THE NAUGHTY LADY FROM SHADY LANE

Quick heads up

2012-05-22T18:22:00.000+01:00

Totally out of the blue, I've been away from my desk on a family emergency for the last week. It's been a traumatic time and I'm behind with everything here, but I'm back at the coal face now and gradually pulling myself together. If I owe you email or anything else and you think I might have missed it, please do send again. Thanks!

From deep in the writing cave...

2012-05-14T11:25:00.003+01:00

Hi folks. I'm deep in the writing cave at the moment, working on THE JEZEBEL, the third in the Taskills series. It's going well but I'm a tad behind on my schedule so there isn't time for much else at the mo. In a couple of weeks 'll have more time to chat and news to share.

Meanwhile, I wanted to pop my head and wave, and to remind you about the fun Scavenger Hunt going on at the mo. Click on the graphic to read about the fun and the prizes!

The BDSM-apalooza is now on!

2012-05-09T08:50:00.001+01:00

Just a reminder to call by the home of the Smutketeers over the next two days for some great chat about BDSM and some awesome giveaways! See you there. :)

Coming soon - BDSM-apalooza!

2012-05-03T06:33:00.004+01:00

Make time on your schedule to call by the home of the Smutketeers on the 9th and 10th of May for some great chat about BDSM and some awesome giveaways!

The Curious Reader's Guide to Erotic Romance

2012-05-01T19:35:00.000+01:00

Awesome article on erotic romance over at the Harlequin blog. Go here to check it out!

Weekend winners announced

2012-04-30T09:47:00.000+01:00

I asked the man of the Man of the House to call out 2 numbers between 1 and 16.

The winners are 7 & 14:
Pati
Savannah

I'll be in touch shortly for your postal addresses!

Meanwhile, thanks to everyone who came by and commented. Call back next weekend when there will be another BDSM weekend giveaway! :)

Weekend giveaway: SEX, LIES, AND BONDAGE TAPE

2012-04-28T11:41:00.001+01:00

SEX, LIES AND BONDAGE TAPE is a contemporary erotic novella that appears in the KINK anthology together with Sasha White's WATCH ME. To celebrate the resurgance of interest in BDSM stories I'm giving away 2 print copies of the KINK anthology! :) (and if you already have this one, stay tuned as I'll be doing more giveaways here soon.)

SEX, LIES AND BONDAGE TAPE is one of my favourite powerplay stories. The story has a humorous edge and follows the relationship of two very physical people who like to turn the tables on each other. :)

Here's the summary:

Fitness instructor Kelly Burton is a woman on a mission, and this time it's sneaking backstage at a rock concert to get super star Clayton Warren's autograph for her friend. What she doesn't factor in is becoming privy to a big media secret, nor being captured by a sexy security guy who sends her pulse racing.

Backstage security man Tommy Samson's speciality is sending rogue groupies on their way with a playful spank and a threat, but this woman is responding to his behaviour in an entirely different way and very soon they're locked in hands-on-combat of an intimate kind, kicking off a sequence of crazy sex games back and forth across London.

When Kelly wants to track Tommy down, she has to resort to being a 'groupie' all over again, shanghaiing Clayton Warren and doing a deal over his big media secret to get hold of Tommy's contact details. Kelly is a stubborn, independent woman who plays the men at their own games, but it only makes Tommy want more, and what Tommy wants Tommy goes after.

Here are some reviews:

"This is one laugh out loud, shake your head and fan yourself story. Kelly and Tommy start off with an attraction that neither can or want to deny. In addition though, there are a few misconceptions between them. Their sexual encounter involves a little kink, a little sizzle and a little laughter and once it's over, both have regrets about how it ends. What's hilarious are the lengths they both go to in order to contact each other again. I enjoyed that Kelly was a strong, outspoken woman who affected those around her in a positive way, leaving a warm feeling to accompany the meltdown from their game of kiss chase - but I won't give that away, read this keeper! " 5 stars. Trang, for Ecataromance.

"The story sizzles from the minute the heroine meets the hero. The love scenes are intense, passionate and well crafted. I found I enjoyed the cat and mouse game between the lead characters, and the way Kelly finally got her man, was inspired. Both Ms. Walker and Ms. White have created an anthology that erotic romance lovers dare not miss." 5 Kisses. Cerri, for Romance Divas.

