A woman who can’t remember. A shifter who refuses to be forgotten. “Blind Heat” by @nara_malone now available!

It’s finally here, the sequel to the Tiger’s Tale. You asked for it, wonderful readers, and I have finally delivered–it’s release day for Blind Heat, the second book in the Pantherian Passions series. It’s a big read with lots of adventure, Passion, and romance. Wonderful paranormal romance author, Siobhan Muir is hosting me today over at The Weird, the Wild, and the Wicked blog. Drop by to learn more about Blind Heat and comment to get into the drawing for a copy of the first book in the Pantherian Passions series, The Tiger’s Tale.

Passionate Reads welcomes guest blogger, Cristal Ryder!

*****

A cowboy, city girl, mountains, horses and a little bit of danger to stir it all up. That’s what you’ll find in my newest release. A few years ago when my now 21 year old was in a marching band, we went to Banff. I was one of a bunch of parents that came along with the 60 odd kids. I wasn’t an official chaperone but one of the many groupie parents, which was perfect because it allowed me a little more freedom.The trip was in July, right at Calgary Stampede time. I had never been west before and was captivated. The band marched in the opening parade, and on the Stampede grounds, we saw all the rodeo activities and the kids bought their mandatory cowboy hats. Most of which didn’t leave their heads and they wore them all the way back to Toronto.

It was an overdose of cowboy, let me tell you and I was so hoping I’d find me one to call my own. Yet, here I am still cowboy-less, with the exception of, Chet, in my new release Elemental Heat from Ellora’s Cave.

The imagery in this story comes from the trip to Lake Louise, Bow Valley, and Banff. I remember the chair lift ride up and down that mountain with such a clarity its insane. If only I could describe to you the crisp freshness of the air, the spectacular colour of the sky meeting the rugged peaks and the view of glacial Lake Louise across the valley. Heavenly.

That was in July and Elemental Heat is set in the winter months.  Rather than the Canadian Rockies, it is set in the Colorado Rockies. I’ve never been there, yet.

What’s really cool about the cover of Elemental Heat is the Canadian element to it. I had asked for the sheet under the woman to be toned down a tad, it was too starkly white. Lo and behold, they put a Hudson’s Bay blanket under her. Awesome!

Please enjoy the excerpt below and I’d love to hear if you have had any mountain experiences.

EXCERPT

An Excerpt From: ELEMENTAL HEAT

Copyright © CRISTAL RYDER, 2012

All Rights Reserved, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.

“I can’t believe the stars.”

“Magnificent isn’t it?”

“Totally.”

“I dare you to pick a star and wish my name on it.”

She giggled. “That’s not a dare.” Jenna inhaled the wonderful scent of wood smoke, night air and barbequing meat. For the first time in a long time a sense of well-being filled her. She reclined on the lounger, pulled the blanket to her chin and searched the sky for the perfect star. “I found one.”

“Where?”

Chet put the lid down on the grill and came to sit at her feet, holding her ankle gently with his big hand. She trembled at his touch, and loved the wave of arousal that swept up her leg to settle between her thighs. She wanted his touching to be so much more. Time for that later. Jenna pointed to a bright star a little bit off to the right. “See? The large one there.”

He glanced up and right at that moment a shooting star streaked across the sky and right over top of the star she just picked.

“Holy shit! Did you see that?” Jenna bolted upright and watched the fiery trail the meteor left behind. “What are the odds of that happening?”

“Yes, I saw.” She heard the smile in his voice.

“What does that tell you?” Jenna asked him.

“I think the important thing is what it means to you.” His voice was soft and she switched her gaze from the sky to his face.

“To me? Well, a sign.”

“What kind of sign?”

She hesitated a moment, quite struck by the shooting star. What were the odds that just as she chose a star a meteor would streak over the one she picked? There was a whole big sky up there, a great vastness and yet the celestial streak happened in her minuscule portion of it where she picked a star to wish his name on. It told her volumes, but she couldn’t really express it without feeling ridiculous.

“I don’t know.” She shrugged, feeling embarrassed to almost voice thoughts she normally would never let enter her mind. “Maybe that our visit was written in the stars…”

Chet squeezed her ankle gently. “I hope you made a wish on it.”

“I didn’t!” Was it too late? Jenna squeezed her eyes shut and wished. Wished with all her might that maybe, just maybe she was wrong and that she could find true love. Her birthday was this week, while she was here with a very sexy cowboy. One who seemed almost too good to be true.

