Olivia Starke wishes you a....

Happy Halloween!

As some may know, Halloween is my favorite holiday. Trick or Treat, ghouls and goblins, costumes—this is the time of year to get your freaky side on.

As far as costumes go, I’ve found the perfect one if I were going to a Halloween party. For those in the know, you’ll immediately recognize this charming child is dressed as Jareth the Goblin King (photo via Pinterest.)

And for those who aren’t familiar with David Bowie’s role in Labrynth, a great pox shall fall upon your family!

I’ve researched a few sites for costumes, and am pretty floored by what I’ve found. And I wasn’t sure if I should LOL or *headdesk*

So above you see a Teletubby, which is a pretty good representation of the men’s costumes I found online.

And here’s the women’s…

Yup, slutty nurse covered in blood. And she’s slutty, did I mention that? Not that slutty is a bad thing, mind you, in the right context it’s darn right fun. But more and more it’s difficult to find any women’s costumes that don’t show as much skin as a medieval bar wench peddling her wares. And you are to wear these naughty things in public? Let’s compare men’s to women’s again.

Men’s

All right, get those cock jokes out of your system…

Women’s

All righty then, men, you are free to look as ridiculous as possible. But women, make sure to wax head to toe. And might as well forget about staying warm in those colder areas, your bits are alllll hanging out Halloween night! Unfortunately, the hoochie girl trend is strong for the prepubescent portion of the female population as well. Which makes me want to punch someone in the throat.

I mean, every parent wants their tween girls to dress like strippers right? There are guys out there with just such photos hidden in boxes in their basements, grateful to you for doing so. Or am I a prude? I can’t tell anymore.

But it’s okay, your son is safely dressed like a great big red M&M.

Olivia Starke

Leave a comment with email and you may win something from my Decadent list!

Cerise DeLand reads When She’s In The Mood!

Buy BE MINE here!

I’m a mood reader.  Are you?

Looking back over the decades, I find that at different periods in my life I was devoted to certain types of books—and I wonder why that is.

When I was a teenager, I was devoted to historical novels that included Anya Seton’s Katherine, anything that spoke of English or French kings and queens, Egypt or medieval-period pieces like Sir Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe.

During summer breaks from college, I read what was then called pop fiction. Oh, I tried the works on the NYT list that one was supposed to read. But couldn’t!

Later, after I married and hubbie and I lived in Japan for a few years, I used the Post library and the university library where I taught Chinese History.  What did I read? Non-fiction!  Biographies and histories. I remember re-reading the Tale of Genji, which I had read a few years earilier when taking a Japanese history course. The second time I loved it!

Then as a young mother, I got hooked on historical romances. The new new wave of Katherine Woodiwiss and the throng that came behind her. For decades, I read nothing but romances—and then when I began to write them, I read my friends’ works. Here I think began my branching out because I went with my friends and colleagues as they began to write suspense, mystery and mainstream.

Today, I am an eclectic reader of anything that strikes my fancy. I get a kick out of drama and the subtle phrasing that revs my imagination. I like mystery writers Donna Leon, Elizabeth George and Minette Walters, historical writer Elizabeth Chadwick, comedy writer and good pal, Janet Evanovich. I dig Daniel Silva and Michael Connelly.  I adore a good Regency, well-plotted with aggressive heroines. No wimps or drawing room divas for me!

I recently finished A Reliable Wife, a chilling but gratifying tale, by Robert Goolrick. Truly, a new gothic romance for realists. Around the holidays this past year, I was engrossed in Tracy Shiff’s biography of that femme fatale Cleopatra. This was a fabulously written book, combining the sparse facts of her life with other references. Shiff should be applauded moreover for how suspenseful she made the “plot,” thrilling this writer and reader to no end.  Soon after, I delved into a history of one of my favorite cities, Venice by Peter Ackroyd.

But in erotica, oh, be still my heart! I have many favorites. Two good friends of mine whose works I adore are Desiree Holt (her recent Downstroke is a winner) and Delilah Devlin (anything cowboy!). I cannot get enough of Debra Glass’s historical eroticas and I am a raving fan of almost anyone writing cowboys or Italian men.

I know my own tastes show up in what I write. I write the plots and the people that strike me including Texas Rangers, medieval knights, Regency lords and ladies, Italian entrepreneurs and military types!

I would love to learn if others have phases to what they read and if they have any thoughts on the causes of that.

Come visit me whenever you are in the mood for great romantic erotica at http://www.cerisedeland.com

Be Mine blurb:

Why shouldn’t an eligible man like Jason Sherwood plan a Valentine’s Day merger with a woman whose elegant body melted at his touch last year on February fourteenth? A mysterious woman who disappeared like a wraith. A vibrant creature who came apart in his arms like only the right woman does for the right man.

