Get Your Holidays With a Little Slap and Tickle

Well, I'm not so sure about the tickle part, but I can tell you for sure there's going to be more than a little of the naughty stuff in my newest release. I'm pleased to announce that the newest short story in my Santa's Naughty Elves series comes out next week. Once again, this year's story is part of Evernight Publishing's holiday anthology and this year's isn't for the faint of heart. 

A Few of My Favorite Things will be in A Vanilla-Free Christmas, and if you can't tell by the title, maybe this will give you a better idea of what it's all about...

This Christmas, the best gifts are waiting for those who have been naughty...

And the toys under the tree are not for children. Sexy Santas, naughty elves, and dominant shifters are ready to spread some very kinky Christmas cheer. It's a good thing the ladies in our stories are looking for anything but vanilla.

Be Warned: menage sex, anal sex, sex toys, BDSM, spanking

Yep, this is the kink anthology I've been so excited about. For those of you who think of me in terms of nice and sweet and other words that don't really apply, I feel it's only fair to tell you that Santa is involved in my story in a very un-Santa-like fashion. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Happy Holidays and may you all find the best kind of toys in your stocking.

Give a Reader a Reader

It's that time of year when everyone starts saying to themselves, "What can I buy for X?" (X of course being the algebraic equivalent of whichever given friend you can never buy for.) This year Decadent Publishing is helping you out with Give a Reader a Reader. AND, you don't only get a Nook to give a friend, you also win 45 books for your friend AND you. How awesome is that?

But, you say, the odds are so not in favor of me winning that. So I'm here to sweeten the pot. I'm going to post a freebie holiday short below, and by answering the question in the Rafflecopter correctly (it's an easy question if you read the freebie), you're entered to win a copy of either Of Course I Try (which is one of the books on the Nook--list of awesome books and authors below--so if you win the Nook, don't pick this one :P) or it's sequel The Ghost of Vampire Present. Vampire smexiness! (If you already own both, we'll figure out an alternate prize.)

***Click here for a list of all the blogs participating.***

So, without further ado, I give you a story about one even made Max... Max. Every character has a history, and every once in a while, a special holiday gift is involved.

CHRISTMAS IN CHAINS (A Blood Kissed Story)

Since becoming a vampire, especially since I was brought here, time has little meaning. Christmas, however, always brings a special surprise.

The first year of my imprisonment, hot pokers were driven into my flesh so I would understand what my victims felt if I didn’t glamour them when I fed. The lesson repeated the next year, along with my first bath in holy water—in case the first time didn’t convince me to be kind unless there was cause to be cruel. The next year, I spent Christmas day chained in the garden, just within the shadow of its walls, where the sun could sear my flesh without destroying it so I would remember that no matter how strong I think I am, there’s always something stronger.

It was by those memories I counted the years here. A dozen so far, and judging by the decorations draped luridly about the place, number thirteen was fast approaching. I gave up begging for release after the first five years. Now I alternated between hoping to survive and praying for death.

Today, I leaned toward the former. I wanted to live…just not here. Not anymore.

There were no more lessons I could learn. Even if there were, I didn’t want those answers. I had enough nightmares to last me several centuries.

The stones of the hearth bit into my bare knees as I scrubbed at the marble inside the fireplace.

Silver chains clinked at my wrists and ankles. Resting on my heels, I wiped the back of my hand across my forehead.

“You missed a spot.” Remus’s voice grated on the last of my frayed nerves.

Snapping would do no good though, especially not with Christmas and my annual “gift” right around the corner. So I choked on the retort and clenched my shackled hands into fists, trying to calm myself. “Where?”

“Don’t growl at me, Maxmillian. To your left.”

A faint smudge of soot marred the very edge of the marble. Movements rough, I scrubbed at the spot until it disappeared. “Is that all, Remus?”

“I’m tired of talking to your back. Turn around.”

As always, the order, issued with complete calm, made me bristle. Part of me wanted to defy him, but my back still stung from the last time he’d reminded me who was in charge. So I turned and stared brazenly at him. I’d tried playing the whipped puppy; it didn’t get me anything, so I didn’t bother anymore.

Remus lounged on a red velvet couch, his robe gaping open to reveal flawless pale skin. I knew he thought it made him look irresistible. I resisted anyway. And I never found it all that difficult. He twirled a finger in his hair, looking almost coy for a moment. I must not have responded the way he planned, because he sighed and lay back on the couch. “I’m chilled. Start a fire, would you?” He turned toward me, his gaze even.

I tried to stay calm, but my muscles bunched. And my captor simply smiled at me. Of course he would notice. He always noticed. “You just had me clean the fireplace, Remus.”

He waved a hand lazily. “Yes, and now I want a fire. Build it and you can be free for the evening.”

All I wanted to do was race across the room and sever his head from his shoulders, but I knew better than to try that again. The next time I tried to kill Remus, he couldn’t see it coming or I’d fail. “Right away.”

