Diana DeRicci

Archive for January, 2009

A Tender Rough by Fae Sutherland

When Mason Palmer’s car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, aka Dixon, Alabama, the only person who can help him get to his destination is mechanic Beau Gaines. However, as the days pass and the two forge a bond neither expected, Mason begins to learn that sometimes it isn’t the destination that matters. It’s the places you discover and the people who change your life on the way there.

On sale NOW at Ellora’s Cave!

Stephanie Adkins
Liquid Silver Books
Cover image ~ Small: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2…allowsmall.jpg

Buy link: http://www.king-cart.com/cgi-bin/car…ct_match=exact
http://www.stephanieadkins.com

Blurb: A scorned woman determined to forget her past, and a man ready to fight for their future. Two hearts. One passion. “Loving thy neighbor” is about to get interesting.

Excerpt: (Excerpt takes place at a neighborhood block party where the hero and heroine live):
After getting a couple of drinks from the ice chest, they walked over to her front porch and sat down on the steps. For several minutes they ate in silence as they watched the kids playing. They were deep into a game of tag, and Kristen laughed as she watched one of the little girls chase after a boy twice her size.
“She’s something else,” Ayden remarked. “When I first got here, she followed me around for a long time before I finally asked her if she would like to dance.”
His tender gesture took Kristen by surprise, and at first she didn’t know what to say. She could picture him doing that. He had that type of fun personality that would make children want to cling to him.
“That is so sweet. Do you have children of your own?”
She knew from talking to Mrs. Lorna that he didn’t have any kids, but she didn’t want him to be aware of that.
“No. Not yet, but I hope to someday,” he said, after taking a sip of his drink. “What about you?”
Slightly uncomfortable with the question, she wasn’t sure how to answer him. Still, he had a way of making her want to be open and honest. There was really nothing to hide anyway. Most people who knew her well already knew about her past with Randy. Unfortunately it was a well-known subject in this small neighborhood.
“There was a time when I wanted children of my own, and part of me still does. Things just kind of happened and I got wrapped up in my work, so I haven’t thought about it as much as I used to.”
Nodding, he seemed to understand what she was saying.
“Ah. Randy.”
Just the mention of his name was enough to make her lose her appetite. She shouldn’t have been surprised that he knew the story, but still it made her uneasy. Looking around the busy street, she tried to think of something else to talk about.
“Pretty soon, after the kids go to bed, some of the adults will stay out here for margaritas,” she said.
The thought brought a huge grin to his face, which made her smile in return. She wondered about the redheaded divorcée and silently hoped that the woman wouldn’t decide to stick around.
“That sounds like fun. I love margaritas,” he replied, just before taking a bite of her strawberry cheesecake. “Oh. How is the air conditioner working, by the way?”
Closing her eyes, she sighed contentedly.
“It’s blissful. Thank you again for fixing it. I slept comfortably last night for the first time in days. The past several nights it’s been too hot to sleep.”
He chuckled under his breath. “Not to mention the view from your window making things hotter.”
Again, she felt herself flush with humiliation. She had really hoped he had forgotten about that by now. She didn’t know what to say. She couldn’t even bear to look him in the eye.
“Ayden, I’m so sorry. I had no business spying on the two of you.”
“Please don’t apologize,” he began. “Tracey was a huge voyeur, and she always had to have the lights on, or the curtains wide open, or both. She was a drama queen, and she loved putting on a show. I should be the one apologizing to you.”
Shifting on the step, she tried to conceal the embarrassment she was sure was evident on her face.
“It’s okay. Really. It didn’t bother me at all.” She smiled, remembering. “Actually, it…”
She stopped before she embarrassed herself any further. There was just something so trusting and sensual about the tone of his voice that made her want to confess. Regaining her composure, she looked down at the paper plate in her lap.
“I need to go throw this away,” she said.
Before she had the chance to, he reached out and grabbed her arm to keep her from leaving.
“No. Tell me. Please,” he said, moving closer beside her so that their legs were almost touching.
Taking a deep breath, she looked into his eyes and told him what was on her mind. Hopefully it wouldn’t bother him as much as it did her.
“I enjoyed watching the two of you. It was … exciting.”
She prayed that the sound of her voice didn’t give him any clue as to what exactly was going through her mind. She was picturing them again, and it was enough to make the heat rush through her veins. Suddenly the air around her had become unbearably warm.
“Tell me what you enjoyed the most.” he said, his voice almost a whisper.
If Kristen hadn’t been so aroused, his request might have shocked her, but instead she smiled. As much as she hated to admit it, she was enjoying this, the way his voice lulled her into submission. Looking around the busy street to make sure no one was nearby to overhear, she leaned closer to him.
“I enjoyed watching you lick her. The way you forced your tongue inside of her, and the way you held on to her with your mouth when she came. She was wild. I loved watching her reactions.”
“Yes, she was definitely that.” He said, the tone of his voice low and sexy.
