Cops and Rubbers

By A.J. Llewellyn

I am a Buddhist by choice, Greek Orthodox by birth and I enjoy both religions and the wisdom I learn from both. I recently shared my deep anguish and frustration over dealing with relentless ebook piracy with my mentor at my weekly Buddhist meetings. I explained my side of things. I explained how I spend an hour a day combing the Internet to remove illegal uploads of my books.

"Remember something," she said. "That which you resist, persists."

When my Greek priest said something similar recently and mentioned the words, "love your enemy", it got me thinking.

And when I think, I write.

And out came my upcoming August 1 release, Cops and Rubbers, in which an ebook author tracks down the man who's been pirating his books relentlessly.

When Jason Jagger tracks down his thief...he is in for a big surprise.

Being an erotic romance novel, there's plenty of love and sex. But could an author learn to love a pirate? I think so. It was kind of fun - and alarming - to present both sides of the piracy debate.

Who'd have thought that I could step outside my own issues and look at this objectively?

I sure didn't.

But, I did. I still don't love piracy and I never will. But I love books, I love to write and I have to believe things will change.

My publisher at Amber Quill Press was a little surprised when he read the blurb to Cops and Rubbers, knowing me as he does, but Trace Edward Zaber, artistic genius that he is, gave me an amazing cover and I can't wait for the book's release.

Much of the story in Cops and Rubbers is true. I've worked at a theater selling tickets, just like Jason. I also moonlighted as a nail polish salesman over the phone and did all the crazy part-time jobs Jason does in the book to supplement my addiction: writing.

Yep, writing is a bad habit and not one I'm likely to give up any time soon. Like Jason, I've sat back and wondered is it worth the 16-17 hour days juggling day jobs with the love-job, to have your work stolen quicker than you can get it out there?

With or without piracy, there's something to be said for being able to tell your stories, for being published. I am glad people like my work and I am happy to have such awesome publishers.

I hope when the book is released, you'll check it out, and just like me, maybe you'll learn to love a pirate.

Ahoy matey!

A.J.

Adult excerpt, Wings of Love, m/m

Okay, finally, the excerpt!! Remember this one is available tomorrow right on the Amber Allure home page so don't let it 'fly away'

This is a bit more than half way through the story. The two agents have had their first enoounter with the really nasty villain and managed to escape. They are exhausted but high on success, their escape flight and the sudden surge of attraction they have just begun to feel. Enjoy!

