her back down onto the pillow. The room spun around her. Swallowing the dryness in her throat, she tried to remember what had happened. How had she ended up here? Naked?

The sound of the ocean pounding outside the open patio door matched the hammering in her head. The last thing she remembered was standing in Danu’s castle saying goodbye after months of training. It was time to begin her mission, so why was she naked and in bed with—just who was this man?

Gingerly, she lifted up onto one arm and blinked against the diffused light. The room illuminated brighter each time the silk draperies billowed out and a breeze rushed across the room, carrying the scent of ocean and tropical flowers. Her spirit soared with the smell of home, only something was missing within the familiar scents. Something was very wrong.

Moonlight rushed across the room and fell over the muscular man lying beside her. Shadows swayed and the light moved across indented buttocks, then rose past broad shoulders to stretch toward dark wavy hair. Before she could glimpse his face, the light flittered away with the retreating breeze.

She held her breath and waited until the next gust of wind shoved the draperies aside in a fluttering mass and once more bathed the naked man in soft light. It moved over him like an ocean’s tide and this time touched his face.

Her pulse spiked. She sat straight up in bed and smothered a gasp with trembling hands. This had to be a dream!

She was in bed with Denton Prescott!

It couldn’t be. She closed her eyes, but when she opened them he was still there. Denton Prescott? In bed with her? Naked? He shifted onto his stomach, turning his back to her. Maria dropped her gaze. Heat rushed to her cheeks. His buttocks were just as fine as she remembered. Well, she’d never seen them in the flesh, only in stone when he’d stood to take flight but had been caught in the rays of sunrise.

The moment rushed back to her as though it happened only yesterday instead of ten years ago. They’d been chatting on the campus steps late into the night. Time had seemed endless until the first rays of daylight struck his face. She’d been in awe as she watched his magnificent gargoyle form emerge and his clothes singe to ash. The hardening had spread over him until he was completely cast in stone.

She released her breath. It seemed an eternity since that night. A painful eternity when he was called to war, never once contacting her. And when he returned home a hero, he was quickly caught up in the life of a celebrity. She stared down at his hard, muscled body, her fingers itching to stroke the fine planes. Instead, she closed her hands into fists. How cruel this was. Her fondest fantasy come true and she was unable to touch him.

Unable to tell him how much she loved him. Not that he cared.

The air stirred cooler and she shivered. What had Danu been thinking, plopping her down into his bed? She had long since tamped down her feelings for him, but at that moment realized when she’d been captured forever. Ever since he’d flashed that first devastating smile.

Oh, Danu, what have you done? Maria shook her head. The ancient guru wasn’t a cruel creature so this had to be a mistake. She tried to recall arriving there but met a thick fog where memories should reside.

Regardless how she’d ended up in Denton’s bed, she must fly away before he woke up and discovered her. Scooting out of the bed, she bent down and groped at the discarded clothes littering the floor. Her fingers closed around a dark-colored dress but she froze when he stirred again. She scooped up the dress and tiptoed toward the open bedroom door.

Her heartbeat pounded in her ears as she hurried down the hall, all her attention focused on the arched doorway ahead. She emerged into what appeared to be a large den lit by a corner floor lamp. Her bare feet slapped against the terra-cotta tiled floor while she struggled to pull the silk dress over her head. She hurried toward the glass doors, determined to exit through the portico and fly into the night. The ocean sang to her and her pulse pounded like the waves beating against the sand. Just where the hell was she? Nothing seemed familiar. The gardens surrounding the pool were not the rich vibrant colors she was accustomed to seeing. There was no magical vibration in them. In anything.

She’d worry about that later. Right now she needed to escape. She stretched forward, but the familiar pop didn’t come. She checked the dress to make sure none of the material was covering her shoulder blades. The strapless garment fit fine. Nothing to block her wings. Again she flexed her muscles and mentally summoned her faerie wings to release.

Nothing.

Okay, maybe she was sick. That might account for her inability to recall how she’d ended up in Denton’s bed. Pain seared her temple and she gripped the back of a nearby chair. Oh, that was not normal. She massaged the throbbing ache with trembling fingers. She’d just leave by her own two feet and try flying once she was away from the house.

The image of Denton lying beside her flashed across her mind. Oh dear butterfly wings! She’d been in bed with Denton Prescott. Her breath came in hard, short pants. And she was running away from him because? She mentally shook herself. Because she had no explanation for being there. Because he didn’t love her.

But Denton…naked… She wrung her hands together, longing to return to his bed and at long last live out her greatest fantasy. Enough of this. She had to leave before he found her there. She took a deep breath and reached for the door knob.

“Where are you going?” came a groggy baritone voice behind her.

Caught! Her heart skipped a beat. What should she do? She pretended she hadn’t heard him and closed her fingers around the knob.

Ellora's Cave

A teaser excerpt - Fae's Gargoyle

2008-11-05T01:00:00.002-05:00

Just for you hussy bloggers here's a little teaser for today's release:

Naked?

The sound of the ocean pounding outside the open patio door matched the hammering in her head. The last thing she remembered was standing in Danu’s castle saying goodbye after months of training. It was time to begin her mission, so why was she naked and in bed with—just who was this man?

Gingerly, she lifted up onto one arm and blinked against the diffused light. The room illuminated brighter each time the silk draperies billowed out and a breeze rushed across the room, carrying the scent of ocean and tropical flowers. Her spirit soared with the smell of home, only something was missing within the familiar scents. Something was very wrong.

Moonlight rushed across the room and fell over the muscular man lying beside her. Shadows swayed and the light moved across indented buttocks, then rose past broad shoulders to stretch toward dark wavy hair. Before she could glimpse his face, the light flittered away with the retreating breeze.

She held her breath and waited until the next gust of wind shoved the draperies aside in a fluttering mass and once more bathed the naked man in soft light. It moved over him like an ocean’s tide and this time touched his face.

Her pulse spiked. She sat straight up in bed and smothered a gasp with trembling hands. This had to be a dream!

She was in bed with Denton Prescott!

It couldn’t be. She closed her eyes, but when she opened them he was still there. Denton Prescott? In bed with her? Naked? He shifted onto his stomach, turning his back to her. Maria dropped her gaze. Heat rushed to her cheeks. His buttocks were just as fine as she remembered. Well, she’d never seen them in the flesh, only in stone when he’d stood to take flight but had been caught in the rays of sunrise.

The moment rushed back to her as though it happened only yesterday instead of ten years ago. They’d been chatting on the campus steps late into the night. Time had seemed endless until the first rays of daylight struck his face. She’d been in awe as she watched his magnificent gargoyle form emerge and his clothes singe to ash. The hardening had spread over him until he was completely cast in stone.

She released her breath. It seemed an eternity since that night. A painful eternity when he was called to war, never once contacting her. And when he returned home a hero, he was quickly caught up in the life of a celebrity. She stared down at his hard, muscled body, her fingers itching to stroke the fine planes. Instead, she closed her hands into fists. How cruel this was. Her fondest fantasy come true and she was unable to touch him.

Unable to tell him how much she loved him. Not that he cared.

The air stirred cooler and she shivered. What had Danu been thinking, plopping her down into his bed? She had long since tamped down her feelings for him, but at that moment realized when she’d been captured forever. Ever since he’d flashed that first devastating smile.
Oh, Danu, what have you done? Maria shook her head. The ancient guru wasn’t a cruel creature so this had to be a mistake. She tried to recall arriving there but met a thick fog where memories should reside.

Regardless how she’d ended up in Denton’s bed, she must fly away before he woke up and discovered her. Scooting out of the bed, she bent down and groped at the discarded clothes littering the floor. Her fingers closed around a dark-colored dress but she froze when he stirred again. She scooped up the dress and tiptoed toward the open bedroom door.

Her heartbeat pounded in her ears as she hurried down the hall, all her attention focused on the arched doorway ahead. She emerged into what appeared to be a large den lit by a corner floor lamp. Her bare feet slapped against the terra-cotta tiled floor while she struggled to pull the silk dress over her head. She hurried toward the glass doors, determined to exit through the portico and fly into the night. The ocean sang to her and her pulse pounded like the waves beating against the sand. Just where the hell was she? Nothing seemed familiar. The gardens surrounding the pool were not the rich vibrant colors she was accustomed to seeing. There was no magical vibration in them. In anything.

She’d worry about that later. Right now she needed to escape. She stretched forward, but the familiar pop didn’t come. She checked the dress to make sure none of the material was covering her shoulder blades. The strapless garment fit fine. Nothing to block her wings. Again she flexed her muscles and mentally summoned her faerie wings to release.

Nothing.

Okay, maybe she was sick. That might account for her inability to recall how she’d ended up in Denton’s bed. Pain seared her temple and she gripped the back of a nearby chair. Oh, that was not normal. She massaged the throbbing ache with trembling fingers. She’d just leave by her own two feet and try flying once she was away from the house.

The image of Denton lying beside her flashed across her mind. Oh dear butterfly wings! She’d been in bed with Denton Prescott. Her breath came in hard, short pants. And she was running away from him because? She mentally shook herself. Because she had no explanation for being there. Because he didn’t love her.

But Denton…naked… She wrung her hands together, longing to return to his bed and at long last live out her greatest fantasy. Enough of this. She had to leave before he found her there. She took a deep breath and reached for the door knob.

“Where are you going?” came a groggy baritone voice behind her

Good Reads for November!

2008-11-03T09:16:00.007-05:00

November is a great month to read and this November in particular because we have TWO new books coming out in The Hussies Series!!

On November 5th (this Wednesday folks!)Sally Painter has Fae's Gargoyle for us. Here's a little teaser for you:

Maria Jennings awakes to find a naked man in bed with her—how he got there is a blank. Her shock soon turns to panic when she recognizes gargoyle warrior Denton Prescott, the man she’s loved—and hungered for—for years. Before she can steal away, Denton, the sexiest hunk ever to draw breath is seducing her again, and it’s every bit as hot as she ever dreamed.

Scorching sex aside, Maria is a Hussy, and her reawakened desires for him threaten her mission—to save Denton. But Denton has a mission of his own—convincing Maria it takes more than the loss of gargoyle magic to stop two soul mates from falling in love. He’ll use every weapon in his erotic arsenal to prove it.

Wooo baby, I got to have me some of that action!!

And to wind up your month with some heat that won't drive up your power bill (but might drive up the winter action in your house), Nicole Austin gives us Have a Little Faith in Me. Here's a snippet to tantalise you:

Believing in the paranormal is no stretch for healthcare worker Andreana Costas. She’s used to dealing with things most people won’t admit exist, but convincing a man of science to have faith in her intuition—impossible.

Andi has no choice. A mystical warrior assigned her a mission which will have a profound impact on all mankind. Success requires big personal sacrifices, like the career she loves and the hunky doc she desires.

Helping trauma surgeon Darius Raines race to the rescue and save the world just in the nick of time is going to require all the bravery and strength she can muster.

That along with some duct tape, a few silk ties, and a nice firm bed.

Duct take, silk ties and a firm bed? I'm there baby! Can't wait to get my hands on this one.

This is Ci wishing you all a great week and daring you all to beat me to the front of the line on opening day of these great reads:)

Big hugs!!

A Public Service Announcement. Sort of...

2008-11-01T07:50:00.003-04:00

While letting my sexy Hussy sisters carry the load here (and yes, guilt lays heavy on my shoulders), I have been keeping an eye on world news. So when I ran across an interesting article this morning, I figured it was the perfect topic to toss out here!!

It's about the inventive ways nations are developing to encourage their citizens to use condoms!! The Bill and Melinda Gates foundation kicked things off (making sure to understand guys don't get "microSOFT" while wearing a condom?)...the foundation sponsored the development of a ringtone that sings "Condom, condom" on Indian cell phones. Apparently in India, the attitude is that only prostitutes should wear them, but if your cell phone reminds you, it's hip, smooth, up to date and okay. (With the added benefit that you're announcing your protection to your potential object of lust, I guess.)

Ethiopians, who are on record as hating the smell of latex, now have a real perker-upper...coffee flavored condoms. These dark brown sheaths allegedly taste and smell like that Ethiopian favorite - the macchiato. (Please. No jokes about CREAM).

Australians decided to battle HIV infection by using trees. In western Australia, it seems that potential sex mates hang out beneath trees, meeting and picking out their partners. So nurses from local clinics have taken to hanging cans full of condoms on the lower branches. On average, 3000 disappear each month. (I know there's a joke in here somewhere, but I can't find it. Something about seeing the "Wood" for the trees? Er...you're creative. Insert your own joke here!!)

Argentina took the harsher route, creating a commercial with the tag line "Be Careful". It shows two skeletons in a sexual position. Talk about jumping a girl's bones....

And the Germans? Well, God bless these creative little devils. They've come up with a "Spray on" condom for those who are...um... hard to fit. (I'm sorry. This is a topic that just screams for humor. I'm fighting it.) While this invention sounds like the perfect solution, it also has it's drawbacks. Application occurs when men slide their penises into an applicator can, shaped like a phallus. The latex coats them from inside the can. Quote..."It FRIGHTENED many men during the testing phase..."Unquote. Application is accompanied by a loud hissing and the final result takes about three minutes to dry, also not appealing to potential users.

So remember, girls. We may complain about pills, IUD's and so on, but those poor guys don't always have it any easier.

They taste and smell like coffee, pick protection from a rubber tree, overcome their fear of turning into a skeleton, spray chemicals on their cocks and make sure they get a phone call so they can let you know they're protected.

Suddenly, the whole make-up and hair thing doesn't sound quite so bad, does it???

Here's wishing everyone a great November,
Cheers,
Sahara

(And if you want to read the entire article on these things, you can read it at CNN.com under "Living".)

Gettin' Naughty - Sex in Public

2008-10-30T04:21:00.008-04:00

Why is it such a turn on? Is it the fact that sex in public is forbidden or taboo that creates the appeal?

Come on, you've read the books, you know how it happens. It may start as a little naughty touching under the table at a restaurant. Or a couple gets hot and horny from rubbing up against each other on the dance floor. Then he's whispering his desires in her ear, enticing her to be daring, push some boundaries, take a few risks.

