Seven Nights of Sin (spotlight, excerpt and GIVEAWAY) ADULT titles

Releasing March 14^th!

Tiara Giveaway!

SEVEN NIGHTS OF SIN

One night, one tryst can change everything...

Seven Sensuous stories by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Sabrina York, with bestselling and award-winning authors Maggi Andersen, Lynne Conolly, Eliza Lloyd, Suzi Love, Hildie McQueen, and Victoria Vane. Enter a world of passion and mystery where dashing heroes and dauntless heroines come together in a scorching conflagration that will will tip your world on its end. 

LUSCIOUS by Sabrina York

Revenge...or redemption? Which will he choose?

ONE SCANDALOUS NIGHT by Maggi Andersen

Can one night with a rake be enough for a lifetime?

THE DEVIL YOU KNOW by Victoria Vane

 She found heaven in the devil’s arms.

UNDER A SILVER MOON by Hildie Mcqueen

The shadows of the past fall over a man and a woman attempting to start anew.

MY DEAR MR. FORRESTER by Eliza Lloyd

He can't resist a woman in trouble. Will he ever learn?

WHAT HE WANTS by Lynne Connolly

Love hides in unexpected places...

PLEASURE HOUSE BALL by Suzi Love

Love revealed at a courtesan’s ball.

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LUSCIOUS 
 by SABRINA YORK

When Deveny Hargrove rescues a waif in a rainstorm in the middle of nowhere, he has no idea that she represents his long-awaited chance at vengeance. When she offers him her virginity—in an attempt to escape an unwanted society marriage—he has to agree. To his surprise, very little of his motivation stems from punishing her brother.

The fact is, Matilda Paddington represents his chance at revenge...or redemption…but his choice could destroy them both.

Read an excerpt

What Providence. That this man—one who, other than the beard, was perfectly acceptable for her purposes, and damn handsome to boot—should stop and pick her up?

Clearly God in heaven above was on her side.

“You do realize this is something that cannot be undone?”

She had the sense he was asking the question purely because his moral code required it. “I do.”

“You are quite young…to be making a decision that will change everything.”

“Everything?” she asked. “Do you really believe that one act changes who a person is? At their core?”

He stared at her as though stunned to hear such words from a lady’s lips. But then he said, “I certainly hope not.”

His tone was so dark, so tormented, she had to ask, “Have you done things?” Things that changed him irrevocably?

“Madam, I have just returned from France.”

“Ooh.” How fascinating. “Are you a soldier?”

“I was. An officer in the King’s Dragoons.”

Oh. A cavalry man. She loved horses. “Did you see much action?”

“Far too much.”

“I am sorry.”

He blinked and she realized how lovely his eyes were. A light blue, almost crystalline, with large pupils and a dark ring around the irises, making it hard to look away. 

“Why are you sorry?” he said, his voice dropping low.

“You must have suffered.”

“I was injured.”

“Yes, but I meant spiritually.”

“Spiritually?” His tone indicated he’d never even considered those wounds.

“War is hell,” she said. She knew of such things. She’d read several books on the topic.

“Yes. It is.”

“But you are home now. And safe.”

“Yes.” He looked out the window and stroked his beard as though he were remembering some of his losses.

She wished one of them had been the beard.

She really disliked beards on men.

“So do you?”

His attention jerked back to her. “What?”

“Do you really believe one act can change a person?”

“I think everything we do, everything we say, every breath we take changes us.”

She blew out an impatient breath. “That is far too deep a rumination for this conversation.”

“Is it?” Why he seemed amused was a mystery.

“Most certainly. We are talking about my giving myself to a man who is not and never shall be my husband.”

“We are talking about you giving your innocence to a man you do not know. Do you have any idea how dangerous that can be?”

“I suppose it would be dangerous.” She had to admit this. “But it is not dangerous with you.”

He reared back. An odd mixture of shock and anger and confusion crossed his face. “How can you possibly know what kind of man I am? What I could do to you when I got you alone? Damn it, Tildy, I could be a monster for all you know.”

“But you’re not.” She knew. She could see it in his eyes.

As her words soaked in, she saw it blossom there, his deep gratification for her trust. But he sighed and scrubbed his face and said “Tildy,” in a tone that made clear he was about to turn her down.

So she went on the offensive. “However, if you do not want to be the one to deflower me, I totally understand. I imagine it can be rather unsettling to be approached by a woman with such a request.”

He murmured, “You have no idea,” beneath his breath, but she heard.

She patted his knee. “And you were injured in the war.”

His features scrunched up. He stared at her hand. “Just what is that supposed to mean?”

She batted her lashes in an attempt to portray her innocence. “I know what happens when men are injured in war.” She leaned closer. “They become incapable. I totally understand.”

“I am not incapable!” Surely there was no need for him to bellow.

“Unwilling then?”

“Bloody hell, no.”

