Celebrate vamps! with Suz deMello

http://victoriablisse.co.uk/sunday-snog

Beltane just passed and the advent of spring is a reason to celebrate.

Not so for my heroine Natasha Desmond, who has fled to the Scottish Highlands–her wicked stepbrother seeks to institutionalize her and seize control over the family fortune

Today’s Sunday Snog focuses on Natasha and her lover. After hearing legends about the local vampires–and finding two small wounds in her neck after a night in the castle–the question in her mind: is he or isn’t he?

After drinks, dinner and more teasing, Garrett walked me to my car. “’Tis a dark night.” He tilted his head to look at the clouds, which obscured the moon and stars. “I’ll drive with ye to the castle, just to make sure ye don’t lose your way.”

“What about your car?” I opened the passenger door for him.

A Scottish vamp… What could be better!

I got in the car, started it and headed out of the village. “How did you get here?”

“Walked.” He gave me a jaunty smile. “There wasna much to do up at the castle, so I spent the day hiking.”

“Are there good trails hereabouts?”

“Och, yes. Many. Some along the cliffs, some through the glen, some along the beach.” He gestured at me to turn up the narrow road to the castle.

“That sounds fun,” I said.

“I can think of something that’s more fun.”

I stopped the car at the gatehouse, turned and gave him what I hoped was a seductive smile. “What?”

“This.” He leaned toward me, cupped the back of my head in his palm and drew me close. His kiss was a scorching promise of ecstasy. He

tasted like the custard we’d shared for dessert, tasty and completely irresistible. Enraptured, I sucked on his tongue with delight and swirled my tongue in his mouth.

I pulled up his sweater to again explore his body, enjoying the hard planes, the sinew overlaying solid bone. His skin was hot and a little sultry, no doubt from the warm, crowded pub. I rimmed his nipple with a fingernail, and he moaned deep in his throat.

The many facets of this man enthralled me. Last night, he’d been remote, almost discouraging as I’d sought shelter in his castle. When he’d made love to me in my romantic canopied bed, his touch had been cool and controlled, but now he was hotter than August in Los Angeles.

He pulled away and shoved open the passenger door, almost stumbling in his haste. He strode around the hood and yanked open my door. “Let’s go.”

“Where?”

Grabbing my hand, he led me to the gatehouse, down a short hall and into what I guessed was the living room, or the sitting room as they called it in Britain. While he pulled me along, he was tugging at my clothes, taking off my turtleneck, scrabbling for my jeans’ zipper. My hands were no less idle, and by the time we reached the sitting room, we were both naked, our underwear strewn on the carpet underfoot.

Like what you read? Buy it here:

http://tinyurl.com/HighlandVampHQ

Your blog hostess: 

Sue Swift/Suz deMello

Best-selling, award-winning author Suz deMello, a.k.a Sue Swift, has written over sixteen romance novels in several subgenres, including erotica, comedy, historical, paranormal, mystery and suspense, plus a number of short stories and non-fiction articles on writing. A freelance editor, she’s worked for Total-E-Bound, Ai Press, and Liquid Silver Books. She also takes private clients.

Her books have been favorably reviewed in Publishers Weekly, Kirkus and Booklist, won a contest or two, attained the finals of the RITA and hit several bestseller lists.

A former trial attorney, her passion is world travel. She’s left the US over a dozen times, including lengthy stints working overseas. She’s now writing a vampire tale and planning her next trip.

Find her books at http://www.suzdemello.com

For editing services, email her at suzswift@yahoo.com

Befriend her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sueswift

Check out her group Facebook page, Hot Writers, Hotter Books at www.facebook.com/HotWriters

She tweets her reading picks @ReadThis4fun

 

 

Celebrate Mother’s Day with Gypsy Witch

http://victoriablisse.co.uk/sunday-snog

It’s a Mother’s Day Sunday Snog starring Elena Lautari, who, as the title character of Gypsy Witch, seemingly does it all–a modern witch who’s a demoness in the sack and a successful single mom.

Here’s an excerpt combining her concern for her child with lust for her man.

Afterglow enveloped him, and he let his body ease onto hers, then turned to one side, letting their combined sex sweat slide him to the cool sheets. She released her grip on the headboard and turned to curl against him. She rested her head on his chest and stroked his belly, his sated cock, his thighs as he relaxed.

Gypsy Witch by Suz deMello

Her caress slowed. “I wonder what the kids are doing?” Her voice was a sleepy mumble.

“I think they went over to my place. They’re probably watching a D.V.D. It’s too hot to go outside and swim.”

“Who’s watching them?” Her voice sharpened.

“Aw, Elena, relax. They’re okay. They know what they can and can’t do.”

“Mmmm. Hope you’re right.” She reached for him, this time climbing on top. He wasn’t sure he was ready for another bout yet, but she knew exactly how to turn him on.

She scooted down his body, letting the pointy tip of the topaz graze his skin. Though he was hot and sweaty from lovemaking, the contact drew shivers. She swayed back and forth, and her nipples stroked his hardening cock, a warm contrast to the gem’s coolness.

She leaned over, giving him a great view of her breasts mounding over his rod. Her lush orbs cuddled him in cloudlike softness while the topaz matched him for hardness…he groaned, and she lifted away. Taking the stone in one hand, she ran it up and down his length before sucking him into her mouth.

