Beth Kery

Those commercials with the gnome-guy watching the sunny surf on his television while it’s dark and snowy outside crack me up. “I’ve got to get out of here!”

I sympathize gnome-guy. Since many of us are in gnome-guy’s shoes, I thought I’d put up a healthy slice of sultry island heat from Paradise Rules to warm us up today. Paradise Rules is on sale at Amazon right now for 6 bucks! I keep noticing that people are buying the regular priced one and not the bargain, so I’m trying to pass on the word.

Enjoy!

Adult Rated Excerpt:

He closed the distance between them. Lana stared up at him warily when he leaned down over her, close enough for her to inhale his spicy cologne and natural rich male scent. Warm fluid flooded her panties. Just like that—in an instant—her body had readied itself for him. The strength of her response stunned her.
Frightened her.
“I’ve thought about all those positions, and a dozen other equally interesting ones, since yesterday,” he rasped, his face just inches from her own. “So if you’re asking me if I think you called Hawaiian Nights for a fuck buddy, I think the answer is yeah. But I don’t want to be your ‘buddy,’ Lana. I don’t want to be patronized by your champagne and your caviar and your small talk. I just want to fuck you. On my terms.”
“Go to hell.”
“Uh-uh. You’re going to take me to paradise. And if you can manage to keep your mean mouth shut, I’ll take you right along with me, Lana.” His warm, fragrant breath fanned her lips. Despite the chaos of her thoughts, her body ruled her at that moment. She strained toward him.
He seized her mouth in a hard kiss. His male essence flooded her awareness, leaving room for nothing but a hot, erupting desire. She clutched onto his shoulders then desperately sank her hand into his hair, holding on for dear life as a tsunami of lust pounded through her. He penetrated her lips and made free with her mouth. She found herself striking out hungrily with her own tongue, ravenous for more of his flavor.
She was so overwhelmed with the power of his kiss she didn’t realize he’d untied the halter of her dress until he lowered the material to her waist. He sealed their lips. She trembled. The man’s kiss could more accurately be called an attack. That’s how it seemed to her jangled nerves and screaming senses.
He stepped back to inspect her. His nostrils flared. Her nipples puckered in acute anticipation of pleasure. He surprised her by reaching into the paper bag he still clutched, his palpable gaze never leaving her breasts.
“I brought this for you,” he said gruffly.
Her eyes widened when he withdrew a white lei. The velvety, cool petals tickled the hypersensitive skin of her breasts when he put it around her neck. He lifted her loose hair over the flowers and took his time releasing it, letting the strands run through his fingers. His other hand adjusted the flowers and paused near an aching nipple.
He seemed to be holding his breath. She knew she was.
She gave a small whimper when he touched the beading flesh with a calloused thumb and forefinger.
“It’s made of orchids,” he said in a low rumble as he watched himself pinch lightly at her nipple then sooth it with a caress. “My grandmother grows her own carnations, orchids, and plumeria, and makes them into ‘flower jewelry.’ She loves her flowers. She says they’re the only accessory a woman should wear because they will remind her that she herself is a beautiful bloom.” He glanced up and met her stare. The hand at the back of her neck shifted. A long finger slipped beneath the cool petals. “She always uses plumeria at the neck, even on her orchid leis.” Lana inhaled the sweet, familiar fragrance of the flower traditionally used for leis. “The scent is released at the warmth of your neck. Perfumed jewelry, Grandma Lily says.”
He reached around Lana’s waist and unzipped her dress. At his urging, the fabric slipped off her hips and fell in a soft heap around her ankles. Her silk panties followed. She stood before him, wearing nothing but her sandals and flowers.
Her throat had gone dry. Her confusion—the paradox of anger, anxiety, curiosity, and desire—seemed to paralyze her muscles.
“It’s beautiful. Thank you,” she finally said.
His lips tilted. He seemed genuinely pleased by her compliment. He probably hadn’t known she was capable of saying something nice. But it was only the truth. The gift of the white orchid lei struck her as perfect . . . simple, sensual, and astonishingly lovely.
In truth, his offering had disarmed her.
“You’re the beautiful one, ’Ailana.” He leaned closer. “Now . . . I’d like to watch while you bloom for me.”
She stiffened warily when he spread his big hand over her hip, fixing her in place while he burrowed the ridge of his forefinger between her shaved labia. He grunted in masculine appreciation when he felt how damp she was. Despite her surprise at his boldness, it felt delicious to have him slide along her clit, creating a sizzling friction that made her press tighter against his hand. She tried to kiss him, but he straightened and moved his face back. He watched her closely while he penetrated her slit with his middle finger, still rubbing and agitating her clit.
“So smooth and wet. I knew you’d have a sweet little pussy.”
“Jason,” she muttered thickly while he played her cunt to perfection. She put her hands on his shoulders and tried to pull him down to her . . . tried to gain some measure of control over the situation. But he refused to kiss her. It made her feel vulnerable and uncomfortable, but also incredibly aroused to know that he wanted to stare at her while she climaxed. A complete stranger. The fact that he was entirely dressed while she was naked also added to her strange combination of distress and arousal.
She moaned and ground against his hand. The friction was optimal . . . perfect. She tried once again to avoid his intense stare. This time she unbuttoned his shirt and shoved a hand over warm, sleek muscle.
“No,” he said softly. Firmly.
He spun her around. She cried out in protest at the absence of his gifted, strumming fingers on her pussy. Her eyes widened when she saw he’d turned her to face a mirror that hung over a credenza. He pushed her toward it, pressing his long, hard body to her backside. He nuzzled her neck with his nose, his eyes on her in the mirror.
“Look at you,” he whispered hoarsely. “You’re blooming right before my eyes.”