“It is perfectly acceptable if you do not find me attractive. I do look rather like a drowned rat. I am sure I can find someone on the streets of London who is willing to do the deed.” She sighed heavily, just for effect, and then added, “I do hope I don’t get the pox.”

Silence sizzled between them. She determinedly held his gaze, despite the fact that his stare was fierce. His lips worked, as though he was attempting to form a response, several responses, as the moment stretched, and then he reached across the carriage, took hold of her arms and whipped her onto his lap as though she weighed no more than a thistledown.

“Not interested?” he growled. “How is this for not interested?”

And then, he kissed her.

And heaven.

As enchanting as those lips had felt dancing over her hand, it was nothing to this. This was as wild as the storm raging outside, but still unbearably gentle and sweet. His scent suffused her, filled her lungs and stirred some latent hunger deep within. She wanted more. More. More.

And this desire had little to do with her goal of wriggling free of an unwanted betrothal. It had only to do with him. This man. This hunger. This passion.

She’d never felt it before. Not like this.

She’d only felt a passion for passion, which was very different indeed.

His body was warm, heating her. His hands roved, scudding over her shoulders and down to her waist to hold her in place. His lips were hard on her, demanding, yet sensitive to her needs. They engulfed her senses in a velvet trap, one she did not want to escape.

He pulled her closer, settled her more firmly on his lap and leaned her against the wall of the carriage and deepened the kiss, easing in his tongue and tasting her. She had to respond, but she had no idea how her untried exploration would affect him.

Something hard grew against her hip. The knowledge of what it was lit a fire in her belly. Need blossomed and raged. She thrust her fingers in his hair, twining in the strands and tugging. He did the same until they were holding each other still, each consuming the other.

Her mind spun, her body awoke. That long dreamed of desire arose.

She had no idea why, with one harsh movement, he pushed her back into her seat.

They stared at each other across the width of the carriage, the only sounds, their panted breath.

Heat walked between them. Ribbons of carnal lust bound them close, though they no longer touched. Intensity roared.

“Why did you stop?” She didn’t intend for her voice to crack, to be filled with anguish, but it happened.

His lungs worked like a bellows. His stare burned through her. His brow was prickled with sweat, despite the chill of the evening. “Not here.” A whisper, rough and low.

“Not here?”

“I won’t take you in a carriage. You deserve better.”

Oh, she liked that he thought so. She thought so too. “Where then?”

“I am staying the night at a friend’s house in London. Large, comfortable bed. A crackling fire. Excellent wine. All the comforts a proper seduction requires.”

She could not hold back a grin. “Oh. Is this a proper seduction?”

“It will be.” He settled back in his seat and studied her. There was something in his expression that made it clear to her what he was thinking. He was plotting her seduction. She shuddered.

“You really don’t need to seduce me, you know.”

His lips quirked. “Seduction is half the fun. Besides, you deserve to know all the pleasure there is to be had between a man and a woman.”

Her brow furrowed. “I thought there was just the tupping.” She knew all about it. She raised horses, after all. The male simply mounted the female and they danced around for a bit and then a foal came in the spring. It all seemed pretty simple.

“Oh, there’s more than that.”

“Is there? Do tell.”

“I will not. I’d rather show you. I don’t want to ruin the surprise.”

Read more about Luscious and a chance to win one of Sabrina’s tiaras here

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7 Nights of Sin Luscious #Regency #Romance from @sabrina_york http://sabrinayork.com/books/

About Sabrina York

Her Royal Hotness, Sabrina York, is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of hot, humorous stories for smart and sexy readers. Her titles range from sweet & snarky to scorching romance.  Visit her webpage to check out her books, excerpts and contests. Sign up for her newsletter!

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GIVEAWAY



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Fascinating Rhythm (review)

Fascinating Rhythm (Nightstar #4)
by Lynne Connolly is an ADULT title



Ok, I am a little late with my review (yes, my review pile is SLOWLY dwindling and I only owe folks about 55 now, lol), please see this link for wonderful excerpts and a few words from the author.


Review:


Fascinating Rhythm by Lynne Connolly is the striking fourth installment in the ‘Nightstar’ series that details events in the lives of members of the Murder City Ravens band.  Percussionist Hunter fled the silence that was such a major part of his life and he has helped shape his band into the major success that it has become but he inadvertently crushed the dreams of his lover, Sabina.  His return to his homeland rekindles the embers of their passionate affair but Sabina is facing her own milestones in life and may not be ready for all of the radical changes that will be required of her, particularly given the insistence of Hunter’s mother who wants deaf separatism.  Hunter and Sabina must face life-changing decisions and decide what their priorities are, the problem is that they may not choose the same path.

