Saturday, August 25, 2012

Paloma Beck Takes Center Stage

It's that time again. The curtain is about to go up. My special guest today is author Paloma Beck. She shared one HAWT excerpt with us for Oh My! Monday and now she's back putting herself in the hot seat. So get that last drink order in with the bartender, grab a seat near the stage and join me in welcoming Paloma back to The House of Taboo.  ~Lia


What inspires you to write, Paloma?
Everything around me is fair game for inspiration. I gather ideas for stories in a little net as I wander through life. I’m always looking for an inspiring message to serve as a foundation for the book. As an introvert, I am an observer and keep a lot held inside. Then it all seems to spill out in the stories I create. Sometimes it is as simple as a look between a couple and sometimes it’s about personal experiences. As crazy as this might sound coming from an erotic romance author, my strong background in religion provides me with great ideas to incorporate into my stories.


Do your stories tend to be character driven or plot driven?
Definitely character driven. I follow the character’s urgings when I write. I always want my story to be true to them, which means I’m what you’d call a “pantser”. I can develop a basic idea of where I want to go but then I just allow my characters to lead me. And the characters always come to me first with their stories, not the other way around.


I write the same way. When I try to take control of the story, my characters totally ignore me until I let them take over again. Is that what happens with you?
My writing process goes something like this… After I generally plot my story lines, I sit down with a bottle of wine and my two beta readers. They give me their take on it and I make changes. Then I do research important to the themes. A lot of the time, I’m creating a photo board (Pinterest is great for this) with photos to inspire scenes and characters as well. Then I draft – without an outline – and I do not necessarily write the book in order because it’s all about letting the characters guide me. After draft one, I edit and send it off to my beta readers. When I get it back and we’ve shared another bottle of wine, I do one more sets of edits before the book is off to my editor.


Do you listen to music while writing? What kinds of music work best for you? Do different types of music help you for different types of scenes?
I listen to music during the first draft stage and research - usually alternative rock - and there are definitely some scenes that have been impacted by the music I’ve been listening to. But I live in a house with three growing boys so sometimes silence is simply golden.


Tell us about the different types of characters you like to write about? Why are these types so appealing to you?
I love – love- love the alpha hero. I can’t help it. It is something I have always been drawn to so it tends to be what I write about. My brother was a soldier and his tougher-than-nails approach to life was something I very much admired. He was firm, direct and rough around the edges but I saw him once with his fiancé and his gentleness with her when he didn’t know anyone was watching fascinated me. I think of him when I write my heroes.

As for my heroines, I’ll tell you a secret… I prefer the submissive type that allows the hero to lead. However, I recognize that my heroine being submissive does not mean she is weak or demure. My heroines have their own strength and their own story to tell but in her relationship with the hero, she softens.
I agree with you on both your heroes and heroines. It's always those "rough around the edges" with the hearts of gold that win me over every single time. I love heroines who feel confident enough to let their partner take the lead, but will fight tooth and nail when their happily ever after is threatened.


What are the recurring core issues in your stories? Why do you think you are drawn to these types of characters/plots again and again?
Relationships are important to me in developing my characters so I tend to focus on family dynamics. I explore the concept of women’s self-esteem and her ability to recognize her own strengths – this often tends to be at the pivotal point in the story. I want each story to have a positive message for women, something the reader can take from their time they spend with my characters. 


What are your favorite fiction genres to read from?
I enjoy reading romance because I enjoy the escape from everyday life and I am usually guaranteed a happily ever after. That said, the stories with a psychological edge most intrigue me because they are real and gritty and completely satisfying once I finish. 


Who are some of your favorite authors and why do you think they appeal so much to you?
Sylvia Day, SJD Peterson, Tymber Dalton, and Lila Munro are some of my favorites for a more emotional read. They really get inside the heads of their characters – there’s angst, some obstacle to overcome, so readers can see what the character is made of.

Lara Adrian, JR Ward, Kresley Cole, Thea Harrison and Jeaniene Frost are some of my favorites in the paranormal realm. When I really want to go far away, these books are an escape.

And then there’s Lorelei James for western romance, Maya Banks for romantic suspense, and Kaylea Cross for military suspense… so many great authors, it’s hard to choose just a few.


Besides reading and writing, what activities do you enjoy in your leisure time?
I enjoy gardening, though I confess to listening to an audiobook while in the garden. I have English gardens all over my yard with perennials galore so I can clip bouquets for my house anytime I want. My most precious time is spent with my family. I have three active sons who have limitless energy. With them, it’s always on-the-go.

