An Elf, A Pirate And His Ship. 'Steele Your Soul' by Decadent Kane.

Blurb

Stolen souls, an evil drow elf, a dark eyed beauty named Pepper, and a king who doesn't take kindly to the loss of his goods...Captain Joren Steele has his hands full.

When Pepper set out for the day, the last thing she expected was to come face to face with a pirate. But when she locks eyes with the Captain, she's ready to let him pillage or plunder whatever he wants. At least until his drow shipmate decided to steal her for himself. 

Captain Joren Steele has a love for his ship, money, and females, usually in that order. When Pepper steps into his life, he's certain his love 'em and leave 'em status will remain intact. But when he discovers she's a victim of the drow, he has to make a choice: his ship or the elfess.

Excerpt

Pepper slammed into something solid. "Oaf." She fell on her rear and looked up.

Joren stood in front of her, tall, dark, and so hot. 

"What are you doing, Tide?" His voice came out low. 

Pepper peeked behind her. The drow had stopped. 

"She's mine, pirate. Hand her over. You work for us. You have to do what I say." 

Joren grinned. "Ye poxy bilge-sucker. I don't listen to ye. I help your king. He pays me to carry the cargo, not to hand over ladies to ye." His chest puffed out, and he set his legs apart, ready for a fight. 

The drow didn't comment. Instead, he stepped over Pepper and slammed himself into Joren as he stomped off down the deck. Joren didn't budge or turn around to watch the elf go. His features softened, and he bent down on one knee in front of Pepper. Her heart skipped for an entirely new reason. 

"Three saves in one day, me beauty. Ya owe me." He smiled and held out his rough hand to her. 

She took it. "Three? I recall two. The crates and just now. Besides, I had the drow under control, so really, you saved me from the falling crates." She smoothed out her clothes and flipped her hair back. She should thank him, but he was so smug, looking over at her as if she was on the menu of his sexual dining experience. 

Joren chuckled. A low sound, which lifted his shoulders. "Three, elfess." He pulled her grandmother's bag of spice from his front pocket and dropped it into her hands. He winked at her. "Iffin' ye had that drow under control, then what ye be doin' at me feet no more than a moment ago?" 

Pepper raised an eyebrow. "You stepped in my way." She tucked the brown pouch into her pocket. She wanted off this wretched boat. She turned around and stormed away. The last thing she needed was to encourage a pirate. What did they do again? Oh, kill and loot, or pillage and plunder? 

A hand spun her around by the elbow, and she found herself face-to-face with Joren and those blue eyes. He grabbed hold of her chin with his fingertips. "Wait a minute. I don't even get a thank you?" He frowned. 

"Thanks." Pepper set her jaw. 

"I be needin' something a little better than that. Tide will be back, and I will pay the brunt of saving your sweet little ass." 

"What do you want?" She tried to break free, but he held fast. 

