How delightful is your afternoon?

Afternoon Delight by Desiree Holt

New release from Total-e-bound

Buy it at http://www.total-e-bound.com/

Savannah and Lori were spending the afternoon sunbathing nude on their condo patio and bemoaning the fact that their lives were at the moment devoid of men. And wondering if either of them would ever meet that special someone who seemed to be so elusive. Making serious inroads into a pitcher of orange mimosas, they were indulging in their own sex play when their new neighbour, Deke, hopped over the short wall separating the two patios and invited himself to their party. As if the steam afternoon wasn’t a sexual delight on its own, with the three of them in every conceivable combination, when Deke invited them to dinner and his friend Slade joined them, they not only discovered a new meaning to erotic pleasures, but maybe, just maybe, that special someone they’d been looking for.

Both women froze. Lori nearly pitched off the lounger onto her face, and Savannah frantically tried to think if she could hide the things in her hands.
“Don’t let me stop you, ladies. In fact, maybe I could give you a hand.”
Savannah swivelled her head to see a huge hunk of masculinity jumping lightly over the low brick wall that separated their patio from the one next door. At least six four, she thought, with sun streaked blond hair, broad shoulders and lean hips, and muscles that flexed smoothly beneath tanned skin that shouted hours outdoors, not the gym tanning lamp. Then she looked up and nearly drowned in the exotic, emerald green eyes gleaming with good humour.
He leaned his hips against the wall, powerful arms folded against his broad chest. In the soft jogging shorts he wore, it was impossible not to notice the nice big tent his cock was making.
Savannah was mesmerised, unable to tear her eyes away from so much raw sex appeal.
“I, um, didn’t hear you moving around over there.” She nodded at his patio. His condo and the one she and Lori shared were the only two at that end of the building, which gave them a degree of privacy. The two patios were separated by the low brick wall their visitor now leaned against.
He grinned. “And here I thought you were putting on this show just for my benefit. Deke Rogers,” he said, introducing himself. “And please, don’t let me stop you. I’m enjoying the show.”
Lori sat back on her haunches, her eyes glazing over. Savannah could she she was just as hypnotised by the visitor. Savannah had to restrain the urge to leap up and run her tongue over every inch of his body. When she could make her mouth work properly, she said, “I’m Savannah Rogers. This is my friend, Lori Avondale. We own this condo together.”
“Do you, um, do this often?” He gestured at them with his hand.
Savannah smiled at him. “Only to keep from getting bored—when we don’t have a walking sex god around to help us.”
“Sex god, huh?” He laughed, a warm, honeyed sound. “I figured you hadn’t just decided to try this for the first time. You look like you’re having too much fun.”
“We thought you didn’t even notice us,” Lori told him, fluttering her eyelashes in an exaggerated move.
“Oh, I noticed all right. I’ve noticed a great deal. So, is this an exclusive game or can anyone play?”
“We’re very particular,” Savannah told him, coyly lowering her eyes.
“I hope I fit your selection list because I got tired of waiting for my invitation and decided to crash the party.” He reached over the wall and lifted up a wine cooler with three bottles chilling in it. “My contribution, in case you asked me to play.”
Lori turned her head, and she and Savannah exchanged a wicked look. They both nodded imperceptibly.

Prophecy of Vithan Reviewed by Fallen Angel Reviews

I was pleasantly surprised when I recieved notice on myspace that Prophecy of Vithan was reviewed by Fallen Angel Reviews.

The link for the review is http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/2008/June/Jean-ProphecyOfVithan.htm

It got 5 angels which rocked my world. Thanks Jean of Fallen Angel Reviews.

Charlene

It's my birthday and I'm asking you to make a difference.

ON THE RUN releases June 20
The Wild Rose Press

To celebrate its second anniversary The Wild Rose Press and Editor-in-chief Rhonda Penders wanted a project that would give something back to the community. What could be better for a publisher than a book, and I was honored to be asked to write it. The result is ON THE RUN, a romantic suspense that focuses on domestic violence. The first check from sales of the book will go to the Victim’s Advocacy Office of the San Antonio Police Department, chosen because the most of the story takes place in San Antonio. You can help contribute to this fund by purchasing a copy of this book and passing the word along.


Domestic violence should not happen to anybody. Ever. Period. But it does - and when it does, there is help. Maybe you have lived with abuse, maybe it happened just once; maybe you work or live next to someone who is being abused right now. In a 1995-1996 study conducted in the 50 States and the District of Columbia, nearly 25% of women and 7.6% of men were raped and/or physically assaulted by a current or former spouse, cohabiting partner, or dating partner/acquaintance at some time in their lifetime (based on survey of 16,000 participants, equally male and female). Approximately 1.3 million women and 835,000 men are physically assaulted by an intimate partner annually in the United States. In 2000, 1,247 women and 440 men were killed by an intimate partner. In recent years, an intimate partner killed approximately 33% of female murder victims and 4% of male murder victims. And so to all of these victims, many of whose story will never be told, I dedicate this book.


