Smutketeers

The third in my WILD series is about to come out on April 1. I know, April Fool’s Day! Hey, good things can happen on that day too. It’s not just practical jokes. Okay, maybe it is. But WICKED, my book, is no prank, just wicked hot, wicked steamy, and a wickedly naughty little threesome book. And did I mention the shape-shifters? Lynx. You guys like the cats, right? I know you do.

Anyway, here are the details!

WICKED

Lynx shifter Farah has never been interested in limiting herself to a single mate, though she’s instinctively drawn to the unrestrained lust of The Wild, her people’s mating time. She’s particularly aroused by the sight of two men pleasuring a female together. But as she gives in to her desire with Ryan and Eric, Farah begins to suspect the impossible: that both men could be her mates…

Amazon | B&N | eHarlequin

EXCERPT:

The Wild time was almost over.

A shame, because Farah loved it. She could feel the heat loosening its grip on her body, and she mourned the loss. It would be another year before she felt the instincts of her feline side slice through her so keenly. Why did it have to end, this time away from time? It always drew to a close long before she was ready.

The chill of a mountain breeze brushed against her, but she’d shifted into her Lynx form, and her thick tawny-and-black spotted fur made her impervious to the cold of gathering dusk. Her claws dug into the soft ground as she wove her way through the trees and down the mountainside. Her car was parked at the base with all the others belonging to the shifters who came to Wild.

Something tugged at her senses, made her pause in her tracks. She glanced around, but saw no one. The birds twittered in the trees, the night animals beginning to stir in the forest. She could smell other Lynx, but nothing seemed out of place. Twitching her shoulders, she took a few more steps down the slope when her instincts stopped her again. They urged her away from the direction of her car, told her something good awaited her if she went left instead of right. She huffed out a breath and gave in to the internal pull. She didn’t want to leave anyway, so what would it hurt to take a few more minutes and see what lay in that direction. She turned and trotted toward the sound of running water. A few nimble leaps and she went from a small boulder to a massive one overlooking a wide river that snaked its way down to a lake. The long rows of parked vehicles were beyond the lake, though she couldn’t see them from where she stood.

The scent of sex, of hundreds of cats in one place, permeated the air. During the first week of spring, every female Lynx went into heat at the same time. Those in North America gathered here, in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, to rut with an abandon that never failed to make Farah shiver from the delicious thrill of it.

Wild was an awakening she could feel in the air, it was an awareness of possibilities, of beginnings. It was also when Lynx came to find their mates, but that had never been her aim. Limiting herself to one man wasn’t something she was interested in–her sexuality was the one area her in life where she let go of control. She loved the visceral novelty of a variety of lovers, the endless combinations. For her, Wild was seven days of leaving the trappings of humanity behind, the ambitious drive of the lawyer; seven whole days of embracing the side of herself her straightforward logic usually strangled into submission.

It was divine, that carnal release from all restraint. A game she loved to play with as many willing men as she could. There was no shame in her sexuality, no fear of harsh judgment, just the instinct to fuck burning through her body. She purred with pleasure. There was no better time of year than Wild, and she shoved away the understanding that her time was almost over. It made her ache to even think of it.

CONTEST!

Up for grabs is a $10 Amazon Gift Card. Tell me what your favorite April Fool’s prank was. Or just your favorite prank ever. Come on, be outrageous! Make me laugh.

I’ll draw a winner on Sunday…April Fool’s Day. And also the day WICKED goes wild.

Many thanks to the wonderful Smutketeers for letting me visit again. I love being here because everyone is so friendly, and nice… in a very, very naughty way, of course. ;)

Talking of nice but naughty, that’s a very apt way to describe Beatrice Weatherly, the heroine of my new book, IN THE FLESH, and another member of my “Ladies’ Sewing Circle”. Beatrice grew up as a decent, respectable gentlewoman, but one lapse in judgment has led to her becoming a notorious outcast from polite society. This one instance of what we’d call being “too stupid to live” has landed her in a terrible pickle, made worse by her brother’s inability to handle their family finances.

But Beatrice is a resilient young woman with a lot of backbone. She’s not one to sit back and think “woe is me” while everything turns to disaster around her, and when an opportunity to restore her financial situation presents itself, she says to hell with reputation and the good opinion of society, and reaches out to grab it with both hands.

And what she grabs with both hands is Edmund Ellsworth Ritchie, rich, powerful and a noted hedonist and connoisseur of fine women. When he sees the saucy nude photographs that are the cause of Beatrice’s downfall, he decides he has to see the delicious Siren of South Mulberry Street in the flesh. What’s more, he has to have her… and he’s prepared to splash out some of his vast wealth in order to secure one month, at least, of Beatrice in his bed.

Of course there’s far more to Ritchie than his libido. There are painful reasons for him seeking pleasure as a solace, and as they get to know each other, Beatrice discovers there’s tragedy in his life…

IN THE FLESH is out now in print, with digital versions to follow soon.

Society already believes she’s a scarlet woman. Why not become one?