For a short time, Paradise Rules is at Amazon for $6.00.

Good morning! Busy, busy week. I have a couple book/writing announcements. First of all, Amazon has PARADISE RULES at the bargain price of six bucks! So that means you can get both WICKED BURN and PR for a bargain right now. Click here to check it out.

Well, I was all kind of excited earlier this week to hear that I’ll be in an upcoming Berkley anthology. But I got even more good news from my agent Laura Bradford today. I’ve gotten a two book contract from Sillouette Special Edition! I’m beyond excited at this point…can’t really concentrate. I’m thrilled to have an opportunity to write both erotic romance and straight contemporary.

Snow is on the way for many of you. I hope that if you do get snowed in, you can take the opportunity to curl up with a book. :)

I like reading smaller snippets in order to sample a book in addition to longer excerpts. Today, I’m putting up a couple short portions of description and diaglogue that highlight Sean Kennedy, the hero from my latest erotic romance, RELEASE.

By the way, as Genevieve discovers in RELEASE, Sean is the perfect thing to cuddle up with during a snowstorm.

“I’m Genevieve Bujold, Max’s wife.”
“Sean Kennedy,” he returned, taking her hand in his.
Her eyebrows shot up on her forehead as she took a seat next to him. “Max’s new chief operating officer? I’ve heard so much about you.”
He paused in eating when he saw that she studied him curiously with eyes that were the color of storm clouds when sunlight starts to break through them.
What?” he asked.
She grinned. “Oh . . . sorry. Max said you were a war hero.”
“That’s not what you were thinking, girl,” he chided softly before he resumed eating.
She looked nonplussed for a second but then she laughed. “No, you’re right. He said you were ruthless.”
“It’s true. That’s why he hired me. I show no mercy to the administrative staff when they try to skip out early from work and I’m a tyrant about keeping down office supply shortages.”
She chuckled as she accepted a glass of champagne from a passing waiter.
“You’re like Max. So secretive about what you really do at work every day.” She took a sip of champagne. “My mother still doesn’t believe me when I tell her Max is a spy.”
“Sounds a bit melodramatic.”
“But it’s easier to say then ‘private sector intelligence operative.’”
“Now that’s a fact,” he replied with a grin.
* * * *

His wasn’t a classically handsome face, but it was full of character. Someone had broken his nose once in a childhood scrap. His mother hadn’t had a job at the time, or any insurance, so it’d never healed properly. The slight crook in it only added to his stark, masculine appeal.
His mouth was perfection, the lips firm, their shape hinting at his stubborn, determined nature as much as his innate sensuality.
When he smiled, he could make a female’s heart skip two beats.