If you want a chance to win a print copy of KINK, with both this and Sasha's story, just leave me a comment on this post. You can enter wherever in the world you are. Two random winners will be drawn on Monday morning.

Scavenger hunt - coming soon!

2012-04-27T12:24:00.000+01:00

Click on the logo to read about the fun and the prizes!

A taster from THE LIBERTINE...

2012-04-25T16:26:00.000+01:00

I'm gradually crawling back to the real world, with the jet lag on the run. I've almost got the upper hand on the post-convention-lurgi too. The jet lag was particularly tenacious this time around. It took me all 6 days to pull myself anywhere near Central Standard Time in the US. Then I came home... It took over a week to reverse the process and make up for the entire missed night sleep on the return journey. What can I say, my body likes routine.

So I'm not coughing as much and I was finally able to work again today. I'm making slow progress, but it's great to be back working on THE JEZEBEL.

When I visited Good Reads I noticed that a few readers have already marked THE LIBERTINE to read and that made my day! That book is with my editor now, and I should have her feedback any day. Meanwhile I've put the (unedited) opening scene up on Good Reads to give a taster of what is to come from book two, Lennox Taskill's story.

If you'd like to take a look, go here!

Reading recs

2012-04-23T17:01:00.000+01:00

*Cough* Still sick here, alas. :( Poking my head up to share the awesome books that are keeping me from going completely insane at the mo. (I *so* do not want to be ill right now, it's driving me up the wall!) Thank goodness for great reading, and these two are riveting. Check 'em out, these are red hot reads that you won't want to put down!

ANYTHING BUT VANILLA by Madelynne Ellis

One Girl, Two Guys, No Strings

Kara North is on the run. Fleeing from her controlling fiancé and a wedding she never wanted, she accepts the chance offer of refuge on wild, rocky Liddell Island, where she soon catches the eye of the island’s owner, erotic photographer Ric Liddell. Wickedly sexy by day and just plain wicked by night, Ric rules his domain like a feudal lord. But pleasure comes in more than one flavour when Zachary Blackwater, the charming ice-cream vendor also takes an interest, and wants more than just a tumble in the surf. Zach offers her warmth that she never felt from her ex, and soon it’s not just the ice cream that’s melting. When Kara learns that the two men have been unlikely lovers for years, she becomes obsessed with the idea of a threesome. Zach is reluctant, until he sees the dynamic effect Kara has on Ric’s emotions. She might be the key to finally capturing Ric’s heart. Read more here.

BARED TO YOU by Sylvia Day

Our journey began in fire...

Gideon Cross came into my life like lightning in the darkness—beautiful and brilliant, jagged and white-hot. I was drawn to him as I'd never been to anything or anyone in my life. I craved his touch like a drug, even knowing it would weaken me. I was flawed and damaged, and he opened those cracks in me so easily...

Gideon knew. He had demons of his own. And we would become the mirrors that reflected each other's most private wounds... and desires.

The bonds of his love transformed me, even as I prayed that the torment of our pasts didn't tear us apart...Read more here

RT Booklovers Convention 2012

2012-04-18T17:58:00.002+01:00

Here are some of my photos from the RT convention. The event was so hectic that I often forgot to take pictures, but these will give you a little flavour of the event and the venue. I also want to blog about two of the panels I attended that were a huge inspiration, WRITING STEAMPUNK, and URBAN FANTASY: KICK ASS HEROINES. It'll be a few days before I get to those as I'm still in recovery here, but I will get to them within a week or so. Meanwhile, some piccies!

First up, the card key for the rooms, sponsored by Sabrina Jeffries. Such a great idea, and we got to keep them as a souvenir.

My room at Hyatt O' Hare. A real sanctuary I have to say.

With a place to work too.

This amused me no end, TV screens embedded in the mirrors of the ladies.

All registered!

And ready for business.

With long time online pal, talented superstar Sylvia Day, at the Kensington Mixer.

With the lovely and prolific Cynthia Eden, who I've known since we were published at Red Sage together.

Here I am on the Total-E-Bound stand with publisher Claire Siemaszkiewicz.

