A New Year’s Freebie from Holley

You know, I think I’ve very nearly extinguished my supply of witty things to say for the year. I don’t think I’m alone in feeling like it’s been tough to catch a break this year, even to just take a deep breath! So, instead of making you groan with my failing humor efforts, I’m offering up one of my New Year’s Eve-themed Den of Sin novellas as a freebie.

Hopefully, I’ll be back in January with something funny to say…or at least a good enough distraction. 😉

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Eve and Brent Troy have been married three months and have yet to consummate their union. Faced with losing her claim to her family property, busy surgeon Eve had to marry before her thirtieth birthday. Brent was single and convenient, and more importantly, he said yes.

Now, she wants to light a flame under their cold marriage, but they’re strangers and don’t know how to connect. A New Year’s weekend at The Beaudelaire is supposed to give them the tools they need. When they arrive, they learn the tool they’ve been equipped with comes in form of Eve’s best friend and fellow doctor Remy Kelly. He knows Eve’s marriage is a sham, and is intent on claiming her for himself. But, when faced with Eve’s strapping new husband who comes onto Remy’s radar as exactly the kind of alpha male he likes, he has a battle of conscience. He wants to take Eve home, not Brent, but for some reason they seem like a package deal.

At The Beaudelaire anything goes, so instead of two people letting down their guards, three forge bonds. That’s all well and good for the weekend, but what will shake out of their tentative ménage à trois when it’s time to go home?

Claim a copy of Ménage à Troys at instaFreebie through 1/2!

Aliens and an Oops from Holley

I goofed, and I’m sorry. I sort of fell off the planet in the last few weeks and missed my biweekly LL&L check-ins. Suffice it to say I’ve been on the go a lot and doing some personal and business travel. I’m not quite done yet, but right now, I’m in front of my computer and can catch you up on news.

How’s this?

*cackles darkly*

The Jekh Saga will start rolling on on August 9. These are big, meaty, sci-fi romances with some colonization politics and a lot of hard-up guys (this sentence reads dirtier than I intended) on a planet where few women remain.

Here’s the summary for the first story, Erstwhile:

As an adamant opponent of Terran settlement on the planet Jekh, Owen McGarry made his family name synonymous with “traitor” on Earth. Lobbyists standing to profit from off-world colonization hinted that the Jekhans were preparing to declare war. Nearly twenty years after Owen’s supposed death, his granddaughter Courtney wants to learn the truth—even if she has to travel to the far-flung colony to do it.

Court soon learns that not only was her grandfather right about the Jekhans, but that conditions on their world are far more hostile than she feared. Terran forces decimated the population of the resident human-alien hybrids, and the people who remain seem to be all out of fight. That is, except for the pair of men Court finds hiding in her basement.

Fugitives Murki and Trigrian see a future in Court. On a planet where so few women remain, she has the potential to be the mate the lovers need. And more, she could become the advocate for their people that her grandfather didn’t get the chance to be.

When the corrupt local government seeks to punish Court’s friends and family for her actions, she has no choice but to make a stand. If it takes a riot to make the people on Earth see that they were misled about Jekh, she’s more than willing to start one. After all, her reputation couldn’t possibly get any worse.

Look for Erstwhile on August 9! You can pre-order it now.

(Read on Apple devices? You can now download a free three-chapter sample from iBooks.)

A new Reedsville story from Holley Trent

I just couldn’t resist, so here’s another broke minor league baseball player for you. (You’re welcome!) You may have met Gary in my previous Reedsville Roosters story Designated Hitter. I brought him back in his own novel, because a novella just wouldn’t do for his trio. Gary’s got more issues than Sports Illustrated Magazine, and his lovers aren’t doing much better.

I love when romances have messy people. 🙂

Gary Morstad has had more than his fair share of intimate encounters with married women, but he thought he’d left that promiscuous lifestyle behind when he hightailed it out of the Miami manservant scene. He wants love, not more meaningless encounters. So, it’s just his luck that a greasy mechanic with the charm of a turnip has hooked the only woman Gary has ever wanted to behave himself for.

