The Drought Came and Went!

We got close to 7 inches of rain in a matter of days. While we've not experienced flooding, there are areas that are super saturated. My commute to work was slow and slick. A lot of folks drove slowly while others did their normal speed limit plus. I'm glad we've got a few days to dry out and gain composure before the next set of storms rolls through. I feel for the farmers in Western NC who now have ponds where they were praying for water to help their crops. Patience is a virtue. May we all have more of it as we move into winter.

I did not make the final cut for the All Romance EEbook contest. I'm posting an excerpt from Love's Elixir here. I'm taking the story and expanding it into a novella. Hope you are dry and reading a good book this weekend. Maybe a roaring fire, a glass of wine, and good food will enhance your reading pleasure.

Have a great weekend!

SOLARA

“Yes,” Tiffany moaned, her tongue meeting his. Her nipples tightened as she pressed tighter to John. His firm sure touch and soft caresses fired her in ways she’d never realized. Working her hands up his back, she bunched his shirt as her hands moved.

She wanted him, desired to feel his possession of her that she’d yearned so long for. How would he react if she spoke out? Voiced her deepest craving? She’d never know if she didn’t ask. Love meant risking. A chance she had to take.

“Touch me, John. I want to feel your hands on me.” She rested her forehead against his.

John hesitated. She could feel his agitated breathing as his chest rose and fell. He didn’t move away nor speak.

“I-I’m sor—“ Her words stopped. John’s hand covered her mouth.

“Sssh. Listen to me before you answer.” John cupped her chin, ensuring her eyes met his. Tiffany nodded.

“No sorry needed. Are you sure? I am.” His sigh caressed her cheeks.

Tiffany licked her lips, rubbing them together. “Yes, I want you.”

John inhaled and smiled. “Good ‘cuz I want you.”

Tiffany grasped his hand and moved sideways. “Follow me,” she murmured huskily. She led him down the short hall to her bedroom. Pale colored sheets and pillows adorned the bed.

John moved into the room stopping beside her. He worked his shirt over his head, tossing it on the floor. “Come here, you’re too dressed.”

He pulled Tiffany to him, wrapping his arms around her. “Shall I undress you or you do it for me?”

His quick wink and grin added to the volcanic flames engulfing her.

What A Crazy Week!!!

I'm on vacation for a few more days. The week has not gone as anticipated. I'd planned on finishing out a book rough first draft. No such luck! No tears over it. It's been pleasant to reconnect with myself and getting things done around the house. The nicest part is spending time with my partner and doing things we might not otherwise do.



Started interviews with my heroine and hero from Shape Shifter Blues. Good stuff coming out from this. I'm posting an excerpt from the first chapter here for you. Remember this is a work in progress. Meanwhile, I'm finishing off another contemporary story to polish up for submission soon. Enjoy the excerpt! Have a great weekend!
Solara

EXCERPT:

Pete moved around the limo to the back driver’s side door, opening it as he yelled. “Thompson, get your sorry ass out of my chips and stop fussing.”

“Who the hell said these were your chips?” A large warm chocolate brown hand thrust an industrial sized bag of potato chips out the door. “Is your name on ‘em?”

A long arm followed by wide muscle bound shoulders and a head full of dread lock hair appeared. Thompson Waller, renowned keyboard player and percussionist, exited the limo. He stood almost six foot eight and spoke with a voice that sent chills down most folks back. His eighteen-carat golden jaguar pin stood out on his brown fedora hat. God help anyone who even thought about stealing or touching it. His feline grace fell more than one person crazy enough to try it. He blinked at the bright spotlight illuminating the alley entrance and stage door area. His eyes flashed gold, then green before dimming.

Jared chuckled at Thompson and Pete’s continued banter.

“Look shrimp,” Thompson began, tossing the bag of chips at Pete. “Your damn munchies are a pain.”

“Just trying to keep up.” Pete caught the bag and grinned. “A growing boy needs his fuel.”

“Growing what?” Thompson’s laughter echoed off the alley walls. “I keep telling you ocelot, you is grown.”