Slainte, Deirdre

****

Absorbed in a study of his partner’s handsome face, Alex spoke at last. “You’re a good looking guy. I’m surprised you don’t have a whole pack of females and some guys all chasing after you.”
Manuel’s expression hardened for a moment. “No way. I never encouraged anybody, never made myself agreeable or available. The shifting thing…I was scared about it, what people might think when they found out. I didn’t dare let anyone that close.”
“You mean you’re a fuckin’ virgin?” Alex blurted that before he could censor his words.
Manuel laughed. “Don’t look so shocked. Not quite, I did it a few times when I was in the army and got real drunk, too drunk to care. Couple of times with whores and a few with another guy. But I always felt lousy afterwards, like it was a mistake. And I always hoped I hadn’t said or done anything weird while I was kind of out of control, you know?”
“It must’ve been hell, living with your gift and not knowing what to make of it, or if there was anyone else in the world with the same ability. I was spared that much, anyway. It ran in my family enough I had people to talk to, to learn from, to learn it was a gift and not some curse or terrible flaw. I’m sorry you had to suffer that way.”
“It’s okay now,” Manuel said. “I know I’m not the only one and I found you….”
Without another word, Alex wrapped his arms around Manuel and drew him close. “Yeah, you found me. For whatever that’s worth, you found another odd ball. But, hell, I can give you a great blow job or hand job—whatever you fancy. And maybe you won’t feel it’s a mistake when I’m done.”
“I’ll do whatever you want, too. We’re partners, a team here, aren’t we? At least for now.”
In answer, Alex reached down between them and started to lower the zipper on Manuel’s pants.
Manuel caught hold of his wrist. “No, wait. Let’s get undressed. We don’t have to be anywhere at a certain time, do we? I’d rather not rush this if it’s all the same to you.”
“Okay, I’m good with that.” He rolled over, twisted to set his feet on the floor and then rose to stand and stretch. “Man, I slept like the dead, but I’m still tired. Do your shoulders ache from all that flying?”
Manuel nodded. “Yeah, they do. I don’t think I ever flew so long, so far.” He stopped abruptly in the midst of releasing his belt and starting to step out of his pants, mesmerized by the sight of Alex disrobing. The Scot was all sleek, lean, taut muscle, like a Thoroughbred horse, his skin where clothing normally covered it very pale, as close to really white as anyone Manuel had ever seen. He looked like one of those marble statues they had in classic art books.
In so many ways, they were total opposites. That contrast made the notion of intimacy feel both daunting and irresistible.
After Alex threw his pants and shirt across a chair and then rolled his briefs off his hips, Manuel remembered he needed to undress, too. He managed it as quickly as he could, before he lost his courage.
For a half-dozen heartbeats, they both stood and looked at each other, recognizing and accepting they were so different, both human males, but beyond that, the similarities were few. Manuel had the husky build typical of his people, fighting off becoming squat by keeping up a rigorous exercise routine he’d learned in the military. There wasn’t an ounce of fat on his thick thighs, solid shoulders and sturdy body. In that regard he’d never felt inferior and neither had he in his masculine features—he had a good solid cock, balls that fit his build and all of it worked. Even where the sun rarely touched him, his skin held a tawny hue lightly touched with a bit of russet.
Alex, on the other hand, had the spare build one branch of the Celts often possessed, long bones and matching long, lean muscles. But his body also was toned and fit. Each of them had a unique beauty arising from fitness, confidence and total masculinity.
“Come here,” Alex ordered his voice low and compelling.
Manuel could not resist the command even if he’d wanted to. He came around the foot of the bed, stopping when he was less than an arm’s length from the other man. His head and his heart might not yet be sure, but his cock had no doubts. It stood out at a steep angle, almost touching his belly when it twitched with each heartbeat. His gaze skidded down to Alex’s prick. It, too, extended, poker-stiff.
We’ve flown together, fled together, worked together. This is going to be all right. I don’t… I won’t be scared. Alex knows what he’s doing and he’ll lead me, take care of me. Manuel took the final half-step that put him chest to chest with the taller man. His heartbeat speeded up and he couldn’t get enough air into his lungs. Blindly he reached out, finding Alex’s upper arms and locking his hands on them.
He shut his eyes when Alex bent down, seeking another kiss. This one went on and on, hours and eons, yet it still ended too soon. How could mouths fit together and press, slide, sip and taste in so many ways? Eventually Alex drew back, looked down for a moment, then caught Manuel’s shoulders and pushed him backwards onto the bed.
The momentum of the shove carried him onto his back to settle with a couple of bounces. Before the last one ended, Alex followed, dropping beside Manuel. In a moment, they shifted to lie on their sides, face to face. Alex’s cock nestled between Manuel’s thighs and Manuel’s wedged between their stomachs. Every breath shifted their bodies just enough to create a delicious friction. The stimulation nearly swamped him. Manuel began to fear he would embarrass himself by coming right there.

CONTEST/DRAWING

Okay here's the deal. I posted the links to both my backlists at AQP in my first message and they are included below. Click out and take a look. Then post a comment to let me know which cover is your absolute favorite. I will pick one lucky winner who will get his or her choice as an 8x10 poster on photo paper and autographed along one side by me! What can be easier? I will wait until tomorrow evening to draw the winner so the later readers have a fair chance too.

Just about all of our fab covers here at AQ are the work of the very talented and prolific Trace Zabar and every last one is worthy of hanging in a gallery-- or on your bedroom wall where you can drool over the gorgeous scenery, sunsets--and oh yeah, the hunkalicious guys ;-)

Thos links are www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/bio_ODare.html and www.amberquill.com/AmberHeat/bio_ODare.html

Good luck!
Deirdre

Wings of Love: blurb, info and cover

This one will be on the Amber Allure home page tomorrow; right now it is on the available soon page if you just gotta see it at once! BTW, these are a couple of my fave covers!!

Anyway, here is the info:
Wings of Love by Deirdre O’Dare, Amber Allure release, 25 Jul 2010, ISBN 1-978-1-60272-742-3
www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/

This second tale in the Thin Green Line series of rural fantasy about a new organization within the U.S. Border Patrol follows Beyond the Shadows which released in April. Watch for Runes of Revelation coming in the fall!

Blurb:
Special Border Patrol agent Alex Macalister who can shape shift into a raven, is used to working alone. He honors his Scots ancestry and has never met another shifter except for kinfolk back in Scotland. When he’s required to accept a partner, he normally manages to get rid of them quickly by being so distant, remote and downright weird they cannot deal with him. But the latest one, Native American Manuel, poses a whole new range of challenges.

Manuel Ortiz is a member of the Tohono O’Odham tribe who works for the Border Patrol to support his ailing elderly parents. He has a secret he’s never dared to dare to share: he can shape shift into a Red-Tail Hawk. When his superiors team him with cold, cynical Alex, he’s not sure why until he learns Alex has a similar curse—or gift.

Together they begin to form an uneasy bond. Confronting an evil and completely alien drug cartel boss, they have to cooperate to survive and in doing so learn the synergy of partnership. They discover flying together can open a whole new world for them both and riding on the wings of love can be magical indeed.

