This Week's Special Guest - Desiree Holt

Known the world over as the oldest living author of erotic romance, and referred to by USA Today as the Nora Roberts of erotic romance, Desiree Holt is three times a finalist for an EPIC E-Book Award (and a winner in 2014), a nominee for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, winner of the first 5 Heart Sweetheart of the Year Award at The Romance Studio as well as twice a CAPA Award winner for best BDSM book of the year, and winner of the Holt Medallion for Excellence in Romance Literature. She has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning and in The Village Voice, The Daily Beast, USA Today, The (London) Daily Mail, The New Delhi Times and numerous other national and international publications.


“Desiree Holt is the most amazing erotica author of our time and each story is more fulfilling then the last.” (Romance Junkies)

“Desiree Holt is like the Nora Roberts of erotic romance.” USA Today Happy Ever After Blog

WEBSITE *** BLOG *** FACEBOOK ***  TWITTER ***  PINTEREST  ***   GOODREADS

People say that writing is a solitary occupation and to a great extent it is. I mean, no one can do the writing for you, nor would you want them to. But it also takes a lot of research, especially for me. I am known as Miss Picky because I go to great lengths to get things right.

When I was writing Finding Julia, there were some specific scenes in the story that I needed details on. For example, there’s a cabin in the woods in Massachusetts. I had to know if there was still open land outside Boston, where it was, how much open space, all that good stuff. I managed to find a real estate agent who was willing to take time out of her busy day to answer my questions, although I think she was secretly hoping I was actually looking for property to buy.

There is also a scene at a restaurant called Harry’s House. Now this is of course a fictional place but it’s based on a real restaurant, Little Harry’s, a French colonial structure in Detroit with a lot of ambiance. I lived in that city fir twenty-five years and Little Harry’s was a place where Detroit’s gentrified elite as well as their Mafia elite frequently dined. Media were strictly prohibited so it was a place where people could be assured of privacy, especially with the restaurant divided into small rooms.

Unfortunately it no longer exists. Singer Anita Baker bought it and planned to turn it into a recording studio. She ran into so much resistance she built an IHop instead. Kind of like when my late husband and I went to Texarkana to see some of the historic landmarks of his ancestors and at one spot found a Taco Bell.

Oh, well.

FINDING JULIA by Desiree Holt

Can a moment of passion outlast years of secrets and misery?

Sometimes life is not fair. For Julia Patterson meeting Luke Buchanan opened the door to a new life and brought her to life as a woman. In his arms she learns for the first time how real passion and emotion can enrich your life. He claims her body with the pleasure of erotic sex and his heart with unrestricted love. But Fate was laughing at Julia, just as she is about to step over the threshold into a wonderful new life. When her almost-ex-husband Charles is diagnosed with a fatal heart condition her divorce is put on hold along with the rest of her life. Turning her back on Luke and the intense passion and emotion they shared is the most difficult thing she’s ever done. But Julia has a secret, one that Charles has discovered and uses like a club. Thirteen years later when Luke walks back into her life the passion and emotion are just as explosive as ever. Will they finally have their chance at happiness or will her secret destroy it forever?



BUY THE eBOOK   ***   READ THE EXCERPT


Excerpt #1:

“Our executive vice president is tied up in a meeting right now,” Howard whispered as the executive staff filed in. “He’s the one who says yea or nay. He’ll join us as soon as he can.”


Great. Would he expect her to do it all over again for him?


She sighed and began her presentation again.


It was well into the afternoon and she was pulling out copies of the proposed budget to distribute when the door to the boardroom opened quietly, and Julia’s stomach dropped to the floor. She felt as if an electric surge slammed into her, plucking at every one of her nerve endings.


The man who silently took a seat at the end of the table wasn’t necessarily handsome, but he was one hundred percent male. Liquid brown eyes were framed by the thickest lashes she had ever seen on a man. She noticed the strong jaw and the lines of character etched on an incredibly masculine face. Straight brown hair, a hint of silver reflecting in the lights, was worn just a little long, giving him a slightly rakehell look.


The classic dark business suit barely concealed the power he radiated. More than that, he exuded an aura of self, of authority, of comfort in his own skin few men were able to attain. She could think of only three words to describe him. Dark. Edgy. Dangerous. In her entire thirty years, no man had ever affected her the way this man did. Certainly not Charles. She clamped down on her reaction, forbidding herself to let her thoughts wander into forbidden territory. As she’d learned, her judgment where men were concerned left a great deal to be desired.


“Let me interrupt a moment.” Manning jumped to his feet. “Julia, meet Lucas Buchanan, our executive vice president. He’s been in another meeting until now.”


“I’m pleased you could join us, Mr. Buchanan.” Julia pasted on her professional smile and hoped her voice sounded firmer to the others than it did to her.


Lucas Buchanan nodded at her. “Luke, please. Sorry to be late. Please don’t let me interrupt.”


She struggled to pick up the threads of what she’d been saying, her brain suddenly addled, and her hands unsteady. It took every ounce of personal discipline to keep focused on her presentation.


Excerpt #2

“Let’s hope,” he muttered. “All right. Be sure to let me know how things are. I’ll be worried about you. Here. Give me your cell phone.”


She pulled it out of her purse and handed it to him. He punched some numbers and gave it back to her.


“There. My private number’s in there. I’m speed dial number one. I’ll have my phone on all the time. Call me whenever.”


“Oh, Luke.” Her voice broke and she dug deep to get control of herself. “Why couldn’t we have met fifteen years ago?”


“I don’t think we would have been ready for each other then.” He kissed her one last time, then enfolded her in his arms. “Just remember. No matter what happens in your life, you will always be mine.”