Posing nude to appease her now ex-fiancé perhaps wasn’t the most prudent idea Beatrice Weatherly has ever had. With the photographs scrutinized up and down the ton and her brother running them into debt, Beatrice’s hopes of making a respectable marriage are dashed.

After one glance at Beatrice’s infamous racy cabinet cards, wealthy, powerful Edmund Ellsworth Ritchie is soon obsessed with Beatrice’s voluptuous figure. His indecent proposal—one month of hedonistic servitude in exchange for enough money to pay her brother’s debts—is one she can hardly refuse.

Determined not to let the rogue best her, Beatrice sets out for the infamous House of Madame Chamfleur to learn how to appease Edmund’s well-known appetite. Soon the couple is playing out exquisite fantasies…and feeling emotion that goes deeper than flesh. But Edmund harbors a shocking secret, and Beatrice must decide if she’s prepared to give up everything for a man who can offer her nothing, but who means everything.

 * * * * *

And here’s a saucy excerpt. Beatrice has just signed on the dotted line, agreeing to Ritchie’s indecent proposal… and now he asks for something on account.

***

Beatrice’s heart thudded. She was bought and paid for. She couldn’t prevaricate now. Her breath came in short little gasps, even though she tried to steady it. A sensation like being on a calliope made her dizzy and excited.

She had to give Ritchie what he wanted. She wanted it too. It was lucky she wasn’t respectable anymore, because being a courtesan gave her carte blanche to indulge herself. The gates were open and delicious sensations beckoned.

And yet her head whipped around just as Ritchie’s big, warm hand cupped her bottom.

The morning room door was unlocked and anyone could come in. Polly or Enid … Good God, what if Charlie got up early for the first time in living memory and blundered in on his sister being ravished?

“Oh, please, no… not here! Not now!”

Ritchie laughed, a rich complex sound, half benevolent, half mocking, all provocative.

“Afraid of discovery, Bea?”

“Of course I am!”

In which case, why was she pressing herself into his hold, rubbing her bottom against his fingers like a wicked little cat?

“You weren’t afraid last night when you were cavorting with me at Arabella Southern’s pile.” His grip on her changed, his fingertips curving like an arc of the devil, pressing in to make indecent contact with her through the cloth of her dressing gown and nightdress. She squeaked out loud when he rubbed to and fro, to and fro.

“This is different. This is my home and someone might come looking for me… the servants… For God’s sake, Ritchie, my brother might stroll in at any second.” It wasn’t likely, but her luck lately had been fickle. “Even you can see how unthinkable it is for him to catch sight of you making free with me. Even if I am doing it to save him from his debtors!”

“Only for that?” he whispered in her ear. He sounded amused, but she sensed asperity too. What did he want her to say? The receipt of a small fortune didn’t automatically lead to her falling madly in love with him.

But couldn’t you love such a man for nothing at all?

Where had that come from? No woman in her right mind would fall in love with Ritchie. He was only suited to wild affairs, scandal and, yes indeed, lust. His looks and his virile magnetism made that inevitable.

But the finer, more delicate feelings? No. He was a sophisticated animal, not a creature of sentiment.

But like a splinter in her thumb, the notion was embedded now, no matter how much she mentally shook herself. Ritchie wasn’t for fidelity, conventionality, hearth and home, children, a respectable union. And the sooner she disabused herself of all that, the better for all concerned.

“You know what I mean, you devil,” she hissed when he increased his subversive attentions to the groove between her buttocks. “Ritchie, please stop!”

His fingers stilled but didn’t retreat. “What’s wrong, don’t you like it?” he mocked, “Be honest. You owe me the truth.”

Beatrice gasped, her chest heaving, her un-corseted breasts rising, pressing against her daring tormentor. “Of course I like it!” she cried, “But I’d enjoy it a lot more if you’d do me the courtesy of at least locking the door.”

Ritchie’s finely-marked brows lifted and he seemed to consider the idea. “You’re right, my dear, of course,” he said softly, giving her bottom once last light squeeze. “I’d much rather have you relaxed. We’d both enjoy that more.” As if unwilling to release her, he led her by the hand to the door, where he turned the key with a firm little click. “There, that’s better. Now come and sit on my lap for a while, you delicious woman, and let’s both make ourselves at our ease.”

They took the larger of the two wing chairs. It was wide and commodious, and Ritchie flung himself down into it as if he owned the place. Which actually, he did, Beatrice supposed, as he’d no doubt paid the outstanding lease payments too. Bracing his strong thighs, Ritchie nodded at his lap, pulling teasingly on her hand.

Beatrice swallowed. There was a pronounced bulge in his trousers. The sort that a refined woman wouldn’t remark on, but which she found utterly fascinating. When she settled down onto it, it felt quite hot even through the sturdy fabric and whatever he wore beneath.

Maybe he doesn’t wear anything underneath?

This startling thought made her heart beat even faster. Edmund Ellsworth Ritchie was just the sort to brook societal rules about undergarments, simply for the devilment of it. Beatrice nudged herself along his lap, trying to tell whether he was wearing drawers or not. The action produced a husky heartfelt groan.

