Today I'm happy to welcome Vivian Arend once again to the Blog. She is one of the few authors whom I follow in all the romance subgenres she writes...whether it's her paranormal, erotic, contemporary or cowboy romances...Her writing in all the subgenres is consistently good and I most definitely click with the light, humorous tone she pours over her work.

Today she's treating us to a post about the "perfect man" and introducing us to ROCKY MOUNTAIN HEAT , which I've had the pleasure of reading not once but twice as I read the original release too. My review is coming up Monday and I think I loved it even more the second time around.

So without further ado I want to give the floor to Vivian:

Oh, the elusive perfect man. Where will we find him?

The interesting thing is he’s everywhere, but no hero is perfect for just any heroine. It’s the exact right combination of personalities, strength, weaknesses, that combined make or break a relationship in a book.

One of the comments I got the first time someone read Rocky Mountain Heat was ‘Jaxi kissed all the brothers? ICK!’ (Jaxi being the heroine, the brothers being 6 of them.) The reality is in small towns, the dating pool is often very shallow, so yes, she’d kissed or been kissed by all of them by the time the story opens.

All, that is, except the one she really wants. And who’s that perfect match for her.

Blake is in for a fine ride to get to his happily ever after, but between the two of them, it happens. With more an a few kisses along the way. Which is how it should be, right? The perfect hero finds his perfect partner.

___

He’s the one who taught her to ride. Now all he wants is to ride her.

Blake Coleman is old enough to know that acting on impulse causes nothing but a heap of trouble. But when trouble’s a western-hat-wearing blonde with slim legs that go on forever, what’s a man to do? Wanting the sweet girl next door is just wrong. The responsible thing to do is keep his hands off.
Jaxi has other plans for Blake’s hands, and his heart. She may have once considered him a big brother, but that was a long time ago. She’s all grown up now and ready to convince him that she’s perfect for him. Except he can’t seem to see past the big “don’t touch” sign that’s apparently still hanging around her neck.

When Jaxi ends up living right under Blake’s nose, the undeniable heat between them slides off simmer and leaps up to barn-burning levels. However, a few of the younger six-pack Colemans have decided Jaxi’s brand of trouble is worth risking a few busted bones.
That is, if Blake’s finally ready to let go the reins and fight for what he wants…

Warning: Sexy cowboys seducing and being seduced in trucks, pool halls and barns. Droolworthy country charm, a little double-teaming, a few secrets and a whole lot of brothers to look forward to. Anyone wanna go for a ride?

~~~
First Chapter: Excerpt

Buy links: Samhain | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo|

Vivian Arend: Website | Blog | Twitter

The Six Pack Ranch series was originally published with a small epub. Rocky Mountain Heat in August, 2009, and Rocky Mountain Haven in March, 2010. The reception to the books was very positive, including Haven winning the 2010 EPPIE award for Erotic Western Romance. The publisher then dropped their print program, and because Vivian wanted this series to go to print, she approached her current publisher, Samhain Publishing, and they offered to contract the series. (Pearl: Much to my pleasure! Because this series needs to be in continued and in print!)

Both book 1 and 2 have been extensively revised, with over 20K more material added to each. A brand new book, Rocky Mountain Desire, was written so that the two rereleases can be followed immediately by a new book in the series.

Release information for the upcoming Six Pack Ranch books
Book 1: Rocky Mountain Heat: November 15.
Book 2: Rocky Mountain Haven: January 10, 2012
Book 3: Rocky Mountain Desire: March 13, 2012

GIVEAWAY!
Vivian has offered two ebooks from her backlist to giveaway with this post. The rules are simple. To enter just leave an answer to the question below and a way to contact you (if it's not included in your profile) in the comments and I'll pick two winners in the course of next week.

Question: Who is your perfect cowboy? Or if you don't have a perfect cowboy, your perfect hero? ...and he doesn't have to be fictional...

Today is the last day of my Bandicoot Cove Experience, a feature on the Blog beween August 25th and and September 21st with Previews, ARC-reviews and Guestposts from the authors Vivian Arend, Lexxie Couper and Jess Dee. *sniff*

Yesterday was the release day of Jess Dee's ISLAND IDYLLE, my favorite of the series so far! Click HERE for my review of ISLAND IDYLLE.

Today Jess tells us a little about how it all came to be.
Please help me give Jess a warm welcome and enjoy this last post of the Bandicoot Experience for now...


In the beginning, Viv, Lex and I knew we wanted to write an anthology together… and that’s about all we knew. We had no idea where the anthology would be set, who the characters were, and what the common factors tying the books altogether would be. In order to be productive, we’d arrange chatting times on Yahoo Instant Messenger. The point of these chats? To answer all these questions and brainstorm the anthology.

We’d spend hours just trying to find common times to chat to each other, and then have to pretend to be very focused on the books, when we all really just wanted to have a good chat. Sometimes, to help keep all three of us focused on the writing, we’d even make lists in advance: lists of various issues that needed to be discussed during these chats.

I took some time to browse through the earlier emails we’d written, and came across this one I thought I’d share. It’s an email I sent Lex and Viv, focusing on some questions I believed we’d need to find answers to during a chat. I asked the questions and followed each one up with my opinion (in brackets). Lexxie then returned the email with her responses in bold

On 05/09/2010, at 8:19 PM, Jess Dee wrote:

Right, some things I've been mulling over which we can chat about tomorrow.

1) Where is it set?
(On a tropical island? We won't do a wedding, we can have another central plot.)
I reckon a very small but very exclusive island just off the tropical far north Queensland coastline called Bilby Island

2) Are we going with the hotel theme? (I'm very happy with it.)
I love this theme

3) Who is the central character linking them all? Is it a central character, or just a central theme?
(For eg, is it simply the opening of a new hotel, first weekend in the hotel? Or is it Jane Doe's first hotel opening and she's sent out invites to her nearest and dearest to attend?)
I like central character

4) Is the central character one of our main characters?
I'm thinking the central character isn't one of ours. She's the lynchpin that brings ours together

5) Can I have conversations in my book with your characters, and if so, can I send them through to the owner of that character to write an appropriate dialogue?
(I love the idea of that - if you have any clue what I'm talking about.)
If we don't, I will sulk (and if you don't, I will sulk)

6) Are we going to begin each book at the same time, ie one common scene, but obviously the scene will be viewed in three different ways as it will be in the POV of one of our characters.
(Love this idea)
Oooh, I love love this idea

7) Do we have a Central opening line: eg, "I hereby declare this hotel open."
(love this idea)
By the Power of Greyskull....

8) If one of us wakes up in the middle of the night and feels the need to work on the antho, is it ok to completely ignore her, or yell at her to go back to sleep?
If I'm not asleep, talk/chat/work away :)

(Note from Jess, added for blog: This question was targeted at Viv, who has a ridiculous habit of waking up at obscene hours in the night…and writing.)

10) How much junk food can one consume while working on this antho?
As much as one likes (I will most likely consume copious amounts of tea)

11) How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
Forty-two

12) What's big, white and very dangerous when it falls out a tree?
A fridge.

13) What is the meaning of life?
Forty-two (same as the woodchuck question *grin*)

14) Can you tell I'm totally into this idea and already having loads of fun with it?
