Blurb:

Three city girls from Seattle are enjoying a night out at a chic coffee house in downtown Missoula, Montana, the heart of the old West. When a gang of cowboys mosey in looking for trouble, they find trouble of the best kind… and these boys are primed and ready to ride. There’s Gabe, a hard-bodied rancher who’s discovered some imaginative new uses for rope. Chet, a rodeo cowboy who’s charmed the pants off more than a few country girls and vows to remain a bachelor for life. And Reuben, a former Army ranger with a taste for edgy sexual games. As the couples embark on a scorching night of passion and play, they experience the most exquisite pleasure—and discover kinky new thrills they never dared to imagine. Because when it comes to knocking boots, cowboys do it best… 

Nic’s Recommendation:

Don’t plan on setting this book down once you start reading because it’s just not possible. Lock the doors, turn on the answering machine and tell everyone to come back later. Each of the three interwoven stories is full of heart, romance, and wild wild cowboys. Yeehaw! The witty dialogue will have you laughing out loud, and the memorable sex scenes will heat you up. Ms. Teglia’s characters are fun, adventurous, and loveable. I highly recommend Wild Wild West. It’s a book I’ll read over and over again. 

Wild Wild West is available for pre-order from Amazon.

WOOHOO…partay! *g*

We are having a party at our Yahoo group, T&A Fantasy Playground, on Saturday, August 4th. starting at 8 p.m.(est) and going ’til we just can’t party no more. There will be games, contests and prizes galore.

*Hint* The best way to win prizes is participate. We will be drawing random posts from the group to win many of the prizes.

Many authors will be stopping by to party with us. Some of the authors you may run into include:

NJ Walters, Charlene Teglia, Annmarie McKenna, Mackenzie McKade, Maya Banks, Jodi Olson and Mary Eason.

Click here  to join the Playground.

The prize list includes:

Margarita Day ARC from TK & Nic
Rakahnja’s Haven ARC from Nic
Calendar of various Playground author’s books covers
Print copy of Tapestry Dream by NJ Walters
A set of the 2007 EC-RT cards (one cowboy pack and one Moulin Rouge pack) from NJ Walters
Orgasm Keychain from Jodi Olson
Only Human download from Charlene Teglia
A download from Annmarie McKenna
Lost but not Forgotten download from Mackenzie McKade
Signed print copy of Savannah’s Vision from Nic
ARC of Samhain Publishing release entitled Thirty Lessons by Mary Eason
Print copy of For Her Pleasure (Berkley, releases 9/07) from Maya Banks
ARC of Brazen by Maya Banks
$10 gift certificate for Pure Romance from Christine

As well as a few other surprise prizes

Signing up for and participating in the Round Robin (sign-up in database on group site) will enter your for a great prize. You don’t have to be a great writer, just add a paragraph or two to the story for fun.

Mark your calendars now. This is one bash you won’t want to miss!

WOOHOO! I just got the cover for Rakahnja’s Haven, which releases August 10th from Ellora’s Cave. The cover model is none other than sizzling hot Jason Santiago, winner of the Mr. Romance 2007 competition. The artist, Syneca Featherstone, never ceases to amaze with her stunning work. Thanks Syn!

Dang, I’m not getting any work done today because I can’t stop drooling over this cover.

Thirteen Things I Hate About Summer

Blurb:

When Dylan Reese first sees Tomas, the sensual masked Dom at Club Chained, he instantly feels the connection between them. Falling under his dark spell, Dylan is unable to resist his commands, baring his body and his soul for his masked lover. In an intense exchange of sensual power, Dylan submits with an honesty and a passion he’s never known. He finds himself falling hopelessly in love with a stranger who can’t or won’t reveal himself.

Dr. Jack Marchand, a professor of medieval history, is smitten the moment he lays eyes on Dylan, the green-eyed PhD candidate he is mentoring. As their friendship blossoms, so does their trust — freeing Dylan to confess his submissive orientation while Jack admits his naturally dominant impulses. A tumble into bed after too much to drink convinces Jack he must possess Dylan on every level.

But just as Dylan is captured by a fantasy, Jack is held prisoner by a secret of his own creation. Jack finally realizes the only way to liberate Dylan’s heart is to confess what he has kept hidden from the world. 