The thrill of explicit exposure can be a heady aphrodisiac. And after all, stimulating the mind is a big part of great sex. There is definite mental titillation in the idea of getting it on in a public place. The danger of getting caught fires up the adrenaline. Thoughts of someone witnessing such intimate moments can start the heart palpitating. Senses come to life, tingling with awareness at the chance of exposure. Excitement heats the blood at the idea of such wicked behavior.

If your sex life has fallen into a rut, a little daring just might bring it back to life. But—yes there's always a but—both partners have to be into it. If the idea of discovery scares the hell out of you then it would not be fun. If thoughts of someone watching gives you hives think up a different way to spice up your sex life. Fear is not conducive to great sex!

On the other hand, if thinking about possibly being discovered while having sex in public gets your juices flowing, keep one very important thing in mind—location, location, location!

Sex where you work could get you fired. Sex in public places can get you arrested. Sex where kids could see will get your ass kicked and then thrown in prison. Heck, there are security cameras everywhere now. Like in the elevator, stairwells, alley, parking lot... Yeah, definitely think about location. Perhaps semi-public might be a better idea.

That's the problem the hero and heroine of my current WIP are facing. They can’t leave the building where they are, and it’s full of security cameras. For them to be caught messing around would not be good. But where there’s a will… *g*

When you do find the perfect spot for some hot and sexy fun, enjoy! And hey, if you feel like sharing places that have worked for you, please do. There was this time at a friend's party... um... actually, on second thought, I'm gonna keep that one to myself.

Interview with Ciana Stone

2008-10-30T00:08:00.008-04:00

Caleb's the last of the single Russell men and that's fine with him. There’s plenty of women willing to scratch his itch. Life is good, even if it is a little predictable. Every now and again he liked to just get away from it all and spend some time alone.

And that's exactly what he was doing. Camping at the lake, kayaking and enjoying the peace and quiet. Until a woman falls out of the sky, capsizes his kayak and nearly drowns him. Then his predictable life becomes anything but predictable.

The woman who drops into his life isn't like any he's ever known. Maybe because he's never known a woman who isn't from this world. And he sure hasn't ever met one that can put as much starch in his shorts as she can with just a look.

Caleb thought he was a master when it came to seduction and making love. What he's about to learn is that he's only just touched the tip of the iceberg and better grab a raft because the ice is melting fast and things are getting steamier by the moment.

Interview with Ciana Stone

Ciana Stone is a multi-talented author who also wears the well-known hat in the romance publishing industry as Syneca Featherstone, cover artist extraordinaire.

Ciana took a break from writing her hot, sexy, cowboy books to talk with me about writing erotic romance and how her books always have a twist of the paranormal in the mix . She writes very strong heroines who are more than a match to their equally strong heroes.

Sally : What inspired you to start writing?

Ciana: Boredom. No seriously. I was in a period of my life where I was a little tired of art and photography but needed a creative outlet. My honey man suggested that instead of trying to create an image that told a story, I actually write one. Once I got started was hooked.

Sally: Who would you say influenced or had the strongest impact on your life and your art?

Ciana: Again, my honey-man. He must have been a sage in another life. Or Merlin. Whatever the case, when I sit down and tell him an idea, our conversations spark new ideas that I can run with. He’s my biggest fan and harshest critic and I adore him for both. I’m not really influenced by other writers or artists. I admire what they do and love reading their books or viewing their paintings, photos and films, but don’t have any desire to imitate them. They inspire me to push myself creatively and sometimes give me a moment of “wow, I wish I’d thought of that”, but I’m pretty content learning to develop my own voice and style.

Sally: All of your books are incredible and give the reader a very satisfying adventure. If you could live in one of your books for a weekend, which one would you select? Which character would you be?

Ciana: Without hesitation, Chase’n’Ana. And I’d be Ana because she has a good attitude, enjoys life and likes to have fun. And she has this incredible friend Fergie who’s a hawk and hawks are one of my favorite creatures in the world. Not to mention the fact that she has Chase who is my favorite character – a big handsome cowboy who’s sexy as sin and knows how to laugh. Oh yeah, I think I could spend a weekend in that world.

Sally: You’ve written in other genres, but your cowboy books are gobbled up so fast that readers are always begging for more. So, what do you think makes cowboys so alluring to romance readers?

Ciana: I think maybe it’s that we see in cowboys men who are in touch with the land and nature and appreciate it. They’re men who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty and know how to dig in their heels on what they believe and want from life. Typically honest and straight-forward they have a “real man” appeal. Their muscles come from hard work, their humor from being down-to-earth and their passion for life is genuine.

Also there’s the old perception or stereotype that probably still exists in many minds of that solitary cowboy, all alone on the range with only his horse and his thoughts. Sleeping under the stars with only his own voice for company. It’s a soulful image and one that makes us want to ease the aloneness.

And hey, let’s face it, there’s something about a man in worn jeans, cowboy boots and a hat who know how to sit a horse. It’s earthy, masculine and very sexy.

Sally: Well, you won’t get any argument from me. If you could meet any person, alive or dead, who would that be and why?

Ciana: Burt Reynolds. Yep. I’ve been a fan of his as long as I can remember. He’s sexy, funny, talented and has entertained me for a long time. I get the feeling that he’s a man who enjoys living and has the ability to laugh at life and not take everything too seriously. And between us, the man still has some serious sex appeal.

Sally: Thank you for taking time out of an amazingly hectic schedule to talk about your books. I’d like to leave the readers with a little inside tidbit. What’s in store for readers from Ciana Stone in 2009?

Ciana: Hopefully books that will entertain them. I have a new romantic sci-fi series that I’m excited about, Soul of V’Kar. The first book in that series An Unwanted Hunger is under contract and I’m waiting to hear about a release date.

In 2009, I have a new series coming out from Ellora’s Cave with Sahara Kelly called Sexplorations. It’s all about women, their friendships and their journey of self-discovery and sexuality. That’s been such a fun series to write and I think is something every woman can identify with.

And I have a new cowboy series planned for 2010 with some rough and rowdy renegades from the past. I’m eager to get started on that because … well, you know. I just love cowboys.

Sally: I can’t wait to read them all. I know I’ll have a fantastic reading adventure when I do. Readers can visit Ciana or her publisher

*Article posted with permission from Romance Examiner.

Do Opposites Attract?

2008-10-28T06:12:00.002-04:00

Do Opposites Attract?
By N.J. Walters

We’ve all heard the cliché before. But is there any truth to the statement that opposites attract?

Yes and no.

Being attracted to someone who is opposite in you in every way is natural. They’re different and exciting. A taste of the forbidden!

It’s why movies and books are filled with stories about the “good” girl attracted to the “bad” boy. Just the thought of the leather-clad loner, winding down the long highway on his motorcycle, his long hair flowing in the wind, is enough to make us all stop and look. What’s his story? Why is he on the road? What deep, dark secrets are in his past. Every woman wants to be the one who will tame this road warrior or at least go on one of his adventures with him.

I’ve used that storyline once or twice myself. Seth in “A Love Eternal,” my story in the Ellora’s Cavemen: Legendary Tails IV Anthology is such a man. He’s mysterious and dangerous in ways that the heroine, Genevieve can’t even begin to comprehend. She knows she should be frightened of him. Instead, she is drawn to him. He takes her on a wild ride for one night that could end sooner than either of them thinks.

My Shadow Ryders—Gideon from “Shadows Stir,” my story in the Ellora’s Cavemen: Dreams of the Oasis IV Anthology, and Blade in the upcoming Beyond Shadows—are dangerous, leather-clad warriors from the Shadow Realm who will fight to protect the women who are destined for them. These two women—one of whom is a cop and the other one who is an accountant—get far more than they ever bargained for with these extraordinary men.

What could be more romantic?

But what about the salt-of-the-earth guy who is dependable and hardworking. You know, the kind of man you can count on in a crisis. He can be just as exciting as the leather-clad warrior. What happens when an apple farmer hires a new housekeeper, who just happens to be a New York designer on the run from a stalker?

That’s the premise for Jackson’s Jewel, the latest edition in my Awakening Desires series from Ellora’s Cave. Jackson took over the family farm and practically raised his younger siblings. Now that they’ve both married and moved out, he lives there alone. His sister hires a housekeeper to give him some temporary domestic help. Unfortunately, the woman she hires, Emerald Jewel, is on the run from a stalker. The apple farmer and the designer. The country mouse and the city mouse. These two are definitely opposites. The sparks fly between them immediately and neither one of them can resist the lure of temptation.

Maybe it’s their differences that attract them to one another. But it’s what they have in common that keep them together. No matter how different people are on the outside, it’s what inside that counts. Both Jackson and Emerald believe in the importance of family. They are both hardworking and reliable and have goals they want to achieve. It’s these things that will allow them to get past their differences to have a chance at a relationship.

The differences between people add spice to any relationship. It keeps them both guessing what the other person might do, what they are thinking. Those things will keep a couple interested in one another for years.

The waitress and the millionaire, the lawyer and the cop, the heiress and the carpenter—the list is endless. While opposites do attract, it’s the underlying similarities that will help keep them together once the initial heat dissipates—assuming it ever does. :-)

Emotional~Sensual~Satisfying Reads!
http://www.njwalters.com/
http://www.njwalters.blogspot.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/awakeningdesires/ (newsletter group)
A Legal Affair—Samhain Publishing
Lily Blossoms—Ellora’s Cave

The Hero You Can't Have

2008-10-26T15:44:00.003-04:00

Since I was just a girl I've been enchanted with superheroes. Today we're seeing a big resurgence of the Superheroes in film and television. The original Superman touched the child inside us and infused it with a dose of lust. Batman sends fans flocking to theatres and women's heartrates racing. X-Men? Wolverine sure made my blood heat up.

Yep the Superheroes never die - they reemerge time and again. And I watch them all. It's movie magic at its best. Yet no where have I seen anything portrey the life of a superhero better than the little show Smallville. Sure it's low budget and yes, some of the acting is lacking. But this show features the essence of Superman. His goodness and his willingness to sacrifice personal happiness and desire for the sake of his duty.

I guess that's what makes Superman my super hero of all time. The fact that nothing can permanently deter him from his duty. That nothing can squash that innate goodness. And that even when his heart breaks he does what he knows to be right. Makes me wish everyone could have a little superman inside them.

So today, I thought I'd share one of my favorite songs about Superman and some clips from this show that's entertained me and reminded me what superheroes are all about. Don't know about you, but I like having a superhero in my imagination. Kind of like a reminder that we all have great potential - if we're willing to walk the right path to achieving it.

Happy Sunday!!

Halloween = Sex + Candy

2008-10-23T22:18:00.006-04:00

It's almost Halloween, the perfect time of year. When else do you get to dress up as a fantasy and eat free candy 'til you tummy aches. Sex and chocolate, yeah baby!

For one day (several if you go to a few Halloween parties) we get to be someone else. Put on a sexy costume and mask, flirt with a vampire or super hero, perhaps do a bit of role playing. *G* Halloween is the best holiday ever!

Have you picked out a costume yet? Decided on a theme? There are so many possibilities for singles and couples. Perhaps a ...

Naughty schoolgirl and the principal
Geisha and samurai
Harem girl and sheik
Police woman and gangster
Angel and devil
Nun and priest
Wench and pirate
Cheerleader and quarterback
Virgin and vampire
Maiden and knight ...

I can't decided if I want to wear my cavewoman or witch costume. But I know no matter what I choose, it's going to be a blast to step outside myself for a night and be someone different!

What about you? What are you going to be for Halloween?

The Day the Music Died

2008-10-19T08:37:00.000-04:00

And no I'm not about to start singing "bye bye Miss American Pie". I'm referring to the fact that before dawn on Friday my laptop crashed and even though I was able to get it back up and running (after many hours with tech support) I lost all of my muic.

Yes, I had a "waaaaa" moment. More so over that than the fact I lost a book I was writing and had only two chapters left to finish it. The book I can rewrite - and make it better than the first time around. The music? That stabs deep.

Music plays a big part in my life. Each book I've written has a certain kind of music attached to it. Each important event in my life has music associated with it. Every time I get romantic or frisky with my honey ... you guessed it, there's a musical theme.

Today I'm rewriting that book I lost and the music that's playing is one of my all-time favorites from a lady I think is one of the biggest talents ever....

Hope you find some love sneakin' up on you:)

Happy Sunday!!
Ci

Forbidden Fantasies

2008-10-14T14:57:00.005-04:00

The following are two version of the same event, namely Ellora's Cave's first hardcover, Forbidden Fantasies, which launched today at Amazon.

Version # 1:
Now available from Amazon.com! Eight taboo tales from the hottest stars of erotic romance in one electrifying hardcover book! Published by Pocket Books. Featuring: Jaid Black, Jory Strong, Ann Jacobs, Sahara Kelly, Jaci Burton, Sherri L. King, Lorie O'Clare and Cheyenne McCray

Purchase October 14-18 to enter a drawing for a mini laptop computer and receive discounts on future purchases! Click here for details

Version # 2:
OMFG! SQUEEEE! *pant pant pant* It's, like, totally KEWL!!11! A loose sequel to Madam Charlie by none other than our very own Sahara!! Wooot! Go get it now! Now, I tell you! Follow the most excellent linkage and get thee to the Amazon. Don't make me hurt you! Plus, you could win a COMPUTER! Dude!

Can you spot the difference? Yes, I do get excited. Especially when the words "sequel" and "Madam Charlie" are in the same sentence. Bear with me, I waited *years* for this.

Eye Candy or Aged Wine

2008-10-11T08:13:00.004-04:00

I'm one of those people who spends most of their life either taking photos of, or working with images of deliciously handsome, buff men. Yeah, you'd think I'd be in a perpetual state of heightened arousal, right? Well, models are certainly easy on the eyes and a heck of a lot of fun to work with - delicious eye-candy.

And don't get me wrong. Candy is good. Real good. But there are times when I crave a nice 'aged wine' - in other words, a mature man. A man who's appeal isn't in his ripped six-pack abs or rock hard quads. It's in his life experience, the books he's read, the places he's visited, the hard knocks he's overcome and the knack of surviving he's mastered.

This weekend I'm in one of those moods when I'd like a little of both. I mean some candy is good with wine, right? And while I'm going to have to wait a bit, soon I will get a good helping of both in an upcoming film star Jason Statham (young and yummy) and Burt Reynolds (he's been raising my hormone levels for years).