Dreams, Flying and Love

Hello everyone! I'm sitting here trying to cope with yet another rapid weather change--yesterday it was 90 in Colorado Springs and today it may not get past 70 and the wind is blowing which kicks my allergies into overdrive. So all I can do is dream and chat and survive for now!

I've always been fascinated with flying! Since I was small I've dreamed I could, like a bird almost. Mostly in the dream I need to get away from something/someone or get somewhere in a hurry. So I take off at a run and the steps keep getting longer and the leaps higher until I can tuck my legs up and just float and then I can go up as high as I want to and zoom along. I love that! I enjoy high places too although I am more careful scrambling around on cliffs and ledges and such since I fell and broke an ankle a bit over ten years ago. I had to admit then I really wasn't Wonder Woman in her other guise! Shucks and dang!!

Then of course there is Love! If there is any one thing in the whole universe that I revere and consider the most sacred and the greatest blessing, it is Love in all of its forms. I always wanted to write and by early teens I was already making up western romances. They were juvenile and not well done of course but that was the first step. Since everything I ever wrote, at least the fiction and most of the poetry, was a love story or about love, I fell into romance with little effort. I sold my first novel in 2001 and then my first Amber Heat tale in 2004 and never looked back. It has been a wonderful trip so far and I ain't done yet!

The other day I checked out my backlists at Amber Quill and it almost blew me away! All those wonderful covers are in place over tales I have written! Wow, I hope the words behind those pictures are even half as good. If so then another dream of mine is now a reality. I don't strive to produce great literature, The great American Novel or something that will be a classic in 250 years but if readers can enjoy my tales, find a brief respite or escape from the daily grind and the sorry shape most of the world is in, then I have done what I set out to do years ago when I was about fourteen. Will a few of you tell me if you think I am getting there? Please!!

I hope you'll click out to www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/bio_ODare.html and www.amberquill.com/AmberHeat/bio_ODare.html and take a look. I'd be hard pressed to pick my absolute favorite of the covers; they are all good but a few are just a teeny bit better to my eye, mostly because they capture something that triggers a memory, encompass perfectly my vision of that particular story or just speak to me. More on this in a few minutes. Like a CONTEST/DRAWING maybe!!

I know most of you are here to read hot excerpts and hear what's coming down the pike from your fave authors (and I hope for some of you I am one of those!) so let me get on with that.
Have a wonderful weekend wherever you may be!

Luck n love,
Deirdre

The Victory Series by KC Kendricks

It doesn't seem very long ago that my first book with Amber Quill/Amber Allure was released. Two years can pass in the proverbial blink of an eye. It's been a good two years, and I hope for many, many more.

Today, to celebrate the past two years, I'd like to revisit the first three KC Kendricks stories. I'm just as pleased with them now as when I wrote them. All three have weathered the passing of time in fine form and voice. And before you believe I think highly of my own work, let me just say it's not that. Instead, maybe I'm amazed.


The Victory series from KC Kenricks

Surrendered Victory, Passion's Victory, and Shining Victory are available by individual download, or in the paperback, A Taste of Victory.

Surrendered Victory
2008 Amber Heat Wave Contest Winner
ISBN 978-1-60272-283-5 (ebook)
Contemporary gay romance

Now available at Amber Allure
http://amberquill.com/AmberAllure/SurrenderedVictory.html

Dalton makes Reed tingle in all the right places. Now Reed’s ready to answer the question that’s haunted his every failed relationship. Is he really gay?

Reed walked into Dalton’s life and everything changed. This time, Dalton won’t hide the fact he’s gay from anyone, even his son.

Together they surrender all to each other and claim the ultimate victory - love.

*****
Passion's Victory
2008 CAPA Nominee
ISBN-13: 978-1-60272-330-6 (ebook)
contemporary gay romance

now available at
http://amberquill.com/AmberAllure/PassionsVictory.html

When passion is the prize, it’s time to change the rules….

Micah Souther is young, talented, and gay. As the junior owner of the family business, he knows better than to look for love “on the clock.”

Jonas Chadwick is the new guy at the firm. Older, wiser, and a survivor of the school of hard knocks, he’s not in the market for an office romance, even if he knows for certain his young boss is gay.

One kiss is all it takes to send Micah and Jonas on a collision course, and when bodies collide, the friction gets hot...


****
Shining Victory
ISBN 978-1-60272-422-8 (ebook)
contempoary gay romance
now available at
http://amberquill.com/AmberAllure/ShiningVictory.html
Stacy James survived a life-shattering accusation to become a successful businessman with a lot to offer a partner. At forty,he's finally put his ghosts to rest, and is ready for someone in his life, if the right person comes along.

Young and wild, ace mechanic Levi Wright builds engines made for speed. When Levi's volatile temper lands him nose-to-nose with trouble, Stacy ignores his own rules and steps in to save Levi from making a big mistake. But Stacy can't ignore Levi's smoldering sexuality as the younger man then pursues him.