“But you inspire me.” Pete handed the bag to their limo driver, Billy. Thompson shook his head and waved to Jared.

“Guys, can you keep the roar down?” Jared laid his guitar case on the limo’s trunk.

Mac’s low-grade purr sounded beside him. Jared turned. “You scoping out the gals already?”

“Cougars prowl and scan their surroundings.” Mac winked and moved up beside the open door. “Just keeping up with my basic nature.”

“Ha! Baser is more like it.” A squeaky pitched voice piped up.

Jared reached out and grabbed the driver’s shoulder, spinning him around. Jared enveloped him in a huge hug.

“Billy, you’re back!”

“Let me breathe!” Billy yelped. “Yeah, I’m back. But not if you crack my ribs again.”

Thompson’s subdued laughter and quick smile caught Jared off-guard. “What’s so funny?”

“You with hyena boy wrapped up there.” Thompson laughed harder and pointed two fingers at them.

Witchy Powers ~ Fire at will, stun don’t kill.

Oh, yes, shapeshifter lovers, this blog is still for you. It’s just that my heroine, Kandace or Kandy Apple, as she’s known, is a bonafide witch and on her own in this scene from the latest chapter of my WIP.

You see, her hellhound shifter heroes, Zol and Zin, have captured and tormented a bad guy. Well, it’s crucial they deliver him directly to Hades. Nothing else will do for the sake of justice and the right flow of fate. So, for the time being Zin and Zol are stuck in the Underworld until Hades sends them to the surface.

Oh, they tried to stop her, their one witch, with a telepathic appeal. But could you wait if your sister’s life was on the line?
~~~~~~

An *unedited* excerpt from my WIP ~ Kandy Apple for Halloween

All too aware of the Quevj’s trap, Kandace concentrated on summoning forth the power she’d been warned not to use, until this confrontation with her race’s enemy. The trick was to loose it at the right instant, and not let her force rise too swiftly.

“Knock, knock,” she called out, “I’m here. Do you want your painting?”

“You couldn’t have brought it here, bitch, as fast as you arrived,” Nigel nastily roared.

“No, but free my sister and I’ll tell you where it is.”

“No matter, alien witch, I’ll have my new friends do their brand of water boarding.”

“Gurgle, gurgle,” Kandace taunted. Kneeling, she touched her palm to the loft floor and suffused it with her force.

“Daughter of Affrony, your destiny awaits. Come forth. You belong to us.”

Not one centimeter of the warehouse had been left untouched by the ring of Over-Voice woman’s words.

Destiny, smestiny, all I want is my sister back.

Hearing the pound of boots at the far end of the loft where the elevator was located, Kandace rose upwards and opened her hand. “Fire at will, stun don’t kill.”

Spheres of blaze-yellow light the size of golf balls flew from her palm and swarmed like bees toward Nigel’s squad of goons.

“What the fuck!” was repeated several times, followed by the loud slumping thud of bodies.

Listening to Nigel shout orders, Kandace raised her arms in invitation to the Source of All. She clasped her hands shaping them into a wand’s point of contact, and whispered, “O fog of doom and gloom, your presence is sought, make this place a shrouded tomb, for those whose evil souls must be caught.”

Tendrils of mist swirled around her. Pale at first, it darkened and thickened in no time.

Clear as if she’d had her crystal ball, Kandace mind-watched the thirteen Quevj sorceresses attempt to counter her impromptu spell casting. To no avail.

The fog spread, sinuous as a clan of giant serpents. Covering everything, it rolled menacingly, a monstrous black specter from the bowels of hell.

Screams of horror ricocheted throughout the warehouse, as did the sound of racing, tromping feet. Those who could, escaped out the doors, deserting Nigel.

“Daughter of Affrony, if you wish the presence of your sister, you will come to us now, and surrender.”
~~~~~~

The Kougar’s news and mews ~

My short story, THE TIGER’S MASQUERADE, has been accepted into the Just Another Paranormal Monday’s Halloween anthology, and will be published by MojoCastle press ~ Cool Orange and Black Jelly Beanies, huh?