But Mara Richardson left Jason for a good reason…and after a year of looking for her, he still doesn’t know why. But he has to learn. Has to get her naked, wild for him again. Give her those little sugary candies that say, Be Mine, and show her that, despite only hours with her last year, he needs her to be his. Forever. 

Treacle, Treason, and a Ghostly Tale for 5th November!

Buy Treacle and Treason HERE!

by JoAnne Kenrick 

Bonfire Night is the Brits alternative holiday to Thanksgiving that keep us going through the long winter months. Gives us something to look forward to. There's no turkey or trimmings. But there is family. And lots of fun!

I've fond memories of the local annual Bonfire Display ran by the Fire Department. For a pound, you got to stand in a muddy farmer's field--yes, wellington boots (rain boots) are worn by all--where a temporary fun fair is set up, hot dog stands and candy floss is for sale, and there's toffee apples! Yup, I know. Toffee apples are for Halloween in the States. They kind of are in the UK, too. But mostly, they're for Bonfire Night. In fact, 5th November is all about the treacle toffee! It's hard, it's tasty, and it can get you in all kinds of sticky messes...as Tansy learns in Treacle and Treason, my latest Tale from the Coffin in The Edge series.

SUPER EASY TREACLE TOFFEE RECIPE HERE!

Remember, remember, the fifth of November. Gunpowder, treason and plot. I see no reason why gunpowder treason should ever be forgot.” She chanted the infamous rhyme while sneaking toward the basement made of legend; the ghost of the infamous betrayer himself had been spotted there on several occasions, and on the fifth of November, no less.

“Show yourself, Guy Fawkes,” she whispered.

“Miss, you’re trespassing.”

The main purpose of 5th of November is to celebrate the bringing down and capture of Guy Fawkes after his attempt at blowing up parliament failed. We build a fake guy and throw him on top of a bonfire to watch him burn. During which, lots of fireworks and hand sparklers are enjoyed by all.

I'm sure the majority of Brits don't even think of Guy Fawkes during these celebrations, but I always did. Always wondered about the man behind the legend. Pondered if he really did it. About his story, or if he'd left a family behind. Even more so during 'penny for the guy' activities; similar tradition to trick or treat, only you drag your guy around (meant for the bonfire on 5th November) in a wheel barrow and go door to door asking for a penny for the guy. 

It's this wonderment that led to Estella sharing this Treacle and Treason story, a retelling of Britain's most infamous bad guy!

Ghostly, sexy, and romantic. That's how I saw his tale. And tragic. A not so modern day tale of Romeo and Juliet.

She spun and spat out her rehearsed excuse. “I must have taken a wrong turn somewhere, so sorry.” But during her imaginary practice run, not once had she bumped into a sexpot.

Not one dressed up as Guy himself, anyway. Very authentic, with the hat and shoe buckles. The works; even had a curled-up moustache. He looked like he’d stepped out of a history book or off the cover of one of her romance books. Gorgeous. Any minute, she expected him to pop the buttons off his shirt and show his manly six-pack. Oh yeah, baby. She could work with that.

“My mistake, miss. I didn’t know it was you.” He took his hat off and brought it to his chest for an exaggerated bow. All the while, he stared at her with eyes aglint with mischief. Perfect, because that’s what Tansy looked for in a man.

“Do I know you? Oh my gosh, your outfit is so cool,” She fell over her own words in a scramble not to ask him out to dinner or for a shag before he’d even introduced himself. “Did you get it custom made for tonight?”

“We’re not strangers. We’ve sipped tea together. Strolled gardens. Rolled in the hay. Remember? Guy Fawkes? Am I missing a vital sign here? Did I misread your intentions? Are you not ready to start a new life in the Netherlands? To take care of your husband and bear my children?” He moved in close, his breath skimming her lips, and claimed her mouth. His passion overwhelmed her; suffocating, intoxicating. Can’t breathe.

Tansy pulled back to pinch her cheeks. Was this Guy for real? Or a delightful dream? Maybe she’d fallen while running down the alley. Bumped her head? Or it could be those guys at the bank. Perhaps they followed her to play a prank? Well,

fine. She could play along. Never let it be said she was a stick in the mud. “Won’t making those children be fun?” She puckered up and blew him a kiss.

He met her lips with his again, and this time the kiss was soft and more considerate. Loving.

Wrapping his arms around her waist, he pressed his body against hers. She came over peculiar. Lights danced in her sight. She swayed. A floral scent hit her, and she drifted to a sweet, standing slumber for a second. When she came to, she felt different. 