He was so close she could smell the faint scent of his cologne and it was enough to make her light-headed. His eyes had taken on a glow that drew her in even more.
“I bet she tasted good. It’s been a long time since…”
Her voice trailed off as she shook her head to clear her mind. She had gotten so carried away that she wasn’t fully aware of what she was saying, but was able to catch herself.
“Since what? You can tell me, Kristen. I’m an open-minded person, and I won’t judge you,” he replied honestly. “I bet you were going to say it’s been a long time since you tasted another woman. Actually, I can see that about you. The way you would love another woman’s body.”
She grinned knowingly as her thoughts suddenly raced to the last time she had been with a woman. She would never forget it.
“There’s nothing quite like the feel of a woman’s nipples between your teeth or the warmth of her as you slide your tongue inside of her.”
His breathing had become ragged as he looked at her, his gaze trailing from her eyes to her lips. “I agree with you.”
She hoped she hadn’t said too much already. It had been a long time since she had opened up to anyone like this.
“It seems unfair,” he said softly. “You’ve seen my body … but I haven’t seen yours.”
Now she was the one unable to catch her breath. Her breasts heaving, she looked deep into his eyes as he moved in closer. Finally, he was going to kiss her, she thought happily. Just then, the sound of a throat clearing startled them apart. Standing a few feet from them was the redheaded divorcée. Kristen’s initial urge was to claw her eyes out, but the lady in her forced a smile.
“I’m sorry to interrupt. I was hoping I could steal Ayden for a dance,” she said, the coquettish tone in her voice raking against Kristen’s nerves.
He looked at her as though he expected her to say no, but she didn’t see where it was any of her business to decide who he could and couldn’t dance with. As much as it
bothered her, she wasn’t about to claim rights that she didn’t possess.
“Of course,” she replied, edging away from him ever so slightly.
The expression on his face was one she couldn’t fathom, but he rose from his seat, taking his plate and drink with him. After tossing them in a nearby trashcan, she watched as the vixen took his hand in hers and led him to where the other couples had gathered to dance. She pulled him so tightly into her embrace, she wondered how he was able to breathe, much less move. Standing up, Kristen took one last deep breath, and went to gather with some other adults who were laughing and getting ready to pour some margaritas.
She was more than ready for one.
* * * *
The party continued on well into the night. Kristen spent most of her time chatting with the other women from the neighborhood, while the men cavorted together talking about football. She had lost sight of Ayden after he started dancing with the redhead. After drinking a couple of margaritas, she couldn’t find it in herself to be remotely affected by it anymore. He was single and she was single. What they did was none of the others’ business. For all she knew, he may have disappeared and taken the woman back to his place. Kristen had danced with a couple of single men at the party, but none of them really held her attention, although they had tried. Glancing at her watch, she was shocked to find it was close to midnight. Her feet were aching and her mind was woozy from the margaritas, so she decided to play it safe and call it a night. After saying her good-byes, she walked over to the food table to retrieve her empty pie dish, when out of nowhere someone walked up behind her, and drew her into a strong embrace.
“You can’t leave,” Ayden whispered seductively into her ear. “You haven’t danced with me yet.”
Her breath caught and held as she turned to face him. Cursing her suddenly weak knees, she held onto his arms, afraid if she didn’t she would crumble to the ground.
“I thought you had already left.”
His grin was charming but also very provocative.
“No. I never left. I’ve been here. Watching. Waiting.”
Taking her hand, he led her to where the other couples had collected in the street to dance.
“Waiting for what?” she asked.
“For this.”
Wrapping his arms around her waist, he pulled her close. So close that she felt the warmth of his breath against her skin and the hardness of his body. Putting her hands on his shoulders, she tried to stop herself from falling, but it felt so good holding him. As their bodies molded together, she slid her hand up behind his neck, and rested her head against his shoulder. His muscles felt powerful beneath her touch, and she moaned softly as she thought back to his strong hands as they gripped Tracey’s hips.
As they swayed to the music, she felt his hand slide up and down her back, making her shiver. When he wasn’t caressing her gently, he was holding on to her waist, leaving her mind to wander in forbidden places, as her pulse quickened with each thought. The heat that radiated between their bodies was beginning to make her dizzy. She wanted him. She couldn’t rationalize anything at the moment other than this need that was beginning to overwhelm her. Maybe it was just the alcohol, and maybe it wasn’t the smart thing to do.
She would more than likely hate herself tomorrow, but her body ached to be touched right now. Normally, she wouldn’t sleep with a man like Ayden — someone who lived right next door to her, and someone she would have no choice but to see on a daily basis. Perhaps they would still be able to remain friends, she thought. Pulling back from him, she looked up into his eyes. His mouth was slightly open, and she felt the warmth course through her body as his gaze dropped to her lips.
“Ayden…” she whispered, pleading.
Before she could say another word, he took her hand and led her toward his house.

