Guest Blogging at the Maverick Authors Blog

We're talking about class reunions at the Maverick Authors Blog today. My hero and heroine in Bad to the Bone, my novella in Secrets 24, meet at their high school reunion. Stop by and share your reunion stories and have a chance to win an autographed copy of Secrets 24, Surrender to Seduction.

http://maverickauthors.com/

Natasha

The Romance Divas annual Not Going to Conference Conference will make you feel a bit less deprived! Amazing workshops, a star-studded guest list and awesome giveaways, all on the Diva forum! Don't miss it!


Here's a bit of a schedule update for the Q&As and Workshops...

Wednesday, July 30

Paula Guran, Editor, Juno Books
Q&A on Creating Kick a** Heroines

Laurie Rauch, Editor, Samhain Publishing
Workshop on What Happens After the Contract (aka Editors are People Too!)*


Thursday July 31

Joyce Hart, Hartline Literary
Q&A on Inspirational Romance Stories and the Inspy Market

Sandra Schwab, Historical Romance Author
Workshop on Historical Accuracy and Anachronisms

Friday, August 1

Yolanda Sfetsos, Author of Guarded by Stone
Q&A on Paranormal and Urban Fantasy World Building

Katie MacIver, KatieDidDesign
Workshop on Website Design and Color Selection

Saturday, August 2

Joey W. Hill, Erotica Author
Workshop on Plotting Erotica and Erotic Romance

Rhonda Stapleton, Editor and Author
Workshop on Style and Voice

Excited yet?

How about if I list some door prizes?

• What Gwen said" mug donated by Gwen Hayes
• 3-chapter critique of a YA by Simon Pulse author Rhonda Stapleton
• 3-chapter critique of a YA, chick lit, or rom com by Golden Heart Finalist Amanda Brice
• An ebook of your choice from Nell Dixon's backlist
• An ebook of either Second Sight (paranormal romance) or Dragons' Choice (fantasy romance - dragon-shifters) from Debbie Mumford
• Ten dollar Amazon gift certificate from Jodi Henley
• Lush stuff from Seeley deBorn
• e-book copy of Chasing Shadows from Erin Richards
• Paperback copy of Iron Horse Rider OR Smiling Eyes from Adelle Laudan
• Book thongs from Angeleque Ford
• 3 chapter critique from Sela Carsen
• winner's choice of ebook copy of "Not Quite Dead" or "Heart of the Sea" by Sela Carson
• e-book copy of HEATWAVE by Eden Bradley
• e-book copy of BREAKING SKYE by Eden Bradley
• a box of goodies, trade and paperbacks, bath products candles, etc... All for a fun and relaxing home spa day treat. courtesy of The Midnight Moon Cafe
• 1 download each of Natasha Moore's Samhain books, The Ride of Her LIfe and The Passion-Minded Professor
• a copy of "Painted Soul" by Mary Quast
• e-book copy of HER CINDERELLA COMPLEX by Jenna Bayley-Burke - Samhain
• e-book copy of PAR FOR THE COURSE by Jenna Bayley-Burke - Samhain
• e-book copy of FOUND by Jenna Bayley-Burke - Wild Rose Press
• e-book copy of NIGHT OF INSPIRATION by Jenna Allen - Phaze
• e-book copy of ON AGAIN by Jenna Allen - Phaze
• $10 gc to Amazon from Kendal Corbitt
• ebook Vampire Oracle: Harmony by MG Braden
• Ebook ARC, Art of Sensuality by Jax Cassidy

Plus a lovely bar of wonderful Chagrin Valley hand made soap, Caramel Pralines jar candle, handmade jewelry, Tarot readings, a Lush box for European Divas/Dudes, a $10 fictionwise gc and much more!

Masters of Illusion by Tawny Taylor

MASTERS OF ILLUSION

Blurb:

Illusion. A word shaded with nuance, making the men who practice it — the masters — enigmas. Particularly when they magically materialize from the shadows of a woman's dark past.

It's been fifteen years. No longer the tormented young men Blair knew and loved so long ago, Damon and Trey still know how to touch her heart, how to draw out her secrets, and how to bring her to the edge of ecstasy.

Blair has two weeks to unravel the mystery of the ruby and decide if the magic her seductive masters are wielding is real or illusion. The answers to her questions are hidden within the facets of the ruby gifts she receives each night, the mysteries veiled by their illusions…and the dark desires burning in her body.

Reader advisory: This book contains scenes with same-gender sex, and references to child abuse.

A semi-work-safe excerpt:

“Hello? Damon? Trey?” She stepped into a silent reception area. To the left stood one of those reception counters. No one was posted there. The overhead fluorescent lights were off, and the deeper she walked inside, the darker it grew, the heavier the shadows became, and the edgier she felt.

She smoothed her hands down her legs, flattening her skirt against her thighs. Her pumps made little tap-tapping noises on the tile as she ventured to the back of the reception area. There were three wooden doors spaced evenly along one wall. One was marked with a sign, a bathroom. The second opened to a small office. Empty. The third opened to the cavernous warehouse. “Trey? Damon? Hello? It’s me.”