“Yes, I will.” She was fighting tears and clinging to him as if she’d never let him go before taking a step back. “Goodbye, Luke.” And then she couldn’t help herself. “I love you.” She yanked up the handle of her suitcase and nearly ran into the terminal, dragging the luggage behind her.


Julia went through check-in and security as if in a fog. She bought herself another cup of tea and sat in the waiting area, sipping at the hot liquid, hoping it would ease the sudden chill invading her. The man sitting next to her was kind enough to nudge her when the call for boarding came. She entered the plane and took her seat like a robot, buckled in and leaned her head back.


Images flashed through her mind: she and Luke dancing, bodies moving slowly to the music, their first night together, the wonder of exploring each other’s bodies, the night in the cabin, warmed by the flames of the fire, their kiss at the airport, more poignant than sensual.


What a mess. The damn divorce papers still unsigned and now she had no idea when or how they would be. Luke had said he would wait but for how long? And how would the twins handle this? Their relationship with their father left a lot to be desired yet surely this would affect them emotionally. Her life was slowly being flushed down the toilet and she was left with a very inadequate plunger. Tears begin to trickle from the corners of her eyes, and her stomach knotted.


“Excuse me.” The flight attendant was leaning towards her, over the empty seat next to her. “Forgive me for asking but is something wrong?”


“No.” Julia sniffled, then tried on a smile. “Just fighting a cold is all.”


“Can I get you anything?” The attendant was obviously concerned.


“Some hot tea would be nice, if you could. And thank you.” Maybe she could drown herself in an ocean of the stuff.


“Tea it is. Coming right up.”


She realized as she sipped the hot liquid, she would now always associate it with Luke. She hoped she would still be able to drink it without crying. The tea seemed to settle her still-jumbled stomach enough so she could relax a little, but it did nothing to rid her of the feeling of despair creeping over her.


LIKED THE EXCERPT?? CLICK HERE TO BUY THE eBOOK



WIN - Leave Desiree a comment this week and your name goes into the hat for your choice of FOUR ebooks from Desiree Holt's impressive backlist and an AuthorIsland Goodie Box filled with lots of fun goodies and a book or two!  Just be sure to leave your email address so we can contact you if you're a winner!  Winner will be announced on Monday, August 18th.  Good Luck!

Just to give you an idea of what could be in your goodie box,
               this is a picture from one of our readers of a goodie bag we sent her!

Desiree Holt's Tiki Hut Winner

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to visit Desiree yesterday during her blog tour!


Congrats to Chele Blades - your name was drawn as our winner - be looking for an email from Desiree, and in the meantime, head to her website www.DesireeHolt.com to check out her booklist cause you won an ebook of your choice from her 100 books!

Today's Special Guest - Desiree Holt

Today at our Tiki Hut Blog, we're welcoming award-winning and bestselling author Desiree Holt's as a stop on her blog tour to celebrate her super impressive 100th Release!!! 


Desiree has lived a life of excitement that brings the color to her writing. She was a summer fishing guide, a summer field hand where she was one of only three women working, a member of a beginning ski team that skied in competition (and no, no broken bones!). She spent several years in the music business representing every kind of artist from country singer to heavy metal rock bands. For several years she also ran her own public relations agency handling any client that interested her.

She is twice a finalist for an EPIC E-Book Award, a nominee for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, winner of the first 5 Heart Sweetheart of the Year Award at The Romance Studio, and is published by four different houses. Romance Junkies said of her work: "Desiree Holt is the most amazing erotica author of our time and each story is more fulfilling then the last."

WEBSITE *** BLOG *** FACEBOOK *** MYSPACE *** TWITTER *** YAHOO GROUP


You’ve been hit by the dreaded writer’s block

So. You current WIP is racing along at warp speed, your characters all know their place, no one is speaking out of turn and you’re feeling pretty darn good about yourself. Then bam! Out of nowhere, a granite wall surrounds your brain. No matter how long you sit at the keyboard and stare at that pesky monitor screen, not one word will come to your brain. What to so. What to do.

There are so many suggested cures for writers block out in cyberspace that if you took the time to read them all, you’d for sure never get any writing done and you wouldn’t have to worry about your frozen brain cells. I thought some were very creative, some were hysterical, and some just plain made good sense.

One suggestions was hypnosis. Of course, you’d have to find a qualified hypnotist and be sure you were a good subject. But if you get past that, maybe you could have him or her implant a few extra suggestions for your next stories. And actually, believe it or not, for $12.95 you can download a CD, play it and hypnotize yourself. Only…who wakes you up?

Another suggestion is to step away from the computer. Well, duh. Don’t we all try that? But while you’re away from the dreaded computer, try translating a poem into another language (Google Babelfish). Or better yet, writing one yourself. It takes your brain on a whole new trip and gets it unstuck from the crossroads you can’t cross.

Watch a movie with English subtitles. I watched the movie, “Z”, that way and not only found myself drawn into the movie but as I concentrated many other idea came to me.

Indulge in a favorite treat. For me it’s coffee ice cream, or sometimes coffee and chocolate mixed together. Which of course is why I’ll never be modeling on the cover of Vogue.

Meditate. A good companion to hypnosis. Sometimes it helps to wipe the brain clean, sometimes it finds that little bend in the road where it’s stuck and unkinks it.

Brainstorm with a friend. Unless of course the friend is either under deadline or having her own writer’s block. If that latter, I suggest a two margarita lunch.

Keep a journal and write in it on the fays your brilliant ideas smack you in the head and the days your brain won’t work at all. When you go back later on and read them you’ll be surprised, stunned, hilarious at what you’ve written.