When the taciturn mechanic—Dean Yeats—vengefully volunteers to chaperone Gary during his mortifying return to his former minor league team, their antagonistic exchanges segue to a smoldering two-way attraction…and then a three-way one.

Gary’s over-the-top antics and larger-than-life personality get Dean loose and laughing in the way Dean’s wife Lorena craves seeing, however Lorena worries their ménage arrangement won’t outlast the season. Gary is endearing and unforgettable, but he’s also reckless. Men like him rarely play by the rules, and she’s not so sure she and Dean can help him make the new ones Gary so desperately needs.

Get Out of Bounds now at Amazon:

Amazon US
Amazon CA
Amazon UK
Amazon AU

Guest Author: Cherise Sinclair

I want to welcome Cherise Sinclair back to Love Lust and Laptops black leather couch (we only bring it out for Cherise, purple velvet clashes with her hair).

Today she is answering a question I posed and giving us a sneak preview of  her upcoming Masters of the Shadowlands release, If Only.  This book will be released by Loose-Id on November 5th!

Oh, and Cherise is giving away one free e-book from her back list to a lucky commenter. The way to enter is at the end of her posting and before the blurb and excerpt.

****

Ladies of LL&L, thank you so much for having me here today. And thank you, Monette, for dragging out my favorite black leather couch!

Last week, Monette asked me why the heroine in If Only enjoys the role-playing so much?

Because the game is a perfect fit for sassy submissives.

You see, deep down, a submissive wants to please her Dom—she wants that approving expression, the purr of appreciation, the nod of thanks. But some of us also have an urge to rock the boat, to mouth off a little. Or maybe a submissive might enjoy a nice punitive spanking, but doesn’t really want to annoy her Dom?

What’s a good submissive to do?

That’s where role-playing comes in—so many “roles” are based upon challenging or disobedient behavior. The Professor and naughty schoolgirl. The cop and prostitute. The security guard and thief.

Depending on the game, the more the submissive acts out, the more fun both parties have. The mouthier the submissive, the more she gets punished, yes, but being saucy is ‘okay’. Acting out is encouraged. The Dom’s “disapproval” is also just part of the game.

So, the next time you and your dear heart want to enliven things, consider adding role-play. Seriously, haven’t you ever wanted to mouth off to the highway patrol who gave you that ticket? Here’s your chance.

But—do remember to agree on a safeword first. Safe, sane, and consensual, right?

Happy playing!  And thanks again to LL&L!

~ Cherise

To enter the giveaway for a digital book from my back list, make a comment with a role-play idea you think would be fun to read about.

Thanks, Cherise.  Hmm, role play.  How about pirate and captive?  That’s always a good one.  Sheik and his harem girl?  Always a favorite.  Come on, readers, we know you have a fantasy role play.  And don’t forget to read the blurb and excerpt– I’ve had the privilege of reading If Only and it is a fabulous book.

Blurb for Masters of the Shadowlands: If Only

After the last fiasco, Sally gives up. She’ll never find a Dom of her own. Instead the computer whizz is job hunting in between bending the law—just a bit—to unearth the bastards who’d enslaved her friends. The clueless cops and Feds obviously need help.

FBI special agents, Galen and Vance, have waited to play with Sally for a long time. When the mischievous submissive returns to the exclusive Shadowlands BDSM club after an ugly relationship, the experienced co-tops are pleased. Realizing she’s suppressing her emotions, the powerful Doms push her—only to find that her sassiness conceals a scarred and vulnerable heart.

Shaken by the unexpected emotional exposure, Sally flees the demanding Masters and the Shadowlands.

Both Galen and Vance have reasons not to seek a long-term submissive, but when a brutal attack by her ex-Dom sends Sally into their home, the two agents are driven to protect her. To help her. To take her under command. Falling in love isn’t in the plans.

