Stephanie Julian On a Moonlit Night

SEX, LIES & SURVEILLANCE: A different kind of family business

2012-01-17T08:23:00.000-05:00

The DeMarcos are not your typical family and DeMarco Investigations is not your typical family business.

Grace and Frank are former decorated US covert intelligence operatives. Oldest son Nic is a former Army Ranger and middle son Jimmy is a genius inventor.

And then there's Janey. There's no code she can't crack or firewall she can't breach. If it's floating around in cyberspace, she can find it. She keeps DeMarco Investigations running like a finely tuned machine. She gets Nic's reports written and makes sure Jimmy occasionally eats. She helps her mom keep her dad from doing too much work and if she has a few secrets of her own, well, why shouldn't she?

What she doesn't need is to fall for the new guy in the office, the smart, gorgeous and shy new investigator her parents hired to help out after her dad's recent heart surgery.

But Mal isn't exactly what he seems and Janey's determined to discover his secrets. But will she be able to keep her own as she falls for him?

Excerpt:

Closing the door to her office behind her, Janey dropped into her chair with a sigh. The stack of new files on her desk taunted her and she groaned. Goddamn Nic. Her oldest brother had been busy the past two weeks, meaning she now had a ton of extra work.

She reached for the legal pad on top of the stack to fan her flaming cheeks, silently cursing her pigheaded, arrogant brother who refused to learn to type more than three words a minute. Letting out a muted screech, she tossed the notepad across the room. It hit the floor and fell to the ground with a completely unsatisfying flutter. No thump, no splat. Not like the sound her brother’s head would make if she—

“Oh, who are you kidding?” She crossed her arms over her chest and huffed, staring at the stack of folders. “You’re not angry with Nic.” She wished she could be angry with Nic and his indecipherable scribble. Then maybe she wouldn’t lust after Mal so damn much.

Damn the man, anyway. Why couldn’t he be a true computer geek, with bad skin and no personality,
talking about hard drives and networks all day?

How the hell did he manage to look so damn hot in those rumpled chinos and wrinkled dress shirts?

She shouldn’t be able to tell that those shirts hid a broad chest and shoulders. That his baggy pants hung low on slim hips and hinted at a great ass. But she had noticed. She spent too damn much time noticing what those clothes covered.

She eyed the folders on her desk. Maybe she’d feel better if she threw those too. Probably not. She’d just have to pick them up.

“Ooh. I so do not need this now.”

It was the absolute wrong time for her to fall in lust. Not with her dad and the office and her work. And her work…

The problem was, she wanted him. Now. Yesterday. Since the first day she’d met him. Two months ago, he’d walked through the door for his first interview with her parents. She’s been pushing them for months to get help, to take some of the work load off her dad. It had been an ongoing battle but she’d finally worn them down.

Their first interview had been your typical male computer nerd from MIT. Brilliant but socially inept. Absolutely star-struck by her parents. And really, why wouldn’t he be? Jeez, she was their daughter and she occasionally had moments where she looked at her mom in amazement. But the DeMarcos dealt with world business leaders, Hollywood stars and Washington politicos on a regular basis. No way could the guy have interfaced with clients.

The next day, Mal had walked through the door, a death grip on his battered leather briefcase. She’d smiled from behind her desk, tried to put him at ease. His eyes had widened for the briefest second, as if he hadn’t expected to see her. Then he’d nodded, shook her hand and stepped back, his gaze trained on the floor while he waited for her to tell her parents he was there.

Shy, she’d decided. Cute but shy.

Not shy enough to botch the interview, though. Her parents had hired him the next week. His first day of work, as she’d gotten him acquainted with the office layout, she’d caught him looking at her. Lingering looks that made her blood fizz.

It didn’t help that the guy was gorgeous, even with his messy shoulder-length brown hair that curled in odd places and his slightly crooked nose. His beautiful whiskey-tinged hazel eyes brimmed with intelligence but he hid them behind delicate wire-framed glasses. Those glasses couldn’t detract from the strength of his features, though. Particularly in the mouth that had shown up in a few of her dreams. Dreams that always started with one hell of a kiss from those sexy lips.

It was a damn good thing she’d learned from the masters how to hide her feelings, because if Mal had any idea what she was thinking… Jeez, maybe if he’d known what she was thinking, they might have done something about it.

And that would lead to disaster.

Still… He was the first guy in years to spark her libido and her brain at the same time. They’d had several in-depth conversations about politics, the ethics of government internet control and one debate about the superiority of the Buffalo Sabres over the Philadelphia Flyers that had left them both laughing.

But he was nothing like the man she’d always imagined she’d want. Before she’d met Mal, her ideal date was a cop or firefighter. An alpha male but not a chauvinist. Tough to find, especially in Philly, but there were some.

Okay, maybe one or two. Although she’d never met them. Not that she’d really tried all that hard.

Mal was…safe. He worked hard, didn’t ask for much and was exactly what the business needed. A brilliant IT geek who could dumb it down for the dimmest client. Whose fingers worked a keyboard with a finesse that should have been feminine but wasn’t. Oh, not by a long shot.

“Too perfect,” she muttered.

There was something about him that made her think he had secrets …

Carina Amazon B&N AllRomance eBooks

Teo: Seduced by Chaos

2012-01-04T08:00:00.000-05:00

Teo is a little rough around the edges.He's mostly a loner and he's got that flash of the devil in his eyes. Josh Holloway as Sawyer in Lost was the perfect model for Teo. Beautiful but in an unrefined way and that's Teo, all the way. Teo doesn't have Sawyer's offhand sense of humor but he's definitely the man you want at your back in a fight.

Book Bargains

2012-01-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

AllRomance eBooks is giving 50% off all Ellora's Cave books so now is a good time to stock up. You can read the Magical Seduction and Lucani Lovers series and start the Fringe series, all for less than $20.

You can also get SPELL BOUND, Darkly Enchanted #1, at Amazon and B&N for $1.99.

Rio: SEDUCED & ENCHANTED

2011-12-30T08:00:00.000-05:00

Rio is the baby of the de Feo brothers. He's much more easy going than his older brothers. He's had to be considering he had to put up with them.

Here was another case of not having a specific guy in mind when I wrote Rio. The model on the cover is very nice but again, he's a little too bulked up for Rio.

The picture on the left is much closer to what I imagined. Hot but not hulking.

I think this one deserves to be pinned up on the Wall of Hotness, don't you?

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Cam: SEDUCED & ENCHANTED

2011-12-29T08:00:00.000-05:00

When I opened the email containing the cover for SEDUCED & ENSNARED, I did a little happy dance.

There was Cam, pointed ears and all. And, oh my God, the man was HOT. I'd never had that happen before. The model on the cover was a perfect match for the ruggedly handsome Cam de Feo, oldest brother and general hard ass.

Cam is out to seduce Stella and use her as leverage against her evil uncle but Cam ends up falling for his mark instead. When I was writing, I had an image of Vin Diesel in my head. That's the kind of guy I had in mind for Cam. Big, hulking, a little scary.

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Antonin: SEDUCED IN SHADOW

2011-12-28T09:00:00.000-05:00

I had a very specific image of Antonin in my head from the moment I started to write him. Sometimes it happens that way. Sometimes, it's a picture that catches my eye but sometimes the character truly is a total figment of my imagination.

The model on the cover of SEDUCED IN SHADOW is a little beefier than the image of Antonin in my head. Gorgeous, sure. But not quite the guy I had pictured.

The guy on the left definitely has Antonin's eyes. And the face. And, man, that body. Let's just say, if I had to choose someone to look like Antonin, I'd choose him.

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AllRomance eBooks

Justin: SEDUCED BY MAGIC

2011-12-27T10:00:00.000-05:00

Justin from SEDUCED BY MAGIC always has a smile on his face. He's quick to laugh and there's not much that doesn't roll off his back.

So when he wakes to find himself sharing a bed with a woman with wings, his first thought is, "Holy shit, I'm right. Fairies are real."

Only, this woman isn't a fairy, she's a folletta and woe to the man who likens her to one of those pasty English types.

Luckily for Justin, Scarlata takes a liking to him. Lucky Scarlata that he decides he wants to stay by her side. Forever.

When I started writing SEDUCED BY MAGIC, I had a picture of Josh Lucas in mind the entire time. It's that smile and those blue eyes, the way those eyes light up when he smiles. Who wouldn't give this man anything he wants when he smiles are you?

SEDUCED BY MAGIC is the first in the Magical Seduction series. The price has been reduced at most vendors to $2.99 or below.

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Muse

2011-12-27T07:45:00.002-05:00

On the wall above my desk is a bulletin board filled with pictures. Mostly men, a couple of women. They've been hanging there pretty much since we moved into the house 10 years ago. I occasionally add new pictures when I find one that calls to me but mainly they've stayed the same for the past couple of years. Why? Because these are my muses. They're the guy's who inspire the men who become my characters. So let's talk guys...

WHAT A GODDESS WANTS on sale for $1.99

2011-12-21T12:56:00.000-05:00

Yes, you read that right. $1.99 for WHAT A GODDESS WANTS. Sourcebooks is promoting the beginning of their many wonderful series with $1.99 pricing so you'll want to stock up now.

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In his arms, her magic powers are on the rise...

Tessa, Etruscan Goddess of the Dawn, is losing her powers and now there's an Underworld god determined to run her down. She needs a hero and fast, because only sexual energy can give her power. So she seeks out Caligo, whose sexual prowess is legendary...

And she's the only one who can bring him into the light...

Caligo is a fabled Cimmerian warrior determined to stay away from spoiled goddesses who trample hearts after they've had their fun. But there's something irresistibly hot and inviting about Tessa and he knows he's her only change to escape the encroaching darkness...

Go here for an excerpt.

Once you've read WHAT A GODDESS WANTS, pick up HOW TO WORSHIP A GODDESS, #2 in the Forgotten Goddesses series.

He's exactly what she's always wanted...

Lucy was once the beloved Goddess of the Moon. These days the goddesses of the Etruscan pantheon are all but forgotten. The only rituals she enjoys now are the local hockey games, where one ferociously handsome player inflames her divine blood...

And she unleashes him like a force of nature...

Brandon Stevenson is one hundred percent focused on the game, until he looks up and sees a celestial beauty sitting in the third row. A man could fall hard for a distraction like that...

And if you need another taste of Etruscan Magic, check out SPELL BOUND, Book #1 in the Darkly Enchanted series.

She’s running from fate…

Shea Tedaldi is the only thing standing between her six-year-old brother and the men who killed their parents. Descendants of the ancient Etruscan magical race, Shea and her brother keep powerful secrets that make them the targets of the evil Malandante. They’ve been looking for a safe haven but the bad guys are gaining on them and Shea needs a hero, a guardian who won’t falter in the face of danger…

He’s looking for the key to break the spell…

Gabriel Borelli is a warrior born to protect the Etruscan witches living under a curse. He’s dedicated to breaking the spell and avenging the murder of his father by the Malandante. He won’t let anything—or anyone—get in his way. Not even the one woman who may hold the key to his quest…and his heart.

Available for only $3.99 at Amazon, B&N and AllRomance eBooks.

And A Cherry on Top...