And finally, just put your WIP aside and start something new. Maybe something outrageous you haven’t tried before. Something that takes you to a whole new place. You’d be surprised how it will flow backwards to the place where you got stuck.

Me? I personally find my brain works best in the shower, which is why I often resemble an old prune.. But then, at least you know I’m always clean!

***

WIN - Celebrate Desiree’s 100th release, DOWNSTROKE, with a party at over 30 different blogs in the month of April. Each day the blog hostess for that day will pull a name from the commenters for a free download of the winner’s choice from Desiree’s backlist. A different winner every day. And be sure to register here for a refurbished Acer Netbook with external DVD drive!

And check out the http://www.authorisland.com/ Book of the Day today - you could win a copy of Desiree's UNTIL MIDNIGHT!!

Desiree Holt's Tiki Hut Winner

Thanks to everyone who stopped by yesterday to visit with Desiree and celebrate her 100th release, DOWNSTROKE!! 

Congrats goes out to Beth - but you didn't leave your email address so please email me at AuthorIsland@yahoo.com so we can get you out your prize - thanks!!

Welcoming Desiree Holt

Today at our Tiki Hut Blog, we're welcoming award-winning and bestselling author Desiree Holt's as a stop on her blog tour to celebrate her super impressive 100th Release!!! 


Desiree has lived a life of excitement that brings the color to her writing. She was a summer fishing guide, a summer field hand where she was one of only three women working, a member of a beginning ski team that skied in competition (and no, no broken bones!). She spent several years in the music business representing every kind of artist from country singer to heavy metal rock bands. For several years she also ran her own public relations agency handling any client that interested her.

She is twice a finalist for an EPIC E-Book Award, a nominee for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, winner of the first 5 Heart Sweetheart of the Year Award at The Romance Studio, and is published by four different houses. Romance Junkies said of her work: "Desiree Holt is the most amazing erotica author of our time and each story is more fulfilling then the last."

WEBSITE *** BLOG *** FACEBOOK *** MYSPACE *** TWITTER *** YAHOO GROUP


DOWNSTROKE by Desiree Holt

It's been twenty years since security specialist Charley Roper and country star Dallas Creed had their bitter parting. Now a killer has brought them together again, but neither is ready for a reunion - despite signs that their explosive chemistry hasn't waned with time. She can't forget the feel of his hands on her body. He can't forget the hot touch of her mouth. When they finally tumble into bed, the sex is just as good as they remember, hot enough to singe the sheets. But is it enough?

Thrown together during an exhausting, frenzied concert tour, with a killer nipping at their heels, Dallas and Charley find themselves on a hot, suspenseful, erotic roller coaster ride. Can he convince her to trust her heart to him one more time, to reach out for a richer, deeper, more mature love?

More importantly - can Charley keep Dallas alive long enough for either of them to enjoy a second chance?

BUY THE eBOOK *** READ THE EXCERPT *** WATCH THE VIDEO



****

The making of a book by Desiree Holt

Downstroke, the story of an anguished love and it’s chance to mature, is my 100th release. And it’s appropriate that for a milestone like this the book should be one that came straight from my heart.

I didn’t begin it as I do many of my stories, with a kernel of an idea or a character who wouldn’t get out of my head. Or in the case of one book, one line of dialogue. To tell you about the birth of the book I have to explain that in a life that’s been fortunately varied and exciting I spent ten years in the music industry, as a booking agent and a manager. The music has changed and technology has altered many things in the industry. But one thing hasn’t changed at all–the excitement of a performance and the magic that an electrifying performance brings.

Driving into town one day I happened to pull an old cassette out of the console in my truck (yes, I know, cassette – LOL! That’s how long ago I was in the business!). It was the recording of a concert with a major headliner that one of my bands opened for. As I listened to the music I was transported back to that night in the open air amphitheater, the crowd stirring restlessly as it waited for the concert to begin, the notes of the band tuning up behind the curtain. The anticipation that something magic was about to happen.

Except for one story I hadn’t really drawn on those years of experience in my writing but now ideas began dancing around in my mind. I wanted people to know what it was like in the industry, to share the excitement I’d felt so many times over those years. I’d have a hero-Dallas Creed-and a heroine (ultimately named Charley) and against a backdrop of the music business and the tension of a stalking killer I’d tell their story.

When I walked into my appointment that day I came face to face with the man who would become the inspiration for Dallas Creed-lean and muscular, mid forties, blond with streaks of grey in his hair. Smoky eyes filled with wisdom and anguish. I couldn’t wait to get home and get started.

As I listened to the music again on the way back the title popped into my head-Downstroke. The word refers to the motion of the hand from the top string to the bottom on a guitar. And in my book it would also refer to the rise of my hero, his fall to the bottom and his rise again. I could feel him in my heart-a man who’d thrown away a chance at happiness for the glitter of fame and success, who’d nearly died because of it and now was back on top again but with an emotional emptiness he couldn’t fill.

And then back into his life comes Charley, the woman he’s always loved. Top notch security agent with a successful business but also a void in her life. Twenty years of bitterness lies between them when she’s hired by his brother to find the killer stalking him.

This is a romantic suspense novel and a story of an exciting industry. But most of all it’s a love story of two people in midlife who have a chance to recapture what they threw away. Writing Downstroke was my reward to myself for all the time I’d spent learning my craft, earning my stripes. However you want to define it.

I hope you will love it as much as I do.

***

WIN - Celebrate Desiree’s 100th release, DOWNSTROKE, with a party at over 30 different blogs in the month of April. Each day the blog hostess for that day will pull a name from the commenters for a free download of the winner’s choice from Desiree’s backlist. A different winner every day. And be sure to register here for a refurbished Acer Netbook with external DVD drive!