But as the little imp brings light into their lives, they begin to want more…until they discover she’s hacked into an organization that delights in burning people alive.

Excerpt:

“Time to start,” Vance said. “Remove your clothes, Sally.”

“Um.” She glanced around as if expecting to see bondage equipment magically appear. “This isn’t a scene area.”

“No. It’s not,” Galen said agreeably. He took a seat on the couch.

She rose, taking a step back so she could face them both. Confrontational—or defensive?

“I prefer to play in the regular areas,” she said.

Galen exchanged a glance with Vance. Wasn’t it a pleasure to keep this one off balance, little Miss Sassy who’d ruled over less experienced Doms.

“This spot is better for what we have in mind,” Vance told her.

Her eyes narrowed. She was obviously considering how far she could push them. Damned if he’d figured her out. Despite her impertinent behavior, she was submissive. Given no choice, she’d relax into giving up control.

“Clothes off now, Sally. Not next week.” Galen leaned back and extended his legs.

After a long hesitation, she stripped off her almost see-through skirt and the scarf she’d wound around her pretty breasts. She wasn’t a big woman but was solidly built. Amply padded with a curvy ass, heavy thighs showing she had some muscle underneath. He smiled as she bent to pick up her clothes. Jiggly, lush ass—Vance’s favorite kind.

As for Galen, he simply liked women’s bodies. Skinny or lush, muscular or soft. Full breasts or thimble-sized.

Naked—beautifully naked—Sally set her hands on her hips and frowned at Galen.

“Is that posture one Master Z teaches the trainees?” Galen asked levelly.

Her face flushed, and her arms dropped. “No, Sir.”

“There’s a relief,” Vance said.

Galen had to suppress a laugh at the flashing anger in her expression. “Come and sit on my lap.”

Her mouth flattened. She really didn’t like them, did she? Then again, he doubted her feelings were personal. She wouldn’t like anyone who’d punished her as they had—and she wasn’t going to enjoy what they’d planned for tonight, either.

With obvious reluctance, she seated herself on his thighs. He let her sit there, rigid as a pissed-off cat. Probably as dangerous.

“Now what?” she asked.

“We’re going to talk a bit, Sally.” Vance pulled his chair closer. “Nothing painful.”

“Lean against me, please,” Galen said. He enjoyed the hell out of making her comply with his voice alone.

Without relaxing a mite, she shifted until her shoulder met his chest.

“You smell good, pet. Like springtime.” He put his arm around her back, holding her still so he could rub his jaw along her neck and inhale the clean fragrance. Almost like green apples. “What’s the name of your perfume?”

“Be Delicious,” she muttered.

He chuckled. “Sounds like an invitation to me.” When he nibbled the top of her shoulder, she jumped.

Vance lifted her legs onto the couch and slid his chair close enough to rest his hand on her thigh. They wouldn’t tie her down. But she was a small woman, and their large sizes and positions would give her the feeling of imprisonment.

Now, the true point of this not-scene would begin. “I heard you’re going to get your Master’s degree. In what?”

Her disbelieving stare made him smile. She acted like a mouse cornered by a cat that didn’t immediately pounce.

Galen waited.

“Um. Computers.”

“A master’s in computers?” Vance prodded. “That’s vague.”

Her cheeks darkened slightly. “Master’s of Digital Forensics.”

Galen blinked at the unexpected answer. The girl was not only smart, but she might be pointing her sights at criminology. “Why that?”

“It’s interesting.”

“What exactly interests you?” Vance asked.

“Oh please, I’m not going to talk computers with someone your age. You probably think a mouse pad is where a rodent lives.” She scowled at them. “Is this an interview or what?”

“No, it’s a conversation between two Doms and a rude submissive,” Galen said, barely managing to keep from laughing.

She froze as if shocked to be called on her behavior. After a second, her head bent. “I’m sorry.”

*

Sally felt Galen’s warm hand stroke her shoulder. She’d annoyed him, but he still handled her gently.