“That’s it, torment me with your beautiful bottom, minx. Drive me wild.” He sat back in the chair, shifting her sideways on with one arm around her waist, while the other took possession of her thigh. His fingers felt just as warm as the naughty bulge beneath her did.

“I was simply adjusting my position for comfort,” she shot back at him. Pressed under her haunch, she felt the beast in his trousers stir.

“But not for mine, dear. Not for mine.”

Beatrice wriggled again. Let him suffer. The idea of tormenting him thus brought an intoxicating surge of power.

***

IN THE FLESH is available from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and Barnes and Noble in print. Epub versions will be available on 1 April from eHarlequin and Barnes and Noble, with Kindle versions to follow in May. (Eden/Eve-looks like the Kindle version is available now!)

If you like the world of the “Ladies’ Sewing Circle” I have another recent release in that series, called A GENTLEWOMAN’S DALLIANCE. This is the story of Mrs. Mary Brigstock, a longtime member of the Circle, who’s been inspired by the naughty chat of her friends to start experimenting sexually with her beloved husband Leonard. The Brigstocks are keen to try erotic spanking, and they enlist the help of a “discipline specialist”, Benedict Holcombe, to give them a few tips.

You can discover more about Mary and Ernest’s sensual journey HERE, or pre-order A GENTLEWOMAN’S DALLIANCE now!

I hope you enjoyed the above excerpt and I’d love to hear what you think of it, in a comment. One lucky commenter will receive a print copy of IN THE FLESH so they can discover what happens to Beatrice *next* whilst sitting on Ritchie’s lap! A winner will be chosen tomorrow night and announced in the comments, so be sure to check back!

 * * * * *

British author Portia Da Costa is the best-selling author of over thirty novels and novellas of erotica, erotic romance and romantic fiction, as well as 100+ erotic short stories in magazines and anthologies. She’s most widely known for her sizzling titles for Virgin Black Lace and her frisky short erotica for Harlequin Spice Briefs, but she now also writes for HQN and Carina Press. She’s also written for many other publishers over the years, and under a variety of pen names. Her home is in the heart of West Yorkshire, where she lives with her husband and her adorable cat Alice. When she’s not writing or reading, Portia loves to watch the telly, and her favourites are Sherlock Holmes, Poirot and Marple.

Discover her blog and her website, and follow her on Twitter and Facebook. And don’t forget to check out her saucy selection of self-published work!

I meant to post this earlier but the day got away from me! Without further ado, let’s get to the winner of the $10 Samhain gift card!

Congratulations StacieD!

Email me at karen.e.erickson @ gmail.com (without spaces) and I’ll get your gift card to you!

And a big thank you to everyone who stopped by and commented! Y’all made my release week a lot of fun!

I am so excited that today is finally here. Worth the Scandal is out! And I’m curious to see how my regular readers will react to this story. What’s so different about this book compared to my other stuff, you ask? Well, let me tell you.

First, it’s longer, at approximately 220 pages, which is a good thing. I knew from the beginning the books from the Worth It series would need to be longer. Each Worth brother has a complicated story. Not only about finding the women that they fall in love with, but also exploring the intricate relationship between the brothers. The dynamics are different between each brother and there are, of course, built up resentments, disappointments and anger. What family doesn’t have those kinds of problems?

Second, these books aren’t erotic. No red hot rating from Samhain for this series — shocking, I know. Though please be assured, this isn’t a closed door sort of relationship. As if! I like the spicy, sexy stuff just as much as my readers and no way could these books not be sexy. But I knew they weren’t erotic in nature. They’re very sexy though, I can guarantee that.

Third, I went sort of old school with the plot of Worth the Scandal. I call this series ‘Samhain meets Presents’. Each book is loaded with plenty of sophisticated glamour, exotic locations, alpha males, misunderstandings between lovers…the works. I have a few secrets up my sleeve too. A big one I don’t want to reveal but if you read the book, you’ll know what I’m talking about. **yes I’m a tease**

With a new type of series, though, brings worry. Did I carry this off? Will the readers like it? Will they want more? Could I sound more like a neurotic writer (I sound like Chandler Bing)? You know what I mean…

Strictly business? Try telling that to her heart…

Worth It, Book 1

Alexander Worth, President and CEO of Worth Luxury Goods, is a man never to be crossed. His unwavering sense of responsibility to the family business requires him to always be in complete and utter control. Until it comes to Tessa Crawford.

She’s quietly professional, shy, voluptuous…and she works for him. Which means she is the one woman he must never touch, no matter how hard his gut twists with need for her.

After rising above her disadvantaged childhood, Tessa knows the last thing she should do is risk throwing it all away by falling into bed with her sexy boss. But on an extended European business trip, all self-imposed barriers burn away in the heat of their sizzling chemistry.

