This week, more from my WIP Bad Choices. Last week’s six was about Peyton’s lack of a wedding ring and ended with Cooper asking Peyton why he was there. Today’s six is his reply.

“I’m here for you, Cooper. I walked away from what the three of us had all those years ago and I never looked back. You and Devlin got engaged. I got married and had a kid. But you know, you were always there in my head and heart. When Dev died, I couldn’t deny the truth any longer.”

Please stop by the Six Sunday site and check out the other offerings. Thanks for coming by!

Happy Sunday!

Six Sentence Sunday 58 is a post from: Lex Valentine, Author

You asked for it. Here’s what happened to Peyton’s wedding ring in Bad Choices.

A knot formed in Cooper’s stomach. “When did you ask her for a divorce?”

“Two months after Dev died. It became final a week ago.”

Dizziness hit her and she leaned back in her chair, gripping the arms tightly. “Why are you here?” she whispered, although, she knew now why he’d walked into her gallery today.

One of these days, I need to finish this manuscript. LOL BTW, I did finish Kissing Joan Collins. Expect to see it next month at MLR Press in time for Valentine’s Day.

Many thanks to everyone who comes by to read and comment each week. You can check out the other Six Sentence Sunday participants HERE. Happy Sunday!

Six Sentence Sunday 57 is a post from: Lex Valentine, Author

I was going to jump back to Kissing Joan Collins and give you six of that before I finished it and sent it to my editor. (It’s slated to be a Valentine’s Day release for MLR Press if I finish on time.) Instead, this week’s six is also from my WIP Bad Choices, which I featured last week, but I’m going to back up a little and give you a taste of what happened between Peyton and Cooper before last week’s confession about Devlin.

When he cupped the side of her face with his hand, she realized that the cool metal of his wedding band was missing. She twisted away from his kiss, her eyes opening. Peyton stared back at her, his chest heaving.

“What are you doing?” she asked, trying to whip up her anger. “I’ve barely seen you since Devlin died and now you’re here kissing me and dredging up the past. Why are you here and where the hell is your wedding ring?”

Many thanks to those of you who come here to comment each week, even when I get tied up and get around to your sixes to comment. I sincerely appreciate you coming by. To read the other Six Sunday offerings by published and unpublished authors alike, click HERE.

Happy Sunday!

Six Sentence Sunday 56 is a post from: Lex Valentine, Author

This week I’ve got a taste of Bad Choices for you. This is a story I entered in a cold read session by Angela James of Carina Press at the OCC RWA meeting yesterday. Sadly, I didn’t catch that I’d used some descriptive phases more than once. Otherwise, it didn’t go too badly for me. LOL In this scene, Peyton tells Cooper of the secret life her fiance lived.

“He liked to be dominated by men physically, sexually, in every way.”

“He never loved me.” Her raw whisper held years worth of pain and frustration.

One large hand tugged the photo frame from her, turning it face down on her desk. “He loved you more than you could ever imagine, but no matter how much he fought it, he just couldn’t shake his kink. He lived for pain,” Peyton said softly.

Thank you all for coming by every week and commenting. I sincerely appreciate it. To read the other Six Sunday participants, click HERE. Happy Sunday!

Six Sentence Sunday 55 is a post from: Lex Valentine, Author

This week with Valentine’s Day coming, I have six sentences from what may end up being a Valentine’s story if all goes well. This is six from Kissing Joan Collins, a gay Valentine’s friends to lovers romance. Logan’s brother Jeremy is giving him some advice on how to deal with his long term crush on his best friend Chase.

“Maybe he wants you as much as you want him, but he’s just as afraid as you are to mess up your friendship.”

“When the hell did you become Mr. Relationship Advice? You don’t even date the same woman more than twice.”

Jeremy shot him an evil look. “I do too…when I can find one that doesn’t bore me that fast. Look, I’m just saying that maybe things aren’t what they seem with Chase and you should think about that before you dismiss the notion that Chase doesn’t think you’re attractive.”