What’s your day job? Do you like it? Why or why not? How has your job affected your personal development? How has it affected your writing life?
Secret Cravings Publishing


I write full-time and I love it – so thankful for a life that allows me to do what I enjoy. But it was a curvy road. I’ve always wanted to be an author but when I went to college, I was talked into getting a degree that would get me a “real job” and my writing was set aside. When my parents were cleaning out their house years later, my mother sent me an old box that contained all the writing I’d done in high school. Reading through those stories inspired me to start again. I was staying at home by then to raise my family. I started slowly and now that the boys are all in school, it’s the perfect time for me to focus on my dream.






Now for a special treat. Paloma has graciously agreed to give away a copy of Lustful Cravings to one lucky person stopping in to The House of Taboo over the next two days. All you have to do is leave a comment below to get an entry in the contest. You can get additional entries by filling out each step in the rafflecopter. Paloma will contact the winner next week. Be sure to leave your email in your comment so we can find you if you're the winner!


Where to find Paloma Beck



Are you ready? Go! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, August 13, 2012

Seven Sisters, Seven Sins, Seven Mates...Oh MY!

Hello my naughty ones! Welcome back to the House of Taboo. Today I'm thrilled to welcome author Paloma Beck for the first of three guest appearances she's agreed to do for me at the House and on my sister blog Sassy Vixen Publishing. Today is of course Oh My! Monday and Paloma's new release Lustful Cravings fit's the bill perfectly. Are you ready for some sinfully hot action? Okay, but don't say I didn't warn ya! ;) ~Lustful Lia



BLURB
Secret Cravings Publishing
Seven sisters are entwined in a legacy bigger than anyone ever expected. One by one, they will find their mates from the immortal Valendite breeds and secure their place in history. Each sister embodies one of the seven deadly sins only to be cast aside once claimed. But claiming comes at the price of separation, causing a weakening of their combined powers, which none want to happen... until Layla, holding the sin of lust within her body, locks eyes with Madden.

Madden is one of the strongest of the Valendite Breed, a group of near-immortal men originating from the Italian Wars in the 1500s. Today, the Valendite Breed serve as the Terrorist Elimination Unit (TEU), an invisible arm of the CIA. Their only weakness is their need for a mate to carry on the Breed.  So now that Madden has found Layla, he will never let her go.
With forces mounting up against the Breed, Madden and Layla will need to rely on all of their powers combined to get them to their Pronouncement.



ADULT EXCERPT

Madden traced the Magdalena Circle sign just above Layla’s right breast with his tongue. The sign showed Layla’s soul sin was lust, which meant until meeting him she’d not experienced such sexual desire. Layla must have known that he was her mate immediately by her desire at the bar when they first saw each other. Madden understood why she ran. Such intense feelings after so many years of life with no type of desire must’ve been frightening.

Madden continued to lick and suck at the spot that bore her sign as her moans grew louder. Clearly, this felt good to her. Perhaps the skin near her sign was sensitive. Madden grinned at the thought as he watched Layla whimper with desire and toss her head back and forth against the pillow. Madden’s own desire grew with each sound from his mate. He grunted as he moved down the length of her body, licking from her breasts to her belly button where he swirled his tongue around until she called out his name, “Madden. Madden.” He loved his name on her lips as she looked so thoroughly flushed.

“What is it, Layla love?”

“I need more.” Layla spoke so quietly, so timidly, Madden knew she was uncertain. He couldn’t wait to be the man who brought out her confidence in bed, the one who taught her how to find satisfaction for all her sexual needs.

“Then I will give you more,” Madden moved further down to the tiny thatch of curls just above her core. He rubbed his nose into her curls and smelled the rich aroma of her desire. It was like chocolate and honey, tickling his nose and causing his hunger to multiply. He sat up on his knees and looked up her body before placing one hand on her belly and moving his other to stroke her curls, skimming the apex of her core as he readied her for him.

With one finger, he explored deeper, pressing along her wet folds. Layla shook beneath his hand but he kept her still. “No moving, love. Just enjoy.” Suddenly right where he wanted to be, Madden felt in no hurry. Time stood still as he prepared her for him. She grew wetter as her sweet moans grew louder and he knew he’d always remember this one moment when he claimed his mate.

“It is incredible. I can feel not only my own desire but yours as well,” Layla’s high-pitched voice fought for the breath to finish her words.