Once back home, though, whispers of corporate espionage turn into full-blown scandal—and Tessa finds out the hard way where Alex’s loyalties lie. Determined to soldier on, she picks herself up and carries on with a secret, yet welcomed burden. Never guessing that Alex will make a reappearance in her life, ready to show her once and for all that family does, indeed, come first.

Available at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Samhain | iBookstore

CONTEST: To celebrate the release of Worth the Scandal, I’m giving away a $10 Samhain gift card! Just leave a comment and I’ll draw one lucky winner. Contest closes end of Wednesday (March 21). Good luck!

Hi everyone! I’m Gillian Archer and am so thrilled to be here. A huge thank you to my gorgeous and talented mentor Eden Bradley for inviting me! (And no I’m not just sucking up. Although she does scare me a little. Whips have been mentioned and I don’t think they’re figurative LOL.)

(Eden/Eve: The whips are most certainly NOT figurative. I have quite a collection. *pets her favorite cat-o-nine. No need to be scared, though. Pain is pleasure around here. *G*)

Speaking of being scared and excited, the heroine in my new release, Wicked Weekend goes through a jumbled mixture of the two when she meets a sexy dominant at the bar…

Why did Lauren Vaughn introduce her sister to the man she herself was crazy about? Now Lauren is watching the happy couple at their combined bachelor/bachelorette party—while Lauren sits all alone at the bar. Until she spots a hot stranger with the telltale black handkerchief in his pocket: the signal for “seeks no-strings affair with sexy submissive.”

Lauren can’t take her eyes off him. So when he comes over, she kicks her inner good girl to the curb and follows Jamie Forman to his room, where he makes her scream with pleasure all night long.

But Jamie is a complicated man. He can’t handle how desperately he wants her in his bed—and his life. It’s up to Lauren to teach him how to make all night last forever.

Excerpt:

She tried to take a calming breath against the rising panic. She could do this. She wanted to do this. “Nice room,” she croaked.

“What? Oh, thanks.” He turned around and faced her. “Would you like something to drink?”

She shook her head. Probably better not to get too buzzed. She wanted to be able to remember every detail of what promised to be a memorable night.

He brushed a hand down her arm before taking her palm in his. “Look at me.”

She took a gulping breath and obeyed. He looked…in control. A glint of steel gleamed in his brown eyes yet his face was relaxed. Calm but authoritative. She loosened up slightly even as electricity arced up her arm at the touch of his hand.

“All that’s left is a safe word. Your choice. Unless you have any more questions?”

Her mind reeled, at war with the swirling butterflies in her tummy. Questions? She couldn’t think of any…

She shook her head again.

“Come on, kitten. You have to say something. Are you having second thoughts?” He dropped her hand and stepped back to the door, resting his hand on the knob. “Do you want to go?”

“No!” She winced at her overloud voice in the quiet of his room. “No, I don’t want to go.” She paused and took a deep breath. “Condoms!”

“Your safe word is condoms? That’s a new one.”

She smiled at his teasing. “No. I just wanted to make sure you have them. And that you’ll use them.”

He walked back to her and held her by the shoulders. “Of course. I insist on it.” He reached up and brushed the hair from her eyes. “Are you sure? Are you ready to follow my orders and let me control your pleasure?”

She took a deep breath. A musky, slightly woodsy scent filled her head as Jamie filled her vision. She’d forever associate the scent with him and tonight.

“Yes. I’m ready. Lawsuit.”

“Your safe word is lawsuit?” His lips quirked in that appealing way of his, urging hers to curl, as well.

She nodded in reply. A flush of warmth pooled in her lower abdomen and her nipples hardened. It was really going to happen. Him. Her. Spanking naughtiness. Oh God.

“Fair enough. From now on you will address me as either ‘sir’ or ‘Jay,’ understand?” He paused for her nod then his voice turned hard. “Go into the bedroom, take off all your clothes and stand with your nose in the corner.”

Lauren stared back in mute silence. This was it. Her fantasy coming to life. Her knees turned to jelly at the thought of what was to come, of what she was going to let him do to her. Oh, this was going to be good.

“What are you waiting for? GO!”

* * * *

Wicked Weekend is available at Carina Press, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or All Romance ebooks. You can even order an audio copy at Audible.

* * * *

Of course it’s not a guest blog without a little giveaway! So tell me in the comments what you think would make a humorous safe word and you’ll have a chance to win my menage book FRIENDLY SEDUCTION! A winner will be announced here in the comments tomorrow night!

About Gillian:

Gillian Archer lives in Northern Nevada with her amazing husband and two goofy dogs. When she’s not writing (but probably should be) Gillian is usually thinking about naughty things, doing naughty things, or watching reality tv (hey, don’t judge! LOL). You can also find her at her website, on Facebook, or Twitter.

Welcome to the third stop in the Cocktales Pub Crawl. I want to thank the Smutketeers for opening their blog doors to us. These Smutketeers really know to heat up a joint with their racy, sexy, amazing stories! In fact, it’s getting a bit warm in here. Maybe we should consider continuing this party naked! In honor of the Smutketeer’s stop on the crawl, today’s drink is the recipe from the first book in the Cocktales series.

