OMG! I’m thrilled to let you all know we’ve got a new member over at International Heat. I’m even more thrilled to tell you she’s a fellow Aussie!! Yay! Lexxie Couper has joined the fold and when her name was first brought up as a possible nomination I was the first one to raise my hand and vote YES! Lexxie is funny and smart and writes smokin’ hawt stories that scorch the eyeballs. She’d not afraid to push those boundries in her writing and I admire that she stays true to her characters no matter how ‘bad’ others may think it is. Of course your bad and mine might be completely different. *grin*

I’ve recently had the privilege of reading her upcoming release from Samhain Publishing. Let me tell you the woman knows how to weave a tale so engrossing you forget everything and everyone around you. (Yes, the Tribe went without food.) Lexxie is published with Changeling Press, Samhain Publishing and Ellora’s Cave. (click on the pub names to go to her author page) Check out her WEBSITE and BLOG, she often throws up a flash fiction or snippet of whatever she’s working on.

And don’t forget to check the International Heat blog for your regular dose of warmth.

Today it’s Mari Carr in the spotlight.

Mari is not only a great author, she’s one of my best friends. Earlier this year I took the trip of a lifetime to the US to attend a couple of conferences and visit my CP who I’d met online one year before. We’d never met in person but we’d seen pix so I knew it wouldn’t be a problem finding her at the airport when I arrived. Now there was little concern, I mean I was going to be staying with a stranger really but I wasn’t too worried and believe me, the second we met face to face any and all fears went right out the window. I don’t think either of us drew a breath on the hour journey to her house we talked that much. She’s like the other side of me. It’s funny cause she has some similar characteristics as my Hubby and I’ve got some similar to hers. LOL We think the same way on so many things, we get the same jokes and neither of us is a girly-girl. Two peas in a pod really. She’s helped me grow as an author and I’ve helped her and we can say the hard stuff without worrying about upsetting each other. I will treasure the day I found the guts to email her about becoming CP’s for the rest of my life. It was definitely one of those rare times in life where everything just clicks. I can’t tell you how empty my life would be without her in it.

Check out her books HERE!

And here’s a look at a couple of her gorgeous covers-

T from Ebook Addict is in the spotlight this week. T runs a review site and as I’m a reviewer in my other life I know how hard review writing is. There’s no way I’d be able to do what T does. I do a couple of reviews and hand them over and someone else does all the posting. T on the other hand is a one woman review machine, she reviews, interviews, posts, runs contests, she’s always doing something for the thing she loves most. She definitely got the name of her review site right. She is more than an ebook addict, she’s passionate about the authors too. Always the first to help when you need help with promoting a new book or a contest. Plus as a fellow member of International Heat T is a friend I cherish. I had some personal health issues recently and T cheered me up by sending me a gorgeous Kama Sutra Journal. There is was in my mail box right when I need cheering the most. She’s a great friend and my days wouldn’t be complete without some T time.

Hop over to T’s blog and check out her reviews.

In the spotlight this week is Aussie author Jess Dee.

What can I say about Jess?? Ummm…. Well she’s not against the idea of enjoying a little champers with our chrissie lunch. She talks a mile a minute. Oh, no wait, that’s me! LOL  Back to Jess. I first ‘discovered’ Jess by accident. She was on the Samhain Cafe loop chatting away when I realized she was an Aussie!! I’m an Aussie so it stands to reason that I should know allllllll….. about this fellow writer. The Friendship Gods must have been smiling because during that discussion the wonderful Viv ‘discovered’ me and she was already talking to Jess so things kind of steamrolled from there and then suddenly I’m emailing with Jess and we’re discussing getting together for lunch a Christmas when I’m finally on home soil for a month. That lunch, shared with the lovely Caitlyn Nicholas, was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Jess isn’t afraid to tell you how it is, or throw out a one liner that has you in stitches for hours. I’ve so enjoyed knowing her that while in Sydney for a week last month I rang to see if she was up for a bit of lunch. School holidays be damned, she dropped everything to come and spend a few hours talking shop. Ok fine, I did the talking and she listened. But I’m missing the point, she is a fabulous friend and an even more fabulous writer. Last week saw her novella A Question of Trust release in the print anthology Three’s Company. And this week her story Circle of Friends: Steve’s Story is up for Best Book of the Week at Whipped Cream Reviews. Vote for Jess’s book Circle of Friends: Steve’s Story HERE!

Make sure you check out all Jess’s books HERE!

My personal fave is Ask Adam. And no it’s not because I have an autographed copy sitting right by my desk. *grin*

Ask Adam

Can one wild night of passion turn into the romance of a lifetime?

