100 Whores by Mykola Dementiuk...A Review

I approached this with a bit of trepidation, knowing that Dementiuk’s writing can be unflinching, his subject matter tending toward the underside of human life that no one likes to talk about. No one would ever accuse him of soft-coating anything. The prose here is brutally honest and lean. Descriptions are visual and economic. Demetiuk does not waste his words and his style evokes Hemingway in some passages. Some of these vignettes made me cringe, some made my jaw drop, yet others had me laughing rather uncomfortably. Still, I had to keep reading. There is almost a compulsive spell that is cast on the first page and I found myself along for the entire strange, uneasy, yet thoroughly engaging ride.

100 Whores is part memoir, part anthology and wholly in-your-face. It features one hundred vignettes covering one man’s sexual adventures in New York’s East Village during the 1960’s and 70’s. These little tales document his search for pleasure and the multitude of characters he meets on this quest.

Whores also contains five original short stories about strange, opportunistic sexual encounters. In The Dildo, we delve into the mind of a young hooker plying her trade as she baits an older man, then leads him into a sex shop. The Trouble with Girls features a man in an encounter with two transvestites. Cry Baby is kind of a Serlingesque tale about a guy who gets involved in a weird sex game when he’s approached by a woman claiming to need “help” from a boyfriend who’s stalking her. In Girlfriends, two teens sneak into a porn theater and have an unexpected sexual encounter with a man who has peculiar fetishes. The Girl on the Cardboard is dark short that tells of a man who encounters two lesbians in the park, in which one partner pimps out the other.

In the novella, The Christmas Whore, a man fights with his girlfriend and finds himself back on the streets very early on Christmas morning. At a twenty-four café he encounters a woman named Sunny. After a quick fling in a cheap hotel, he takes her back to the apartment he shares with his girlfriend. When she comes home and walks in on the two of them, it’s an O’Henry-like ending that is unbelievably twisted.

This is definitely not for readers who prefer their love and sex with happily ever afters or even warm cozy houses and apartments. Many would be turned off by the title alone. However, if you are interested in catching a glimpse of the seedy side of people, to walk in a world that hardly ever sees the light of day, then I urge you read 100 Whores. It is a powerful and unforgettable reading experience.

Mykola Dementiuk is a Lambda award-winning author. If you would like to know more about him and his thought-provoking works, please visit his website.

For more information and to purchase 100 Whores, please go here.

Lost In His Arms by M S Spencer...A Review

Red Rose Publishing
Mainstream Contemporary Action Adventure M/F

61,150 words e-book
ISBN 978-1-60435-357-0

In the chaotic world of the early 1990's, political writer Chloe Gray is going through a creative crisis as she struggles with her column and her book. Enter Michael Keller, a CIA operative. He walks into her life under the most mundane of circumstance and the sparks fly between them, awakening Chloe to new possibilities. Every encounter is hotter than the last, leaving her weak and longing for more, yet Michael's work keeps him away from her for longer and longer periods. When he disappears while working in Vietnam, she meets Emile, a French diplomat.

Emile is debonair and sophisticated, attentive to her needs. He can give Chloe everything she's ever wanted, especially the security she's always craved. When he proposes, she finds herself at a crossroads. Postponing things with Emile, Chloe embarks on a search to find Michael, to confront him about their relationship. Her search plunges her smack into his world, in the middle of a cat and mouse game between two Mid-East powers where both their lives hang in the balance.

Spencer deftly weaves together the genres of romance and political thriller, setting it all against the backdrop of pre-Clinton DC. She takes the reader behind the scenes of political journalism, giving them a glimpse into the press corp and the back door dealings. Bush the First's Washington is realized in vivid detail as Chloe navigates the stories of the day; the Middle East, Vietnam's re-emergence and the disintegration of the Soviet Union.