And Levi has made it clear, he's out to get his man.
********

A Taste of Victory
ISBN-13: 978-1-60272-898-1 (Paperback)
All three Victory stories in one paperback edition
available at
http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/TasteVictory.html

Coming in August - OPEN ROADS by KC Kendricks
Tyler Phillips enjoys his small town life. He’ll never get rich working the family business, but he knows there’s more to a man than the size of his bank account. Easing into mid-life, Tyler’s restless for something he can’t find in the little borough of Easton – male companionship.

Noel Springs got caught up in the economic downturn. His job gone, and retirement a lot of years in the future, Noel decides to take a long drive and see some of the country before dedicating himself to finding new employment. The open road is just what he needs right now.

When his car overheats outside the little town of Easton, Noel discovers the local mechanic is hotter than his radiator, and just as eager to blow off some steam.

Look for OPEN ROADS on or about August 8, 2010.
Click to read an excerpt from Open Roads.

KC Kendricks
Visit my website at: http://www.kckendricks.com
Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kckendricks
Join my mailing list at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/betweenthekeys
Read my personal blog: http://www.kckendricks.blogspot.com
Check out the MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/kckendricks

Time Circles and Brides - a Double Date!

I'm happy to say I've got double book news today, so it's twice the fun for your Sunday!

Tuluscan Six and the Time Circle

Published today by Amber Allure is gay time-travel short story, Tuluscan Six and the Time Circle. The blurb is:

Whilst finishing up a good day’s work in the Earth Interplanetary Administration Office, Karlan Staithley is disturbed by the appearance of a strange alien called Tuluscan Six. Tuluscan tells him that in one year’s time, Earth will make contact with his people, the Lamarians, and unwittingly destroy them due to an anomaly in the planetary timelines. He, himself, has come back to warn Karlan, partly to save his people and partly as in the real timeline Karlan and Tuluscan will become lovers. Here and now, he declares his love for Karlan.

At first, Karlan refuses to believe him, even though he finds himself powerfully attracted to the Lamarian, but he's eventually convinced by the in-depth knowledge Tuluscan reveals about his life—facts nobody else knows.

The two men join forces to try to save their futures, but can they in fact change time? And, if they do, how can their mutual passion ever survive? 

Here's an extract from the beginning:

The trouble with space travel was that it meant a heck of a lot of paperwork, and took up a great deal of time. In more ways than one. Karlan Staithley dropped the last of the Time Anomaly Records onto his desk, and stretched out until he felt his muscles pop. Another long day in the Interplanetary Administration Office, and it didn’t look like that was likely to change any time soon. Not that Karlan didn’t love his job, because that statement wouldn’t be true at all. Anything could happen at any moment in the universe, and quite often did.

Only last week he’d been recording the goings-on of a gang of Gilarryan pirates who’d been making good use of an immobility spray to take what, and who, they wanted from passing ships. A list of what crimes they’d committed would definitely come in handy when trial-day arrived. And as recently as yesterday, he and his boss, Inspector Hannai Bilbathnot, had been celebrating the final sign-off to the new Concord of Agreement between the Farsan and the Myleorites. A miracle in itself really, as the two planets had been engaged in intermittent warfare for hundreds of years. Karlan hoped that this would at last be the beginning of something good. It should at the very least reduce that paperwork.

He smiled to himself, stood up and walked to the beverage dispenser to refresh his Gregorshan tea. An acquired taste, he admitted, but an ex-boyfriend had switched him onto it a long time ago, and it certainly hit the spot. As indeed had the boyfriend (oh, happy memory!) but that was another story, for another day. For now he remained standing, took a deep sniff of the pungent liquid – apple-bracken and winter leaves – and then a few welcome sips. Almost at once he felt the warmth of it spreading through his body. Thank the stars themselves that, no matter what happened in the universe and how many years passed by, there was always, somehow, time for tea.

When he’d finished his drink, he planned to go home. Maybe stop off on the way at one of the flonker beer bars, but he never stayed long. He’d never been much of a one for night life, at least not in public. He preferred a quiet evening in with his music and his thoughts. He hadn’t had a serious relationship for a while and, actually, he found it rather suited him. Oh yes, it suited him just fine.

“You sure about that then?” said an unfamiliar voice.

Karlan whirled round, spilling most of his tea in the process. He cursed and dropped the container, which at once crumpled itself into nothing as the Virtual Cleaning Master incinerated it, and the liquid inside it, dammit.

The citizen who stood in front of him wasn’t of any race he was familiar with. He had the fair, sleeked-back hair of the southern Andovians, a narrow face that reminded him of the Outer Pretulians, and the pale skin of the Winter Planet people. Quite a nice physique too under his deep green tunic. In fact, very nice, from what he could see. Karlan shook his head, dispelled the thought. He couldn’t afford any distractions.

“Who on the planet are you?” he said, stepping back and resting his hand on the Emergency Button. Just in case. “And, more importantly, how the hades did you get in?”