This enthralling contemporary erotic romance series is delightfully continued with this striking installment that examines the concept of handicap as it is applied to one who lacks the use of one of the five major senses.  The story is a beautiful and thought-provoking examination of a sort of reverse discrimination, as Hunter is virtually ostracized for being a hearing person in a society of those who cannot hear and Sabina may lose status if she chooses a radical operation that can give her the chance to regain her hearing.  I was captivated by the glimpse of life on another continent and fascinated by the detail provided, which was particularly pertinent as I have a friend who had cochlear implant surgery.  The interesting snippets that reflect the differences in syntax among different forms of sign language and the description of devices used to compensate for lack of hearing gave wonderful depth to the story even as the sizzling attraction between the two main characters continues to intensify.  I greatly enjoy this series and salute the author for her ability to continue to introduce compelling characters, each with his or her own particular  obstacles that must be overcome.  I look forward to learning more about some of the other memorable secondary characters and, even though this story can be read as a stand-alone, suggest that all of the ‘Nightstar’ tales be read to get a more complete picture of the unique people associated with the band.  A delicious addition to a very enjoyable series.

(submitted to Night Owl Reviews)

I received a copy of this delicious title in exchange for an honest review

Fascinating Rhythm: 4 (Nightstar)  (Amazon link)


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Additional musings:

I really enjoyed this title because it reminded me of a good friend who lost his hearing after becoming an adult.  I always thought it was a particular tragedy because he is a musician and at the time my best friend and I worked with him, we eventually started learning sign language to try to communicate better with him.  I was always frustrated by the perceptions of those who didn't really KNOW this exceedingly intelligent man who assumed that he was less than knowledgeable because he would mistakenly answer what he thought people were saying rather than what they actually saying.  Fortunately, he wasn't embittered by society's reaction to him and has a thriving career and still pursues arcane things that allow him to discourse learnedly on any number of topics.

It wasn't until quite a few years later that I knew a woman who was studying to be an interpreter and she enlightened me about the difference between various types of sign language communication with the deaf.  It turns out that the few classes that my friend and I had taken were the kindergarten version of the exceedingly complex and elegant methods of communication employed by the deaf.  I personally don't have a cell phone and don't text but I was struck by the statement within this story that that has revolutionized interaction as I sometimes had the occasion to interact via an operator who acted as an intermediary between myself as a hearing individual and a hearing-impaired or deaf caller...a very long and tedious process.

The author of this story effortlessly includes allusions to the challenges faced by those who have little to no hearing without making this a dull lesson.  I was struck by the idea there are just as many prejudices within this very insular community as there are outside of it and bemused by the idea of yet another group which thinks that it can exist separate from fellow humans.  It amazes me how much information Ms. Connolly can convey within a very compact tale that still entertains and enthralls with a deliciously spicy love story and I look forward to many more stories from her talented and fertile imagination!

Fascinating Rhythm by Lynne Connolly (Guest post and excerpts!)

                                        


Words from the author:

Fascinating Rhythm

by Lynne Connolly

Murder City Ravens is a band on the cusp – of something. When the Nightstar series begins, the band is in near-meltdown after the drugs overdose of two of its members. Charismatic frontman Scott, aka Maxxx Syccorraxxx is burned out, and starts a new career when he gets out of rehab. His story features in the first Nightstar book, In the Mood. But he’s never coming back. The band recruit two new members, spiky, difficult Englishman Zazz and Japanese-American experimental musician Riku and restart their career in a different direction.
 
Through all the crises, drummer Hunter Ostrander carries on, but he has problems that he has to face when he goes home to Stockholm on the Swedish leg of the band’s world tour. Notably old flame, beautiful Sabina. Like Hunter’s mother, Sabina is deaf, and works for Hunter’s mother as one of her assistants in her political campaign for deaf separatism.
 
I don’t write “issue” books. Neither do I write books where the handicap is the most important part of the person. But “handicap” is a derogatory word that many people who have a “difference” object to. In Hunter’s youth, he was the one with the “difference.” Desperate for attention when his mother is busy elsewhere he learns the drums and other percussion instruments, but she still isn’t interested.
 
He gives up and learns to live his life. But he’s never forgotten Sabina and she’s never forgotten him. When the inevitable happens, they put an “end by” date on their affair, but they are too involved with each other.
Sabina’s deafness doesn’t define her. She is a beautiful, intelligent woman who happens to be deaf. When she gets the opportunity to restore her hearing, via a pioneering operation at Uppsala University, which is currently being tested in real life, by the way, she has some heartbreaking decisions to make.
 
Does she have the operation and hear Murder City Ravens in concert, including the man she loves? But if she does she loses her lifestyle, her job, her career. And maybe part of what she is.
 
In each Nightstar book the protagonists have to work through changes in their lives and learn to live with them. Each one has a different decision to make. The overall arc of the series is of a band in transition, in the process of going from “well known” to “stellar” and coping with the problems that extreme fame brings with it. 