“Yes, my need and your need. They’re connected. It’s part of the claiming, Layla love.” If possible, Madden grew even harder as he let himself consider being bound to someone so seemingly perfect for eternity.

Madden smiled, allowing his need to wash through him so he could hold onto this moment. She was perfect for him. He sank one finger deep inside her channel and she pushed against his hand again. He palmed his own erection with a promise of more to come.

“Please. Please. Please,” Layla began chanting and ended his resolve. From all the wetness on his fingers, he imagined she must be ready for him. He brought his moist fingers to his lips and licked them, sucking them into his mouth as Layla watched.
Her eyes were sparkling. Small embers released from them like lightning bugs in the night sky. It was her magic and it was beautiful.

Madden secured her knees in each of his arms and placed himself at her core, opening her to his body and slowly pushed himself inside. Working to control his own need, he shifted just an inch at a time and allowed her to accommodate him slowly. Their eyes remained connected and he was vigilant for any sign of discomfort. It would destroy him to know he’d caused her pain.

Just when he felt a slight resistance and knew he was at her 
barrier, Madden used his fingers to arouse her clit, bring the flood of pleasure to that small tip, and push Layla to the edge of orgasm. He watched as first she tried to understand the feelings flooding her and then to fight them. Finally, Layla simply gave herself over to him. Just as she was going over the edge, he pushed himself farther inside and she screamed out her first orgasm. There would be more tonight.

(fanning self) Is it me or did the House get too hot for clothes? ;) Don't know about you, but I plan on finding out just how many more earth shattering orgasms Madden has in store for the lusty Layla. Lusty and Lucky...the winning combination!

Click on the book cover above to take you right to the site you can purchase your very own copy of Madden and Layla's story. Go on. We'll wait...

Got it? Excellent! Want to find out more about Paloma and her books? Here are her links. Don't forget to come back to The House of Taboo on August 25th. Ms. Beck will take center stage under the Taboo Spotlight. I can't wait!

AUTHOR BIO & LINKS

Paloma Beck is an erotic romance writer in both the Contemporary and Paranormal realms. Happily married and living a life of total contradiction, Paloma runs carpool service for her three sons, volunteers in PTA and teaches religious education. 

Then in the moments when her characters talk to her, she journals their stories - and they are anything but PG. As a natural introvert, quiet time with her characters is necessary to keep sane while writing is the perfect outlet for her creativity.

Paloma believes a daily dose of coffee and a good book make any day better.







Saturday, August 11, 2012

Siren Author Lori King Takes Center Stage

Siren Bookstrand
Lights, camera, action! Here we are once again gathered around Taboo's center stage waiting for today's guest to arrive. I'm excited to welcome another fellow Siren author to the House today. Lori King's SCORCHING novel FIRE OF THE WOLF is quickly rising to the top of Siren Bookstrand's list for menage. How exciting is that? 

Looks like she's ready to come out and take her seat under the spotlight. Enjoy! ~Lia


Lori, tell us a bit about you as a reader. What are your favorite nonfiction genres to read from?
I love biographies, and sadly I like self-help books as well. 


Who are some of your favorite authors and why do you think they appeal so much to you? 
The first author I fell in love with was Bertrice Small. Her series are so encompassing that I feel like I’m a part of the character’s lives. I miss them when I put the book down. 
I love Heather Rainier, and Sophie Oak for their ability to make a hot ménage book that isn’t based on the freaky sex. Instead their books show the beauty of ménage relationships. 
I also love Laurann Dohner’s New Species Series. Those books showcase Dominant males who have a soft teddy bear middle, paired with spicy females that crave a touch of submission. My favorite.

Now let's delve into the more personal stuff. 
Who inspires you and why? (loved ones, friends, authors, public figures, historical figures, actors, teachers etc) 


I know it’s cliché but my kids inspire me. They were the driving force behind me submitting Fire of the Wolf to Siren. They teach me everyday to grab life with both hands and hold on tight, while enjoying the ride.



What inspires you and why? (Art, poetry, music, movie, book, etc. Please share something specific if you like.) 
I’m a very visual person, so most of my ideas are triggered by something visual. Fire of the Wolf stemmed from a news story about a woman who married the firefighter that rescued her from a fire. 

Besides reading and writing, what activities do you enjoy in your leisure time? 
I’m a closet quilter. I like taking pieces of fabric and creating something beautiful from them.