And under his slow touch, her body responded in a way these Doms achieved far too easily. To her unease, Vance moved her legs apart before running his palm up and down her outside thigh.

Two men at once. She’d enjoyed threesomes in the past, but…not with these two. They were—

“So, trainee, what kind of a Dom are you looking for?” Galen asked as if not too interested in her answer. He seemed more engrossed in the way his fingers ran over her collarbone. Her nipples tightened as if begging to be touched as well.

Vance moved his hand higher on her thigh so his fingers dipped into the—dammit—wetness of her pussy. A brush against her clit made her jump.

She tried to move away.

“Stay still, pet,” Vance warned as he pressed a finger up inside her. His thumb rested beside her clit.

Biting her lip, she didn’t move, although her center quaked like force screens were disintegrating. Shields up, Scotty.

“That’s a good girl,” Galen said. Approval turned his voice to velvet.

When he cupped her breast, she realized they’d restrained her in an incredibly intimate fashion.

“Look at me, sweetheart.” Vance’s sapphire eyes met hers. Held hers as he slowly pulled his fingers from her pussy and then thrust deeper.

Despite Sally’s anger at them, heat blossomed in her core.

“Galen asked a question. Answer him.”

Question? Oh, right. Vance’s thumb pressed into the flesh above her clit, so close to where it would really feel good. Question. “Um, I don’t want a Master-type Dom.” I don’t want a Dom at all. Not anymore. “Not if he needs a real slave. I like to play.”

“A Dom just for some fun times in the bedroom? To tie you up and fuck you but not dominate in any other way?” Galen plucked her nipple, then recupped her breast as he waited for her answer.

Her body shimmered with heat. Damn them, they were doing this to her again. She tried to remember what she’d once desired. Before Frank. It didn’t really matter though. She could say anything. “Just for the bedroom.”

Vance slid his fingers in and out. “Odd. Her pussy lie detector says she’s lying.”

Sally stared at him. “You can’t—can’t tell anything like that.”

“The technique isn’t one we’re allowed to research.” Vance smiled. “But it works fine.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

© Cherise Sinclair
Masters of the Shadowlands: If Only
Releases November 5, 2013 from Loose Id

You can find Cherise in the following places:

Website: www.CheriseSinclair.com

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/CheriseSinclair
Goodreads:   http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2882485.Cherise_Sinclair
Facebook:      https://www.facebook.com/CheriseSinclair

What’s up next? part two…

Thanks for the segue, Lynn!

I have a lot going on this fall. My recent release, Tarnished, with new publisher, Taliesin Publishing has been a smashing hit! I’m so excited and pleased with the response. Tarnished is the first in s series of books called Wolf Gatherings. The next will release October 3. It’s called Dominated. The third will release February 6. It’s called Completed. And the fourth is currently running around in my head for next spring, Redeemed. That’s the Wolf Gatherings series.

Meanwhile, the Durham wolves series is still going strong. Rescue in the Smokies came out in the spring. Fire in the Smokies releases September 17 with Samhain Publishing. And the final book in that series, Freedom in the Smokies, releases December 29. And that’s a wrap for the Durham Wolves. However, they do have family connections on the other side of the country, so it’s always possible a new series will spawn off that one and take a life of its own.

Because I’m a wolf girl–does that even sound right?–I wrote a stand alone called Wolf Trinity that releases with Liquid Silver Books on November 18. I don’t think there is any room to expand on that, but never say never… Anything is possible. That book veers a bit from my usual in that it is m/m/f. 😉

So, what’s up next? I’m currently knee deep in a very long BDSM series. A break from all those wolves was needed! The series is called Emergence. The first book is titled Bound to be Taken. It releases next spring with Samhain Publishing. The second book is my current WIP. I’m plowing through it every day. 🙂 These two books are very long and quite different from anything I’ve ever written. Not for the faint of heart. They are also m/m/f.

And then what? Well, I’ll be working on that fourth book in the Wolf Gathering series next month and then I’ll think about revisiting the Wolf Masters series. It’s calling to me… Sometimes it screams at me in the night, but I haven’t had time to listen!

