I’ve been hearing from readers about Jesse’s Challenge. Here’s some ow what they are saying.

From Angel…
“I just finished Jesse’s Challenge. Whew! Talk about hot, rowdy, down and dirty cowboy sex!!! I’m still wiping steam off my monitor. As Joy would say, it’s a 5+ on the WPS(wet panty scale). Looks like we have another hot cowboy story to look forward to; Brock and Tink are gonna be something else! Hey, Nic! When can we expect that story?” From Christine:
“Jesse’s and Kate’s relationship scorch the pages from the first page until the last and I don’t imagine it ends there. When Jesse comes peeping into Kate’s world and practically breaks down her door, he forces a bit of submission as well as causing Kate’s hunger for more to rise up and make Kate take notice.

“I think what I love most about Kate is that she’s real, she knows who she is, what she likes, and what she wants – or she does until Jesse peeps into her world. She’s a strong willed, determined workaholic who, I think, deep down hungers for more, even though she doesn’t realize it yet. She doesn’t take crap from anyone, including Jesse, what’s not to love about that? Her struggle with balancing her old wants and needs with the new is so very real in our world today and she’s an amazing character to read about how she gets through those struggles with a little help from those that love her.

“I like Jesse’s dominant personality, and also that he’s able to give up a little of that control when the situation warrants it. You really know what you’re getting with Jesse, there is no guess work involved and that makes for the perfect man for someone like Kate. He tells it like it is - well most of the time anyway, sometimes his stubborn self holds back. J I really love how Jesse handles Kate, he knows how to take care of her without being overbearing and taking over her life. Mostly, I love how he loves her, it makes my heart pound just at the thought.

“When you put these two (or three sometimes *vbg*) together all I can say is watch out for those sparks shooting from them because you’re gonna get singed! The sex, while deliciously scorching, is also emotionally fulfilling right from the get go.

“On a side note. I loved Nic’s writing style right from the beginning, I mean hello… it doesn’t get much better than Passionate Realities… and I also think her writing has grown so much. The Corralled series has been fantastic and I’m chomping at the bit to read more of them though I appreciate that she takes her time and doesn’t rush the story just because she has to meet some deadline. Jesse’s Challenge brings her writing up yet another notch in my opinion. I love watching authors grow and expand their horizons and Nic has certainly done this with many of her stories. And wow, look what she’s got coming out within the next year, amazing. Thanks Nic for putting your heart and soul (literally) into these stories you breathe life into.”

Thanks Angel and Christine. I’m thrilled you enjoyed Jesse and Kate’s story so much!

This week I’ve opened up the subject of sexual taboos. Come on over to the Hussy blog and check it out. I’d love to hear your opinions.

Thirteen Cowboy Sayings With New Meanings

Times change, and some of the older cowboy sayings may have different meanings now. You might want to be careful using these, especially with the increasing popularity of M/M erotic fiction and movies like Brokeback Mountain.

• Been rode hard and put away wet
• Gonna take a long hard ride
• You stay here while I sneak around from behind
• I reckon this is gonna hurt a little
• Hold it right there. Now move your hand real slow like
• Howdy, pardner
• Saddle sore
• Don’t fret, I’ve been in tight spots before
• Ride ‘em, cowboy
• Let’s mount up
• Give me a stiff one, barkeep
• Nice spread ya got there
• I’m gonna pump you fulla lead

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

 

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 Blurb:

Popular member of Gentlemen Inc., a global all-male escort agency, Archer has a week to transform overachiever police officer “Calamity Joan” into an exotic dancer. Morality squad undercover cop Joan Blair has a week to infiltrate a private club controlled by Montreal’s organized crime and catch a world-renowned crook.

Together, Joan and Archer have a week to discover what makes the other tick, what sets their blood to boiling, their body quivering, their heartbeat racing. A handful of days to gauge and tease the other. A fistful of nights spent white-knuckled through a carnal rush that will leave them on a precipice where a mere frisson can tilt the scales and a look melt a woman’s heart…or break it in a thousand shards.

A week to test each other’s limits.

Nic’s Recommendation:

Tease is delightfully refreshing and original. Ms. Gray’s quirky sense of humor comes through loud and clear in this scorching hot erotic tale. From the first page, you’ll be drawn into the story and lives of the characters. Joan is a kick-butt heroine strong enough to put her man in his place, and smart enough to know what battles are important. Archer is mega-yummy, and although he has a few lapses in judgment, will do anything for his lady.

I highly recommend you pick up Tease, available from Ellora’s Cave, and check out Ms. Gray’s other exciting titles while you’re there.

Yeehaw! NJ Walters enjoyed Jesse’s Challenge so much she blogged about the book. Here’s what she said about book 3 of the Corralled series. Thanks, NJ!