ON THE RUN

When Robin Fletcher saw her sister brutally murdered by her wealthy, abusive husband, she grabbed her five-year-old nephew and ran. Months late, living in Memphis with new names and a new life, their sense of security is shattered. First Andy is diagnosed with aplastic anemia. Then fate sends them directly into the path of the killer. Can Andy’s doctor who’s captured her heart protect her or will she again have to go ON THE RUN?

Excerpt:
Taking the highway into Oregon might have been easier on her, but she was sure that was the first route C.D. would check. Instead, she cut east immediately into Idaho. Besides, evading C.D., she had a specific reason for coming this way. Tomorrow they’d get to Helena, where she had important business to take care of. Things that would help keep her and Bobby safe. Robin had only a vague idea of how long they’d been driving but it felt as if she’d been doing it forever. Her eyes were gritty from lack of sleep and her muscles rigid with tension. It didn’t help that she was constantly watching for some ca to run her off the road or but her off. She’d been lucky enough to find a couple of drive-through’s where she fueled up with coffee. Caffeine raced through her system like a wild horse, revving her up and making her edgy. She slid a glance at Bobby, wrapped in a blanket and buckled into his car seat. What a lucky thing he was sleeping so heavily. Still, she knew they needed to find a bed pretty soon. And food. Starvation wouldn’t be a pretty way to die. By the time they reached Kellogg, Idaho, she was more than ready to stop. She pulled gratefully into a motel whose sign blinked ‘Vacancy’ in big red letters. It was the most welcoming site Robin had seen in a long time. Nervously she left Bobby in the car while she registered, keeping one eye on the parking lot, terrified that any moment she’d hear the screeching of brakes and C.D. would leap out of his car. At last they were in their room at the back of the motel, well hidden from the street. She toted in her duffel bag and laptop, then tucked the little boy into bed. After that she treated herself to a shower. Tired as she was, she still needed to wash away the strain of driving nearly three hundred miles at night. All she wanted was to wash the fatigue from her muscles before she climbed into bed. But as the hot spray beat down on her physically and emotionally exhausted body, her control disintegrated and tears began to cascade down her cheeks. She was thankful that the drumming of the water against the tiles drowned out the huge gulping sobs that wracked her body, so Bobby couldn’t hear. She cried as she had never cried before in her life, tears of despair and grief. And self-condemnation, that she hadn’t been able to do anything to save her sister. She didn’t think that particular guilt would ever leave her. Jamie! Oh, Jamie! How did I let this happen to you? The water ran cold before the last shudder died from her body. She drew in a long breath and blew it out slowly. Her heart ached unbearably, but she had a responsibility now. A mission, and she would not fail, no matter what. Keep Bobby safe and away from C.D. Create a whole new life for the two of them. This would be her tribute to her sister.

Friday

There it is. The cover for my romantic suspense. The book begins with a bang, so to speak. Gun shots crashing through the window of the baby's nursery. Shards of glass flying everywhere. Ellie Paxton, my heroine, accepted the position as a nanny for a three month old baby boy. Her employer also hired her for her computer skills.

A perfect setting in the Cascade Mountains east of Seattle. Ellie thought of herself as a kind of Julie Andrews characater in the Sound of Music. Singing in the mountains. Breathing fresh air. Away from the shops in Seattle where she racked up charges on her credit cards until she had to do something. Like take a job way out in the country. What could be more perfect?

The gods laugh when people make plans and they must have been rolling around laughing at what happened to Ellie. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time. If you want to read an excerpt, have a look at my web site, www.anitabirt.com for information about me and my other books published by Cerridwen Press.

Too Young To Die has had excellent reviews. And the hero? Brave. Intelligent. Handsome. And sigh - is a wonderful lover.

Friday

Excerpt of Hard Fall coming July from Ellora's Cave

Liam Derby stretched, letting the scarred back of the wood chair smack against the wall as he scanned the early evening bar crowd. The tall stools near the televisions were packed with local Red Sox fans but none of the people was anyone he knew.Thank God.

“Need another, cowboy?”

After glancing at the nearly empty Rolling Rock bottle nestled in his right palm, he nodded to the overly attentive waitress.

“Sure, thanks.”

She started to walk away, but hesitated, turning back to eye him cautiously from beneath dark lashes. “Um…Can I ask you a question?”

He lifted his eyebrows, silently inviting her to continue.

She pushed a few stray blonde curls off her cheek and giggled. “Is it true you—I mean cowboys…have sex with your, um—I mean their—hats on?”

Liam considered pushing back his hat to reveal his thick red hair or asking her if she’d ever seen an Irish cowboy, but that might force him into having to explain why he, a city slicker construction worker, was wearing a cowboy hat and an absurd Western-style shirt. The last thing he wanted to do was explain that. So instead, he winked and replied slowly enough to mask his Boston born-and-bred accent. “I never kiss and tell.”

Her slightly disappointed gaze darted up to the fresh-out-of-the-box black Stetson sitting atop his head down to his denim-covered crotch, then skittered back to his stunned face. But instead of saying something—which would have been the decent thing to do, she scooted off, dodging between the tables and giggling as she slid behind the bar.Jesus.What was it with women and cowboys?