What’s your day job? Do you like it? Why or why not? How has your job affected your personal development? How has it affected your writing life? 
I work in the financial industry during the day, and I enjoy it most of the time. Numbers have always come easy for me. Someday I would like to leave the 8-5 world and write my books all day, but for now I work, and then come home and work some more. :)

Reese Witherspoon inspired Caroline
Now let's focus on that HOT book of yours. I visited your Facebook fan page and noticed you posted a few pictures of people who gave you some inspiration for your characters. I do the same thing. Here's where being a visual person comes in handy! Who's your heroine and what is she running away from (literally or figuratively)?
Caroline Trainor, age 30, Emergency Room Nurse. Caroline has been alone ever since her parents were killed in the World Trade Center on September 11. She has built walls around herself, because she fears loving someone that will be taken from her again.

What does she need to learn to make the happy ending possible? 
Caroline has to learn to live in the moment, and not fear the future. She has to accept that loving her hero’s is enough, and that every moment she has with them is precious.

Who is your hero and what drives him?
Devin AND Damon Gray, twin brothers who are firefighters, as well as the Alpha leaders of a werewolf pack. Everything they do is based on what is best for their pack family.

Lori's inspiration for the twins
What obstacles will they encounter in this story?
Being Alpha Wolves they are used to everyone around them falling into line when they make a demand, but when their own mate resists it confuses and frustrates them both. 


What do they need to learn to make the happy ending possible? They both have to learn to listen to their mate, and to express themselves. Instead of making demands of her, they have to have a conversation with her.

What makes these two heroes so hot and lovable? 
Both men are extremely caring, generous, and protective. Not to mention the sex is hot as hell. 

Is there a villain? Who is he? What’s he like? Why is he/she the way they are? What motivates him/her to cause oppositional force to the characters? Without giving any spoilers, can you give a hint as to what sort of opposition he/she gives to the main characters?  Is he as hot as the heroes? (crossing fingers)
Can’t tell you too much, or you wouldn’t want to read the book. In this case there is a villain, and he is determined to destroy The Gray Pack.

Is this book a part of a series? 
Fire of the Wolf is Book 1 of The Gray Pack, and Book 2, Reflections of the Wolf, is scheduled to release in October 2012.

How many books to you anticipate will be in this series? 
I won’t know until the characters tell me, but right now I have the story line laid out for at least five books about The Gray Pack.


Care to give us a little sneak peek at the next book?  
Reflections of the Wolf  (The Gray Pack Book 2)-Coming in October 2012
After being rescued from a crazy Werewolf with murderous intent, Tina Jameson had a scorching one night stand with Liam Gray local firefighter, and Beta Wolf of The Gray Pack. When he announces that she is pre-destined to be his mate, she is fast to push him away. Suddenly she finds herself in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, and rioting desires.  Having been a victim of a senseless act of violence in her past, Tina has given up on a forever kind of love, even if that man turns her on like no one else has. Liam didn’t think he wanted a mate, but his wolf wants Tina in his bed and his life for good. In order to have her he must let go of the guilt he has from his daughter’s death, and then help Tina to let go of her own tragic past. Can a one-night stand determine their destiny, or will fear drive them apart?


Ohhhhh! The second book sounds just as yummy as the first one. I can't wait to read both of them. Gotta love those wolves! Thank you once again for stopping by and talking to us today, Lori. We'll get to visit more in a few days when you join myself and my alter ego Tammy Dennings Maggy over at our Sassy Vixen Blog of Oh My! Monday then on August 16th on Tammy's Behind Closed Doors blog for Thursday Thirteen.

Make sure you stop in and say hello to Lori when she visits and get your own copy of Fire of the Wolf today! 

Where to find Lori













Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Fearless Love


I love music. I usually have something on when I write, either music videos playing, a few cd's or even my iPod. Music sets the mood and sometimes the pace at which I write. Fast tempo, hard driving beats are helpful during fight scenes. The softer stuff for that first moment when eyes lock and everything else melts away. 

So with all that in mind, I wanted to find a song that fits The Call of the Thunderbird. Not only is it my first go at writing M/M erotic romance, I wanted something that pulled out the heart and soul of my heroes. Both men yearn to find their true mates. One recognizes his mate right from the start, while the other runs from him, afraid of what others may think.