* * * *

He reached into a sack and withdrew a bottle. “We’ve got wine. We’ve got coffee. We’ve got Salvatore’s good olive relish so I can make you some muffuletta. Umm, Umm. Good food,” he enthused as he withdrew a small paper bag and handed it to her. “Look what they had at the market, girl. That’ll cheer you up. I won’t say a word if you eat every one of ’em while you’re all snuggled up out there on the couch, either.”
Genevieve paused in the process of withdrawing some romaine lettuce. Her eyes leapt up to meet Sean’s. He wore a crooked grin as he watched her, his blue eyes lambent and warm. She hastily took the bag of gourmet bing cherry chocolates and set it on the counter, averting her gaze.
She didn’t know what to say. He knew they were her favorite treat, knew she craved them whenever she was a little blue. She’d once told him how she occasionally bought the treats and ate a whole bag of them while she read a trashy novel in bed. She recalled how he’d been fascinated by her revelation of that small intimacy.
The fact that he’d remembered—the repetition of that benign, personal secret in his husky voice—made her lose her already unsteady emotional footing. It had struck her as sweet. Precise. Intensely sexy.
So Sean-like.

*****

“Genevieve set her nearly empty bowl of spaghetti with marinara and freshly grated Parmesan on the coffee table. She snagged her glass of wine with her fingers and watched Sean while he continued to eat with gusto.
He noticed the small smile on her face. “What? It’s not too surprising I worked up a good appetite, is it? After all that great sex?”
“Not at all. I was ravenous.”
“Good,” he said pointedly before he ate another forkful. “I’m looking forward to making you starved all over again.”
She chuckled and stared out the floor-to-ceiling windows.
“Look,” she said softly.
They watched the snow falling outside.
“Wind must have dropped off,” Sean said. Genevieve nodded. The snowflakes once again fell vertically, thick and silent. She took a sip of her wine. A feeling of warmth and contentment weighted her muscles. It was nice, to sit there with Sean, with a fire and full belly and no place to go.

I’m very excited to be meeting up with Julie James tonight to do some book chatting and wine drinking at the Ralph Lauren bar. We try to make a point of getting together following releases in order to celebrate. Really, really looking forward to some down time, and Julie is always fun to unwind with.

Those of you who were at the Total Ex book release bash probably already heard that my agent called in the midst of the party and said I’d been invited to be part of a Heat anthology to come out in 2011. I just found out the other authors in the anthology this morning, though, and I’m honored and a bit blown away: Megan Hart, Emma Holly and Lauren Dane. Wow. Just wow.

Vivi Andrews is an author and very, very nice lady that I got to know a bit better when she guested here during the RELEASE contest. She’s doing a feature for RELEASE and an interview with moi at her blog. Check it out.

I’ve met a young woman named Sasha through the miracle of the internet. She’s very bright–although I might just be saying that because she gives my books such nice reviews. lol. But seriously, I don’t think I am. She’s articulate and booky-in-the-best-sort-of-way and reading her blog reminds me of my college days when I was taking writing and journalism classes…and was basically a lot smarter and freer than I am today. *Wistful sigh* Anyway, Sasha has reviewed RELEASE if you’d like to take a gander.

I hope you all have a terrific Wednesday.

~Beth

You should be able to find RELEASE on the bookshelves today. Wow. It’s only been about one year since my agent, Laura Bradford, called to ask if I could do a pitch for an open spot at Berkley. After several sleepless nights when my brain continued to plot even when I didn’t want it to, I had the detailed synopsis for an erotic suspense. That was almost one year ago exactly–maybe a little less. So I feel like a proud mother today.

You can find me (and giveaways) all around the blogosphere today.

I’m at the Bradford Bunch.
Julie James Blog
and Seductive Musings.