For this third round, let’s have a Party Naked. I’m hoping the Smutketeers and I can share this drink at the Romantic Times convention in Chicago. Anyone else planning to be there? Remember to write down that drink title to be entered in the grand prize drawing. Details about how to enter can be found on my website (www.maricarr.com).

As a mixed drink:

1 shot of rum

½ shot of Southern Comfort

½ shot of Razzmatazz

½ shot of peach schnapps

Pour in a glass with ice and fill with 7-Up

As a shot:

In a shaker with ice, add

½ shot of rum

¼ shot of Southern Comfort

¼ shot of Razzmatazz

¼ shot of peach schnapps

Shake and strain into chilled shot glass.

This week’s pub crawl is being held to celebrate the release of Screwdriver next Tuesday, March 20. It is available for preorder at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. The Cocktales books are about four friends who own a combination bar/bookstore in Portland called Books and Brew (this is my DREAM business). Each woman runs a different aspect of the business—bartender, bookkeeper/office manager, the marketing/events coordinator, and the bookstore gal.

How about an excerpt from the first book, Party Naked?

Stephanie rubbed a weary hand over her face. The Romantic Hearts book club meeting was in full swing as she dropped off the second round of Screwdrivers. She wasn’t sure what book they were discussing, but it must have been a hot one. The ladies were animated and laughing loudly over a certain racy passage.

It was only seven o’clock, but she felt like she’d been on her feet for years rather than a few hours. She was still stewing over the parking ticket in her pocket. She’d never met a more arrogant, condescending police officer in her life. She had half a mind to storm over to the police department and file a complaint against Detective Nolan.

The only thing holding her back was that ultimately she had been wrong. She should have known better than to do something so stupid. Her day had been one long string of bad luck. It only stood to reason that the first time she’d ever double-parked in her life,she’d block in a freaking cop. Murphy’s Law was having a lot of fun at her expense.

She hadn’t told the other girls about the ticket upon returning to the bar because she was equal parts irritated and embarrassed. She’d just carefully stepped over the mat, put the liquor bottles on the counter and gotten to work.

Surprisingly Thursdays were pretty good days for them, business-wise. In addition to the book club meeting, there were quite a few regulars who came to have a drink or two and unwind with a newspaper or the newest novels.

Speaking of regulars, Stephanie took a detour to a chair in the corner. “You need me to freshen up your drink, Elias?”

Elias Clark was Books and Brew’s most loyal patron. He came in two nights a week—Thursdays and Saturdays—and he always followed the same routine. He’d claim his chair in the quietest corner of the shop, drink two scotch and sodas—never more than two—and read the newspaper. Then he’d find Jayne and she’d talk him into buying a new book.

“Thank you, Stephanie. I believe I am ready for my second glass.”

She picked up his empty tumbler and started to walk back to the bar, but Elias stopped her with a question. “You okay tonight? You seem tired. That’s not like you. You’re usually the life of this place.”

She smiled at his compliment and shrugged easily. “I’ve had a long day.”

A very long one, she thought.

“Perhaps you could take off early?” Elias suggested. “Go home and rest. I bet the other ladies wouldn’t mind covering for you.”

Stephanie glanced around the shop. Jayne was leading the book discussion, while Sophie and Jordan were helping various customers, either by finding books or serving drinks.

She shook her head. “Only a few more hours until closing time. I’ll be fine ’til then.”

Elias gave her a friendly smile and she felt grateful for his concern.

She was halfway to the bar when she spotted a familiar face walking through the front door. She stopped in her tracks. Detective Nolan sauntered in like he owned the place and the temper she’d managed to subdue all afternoon flared hot once again.

He glanced around the bar quickly, looking over at the boisterous book group as he took a seat at the end of the bar. His gaze missed her completely.

Suddenly she felt as if the clouds on her lousy day had lifted and she’d been granted a bit of good fortune. She’d had hours to fume about the detective’s behavior and, as always happened, she’d thought of a million clever, cutting things she could have said to him aftershe’d driven away. She’d been pissed off about missing her opportunity.

A smile crossed her face. Time for round two.

She walked toward him.

As if sensing sudden danger, the detective turned, his gaze catching hers as she approached. She enjoyed the myriad emotions that covered his face in the few short steps it took her to reach him—surprise, annoyance, anger and, finally, was that regret? The last pulled her up short for a moment, then she drew near.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t De—”

The detective grabbed her shoulders, pulled her toward him and cut off her words with a kiss that left her stunned motionless for a full thirty seconds.

What the hell?

Party Naked is available at Ellora’s Cave, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Sony, and All Romance Ebooks.

Now how about a little contest? Leave a comment here on the Smutketeer’s blog by 6 a.m. (EST tomorrow, March 15) and one winner will receive a $5 gift card to Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice). To enter, simply tell me what is your favorite Smutketeer book?