Yes.

15) Do you have questions to throw out?
What’s big, white and blue?

BTW - the answer to no. 12 is a fridge. So maybe we don't actually have to discuss it after all. ;)

And finally - just because I love an idea doesn't mean I'm stuck on it.

————————-

So, that was the email with Lex’s answers. (She never did tell me what was big, white and blue!)
A couple hours later Viv’s reply came:

Will answer properly once I'm not lying in bed writing on my itouch. ;)

BUT, I had an extra little idea I wanted to throw at you guys. Q#3-- the girl who is opening the resort and invites her friends along. You KNOW we are going to have people asking about her. It would take a little figuring out, but I'm totally game to write an additional 4k or something and come up with a freebie to add to this set.

Could be G1 shows up in our books occasionally flustered, and everyone chalks it up to opening nerves, but it's really that every time she rounds a corner or hits her room she's being fucked silly by HER two lovers.

:)

Sent from my iPod


Nope, Viv never did respond to the rest of the questions. But that was okay. Because her little email sparked a whole new idea, and Kylie Sullivan’s book, Exotic Indulgence was born.

It’s nice to be sitting here now, on the other end of the journey. All four Bandicoot Cove books have released. I sincerely hope the reader’s journey to Bilby Island and Bandicoot Cove is as fun and satisfying as the trip we took while writing the books!

Jess

Island Idyll

Adolescent fantasies can grow into very adult realities.

Bandicoot Cove, Book 4

Sienna James has come to Bandicoot Cove to mourn the end of her eight-year relationship with Ben Cowley. The last person she expects to meet is the star of every one of her high school fantasies.

Joshua Lye is not only as appealing as he was in high school, he reveals she was the main feature in his adolescent wet dreams. As kids they never got it together. But they’re adults now, and there’s nothing keeping them apart.

When Ben arrives at the resort determined to win Sienna back, finding another man in her bed kind of throws a spanner in the works. But he isn’t deterred. Rather than admit defeat, he comes up with an alternative plan: Let Sienna sleep with both men—at the same time. Then she can make an informed decision as to which man she wants.

Sienna shouldn’t want to go through with this shockingly sexy plan, but she does. Desperately. Except after the sexual storm passes, she could have it all…or be left holding an empty heart.

Product Warnings
Contains a suggestion beyond risqué, a solution beyond orgasmic, and two men who know how to play dirty. Really, really dirty.

Buy links: Samhain | Amazon |Barnes & Noble

Vivian Arend | Lexxie Couper | Jess Dee | Bandicoot Cove
Paradise Found | Tropical Sin | Island Idyll | Exotic Indulgence

Tuesday marked the third release during this Bandicoot Cove Experience, a feature on the Blog beween August 25th and and September 21st with Previews, ARC-reviews and Guestposts from the authors Vivian Arend, Lexxie Couper and Jess Dee. It was the release day of Lexxie Couper's TROPICAL SIN, a hot and emotional addition to the series, with a rock star who found a place in my heart! Click HERE for my review of TROPICAL SIN.

Today Lexxie tells us a little about the island where the resort is located and the myth of it's origin.

Coming up next:

• Preview of ISLAND IDYLL byJess Dee – Friday September 16th
• Review of ISLAND IDYLL – Monday September 19th
• Jess Dee’s Guestpost – Wednesday September 21st

Please help me give Lexxie a warm welcome and enjoy the myth of Bilby Island!

A Canadian, a South African and an Aussie walk into a luxurious island resort…

So far, Viv has told you why the Bandicoot Cove anthology is different and you’ve had the chance to discover the characters of Paradise Found (and met some of the characters from Tropical Sin and Island Idyll), but I’d like to tell you about the island itself.

Like the Bandicoot Cove anthology, Bilby Island is unlike any island you’ve experienced before. It truly is magical, you see.

All three of us could see the island in the mist surrounding it way back in 2010 when we began the journey together but it wasn’t until we “stood” on its previously untouched white sandy beaches that the magic began to seep into my consciousness. The original inhabitants of Australia speak of a spiritual time and place called the Dreamtime. The Dreamtime is as wonderful and surreal and evocative as it sounds, a place of unquantifiable beauty and mystery. A place where beings of unfathomable power and endless time create everything and everything creates unfathomable beings. Bilby Island is one such “everything”. Even now, the Dreamtime teaches those that are willing to listen the true soul of this country, its spirituality and the ways of life.

The story of Bilby Island’s birth in the Dreamtime is as romantic (and sad) as they come…

Once an empty bilby lay sleeping in the sweet green grass of a stolen burrow. The scent of the burrow spoke of patient longing and gentle hope and the bilby—tired after an eternity seeking his home—could not resist such a scent. He lay on the grass, its coolness soothing his weary paws, and drew into his body the life of the burrow.

As he slept, the burrow whispered to him of its creator, a sprite lost to the hungry sea serpent. The sea serpent—a giant being that devoured all it rolled over—had spied the sprite and wanted her gentle hope for itself. With the force of a single stroke from its powerful body, the sea serpent swept the lonely sprite into the sea and she was gone. When the bilby woke from his slumber, he knew the sprite was the home he had been seeking for all existence. She was his heart and his heart was lost to the waves.

The bilby, knowing she waited for him to find her in the sea serpent’s depths, walked from the land of his creation and swam out into the sea serpent’s prison. The bilby swam and swam, waiting for his heart to tell him when his home was near. When the water was at its cleanest and the sky at its bluest, the bilby knew he had found her.

But the sea serpent would not release the sprite, taunting the bilby with whispers of her voice calling him, teasing him with the caress of her kisses on his body as he swam. Such was the bilby’s love for his sprite however, that the bilby made a deal with the sea serpent. For his true heart’s freedom, the bilby would take her place. The sea serpent agreed and the sprite was released to the waves. The bilby watched her be carried away by the sea serpent’s wake, unable to follow.

But the sprite could not exist without the bilby and she returned to him, defying the sea serpent and hiding her kisses in a million perfect beads of glass she draped over the bilby’s form. Hiding her caresses and tears in the gentle stroke of every wave that lapped against the bilby’s body. Whispering her love in the breeze that ruffled through the bilby’s fur…until the whispered words formed trees and leaves and grass. The bilby heard it all, felt it all, lived it all and knew his heart was with him.

And it came to be that the passion and the love of the bilby and the sprite became the island, an island of ancient magic and timeless romance. It is said that those that walk on Bilby Island’s pristine sands, those that breathe its pure air, take into their souls the endless love and timeless passion of the bilby and his sprite and, if they listen, will find their heart and their home while there.

Bilby Island truly is magic…and Bandicoot Cove is the perfect place to lose yourself to it.

(*Please note: Bilby Island is a fictitious island…but who’s to say if it existed, the above tale is not how it would have come to be? *wink*)

Four stories, one setting, friends and lovers—Bandicoot Cove.

Tropical Sin, by Lexxie Couper

It takes more than a rock star to rock your world. Sometimes you need a friend.

McKenzie Wood is Australia’s star gossip mag journalist, and she’s just spied the story of a lifetime: rumor-shrouded rock star, Nick Blackthorne—who thinks he’s incognito at Bandicoot Cove resort. The word is Nick’s a sex addict about to come out of the closet, and who better to lure Nick out than her BFF, Aiden Rogers—a pulse-poundingly gorgeous firefighter who is always there when she needs him, no matter the challenge.