With Claire and Heidi from Total-E-Bound.

All ready to go to the Total-E-Bound dinner party.

These are the author gifts we got to take home from the TEB dinner party. I forgot my camera but lots of photos were taken at this event by other people.

And talking of bags.. here is the convention bag (sponsored by Sylvia Day and Shayla Black) and my goth corset bag, which was much admired and asked about during the event. (In fact if I was as popular as my bag, I'd be a bestseller. ;o)

Here I am all ready for the Flapper party, wearing the lovely headress my buddy Portia Da Costa got me to take to the convention.

The Steampunk gaslight gathering was one of the best dressed events!

Loved every moment of this event.

We were even treated to mancandy of the steampunk variety. :)

And I won a prize! A beautiful hair slide, hand made and donated by author Deborah Schneider, along with two of her books. Such a treat!

This is Mindy, who won the Steampunk costume prize. Fabulous outfit, and such attention to detail!

And here I am, all steampunked. Heehee!

One of my highlights was attending a panel that included Charlaine Harris. Total fangirl moment! Here she is seated behind the table, chatting with fans and other panel members.

At my table for the ebook expo signing event. Got to meet so many readers at this event, it was amazing!

With table buddy and long time online pal, the awesome Shiloh Walker.

This is taken at the big Harlequin party on my last night.

The rose centerpieces at the Harlequin party.

And no trip to Chicago would be complete without a photo of the infamous automatic seat covers at the airport loos. We're in the future already!

Hi honeys, I'm home.

2012-04-17T10:49:00.000+01:00

I'm back from the RT Booklovers Convention and I'm currently in recovery. :) Between jet lag and laryngitis and general exhaustion after such a hectic few days, it's going to take me a wee while to pull back to normal. I'll get my photos and notes up as soon as possible!

Kindle freebie: FORBIDDEN

2012-04-11T20:00:00.007+01:00

While I'm away at the RT Booklovers convention FORBIDDEN will be available as a free download for Kindle readers, so if you haven't already read this one now's your chance to do so!

Emmanuelle Forsythe is the daughter of a lord, but she's embarking on a secret, forbidden affair with her father's estate manager, Jacob Finch. Jacob is as much a slave to their mutual desire as she is, even though he has been warned off.

On the night of her twenty-first birthday party, while the banker who her parents want her to marry is ensconced with her father, Emmanuelle defies her family's expectations by escaping to make love with Jacob in the gardens. Her behavior is decadent and passionate, a brief taste of something magical that she believes she can never truly own. But Jacob wants more than one night and asks her to keep seeing him, whatever the consequences.

13,000 words in length, contemporary erotic romance.

Please note: this short story contains frank language and graphic m/f sex scenes.

Available for 5 days from 11th April. Enjoy!
Kindle US
Kindle UK

RT Magazine Booklovers Convention in Chicago, here I come!

2012-04-08T09:00:00.004+01:00

Right folks, it's almost time for the RT Magazine Booklovers Convention. I'm off on my big adventure! I'll be staying at Manchester airport overnight tonight and flying out to Chicago on Monday.

I'll try to tweet as much as possible while I'm at the convention, and if there's time I'll upload photos here, even if I have to annotate them after the event. I'll do a big recap of my adventure when I get home.

If you're going to be at the event please come over and say hi! This event is all about me meeting as many fellow authors and booklovers as I can manage (breaking with the lone writer day-to-day scenario. ;-)

Specific places and times to find me:

WEDNESDAY: (April 11th, between 4.30 and 5.15 pm ish) I'll be on the Total-E-Bound stand at Club RT. I'll have a bag of freebies to give away, so please come by and meet me.

THURSDAY: E-Expo And Graphic Novel Book Fair. (April 12th from 4 - 6 pm) Meet more than 125 e-book authors and dozens of graphic novel authors. Get autographs, chat with some of your favorite writers and graphic novel illustrators and more.Call by and say hi!

SATURDAY: Harlequin’s Night of the Stars (April 14th 9-Midnight) Harlequin invites you to join the stars of romance for an evening of glamour at the 2012 RT Booklovers Convention.

I'm also attending various other parties, panels, and events.

Safe journey to all those traveling to the event!