THANK YOU so much for all the tweeting and pimpage! You have no idea how much I appreciate it. :) And those of you who reviewed it, you know who you are…I heart you. A lot. ;)

With a very professional process of picking (eeny meeny miny mo) The winner of the $50 gift card to Amazon or Barnes & Noble is:

Alana Caldwell!!!

email me  at r.g.alexander@hotmail.com for your prize!!

The world of Theorrey runs like a well-oiled machine.

The elements are in balance, passion is tamed and the young queen

is the heartbeat of it all. But in these two all-new stories of

elemental steam, nothing is ever as it seems…

Earthly Desires

Fiery Temptations

The reviews are already coming in!

EXCERPT

“Welcome to Trader’s Square.”
Dare stopped short, digging the heels of her scuffed, borrowed boots into the dirt. That was the queen’s voice. It was tinny and unnatural, but it was hers.
She looked over the crowd to find the source of the cheerful announcement. There, seated on a throne of limestone, nodding to the passersby, was a life-sized automated replica of the queen coated in delicate copper leaf. A crank key at the base turned slowly as the figure moved through its sequence of operations with clockwork precision. A nod. A wave. An expression of serenity.
It was a masterful likeness. Dare had seen other such automatons before, most as they were being built. The artisans told her that people loved to feel the queen was watching over them wherever they lived, which was why they were sent out to all of the cities in Theorrey. In this way, everyone could be as close to her divine presence as possible. In spirit if not in truth.
This one was the best yet, forged with such attention to detail that Dare had to move closer.
Queen Idony the Ever Young. The artistic engineer had captured the eternally fourteen-year-old monarch perfectly; the mischievous smile, the large, deep-set jeweled eyes, wise and knowing beyond her apparent years. Even the distinctive shining hair was exact—made of fine, individual strands of white gold. It fell to her shoulders, drawing attention to the necklace that always adorned her graceful neck.

The Nymphaea Infinitum.

Dare had been a much younger, newly chosen Chalice the first time she saw the amulet. It had fascinated her ever since. Its strangely shaped gears, made of a metal unlike any she’d seen before, surrounded a lotus whose many petals were crafted from the valuable greenish-blue theorrite. What made it all the more unusual was that it seemed more than an ornament. It appeared to be grafted to the queen’s skin. As much a part of her as her own flesh.
“The symbol of my rule,” Queen Idony had told her with a small, ironic tilt of her lips.
The immense sadness emanating from her when she’d said it had made Dare—naïvely foolish and unaware of protocol—ask her why. Father had warned her not to share the knowledge of her gifts with others, but he couldn’t have meant to include the queen. Surely she, of all people, already knew. She knew everything.
“You dare to presume what your queen is feeling?” Idony’s smile had grown, and real amusement rolled off her in pleased waves. “I think you will be my favorite Senedal, Demeter. And I know we shall be friends. Though I’m not sure such a stodgy name will suit you. What was the commander thinking? I believe I will call you Dare.”
A scratchy, female voice interrupted her musings and brought her back to reality with a jolt. “Pretty version ain’t she, boy? We’ve been needin’ a new one for years. Got her in a few weeks ago though, surprised if this is the first time you’ve seen her.”
Dare couldn’t tear her gaze away from the moving statue as it nodded in regal welcome. She knew she had to acknowledge the woman who had appeared beside her lest she seem odd or out of place, but it was not easy to look away from the dearly familiar queen.
She tried not to flinch when she finally glanced up at the thin, taller woman’s face. One half of it was smiling. The other half, malformed from some terrible misfortune, was pulled into a grimace.
Dare forced herself to speak. “I’ve been ill. A . . . friend was looking after me.”
The scarred hand patting her arm stilled for a moment, and Dare sensed a jarring edge of suspicion from the woman. “Ill, you say? That’s too bad. But you look healthy enough now. Young and strong. Though I’m guessing it must be a tender throat that has you still sounding like a girl at your age. Friend, huh? Don’t have any family to look after you, then? No one who would care that you walk through the square untended?”
Dare tried to deepen her voice. “Yes. My throat. And I’m old enough to be on my own. I need no attending.”
Suddenly, Dare could barely hold back her tears. All the emotions around her must be affecting her control. A member of the Wode did not cry. She’d learned that long ago, when her father had first left her at the palace. She was a warrior, a soldier. Bred to be a companion and guard. Love and family were not for people like her.
Yet she did have a family of sorts in Queen Idony and Cyrus. An Arendal, Cyrus was Dare’s counterpart, the Queen’s Sword. They had arrived at the palace on the same day, replacing generations of their predecessors as the queen’s companion guards. Her Arendal and Senedal. Her Sword and Chalice.
She hadn’t cried when, months ago, she had been informed that Cyrus was missing, presumed dead. She hadn’t cried when she discovered that the queen . . . No. She could hardly admit the truth, even to herself. It was too horrific.
She could not cry now.
Dare tugged the brim of the large woolen hat farther down, to hide her expression. She wasn’t quick enough.
“Oh my,” the young woman, who looked to be around her age, tutted. “Here you’ll be thinking Lucy Thrice is ugly and mean. Put my foot in it, did I? I’m sure you are perfectly capable of attending yourself. Nothing could scare a brave lad like you, eh? But that throat and those watery eyes have given Lucy an idea. Tell you what, I have a special grain tonic that’ll ease your troubles. My own creation. Good for all that ails you. I won’t charge you a thing for a taste.”
The queen’s automaton tilted her head. “Welcome to Trader-der- der-der-Dare-Dare-Trader’s Square.”
Dare’s heart stuttered along with the replica’s vocal recording. Had it just said—? No, that was preposterous. It had to be a coincidence.
A man walked by and kicked the platform, the hollow thud making Dare cringe. He no doubt believed, as anyone with good sense would, that the gears within had jammed. As he passed, one of the queen’s metal eyelids lowered over a jeweled eye, which was emitting a soft blue glow. It looked decidedly like a wink. Impossible.
“The artist’ll be hearing about that little glitch I’ll wager. Come on, now. Time for my famous remedy.” The woman tugged on her arm but Dare shook her head. Seeing the queen’s likeness had only increased her urgency and reinforced her determination to complete her mission. Visiting with this pleasant unfortunate had no part in it.