Aiden admits it’s pretty damned pathetic that he can rush into burning buildings, but not have the guts to tell McKenzie he’s in love with her. No way can he tell his best friend he’d like to do some seriously sinful things to her, especially since she’s never shown one iota of sexual interest.

Nick looks forward to some “unfamous” downtime in his home country. He’s surprised to find his creative muse stirred—more like brought to rigid attention—by a couple so sexy that all he can think about is the three of them. Together.

Three bodies move together as one, and the music becomes a smoldering beat that rivals the island’s heat. When the truth inevitably comes out, the heat might be enough to save three souls…or end up just another sinner’s lament.

Warning: One plus one plus one equals OMG sex, are-you-freaking-kidding-me orgasms and some serious mind-blowing climaxes.

Buy links: Samhain | Amazon |Barnes & Noble

Vivian Arend | Lexxie Couper | Jess Dee | Bandicoot Cove
Paradise Found | Tropical Sin | Island Idyll | Exotic Indulgence

On my second day of hosting the Wolfie World Tour Viv has an excerpt for us from BLACK GOLD. When I read the excerpt I was thrilled because my favorite Wolfie makes an appearance: TJ! I hope you'll all enjoy the excerpt and don't forget that any comment on the Wolfie World Tour posts will be included in the draw for the Grand prize of a $50 gift certificate to a bookstore of your choice. Also, check out Vivian's Blog for the daily Friends of the Wolfies contest!

The Wolfie World Tour continues tomorrow and Tuesday at Stella's Blog: Ex Libris, so hop on over to Hungary and make sure you comment there too as every comment goes towards that Grand Prize draw for the $50 gift certificate!

Lone wolf Shaun Steven’s automatic response to the words “happily ever after”? Kill me now. Yet with all his friends settling down he’s begun to think there may actually be something to this love-and-roses crap.

One thing’s for sure: his dream mate will have to out-cuss, out-spit and out-hike him. So he never expected the one to push his forever button would be a blue-blooded Southern debutante with a voice as dark and velvety as her skin.

When Gemmita Jacobs steps off the plane in Whitehorse, Yukon, it’s about more than her research project. It’s her declaration of independence from an overprotected upbringing. Except there’s something in the air she can’t quite define—something that unexpectedly rouses her mating instincts.

Moments after their eyes lock, the deed is done—and done thoroughly. When the pheromone dust settles, though, all the reasons they don’t belong together become painfully clear.

It’s enough to make a wolf learn a whole new set of cuss words…

Warning: Two strong wolves getting exactly what they deserve. Includes wilderness nookie, shifters being naughty in public places, the Midnight Sun as a canopy for seduction and grizzly shifters on the loose. Oh, and don’t forget the sarcasm.

And now for the excerpt:

Shaun spun his spoon between his fingers. Played with his coffee cup. Leaned back in his chair and rocked it precariously on two feet. He’d dressed and paced the room until Gem had basically ordered him to wait in the restaurant for her. It was either follow directions or break down the bathroom door, which she’d locked on him, and since he didn’t think Evan would appreciate him smashing up the hotel, he’d taken his reluctant carcass away and left his mate alone.
As he sat pondering his future, he didn’t know if he should run and hide, or go buy flowers.
“Careful. You break the chair, Evan will charge you to replace it. At least he always charges me.”
A familiar teasing grin poked into Shaun’s line of vision, and he caught himself a split second before tipping over onto his ass.
“TJ, what’re you doing here?”
The lanky young man grabbed the chair next to him, pivoted it to face backwards, and sat, straddling the seat. “Pam’s coming home today for a two-week stint. I’m picking her up at the airport, then we’re doing the four-hour drive back to Haines. Granite Lake pack is holding a celebratory…”
He sniffed the air, and his eyes grew wide.
Oh shit. TJ had the best nose in the north. Shaun figured Gem’s scent was all over him, and not only as a female he’d spent the night with for a bit of slap and tickle. He held up a hand. “I don’t want to hear it.”
As usual TJ ignored him. “Holy cow. Do I smell what I think I smell?”
“Shut it.” Just what he didn’t need. Love advice from someone nearly ten years his junior who until last year was best known for causing natural disasters everywhere he went. Didn’t matter that he and TJ belonged to different packs, there was enough history between them Shaun should have been eager to share his news, but no. Fucking. Way.
His friend paused for a moment then shrugged. “Okay.”
TJ motioned for the waitress, and she zipped over to pour him a coffee and top up Shaun’s.
It was the coward’s path. Shaun took an extra long time adding sugar and cream to his cup in an attempt to avoid having to talk. To justify why he was sitting here by himself when it would be clear to any wolf in the area that he had just found his mate.
The urge to blurt out something—to explain away what he didn’t really understand himself—was so strong Shaun had to bite his lips.
For once, TJ seemed to take the hint and drop the subject.
“You heading to the hangar in Haines Junction soon? Tad had me go get the aircraft ready for the summer season.” TJ grimaced. “The float plane was easy, but I don’t know what the hell you left in the chopper the last time you flew her. There were like a million mice nesting in there.”
“Sorry.”
“You’re worse than the pack kids. You know, when I dropped in at Tad and Missy’s last week I nearly broke my neck, and it wasn’t me being a klutz. Those kids have enough Lego to build a causeway to Russia. Plus, with the balls and stuffed shit there are times I think…”
Shaun pinched the bridge of his nose. Having TJ not ask about his mate was worse than having the discussion.
He gave up and scowled at the younger wolf. “Met her last night.”
TJ thumped rapidly on the chair back in front of him to produce a drum roll. “Now we’re getting somewhere. You work fast.”
Damn wolf genes. “It wasn’t my idea.”
TJ gave him the look. “Believe me, I know about having choices taken out of your hands. You’re a wolf, mating is never completely your decision.” He glanced around before warning, “Just a heads-up. That excuse, it wasn’t my idea? Like totally gets my ass kicked when I try to use it.”

To enter the Wolfie World Tour giveaway leave a comment with your answer to the following question:
Do you read excerpts of books to come or do you avoid them?

My first day to host the Wolfie World Tour is here! Welcome Vivian, visitors and of course Shaun. I love that Vivian shows in this post how both series are connected. I must honestly admit I noticed the mentions of Shaun in WOLF SIGNS and WOLF FLIGHT but reading those books I was so focused on TJ (uhm I might have a bit of a crush on TJ...) that I didn't really notice Shaun until I was reading TJ's book. And boy did I notice him then! I think I immediately asked Vivian if there was going to be a book about him and she confirmed that, once again making me a happy reader.

Viv, the floor is yours!

The Takhini Wolves series is a part of the Granite Lake world, and there’s a lot of overlap, not the least being the familiar character of Shaun Stevens as the hero of BLACK GOLD. I thought it would be fun to show you a few glimpses today of Shaun in the previous four GLW books.

First time he’s mentioned? Bottom of the first page of WOLF SIGNS. Yup, Shaun’s been around for a looooooong time.

Robyn paced a few steps away before turning back to face him, her hands flowing smoothly as she spoke to her brother in American Sign Language. “I understand, Tad. You need to take the job. I’m still going to Granite.”