Chloe is by turns interesting and irritating, but she is always genuine, a hallmark of Spencer's heroines. She comes to life on the pages under this author's skillful hands. Her flaws make her very relatable and I found myself rooting for her as she tried to put her life back together after each encounter with Michael. She is in love with a phantom, someone who disappears and reappears at random moments in her life. I felt for her, trying to hold on to essentially a dream. Chloe is spirited and intelligent, unafraid to go after what she wants.

With nothing in Michael's point of view, we are left to relate to him only through the brief times he drops in on Chloe's life. He talks about duty, but there is no insight into what drove him to espionage. Which frustrated me more than a few times and I wanted him to go away. On the other hand, I do love the way he treats Chloe when he's with her. In these scenes he is clearly head -over-heels and it's at these moments where I cave, and want things to all work out. By contrast, Emile is almost an open book. His relationship with his parents, his career, his affections for Chloe all provide clear motivation for all his actions. I understand Chloe's torture when she has to ultimately choose between them.

The relationship between Michael and Chloe is electric. The moments they are together are magical little vignettes out of time. I wanted them to go on. However,they spend the majority of the book apart, which lends little credence to them developing a working relationship beyond the physical.

Ms. Spencer's descriptions are lush and paint a picture in the mind's eye. We are right there with her characters, roasting in the DC heat, we can smell the bar in Spain, hear the traffic in Paris. Her love of food and wine shines through as well. There are several dishes here that I would love to try.

This book has a solid, original storyline that is a bit more mainstream than romance in my opinion, but its romance elements are hot. I got caught up with Chloe and Michael. Fans of political thrillers should thoroughly enjoy this. There's exceptional dialogue and a cast of wonderful secondary characters that will leave readers wanting more.

To buy Lost In His Arms, click here.

For more information about M S Spencer and her works, please visit her website www.meredithellsworth.com.

Author Raine Delight

Whoo hoo!! It's Thursday and erotica author Raine Delight, is in the house. I am already a huge fan so without further ado...

Hi there and thanks to Melissa for having me. I am Raine Delight and I currently write for Aspen Mountain Press and The Wild Horse Press. Here is my official bio:

Raine Delight is a pseudonym of a self professed book lover and after one too many TSTL characters, decided to see if she could write something a little better. Well many drafts later, Devon Falls series came to together. It was originally was to be one book but somehow ended up to 4 with a 5th and 6th one being planned for sometime in 2010. I write a paranormal contemporary series for Aspen Mountain and I am also branching out to other genres as I continue to listen to the voices in my head. Check out my book pages to see what is going on with me. My muse is a male nut who likes to leave me to go sip mai tais on the beach and leave me foundering for words; though eventually he takes pity on me and gets my words flowing and characters start settling down.

Personal notes: I live with my own boytoy and two kids. I love Johnny Depp movies and enjoy hiking, reading and watching movies with my family.
Raine’s upcoming release is the next book in her popular Devon Falls series called Moonlight & Magic. A were-tiger has to convince the one woman meant to be his to believe in love and in him. Available October 15th, 2010 at Aspen Mountain Press.

What was the inspiration behind your latest release?

Moonlight & Magic was a story that I had to tell once I met Dixie, the heroine in a past book in the Devon Falls Series. She was curvaceous, outspoken and cynical on romance. She didn’t believe in those Disney HEA’s anymore. One day I heard a song from Michael Buble called Hold On and a scene literally clicked in my head. From then on I wrote and wrote and now I just hope readers enjoy it.

When did you know that you wanted to be a writer?

I am not sure…..maybe in the last few years. I always loved to read but after reading too many TSTL (too stupid to live) characters and complaining on it, a friend said I should write one of my own. Needless to say since then, I have been hearing voices in my head and writing down ideas, plots, and characters.

What do you love most about being a writer?