2011-12-16T07:37:00.001-05:00

If you're as big a fan of hockey as my husband then you know who Don Cherry is. He's the former coach for Boston Bruins with an outsize personality and a wardrobe that rivals Liberace's. Every Saturday night we watch Hockey Night in Canada just to check out his wardrobe. He's always at his festive best, no matter the holiday.

Hot Hockey Hunk Dave Steckel

2011-12-12T07:56:00.001-05:00

Now that HOW TO WORSHIP A GODDESS should be available from whatever bookstore you choose, how about a few more hot hockey hunks.

Like this one: Dave Steckel. The hubby is a big fan of the Washington Capitals, so I should have added Steckel into the first round. Making up for that now.

Hot Hockey Mascot Slapshot

2011-12-07T07:00:00.000-05:00

Okay, not quite like the hunks I've been featuring for the past couple of weeks but he is rather large. And furry.

Slapshot always has a high-five for the kids (and the adults) and he's always fashionably dressed, whether as a turkey for Thanksgiving or with a Santa hat or in a referee's shirt.

It's release day for HOW TO WORSHIP A GODDESS

2011-12-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

HOW TO WORSHIP A GODDESS (Amazon, B&N) is now on shelves and to celebrate I'm giving away two copies of Lucy and Brandon's love story. All you have to do is comment here on this blog.

Since we've been talking hot hockey hunks for the past couple of weeks, tell me who your favorite hockey hunk is. And if you don't have one, feel free to look through mine and make him you're own.

I think you'll find today's Hot Hockey Hunk pretty interesting.

Reading Royals coach Larry Courville began his professional career as a left winger in 1991 with the OHL Cornwall Royals before bouncing all around the AHL with a couple stints in the NHL with the Vancouver Canucks. He played his first stint with the Reading Royals in the 2001-2002 season before he joined the Royals exclusively from 2004-2008. When he removed his helmet after his last game and raised his stick to the fans at the Sovereign Center, there were more than a few teary eyes in the stands. Larry was retiring. We would miss him.

We wouldn't have to miss him for long. The start of the 2008-2009 proved a tough one for new Royals head coach Jason Nobili. And when he was released in January, the rumor mill had already been in full swing: Larry was returning. Turned out not to be a rumor.

On January 6, 2009, Larry returned to Reading's arena, this time as head coach. The crowd gave him a standing ovation. He still holds the position today.

I'm not going to tell you that Brandon in HOW TO WORSHIP A GODDESS is based on Larry. Brandon is totally my creation. But you wouldn't be mistaken in thinking that there's a little of Larry's DNA, a little of Larry's grit, in Brandon. And maybe a little of that deep voice...

Don't forget to comment to win a copy of HOW TO WORSHIP... and if you're looking for even more chances to win, head to the Casablanca Authors' blog and comment there too.

Royal Hot Hockey Hunk Matt Caruana

2011-12-05T06:00:00.000-05:00

Forward Matt Caruana is one of our new guys. He's young and still seems a little unsure of himself but we're waiting for him to step up.

(Former) Royal Hot Hockey Hunk James Reimer

2011-12-03T07:00:00.000-05:00

James Reimer is another former Royal who we were really sorry to lose, but, until he was injured early this season, was playing great in goal for the Maple Leafs. He's young, he seems like a sweetheart of a guy and look at that smile. Optimus Reim, indeed.

Royal Hot Hockey Hunk Casey Haines

2011-12-02T13:50:00.000-05:00

Forward Casey Haines. We're missing him right now because he's on the DL. We need his hustle. And that smile. I like that smile.

Royal Hot Hockey Hunk Ryan Cruthers

2011-12-01T06:30:00.000-05:00

Center Ryan Cruthers, team captain, is one of the top scorers in team history. He's gritty, he's got an edge and takes the occasional stupid penalty late in the game (according to my husband), but he always makes time to mess with the kids who gather at the glass during warmups.

(Former) Royal Hot Hockey Hunk Ben Scrivens

2011-11-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Ben Scrivens played for the Royals in the 2010-11 season. He was 10-3-0, which means we really liked him.

He's young, only 25, and he's been a bit uneven with the Leafs but we expect great things.

Guest Blog: Star Light, Star Bright by Kate Willoughby

2011-11-29T08:00:00.000-05:00

Please welcome fellow EC author Kate Willoughby!

Hey, Stephanie, thanks so much for inviting me to guest blog. I'm excited to escape my own blog for the day.

It’s human nature to wish for things. We do it when we blow out the candles on our birthday cakes. We do it when we see a falling star or the first star of the evening. We dream of befriending genies that live in lamps.

I took the concept of wishes and ran with it when I wrote my Be-Wished series of books for Ellora’s Cave. In All In, Mariah wanted to meet up again with the man that got away. Paige, the heroine from A Wolf at her Door, wished for a hot night with a wolf shifter, the kind she read about in books. And in the third story, Once Upon a Kiss, Livvy’s wish for a happy ending of her own…goes kaflooey. And because all their capers were due to the efforts of one crazy wish fairy named Davina, I gave Davina her own book, Just Winging It, which just so happens to be coming out today. What a coincidence! LOL

So, let’s pretend for a moment that we’re single young women, like the ones in my books, and you had a choice of any of their wishes. Would you wish…

A. To be reunited with a guy from your past?

B. To meet up with a sexy character from a book? (Describe him!) Personally, I have quite a few fictional heroes I wouldn’t mind spending time with.

C. To live out a fairy tale type scenario? Which fairy tale would it be? (And remember that tale would magically play out in your real life somehow.)

D. Or maybe Like Davina in Just Winging It, you’d like to find out that a man in your present secretly has the hots for you…

Answer in the comment section and you are entered to win the entire Be-Wished series—All In, A Wolf at Her Door, Once Upon A Kiss, and Just Winging It. The winner of the four e-books will be announced on Friday, December 16, 2011. Good luck, and I look forward to reading your answers!

LINK TO EC buy page http://www.jasminejade.com/m-257-kate-willoughby.aspx

LINK TO Just Winging It EXCERPT: http://www.jasminejade.com/productspecs/9781419937163.htm

LINK TO MY BLOG: http://kate-willoughby.blogspot.com/

Royal Hot Hockey Hunk Dennis McCauley

2011-11-29T06:00:00.000-05:00

Dennis McCauley, tough guy. He's not afraid to get physical.

Though his team photo doesn't exactly suggest it, off the ice, Dennis always seems to have a smile.

Royals Hockey Hunk Olivier Labelle

2011-11-28T05:00:00.000-05:00

Olivier Labelle is one of our tough guys. He's quick to drop the gloves but he's also a damn good forward. He just broke the Royals record for goal-scoring with 54 goals during his career at Reading.

Until a few weeks ago, I'd never seen the guy smile. He's got a wicked intensity on the ice that occasionally boils over into frustration. But after a recent win, where he broke that record, the Royals held an autographing session. When I asked him to smile for me, this is what I got. Total 360. And totally hot.

Eventually, Olivier will move up. It's just a matter of time. I'll be thrilled for him but sorry for our loss.

(Former) Royal Hot Hockey Hunk George Parros

2011-11-25T05:00:00.000-05:00

Full dislosure, my husband has a mustache, so I may be partial to this particular variety of facial hair.

Anyway, George Parros played for the Reading Royals before he eventually made it up to the LA Kings and the Anaheim Ducks. Somewhere in between, he lost the smile. But he never lost his desire to fight.

Hot Hockey Hunk Paul Bissonnette

2011-11-23T05:00:00.000-05:00

Paul Bissonnette used to play in the ECHL before he got called up to the NHL, now playing for the Phoenix Coyotes. He was a major PITA for the Royals but I always love to see "our" guys make it so we'll let bygones be bygones.

Hot Hockey Hunk Tuomo Ruutu

2011-11-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

A Finnish forward playing for the Carolina Hurricane. Yeah, I like the rugged guys.

Hot Hockey Hunk Viktor Stalberg

2011-11-21T05:00:00.000-05:00

Viktor Stalberg has kind of a babyface and those eyes are just too gorgeous. He's Swedish and he's a left winger for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Two-for-one photo at left. Duncan Keith and Viktor Stalberg

Hot Deals Before the Holiday Rush

2011-11-20T08:04:00.001-05:00

Looking for some hot reading to take you away from the stress of the holidays? I've got just what you're looking for.

MOONLIGHT MENAGE is on sale for $1.49 at Amazon and B&N. It's been called "an explosive read."

For eight years, Etruscan witch Tira Belludi has longed to give herself, body and soul, to the two shifter men who hold her heart. But visions of death and fears for her sanity have forced her to keep her distance.
Nic Rocca and Duke Ducati are brothers in every way but blood and partners who have each other's backs. They share a home, a job and had planned to share their life with Tira between them . . . until the night she saw their future and built a fortress around her heart.
Now danger and death stalk Nic and Duke. And Tira must make a choice-grab love while she has the chance, or watch Nic die from afar and lose Duke forever.

SPELL BOUND is also on sale for $2.99 at Amazon and B&N.

She’s running from fate…

He’s looking for the key to break the spell…

And finally, in advance of the release of HOW TO WORSHIP A GODDESS, WHAT A GODDESS WANTS, the first book in the Forgotten Goddesses series, is available for $3.28 at Amazon and $3.99 at B&N.

IN HIS ARMS, HER MAGIC POWERS ARE ON THE RISE...

AND SHE'S THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN BRING HIM INTO THE LIGHT...

Hot Hockey Hunk Ryan Wilson

2011-11-18T05:30:00.000-05:00

Ryan Wilson, D-man for the Colorado Avalanche. A tough guy who likes to fight. Not a bad thing.

Hot Hockey Hunk Families: The Staals

2011-11-17T05:30:00.000-05:00

Jared, Jordan, Eric and Mark Staal

I mean, really....

Hot Hockey Hunk Andrew Ference

2011-11-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

Andrew Ference, D-man for the Boston Bruins. I'd add something else but I'm distracted by the tats. And the abs.The smile in that first pix is wonderful but the intensity in the bottom one...oh my.

Hot Hockey Hunk Duncan Keith

2011-11-15T05:30:00.000-05:00

Love this pix of Duncan Keith, a D-man for the Chicago Blackhawks. He plays the game hard (according to the hubby) and even though he lost seven teeth (called chicklets by true fans) after he took a puck to the mouth in May 2010, he returned to help his team clinch a place in the Stanley Cup finals. Yeah, I like him.

Hot Hockey Hunk David Booth

2011-11-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

For the next few weeks leading up the release of HOW TO WORSHIP A GODDESS, I'm devoting my blog to hot hockey hunks. The hero of the second book in the Forgotten Goddesses series is Brandon Stevenson, a rugged D-man for the fictional Reading Railers hockey team. If you think I have a thing for hockey players, you'd be right. So sit back and enjoy. And come back every day for the next few weeks for more.

To begin with, let's talk pretty boy. Has to be David Booth. Oh my. The smile, the eyes, the hair. And the guy can skate. And score. He's recently been traded to the Canucks but you can't trade that smile.

Discover the world of Etruscan magic

2011-11-13T09:20:00.001-05:00

In advance of the release of HOW TO WORSHIP A GODDESS (Amazon, B&N), the second book in the Forgotten Goddesses series, on December 6, you can get several books in the Etruscan Magic series at bargain prices.

First up, SPELL BOUND (Amazon, B&N), now on sale for $3.99.