“No way. You can’t go by yourself.”

“You have.”

“But that’s different, Robyn.”

“Don’t be a jerk. I don’t have a penis so I can’t go backcountry alone?”

Tad raised his eyebrows. “It’s not the lack of plumbing, sis, and you know it. I very seldom go bush alone and if I do meet anyone, it’s not a big deal. I’m male, I’m strong and I’m not deaf. How do you plan on talking to strangers?”

Robyn threw a pillow his way before lifting her hands to sign at him. “I’ll take some notepads. What are the chances of meeting anyone at Granite this time of year? We always go in February because no one else does. I’m packed, the food is packed, and I’ve got time off work from the bakery. You even booked a helicopter ride in for me with your buddy Shaun. I’ve never gotten to fly in before.

In WOLF FLIGHT, we discover that Shaun is more than just a buddy, he’s actually the business partner of hero Tad, whose sister Robyn got the helicopter flight in that previous quote. Shaun likes the ladies, even considers hitting on Robyn (if Tad wasn’t very insistent that idea was a hell no). Shaun’s all about friends, not so much about pack. He’s the kind of guy you’d like by your side in a tough spot. Blunt, even-keeled, laid-back.

Bloody wolf hormones.

“Doesn’t it bother you?” Tad asked. “Being out of control of your own destiny?”

“What are you talking about?”

“The wolf. The way being a wolf changes your whole life.” Tad stared into space, his fingers fidgeting with the arms of his chair.

Shaun scrunched up his face. “Uh, no… I mean, so I can change into a wolf. It’s no big deal. It’s not like I have uncontrollable urges to howl or shift involuntarily when the moon is full. My wolf is just a part of who I am. An amazing, completely honest part of me.”

Tad snorted. “You’ve never been so poetic in your life. Damn it, I’m talking about the stupid wolf hormones. Don’t try to tell me they don’t dictate your life. They sure as hell do mine. We can’t even decide who to marry without our wolves approving.”

His partner laughed as he leaned back on the table. “Mates? You’re worried about finding a mate again. Tad? Holy crap, you need to get laid.”

Finally, in WOLF TRACKS, Shaun is instrumental in getting hero TJ and his sweetie some needed one-on-one time so they can figure out their interesting relationship. This is a bigger deal than you’d think at first—considering that wolves operate on a strict hierarchy, Shaun basically had to stay hidden for the duration in order to keep TJ and Pam’s location a secret. Otherwise he could have been ordered to spill the beans early. It takes a true friend to be willing to defy all the Alpha wolves in the entire north.

The loudening flap flap of the propeller blades reached them, and Pam’s eyes widened. “What’s he doing?”

She scrambled to the side, and her jaw fell open as the chopper lifted. The air pressure flattened them to the ground as Shaun got away. TJ waved at his friend as the aircraft rose, hovering over the field for a moment before rotating and taking off into the distance.

“What is going on? Stop it…come back.” Pam ran after the helicopter, waving her arms frantically before returning, her beautiful brown eyes wide. “He left us. What is he doing?”

TJ stood and pulled her back into his arms. “Don’t worry, it’s okay. He’ll be back.”

She relaxed. “Well, that’s good. How long do we have before he returns?”

“A week.”

In terms of how else the series mesh, Shaun and Tad were both a part of one of the Takhini packs (I mentioned that at the first stop of the tour—two packs in Whitehorse) based out of Whitehorse, but they usually lived/slept close to where their planes were stored—the community of Haines Junction. This small Yukon town is the junction point for continuing up the Alaskan highway to Anchorage, or turning southward to the ocean and Haines—where the Granite Lake pack now resides.

Other than Shaun, the similarities in the stories…hmmm, sarcasm? Light-hearted discussions? The setting of the Yukon and Alaska wilderness, and gold rush towns such as Dawson City. A happily ever after—and this time because the story is longer, there’s more time for all of it. More adventures, more confusion. More wolfies.

Come back tomorrow for an excerpt with Shaun and TJ from BLACK GOLD. Be sure to leave a comment here to be included in the draw for the Grand prize of a $50 gift certificate. Also, check out my blog for the daily Friends of the Wolfies contest!

To enter the Wolfie World Tour giveaway leave a comment with your answer to the following question:
Do you like it when secondary characters you've loved in a book get their own book? Why or why not?

Today my Bandicoot Cove Experience (a feature on the Blog beween August 19th and and September 21st with Previews, ARC-reviews and Guestposts from the authors Vivian Arend, Lexxie Couper and Jess Dee) continues.
Today Lexxie Couper shares a few teasers from her upcoming contribution to the series,TROPICAL SIN and I will add a few of my favorite quotes to the mix.

Coming up next:

• My ARC-Review of TROPICAL SIN by Lexxie Couper – Monday September 5th
• Lexxie Couper’s Guestpost – Wednesday September 7th

Take it away Lexxie,


Being a True Blue, fair dinkum Aussie (translation: a proud and patriotic Australian citizen), I may be a little biased when I say there’s nothing as sexy and seductive as a smolderingly hot Aussie hero. But then again, maybe I’m just speaking the truth?

That being the question, are you ready for more Aussie heat from Bandicoot Cove Resort?

He looked up at her, his jaw square, his expression unreadable. He’d been her best friend since before she had her first boyfriend. He’d been her rock, her anchor. Her voice of reason when her journalist’s mind got carried away with her. She didn’t want him upset with her. She needed him with her on this.
He studied her with those deep, direct eyes of his. Eyes that missed nothing. Eyes that seemed to see nothing in the world but her.
A soft flutter constricted in McKenzie’s sex, unexpected and just as eager as her earlier response to Blackthorne.
She hitched in a silent breath and let his arm go, a lump forming in her throat. “Please,” she muttered, looking everywhere but at the man sitting before her. “Please come with me, Aidan.”
“Fuck it,” she heard him grumble, half a second before his chair scraped over the polished bamboo floor and he stood.



*****
“He said no.”
“No?” She scrambled from her chair, her heart beating harder. Faster. “How could he say no? How could anyone with a pulse say no to you?”
Aidan’s face became still, a small muscle twitching in his jaw. “I don’t know, Mack. How can you?”
McKenzie’s heart didn’t just thump harder in her chest. It tried to smash its way out of her chest cavity. She looked up at him, lost for a thing to say.
“Ah, fuck it.” The words were almost a guttural growl. In two steps he destroyed the small space left between them, pressed his large hands on either side of her face and took her lips with his.



*****
Without a word, Aidan removed the scarf from Nick’s hand, stepping behind McKenzie, towering over her.
Nick took his place in front of her, his gaze holding hers as Aidan slid his hands over her shoulders and down her arms, the scarf held loosely between his fingers, caressing her skin as he reached her wrists.
“You trust him, don’t you?” Nick’s balls rose at the concentrated want in McKenzie’s direct blue eyes.
He saw Aidan become still, his head bent, his body pressed close to McKenzie’s back, as if he needed to hear an answer he already knew. Perhaps, with Nick there, he did.
A small smile pulled at the corners of McKenzie’s mouth. “I trust him.”
Nick’s balls throbbed and he took a step closer, letting his denim-clad thighs brush her naked ones. “Do you trust me?”