Liam was about to check his watch again but the vibration of his phone stopped him short.He flipped it open and checked the display.Crusher.“Where the hell are you?” he asked, not bothering with pleasantries like hello.

No reply from his brother, only deep laughter.

“What the hell? I’m sitting here in this fucking hat and this hideous shirt, nearly getting mauled by the waitresses, and all you can do is laugh?”

“So you’re wearing it? The hat? And the shirt?”

“Yes. And yes.” Liam glanced down at the snug, red and yellow-flowered shirt and fingered one of the white pearl snap buttons. “The least you could have done was gotten me a shirt that fits.”

After another burst of laughter, Crusher came back with, “Oh shit, I wish I could see it.”

“What do you mean wish?"

His brother replied but the words were lost in a burst of frustrated yelling when the batter from the Sox struck out again. When the noise lowered to a discontented murmur, Liam repeated his question.

“You’re really doing it? You’re sitting in Swifty’s wearing that stupid hat?” Crusher was nearly giddy with laughter.

“I lost the bet. I’m wearing the damn hat.”

“And flowered shirt?”

“Yes,” he ground out.

“Want to make another bet? We could add chaps if your team loses again.”

Liam checked the score on the screen. Texas 7. Boston 0. “No,” he grumbled. “You’ve made your point. Hurry up and get here so I can leave.”

After another burst of ear-grinding snickering, Crusher replied, “Can’t make it."

The waitress slid up to the table, set down Liam’s beer with a gentle but firm thump, smiled, then slowly fell back, keeping her gaze connected with his until she nearly fell over backward when she bumped into a table. Still leering, she spun around and headed back to the bar, swishing her hips as she went.

Liam would’ve laughed, if he wasn’t feeling so stupid. As it was, he was in no mood to laugh.“What do you mean, you can’t make it?”

“Got something going on with Natalie.”

Liam softened at the mention of his brother’s new girlfriend. She was a keeper, as far as he—and the rest of their very close family—was concerned. And it looked like she and Crusher were getting serious, which was a good thing.But still—“I know. You think I’m an ass. So we’ll make a deal. According to the bet you had to sit there until the end of the game. Since I’m not coming, you can leave.”

He paused for effect, then added, “You’re off the hook. You have my permission to leave the bar."

“For fuck’s sake, I—”

“You miss me. I know. I’ll make it up to you, I promise, so—”

While his brother was still babbling, Liam snapped his phone shut and slipped it back into his pocket. He leaned forward, dropped the legs of the chair to the floor, getting ready to leave until a sudden burst of excited shouting stopped him. A square shouldered old man was smacking palms with a wide-eyed college kid while a trio at the end of the bar started pounding on the counter, yelling, “Head for home! Run!”

Liam reached for the fresh beer, figuring he may as well drink it and see if his team could manage to climb out of the slump they’d fallen into. But all intentions of watching the game skittered from his mind when he spotted a woman make her way into the bar.

A skimpy white tank top that curved around a pin-up worthy rack, long legs and a short floral skirt so light that a gentle gust of wind could easily blow it up far enough to reveal a lacy pair of panties. Or even better, a thong. When she pushed back the long curls that cascaded down her back, she revealed delicate bone structure and lips that looked full, even from a distance.Full and begging to be kissed.

Hard Fall will be released July 30 from Ellora's Cave

Excerpt of WIP Vials of Aquilonia

Vials of Aquilonia is my currrent work in progress. It is about a mermaid and a sailor. To set up this excerpt a bit. The sailor found the mermaid in a marketplace in a tank of rancid water.The mermaid has been changed into a human woman. She no longer has a tail.

This except is unedited.

Jaden spewed a chain of expletives as she rubbed her hip. Using the staff she was practicing with to push up, Jaden got up off the floor. She looked at the synthetic wood planking. She half-expected to see a dent considering how many times she had fallen.
“That must hurt,” Khai said from the doorway.
“It does. It hurt every time I did it. I can’t figure out what I am doing wrong. I am quite capable as a warrior underwater. Now, with two legs, I am useless.”
“Not useless from where I can see,” Khai said smiling at his wife.
“What does that look mean?”
“What look?”
“Your eyes are smoky and I feel as though I should be embarrassed, but I don’t know why.”
“Probably because I am imagining you without clothes, the way you were when I pulled you out of the tank. Glistening, radiant, all curves and so beautiful you took my breath away.”
“That was the rancid water that took your breath away,” Jaden said smiling. She lowered her eyes to her clothes. Morgan gave her a trim fitting flight suit. It fit over her legs and hips smoothly. The front closure lay flat over her muscled stomach and cupped her breasts comfortably. She had the neckline opened to the place between her breasts. Even with long sleeves she was not too warm. According to the Regent the suit was made to accommodate the body with an optimum temperature. She had set the gauges for Jaden to a lower than normal human setting since she was used to being in cold water.
“Am I ugly in these clothes? Is that why you are imagining me out of them?”
“Ugly? No, not at all,” Khai took the two steps to clear the space from the doorway to Jaden. He took her in his arms, pulling her tight to his chest. “You are magnificent.”

Also, Look for my other novels Prophecy of Vithan and Stone of Cruento