Desiree Holt and Cerise DeLand's Tiki Hut Winner

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to visit with Desiree and Cerise this week! Congrats goes out to Marybelle - you win a free download of the first book they co-authored together UNTIL THE DAWN.

This Week's Special Guests Desiree Holt and Cerise Deland

This week at the AuthorIsland Tiki Hut , we welcome award-winning authors Desiree Holt and Cerise DeLand who stop by to talk with us about co-authoring. Together they just kicked off the Nemesis Series, a new series for Ellora's Cave's Breathless line of erotic romantic suspense, with their first book together UNTIL THE DAWN.

Meet Desiree Holt: All her life, Desiree dreamed of faraway places and unbelievably sexy men. From baseball players to rock musicians to television personalities she met them all and each one enriched her life. Now tucked away in the Texas Hill Country, she shares her fantasies with her readers. In her satin robe, with her scented candle burning and a chilled glass of wine at hand, she lets her mind run wild — and hopes you’ll take the journey with her. When she’s not writing, she reads and indulges in her other passion — watching football.

VISIT DESIREE HOLT'S WEBSITE

Meet Cerise DeLand: What’s a gal to do if she hails from D.C., lives now deep in the heart of Texas, travels often everywhere, and adores Paris, Florence, London, Tokyo and all points east and west? Ah. She becomes an author who can write about those romantic places. And if your sweet tooth craves spies, pirates, body guards and gutsy women of today and yesteryears of medieval and Regency England, then she is the author you crave for smoldering erotic encounters and delicious love affairs!

Her name? Cerise DeLand. What’s more is that Cerise is the award-winning author of 18 print novels of mystery, mainstream and romance with St. Martin’s Press, Pocket Books and Kensington. Her books have been on every book club list you can name, including Featured Selections of The Mystery Guild, Doubleday and Rhapsody. And when she isn’t dreaming up fiction? Cerise also writes non-fiction. Busy lady. Happy writer.

VISIT CERISE DELAND'S WEBSITE



Co-authoring…the spice in the stew
Cerise Deland and Desiree Holt
Authors of Until the Dawn, Nemesis: Book One

So you’re doing really well as a solo author. Great. Most of the authors out there are right there with you. But did you ever think about sticking your toe in deeper water? Finding the ticket to enhancing your ‘voice’? Bringing a new dimension to your writing? Exchange ideas? Give your work a fresh voice? Put the ‘fun’ back in writing? Then maybe co-authoring is for you. It offers continued interaction with another writer outside a critique group, and the interaction helps keep you sane, happy and creative.

Co-authoring is different than collaborating. In collaboration two or more authors get together to create a series, each one writing an entire title. In co-authoring, you are writing simultaneously. In some instances this means alternate chapters, in some alternate POVs. You have to find out what works for you. What your best method of working together is. This means brainstorming plots, refining characters, finding the common ground on which to build the story. And as you do this, the best method of co-authoring emerges.

How do you decide the point in your career to try this? For everyone it’s different. Maybe you’re stuck in a genre rut and want to try something new. Maybe you’ve become too plot-oriented and want to hook up with someone who’s more character-oriented. Maybe you want to try a new genre altogether but doing it alone is scary and intimidating. And maybe you’re having coffee, or wine, or a long cyberchat with another writer with whom you’ve developed a great relationship. And then suddenly out pops an idea and you both say, “Let’s write a book together.”

The first thing to consider is whether your styles blend. Have you read each other’s work? Do you know how the other person writes? For example: if a writer tends to write dark but you have a light and fun style could you work together? Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe the style could complement each other and create a fresh new voice for both of you. That’s definitely something to hash out.

Another point to consider is how you write. Are you a plotter or a pantser? Do your characters talk to you when you’re writing and sometimes send the story in another direction? If it happens to one of you and not the other, then you have to discussing detail if the two methods can blend without disrupting the story. Following a timeline is another point to discuss. How much time a day you each spend writing and will you both keep to the schedule you collaboratively set for yourselves.

And finally, can you each accept the other’s critiques without blowing a gasket. Writing is probably the single profession where having a thick skin gives you the best advantage. You may be in love with every word you write but not everyone else will be. And you will not grow as a writer—or work effectively with another one—if you are not willing to be a sponge and soak up every bit of logical criticism. And then between you, you take what works and toss the rest.


We consider ourselves very fortunate. We blend our styles, work easily and well together, love the same kind of stories and the same kind of characters. This series, Nemesis, of which Until the Dawn is the first book, is iour first co-authoring venture but you can bets it won’t be our last.


***

WIN - Leave Desiree and/or Cerise a comment or question this week at the AuthorIsland Tiki Hut and your name goes in the hat for a copy of their first book together UNTIL THE DAWN. Please leave your email address so we can contact you if you are this week's winner - Good Luck!

The Cougar Challenge - Book Seven - CAM'S HOLIDAY by Ciana Stone

Seven of the wildest women of erotic romance pull out all the stops in a series about women who dare to take the challenge and experience the delights of sex with a younger man. Women who cast off their cloaks of conventionality and indulge their inner wild woman.

Call it fate or coincidence, but when Autumn Kelley, Rachel Bridges, Camille Stockton, Monica Allen, Elizabeth Winters, and Stevie Jones meet at Romanticon™, an Erotic Romance convention, an instant bond is formed. Not only do they share a love of Erotic Romance, but their lives are traveling remarkably parallel paths. All single due to quirks of fate (or unfaithful men), each of them longs for the kind of sexual adventure and romance they read about in the erotic romance books they so love. And each one is terrified at the idea of trying to pursue that dream.