Thank you all for coming by each week. Your comments are greatly appreciated. Please show some love to the other SSS authors by checking out their offerings HERE. Happy Sunday!

Six Sentence Sunday 54 is a post from: Lex Valentine, Author

I’m back from my holiday break with six sentences from Finding Your Heart, the het version. I will be putting this up on Amazon and Smashwords as soon as it’s editing is complete. Probably today!

“You like it. Don’t tell me you don’t.”

“I’ve always liked everything you’ve ever done to me.” She leaned on his chest to look him in the eye. “Except let me go. I didn’t like that at all.”

This is a New Year’s story of renewal and it will be available for FREE just as soon as I can get uploaded. If you liked my six, please stop over at the Six Sunday website and check out all the other offerings from authors and unpublished writers alike.

Happy New Year everyone!

PS: Both the gay rom version of this story and the het version are available for free on Smashwords. Click HERE to get the gay rom and HERE to get the het version.

Six Sentence Sunday 53 is a post from: Lex Valentine, Author

Merry Christmas everyone! Here’s a recap of my 30 Days of Christmas event. I hope everyone had a great time and found new authors to read. I know I had a lot of fun bringing you all these authors and books.

Total number of books given away: 89

Total number of authors participating (including Lex): 56

Number of Lex books given away: 27

Number of holiday books given away: 21

Number of new release days during the giveaway: 5

Number of gay rom books (or menage with M/M elements) given away: 36

Number of covers done by Winterheart Design (Lex) in the giveaway: 31

Number of trailers done by Winterheart Design for books given away: 19

Winners:

Nancy Gilliland – The Wise Guy, Gambit

Ute – A Very Cougar Christmas, Up on the Housetop, 33 Days Till Christmas

Renee Bennett – Uprooted, Mystified, She Rides

Dawn Rosemier – NightShift

Lindsey E. – NightShift

Joanne B. – Shifting Winds, Fancy Free, Her Man Flint

Cyndi Welding – Hot Water, Chains of Silver,  Fighting For Control

Renee S. – Fire Season, Because It’s True, The Russian Boy

Shelly A. – Ride the Lightning, Phantom Touch, Alpha vs Alpha

Estella – Danielle’s Touch, Touch Me In the Dark, Infidelity, Cruise Into Jeopardy

Joder – Holiday Hearts, Common Ground, Shiny Objects, Three Times the Scandal

Beatrice – Sunstroked, Unacceptable Risk, Bound For the Forest

Sarah S. – Breathe Me In, Tingle Bells, Paradise Found

Debra G. – Blood Play, What the Earl Desires, Always You

Emily Tardy – Weylyn’s Gift, The Pleasure Girl, Sex Symbol

Amber Hall – Unbreak Me, Dark Moon, Dark Ice, The Veteran

Cathy M. – Insolence, Heartbeat, Sherry Amour

Regina Ross – Rock My World, Laid Bare, Voices in the Dark

Kaje Harper – Orientation, The Secret of Talmor Manor, Cop Out

Tracey D. – Mistletowed

Barbra B. – Honorable Silence, Sno Ho or A Summit City Christmas, Spinning, Grounded, Finding Home

eeper – Breath of Heaven

Shelley Munro – Love Me Dead, Memories Erased, Treachery, Howl at the Mistletoe

Sarah Kalaitzidis – Where There’s Smoke, The Birches, The Crush, choice of backlist from Ethan Stone

Anne – Christmas Catch, Slave Master’s Choice, Tinseltown, In Remembrance of Us

Virginia C. – Stark Naked

Patricia – Christmas Hookup, The Pixie Prince, Ginger Snap

Casey Wyatt – Marked For Surrender

Tina Seitz – Christmas in Hell, Christmas Wishes, Santa’s Sleeping Beauty

Danielle – Cupid Christmas, Earl of Darkness, Dragons at Midnight

Cyn – Christmas Cowboys, Wishing on a Blue Star, The Dark Angels-Tied Together, A Picture Perfect Holiday, Secret Light