Lovely review for FAYE'S SPIRIT

2012-04-06T13:02:00.000+01:00

The first review for FAYE'S SPIRIT is in and it's a lovely one. Yay, and phew! :-) Lucy Felthouse reviewed it for Blog Critics. Here's what she had to say:

This was another absolute gem from Saskia Walker. From the very beginning I found it engaging, and was just as interested in the storyline as the sex (and boy is it hot!). I enjoyed the interaction between the characters and found it believable and fun, and incredibly erotic. Ms. Walker has created a brilliant story; well-written, interesting, emotional at times, and a real page-turner. You don't necessarily need to have read the other two titles (Monica's Secret and Holly's Intuition) to read this book, but I'd heartily recommend all three, with this saucy little number being my particular favourite. Faye is a lucky, lucky girl... Read full review here.

Check out IN THE FLESH

2012-04-02T07:47:00.000+01:00

My good friend, Portia da Costa, has a big, juicy, erotic historical novel length book out now for your reading delectation! This one is a real treat. Check out the details:

"Society already believes she's a scarlet woman... why not become one?"

Posing nude to please her now ex-fiancé perhaps wasn't the most prudent idea Beatrice Weatherly has ever had. With the photographs scrutinized up and down society and her brother running them into debt, Beatrice's hopes of ever making a respectable marriage are dashed.

After one glance at Beatrice's infamous racy cabinet cards, wealthy, powerful Edmund Ellsworth Ritchie is soon obsessed with Beatrice's beautiful face and body. His indecent proposal--one month of hedonistic servitude in exchange for enough money to pay her brother's debts--is one she can hardly refuse.

Determined not to let the rogue best her, Beatrice sets out for the infamous House of Madame Chamfleur to learn how to appease Ritchie's well-known sensual appetite. Soon the couple is playing out exquisite fantasies...and feeling emotion that goes deeper than flesh. But Ritchie harbors a shocking secret, and Beatrice must decide if she's prepared to give up everything for a man who can offer her nothing, but who's come to mean the very world to her.

Read an excerpt and find buy links here.

Now available in print: FAYE'S SPIRIT

2012-03-26T08:45:00.000+01:00

Today is print publication day for FAYE'S SPIRIT! This book is now available through Total-E-Bound and will soon be listed on Amazon.com and Amazon UK.

Book three in the Erogenous Zones Series

One outrageous weekend with two men, that's what Faye Evans dreams of, but when she meets Jai and Garth-and their live-in ghost-she gets much more than she bargained for.

Faye Evans is a woman on a mission. Both her older sisters have had ménage à trois relationships and now Faye too harbours a desire to sample the pleasures of two men, if only for a single wild weekend. The opportunity arises when architect Garth Connor calls her in to investigate the ghostly presence in his business premises. Both Garth and his business partner, Jai Nilson, are gorgeous hunks, and Faye can't help being attracted to them.

Garth and Jai are friends and colleagues but their relationship is competitive. When the mischievous ghost medium walks into their life and shows interests in them both, the edge between them sharpens. While Jai often walks on the wild side, Garth has never shared a woman before, but his desire for Faye makes him rise to the challenge. Especially when Jai quickly picks up on Faye's secret wishes and pushes things along, orchestrating their interactions until the simmering eroticism between them demands hardcore action.

But Faye's fling isn't as straightforward as she'd anticipated. She soon worries that she's endangered Garth and Jai's friendship by getting involved, and even more so when the shadow of a secret, long held grudge between the two men falls over their threesome and their growing affection. To top it all, dealing with the resident ghost only adds to the emotional entanglement, making Faye feel she wants to end it and run. But are Garth and Jai about to let her get away?

Call for short stories

2012-03-26T06:45:00.002+01:00

Editor Kristina Wright has a new call out for short stories. If you're an erotic romance writer, check it out!

Call for submissions.

Coming soon: FORBIDDEN RITUAL

2012-03-21T18:20:00.000Z

Hot off the presses, cover and copy for my June Spice Brief! This really hits the spot for the story. :)

Forbidden Ritual, Saskia Walker. Coming on June 1st.

High-powered executive Imogen prides herself on being an independent woman who doesn't need a man. She only yields when she’s with Giles, a younger colleague who shares her taste for domination and submission. He revels in watching her lose control, while she enjoys his powerful nature and an edge of pain to heighten her pleasure.