When the convention ends, the friendship grows. They chat online and by phone and even blog on a private blog Camille sets up. They discuss their fantasies and tease one another about not having the courage to have a “real” Cougar experience. Soon they are joined by an unlikely new member, Edie Howard, unbeknownst to them an ex-supermodel.

One of the women gets a bit tired of “all talk and no action” or as she refers to it “the Elvis song” (a little less conversation a little more action) and challenges everyone to get out there and see what’s available.

And so they do.

Each woman finds her own brand of sexual adventure and perhaps sexual reawakening. And she blogs about it to her friends. They cheer one another on, laugh at the “oops” moments and tease each other good naturedly as their stories unfold.

Books in the Cougar Challenge Series:
1. PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM by Samantha Kane
2. BEAUTY OF SUNSET by Lynne Connolly
3. WINTER’S THAW by Dalton Diaz
4. HOT TO TROT by Desiree Holt
5. ASSUME THE POSITIONS by Mari Carr
6. SIN ON SKIN by Mari Freeman
7. CAM’S HOLIDAY by Ciana Stone

Come meet the ladies of Cougar Challenge at Romantic Times Booklovers convention. The Cougar Growl on Thursday, April 29 2:30-3:30 will have the authors in person and feature lots of prizes and giveaways. Visit their blog for yummy pictures, posts and details!

CAM'S HOLIDAY By: Ciana Stone
Book seven of the Cougar Challenge series.

Fantasies about being with a younger man? Before her husband left her for a younger model, they wouldn’t have crossed Cam’s mind, but now she has plenty. After meeting a group of ladies at RomantiCon, Cam and the women form a blog celebrating younger men—Tempt the Cougar. Then they challenge each other to find a younger man to make their fantasies come true. It’s not a husband hunt. It isn’t about love. It’s about a night of hot, steamy sex.

When Lee Holiday enters Cam’s life, he seems like the right man for the job. A personal trainer, he makes it clear he’d love to ring Cam’s bell. And ring it he does. Repeatedly. Cam’s found sexual nirvana. Only Lee’s not going to be happy with a short-term, sex-only relationship. He wants the whole nine yards and is out to prove to Cam that he’s more than just a holiday from her normal life. He’s the man of her dreams.

BUY THE BOOK *** READ THE EXCERPT

WIN - Seven authors, seven books, seven days...each day this week, we'll talk about one of the books in this hot and sexy series from Ellora's Cave and each day, we'll give away a free download of that book to one of the readers who comments that day! All readers who comment on each of this week's seven posts will get their name in the hat for a beautiful tote bag filled with author goodies and signed by the authors at the 2009 RomantiCon! Please be sure to leave your email address so we can contact you if you're one of our winners.

The Cougar Challenge - Book Six - SIN ON SKIN by Mari Freeman

Seven of the wildest women of erotic romance pull out all the stops in a series about women who dare to take the challenge and experience the delights of sex with a younger man. Women who cast off their cloaks of conventionality and indulge their inner wild woman.



Call it fate or coincidence, but when Autumn Kelley, Rachel Bridges, Camille Stockton, Monica Allen, Elizabeth Winters, and Stevie Jones meet at Romanticon™, an Erotic Romance convention, an instant bond is formed. Not only do they share a love of Erotic Romance, but their lives are traveling remarkably parallel paths. All single due to quirks of fate (or unfaithful men), each of them longs for the kind of sexual adventure and romance they read about in the erotic romance books they so love. And each one is terrified at the idea of trying to pursue that dream.

When the convention ends, the friendship grows. They chat online and by phone and even blog on a private blog Camille sets up. They discuss their fantasies and tease one another about not having the courage to have a “real” Cougar experience. Soon they are joined by an unlikely new member, Edie Howard, unbeknownst to them an ex-supermodel.

One of the women gets a bit tired of “all talk and no action” or as she refers to it “the Elvis song” (a little less conversation a little more action) and challenges everyone to get out there and see what’s available.

And so they do.

Each woman finds her own brand of sexual adventure and perhaps sexual reawakening. And she blogs about it to her friends. They cheer one another on, laugh at the “oops” moments and tease each other good naturedly as their stories unfold.

Books in the Cougar Challenge Series:
1. PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM by Samantha Kane
2. BEAUTY OF SUNSET by Lynne Connolly
3. WINTER’S THAW by Dalton Diaz
4. HOT TO TROT by Desiree Holt
5. ASSUME THE POSITIONS by Mari Carr
6. SIN ON SKIN by Mari Freeman
7. CAM’S HOLIDAY by Ciana Stone

Come meet the ladies of Cougar Challenge at Romantic Times Booklovers convention. The Cougar Growl on Thursday, April 29 2:30-3:30 will have the authors in person and feature lots of prizes and giveaways. Visit their blog for yummy pictures, posts and details!

SIN ON SKIN By: Mari Freeman

Book six of the Cougar Challenge series.

Wild women do…

That’s the theme for the friends Stevie Jones found at an erotic-romance convention. But as the women share their experiences with younger guys on their Tempt the Cougar blog, Stevie discovers she’s the least wild of the bunch. Finding a younger man isn’t the problem; after a lifetime of unfulfilled desires, Stevie needs a younger alpha man. In the meantime, getting a tattoo is an easy, safe way to begin ramping up her wild side.

Tattoo artist Errol knows instantly what Stevie needs, and it’s not just a bit of ink. He’s hot, young—and he’s just invited Stevie to his private BDSM club. Before you can say “green light”, Stevie is experiencing things she’d only read in her favorite erotic novels. Sinful toys, spanking benches and voyeurism are just some of the stops on what will become the wildest ride of her life.