Hey, I didn’t say that the snog was on the lips, did I?

Here’s the blurb:

The Sacramento Sheriff’s Department is no place for airy-fairy wimps, and Ben McCullough is the toughest of the tough. He tells himself he’s bedding the luscious Elena Lautari only because she’s a babe, not because she’s a card-carrying member of the Northern California Church of Wicca. Ben thinks she’s a feather away from an arrest for fraud, since she makes a living telling fortunes and making charms for the lovelorn. He can’t see her as a lifelong mate even though she’s more than a match for him in the sack, and losing her is unthinkable.

But Elena is the real deal, a modern witch of much power and even more restraint. When her daughter, Gina, steals her mother’s spell book and uses it to shatter the fabric of existence and release an ancient evil, Elena must put reality back in place—even if she loses Ben in the process. Will Ben and Elena’s fragile love be lost with the revelation of her magic?

Maybe, but there are others ready to heal her battered heart. When Ben’s partner attempts to claim Elena, will Ben move aside or move in?

If you like what you read, click below to buy the story and check out the rest of Suzie’s sexy books:

https://www.ellorascave.com/author/suz-demello

Your blog hostess:

Best-selling, award-winning author Suz deMello, a.k.a Sue Swift, has written over sixteen romance novels in several subgenres, including erotica,

Author Sue Swift/Suz deMello

comedy, historical, paranormal, mystery and suspense, plus a number of short stories and non-fiction articles on writing. A freelance editor, she’s worked for Total-E-Bound, Ai Press, and Liquid Silver Books. She also takes private clients.

Her books have been favorably reviewed in Publishers Weekly, Kirkus and Booklist, won a contest or two, attained the finals of the RITA and hit several bestseller lists.

A former trial attorney, her passion is world travel. She’s left the US over a dozen times, including lengthy stints working overseas. She’s now writing a vampire tale and planning her next trip.

Find her books at http://www.suzdemello.com

For editing services, email her at suzswift@yahoo.com

Befriend her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sueswift

Check out her group Facebook page, Hot Writers, Hotter Books at www.facebook.com/HotWriters

She tweets her reading picks @ReadThis4fun

 

 

Gypsy Witch now broadly available

Gypsy Witch by Suz deMello

Happy to let you know that my newest release. Gypsy Witch, is now available at Amazon and ARE! ARE has the best deal–$1.50 after rebate. Here are the links and the cover:
http://www.amazon.com/Gypsy-Witch-ebook/dp/B00CFNSE8U/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1366640847&sr=8-12&keywords=Suz+deMello

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-gypsywitch-1169407-146.html

Enjoy! And do leave a review at Amazon if you’re so inclined

In other news, some of my colleagues in erotic romance and I have started a Facebook page, Hot Writers, Hotter Books, where we’ll be posting book news, observations about life and …whatever.  Do visit!

Hot Writers, Hotter Books

Happy release day! Gypsy Witch, paranormal menage erotic romance

Gypsy Witch by Suz deMello

Happy release day to me,
Happy release day to me,
Happy release day to me-eee,
Happy release day to me!

AND MANY MORE!!!!!

Yes, another story by Suz deMello hits the digital shelves at Ellora’s Cave.
Called Gypsy Witch, it’s a paranormal-menage tale set right here in River City!
Get the 4-1-1 here:
http://www.ellorascave.com/gypsy-witch.html

GET YOUR NAME IN MY BOOK! HOW? JUST FOLLOW ME ON FB!

As a society, we are in love with celebrity. Maybe you’ve not been bitten by the fame bug, but if you have, and you want the exposure or simply enjoyment of seeing your name in a book, here’s how you can do that.

Go to my Facebook page at:

https://www.facebook.com/SueSwift

Befriend me, and follow me.

At this time, I’m about 10K words into my latest novel, tentatively entitled Rakes in Tartan. It’s the third in my bestselling Kilburn Vampires series. The first book, Temptation in Tartan reached #1 on the All Romance Ebooks list (other-historical) and hung round in the top five for a week. The second, Desire in Tartan, has been purchased by Ellora’s Cave and awaits publication.

#1 ARE bestseller

Your name would be attached to a minor character, Clan Kilburn’s “man of affairs” in London. At the time–1816–a man of affairs was the person who handled business for a member of the nobility, many of whom would not wish to soil their hands in filthy lucre. As for my hero, he’s too busy wooing his lady love to want to annoy himself with the mundane business of investigating her family.

And what would this man of affairs discover?

That remains to be seen. But in the world I’ve created, not all vampires are named Kilburn.

Using a random number generator, I will choose from among my FB followers just before I submit the manuscript to my editor.

Thanks for participating! As an added incentive, the chosen one will get a free copy of the book.

If you’re not familiar with the series, here’s what it’s about:

Rumors have followed the chieftains of Clan Kilburn for centuries. Said to be descended from the Viking Berserkers, they were ferocious in battle, known for tearing off the heads of their enemies and drinking their blood.

The gossip is frightening, but the reality is even darker.

From the elegant mansions of Mayfair to the mist-shrouded Highlands, the Kilburn vampires hunt, swive and kill. None are immune to their dangerous allure.

Who are the women who would dare to love them?