Hunter and Sabina both have choices to make, but you’ll have to read the book to find out what they decide!




Excerpts

She stood on the pavement and stared up at the huge front of the Lydmar hotel. It was one of the tall, white buildings, coolly classical, that gave Stockholm so much of its character, situated in the center of the city overlooking the broad expanse of the Norrström River. She’d never been inside. As was true of most local residents, hotels meant little to her.
Sabina didn’t belong here. As she walked through the glass doors and into the main body of the hotel, she wished she did. Someone had designed this place with an eye to style. The foyer didn’t feel soulless, and when Hunter touched her elbow to guide her to the restaurant, she felt almost comfortable, which she rarely did in the presence of luxury and expense. Strange. Perhaps it was because she was with him. No. That wasn’t possible. Just that she was exploring a part of Stockholm that she’d not visited before. On her days off, she sometimes came to this district to visit the museum, so it wasn’t as if she didn’t know it at all.
She hadn’t expected a hotel restaurant to contain a wall of bookshelves, neither had she expected sofas and comfortable chairs framing the tables. The maître d’ took them to their table without delay, a place set to one side of the restaurant, not in the full light. Then she understood. Hunter had become a local celebrity.
She waited until the maître d’ left them with their menus before she ventured to speak. She was sitting with her back to the restaurant and most of the sources of light. Frowning, she concentrated on his lips so as not to miss a word. “Did you know I was in Stockholm?” A faint hope, but not one she had any faith in, that he’d come back to see her as well as to visit his mother.
“I didn’t know. Emmelie never mentioned it.” He met her gaze, his own dark from the shadows, and maybe something else? No, she couldn’t think like that. Then his face lightened and he smiled. It was like the sun coming out. “But I’m glad.” He glanced around. “It’s too dark here, isn’t it?”
He beckoned the waiter and had a quiet word with him. Hunter switched from English to Swedish with the ease of someone supremely comfortable in both languages. She wondered if he had an accent of any kind. She’d love to hear it. They always spoke English together, even used ASL or SEE when they signed, dating right back to the days they’d first met.
The waiter took them to another table near a window where the light still filtered in from outside. It was only seven thirty; it wouldn’t get dark for another couple of hours. She could see him much better here. How thoughtful of him to notice and have the table changed. “Thank you,” she said.
He smiled. “I want you to enjoy the meal. Have you decided what you want to eat?”
“Scallops and steak,” she said. She’d barely glanced at the menu. “They’re famous for it here.”
He raised a brow. She remembered those eyebrows, browner than his hair, matching his lashes and the hair on his body. No, not going there. Her mind raced on, as if it had a will of its own, ignoring her commands. Six years ago, he’d had a beautiful body, only a light sprinkling of hair on his chest, his shoulders already strongly developed from playing his percussion instruments. Then, he’d considered a career as a classical percussionist but his mother had shown no interest when he’d told her. “What do I care?” she’d said. “I can’t hear any of it. Choose what you like best to do.”
Nobody except Sabina had seen his hurt, because he’d covered it with insouciance, shrugged and left the room. That was when Sabina had gone to him. Just before he left.
One thing she had to know, had wondered for all this time. “Why didn’t you write to me after you left?”
He blinked, eyes wide, and touched his finger to her lips in a gesture that left her utterly shaken. She sat back out of his reach and stared at him, unwilling to miss a single word.
He signed his answer. “This is a quiet place and you were a little loud there.” Flushing, she closed her eyes before opening them again when she thought she’d regained her composure. He was waiting for her. This time he used his vocal cords, but in English.
“Let’s talk about other things over dinner.”
Was he trying to avoid talking to her about the things that had caused her so much pain? Probably, especially if she’d shouted her question.
She thought her appetite had gone, but the scallops proved her wrong. Every bit as delicately flavored and tender as the reviews had promised. A tiny sliver of black truffle lay over the top and she saved it for last. She glanced up from time to time, her habit in case she was missing his words, but he knew how to communicate with the deaf. He’d touch her hand or tap the table where she could see it if he wanted to speak to her.
He smiled when she glanced up. “You have a lovely accent, you know that?”
She shook her head. “I thought I spoke English clearly.”
“It is clear, but slightly accented.” He stared at her, his eyes unreadable. She couldn’t tell what he was thinking and she’d studied body language closely enough that she could usually tell.
“Are they playing music?”
He smiled. “Quietly. A classical piece. Do you know Chopin’s nocturnes?”
Tears sprang to her eyes and because he was watching her so closely, he saw them. He touched her hand. No more, just that. She took care to keep her voice down, regulating the strength of the vibrations in her throat. “My mother used to play them when I was little. I remember a mood rather than the notes.”
“I’m sorry. I was trying to give you a sense of what’s going on. I should have known better.” He broke visual contact, turning his attention to his food.
He shouldn’t feel bad about saying that. “You were right. How were you to know? The memories are good.”
A smile flickered across his lips, gone as soon as it had arrived, and he looked up again. “Thank you. I didn’t deserve that. It’s just that music means, well, a lot to me. I always notice when it’s playing.”
“Did it always mean so much?”
“Yes.”
A simple but devastating answer. To love music so much and grow up in a silent household—what torture he must have undergone. “When you were a child, you must have felt so alone.”
He shrugged. “I found friends. I went to a hearing school. It was okay.”
He’d clammed up. She’d find out no more from him now, but he’d opened his mind a crack and given her a glimpse of the inner man. The hint only made her hungry for more. She needed a reason for the way he’d hurt her when he’d walked away and she knew the answer couldn’t be simple. Turning his back on their affair after one night was one thing, but he’d also repudiated their friendship and that had been the hardest to bear.
They ate, chatted about inconsequential matters, both of them avoiding topics that might mean more to them. He told her about America, a place she’d always meant to visit, and she told him about Iceland, with its economic problems and its sheer beauty. They talked about London, somewhere they’d both visited but not together. And Malmö, where the band was due to play in a couple of days’ time. He told her about Murder City Ravens, the band that, it soon became obvious, meant more to him than anything else in life. She realized he did more than play the drums. He was playing with percussion, experimenting with different sounds, different instruments, and using electronics to vary it.
The waiter came to remove their plates and asked if they wanted dessert. Hunter touched her hand so she turned her attention to him. “I’d like to have dessert and coffee upstairs where we can talk, but it’s all right if you want to stay down here.”
She swallowed. He’d never open up to her in a public place. She doubted he’d do it upstairs, but at least she’d have a better chance. There existed another possibility. He might want to take her to bed and she sure as shit wanted to relive that one, incandescent experience. But he’d leave her again.
She might not break as badly this time if she braced herself for it, kept herself apart. She’d trained herself into stoicism. If she persuaded him to retain their friendship.
“Yes,” she said. If he asked, she might. She’d decide at the time. He might not ask. She’d caught glances and smiles, but she didn’t know this man well enough anymore to tell if he wanted her or if he was just being friendly. Frustration made her want to growl.
They gave their order and left the restaurant. As they crossed the foyer toward the elevators, he reached for her hand and threaded his fingers between hers. Warmth and a feeling of utter safety filled her instantly, something she shouldn’t experience, not here, not now. Not with this man.