“You are kind, Miss—”

“Thrice, is me. Lucy Thrice.”

Dare nodded. “You are kind, Miss Thrice.” She politely but firmly
disengaged herself from the woman’s grime-covered grasp. “Unfortunately I must be on my way.”
“Listen to that,” a male voice drawled behind her. “If I closed my eyes, I’d be sure a lady from the Hill had come to visit with those sparklin’ manners, instead of a dirty lowborn boy.”
She saw Lucy’s mud-brown eyes narrow. “So would I. The lady part leastwise. I’m thinking we’ve found our special bird.”

CONTEST

Rachel Grace is my brand new name with my brand new book, so I’d love it if you spread the word in whatever way you can:

Share my release day on FB or twitter and share the link in your post.

If you’re a Smutkedette or reviewer who liked GEARED and have a review, or if you read the book this week, share on Goodreads and/or Amazon or B&N and tell me about it.

“Like” or add  it on Amazon, Goodreads and B&N (that little thumbs up symbol near the book cover)

If you do all three you’ll be entered three times. :)

PRIZE

I’ll choose a winner to receive a $50 Amazon or B&N gift card on Friday!

Enjoy!!

Thank you all for sharing in this great adventure! I had so much fun! I hope you did too. Stay tuned for another contest-this one a whole week long! lol Which should be up shortly.

Thanks again! And I hope you all enjoy GEARED FOR PLEASURE!

NOTE: TO ALL THE WINNERS

email me @r.g.alexander@hotmail.com so I can get your prizes to you

1. I Love Books Winner………Cathy M……..Prize: Western Ties by Mari Carr and Sweetest Seduction by KB Alan

2. Shelli Steven’s Winner…..Jennifer Mathis…..Prize $5 Amazon or B&N GC and any ebook from RG Alexander’s Samhain or Ellora’s Cave backlist

3. The Smutty Kitty Winner……Catherine Lee…..Prize: Dare me by Lexxie Cooper and Night Moves by Eden Bradley

4. TJ Michaels Winner…..Fedora…..Prize: $5 Amazon or B&N GC and any ebook from RG Alexander’s Samhain or Ellora’s Cave backlist

5. My Secret Romance Winner……Joanna B……Prize: Foreign Affair by Shelli Stevens and Brush Stroke by Jax Cassidy

6. Down Under Divas Winner…..Michelle Bledsoe…..Prize: $5 Amazon or B&N GC and any ebook from RG Alexander’s Samhain or Ellora’s Cave backlist

7. Drea’s Winner……Carol Luciano…..Prize: Bloodsong by Eden Bradley and Captive Mail by Kate Pearce

8. Kate Pearce Winner…..Lisa George…..Prize: $5 Amazon or B&N GC and any ebook from RG Alexander’s Samhain or Ellora’s Cave backlist

9. Wickedly Sexy Writers Winner….Wolphcall…..Prize: Naughty Little Secrets by Cassandra Curtis and Miss Bramble and the Leviathan by Kristen Painter

10. Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews Winner….Ursula….Prize: $5 Amazon or B&N GC and any ebook from RG Alexander’s Samhain or Ellora’s Cave backlist

11. Dragons and Shifters and Books Winner ……Ashley A……Prize: How to Train Your Dragon by Lexxie Cooper and Perfect Formation by KB Alan

12. Robin L. Rotham’s Winner……Sue Sattler……$5 Amazon or B&N GC and any ebook from RG Alexander’s Samhain or Ellora’s Cave backlist

13. Joyfully Reviewed Winner…….Kaylyn Davis…..Prize: Spying in High Heels by Gemma Halliday and Lady Northam’s Wicked Surrender by Vivianne Westlake

14. Mari Carr’s Winner……ELF……Prize: $5 Amazon or B&N GC and any ebook from RG Alexander’s Samhain or Ellora’s Cave backlist