Blanche from No Such Thing as Too Many Books Blogspot did a really nice review of RELEASE and she’s giving away a copy, as well. So you might want to check that out.

Along with Fiona Jayde and Juliana Stone, because we ALL have releases tomorrow!!

Join us for chat, exclusive Total Exposure excerpts, contests and prizes galore.

Cold and super sunny in Chi-town today; one of those days you can lay in bed while the bright sun streams through the windows and pretend that it’s a lovely May day. I wish.

I’m curious as to whether or not RELEASE has hit any book shelves early. Anyone seen it at the stores? If you have, let me know! You can comment here or write me at bethkery@aol.com.

Speaking of RELEASE, I’m over at author and friend Julie Jame’s blog! There is a give away for commenters. :)

A couple people at Total Exposure pointed out to me that All Romance ebooks is having a HUGE sale until midnight tonight. 50% off ALL books! Just put in the code SBTBARe1.

Last but not least, just a reminder that Juliana Stone, Fiona Jayde and myself would love to have you at our release party Monday night. The blue and gold widgit to the right is your invitation; click on it to join Total Exposure. We do have an approval process, which should not take long. We’re not ‘approving’ you necessarily, just trying to avoid spammers, which plagued us at one time. Anyway, the party is tomorrow night from 5:30 to 7:30 EST, come one come all! Should be fun, with plenty of fun prizes and chat.

First of all, thanks to all of you who participated and who helped me to spread the word about RELEASE. I’m at the early stages of my writing career, and good promotional opportunities that fit into the budget of a starting author are few and far between. I really appreciate the fact that I can interact with readers and that we can share the experience together. I hope you all can check out RELEASE when it hits the shelves next week and that it’s a truly satisfying, sexy and romantic read for you.

There is one more ‘party’ left for RELEASE’S debut, and that’s at Total Exposure on Monday evening. Click on the invite widgit (to the right of this post) to join Total EX…and the partay. :)

Thank you.

The winner of the $100 dollar Amazon gift certificate (chosen by a random number generator) is
#54, Anna Shah Hoque!
Yippee! Anna, write me at bethkery@aol.com to claim your prize.
Hugs to all of you, and happy reading!

#2 Jeanette Juan! Jeanette, write me at bethkery@aol.com to claim your prize.

Wow. I can’t believe it. Another contest is through. Sniff. This was a good one. I can’t thank all the wonderful authors who participated enough. And thanks to each and every one of you who hung out with me over the past three weeks. It seemed like forever until Release was going to come out, and now Tuesday is in sight!

Later this afternoon, I’ll announce the winner of the one hundred dollar Amazon gift certificate. I hope you all have a terrific weekend!
~Beth

Join me in welcoming Kari Thomas to the Release Your Inhibitions Contest! Kari chats with me a bit, and then she talks about books in a series. Answer Kari’s question below about series and you will qualify to win a download of Temptation Unleased.

*****

Beth: Welcome, Kari! Tell us a bit about yourself.
K: Thanks, Beth! I’m a multi-published author, writing mainly in the Paranormal Romance genre. I love the limitless possibilities you have as a writer in this particular genre, so I imagine I’ll stay in that spot for a good long time. I’m the Care Giver for my dad, so I’m lucky enough to be a stay-at-home author. I’m also a professed “Book-a-holic” and I own over 3,000 books in my personal Library. The bad thing is, it’s an addiction I can’t stop…..so that means my Library grows every week!

Beth: Good for you, from one home-librarian to another. :)
What was the most exciting moment in your writing career so far?
K: Only one moment? LOL! I guess I could say that the most recent one was when my Novella PREY FOR THE WOLF stayed on the Top Best Seller List at Fictionwise for over 20 days….AND it was higher ranked than the famous “TWILIGHT” Series books!! That amazed me.

Beth: That is really cool! Wow.
How do you want to be remembered as a writer?
K: As a writer who wrote emotional, endearing stories as well as those stories being passionate and unforgettable. Doesn’t sound too much, does it? (grin)

Beth: What do you fear the most?
K: Seriously? Dying before my dad. I couldn’t do the proverbial “rest-in-peace” if I died first knowing he wasn’t being taken care of.
But as for the Not-so-serious Fear: suddenly realizing my muse has forever deserted me and I can’t write the next story. Argh! Never write again? That would kill me!