Creating a story. I love finding out how my characters work, live and enjoy life even as they find themselves falling for the one person they never expected.
What genre haven’t you tried, yet, that you would love to explore?
Raine says: I am currently creating a BDSM Paranormal trilogy that I am researching the world of BDSM and having a blast. Next is a short sci-fi story I am finishing as well. That had me researching Gamma Ray explosions in space.

If we looked on your bookshelf right now, what are some of the titles we would find?

Which bookcase? I have five and piles of books everywhere. *Giggles* I keep telling DH I need another bookcase since my collection is growing or a bigger house. *grins*

Some authors on my bookcases:

Yasmine Galenorn, Kelley Armstrong, JD Robb, Gail Z. Martin, Jim Butcher, Charlaine Harris, Kim Harrison, Tilly Greene, Cherise Sinclair, and many, many more.

Music or silence when you write?

I need music. It plays a part in my creative process and half the time what I am listening to ends up in the story for one of my characters.

If you could take one of your characters out on the town, who would it be and what would you do?

Um maybe Damien and Sim from Club Fantasy series I am creating. They are sexy, lovers and Damien is half-demon of lust. Got to love the double trouble these two would be when they go out on the town. I think we would have fun *grins wickedly*, nope not saying what but it involves silk scarves, blindfolds and whipped cream. LOL

Favorite naughty dessert and decadent drink.
Um no idea. But chocolate pudding can be very naughty. *WEG*

Moonlight and Magic is Dawn's latest (Book 5) in the magical, wonderful Devon Falls series. It will be out October 15 at Aspen Mountain and I can't wait. Here's a little taste...

Blurb:

Dixie Sinclair has watched her cousins all fall in love and now she wants the same. Dared to go to the annual Masquerade ball, Dixie finds the one thing she desires: love…one problem…can she trust that it will last after that one night?

Michael Barnes is a rare white were-tiger who was thrown out of his pride long ago for a trumped up crime, Michael roams the world searching for the one place to call home. Finding that peace in Devon Falls, he finds the one woman who stirs him like no other. Can he convince Dixie that she can trust in him forever?

Unedited Excerpt (Please forgive the mistakes):

Scene set up- Michael is walking Dixie home from the local bar and Dixie is miffed her friends sent him with her.

Once outdoors, Dixie did up her jacket and watched as the moon glowed brightly. She was annoyed at how Damien thought she needed a babysitter walking two blocks home. Men were idiots who thought women needed to be protected she thought as she enjoyed the quiet night and waited for Michael. The man who stirred her senses into over boiling. Down girl, you are not going to be jumping the man’s bones so get a grip. You have BOB at home to help with that, she thought as he finally got next to her. She couldn’t keep her eyes off of him. He was a walking, talking sex bomb and she was itching to touch every inch of him. With a shake of her head as another person came outside and the music from the jukebox wafted out, she tried to shake the sense of something changing inside her even as he finally turned towards her. The way his eyes on her had her panties damp and her blood beginning to simmer. It was like he was looking past the outer coverings into her soul or he was just stripping her naked, which wouldn’t be bad if she kept this thinking up. Smirking to herself at that thought, she started walking, trying to keep her hands inside her coat or she was going to do something very dangerous…like kiss the man to death.

“You know you don’t have to walk me home. Damien is just being overprotecting.” She said as she walked towards the sidewalk. Shrugging a little, Dixie didn’t know what to do except try to make the best of it. It was only two blocks, surely she had enough will power to last that long, she thought, as Michael walked alongside her. Yeah right……She was doomed as the scent of him, all male and spicy, teased her senses and had her swallowing hard. Oh god, I am in deep trouble she thought as they reached Main Street.

She felt rather than saw the man next to her look down upon her and grin. “Nah, it’s ok. I was going to leave soon as well because my Sadie is home alone and I don’t like leaving her long.” The deep voice said as it sent shivers down her spine. It had a slight accent that she couldn’t place and she wondered about the man next to her. Where did he come from, why was he here and what was like when the clothes came off. Well until she heard the name Sadie come out. A terrible suspicion rose in her at the thought of this hot man having a lady waiting for him.