If it seems too good to be true it usually is.

Jenna opened her eyes and glanced at Chet. Was he hiding any secrets?

“I hope it was a good one.” Chet’s deep voice reached her through the dark.

She pulled the blanket tighter. “Time will tell. There’s been lots of wishing upon stars over the years and I think only one has ever come to fruition.”

“Which one was that?”

Jenna laughed. “A horse. When I was little I would go outside every night and search for the first evening star and wish desperately for a horse. I finally got my wish when I was twenty. But I had to wait an awful long time.” She glanced at his now achingly familiar face, his rugged features softened by the bonfire. “I hope I don’t have to wait as long for this wish.”

“Sounds to me like you don’t have a whole lot of patience. Remember, all good things come to those who wait.” He winked at her and stood.

Jenna watched him walk to the barbeque. He was all fluid grace. For such a big man he wasn’t awkward at all and she couldn’t wait to see him in the saddle. He’d promised they’d go riding tomorrow. But there was a lot of time between now and then. She watched him flip the steaks and take a sip of wine from his glass, then hold the spatula aloft. The image was ingrained in her mind and she swore she would never forget this moment.

Before she knew what she was doing or could change her mind, Jenna swung her legs off the lounge and stood. Chet turned and watched her approach, the dark dreaminess of his eyes drew her. She needed to taste him, to feel his lips under hers and if he wasn’t going to make the first move then she would.

The blanket slipped down her back and she clutched the edges below her breasts.

He put the spatula down without looking where he placed it and it clattered to the patio stones. She stood before him and wound her arms around his neck, holding the corners of the blanket, wrapping them in the warmth of the wool. Her fingers pressed against his neck and the strength in his muscles made her feel truly feminine.

Almost at eye level, she had to look up only slightly to meet his gaze. All her senses tuned in to him, his essence permeated her and she let it. The long-distance teasing they had done the past few months came to a head and Jenna trembled with desire. She tipped her head back and pulled him to her. The hesitation when their lips were a hairsbreadth apart was exquisite. Energy crackled between them in the moment of anticipation before fulfillment.

Chet’s vigor and arousal radiated from him in pulsing waves. The whisper of air between their bodies vanished when he snaked his arms around her waist and brought her hard against him. Jenna sucked in a breath and a little “oh” popped from between her lips.

“This is where I’ve wanted you all day, woman.”

You can find me at:

www.cristalryder.com

www.cristalryder.blogspot.com

https://twitter.com/#!/CristalRyder

https://www.facebook.com/cristal.ryderauthor

ARe

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

• Tomorrow, we have a fantastic Guest Blogger here at Passionate Reads! Don’t miss Cristal Ryder with a sneak peak of her latest release, “Elemental Heat.”
• Today is Memorial Day.

Between BBQ’s, beaches and just hanging out, please take a moment to remember and honor ALL of those who have served  our country and especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. They are the reason we enjoy the freedom we take for granted all too often.

REMEMBER our service men and women worldwide– past, present and future.

These brave men and women ARE the reason for the Memorial Holiday.

We at Passioante Reads…salute YOU.

Whether you witnessed it or not, the 5/20 Solar Eclipse in Gemini is opening doors of opportunity for creative endeavors—grab that brass ring as it passes! For more info on eclipses - http://www.marilyncampbell.com/id30.html

***Sun in Gemini thru 6/20 supports creativity and attracts dualities; ***Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse in Sagittarius 6/4 will spark a desire for freedom; ***New Moon in Gemini 6/19 will present creative ideas; BUT ***Venus is still retrograde thru 6/26 putting stress on personal relationships or urging you to look to the past.

 Forecasts for Each Sign:

 The forecasts below involve two of my passions – astrology and tarot. The first card is a general message, the second is about love & relationships (sexual, romantic, friendly, familial). The interpretations are from my book, “Tarot of The Lotus Circle”, but you’ll have to use a little intuition to determine what it means to you personally. Have fun!

ARIES – March 21 to April 19

4 of Coins:  Your unfounded fears have created an atmosphere of smoke and mirrors around you. Most of your worries are self-created, but they are magnetic. Stop attracting the worst by anticipating it.

The Magician: Someone new is entering your life in an unusual way. Fate set up the meeting long ago, but Serendipity makes it interesting. What you do after the encounter is up to you.

 TAURUS  – April 20 to May 20

Princess of Cups: A communication, probably verbal, will contain important information about a matter you’ve been anxious about.