Lexi Tanner’s got a major problem: AJ Riley, the man she’s about to approach for a hefty donation, turns out to be the stranger she shared a night of steamy sex with less than a week past. She’ll do anything to raise money for a children’s charity—anything except sell herself. Now how can she ask AJ for money without it seeming like he’s paying for sexual favors?

If there’s one thing the past has taught Adam “AJ” Riley, it’s that loving someone can only lead to pain. He knows he shouldn’t feel so attracted to Lexi, and he definitely shouldn’t trust a woman who’d sleep with a man one week and approach him for money the next. Yet somehow Lexi breaks through all his barriers. His instincts tell him to run but his heart wants to give Lexi—and love—a second chance. How can he let go of his tragic past and still protect his battered heart?

Warning, this title contains the following: steamy sex, graphic language and red-hot romance.

Buy ebook HERE!

Buy print book HERE!

This weeks spotlight is Jambrea Jo Jones.

She’s talented and has many disguises but the one I like best is friend. Earlier this year Jambrea decided to push herself as a writer and write a novel length story. Semper Fi – Magnus started out as a contest entry and after lots of panic over whether she’d be able to make the length I offered to be her counter. Okay so I bullied her into it, same thing. *grin* Every week she would send me a new chapter and if I didn’t get it I’d harass her until I did. *shrug* It’s a hard job but someone has to do it. LOL

Jambrea finished the story and it’s so damn good that Liquid Silver Books has picked it up. Yay!!! No release date yet but I can’t wait to see this story published. I love Mag. The man is smokin’ hawt! Oh and Em’s okay to. *giggle* Now Jambrea is planning a whole series of Semper Fi stories and yes *hangs head in shame* I’ve offered to be her counter again. It’s best to be consistent with these things I’ve found. *BWG*

Between now and Mag’s release check out the cover for her Halloween release:-

Silar Book 1: Unseen Path  by Jambrea Jo Jones

Unseen Path: The road not traveled reveals a destiny unfulfilled

On All Hallow’s Eve Molli’s predictable world is turned upside down when she learns she needs magic to save her brother’s life.  Not only must she give up her innocence to feed the magic, she finds there is more to Decklin than meets the eye.  Just who is this handsome stranger and what is he to her?

Decklin must convince Molli that it is her destiny to help him save the world.  He has the means to help her brother, but will she survive her uncontrollable need to touch him, does she even want to?  Is Decklin using his powers to control her desires or could it be love?

Unseen Path will be available from eXtasy books Oct. 31.

And don’t for get to check out her available books

Runaway Man

One Touch, One Glance Anthology.

In the spotlight this week is Vivian Arend. She started writing on a dare and let me tell you a dare is one thing Viv can’t say no to. Now, just over a year later she has three books published and more on the way. She writes at the speed of light, it seems only seconds pass between the start of a story and when she finishes. I was lucky enough to meet her in person at the Lori Foster weekend and I have to say we spent a lot of the time laughing our asses off! Not only is she one of the funniest people I know but she’s smart AND she’s loyal. With Viv on your side you can’t lose. I’m glad she had the guts to contact me because she’s now not only one of my CP’s but a very dear friend who I can’t seem to go without. I’ve had the great privilege of helping her with her stories and even had one of her heroines named after me. You can check out all Viv’s available books HERE and her coming soon HERE. And don’t forget to comment to be in the draw for the weekly prize.

For now I leave you with her gorgeous covers.

Let’s go behind the scenes again this week. Sherry Ricardo has what I believe is one of the toughest jobs in the writing business. Editor. As a writer I can’t live without one, I hope to get a good one and that anytime I have to work with one I’ll learn something new. Sherry is more than an editor for Freya’s Bower/Wild Child Publishing, she also happens to be a friend. One who isn’t afraid to give the hard advice that so often we don’t want to hear but NEED to. Her job is one I wouldn’t want but I do admire her skill and patience. We all want an editor who will go the extra mile to help make our story better but we really want is one that helps make us better writers. Here’s a couple of her authors books.

The Macgregor’s Daughter by Dee Julian

In 1776 England, American born Anadreya Macgregor is branded a spy by the arrogant Marquis of Canderlay. Despite her pleas of innocence, he refuses to listen and has her imprisoned. Aided by the Scottish father she never knew, Dreya escapes to Dragon’s Breath Castle.

Five years later, the laird is missing and a badly injured Frenchman washes ashore. Dreya is wary of the blind and amnesic man, though something about him is hauntingly familiar. Is he an ally or a ruthless mercenary who stumbled upon her father’s smuggling activities?

The stranger’s vision and memory gradually return and Dreya discovers her fate and the continued existence of her clan might very well be in his hands. As the web of deception binding them together unravels, both are in danger of losing everything. Including their hearts.