If you’d like sneak peak of my cover art for BRANDED BY THE TEXANS, come on by the Title Magic blog ~
~~~~~~

~ HAPPY SHAPESHIFTING FIRST DAY OF JUNE ~

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~ Author of ~

All Shades of Blue Paradise
Red Lioness Tamed
When a Good Angel Falls ~ In Print
Tangerine Carnal Dreams
Murder by Hair Spray in Gardenia, New Atlantis ~ In Print
Black Cat Beauty
Her Insatiable Dark Heroes ~ In Print
Stallion of Ash and Flame ~ In Print
Branded by the Texans ~ Coming in August 2010 from Siren-BookStrand
~~~~~~

A wolf in any other clothing is still a wolf...

Greetings everyone,

I just wanted to introduce myself today. My name is Francesca Hawley and I'm pleased to join the Shapeshifter Seductions line-up.

My first published work was a shapeshifter story in an anthology called Paranaughty. My story, Alpha v Alpha, introduced a shapeshifter universe which exists alongside our normal existence.

In January, my first novel Protect and Defend was released by Ellora's Cave. I used the same universe and created a crime scene investigator named Lt. Diarmid Redwolf who finds his True Mate, Mikaela Laughlin.

Here's the blurb for my novel:

Mikaela Laughlin discovers a whole new world, and an entirely new species, when she tours the crime lab to meet Lieutenant Diarmid Redwolf while researching her next book. She’s lusted after “Delicious Diarmid” from afar for a long time, but meeting him sets her body on fire. It doesn’t take long for Mikaela to discover there’s more to Diarmid than meets the eye. He is far more delicious up close than she ever dreamed.

Diarmid has bad guys to catch, but one look at the voluptuous writer has him wanting to catch her instead. His shapeshifter blood recognizes his True Mate and he wants her naked body arching beneath his. Now. But with a cold-blooded serial killer on the loose, Diarmid has one shot at his future and he will not fail. Because this time, the killer wants Mikaela.

***

I had a blast writing this story and received quite a few really positive reviews for the book.

Five kisses from Two Lips reviews
A great review from The Romance Readers Connection
Four Cups from CoffeeTime Romance Reviews
and a 4 1/2 star rating from Romantic Times Magazine!!

To tempt you, here's an excerpt. I hope you enjoy it...

By reading any further, you are stating that you are at least 18 years of age.

If you are under the age of 18, it is necessary to exit this site.
An Excerpt From: PROTECT AND DEFEND
Copyright © FRANCESCA HAWLEY, 2009
All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.

“Just wait there while I come around to help you down,” Diarmid ordered. Miki bristled at the tone of command in his voice.

“I am perfectly capable of getting out of a vehicle myself.”

“Indulge me.” Diarmid grabbed his garbage, shoving the SUV door open.

He stalked around the vehicle where Miki waited for him. She didn’t know why she waited, but she did. He opened her door and lifted her to the ground. He grabbed her garbage along with his and she moved out of the way so he could close the door. He stopped at the back of the SUV to grab his kit then headed for the front entrance. Miki ran to keep up as he crossed the street. He slowed to accommodate her shorter legs and from that moment on, she didn’t have to run anymore.

“Sorry,” he muttered.

“No problem.” She glanced at his kit. “You weren’t kidding about keeping it stocked were you?”

“No, Mikaela, I wasn’t.” Diarmid raised a red-gold brow at her as his lips twisted into a wicked smile. “I keep my weapon clean and ready for use whenever it’s needed too. You’re welcome to inspect it at length if you’d like.”

Miki blushed a fiery red from his suggestive banter, almost tripping up the stairs as they climbed the steps to the entrance.

“Yeah. Um… Right. I’ll take your word for it, Diarmid.” Miki could almost visualize his weapon ready for use and had to look away when he chuckled at her as he pulled open the entry door to allow her to precede him.

“Too bad. I was looking forward to showing it to you.”

His gravelly voice sent chills down her spine making her clit throb in response. Damn him, he was enjoying this. She stopped to slug him in the shoulder before breezing past him through the doors. His laughter echoed behind her.