“Yes.” She drew in a deep breath, the action causing her nipples to graze the front of his shirt and his balls didn’t just throb, they ached. “I do. Besides, I know Aidan will break you in two if you do anything to hurt me.”
Nick chuckled. “True.”
Aidan’s gaze flicked up to his. “True,” he said softly just as McKenzie’s gasp filled the room and her body stiffened.
Nick’s pulse thumped harder in his chest, her reaction telling him exactly what Aidan had done: tied the scarf around her wrists. Bound them together. Rendering her vulnerable.
Fuck, yes.

So, what do you think? Sexy and seductive? Or am I just a tad too biased? ;)

Bandicoot Cove awaits you. Where Paradise can be Found, the Island is Idyll and the Tropical heat makes for pleasurable Sin…

So those were Lexxie's teasers...Having read TROPICAL SIN I have a few quotes of my own to add to the mix, but first a snippet from the review that is coming Tuesday...

TROPICAL SIN is a novella filled with heat, humor and unrequited love turning into a wonderful match of soul mates. If you need something to heat up a cold night, just read TROPICAL SIN and central heating will not be necessary!

Some of my Favorite Quotes:

Aidan’s low grumble played over her senses and she started, her stomach tightening again. And not just her stomach this time, but all sorts of other parts of her anatomy: parts of her anatomy that had no right getting tight over Aidan Rogers.

Aidan pulled McKenzie—still squirming in his arms—harder to his body. It was a bad idea, of course. The way her toned backside kept rubbing against his dick, the way her full breasts kept pushing against his forearm, he was going to be in a rather stiff situation any second now. Better that, however, than Blackthorne taking a swipe at the tabloid journalist bugging him on his holiday. If that happened, Aidan was likely to do something very foolish. Knocking out the world’s most famous musician wasn’t on his bucket list.
(...) Just get her outta here, Rogers. Take her as far away from him as you can. Now. Before she bites your hand or you come on the small of her back.

“I came to ask…” Nick paused, rubbing at his mouth with a hand before raking it through his hair; hair, Aidan couldn’t help but notice, much more messy than it had been at the bar. “I wanted…” He let out a harsh breath, shaking his head and stepping backward. “F#ck,” he muttered, turning his face away, “where’s the cool f#cking rock star when I need him?”

“Arousing,” Nick growled, and it was a growl. Guttural and barely controlled, it was the horniest sound Aidan had ever heard a man make. “So damn arousing.”

“Was it good?” Kylie gushed, her excitement thrumming through the connection. “Tell me it was good. Tell me it was amazing. Oh, my God, tell me you’re going to do it again. And again. And again.”
With a small, lopsided smile, Aidan reached out and took the phone from McKenzie’s fingers, raising it to his ear. “And again,” he said into the mouthpiece, his voice a deep rumble that sent a shard of wet electricity into McKenzie’s core. “Now excuse us, will you Kylie? There’s somewhere I have to take Mack. And something I have to do to her. Again.”

Buy links: Samhain | Amazon |Barnes & Noble

Vivian Arend | Lexxie Couper | Jess Dee | Bandicoot Cove
Paradise Found | Tropical Sin | Island Idyll | Exotic Indulgence

Tuesday marked the first release date of this Bandicoot Cove Experience, a feature on the Blog beween August 25th and and September 21st with Previews, ARC-reviews and Guestposts from the authors Vivian Arend, Lexxie Couper and Jess Dee. It was the release day of Vivian Arend's PARADISE FOUND and the freebie EXOTIC INDULGENCE, which kicks off the series with an sizzling hot introduction. My review of EXOTIC INDULGENCE can be found HERE and click HERE for my review of PARADISE FOUND

Today Vivian introduced the series to you and tells us a little about its origin and what it's like to work on a series with two fellow authors.

Coming up next:

• Preview of TROPICAL SIN by Lexxie Couper – Friday September 2nd
• My ARC-Review of TROPICAL SIN by Lexxie Couper – Monday September 5th
• Lexxie Couper’s Guestpost – Wednesday September 7th

The floor is yours, Viv!

There’s a lot more heat in the air and it started Tuesday. Welcome to Bandicoot Cove, where myself and my two fellow authors take you away with some wonderful new friends, an exciting exotic location, and passionate love.

When we started talking, Jess Dee, Lexxie Couper and I, about writing an anthology together, the opening conversation was pretty much OH MY GOD, yes, lets do it! The exact details of the world changed a little as we progressed, but what I think is the most spectacular part of the experience, is how things progressed to a very unique, and very appropriate conclusion for us three friends.

See, we didn’t just write three books with a common theme. You’ve seen anthologies like this—and there’s nothing wrong with them—like three books that are all ménages, or three books that are all steampunk. You might have even seen books that are set in the same place—Liquid Silver Books has a series like this in the Strange Hollow world.

Well, we have a common theme in our books—and yes, it’s ménage. We have an amazing, beautiful, gorgeous common setting: Bilby Island off the Queensland coast of Australia where Bandicoot Cove’s exclusive resort is set. But we went one farther. All three of our novellas and the free short story also have overlapping characters, and those characters weave in and out of the other stories. So while the books all stand alone, you’ll get glimpses of familiar characters at other moments as they interact and enjoy the soft opening of the resort.

PARADISE FOUND is my offering to the anthology. In it, Trent (younger brother of Kylie from the free read EXOTIC INDULGENCE) and Mason (twin to McKenzie from TROPICAL SIN) have been enjoying a year of wild adventuring in and out of the sack with Paige. They have plans to move their sexual relationship to something more, not aware that Paige is planning on leaving within the week. Leaving before she confesses she’s broken the rules and fallen in love—with them both.

You don’t have to read the short story first to enjoy PARADISE FOUND. In fact, you don’t have to read any of the books in order- they are deliberately written to be spoiler free. Only you’ll have to wait until September for TROPICAL SIN and ISLAND IDYLL.

Trust me, the wait will be worth it.
---

Fate is a wind that can change at the drop of a heart…

Bandicoot Cove, Book 2

Paige has enjoyed every no-strings-attached minute with her two Australian lovers, Trent and Mason. Over the past eleven months, they’ve surfed, hiked…and explored their seemingly limitless sexual chemistry.

Her lovers’ invitation to the opening of a new resort comes at the ideal time, because in a few days she’s returning to Canada. It’ll be a fitting swan song for their easygoing relationship. A chance to fulfill a few fantasies and then escape before her men realize she’s broken the rules by falling in love with them both. Better to take flight than be forced to choose.

Unaware of Paige’s self-imposed deadline, Trent and Mason scheme to get Paige on their yacht for a once-in-a-lifetime voyage with one goal in mind: break the news that they’re ready for something more than casual—and hope she doesn’t run like hell.

It’s a delicate operation that’ll require close attention to which way her emotional winds are blowing. One wrong word, and their paradise-perfect arrangement could be lost in an instant.

Warning: This book starts with the heat turned way up high. Two men entirely focused on one woman’s pleasure. One woman stepping outside the box to please her men. An exotic resort suite featuring an erotic piece of furniture that makes ménage a trois even hotter than usual. Really.