“Sadie?”

“She’s my dog. I found her when I was in Europe tied up to a park bench with no collar and no water. It was like someone just dumped her off but instead of letting her roam free or taking her to the pound, they tied her up and left her. It was terrible and once I found her, she saved me from a solitude and loneliness that I never knew I had.”

Relief filled her up even as she tried to tell herself that she shouldn’t be jealous or anything. She hardly knew this man. “Wow that sounds like a match made in heaven then for you two. What kind is she?”

“She is a mutt-seems she is a little bit of everything or so the vet said when I got her.” Watching the way his face lit up in the moonlight had her heart turning over. The way he loved his pet called to her even as she tried to keep her distance from him. He was dangerous to her equilibrium, Dixie was certain of it. He kept her off centered and it scared the hell out of her.

As her street loomed ahead of them, she stopped at the beginning of it and stuck her hand out, “Thanks for the escort but since I am almost home and nothing jumped out in front of me, I think I can handle getting to my house, which by the way is only 2 houses in, just fine.”

“Nope, I am to escort you to the house, not the street, Dixie.” The maddening man said as he looked at her. Gritting her teeth, she tried to keep her frustration out of her face but damn it all, she was old enough to walk home. It wasn’t like there was a crime wave in Devon Falls. Far from it. Miffed, she stomped forward and tried to not hit the lug behind her. Of all the men in the world, I had to have one with a streak of chivalry in them she thought as her house finally came in view.


Raine Delight can be found on the web at the following places:
Website: http://authorrainedelight.com
Raine’s Book Nook Blog: http://Rainedelightbooknook.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Raine_Delight
Author/Reader Loop: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Author_Raine_Delight
Email me: rainedelight@yahoo.com

Where to buy my books:

Aspen Mountain Press: www.aspenmountainpress.com
Fictionwise: www.fictionwise.com
All Romance E-books (Are): www.allromanceebooks.com
1Romance E-books: www.1romance.com
Amazon Kindle: www.amazon.com

Author Clare Dargin

Hi, Hello and Happy Hump Day Imaginarians! I am completely excited because sci fi, fantasy and romance author, Clare Dargin, has dropped in to visit today. Her current release is Speculative Sky from Red Rose Publishing.

What was the inspiration behind your latest release?

Well, ever since I was a child I always wanted to be a writer. It was a dream of mine to be published and to write stories that everyone could enjoy. Speculative Sky was created because I’ve always had a fascination with stories about Extra-Terrestrial Life and S.E.T.I. and I wanted to integrate such a story with a female character as a strong and intelligent lead.

And how did you come up with the title?

To be honest I’ve always been attracted and fascinated by the abstract and the symbolic. I wanted the title to be symbolic of what April Mullen, the main character, has to deal with as an Astronomer and all that came with her assignment.

What is Speculative Sky about?

It is about a woman who takes a chance and leaves for an assignment on a science colony far away from Earth. As an astronomer it is her job to monitor the stars at night and to record her findings. Nothing more than that. But when she arrives, she notices that her new home is a bit odd, and that though there is evidence of life out there… they don’t want her to either acknowledge it or do anything about it. She of course finds this troubling.

What books have most influenced you?

To be honest, in fiction category, it would have to be the old Star Wars books that came out in the eighties after Return of the Jedi. The expanded universe books taught me more about atmospheric and expanded universe development then any book I know! I read them over and over again and learned about non-human creature development, planetary science fiction and description of space travel and not to mention how to write a cool leading man. I still read them!

If we looked on your bookshelf right now, what are some of the titles we would find?

I am almost finished with Book of the Dead with Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. I'll be going through their back list very soon in order to get caught up.

When did you know that you wanted to be a writer?