Here's a little teaser that demonstates the appeal of both the eye candy and aged wine:

This is Ci wishing you a great weekend filled with whatever masculine treats tempt your palate:)

Romance as a Lifestyle

2008-10-10T15:42:00.001-04:00

Many people believe romance is only something that can happen between two people. They are unable to recognize that a life lived in romance is a deliberate act. It’s a lifestyle choice. It isn’t something that just happens to you or always arrives as a gift someone bestows upon you.

Romance is an artform. Ask any artist. Ask any musician. The art or music they create can be powerful and very romantic simply because it is filled with beauty and is a romantic expression.

Romance begins with the individual. You can choose to create it in everything you do or you can trudge through life pining for it to find you. It requires understanding what romance is and moving beyond pre-conceived limitations that confine romance to only being available to couples. Romance vibrates in all living things. Romance is beauty. Romance is a feeling. Romance is an ambiance.

So how can you participate in creating romance? Start with your clothes. Choose clothes that you feel reflect the romantic in you. It can manifest as an attitude conveyed by how you wear your clothes. How you carry yourself. Romance has style and requires an awakening of sorts. Become conscious of all the nuances in your surroundings.

If your career requires you don a business suit, then you can add a bit of a romantic look to it with a pin, a lapel flower or a scarf. Don’t be afraid to flex your romantic style muscles a bit. Let it flourish in everything you do. Romance is something that captures the imagination and lingers. It teases and even haunts us.

We can enjoy the sensual beauty of flowers or a candlelit room whether we are with our lover or alone. Romance is not exclusive to couples – a common misconception perpetuated by industries catering to couples and compounded by those who simply don’t understand how to create romance in their daily lives. No one owns romance.

Anyone can have romance in their lives. That is the beauty of romance. It is universal. You can soak it up wherever you are. It’s magical. It lives in everyone’s soul.

Don’t believe it? Try adding some romance to the simplest of things you do every day. It’s not what you do but how you do it. What do you feel? What do you sensed?

The difference between someone who has a romance filled lifestyle to someone who doesn’t: Did you toss a steak on the grill and sit down in your kitchen and chomp down on it, or did you set the table, added some flowers, season the steak, turn on some music while you grilled, poured yourself a glass of wine to sip on? If you answered the later, then you are practicing a romantic lifestyle.

If you want to invite a friend to join you, all the better. You don’t have to be lovers to share a romantic dinner or evening. It can be romantic to each of you for different reasons. That is the beauty of romance. It loves everyone!

What do you think it means? Defining Romance
Do you feel romance is limited only to couples? Seriously, some people actually believe romance is a couple-exclusive emotion and that no one is capable of enjoying romance if they are not a couple. So, I thought it would be cool to ask readers. What is your definition of romance?

Do you believe romance can only exist between two people or is that a myth? In my experience romance is just not that discriminating. It exists outside ourselves and we are merely invited to share in it. When something is described as romantic, what does that mean? Since it can be a painting, a cityscape, a dinner, a wedding, a sunset, a dress, just about anything doesn’t that mean it is available for all to enjoy? Romance is more than having dinner with your lover. It’s an emotion that stirs deep inside. Be it over the person we are dining with or over a spectacular sunset. It is still romantic. You don’t need to be a couple in order to appreciate it, experience it or feel it. So do you believe being a couple is a prerequisite to understanding and feeling romance?

Some New Moves

2008-10-07T23:52:00.005-04:00

Sex should be fun and exciting, not the same old boring thing. It's not necessary to go searching the internet for the latest in bizarre sexual practices to keep things interesting in the bedroom, just adding a new twist to your old favorites can revive your unresponsive sex life. Here are some fun tips I've found recently while conducting research.

Hot oil art - warm up some massage oil and put it in a turkey baster. Use this to draw shapes or spell out words on your lover’s body. The hot oil moving in specific lines is supposed to excite the skin. After creating your hot, slippery designs now go for the massage with your hands.

Pearl Necklace - Get an 36 inch strand of fake pearls and wear them all day so your body heat warms it up. When ready to play, dribble some lube on the necklace then coil them around his penis. Careful, you want it to be comfortable not so tight it pinches. Slide your hands up and down the beads to create a unique sensation he'll love. He can also use the beads on you by rolling them beneath his palm over your clit.

Hot mint - using hot and cold sensations is nothing new, but here's a new twist—warm mint tea. This will heat up your mouth and provide a warm sensation. When your move your mouth away, the menthol in the mint will cool down the area. Sip the tea often to get the full cool and tingly effect of the mint.

Oral tickle - when giving him oral, slip a finger in your mouth and softly tease his sensitive spots at the same time you are stimulating with your lips and tongue for unexpected new sensations.

And don't forget to change up the old positions in fun new ways.

Lay on the bed face down, hips slightly elevated and together. With his thighs bracketing yours the position creates a snug fit and the minimal elevation allows for deeper thrusts.

For doggy-style without the backache roll to your side. Have him straddle your bottom leg and wrap the top one around his hip. This allows the deeper penetration of doggy-style in a more comfortable position and give the added benefit of allowing face-to-face contact.

Another more comfortable rear-entry position is to tuck your knees up toward your chest to support your torso.

And don’t forget the toys. There are toys out there now to satisfy all your tastes and cravings. With toys you can even have one of the top women’s fantasies without any guilt or jealousy—dual penetration.

Old Toy, New Trick?

2008-10-04T18:46:00.000-04:00

It doesn't require batteries. There are no moving parts. It's cheap and it's fun. What is it? Why the hoola hoop. Remember back in the days of yor when as kids we'd hoola up a storm? A few months ago I decided it'd be a good idea to take a blast into the past and revive my hoola skills.

** Note. Do NOT purchase a hoop that has a cloth covering.

Yep, that's what I did. And after fifteen frustrating minutes was ready to throw the hoop in the trash and myself on the floor. I couldn't keep it going. One turn and it'd head straight to the floor. Naturally I got some ribbing from the local men folk ... "no hula left in your hoop?"

And naturally I challenged them to give it a try. Three men and no success. That hoop wouldn't hoola. Ha! Take that men folk. I grab my handy-dandy scissors and whacked the fabric from the hoop. Said a little prayer to the gods of hoola and gave it another try.

VICTORY! I do have hoola left in me. And you know what? It's fun. It's good exercise. AND honey man seems particularly attracted to me when I'm hoola-ing. Hmmmmm.

So, if you're looking for a cheap and fun way to spice things up, give the hoop a hoola. All that swaying, hip wiggling action is likely to net you some fun of another kind.

And take a look at some of the action in this hoola hoopers at the 2004 Burning Man. Oh wow, I've got to practice!!

Happy weekend!!

Ci

Hula Hooping Burning Man 2004 - For more amazing video clips, click here

Night Owl Romance - Best Erotic Romance

2008-10-02T21:43:00.012-04:00

Four books written by the Hussies are up for awards in the Night Owl Romance Reader Choice Awards for Best Erotic Romance Books. Woot! Congrats Ci, Sahara and Sally! Hussy power, baby!

Sally's Reunited is in the Best Paranormal Erotic Romance category

Ci's All in time is in the Best Fantasy/Futuristic/Off World/Time-Travel Erotic Romance category

Sahara's Sir Philip Ashton's Eyes is in the Best Historical Erotic Romance category

Sahara's Fly By Knight, The Hussies is in the Best Historical Erotic Romance category

Click here to vote

We also have some gorgeous covers by Syneca and her amazing team up for awards

Jane's Prize, author Margrett Dawson in the Best Paranormal Erotic Ebook Cover

Immortal Lust, author Sierra Dafoe in the Best Historical Erotic Ebook Cover

Kama Sutra Lovers, author Anny Cook in the Best Fantasy/Futuristic/Off World Erotic Ebook Cover

Out of Control, author Eve Savage in the Best Contemporary Erotic Ebook Cover

Click here to vote

There are a lot of deserving authors and artists up for awards. Please show some love by voting for your favorites!

October Contest with Coffeetime Romance

2008-10-01T09:02:00.004-04:00

Forget espresso, Caffè macchiato or the old milk-but-hold-the-sugar-please. We're talking stuff that's potent enough to melt your eyeballs. Namely The Hussies' brand of erotic romance mixed with the awesome awesomeness of Coffee Time Romance.

Starting October 1st, we're teaming with Coffeetime Romance to bring you a contest that will make an Indiana Jones out of you. That's right! You'll delve into runic lore and magic, travel from one arcane symbol to the next to assemble a cryptic message.

Intrigued? We thought you'd be.

Follow the instructions below and WIN STUFF!

I Want to Review Contest - Fallen Angels Reviews

2008-09-30T08:37:00.007-04:00

Remember when the Hussies challenged you to write a review during the month of September? Well, a lot of you did! You rock! So a great big Hussy thank you to everyone who entered the "I Want to Review" Contest!

Participants will be receiving an email shortly detailing "phase two" which is writing a sample review. From these, five will be selected to be judged by Fallen Angels Reviews and the winner will be published on FAR as a guest reviewer.

Stay tuned for updates!

Best ways to spend a Sunday

2008-09-28T11:09:00.007-04:00

We all have our favorite past-times. Just thought I'd toss in a few suggestions:

1. An invigorating shower.

2. Let the motion of the ocean carry you away

4. Go for a ride

5. Take a walk on the wild side

6. Go back to sleep and repeat that dream:)

Gettin' Naughty - Chemistry

2008-09-26T23:25:00.003-04:00

As readers of erotic romance, you've surely seen many references to the chemistry that can exist between two people. Sparks fly, the earth moves, emotions swell and overwhelm. According to an article on MSN by Jonathan Small, there are many different kinds of chemistry you can experience. Here are the five most common types of chemistry couples might share. And the good news is that even if its not the explosive kind, with a little bit of time it can turn into something wonderful.

#1 – Lusty chemistry

The most common and most confusing kind of chemistry. The uncontrollable hunger for sex. Let’s face it; at some time in our lives, most of us have fallen in the trap of confusing physical chemistry with love. Lust tends to fade after scratching the itch and may or may not return later. One big difference is you can feel lust for several different people simultaneously without becoming jealous, but love tends to make us very possessive. The great thing is that over time, lust can grow, evolving into something deeper and more meaningful.

#2 – Comfy chemistry

These are those types of relationships where you have that instant connection and effortless rapport. This is the person who finishes your sentences or is so easy to talk to and you feel relaxed to be around. It doesn’t have to mean you are better friends than lovers though. Love can develop and quickly lead to passion.

#3 – Funny chemistry

One of the top characteristics on most people’s lists of attractive qualities is the ability to make them laugh. Someone who can help us have fun is priceless. And researchers have found that attractiveness between two people increases when they laugh together.

#4 – Opposites attract chemistry

Most of us like personalities that complement our own. Those who accentuate our positives and mask the flaws. Like the swim-suit model and the computer geek. Why would such opposites attract? She makes him feel sexy and he makes her feel smart. We are naturally drawn to those who have the qualities we lack. Those who make us feel more well-rounded.

#5 – Common ground chemistry

Those with common interests tend to gravitate together. It allows you to get to know each other in a comfortable environment, and makes spending time together easy. The two of you can bond and develop a lot of great memories over shared achievements.

So even if electricity doesn’t immediately arc between you, and your heart doesn’t start trembling whenever he’s around, that doesn’t mean you won’t have great chemistry. If given time, what you do have can grow into something lasting.

Who's Your Pimp

2008-09-24T16:01:00.018-04:00

I have some pimping to do.

To the thousands upon thousands who have read Sahara Kelly's Madam Charlie (guilty, your Honor, and I loved every minute) in an array of languages because that book, it has traveled, you can now ditch your therapist because The Withdrawal, it is OVER.

Know why?

Forbidden Fantasies is coming, that's why. Not only is it Ellora's Cave's first hardcover, but our very own decadent Hussy Sahara is one of the fab authors therein. And her story is...

*drumroll*

Lady Elizabeth's Choice...as in, a loose sequel to Madam Charlie!

Yes, SEQUEL! I choose to ignore the word loose. It has sequel next to Madam Charlie so I'm happy. Dude, I'll take a "loose sequel" to Madam Charlie any day of the week.

To get you back in the mood after years of waiting, here are the essentials:

Madam Charlie

By Sahara Kelly

London, 1814:

A young woman inherits an interesting London house, Number 14 Beaulieu Crescent. Nothing unusual in that, you might say. And ordinarily you'd be right. But this time the "house" is actually a high-class brothel, and the young woman has a secret identity of her own that she must never reveal. Especially not to the man who brings her body to life, stirs her senses like no other, and who has begun his own campaign to unlock the mystery that is "Madam Charlie".

Lady Elizabeth’s Choice
By Sahara Kelly
This story is a loose sequel to Madam Charlie.

Several months ago she gave herself to him, body and soul, during a night of sexual enlightenment that changed her world forever. But since then, Lady Elizabeth Wentworth has reached a decision she believes is right for her. And her erstwhile lover, Sir Spencer Marchwood, isn’t part of it. She hasn’t forgotten him…how could she? He took her from innocent girl to sensual woman in a night of extraordinary delights. Such memories cannot be denied, only buried, relegated to her past as the private indiscretions of a foolish and impetuous girl. Needless to say, Spence is—upset. He’s plagued by memories of their passion, hungry for the taste of her lips and eager to hear her cries of pleasure once more. And it looks like that’s not going to happen—ever again. However, the resourceful Spence hatches a strategy to get Elizabeth’s attention and land her back in his arms—naked. Once that occurs, Spence knows he can claim her, body and soul, taking her to the edge of madness and beyond. It all comes down to one pivotal moment…the moment of Lady Elizabeth’s choice…

So come October 18th, get in line to buy Madam Charlie's loose sequel, erm, I mean, Forbidden Fantasies. Plus, if you buy the book early, your name is entered into a draw that could get you 25% off all your 2008 Ellora's Cave books. Dudes!

The Witching Time is almost upon us

2008-09-23T18:50:00.005-04:00

And you know, I love October. When I'm in the Carolinas it's a time for watching the leaves change, having bonfires at night and staring into the flames to see what imaginary worlds I can find.

When I'm in Florida it's the time of year when we finally start to cool down, the light does that subtle shift into "less intense and blinding" and the breeze kicks up.