Buy links: Samhain | Amazon |Barnes & Noble

Vivian Arend | Lexxie Couper | Jess Dee | Bandicoot Cove
Paradise Found | Tropical Sin | Island Idyll | Exotic Indulgence

Yesterday my ARC-review of EXOTIC INDULGENCE kicked off the Bandicoot Cove Experience, a feature on the Blog beween now and and September 21st with Previews, ARC-reviews and Guestposts from the authors Vivian Arend, Lexxie Couper and Jess Dee.
Today Vivian Arend tells us a bit about her upcoming contribution to the series, PARADISE FOUND, with teasers and I will add a few of my favorite quotes to the mix.

Coming up next:

• My ARC-Review of PARADISE FOUND – Monday August 22nd
• Vivian Arend’s Guestpost on PARADISE FOUND and the series – Thursday August 25th

Take it away Viv,


Looking forward to some Down Under Heat?
---


This coming Tuesday a very special place in the world opens its doors to you. Take a trip to Bandicoot Cove, where the exclusive resort provides a place for more than just fun and relaxation. It’s somewhere you’ll find the perfect setting for passion, lust and falling in love.


Three linked novellas will be released August and September—stories that stand alone but intertwine with each other as well. And just to get you in the mood, there’s a free short story prequel, Exotic Indulgence, that gives you a glimpse of the resort and just how hot things really can get down-under.


I’ll tell you more on Thursday, but here’s a few teasers from my book PARADISE FOUND, both out next Tuesday.

The feather duster wasn’t nearly as intriguing as the five-inch heels gracing her long legs. And when she walked, her ass wiggled from side to side in time with the lusty song she sang. Dirty words, nicely in tune with the thoughts running through his brain. Oh, she could take it off if she wanted to. He’d have no complaints.
Bloody brilliant woman.
Trent pushed the door open and stepped into the entranceway. Paige twirled and straightened with a gasp, her long black braids flying as one hand snapped up to cover her mouth like some old-fashioned modest heroine. The laughter and smoldering heat in her eyes said there was nothing modest about what she wanted.

~~~
Oh God, she could kiss. All his plans to start a more serious discussion evaporated as she kissed her way up his jaw line to his ear and teased with her tongue.
“Damn it, woman, that drives me crazy.”
She nipped at his earlobe. “I know. That’s why I do it.” The words whispered past Mason’s ear, and he chuckled.

~~~
Paige shrugged the soft blouse from her shoulders, letting it flutter to the floor before reaching for the snap on her skirt. Trent swallowed the rest of his words as lust raced over his face, his gaze glued to her fingers.
Powerful. There was nothing on earth comparable to holding two passionate men in the palm of her hand like this.

So those were Viv's teasers...I have read PARADISE FOUND and I have a few quotes of my own to add to the mix, but first a snippet from the review that is coming Tuesday...

...From the first page Vivian Arend doesn't let down on the heat. A luscious hotel room and a little maid/guest roleplay was just the start for some scorching scenes. Just the kissing scenes set me on fire, let alone all the rest of it...

...PARADISE FOUND is explicit, so if you're looking for sweet non-smutty romance without words like c#ck, f#ck or p#ssy...turn the other way because it will not be for you. However if you're okay with explicitness and ménages (like I am) you will gobble this one up...

Some of my Favorite Quotes:

“Touch yourself.”
Paige instantly covered her breasts.
He rumbled with laughter. “That’s not what I meant.”

Mason picked her up and returned the squeeze as he attempted to ignore the soft swell of her breasts peeking above the low scoop of her top. Tried to refrain from grinding his half-hard c#ck against her body and rutting on her like a sex-crazed maniac. It was tough considering the moment her knees left the mattress she’d swung her legs around his hips and now clung to him, an erotic body wrap. The wet heat of her sex sat directly over his dick, and things were not getting any less impressed below his beltline.

Paige snatched his wrist in both her hands and actually bounced with excitement. “We’re going to the water slide. You want to come?”
Jesus. No . Sliding with his c#ck the size of a cricket bat he was liable to put out an eye.

Trent’s jaw swung open. “Holy fuck, are you hitting on me?”
“No! Bloody hell, I mean with Paige. I see no reason why we can’t both be with her, for good. If she wants a marriage license to make it official, that’s fine with me, but I don’t care if it’s your name on the piece of paper next to hers, or mine. There’s enough room for me to care for her, and you—in a totally nonsexual way—and I just…” Mason trailed off. The look of amusement on Trent’s face pissed him off a little. “What?”
Trent sniffed dramatically. “My first marriage proposal. Mason, I’m touched.”

Mason leaned in on her right, resting his chin lightly on her shoulder. He stared at her legs before giving a low growl. “I’m so going to strip those stockings off with my teeth.”

Buy links: Samhain | Amazon |Barnes & Noble

Vivian Arend | Lexxie Couper | Jess Dee | Bandicoot Cove
Paradise Found | Tropical Sin | Island Idyll | Exotic Indulgence

The last day of Apple Trail Week has arrived...*sniff* I hope everyone had as much fun as Keri and I had with this week and I want to thank Keri for all her hard work in making this week happen because without her contributions I only would have had 3 reviews. Today she has another awesome guestpost for us in which she shares some interesting information on what's in store for us next in Apple Trail. I pre-read this post and all I can say is: Bring on these books and that Bald and Tatt’d + those triplets are sooooo mine LOL

Give Keri a warm welcome and enjoy her post!


Thanks for having me today…and all week!!! Up next in Apple Trail, we get a little more on the town and the people in it! Mike Gable is the man in charge of Apple Trail and he keeps an orderly, calm town…that is if you don’t count Tiffany McBride.

Tiffany has kept Mike’s tail in knots since they were in high school. But he’s not the only one. As much as Tiffany grates on Mike’s skin, he’s under hers just as much. When these two finally admit their attraction for each other, the pages are lit on fire.

I had a lot of fun writing MAKING HER NIGHTS. When I was writing it, I was all but keeping permanent flushed cheeks because the sexual tension is just off the charts hot. I kept writing thinking, this is the hottest book I’ve ever written. I got to the end…and there’s two (2 ½ if you count that tease moment) of sex scenes. Turns out there’s less sex in Nights than in any other book in the Apple Trail series so far but it reads so hot because the tension is just off the charts.

My editor is calling this her favorite of the series so far and she’s already said she wants more! Should be out around June 20th.

After MAKING HER NIGHTS is SATISFYING HER TASTES and I gotta tell ya, I am so excited for this one! The heroine is in-your-face direct with what she wants and the hero (who I was calling on twitter at one point, Bald and Tatt’d) (note from Pearl: I'm ALL over this hero...*sigh*) is so taken with her. But one of my favorite parts of this story is what it led me to! While there are only six books in the Apple Trail series, I am so not done with this town because of this book!

The hero of Tastes is the youngest of four brothers who are ancestors of the founders of the town Apple Trail. I’ve pitched the idea to my publisher and these three older brothers (triplets!) are planned for Summer of 2012! Currently they’re titled (and might change!) ROUGH PLAY, ROUGH RIDE and ROUGH TUMBLE. They’re scheduled to be a little bit longer than Apple Trail novellas and I can’t wait to dig into them next month.