"This." He bent over and claimed her lips with his own. 

~~~~~~~

Buy Link:

http://www.breathlesspress.com/index.php?main_page=product_free_shipping_info&cPath=13&products_id=564

An Exciting Time Travel Romance "Rising Above" by Toni Noel

Rising Above

When modern-day tomboy Wilda Stone is blown back through time to 1874, her hot air balloon crashes above the Owens Valley. Stoic undercover agent Hal Grantham comes to her rescue, promising to take her to the silver mining town of Cerro Gordo. A severe sand storm keeps him from keeping his promise and forces them to seek shelter overnight in a cave, compromising her reputation and forcing Hal into a marriage of convenience.

Wilda is a misfit in Cerro Gordo, too, where their turbulent marriage is filled with adventures, adjustments, and above all else, loving. Then a diphtheria epidemic sweeps through the silver mining town. This same disease felled Hal's first wife and child, so to guarantee Wilda a long life Hal secretly repairs her balloon, and then sends her back to her own time, shattering Wilda's heart. Is her love for her terse husband strong enough to bring this headstrong Caltrans flagperson safely back to Hal's time?



An Excerpt


While the borrowed garments hugged her body with unexpected softness, her reflected image in a long skirt stunned Wilda. She cared little for dresses, and had never worn long skirts. Even as a child, she'd avoided dress-up events. Give her a pair of well-worn jeans and broken-in boots and she was content.

How would she manage those crooked stairs without breaking her neck?
She tried to emulate the way she'd seen Dottie lift her skirt and glide up the stairs, but Wilda's awkward movements only served to hamper her instead. She would trip herself for sure, but she wouldn't need these skirts for long.

Once she found a way to leave...

How could she be certain she could find her way back to her home? Back to her own time?
If only the wind hadn't...

One moment the air was still. The next, she was rushing toward the forbidden magnetic field, the wind at her back and the flame of her furnace extinguished, her balloon out of control.
She had the unpredictable wind to blame for bringing her to Cerro Gordo, although at some future time she wouldn't mind at all visiting here, given the opportunity to choose the time.
The year 2012 would do just fine.

What year is this? And how do I go about leaving here and returning home? The room was growing dark. Wilda ran her hand along the wallpaper beside the door in hopes of finding a light switch.

She tried the other wall. Nothing.

At last she noticed the matches and oil lamp on the table, the lamp so like the treasured antique one her grandmother had prominently displayed. She'd overlooked it. Wilda lit the lamp, adjusted the wick, and admired her reflection in the clear glass globe.

The soft glow from the lamp subdued the color of her auburn hair. Highlights flickered in unexpected places. For once her generous proportions pleased her, softened to acceptable curves by the welcome circle of light. Her cheeks glowed with excitement -- or windburn -- but her stomach growled from hunger.

Someone tapped on her door. She took a hesitant step toward it. "Yes?"

"Miss Stone? Are you presentable? It's Dottie. May I come in?"

Wilda turned the key in the lock, slid the bolt, and finally opened the door. Dottie stepped in. Hal followed, quickly shoving the door closed.

"My, my, aren't you the pretty one," Dottie said, giving her a tentative smile, but Wilda hadn't missed the worried look her visitors exchanged. "Are you ready for dinner?"

"Oh, yes. I'm quite--"

"Look, Wilda," Hal said, impatiently interrupting her. "There's not much time to explain because we're late for supper. Just remember, whatever happens downstairs, follow my lead. Understand?"

What did he anticipate happening? They were only going to eat a meal. She gave him a puzzled nod.

"Good. You'll be eating at the table with Dottie and me." As if by habit, he touched the gun strapped to his hip. "I guess we're ready, then."

Wilda's heart gave an anxious flutter, but anticipation far outweighed any worry she entertained as she and Dottie trooped out into the hall. Hal followed. Ace fell in step behind when Hal moved out in front. At the head of the stairs they paused.

From below came the rumble of rowdy voices. Wilda's pulse quickened. To her surprise, she had no difficulty descending the stairs.

Dottie reached the main floor and ducked into a small room furnished as a parlor. The others followed, and all but Wilda engaged in a whispered conference. While waiting for them to finish, she noticed an Inyo County newspaper and a copy of Peterson's Magazine on the lamp table nearby.

Casually, Wilda unfolded and lifted the paper. The headline read "Lone Pine, California Rebuilds Following Disastrous Quake." Dated October 1, 1874, the lead article detailed the devastation that had occurred on March 26, 1872, when an earthquake shook residents of the quiet valley from their beds.

Is this October of 1874?

The corners of the newspaper were dog-eared from frequent handling, but the printed pages showed no sign of age. Wilda estimated the paper couldn't be more than a week old.
A hard knot formed in her stomach. Now she knew the year, she could no longer deny her worrisome suspicions.

Somehow, she had stepped back in time. Her pulse throbbed.

What else had happened in 1874?

The chase for gold in California had slowed to a crawl then and the Civil War had ended.
What else? Was California a state yet?

With all her heart she wished she'd paid more attention to her history lessons.
Why did it matter? Women weren't yet allowed to vote, she was sure.