Half a dozen cops stared at her as if she had two heads when Diarmid followed her inside. He tossed the garbage into a trash can, motioning her toward the elevators. Miki sucked down the last of her shake and threw it away. She glanced around the lobby. Miki had the impression the cops in view wondered how she was still alive after whacking him. She raised her brows at one or two of them. They looked away, pretending they had other business to conduct. She shook her head.

“Do they think you’re a god or something?” Miki asked curiously after the elevator doors closed behind them.

“No, but I do outrank them.”

“Your rank wasn’t the reason they looked at me like I’d just taken my life in my hands by smacking you, though I think you will admit you deserved it.”

Miki turned to him. Diarmid pressed the stop button, set his kit on the floor and stalked her into the corner of the elevator.

“All I did was offer to let you inspect my weapon.”

His grin teased her as his hand went to his waist. He unsnapped his holster and rocked his gun out then he pulled the clip and emptied the remaining shell from the chamber leaving the slide open, then Diarmid handed the unloaded weapon to her for her perusal.

Miki blushed because she’d been thinking about something else and she knew he’d meant something else when he’d said it. She took the gun from him, blinking because it was heavier than she expected. She lifted it in his direction, but he gently, but firmly, pointed the muzzle at the floor.

“I never point my weapon at someone unless I intend to use it.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” She eyed the weapon, deciding two could play this game. “It isn’t as big as I expected, but I suppose it gets the job done. After all, it isn’t the size of the weapon that counts, but how it’s used, so they say.” She lifted her eyes to Diarmid’s, raising her brows tauntingly.

His suggestive grin widened as he leaned closer. “It isn’t the size of the weapon but the caliber of the ammunition that does the job. I can assure you, my shot can do any job you need doing.”

Miki couldn’t stop a flirtatious laugh from escaping. “I’ll let you know if I have any jobs I need you to do for me, Lieutenant.”

“I can think of one or two I’d be happy to volunteer for.” Diarmid took the weapon from her hands, reloaded it and reseated it in his holster.

“Really?”

“Really.” Diarmid leaned toward her to nuzzle her neck, taking a deep breath of her scent. He nibbled her earlobe. “I can show you how to shoot a weapon, how to clean it, and I think we’d both enjoy the process of holstering it deeply and thoroughly. Over and over.”

“You don’t just put it in once and leave it there?”

“Oh no. You have to slide it in and out to make sure it’s seated just right. Do you want me to teach you?”

Miki groaned arching toward him, sliding her hands over his chest and up around his neck. “Yes, I think I might like that part the best,” she whimpered when his hands cupped her bottom lifting her toward his hips.

He slid a leg between her thighs. Miki ground herself against his leg just as he caught her mouth with his. She opened her lips so they could taste one another. His tongue dueled with hers until they were both breathless. Diarmid lifted his head and Miki stroked his cheek softly.

To ease the sexual tension, she joked, “I told you if both of us ate onion rings it would cancel out.”

Diarmid smiled, dropping an affectionate kiss on the tip of her nose. “So you did, but I think we’d better stop now because the security officer on duty is probably tired of staring at the ceiling.”

Miki gasped as she realized there was surveillance in the elevator. “Oh my God.” She found the camera easily and wanted to sink through the floor. She buried her hot face against his shoulder.

Diarmid caught her chin gently in his hand. “Don’t be embarrassed, Mikaela. After all, I’m the one who works here. I can assure you they’ve never seen me seducing a woman in an elevator before.”

Miki giggled. “Poor baby. How will you ever live down the damage to your reputation as a hard-ass?”

Diarmid threw his head back and laughed; Miki felt as if she’d won the lottery. “I’m sure I’ll survive it somehow. You’ll just have to find a way to console me.”

He gave her a wolfish grin, waggling his brows at her then stepped over to the control panel to set the elevator running again. He picked up his kit, winking at her when the doors opened. The reception officer stared at them both, blinking and speechless.

Miki chuckled as Diarmid escorted her down the hall. “So, where are we headed first, Lieutenant?”

“Let’s go visit Vasha in the morgue.”