I built the fire and had it blazing in minutes. Then he had his guards take me below ground and chain me to the ceiling. “Enjoy your Christmas Eve,” one of them growled as he yanked the chains over my head and stalked out, slamming the door and leaving me with only the light of the moon filtering through the barred window.

This was my reward. Not freedom by any standards I used to know, but I was away from Remus for a few blessed hours. Sometimes that was enough. Straining against my bonds, I could just see the moon outside my cell. A connection to the outside world—tenuous though it was—like a cruel lover, disappearing when I needed her touch most.

My muscles taut and trembling with the agony, I muttered prayers as I did every moment I spent alone—for life, for the lives I’d taken, for release, for death, for the death of Remus, and for the ability to kill him myself.

“I cannot help you with the killing, but I can get you out of here.”

The tiny voice in my right ear jerked me from my meditation, my arms screaming as I stood upright. “Who? What?”

The voice by my ear laughed and in a flurry of wings revealed itself as a shadow in the moonlight. “I am Janiqua, and I can spring you from this prison, Vampire, but you will owe me a favor in return.” She fluttered back to land on my arm, barely five inches tall, with brown hair and dragonfly wings that glittered in the pale light.

As much as I wanted to jump at the offer, I had a hard time believing I wasn’t hallucinating from pain and exhaustion. “What sort of favor?”

She shrugged, more a movement of wings than shoulders. “I don’t know. That’s why you’ll have to owe me. Do we have an accord?”

I’d long since given up hope of Christmas miracles, but I nodded. In an instant, the shackles opened and my arms fell heavily by my sides, forcing me to stifle a groan of exquisite pain. She darted under the door, and soon enough it swung wide. 

“Quickly, Vampire. The guards won’t stay asleep for long.” She flitted up the stairs. I raced after her, rubbing my wrists. The guards were indeed asleep at their posts, and I dashed out the front door.

I didn’t question my good fortune until I stood shivering at the gates of the estate. “Janiqua?” I called as she fluttered into the night. “How did you find me? And why the hell did you help me?”

Her pointy teeth flashed in the light of the moon as she darted close to my ear. “I like people being in my debt, Vampire.” She flitted away and called back over her shoulder, “As to who sent me? Consider it a Christmas present from your Fairy Godmother.” Her laughter echoed in the night as she flew away.

After that, I did the only reasonable thing—put as much distance between myself and Remus’s estate as I could before dawn lit the sky, savoring my Christmas miracle and plotting my vengeance with every step.

Below is the Rafflecopter for the big giveaway.
Your question for entry here is: What is the name of the character keeping Max captive?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Come Back Tomorrow...

No, seriously. I signed up for a tour thingy and accidentally signed up for Wednesday instead of Tuesday. Oops.

Anyway, here's the link to the list of all the tour dates as well as info on how you can win a Nook for a friend and a bunch of ebooks for both of you! Commenting on each of the stops enters you in the grand prize drawing (as long as you enter the rafflecopter thing), AND I'm giving away something here as well, so make sure you stop back tomorrow!

Meet Ella Grey and Taste Some Irish Kisses

Most of you know about the Cupid's Conquests series that started with GunShy. Well, our first international installment comes out Friday! Today, we have author, Ella Grey here along with a little taste of her book, Irish Kisses. I hope you enjoy the excerpt and pick up the book on Friday!



Cupid has been a very naughty boy. The Cupid’s Conquest series is a multi-author series started with
Gunshy by Seleste Delaney and the latest offering is Irish Kisses by Ella Grey.

Irish Kisses

The thing with love is it’s all about finding that happy ending. Sometimes it isn’t that simple. People
have a habit of making it complicated.

Eros can’t be everywhere at once so for this particular match-up he’s got some old fashion help.
Serendipity is the muse of happy endings and her brand of help raises questions that fate might be
planning in the hand of the blossoming relationship between Abigail Smith and Seth O’Connor.

Abigail Smith is having a particularly bad week.

Abby’s best friend and fellow lawyer Dawn Philips has been murdered and while Abby wants to bring
down the man behind her death. Her bosses decide that she’s too personally connected. She’s told
to take some time off and let someone else handle the case. The thing is, the case is falling apart and
Abby just can’t let it go. A mysterious private eye pays her a visit and suddenly Abby finds herself on
a plane to Ireland.

There she meets Seth O’Conner.

Seth is on holiday, travelling to Ireland to see the place where he grew up. He expected to drink
too much Guinness and have some much needed fun. He didn’t expect Abigail Smith, the beautiful
redhead and the blistering hot encounter they share in the aeroplane bathroom. She’s got secrets and it
takes a brutal attack for Seth to learn them.

Now he has no intention of leaving her side.

Biography

Ella Grey is a full-time writer, with a little monster, a big monster and a cat who might actually be
Satan.

The first instalment of the Molly O’Brien novella series was released in 2010. It was quickly followed
by the Rachel Valentine eshort series, aimed at young adults. The Red Dress, her first attempt at adult
fiction was released by Evernight Publishing as part of their Just Vamps anthology.

