Beth Kery

Good morning! I’m having a bit of trouble charging the brain today. It’s so dark in Chicago. Ugh.

I had a book signing in Moline, IL yesterday, which was rather…quiet. Apparently, there aren’t many readers of erotic romance/romance or readers of my books in this area. I know other authors can relate, but when this happens, and you are just sitting there like an idiot with your books and pen ready to go, it morphs from humiliating to bored to…can I please go now? LOL. Luckily, my husband was there to cheer me up and buy me fruit smoothies, and I did meet some really nice ladies. Who knows, maybe I’ll convert a few readers in Moline over to the dark side yet. :)

Anyway, just a heads up that I did an interview over at Cecile’s blog today, and there is a giveaway to one commenter to any book in my backlist, including Release.

Um, let’s see what else. OH! Juniper Bell’s winner will be announced later this evening. Then, look for a feature from my good friend, Fiona Jayde who has a novella called Pas de Deux coming out at Samhain tomorrow. Have you seen Fiona’s video for this? It’s amazing, as is Fiona’s writing. I’ll have both here, so check it out later this evening.

Hope your Monday is as good as a Monday can be!

#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….

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.

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!