Without giving Wilda sufficient time to absorb the reality of her predicament, Dottie turned toward the jumble of voices and entered a large paneled room. Wilda had no choice but to drop the newspaper and follow.

Oil fueled glass chandeliers hung from the ceiling. White oilcloth covered the tables arranged in three long rows. She remembered the shiny surface from her childhood. As Wilda entered, a hush fell over the room. A dozen miners sat at each table, their eyes all turned on her. Forks halted in mid-air. Although she followed close behind Dottie, Wilda's skirt caught on a chair leg, tripping her.

Her cheeks heated. Clumsy goose.  Hal, who had somehow wound up behind her, reached to steady her by placing his hand on her upper arm. Her cheeks burned hotter still. Careful now of every step, she watched the placement of her feet with lowered gaze.

From the corner of her eye she saw Hal stop long enough to hang his Stetson on a peg by the door. For some unexplained reason, she took comfort in the sound of his steps behind her.
Dottie led the way to an empty table, showed Wilda where to sit, and headed for the kitchen without waiting for her friends to take their seats.

Hal held Wilda's chair, bending to whisper in her ear, "Dottie's seeing to the food."
He took the place on her right and gave the occupants of the room an intimidating look. Wilda frowned.

Ace sat at the end of the table, surveying the room, his eyes never still, his shoulders tense, waiting, as if he expected something to happen.

What?

Wilda couldn't comprehend the need for a bodyguard, or for the whispered words and knowing looks she'd so far observed but, following Hal's instructions, kept her questions to herself.

Dottie and Chang Li placed white pottery bowls heaped with stew before the newcomers, and then Dottie sank into the vacant chair across from Wilda. The other diners didn't resume talking until Dottie began to eat.

Chang Li placed a cup of steaming coffee before Wilda. Delighted, she sipped the strong brew. In an effort to appease her raging hunger and to give her hands a task, she tackled her stew, a meaty concoction well seasoned with pepper and tasting of wild onions.
She finished it off quickly, along with the dark, yeasty bread.

"The lady has a healthy appetite," Dottie commented.
Wilda glanced around the table. Her bowl was the only empty one. Her cheeks took on new fire. Intense hunger had caused her to forget her manners.

"Everything is so delicious," she said lamely.
Hal and Dottie laughed at her flustered explanation, attracting attention of the miners seated nearby. The men stared at her with interest. One man's openly lascivious grin made Wilda's flesh crawl. She quickly looked away from him, right into Hal's unreadable gaze. After a moment in which her heart thumped wildly, he turned back to his stew.

Looking beyond the heads turned her direction, Wilda saw the evening sky through windows draped with forest green tapestry over sheer curtains of lace. A wide opening to the kitchen revealed the cook stirring a steaming pot on the massive black cooking stove.

The men began leaving the tables, slapping each other on the back, and politely tipping their hats to Wilda. She smiled at the courtesy.

Uh-oh. My mistake.

A toothless man whose shaggy growth of beard partially hid a wide grin separated himself from the group and headed for their table. Hal and Ace both came to attention.

"Evenin' Miss," the miner said, and preened. "Josh Buckston, at your service."
Hal narrowed his eyes at Wilda. She ducked her head, but tuned her ears to listen.

"Looks like the lady's finished with her food," Josh said, apparently for Hal's benefit. "Would you care to step out on the porch with me for a nice breath of fresh air?"
Wilda glanced up before she heard Hal gritting his teeth. "The lady's taken, Buckston," he warned.

"Can't blame a man for trying," Josh said, backing away.
He joined his friends waiting for him near the door. The men leaned in close to hear what he had to say, then stared back over their shoulders at Hal, who raked the cluster of men with a heated look.

Once the group had sauntered out, Hal turned to her, a small smile softening his features. 

"I'm sorry, Miss Stone," he said. "These men don't often have the occasion to see a pretty woman. I forgot how forward they tend to act at times."

Hal possessed way more gall than Josh Buckston. She was quite capable of speaking for herself. He might at least have given her the opportunity to turn aside the miner's attention, but no. He'd warned her not to speak to the men.

Well, she wouldn't allow Hal's presumptuous rules to run her life. While no one previously crossing her path had showed any interest in taking her out, the miner who'd approached their table didn't hold any appeal to Wilda. She let her gaze travel about the room, much aware of everyone observing her every move from across the dining hall. She didn't see one she'd care to sit with. Certainly none she'd choose to walk with along a dark road.
Besides, not a man in the room held a candle to Hal. She glanced at him, now deeply involved in whispered conversation with Dottie.

He grimaced and a tiny frown marred the smoothness of his forehead. Somewhere, he'd taken the time to shave and slick his dark hair. It skimmed the collar of his newly laundered black shirt. She was aware of the shirt's aroma, lye soap and the scent of what she supposed was bay rum.

Hal glanced up and caught her smiling. His frown deepened into an aggravated scowl. He shook his head at something Dottie said, but continued to stare at Wilda, trying to communicate some unspoken message she failed to interpret.