She thrives on new challenges and can’t wait to sink her teeth into a new story or a new genre. She
can usually be found in front of her netbook with her earplugs in. Bother her at your own peril.
You’ve been warned.

For more information about latest releases or a glimpse into the mind of a writer with a full plate, Ella
can be found here.

http://www.ellagrey.wordpress.com

Excerpt

“Are you okay?”

She looked up and into the green eyes of the guy who’d checked her out earlier. He actually looked
concerned, and it left her wondering what she must look like. “No,” she said bluntly. “If God wanted
us to fly he’d have given us a pair of nifty wings.”

He laughed as he sat down next to her. “Then why did you choose to fly?”

“Maybe it’s because I’m lacking anything close to common sense.” She closed her eyes and rested
her head on the chair in front of her. She heard a stewardess asking if she was alright, and the guy
mumbled something to her.

“It’s okay. I’ll keep an eye on her.” Abby heard something that sounded like a wallet opening. “I’m a
cop, so she’ll be okay with me.” A slight pressure on her lower back caused her to look up. “Do you
want a drink?”

She nodded. “Anything alcoholic would be great, thanks.” Alcohol would help numb her senses a
little.

As the stewardess left, she realised the cop was still rubbing her back. It felt nice. If she focused on
those small round movements, it took her focus away from the motion sickness. “I’m Abby.”

“Excuse me?”

“Well, since you’re touching me I thought we should at least exchange names.” She smiled to show
she was kidding. He removed his hand and Abby felt a swell of panic as the sickness came back
suddenly. “Please, don’t stop. It is actually helping.”

He put his hand back and Abby looked down at the ground again.

“I’m Seth.”

“So you’re really a cop?”

He chuckled and it was the most dangerous sound Abby had ever heard, it made her heart pick up its
steady pace and the dark place between her legs wet. “That’s want the badge usually means.”

She smiled, even knowing he couldn’t see it. She heard the stewardess come back with their drinks,
and she slowly got up. Seth handed her one of the bottle of beer. “I’m sorry I don’t think they have
anything else, unless you want water?”

“No this is perfect, thanks.” She brought the bottle to her lips and took a slow drag from it. “I’m sorry
for ruining your flight.”

“Not at all, I came over here to talk to you anyway.”

His bluntness took her breath away, “Really, why?”

He took a quick drink and Abby watched as his tongue flicked out to catch a bead of liquid at the top
of the bottle. “Just curious, are you visiting family?” He asked, quickly changing the subject.

She shook her head. “I’m visiting for work.”

“What do you do?”

“I’m a lawyer, but I’m doing a little freelance work at the moment.” While it wasn’t a complete lie,
she didn’t want to go into any gory details. She didn’t want him to get that look of sympathy that
everyone at her office seemed permanently fixed on their faces. “I’m going to Dublin. I’m looking for
someone.”

Abby took another pull from the bottle. It felt good to be able to talk to somebody. For one it took
her mind off her travel sickness, and since she found it hard to drag her eyes away from him, it was
an added bonus. Now if she could just stop thinking how it felt to have his hand on her, it would be
perfect.

You can find Irish Kisses and the other awesome stories in this series at
http://www.evernightpublishing.com/cupids-conquests/

NaNo NaNo NaNo NaNo... Batman! Er...

It's NaNoWriMo day 6! That means by the end of the day today, I should have at least 10,000 words written on Kiss of Life.

My plan had been to have more like 25,000-30,000 done by today, but that's not happening. You see, life and frantic plotting have gotten a bit in the way. (AKA--I was sick, we had company, and I didn't get the book totally plotted in advance.)

Why was my plan so... vast in scope? Because I thought I could do it. I really want to get this book done and sent to my editor and I'm all excited about it. Plus, I've done that kind of word count recently, so I figured magic could just strike again.

I'm here to tell you that life doesn't always work that way. Hell, even if I'd had everything lined up perfectly for the ideal amount of writing time and no interruptions and a magical teapot that provided me spicy rooibos at sipping temperature... it still likely wouldn't have happened. My brain wasn't ready for that level of commitment with this book because I still had far too much discovery to do about the story.

Some books are easy to write fast. The story is nice and compact. Minimal number of characters. "Simple" plot. Etc, etc. Others are formed so fully in an author's mind that they just spill onto the page (I had that happen once, it was awesome.)

With Blood Kissed though, I've got a big cast of characters and a plot that requires some twisting and turning. (The people who read this series won't be too happy with me if I make it all nice and predictable. And Remy would kill me in my sleep.) So, I had to let it simmer. Then I had to let it stew. Then I had to let it age in a damn barrel as epiphany after epiphany hit.

I think I have it all now. The pieces are laid out in front of me, and I can more or less see the picture they make. So... 10,000 words by today, but it's the last day of taking it easy. Now, it's time to bust ass and write.