“On her website the tag-line reads Nicole Austin—Author of Sizzling Erotic Romance, and boy does she live up to this billing in her latest book, Jesse’s Challenge. As always, Nicole Austin delivers a steamy book, with plenty of heart and emotion, that will thrill her readers and have them demanding more.“

This is the third installment of the Corralled series, featuring the Shooting Star Ranch and the folks who call it home. This time, cowboy Jesse Powers has left the ranch to venture into the city and the world of business, where he first sees the alluring Kate Brooks.

“This is not a book for the faint of heart. Kate and Jesse come together quickly and the sexual attraction between them is powerful. They push one another to their limits of sexual discovery. But is this enough to keep them together when it is time for Jesse to return to the ranch. Read the book to find out!”

Jesse’s Challenge is releasing today from Samhain Publishing

Class is in session. Join me at the Samhain Publishing Blog to discover ways of keeping romance and passion alive and kicking. I hope to see you there!

Blurb:

The Dalakis brothers are rich, powerful men, but they have secrets — the kind that men kill to protect. Ex-cop Zane York has watched them for several years and has returned to New Orleans to resume his investigation. He has to know if his suspicions are true — are the Dalakis brothers murderous vampires?

Reporter Sophia Daring has had many tough assignments in her life, but nothing has prepared her for the late-night phone call, which leads her to the cemetery and to the body of a dead woman. The murderer drained all the blood from his victim’s body and the clues point straight to the Dalakis family.

The attraction between Zane and Sophia is instantaneous and explosive. But Zane has secrets of his own and questions that need answering. Are the Dalakis family the villains or are they being framed for murder? As Zane and Sophia investigate the grisly string of deaths, they discover that the murderer may not be the family’s only enemy…and a secret from the past may bring the deadliest threat yet.

Nic’s Recommendation:

If you read my blog, you know that N.J. Walters is on my autobuy list and never disappoints. Book 4 of the Dalakis Passion series has all the heat of the other books and brought in the element of suspense. I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out who was the real bad guy and watching the sparks fly between the two couples.

Sophia and Zane are so hot together it’s ridiculous. Blythe and Cassidy’s developing attraction touched my heart, and kept me anticipating the sweet moment they’d get together. While the men are alphas to the extreme, their ladies know exactly how to deal with them. Catching up with the characters from the first books felt like chatting with old friends.  

Eternal Brothers is available from Ellora’s Cave Publishing! Hurry and get your copy. You can thank me later.

I’ve been Joyfully interviewed. Stop by and check it out. I revealed it all. Well, okay not all, but some. View Nic’s interview

Blurb:

Workin’ up a hot, sticky sweat is pure pleasure with a hard-ridin’ cowboy…or two.

Struggling stock contractor Gemma Jansen swallows her pride and tracks down circuit rider Cash Big Crow to offer him a job managing her ranch. Cash agrees on one condition: theirs won’t be strictly a working relationship. She’s the boss during the day, but once she’s corralled in the bedroom, Cash calls the shots. Despite concerns about their age difference, Gemma consents.

Cash suspects the sexy widow hides an untapped wild streak. He intends to loosen her tightly held reins of control—even if he has to break out his horsewhip to do it.

But Cash is in for a surprise. Gemma proves a rough and ready participant in any leather-n-lace game Cash dreams up.  

Between riding herd on his wayward daughter, Macie, and rowdy cowboy Carter McKay doggin’ Macie’s every boot step, Cash struggles to hide his true feelings for Gemma – except this time, Gemma’s grabbed the bull by the horns and she’s playing for keeps.

Summer’s going to be a hot one at the Bar 9.

Warning: this book contains: explicit sex nine ways ‘til Sunday – including ménage a trois, inventive use of ropes, naughty girls getting spanked, stubborn men getting hog-tied, graphic language and whoo-wee! hot nekkid cowboy on cowboy action.

Nic’s Recommendation:

Whew! Things just heated up around here too. Nobody does smokin’ hot Westerns like Ms. James. Be forewarned! Ice and fans are necessary when reading this book. Gemma and Cash create some major heat. Add in Macie and Carter and things go beyond thermonuclear. I now know what’s fueling the global warming trend!

The characters are compelling, drawing the reader into their lives within moments of picking up the book. Their struggles and triumphs will take you on heck of a fun roller coaster ride, leaving you satisfied with the turning of the last page.  

Rode Hard, Put Up Wet is available from Samhain Publishing. If you didn’t read Long Hard Ride, or any of Ms. James’ other books, trust me—pick them all up! I can’t recommend this fabulous author highly enough.

Master’s Thief will be available for download soon.

Blurb:
Even though mortified by the prospect of having to steal, Jamillah will do whatever is necessary to survive. What she won’t do is give herself to just any man. Being captured leaves her in the tenuous position and wondering if her fantasy man, the handsome prince she remembers fondly, will race to the rescue.