Beth: That’s a very understandable fear on your part, Kari. And as for the muse flying, I’ve had several authors say similar fears during this contest, so at least you are in good company.
You are not allowed to bow out of this part—I can’t believe how modest authors usually are, refusing to do this part!—please give us a paragraph or two from your writing of which you are particularly proud. Why do you like this portion?
K: LOL! It’s like exposing yourself way too much! But here’s a tiny teaser. The reason I love this short paragraph is because it was at a VERY emotional part of the story and said it “all” in so little words how a woman can face the worse yet still realize she has more in herself to give. I think this says a lot about all of us, as women, facing adversary that seems impossible to fight. This is from my latest, UNDER A SHIFTER’S MOON:

Kitlene released a sigh. She had learned she was strong enough to protect herself from physical attack. Now, she just had to learn how to fight back the heartache that threatened to become so much a part of her if she let it. She would be strong again. One day.

Beth: What new projects do you have in store for your readers?
K: I’m about to submit another paranormal Romance I just finished. Then, I hope to write two more Novella lengths in the next few months. I like to keep my books out there while writing full length, and the Novellas are great for that. I also have a Novella being released Feb 14, 2010 at All Romance Ebooks. It’s part of an Anthology, and ALL the Sales Proceeds will go to the Charity of The American Heart Association. Famous author Charlaine Harris writes the “Foreword” in it! This is the first book I’ve ever given away Free to a Publisher, but I also have two FREE reads that are Short Story length only, available at the Samhellion with Samhain Publishing. They are both ending Sequels to TEMPTATION UNLEASHED.

TEMPTATION UNLEASHED is my Samhain title, and it’s been a popular book from day one. I’m working on a new book for Samhain now and can only hope it does half as good! (grin)

Beth: Thanks so much for joining us here today, Kari.
K: Thanks again, Beth! I just wanted to mention that I love to hear from my readers, and they can contact me for more info on my books, or the Free Reads, at: authorkari@yahoo.com and that they can visit my site.

TEMPTATION UNLEASHED
Print and Ebook
Paranormal Romance

DO YOU WISH ALL BOOKS WERE IN A SERIES?

As a professed Book-a-Hollic I must admit I love to read good books that are part of a Series. One book just isn’t big enough to be able to satisfy my reader-curiosity about ALL the characters involved in the original story. If I love a book and the author turns it into a Series, chances are that author has a reader-fan in me for all of her future books, Series or not.
But. As an author, I’ve never been one for writing a Series on any of my books. I can’t explain it. I love my characters but when that story is finished, I’m sooo ready to go on to the next book idea with new characters and new situations. I guess I could blame it on my over-active imagination! Too many stories, never enough time to write them all! LOL!
So, of course, surprising me to no end I soon learned that readers wanted/demanded MORE stories from my Samhain title TEMPTATION UNLEASHED. They wanted to know if the secondary characters ever got their “Happy Ending Love Stories”. After constant requests, I finally sat down and wrote two ending Sequels. In THE CHRISTMAS CHAPTER, Gavin gets his love story. In SOUL’S CHOICE, Riana gets her love story. Both these Shorts can be obtained FREE at the Samhellion web site, with the Links:
http://authors.thesamhellion.com/?p=186
http://authors.thesamhellion.com/?p=119

So. Tell me, what do you think about books in Series? Like them? Rather not have them? I’d love to hear from you.
Happy Reading Day Hugs!
Kari

#15, Ina! Ina, write to me at bethkery@aol.com to claim your prize!
Juliana, I know how busy you are, so many thanks for coming to hang out at the Release Contest.

Speaking of the Release Your Inhibitions Contest, the $100 dollar Amazon gift certificate will be given away this Saturday. Yep…that means Release comes out next Tuesday, and…

Author Kari Thomas is our last guest author! Up next!