Buy HERE!

Frozen Spring Break by Jaxx Steele

Gregorio Santos was not like his co-workers. They rushed to the warm temperatures and white sand beaches of the Caribbean for vacation, he preferred the white cold of the ski slopes. Greg is single and determined to remain that way—despite his loneliness. While on vacation at Lake Tahoe, an accident strands the sexiest man he had met in years at his cabin. Will his resolve to stay single outlast being trapped with a man that gives the term ‘bringing sexy back’ new meaning?

Buy HERE!

Graphic Artist Valerie Tibbs is in the spotlight this week. If you’ve had the pleasure of seeing her work you’ll know there’s no need for a spotlight, her work just sparkles. At the urging of a couple of author friends Valerie kind of fell into the graphic arts business and am I ever so glad she did! Her work graces the covers of over 80 ebooks, numerous websites and blogs, bookmarks, business card, signature banners and more. her talents are endless and I’m more than thrilled to not only hold up some of her work with my name on it but to be able to call her friend. Check out the many ways Valerie can make you shine at her website HERE! 

Here is a sample of what the lovely Val has made for me:-

Now head over to International Heat to follow the heat wave of the Sizzling Summer Heat Contest.

International Heat’s Sizzling Summer Heat Contest continues with week 3 and the featured author from IH this week is ME! *snicker* I get to plug myself. LOL

You really need to check out the fun Lila Dubois had with me. As I said last week, that woman makes me laugh and this was no exception. She asked me some tough questions but I made it out alive and I had a blast too. Don’t forget to pop over to all the blogs and leave a comment, the more comments the more chances you have to week. Win what you ask, well a copy of One Night In Bangkok and a special little something from my part of the world.

Lila Dubois

Vivian Arend

Jess Dee

Valerie Tibbs

T aka Ebook Addict

Jambrea Jo Jones

Mari Carr

One Night In Bangkok by Rhian Cahill

One night in Bangkok is all it takes to turn Beth Martin’s plans upside down. After being betrayed by her fiancé the last thing she needs is another man screwing up her life. But Tom is different. He makes her feel sensations long forgotten, makes her want in ways best left unspoken. Can she live out her wildest fantasies in one decadent night? And when it’s over, can she walk away?

EXCERPT:-
 
Hand suspended in mid-air, inches from the door, Beth froze. Could she do it? Could she take the next step? A simple thing, knock on the door, wait for him to answer.But there was nothing simple about knocking on this door.
A tap of her knuckles and everything would change.
Her nostrils flared to pull in as much air as she could. She sucked it down deep, filling lungs suddenly void of oxygen. It didn’t help. Didn’t make her any less lightheaded, no less anxious and did nothing to quell the swarm of butterflies performing aerial acrobatics in her stomach.
She had her eyes wide open and she knew what she was getting into. She knew this night was the chance of a lifetime. The chance to indulge her fantasies with a sexy stranger, a chance to become the bold woman she wanted to be.
There would be no morning after to worry about, no lies to tell. Both of them knew tonight was a one shot deal. They would take it for what it was, nothing more than ships passing in the night. No last names, no phone numbers, no facing each other over the breakfast table.
Back in her room, her bags were packed, ready for her early morning flight to the island of Phuket. She never dreamed she’d be handed this perfect opportunity to give the new Beth a chance to stretch her wings.
With nothing to lose and everything to gain, Beth held her breath and knocked on the door. The first two were barely more than taps; she bit her bottom lip and knocked twice more. No chance anyone inside would miss them. The door opened before her hand made it back to her side.
He stood in the doorway in jeans and a t-shirt, casually dressed like he’d told her he would be. She thought he’d looked yummy earlier, dressed in a business suit with his tie pulled loose and the first few buttons of his shirt undone. Now he looked downright delicious and her mouth watered at the thought of peeling those clothes off him.
Tall, dark and handsome didn’t begin to describe this man. His dark, slightly tipped eyes gave away his mixed heritage. He’d told her earlier his mother was Thai and his father American. The combination of the two produced a breathtaking specimen of height, lean muscle, smooth caramel-colored skin and eyes that reminded her of rich espresso coffee.
When Beth brought her gaze to his face she found him watching her. The corner of his mouth curled up and those mesmerizing eyes sparked with interest. He stepped back and motioned with his arm to invite her in. Her earlier anxiety left the second she’d laid eyes on him. She remembered why it had been so easy to accept this invitation.
She wanted him.
Wanted him with a hunger she’d never known before and there was no way she would pass up her chance to tangle the sheets with this man. It didn’t matter if he was five years younger than her. This wasn’t the beginning of a relationship. It was one night to indulge her wildest fantasies with a stranger. Someone she’d never see again.
Their bodies brushed as she entered and pulsing fingers of need burst from the point of contact. Heat swirled in her stomach, creeping lower. She had an almost undeniable urge to clamp her legs together at the sudden burn. A drum beat pounded in her head, drowning out all but the need raging in her blood. The click of the door closing behind her sent shivers of excitement through her core.
This was it.
In a matter of minutes she’d be stripped bare and offering herself to him. She trembled as images of the two of them entwined together flitted through her mind. A knock on the door jolted her out of her erotic thoughts.
“Ah, perfect timing. That’ll be our dinner.” Tom opened the door and stepped aside as a uniformed employee rolled in a trolley.
“Dinner?” She moved out of the way to let the server pass and Tom closed the distance between them, crowding her against the wall.
“Yes, dinner,” he whispered into her ear.
“But I thought—”
“What? That I would strip you naked and take you against this wall the minute you walked in?” His warm, moist breath sent shockwaves of lust down her neck. He bit her earlobe lightly. “Make no mistake, Beth, I will have you. But I’m a civilized man. I invited you to dinner and I will feed you dinner.”
BUY HERE!