That’s about it. I really want to thank everyone who is enjoying my books. It’s amazing the response I’ve had and I appreciate every single reader. If you want to contact me, I will respond! Smooches, Becca

Guest blogger Carrie Ann Ryan is here!

Hi all!

I am really happy to welcome author and blogger extraordinaire Carrie Ann Ryan to Love, Lust and Laptops today! Carrie Ann is a prolific author, the queen of blog hops and an all-around lovely lady. So please make her feel welcome as she tells us about her hot new menage book Blurred Expectations! And make sure you check out her fun character interview.

Blurred Expectations Blurb

Hannah Jamenson has babies on the brain. It seems that her sisters-in-law are expanding their family in the blink of an eye, but Hannah  feels left behind. Every time that little test reads negative a little part of her dies and she feels like her Healing powers are failing her. Her mates, Josh and Reed, are doing everything they can to help her deal with their trials and losses, but they too feel like there is nothing they can do.

Just when the lines of what they mean to each other go out of focus, an enemy from Josh’s past is back to prove the things that go bump in the night are real and everything they had held dear is now in jeopardy. In order to fight back and find their way, they’ll need to put everything on the line before they lose it all.

Author’s Note: This is a novella set between books 4 and 5 to give you a taste of Reed, Josh, and Hannah. It is best that you have already immersed yourselves in the Redwood Pack world, however even new readers will enjoy a glimpse of the Redwood’s favorite triad.

Find it On:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ARe | Kobo

Carrie Ann took a deep breath as she made her way through the wards of the Redwood Pack, her body still shaking over the magic that had poured through her.

It hadn’t always been like that, no, before she’d been able to go through the wards with relative ease. But now with the addition of Bay’s blood within the Pack, the wards were stronger.

The Redwoods needed that.

Carrie Ann suppressed a shudder as to the exact reason why. Her wolves  had been through so much, and she knew there was much more for them to come.

She only hoped everyone made it through.

No, she couldn’t think about that either, not when she had to go interview three of her most favorite people.

“Carrie Ann!” Hannah called from the porch, the smile on her face bright enough to block the sun.

Damn, it felt good to see that. Hannah needed all the happiness she could get.

She held Hannah tight in a hug and closed her eyes. Yes, she missed Hannah and her men, hence why she’d written a whole new story on them.

“It’s good to see you hon,” she said as Hannah led her in to the living room where Reed and Josh were hanging a new painting of Reed’s on the wall.

They were both shirtless, their muscles straining as the lifted the thing.

“I still can’t believe their mine sometimes,” Hannah whispered and Carrie Ann could only nod.

It was hard not to love Hannah, but jealousy could easily climb into Carrie Ann’s mind at the view of two half-naked, sweaty, very, very sexy men that called Hannah their own.

Lucky bitch.

Reed looked over his shoulder and smiled. “Hey, Carrie Ann, good to see you. We’re almost done.”

“Oh no, please continue,” Carrie Ann teased as she watched the men stretch and work.

Yes, she could get used to this.

Finally, the men were done and enveloped Carrie Ann in sweaty, very sexy hugs.

*sigh*

Carrie Ann cleared her throat and looking into Hannah’s knowing eyes. “Okay, y’all. Let’s get down to business.”

Josh raised a brow. “Oh really?”

“Ugh, you know that’s not what I meant.” Though the idea had possibilities…NO! “I mean the interview. Readers are dying to hear how y’all are doing.”

“Say y’all one more time, darling,” Reed drawled in a very bad interpretation of a Texan.

“Oh shut it,” Carrie Ann said as she felt the blush rise in her cheeks. “You know I can’t help it. I even type it in emails even though I haven’t lived in the south in ten years. Okay, let’s talk about you because frankly, I’m boring to readers.”

The three didn’t comment and Carrie Ann rolled their eyes. Smooth guys.

“Now, Hannah, how are you feeling?”