Imogen is satisfied with their secret arrangement until Giles asks her try shibari, a form of rope bondage—the ultimate ritual in submission and display of trust. His request pushes Imogen beyond her comfort zone, forcing her to explore her boundaries and her relationship with Giles. He’s already her master in the bedroom, when she allows it. But can she let herself take their bond to the next level?

Award of Excellence - THE HARLOT is a finalist!

2012-03-19T07:08:00.000Z

The Colorado Romance Writers chapter of the RWA have announced their 2012 Award of Excellence Finalists, and I'm totally thrilled and honoured because THE HARLOT is listed!

My title is in top company, some great erotic romance reads there. Woohoo! :D

Looking for saucy reads? Check these out!

2012-03-16T08:37:00.000Z

Hey folks, I'm knee deep in notes for THE JEZEBEL right now -- no new publications from me to report while I'm working on this one -- but two of my writing pals have sexy shorts out that you might want to mosey on over to check out. :)

First up, a contemporary from Sasha White:

ROCK MY WORLD by Sasha White is a short story featuring Gina and Caleb from Sexy Devil.

Gina and Caleb love being married, but sometimes the adults need time away to play adult games, and Gina’s debut at a Vancouver art gallery provides just the excuse they need.

In White’s short story ROCK MY WORLD a weekend getaway with amorous intentions, an art show, and a magical entanglement all collide for a fun and sexy romp with a surprising twist.

Go here for an excerpt and buy links.

And a new historical in the Ladies Sewing Circle series from Portia Da Costa:

Mrs Mary Brigstock started out by being the most reserved, and sometimes slightly disapproving member of the circle, but under the influence of her more daring friends, she's finally come out of her shell and is now as risque and sexy as the rest of the group. Happily, she loves her dear husband very much, and he's more than pleased to reap the benefits of her new erotic liberation and indulge with her in sensual experimentation. Eager to explore new pleasures, the Brigstocks launch themselves into the world of saucy sexual spanking... with the expert help of Benedict, a young and handsome discipline specialist, who shares his wealth of knowledge with the eager older couple.

Go here for an excerpt and buy links.

Happy reading!

Some photos from our most recent Edinburgh visit

2012-03-05T10:55:00.000Z

Hey folks, we're back from a short research trip to Edinburgh. Here are a few photos, together with some notes about how the images tie in to my Taskill Witches books (the first is out now, and all three are coming in mass market paperback in 2013 on the HQN line.)

One of the main places I wanted to revisit was the Tollbooth on Cannongate. This is a jail that was built in the late 1500's and part of it now serves as a pub while the bulk of the building houses the People's Story Museum. This collection focuses on the everyday folk of Edinburgh over the centuries. Whilst small in comparison to the main museums in Edinburgh, it's a terrific collection and gives a real sense of life over the centuries.

Cannongate Tollbooth from the outside.

An inner spiral staircase. (Thankfully they have regular stairs and disabled access as well as the pretties. ;)

Part of an old cell is maintained just as it was in the 1770s. The first time I saw this, it inspired me to include a cell scene in one my Taskill witch stories. That became chapter two of THE HARLOT, which is set in Dundee Tollbooth earlier in the 1700s. Check these piccies out!

Objects from law and order in the 1700s are shown below, including shackles, a neck brace, and the rather disturbing thing that looks like a pitch fork with a closure was used to capture criminals on the run, presumably around the neck from behind. Eeek.

Here we have an official notice enforcing the law against throwing stones at the executioner and prisoners during an execution.

This raises all sorts of questions. Were the stone throwers in favour of the criminal, or aiding the deliverance of justice by showing their anger at the wrongdoer, or did they enjoy it as empowering entertainment? A mixture of all of the above, I suspect! In my reading on the Scottish witch trials I discovered that in one instance the villagers stoned an accused woman then trampled her body to death beneath a wooden door, such was the fear and persecution surrounding "evil" witchcraft. I used these images in part to describe the death of the Taskill's mother, which was also the moment when the three siblings (Jessie, Lennox, and Maisie,) were torn apart.