WARNING: THEY CONTAIN HOT SEX SCENES, A CRASS VAMPIRE AND ZOMBIE STORY TELLERS, AND A DARK, GHOSTLY SHORT STORY

Tales from the Coffin stories are erotica ghost type stories, and do not always (actually barely ever) have happy ever afters. These stories are quite different from my romance books.

BUYLINKS: http://www.joannekenrick.com/p/books.html

AUTHOR BIO: Born n bred Brit, JoAnne Kenrick grew up in a wee sea-side town in North Wales and has enjoyed a variety of vocations such as holistic healer, window dresser, and ghost tour guide. Having lived in Wales, England, and Scotland with her dear family, she finally escaped the dull British summers to reside in sunny Australia. After two years, they moved to the States where she endured three harsh winters in Minnesota. She now lives in North Carolina with her husband, two kids and two puddy cats. When they aren't demanding her attention, or jumping on her head, she strums away on the keys of her little laptop, creating worlds and adventures she could only ever dream of. Come across the pond and faraway....with JoAnne Kenrick! Get exclusive sneak peeks at her new and upcoming releases by signing up to her quarterly newsletter here: http://tinyletter.com/joannekenrick

Sexy Spaniards

Buy Raising the Bar HERE!

by Lucy Felthouse

My story, Raising the Bar, has had quite an arduous journey to publication. It was originally written in third person, past tense. But in order to really ramp up the heat to make it suitable for The Edge series, it had to change to first person present tense, and go through several rounds of edits. Let's just say I say "feel" a lot in my manuscripts – oops! I'll definitely be looking out for that in the future. But I hope with the huge help from my super editor that it's now a story that readers will really enjoy and have them fanning themselves.

Despite all the changes, there's one thing that's stayed constant throughout – the sexy Spaniard, Luciano. He was just a character that came to me when I sat down to write the story. I figured that since so many of my characters are British, and my stories have English settings, that I'd change things up a bit. Therefore I drew on my experience of travel to Spain and the Canary Islands. Sadly, I've never had a super hot fling with a waiter, much less a Spanish one, but I've been in lots of restaurants and been served by lots of waiters. Some are incredibly sleazy, which as a female I've noticed a lot, but some are lovely.

I love listening to their accented English and their attempts at using British slang and phrases. And it's this side of things that I've brought into my story. Luciano is not sleazy, just sexy. So sexy you'd be asking for extra ice in your drink if he was real. And he's a damn good lover – just ask Kayleigh. She had a fabulous time with him and his sexy accent – read Raising the Bar and you'll find out just how fabulous!

Want to a win a copy of the book? Then tell me... have you ever had a fling with someone not from the same country—or even continent—as you? What drew you to them? 

One winner will be drawn on Friday 26^th October.

Buy links: http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk/published-works/raising-the-bar/

Blurb:

When Kayleigh takes a gap year before starting University, she decides she’s going to stay away from guys and just concentrate on having fun and experiencing life. That means going through a lot of batteries, but she’s happy and satisfied.

That is, until she gets to Spain on her travels and meets her new co-worker, Luciano. The scorching hot Spaniard soon has Kayleigh’s knickers in a twist— literally—and the time they spend together seriously raises the bar for her sex life. How will any other man ever compare?

Excerpt:

My first shift at the restaurant passes in a blur of flirtatious glances. My pussy swells and my clit throbs, desperate for attention. It’s all I can do to resist disappearing into the bathroom for a sneaky wank. Even better, I’d like to drag Luciano in there with me and ride him until his teeth rattle. Instead, I console myself with the fact that once I get back to my apartment, I can do whatever the hell I like. And I know for a fact it’s going to involve an orgasm.

I take a taxi back to my apartment rather than walking the dark, unfamiliar streets alone. It also means I can get there quicker and relieve the tension that the sexy Spaniard has caused. I pay the driver as fast as possible then rush inside and slam the door behind me. I heave a sigh of relief as I lock myself in.

Undressing, I drop my clothes by the washing machine and head to the bathroom, desperate to get clean. It’s not work that’s made me feel dirty, though. The flirting with Luciano have left me seriously wet. The panties I’ve just discarded in front of the washing machine are sodden.

Stepping under the shower, I groan with pleasure as the hot water caresses my fevered skin. I stand there for a few seconds, letting the heat and the water relax me. My tension slips away and runs down the plughole. I grab the shampoo and give my hair a wash, digging my fingers into my scalp and massaging it. Now I’m calmer. But by the time I’ve rinsed the suds, he’s popped into my head again. Damn him.