And no matter where I am, I think about creatures of legend and myth and the people who will be masquerading as them come Oct. 31st. So as a pre-kick-off for what I like to call The Witching Time, here's a little story about one of my favorite creatures of myth and legend - something I call

Greed and Shadows: Architects of Our Own Demise

You glance over your shoulder as you stop before the door, you hand sliding into the pocket of your dark jacket for the small pouch bearing the tools of your trade. I slide back an inch or so even though I know I’m well hidden in the shadows. Still, I’m one to err on the side of caution. I’ll reveal myself to you in my own time and manner.

Admiration for your skills flashes through my mind as I watch you pick the lock and enter the dark building. Were I simply an innocent passerby I’d assume you’d just inserted a key into the lock. That the handsome man in the dark suit was just another business owner having to burn the midnight oil to balance the accounts or complete inventory.

But I am no innocent passerby. I’ve been tracking you for weeks, documenting your nocturnal forays and tallying up your take as I listen to the news reports in the ensuring days. You’re amassing quite a tidy sum; and taking increasingly more risks.

Like tonight’s venture. It’s not difficult to learn that the owner of this establishment is prone to putting the week’s till into his safe until Monday. Or that due to his less than reliable ability to remember numbers, he keeps the combination written down on a piece of paper that’s tucked behind the photograph of his wife and son on his office desk.

You don’t see this as an unusual risk, but I know better. I know that the forgetful owner has a brother-in-law in an elevated position on the police force and that his loyal relative dispatches one of his underlings every Saturday night before the change of the shift to pick up an envelope that’s always tucked beneath the cash register. Inside is a stack of cash. A payoff. Protection money so that law enforcement doesn’t look to closely at the owner’s business practices. So that no one discovers he’s fencing stolen jewels.

That errand boy is due tonight. In less than five minutes. If discovered you’ll spend the next ten to fifteen years watching Saturday night television with the other inmates. Not something a man like you could easily tolerate. I could leave you to the fate you’ve constructed, a victim to your greed, but I am a selfish creature, slave to my own desires. And at present my desire is for you.
Sure that you’ve had time to navigate your way to the office I leave the shadows. A locked door proves no barrier to those of my kind. Shadow dwellers, creatures of the night, we’ve been labeled with many monikers over the centuries, the most popular, of course, being that of Vampire.

Personally I detest that word. It has no elegance, does not flow off the tongue easily or musically. And the definition assigned to the word offends my sense of self. I’ve never ripped open anyone’s throat, or drained the life from them. Yes, I’ve taken my share of blood, but what I’ve given in return lasts a lifetime; a memory of the most sublime sexual experience my subjects have ever had. No other experience will come close. No other lover will ever measure up.
No, that’s not a boast, simply a fact. I do not claim credit for the abilities I was endowed with. It’s as much a part of me as my silky mane of hair or sky blue eyes. What my subjects receive is not something I choose to give. It’s something over which I have no control.

And why humans find my kind so irresistible.

I find you bent over the safe, swiftly removing stacks of cash from its dark interior. On feet as silent as a tomb I move up behind you. “Your greed is about to become your undoing,” I whisper.

You start, whirl and look upon me with eyes wide and startled. That changes rapidly to a look of suspicion and lust. “Who are you?”

“Why your dark angel of salvation, of course.”

You raise your hand as if to take hold of my arm, anger lancing through you and false bravery making you bold. How could I be a threat to you? Someone as small and unimposing as I could not possibly overpower a man as big and powerful as yourself.

I smile and raise my hand in a gesture I know to be both casual and elegant. And the force propels you back, slamming you into the opened safe, packets of money spilling from your hand.

“Who are you?” You whisper, this time not so bold.

“I’ve already told you. Now decide. Within five minutes a police officer will unlock the front door. Stay and you risk losing everything.”

I can see the thoughts in your mind. Am I lying? What if I’m telling the truth? Why would I want to save you? What do I want from you? Five minutes? That’s enough time to grab the cash and get out.

“Stupidiy is an unappealing trait,” I comment and smile at your expression. I offer you my hand. “Come with me now.”

You hesitate. Greed wars with lust, fear providing the weight to tip the scales. You place your hand in mine. And before you can blink, I’ve pulled you to me, wrapped one arm around your waist and run from the building to the shelter of the park across the street. The deep shadows conceal us even from the oncoming headlights of the patrol car that pulls up in front of the store.

“How'd you do that?” You ask, stepping back from me.

I shrug and step toward you. “Have you no words of thanks for being saved?”

“Uh, yeah. Thank you. What the fuck are you? How did you do that? Why did you—“

“Shhhh,” I place my finger to your lips to silence you. “All will be explained.”

“You want something.”

I smile. Your quick mind is one of the things that attracted me to you. Not only are you a handsome man in his prime, but you’re intelligent and inquisitive. Curious enough that when I smile and display my pristine fangs, your rush of fear is tempered with a rash of questions.

“You’re … is this for real?”

“Quite real.”

“Are you going to kill me?”

“Of course not.”

“Are you going to bite me?”

“Absolutely.”

How was I to know that one bite would seal my fate? That his greed would become mine and that together we’d traverse the world, living in the shadows from one heist to the next. How was I to know that I would become as much as prisoner to him as he to me?

Shadow and Greed. We would become legendary.

Hope you're dreaming up your own vampish delights:)

Hugs-
Ci

Fae's Gargoyle - Coming November 5th!

2008-09-23T13:37:00.004-04:00

My first Hussies' book will be released on November 5th! I'm so excited to have a book in the series at long last. (g) Here's a little blurb:

Maria Jennings awakes to find a naked man in bed with her and has no idea how he got there. Her shock soon turns to panic when she recognizes the man is her former secret crush, gargoyle warrior, Denton Prescott.

Before she can steal from bed, she's seduced by the sexiest hunk ever to draw breath. Maria knows love between a fae and gargoyle is forbidden, but soon realizes that's the least of her worries- Denton is hiding something from her.

Reawakened desires for the gargoyle threaten her mission to save him. Maria now feels she's the one who needs saving - from losing her heart once more to the man she swore to forget.

Gettin' Naughty - Striptease

2008-09-18T18:22:00.005-04:00

Performing a private, sexy striptease for your guy is a great way to turn him on, if done right. One of the most important factors is to feel comfortable with yourself, the music and what you're doing. If it doesn't feel right the performance will be awkward and fumbling, which is more off a turn off. Finding the right song for your personality and tastes makes all the difference in the world.

Here are the top ten guy recommended striptease songs, according to iVillage.com. The tune itself matters much more than the lyrics. You want something smooth and sexy.

Pony by Ginuwine

Eyes Without A Face by Billy Idol

I'm A Slave For U by Britney Spears

Buttons by the Pussycat Dolls

Closer by Nine Inch Nails

She's Always In My Hair by D'Angelo

Sex (I'm A) by Lovage

Hot in Herre by Nelly

Justify My Love by Madonna

Cream by Prince (Sorry, couldn't find it on YouTube)

IMHO they left off a few of the best all time strip songs.

Leave Your Hat On by Joe Cocker

Feelin Love by Paula Cole

Whatever song makes you feel sexy, crank it up, put on something sinful and have a good time turning him on!

Nic
So naughty its sinful!

My Roots? Let me Show You Them, eh.

2008-09-17T01:34:00.010-04:00

My Canadian roots, that is.

It's that time of the year. September: month of tree pruning, get-out-the-snowsuits-to-wash, and dirty movies stockpiling (long winter nights and all). :)

But September is also the Terry Fox month. The world's largest run against cancer. He started that run, what he called the "marathon of hope", at the ripe old age of 21 after having a leg amputated to stop a cancer. So in April of 1980, and for 143 days, he ran around 40 kms (20+ miles) a day to raise money for cancer research. His goal was to raise 1$ from every Canadian. Rain, sun, slush. The dude ran all these kms/miles on his one good leg and a prosthesis. He died at 22 before he could reach his goal, which was to cross Canada (look at the map, it's HUGE, yo!).

But in a way, he's still running today. Every year in September, millions of kids around the world, thousands of teachers and parents and dozens of countries participate in the Terry Fox Run. My men and I did this weekend, we ran (okay, so I walked and the kid biked) 10kms/6.5 miles on a bright and sunny German day (one of the four bright and sunny days in Germany...). After we were done, we had hotdogs at the community center and complained about our crappy new sneakers, our little aches and pains and the crazy price of gas (try 13$ a U.S. gallon). It was a good day.

So, what's your favorite charity, eh?

Fire!

2008-09-15T23:51:00.002-04:00

Anyone have some matches? I need to send up a smoke signal!

Random thoughts on a Monday

2008-09-08T19:15:00.004-04:00

Remember that old song? I heard it this afternoon and it's been running through my head ever since. And it brought a question to mind. Do we want a man with an easy touch, someone who "won't come and go in a heated rush"? Or is what we really want ....

a bad boy. Someone who's all rough and rowdy, who comes in, swoops us up and in a fit of lusty fury nails us to the wall and has us screaming "yeah baby" in ten seconds?

I guess it's a case of different strokes for different folks, eh? Or maybe just a matter of what kind of mood we're in at the time? I guess that's really the way things are. There are times my honey could swoop in and get a stiff right arm, palm out that ways "hold the deal, Lucille. You want someah this, you ask nice." Then other times I'd just yell "hell yeah" and enjoy the ride.

Which does clue me in on why men think we women are so damn confusing. We have more moods than the weather and our movement patterns are just as complex. No wonder they can't figure us out.

And it' not like we really want them to. After all, there's something to be said about a mystery.
Mystery is always alluring and exciting. So while we might love for them to figure out that yes, we want them to take out the trash, pick up their dirty clothes, open a door for us, notice when we get a new hair style or outfit and most certainly want them to comment on our utter overwhelming beauty and sex appeal, we really don't want them to figure us out completely.

At least that's the random thoughts running through my head this Monday evening. Hmmm, wonder if honey man could figure out that running straight to the pool for some splashing good fun is my next topic of interest? Think I'll go stare in his eyes and see if he can guess.

Have a great Monday!!

National Go Topless Protest Day. Did you miss it?

2008-09-05T01:30:00.007-04:00

I sure did. It happened on August 23rd, Saturday. Men and women went topless all across America in parks and other public areas in an effort to draw attention to the day which is according to the 17th amendment, Women's Equality Day.

Yeah, we have a day. It all started in 1848 but took 72 years to ratify the US Constitution to finally give women the right to vote. Can you imagine not being able to vote? There was a time when we couldn't own property, much less get a mortgage on our own. So when it comes to protecting our rights, I'm there! God bless the brave women who fought for us during those 72 years.

I was still having a hard time wrapping my head around how going topless was related to equality until I visited Go Topless Organization . This is more than just a protest. Yup. It came about because women were being arrested for asserting their constitutional right to bare their breasts in public while men who go bare-chested are never arrested.

Now, even though there have been over 10 court cases where the courts ruled in favor of topless women in public, they are still being criminalized. Well, I had no idea. I live a sheltered life. I've never seen a topless woman in public, other than at a beach.

The argument - it's just as natural and a constitutional right for women to go topless just like it is for men.

Now, as I stated before, I defend equality, but I personally don't want to be looking at a bunch of boobs. Hell, there are a lot of men, I prefer not to ever see without their shirts on!

While I understand this is a protest for equal rights, I just have to wonder how many women will assert these rights? I wonder if our culture and social mores are ready for this reveal on a daily basis. Nude and topless beaches have enough problems with gawkers and ignorant folks, can you imagine how the parks would be if just 10% of the female population decided to assert this right?

So I think it will be very interesting to see how next year's protest event plays out. Will more women step up and take off in protest?

The Infinite Monkey Theorem

2008-09-04T02:52:00.016-04:00

No, I haven't gone completely, certifiably mad.

Infinite Monkey Theorem is the idea that if you stick a bunch of monkeys and have them bash on typewriters (oooh, there's a quaint word), they'll eventually recreate one of Shakespeare's stories. You know, the perverse and cynical part of me finds that eminently amusing. It kind of puts into perspective the Arteeestes who like to wear black turtlenecks and say really long words when short ones would have worked. You know, like antidisestablishmentarianism.

Although when I look at how certain authors behave, I'm sure it's the monkeys who are astounded we can even string two words together.

Writing isn't rocket science. You sit at a keyboard and pretend stuff happens to people who don't exist. If you're good and/or lucky and/or obstinate and/or a celebrity (or a murderer), a bunch of strangers will get to read about it. Unless you're popular, the pay sucks. The industry is filled with snotty pretenders, just like any other profession. The conditions are oftentimes appalling (sit for 10 hours in front of a screen, stick your arms out and wiggle your fingers really, really fast...fun, eh?). There's the competition, healthy and otherwise. There's the "writer's block", a term that can ratchet up my blood pressure a few notches. There's the comparison, the self-doubts, the pressure real and perceived, the expensive chaos of advertising your work, the deadlines, red and blue lines, and flatlines. The pushy promoters who invade your space, the critics, the cheerleaders, those in between. Not enough fingers and eyeballs to manage the stories piling in your head. Families, friends, colleagues if you're working another job on top of writing. Got to go to the gym, got to pretend the house is clean and not a fire-hazard. Got to find costumes, suits, shoes, business cards. Got to network and re-work. Edit, submit, plot.

And it's the best fucking job in the world. Pass the bananas.

Going Green

2008-09-03T00:01:00.001-04:00

I figured it was about time I start thinking about going green. To better understand harnessing the power of the wind, I found a sexy alpha to explain windmills.

Oh yeah. I get it now! Whoo-damn! What a fascinating subject! Mmm-hmm…no wonder everyone’s so fired up about this topic. I am thoroughly enjoying doing my part to save the planet! *g*

They're even coming out with a sexy and sporty green car, Karma by Fisker Automotive. It's a plug-in hybrid Q drive (whatever that is). I want one in this vivid blue color. Wowza! At $80K its a lot out of my price range though. Ouch! Going green is expensive.

Nic
So naughty it's scandalous!

Jeweled Teasing With Marilu Mann

2008-09-02T00:01:00.001-04:00

Thanks to the fabulous Hussies for having me as a guest blogger. It’s a pleasure to be here. I wanted to share my new release with you. I am Marilu Mann, one of Ellora's Cave Inc's authors. My first release was May 2008 and I am now celebrating my next release. My motto is "Escape Into The Fantasy" and I hope you will enjoy my latest.