For one last chance to win a holiday book from me, head on over to Castles and Guns today. You have until the next post goes up to leave a comment. One commenter will win a copy of Christmas Cowboys which is 5 Christmas stories together!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Recap of 30 Days of Christmas 2011 is a post from: Lex Valentine, Author

It’s the last day and I have a really special line up for you. First, I have a copy of Christmas Cowboys which is the ENTIRE Christmas Cowboys of Forbes Ranch series, all five stories. Next, I have a copy of Wishing on a Blue Star which features my story In the Light starring my horndog werewolf Weylyn Randall in a serious tale of friendship and loss. Wishing on a Blue Star was edited by my MLR Press editor Kris Jacen and today is Kris’s birthday so she is giving away an ARC of The Dark Angels-Tied Together.  And last but never least is my good friend and favorite lunch companion, Z.A. Maxfield. ZAM, who is also in Wishing on a Blue Star, has two wonderful holiday stories out this Christmas. I did the cover for A Picture Perfect Holiday and I did the video for Secret Light. Both stories are really great reads, but I simply fell in love with Secret Light and the video is the most poignant, beautiful thing I’ve ever done.

So let’s celebrate Kris’s birthday and take a look at all these luscious books!

Christmas Cowboys

Pink Petal Books

Anthology – M/F and M/M erotic holiday romances

BUY LINK

Blurb:

Christmas at Forbes Ranch is always special. It’s a place where dreams come true when you wish on the Christmas star and Happily Ever Afters always happen on Christmas Eve. The magic of Christmas weaves itself through five stories of love with five amazing couples. A supermodel cowboy and an older woman bring a twisted version of the Gift of the Magi to life. A former military pilot and a rancher turn a lonely holiday into the promise of a future. A city girl and a former rodeo star realize that they’ve been both been wanting the same thing. A cowgirl and a computer geek put their faith in the power of the Christmas star. And two rodeo cowboys heal a decade old wound with forgiveness and a love that never died. Come to Forbes Ranch this Christmas and experience the joy of a holiday happily ever after.

Wishing on a Blue Star, featuring In the Light, A Five Dark Realms Tale

Dreamspinner Press

Anthology – M/M short stories and dark tales

FREE! DOWNLOAD LINK

Blurb:

A Special Project by Dreamspinner Press & ManLoveRomance Press. Edited by Kris Jacen.

How much impact can someone have on your life if you’ve never met them face to face?

In this electronic age of E-mails, electronic publishing, and social networks, quite a lot.

Through his emails, stories and blog, author Patric Michael has touched numerous hearts, minds and lives from the start of his career and further as he now takes us along on his journey to battle cancer.  Along the way, Patric shows us a side of life that not many truly see– how we are all a part of something larger than just ourselves, and how we are each touched by others for the betterment of all.

Now, those that have been touched by Patric and his words have joined together to give something back, to him and to us all through something he values highly – words. In this compilation, gay short stories, poems, and anecdotes combined with excerpts from Patric’s blog and a few entertaining, educational group posts reveal, and celebrate, the man who has touched so many hearts and minds.

This collection, sometimes erotic, sometimes irreverent, and always poignant, is a gift from all our hearts to celebrate Patric and give strength (and a little levity) to others. The price reflects this; no one is receiving royalties or payment from the sales. Use it to celebrate life, celebrate words, and possibly inspire someone who needs it.

The Dark Angels – Tied Together

By Z. Allora, Edited by Kris Jacen

MLR Press (This book is not yet released.)

M/M erotic contemporary romance

Blurb:

As part of the rock sensation, The Dark Angels, Josh and Robin Strider have the fans calling them “The Twins”. Although they’re not blood brothers, growing up together has given them a special bond that was challenged when they were thrown out of their home. Surviving and being saved from life on the streets makes Robin cling to brotherly ties that don’t exist.