Nic’s Recommendation:

I like to push boundaries myself, and love to read books which do the same. Claire Thompson is a master at pushing boundaries in her writing. There is such a thing as pushing too far, which makes it a delicate balancing act. Ms. Thompson’s story will take you to the edge not only with the BDSM play and sizzling m/m interaction, but also with Jack’s secret. I was taken with the characters from the first page, and propelled by their heartfelt emotional journey as each discovers new aspects of themselves. Masked Submission is first and foremost a love story which will touch your heart. 

Masked Submission, and many other wonderful books by Claire Thomson, can be found at Elloras Cave.

Blurb:

Second book in MIA series

On a frigid winter night, vengeance is what he seeks. A love strong enough to melt the ice surrounding his battered heart is what he finds.

After six years of forced exile and servitude, Shamus Long is finally going home. A grisly discovery upon his arrival plummets Shame into a world of darkness and vengeance that threatens to consume him.

With single-minded purpose, Shame tracks down the Master Vampire responsible for ordering the hit on his family. Upon his arrival, a vicious snow squall postpones his attack on the murderous cartel, forcing him to seek refuge in a small motel on the edge of town to wait out the storm.

There he meets Gail, a shy loner working the night shift. Instant chemistry and a power outage throw them into one another’s arms for a night of scorching passion. When Ty, a man accompanying him, with his own retribution to deliver unto the supernaturals, disappears, Shame grows paranoid and seeks anonymity by following Gail home.

Hot nights of blistering lovemaking, while he continues the search for both the cartel and the man he has grown to consider a friend, put Shame on edge and leave him feeling emotions he refuses to accept.

All of Shame’s secrets come to light when he’s forced to involve Gail. What he doesn’t know is Gail has secrets of her own. Secrets strong enough to rock the very foundation of his beliefs and threaten not only his bruised heart, but his very life.

Nic’s Recommendation: 

I’d been anticipating this book since reading Missing In Action, and Ms. Young did not disappoint. It has action, suspense, and intense heat. I wanted to cry when Shame finally made it home, and over what happened to Ty. The very hot sex between Shame and Gail had me dropping the temp on the a/c…wowza! This book has it all, and I highly recommend you pick up both Shameful and Missing In Action. 

Shameful is available from Samhain Publishing.

Blurb:

Captain Bjorn Lunde leads a team of highly specialized troops. In need of assistance, Bjorn must welcome Sigrid Myrhe, a scientist whose knowledge may help stop a series of vicious attacks — if her voluptuous body doesn’t drive the men to distraction first. Bjorn wants her at first glance, on his team and in his bed—and it seems his bear has found its mate. Now Bjorn must control the bear and his lust for Sigrid to keep her from discovering what makes his team perfect for an Arctic mission.

Eager for a chance to prove herself, Sigrid soon discovers an assignment fraught with dangers she never imagined and men unlike any she’s ever known. The captain is more than her commander. He’s a man as rugged and mysterious as the frozen land she loves.

Bjorn needs a scientist. Sigrid hungers for a chance to prove her skills. What she finds is a team of men with inner beasts — and a sexual attraction hot enough to melt the Arctic landscape that surrounds them. 

Nic’s Recommendation:

I’ve read books about many different kinds of shifters. Lions, tigers, wolves… This refreshing story is about polar bear shifter Bjorn Lunde and his special team of men/bears. Sigrid is a researcher and kick-ass heroine. The book may be set in the frigid artic, but it will get you heated up, and fast. And the mystery surrounding their mission will keep you riveted.  

Ms. Winter’s vivid writing puts the reader in the center of the action. Bjorn’s Mate is an action-packed thrill ride I didn’t want to put down. I’ve heard this a series, and can’t wait to read more! 

Bjorn’s Mate is available from Ellora’s Cave.

Thirteen Things I Did While In NYC

I took my family to NYC for a four day vacation over the 4th of July. That’s about the maximum amount of time I can handle being in NY since it’s such a stimulus overload. We had a blast seeing the sights and walking all over Manhattan, even though the weather wasn’t wonderful.

1.  Central Park

The park is 843 acres filled with things to see. This picture is of the Belvedere Castle. The day we went was sunny, and people were out and about, catching some sun, playing and relaxing.

2.  Horse Drawn Carriage Ride

At the south-eastern corner of the park is where all the carriages line up. We took the tour and heard some of the park history.

3.   Times Square

Our hotel was in Times Square. The whole area is fast paced and high energy. Its packed with great places to eat and shop.