Hannah smiled. “I’m dong freaking amazing. It has been such a whirlwind year and I’m so happy that we are taking this new path of ours.”

Carrie Ann laughed. “Hard not to give spoilers, isn’t it?”

Josh nodded. “You have no idea. But before you ask,  the three of us are closer than ever. Everything that’s happened to us—in both books—strengthened our bond and strengthened us.”

She let out a sigh. “Oh thank, God. I’m always so scared when things like that happen, but I knew you guys would make it through.”

Reed shook his head. “I would hope so.”

“Okay, we’ll, I’ll get the other questions about your life in another interview, but let’s get down to the fun things. Like….do you three share a room all the time? Or do you have separate rooms?”

“Actually we have one main bedroom for the three of us. Jasper helped us build it so it’s even bigger than a king,” Josh answered and Hannah blushed. He wrapped his arm around her and nibbled on her ear. “But we also have our guest room that we use for the other person when we need time for just two of us.”

“Though the rarely let me use it,” Hannah said dryly.

“Why would we? We like you pressed up against us,” Reed said.

“Okay, you guys. Keep it nice and not to sexy when I’m in the room, okay? I already know far too much about your sex lives. Now, Josh, do you still do all the cooking?”

Josh laughed. “Yeah, I kind of have to. Reed and Hannah have started fires, burned things, and one time, froze something. I still don’ t know how they did the latter.”

“I’m glad they have you.”

“I’m glad we do too,” Hannah said as she kissed him.

Carrie Ann cleared her throat as the kiss continued and then Reed joined them.

“I’ll…uh…I’ll just let myself out.” They waved at her, their gazes and touches only for each other. She knew the rarely had time just for themselves anymore and she’d let them have it.

Her triad had gone through everything she’d thrown at them stronger and closer than ever. That didn’t seem to bad now.

And who knows, maybe they’ll whisper in her ear again and get another story…

Carrie Ann Ryan is a bestselling paranormal and contemporary romance author. After spending too much time behind a lab bench, she decided to dive into the romance world and find her werewolf mate – even if it’s just in her books. Happy endings are always near – even if you have to get over the challenges of falling in love first.

Carrie Ann’s Redwood Pack series is an bestselling series that has made the shifter world even more real to her and has allowed the Dante’s Circle and Holiday, Montana series to be born. She’s also an avid reader and lover of romance and fiction novels. She loves meeting new authors and new worlds. Any recommendations you have are appreciated. Carrie Ann lives in New England with her husband and two kittens.

Carrie Ann loves hearing from readers. You can find her at:

Website | Facebook  | Goodreads | Twitter: @CarrieAnnRyan |

 

Merry Christmas!

Oh my! It’s Christmas morning already? Where did the year go? I need to breathe! I’ve been editing and writing non-stop this entire year, and I’ve proclaimed the next two weeks to be “vacation” for me! It’s rare. Writers and editors, we don’t take time off. Something is always on our desk, waiting in our in boxes, demanding our attention. Even if we aren’t sitting at a computer plugging away, those voices in our heads take over and insist on being “heard”.

I chuckle when I read Lynn’s post for yesterday. She has a book coming out today and I had one come out yesterday! You would think we could have coordinated that better. 🙂 In any case, the third book in my Wolf Masters series, Jessica’s Wolves, made its debut yesterday. That series has been the most exciting project I’ve worked on. The fourth in the series, Alyssa’s Wolves, is done and headed to edits. It should be released in April.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful morning ripping through paper, laughing with family, nibbling on tasty Christmas goodies, and just enjoying the company of loved ones. When all the wrapping paper is cleared and the dishes done, I’m looking forward to a deep breath and a long winter nap! Maybe I will get lucky and manage to keep the voices at bay for several days, rest the brain, so to speak. I hope everyone else can take some time to rejuvenate and regroup with me!

Have a wonderful holiday, whatever your religious affiliation may be, and I’ll catch all of you in the new year!

Becca Jameson