BUY THE BOOK *** READ THE EXCERPT

WIN - Seven authors, seven books, seven days...each day this week, we'll talk about one of the books in this hot and sexy series from Ellora's Cave and each day, we'll give away a free download of that book to one of the readers who comments that day! All readers who comment on each of this week's seven posts will get their name in the hat for a beautiful tote bag filled with author goodies and signed by the authors at the 2009 Romanticon! Please be sure to leave your email address so we can contact you if you're one of our winners.

The Cougar Challenge - Book Five - ASSUME THE POSITIONS by Mari Carr

Seven of the wildest women of erotic romance pull out all the stops in a series about women who dare to take the challenge and experience the delights of sex with a younger man. Women who cast off their cloaks of conventionality and indulge their inner wild woman.

Call it fate or coincidence, but when Autumn Kelley, Rachel Bridges, Camille Stockton, Monica Allen, Elizabeth Winters, and Stevie Jones meet at Romanticon™, an Erotic Romance convention, an instant bond is formed. Not only do they share a love of Erotic Romance, but their lives are traveling remarkably parallel paths. All single due to quirks of fate (or unfaithful men), each of them longs for the kind of sexual adventure and romance they read about in the erotic romance books they so love. And each one is terrified at the idea of trying to pursue that dream.

When the convention ends, the friendship grows. They chat online and by phone and even blog on a private blog Camille sets up. They discuss their fantasies and tease one another about not having the courage to have a “real” Cougar experience. Soon they are joined by an unlikely new member, Edie Howard, unbeknownst to them an ex-supermodel.

One of the women gets a bit tired of “all talk and no action” or as she refers to it “the Elvis song” (a little less conversation a little more action) and challenges everyone to get out there and see what’s available.

And so they do.

Each woman finds her own brand of sexual adventure and perhaps sexual reawakening. And she blogs about it to her friends. They cheer one another on, laugh at the “oops” moments and tease each other good naturedly as their stories unfold.

Books in the Cougar Challenge Series:
1. PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM by Samantha Kane
2. BEAUTY OF SUNSET by Lynne Connolly
3. WINTER’S THAW by Dalton Diaz
4. HOT TO TROT by Desiree Holt
5. ASSUME THE POSITIONS by Mari Carr
6. SIN ON SKIN by Mari Freeman
7. CAM’S HOLIDAY by Ciana Stone

Come meet the ladies of Cougar Challenge at Romantic Times Booklovers convention. The Cougar Growl on Thursday, April 29 2:30-3:30 will have the authors in person and feature lots of prizes and giveaways. Visit their blog for yummy pictures, posts and details!


ASSUME THE POSTIONS By: Mari Carr

Book five of the Cougar Challenge series.

Damn Cougar Challenge!

Rachel’s thankful for the new friends she met while attending an erotica-book convention. They instantly connected and began sharing the relationship woes unique to older single women on their Tempt the Cougar blog. Then Monica issues that challenge… How is Rachel going to convince a younger man to have sex with her? Hell, even she doesn’t want to look at herself naked. To control her growing angst, she makes a list of eligible men then… Nothing. It’s been too long and her divorce was too painful. She’ll never be able to do this.

Ethan, one of Rachel’s physical therapy patients, is pissed when he learns of the challenge. Not because he finds it silly—because he’s not on Rachel’s list! So he does what any self-assured young stud would do. The luscious police officer gives her a copy of the Kama Sutra then asks her to make a new list.

And assume the positions…

BUY THE BOOK *** READ THE EXCERPT

WIN - Seven authors, seven books, seven days...each day this week, we'll talk about one of the books in this hot and sexy series from Ellora's Cave and each day, we'll give away a free download of that book to one of the readers who comments that day! All readers who comment on each of this week's seven posts will get their name in the hat for a beautiful tote bag filled with author goodies and signed by the authors at the 2009 RomantiCon! Please be sure to leave your email address so we can contact you if you're one of our winners.

The Cougar Challenge - Book Four - HOT TO TROT by Desiree Holt

Seven of the wildest women of erotic romance pull out all the stops in a series about women who dare to take the challenge and experience the delights of sex with a younger man. Women who cast off their cloaks of conventionality and indulge their inner wild woman.

Call it fate or coincidence, but when Autumn Kelley, Rachel Bridges, Camille Stockton, Monica Allen, Elizabeth Winters, and Stevie Jones meet at Romanticon™, an Erotic Romance convention, an instant bond is formed. Not only do they share a love of Erotic Romance, but their lives are traveling remarkably parallel paths. All single due to quirks of fate (or unfaithful men), each of them longs for the kind of sexual adventure and romance they read about in the erotic romance books they so love. And each one is terrified at the idea of trying to pursue that dream.

When the convention ends, the friendship grows. They chat online and by phone and even blog on a private blog Camille sets up. They discuss their fantasies and tease one another about not having the courage to have a “real” Cougar experience. Soon they are joined by an unlikely new member, Edie Howard, unbeknownst to them an ex-supermodel.

One of the women gets a bit tired of “all talk and no action” or as she refers to it “the Elvis song” (a little less conversation a little more action) and challenges everyone to get out there and see what’s available.

And so they do.

Each woman finds her own brand of sexual adventure and perhaps sexual reawakening. And she blogs about it to her friends. They cheer one another on, laugh at the “oops” moments and tease each other good naturedly as their stories unfold.

Books in the Cougar Challenge Series:
1. PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM by Samantha Kane
2. BEAUTY OF SUNSET by Lynne Connolly
3. WINTER’S THAW by Dalton Diaz
4. HOT TO TROT by Desiree Holt
5. ASSUME THE POSITIONS by Mari Carr
6. SIN ON SKIN by Mari Freeman
7. CAM’S HOLIDAY by Ciana Stone

Come meet the ladies of Cougar Challenge at Romantic Times Booklovers convention. The Cougar Growl on Thursday, April 29 2:30-3:30 will have the authors in person and feature lots of prizes and giveaways. Visit their blog for yummy pictures, posts and details!