YOUR BLOG HOSTESS

Sue Swift/Suz deMello

Best-selling, award-winning author Suz deMello, a.k.a Sue Swift, has written over sixteen romance novels in several subgenres, including erotica, comedy, historical, paranormal, mystery and suspense, plus a number of short stories and non-fiction articles on writing. A freelance editor, she’s worked for Total-E-Bound, Ai Press, and Liquid Silver Books. She also takes private clients.

Her books have been favorably reviewed in Publishers Weekly, Kirkus and Booklist, won a contest or two, attained the finals of the RITA and hit several bestseller lists.

A former trial attorney, her passion is world travel. She’s left the US over a dozen times, including lengthy stints working overseas. She’s now writing a vampire tale and planning her next trip.
Find her books at http://www.suzdemello.com

For editing services, email her at suzswift@yahoo.com

Befriend her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sueswift

She tweets her reading picks @ReadThis4fun

 

 

A vampiric Sunday Snog from Suz deMello

http://victoriablisse.co.uk/sunday-snog

I again thank the wondrous Vicky Blisse for sharing her blog so generously.

Today’s snog is from the bestselling story Angel Laird, Vampire Wife, one of the “Clan Kilburn Vampires” series.

Here’s what it’s about:

Edgar, Laird MacReiver, had never regretted his decision to wed Isobel, daughter of Clan Kilburn’s laird…until she bit his tongue and drank his blood. Will tying her hands, spanking her rump and making her come tame the wild child of the infamous vampire clan?

Or are some women too dangerous to tame?

And here’s the snog:

Edgar’s lips caressed hers and her mind emptied of everything except this new experience. She wanted to remember everything about her first kiss: the strength of his arms, the warmth of his lips followed by the wetness of his tongue as it slid slyly into her mouth.

His flavor was distinctive, a spice like nothing she’d tasted before, a toothsome relish composed of spring water, mint and honey. The scent of the forest mingled with his aroma, a fragrance that melded good male sweat with an underlying freshness that reminded her of the summer sun glittering on the sea.

His hand trailed down her back to curve over her bottom. He squeezed, and the tingling heat of passion spread from his broad warm palm to encompass all of her. A purr rose in her throat. She slid her arms beneath his and held onto his shoulders from behind.

http://t.co/bnd3q6wu

She pulled him in tight, wanting nothing but this kiss to go on and on forever. Life had become so simple. Their mouths touching, their hands exploring, their bodies pressed against each other were everything. Nothing else mattered.

She sucked on his tongue but still wanted more. She nipped and then, tasting a new flavor, licked the tip. Was it his blood? She didna care. He was delicious.

She sucked harder. Yes, that was his blood seeping over her tongue from the tiny bite, and it was intoxicating…he was intoxicating. He groaned and his grip tightened. She became aware that his muscular body had hardened against hers.

That she’d taken his blood had stirred him, she realized with a bolt of pure lust snapping through her. He was aroused by her need and that, in turn, inflamed her. His maleness thrust blindly, seeking her warmth and heat. She pressed herself against him not only with desire but also with a sense of wonderment. She had not known how good he’d feel pressed against her.

His hands shifted, roamed, explored…he took her wrists and drew them down to the small of her back.

He pulled away but she couldn’t reach for him to bring him back. He gripped her shoulders and looked into her eyes with a peculiar intensity. His blond hair swung loose, and she realized what he’d done.

He’d bound her hands behind her back with his leather hair tie.

“What…why did ye do that?” She tried to tug her wrists apart, but he’d tethered them firmly.

Like what you read? Buy it here: http://www/tinyurl.com/angellaird

Your blog hostess:

Best-selling, award-winning author Suz deMello, a.k.a Sue Swift, has written over sixteen romance novels in several subgenres,

Sue Swift/Suz deMello

including erotica, comedy, historical, paranormal, mystery and suspense, plus a number of short stories and non-fiction articles on writing. A freelance editor, she’s worked for Total-E-Bound, Ai Press, and Liquid Silver Books. She also takes private clients.

Her books have been favorably reviewed in Publishers Weekly, Kirkus and Booklist, won a contest or two, attained the finals of the RITA and hit several bestseller lists.

A former trial attorney, her passion is world travel. She’s left the US over a dozen times, including lengthy stints working overseas. She’s now writing a vampire tale and planning her next trip.
Find her books at http://www.suzdemello.com

For editing services, email her at suzswift@yahoo.com

Befriend her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sueswift

She tweets her reading picks @ReadThis4fun

 

Something Naughty…reading, gifts and more!

 

I’m the proud participant in a blog hop hosted by erotic romance authors Lisabet Sarai and Jennifer Wright.

FMI http://tinyurl.com/naughty-bloghop, but if you participate by commenting on any one of the blogs listed below, you’re in the running for the following:

**A $60 gift certificate to Eden’s Fantasies, where you can buy many naughty toys  http://www.edenfantasys.com/

**A $25 gift certificate to any one of the following: Total-E-Bound, Amazon, All About Romance Ebooks, or Barnes and Noble. Two $25 gift certificates will be randomly awarded.

If you comment on my blog, you may get a free ebook–anything in my digital booklist, your choice–that would be Suz deMello’s or Sue Swift’s digital booklists.