Shea Tedaldi is the only thing standing between her six-year-old brother and the men who killed their parents. Descendants of the ancient Etruscan magical race, Shea and her brother keep powerful secrets that make them the targets of the evil Malandante. They've been looking for a safe haven but the bad guys are gaining on them and Shea needs a hero, a guardian who won't falter in the face of danger. Gabriel Borelli is a warrior born to protect the Etruscan witches living under a curse. He's dedicated to breaking the spell and avenging the murder of his father by the Malandante. He won't let anything--or anyone--get in his way. Not even the one woman who may hold the key to his quest...and his heart

In December, Sourcebooks will offer WHAT A GODDESS WANTS (Amazon, B&N) the first book in the Forgotten Goddesses series, for $3.99.

In his arms, her magic powers are on the rise...
Tessa, Etruscan Goddess of the Dawn, is desperately fighting off a malicious god, but her powers are weakening. She needs a hero and fast, because only sexual energy can give her strength. So she seeks out Caligo, whose sexual prowess is legendary...
And she's the only one who can bring him into the light...
Caligo is a fabled Cimmerian warrior determined to stay away from spoiled goddesses who trample hearts after they've had their fun. But there's something irresistibly hot and inviting about Tessa, and he knows he's her only chance to escape the encroaching darkness...

Wanna read the very first adventures published in the Etruscan series? Ellora's Cave has dropped the price on SEDUCED BY MAGIC (Amazon, B&N), SEDUCED IN SHADOW (Amazon, B&N), SEDUCED & ENSNARED (Amazon, B&N), SEDUCED & ENCHANTED (Amazon, B&N), SEDUCED BY CHAOS (Amazon, B&N) and SEDUCED BY DANGER (Amazon, B&N) to prices you don't want to miss.

A sneak peak at HOW TO WORSHIP A GODDESS

2011-11-07T10:36:00.001-05:00

Yes, it's November and my last post was Oct. 3. Bad Steph!

I do have an excuse. I was working on revisions for GODDESS IN THE MIDDLE. Pretty intensively, actually. But now that it's gone back to my editor, I'm starting to gear up for the release of HOW TO WORSHIP A GODDESS, Book 2 in the Forgotten Goddesses series.

I'm planning blogs, blogs and more blogs beginning Monday Nov. 14. We're gonna be talking Hockey Hunks. Lots of hot, hockey hunks. Make sure you stop back next Monday to join in. I'll also be devoting my Tumblr blog to hot hockey hunks (in addition to my other favorite subjects like books, music, TV and movies) as well, so be sure to check me out there.

Now, how about a little preview of HOW TO WORSHIP A GODDESS...

Lucy’s gaze followed Brandon’s hands as he unbuttoned his shirtand toed off his sneakers.

The man had huge hands, scarred and tough. She couldn’t wait to feelthem against her naked skin. Her skin fairly vibrated with her desire and shetook a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. She couldn’t remember everbeing this nervous with a man before.

She was a Goddess. She didn’t do nerves.

But this man, this eteri, made her knees weak and herbreasts ache in anticipation. And he hadn’t even takenoff his shirt yet. His big fingers eased the buttons through the holes, makingher wonder if maybe Brandon had done some stripping on the side because he madetaking off his clothes an art. His fingers worked the buttons, making her longto have them on her nipples, pinching and caressing. She went wet just thinkingabout it.

Each button revealed a tiny slice more of his golden skin, and whenhe finally got to the bottom and pulled the tails of his blue, button-down shirtout of his brown cargo pants, her gaze locked onto the masterpiece that was hisbody.

He had broad, strong shoulders, one that bore the scars of along-ago operation. And his chest begged for her hands to run over the lightmat of dark hair, to pet him. From his chest, her gaze dipped to six-pack absso defined she wanted to follow each rise and valley with her tongue. But theprominent bruise that covered most of his left side forced her to reconsiderher desire to throw him on the bed and fuck him until they both collapsed.

Blessed Goddess, that must be painful. How could he even bear tomove his arm without flinching? Yet he did.

She stepped closer and lifted her hand but stopped just short oftouching him. She wanted to make that bruise go away. It made her angry to seehow it marred his gorgeous skin.

She had enough power to heal that injury. But what would she tellhim when it miraculously disappeared?

I’man ancient Etruscan Goddess who has just enough power to heal bruises.

Yeah, that would go over real well.

“You’re hurt.”

He shrugged, those broad shoulders moving so beautifully. “No, notreally.”

He was lying. She could tell by his nonchalant tone. And when shelooked into his eyes, she saw he was worried about the injury. And that madeher worry about it, too.

What was wrong with her tonight? It wasn’t like this man was hermate. He was eteri.He was a fling for an evening, a man who had no idea who she really was. A manwho wanted her simply because he thought she was desirable.

Not because she was Lusna, Etruscan Goddess of the Moon.

What would he say if she told him who she really was?

His hands moved to his pants and her thoughts fractured as he poppedthe button. They hung so low on his hips, the tip of his erection emerged assoon as he started to unzip them.

And, oh, Sweet Mother Goddess, his sex was just as gorgeous as therest of him. His thick cock stood straight out from his body from a nest ofdark curls, full and ruddy red, his balls heavy beneath. She wanted to go downon her knees and take him in her mouth. Something she’d never been able to dowith any of her Fata or Enu lovers. They would’ve beenscandalized.

She’d never had an eteri in her bed, had never met onewho evoked this heated response from her. Was it hormonal, something to do withthe moon cycle? The full moon would rise in only two days. No, she couldn’tblame her reaction on the moon. She simply wanted him.

HOW TO WORSHIP A GODDESS is set for release December 1 but will probably be showing up on bookstore shelves very soon. Let me know if you see it. Send me a pix. I love those.

October Reads

2011-10-03T09:16:00.000-04:00

Ah, October. Really not loving your cooler temps. I'm more a summer girl. But October is good for one thing...paranormal romance.

The nights are longer and start earlier, which means I'm not (that) embarrassed to be in my pajamas by 6 p.m. and settled on the couch to watch TV or read.

Read what? Well, tomorrow, I'll be buying Thea Harrison's SERPENT'S KISS. I'm loving this series. DRAGON BOUND and STORM'S HEART were strong additions to the PNR field and I'm anxious to read Rune's story and intrigued with Carling's character. Harrison's style can be compared to JR Ward's (that's a compliment) but her world-building is unique.

I'll also be adding THE GOBLIN KING to my TBR list. Shona Husk is a fellow Sourcebooks author who's also breaking out of the ebook market. Love the cover and the blurb is intriguing.

Cursed by a Druid millennia ago, Roan lives a bleak existence in the Shadowlands, desperately trying to retain his soul and not succumb to the goblin horde. When a beautiful human summons him to grant a wish, he sees a glimmer of hope. But will she ever agree to be his queen?

I've also got JR Ward's ENVY in the list, Jim Butcher's CHANGES and I'm finishing up JD Robb's TREACHERY IN DEATH.

Roarke from Robb's In Death series is the ultimate romance hero and Butcher's Harry Dresden is the man I want at my back when zombies or evil werewolves come knocking at my door. Sure, Harry may destroy your home as he's saving your life but he does it with a good heart.

I'm also going to be giving this book a go: OCEANBORNE by Katherine Irons. Never read her but the blurb is intriguing and I love the cover.

Elena Carter has loved the sea all her life. As an underwater archaeologist, she works with it every day, cajoling it into giving up the treasures and mysteries of its past. But when she pulls a handsome stranger from the water in the midst of a storm, she realizes there is much she still has to learn. Taking shelter from the tempest, they experience sensual awakenings, pleasures different from any they have felt before. But the stranger, her intoxicating Prince Orion, disappears, leaving nothing but an ancient artifact.

Reluctantly returning to her landbound life, Elena finds more pieces to a puzzle that baffles her even as it hints at greater discoveries yet to be made. She longs to feel Orion's arms around her just one more time, and to ask him about the secrets hidden in the deep, secrets inextricably bound up with Orion and their unquenchable passion. But who—or what—is he? And once she has known the touch of the sea, can Elena return to the world she left behind?

What's on your reading list for this month? Anything new I should I know about?

SPELL BOUND...Darkly Enchanted #1

2011-09-27T10:51:00.000-04:00

Magic lives among us,
if you know where to look...

SPELL BOUND is the first book in the Darkly Enchanted series.

I actually wrote this book before I started the Magical Seduction series. I had this idea about curses and witches and magical protectors but I knew I didn't want to do Celtic witches. I wanted something that came from my heritage, which is Italian on my dad's side.

When I started researching Italian witchcraft, I had no idea of the rich history I'd find, in particular the work of Raven Grimassi. I devoured ITALIAN WITCHCRAFT and HEREDITARY WITCHCRAFT, which in turn led me to ETRUSCAN ROMAN REMAINS by Charles Godfrey Leland and finally led to my obsession with the Etruscans and books written by Etruscan scholars like Larissa Bonfante and Sybille Haynes.

Make no mistake, SPELL BOUND is first and foremost a romance. There's sexual tension building to steamy sex and a happily-ever-after. There's magic and bad guys and a curse and a young boy named Leo who, along with Cat, is one of my all-time favorite characters.

Shea is a strong heroine who's committed to keeping her brother Leo safe, even if that means asking the forbidding Gabriel for help. Gabriel is a magical protector with revenge on his mind. But Shea and Leo worm their way into his heart until he has to make the decision to give up his quest or give up the woman who steals his heart and condemn the boy to a fate worse than death.

Interested? You can find SPELL BOUND at Amazon and B&N, soon be available through Smashwords and in print.

How about an excerpt? A little about Gabriel, a little about Shea.

Excerpt:

Another dead end.

Gabriel Borelli slammed thefront door behind him and threw his coat at the nearest chair. It missed andfell to the floor with a heavy thud.

Fuck it. He’d check theweapons later.

Right now, he needed adrink. That bottle of Mezzaluna vodka in the cabinet didn’t stand a chance. Notafter the month he’d had.

Four fucking-endless weekschasing a rumor that turned into a dead end. The versipellis Harry had put him in touch with had been positive she’dseen a man who fit Dario Paganelli’s description in a restaurant in the OuterBanks. It’d been his first lead in more than a year, but it’d been a damn bust.

And now it was time to facethe music for his absence.

Bottle in hand, he took ahealthy swallow before he picked up the black handset from the 1940s-era phoneand dialed the eight-number code to get Phil.

“May I help you?”

As always, that high-pitchedfemale voice made him think of the old Lily Tomlin phone-operator skit on“Laugh In.” His dad had loved that show.

“It’s Brown. Messages?”

Phil’s purely feminine sighmade his temples throb.

Damn, this is gonna suck.

“There are several, as youwould know if you’d checked in every week, as you’re supposed to. Not once amonth, Gabriel.”

Gods be damned. He was a grigorio, a lean, mean, Etruscan bad-asswhose enhanced senses made it damn-near impossible for anyone to get the dropon him. His affinity for all metals but iron gave him the power to slap bulletsout of the air with a simple spell. And his unusual strength made him hard tokill and nearly impossible to beat in a fight.

And Phil was not his motherso why the hell did he, a twenty-eight-year-old man, feel like he had toapologize?

No way. He wasn’t gonna doit. He didn’t need to—

“Look, I’m sorry.” Shit,you’re an idiot. “I’ve been out of touch—”

“And where exactly have youbeen?”