Sapphire Tease will be released on September 10th. It’s part of the Ellora’s Cave Birthstones Series. Why write a story about sapphires? Well, from what I’ve found, in ancient Persia it was believed that the earth rested on a giant sapphire and the sky was colored blue by reflection. It’s a symbol of truth, sincerity and faithfulness, and was once believed to have strong medical powers. It’s the birthstone for September, but has also been associated with April, and it’s also the gemstone for the zodiac sign of Taurus.

Isn’t it interesting how we associate gemstones with birthdays? Lots of people have gemstone jewelry, pretty much everyone can tell you what their birthstone is – even if they can’t tell you their zodiac sign. One curious unanswered question of history is exactly what were the 12 stones in the breastplate of the high priest?

It is said that these stones represented the twelve tribes of Israel. There is much discussion as to what those exact gems were but no one knows for sure. But many cultures believe in the healing properties of various stones – not just birthstones, but other stones as well. Here are a few interesting myths I’ve found about gemstones.

Did you know that amethyst is said to be a stone to help prevent overindulgence of alcohol? The myth goes that to avoid being run down or worse by the god of wine that the nymph Amethyst prayed to her protector goddess who turned her into a pillar of quartz. Bacchus was so struck by her beauty that he vowed anyone who held a piece of her would be protected from his revelries. He then upended a flagon of wine on the crystal statue dyeing it purple.

Then moving away from the ancients--and since this is the Hussies blog--what about choosing a gemstone to enhance sexual abilities? There are jokes about how diamonds improve relationships of course, but have you ever wondered about nipple piercings or other piercings? What would the right stone there bring you? Of course, you don’t have to pierce anything if that isn’t your cup of tea, cheré! You could just buy a set of nipple loops if you like.

These loops are basically slim lariats that you hang from your nipples. I’ve had friends who have worn them and they tell me that the constant rubbing is incredibly stimulating. You can make them tight or let them just dangle gently—whatever your preference. I do love the idea of letting my lover get an eyeful of jewelry he didn’t expect, don’t you?

Imagine doing a slow erotic dance with him laying in the bed watching you. As you slide your skirt down, his eyes widen. Now you’re wearing nothing but his shirt and whatever you have on underneath. Kick off those undies and let the hem of that shirt flirt with your own hidden treasures. His breath will catch when you slide that white linen to the floor to reveal sapphires tantalizingly dangling from your nipples. Now think about him taking those off with his mouth.

Yes, there’s just something women love about jewelry, isn’t there? Sapphire Tease has nothing to do with ancient Persia or healing powers of stones. Instead it deals with a deep-seated rivalry between two powerful and dangerous men, ancient weapons, a piece of sapphire Geisha hair jewelry, and a cat burglar. Our heroine may not wear nipple tassles but she certainly does learn a little something about nipple clamps.

Sapphire Tease Blurb: Ever have your clothes removed by a sexy man as punishment? What if you were trying to steal from him and he is determined to teach you a heated intimate lesson you will never forget? Cath Monroe learns just how much she can take from the man she mistakenly marks as an easy target. Kentaro Ramon introduces the lovely thief to more than his mastery of weapons in this arousing tale of a very erotic game of cat-and-mouse.

Sapphire Tease Quick Bite:
Ramón knelt in front of her, between her legs. He touched the plastic restraints holding her wrists to the arms of the chair. His hands were warm and slightly calloused. Not what she'd expected from an obscenely wealthy playboy. He slid his fingers over the restraints and over the skin of her wrist.

"Since you won't confirm that Brown sent you, maybe you'll tell me who you are?"

Cath shook her head again, more slowly this time. She couldn't take her eyes off him.

"What is your name?" As she shook her head, he slid his hands up to her elbows, kneading the skin there. His gaze went from her face to her breasts and back again.

To read the rest of the excerpt, visit me and click on Books to find that excerpt as well as excerpts from my May paranormal erotic romance Changing Times and my upcoming November release Changing Hearts. And stay tuned for the title of book three in the Lusting Wild series.

A Hussy Update

2008-08-31T13:48:00.008-04:00

AUGUST CONTEST WINNER!!

Michelle D is the winner of our August Contest. Congratulations Michelle. We’ll contact you privately to arrange for delivery of your prize. Thanks to everyone who entered.

SEPTEMBER CONTEST

This month the Hussies are teaming up with the fantastic Angels from Fallen Angel Reviews to bring you an entirely new kind of contest.

"So You Think You Can Review?"

Ever read a review and thought to yourself, "I'd like to do that!" Well now's your chance at having a review published on The Fallen Angels Reviews site!!

Visit us online at The Hussies to find out how you can enter.

LATEST RELEASES IN THE HUSSIES SERIES:

When it comes to men ...

2008-08-29T07:52:00.005-04:00

I really do love cowboys and country boys. While the Wall Street Banker may be very real beneath the expensive suit a country fella is the kind of man you can fall into the creek with and have a mud-wallowing good old time or snuggle up with on the porch swing at night and find the rhythm of nature.

Maybe I'm just a simple gal. It doesn't take champagne and diamonds to thrill me. Take me to a boot-scootin' bar and serve me tequila and nachos and I'm a happy woman. Kinda like the gal in my upcoming Quickie from Ellora's Cave. Sin in Jeans releases Sept 5th and features a real down home fella named Ty that is a good example of why I love cowboys. Here's a little excerpt for you:)

Excerpt from Sin in Jeans, a book in The Hussies Series by Ciana Stone

Dale cursed as the beer she was lifting suddenly sloshed over the rim of the mug, down the front of her t-shirt and onto her jeans. Her head whipped around, eyes narrowed and ready to give whoever had jostled her a tongue-lashing to beat the band.

And went brain dead. Completely mute without the ability to utter a word.

“’Cuse me,” the tall man with the worn Stetson, faded denim shirt rolled up to expose strong forearms and eyes the color of a Carolina sky said with a smile. “Ol’ Shorty back there’s a little deep in the cups and fell against me.”

“Oh, well…that’s okay. Accidents happen,” she said, finding her tongue.

The man signaled to the bartender. “A draft, Jimmy? And one here for the lady.”

“That’s not necessary,” Dale protested. “Really.”

“Yeah, it is,” the man replied and angled to face her, propping one elbow on the bar. “Haven’t seen you here before. You new?”

“Just passing through. Here to see a man about a horse. “

“That almost sounds like the truth. ‘Cept there’s no horses here.”

“A fella at the Inn said it was a good place to have a beer, a burger and not be in the middle of the mouse crowd, whatever that is.”

Another laugh from the man had something warm curling in her belly. Damn if he wasn’t sexy. And not trying to be, she’d guess. The smell of soap said he’d showered, but the five o’clock shadow said he hadn’t taken time to shave. Which meant he either thought the rough look was more appealing or he didn’t much care.

She suspected the latter. The shirt had seen better days, the jeans were worn and faded and those sure weren’t dress boots on his feet. He wasn’t dressed to impress, which meant it was more likely that he was just relaxing with friends, not on the prowl.

“Mouse crowd means tourists,” he explained and thanked the bartender for the beers. “We are in Mickey’s backyard, you know.”

“I guess so. Well, if the burgers here are any good, then the fella did me a good turn.”

“Burgers are real good,” he said and looked around. “You here alone or is there a Mr. Here to See a Man About a Horse getting ready to bust my chops for hittin’ on his woman?”

“Is that what you’re doing?”

“Is there a fist in my face coming if I say yes?”

“No danger of that.”

He grinned and lifted his mug to his mouth, eyeing her over the rim before he drank. “Then I reckon it is. How’m I doin’?”

“Not bad.” She gave him a teasing smile. “But you could try a little harder.”

Throwing back his head, he laughed. A low, sexy laugh that sent a delightful little shiver straight down all the way to her toes. “Well, honey, I think I can muster up a little more effort. What say you and me grab that empty booth, have another beer and order up some burgers?”

“Hey now, you’re starting to speak my language. Seducing me with grilled meat and beer. Lead the way, cowboy.”

“This way, ma’am,” he said and led the way.

It was pure pleasure watching the man walk. He had that low-center-of-gravity, loose-hipped walk that only one breed of man possessed. A man who spent time in the saddle.

Strong long legs led to a firm tight butt and on up a lean back that flared into very nice broad shoulders. There didn’t appear to be any spare meat on him. He was lean and long, just the kind of man who switched all the neurons in her brain from reason to lust. Just the kind of man that had her all too willing to say I do.

Dale had to remind herself that she wasn’t there looking for love. In fact, the L word had been stricken from her vocabulary for good. All love had ever gotten her was trouble.

But lust? Now that was a horse she could ride.

This is Ciana, wishing you a fabulous Friday and fantastic Labor Day weekend!

How To Spot A Player

2008-08-27T01:28:00.010-04:00

If you've ever dated then you've likely ran into some players. But how can you tell if he's genuine or just out for fun and games?

According to The Online Slang Dictionary a player, often pronounced playa, is "Someone who dates more than one person at a time, usually just for sex or other perks. Will typically do anything to have sex with someone. Carries a heavy negative connotation. Usually used to describe males, but could be used to describe females who act in this manner."

First and foremost a guy who is genuinely interested in you will treat you with the respect and consideration you deserve, and he's going to put you first. A player may seem to have all the right moves but only does what keeps him on top of the game.

Players never call when they say they will and have a million justifications for why they didn't. They are consistently late or cancel at the last minute. They never make plans in advance. And there are often long intervals between the occasions they do contact you.

If everything else in his life comes before you then most likely you're being played. When you're together, you never have his full attention, especially when out in public. He's constantly scanning the room.

He has no desire to hear about what interests you or in meeting the important people in your life. He doesn't invite you to his house or introduce you to his friends and family because you're his dirty little secret.

He does not waste his time trying to learn when your birthday is or what activities you enjoy because he doesn't plan on being around long enough for it to matter.

Instead of calling you by your name or a pet name that has significance to both of you he'll use common endearments so that he doesn't slip up. That doesn't mean every guy who calls you sweetheart isn't genuine, but if he rarely uses your name its a good indicator of a problem.

He also has no time for traditional dating or wooing, instead gets very intense, very quickly. He's rushing you for sex. Should you ask him to slow down, he'll break records in the fifty-yard dash in the opposite direction.

Even if you date him for a while you'll only ever get his cell phone number or pager. He's not about to have you calling him at home or work.

Listen to your gut instincts. Once you start questioning whether he's playing you or not the most probably answer is yes.

Does this review make me look fat?

2008-08-26T04:03:00.006-04:00

Before I started writing and actually getting paid for it, I’d never heard of book reviews. Sure, I’d seen a couple of book critics share their opinion of a book in some newspaper or other. But it was always books I wouldn’t ever read. The Great Boring Classics, or whatever they are. A fantasy novel review? Science fiction? Romance? Horror? Nowhere to be seen. So I’ve always looked at book critics as “meh”.

After my first book went on sale, I discovered this whole online world of romance reviews. A fresh thing (to me) that smelled of new car and plastic! Ooooh, le shiny. It wasn’t long that I discovered the power these reviews had over authors. Some of them (the writers, not the reviews) would go to great lengths to make sure they had positive reviews to show. Sure, I want five stars too. I want people to pat me on the back and say, damn, that was a good book, yo. But if they don’t, that’s okay. There’s still something valuable in a one-star review. I’m not trying to pontificate and convince people to love everyone. I don’t love everyone. Ask me about bullies and I’ll be happy to share my impolite opinion of them. But having a book out there, taking a story from one's imagination and sending it out there in the world implicitly means that one wants to share it. That author wants others to read it. Otherwise, he or she would just write and never send the manuscripts to editors.

To me, reviews are like asking your guy if this outfit makes you look fat. Come on. That’s a loaded question, isn’t it? If he says, “you’re hot” and looks as if he means it, that’s full of win and woohoo. But what if he says, “doesn’t work for me”, or worse, “meh”. What then? You *did* ask for his opinion. Doesn’t that mean you’re ready for the potential of receiving something else than positive feedback? Just like I wouldn’t want to be in a guy’s shoes when his gal asks him if this outfit makes her look fat, I wouldn’t review books if someone paid me. As reviewers, you get some books for free, sometimes, but I sure as hell wouldn’t want to deal with the emotional responses my review would (or not) trigger.

After all, it’s just one person’s opinion. To get worked up over it (and I mean really worked UP) is immature and, in the end, self-defeating. That's my opinion. And if someone disagrees with it, that's all right, I'll live.

Best Friends Becoming Lovers - Good or Bad?

2008-08-22T01:00:00.001-04:00

Maria and Dan worked together for nearly a year before they went out on a date. Before that nervous night they’d been buddies. They’d gone to clubs, shared meals, jogged together…they were best friends until… the kiss. It had been a mutual kiss that just sort of happened.

Sound familiar? So did you start out as friends first? Lovers second? This has raised an important question among relationship study groups. Are men and women capable of having a ‘just friends’ relationship. And if so, is it the woman who keeps things platonic? In other words, is it instinct for a man and woman to hook up?

There are many things to consider in a sexual relationship, the most obvious is chemistry. If sparks are flying, you can be certain a scientific chemical process altering the brain chemistry is going on, especially when couples became lovers. But, does that discount the one thing touted as separating us from the animal kingdom – our minds?

Many people who do move to that next stage of a relationship often describe themselves as being out of control, head over heels, obsessed…and the list goes on. Again, all these emotional responses have been studied and analyzed and trimmed down to a chemical reaction, but does that mean we feel it any less? No way! This kind of attraction is often compared to any other kind of addiction. The couple can lose all logical reasoning if they become consumed with their next fix. Ah… Is that so bad?

Well, it could be if they neglect other things in their lives in a true demonstration of addiction.

I’ve discovered over the years, that the best way to get to know someone is to work with them. You’re able to see them in the worst and best situations and how they react truly reveals everything about them as a person. How they treat other people is most important to me. How are they as a fellow worker? Do they try to run over you and everyone else to get what they want? Do they take matters into their own hands and do whatever they like regardless? Or are they caring individuals who consider other people before their own desires and wants? Certainly, in the business world there are rules and guidelines to keep some behavior at bay, but again, people do react and respond to daily situations and these actions are very revealing of the real person behind the professional facade.

I was fortunate to work with my husband and become friends before we started dating. We genuinely enjoy being together. We’ve worked from home in our business for 11 years and still love being together. It has been a very fulfilling and profound relationship that grows deeper every day. Not all best friends end up with HEA, but a large majority does and those numbers far outweigh the ones who don’t.