As a child my father use to encourage it. I use to write stories for my family and give it to them and they would say “Maybe one day you could get this published!” I was like five.... and then when I was in middle school I found out that S. E. Hinton had been published at sixteen-- I became truly determined then.

What are your current projects?

Presently I am finishing up the final editing for Ice and Peace the sequel to Cold Warriors. As well as having another expanded universe book in the works. Not to mention, two futuristic romances that are completely different from my military fiction.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Don't give up on being published! Try every avenue! There is away for you!

Clare's latest release Speculative Sky is available at Red Rose Publishing. Click here to purchase.

You can find out more about Clare and her writing at her website, The Haven.

What is sexy?

As a writer of erotic romance, I often wonder what people find sexy. When they hear the word, people automatically start thinking about what they find attractive about a person. I get a lot of responses for eyes, hair, ass...But these aren't the things that I'm talking about. I want to know what else, besides a partner's physical characteristics, that makes someone think sexy thoughts.

Tell me, what puts you in a seductive frame of mind? Is it a particular odor? Do you walk through a leather store just to inhale that raw scent? Does the smell of vanilla spice in the air make you feel all warm and receptive? How about touch? Are you a sensualist, reveling in the feel of certain fabrics or sensations? Do you spend a little too much time in a hot shower because the way the water runs over your skin makes you feel alive? Or maybe you love to wear silk because it glides across your body all cool and soft.

Perhaps, it's a certain taste that works on you. Does the mere hint of chocolate and whipped cream on your tongue send you into overdrive? Or maybe strawberries and champagne? Peaches and cinnamon? Or maybe you go for something a little spicier on the palate. Like a hint of cayenne pepper.

What about places? In a story, setting is very important. It sets the scene, seduces the imagination. Are there certain places that get your senses revving? A candlelit balcony in Paris, a deserted beach on Bora Bora...Even a toasty bedroom on a snowy night can be sexy. Perhaps your garden at home, all shining in the light of a full moon, turns your head to more passionate ideas.

Sound is sexy as all get out. Laughter does it for many people. The smoky sounds of a throaty laugh or a deep masculine chuckle. A good seductive drumbeat that echoes the pulse turns a lot of people on. Or the sound of rain, the rumble of thunder, a wild storm that will keep you inside with your partner for the day or night. Or perhaps a certain song? One that you remember playing in the background the first time you slow-danced or made out.

Sexy to me is the sound of rain, the scent of cinnamon, the feel of suede, the taste of warm apples and a cozy room at an out-of-the-way inn. There are many more, but I only have a certain amount of space and I want to know about you. What says sexy for you?

Men and Women: Just Friends?

As someone who has had male friends her entire life, I find it extremely disturbing and completely unenlightened when someone says that it is impossible for men and women to be just platonic friends and never take anything into the bedroom. Now, I know as an erotic romance writer that there are all kinds of stories out there about friendships turning into romances and that the friends to lovers thing is a staple theme in the Hollywood romcom world. Jason Bateman seems to agree with this notion. Check the article here.

In my own life, my two oldest friends are both men. Men I've known since we were five. And before you say a word, no neither one is gay. You would not believe how many times I hear that when I tell someone my oldest friends are both men. Well, they must be gay, Melissa. Either that or they find you ugly. Yeah, that's the other thing I hear all the time. They or I must be completely unattractive. Really? Nice to know that men and women will only be friends with someone they find physically unappealing. Never mind about things like brains, common interests, sparkling wit and genuinely cool personalities.

I've also heard tell that men and women will only be friends with one another if one or both of them is in a relationship. I see. If they are single and pretty, they won't be able to help themselves if they remain in the same room long enough. Wow, I had no idea that hormones trumped good conversation and a few good laughs.