Here’s my “something naughty” post. It’s from Temptation in Tartan, best-selling vampire historical erotica:

Blurb:

She had to marry a monster…

Rumors had followed the chieftains of Clan Kilborn for centuries. Said to be descended from the Viking Berserkers, they were ferocious in battle, known for tearing off the heads of their enemies and drinking their blood.

But English noblewoman Lydia Swann Williston would marry Kieran, Laird Kilborn, to bring peace to the Kilborn lands after the horror of Culloden and the brutal pacification. A widow, she also brought needed wealth to Clan Kilborn. For her part, eighteen-year-old Lydia wanted children. With her husband killed at Culloden, she would make a new life in the Highlands.

The old chieftain of Clan Kilborn also died in battle, and she hoped that the new young Laird would lack his ancestors’ ferocity.

She was wrong.

****

Published by Ellora’s Cave in June 2012, Temptation in Tartan reached #1 on the All Romance Ebooks bestseller list for historical (other) romance and spent a full week in the top five. Its sequel, Desire in Tartan, will be released later this year.

Here’s the very naughty excerpt:

She examined him with an intent gaze. “You mean… Milaird was wrong?”

“Aye. I was wrong.”

“The great Kieran Kilborn was wrong?” His wife’s eyes widened. One eyebrow lifted, and she gave him a wide, disbelieving smile edged with mockery.

“Now, Lydia.” On his side, he tucked an arm beneath his head.

“P’raps the sun has risen in the west, or the sheep fly and instead, birds crop the grass. I must check.” She rose from the bed, wincing a little. He watched her bonny pink arse twitch as she pranced over to one of the arrow slits and peered out.

When she returned, she held lengths of the worn linen they used as towels. She again smiled at him.

He distrusted that impish smile, accompanied as it was by twinkling eyes.

“So,” she said. “Kieran was wrong. Kieran’s been a naughty fellow indeed.” She took his arm by the wrist and brought it to the bedpost above his head, and wrapped a strip of linen around both, binding him.

Bold she was, and lust curled deep in his belly. His prick twitched with dawning arousal. “I daresay I’ve been a bad, bad boy.”

“Oh, yes.” She took another linen strip, rolled him onto his back and trussed the other hand high.

Then she walked away from him. What did she have in mind?

She had evidently learned a’plenty during the few weeks they’d been married.

She dipped a third swatch of fabric into a ewer of water, and let the chilly liquid drip onto his chest, then swished it back and forth from nipple to nipple.  They tightened into taut little kernels, and his cock jumped, stiff and hard as an oaken club.

Her smile broadened. “I like this,” she said.

So do I, he thought, but made a show of struggling against his bonds. “Lydia—”

She chuckled, and slid the cold, wet linen down his belly to his staff. Despite the temperature, despite his already intense arousal, he thickened and lengthened.

“I wonder…” she said meditatively, scrutinizing his cock. She ran the cloth through her fingers and smiled.

She rubbed him with the wet linen, and despite the chill, he swelled. She tickled his rod so it became even harder, then wrapped his member in the fabric until only the broad, round head was exposed. With each caress of her clever wee hands and each touch of the soft, damp towel, he grew bigger and more aroused until he was about to explode.

Bending over, she gave him a little flick of her tongue and he groaned, his hips jolting up.

She laughed. “How does that feel?” She kissed his cockhead again, opening her mouth wide to encompass all of his roundness. Lightning flashed through him and he wondered if his trapped flesh was going to burst.

She gave him a little nip and he started violently.

“I asked you a question.” Her voice was cool and even. She nibbled on him again.

He jerked up, hoping to force his rod further into her mouth and p’raps get some relief, but she was too quick for him, and the wicked bond holding his cock kept him on the boundary between pleasure and pain. He couldna come until she chose to release him.

He was hers to control, utterly. “Lydia, please…”

“Please, what?”

“Please! I’m afeared this will do me harm.”

“Really? As much as a beating?”

“Are ye angry with me?”

“Nay, husband, but what’s sauce for the goose…” She left the remainder of the quote unsaid.

“What would ye have me say or do?”

She ran her hand over his ballocks and they contracted. He was frantic to shoot his load, and writhed on the sheets.

“You’re mine, do you hear?” She tugged on his cock.

“That was never in question!”

“You’re my slave as much as I am yours. Admit it!”

He tossed his body from side to side. “Yes! Yea!” He sensed the justice of her actions and didna want to fight her. And he’d give up one of his balls to come.

“Very well, then.” She tugged away the binding and then pinched the base of his rod, hard.

A blast of pure pain shot through him and he clamped down on his frustrated shout. She climbed atop him to rub her slick cunny over his cock, and he was instantly ready again. He twitched with need, pushing his rod upward toward her slit.

Kneeling, she lifted up then dropped down, her magnificent breasts bobbing. His cockhead lodged inside her, and he groaned with need and relief. She liked what she was doing, he reckoned, because the walls of her quim were fluttering and clenching. Tight, hot and wet…She eased down onto him and he thought mayhap he’d died and gone to heaven.

He shouted, “Rach air muin!” and came in thick jets, coating her channel. He lifted his hips and thrust until he hit the barrier of her womb.