Whoa! It’s a week already?! Gosh, did I sleep through it? I’m pleased to announce this weeks spotlight is on Lila Dubois. I have to admit I’ve only read bits of Lila’s work. I have all her books on my hard drive but I just haven’t had the time to read them with all the traveling I’ve done recently but let me tell you, what I’ve read is why I’ve got every one of her books. Lila is the best fun ever. She has me laughing no matter what we’re talking about and any mundane conversation is instantly brought to life when Lila enters into it. She’s also why I can never look at an electric toothbrush the same way again. LOL

She’s got many great books, the latest released just last week and you can see all of them HERE! But I’m going to spotlight her monster books today.

“Lights, Camera…Monsters” by Lila Dubois

Buy from MBaM!
Read An Excerpt Online
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Red Hots!

ISBN: 1-59998-303-6
Length: Category
Price: 4.50
Publication Date: February 12, 2008
Cover art by Scott Carpenter

When monsters need a makeover, they head for the one place that can make it happen. Hollywood.

Book 1, Monsters in Hollywood series.

Luke is desperate to save his people. A lifetime of sneaking in to human houses and watching movies has convinced him that if he can make a great movie about monsters, humanity will change its opinion of them. With his friends at his side, all in shiny new human bodies, Luke heads for Tinsel Town.

A rising Hollywood producer, all-business Lena knows a good story when she sees it. Luke? He’s just another amateur who wants to get famous. But Luke’s too gorgeous to pass up. And there’s something vulnerable about him that leads her to throw caution to the wind and invite him to dinner.

One night of incredible sex later, Lena wakes up next to the surprise of her life. She’s sleeping next to a monster. Literally.

Appearances aside, she finds herself wanting to help Luke save his people. But they’ve got more to worry about than just human prejudice.

Some of the monsters would rather stay in the closet—and to make them all stay there, they’re willing to kill.

Warning, this title contains the following: multiple orgasms, spanking, misuse of kitchen utensils and sex with monsters.

Read An Excerpt Online

“My Fair Monster” by Lila Dubois

Buy from MBaM!
Read An Excerpt Online
Genre: Fantasy Romance, Red Hots!

ISBN: 978-1-60504-265-7
Length: Category
Price: 4.50
Publication Date: November 18, 2008
Cover art by Scott Carpenter

She agreed to everything but sex. She hadn’t counted on his monstrous creativity…

Monsters in Hollywood, Book 2

Since the day three incredibly hot men in disguise walk into her office and proved Monsters are real, intrepid screenwriter Jane Darby is obsessed with one task: to give the creatures a mythical makeover by writing a revolutionary, blockbuster screenplay. Now if only she can get over her own fear—and get the closed-mouth Michael to talk about his people.

Michael is fascinated by the demur and docile Jane, whose efforts to hold him at arm’s length hide an untapped sexual passion—a beast within her waiting to be set free. There’s only one way to get under her lovely skin: strike a bargain.

For one week, she agrees to let him do anything, anything, he wants. But Jane’s got conditions. First, no actual sex. Second, she has to enjoy it.

Jane’s not really worried. What can happen if he sticks to the bargain? After all, she’s not really turned on by the idea of Michael tying her down. Or bending her over his knee. Or…

Gulp.

Warning: This title contains hot sex, spanking, ice, light bondage, anatomically dubious positions and misuse of an electric toothbrush.

Read An Excerpt Online

I’m told the next one will release later this year and I’m thinking that’ll be another one I’ll want. And I think I’m definitely finding time to read the ones I’ve got!