Not all couples have the opportunity to work together though, so many of the things we discover about each other in the dating scene can be incomplete and even in some cases completely false. So what do you do to learn who that person really is? How do you break beyond that exterior best face and get to the person inside?

If you’re friends, then when do you decide to take the friendship to a sexual one? Or is it really a decision? Perhaps it’s something that just happens and you are unable to control. What do you think?

Guns, Aliens, and spaceships, oh my!

2008-08-19T09:04:00.004-04:00

Hey, hussies! I want to thank the keepers of the Hussies Blog for allowing me to post today:)

Since I have a release coming up in two weeks from EC, I thought I would talk about my love of the futuristic genre. Hunting Mila is the sequel to Seducing the Saint. In it you find John Hunter escorting a society girl Mila, who has a hard-on for guns and action. Spies, aliens, kidnappings, all kinds of fun ensues.

I think my love of futuristics came from my movie and TV viewing. I wasn't so much into hard sci fi, although I do like some, but I loved the big space operas. I wasn't so into carefully constructed worlds, but I loved bigger than life characters who like a good fight.

Star Trek was one. I'm an X'er, so I saw this in reruns, but I loved the idea that you could take a whole ship of people and travel all over the galaxy. I liked the strange characters, the battles, and hell, even if you don't like him, you have to admire Captain James T Kirk-intergalatic stud. But, then my TV viewing switched to sitcoms and dramas. It wasn't until my 30s that I rediscovered futuristics with movies like The Fifth Element, IRobot, Blade Runner and the ulitimate masterpiece Serenity.

I guess many people who don't know me well would be amazed that the SAHM turned erotic romance writer would be so enamored with the action packed movies. But I do love them.

I think the writer in me loves to watch something that is completely invented by the writer or writers, that they make the rules. There is no one to say, "Hey, that couldn't happen." Of course, that might just be the control freak in me, lol. But the one thing I always felt they were missing was romance. Some of them have it, but not enough to satisfy me, so I decided to create my own.

It wasn't an easy jump. While I loved furustics, and I am writer, but I was raised a military brat and tend to be...let's say...a little too realistic about some things. But, I worked hard and one of the books that came out of that was Seducing the Saint. Now that Hunting Mila is releasing, I am working on the plot of Mastering Robbie, another book linked to the others, and the possibility of more in the future. I like writing all my genres, but futuristics allow me to indulge in my control freak ways, and shoot things up.

A girl can't ask for more than that.

So, tell me, do you like futuristics? Have one movie, book, tv show you like the best?

Sometimes, I'm Serious

2008-08-18T06:49:00.010-04:00

Not often, but sometimes, there's a subject that just makes my inner Chihuahua want to gnaw her paw off.

And plagiarism is one of those subjects.

If you use someone else’s words and make no mention that you did, you committed plagiarism. Some people think it’s no big deal. Bah, words are a dime a dozen. Who cares? Whoever gets caught should deal with it privately with the interested parties, they say. I’ve never been the victim of plagiarism (some call it mind rape, I agree), but if someone would ever steal my speech bubble, you can bet your last tea bag that I’d go after them with all the frenzied energy of a Chihuahua on Red Bull. There’d be no place to hide, motherfuckers! Not because I'm too good to have my words copied, or think I own the alphabet. It's for the principle. And because it's wrong.

Let's look at it this way: writing is like building a nest.

A nest is nothing new. It's all recycled stuff, right. Like writing: everything already exists. Letters, words, sentences, paragraphs. You take all these little bits and make something new with them. You build a nest. No one has a nest like yours. It's unique. It's your spit (literally in the case of some birds...but I digress) that's keeping it together. That spit, it's YOURS, dude. For someone to come and pick at your nest, take a bunch of twigs here, a clump of feathers there, and use it to build their own nest without thanking you or at least mentioning it, is plagiarism.

Some may argue that on a "scale" of crimes, it's not as bas as, say, murder. Sure. But you know what? Ideas are what makes our species move forward. If we're not going to protect our ideas and how we put them on paper, if we're not willing to try to stop thieves from appropriating entire sentences, paragraphs, even pages, then what's the whole point of reading a book?

You write the caption

2008-08-17T08:18:00.004-04:00

Okay, so a picture paints a thousand words. But what words are best to use as a caption for these men of summer?

Annoying Alphas

2008-08-13T00:01:00.004-04:00

What is it about those infernal alpha males that keeps us reading? Do we love to hate them? Are we waiting for them to redeem themselves? Waiting for the heroine to open a can of whop-ass? What is it?

I'm reading a book right now with an alpha hero who I have nicknamed "dickhead". He is a vampire, a dark prince, with a massive attitude from centuries of being treated as if every word out of his mouth is verbal gold. No one disputes any of his demands they just go off and do his bidding, even if they don't agree. He is egotistical, selfish and jaded. A total jerk!

The heroine is the exact opposite. She is compassionate, giving and naive. He bound her to him without getting consent, turned her for selfish reasons, and every time she asks him questions about what he's done to her or about his people and their beliefs, dickhead changes the subject to avoid answering. She's very independent, accustomed to being alone, and still she stays with him. Grrrrrr!

I want to cuss him out, smack him upside the head with this heavy book. I want the heroine to get a backbone and kick hiss ass! I want nothing more than to feed the pages, one by one, into my paper shredder while laughing maniacally. Yet I keep reading, devouring every word, simultaneously captivated and annoyed.

Why? Because it’s fabulous! Any book with the ability to draw such intense emotion from a reader is priceless. I love it when a book can increase my heart rate and get me so wound up in the story that I feel invested in what happens. And he does have redeeming qualities, other than being a dark, sexy, alpha vamp.

Here in lies the real magic—balance. There is hope for dickhead. He is a man worth fighting for. A man worth keeping.

His actions prove that he wants to keep her safe, even when she messed up and puts herself in bad situations. His internal dialogue gives the reader a glimpse of the endless love and devotion he feels for the heroine. This is a man who would die for her and literally kept her alive through the sheer power of his will. Oh, and he’s beyond good in bed. *g* When he makes love to the heroine…whoo-damn! He’s still all alpha—primal, dangerous and exciting. And he’s not a total bully with her. Even though he wants to encase her in bubble wrap and keep her locked away safely in his home, he doesn’t.

I read one book which made me come close to throwing my precious ebook reader at the wall. The hero, a dragon, took the heroine as his "primary mate" but still has "lesser mates" who he would turn to in order to increase the dragon population. Just after claiming the heroine, one of the lesser mates shows up and he is all over her, right in front of the heroine. OMG! I was so angry my chest got tight and I broke out in a cold sweat. And I didn't even like the heroine. She was a slut at the beginning of the book. But my feelings of outrage were so strong they affected me physically. I have a love/hate relationship with that story. Eventually, I came to grips with the fact that in the hero’s culture this was the expected behavior. He changed for the heroine, wanted to do so to please her, and in doing so, he won me over by the end of the book.

What about you? Have you experienced books that brought out intense, conflicting emotions? Are there alphas characters who you have a love/hate relationship with? That's what it all boils down to for me. A part of me wants a semi-alpha man like in the books. One who will desire only me and would sacrifice everything for me. One whose first priority is taking care of me and who puts me first. Strong, capable, dominant but not domineering. Someone who can get me riled, in more way than one. Yup, I want the fantasy! Doesn't every woman?

I Like the Way You Talk

2008-08-12T14:25:00.009-04:00

The mouth. Oh man! One of the sexiest part of the body for sure. Versatile. It talks, it kisses, and it can suck and lick. It provides the path for nourishment and a mode to communicate.

There are clichés such as "Watch your mouth", "Shut your mouth" and "Stop mouthing off". But what would the mouth be but a mere orifice without those lips to frame it and that tongue to occupy it? Functional parts but yet so downright sexy when used in the throes of love.

Whew! Okay getting to the talking part, because we know all about the others. Sigh. Yes, talking. The voice and lips are able to convey so much in a single word or phrase by changing tone and inflection.

Take for instance the phrase, "Come here," if spoken in a harsh loud voice we might be startled or even cringe, but if said in a deep baritone with the words curling over his tongue, then oh yeah, it is quite different and can make your toes curl.

And when those male lips form those words, pursing together and then thrusting apart only to close back together - well, when combined with one of those hot searing looks that travels over you, undressing you in their sweep - It's enough to make a girl wet!

The art of talk is often overlooked by men as an easy way to beef up their sex appeal. Oftentimes too much emphasis is placed on looks, understandably in our culture, but some of the sexiest men I've known have not been GQ quality looks, but men who had a way about them that encompassed their voices and knowing how to use them!

Accents can be much sexier sometimes than the man himself. But if he has mastered all the nuances and incorporated them into a winning personality, then this guy will outshine an empty-shell facsimile.

Voice inflection, tone, pauses, are just a few of the ways to enhance speech and make every word leave a heart-pounding punctuation hanging in the air. Just as powerful as a whispered kiss in the ear!

The thing I like best about a man's body

2008-08-09T19:03:00.010-04:00

Hmmm, what IS is about a man's body that is the most appealing? I was thinking about this today as I looked through a batch of photos from a shoot I did last month and thought I'd pose the question to you.

Are your eyes drawn first to a man's face? Is it the shape of his face, the lines and planes that capture your attention? Or perhaps his lips. How about his eyes? The windows of the soul, they say. Are you attracted to the face first?

Or is it his big muscular chest that revs your engine? Does the thought of running your hand over those firm pecs make your fingers itch? Is a smooth hairless chest your cup of tea, or a man with a nice dusting of hair that collects in that space between those muscles to trail down his torso toward the real estate in the southern regions that draws your eye?

Maybe the torso is your body part of choice. Ripped with a six pack or more lean and toned? The upper torso or that area below the navel that leads to whatever delights are hidden from view?

Have I hit your favorite body part yet? Yes? Which one? No? Well aside from parts I dare not show here, what's left that I can offer up for your vote. Hmmmm. Ah, I know. If you're not into a man's eyes, face, chest or abs then maybe, just maybe this is what trips your switch...

Needless to say there are a lot of nice parts to men. And many different things that about them we find appealing besides their bodies. But we all have our favorite things. So what's your favorite part?

This is Ciana with a special thanks to Les Byerley for allowing me to use his photos and to Giovanni, the oh-so-fine man who posed for these shots. Hope you have a fabulous day!!

Is His Job a Turnon?

2008-08-06T01:00:00.014-04:00

So here's the big question of the day. What kind of profession do you find to be a real turnon? Now I'm not talking about qualities within a man, but his profession.

I'm writing a book where the guy's profession is very crucial to the storyline and I started thinking... The wheels started grinding louder and louder. So I thought I'd see what everyone here thought. Now, just think about it before you answer. (g)

Forget tender, sensitive, kind, loving, etc. We all want the attentive lover. This question is about career - profession as a turnon. So, do you find WHAT he does and HOW he does it in his worklife to be a real hot turnon or does it run as a cold turnoff or is it simply something you never considered before?

Well consider it now and discover just how you feel about it.

Contemplate the guys you dated or the one you are with now. Hmm... Are you the kind of woman who digs a uniform and the man who has a presence of authority? Is that a turnon for you?

Or is it the guy with the big financial acumen? The man who turns a buck into an empire with a real golden touch? Is that the power in a man that attracts you? Not the fact that he's rich, I'm not talking about superficial aspects. This has to do with the man's POWER in his confidence level to do his job really well. Better than others.

Maybe you like the thinker type. The guy who ponders the philosophical side of life. He's into education, maybe he's a teacher or a professor. He's influencing lives and opening minds, molding the future. Woot! The all knowing wizard. (g)

Hmm... Does that include little known sexual techniques that make you scream?

And we can't forget the craftsman and those whose jobs require physical labor. The guy who has the brawn as a result of working with his muscles and really enjoys giving it his all with zest and vigor. Whoa baby, is that the one you drool over?

Still, crisp white shirts and business suits can be just as sexy as the bare-chest sweaty guy if the right guy is inside. The guy who exudes that confidence and personal power.

I have known many (not that way, come on!) sexy men in just about all professions. The fact that they are good at what they do is truly the turnon.

What about you? Geek? Banker? Professor? Contractor? Cowboy? Fireman? Soldier? Police? Attorney? Chef? Stay-At-Home-Dad? Inventor, Doctor, Scientist?

All things being equal, do you find his profession a big turnon or turnoff?

RWA, San Francisco, and Hot Guys, by Allyson James

2008-08-05T00:00:00.010-04:00

First, thanks Hussies for inviting me to post on your blog. I’m honored to be here.

I’ll start by mentioning a couple of my new releases from Ellora’s Cave: Catch a Falling Star (ebook) and Double Shot (print), a collection of two Tales of the Shareem stories.

However, what’s in the forefront of my brain is Romance Writers of America National Convention, from which I just returned. RWA this year was filled with enthusiastic readers and a nice buzz of energy. I came home ready to write!

The conference was in San Francisco, home of alternative lifestyles. My husband and I didn’t stay in the conference hotel, so I had much opportunity to wander the streets (I have a series set there, so it was fun to walk the paths of my characters).

Admittedly I mostly saw tourists (often with children in tow) snapping photographs of cable cars.

I did see the occasional m/m couple and f/f couple, and we saw a movie crew filming something or other.

We saw the film crew twice—I think it was a suspense film, because the actors looked tougher than anyone else on the street. The crew looked just as tough. In fact, they were the scariest people I saw the entire trip.

As for the conference: I found it upbeat because readers weren’t talking about the downturn in the economy or how they were buying fewer books. I actually heard people saying they were reading more romance now than ever.

I signed at two big signings. None of the readers who came to my table said “I’m watching my pennies,” or “I can’t afford to ship books or pay for the extra bags on the plane.”

What they said was, “Give me everything you’ve got!!!”

I heard through the grapevine that romance sales had actually grown this year while other genres have declined.

Why? The power of the happy ending? The joy of watching people find their perfect match?

Or the hot guys??

I vote for the hot guys.

(It’s probably all three, but the hot guys do it for me.)

Confession: When I conceive of a novel, it’s the hot alpha man I think of first. Heroine comes later. In fact, I have to make sure my heroine doesn’t get lost, because I’m so in love with that guy! But it is fun to come up with a lady [and second guy in some of my books] who will be his match.

