Thank you to everyone, author and reader alike, who helped spread the word about BECAUSE YOU ARE MINE!! Because You Tempted Me, part I has officially released! Wheeee!

And now, the random number generator has chosen some winners! All winners must contact me at bethkery@aol.com to claim your prizes. I will need snail mail addresses for the Kindle Fire, Nook, and Barnes and Noble gift card winners. I will send the Amazon gift card via email address.

The winners are as follows:

B&N gift card: #53, Kristen

That’s it! Thank you all again, and happy reading to everyone!

Senovia
Comment 23

Senovia, write to me at bethkery@aol.com and let me know the email address where you’d like your book sent.

Up next, I’m going to announce the four winners from the Huge Because You Are Mine Contest!!

It’s Release Day Eve for BECAUSE!

So by now you’ve probably heard a bit about my erotic contemporary serial novel, BECAUSE YOU ARE MINE. I want to tell you a few important things. The book is being released in serial format: a novella length story, two substantial chapters, coming out every Tuesday for eight weeks on eBook (Kindle, Nook, iTunes). This is one overall book–Ian and Francesca’s erotic romance, being released in a weekly fashion. I know this is a different publishing concept (although it’s an old one–it’s how Dickens was first published, for instance). But I think it has some really cool opportunities for us to share as a reading community. Given the state of reading technology and social media, it gives us, as readers, the chance to enjoy a book like we do a television show episode. The serialization of the book controls the element of time, making it more likely that we will be reading similar content at the same time.

But much, much more important than the release format, I’m so excited about Ian and Francesca’s love story. I’ve never had so much fun writing a book. I hope the experience of reading will be as invigorating and vibrant as it was for me writing. I like to describe Because as a little bit Cinderella, a little bit Pretty Woman, a little Bit Fifty Shades, and lots of Beth Kery. 🙂

Also, I’m inviting people to TALK about Because You Are Mine using the hashtag at twitter #BecauseYouAreMine. At Berkley’s Love Always Facebook page, there will be an update every Tuesday (release day) with a sizzling line from the new installment. On Wednesday, there will be an update called, About Last Night, where people can jump in and talking about the portion of the new Because part they’d read the night before. I’ll be stopping by and participating. It should be lots of fun for the reading community, which is what I want this experience to be in spades. Hope you’ll join me for Francesca and Ian’s journey to HEA.

And now, a first time sneak peek at Because You Are Mine Part I: Because You Tempt Me

From Beth Kery, the national bestselling author of EXPLOSIVE, comes a red-hot romance like no other—where the rules of attraction are broken with that first electrifying touch. Meet Francesca and Ian. The fantasies of what’s to come begin…

It starts with that first look, when you know you have to have him…

Francesca Arno has been commissioned to create a grand centerpiece painting for the lobby of Ian Noble’s new skyscraper. It’s at a cocktail party in her honor that she first meets him—and the attraction is immediate for Francesca. It’s also bewildering. She’s not used to such a wholesale sexual response to a stranger. Enigmatic, darkly intense, with a commanding presence, Ian completely unnerves her. And she likes it.

For Ian, she’s the kind of woman he can’t resist—one that comes all too rarely: a true innocent. But he can sense in her a desire to open up, to experiment, to give herself to the fantasies of a man in control. The first kiss, the first caress, the first challenge for a woman who craves what she’s never had—a man who gets what he wants.

Excerpt

Francesca just nodded. She couldn’t speak. Her brain was temporarily overloaded by the image of him, the warmth of his encompassing hand, the sound of his low, Britsh-accented voice. His skin was pale next to his dark, stylishly coiffed, short hair and gray suit. Dark Angel. The words flew into her brain, unbidden.

“I can’t tell you how impressed I am with your work,” he said. No smile. No softness in his tone, even if there was a sharp curiosity in his stare.

She swallowed uneasily. “Thank you.” He released her hand slowly, causing his skin to slide against hers. A horrible moment of silence passed as he just looked at her. She gathered herself and straightened her spine.

“I’m glad to have this opportunity to thank you in person for awarding me the commission. It means more to me than I can convey.” She said the rehearsed words in a pressured fashion.

He gave an almost imperceptible shrug and waved his hand negligently. “You earned it.” He held her stare. “Or at least you will.”