I'm not saying that more can grow out of the seeds of friendship or that I have never found one of my male friends attractive. I would be lying. I have had and still have some male friends who are damned hot. Had any of them ever found me attractive at one point? Maybe, I don't know. There's also this little concept called friends with benefits. Whereby single male and female friends do sexual favors for one another when they get an itch that needs to be scratched. It happens and so what. Just because you have one particular friend like that doesn't negate platonic relationships with other men/women. When I look at all my guys friends in my life at this point, they are all like brothers. It never crosses my mind to think of them in a sexual way and not all of them are in relationships, some of them are quite single.

Maybe I'm just weird because when I meet a new man, I'm not automatically thinking of dating him. I just like meeting new people and widening my circle of friends.

In my opinion, men and women can and are strictly platonic friends all the time. There is nothing sexual about these relationships. When someone tries to read more into the friendship or dismiss it as a "yeah, right, you just haven't acted on it" situation, they are projecting their own issues, insecurities, jealousies, etc. on to it. I think if one doesn't have friends across the board gender-wise, they are missing out.

KC Kendricks...The Interview

Today I have superfantastic author KC Kendricks in the house and I am doing the happy dance. Cue the music! KC writes engaging, scintillating tales for Amber Allure. Some of her titles include The Back Stairs, Netting Neptune and one of my absolute faves, Shine A Light.

Good morning, Melissa! Thanks for inviting me to the Imaginarium today, and giving me the opportunity to talk a bit about my life and stories. I hope I don’t ramble on for too long. Here’s a little bit about me to get things going.

KC’s bio:

KC Kendricks makes her home in Maryland with her partner of almost twenty years. A 2008 Amber Heat Wave Winner, and a 2008 CAPA nominee, KC writes contemporary gay romances that while are adult in nature, celebrate love and hope for mature readers.
Living in a rural area, KC enjoys most outdoor activities except those that require sliding on snow or ice in the cold.

For more information about KC, visit her website at http://www.kckendricks.com, and her personal blog, Between the Keys, at http://kckendricks.blogspot.com . KC is new to Facebook, and you can find her button on the Between the Keys blog.
KC also has a mailing list to announce new releases. Visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/betweenthekeys , or send an email to betweenthekeys-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

What was the inspiration behind your latest release?
Inspiration comes from so many different sources. I think it’s a gift - and maybe a wee bit of a curse when the ideas come too fast to get them all down. My latest release, Open Roads (http://amberquill.com/AmberAllure/OpenRoads.html), is the second set in the fictional town of Marionville. I like to do a little “world building” when I write, which translates into community building for contemporary works. The inspiration for the lead character, Tyler Phillips, came from a photo. Once he gave me his name, it was easy to give him everything he needed to be happy in Marionville, including Noel.

When did you know that you wanted to be a writer?
I don’t remember ever having an “aha” moment about writing. It sort of developed out of a lifelong love of books. My mom read to me when I was little, and I mean she read to me every night or I got surly. She taught me there is magic in a book. She’s still an avid reader.
Somewhere along life’s journey, I had this story develop in my head. It was my own little world and playground. When writers joke about the voices they hear, it’s not really a joke. It’s the story trying to get out. I finally wrote that story and the whole thing took off with me in tow.

What do you love most about being a writer?
I love it all! I love creating the characters, giving them a name and a purpose. I love tweaking a sentence to say exactly the right thing, be it to clarify an action or create a hint of mystery or angst. I love getting up early on a Saturday morning and having the words flow onto the page. I love meeting so many wonderful people who speak the same language I do. It’s the best gig I’ve ever had, and I live for the day I can do it full-time.

What genre haven’t you tried, yet, that you would love to explore?
That’s a tough question. I started out writing speculative fiction (it dates me but I still call it science fiction) under a different pen name, and became KC Kendricks because contemporary gay romance is a bit far removed from your standard het space opera. That grounding in SF is where my love of world building comes from. I’m still actively writing SF, in fact I have a story right now in need of a home and I must settle down and get it submitted. So I guess my answer to the question is I’m currently writing in the two areas of romance that I love – gay romance and sci-fi romance.