Warning...spicier excerpt (yum)

“And here we are, all grown-up,” he said.
 
She could feel his words rumbling through his chest, the vibrations in time with his lip movements. “I don’t know if I’ll ever grow up.”
 
“You’re adult enough for this.” He leaned down to kiss her, his arms banding around her to hold her close. Her hand remained trapped between their bodies and she could do nothing but keep it there while he captured her lips. He touched his tongue to hers, traced the line between top and bottom lip until it tingled, like using lip-plumping lipstick, and she opened for him.
 
There the analogy with lipstick came to an incongruous halt. He plunged in as if ravenous for her, as hungry as she was for him.
Ice froze her spine. What the fuck was she doing? Hadn’t she learned anything?
 
She pushed him away and, taken by surprise, he staggered back, stopping just before he hit the cart. “What’s wrong? I thought you wanted this.”
 
Oh, how she wanted him! But she couldn’t. Tears threatened to fall, filling her lower lids, and a lump settled at the top of her throat. 
“Will you promise not to disappear this time?”
 
He frowned. “What?”
 
“Last time, you remember? You didn’t write, didn’t call. Nothing. And I didn’t know where you were, so I couldn’t write to you.”
 
His chest rose and fell on a sigh. “I’m sorry. I know we—we connected the night before I left. But I couldn’t make any promises, so I thought it best to make a clean break.”
 
That was it?  She’d half wondered if he’d ask her to go away with him, share his adventure. But of course he hadn’t. She’d just graduated and started her job with Emmelie.
 
A hunted look entered his eyes, brightened the blue as his pupils, previously darkened with desire, regained their normal hue. “I planned to come back to see you, but Emmelie told me you’d gone home.”
 
Not good enough. “You had my family’s address in Iceland.”
 
He swallowed. “I did. I still thought it right to give us both a break.” Spreading his hands in a gesture of surrender, he opened himself to her. “I missed you at first. Then my life changed. I thought yours had too.”
 
Did he think she wouldn’t welcome him? Her lips tightened. He was probably right. She’d resented his abandonment until she’d seen him today. No, that was wrong. She still resented it. “You should have written.”
 
“I know that now. I’m sorry.”
 
It didn’t stop her wanting him, and he’d proved before that fucking didn’t have to mean commitment. Perhaps this time she’d be the one to turn her back.
 
She took the initiative and walked forward until her breasts grazed his chest. “Do you still want me?”
 
He sucked in a breath. “Fuck, yes.”
 