In the upper galleries at the People's Story there are many flags and banners that show how important the workmen's guilds were. In order to gain a voice and rights, different tradesman gathered together. Here is a flag from the brush makers of Edinburgh, for example. In THE LIBERTINE, one of the sub plots follows the hero, Lennox Taskill, trying to establish his men as the official cart and carriage makers of Saint Andrews. Many of the local townsmen are against his application because of the rumours that Lennox and his people practice witchcraft.

Here I am caught studying a display of a Cooper's workshop - coopers are the barrel makers. A very important part of Scotland's heritage, having barrels to put the whisky in. ;)

This whisky shop is opposite the tollbooth and the little black terrier stands up and greets anyone who looks in. So cute!

So much of Edinburgh's past is visible to the casual visitor, it's an incredible city. So many doorways caught my eye. This is the doorway of the Museum of Edinburgh, also on Cannongate. The museum is an old and authentic building, giving you a direct feeling of life in the 16th to 18th centuries, with lots of great stuff to see. Of particular interest was a display relating to fire in the city, and the incredible bustling population there. In the 1770's it was one of the most crowded cities in Europe, and the threat of fire was devastating. Given the witch burnings, it makes you think! I've got a scene involving fire and the fear it evoked in crowded Edinburgh streets towards the end of THE LIBERTINE.

Culture is everywhere in Edinburgh. This is the statue of poet, Robert Ferguson, and a photo of me hoping his talent will rub off if I walk in his footsteps. Well, you have to, don't you. :) Go here to read more about Ferguson.

This signpost is outside the Writer's Museum, a museum I hadn't visited before. It's an amazing manor house just off the Royal Mile and exhibits items from three Scottish writers, Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson. The Stevenson collection was particularly extensive and fascinating. It was also lovely to see a lock of "Chloris's" white blonde hair in the Burns' collection. Chloris was the poetic name for Jean Lorimer, (she of the "lintwhite locks" in many of the songs he wrote) and it is the name I used for my heroine in THE LIBERTINE. It was a popular 18th century name and I fell in love with it so my gentle, blonde haired heroine had to be Chloris.

We also made time to taxi over to visit the National Portrait Museum, which houses another terrific collection. It's been extensively refurbished since my last visit and really is a masterpiece museum. I always find looking at costume and setting from art done during the period I'm writing about resonates with me much more than a written account of a historian.

Lots of good places to eat in the city, but I had to share this one which we visit every time we go. Pancho Villas serves gorgeous Mexican food. Here's the shared veggie starter and a main course of Albondigas en Chipotle (spiced meatball with mexican rice and salad) for me. Highly recommended!

This view of the rooftops going up the Royal Mile was snapped from our hotel base.

If you want to check out more of my research photos you can find them here on my Scotland gallery on my website. This latest batch will be added there soon.

Publication day: FAYE'S SPIRIT (Erogenous Zones 3) is now available!

2012-02-27T07:00:00.000Z

Hi folks. We're about to shoot off for a short break in Edinburgh, part for research, part fun. I'll be tweeting while I'm away and hope to share some photos too. Meanwhile, it's publication day for FAYE'S SPIRIT.

Faye's story is the third and final instalment in the Erogenous Zones series, and it's out in ebook format from Total-E-Bound today. Here's the cover copy and an excerpt:

One outrageous weekend with two men, that's what Faye Evans dreams of, but when she meets Jai and Garth—and their live in ghost—she gets much more than she bargained for.

Faye Evans is a woman on a mission. Both her older sisters have had ménage à trois relationships and now Faye too harbours a desire to sample the pleasures of two men, if only for a single wild weekend. The opportunity arises when architect Garth Connor calls her in to investigate the ghostly presence in his business premises. Both Garth and his business partner, Jai Nilson, are gorgeous hunks, and Faye can't help being attracted to them.

Garth and Jai are friends and colleagues but their relationship is competitive. When the mischievous ghost medium walks into their life and shows interests in them both, the edge between them sharpens. While Jai often walks on the wild side, Garth has never shared a woman before, but his desire for Faye makes him rise to the challenge. Especially when Jai quickly picks up on Faye's secret wishes and pushes things along, orchestrating their interactions until the simmering eroticism between them demands hardcore action.