And finally, last for Apple Trail is Jessie McBride. You’ve seen her in every book so far in some form or another. Either directly by name or mentioned as a “blonde”. She’s got a huge heart that’s taken some hard hits over the years, but there’s a man coming her way who has enough patience to put a smile on her face.

Pearl, thank you thank you so much for having me all week, for the reviews---you’re awesome! Can’t wait to give away some books and stuff! Don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered!


GIVEAWAY-reminder:
By commenting on this vlog or one of the other posts this week (every comment is an entry) your name is thrown in the hat to win the following prizes:

- one autographed print copy of Uninhibited in Apple Trail, Vol.1 --open to international residents
- eCopies of Through The Wall, On The Fence, In The Hay. --open to international residents (Winner's Choice)
- 2 Apple Trail Jars --US residents only

Today I have a special treat for the loyal Apple Trail Week followers: A Vlog. Not by me because I am camera shy, would die of stage fright and most importantly, you don't want to see me on screen...trust me, you really don't! No, I have the pleasure of introducing you to the wonderful Keri Ford herself. She'll read a scene from IN THE HAY and I'm sure that, like me, once you've heard Keri speak, you will not be able to read the Apple Trail books without hearing that lovely, southern accent.

Sit back, relax and enjoy!



If the link above doesn't work for you, you can also access the video-blog directly by clicking HERE

GIVEAWAY-reminder:
By commenting on this vlog or one of the other posts this week (every comment is an entry) your name is thrown in the hat to win the following prizes:

- one autographed print copy of Uninhibited in Apple Trail, Vol.1 --open to international residents
- eCopies of Through The Wall, On The Fence, In The Hay. --open to international residents (Winner's Choice)
- 2 Apple Trail Jars --US residents only

It's Apple Trail Week on Pearl's World of Romance and today I have the pleasure of welcoming the lovely Keri Ford herself to share with you all a favorite excerpt from one of the Apple Trail books. Make sure you comment on the post as each comment is thrown is in hat for some great prizes, offered by Keri:

- one autographed print copy of Uninhibited in Apple Trail, Vol.1 --open to international residents
- eCopies of Through The Wall, On The Fence, In The Hay. --open to international residents (Winner's Choice)
- 2 Apple Trail Jars --US residents only

Please help me give Keri a warm welcome and get this Apple Trail Week rolling!


Thanks for having me this week!! I am so excited to be here and talking about Apple Trail, and even better, watching others talk about it. The chance for interaction is awesome, so if anyone has any questions on anything, drop it in the comments! I’ll be checking in!

The excerpt below is from THROUGH THE WALL and I really like it cause it’s when Stephanie (heroine) really overcomes her nerves and asks for what she wants. This moment is what this entire series is all about. Taking that step out of your comfort zone, thumbing your nose at what someone might think and just going for it. While for some, that’s a not a big deal, for others, you just don’t do that kind of thing! Why your Great Aunt May might hear about it and she’ll tell her bridge club crew and then the whole town will be knowing all your business and before you know it, your momma can’t show her face in church.

This is from the first chapter, but it’s a changing moment for Stephanie mentally. A moment of, I’m in it now, like hell am I backing out!

Excerpt:

Parker squeezed her against his side, hugging her close and then loosened his grip. “Well, here I am, at your service all night long.”
That was a loaded statement if she’d ever heard one. If she had ovaries worth some salt she’d yell, okay! But she didn’t. Instead, she swallowed again and fumbled around for a polite way to ask for dirty-ish sex. She was pretty sure there wasn’t one. Well, bock-bock and cluck the walk home or take a risk. She was going to do it. “Parker, I need some help.”
He didn’t wait a beat. “I’m all yours, doll, ask away.”
She nodded and walked, drawing him away from the barbeque and the crowd, steering him toward home. Home was an apartment across the street, so it wasn’t much of a walk. Which meant she better get it out before they crossed the double yellows in the middle of the road. She would never voice her question out loud once they were inside the building where all the neighbors might hear. Plus the middle of the road offered the added bonus of being able to run anywhere if he laughed. Like head-first into a car.
He hugged her against his side, gently jostling her. “Never known you to be so quiet.”
Parker was right. And she needed this. She pulled in a deep breath, stopped right there in the middle of the dead Sunday afternoon road and stared right into his eyes. “I want rough…er, sex.”
He looked at her for a long moment and finally he chuckled. “Funny.”
There was her way out of this conversation. She could laugh with him and that’d be it. But she didn’t want out. “I’m not being funny.”
“Uh-huh. And how much did you have to drink?” He tugged on her hair. “Not like you to drink this much.”
“I’ve only had a few.”And she was feeling darn sober at the moment. “I’m serious.”
His mouth dropped and his arm fell away from her shoulder. His eyes drifted closed as he shook his head. “We’ve never...”
She was in deep now, she wouldn’t back away. The margaritas were a help. Ding! Point two for having four. She swallowed and sucked in a deep breath. “I know. I want to. To find out.”
His mouth snapped shut. His jaw tightened, giving her the first sign of just how big of a mistake this might be, but she refused to give up, so she forced onward. He had to at least think about it. “I want something more than plain vanilla. Nothing extreme like cherry blizzard blast, but maybe a little chocolate with syrup.” She rubbed her neck. “And a little squirt of whipped cream.”
Or a big squirt.
He wasn’t looking at her. In fact, he had turned away until his tight jeans curving along his nice ass faced her. The sun blazed down even hotter on the pavement somehow or maybe it was embarrassment burning her through and through. That scent of melting tar? That wasn’t from the hot sun on the pavement but her body catching fire from her blush.
Noise and laughter from the barbeque carried over and echoed off their apartment building and back to them. Which meant, their words could also go back to the barbeque. They weren’t quite as alone as she’d like, especially with a couple of kids coming down the sidewalk toward them. Sweat trickled down her temple and she shifted her feet, kicking a stray rock from the road. There was no breeze or shade. She was sitting under a heat lamp while her future paced about in front of her trying to figure out if she was indeed serious or drunk off her ass.
Parker stopped and stared up at the bright blue sky. “Why me?”
Liquid courage pushed her on. “We’ve been neighbors for months now. Our beds are on the same wall.” He was turning. She could picture his slack-jawed mouth and yep, there it was, right along with big eyes. Not quite horrified, but then, he didn’t exactly looked thrilled. She squared her shoulders and forged ahead. “Well, I think, from what I’ve heard, that is, you could help me.” Before he could say anything, the hum of an engine revved. She glanced back and saw a truck headed their way. Parker put his hand to her back and steered her off the road, toward their building. So much for being in the street to put her out of her misery should this little chat get any worse. And one thing was for certain, this conversation was surely going to get worse.
Parker was shaking his head again. “No. This isn’t a good idea.”
She shrugged, trying to maintain this casual I’m-so-cool-I-can-ask-for-sex look. “It would just be a couple of… encounters.”
“Encounters,” he echoed with a shake of his head. “No. We’re going to our apartments and we’re going to forget this.”
She shook her head. “I’ve never had anything exciting. It’s always been just a rub over my hip, a stroke down my thigh and that’s it. And that was okay, but I want more. I want to be used and—” “I don’t want to hear this.” He jabbed his key in the main door and pulled it open for her.