Why deprive herself of the hottest man she’d seen in months? So what if it was Hunter?
 
When he held her this time she knew they wouldn’t stop. He tilted his head to seal them together more securely, his kiss unrestrained. He explored her mouth, took his time, but she did the same, felt the incredible softness of his inner lips and the smooth texture of his teeth. His tongue stroked hers in the most intimate of caresses, then he sucked gently, inviting her to explore. Ravenous, she tasted him, touched him, wanting more, wanting it now.
 
He broke the kiss, but only so he could lead her to the bed. It hadn’t looked that big when they came in. Or was it her nervousness coming to the fore? Yes, that was it. “It’s been a while,” she whispered, hoping she hadn’t spoken too loudly. 

Sometimes she found it hard to tell.
 
She looked back at his face. “Me too. At least a month.”
 
He startled her into laughter, but at the back of her mind she also remembered what he was these days. Sex on tap, no doubt, for the sexy drummer in one of the world’s hottest bands.
 
For all she knew she was another girl in another port. Of course she was, he’d be moving on soon. So she’d better make the most of him, hadn’t she? She tugged at his T-shirt and he finished the job for her, impatiently pulling it off over his head before tackling her clothes. A zipper down the back and her dress peeled away like a bud casing, falling down her arms. She dropped her hands so she could finish the job and the dress fell to the floor.
 
Eager to feel her skin against his, she moved closer. As he put his arms around her, he popped her bra undone. The straps fell loose, but she lifted her head for another kiss, craving it like an addict.
 
From the way he took her lips, he felt the same.
 
All the time he kissed her like an angel—or a devil. When his lips left hers, he kissed down her throat, stopping to suck the hollow between her collarbones while he helped her off with her bra. Then he stopped moving.
 
She glanced down, wondering what was wrong. Were her breasts the wrong size or something?
 
He was staring down. “Damn. I’d forgotten.”
 
“What?”
 
“How pretty they are.”
 
She laughed. “How can breasts be pretty? I thought they were soft or something.”
 
“Pretty,” he said firmly, cupping one. His big hand enveloped her left breast, encasing it in warmth. He massaged it before drawing his fingers gently along the slopes to the tip, and then again before he lingered to caress. “I love the way they move.”
 
“Don’t they all move like that?”
 
“Depends how good the surgery was.”
She jerked back, crossing her arms over her chest. “I haven’t had plastic surgery ever. Not ever. But what if I had?”
 
He held his hands up in apology. “I didn’t mean to upset you. There’s nothing wrong with plastic surgery, it’s just that they feel different.” He growled. “Shit, I’m sorry.” He flicked a switch and the bedside lights came on, although she could see his lips fine this close.
 
She’d overreacted. “I’m on edge.” She dropped her arms and stepped toward him and he folded her into his embrace.
 
“Fucking insensitive of me,” he said when she lifted her chin. “It sounds stupid, but I’m kind of nervous.”
 
“Not stupid. I am too.” She stroked her hands down his back as if soothing a fidgety cat. The act calmed her in a strange way until he lowered his head and kissed her again.
 
Then it all came back, her arousal, surging up inside her, loosening her body, readying her for his invasion.
 
He eased her back and when she felt the mattress against her thighs, she realized what he wanted and let herself go as he lowered her gently to the bed.
 
She watched him divest himself of the rest of his clothing, revealing powerful thighs, no doubt honed from years of thumping the bass drum and a taut stomach, ridged with muscle. He shed the last of his garments, his underwear. “You used to wear tight black briefs,” she said.
 
He glanced at her. “Shorts are cooler. I don’t stick to one style. Call me fickle.”
 
She lost the smile and he came down to lean over her, propping his arms on either side of her body. “Hey, it’s okay. I was making a joke. Is there something wrong? Do you want to stop?”
 
Vigorously, she shook her head. “No, never. It’s just been a while for me too.”
 
“How long?”
 
“About a year.”
 
He gave a low whistle. She had no way of knowing if he made a sound, but she saw the way he pursed his lips and felt the air against her cheek. “You had better things to do?”
 
She didn’t want to answer. “You could say that.” She’d tell him about her forthcoming change if she felt like it. But he was moving on. No reason for him to know unless he stayed in touch. And she wasn’t counting on anything this time. “You look good.”
 
“You look beautiful. You might have pretty breasts, but altogether you make a beautiful package.”
 
He cupped her cheek, stroking the fine skin there, making her want to purr like a cat and rub herself against him. “You’re different, Sabina, you always have been.”
 
She had no desire to laugh now. His gaze held no flattery, his lips no light banter. For a brief moment out of time they met and exchanged complete honesty. “You too.” Because she understood. Understood so much that it had taken her much longer to get over than she’d ever imagined it would.
 
Pushing away from her, he said, “I need to get some protection. Get into bed and I’ll be back in a minute.”
 