The stranger smiled. Briefly. “My name is Tuluscan Six and I come from the planet Lamaria. It’s five space-kaladia north-north-west of the furthermost rings of the Winter Planet. You haven’t discovered it yet. But in exactly one year you will. Unfortunately because of the slight shift of timescales between us, your attempts to make first contact end up with the whole of Lamaria burnt to a crisp. In your language. Though what a crisp is I really couldn’t tell you. I haven’t been privy to that part of your culture yet. The death of our planet is a great shame, partly because of the destruction of a whole culture, partly because the guilt of it drives you as a people away from space travel and much knowledge you could have gained is lost. But it’s mainly a great shame, in my mind, because on the principal timeline you and I get to meet, we each think the other is as sexy as a Lamarian wood-tiger (and they’re very sexy by the way), we fall in love and everything changes. I’d hate to miss out on all that. Wouldn’t you?”

You can find out more, including purchasing details, at Amber Allure Press. Happy time travel!


The Boilerman and The Bride

Also published recently, this time at Amber Heat Press, is erotic comedy, The Boilerman and The Bride. The blurb is:

Kat Carruthers is preparing for her wedding day when, with only two hours to go, her fiancé Brian rings her to say that the wedding is off. As an unhappy and furious Kat is comforted by her mother and best friend, Lizzie, there’s a knock on the door. It’s the boilerman, Mike, coming to service the unit a full month early.

When the handsome and charming Mike also comforts Kat, one thing leads to another, including the reappearance of the erstwhile groom. Now facing unexpected and conflicting choices, what will Kat decide to do? Will passion win in the end? 

Here's an extract for you:

Yes, she looked pretty damn good. Kat smiled and turned away from the mirror. She didn’t need to spend any longer admiring herself – her hairdresser had done the best she could, Kat herself had coped with the concept of make-up for once, and as for the dress. Well, the dress was perfect. She stood for a moment and smoothed it out over her hips. It was ivory dupion silk, three-quarter length, and with a scoop neckline and roses dotted onto the sleeves and hem. Simple but she loved it.

Really, everything was near perfect; all she needed was a groom and everything would be totally wonderful. And in one hour’s time, which by now was fifty-nine minutes and twenty seconds though of course she wasn’t counting, she and Brian would be man and wife. She simply couldn’t wait.

A knock on the door almost made her jump.

“Come in!” she called out. “No need to stand on ceremony here.”

Almost before she’d finished speaking, the door was flung open and Kat saw her best friend and bridesmaid, Lizzie, standing on the threshold, holding a mobile phone stretched out at her side as if it might poison her. She looked stunning in an off-the-shoulder russet dress with a single flower decoration at the side of the waist. It went beautifully with her blonde hair. Kat smiled, but Lizzie didn’t smile back. This was unusual, as was the fact that her best friend hadn’t come bounding in, fizzing with enthusiasm and talking for Britain about everything and nothing.

Kat’s welcoming smile all but melted away. “What’s wrong? Catering crisis? The nephews have escaped and their suits are ruined? Tell all. I know you want to.”

Lizzie shook her head, and Kat’s smile vanished entirely.

“Brian’s on the phone,” she said. “He wants to speak to you. Now.”

Odd how these simple words had become laced with dread, where in all honesty they shouldn’t have been. Kat blinked, sat down on the bed and took the phone. She pressed it to her ear.

“Yes?” she whispered. “It’s Kat.”

“Kat. Ah, good. I mean h-hello.” Her fiancé’s voice wasn’t as confident as it usually sounded, she noted as he cleared his throat. “How are you?”

That seemed to be a stupid thing to ask, she thought as Lizzie sat down next to her and put one arm over her shoulders. Just what the hell was going on?

“I’m fine, Brian,” she snapped, aware that she was drawing herself up to her full height even whilst sitting as if about to face an unexpected onslaught. “But please, whatever it is, get to the point. Because it sounds like bad news and I can’t take the wait.”

“I’m sorry, Kat, but … but I can’t marry you,” he said. “I’ve made a mistake.”

You can find out more at Amber Heat Press. Happy reading!

Anne Brooke

Pieces by Shawn Lane

My latest release, Pieces, will be released this weekend. Here's the Information.


Patrick Donovan has spent the last three anniversaries of his lover’s suicide getting drunk at Josh Stevens’ bar. It’s at the bar he feels closest to Andrew, the man he misses, as well as to the man he has truly loved since high school, Josh, his dead lover’s cousin.

Troubled by Patrick’s annual visits to the bar, Josh encourages the man to put the pieces of his broken life back together and move on from his grief. Though it’s clear to Josh that Patrick yearns to move on with him, he wants no part of it. He’s avoided long-term relationships and knows the last thing he should do is get involved with Patrick, especially when he believes the man’s shattered heart still belongs to Andrew.

