Beth Kery

#8, Cindy C!

Cindy, Congrats! Write to me at bethkery@aol.com with your address, and I’ll get off your prize: Some Harry and David decadent chocolate covered dried cherries. Now, to address whether or not Sean comes with them, sadly no. But if you cozy up with your cherries and a copy of RELEASE, it’ll be like having Sean there in your hot little hands!

Up next, author Juniper Bell has agreed to come and tell us about her Samhain book that releases next week, TRAINING THE RECEPTIONIST…and boy, does it looking steaming. She’s also giving away a book from her backlist to one commenter on her very sexy excerpt. Stay tuned….

I’ll be signing copies of my latest, RELEASE along with my other books in Moline this Sunday. If you are in the vicinity, I would love to meet you!
February 28, 2010
1-3 p.m.

Waldenbooks
4500 16th Street
Moline, IL 61265-7073
(309) 797-8140

So how many of you have read RELEASE at this point? Just for fun, I’m going to give away the candy that inspired a sexy Sean and Genny scene from the book. Yes, I’ll send one commenter the decadent chocolate/candy covered dried cherries that inspired Sean and which are Genny’s favorites…for good reason. The read ones are from Harry and David, and they are sooooooo good.

ADULT EXCERPT:

He leant down and placed a soft kiss on her nipple. Genevieve’s heartbeat skipped into overtime when she saw all the amusement had vanished from his expression when he lifted his tawny head. “Lie down on your back.”
She found it a bit difficult to take a full breath as she did what he asked. For a few seconds he remained on his knees staring down at her. Genevieve noticed his sated cock lengthened next to his thigh.
“What are you thinking?” she whispered.
“I’m thinking you’re beautiful.”
She swallowed. “Thank you.”
“Genny?”
“Yes?”
“I was also thinking I wish I could restrain you.” She went entirely still at the casually spoken words. “But I said I wasn’t going to get fancy, and I meant it. For now anyway. Just you and me.” He jostled the bag of cherries. “These don’t count as sex toys. I’m just hungry,” he teased, saying hungry with an adorable New Orleans–accented growl.
Hongry.
She laughed. “You don’t like chocolate cherries.”
“No, but I love your pussy. Spread your legs, girl. Let me look at you.”
Genevieve held her breath as she opened her thighs. He moved between her legs. For a few seconds, he just studied her exposed sex. She swore his gaze had weight; it seemed to tickle and heat her wet pussy. She moaned softly and shifted her hips. Her movement seemed to break his trance. He reached into the bag and withdrew one of the balls.
The gourmet cherries had been covered in chocolate, and then dipped in a thin coat of crispy, hard candy. They looked like small, bright red balls. Genevieve loved the sweetness of the chocolate contrasting with the sourness of the crunchy candy coating and cherry.
Never in a million years would she have considered the candies to be erotic in appearance, but her pussy clenched in rising excitement at the sight of one of the balls between Sean’s thumb and forefinger. He lay down on his belly, his face hovering over her spread pussy.
He placed the cherry very carefully between her outer labia, wedging it between the lips directly on her clit. When she called out his name and shifted her hips in arousal, he stilled her with his hands on her hips and glanced up at her. She lifted her head.
“I want to make you feel good. But you have to promise me not to try to escape your pleasure, Genny. Stay still, now.”
She nodded even though the level of excitement mounting in her made her doubt her ability to carry out his wish.
He leaned down, his eyes still on her face. He placed the tip of his long tongue on the hard shell of the cherry and began to press it down on her clit.

Order Release

Leave a comment for a chance to win the Sexy Cherries. :)

I thought I’d share with you all a bit of the struggle of an author’s life as she tries to get the words on the page.

I’ve had a few people ask me for writing tips recently. My advice is always the same: WRITE. Not being facetious, but quite serious. The publishing world is filled with distraction upon distraction. Authors have to promo their book through interviews, guest blogs (which sometimes take hours to complete), book signings and contests. They are encouraged to socially network at places like Twitter and Facebook and maintain an active blog. Authors make online friends and contacts. We feel pain in varying degrees at negative reviews and pure joy at the positive ones, and then we have to reign in whichever feeling–discouragement or ebullience–re-focus and work once again.

We exist in a community via our computer, which is wonderful. Fantastic, actually. People I’ve met through the Internet have enriched my life and my writing experience hugely.

Given all this, my computer starts to feel like a double edged sword. The tool that’s the key to this vibrant community is the same one that I use to make the product of my trade. Thus, distractions abound. It’s a challenge at times (like this—lol) to reign in the attention and focus on the reason I’m here to begin with…the book. It’s my job to get those words on the page.

I’m not complaining. I love the job. Love it. Just sharing one of my everyday struggles doing it.

Beth

My lovely sister is in town today, so we checked out the DIAMOND EXHIBIT at the Field Museum. All I have to say is “wow”.

Here’s a brief blurb about the exhibit:

The centerpiece of The Nature of Diamonds is The Vault where you’ll discover some of the exhibition’s most breathtaking jewelry from the world’s top designers, including many objects that have rarely been displayed. Also featured are pieces owned by Mae West, Catherine the Great of Russia, Joan Crawford, Elton John, and many more.

You’ll feast your eyes on signature stones such as the 128.54-carat Tiffany Diamond—one of the world’s largest and finest fancy yellow diamonds—and the Incomparable Diamond—weighing in at 407.48 carats as the largest flawless diamond ever graded by the GIA and the third largest cut diamond ever recorded!

The size of the diamonds was one thing, but the incredible artistry involved in pieces from some of the world’s most famous jewelers and designers was literally showstopping. Here’s the Tiffany piece…that diamond the peacock is standing on is something like 130 carats with 90 facet cuts.

You get about six inches away from the glass and move from right to the left, and the luster/luminousity of it is indescribable. The guard said this piece was featured in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Anybody remember that? I don’t. the Incomparable Diamond was just too huge and too perfect to describe. They cut it down from something like 800 carats, because it had several flaws. However, this type of diamond is rarely flawless, so they decided to go for perfection vs. size.

Well, that’s it. Just sharing a bit of my day. Oh–when I got home, I quickly cleaned my wedding ring. *rolling eyes* None of those diamonds had soap/lotion film on them. Oi.

Anybody else have the day off for President’s Day?

Hi all. Sorry I’ve been pretty absent. I’m trying to work on some revisions for my first book for Silhouette Special Edition, a series tentatively called Harbor Town. I think I’ve conquered the re-write, but we shall see.

Valentine’s Day is around the corner! The Joshua Star newspaper in Texas recommended RELEASE for a Valentine’s Day gift. Read about it here. And RELEASE does have that pretty pink cover and is filled with hot lovin’ and romance, so you might want to suggest it to hubby. I hope you all have a nice Valentine’s Day.

Also, I just received some lovely new Reviews for RELEASE. (For all the reviews, check out my HOME page).

* * * * * from Affaire de Couer: One of the sexiest, most erotic love stories that I have read in a long time.

Fresh Fiction–Sexy and beautifully intense, (RELEASE) is about trust, friendship, love and betrayal. A must-read that’s absolutely perfect!

4.5 Hearts from The Romance Studio–Release will have you turning the pages long into the night.

* * * * * from Romance Junkies: Try not to fall in love with Sean and Genny’s story–I dare you.

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.