So practical. One of the things she hated about being deaf was not hearing the gradations of tone. She didn’t know if he was murmuring or speaking normally. She could tell a whisper from a yell from the way the chest and neck moved, as well as the usual facial expressions that went with yelling. Usually she didn’t regret, because she couldn’t see the point in it, but sometimes a pang hit her. She wanted to hear his voice; she wanted to know what he sounded like.
 
He returned, walking across the room, his erect cock bouncing with each stride. She watched, fascinated, and he didn’t take his gaze from her but stood over her and tossed a few packets on to the bedside table. A few?
 
“Fuck, how many did you get?”
 
“A handful. Let’s see how far we can take it, hmm?”
 
Swallowing, she nodded, trying to look as if she did this every day. Except she’d just told him that she didn’t. “I’m not very good at this, am I?”
 
“I’d say you were excellent.” He dropped a kiss on her neck. “Top of the class.” He took a nipple into his mouth and delivered a hard suck, then lifted his head so she could see what he was saying. “A1.”
 
Laughing, she curled her arms around his neck to draw him closer. 

“You too. That feels good. Do it again.”
 
“With the greatest pleasure in the world.” He followed suit, lavishing attention on her other nipple while playing with the one he’d just sucked. He rolled it between finger and thumb, sending shots of sensation over her body. Tingles traveled along her shoulders and arms, sensitizing her to a new level before he kissed underneath. He licked under her breast and then moved down, touching his tongue to her navel and going farther. He said something against her belly and then lifted his head. “You taste great and you feel even better. Your skin is amazing, do you know that?”
 
She shook her head. “Thank you. You’re pretty good yourself.”
 
“I want you lying down properly, with your legs wide open. I want to know how you taste.”



Fascinating Rhythm: 4 (Nightstar) (Amazon buy link)
(delightful book, my review will be posted in a few days!)

Other books in the 'Nightstar' series:

                           


In the Mood (Nightstar, Book One) (Amazon link)  
Born on the Bayou: 2 (Nightstar) (Amazon link)
Nice 'n' Easy: 3 (Nightstar)  (Amazon link)



My reviews:

In the Mood
Born on the Bayou
Nice n' Easy

My review for Fascinating Rhythm will be live on 10/20/13 at this link.

Contests, freebies and giveaways and bargains! (updated 10/13/13)

Night Owl has the Halloween Scavenger Hunt

Evernight Publishing is celebrating its 3rd birthday!

Romance Books 4 Us has the October Spooktacular contest

Coffee Time Romance has multiple contests


Book giveaways and other fun stuff!
Please browse back through my blog over the past couple weeks as I have several lovely authors offering giveaways in both print and e-format as well as a gift card!  Hopefully you will find a new author to love and a title that intrigues you!

Don't forget to stop by Reviews by Crystal to see even more wonderful giveaways and great reviews and spotlights

and....

a delicious and inspiring (for me to eat, if not to make, lol) recipe presented by the envy-inspiring Rae on Lisa Renee Jones' blog at this link.

ADULTS ONLY after this point:

Sabrina York's delicious third installment in her Tryst Island series, Smoking Holt is only $.99 (click on cover for link)

                                  


Lisabet Sarai's erotic m/m short story Body Electric is also free for the weekend (click on cover for link)







Lynne Connolly has a boxed set that looks perfect for the Halloween season, Hosts to Ghosts.  Looks like a great bargain for only $.99!

                                                             




Shattered Souls by the prolific Delilah Devlin was a great paranormal story (I still am wary of looking in mirrors, lol) and it is available for only $.99 as well!


         



and wow, one of my favorite erotica authors has a book on the freebie list as well...Joey Hill's Natural Law:2 (Nature of Desire)
(be advised that the cover is different from the print version but who cares, it FREE!)

                                    

Contests, specials and whatnots (updated 9/24/13)

I am overblessed with things to do right now...gulp, I suddenly realized I was overdue on a few reviews so I have to get to those...but I got distracted by all of the great contests that are going on!  Sadly, I did not make it through all of the blogs that were featured on the Fall Into Romance hop but there were certainly quite a few new ones for me to become intrigued by.

So...if you have a few hours (and your wrists hold up)...there are lots of great things going on right now...

The 100th Sunday Snog (that's kissing for those non-Anglophiles) is at this link


Night Owl Reviews has its Halloween Scavenger Hunt at this link


Prism Book Group is celebrating its anniversary at this link

Congratulations to Mary at the Dark Thoughts blog!  She is celebrating her 1000th blog post (plus several other accomplishments) with a giveaway at this link.




A Rush of Wings by Adrian Phoenix is one of the free reads at XOXO After Dark at this link.  I love this series and there is a new addition to the series releasing on September 24 (On Midnight Wings) that I have on my soon to be read and reviewed list!