But Faye's fling isn't as straightforward as she'd anticipated. She soon worries that she's endangered Garth and Jai's friendship by getting involved, and even more so when the shadow of a secret, long held grudge between the two men falls over their threesome and their growing affection. To top it all, dealing with the resident ghost only adds to the emotional entanglement, making Faye feel she wants to end it and run. But are Garth and Jai about to let her get away?

Available now from Total-E-Bound, coming later from other e-retailers and in print.

EXCERPT:

Did her psychic powers run to reading minds, Jai wondered, or was she just attuned to the erotic suggestion between them? It wasn't something he'd considered. This was one sexy lady.

It was time to edge things forward.

"I'm curious. You thought we were partners in a relationship. Did you really think we were gay?"

"Yes, I'm curious about that as well," Garth said, "do we really look like a gay couple to you?"

Faye's mouth twitched at one corner. "Actually, I didn't think you were gay. More like bisexual." She lifted her glass and sipped from it again, eyeing them over the edge as she did so.

Jai knew an aroused woman when he saw one, and she was enjoying this. "Go on."

She shrugged, and her eyelids lowered as she focused on her glass in the table. Still the smile hovered around her mouth.

"Tell us why you thought that," Jai encouraged. "More to the point, tell us why that interested you so much."

Her eyelids flashed up and she stared across at him, her lips parted as she addressed the undertone in his questioning.

She was about to spill. He was sure he was on the right path and he had this hunch about what was going on in her mind.

"You're a forthright woman," he added. "You told Garth here he hadn't done his research on this place." Jai nodded his head in Garth's direction.

She chuckled softly, and he noticed her breathing pattern had altered, because her chest rose and fell rapidly. The rise of her breasts beneath her silky dress caught his attention. In her cleavage, the skin shone in the light from the overhead spots.

"Oh, it's just because I know someone who is involved with two men." She looked across at them for their response.

Jai's interest was already piqued, and now it was growing.

"What, you mean they have someone on the side?" Garth asked.

Sometimes his old friend could be slow on the pickup. Jai blamed that on Garth's strict upbringing. It left him bewilderingly innocent of the kinky goings on in the world. He fiddled with his wine glass, wanting to edge it on, but knowing Garth needed to grow into this comfortably if it was going to move forward at all. "My guess is Faye means her friend has two men at the same time, am I correct?"

Her pupils had dilated. She nodded.

"Tell us more, I'm fascinated." The fact she was interested in it and had deliberately mentioned it turned him on. He enjoyed women who were open about their needs and desires when it came to bedroom matters. Of course Garth might not be able to handle it this time either, if she actually said it aloud, but that was a risk he was going to have to take to find out more juicy details.

She took a deep breath, but then faltered and seemed to freeze before she spoke. She glanced left, past them, into the darkness of the hallway beyond the kitchen.

That's when Jai felt it, exactly what he'd felt on several occasions before. The atmosphere changed, tightened somehow, as if an external force shot tension through the air. He felt a presence at his back and the smell of that cheap perfume. Their resident ghost was somewhere in the vicinity.

Faye looked back at them. "Keep talking to me," she said beneath her breath. "Don't stop."

Go here to download!

Italian readers?

2012-02-16T09:23:00.001Z

Are there any Italian readers out there, or do you know an Italian who might want to give my books a try? I have some copies to give away! Contact me via the email link in the right hand menu if you would like to try my books. First come first served!

Total-e updated

2012-02-15T18:39:00.000Z

Check out the new look over at Total-E-Bound!

Total-E-Bound Publishing updates their website on Valentine's Day with a fresh, new, stylish look, and offers more functionality, which they hope will improve the buying and download experience for all of their customers. Total-E-Bound constantly strive to improve their services and provide readers with better features, and have listened to comments and requests and included them in the site upgrade.

Claire Siemaszkiewicz, CEO of Total-E-Bound is excited to provide readers and authors with a fresh new look for Total-E-Bound Publishing "We've taken on board requests and comments from both readers and authors and made changes that we believe will enhance their experience at Total-E-Bound. We're a technology driven company and like to stay at the forefront of our industry. Total-E-Bound Publishing has gone from strength to strength over the last five years and continues to grow with the development of the ePublishing industry. It's a very exciting time for us."