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Cobblestone Press has contracted my second erotic romance, which is the paranormal continuation of my A Modern Myth trilogy. Following is an unedited sneak peak at the first chapter of Drew’s Awakening:

A few hours later Sara and Tina stood beside the table and watched the men play. “Leo’s hot, huh?”
Sara choked on her beer and gaped at Tina. She tried to shrug and act disinterested.
Tina laughed. “I know you like him, don’t deny it.”
Sara blushed and looked toward the game. Leo saw her and waved.
“How do you know him?” She asked Tina, waving back.
“He’s my instructor.”
That got Sara’s attention, and she gave her friend a questioning look.
Tina laughed at her raised eyebrows. “He’s teaching me to drive a motorcycle.”
Sara cringed and looked at Leo serving the ball. He took off his shirt, and she watched the muscles in his chest and abdomen as he stretched to spike the ball. Her gaze lingered on his well-sculpted torso and marveled over his tan skin. “I didn’t know you wanted to learn.” She imagined her friend seated between Leo’s spread thighs on a cycle, and the surge of jealousy surprised her.
“Yeah, for a while now. You should learn, too.”
Even as she shook her head Sara debated the thought. It would give her a reason to see him again. It hadn’t been too bad riding his earlier.
“Does he ride with you?” Her face fell as Tina shook her head.
“I practice on my own bike.” A smile crept across her friend’s face. “You can ask him to ride with you. I’m sure he won’t mind.” She playfully bumped Sara’s hip for emphasis. Sara blushed redder as she noticed Leo watching them. “Maybe I should rejoin the game.”
Not giving Tina a chance to respond, Sara ran over to the net. Leo smiled as she neared.
“How’s the birthday girl?”
She took a deep breath before responding. “I just realized my groceries are probably getting too hot in your cycle. Can you take me home so I can put them in the fridge?”
His eyes widened slightly. “Now? Sure.” He walked over to retrieve his shirt, pulling it on as they walked along the shore.
“We’ll be right back.” She called to Tina, who winked at her with a knowing grin.
“Take your time. We’ll be here all night.”