Buy links: http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk/published-works/raising-the-bar/

Lucy is a graduate of the University of Derby, where she studied Creative Writing. During her first year, she was dared to write an erotic story - so she did. It went down a storm and she's never looked back. Lucy has had stories published by Cleis Press, Constable and Robinson, Decadent Publishing, Ellora's Cave, Evernight Publishing, House of Erotica, Ravenous Romance, Resplendence Publishing, Sweetmeats Press and Xcite Books. She is also the editor of Uniform Behaviour, Seducing the Myth, Smut by the Sea and Smut in the City. Find out more at http://www.lucyfelthouse.co.uk. Join her on Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to her newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/gMQb9

Quick and Dirty

Buy Rub Me the Right Way HERE!

by Kelli Scott

You probably don’t know me, but I’m a hopeless romantic. On paper anyhow.

I don’t remember exactly when or where—it was on Facebook or Twitter—I saw a submissions call for Decadent Publishing’s Edge series. I was intrigued enough by the concept of short erotic stories (that do not require a romantic element) that I saved the web page on my favorites. Reading the guidelines often, I let my imagination go to places I’d never gone before, to situations I’d never considered. Dirty places. Naughty situations. I knew a storyline would eventually come to me—or not. That happens sometimes.

Here’s the thing. I don’t require my heroes and heroines to get married, engaged or even move in together at the end of my stories, especially my shorter reads. I usually expect some sort of promise for more though. A commitment. A declaration of (gulp) love. A date. Something. The prospect of not demanding that happily-ever-after or happily-for-now scenario of my characters was one part liberating and one part terrifying.

What if readers thought my heroine was a filthy whore who wants a mysterious stranger to jack her up against a wall in a dark alley and give it to her quick and dirty? Would that be so bad? Women have needs that must be met and itches that demand a long, hard scratch that leave her sore and raw the next day.

Despite my romantic inclinations in my writing (not so much in my personal life), I imagined a story, wrote it and submitted it. Rub Me the Right Way is a thrill ride on the wild side with a twist I hope you don’t see coming. Check out the blurb and excerpt and let me know what you think. Do you need a HEA ending in order to be satisfied?

Leave a comment with your thoughts and one lucky commenter will receive an e-copy of Rub Me the Right Way! 

Blurb:

Heather Bowen is an uptight, stressed out insomniac in desperate need of a massage or a shrink or an orgasm to cure what ails her. 

On doctor’s orders, she starts with a massage to work out her knotty/naughty kinks. At the hands of a talented massage therapist, Heather gets a full body rub down. And more. Next stop—a psychiatrist to get at the root of her anxiety and sleeplessness. But is she ready for Dr. Simon’s controversial treatment?

What begins as prescribed therapy becomes a wild fantasy ride of erotic discovery that makes Heather question her sexual orientation along with everything she believed about her carnal desires.

Will You Give In to Me?

Buy Treasure's Gift HERE

 By Sascha Illyvich 

In my latest EDGE story, Treasure's Gift, the theme revolves around giving in to our personal desires and wants.  In the story, both Mark and Treasure have an intense passionate interest in the other, but they've remained best friends for the last several years.  Yet neither has taken the plunge, always with that great fear of ruining the perfect relationship.

Well I ask, if it's so perfect how come they're not fucking? 

Seriously!  Women, being more intuitive, tend to have a more emotional involvement it's said, but that's not always the case.  Years ago, I had a friend I had the hots for, and only when we'd been friends for years had she confessed the reason she didn't try to sleep with me was that I was engaged at the time.  Damn was I dumb, but it's okay.  Lesson learned.

Mark and Treasure had a similar set up, however Treasure is a more intense woman to contrast against Mark's workaholic incompetence.  Oh, he's not bad, but he is terrible at getting the clues. Instead of noticing the way her hand lingers on his skin, he pays more attention to the raging erection she gives him and realizes that his mind is playing tricks on him.  Or...is it?

Only when she forces his hand and shows up in front of him, dressed to seduce, does his brain disengage and his body take over.

Then, just to make sure he can't back out of his own desire, Treasure intensifies the sensuality and carnal delights The heady combination of both women, one who owns his heart, the other who will satisfy his fantasy can only lead to one thing.

Recognition of deeper desires realized.

Let's watch the excerpt…

The bedroom door opened.

“Mark.” The soft lilting of her voice reignited the spark of arousal.

He set his glass on the desk and waited. “Yes, dear?”

“It’s bedtime. Come to bed.”