One night with friends opens the doors to what Josh has always wanted – Robin’s body and heart. If Josh learns to master Robin’s inner submissive, he’ll be able to give Robin the security he craves. But can rumors from Josh’s father unravel the ties between Robin and Josh or will a collar and love be enough to tie them together?

 Z. Allora has always loved to write. In the last fifteen years, Z. has lived in Singapore, Israel, NY, PA, AZ, CA, and now China. While it is hard to leave family and friends, Z.’s boys follow where ever. WEBSITE

Kris Jacen is the Executive Editor and Formatting Director for ManLoveRomance Press and its imprints. She was invited to join the MLR staff in 2008 and has never looked back. Working with over thirty-five phenomenal authors such as Rick R. Reed, JP Bowie, James Buchanan, J.L. Langley, Ally Blue, Jet Mykles, William Maltese and has allowed her to both hone her editorial skills and indulge her inner fangirl. Kris also acts as editor, mentor and sounding-board for newcomers including Kimberly Gardner, Lex Valentine, S.J. Frost, Patric Michael and Z. Allora. With this stable of talent under her guidance, Kris is quick to tell anyone who will listen that she loves her job. And her authors are just as quick to say that they love their editor.

A Picture Perfect Holiday

MLR Press

M/M, YA sweet contemporary romance

BUY LINK

TRAILER

Blurb:

Photography club president Caleb loves football standout Christian Munez. He knows it’s an old high school chestnut, but if being a cliche is wrong, he doesn’t want to be right. They’ve been in school together since the fifth grade but having brothers on the same soccer team provides Caleb with a great opportunity to get to know Christian better. What he finds out – about Christian’s home life and his future plans – could end his hopes forever. Or they might be the beginning of something wonderful.

Secret Light

Loose Id

M/M, WWII-era historical romance

BUY LINK

TRAILER

Blurb:

Rafe Colman likes his life. He has a nice home, a good job, and a wonderful dog. But he’s exhausted by living a lie. When his home is vandalized because of his perceived German ancestry, he can’t even share the irony with friends.

Officer Ben Morgan falls for Rafe’s dog first, but it isn’t long before he’s giving her owner the eye. He thinks they have more in common than the search for Rafe’s vandals, and he’s willing to take a chance and find out.

If life in 1955 is tough on a cop in the closet, it’s even tougher on a refugee who’s desperate to hide his roots and fit in. Rafe knows from tragic experience how vicious prejudice can be. Every second with Ben is stolen, every kiss fraught with danger.

When Ben’s partner threatens to ruin everything, Rafe and Ben have to fight to protect what they have but they’re tired of hiding their secret light.

Z. A. Maxfield is a fifth generation native of Los Angeles, although she now lives in the O.C. She started writing in 2006 on a dare from her children and never looked back. Pathologically disorganized, and perennially optimistic, she writes as much as she can, reads as much as she dares, and enjoys her time with family and friends. If anyone asks her how a wife and mother of four manages to find time for a writing career, she’ll answer, “It’s amazing what you can do if you completely give up housework.” WEBSITE

WOW doesn’t even cover it today. That is an amazing collection of books for the lucky winner. I’m definitely ending this event on a high note. Tomorrow I’ll post a list of all the winners, how many authors participated and how many books were given away. Maybe next year I can top it!

Thank you all for your support throughout the year. I most sincerely appreciate all the fan mail, comments and good wishes on my blogs and on Facebook and Twitter. I would be nowhere without my readers and fans and my very good author, editor and publisher friends. You all make my Christmas – and every day – worthwhile.

Wishing you all the most wonderful holiday ever! Merry Christmas!

Day 30 – 30 Days of Christmas is a post from: Lex Valentine, Author

OMG. This is the next to last day of my Christmas giveaways. This year has been bigger and better than ever. I’ll have a post on Christmas Day with all the winners’ names, the total number of authors who participated and the total number of books given away. Maybe next year we’ll be able to top it!