She took all he had, bearing down on him so her pearl slid against him, taking her pleasure as he took his. She flung her head back as she came, riding him like a stallion, gripping his shoulders for support. The little stabs of her fingernails drove him higher, and he swiveled his hips, swirling his cock inside her. With a gasp, she collapsed over his chest. Her splendid breasts caressed his nipples, shooting him into ecstasy one more time.

Minutes later, she stirred, then reached up and released his wrists. He grabbed her in a tight embrace, locking her to him without restraint, taking her mouth in a deep kiss. Their tongues tangled, warred, played … eased into gentler loving.

They lay side by side, regarding each other, startled, sated and pleased. He looked into the warm chocolate depths of her eyes, seeking and finding her soul. His gaze rested within hers for a long while. Gradually, her breaths and his slowed, evened and matched.

Like what you read? Buy it here:

http://www.ellorascave.com/temptation-in-tartan.html

Remember, if you leave a comment, you might just get it for free, or win another of the gifts.

Your blog hostess:

Sue Swift/Suz deMello

Best-selling, award-winning author Suz deMello, a.k.a Sue Swift, has written over sixteen romance novels in several subgenres, including erotica, comedy, historical, paranormal, mystery and suspense, plus a number of short stories and non-fiction articles on writing. A freelance editor, she’s worked for Total-E-Bound, Ai Press, and Liquid Silver Books. She also takes private clients.

Her books have been favorably reviewed in Publishers Weekly, Kirkus and Booklist, won a contest or two, attained the finals of the RITA and hit several bestseller lists.

A former trial attorney, her passion is world travel. She’s left the US over a dozen times, including lengthy stints working overseas. She’s now writing a vampire tale and planning her next trip.

Find her books at http://www.suzdemello.com

For editing services, email her at suzswift@yahoo.com

Befriend her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sueswift

She tweets her book picks @ReadThis4fun

PARTICIPATING AUTHORS in this blog hop…remember, each comment on any blog increases your chances to win!

Adriana Kraft Adriana Kraft	Alisha Paige/Ruby Vines Addicted to Genre Bending	Ann Cory Ann Cory
Cassandra Carr Hot Blogging with Heart	Cherie Noel Great Expectations	Diane Thorne Diane Thorne – Erotic Romance Author
Donna George Storey Sex, Food, and Writing	Donna Michaels Romaginative Fiction-Donna’s Dish	Elise VanCise Gladiator’s Pen
Harlie Williams Harlie Williams, Writer	Helena Harker Open the Door to Your Fantasies	Jennifer Wright Jennifer Wright’s Blog
Justus Roux Where Love and Erotic Know No Boundaries	Kayelle Allen Unstoppable Heroes	Kelli Scott Lip Service
Kendall McKenna Love and Dog Tags	Lisabet Sarai Beyond Romance	Lisa Carlisle Lisa Carlisle’s News
Lyndi Lamont Lyndi’s Love Notes	M. S. Spencer M. S. Spencer Tale Spinner	Marie Sexton Marie Sexton
May Water May Water’s Erotica	Michelle Moon Ink Dipped Moon	Mona Karel Mona Karel Blog
Naomi Bellina Naomi Bellina Adventurous Erotic Romance	Nicole Morgan Bringing Passion To Life	Rose Anderson Calliopes Writing Tablet
Roz Lee Roz Lee	S. Dora S. Dora	Sapphire Phelan Sapphire Phelan’s Passion Corner
Stormie Kent Stormie Kent’s Musings	Suz deMello Fearless, Fast-paced Fiction	Synithia Williams Synithia Williams
Victoria Pinder Victoria Pinder Romance Author	Virginia Nelson Virginia Nelson, Author

Dance Me to the End of Time by Catherine Cavendish

I ran this beautiful story by Cat Cavendish one year ago, and present it for your bittersweet pleasure again.

Dance Me To The End Of Time

by

Catherine Cavendish

            I’ve always loved Christmas. The tree, tinsel and a roaring fire… Candles flickering and the sound of carollers striving to hit the top register in “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.”

This year’s no different. Of course, there’s no roaring fire anymore. That’s been replaced with one of those living flame gas affairs. Quite nice, but you never could beat the real thing.

“Penny for them.” My husband, Charles, interrupts my reverie.

Cat Cavendish

“Oh, nothing. I was just musing and remembering Christmases past.” I smile at him.

He adjusts his tie and smoothes his glossy black hair, all gestures I have seen him perform countless times. “Do you think it will snow this year?” he asks, studying his reflection in the mirror.

I turn to look out of the window. “It’s too dark to tell, but it looks damp out there. It must have been raining earlier.”

“I didn’t notice,” Charles says, “but then I suppose I wouldn’t, would I?” He smiles at me and takes my hand, brushing it against his lips. Then I catch him examining my dress.

“Something wrong?” I ask and instinctively look down at my white, floor-length gown. I see some creases in the silk which I attempt to smooth away.

“That’s better. It was just a little wrinkled.”

“Hardly surprising,” I say. “It only gets an outing once a year.”

We laugh, and Charles strokes away a long, dark brown lock of hair which has escaped my elaborate coiffure and has wandered across my cheek.

“Shall we dance, Emily?” he asks.

“Certainly, Charles, it will be my pleasure.”