She felt her pulse leap at her throat and hoped he didn’t notice.

“I earned it, yes. But you gave me the opportunity. It’s that I’m trying to express my thanks for. I probably wouldn’t have been able to afford the second year of my master’s program if you hadn’t given me this chance.”

He blinked. From the corner of her vision, Francesca noticed Zoe stiffen. Francesca glanced away in embarrassment. Had she sounded sharp?

“My grandmother often says I’m ungracious in the face of gratitude,” he said, his voice quieter . . . warmer. “You’re right to scold me. And you’re also very welcome for the opportunity, Ms. Arno,” he said, giving a nod of acknowledgement. “Zoe, would you mind taking a message to Lin for me? I’ve decided to cancel dinner with Xander LaGrange after all. Please have her reschedule.”

“Of course, Mr. Noble,” Zoe said before she walked away.

“Would you like to sit down?” he asked, nodding at an unoccupied circular leather booth.

“Sure.”

He waited behind her while she scooted into the booth. She wished he wouldn’t. She felt awkward and ungainly. After she’d settled, he slid beside her in one graceful, swooping motion. Francesca smoothed the gauzy skirt of the vintage beaded baby-doll dress she’d bought at a secondhand store in Wicker Park. The early September evening had been cooler than she’d expected when planning for the cocktail party. The casual denim jacket she wore had been her only choice, given the thin straps of her dress. It struck her how ridiculous she must appear, seated next to this immaculately dressed, thoroughly masculine male.

She fussed anxiously with her collar, and then sensed his stare on her. She met his eyes. Her chin went up defiantly. A small smile flickered across his mouth, and something clenched in her lower belly.

********

I’m giving away a copy of Part I: Because You Tempt Me tomorrow morning, July 31, to one randomly selected commenter on this post. Afterwards, I will announce the four Huge Because You Are Mine Contest Winners! There’s still time to throw your hat in the ring for that contest, with a chance to win a Kindle Fire, Nook, and gift certificates here.

Commenter 3:Maria pronounced Mariah

Maria, write me at bethkery@aol.com with your preference for eBook or print and address.

Thanks everyone!

Up next, the reason for the season, BECAUSE YOU ARE MINE!

Have you checked out New York Times Bestselling Author Sylvia Day’s highly acclaimed Berkley novel Bared To You yet?

About Bared To You:

Gideon Cross came into my life like lightning in the darkness…

He was beautiful and brilliant, jagged and white-hot. I was drawn to him as I’d never been to anything or anyone in my life. I craved his touch like a drug, even knowing it would weaken me. I was flawed and damaged, and he opened those cracks in me so easily…

Gideon knew. He had demons of his own. And we would become the mirrors that reflected each other’s most private wounds… and desires.

The bonds of his love transformed me, even as I prayed that the torment of our pasts didn’t tear us apart…

Excerpt

Doesn’t Sylvia’s book sound emotional and sexy? I’m offering a copy of BARED TO YOU, format of winner’s choosing, (e-format must be giftable) to one randomly selected commenter here today! And if you haven’t yet entered the Huge Because You Are Mine contest (including giveaways of a Kindle Fire and Nook) do so here!

DonnaS
Comment #47

Congratulations Donna! Write to me at bethkery@aol.com to claim your prize (please provide your snail mail address).

Up next, I’m talking about Sylvia Day’s Bared To You and there is a copy up for grabs!:)

Please welcome the talented Julie James to the Because You Are Mine Contest!

About That Night by Julie James

HE’S PLAYING GAMES.

Though Rylann Pierce tried to fight the sparks she felt for billionaire heir Kyle Rhodes the night they met, their sizzling chemistry was undeniable. But after being stood up on their first date, Rylann never expected to see him again. So when she finds herself face-to-face with Kyle in a courthouse nine years later, she’s stunned. More troubling to the beautiful assistant U.S. attorney is that she’s still wildly attracted to him.

BUT SHE’S MAKING THE RULES.

Just released from prison, Kyle Rhodes isn’t thrilled to be the star witness in a high-profile criminal case—but when Rylann comes knocking at his door, he finds she may be the one lawyer he can’t say no to. Still as gorgeous and sharp-tongued as ever, she lays down the law: she doesn’t mix business with pleasure. But Kyle won’t give up on something he wants—and what he wants is the one woman he’s never forgotten. . .