Not in this lifetime, babe. “Personal business. What messages?”

Phil huffed and, for a fewseconds, he was sure he was going to have to apologize again and that mightjust make him chug the rest of the bottle.

“Crimson Moon called threetimes.”

Yeah, he’d figured his momwould call at least once while he was gone, even though she had his cellnumber.

“Lupe’s Low End calledtwice.”

Goddamn Quinn. His bestfriend needed to get over his distrust of cell phones, too.

“And one attempt was made toprocure your services.”

Fuck. For Phil to forward anoutside call to him meant someone had asked for him by name. That usually onlyhappened when another grigorio wantedhis help.

“Who was it?”

“Unknown.”

Huh? “What the hell doesthat mean?”

“That means,” Phil huffed, “shedidn’t leave her name.”

“And this female asked forme by name?”

“Yes, she asked for Mr.Brown. When I told her you were unavailable, she hung up.”

Well, shit. The existence ofthe grigori and the cursed streghe they protected was a carefullymaintained secret, even among the Etruscans. The story of how the women hadbeen cursed by Fabrizio Paganelli to unending life had become myth. How theirsons were born grigori, the greatwarrior protectors thought to be extinct, a legend.

For someone to ask for himby his call name…

“Christ, Phil. Did you findout where she was calling from? Did you—”

“Do you think I don’t knowmy job, Gabriel Borelli?”

Fuck. Second rule of being agrigorio—Don’t piss off Phil.

“Of course you know yourjob. I’m sor—”

“Don’t bother,” she snapped.“I don’t appreciate your language or your insinuations, Gabriel. You areexpected at ritual in four nights. I suggest you get some sleep before you getyour ass over there. And the next time this phone rings, I expect you to answerit.”

Gabriel took another slugfrom the bottle as Phil hung up on him. Loudly. And not before shoving a tinyspell through the line to make his head ache. Damn, that woman was vindictive.

Still, he should havechecked in. It was part of the deal. Grigoriwere to be available at all times, any time. His father, the former Mr. Brown,never would’ve missed a check-in.

No, Davis Borelli had beenone of the best grigori ever.

Before he’d been murdered byDario Paganelli.

No, Dario hadn’t pulled thetrigger. But the bastard was responsible for his dad’s death. Just as Dario’sfather Fabrizio had been responsible for the curse that had arrested the livesof the streghe.

Maybe Fabrizio would havebeen more careful if he’d known the curse would screw his son, too. The deitiescould be spiteful when they granted your wishes. Fabrizio had cursed thethirteen streghe but that curse had trappedhis son Dario in eternal life, as well.

And now Dario hunted the streghe with a bloody vengeance. Thebastard had a lot to answer for. And Gabriel would make sure he answered inblood.

Another few slugs and thebottle surrendered its last drop.

Gabriel’s gaze slid to thecabinet. No more Mezzaluna. He had a bottle of Grey Goose, but on top of the Messaluna,it might be lethal.

He sat there for a fewseconds, wondering just how drunk he needed to be to take his mind off the factthat he wasn’t any closer to finding Dario and murdering him.

Pretty damn drunk.

He definitely needed achange of scenery.

***

Gods be damned, there hewas, Mr. Brown, their supposed savior, drinking himself into a stupor.

For the third night in arow.

Shea grabbed the pole in thecenter of the catwalk and gave the few men sitting in the Spyder Club’s frontrow a good view of her naked breasts as she swung around a second time. Sheneeded the tips.

While the midnight regularslining the catwalk ogled her, Mr. Brown never glanced toward the stage from histable in the back corner. She didn’t think he even realized there was a dancerup there.

The dark-haired man with thedon’t-fuck-with-me expression probably wouldn’t recognize her if he fell overher on the street, which was a distinct possibility at the rate he was suckingdown tequila.

Great. Just great. What the hell am I supposed to donow?

She barely heard thethrobbing beat of the Black-Eyed Peas’ “My Humps” as she went through herbump-and-grind. She knew it well enough not to trip over her four-inch,stiletto heels. But the chill spreading through her body scared her.

Four days ago, she’d calledthe number in the phone book, the one she and Leo had found using the locatorspell.

A female voice had saidhello but when Shea had asked for Mr. Brown, she’d been told he was unavailableand would she liked to talk to Mr. Blue?

Her mother’s lettermentioned only one name. Mr. Brown. Not Mr. Blue. She’d hung up withoutanswering.

That night after work, sheand Leo had cased the street listed in the phone book. They’d scrutinized everybuilding for ten blocks and she had known immediately which house was Mr.Brown’s. The Etruscan runes carved around the door like decoration gave itaway.

They’d parked and staked outthe house, her ’72 Dodge Dart blending in among the older Plymouths and Chevyson the street. Later that night, an unfamiliar dark-haired man had walked intothe building.

They’d left without knockingon his door.

Tomorrow, she told herself.She’d approach him tomorrow.

But the next night, that manhad taken up residence at that table and begun to drink. And drink. And he’dreturned to that table every night since.

He hadn’t said a word toanyone except Harry. Of course, “Give me the bottle” wasn’t exactlyconversation.

This was the man her motherwanted her to entrust with Leo’s life?

Uh, no. She didn’t think so.Not until she’d learned a lot more about him.

Coming Soon...Spell Bound

2011-09-23T08:10:00.002-04:00

Magic lives among us,
If you know where to look...

She’srunning from fate…

SheaTedaldi is the only thing standing between her six-year-old brother and the menwho killed their parents. Descendants of the ancient Etruscan magical race, Sheaand her brother keep powerful secrets that make them the targets of the evil Malandante. They’ve been looking for a safehaven but the bad guys are gaining on them and Shea needs a hero, a guardianwho won’t falter in the face of danger…

He’slooking for the key to break the spell…

Gabriel Borelli is a warrior born to protect theEtruscan witches living under a curse. He’s dedicated to breaking the spell andavenging the murder of his father by the Malandante.He won’t let anything—or anyone—get in his way. Not even the one woman who mayhold the key to his quest…and his heart.

Available Tuesday, September 27

Welcome EC author Anya Richards

2011-09-13T05:00:00.000-04:00

Take one reclusive inventor. Throw him together with adisgraced heiress who can’t figure out exactly what it is she’s inherited. Adda few almost too-realistic automatons, a maid hardly anyone can understand anda couple of machines made for pleasure. What you have is the recipe for BEYOND PRUDENCE,a Steampunk romp of a novel.

This book was a blast to write. In the past most of mynovels were fairly dark, but Prudence, William and their pals just keptlightening the atmosphere, making me giggle and have more fun than should belegal when writing a book. Yeah, they have issues, but don’t we all? Justbecause things are crazy, they seemed to be saying, there’s no reason not tohave a rollicking good time while we get them sorted out.

Mind you, the hero and heroine seemed quite shocked by whatthey were doing to each other, and who can blame them? In their worldrespectability is worth its weight in gold, and what they’re up not only throwspropriety out the window but kicks its arse down the street for good measure.And, at the end of the day, sometimes the things others value turn out to benot the most important after all. Sometimes you simply have to tell the worldto go shag itself.

Preferably while the hero and heroine do a bit of shaggingtoo, apparently.

Beyond Prudence is available now from Ellora’s Cave. Youcan read an excerpt here andwatch the trailer here.

Thanks to Stephfor having me here today, and I hope you’ll all be tempted to read Beyond Prudence.

Take care

Anya Richards

JourneysThrough Seduction

Blurb:

The mysterious device in PrudenceHastings’ basement could be the answer to her prayers, if she could just figureout what it is. Needing William Foreman’s help, she’s prepared to do whateverit takes to gain it. Even putting aside her dislike of machines andvolunteering to test the risqué apparatus he’s developing for the Acolytes ofConcupiscence.

Will’s expecting a lightskirt for atest subject and is horrified when he realizes the tempting woman he justdebauched is very much a lady. But despite his best intentions, something keepsdrawing him back to her, and it isn’t just the thought of discovering the innerworkings of her uncle’s last invention. Unlocking their passion is turning out tobe a far more pleasurable, if dangerous, job.

Beset by desire, automatons,secrets, an unintelligible maid and the danger of utter ruin should theirassociation become known, Will and Prudence haven’t a chance in hell ofremaining unscathed.

Fire up the boiler, open thesluices and take cover. Something’s about to explode…

Cover Reveal: Goddess in the Middle

2011-09-12T09:20:00.000-04:00

Every author has a love-hate relationship with covers. As the writer, you can give a description of the characters you see in your head but you can't totally convey that image to the cover artist so you're never quite sure what those creative minds will come up with.

I've been lucky. I've never gotten a cover I truly hated. And some are so beautiful, they take your breath away.

The covers for my Forgotten Goddesses series from Sourcebooks have all been beautiful and when the third arrived a few weeks ago, I couldn't click it open fast enough.

I was so NOT disappointed. It's gorgeous. I love it. And I hope you all will too. And yes, it's a menage. Remy and Rom are lucani, Etruscan wolf shifters, who fall for the beautiful Amity, Etruscan Goddess of Health. It will take both of them to protect her from the threat sent by the God of the Underworld.

To get the full effect, I think you need to see the entire series as a set. Beautiful, yes?

Rest in peace, Kate, my friend

2011-09-09T08:39:00.000-04:00

I lost a friend today. A friend who was dear to me even though we never got the chance to meet in person.

Kate and I "met" online several years ago when we both signed with the same agent. For years, she and I exchanged emails about the industry, our lives, books, writing...everything. Sometimes, we'd skip a few months but we always knew the other was still out there, still at our computer and ready to respond.

Kate and I were at the same point in our careers when we first met through RWA. We'd signed with our first agent and things seemed to be looking up for us. Unfortunately, nothing ever materialized for either of us with that agent...except our friendship.

We exchanged long emails about everything. Writing, family, books. We talked about our frustrations with the publishing industry. We talked plotting and bounced ideas off of one another and Kate always had a balanced, thoughtful response. I knew any comment she made would be insightful.

Kate's been sick for as long as I've known her though I didn't know until at least a year into our friendship because she never complained. Everything she ever said about the cancer that took her life was so matter-of-fact. No tantrums, no breakdowns. There were times I could tell how frustrated she was at having to deal with the physical and mental issues that went with being sick. But she never whined. Not once.

Kate and I hadn't emailed for several months when I got a message from one of her best friends. Sheryl said Kate wasn't doing well and she'd wanted me to know how much she'd appreciated our friendship. I immediately emailed Kate to let her know I was thinking about her and was thrilled to get a response. She'd bounced back and was still fighting and happy to hear from me. Unfortunately, that rebound didn't last long.

I knew Kate was sick and I knew it was bad. I just always thought she's beat it and we'd meet at an RWA conference one day, like we'd planned a few years ago. Her health got in the way that time too. She'd been too sick to make the trip to New Jersey. Which absolutely sucked because I know she'd been so looking forward to that trip. And I'd been so excited to meet her.

My sincere condolences to Kate's husband and her father, her family and friends. You were lucky to have her.

Uproar

2011-08-29T09:13:00.000-04:00

So, you probably all know I have a thing for hot rock gods. Friday, I got to see some of my absolute favorites in action at the Uproar in Camden. Bullet For My Valentine and Avenged Sevenfold on the same stage. Be still my heart.

That's Matt Tuck on the left, Jason James and Michael Thomas

And Matt again.