Ethan is the most sure of himself when it comes to his sexuality. He loves the one he's with...sometimes more than one at the same time! Unfortunately, he's not found "the" one in any of his encounters. They were all just passing phases, distractions if you will, something to help burn off the sexual energy that smoldered in him day and night. His grandfather told him when he was young, that inner fire would someday be both a blessing and a curse for him. The day he met Adam was when his world turned upside down. He wanted to be an Army Ranger for as long as he could remember, but he found it hard to concentrate on their training with Adam around. Instead another part of him emerged, one he thought was only a legend of his Native American heritage. Ethan's shifter abilities awakened the moment he was close to his chosen mate...

Adam has always hidden his sexuality, from his family, friends, and of course from his unit in the Army. As a child growing up on an Indian reservation in Michigan, he learned early on not to let on that he didn't long to marry a beautiful Indian maiden one day, but instead he daydreamed about a Warrior who would claim his heart. In his dreams, the Warrior would come to him as a magnificent bald eagle... one his Chippewa tribe referred to as the Great Thunderbird.  Fearing he would bring shame to his tribe, he enlisted and got his veterinary degree at the same time. Throwing himself into military life and his studies helped to keep his mind off his lack of a sex life until the day he met Ethan. The childhood dreams of the Thunderbird came back with a vengeance, but instead of being take away by the eagle, it was Ethan who claimed his heart.

Both men try to deny their feelings for each other, especially in the days of don't ask, don't tell, but the call of the Thunderbird is too great to ignore. It takes one nearly losing his life to protect the other before they realize both have been searching for the same thing all their lives. Both want a fearless love. One that will endure no matter what trials or tribulations thrown at them. Denying who and what they are only caused them pain. Can they finally embrace what they are and get through one last test together, or will they be ripped apart? 

As Melissa Etheridge sings, "I am what I am. I am what I am afraid of. So what am I afraid of?" That's what I want to explore with both Adam and Ethan. Exactly what are they afraid of? 

Stay tuned...





Saturday, August 4, 2012

Amber Lea Easton is in the House!

Welcome back to the House of Taboo. Today I get the pleasure of welcoming author Amber Lea Easton to the hot seat, front and center. Instead of doing the usual interrogation under the spotlight, I asked her to speak with us today about another topic near and dear to my heart, seduction. No matter how hard you try, you can't have any sort of romantic interlude without it. Think about that for a moment. Even those hot one night stands begin with the slow hand of seduction tickling your naughty parts. So grab your chairs and gather round. The bar is open and Amber is about to begin...







Anticipation...the breath before the kiss, the sizzle of an accidental touch, eye contact that strips you naked even though you're separated by a crowded room...integral pieces of the game we call seduction.  


As a romance novelist, my mission is to build sexual tension that’s so palpable that the reader squirms in her seat.  I’m able to do that through the power of seduction--the game we all play at one time or another.  Flirting is good for the soul--in real life and in writing--yet is often neglected after the first ka-boom of an orgasm.  


Sex is more than consummation--it is the build up of words, looks, touches, innuendo, play, intimacy. To keep romance hot--in real life and in fiction--it’s important to remember the importance of seduction.  


Have you been in a relationship for awhile? Things getting stale? Well, never underestimate the power of flirtation and play.  Go out of your comfort zone, push the limit, release inhibitions, experiment with something new.  In an intimate relationship, there needs to be freedom to express your sexual self in and out of the bedroom, dressed or undressed.  


Seduction is a sensuous game that should be savored, no matter how long you’ve been together. Or, in a romance novel, no matter if the ka-boom happens repeatedly, there needs to be that level of flirtation that lets us “know” the bond the characters have is authentic.  That's what romance is all about--wetting the lips with a teasing kiss, whispering a promise of what's to come and seeing the look in your lover’s eyes that says “I want you.”  


Speaking of squirming in my seat, have any of you had the pleasure of reading a sampling of Amber's work? No? Well you're in luck today! Amber has been gracious enough to share an excerpt from her newest release Riptide. Just one look at her HOT cover will make you burn to read more. You can too. Just one click and you will be able to get your very own copy. As an added treat, you have to watch the video trailer. Trust me. There won't be a dry thong in the House!



Excerpt of Riptide:


His two days on board the Angelfish with Larry had been good for him. Larry had convinced him of the absurdity of his theory that Alicia still walked the earth and assured him that he’d help find out who was bringing up the past. Sometimes there was nothing better than an old friend, even one who tended to piss him off more often than not.