Perhaps he'd guessed her thoughts. At the strong possibility, Wilda looked away, flushing, but his words replayed in her mind, and the way he'd looked at her when he referred to her as a pretty woman.

Another group of diners entered and Chang Li soundlessly scurried about, clearing tables and arranging clean place settings of tin utensils.

One of the new arrivals failed to take a seat, choosing instead to head directly toward the table where Wilda and her companions sat. A determined gleam flashed from his eyes, a cocky self-assurance his unwashed face and hands proved unjustified.
At the last minute, he dragged his hat from his head and came to a halt opposite her. He hesitated and squashed his hat against his chest. 

"Miss, you've done run off with my heart. Marry up with me?"

The miner's flowery speech triggered a grin Willa thought best she swallow. Beside her, Hal stiffened then cleared his throat. Fists clenched, his body half out of the chair, Hal announced to the entire room, "Miss Stone is promised to me."


Want More?? 

Try her link!
 www.ToniNoelAuthor.com

Experience the Fast Paced Ride of 'Red Ruby Metallic' by Casey Sheridan

Scribal Love Welcomes Casey Sheridan!

Casey Sheridan is an author of erotic fiction and erotic romance. Her newest work Ruby Red Metallic is available from Breathless Press. 




What is the name of your latest book?  And how did you come up with the title?


My latest release is titled Ruby Red Metallic. It’s actually the special order color for a Porsche 911 GT2


What is this book about?  And what genre is this book in?


Ruby Red Metallic is about a sexy, smart woman car thief. It’s an erotic novelette.


Who is/are the main characters?  And why did you choose them?


Alaina is the main character. She’s the car thief. I choose her because the idea of a female car thief isn’t often used and because she’s smart, confident and insisted on having a story of her own.


What is the coolest or best part about your book?  (Any Favorite scenes, the world-building etc..)


Definitely the cars. I had so much fun doing the research, especially on the Porsche. It was a challenge to incorporate that knowledge into the story and to make it sexy and erotic. I couldn’t have done so without Alaina.


Do you have a favorite character in the book?  If so, why?


Alaina for sure, for all the reasons I’ve already stated and more. She’s smart, sexy, determined, confident, strong, and isn’t afraid to go after what she wants.


Is this book part of a series?  If so? What can we expect in future books?  


No, it isn’t part of a series. 


If not?  Are you considering expanding it?


I was thinking about doing a sequel, but it was just a thought. No concrete decision has been made.


If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?


No. I am very proud of my story and my character. 


Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?


I learned it can be a challenge to write a character that is as ultra-confident as Alaina. Since I’m not anywhere near that confident my imagination really had to work at envisioning that level of self-confidence. Pulling it off has given me a boost of confidence.


Do you have a publisher?  And if so, why did you choose them?  


Breathless Press is my publisher for Ruby Red Metallic. I chose them because I like their cover art, the stories they produce are high quality, and I had heard only good things about them.


If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?


That’s a hard question to answer. If I had to choose, I would say either Shelli Stevens and/or Nicole North. Neither one knows exactly how much they have helped me or inspired me.


What books are you reading now?  


Right now, I’m reading Silent Partner by Renee Vincent. Next on my list is Unwrap Me by Savannah Chase and A Bit of Rough by Lucy Felthouse.


What are the current writing projects that you are working on?


I’m working on a contemporary erotic romance tentatively titled Number 69 that will involve a sexy pair of vibrating panties. I’m also doing research for on an erotic sci-fi romance that I haven’t given a title to yet, but it will involve Amazon-like warriors.


Do you write full time?  If not, do you hope to do so one day?


No, I don’t write full-time. I wish I did. Right now, I work a day time job. Maybe some day I can leave that to devote most of my time to writing.


Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?


I’ve written since I was in about third or fourth grade. I don’t remember how or why I started. It just seemed “right”.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?


I love the challenge of writing a good sex scene, it’s what drew me to erotica. Well, there was the dare to write it, but I truly loved the challenge. It isn’t easy weaving together the physical and the emotional parts of sex. Even when the sex is just a one night stand with the mutual understanding of no strings attached, there’s still an emotional impact (negative &/or positive) on one character or the other, maybe both. 


Do you have any advice for other writers seeking to get published for the first time?


Write every day. Learn as much as you can about your craft. Read submission guidelines carefully and don’t be afraid to ask the publisher questions. Know your boundaries, know which ones you’re willing to push, then push all of them.

*****

Casey Sheridan wrote her first piece of erotica on a dare, and she loved writing it so much she never stopped. Her erotica and erotic romance has been published by Breathless Press and Cobblestone Press, and has appeared on The Erotic Woman, Every Night Erotica, and RSVP-Erotica.


Casey is a member of Passionate Ink, Romance Writers of America, Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal chapter of RWA, and Erotic Authors Association.