When they got to the cycle, Sara sucked in her breath for the nerve to ask the impossible. “You want to check on your stuff before we leave?”
His question threw her at first, and she stared blankly at him.
“Your food?” He clarified.
She gasped, forgetting her excuse for them to leave the party. “Sure.” She held her breath as he leaned over the bike, her gaze moving over his ass, the denim stretching across its tautness.
Leo looked over his shoulder and caught her stare. His lips softened in a smile as his gaze traveled her shapely curves. She took the bag from him and busied herself with checking inside, though she didn’t really look. Her mind stayed on the sexy man in front of her.
“Can I ride in front?” She braced herself for his response, which didn’t come. Sara slowly looked up to meet his unreadable expression.
“That’s not really safe,” he finally said.
She shrugged. “Guess I’m feeling a bit reckless.” She hoped he couldn’t see her trembling with fear.
Leo sighed. “Where do you live, Sara?” He looked thoughtful after she told him. “Sure, why not. Hop on.”
Not expecting it, her eyes widened. “I, uh…” She stammered, unable to speak.
A corner of Leo’s mouth moved up as he held out a hand. “Come on, don’t be scared.” Sara shook her head. “I’m not scared.”
To prove her point, she walked over to the cycle and mounted it. In an instant Leo was nestled behind her, and Sara sighed. His arms slid across her ribcage to grip the handles. She shivered in the forced embrace, closing her eyes with a deeper sigh. Lifting himself to start the cycle, his crotch slid down her back as he reseated. Sara, happy he couldn’t see her face, licked her lips.
As the cycle jerked forward, she dug her fingers into his thighs and closed her eyes. Sara laughed and screamed at the same time.
She feared opening her eyes and kept her back pressed to Leo’s warm chest. The air was cool, but his enveloping heat kept the chill away. Sara just began to relax when the bike stopped. She opened her eyes to see her apartment. Unable to move at first, her hands remained on his thighs. Leo’s hands covered hers and squeezed. She looked down and smiled. His chin rested on her shoulder, and their cheeks touched. Wanting to stay like that forever, her eyes fluttered closed.
“Don’t forget about your food.” His voice broke the spell, and Sara sucked in her breath, forcing a nod.
“Right,” she muttered and crawled off the bike.
Leo held her elbow to keep her from stumbling. “Should I wait here?”
She froze. Did she want him in her apartment? Hadn’t that been the reason for them leaving her party? “I might be awhile. You can come in if you want.”
His nonchalant shrug looked strangely sensual to Sara, and she fought licking her lips. She gestured toward her home and then led the way, taking a deep breath as she carried her bag of food. Nothing really needed to be kept cool, but she wanted to be alone with him. He’s a stranger, she reminded herself as she unlocked the door. Sara could feel Leo’s breath on the back of her neck, but he didn’t touch her. Would he?
She unlocked and opened the front door, stepping into the living room. The cool air inside made a sharp contrast to the moist heat from outside and chill bumps rose on her arms. Sara resisted the urge to rub them as she held out an arm to the couch. Leo looked around the small room, which was barely large enough for the couch and TV stand. His gaze lingered on the wide screen monitor, and she shrugged.
“It’s too big for the room, I know, but I couldn’t resist it. Don’t need to go to the movie theaters now.” She gave him a sheepish smile, and he nodded but didn’t move from the door, merely closed it behind him. The kitchen was directly off the living room but visible from the front door. She could feel Leo watching her as she carried her grocery bag to the fridge. Not caring to put anything away right then, she merely put the full bag inside and then leaned against the appliance once she’d closed it. Her gaze met Leo’s across the room. His face was mostly in shadow, but she could still see his eyes.
“I need to get cleaned up. Didn’t expect you to take me to my own party.” A nervous giggle slipped out, and she cringed.
“No problem,” he said with a grin, his expression unreadable.
Sara nodded, sidestepping the kitchen and then backing out of the living room. “Make yourself comfortable,” she suggested, pointing at the couch. Closing the door to her bedroom but leaving it unlocked, she placed her forehead to the cool wood and took a deep breath. She had been stalked in the other room and wasn’t sure how to feel about it. Something told Sara that she wouldn’t mind being that man’s prey. Smiling at such a thought, she pushed away from the door and began to strip off her clothes.
Sara felt a bit wicked getting naked with a man in the other room, especially a man like Leo, a man she barely knew. She caught her reflection in the closet mirror and smiled at the flush in her cheeks. Her gazed traveled down her nakedness, wondering if Leo would appreciate her flawless dark skin. She shook her head at her own foolishness, heading for the bathroom. Turning on the shower and testing the water, she stepped under the hot spray.
Sara enjoyed the water coursing through her hair and down her body. After washing her hair and soaping up her body, she fantasized that her hands were Leo’s. His hands followed hers from her breasts, down her stomach and between her legs. His soapy fingers delved through the black curls to slip inside her body. Throwing her head back with a sigh, she held her breath as the shower door slid open.

To jump start the Wednesday Author promos, I will feature myself. If you’re an author, you could be here next week. Let me know, so I can put you on the calendar.

Why do you write and what are your inspirations?

I have been writing for as long as I can remember. I wrote my first romance as a happy ending to one of my failed teenage relationships. Back then I wrote a lot from my own experiences, but as my writing matured so did I. I’m not really sure what my inspirations are now. An idea just comes to me, and I feel almost possessed while I’m writing it. It might be something I read in a book or saw in a movie, and I might wonder how differently it could have turned out. It’s nothing concrete. I sometimes surprise myself with the ideas I write about, as if my muse wrote the story through me.

Who is your favorite hero in one of your books? Why?

Drew from A Modern Myth will most likely always be my favorite hero (and character). If it’s possible to fall in love with one of your characters, that is what happened as I wrote about Drew. He is such an interesting and conflicted man, and I’m so happy that I was able to create such a complicated hero.

what is the heat level of your books?

That has definitely changed lately, since I’ve been writing erotica since June of last year. Before that, it could still run as hot as NC-17. The book I’m promoting today is an erotic contemporary romance novella.

What’s the book you’re promoting today?

Painful Reflections published by Cobblestone Press:

Meg Garrett loses her husband, Kyle, on their honeymoon but returns every year to the place she last saw him. There she meets Todd, a man who sets her blood on fire, but how can she move on when she can still feel her husband?

She then finds out Kyle is still alive, and that Todd isn’t who she thought he was. Where has her husband been for the past four years, and why doesn’t he remember her? Meg must trust a man who has betrayed her to find out the truth behind the deception.

Following is a short excerpt. To read more, be sure to visit Cobblestone Press:

He choked on his own beer and sputtered. She stared at him with concern, half tempted to pound him on the back.

“You lost him on your honeymoon?” he finally asked.

She frowned and then realized she must have left that part out as she told him what had happened. She could have left a number of things out…like they had been making love just before. Meg smiled at the last pleasant memory she had of Kyle and nodded. “Yes.”