For today, I have two really wonderful authors and books for you as well as a copy of my newly released holiday story, Cupid Christmas, which is the last of the Forbes Ranch Christmas Cowboys series. Cupid Christmas is M/M but the other two books are not so it’s a bit of a mixed bag for readers today. I think my publisher hated to see the last of the Christmas cowboys but I couldn’t think of any other characters to give a Christmas Eve HEA to so it was time to end the series. Next year I’ll come up with something new.

The other authors I have for you today are two good friends. Alix Rickloff from my Watercooler Gang group of RWA PAN authors and my dear friend Selena Illyria who has known me since my early days in this industry, sending out my first manuscripts to publishers. Alix has just the hottest hero ever for you and Selena has something oh so sexy for you…dragons! All three of the books up for grabs are part of series. My book is the last of a series. Alix’s book is the first of her series. The last book in her series releases in just a few days on 12/28. Selena’s book is the first of her Dragon New Year series. Here’s some info on the books and authors.

Cupid Christmas

Pink Petal Books

M/M erotic contemporary western romance

BUY LINK

TRAILER

Blurb:

It’s another Christmas at Forbes Ranch and this year the family is playing Cupid with Grayson and Jared’s best friend Steve Yarrow. Years before, Steve’s heart was broken by the love of his life Dalton Emory who left him to further his career by marrying a woman with a rich daddy. Now, divorced, outed and publicly humiliated, Dalton is trying to build a business and keep a low profile. He doesn’t believe he deserves a second chance with Steve after the way he hurt him. However, Dalton didn’t reckon with his former lover’s interfering friends, the depth of Steve’s love nor the forgiveness the spirit of Christmas can offer. Can one lonely, broken cowboy forgive himself and accept the love that has always belonged to him? And will the Forbes tradition of Christmas Eve Happily Ever Afters give Steve and Dalton the future they never thought they’d have?

Earl of Darkness

Pocket Books

M/F paranormal romance

BUY LINK

Blurb:

The magic she tries to hide . . . Born a lady, but reduced to surviving in the slums of Dublin, Catriona O’Connell has been hired to steal a mysterious book from Aidan Douglas, Earl of Kilronan. But Cat is secretly Other, an age-old mixture of Fey and human—something Aidan recognizes immediately when he surprises the lovely young burglar in his library, about to steal a magical diary.

. . . is the magic he desperately wants. From the moment Aidan sees her, Cat’s spirited beauty enchants him, but her uncanny abilities are what he truly needs, for Cat can understand the mystical language in the diary he inherited from his murdered father. So Aidan makes an offer: translate the book or be thrown in prison as a thief. And as Cat slowly deciphers each page, she and Aidan are drawn together by passion . . . and into the violence of the Other world that is the Kilronan legacy. Can they defeat those who seek the book, or are their lives in even greater danger than their hearts?

A writer of historical-paranormal romance, Alix Rickloff creates a compelling world of magic and enchantment set during the British Regency period. Her books have been described as “sexy and intense”, “exciting and spellbinding” and “a universe you won’t ever wish to leave”. You can visit her at www.AlixRickloff.com, www.facebook.com/pages/Alix-Rickloff/101434889914147 or www.blameitonthemuse.com.

Dragons at Midnight

Etopia Press

Paranormal, Interracial, Ménage, Dragons

BUY LINK

Blurb:

Tiger shifter Louisa thought she’d ring in the New Year all alone little did she knew that three, sexy, younger dragon shifters plan on making sure she celebrates things right. Add a little steam, some dragon shifters with a dirty mind and some creative use of furniture and you’ve got the perfect party for four.

Interracial author Selena Illyria was born with an overactive imagination. With great curiosity and a love of writing that pushes her imagination there are many worlds she’d love to explore, from paranormal to sci-fi from cyberpunk and beyond.