But Josh changes his mind once Patrick takes his advice and begins dating other guys. Despite his fear of committment and becoming a substitute for Andrew, Josh can no longer ignore his growing feelings for Patrick. Will he be able to let the man go, or will he eventually surrender to the notion that Patrick is perfect for him after all?

And here's the excerpt:

...Josh turned down the street where Patrick’s condo was located.

“You can just drop me here at the corner. I can walk the rest of the way.”

“No way. I’m going to see you inside. Don’t even bother arguing.” He pulled into the driveway and drove to the back of the condo complex. “If you give me a call in the morning I’ll pick you up and take you back to your car.” He found a visitor spot not too far from Patrick’s front door and parked.

When he got to the passenger side, Patrick had already got out of the truck and he yanked his arm away when Josh reached for it.

“I can walk,” he grumbled.

“Give me your keys.”

Patrick glared. “Get ’em yourself.” He glanced pointedly at the left front pocket of his jeans.

Josh didn’t even hesitate and slipped his hand into Patrick’s pocket, fishing for the keys. Patrick pressed closer, taking a step until not even an inch separated them. Josh’s hand closed over the keys and he extracted them. He gently pushed Patrick toward the front door.

Patrick leaned against the door, closing his eyes, his lips pursed.

Josh put a steadying hand on Patrick before turning the key in the lock. He helped him into the front hallway and shut the door. Before he could do anything else, Patrick launched himself at Josh.

Josh’s arms came around Patrick, anchoring them both. He was about to give Patrick a gentle, but firm nudge away when Patrick rose a little and pressed his lips to Josh’s. His mouth opened against the assault and Patrick’s warm, alcohol-infused tongue slipped inside. His head swam as though he’d been the one who drank too much.

He felt the wall against his back and realized Patrick had pushed him there. Cooler heads should prevail. His brain told him that, but his cock rose in protest.

“Josh,” Patrick moaned. “Please.”

The plea seared through him, tingling from his toes all the way to make him light-headed. He closed his eyes, trying to resist Patrick’s pull, but knowing it would be a losing battle. He wanted this.

“Your bedroom.” He panted.

Patrick broke the kiss and gazed at him intently, his blue-green eyes surprisingly clear. He laced his fingers through Josh’s and tugged him toward the stairs leading to the bedrooms on the second floor. They took the stairs almost in slow motion, as if God were giving him the chance to change his mind. Damn, he should.

Patrick yanked him into the bedroom, flicked on the overhead light and pulled him toward the bed.

He opened his mouth to declare they shouldn’t do this. Patrick was way too vulnerable. “Lube and a condom?”

Patrick nodded. “Bathroom. Be right back.”

Fuck, what was he saying? He watched the other man disappear into the bathroom, his gaze on Patrick’s cute ass
.
Patrick came back in mere seconds and tossed him the lube and the condom. Then he once more launched himself at Josh, pushing him onto the bed. “Want you.”

“Patrick.”

Patrick’s index finger touched his lips. “Don’t say a word. Just touch me all over.”

Releasing a shuddering breath, Josh flipped Patrick until he lay underneath. He crushed the other man into the mattress, searing their lips together, hot and moist. His erection pressed against his pants, straining, painfully constricted
.
Without breaking the contact of their lips, Josh inched the hem of Patrick’s shirt up past his abs, past his muscular chest, and off his arms. To get it off Patrick’s head, he’d have to stop kissing him. Shaking his head, he removed his lips and pulled off the shirt. He quickly divested himself of his own T-shirt.

Patrick stared at him, his full lips wet and swollen. Josh searched his gaze, looking for any sign he really should stop. Well, hell, he knew he should. Instead, he reached between their bodies and closed his hand over the bulge in Patrick’s pants...


Check out my blog and website: Shawn Lane

ON DAYS LIKE THESE

ON DAYS LIKE THESE
By Christiane France
http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/OnDaysLikeThese.html

This book is part of the new AmberPax THAT’S AMORE .

Blurb:
When burned-out mystery writer, Mark Salvatore asked to borrow the old family home in the hills near Genoa, Italy for some much needed R&R, he envisioned a blissful summer enjoying the warm Italian sun, hanging out with the villagers, eating good home made Italian food, and drinking the local wine.

However, after a frustrating trip via Paris and Nice, Mark finally arrives in Santa Fiori in the rain to find the house has been trashed. Chickens and ducks from a nearby farm have taken possession of the living room, and there’s a naked man asleep under a pile of blankets in the bedroom.

Tony Wheeler is English and says he’s in Italy on business. He also tells Mark that his car has been stolen, and he’s waiting for his clothes to dry and the weather to clear before he can walk to the village to inform the police. For all Mark knows, he could be a drifter, a drunk, or just about anything. However, Mark’s just heard about a bank robbery in Milan just a few hours ago. The thieves got away with the loot and immediately Mark’s creative processes go into high gear. Milan is less than a hundred miles north, and Santa Fiori is just off the main Milan-Genoa highway. What if Tony Wheeler is just an alias? What if he’s one of the thieves, hiding out in the hills until the heat is off?