4.  The Today Show 

We didn’t get up early and make signs, but still made it to the show and saw some of the stars. In this segment, Ann Curry was learning about beers.

5.  The Circline Fireworks Cruise

The experience was a bit disappointing. The ship headed out more than 4 hours before the fireworks, cruised for 1 hour, than sat parked, waiting for the fireworks. It was boring until the show began. Then 3 barges full of amazing fireworks lit up the night.

6.   The Statue of Liberty

One the fireworks cruise, we cricled around Liberty Island and got a close up look at Lady Liberty.

7.   The South Street Seaport

It was really cool seeing the historic sailing ships against the background of skyscrapers. My son explored the boats. On the pier, there are tons of shops and restaurants.

8.   The Empire State Buliding

I looked awesome lit up red, white and blue for the fourth.

9.  The Brooklyn Bridge

We wanted to take the 40 minute walk over the bridge, but were walked out when visiting the area.

10.  The Double-decker Bus Tour

When our feet gave out we took the bus tour. I highly recommend this tour. We saw lots of things we never would have seen on our own, and learned some history of the city.

11.   Top of the Rock

The top of Rockefeller Center offers some of the best views of the city. With the plexiglass barriers, you get an unobstructed view and can see for miles.

12.  Ground Zero

This shot is taken looking toward the west, showing the empty space where the towers used to stand.

13.  Traffic

I had thought the traffic in my town was bad. NY is insane. I felt like I was in the middle of the Frogger video game, trying to cross the road without getting squished.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

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Blurb:

To stop a blackmailer and achieve her dreams, she only had to do one thing: seduce the enemy.

Shanna York was set to achieve her glittering ballroom dreams and become a dance champion—until her dance partner gets tangled up in scandal and blackmail. With the clock ticking and all her ambitions at stake, the last thing she needs is the gorgeous owner of a sex club tempting her with the forbidden.Or maybe that’s the very thing she needs…

Alejandro Diaz has sizzled for Shanna since he set eyes on her months ago. Her repeated rebuffs will make her surrender that much sweeter. She’s ambitious and driven…but so is he. When she asks for his assistance to ensnare a voyeuristic blackmailer with a video fetish, he doesn’t hesitate to help her stage a bedroom trap. But neither is prepared to face scorching, endless passion, the blackmailer’s real identity—or the undeniable love that grows between them.

Nic’s Recommendation:

Watch Me is a rapid page turner. Dance is foreplay, and you’ll see why when reading this book. Ms. Bradley takes puts the reader in the center of the action, from dance floor to exhibitionist stage. Shanna and Alejandro absolutely sizzle. Shanna’s exploration of her sexuality sets the scene for seduction which will keep you captivated.

Be prepared not to put this down once you start reading and the rest of the world melts away!

Watch Me is available from Samhain Publishing.

Blurb:

Welcome to Fantasm Island! Leave your inhibitions at the door and let your fantasies soar.

That’s what the brochure said anyway. A week long fling with a stranger. Where’s the harm in that? Take a compatibility quiz and a slew of other health tests, sign a strict privacy agreement and give license to any sexual fantasy you’ve ever had. Evan Knight couldn’t wait.

Gabe and Lance have been searching for their perfect third for what seems like forever. One look at the woman he and his best friend and lover Lance have chosen to claim during her time on the island, and Gabe thinks they may have finally found her.

But what if Evan isn’t interested in more than the fling she signed up for? Or worse, what if she can’t handle two men who are into each other too? Gabe and Lance have one week to convince Evan that the three of them belong together, and they’ll use every bit of seduction in their arsenal to make sure when the fantasy ends, their reality together will only just be beginning. 

Nic’s Recommendation:

Talk about hot—this book will melt your computer! Gabe and Lance are sizzling together. Add Evan into the mix and the heat soars. 

I just finished reading this short story for the second time and still haven’t gotten enough of Fantasmagorical. Damn, I need to find that island. *g* Gorgeous alphas waiting to fulfill your every sexual whim—sing me up!  

Ms. McKenna is one of my favorite ménage authors, and I’m thrilled to see her enter the world of manlove because it’s taken her writing to a whole new level of hotness. My only complaint, it’s too short. I want more! Guess I’ll have to read it again. 

Fantasmagorical is part of the Midsummer Night’s Steam Series and is releasing today from Samhain Publishing. I highly recommend you pick it up! While you’re there, check out her other books. You’ll be glad you did!