We waltz to a phantom orchestra. In my head I can hear the strains of the Blue Danube, and I am transported back to another time and place. I can see a young girl and her young man, their eyes locked in an embrace as they swirl around a ballroom in Vienna while a conductor, violin in hand, steers the orchestra through his latest composition.

“I miss the scent of roasting chestnuts,” I tell Charles.

His mouth widens in a grin. “But can’t you smell them, Emily?  Concentrate really hard.”

I close my eyes and let him lead me round and round as the music grows louder, and now I can smell them. Chestnuts, little fried potatoes and the warming aroma of cinnamon from the Glühwein.  I can hear the bells of St Stephen’s Cathedral and feel the chill of the night air on my cheek. Little flecks of snow are falling onto my face, and my feet crunch on the icy ground.

Charles is waltzing me faster and faster. And now I can hear the voices.  The orchestra has faded and a choir is singing in German: “Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht…”

“Oh Charles–”

“No, Emily, don’t open your eyes.”

I obey. “Don’t let it stop, Charles, please don’t let it stop,” I cry, “Not this time. Not this year.”

“Dance with me, Emily. Dance with me.”

The choir has faded, and the orchestra builds to a crescendo. I know if I open my eyes, I will see the wild black hair of the conductor, falling over his eyes as his violin bow slashes through the air.

But I mustn’t open my eyes.  Charles told me not to.

“Oh Emily, Emily,” Charles says, “Let us never lose this moment.  Never.”

“Never, Charles.”

And then I open my eyes.

“No, Emily, no!” Charles’ agonized face is before me. But the moment has passed.

The orchestra is silent. There are no roasting chestnuts, no carol singers, no hot spiced wine.

Vienna has gone.

“Oh Emily, you did it again. Just like last year. Just like every year.”

I am crestfallen. He takes my face in his hands. He kisses my lips, and I close my eyes again, trying to recapture the dream. But it’s too late.

“Never mind, my love, there’s always next year.”

“As long as we’re still here,” I say, my old fears returning.

“I expect we will be. They seem to like us well enough.”

From the hallway, I hear the unmistakable sound of a key in the lock. It’s time.

“Come, my love. We must return.” Charles once again takes my hand and together we gaze at the empty picture above the mantelpiece.

“Until next year and the magic returns,” he whispers.

“Until next year. Happy Christmas, Charles.”

“Happy Christmas, Emily.”

The door opens and a young couple wanders in, each holding a glass of red wine. They are both dressed smartly, she in a navy suit, he in dark grey. She has short blond hair, and his is dark. They look very modern to me.

The woman’s gaze is drawn to the painting. “I’ve always loved that picture.” She sighs, raising her glass to her lips and taking a sip.

“That’s why I bought it for you,” the man says and nuzzles her neck.

“Dance Me to the End of Time,” she murmurs. “Such an evocative title. And it really looks as if that’s what they’re doing, doesn’t it? You feel they could just step out of that frame and glide around the room.”

Her husband laughs. “You and your imagination.”

The woman moves toward the fireplace and is peering closer. “There it is again.  The damnedest thing!”

“What?” he asks.

“I noticed it last year, but only on Christmas Eve, and it’s happened again this year. Look at her eyes.”

The man does as he is bid.

“Can you see it? There at the corner of her eye. A tear. It looks as if it’s just about to spill down her cheek, but I bet you it won’t be there in the morning.”

The man laughs. “You’re imagining it. Too much wine at dinner.”

“Say what you like. I know what I saw.” She steps back.

She’s right, of course.  It’s the tear I cannot cry every Christmas when the magic ends.

            And we are frozen here in time and space.

Catherine Cavendish writes Paranormal Fiction. Her Paranormal/Horror novella, ‘Cold Revenge’ is out now, published by Etopia Press and is available from:

Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com

OmniLit

Barnes and Noble

You can find out more about Catherine on her website: www.CatherineCavendish.com

Or by following her on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/CatherineCavendish

Goodreads www.goodreads.com as Catherine Cavendish

Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/cat_cavendish

Your blog hostess:

Sue Swift/Suz deMello

Best-selling, award-winning author Suz deMello, a.k.a Sue Swift, has written over sixteen romance novels in several subgenres, including erotica, comedy, historical, paranormal, mystery and suspense, plus a number of short stories and non-fiction articles on writing. A freelance editor, she’s worked for Total-E-Bound, Ai Press, and Liquid Silver Books. She also takes private clients.

Her books have been favorably reviewed in Publishers Weekly, Kirkus and Booklist, won a contest or two, attained the finals of the RITA and hit several bestseller lists.

A former trial attorney, her passion is world travel. She’s left the US over a dozen times, including lengthy stints working overseas. She’s now writing a vampire tale and planning her next trip.
Find her books at http://www.suzdemello.com

For editing services, email her at suzswift@yahoo.com

Befriend her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sueswift

She tweets her book picks @ReadThis4fun

A Scottish Snog: from Temptation in Tartan by Suz deMello

http://victoriablisse.co.uk/sunday-snog

Today’s snog is from my #1 bestseller (according to ARE at least—their historical-other list).