Then there's Zacky Vengeance and Synester Gates from Avenged Sevenfold

Found a great new group too. Hell or Highwater, loved their live set. Singer is the drummer for Atreyu. Great album. Solid rock n roll. Love it.

Authors After Dark 2011

2011-08-16T08:42:00.000-04:00

I had a great time at Authors After Dark in Philadelphia. Got to meet lots of readers and bloggers and had a blast at the Mythos Masquerade and Steampunk Ball.

If you couldn't be there, here are a few pix to make you jealous and get you hyped for next year in New Orleans. If you were, well, then you know how much fun we had.

Judi Fennell and I at the Mythos Masquerade

Tere Michaels and RA VAuse at the Steampunk Ballv

Caridad Pinero and me at the Steampunk Ball

Caridad and Judi Fennel

Rhonda Tutt and me at the Steampunk Ball

Author Sydney Ayers at the Steampunk Ball

Blogger Panel with Intense Whisper Robin, JoJo, Minx, SpazP, Smexy

Me and Jen Twimom

HOW TO WORSHIP A GODDESS cover reveal

2011-07-29T14:43:00.003-04:00

HE'S EXACTLY WHAT SHE ALWAYS WANTED,

AND SHE UNLEASHES HIM LIKE A FORCE OF NATURE...

Lucy was once the beloved Goddess of the Moon, and she could have any man she wanted. But these days the goddesses of the Etruscan pantheon are all but forgotten. The only rituals she enjoys now are the local hockey games, where one ferociously handsome player still inflames her divine blood…

Brandon Stevenson is one hundred percent focused on the game, until he looks up and sees a celestial beauty sitting in the third row. A man could surely fall hard for a distraction like that…

Forgotten Goddesses 2

Releases December 2011

Wanna Win WHAT A GODDESS WANTS?

2011-07-27T08:35:00.005-04:00

I've been on a whirlwind blog tour all month but as it's coming to a close, I realize I should have been posting them here! Duh me. So I'm going to share the links to interviews and guest blogs where you could comment for a chance to get a copy of WHAT A GODDESS WANTS.

That's What I'm Talking About with Twimom

Parajunkee

A triple blog promotion is happening at For the Love of Books, Literal Addiction Paranormal Book Club and Book Monster Reviews.
You can also win a copy of GRACE IN MOONLIGHT at these sites too!

Chatting with Saucy & Sinful

As The Pages Turn

GRACE IN MOONLIGHT releases tomorrow!

2011-07-19T07:58:00.003-04:00

July is passing in a blur. WHAT A GODDESS WANTS released July 1 and I've been guest blogging all over the place but I'm also on deadline for GODDESS IN THE MIDDLE, the third book in the series so I've been a little lax hanging out here.

But tomorrow, July 20, GRACE IN MOONLIGHT, the fifth book in the Lucani Lovers series, releases, and I wanted to make sure everybody knew. This is Grace and Kaisie's story. Grace has done some bad things in her life but I hope after reading her story, you'll understand her and why she deserves the wonderful Kaisie. I love older men with more than a little experience and miles behind them. Yes, they're set in their ways but they're also confident and know what they want.

I hope you adore Kaisie as much as I do.

And just for the record, I think this cover may be one of my absolute favorites. It's by Syneca. Gorgeous, isn't it?

Hope you enjoy the excerpt below. There's also another one on my website here.

Stop back tomorrow for a chance to win a copy of GRACE IN MOONLIGHT.

GRACE IN MOONLIGHT excerpt:

Her backstraightened and the tears dried in her eyes. “What exactly are you laughingat? None of this is funny.”

“Youthinking you’re going to be leaving in a week is funny as all hell, woman.Where do you think you’re going to go? Amy won’t leave Mara behind and Mara’salmost ready to give birth so she’s not going anywhere. Alex likes it here. Andadmit it. So do you. Aren’t you sick of running yet? Besides, you’d miss me ifyou left.”

Every wordwas a jackhammer at her bruised heart. Every single word true. Except that laststatement. Of course she wouldn’t miss him.

Shewouldn’t miss his gorgeous face or those luminous green eyes or his strength. Or the wayhe’d made love to her that one stolen night that seemed so far away now. Buthad been less than two days ago.

He wasright, of course. Where could she take her children and Mara where Ettore orthe Mal wouldn’t find her?

Had shemerely traded one prison for another? Why had the lucaniallowed her to drag them into her battle?

“Why?” Sheshook her head as she spoke that one simple word.

Kaisie hadstopped laughing but he still wore the ghost of a smile. “If you have to ask,you’re not ready for the answer.” He paused, his smile disappearing completely.“And now you need to stop obsessing for a few hours and get some sleep.”

“I don’tthi—”

He leanedforward, captured her chin in his hand and pressed his mouth over hers, cuttingoff whatever she’d been about to say. He kissed her, lips closed, eyes open. Apromise. A threat. Avow that Grace found more than a little reassuring.

That kisssapped the strength, the fight, right out of her. When he pulled away, she sankback into the pillow.

Her goodhand was halfway to her lips but she forced it back down to her side.

Strangely,now she thought maybe she could sleep.

“Go tosleep. The entire mess will be here when you wake. And so will I.”

WHAT A GODDESS WANTS reviews are in and a new NEW release!

2011-07-06T16:23:00.000-04:00

WHAT A GODDESS WANTS has been getting lots of love from the reviewers and I just can't tell you how freaking great that feels!

I'm so happy readers are responding to so well to Tessa and Cal's love story. Below are just a few comments. But first...

I have a release date for GRACE IN MOONLIGHT, Book 5 in the Lucani Lovers series. JULY 20! That's two weeks. Woot! And whoa. My feet are paddling as fast as they can right now. Must eat more Junior Mints for energy.

Now to reviews:

A Bookworm's Haven: "There was fast paced action, hot romance, fascinating mythology and fantastic secondary characters that all make What a Goddess Want a must read. I am looking forward to the next book..."

Book Lovers Inc.: "What a Goddess Wants is a fantastic start for a series that will surely go directly onto my keeper shelf."

The Long and Short of it: Whipped Cream Reviews: "What a Goddess Wants provides a thrilling and unique spin on the gods and goddesses of old while giving readers spice, passion and action all the way through."

Better With Books: "This book is one real page-turner. While one steaming hot scene may come to an end, you can only wonder what the next passion driven scene will be like (and there are a lot of them!) I can't wait for the next instalment of the The Forgotten Goddess series!!"

That's What I'm Talking About: "Cal and Tessa’s romance was a pleasure to read. As I said, the smex was smokin’ and I would definitely classify the book as erotic. Their pairing evolved seamlessly and their mutual desire tugged at my heartstrings."

Anna's Book Blog: A tale that is steeped in magic and mythology, I loved it. Stephanie Julian never fails to wow me. The suspense and passion are a driving force. I know I have said this before and it's still true, Stephanie's world building is amazing. What A Goddess Wants is fast, exciting and sizzling hot. Looking to crank up the heat this summer - then definitely check out this book.

Royal Reviews: "Stephanie Julian has created a brilliant world that the reader gets lost in. I do have to say that this is a very, very steamy read, I am a bit surprised that the pages were not scorched."

WHAT A GODDESS WANTS is finally available!

2011-07-03T09:56:00.000-04:00

Release Day has finally arrived for WHAT A GODDESS WANTS!

I'm thrilled that readers can finally begin the Forgotten Goddesses series and hope you all enjoy. It seems like it's taken forever for this day to be here.

You can find it at Amazon, B&N, Borders, All Romance E Books, Books A Million and many other outlets. If you happen to see it in a physical store, please post a shot on my Facebook page here or on twitter and make sure you tag me @StephanieJulian so I can see it and send you a token of my appreciation.

And here's a sexy little excerpt for you.

***

Lifting his gaze from her chest, he stared into her eyes for several seconds before setting the belt on the altar at his side, still within reach. Then he grabbed the hem of his shirt and whipped it over his head.

And her mouth became as dry as the Sahara. Oh, Blessed Goddess, the man should have been a god himself.

He had a truly magnificent chest, broad and hard and so well defined. Even though he couldn’t be in the sun, his skin held a slight tan that appeared even darker in the light of the oil lights. The muscles of his pecs bunched and shifted beneath that skin, though he wasn’t flexing or showing off. He merely had to move his arms, the biceps bulging with strength, to make his body respond in beautiful ways.

Her lips longed to suck on those flat brown nipples, peaked and hard. She wanted to taste him, bite him, and when she’d done that, she’d move down to the ridges of his abs, so clearly defined.

He had a faint sprinkling of dark hair over his chest that narrowed to a line that disappeared into the waistband of his black pants. She wanted to let her tongue follow that line as her fingers worked the button on those pants. She wanted to get her mouth on his cock again, to suck on him until he came in her mouth.

“You keep looking at me like that, and I won’t be responsible for my actions.”

With an effort, she drew her gaze back up his body, though her smile was gone. “What about your pants?”

“You do it. Just don’t touch my cock. You touch me and this may all be over.”

“You have too much control for that, Cal.”

“Not around you, apparently.” His voice hissed through clenched teeth as she carefully pushed the button on his pants through its hole. But she didn’t get to work on the zipper because Cal swore under his breath and lifted her onto the altar.

The smooth surface of the polished wood beneath her buttocks and thighs should have been cool to the touch, but she barely noticed it as Cal put his mouth over her lips and bullied his tongue past her teeth to curl around hers.

With both hands on her face, he controlled her head, moving her into the perfect position to ravage her mouth.

Her arms circled his broad shoulders before she splayed her hands flat against his back, feeling the play of muscle under his warm skin as his tongue teased and tempted.

The heat of his body felt like a furnace blast against her skin, but she wanted him pressed against her. She urged him closer until her breasts were flattened against his chest.

Then she felt him still.

Lifting his mouth from her, he let his lips brush against her cheek until he spoke directly into her ear. “Lie back and spread your legs. And don’t move.”

And More Lower Prices

2011-06-20T15:04:00.000-04:00

Another three books in the Magical Seduction series have had their prices lowered on Amazon and Ellora's Cave. SEDUCED & ENSNARED is at Amazon for $1.19. SEDUCED BY CHAOS is at Amazon for $2.39 and SEDUCED BY DANGER is available for $1.19.

At Ellora's Cave, you can get CHAOS for $1.99. I expect the other prices on the site to go down. Still waiting for prices to fall at B&N.

Seduced & Ensnared

third in the Magical Seduction series

Etruscan linchetto Cam de Feo is ruthless, determined to keep his magical family safe at all costs. Stella Palmer is a means to an end—nothing more. He will seduce her then use her to trap her evil uncle. He never expected to fall for the beauty. For Stella, Cam is the right man for a white-hot one-night stand. But in the bright light of day, she realizes he has much more to offer than great sex. While the dark forces of the Mal threaten, family secrets will be revealed and Stella will discover a hidden world—filled with love and magic!

Seduced by Chaos

fifth in the Magical Seduction series

Tall, dark and handsome, the guy walks into Lacey’s bar like he’s expecting to be hit with a hail of bullets. There’s something about him that draws her but Lacey has a secret. One that could threaten her life if it’s exposed. The woman behind the bar is gorgeous and pushes every single one of Teo’s buttons. He wants her—even though he’s dangerous and it’s only a matter of time before he explodes. But one night of magical sex and all bets are off as Lacey’s secret catches up with her and Teo will risk everything, including himself, to keep her safe. And make her his.