HOT TO TROT By: Desiree Holt

Book four of the Cougar Challenge series.

Buying a ranch on eBay was the wildest thing Autumn Kelley had ever done. Past forty, she’d pretty much written excitement out of her life. But then she discovers the ranch comes with a foreman who makes her pulse pound and could give her an orgasm just by looking at her. As if that isn’t enough, he has a friend equally as mouthwatering—and the two of them take Autumn on an erotic trip that outdoes any fantasy she could ever have imagined.

If sex with one hot boy toy is fantastic, sex with two at the same time is a whole new level of amazing. But what happens when Autumn inevitably has to come down from the orgasmic high

BUY THE BOOK *** READ THE EXCERPT

WIN - Seven authors, seven books, seven days...each day this week, we'll talk about one of the books in this hot and sexy series from Ellora's Cave and each day, we'll give away a free download of that book to one of the readers who comments that day! All readers who comment on each of this week's seven posts will get their name in the hat for a beautiful tote bag filled with author goodies and signed by the authors at the 2009 RomantiCon! Please be sure to leave your email address so we can contact you if you're one of our winners.

The Cougar Challenge - Book Three - WINTER'S THAW by Dalton Diaz

Seven of the wildest women of erotic romance pull out all the stops in a series about women who dare to take the challenge and experience the delights of sex with a younger man. Women who cast off their cloaks of conventionality and indulge their inner wild woman.

Call it fate or coincidence, but when Autumn Kelley, Rachel Bridges, Camille Stockton, Monica Allen, Elizabeth Winters, and Stevie Jones meet at Romanticon™, an Erotic Romance convention, an instant bond is formed. Not only do they share a love of Erotic Romance, but their lives are traveling remarkably parallel paths. All single due to quirks of fate (or unfaithful men), each of them longs for the kind of sexual adventure and romance they read about in the erotic romance books they so love. And each one is terrified at the idea of trying to pursue that dream.

When the convention ends, the friendship grows. They chat online and by phone and even blog on a private blog Camille sets up. They discuss their fantasies and tease one another about not having the courage to have a “real” Cougar experience. Soon they are joined by an unlikely new member, Edie Howard, unbeknownst to them an ex-supermodel.

One of the women gets a bit tired of “all talk and no action” or as she refers to it “the Elvis song” (a little less conversation a little more action) and challenges everyone to get out there and see what’s available.

And so they do.

Each woman finds her own brand of sexual adventure and perhaps sexual reawakening. And she blogs about it to her friends. They cheer one another on, laugh at the “oops” moments and tease each other good naturedly as their stories unfold.

Books in the Cougar Challenge Series:
1. PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM by Samantha Kane
2. BEAUTY OF SUNSET by Lynne Connolly
3. WINTER’S THAW by Dalton Diaz
4. HOT TO TROT by Desiree Holt
5. ASSUME THE POSITIONS by Mari Carr
6. SIN ON SKIN by Mari Freeman
7. CAM’S HOLIDAY by Ciana Stone

Come meet the ladies of Cougar Challenge at Romantic Times Booklovers convention. The Cougar Growl on Thursday, April 29 2:30-3:30 will have the authors in person and feature lots of prizes and giveaways. Visit their blog for yummy pictures, posts and details!

WINTER'S THAW By: Dalton Diaz

Book three of the Cougar Challenge series.

OR nurse Elizabeth Winters is forty-one, divorced and determined to figure out what all the fuss is about sex. Her ex spent over twenty years crushing her sensuality and it is long past time for release. Literally, dammit! In her quest, she befriends a group of women her age who admit having a passion for younger men—and thus begins a challenge…

Thirty-year-old engineer Kevin Springer loves solving puzzles and “Elle” has him aching to fit the pieces. The more he gets to know her, the more intrigued he becomes, especially in bed. He quickly realizes he wants more than her offered no-strings-attached, wild sex, but convincing her to take a chance on a relationship isn’t going to be easy.

BUY THE BOOK *** READ THE EXCERPT

WIN - Seven authors, seven books, seven days...each day this week, we'll talk about one of the books in this hot and sexy series from Ellora's Cave and each day, we'll give away a free download of that book to one of the readers who comments that day! All readers who comment on each of this week's seven posts will get their name in the hat for a beautiful tote bag filled with author goodies and signed by the authors at the 2009 RomantiCon! Please be sure to leave your email address so we can contact you if you're one of our winners.

The Cougar Challenge - Book Two - BEAUTY OF SUNSET by Lynne Connolly

Seven of the wildest women of erotic romance pull out all the stops in a series about women who dare to take the challenge and experience the delights of sex with a younger man. Women who cast off their cloaks of conventionality and indulge their inner wild woman.



Call it fate or coincidence, but when Autumn Kelley, Rachel Bridges, Camille Stockton, Monica Allen, Elizabeth Winters, and Stevie Jones meet at Romanticon™, an Erotic Romance convention, an instant bond is formed. Not only do they share a love of Erotic Romance, but their lives are traveling remarkably parallel paths. All single due to quirks of fate (or unfaithful men), each of them longs for the kind of sexual adventure and romance they read about in the erotic romance books they so love. And each one is terrified at the idea of trying to pursue that dream.

When the convention ends, the friendship grows. They chat online and by phone and even blog on a private blog Camille sets up. They discuss their fantasies and tease one another about not having the courage to have a “real” Cougar experience. Soon they are joined by an unlikely new member, Edie Howard, unbeknownst to them an ex-supermodel.