Charity Auction
Jan 19-26th
http://www.romanticinks.com

Katy is a sixteen year old avid reader and aspiring author and
illustrator who has won local awards for her artwork. Just before
Christmas, Katy and her mother became homeless. They were evicted
from their apartment and have been living in hotel rooms (when they’ve
been lucky) or their car (when they’ve not been so lucky) since then.
Katy has been blogging about life on the streets, and you can read all
about how this incredibly sweet mother and daughter ended up in this
situation here: http://destinationanywherebuthere.blogspot.com/ As
Katy states on her blog, “Homelessness has many faces. And sometimes
it happens to have a computer.” Both Katy and her mother seem to have
very positive outlooks, but it’s clear they’re in some real trouble.

That’s where this auction comes in. All proceeds will go toward
helping Katy and her mother get back on their feet. This is a pair
that are actively looking for ways to improve their situation, and
just need a little push to help them get there. So, please bid
generously and know that you’re doing a wonderful thing to help two
wonderful people.

SEDUCTION IN MOONLIGHT A short story of the Love’s Immortal Pantheon Anthology

When Selene is brought to earth by a mortal man, the passion she finds is one she cannot leave, yet she only has three nights of the Flower Moon to experience this wonder. When confronted by Zeus, she risks everything to stay with the man who has stolen her heart.

This is a twisted retelling of the Selene and Endymion story.

Buy Now!

The story, The Librarian’s Secret Life, will be published in the coming year by Tease Publishing! Wooohoooo!!

I’m so excited! It was such a very different story. Erotic, yes, without a doubt, but an emotionally wounded heroine that was very fagile in some ways, but strong as an ox in others.

The really tricky part? The story is a 1st POV! I know! What was I thinking? Seriously. I don’t know. I tried, tried, to find a way to make it 3rd person, the usual style, but it just wouldn’t work. Anyway, i’ll cook up a blurb for it here soon. I hope you guys like it when it comes out. It is so far out of the box for me, I really can’t even say if it’s something I will ever attempt again.