Excerpt:
Mark thought Tony might be gay, but he didn’t know for sure and, despite the attraction, he was content to leave it at that. The same with Tony’s story about being a businessman who’d had his car stolen. It didn’t matter to Mark who or what he was. However, if he had to lie here, wide awake, and pass the time working on story ideas, it was safer to cast Tony in the role of an evil, bank-robbing villain rather than a fabulous lover.
But if Tony the bank robber was fleeing the scene of a crime what was he doing out here in the back of beyond alone and without money or transportation?
Mark concentrated, hard. Maybe the whole gang had hidden out here for a few days until the heat was off and Tony was accidentally left behind? That could account for the current condition of the house, but no, crooks hung together, they wouldn’t have left him behind.
Something, he guessed it was probably the same toe touched Mark’s other leg. With no place to go and still stay in the bed, he kept his thoughts firmly fixed on Tony The Villain.
Supposing the gang got into an argument over the division of the spoils? The driver of the getaway car had stopped, one of the other gang members had settled things by pushing Tony out, and then they’d driven off? No, that wouldn’t work either because in that case Tony would still have his wallet. Unless he’d only pretended he didn’t have it to back up the stolen car story when the owner of the house showed up.
Tony’s pants and shirt were soaked and the blanket had no pockets, so they weren’t in any of those. Anyway, Tony would have had no reason to hide anything. He was alone in what he’d thought was an abandoned house. But what if Tony had been kicked out of the car sans jacket and possessions. No way could he tell that to the house owner. A stolen car made for a much better story.
Suddenly, Tony moved in closer and Mark felt a hand, move over his body and begin stroking his cock.
Fuck! Now what? Thankfully, he was fully clothed. Should he assume Tony was dreaming and push his hand away? Yell at him to cut it out? Get out of bed and go for a walk? Or just stay here and enjoy it?


www.chrisgrover.ca

EXCERPT - NIGHT TRAIN TO NAPLES - NEW RELEASE

RELEASED JULY 11TH!
AMBER QUILL PRESS - AMBER ALLURE

After seven-hundred years, Alexandros Nicolaides has adjusted to life as an immortal. Employed by a New Orleans diamond courier, the gemologist travels to Italy in the hope of gaining a new customer for that business. On the night train to Naples, he confirms what he’s suspected—someone is following him.

Human Dante Rocco has his reasons for tailing the tall blond. Unaware he follows an immortal, he’s in for a bad shock. When Alex rescues him from thugs and evil, a hot and urgent sexual bond flares between these two rivals for the courier account. As they struggle with the reality of their relationship, they discover they’re now the ones being pursued—by an unstable, vengeful vampire.

EXCERPT

...The blood smell filled Alex’s nostrils, stirring his thirst. He could have healed the man by licking the wound, but he risked losing control over satisfying his blood thirst and draining him if he tasted him. He let the blood flow. It wasn’t a life-threatening wound.

“Broken, is it? Tsk, tsk,” Alex said. He leaned down.

“No!” Guido cried in terror as he tried to roll away.

“Not to worry. I won’t bite,” he whispered in guttural tones only his victim could hear. “There is, after all, some discrimination and honor among my kind.” Alex pressed a vital spot in Guido’s neck and knocked him out.

Alex wiped the knife on the sleeve of Guido’s coat and slid the blade into an inner pocket in his jacket. He looked down at Dante. “Are you injured?”

Dante shook his head. “You’re very good at this. I’m in your debt.”

Alex stiffened at the sight of the small gun in Dante’s hand.

“Mine. Couldn’t get to it until you freed me, and by the time my shaky hands got it out of my ankle holster, you didn’t need my help.” He re-holstered the weapon.

Alex smiled and took a good look at Dante now he had the chance. The eyes were even deeper and more mysterious in the dark. His lips promised delicious satisfaction in the act of love. Considering the whole, it wasn’t just Dante’s remembered ass sending shivers of desire shooting through Alex’s belly to his groin. Alex released some hold on his control and let himself hear the wildly beating heart and feel the rush of blood bounding through the arteries in Dante’s neck.

The excitement of the fight, the smell of Guido’s blood made Alex’s need to either feed or fuck surge through him like a tsunami. The salty scent of the blood pulled at him like a powerful magnet as his dick fattened and his pucker tightened. The feelings were pure pleasure and not to be denied.

On impulse, he reached down and gave the man Dante a hand up, then he gazed into Dante’s eyes as he drew him close inch by inch, ready to release him at the slightest resistance—and hoping he’d be able to do so. In the breathless silence that followed, he cupped his hands and cradled Dante’s face in them. Slowly, he ran his thumbs over Dante’s cheeks, enjoying a heat so different from the unnatural coolness of his own.