Seduced by Danger

sixth in the Magical Seduction series

A man will do just about anything for love—even kill. Four down, one to go. Michael Corsi is on the trail of the last man who made life a living hell for his lover. But first, he wants one last reminder of what he’s fighting for. He needs to see his woman and his son before he goes up against his toughest foe. And probably to his death. Michael is the father of the son Cara never expected to have. The man who brought her a love she never expected to feel, and a passion that she won't live without. She’ll do whatever it takes to be sure Michael returns to her—even it means tying him to her very soul.

New Lower Prices

2011-06-13T07:51:00.000-04:00

If you've been waiting to read the first couple of books in the Magical Seduction series (and you've got a Kindle or Kindle app), wait no longer.

SEDUCED BY MAGIC (#1), SEDUCED IN SHADOW (#2) and SEDUCED & ENCHANTED (#4), are available at Amazon for $2.39. I'm expecting the prices to go down as well at Barnes & Noble but that hasn't happened yet.

Want it even cheaper? The Ellora's Cave site has SEDUCED BY MAGIC, SEDUCED IN SHADOW and SEDUCED & ENCHANTED for $1.99.

SEDUCED BY MAGIC introduces the Etruscan community and features some of the characters you'll meet in WHAT A GODDESS WANTS, the first book in the Forgotten Goddesses series, available June 1.

Wanna know more?

Seduced by Magic

first in the Magical Seduction series

Justin Johannson knows there are mythical creatures living among us. He's been trying to prove their existence for years. Research gets a lot more interesting when he finds a winged woman in his bed. Etruscan folletta Scarlata is convinced Justin is in league with an evil businessman bent on capturing her for scientific study, which is so not going to happen. She decides that Justin needs to be taught a lesson to leave her and the rest of the mythical creatures in peace — after she has a little fun of her own. The beautiful folletta never expected to fall for a human and Justin is about to discover that true magic really does exist in the world. And in him.

Seduced in Shadow

second in the Magical Seduction series

When Etruscan linchetto Antonin de Feo is hired to guard Ellie Johannson, he immediately wants to become better acquainted with her luscious body. Unknown to her, Ellie is the daughter of the Etruscan God of the Woods and her father fears for her safety. When Ellie is almost kidnapped, Antonin has the perfect place to keep her safe—in his bed. He’s fallen hard for the beauty but he fears his secrets might drive her away or put her in more danger. Ellie cannot resist her sexy bodyguard and promptly lands in his bed. She never wants to get out but the dark forces are gathering.

Seduced & Enchanted

fourth in the Magical Seduction series

Linchetto Rio de Feo has just met the woman of his dreams. Rosie Bianchi is smart, sexy, sweet…and cursed. She’s got an evil dead witch on her tail and a secret even she doesn’t know anything about. Rosie can’t believe her good luck. The gorgeous guy she just met is Prince Charming material. But after one night of hot sex, Rosie wakes up with magical powers and is thrust into a battle for her life. Love will need a little help and a little luck, but where there are enchanted roses and three godmothers, there’s magic.

Happy Graduation, My Son

2011-06-11T00:00:00.002-04:00

My first baby graduates from high school today.

Please allow me a minute to catch my breath.

It's seems like only yesterday I was putting Taylor on the bus to elementary school. I don't remember shedding many tears that day. Maybe because I was too busy chasing after his younger brother, who had only two speeds at that time, full-speed-ahead and asleep. Actually, that hasn't changed.

Tay was never much for going anywhere fast. He rode his bike but never recklessly. He played soccer for many years, but he usually played goalie. He's been studying karate since the age of five and has learned a great deal of discipline and control, which fits his personality to a T. This summer, he'll be testing for his black belt. Not a fast process but he's hung in there and all that hard work will pay off soon.

In eighth grade, when he decided he wanted to run cross country, his dad and I looked at each other with raised eyebrows. Sure, we run--my husband a lot faster than me--but Tay had never shown any interest. We were both pleased that he'd taken an interest in something both of us love. He was never the fastest kid on the team. In fact, he was one of the slowest. We didn't care and neither did he. For Tay, cross country was more about the team. They were a good group of guys and we will miss those Tuesday meets come fall when Tay goes to college.

He's easing into that as well. He'll attend Penn State Berks Campus and live at home for the first two years. I must admit I'm happy to have him around for another two years. If he were going away to college, we wouldn't have the opportunity to go to concerts and shows and movies as much as we do now. I know that day will come, though, so I'm grateful to have more time with him.

When he goes to college, he'll be studying physics. As an English major, I can tell you how to spell it and where the word is derived from but I have no idea what it is or what you do with it. Tay does. He actually enjoys math that looks like so much alphabet soup to me. My husband and I both come from a writing background. We have no idea where Tay gets his love of science. We're just happy he's able to pursue it.

So congratulations, baby, on finishing this first part of your life. Just don't rush into the rest of it.

How Writing Has Changed Me by Missy Jane

2011-06-08T09:53:00.000-04:00

Please welcome Guest Blogger Missy Jane, fellow EC author!

I’ve always been an avid reader with a wild imagination. As a child I used to make up stories, but never tried to put them to paper until I became an adult. At first, I wasn’t writing to get published. I was writing for myself, to get the story out of my brain so I could stop obsessing over it. That changed in 2008 with my first publishing contract and me along with it. I’m a different person now in many ways and most of that is because of what I write. I began with my love of fantasy and paranormal, but it didn’t take long for sexual overtones to take the driver’s seat. As an erotica reader there are things I’d seen in print that made me blush, cringe and frown in disbelief. As a writer? Well, let’s just say I now know a whole lot more than I used to. Research isn’t always boring.

So, I was thinking over ways that I’ve changed since writing became a big part of my life and this is what I’ve come up with:

1. I don’t blush as easily anymore. I was raised in a household where sex wasn’t just a dirty word, it wasn’t a word at all. I’ve joked with my mom that I don’t know how in the hell I learned about sex at all. But I have four children so obviously…

2. I’m more honest with myself about a lot of things. If there’s anything the editing process should teach a writer, it’s to be thick-skinned. No one’s perfect and editors are good at pointing that truth out from the first. I LOVE my editors. I’ve been very lucky to work with smart, funny, easy-going women who know their job well. They make me look good and that’s a definite plus in my book.

3. 3. I’ve become a typo snob. My editors might argue this point since I still make mistakes. However, as a reader I’ve become much more critical of the printed words I’m paying for than I was before going through the editing process. Typos now jump out at me and can sometimes disrupt my enjoyment of a book. Sigh…if only they had my editors.

4. I know more about sex than my husband. Though he was a jock and I was a band geek, I can easily say that through research I’m more well-versed in things sexual than my stud-muffin. I haven’t actually told him that, but I think he’s figured it out. Neither if us have mentioned it and he reaps the benefits of my knowledge. It’s definitely a win-win.

Has reading a certain genre, or reading in general, changed you as a person? Is there a particular book, author, or topic you’ve read that had a definite impact on you as a person? Comment with your answer below and include your email address. All comments are entered into my Birthday Blog Tour contest. Good luck!

Missy Jane is a paranormal and erotic romance author published through Samhain and Ellora’s Cave. Free samples of her work can be found at her website: http://www.msmissyajne.com

*Make reading a guilty pleasure…*

4 Stars from RT for WHAT A GODDESS WANTS!

2011-05-24T15:46:00.000-04:00

WHAT A GODDESS WANTS
by Stephanie Julian

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Paranormal/Urban Fantasy
Sensuality: SCORCHER

4 stars RT Rating

This is one hot book! Plenty of sex blends into an exciting, fast-paced story in which Tessa and Cal play well off an appealing cast of secondary characters.

The forgotten Etruscan goddess of the dawn, Tessa's afraid to fall asleep because a powerful god needs her life force to escape his underworld prison with his demons. Her powers are diminishing and can only be restored by increasing her sexual energy. She enlists Caligo, a Cimmerian warrior, who resists being her sex toy, but sees something in her that might salvage his soul. They journey into the world of the gods, through unearthly planes and into the uneven emotion called love. (SOURCEBOOKS, Jul., 352 pp., $14.99)

Reviewed By: Donna M. Brown

WHAT A GODDESS WANTS featured at RT website

2011-05-19T10:36:00.000-04:00

Stop by the RT website today to get an inside look at WHAT A GODDESS WANTS.

A new review for SIZE MATTERS

2011-05-04T07:41:00.000-04:00

from Publisher's Weekly!

Size Matters by Stephanie Julian (e-book)

Read by joysann on Barbara Vey's Beyond Her Blog

Tim Sattazahn, just minding his own business walking through the woods in a snowstorm, comes upon a beautiful woman freezing to death after her car breaks down. Beyond the physical desire he’s experiencing as he cares for her, he feels some consternation when he learns that, as a reporter for the Weekly News Journal, she’s there looking for Bigfoot, but doesn’t realize she’s found him. For her part, Carrie Benton is thoroughly taken by the huge, gorgeous, sexy man she’s found that’s made her trip to the forest worth while.

This is a very fun, cute, fast little read. It’s also charming, smile-provoking, and hotly erotic. With Size Matters, Stephanie Julian is cleverly introducing The Fringe, a new series that explores some of the more imaginative reports in the weekly papers at grocery store check-out counter, and I’m looking forward to the next story.

Don't Piss Off the Romance Community, We Bite Back

2011-04-28T08:32:00.000-04:00

So, it must have been a slow news day for WNEP in Snyder County PA and I'm thinking they probably wish it had stayed that way.

The ABC affiliate has come under heavy fire for a piece on Judy Mays, a local
romance writer, who also, gasp, happens to teach high school English.

The reporter took it on herself to vilify Mays (who writes for Ellora's Cave, as I do) on the basis of comments from one woman. Nowhere in the piece does the journalist confirm her findings through outside sources other than one Wendy Apple. She did ask the school superintendent for a comment and managed to make the standard "I can not discuss personnel matters or employees. At this point I have no comment." statement sound like a condemnation.

As a journalist myself, I can only shake my head at the misguided, so-called reporting. What editor looked at this story and thought it was a good idea?

I have to ask the question: How did Apple find out? She had to do some digging because Judy has gone to some length to protect her privacy, probably because of trolls like Apple. So, obviously, Apple spent some time on this. Why? Does she have nothing better to do with her life?

Purely on the basis of a few minutes of videotape, Apple proves herself to be petty, vindictive and small-minded. Unknowingly (most likely), she's opened herself up to be pilloried by the court of Twitter/Facebook/Internet and rightly so. She's come under attack in a way I'm sure she never expected and she's discovering just how cruel the world can seem when you decide to stand on an antiquated soapbox and believe you hold the moral high ground.

Apple is probably crying to her husband or her children or her friends about all the mean people in the world who want to make her life miserable. She should've thought about that before she contacted WNEP to say, hey, did you know there's this teacher who writes erotic romance?

The romance community, writers and readers and publishing company employees, have rallied to Judy's defense, which made my day. I hope Judy makes a mint off the publicity. Of course, that does nothing to ease the stress created by thoughtless comments from one woman, a young reporter who may not live this down and a lax editor who should have known better.

And I hope they learned a valuable lesson: Don't piss off the romance community. We bite back. And we're everywhere.