Temptation in Tartan is about a young English lady who found herself in a bit of a mess:

She had to marry a monster…

Rumors had followed the chieftains of Clan Kilborn for centuries. Said to be descended from the Viking Berserkers, they were ferocious in battle, known for tearing off the heads of their enemies and drinking their blood.

available at http://www.ellorascave.com/temptation-in-tartan.html

But English noblewoman Lydia Swann Williston would marry Kieran, Laird Kilborn, to bring peace to the Kilborn lands after the horror of Culloden and the brutal pacification. A widow, she also brought needed wealth to Clan Kilborn. For her part, eighteen-year-old Lydia wanted children. With her husband killed at Culloden, she would make a new life in the Highlands.

The old chieftain of Clan Kilborn also died in battle, and she hoped that the new young Laird would lack his ancestors’ ferocity.

She was wrong.

Lydia and Kieran, Laird Kilborn, do end up enjoying their HEA but it was a rough road.

Here’s their kiss. Did I mention that it’s not on the mouth?

“Ye look right funny with yer mouth open like that.”

She shut it with a snap.

“Ye know what a man likes to do with a lassie’s open mouth, don’t ye?”

“Kiss it?”

“Nay.”

“Um, put his tongue into it?”

He stood, unlaced his trews and took out his cock, running his fingers along its already nerve-wracking size. He smoothed away a fleshy covering to reveal a thick, rigid pole.

She gaped.

“Exactly so, me wife. Shall we try this?”

His voice was soft and supplicating. Reassured, she managed a nod. Her gaze remained fixed on his thickening member as he pulled off boots and stockings, shirt and trews.

Her gaze flashed up to his chest, muscular, white-skinned and furred with black curls, then back to his cock, and down. His legs were as hard and brawny as the rest of him, with the shapely calves she remembered from the first time they’d met.

His member again seized her attention. She was fascinated by his tool, framed as it was by a thick bed of black hair.  “I, er, I’ve never known anyone who could divest himself of his clothes so quickly.”

“Ye’re a lass of limited experience, but ye’ll not hear me complain.”

Reaching for her ankles, he tugged them down, then arranged a pillow beneath her head, elevating it for…what?

“Ye seem right curious about my friend, here.” He fondled his rigid length, its vivid color a contrast with the pale skin that covered the rest of his muscular body.

“Er, yes.”

“Explore all ye wish, me bonny wife. He’s yours to use as ye will.” Kieran climbed back onto the bed, kneeling with one knee on either side of her torso. He smiled down at her.

She reached with a hesitant finger and touched the tip. Firm, round and red. She stroked, and from beneath the surface smoothness a hard core jutted into her hand.

“Oh!” She jerked her fingers away.

He replaced them. “He often does seem to have a mind of his own, but I try to think with the one in me head.” He gave her his impish grin.

She smiled back and gave him a hesitant squeeze.

Sucking in a breath, he closed his eyes. Encouraged, she squeezed more firmly and then ran her fingertips up and down, watching and listening as well as feeling. A musky aroma mingled with Kieran’s usual fresh scent and her roses. She leaned forward to sniff his privates and inhaled deeply, her nose nuzzling his cods.

His cock, swaying, bumped against her cheek and she used her lips and tongue to move it away. Another indrawn breath from her husband, this one louder. Interesting. She turned her head to one side and again put her mouth to his shaft.

“Yesssss….”

Aha. She slid her lips up and down his length, eliciting a groan. She hoped it was a happy groan, and looked up to see Kieran’s eyes closed with an ecstatic expression on his face.

If you like what you read, and are interested in more, here’s a buy link:

http://www.ellorascave.com/temptation-in-tartan.html

Sue Swift/Suz deMello

Here’s where you can find all my erotica:

https://www.amazon.com/author/suzdemello

And here’s a little bit about me:

Best-selling, award-winning author Sue Swift, a.k.a Suz deMello, has written over fifteen novels, plus several short stories and non-fiction articles. She writes in numerous genres including romance, mystery, paranormal, historical, contemporary comedy and erotica. She’s a freelance editor who’s worked for Total-E-Bound, Ai Press, Liquid Silver Books and Etopia Press. She also takes on private clients.

Her books have been favorably reviewed in PW, Kirkus and Booklist, attained the finals of the RITA and hit several bestseller lists.

A former trial attorney, she resides in northern California. Her passion is world travel, and she’s left the US over a dozen times, including stints working overseas for many months. Right now, she’s working on her next manuscript and planning her next trip.

Her blog is at http://www.fearlessfastpacedfiction.com. Find her reading picks @ReadThis4fun on Twitter, and befriend her on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/SueSwift ). Her sites are at http://www.sue-swift.com and http://www.suzdemello.com.

Immortal Hunters: a taste of the blood, anyone?

In time for your Halloween reading pleasure: a selection from Immortal Hunters,vampire erotica in FANGS, an anthology.

What’s it about?

Genre: Paranormal action-adventure.

vampire erotica

A century-old vampire, Rama is used to shadows and loneliness. She uses the name Hestia White and lives in a California coastal town working as a private investigator. If some bad guys disappear on her shift, no one cares…until John van Helsing shows up. Bearing the name of the vamps’ greatest foe, he interferes in her case and in her life.

Friend, lover or enemy?