One of the women gets a bit tired of “all talk and no action” or as she refers to it “the Elvis song” (a little less conversation a little more action) and challenges everyone to get out there and see what’s available.

And so they do.

Each woman finds her own brand of sexual adventure and perhaps sexual reawakening. And she blogs about it to her friends. They cheer one another on, laugh at the “oops” moments and tease each other good naturedly as their stories unfold.

Books in the Cougar Challenge Series:
1. PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM by Samantha Kane
2. BEAUTY OF SUNSET by Lynne Connolly
3. WINTER’S THAW by Dalton Diaz
4. HOT TO TROT by Desiree Holt
5. ASSUME THE POSITIONS by Mari Carr
6. SIN ON SKIN by Mari Freeman
7. CAM’S HOLIDAY by Ciana Stone

Come meet the ladies of Cougar Challenge at Romantic Times Booklovers convention. The Cougar Growl on Thursday, April 29 2:30-3:30 will have the authors in person and feature lots of prizes and giveaways. Visit their blog for yummy pictures, posts and details!


BEAUTY OF SUNSET By: Lynne Connolly
Book two of the Cougar Challenge series.

When Edie Howard meets cosmetic surgeon John Sung, she can’t think of anything except getting the younger man naked. Her friends on the Tempt the Cougar blog remind Edie of her promise—to seduce a younger man. It’s time for Edie to take action.

Dr. John Sung takes one look at Edie and knows he can’t operate on her. He signs off as her doctor and makes her a bet—if he can make her love her body as it is, she won’t have any surgery.

John’s bet involves close examinations—and torrid, sleepless nights. Their passion is far more than either expects, and John begins to wonder if he’ll ever get enough of this woman. Edie just counts her blessings and hopes their

BUY THE BOOK *** READ THE EXCERPT

WIN - Seven authors, seven books, seven days...each day this week, we'll talk about one of the books in this hot and sexy series from Ellora's Cave and each day, we'll give away a free download of that book to one of the readers who comments that day! All readers who comment on each of this week's seven posts will get their name in the hat for a beautiful tote bag filled with author goodies and signed by the authors at the 2009 RomantiCon! Please be sure to leave your email address so we can contact you if you're one of our winners.

The Cougar Challenge - Book One - PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM by Samantha Kane

Seven of the wildest women of erotic romance pull out all the stops in a series about women who dare to take the challenge and experience the delights of sex with a younger man. Women who cast off their cloaks of conventionality and indulge their inner wild woman.



Call it fate or coincidence, but when Autumn Kelley, Rachel Bridges, Camille Stockton, Monica Allen, Elizabeth Winters, and Stevie Jones meet at Romanticon™, an Erotic Romance convention, an instant bond is formed. Not only do they share a love of Erotic Romance, but their lives are traveling remarkably parallel paths. All single due to quirks of fate (or unfaithful men), each of them longs for the kind of sexual adventure and romance they read about in the erotic romance books they so love. And each one is terrified at the idea of trying to pursue that dream.

When the convention ends, the friendship grows. They chat online and by phone and even blog on a private blog Camille sets up. They discuss their fantasies and tease one another about not having the courage to have a “real” Cougar experience. Soon they are joined by an unlikely new member, Edie Howard, unbeknownst to them an ex-supermodel.

One of the women gets a bit tired of “all talk and no action” or as she refers to it “the Elvis song” (a little less conversation a little more action) and challenges everyone to get out there and see what’s available.

And so they do.

Each woman finds her own brand of sexual adventure and perhaps sexual reawakening. And she blogs about it to her friends. They cheer one another on, laugh at the “oops” moments and tease each other good naturedly as their stories unfold.

Books in the Cougar Challenge Series:
1. PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM by Samantha Kane
2. BEAUTY OF SUNSET by Lynne Connolly
3. WINTER’S THAW by Dalton Diaz
4. HOT TO TROT by Desiree Holt
5. ASSUME THE POSITIONS by Mari Carr
6. SIN ON SKIN by Mari Freeman
7. CAM’S HOLIDAY by Ciana Stone

Come meet the ladies of Cougar Challenge at Romantic Times Booklovers convention. The Cougar Growl on Thursday, April 29 2:30-3:30 will have the authors in person and feature lots of prizes and giveaways. Visit their blog for yummy pictures, posts and details!


PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM By: Samantha Kane
Book One of the Cougar Challenge series.

Monica Allen has always been attracted to younger men. She even married one. But after the divorce, she thought she was through with them for good. Then she meets a group of ladies at RomantiCon, and they form a blog celebrating younger men, Tempt the Cougar.

After another lonely Friday night, Monica challenges her friends to each find a younger man to make their fantasies come true. She doesn’t have to marry him—been there, done that, threw away the t-shirt. But for a night of hot sex? Hell yes.

But Sam Lincoln refuses to be just a fantasy. He’s a graduate student with a yen for older women and he may have just found the one to make his own fantasies come true. With a little help from his roommate Josh, Sam fulfills Monica’s deepest desires. Can he convince this sexy cougar to give him a chance at happily ever after?


BUY THE BOOK *** READ THE EXCERPT

WIN - Seven authors, seven books, seven days...each day this week, we'll talk about one of the books in this hot and sexy series from Ellora's Cave and each day, we'll give away a free download of that book to one of the readers who comments that day! All readers who comment on each of this week's seven posts will get their name in the hat for a beautiful tote bag filled with author goodies and signed by the authors at the 2009 RomantiCon! Please be sure to leave your email address so we can contact you if you're one of our winners.