Grace in Moonlight

2011-04-13T11:12:00.003-04:00

"GRACE IN MOONLIGHT" is the working title for the next Lucani Lovers book and I really hope I get to keep it because I love it. The book's moving along, in great part to the song below. It just fits so perfectly, I've got it on repeat a lot when I plot.

And I kind of have a thing for Corey Taylor. Okay, maybe not kind of. I took my baby to see Slipknot three years ago and fell under the spell. Of course, the members of Slipknot wear masks, but Stone Sour, the side project Taylor fronts, does not. I've actually seen Stone Sour a few times in the past year and, though their music isn't as hard as Slipknot's, I like it. Especially "Hesitate." Enjoy.

Hero Roundup

2011-03-24T08:06:00.001-04:00

As July slooooowly approaches, bringing the release of WHAT A GODDESS WANTS, I'm trying to keep myself busy so I don't crawl out of my skin with anticipation.

Cal's worth waiting for, of course, though he's not too keen on spoiled goddesses: "Here seemed as good as any place to die. And if, by some miracle, he didn’t die, this was the last fucking time he ever took a job for a deity. They screwed you over every damn time."

His opinion does change when a certain Etruscan sun goddess needs him to save her. I based his physical characteristics on Jensen Ackles because I adore his character on "Supernatural." And it totally fits for Cal.

I just finished the first round of edits on SEX, LIES & SURVEILLANCE, my first release from Carina Press! I'm so excited about this story. It's always been one of my favorites. Sexy, contemporary and a hot hero.

My hero describes it like this: "...the DeMarcos were not what he’d expected. He’d imagined “The Sopranos.” Instead, he got “Ozzie and Harriet” with a little “La Femme Nikita” thrown in for flavor." His name may change in the book but in my head, this has always been Cal.

I just started Lucani Lovers 4. Grace and Kaisie's story is moving along and I found the perfect inspiration for Kaisie. Look to the right. Sigh worthy, yes?

Kaisie's shaping up to be awesome and extremely alpha: "He wanted her to tell him who he could kill for putting that pain in her eyes and he wanted her to tell him she was never going back to the Mal."

I'm also working on edits for the second book in the Forgotten Goddess. HOW TO WORSHIP A GODDESS will be released in December 2011 and features Lucy, Etruscan Goddess of the Moon, and Brandon, Reading Railers No. 17. He's a hockey player and oh, my, do I love them.

No cover yet but here's what Lucy has to say about hockey and the players (and I so totally agree): "She loved hockey. Loved the speed, the agility. The fights. The men. Brawny, sweaty, messy. They let their hair grow, though no one would ever accuse them of being feminine, not with perpetual five o’clock shadow and bulging muscles. They skated with the grace of a ballet dancer and fought at the drop of a glove."

I have a really clear picture in my head of what Brandon looks like. I just can't show it to you because, well... Let me look around a little more and see what I can come up with.

And finally, I actually started the next Fringe story. Andy's a real character and I mean that in the best way. More to come on that story later...

WHAT A GODDESS WANTS ARCs are here!

2011-03-17T09:11:00.000-04:00

Aren't they pretty? I certainly think so.

So here's the deal: I'll be giving away ARCs but you have to join my email loop to be in the running. Go here to sign up: Stephanie Julian On A Moonlit Night

I promise I won't be inundating you with posts but I will be leaking exclusive excerpts and contests on there.

I'm also on Facebook at Stephanie Julian And on Twitter at Stephanie Julian

The official release is July and I'm gearing up for a great summer.

Philadelphia Flower Show

2011-03-07T08:12:00.000-05:00

In my other life as a freelance writer for a daily newspaper, I get to do cool things like cover the Philadelphia Flower Show, which I did Saturday.

I ooh and ahh and sigh over the fact that my garden will never ever look like that. But every year, I come home determined to make my garden sparkle. And every year I fail. At least I have pictures.

Kiss of Moonlight in Print!

2011-02-20T11:37:00.000-05:00

It's here!

KISS OF MOONLIGHT is finally in print! If you were waiting for paper, wait no more. As of now, you can order at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

This is the first book in the Lucani Lovers series and introduced Kyle and Tam, along with Cat and Tivr, and several other members of the lucani.

Plagued by nightmares. Stalked by kidnappers. Tamra McMillan needs a safe haven. When tattooed bad-ass Kyle Rossini steps into her life, she didn't expect to find a sanctuary from her demons or hot sex. But appearances can be deceiving. His tender touch and the hunger in his eyes brands her his for life.

But otherworldly forces are afoot and death hovers…

Etruscan werewolf Kyle Rossini is a loner. The king’s assassin with a killer’s instincts. The last thing he needs is a mate. Until he meets the one woman who needs him more than he needs his solitude. When Tamra stumbles into his world and his bed, she captures his heart. And nothing will keep him from her.

Just a few reviews:

Fallen Angel Reviews

"Stephanie Julian has another awesome read on her hands with Kiss of Moonlight... Ms. Julian will tempt a saint and give the sinner what they want with Kiss of Moonlight. This is a fantastic read with brutally vivid characters and flaming hot passion that just leaps off the pages. I cannot wait to see what will happen next."

Night Owl Romance

"...I’m hooked...A wonderful romance with lots of hot interludes, I anxiously await more stories in this series."

Ecataromance

"an emotionally and action-packed story... If you are looking for an emotionally, touching story, pick up Kiss of Moonlight."

Smexy Books

"Stephanie Julian knows her way around a sex scene...

A solid start to a new series and I definitely recommend."

Smokin' Hot Books

"Move over Twilight, these Etruscan wolves have got some serious game.

With Kiss of Moonlight the author creates a unique and

rich shifter world in just under 150 pages. That’s skill right there!"

Anna's Book Blog

"This first installment is a great beginning. I loved this story. But the bit of cliffhanger at the end about killed me. I'm eager to read the upcoming books in this series."

The Fiction Vixen

"This is a hot, steamy read and Kyle may be a bad-ass assassin but he is also one considerate lover...

the author lays a good foundation for future books."

Erotic Horizons

"A wonderful first book in a series that I was very pleased to have read. There is an excitement to the pace that the book takes which I was very impressed with..."

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T08:14:00.000-05:00

Hope you all have a good day, whether you've got a Valentine to share it with or are happily single and plan to spend the day treating yourself like royalty. Either way, enjoy.

I'll be spending much of the day at a funeral for a dear friend of the family. The Ole Harr will be greatly missed, not only by his wife and daughters and family but by my dad, who considered him his best friend for 40 years. May the fishing and hunting be good wherever you are now, Harry.

Life's been off-kilter here for the past two week, a rollercoaster ride with no stop button. No one ever said raising teenagers was easy but someone should at least mention the fact that, occasionally, it will be unbearable. And at all the wrong times.

Luckily, I finished the second book in the Forgotten Goddesses series and sent that off to my editor today. Can't wait for you to meet Lucy and Brandon. Of course, now the nail-biting commences. Or continues. Actually, I shouldn't have any nails left. Or hair. At the very least, it should be all gray. Good thing I have a hair stylist.

Tomorrow, I'm jumping back into revisions for an erotic romance project for my agent and by the end of the month, I should have edits for a new project I'll be announcing soon. That's such a bright spot in my life right now that I'm hugging it close.

That's the wonderful thing about writing romance. There's always a happy ending. Have a good one!

Stop and Say Hi at a New Blog

2011-02-09T08:47:00.000-05:00

I'm part of a new blog, The Sweet n Sexy Divas, so come on over and check us out.

http://sweetnsexydivas.blogspot.com/2011/02/why-i-love-series-by-stephanie-julian.html

Giveaway Winner

2011-01-24T21:52:00.000-05:00

Thanks for the comments, everyone. I'm so glad you stopped by to chat.

Sheena and Fire, you're the winners!

Please send me your emails at stephaniejulian@msn.com

MOONLIGHT TEMPTATION release day giveaway

2011-01-21T11:35:00.000-05:00

MOONLIGHT TEMPTATION releases today!

Evie Simmons has major issues. She’s got magical powers she can’t control, she’s living in a house that isn’t hers, and her best friend is a seventeen-year-old werewolf. It’d be hilarious if it weren’t just so damn depressing. Add in the sexy shifter she can’t keep out of her mind and his hot-as-hell friend and it’s a recipe for disaster.

Dr. Dane Dimitriou knows Evie has had a hard time adjusting to her new life as part of the Etruscan magical community—almost as difficult as his denial of his feelings for her have been. And he’s got the perfect cure—his best friend, Ryan Maguire. Easygoing Ryan is the complete opposite of stick-up-his-ass Dane. He can act as a buffer. Dane can get close, but not too close. Yeah, good luck with that.

Together, these sexy men may be just what the doctor ordered for Evie. And the doctor himself may discover the cure for what ails him has been right in front of him all along.

When I started to write MOONLIGHT TEMPTATION, I really had no intention of writing a menage. Evie was meant for Dane. Everyone knew that. But then I started writing the opening scene and there was this guy who walked up to Evie and told her Dane had sent him to seduce her.

Whoa, wait a minute. That wasn't the plan. Really, it wasn't. But obviously, Dane knew he needed a partner to handle Evie and who better than the only eteri he trusts with his most closely held secret. Ryan is his best friend and the only man he can trust with Evie's life besides himself.

This is the fourth book in the Lucani Lovers series and features a few returning appearances by some old favorites, including Cat. I love to write series for this reason. You get to revisit former friends, see what they're up to.

To celebrate the release, I'm giving away two copies of MOONLIGHT TEMPTATION.

Leave a comment, let me know what you like about my series, or what your favorite series are or just let me know you'd like to read the book. On Monday, I'll pick two names at random. Be sure to include an email address.

And thanks for reading!

(And don't panic if you don't hear from me much this weekend, the house internet has decided to go kerflooey. I'm hoping to have it fixed soon. God, I hope.)

MOONLIGHT TEMPTATION

2011-01-10T07:35:00.007-05:00

Releases January 21

Book Four in the Lucani Lovers series.

Evie Simmons has magical powers she can’t control, she’s living in a house that isn’t hers, and her best friend is a seventeen-year-old werewolf. It’d be hilarious if it weren’t just so damn depressing. Add in the sexy shifter she can’t keep out of her mind and his hot-as-hell friend and it’s a recipe for disaster.

Together, these sexy men may be just what the doctor ordered for Evie. And the doctor himself may discover the cure for what ails him has been waiting all along.

EXCERPT:

“Why did you bring another man here to sleep with me?”

Brave Evie.

And smart too. She was getting to Dane. Ryan could see his composure begin to slip, his frustration and his lust combining to bring down all those nice walls he used to keep everyone at a distance.

“Because I knew you’d connect with him.” Dane practically spit out the words. “I knew he’d be good for you in a way I can’t be. Make no mistake. I want you, Evie. So does Ryan. But if you don’t want to get involved with both of us, if that’s not what you want, then say so now and I’ll walk out the door.”

“You could do that? Just leave like there’s nothing between us?”

Dane’s lips twisted into a frown. “No. Vaffanculo, Evie, you don’t know me as well as you think you do. I can’t be what you need. Yes, I want you. But this is the only way this will work.”

“With Ryan as a buffer?”

“Yes.”

She shook her head, hands on her hips, her mouth a stubborn line that made Ryan’s smile widen. “Why?”