Ace of Swords: Be cautious in new relationships, especially where the chemistry is very strong. There are strings attached, possibly another, pre-existing relationship. Ongoing relationships are about to be unexpectedly shaken up, but it will be for the best in the long run.

 GEMINI – May 21 to June 20

The Hermit: A spiritual teacher or human mentor is standing by to guide you through a dilemma. Go into your cave for a while, be silent and listen to the message being offered.

4 of Wands: Commitment is the key word in all relationships. Whatever stage you are at, it is about to step up to the next level. This could mean moving in together, getting engaged or even married. A family member may need to move in with you or vice-versa.

CANCER – June 21 to July 22

The Empress: Femininity and connection to Mother Earth are your power sources. Subtlety, sensitivity and sexuality are your tools—use them compassionately.

The Moon: One of you has a secret that will soon be revealed. If single, the reason for your solitude is unclear to you. Just know that events beyond your control must happen before a good mate can come in.

 LEO – July 23 to August 22

10 of Cups: Complete harmony and contentment is now yours. The more appreciation and gratitude you show the longer it will last. Remember that happiness, like all emotion, is magnetic.

Death: You need to clear away the remnants of an old relationship. As long as you keep looking backward, you won’t notice who is coming toward you.

 VIRGO – August 23 to September 22

Queen of Coins: A female, over the age of 35, often with fair to reddish coloring, either wealthy or in a career where she handles money or the careers of others (such as an agent), will have influence over your main issue this month.

Prince of Swords: A younger male, probably dark in coloring or nature will be charging into your life and shaking up the status quo.

LIBRA – September 23 to October 22

5 of Cups: Though mourning is a healthy step in dealing with loss, it is not a lifestyle. It’s time to pick up the pieces, clean yourself up and get on with your life.

3 of Cups: The upcoming holiday is a great time to be with family, old friends and kindred spirits. Attend parties, join a club or group activity to meet an ideal mate, but don’t get serious right away.

SCORPIO – October 23 to November 21

King of Cups: A man over 40, with light or gray hair, in a medical, teaching or creative career, will have influence over your main issue this month.

The High Priestess: You need some time alone to get to know yourself. Meditate on the sort of people you really want in your life. This is not a good time to begin an intimate relationship.

SAGITTARIUS – November 22 to December 21

Judgment: Incidents and people from your past are coming back into your life to haunt or help you, depending on your previous behavior. It is time to take a good look at your life so far and rework the plan for going forward.

3 of Swords: Love hurts, at least this time around. A separation is coming. All you can do is acknowledge that it is time, retain only the positive memories and move forward as soon as possible.

CAPRICORN – December 22 to January 19

King of Coins: A man over 40, with light brown to reddish coloring, who is either wealthy or handles other people’s money (such as an agent) will have influence over an important issue this month.

Ace of Coins: You are about to meet someone new who either is, or will be, financially well off. A money-making venture could bring you into the perfect partnership.

AQUARIUS – January 20 to February 18

5 of Swords: You are surrounded by a combative energy. If it is not possible to turn the other cheek, call in a Warrior Guide to give you the strength and skills to defend yourself.

6 of Cups: If single, look to a friend for an introduction or pay attention to a friend who would like to be more. If committed, liven up the relationship with some youthful playtime. Children and parents are sources of joy. Don’t be too busy to share your time with them.

PISCES – February 19 to March 20

7 of Cups: You have the gift of productive dreaming, but the handicap of being a daydreamer. Make sure you are using your imagination to flesh out creative ideas and not just spacing out.

6 of Swords: Someone is offering unconditional, long-term support, but you aren’t madly in love. Give consideration to the value of the solid relationship versus one month of steamy passion. A family member needs your support. Give it without question.

For an introduction to astrology and tarot, including information regarding eclipses and retrograding planets, I invite you to visit my personal website, www.marilyncampbell.com.

Facebook – AuthorMarilynCampbell and Twitter – marilyncampbel3

Coming Soon from Ellora’s Cave - SERVING NICOLE, the first magickal tale in a new, multi-author series, Passion’s Portal.

Like a teenage girl crushin’ on the latest heartthrob, I’m all a twitter for a celeb. Maroon 5′s front man, Adam Levine, to be exact.

I know, I know. I’m over 33. Crushes on celebs are for the young, but can you really blame me for this little infatuation? I mean, look at this man…

*swoon*

Tatts, muscles and a dark-n-gruff look than could send a nun into an uncontrolled descent into sexual insanity. Seriously, what’s not to swoon over?