He toweled himself off, his thoughts centered around Lauren and their last date. It hadn’t exactly gone as planned given the dead guy face down amidst the fish. Not that he’d helped the situation with his not-so-smooth-moves-on-the-beach later. The past two days had given him perspective. He wanted her. Right or wrong, mistake or not, he needed to see where this could go. He couldn’t get her out of his mind. Maybe tonight he’d get another chance if he could track her down. 


“Noah.” Lauren cleared her throat from where she stood outside the open bathroom door. She leaned against the wall in a Caribbean blue tank dress that hugged her body in all the right places, legs exposed from midthigh down, ankles crossed, long hair glistening over lightly tanned shoulders, gaze averted to the floor and smile playing across lips he desperately wanted against his skin. “Sorry to barge in. You left the deck door wide open.”


Bookstrand Buy Link
“No problem.” He cinched the towel around his waist and wondered exactly how long she’d been standing there. The thought of her watching him shower and dry off did crazy things to his nervous system. “I’ve been looking for you.”


“Erin told me.” She leaned her head back against the wall and dragged her gaze from his toes upward. “Heard you were on private charter for the past few days.”


He leaned his shoulder against the doorframe and let her gaze soak him up. He liked the way she looked at him as if he were dessert. 


“About the other night...I’m sorry. Can I make it up to you? Dinner tonight? Etcetera?” he asked.


She caught her lower lip between her teeth, gaze lingering on his chest. “Are you sure this time? No running away when things get hot?”


Electricity zapped in the three feet separating them. 


 Damn, the woman did insane things to his rational thinking. He’d decided on the boat that he needed to see her, make things right, take it slow, get tangled up in some strings. Seeing her live and in person threw common sense out the window. 


“I can’t decide if you’re hotter when wet or dry...I’m thinking it might be a tie,” she said. 


Oh, what the hell. With an opener like that, how could a man resist? He crossed the space between them, slipped his hand behind her neck, and kissed her on that mouth he’d been fantasizing about all week. 


Her hands slid over his damp chest while her mouth moved slowly beneath his, her teeth lightly catching his lower lip. Eyes open, they smiled against each other’s mouths.


“Miss me?” he asked.


“It would be very uncool of me to answer that.” She slid her hands over his abdomen and lingered on the towel. “Are you still wanting to back off, or have you come to your senses?”


He braced his hands over her head. The only thing he wanted to do was kiss her slowly and make her beg for more. He looked into her eyes. “You’re making me forget all of the reasons this is a mistake.”


“A sexy mistake.” Her fingers touched his chest in a featherlike caress. She licked her lips. 


“Good point.” He smiled. “We’re headed into the danger zone.”


“You have no idea how dangerous.” She tugged on the towel, a wicked grin in her eyes. 


Oh, he had an idea about the level of danger. He’d thought of nothing else for the past forty-eight hours and ranked this situation a solid Level Red. Despite that, all he could think about was how good it would feel to have her long legs wrapped around his hips while her nails clawed against his back. He needed to pull the emergency brake. Slow, he reminded himself. Slow. 


He leaned against her, enjoying the way her body arched toward his like a magnetic pull. He tangled his fingers in the hair at the back of her neck. “What do you want, Lauren? After the other night, you know I’m more complicated than I seem.”


Her gaze flicked up to his. “I know what I’m doing.”


“You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into.” 


“Show me. Let’s make some mistakes together. We’re both consenting adults. What the hell?” she whispered, her teeth pulling at his lower lip. 


“You’re reckless.”


“Does that scare you?” she asked.


He paused a fraction over her lips and looked into her eyes. Yeah, she was scary reckless, but that turned him on more than he could say. So what if she wanted to use him for a distraction from her own demons? He knew that had something to do with it—the woman oozed intensity.

Her mouth widened, taking his like a woman starving for the taste of him. Ravenous. Her fingers fisted in the back of his hair. Her bare foot slid up the outside of his leg. Tongues clashed in a passionate dance that left no doubt about mutual desire. 


He pressed her against the wall, uncaring about the slipping of the towel down his hips. This woman made him want more than he had dared want in years. His hands roamed up her sides, thumbs caressing the outline of her breasts. Closer. He couldn’t get close enough. 


  She pressed her hips against his. “Five days ago I didn’t think I’d feel any emotion ever again. Now here I am making out with you. Insane.”


“A little bit of crazy is good for a person.” He wrapped his hands in her hair, holding her face close to him. “What do you feel now?”