15. Daydrmzzz Blog Winner….Shadow.…Prize: Spring Equinox by Eden Bradley and Alien Overnight by Robin L. Rotham

16. International Heat Winner….. Elaineg8…….Prize: $5 Amazon or B&N GC and any ebook from RG Alexander’s Samhain or Ellora’s Cave backlist

17. Romance Book Craze Winner……Sienny…..Prize: $5 Amazon or B&N GC and any ebook from RG Alexander’s Samhain or Ellora’s Cave backlist

18. Nine Naughty Novelists Winner….Sheri Vidal….Prize $10 Amazon or B&N GC

The Grand Prize Winner of:

A signed print copy of DESIRE’S EDGE by Eve Berlin aka Captain Amaranthe

A signed print copy of PLAYING WITH FIRE by Karen Erickson (to taunt you, we’re keeping her character name a secret for now, all will be revealed later)

A signed print copy of  EMBRACE THE NIGHT or NIGHT GAMES by Crystal Jordan aka Aurora Steele

A signed print copy of THREE SINFUL WISHES and POSSESS ME by my alter ego RG Alexander aka Dare

PLUS

An Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card for $30

A mouse pad emblazoned with the map of Theorrey  (your choice of gel or regular)

AND a Smutketeers coffee cup

IS……RACHEL FLORES

Congratulations Rachel!! And everyone!

Hear the tick tick tock of the Countdown Clock,

As we wait with breath held for stores to unlock.

For two moons to rise in the Theorrean skies.

For the Queen’s favorite Wode to unveil their lies.

When the Siren sings and the Deviant soars

Will The Khepri pull his strings, will the lion roar?

We cannot forget, in the time between,

That above all else, we must save the Queen.

My other personality, Rachel Grace, has been hiding for nearly a year, waiting for her chance to step out of the shadows and make a post on The Smutketeers. Now she’s…I’m…we’re ready to celebrate “our” clockworky steampunkitude release, GEARED FOR PLEASURE!!

Luckily, she has a lot of friends ready to join her for her party. Which makes sense, since this world, this story, is filled with a large cast of characters who must come together, fight side by side, and trust each other if they have any hope of accomplishing their goals.

GEARED was forged out of friendship, inspired by the members of The Smutketeers at the same time the blog itself was being created. And then the two-story anthology took on a life of its own, built the world of Theorrey and introduced us to Bodhan, the Queen’s Sword, Cyrus, Freeman and so many others…like Wulf. *sigh* Let’s take a look…

The world of Theorrey runs like a well-oiled machine.

The elements are in balance, passion is tamed and the young queen

is the heartbeat of it all. But in these two all-new stories of

elemental steam, nothing is ever as it seems…

Earthly Desires

Here are some of the prizes you can win:

Cassandra Curtis: Naughty Little Secrets

KB Alan: Sweetest Seduction and Perfect Formation

Mari Carr: Western Ties

Shelli Stevens: Foreign Affair

Lexxie Couper: Dare Me
and How To Love Your Dragon

Jax Cassidy: Brush Strokes

Vivienne Westlake: Lady Northam’s Wicked Surrender

Eden Bradley: Night Moves and Spring Equinox and Bloodsong

Kate Pearce: Captive Mail

Kristen Painter: Miss Bramble and the Leviathan

Gemma Halliday: Spying in High Heels

*And one or two gift cards scattered among all of those wonderful books.

To receive THE GRAND PRIZE for the Scavenger Hunt YOU MUST

~ Comment here on The Smutketeers blog, then go visit at least 5 of the above blogs, leave a comment, and  find 5 images (some might be the same-thats okay-but extra points if you get one of each),

you might have to do a little searching to find them.

Then email me at >>>> smutketeerscontest@hotmail.com <<<<< and tell me which image you found on which site. DO NOT POST THIS INFO ON THE SMUTKETEERS BLOG (you’ll just be helping someone else win lol) . This will enter you once.

OR

~Visit all the blogs, comment and send me an email with all of the images to be entered twice.

AND

~If you come to see a few of the Smutketeers chatting today live: 3 pm Central at Joyfully Reviewed Chat and 8 pm Central at Kris Cook Chatters/Righteous Perverts …you’ll be entered a third time.

The grand prize winner will receive a goody basket from the Smutketeers that includes:

A signed print copy of DESIRE’S EDGE by Eve Berlin aka Captain Amaranthe

A signed print copy of PLAYING WITH FIRE by Karen Erickson (to taunt you, we’re keeping her character name a secret for now, all will be revealed later)

A signed print copy of  EMBRACE THE NIGHT or NIGHT GAMES by Crystal Jordan aka Aurora Steele

A signed print copy of THREE SINFUL WISHES and POSSESS ME by my alter ego RG Alexander aka Dare

PLUS

An Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card for $30

A mouse pad emblazoned with the map of Theorrey  (your choice of gel or regular)

AND a Smutketeers coffee cup