But it isn’t just Adam’s hormone-inducing looks that get to me. It’s his voice, his music. There’s an undercurrent of sex in every one of Maroon 5′s songs, always present and undeniable. When I write, I almost always listen to Maroon 5 radio on Pandora, or when I need that extra jolt of lust, I break out their complete albums on my iTunes.

Sex pulses through their music like orgasms for the ears. And the lyrics…dear god. They’re libido-pumping. Don’t believe me? Check out the verbal sauciness from their song “Moves Like Jagger” (which features Christina Aguilera).

“Take me by the tongue
And I’ll know you
Kiss me ’til you’re drunk
And I’ll show you…
I don’t need to try to control you
Look into my eyes and I’ll own you.”

Or how about Christina’s lines when she sings later on…

“You wanna know how to make me smile
Take control, own me just for the night
And if I share my secret
You’re gonna have to keep it
Nobody else can see this.”

*shivers*

And who wouldn’t mind Adam Levine owning them for the night? Not me that’s for sure. *grin*

Anyhoo, lovelies, I gotta go. All this talk about Adam has me a little, um…well, you can probably guess. *wink* But before I go, here’s a bonus pic for your viewing pleasure. This one cracks me up…

(And for those interested in the video for “Moves Like Jagger,” click here. There’s a shirtless Adam Levine in it, so it’s worth view just for that, LOL!!)

~Brandi Evans

*****

Brandi Evans is a stay-at-home mom with a serious addiction—the compulsive need to tell sexy stories to whomever will listen! To learn more about her, visit her website at www.brandievansauthor.com.

The book the media can’t seem to say enough about, Fifty Shades of Gray by E L James, made the nightly news again last night. The many teasers reminding viewers it would be discussed later in the broadcast all contained the words “dirty little secret”.  This all on the same network that ran a spot on America’s Got Talent the evening before that featured a guy getting his nuts smashed fifty different ways. But that was “funny” and acceptable for prime time, family television. While as the news cast finally pointed out, Fifty Shades was being banned from many libraries. Too “dirty” I guess.

I’m not here to argue what Fifty Shades is or isn’t. What really frustrates me is that erotic romance is still the object of so much mud-slinging. Why is a genre that has proven its selling power still treated like a dirty secret? Why is it okay to call it dirt?

I guess they’ll have to call me dirty, because I’m not going to stop telling love stories and I’m not going to pretend that love doesn’t involve sex.  Blind Heat releases next week and it goes places that will definitely keep it off the library shelves. As I watched Brian Williams, lift his eyebrows and look down his nose each time he uttered the word dirty, I wondered what he’d think of the candle scene, or how what happens on that altar in the moon garden might alter his definition of dirty. What adjective would he apply to Pantherian fire oil?

If Fifty Shades is dirty, Blind Heat is dirty untamed. Unleashed.

But.

I don’t call it dirty. It’s a love story. It’s a journey of the heart taken by two people who haven’t had a gentle upbringing. They make love the same way they’ve lived life–hard.    I don’t know what’s dirty about that.

Allie and Marcus come into this story with secrets. With shame about those secrets. I think when you can share what you are most ashamed or afraid of with a lover,  and they still find you loveable, that’s beautiful. That’s magic.

The release date for Blind Heat is May 30, Wednesday. I hope you’ll grab a copy and tell me what you think.

Meantime here’s the blurb and a tiny excerpt that takes up where the excerpt on the EC website leaves off:

Blurb:

Allie is determined to build an ordinary life. To survive she needs to be the sort of woman no one notices. She has a generic job, lives in a generic apartment, and thinks maybe one day she’ll find an ordinary Joe who wants an average Jane sort of woman.

 Marcus is anything but an ordinary Joe. Even if humans don’t know he is a shifter and millennial being, he’s the sort of man women notice. A night of passion spent with Marcus is a night any female, human or Pantherian, won’t forget.

 But Allie does forget. She repeatedly fails to recognize him even after an intense sexual encounter. Marcus isn’t satisfied until he discovers the source of her problem—face blindness, a genetic disorder with no cure. Marcus decides to use erotic rituals to teach Allie to see with more than her eyes. What he doesn’t count on is that she will see past the man and recognize the beast within.