And here’s the excerpt:

Being a vampire can suck…oops, sorry about the bad pun. Well, it’s true, it can bite….yikes, there I go again. What I mean to say is that it has its ups and downs. I’m virtually immortal, which is pretty cool. My hair and nails don’t grow, but when I awaken, they’ve been restored to the state they were in when I became undead. It’s inconvenient, since I grew up in a shithole with no running water. A mani-pedi was not merely unavailable, but unimaginable. I was an unkempt mess when I was changed, so every evening when I awaken, I devote an hour or two to personal grooming. My long, black hair is a no-brainer. Up it goes into a French twist or a braid. Nails are more difficult.

So there I was one night on surveillance, tucked into the comfy front seat of my undistinguished Camry in a dark corner of Santa Martina, contemplating the choices I faced: Mango Madness or Ruby Delite? Through my increasingly foggy windshield, I occasionally cast a glance at the crappy apartment a half-block away where I’d run my quarry to ground. Soon I’d take him, after the lights were doused and he’d fallen asleep.

I work for a private investigations firm, and my boss understands my rules. First of all, ask me no questions and I’ll tell you no lies. Second, night jobs only.

And if a bad guy or two (or three or five or seven) disappears during my shifts, nobody really cares. Operating in Santa Martina is especially convenient due to its location, the northern California coast. Offshore lies a marine mammal sanctuary. Because of the plethora of seals and otter, lots of great whites come to call. The occasional surfer gets chomped. Bodies disappear, or they may wash up on shore, drained of blood.

Get the picture?

As I was saying, there I was one night, picking at a chipped edge of the Ruby Delite flaking off my left index fingernail when someone tapped on my window.

I could see a uniform, so I unrolled. “What’s up, officer?” I asked in a pleasant tone. No sense offending the local cops, you know.

“We’ll have to ask you to move along, ma’am,” he said, an officer at his most officious.

We? I looked beyond the uniform and there he was: a suit. An undercover dick on my turf.

In gray pinstripes, he would have been as inconspicuous as I, if it weren’t for his cornpone, white bread, wheat-fed wholesome handsomeness. Blue-eyed and blond, he would have screamed farm boy in TV Land, but in California most farm workers are Hispanic or Asian immigrants.

“Well, if it isn’t John-boy Walton,” I drawled.

He drew closer, no doubt taking in my black hair, black eyes, black leather, red slash of a mouth and white, white skin. ”Well, if it isn’t Ms. Goth Barbie,” he drawled. Back atcha, honey.

I couldn’t stifle my smile. I like a man with a quick tongue–they have more than one use. “It’s Hestia, actually. Hestia White.”

“Hestia? The Greek goddess of hearth and home? That’s incongruous.”

My smile broadened. I knew few men with “incongruous” in their vocabularies, and fewer still who knew the meaning of the name I cynically used. I liked him. Shame I had to run him off.

He leaned against my door panel, ignoring the condensation wetting his elegant gray pinstriped sleeve. “Well, Ms. Hestia White, you do need to move on out. Police business.”

I lounged back into my seat. “But I kind of like it here.”

“Why? This isn’t the nicest part of Santa Martina. Completely lacks the charm of the marina or the nightlife in downtown.”

I looked into his blue, blue eyes. “I prefer down and dirty.”

He met my gaze without falter. “I could arrest you for loitering.” He leaned closer, partway into my window. “Take you in. Lock you up.”

“Oooh, handcuffs.” I shivered theatrically.

“Actually, Ms. White, we’re on the job.” His voice had gone crisp and businesslike.

“Actually, Detective Whoever, so am I.” I flipped open my wallet to flash my P.I. license.

His eyes widened. “How come I’ve never heard of you?”

I shrugged. “I keep a low profile. Safer that way. Hey, I’ve shown you mine, so why don’t you show me yours?”

I’d teased out a reluctant smile, one that reached deep inside to heat me from my brain to my box. Yes, that box. I was surprised. Mortals don’t usually turn me on.

He reached for his wallet to show me his shield and I.D. John van Helsing. A tremor ran through me, ruffling the tiny hairs on my nape and my arms. Was it chance that this detective bore the name of the most famous enemy of my kind?

“John-boy,” I said with phony delight.

Reviewers liked this story, saying:

…a highly charged, sexually stimulating and all around pleasurable trip…
Robin, MyBookCravings.com

Rating: 4.5: … terrific…Suz deMello did another awesome job…
Tara Renee, Two Lips Reviews

…cool and interesting…
Tammie King, Night Owl Reviews

Sue Swift/Suz deMello

Buy it here!

http://tinyurl.com/afhaheq

Your blog hostess:

Best-selling, award-winning author Sue Swift, a.k.a Suz deMello, has written over fifteen novels, plus several short stories and non-fiction articles. She writes in numerous genres including romance, mystery, paranormal, historical, contemporary comedy and erotica. She’s a freelance editor who’s worked for Total-E-Bound, Ai Press, Liquid Silver Books and Etopia Press. She also takes on private clients.

Her books have been favorably reviewed in PW, Kirkus and Booklist, attained the finals of the RITA and hit several bestseller lists.

A former trial attorney, she resides in northern California. Her passion is world travel, and she’s left the US over a dozen times, including stints working overseas for many months. Right now, she’s working on her next manuscript and planning her next trip.

Her blog is at http://www.fearlessfastpacedfiction.com. Find her reading picks @ReadThis4fun on Twitter, and befriend her on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/SueSwift ). Her sites are at http://www.sue-swift.com and http://www.suzdemello.com.