ADULTS ONLY:

                                         


Lynne Connolly is offering the delicious novella In the Mood for free for a limited time. This is a great series about a rock band and its members, the newest is just out (Fascinating Rhythm)

In the Mood (Nightstar, Book One) Amazon link






Don't forget that the first in Lisa Renee Jones' 'Inside Out' series, If I Were You is also a free read at XOXO After Dark for only a few more days. And don't forget to stop by Lisa's blog on Mondays for the delicious recipes that Rachel posts and for a chance at a lovely prize!   Link


The delightful Sabrina York has THREE different titles for only $0.99 each...

         


Fierce (1Night Stand Series)
Dragonfly Kisses (Tryst Island Series)
and
Smoking Holt (Tryst Island Series) (my review is at this link)





                                           

Tara Lain has another fun addition to her 'Balls to the Wall' series, called F.A.S.T. Balls and she is celebrating at this link!

FAST Balls (Balls to the Wall) Amazon Link

and you can join the Sunset on Summer Fun blog hop at this link.


There are tons more contests so make sure you pay attention when you do the hops because the blogs are usually participating in others.

I will try to update when I have time but don't hold your breath, lol.

A rant about Amazon (so don't read if you're in a good mood!)

So, it wasn't a stretch to figure out what to name my blog, the only issue was that someone else had the title already so I had to add ELF to my version.  Confusing to some people, but I figured it wouldn't matter since I never imagined people would really be looking for me in particular, just for reviews of various books.  I have always been a big reader, probably because I was a very introverted and lonely child who delighted in getting lost in a book.  Well, if you focus on one thing, you tend to improve at it, so I gradually increased my reading speed over the years and can usually read a decent-sized hardback book in 2 or 3 hours.  I am not saying this to brag but as a fact.  Those who know me stopped buying me books (to my dismay) because they didn't feel their gift lasted long enough (no matter how much I tried to convince them that I read books I like over and over again) but fortunately I discovered libraries at an early age and schemed many hours to convince my folks to take me there.  Most libraries that I dealt with waived their limits despite my young age because I devour books and the number they would allow me to check out would usually only last me less than a week.

Ok...you're bored...I am getting to the point...I read a LOT of books.  I don't always get them all reviewed, especially if I don't have anything good to say about them OR there are tons of reviews already written for that particular title (which I have subsequently learned, does not necessarily mean the author doesn't want one).  If I write a review, it means that I have actually read the book.  I don't get paid (although I would love to find out how to go about earning money for that) but now that I have been fortunate enough to be associated with Night Owl Reviews, I usually get a copy of the book that I am reviewing.  Sometimes they are in e-book form and sometimes in print although not always the final format (so sometimes they are riddled with errors and I no longer request the Lora Leigh books because the last one I got with her story had multiple pages OUT OF ORDER so it was a pill to read).  I tend to shy away from the Netgalley books because the e-copy usually expires after a few months (although there are occasionally exceptions) and it frustrates me to spend my time reading and writing a review and not having a book at the end of those 3 or 4 hours.

So...I am REALLY frustrated with the meanies on Amazon.  At first I was trying to get a low enough rating to become part of the Vine program but I had to admit defeat once I started receiving negative votes on my reviews.  I usually try to write a fair and polite review that has no spoilers and I really would like to know why people give me negative votes but they can hide behind their anonymity and I can't ask what the problem is.  I finally realized that Amazon has a policy that prevents the reviewer from getting credit for 'yes this was helpful' votes from the same person for more than 1 or 2 reviews (i.e., the votes don't count) yet I don't think that same policy is applied for the negative votes.  Yesterday I submitted a review for You Cannoli Die Once (which I also posted here on the blog) and I went back to add the copyright since it was accepted at Night Owl Reviews today and discovered that someone (in less than 24 hours) has given me a 'not helpful' vote!  I don't understand why and the only thing I can think of is perhaps they don't think I actually read the book.  I read it again, and I don't see that I revealed any spoilers and I think I got most of the typos (although one gets a little blind to them sometimes) so I'd be curious what others thought.  I just don't think it is fair that one doesn't have to leave a comment when voting against a review to at least say why it isn't helpful.

Ok...I will jump down from my soapbox...I actually have several more reviews to write...and some which I am trying to decide whether to write a review for since they are library books.  I actually have procrastinated so long on my most recent online class that I had to cram all of the remaining lessons into the past two days so my brain is a little full right now, lol, but these are some of the titles that I haven't written up yet:  (be advised that most are ADULT titles)





Shiloh Walker's The Protected
Shiloh Walker's The Unwanted
Cynthia Gail's Spring's Surprise
Bobbi Romans' Under the Full Moon
Patricia Briggs' Frost Burned
J.R. Ward's Lover at Last
Elle James' Voodoo for Two
Lynne Connolly's Nice 'N' Easy