She loves to read and write, could spend all day in a book store, art museum or chocolate shop, collects teddy bears and unusual perfume bottles. She also enjoys music, cooking and spending time with those she loves. 


Find out more on her website, http://www.casey-sheridan.com.




Thanks Casey for Dropping by!

Erotic Romance Author Berengaria Brown Discusses Her Book "Dinner Delights"

Scribal Love Welcomes Berengaria Brown


Berengaria Brown is an author of erotic romance, mainly ménage, male/male and lesbian. Her only one man/one woman book is available from Breathless Press. 

What is the name of this book?  And how did you come up with the title?


“Dinner Delights” is a short story that begins at a formal, boring work dinner, then moves to Krystal’s apartment afterward, so the name seemed to encapsulate the story.


What is this book about?  And what genre is this book in?


This is a contemporary short story. 


Two workmates. A boring dinner function. An explosion of lust. Will it lead to love?
Krystal is thrilled when Troy asks her to be his seatmate at a boring work dinner. He is a totally yummy hunk, whom she has loved forever.


When they dance, their passions combust and they rush back to her apartment to take their relationship to the next level: from friends to lovers.


Their night together is better than anything Krystal had ever imagined. But can it last? What will happen tomorrow?


Who is/are the main characters?  And why did you choose them?


Krystal and Troy. My characters always choose themselves, they just turn up in my head, demanding their story be told.




What is the coolest or best part about your book?  (Any Favorite scenes, the world-building etc.


Troy is a yummy hunk. Everyone would like a date with him. Krystal is an ordinary woman, a little overweight, a little socially inept. But she adores Troy who is her very best friend at the office. The fact that Troy chooses her as his partner for the dinner encourages every ordinary woman to believe that there will be a romance for her.


Do you have a favorite character in the book?  If so, why?


Because it is such a short story, really only the hero and heroine are fully developed characters. And I wouldn’t dare choose between them.


Is this book part of a series?  If so? What can we expect in future books? 


“Dinner Delights” is the first of my three books at Breathless Press. Each book explores a different genre. “Loving Lydia” is an erotic lesbian short story, designed for people who have never read that genre before. “Carnal Connections” is a ménage with three men, again, a short story aimed at people interested in exploring different genres.


If not?  Are you considering expanding it?


Because “Dinner Delights” is so short there are no secondary characters crying out for their own book.


If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?


These short stories are purposely designed to give readers a taste of a genre. They are not meant as full-length books with a lot of plot and world building. They are brief tastes to see if the reader would like to try a full-length book. If you do decide to embrace erotic romance I have longer books at other publishers.


Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?


It is very hard to write a short book. Every word has to add to the story. With longer books the author has more space to play around with ideas.


Do you have a publisher?  And if so, why did you choose them?


I write for several different publishers, with each genre at a publisher that specializes in that genre.




If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?


Jaid Black introduced me to erotic romance, Georgette Heyer to historicals.


What books are you reading now?


Tracy Cooper Posey, “Blue Knight”; Anny Cook, “Blue Paradise; Penn Halligan, “Who Dares Sins”; and a holiday anthology, “Twas a Dark and Delicious Christmas”.


What are the current writing projects that you are working on?


I have just contracted a series with Amarinda Jones called “Sex Odyssey” about people on vacation who meet at a fictitious town. Amarinda wrote three of the books in the series and I wrote the other three. 


Do you write full time?  If not, do you hope to do so one day?


I think every author dreams of being on the New York Times best seller list and writing all day. Unfortunately, like most authors, the day job is a reality for me.


Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?


I read a lot of books all the time. At one stage there were no new books that interested me and I was tired of re-reading my favorites, so I sat down and decided to write a book. I took writing seriously, treated it as a job, and researched publishers carefully. I tried very hard to submit my book as they had asked and to follow their guidelines. Apparently it worked, because my books were accepted and by the end of 2010 I will have 20 published books.


Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?


Always for me the plot is the most difficult part. It is clear in my head, but harder to ensure there are no inconsistencies or plot holes on paper.


Do you have any advice for other writers seeking to get published for the first time?


Keep reading. Keep writing. Keep submitting. But also research the publishers and submit your book to houses that publish books similar to yours. Follow the submission guidelines as best you can. And good luck.




Thank you Berengaria for Dropping by!  


You can find Berengaria on the web at:


Berengaria Brown
http://berengariasblog.blogspot.com/
http://berengariabrown.webs.com/ http://www.facebook.com/people/Berengaria-Brown/100000055736290/ http://twitter.com/BerengariaBrown