Hence why I came up with the Shareem (Tales of the Shareem, Ellora’s Cave). Men created to be ultimate sex slaves? I’m so there!

Which leads me to a question for readers: What is more important to you—a hero to drool over, or a heroine you can relate to? Which one more influences your decision when picking out a book?

Here’s to hot men!

Take care, and thanks again, Hussies!

Allyson James
http://www.allysonjames.com/

The most superior sex toy

2008-08-03T07:26:00.005-04:00

......................................................................................................................................................................................................................giving your mind time to process the title. The most superior sex toy? Do you know what it is without having to give it thought? No?

Well, it's a man. Man you say? Yes man. M A N. Nature has blessed men with everything necessary to pleasure a woman - lips, teeth and tongue, hands and fingers and other wonderful options south of the anatomical equator. And best of all ... a brain.

I can hear the scoffs now but hey, it's true. Any man can learn how to be the world's best lover. It isn't that difficult. All it takes is a woman teaching him. Yes, we women DO have to teach our men what we like, what feels good, what makes our pulse spike and what gives us a case of the "eewwuueeeeee".

But before we can teach them, we have to do some work on ourselves. Today's media is replete with information on women and their lack of self-esteem, their feelings of not being sexy or exciting. Nine out of ten women's magazines will tell us how to get and keep a man, how to turn him on. And every time we read it some part of us thinks "well what about turning ME on?"

Guess what, we're just interpreting it wrong. Think about it. You decide to invest in pole dancing classes, you learn the moves and plan on giving your man a little treat. The first moment you start to imagine yourself performing, your body undulating and twisting around that pole to a sensual beat, what you're doing is not turning HIM on but yourself. You're seeing yourself as a sensual, sexual creature capable of driving a man wild with your moves. Sure it'll turn him on, but that's icing on the cake. The important thing is that it's turning you on, making you feel sexually confident. And sexual confidence is a big turn-on.

I read recently a post from a woman who complained about her spouse wanting to see her masturbate. She was upset, yet in the same post complained bitterly about her sex life being as dull as unbuttered toast. Well duh, lady! Your man just handed you a free pass to "baby we're gonna ride the wild bull tonight!" Instead of looking at the negative side of that coin, she could have looked at the positive. Her man was turned on at the idea of watching her masturbate. And news flash, lady. A turned on man is the best sex toy on the planet.

I really think it's time for women to stop blaming their bad sex lives, or lack thereof entirely on men. Come on, just like we take charge of the other aspects of our lives, we need to take charge of this one as well. Find something that turns you on, makes you feel like a sexual goddess and there's a damn good chance you're going to make that man feel like a sexual god - or slave.

Don't believe it? Okay. Don't wanna try it. Fine by me. Do what you gotta do. Me? I'm gonna go have another look at those poles:)

This is Ciana for the Hussies wishing you a great Sunday and hoping you find you're most superior sex toy:)

Cheers!

HUSSIFIED! - The Un-Newsletter - August '08

2008-08-01T00:01:00.053-04:00

While everyone loves to hear what's happening in the lives of their favorite authors, we decided to do things a bit differently. Since The Hussies are anything but typical, we thought our newsletter should also be unique.

Welcome to HUSSIFIED! The Un-Newsletter!

HUSSIFIED is a collection of updates, insider info, gossip and news from your favorite Hussies. Want to know what's going on with us? Want to make sure you don't miss a book in The Hussies series? HUSSIFIED has the goods.

Are you ready?

Let's go.

HUSSIFIED

July was an exciting month for The Hussies! Two more book releases in The Hussies series and our big Smokin' Hot Summer Contest, featuring 40 of Ellora's Cave authors, who gave away fabulous prizes. In August, we are running a contest featuring Maxwell's Silver Hammer and Flyboy. Keep reading to learn more.

And now, the brand new books in The Hussies series.

Turning dreams into reality? Nikki Morgan, whose life has been more about hard work than fanciful dreams, is about to find out that all things are possible. Her search for a priceless artifact brings her face-to-face with the unknown dark-haired man who for years has been the feature of not only scorching erotic dreams but the vision of love she's hungered for.

Max Weston is about to meet the one woman whose love and belief in him can rescue him from the cruel prison he's been trapped in for years.

Two people, one dream. And a sensual awakening that will rock both Nikki and Max to the core. Against a backdrop of breathless sexual interludes and the reuniting of two kindred spirits, it's a race against time — and a ruthless family that will stop at nothing, even murder — to find the artifact and be the custodians of the immense power it holds.

*Do you recognize the fine man on the cover? He's our official hunk—the best Greek architecture since the Parthenon, George Koufalis.*

Take an ancient Hussy warrior hunter with a Scottish castle that changes before your eyes. Mix in a computer geek with a wild imagination, an unemployed biker scarred by the past, and task them with saving the world. Add a dash of freaky past-life regression along with some cool spy stuff and you've got one heck of a recipe for adventure.

They just may succeed at their mission — stranger things have happened. However, the consequences are deadly and failure is not an option for Twyla or Jhett. Surviving the seedy underworld of weapons dealers requires learning to trust each other if they're to have any chance at breaking the endless cycle of repeating their mistakes…over and over…in one life after another.

*Another of our official hunks on the cover—tall, dark and lethally handsome Christian Boeving.*

And two more fabulous books from your favorite Hussies.

Jen Ormand vowed never to return home. Traumatized by visions of demons only she could see, followed by a spell in a psychiatric hospital, she's determined to create a new life away from her hometown's dark past — until her parents die.

Now she's back and the demons are after her — again. Late one night they attack and sexy Garrett Dermonté saves her. When he sprouts wings and flies off into the night, Jen's sure she's suffering another psychotic break, especially since tall, dark and delicious makes her wet and hot for a lot more than rescuing.

Garrett has finally found the woman prophesied to reconcile his gargoyle clan. Jen is destined to lead them into battle against the demons, but can he convince her in time? Consumed by an uncontrollable lust for her, Garrett worries he's finally succumbed to the virus ravaging his species. Can he resist committing the unforgivable sin of making love to a human or will his hunger for Jen doom the world to demonic rule?

*The guy on this cover needs to be one of our hunks. Quick, someone recruit him. Wowza!*

He's a man with a mission - to find the perfect wife and settle down. Sir Marcus Camberley doesn't expect to meet her on a dark beach, nor does he expect her to be aiding the smugglers landing their cargo. But one kiss is enough to shake his world, and a night together? His goose is cooked! For Mariah Dean, a night with this gentleman surpasses everything she'd ever imagined, but she's very content as a widow, keeping busy around the little village of Buckler's Hard. His proposal of marriage is unwelcome and he's acting like a goose. After all, why should such a man choose her?

He's an inventively sexy lover - she's a willing but stubborn pupil. Marcus knows they're made for each other, but convincing Mariah? It's going to take a lot more than charm. It's going to take time, effort and a little help - from the good folks of Buckler's Hard...

*Another gorgeous Syneca Featherstone work of art.*

Upcoming Books

The next book in The Hussies series, Casseopeia by Nathalie Gray, will be available on August 6th.

In the cutthroat world of space couriers, can a woman trust her heart to a competitor?

He's big. He's bad. And badass Ty Weller is sex on legs as far as rival Jackie Clark is concerned. She's been looking from a distance for years, wanting to touch, hungry for the kind of things she knows Ty can do with that dirty mouth. But something always got in the way—deadlines, rivalry, distance. Not this time. She'll get a taste if it's the last thing she does.

When Ty wants something, he takes it. He's had it in for the little motormouth since day one and intends to conquer that too. What he didn't expect was that he may have to give his heart in return.

*Syneca is creating some pretty amazing covers!*

Hussy Happenings

Ciana
Ci is choosing August as the 'get'r'dun' month and is finishing up edits on her next book in the Hussies series, Sin in Jeans, as well as some non-Hussies Series related projects. She's enjoying reconnecting with an old friend who has a lot of amazing tales from his exploits around the world and feeling a tad envious that she's not out kicking butt and taking names. Aside from that she's either (a) sitting beneath the AC vent or (b) becoming a prune in the pool. Anything to beat the heat.

Nat
After conquering Scandinavia and parts of Russia, Nat returned home with hundreds of notes and ideas for new stories (along with a pair of handsome Vikings that she has no intentions of sharing with the rest of the Hussies). Nat's plans for summer and fall are as follows: writing the next installment of Gentlemen Inc. (think gorgeous and mysterious Turkey and fearsome warriors) as well as Lycan 4, where we'll get to see a lot of Haruto (getit? getit? "see a lot" of him?). If all goes well, beginning of 2009 should see another Hussy story from our resident scifi junkie. Until then, visit our blog for regular updates!

Nic
With several books in the works, Nic is staying busy inside to avoid being melted by the HOT Florida summer days and her hotter than hot heroes. She has a Hussy book in edits, Have A Little Faith In Me. The heroine can't help it that the only way to help her trauma surgeon hero save the future is by tying him to the bed. There just weren't any other options. *g* Nic is also busy at work on a western, a ménage, a fantasy and a suspense. Okay, so she has a bit of an attention deficit and can't focus on one thing at a time but it works so she's not complaining.

While not writing she's plotting taking a swim at Ci's, using Sahara's frequent flyer miles to go steal Nat's Vikings, and joining Sally in a cool drink, garnished with mint leaves, of course.

Sahara
Busy at work on several projects, Sahara's been dividing her time between writing and trying to figure out why a straight line isn't always a straight line when you're on an airplane. She has two books currently in edits - one of them a new Hussy novel, titled I Will Remember. It's a look at an exhausted country singing star and the only man on the planet who doesn't know who she is. Of course, he doesn't know who he is either. There'll need to be some hot Hussy lovin' to get his memories back on track. Also on the way is a Regency Quickie - Rogue's Diamond. Sometimes a character appears and demands his own story. Colonel Rogue Chambers did just that in "Buckler's Hard".

In between talking to her heroes about various important matters, Sahara's been seen in various airports around the country as she makes a few summer trips to visit family. Eager to perfect the "utter mess" that humidity wreaks on her hair, she has - of course - spent time in both Florida and Washington recently. She's now nearing the top of the "frizziest hair on an author" list and racking up some more frequent flyer miles by flying "straight" to DC from Florida - via Cincinnati. She's still trying to figure that one out.

Sally
Sally has been offered a contract for her first book in the Hussies Series, Fae's Gargoyle, and the next thing she'll be waiting for will be the edits, a release date and cover art. All exciting things for a hussy to be anticipating. In the meantime, she's busy writing another hussies book, tentatively titled Sire's Love, featuring AMY who was the winner for her Wanna Be a Hussy in Book Contest. Vampire fans will love hussy Amy, who is charged with rescuing a sexy vampire from prison! Next, Sally will be finishing up Danu's story which is set in ancient Scotland during the time of dragons. She hopes to have both of these books turned in to her editor before the end of summer. Then? Well, it's on to other books.

Summertime has found Hussy Sally doing those things she loves best, writing and spending time with family and friends, despite the sweltering summer heat. Undaunted by humid climatic obstacles, she's created long respites within the sizzling heat using cool waters, doses of chilling a/c and many tall drinks, clinking with ice and various delicious beverages- a few with umbrellas but most with mint leaves because she does after all live in the South and learned early in life that combating the heat is an artform.

August Contest
Take a HUSSY Vacation! Go somewhere you've never been before - see new things - feel new passion. And all FOR FREE!!

Win a download of all FIVE books featured in this newsletter - spend some time with The Hussies. The entry form is on our website, click here to enter.

Good luck!

The Hussies Series Bookshelf
*All books in the series are stand alone titles sharing a common theme*

Click here to view the series bookshelf at Ellora's Cave Publishing

All in Time, Ciana Stone
Fly by Knight, Sahara Kelly
A Taste for Jazz, Ciana Stone
Maxwell's Silver Hammer, Ciana Stone
Flyboy, Nicole Austin

The Hussies™

When You Want More Sex...

2008-07-30T15:26:00.005-04:00

So what do you do when you are the one who wants more sex than your partner? According to sex experts this can be very devastating to a healthy relationship if one partner's needs are not being met.

In our culture it is commonly believed that the male is always the one wanting more sex, but statistics prove this is typically not the case. More women than men claim they do not get sex as often as they'd like.

So what's a girl to do? Sex toys and masturbation can carry her only so far because the reality of sex in the human relationship at least the loving relationship is a very complex and complicated matter.

Self-esteem, feeling loved, feeling connected to the man in your life and a whole bunch of other frustrating emotions get caught up in this love-sex relationship.

Frustration is the one emotion all women agreed was the end result of not enough sex. Frustration leads to anger and is then replaced with jealousy soon balloons into suspicions of adultery especially when their non-communicative lovers do little to nothing to alleviate the fears. Sometimes men prefer a woman believe the worst than admit he just doesn't have the same level of sex-drive.

Why do men find it difficult to express themselves about this topic? At least be able to say they have a lower sex-drive than their mates. Maybe it's ego-driven and tied into being successful and powerful. Whatever the cause, sex experts recommend clearing the air, ASAP. Just make sure you don't undertake this mission during sex! The only thing that should be happening during sex is sex. Don't start talking about bills or the kids. Common sense, but experts have found this to be an area many people don't draw lines between and they should.

A Long Time Ago, in a Galaxy Far, Far Away...MY ASS!

2008-07-27T10:16:00.010-04:00

That's how Rob Sawyer, He Who Rules Canadian Science Fiction, starts his speech about his favorite genre and how Star Wars ruined it.

I have to admit, I'm a fan of Star Wars for the villains. They're much more interesting than the heroes. Darth Vader? I'm there, baby. Darth Maul? Rawr! Hans Solo, meh, sure, he's cute only because it's Harrison Ford.

But I digress.

Sawyer looks at Star Wars and recent science fiction movies from a whole new angle. It shocked me so much, in fact, that I *had* to come share it with my hussies posse. The speech is broken into three portions of about 5 minutes each. So you're looking at a quarter of an hour. But I promise you, it's not wasted time. Especially the bit about the androids.

Oh, and because he rocks and rules and does it simultaneously, he also reminds people that the first true science fiction novel was written by a...

Woman.

Yes. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein was the first story that entirely hinged on science. It was the science, the experiment, that drove the characters, triggered the conflict and registered so high on the Massively Addictive Index. When you start reading that story, you can't put it down.