Dane shot out of his chair with a speed that defied logic. Evie barely had time to be frightened, much less cringe.

And Ryan wasn’t sure she would have. Her chin tilted up so she could look Dane in the eyes, her feet planted.

“Because I don’t trust myself not to scare you!”

Well, shit. She’d pushed Dane to the edge of his limit because that was the secret Dane held closest. The one he’d confided to Ryan one night after a few too many beers and just as many shots.

Ryan watched Evie process that, think it through then come to her conclusion.

“Then I guess you better be glad I’m not afraid of you.”

Without waiting for him to respond, she fisted his shirt and pulled him down, close enough that she could reach his mouth if she stood on her toes.

Dane closed his eyes and let her kiss him. Ryan saw the control he tried to exert over himself, the way his hands fisted at his sides for a brief second before grabbing her hips and lifting her against him.

Her feet left the floor as Dane pulled her up his body, his mouth slanting over hers with a growl Ryan heard loud and clear.

He’d surrendered.

Ryan’s own desire spiked like a fever as he watched Dane kiss Evie, watched Dane cup the back of her head and move her so he could get deeper into her mouth.

He watched Evie succumb, her body melting into Dane’s.

His cock throbbed and filled, anticipation building.

Ryan liked to watch before joining in. And this promised to be a hell of a show.

Evie opened her mouth to Dane and let the desire she tasted in his kiss blow through her.

It felt like a bomb blast, a concussion of sensation. It should terrify her. Only, she felt no fear.

Heat boiled through her body, spreading from between her legs to her breasts, where her nipples tightened into diamond-hard tips, aching to be touched.

She arched, rubbing them against Dane’s hard chest, and felt as well as heard his low groan rumble through him.

If she were standing, her knees would have buckled at the hungry, almost desperate sound he made.

His mouth ate at hers, hard and demanding. He held nothing back and, if she let him, he’d completely consume her. He’d kiss her and bend her to his will. He’d demand she give everything to him.

Not that he wouldn’t give to her in return. She had no doubt he’d make her come.

But he wanted her complete acquiescence so he could control his reaction.

And behind her, Ryan watched.

She swore she felt his gaze on them, hot, hungry. Stoking the desire.

The anticipation made her skin tingle, waiting…

Drowning beneath Dane’s kiss, she couldn’t catch her breath. Tearing her lips away from Dane’s, she sucked in a deep breath, only to have it catch in her throat when his lips moved to her neck.

He bit her with his lips, stinging little nips that made her sex spasm and her hands slide around his shoulders to hold on. Her head fell back, giving his lips more space to roam.

Heat poured from his body, seeping into her skin, making her long for skin-to-skin contact and one hand slipped into the collar of his crisp white button-down in search of it.

As her fingers began a tentative exploration, it was his turn to shudder. He stilled, his breath a harsh rasp against the sensitive skin of her collarbone.

She stroked her fingers into the indentation at the base of his throat, felt the motion beneath her fingers as he swallowed.

His hands tightened on her hips until she swore she felt every single finger like a brand on her body.

She smiled, knowing he responded to her every action.

As his head lifted, she let hers tilt to the side, allowing her the angle to lick at his skin, dipping into that indentation.

Salty, warm. She wanted to bite him.

So she did. Opened her mouth over his throbbing artery and bit him. Not hard enough to hurt, or even to mark.

Just enough for him to growl out her name.

She was so intent on drawing a response from Dane that she missed Ryan’s approach.

His hand on her shoulder caused her to gasp and draw in a deep breath. Possessive, Ryan threaded his other hand into her hair, lifting it away from her nape and putting his mouth on her skin.

The heat coming off Dane’s body doubled as she shivered against him, her thoughts splintering, unable to process all the sensory information.

Dane’s hands on her hips. Ryan’s hand in her hair, tugging her head back so she looked up at Dane.

Dane’s eyes darkened as he watched her respond to Ryan’s mouth sliding along her neck.

Looking Ahead

2010-12-31T08:14:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I looked back. Today I'm looking ahead to the books I can't wait to read in the new year.

Having a 2,000 year old magic genie fall right into your lap should be a good thing. At least, that's what down-on-his luck Matt Ewing thought. But Eden is no subservient fairy tale genie. Beautiful and independent, Eden isn't so keen on having to answer to yet another master. Then, after centuries of being alone, and against her better judgment, Eden suddenly finds herself in danger of falling for Matt. When she flips his already unstable world upside down, Matt is at his wits' end-if only he didn't find his inept genie so darn irresistible!

Since the moment of her defection from the PsyNet and into the SnowDancer wolf pack, Sienna Lauren has had one weakness. Hawke. Alpha and dangerous, he compels her to madness. Hawke is used to walking alone, having lost the woman who would've been his mate long ago. But Sienna fascinates the primal heart of him, even as he tells himself she is far too young to handle the wild fury of the wolf.

Then Sienna changes the rules and suddenly, there is no more distance, only the most intimate of battles between two people who were never meant to meet. Yet as they strip away each other's secrets in a storm of raw emotion, they must also ready themselves for a far more vicious fight… A deadly enemy is out to destroy SnowDancer, striking at everything they hold dear, but it is Sienna's darkest secret that may yet savage the pack that is her home…and the alpha who is its heartbeat…

Payne, twin sister of Vishous, is cut from the same dark, seductive cloth as her brother. Imprisoned for eons by their mother, the Scribe Virgin, she finally frees herself-only to face a devastating injury. Manuel Manello, M.D., is drafted by the Brotherhood to save her as only he can-but when the human surgeon and the vampire warrior meet, their two worlds collide in the face of their undeniable passion. With so much working against them, can love prove stronger than the birthright and the biology that separates them?

In the wolf breed novel, NAVARRO’S PROMISE, Mica Toler’s best friend is the wolf/coyote hybrid breed, Cassie Sinclair. And now Mica is being drawn into her world in ways she had prayed she never would be when the charming wolf breed Navarro makes good on the promise he made her on a dark, explosive night. The Breeds guaranteed that no harm would come to Micah Toler but they never allowed for her sensual fascination with Navarro Blaine. Aloof, cool, and mysterious, he draws her in as no man ever has. But Micah never wanted this. She had her own dreams, her own desires, and being stalked and seduced by a wolf breed wasn’t part of that plan. Now she knows her life is in danger. What Navarro knows is that she’s his mate and that the breeding and training that created him is being peeled away in his desperation to claim a woman that refuses to be claimed. He has her body. She craves his touch. And as the breeds converge the past will rise up to haunt Navarro in ways he never expected.

Kaziel isn't just another run of the mill Hel Hound; he's the leader of the pack. But when his headstrong sister is kidnapped by Morgan le Fey and her army, he has no choice but to bow to Morgan's wishes: to steal the Shield of Dagda.

In 21st century New Orleans. Avery MacArthur is the merlin for the Shield. Fully aware of its power, she would give her life to keep it from falling into the hands of someone like Kaziel.

When Avery and Kaziel collide, more than their lives are at stake - the very fate of the world hangs in the balance.

Every night lead singer, Sed Lionheart whips thousands of women into a frenzy with his voice alone. But the stage is the only place Sed feels any passion since he lost Jessica... It shattered her heart, but law student Jessica broke off her engagement to Sed, determined to be successful on her own terms. But no other man can ever hold a candle to Sed...
Then a chance meeting and tortuously close quarters lead to uncontrollable flares of passion and rediscovery of their unique penchant for public encounters. Now, in addition to the risk of mutual heartbreak every time they get together, they’re in danger of truly scandalous public exposure...

Also on the list

HEART OF STEEL (The Iron Seas Book 2)
By Meljean Brook

EMBRACE ME AT DAWN (Doomsday Brethren Book 5)
By Shayla Black

LAWE'S JUSTICE (The Breeds Book 25)
by Lora Leigh

Best of 2010

2010-12-30T09:37:00.018-05:00

I read a lot of books this year, a lot of good books. And since I can't pick just one as my favorite, I'm not going to. I'm just going to talk about the ones that really stood out.

THE IRON DUKE by Meljean Brook
Wow, this book amazed me. The world-building. The love story. The hero, the heroine. It all worked. I loved Rhys, mostly because he loved Mina so well. Meljean Brook is too freaking clever, and that's the best compliment I can give.

ENTICE ME AT TWILIGHT by Shayla Black
Probably my favorite, so far, of the Doomsday Brethren series. Black's writing is hot, her plots are interesting and her pacing fast as hell. Gotta love that.

LOVER MINE by JR Ward
John Michael and Xhex. Quinn and Blay. Black Dagger Brotherhood. Whoa, hot flash. I think I need to go back and read that again.

PLAY OF PASSION by Nalini Singh.
I adore Singh's books. Her world is intricate and demanding, her characters are hotter than hell and she just gets better.

TURN COAT by Jim Butcher
I love Harry Dresden. He's such a fully formed character that when I read the book, I hear Harry in my head. Butcher is so damn good, I wanna fall at his feet and beg forgiveness for not being worthy.

BACKSTAGE PASS by Olivia Cunning
Raunchy, raucous, hot, sexy, dirty. Rock stars and red-hot sex. A new author this year, making a name for herself in the field. If you like erotic romance, you don't want to miss this.

LION'S HEAT by Lora Leigh
Jonas' story. Leigh's storytelling has always been her strongest selling point but I think this book ranks up there with DAWN'S AWAKENING as one of her best written books.

ROCK ME by Cherrie Lynn
Another new-to-me author but one who hooked me from the first page. This one has a virgin heroine and a tattooed bad ass hero and it all works.

TIME WEAVER by Shana Abe
I don't read historicals except for two exceptions. One is Abe. Her writing is lyrical and complex and so beautiful it's breathtaking.

PACK CHALLENGE
GO FETCH by Shelly Laurenston

And one more new-to-me author. These two books are laugh-out-loud funny if you love raunchy, sarcastic humor. Obviously, I do because I've got HERE KITTY, KITTY on my Nook ready to read tonight.

LOVE'S FORTRESS by Samantha Kane
My second historical author. Male/male/female romances so scorching, your fingers burn when you're reading her books.

Okay, readers, what were favorites? Do we have any of the same?

Happy Christmas Eve and a snippet from WHAT A GODDESS WANTS

2010-12-24T07:47:00.000-05:00

This won't be out until July but here's a little taste of WHAT A GODDESS WANTS, the first book in my Forgotten Goddesses series from Sourcebooks Casablanca.

It’s OK no one remembers Etruscan Sun goddess Tessa.
But when a demon threatens her life, she must turn to
mythology’s darkest warrior for protection...

Caligo of the Cimmerians has never met a woman as
warm, sunny and inviting as Tessa. Their sizzling mutual
attraction quickly sweeps the two of them into a love
story that’s worthy of the gods...

EXCERPT:

Who the fuck would be stupid enough to break through his wards and then fall asleep waiting for him to get home?

Obviously someone who didn’t know him.

Well, they were about to get up close and personal. Pulling the knife from his pants pocket, he got ready to fight.

Turning the knob a quarter inch at a time so it wouldn’t squeak, he pushed open the door. When no one started shooting at him or screaming, he stuck his head through the opening.

And spotted his very own Goldilocks passed out on his couch.

Didn’t she know the real ending of Goldilocks and the three bears? Goldi became dinner. But what a meal she’d make.