She stopped in front of him and held him there in the doorway. The blast of the air conditioning slapped her with a whole new sense of drive. She could do this. She could push through. Maybe if she put her chest against his, and slid her leg up his thigh, but she hadn’t drank quite enough for those kinds of moves. “What I’m saying is, it was always the same. Eighty percent of the time, I’ve been on the bottom.”
“Not listening.” He put his hand to her back and turned her in the building.
But he was listening. He wouldn’t be wiping at his brow and tugging at his shirt otherwise.
“I’m not asking for a lot, just something up against a door. Or in the shower. I don’t want to be chained up and beaten with a whip. I just want a little something more. I need this, Parker.”

*Behind the scenes*

-THROUGH THE WALL was just a stroke of luck. I had never wanted to write short. It just wasn’t my thing. Tell an entire story in so FEW words? Terrifying. But I was in a hard place with my writing at the time. I didn’t know what to do, what direction to take. So I decided to write something short and just have fun with it. And, that’s where THROUGH THE WALL came from.

- THROUGH THE WALL was never intended to be part of a series. I purposely wrote it to be self contained. My publisher told me to pitch more when I was ready, so I looked at this story, looked at what I could do with it and BAM—Apple Trail, Arkansas was born with a few edits.

-My editor flagged the line about bock-bock asking if I meant something else and I replied with no, “I mean bock-bock, like chicken speak.” I couldn’t hardly type it for laughing, because it was the most ridiculous thing I’d ever said before and just knew she was going to write me off as crazy.

About the Author:
Keri Ford was raised in South Arkansas on a farm surrounded by family, horses, cows, donkeys, ostriches, emus, chickens, ducks, Canadian Geese, and enough dogs one would think they were a pound…and then she bought a Cosmopolitan when she was twenty-two. She doesn’t recall the fantastic sex tip that drew her to the magazine, but she vividly remembers reading an excerpt of Christina’s Skye’s Code Name: Princess. One elevator scene and quick thought of, I didn’t know people wrote stuff like this… and her life would never be the same.

You can find and connect with Keri here:
Website|Twitter|Facebook

Today I welcome author Nadia Lee to my blog. She's here to talk about a subject that has many international readers in state of desperation as sometimes publishers make it hard for us to purchase and read the English books we want to read so badly. Nadia has written an eloquent and clear post about this and I am proud and honored she decided to share it with you all on my little corner of the web.



About Nadia Lee:
Bilingual former management consultant Nadia Lee ( http://www.nadialee.net ) has lived in four different countries and enjoyed many adventures and excellent food around the globe. In the last eight years, she has kissed stingrays, got bitten by a shark, ridden an elephant and petted tigers.

She shares an apartment overlooking a river and palm trees in Japan with her husband, an ever-changing collection of winter white hamsters and an ever-widening pile of books. When she's not writing, she can be found digging through old Asian historical texts or planning another trip.

Carnal Secrets is her latest work. You can find the blurb and excerpt on her website or purchase a copy from All Romance eBooks , Amazon Kindle US , Amazon Kindle UK , B&N Nook  or Smashwords

I read CARNAL SECRETS a few weeks back for review and will post my review this Wednesday. Make sure you come back to read what I have to say about Nadia Lee's lovely contemporary romance...

Take it away, Nadia...

Distribution: the Issues of DRM and Geographic Restrictions


For those of you who know me on Twitter or Facebook are probably aware that I intensely dislike DRM and geo restriction on ebooks. DRM signals "You aren't trustworthy". Geo restrictions signal "Your money isn't good enough to buy this just because you aren't in America (and/or Canada)". Now the latter one is a bit tricky, especially if the rights granted to the publisher do not cover all territories. Publishers can't just make something available all over the world if the contract says, "the U.S. only".

When I walked away from the deal on Carnal Secrets (if you want to read about that, please check out the following blog posts: "Read the Fine Print" [ http://zoewinters.wordpress.com ] and "Walking Away Can Be Hard" [ http://kaitnolan.com ]), I knew I had to do everything alone, and in order to succeed, I had to do it just as well as what the publisher who'd offered would've done, if not better. (If you'd like to know how I approached self-publishing, feel free to check out my guest blog post from last Thursday on Love Romance Passion [ http://www.loveromancepassion.com ].)

With that in mind, I approached distribution with two objectives:

1.  Make the book available in as many places as possible.
2.  Make the book DRM-free, geo restriction-free and speech-enabled.

For most authors doing it themselves, the most obvious option is Amazon Kindle. I create a PRC file myself, using HTML, to add the cover, table of contents and so on. (I love getting an ebook with a pretty cover. I'm shallow like that. :-) ) This file gets tested on Kindle for PC and uploaded. I always enable global distribution and opt out of DRM.

(For those of you who don't know this -- Kindle asks indie authors if they'd like to add DRM on their ebooks. So buying from indie authors does not guarantee that your Kindle book will be DRM-free because there are some who believe that DRM is absolutely necessary to stop piracy. *sigh* And this applies to Nook ebooks as well.)

And when we talk about Kindle, we can't not talk about Nook from Barnes and Noble, Amazon's biggest book retailer rival right now. Again, I created an epub file with the cover and all. But what I don't understand about Nook is that even though I opted out of DRM and enabled worldwide distribution, on the actual B&N Nook sales page, Nook books are available for customers in the U.S. only.

If I remember correctly, Nook is not available outside of the U.S. so perhaps B&N decided to restrict Nook purchases to the U.S. only. But for authors interested in making their books available to international readers, it can be a bit frustrating. I sincerely hope that Nook ereaders and ebooks become available to international readers soon.

Anyway, though I always enable worldwide distribution, it makes me unhappy that my readers who live outside the U.S. cannot get my books from Nook, and those who live in other countries (not including Canada or the UK) have to pay extra $2.00 to buy from Amazon Kindle. It seems hardly fair since Amazon pays half the regular royalty for international sales. So authors make less money, and international readers pay more. I ask you.

When I mentioned this to Zoe Winters, she told me to put my books up on Smashwords. It's not as slick as Kindle or Nook, and it pays authors quarterly, not monthly like Kindle and Nook. Books there don't usually come with covers and so on. But it allows for DRM-free global distribution, and international readers don't have to pay anything extra or go through any hassle to get the books they want. In addition, Smashwords has multiple file options (pdf, epub, prc / mobi, Sony, etc.), and readers can always go back and redownload their ebooks. It's extra work to format for Smashwords, but I went to work immediately. I don't believe readers who are already well-served by Kindle and Nook care, but I wanted to give another option for international readers.

Smashwords also pushes books to Apple, Kobo, Sony and Diesel. I have no idea if they apply DRM or geo restrict books there. I hope not, but whatever they do is completely out of my control. (And you thought indie authors had 100% control over everything! Ha!)

Finally, I put my books on All Romance eBooks (ARe). I like their interface and reporting tool, and I don't believe they add DRM or geo restrictions. But I honestly have no idea how easy it is for readers to use ARe. I'd love to hear some of your thoughts on this.

Now that I've shared the process behind distributing ebooks as an indie author, it's your turn: Who's your favorite ebook vendor? Why do you buy from there? What do you wish ebook vendors did differently?

Also, for those of you interested in the cover art process, please stop by Monkey Bear Reviews ( http://www.monkeybearreviews.com ) tomorrow. I'll be discussing creating a cover with non-white characters. :-)