Are you willing, dear reader, to step into her worlds? If you do feel free to poke around. Mind the pixies. They can be very um… excitable by newcomers. *wink*

Email her at selenaillyria826@gmail.com or visit her:

Website: www.selenaillyria.com

Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Selena-Illyria/100175079107?ref=nf

Twitter: twitter.com/Selena_Illyria

Now, how hot are those? That dude on Alix’s cover makes me drool! For a chance to win these three books, comment on this post by midnight Pacific time. Merry Christmas!

Day 29 – 30 Days of Christmas is a post from: Lex Valentine, Author

It’s getting close to Christmas! WOOT! I’ve got two of my Christmas Cowboys books for you today and something special from my friend Lisa Fox! The two Christmas Cowboys stories are about siblings Devon and Brad Marsh. Devon’s story is Christmas in Hell and Brad’s is Christmas Wish. As usual, both tell the tale of a Christmas Eve hookup on Forbes Ranch. Lisa’s book is Santa’s Sleeping Beauty. Three holiday tales of hotness! Here’s some info about the books.

Christmas in Hell

Christmas Cowboys Series #2

Pink Petal Books

M/F, Erotic Contemporary Holiday Story

BUY LINK

Blurb:

Devon Marsh is resigned to spending Christmas in Hell. A city girl, Devon accompanies her boss to their family ranch where she feels out of place. Even worse, she is faced with the prospect of dealing with former rodeo star Jared Abbott, one of the cowboys on the ranch. Sexy as hell Jared spins Devon’s wheels in a big way, but in the past, he’s made it clear that he despises her. When the two of them are caught in a rainstorm on Christmas Eve, emotions run high and ignite into passion. Can cowboy Jared convince city girl Devon that living in a town that smells of horse and cow poo is worth it if she has him?

Christmas Wishes

Christmas Cowboys Series #4

Pink Petal Books

M/F, Erotic Contemporary Cougar Holiday Story

BUY LINK

Blurb:

Bradley Marsh is spending Christmas with his sister Devon and her husband Jared. In the past, he managed to avoid the holidays at Forbes Ranch. But now, he’s there and faced with the woman he’s wanted for eight long years. With his 30th birthday on the horizon and all his friends settling down, Brad’s tired of being single and tired of yearning for a woman who doesn’t know he exists. This year, his only wish is to make the woman of his dreams his own.

For years, Anne-Marie Mallory’s mourned the death of her husband and high school sweetheart Danny. But more recently, she’s had her eye on hunky younger man Brad Marsh even though she’s sure his crush is because he feels sorry for her. She wishes Brad would stop seeing her as the grieving widow of a decorated war hero and start seeing her as a woman in her prime who needs a man like him to make her holiday – and her life – complete.

Santa’s Sleeping Beauty

Ellora’s Cave

M/F contemporary erotic romance

BUY LINK

Blurb:

When Jordan takes a break from her last-minute Christmas shopping to have a cup of coffee, she meets a handsome Santa with a twinkle in his eye and a sinful smile. He offers her a special Christmas treat that Jordan is more than happy to accept.

Naughty never felt sooo right as together they share an outrageous night of love that is supposed to end with the coming of dawn.

Or so they thought…

World-renowned neurosurgeon, jet fighter pilot, secret member of American royalty, seducer of legions of beautiful, outrageously sexy angels and demons and vampires and werewolves and the occasional pirate, Lisa Fox has done it all…in her own mind. In reality, she can generally be found at her desk with a cup of coffee close at hand. Or maybe a martini. It really depends on the day.

Feedback, comments, opinions, words of wisdom, chocolate cake and the addresses of super hot men are always appreciated and encouraged. Please feel free to contact Lisa any time.

Website: www.LisaFoxRomance.com

And there you have it for today! Christmas heat without a fireplace! For a chance to win these holiday stories, leave a comment on this post by midnight Pacific time tonight. Happy Holidays!

Day 28 – 30 Days of Christmas is a post from: Lex Valentine, Author