If we looked on your bookshelf right now, what are some of the titles we would find?
Encore Performances by Melissa Bradley, of course! (Thank you KC, you've made my month)You’d also find a range of titles from the late Andre Norton, Patricia Nell Warren (The Front Runner, Harlan’s Race), C.J. Cherryh (Chanur series), Anne McCaffrey (the Pern series), Clive Cussler (Dirk Pitt series), Diana Gabaldon (Outlander), J.D. Robb.

But if you look on my Kindle, you’ll find my collection of erotic romance, which is almost all I read these days. It’s several hundred titles small (and Maxie Briscoe is there!).

Music or silence when you write?
I like it quiet when I’m actually writing, but the moment I shut it down and get ready to log onto the Internet, I pick out some music.

If you could take one of your characters out on the town, who would it be and what would you do?
Out on the town, huh? I guess it would be Stacy James of Shining Victory and No One But You. He’s got a Corvette, a subdued yet wicked sense of humor, and he knows how to be a real gentleman when the situation calls for it. He’s got money. He’d pick me up in a hot car, insist on paying for dinner and the Broadway show of my choice. He’d take me home, come in for a nightcap, and since we’re both in a committed relationship, we’d say goodnight.

Favorite naughty dessert and decadent drink.
I love, love, love my cousin’s cheesecake, swirled and drizzled with dark chocolate, and she only makes them at Christmas. I’ve no clue what her base recipe is, and that’s probably a good thing. My favorite indulgent drink is Amaretto di Saronno Originale over crushed ice.

Again, a big thanks to you, Mel, for having me here today, and a big thanks to all the readers who stop by. It’s always great fun to be able “get out of the house” and visit.


Here is an excerpt from Tango in the Night, one of KC's bestselling tales for Amber Allure. It is awesome, if I do say so myself.

Buy It Now

Blurb

Jubal Graham is back on the job after a shooter took the life of his long-time partner, and sent him into a coma followed by months of rehab. Determined to have justice, Jubal is focused on finding a killer, not a new romantic entanglement. Ellis Banks, with his smoldering blue eyes and denim-clad swagger is a distraction Jubal can’t afford – or ignore.

Ellis Banks came to Philadelphia to bust a drug operation; one that connects to the same case agency legend Kentuckian Jubal Graham is working. Ellis finds himself drawn to Jubal, but Jubal holds him off. Sure that Jubal is interested, even though he wears his slain lover’s ring, Ellis mounts a determined siege.

Jubal’s surprise at having a suitor develops into a growing affection for Ellis, one clouded with old fears. Fate ripped one lover from his arms, and now Ellis is in the line of fire. Jubal’s courage can protect Ellis, but is it powerful enough to love him?

Excerpt

INTRO: (from Jubal’s point of view)

“I’ve got a lot of miles on me, Ellis. I feel old.”

Ellis’ gaze locked with mine. I knew that interested look, having been on the receiving end of it often enough in my life. It was nice to know I could still turn a head. He reached out and trailed his fingertips down my arm. “You want some help feeling young again, Jubal?”

I hated to disappoint him. He was a nice looking man, and I couldn’t deny my curiosity about him. But…I rebuffed him as gently as I knew how.

“Not with a co-worker, Ellis, even a handsome stud like you.”

Ellis didn’t blink. His chin lifted the slightest bit as those blue eyes saw straight through my act. A warm little glow sparked to life in my belly. I knew by the way he pressed his full, sexy lips together he knew. We stood there staring at each, the air between us sparking with a strange blue lightning. He tried, but he couldn’t keep the corner of his mouth from quirking up in a little smile.

“If you change your mind, Jubal, just say so.”

I nodded. Ellis pushed off from the counter and walked towards the door. I had one more thing I had to say to him.

“Ellis?”

He stopped and turned around.

“Yeah?”

“Nice ass.”

He laughed as the door closed behind him.