She sounded needy. Another man would have missed the subtlety of want in her voice. He didn't want to ignore her but work beckoned. Yeah, that was the lie he told himself to avoid the nervousness he felt in approaching her. “I have things to do first.”

“Then I’ll come to you.” Her voice dripped with unmistakable, husky lust.

He arched a brow.

A moment later, she appeared wearing a black, see-through teddy that flowed out at the bottom with lace trimming and reached the tops of her thighs. A scrap of lace obscured his view of her sex. Dirty blonde hair fell around her shoulders in loose curls, bouncing with each step she took toward him. Her hands crossed over her chest, she gripped her shoulders and then smoothed fingertips down her arms, over full breasts, and down her rounded stomach, stopping at her hips. Treasure took a tentative step closer, standing mere inches from him. “Well?”

His jaw dropped. He blinked several times to make sure he was seeing right before focusing on her expression.

She frowned. “You think I’m fat. I knew it.”

“No!” He stood and took her hands in his. His stomach tightened from the contact. Blood pumped faster down south, and his mouth went bone dry. “No, that’s not it. It’s just…just…wow, Treasure. I’ve dreamed of this for years.”

“What do you intend to do now?” She tilted her head, and her lips curled into a wicked grin.

His cock throbbed beneath his boxers. Goddamn clothes!

The alcohol fog faded as he focused on her standing before him, looking like an exquisite dessert after an exceptional dinner. He stood, grabbed the back of her head, brought her mouth to his, crushing their lips together. Inhaling deeply, he swept his tongue over her bottom lip, crushing her body to his.

She groaned.

He pressed the length of his cock against her belly and inhaled. She smelled of seduction, peaches, and cream. “I intend to have you, lover.”

A Friends with Benefits Giveaway

by Jennifer LaBelle

When I first came up with the idea for my new Decadent Edge release ‘Friends with Benefits’ I was treading in new territory. I love the M/M genre, but before now had never ventured into anything other than reading it. And, while I’ve written a bunch of hot M/M scenes into various ménage’s in the past, it was a whole other experience to come up with a believable, yet scorching hot plot for you all between my two characters, Collin and Devin.

 My first time writing M/M turned into Collin’s first well...you know, *winks*

So check it out, enjoy the blurb and excerpt below, and leave a comment with your email address’ for a chance to win an e-copy in your choice of format, and don’t forget to buy a copy too. J

I’ll announce the winner on Monday October, 8 2012.

Blurb:

Collin Harrison is loving life as a bachelor, but can’t convince his meddling mother to back off. To make matters worse, he’s confused by his attraction to his new neighbor, Devin. But Collin has never been with a man before.

Devin Hardy is no stranger to fulfilling his intimate desires—desires which include his hot neighbor. Good things come to those who wait, but Devin is getting tired of waiting to turn their friendship into one with scorching hot benefits.

Excerpt:

“What’s on your mind?”

“It’s nothing.” Collin sighed. “Or maybe it is. But I’ll figure it out, I guess.”

“Like what?” Devin flicked the TV off with the remote and waited.

“My social life has slowed down since I began hanging out with you.” Here we go, breathe, take the plunge and just breathe.

“Gee, thanks.” Devin grimaced. “Way to make a guy feel welcome.”

“I didn’t mean it that way.” He laughed and moved a little closer to him. “I just meant that I’ve had fewer dates recently, that’s all.”

“So you need to get laid.” His friend shrugged. “That sounds simple enough. You don’t need me to help you out with that, do you? I mean….”

Hell, yes, I do. “I guess it is, but my appetites might be changing, and I’m a little unsure about it. It also doesn’t help when you have a mother who likes to meddle. I’ll be hitting thirty soon, and she wants me to settle down.” Collin grimaced before continuing. “I’ve got to love the woman, and so help me God I do, but she’s now got a list of potential candidates.”

“Potential candidates?” Devin’s eyebrows shot up in disbelief. “For a future wife? Well, I’m not sure I can help you there, buddy, but I can get you laid if you want. I know a couple of girls who are pretty open-minded and would help you with your—” He made air quotes with his fingers and grinned. “Appetites. That is of course, if it’s a woman you’re hungry for.” He watched Collin’s reaction to his offer, starting with his face then downward to rest on the boner straining to get out and play.

He blushed. Shit! “Uh….”

Devin licked his lips. “Have you ever had a friend with benefits?”

“Sure, but not in awhile.”

“How about with a man? Have you ever experimented?”

Speechless, and completely turned on, Collin couldn’t form the words to answer. His fantasy was finally within reach, and like a dumbass, he choked. He shook his head no but prayed Devin would continue his pursuit.

“Would you like to?” 

Best wishes,

Jennifer Labelle