Excerpt:

Marcus ran his thumbs over rain-studded skin at the edge of her bra. He needed to reel himself in. He’d been trying for the last few hours to keep the inner beast leashed. He’d only meant to come close enough to touch her dreams, thinking then her guard might be down. Few humans had the skill to shield their thoughts from him as completely as Allie. But it hadn’t been hard to track her down a few days after she’d taken Hella. She had routines he could set his watch by. It hadn’t been long before she was back in the park for another run and he’d followed her home. But Hella wasn’t in Allie’s apartment, nor had he managed to get any information regarding Hella in repeated visits to Allie’s office. Numerous suggestions and influences hadn’t penetrated Allie’s mental blockade.

The erotic suggestions he’d sent winging into her dreams had penetrated, stirred her needs, but it had opened no more than her body to him. A body soft, yielding. Her excitement evident to his Pantherian senses. The quick beat of her heart, the welcoming scent of female ready for a male.

A firm tug at the zipper on her running bra accomplished nothing, so he did away with that impediment in the same way he’d dispensed with the shirt. Her escalating arousal had her back arching, intensified the scent of desire. Her eyes went wide and pupils narrowed. He had her full attention now.

Ripe breasts springing free to fill his palms, had his attention.

Prim, shell-pink nipples begged to be licked. She held her breath when he dipped his head to do just that. Flesh tightening under his tongue had his teeth automatically closing around the hard little nub. The soft sound she made in her throat was so mew-like he was tempted to toss her over his shoulder, head back to his truck and keep her. Unfortunately, he was fairly certain that practice had been outlawed in this country a couple of centuries ago.

Sex at dawn in a public park probably wasn’t legal either.

There were only so many laws he was willing to follow.

Available May 30th from Ellora’s Cave.

This is currently this -

And this -

Oh, and this is where my new office area will be -

If you can just imagine that door gone and a wall in its place. My desk will be butted up into the corner and run along the wall to the left. Actually, now that I’m thinking about it I am kinda excited. A change is as good as a holiday after all.

Rhian Cahill

www.rhiancahill.com

Whaddaya think?

 :-)

I’m helping someone move this weekend, and it brought back memories of my own move alst July.

My blog for that weekend was “Stipper Poles and Sex on the Dining Room Table” .

Since I have to meet the moving truck shortly, I don’t have time to “reminisce”, but here’s the link if you want to see what “Stripper poles” had to do with my move… and why a particular someone is NOT helping with this move

http://passionatereads.com/2011/07/17/stripper-poles-and-sex-on-the-dining-room-table/#more-4832

As for today, the one thing I did want to tell everyone is that I have been hard at work recruiting “Guest Bloggers” to add to our fantastic group of regular bloggers here at  Passionate Reads.

Coming up in the next weeks are a few returing guests including Cristal Ryder and some new guests. Here are few od them:

Kele Moon

Jan Springer

Cheryl Dragon

Ruby Duval

Deb Stover

Plus these NY Times/USA Today Best-Selling authors…

Jade Lee

Joan Johnston

Marsha Canham

…And MORE!

Wanna make sure you don’t miss them?

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR BLOG TODAY!

 Movers are waiting… gotta run for now!

On second thought…

 Maybe I could be coaxed back to bed…

for just a little while…

Enjoy your day!

Shannon

“

I know part of it is post conference burn out and the other is my tendency to be in the midst of several projects at once. This allows my brain to work without getting bored, BUT it also makes it so I get mired in details and unsure which direction to go.

Times like this I take a step back and do a few other things. It may look like procrastination to the untrained eye, but I’m refilling the well.  For anyone else looking for ideas I offer:

Pinterest: I held off as long as I could, but love to peruse some hottie boards for  help with character inspiration.  I have one but Patti O Shea’s one, is muuuuch better.

Movies: I don’t dig most chick flicks or rom coms. I find that I want to strangle most of the female leads but I’m a sucker for LadyHawke (so 80s!) and Love Actually

I’m hoping to be able to concentrate for more than five seconds some time soon. In which case, I’ll be diving into a book from my Keeper Shelf, most likely Karen Robard’s Night Magic.

So what do you do when you need to refuel, but don’t want to completely disconnect?

________________________________________________________

Sasha

Who is going to curl up on the couch and Pin a few more things.  If you want to hear more of Sasha’s ramblings, visit her at www.sashadevlin.com or follow her on Twitter @SashaDevlin. You can also peep her pins on Pinterest here

Have a great long weekend.

~Lauren

http:/www.laurenfraser.com

Rode Hard available from Ellora’s Cave