Creepy.

She almost turned around, called it a total wash and headed home, but then she heard her name, whispered, and she instantly recognized the voice.

She stopped, held her breath, searching the deep shadows. Where were they hiding? “Damon, you dork. Are you two trying to scare me? Quit playing.”

There. She heard something moving. She rushed forward, eager to touch her old friends, to give them a hug and thank them for the wonderful gift. But she stopped midstride, a scream shooting up her throat, when one of the enormous black cats from their show, wearing a sparkling red collar, stalked from the shadows, its glittering eyes fixed on her.

Absolutely terrified, she froze in place. “D-Damon, I think one of your pets is loose,” she whispered, afraid to speak louder. Oh God, that animal was huge. Those paws. Those teeth!

And then the cat stood up on its hind legs and the scream she’d been swallowing flew from her mouth. She whirled around and slammed into one hard male body. “Trey! Ohthankgod! Help me!”

Trey smiled as he eased her around.

The panther was gone. Damon stood in its place, dressed head to toe in black. The top two buttons of his crisp shirt were unfastened, revealing a vee of suntanned skin and a silver charm hanging from a thick chain. The panther’s glittering red collar lay in his outstretched hand.

Blair let loose with a huge sigh. She accepted the proffered jewelry, which up close looked more like a choker and less like an animal collar. “Thank you. But you just about scared me to death.”

“May I?” Damon asked, pointing at the jewelry.

“Sure.” She dropped it in his hand.

Damon’s eyes glittered with smoldering heat as he stepped closer to fasten the choker around Blair’s neck. It felt cold and heavy against her skin, even with the little flares of heat erupting beneath the surface. “Welcome, Blair.”

“I’m so glad to see you two. I have so many questions, like how you–”

Damon pressed his index finger against her lips, silencing her. “Later.” His gaze meandered down her body then slowly climbed back up. The corners of his mouth lifted into a naughty, predatory smile. “You look beautiful. You’ve always been beautiful, but you’ve changed. In a very good way.”

Her cheeks had to be as red as the fiery stones in her new choker. She nervously fingered the jewels as she met his gaze. “Thanks. But I think most of the changes haven’t been for the better. You, on the other hand, both look amazing. You really…er, filled out.” That was an understatement.

Damon looked very pleased by her compliment. “Thank you.” He motioned toward the far corner of the warehouse, which was completely cloaked in thick black shadows. “This way.”

“I’m not sure if I’m liking the magic thing or not. Gotta admit, it’s a little strange. Scary, even.”

“There’s nothing to be afraid of,” Trey said behind her, gently coaxing her forward with a hand pressed to the small of her back.

Little prickles danced up her spine. She would have shivered but she stopped herself. Somehow.

A small part of her felt like bait being coaxed into a trap for a big, hungry feline. But a bigger part knew better. These two guys had been her soul mates. And even though it had been years since they’d last seen each other, she knew they wouldn’t hurt her.

Damon flicked his hand and poof, a dozen candles or so lit instantaneously, illuminating a table draped in white and set for three. She had to give it to them, these guys had the magic thing down pat. Another flick of the hand and the warehouse was filled with the low, sultry sounds of jazz.

And it looked as if they’d learned a thing or two about romance since she’d last seen them too.

WWW.ELLORASCAVE.COM

Tawny is an awesome author and if you haven't read anything by her, this looks like a great one to try. I know I'll be reading it!

Natasha

Red Sage Secrets 24 Available Today!

Bad to the Bone, my first Secrets novella, is included in Vol 24, Surrender to Seduction, which is available today! Isn't that a gorgeous cover??? You can check Surrender to Seduction out, along with blurbs and the first chapters of all four novellas, on the Red Sage website: http://www.eredsage.com

Here's the blurb for Bad to the Bone:

She’s a good girl who wants to be bad, and he’s a bad boy who wants to be good. At her class reunion, Annie Shane sheds her good girl reputation through one wild weekend with Luke Kendall. But Luke is done playing the field and wants to settle down. What would a bad girl do?

Check it out!
Natasha

Another Reason I Love My Ebookwise

My hubby and I took off for our campground, where we park our RV most of the year. The 4th of July weekend is always a busy time down there. And the owners even put on a fireworks display. So cool.

There's no internet access there...I know, I've tried to convince them, but it's a small family-run campground and there's no way. Oh well, I actually get more writing done when I'm not tempted by those e-mails I just need to check. I also get a little reading done. Which is where this post is leading.

We had a nice campfire going, and for a while I was reading my author copy of Jewel of the Nile II, so I can enjoy the other five stories in the anthology. Then, of course, it got dark. So dark I couldn't read my printbook by the light of the campfire. Then my hubby reminded me that I also packed my ebookwise. Yay! Backlit screen, perfect to read in the dark! So I spent my time waiting for the fireworks, sitting by the fire reading, Twisted Steel and Sex Appeal by M.A. Ellis! Hot! Just like campfires and fireworks!

Love my ebookwise!

Natasha