EXCERPT

After she paid the bill, they walked out of the diner and stood momentarily underneath the L tracks.

“I plan to bring the matter to the grand jury next week,” Rylann told him, raising her voice to speak over an approaching train. “I’ll call you as soon as I have the exact date and time you’ll be testifying.”

She extended her hand in farewell, and Kyle closed his hand around hers.

“This is a good thing you’re doing, Kyle,” she said. “Just remember—”

The train roaring directly overhead made it impossible for him to hear her. Kyle gestured to his ear, shaking his head. She stepped close to him, and put her hand on his shoulder as she stood up on her toes to speak in his ear.

Her breath was a soft caress on his neck, her voice low in his ear. “—Don’t screw it up.”

He turned his head so that they were eye to eye, his lips mere inches from hers. He said nothing for a moment, and neither did she, and he became very aware of the catch in her breath, the warmth of her hand on his shoulder.

Kyle felt a sudden urge to pull her closer. He’d teased her in the diner about their kiss, but unless he was wholly off his game after those four months in prison, the vibe he was getting from her right then was very real. If he bent his head just the slightest, he could brush his lips over hers. Find out if she tasted as good as she did in his memory.

“How are we doing on that eight-minute stretch of getting along?” he asked huskily.

Rylann stayed where she was at first, their lips still so close. Then she cocked her head and met his gaze. “Time’s up.”

Julie has generously offered to give away a copy of About That Night to one commenter on her post here today! And don’t forget, if you haven’t yet entered the huge BECAUSE YOU ARE MINE contest, with giveaways including a Kindle Fire and Nook, do so here!

Limecello
Comment 17

Congratulations Limcello! Write to me at bethkery@aol.com to claim your prize (please let me know what format you’d like).

Up next, Julie James and About That Night!

The Perfect Hero? by Hanna Martine

When Beth asked me to participate in this blog contest to launch her incredible new erotic series, I told her I was going to talk about the hero I want to fall in love with when I read, and the man I love to write about in my own books.

You know, that incredibly poised man who commands a room, whether it’s from the words he speaks or merely his presence. In contrast, he can be brought to his knees by someone else. Someone who crumbles his poise, or who forces him to give over command, whether he wants to or not. In those rare moments when he’s caught off guard, when he’s stripped of that careful control he carries with him in every other facet of his life, his grace falters, he isn’t perfect. It’s a beautiful thing to witness, as he regains the dominion that’s his and his alone.

That man who is confident where and when he has to be–with his job, or dealing with people, or in his beliefs. Maybe he’s a bit bull-headed when it comes to certain things, but he’ll eventually admit he doesn’t know everything. Though he may be reluctant to learn new things at first, when the lessons hit, they hit hard, and the person he loves is usually wielding the bat. Afterward, he isn’t shy or ashamed to seek comfort.

That man who has secrets. Ones you know he has … and ones you don’t. He thinks he wants to keep those secrets, that it’s better to keep them locked up and hidden away, until someone breaks through and shows him they’re easier to bear on two sets of shoulders.

The kind of guy who knows exactly what he likes and wants in the bedroom. The kind of guy who can satisfy his partner. He may want to be in control or he may let his partner take the reins, but either way he is present and invested, and most likely his heart gets tangled up in all the physical pleasure. He loves it furious, but also slowly passionate. Above all, he knows how to kiss. And he always lets the other person teach him a thing or two.

He’s protective of what’s his, but doesn’t believe in leashes. He acknowledges the need for growth in the person he considers a match, and he’d pound the crap out of anyone who says differently. His partner is his, no doubt, but he or she is also their own person, capable of making their own choices, taking care of themselves. Above all, he believes in respect.

And of course, he’s sexy. Not just because of the way he looks, but because everything above amplifies his physical appeal tenfold.

So. I was going to write all about that hero, and then I realized … those are the exact same traits I look for in a romance heroine.

Take everything I just said above. Exchange “she” or “her” pronouns where warranted. Voila. Put this layered woman up against such a profound man, and that, my friends, is the holy grail of romances.

Magic is Corporate America’s best-kept secret.