Next time someone tells you scifi is for guys, you whip out your machette, erm, I mean, your copy of Frankenstein and tell them, "Dude, that chick was writing scifi before H.G. Wells was even BORN. Now kiss my feet."

Episode 1: Planet of the Apes, Star Trek, and Frankenstein (6:48)

Episode 2: H.G. Wells and Jules Verne (4:00)

Episode 3: Star Wars (5:17)

To read Rob's comment about woman writers and science fiction, follow this link:

http://sfwriter.com/2008/06/video-galaxy-far-far-away-my-ass.html#links

Love in an Elevator?

2008-07-26T07:02:00.000-04:00

You're in the park. Lots of people enjoying picnics, weekend jogs and company gatherings. There's a nice clump of shrubs. QUICK! Let's have sex.

Sound appealing? It does to a lot of people. The higher the risk of getting caught, the more aroused they are. Which explains sex in elevators, restrooms, the infamous "janitor's closet", back seats of cars and a host of others.

Now, my question is, who is more aroused by risky sex - men or women? And why does the mere thought that you might get caught inspire this rush of "I want it now"? Are we really wanting the Big O or is it only the risk that is the driving force?

Maybe. But here's my problem...

Vanity.

Yes, vanity. If I get caught with my pants or (shudder) clothes off, then someone is going to see parts of me that I work hard to strategically hide. Hey, I'm being honest here. We all have ares of our bodies that we like to display - AND those we prefer to keep hidden. So my biggest dilemma would be how to do it and NOT show anything I don't want shown.

I gave it a lot of thought and came up with a plan (in case the need (pun intended)) ever arises.

Be like a good scout and BE prepared. Prepare a risky sex kit that includes a long dress - hopefully something sensual - but also something that you can hike up from the bottom AND more importantly drop like a rock if in peril of discovery. And don't forget the extra large sunglasses - you know what I mean - those styles that cover half your face. Last, learn at least two sentences in a foreign language that you're highly unlikely to ever run into anyone who speaks it. That way if you get caught you can babble out your two sentences, throw up your hands like you're totally surprised you've broken a rule and then scurry away as fast as possible.

Once prepared you can give in to the urge if it strikes you in the middle of a Renaissance faire or a picnic in the park and there's a clump of trees nearby. Note, this plan is not applicable to the "I'm in an elevator and suddenly I just gotta have it" scenario. For that one, here's the one important thing to remember. HIT THE STOP BUTTON. Sure the alarm will go off, but you can always pull a "I was so scared!" when the doors open and security is standing there waiting.

Or maybe you'll have the Aerosmith attitude:

Jackies in the elevator
Lingerie second floor
She said can I see you later
And love you just a little more

I kinda hope we get stuck
Nobody gets out alive
She said Ill show you how to fax
In the mailroom, honey
And have you home by five

In closing, let me leave you with this thought. Life is NOT a box of chocolates. It's more like a jar of jalapenos. What you do today, might burn your butt tomorrow.

This is Ci for the Hussies, wishing you a great day - risky business or not :)

Sex and Cyborgs

2008-07-23T01:00:00.008-04:00

Now you are getting into my realm of fantasy - fiction wise that is. Well, I know it was not an intentional segue to my book, Sexed Up, but hey, it fits in this conversation because the premise of this book is exactly that - a world without men and women turning to robots for sex.

Of course, it goes a bit further in my book and the cyborg becomes oh so much more than nannites and machine because there's human DNA in the mix. Guess which component wins out?

But seriously, I saw a show on HBO a year or so ago about sex toy makers and this one company had created a dildo machine. It was a big piece of equipment on all fronts but was collapsible and able to be stored underneath the bed. I'm telling you it had a seat and everything. (g)

But the real WHAT of the show was when they had women come in to test it out and be filmed doing so. On this same show they had life-size male dolls made of heavy rubberized material that made him fleshlike (eww) and so these three women proceeded to give him a test drive.

Now, I guess this borders more on the line of fetish than it does necessity. I mean, it's not that difficult if you are in need of a man to find one willing. Sorry, guys, don't mean it that way. Just that real men are out there. We are not living in my futuristic world where all men have died of a horrible plague.

Of course if you are concerned that future could happen, you may want to buy the emergency robot - just in case. (wink)

On a historical note - I find it very interesting that archaeologists have found evidence of dildos as far back as the Upper Paleolithic era. Of course, as you might suspect the scientists were rather reluctant to call them dildos, so they dubbed them BATONS. I don't think they tried to explain what the batons were used for. The caveman police force? (eg) Suffice it to say, they didn't like to admit these were sex toys even though off-the-record they did admit the shape and size and the occasional carvings on the batons definitely indicated they are ice age dildos!

So what is the oldest KNOWN dildo? I found it! It's 30,000 years old and was discovered in a cave in Germany. And let's not leave out our beloved ancient Egyptian dynasties. Oh yeah, dildos abound all the way back to 2,500 years ago. Ancient sex without including the Greeks would just be wrong. And those clever seafarers were famous for having sexual depictions on their vases and even dinner plates and often show a woman using a dildo. One such vase comes from the 5th century.

One thing to also note is most of these ancient dildos were made of wood (I hear you cringing along with me), tar (eww) and stone (brrr). Hmm... it's great to live in a modern world of plastic, Hussies!

I Have a Confession to Make

2008-07-22T17:02:00.005-04:00

I have a crush on Jet Li.

That's all. Thank you.

Man of Steel?

2008-07-22T06:35:00.009-04:00

Oh my, Ci! I'm not sure what to say but sex droids bring a whole different meaning to the term "man of steel" that's for sure. Androids are supposedly made to resemble and behave like humans. Perhaps someday a wise and talented techno genius will actually produce androids realistic enough that they could be mistaken for a real person.

The fantasy is alive considering all the fiction written with droids but romance? *shaking head* Droids do not feel or have human emotions. It may work in fiction but I sure can't see it in real life. Falling in love with a sex droid would be on par with falling in love with your vibrator. I'll admit that some of the new vibes have some pretty amazing features but come on.

For those not in a relationship, having sex with a droid is probably better than no sex. With technological advancements they might even be better lovers than a real man since they can probably do things a human can't, like make it rotate to hit the good spots or adjust the size to fit. Mmm...it could vibrate, rotate, heat up...

Man of steel indeed. Premature ejaculation and impotency would no longer be a problem. And the droid wouldn't be out drinking with its poker buddies when you wanted to have some fun either. A droid also wouldn't give you shit if you gained weight or didn't fix yourself up all sexy for them.

Hey, wait a minute. Why didn't I want a sex droid? Oh yeah, emotions. Hmm...those might just be overrated. Oh wait, I know. Get the best of both worlds. Have a man and a droid. Then you could even live out the menage fantasy without messy problems like jealousy. There is some definite potential here.

Still it's not a replacement for a real relationship. Wouldn't a person still long for emotional fulfillment and ties that a droid simply isn't capable of? The droid would be merely a temporary replacement and unable to satisfy all of a person's needs. Even if programmed to express emotions they would not be real and could totally screw with your mind, stretching the boundaries between fantasy and reality until the difference was no longer clear. IMHO, we're screwed up enough already without adding droid love.

The one part of the whole idea that I do like is being able to hit the off switch when you don't feel like dealing with your droid lover. LOL! That would be pretty handy if guys came equipped with an off switch and mute button. The whole thing makes me think of that 1999 Robin Williams movie, Bicentennial Man. Remember that one?

The technology is very cool but when it comes to sex I just cant see lusting after a robot. Falling in love with one...yeah right!

I want a man ...

2008-07-20T19:05:00.005-04:00

That's mechanical? Yes. Androidism is more common than many realize. It's long been part of the science-fiction world and has even worked its way into romance.

Ah yes, the perfect man, programmed for pleasure, built to follow commands and you never have to worry about him getting a beer belly.

But could we really love a machine? And is it really a possibility that a machine could be made that could fulfill the role of a lover?

Well a research professor at the Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology thinks so. He got inspired when he saw Lucy Liu do a belly dance in the Charlie's Angels' movie and signed up for lessons. And discovered that the dance echoed the movements of the lampreys he was studying.

Ah ha! If the lamprey's movements really do resemble that of a human dance, maybe they could serve as the model for articulating robotic spines.

Now why is that so spectacular? Because robots who are supported by flexible motorized spines could interact with humans like a human. In short, they'd have "the moves"

"Some people believe that in the future, there will be a market for robot lovers," Or said.

Well, honey, not if they look like this. When the caption asks "What will you do with yours?" the absolute LAST thing on my mind is "oh baby, let's get it on."

Sorry, that doesn't jazz my juice.

However, if anyone ever comes up with the equivalent of my favorite android - Lt. Commander Data of the Starship Enterprise.... well, I just might have to pull a Tasha Yar on the thing.

But what about you? Could an android be the "man of your dreams?"

Eye Candy

2008-07-19T00:01:00.001-04:00

This is for all those tired of having to get a second mortgage to fill up the car.

Who cares about rising gas prices? If he shows up to pump gas at the local station, I'll gladly wait in line and pay up. Whoo-damn!

If I Were a Guy, I'd Be Gay

2008-07-18T08:43:00.005-04:00

You know why I like guys so much? Because they say things like what's below (hi Chase). No froufrou, no tiptoeing around, no internal monologue and nail-biting about how others will view their words or if it’s going to mess someone’s online Feng Shui. Just a guy’s honest opinion. You want it? You ask for it? Guys, they give it to you.

A guy won’t ask “Honey, does that make me look fat?” He doesn’t care if it does or not make him look fat, because chances are, he already knows. Mirrors, they do that to you.

Am I promoting antifeminist, stereotypical, sexist bullshit? Could be. I don’t have a degree in psychology. I’m not a connaisseur of radical chic. And oh, I don’t care. I like manly guys who say what’s on their mind, don’t apologize for it and if they have a sense of humor on top of frankness? I’m SO there, drooling and rubbing my knife and fork together.

I wonder if we’re not trying to make our guys too much like our girl friends. You know what I mean? Try to have them be everything to us, when just being our “mate” (God, I loathe that word now...after 1 gazillion books drove it into the ground) and everything it implies is more than enough.

I like guys. Sue me.

You want me to talk about what?

2008-07-16T19:53:00.002-04:00

That's what I said when Ci said I needed to skedaddle on over here and post something "man-like." Dang woman didn't tell me ya'll were talking about condoms.

First thing off the top of the head. Ugh.

Second thing. Ugh.

Third. I don't really like those things. Yep, I know it's a safety thing. But that old saying about it's like taking a shower in a raincoat. It's true..

And these new-fangled things shaped in spirals and like dolphins? No thank you, ma'am. If I gotta wear one then it's at least going to conform to me. Besides, like all men I figure I got a shape that's built to please so don't go screwing it up with extra latex.

I don't have anything else to say. I wouldn't have said this except Ci threatened to hop a plane and fix me where I wouldn't ever need one of these things again. That woman scares me. (Could have something to do with that beer bottle she broke on my head way back when. Still got the scar to remember it by.) I know female empowerment is a good thing and I'm all for it. Take me, baby. But don't threaten to turn me from a rooster to a chicken.

And don't ask me to wear the Home Run rubber. I figure I can hit a solid double with a standard.

Have a good week. (And I like the way the blog looks. Anyone want to introduce me to whoever the gal is in the photo?)

Cheers-
Chase Hawks

Keychain Condoms and the Egyptians!

2008-07-15T00:30:00.013-04:00

Well, this discussion is proving to be such fun. I decided to do some research first on the history of condoms and then for some more novelty items.

THE HISTORY OF CONDOMS

I was surprised to find condoms could be traced back not just a few hundred years, but THOUSANDS. Yup, all the way back to 1,000 BC and the Egyptians.

Now it's interesting to note that there are paintings in the French caves-Combarelles of condoms being used. These drawings have been dated between 100 - 200 AD.

As for novelty condoms, well, I didn't find anything on that, but as for the dolphin one, I must say - WHAT? I'm inclined to think that version is geared to the sexually active younger hussies. I mean huh? Well, I can't see how it would be very sexy or arousing personally, but there had to be a marketing survey done as with all smart business people introducing new products. Right? I mean... right?

Anyway, here are some that I discovered that are truly well... you decide what they are.

#1 - The Compact Condom holder. That's what the ad said it was. Yes, it's for that very special date when you decide to powder your ah - whatever.

#2 - When you want a little snack

#3 Wicked Spiral - This one is promoted as the ultimate barrier contraceptive. Well,now, I can imagine that is true. I dubbed it 'wicked' because well, it is. (G)

#4 The Keychain Condom - The ad states for emergency use. Okay Hussies. Do you think a guy might get a tad concerned if he sees you toting a condom on your keyring? Or worse, if the guy has this keyring. RUN!

While I always think we shouldn't take life too seriously because it demands seriousness, let's just say if I needed a condom, I would definitely not be shopping for any of the novelty condoms we've discussed so far.

So what do you think of these four? If you had to choose one, which would it be? I mean, IF you needed a condom and these were your only choices. (eg)

And if you don't believe the guy when he says he can't feel anything wearing a condom, watch this:

Let's Talk About...Funky Condoms?

2008-07-14T00:01:00.004-04:00

Oh puhlease! What the hell were those pinhead executives thinking? A condom shaped like a dolphin. *shaking head* All I can say is at least they didn't make it blue or give it a dorsal fin. Sheesh!

Sure, you're supposed to have fun in the bedroom and laugh a bit, but if my partner approached me wearing a dolphin on his cock, his ego would take a big hit from my hysterical laughter. I can't imagine a guy who would buy those because the last thing a man wants is to have a woman laugh at his best friend. They tend to be pretty sensitive about their buddy and our opionion of it.

Now the seashell shaped one, Inspirational, may just have some decided benefits. That one could create some interesting friction. If you have to use condoms, getting extra stimulation from them would be nice! And several of the manufacturers have some interesting options—texturing, ribbing and even some condoms that have a warming lubricant or tingling spearmint lubricant. Wowza!

The smart people at Trojan sell a vibrating ring with 20 minutes of battery power that can be used with or without a condom to really spice things up. You have the option of one or two mini vibrators. I'd imagine it would also function as a cock ring and hold the condom securely in place. Hmm...anyone want to volunter to research this product and report back? Any takers? *g*