“Are you sure you’re all right?”

Dante’s warm breath held the faint hint of a mellow wine. His gaze locked on Alex’s and he spoke in a breathy voice, as if entranced by the hands on his face. “Mostly shaken up. My arm and throat will be sore tomorrow, but I’m okay.”

Alex’s plan to demand he be told why this human followed him, dissolved. Instead, unable to resist his urges, Alex leaned in to capture the seductive lips with his mouth. Thoughts of anything else fled.

Dante stiffened, and Alex thought perhaps he’d been wrong, perhaps this man wasn’t gay. Or maybe he wasn’t as attracted to Alex as Alex was to him, or as stirred up from the fight as he was. Then, as Alex softened his mouth and deepened the kiss, Dante’s body relaxed and he responded hungrily with an exploring, searching tongue, as if he, too, needed release in the aftermath of the attack—to let go of the fear and, in a good fuck, exhaust the stockpiled chemicals his body had triggered so he might fight or flee.

Alex let his hard cock, its full veins thrumming hot against its velvety skin, press against an echoing erection that strained against expensive designer jeans and threatened to break through the fly. He couldn’t have described in words how good, how necessary that felt. He slid his hands down the silk shirt covering Dante’s shoulders and then around to his appealing ass to pull them even tighter together. Knowing how sore Dante’s throat must be, he sent a soft trail of kisses away from the mouth and to the salty drink his throat offered.

His felt his fangs come out, preparing to graze over or sink into the warm skin covering the tantalizing pulse and drink in the rich blood throbbing there. He groaned. And fought temptation.

I can’t do this. This Dante didn’t see my eyes glow red, doesn’t know what I am.

Abruptly, he released the Italian and stepped away as his fangs retracted. “I apologize. It was the fight, you see.” He kept his voice steady, his words formal while his body cried out to take this man, to push his cock hard against Dante’s until it spurted and he bit. Drank...

ISBN-13:978-1-60272-716-8
http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/NightTrainToNaples.html

NOTE: This novella is also included in the electronic 5-story collection THAT'S AMORE AMBERPAX

Carolina Valdez
http://www.CarolinaValdez.com

Passion - Heat - Love
Romance touches all the senses

WATCH FOR THE SEQUEL - NIGHT TRAIN TO NAPLES: NEW ORLEANS

The Bachelorette

Sunday, July 4th, my story “So You Want To Marry Our Mom” releases at Amber Quill Press.


This story revolves around a Bachelorette type show. However, this bachelorette is in her forties and is single mom to four kids. Her hero is also not the typical Bachelor in more ways than one.

If you’re into this type show, you may have caught Jake and Vienna’s expose last night after the regular Bachelorette episode. Unfortunately, Jake and Vienna didn’t find their happily ever after and doesn’t look as if they will together. Of course this isn’t the aim of the show. It’s supposed to wind up with a fairy-tale wedding and happily ever after like Jason and Molly. Of course, Jason and Molly experienced quite a few twists and turns before getting their happily ever after, as well.

“So You Want To Marry Our Mom” has a few twists and turns I’ve not seen on The Bachelor or The Bachelorette. I held my breath until publication that the things in my story wouldn’t happen between submission and publication. Only one scene came true, but hey, I’m not a fortune teller.

There’s also a paranormal twist to this story, a couple mischievous kids, and loads of fun.

Hopefully this bachelorette couple will get their happily ever after. After all, we don’t like to see what happened to Jake and Vienna. We want every one to be as giddy and head over heels in love as Jason and Molly.

Excerpt:
 
So You Want To Marry Our Mom


by Elaine Hopper

ISBN-13: 978-1-60272-709-0 (Electronic)

ISBN-13: 978-1-60272-778-6 (Paperback)

When erotic romance writer Jackie Duarte’s kids nominate her to be a television bachelorette on Perfect Mate and help to pick her next husband and their new father, her life becomes crazier than it’s already been. Now the whole world will meet her bratty ADHD/ODD twelve-year-old, perhaps learn of the penname she has fought so long to keep under wraps, and see her house on television...and she’s no Martha Stewart.

Worse yet, the ghost of her husband has long been talking off her ear but now he’s also giving her dating advice, telling her how to flirt and whom to marry. She has to be extra careful not to speak to him aloud while the cameras are rolling or risk being put into a straightjacket.

But worst of all, Doug Applebaum, her best friend and the younger man she had wanted to marry but gave up on, finally decides he loves her, after she’s legally committed to wed one of the bachelors on her show. What can Jackie do now? Go back on her committment to the show, ignore the advice of her children and her deceased husband, or follow her heart straight into Doug’s waiting arms?

Genres: Romance / Contemporary Romance / Paranormal Romance

Length: 95k words (TBD paperback pages)