“You. I feel you.” 


“You say all the right things,” he said against her mouth. His skin rippled beneath her touch. He couldn’t explain his reaction to her...he felt like an addict in desperate need of a fix.


Her body arched against his, arms circled his waist, hands teased beneath the towel that inched lower on his hips, mouth moved against his with an urgency that tested his self-control. He grabbed her shoulders, intending to urge her back, but instead pulled her toward the bedroom. 


Mouths clinging to each other, they stumbled onto the bed. Giving in to the sensations of her soft curves and long legs against him, he kissed her as if he’d been dying and she were his lifeline. He peeled the dress up past her hips and squeezed her ass. 


Her hands moved over his shoulders, against his neck, into his hair. Everywhere. Her leg curved over his thigh. 


He kissed her face, her neck, her collarbone. One hand moved over her breast while the other inched her dress higher. She squirmed beneath him, breath hot against his skin, hands holding him tight against her. 


Towel ancient history, he moved down the length of her and pushed the dress up until he could kiss her abdomen. He hesitated at the sight of the scar, evidence of the violence she’d suffered. 


He felt her stiffen, as if she’d forgotten what he’d see. He smoothed his thumb over the raised skin that ran from her right hipbone, zigzagged across her flat abdomen toward her left breast. 


Her hand snagged his as she propped up on one elbow. Hair partially covering her face, she shook her head. “It’s ugly, I know, don’t look at it. Please.”


“You’re beautiful.” He pulled his hand free and smoothed it over the scar. 


“Don’t lie to me.” She reached to pull her dress down. 


He caught her hand and looked her in the eye. “Not lying. You’re so damn beautiful I can’t take it. Why do you think I’m breaking all of my own rules for you? Pity?”


“I don’t know,” she whispered. “I hope not.”


“Don’t hide from me, and I won’t lie to you. I promise.” He pushed her dress up over her bra. His gaze devoured the marred skin over taunt muscles, proof she’d survived. In his mind, nothing could be more beautiful than that.

He kissed every inch of the scar. One hand on her breast, he propped himself over her and captured her mouth with his. His erection throbbed against her thigh, aching to be inside her. 


“Hey, Noah,” Larry yelled from the living room. “You left your wallet on board the boat. Thought you might need it.”


He pressed his forehead against hers and struggled to control his breathing. More aroused than he’d been in years, he remained motionless. Passion quaked through him, demanding release.

“Just tell him to leave it on the counter.” She squeezed his hips.
“For God’s sake, don’t you dare stop.”


He laughed against her lips when Larry yelled again. “He’s not going anywhere. He thinks we’re a bad idea and obviously knows you’re here. Isn’t Austin’s Jeep in the driveway?”


“I should’ve taken a taxi,” she muttered, not letting him go. “Do you think we’re a bad idea?”


He propped himself up on his hands and looked into her eyes. “Does it look like I think we’re a bad idea?”


She slid her hands down his hips, her fingers skimming over his erection and sending little earthquakes of need through his body. Her slow smile told him all he needed to know. 


“I need a minute,” he said with a smile. “Can you please distract him for me?”


Slowly, she slid her leg over the back of his without breaking eye contact. Still smiling, she kissed him before sliding from beneath him and pulling down her dress. “At least I know what I have to look forward to later. Lucky me.”


See? I told you! Now what are you waiting for? Go out and get your own steamy copy of Riptide. While you're at it, stop in and say hello to Amber on her blog and website. 



  Amber Lea Easton is a multi-published fiction and nonfiction author. For twenty years, she's worked in the fields of journalism and advertising with a brief detour into the financial industry. Although she holds a BA in Communications & Journalism, she is a perpetual student of life who enjoys taking post-graduate courses on a wide variety of subjects when time allows. Smart is sexy, according to Easton, which is why she writes about strong female characters, who have their flaws and challenges, but who ultimately persevere. 
      Easton currently lives with her two teenagers in the Colorado Rocky Mountains where she gives thanks daily for the gorgeous view outside her window. She finds inspiration from traveling, the people she meets, nature and life’s twists and turns. At the end of the day, as long as she's writing, she considers herself to be simply "a lucky lady liv'n the dream." 





Riptide is available in all ebook formats directly from Bookstrand.com.   
Follow Amber Lea Easton on Facebook , her blog or on Twitter as @MtnMoxieGirl.  Stay up to date with Amber's other books by visiting her website: http://www.amberleaeaston.com