“How long had you dated?” he pressed.

“Just over a year. We clicked, you know? He was my soul mate.”

Todd’s eyebrows rose at that statement, and Meg could read his doubtful expression. “Don’t you believe there’s the perfect woman out there for you?”

He shrugged as he looked into her eyes. “She doesn’t have to be perfect.”

Her eyes misted as she saw the raw emotion in his gaze. “Well, Kyle was.”

“Are you sure?” Todd asked softly. “Or can it be just the memory of him that was perfect?”

Shocked speechless at first, Meg could only stare at him. Who was he to talk of Kyle? She glared at him and sputtered. “You didn’t know him, Todd. You would have liked him though. Everyone liked Kyle.” If his charm didn’t do it, the money always did. Friends were never in short supply, especially since Kyle’s generosity extended to everyone. He had been rich his entire life, but it hadn’t spoiled him. Meg truly felt he was the best person she would ever know.

At her silence Todd continued, “He’s been gone longer than you were with him, Meg. Isn’t it time you said your final goodbye and moved on?”

Tears trickled down her cheeks, and remorse crossed his tanned features. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…” His voice trailed off as she continued to shake her head.

“You have no right. You didn’t know what a wonderful person he was. The world is a sadder place without him. Everyone is sadder without him…so am I.” She wiped a hand below her eyes and pushed away from the bar. “I wish you hadn’t come back here.” Meg blurted the lie as she ran down the path toward her bungalow.

Todd caught up with her just before she reached the door. He grasped her arm just above the elbow and turned her toward him. She lost her footing and landed against his chest. The next thing she knew, his hot mouth pressed down against hers. Meg sucked in her breath and knew she should immediately push him away, but the shock mixed with the unexpected pleasure stilled her hands. Todd took advantage of her surprise and pulled her closer, deepening the kiss, moving his tongue to caress the insides of her mouth. She had never been kissed in such a way before, had never actually liked the way Kyle kissed and was totally blown away by the unexpected sensations erupting throughout her body.

As Kyle’s loving face surfaced in her mind, she choked back a sob and broke free of Todd’s inviting mouth. She pushed her hands between them and scowled. “No, don’t.”

He frowned but pulled back. “Don’t tell me that you didn’t feel anything, ‘cause I know you did.”

Not able to meet his gaze, she stared at his bronze chest, trying to regain her breath. “Maybe that’s why I stopped you. I can’t help but feel Kyle watches everything I do, and this feels like a betrayal.”

“He’s dead, Meg. I can’t believe that he would want you to be alone. You shouldn’t be alone.” His breathing was a bit unsteady.

She finally met his passion-filled gaze and could so easily have taken that step forward to be back in his arms. Her entire body quivered at the thought of what his mouth could do to the rest of her, but she held back. “Kyle was the only man I’ve ever loved…the only one I’ve been with. I just can’t do this!” She turned to grasp the doorknob, but Todd’s voice made her pause.

“I won’t give up on you, Meg…especially now that I’ve tasted you.”

Her eyes closed with a moan at his last words. She licked her lips and almost nodded. Instead she straightened her spine and spoke to him without looking at him. “It might be best to just stay away, Todd.”

“Kyle never kissed you like that, did he?”

She gasped but didn’t turn around, instead pushing open the door and stepping through it. Todd didn’t stop her as she closed it without a backward glance. Meg leaned her back against the door, tempted to bang her head against it as well. Her heart raced as she wondered what she should do. No other man had ever kissed her the way Todd had. She felt warm all over, especially between her legs. She’d never in her life been tempted by a one-night stand, but she could see herself … enjoying it. Admitting that made her wonder if she should avoid him the rest of the week in Mexico. But did she truly want to?

I will be posting author promos every Wednesday starting tomorrow. I will be kick starting them with one of my own books and have at least two other authors scheduled. If there are any other authors that would like to be a guest blogger (in exchange for having me as a guest on your blog), let me know here or on my forum. Following is what is needed for any guest author:

I’ll need the link to the book you want promoted, along with an excerpt, and answer at least two of the following questions:

What is your main inspiration for writing and why?
What is your favorite genre to write and why?
Who is your favorite hero in one of your books? Why?
How many books have you written and which is your favorite?

And everyone needs to answer the following:

What is the heat level of your books?
Where can readers find your books?

Please note that while the books you want to promote can be any heat level, the excerpt must be rated PG13 or lower.

Please be sure to visit Cobblestone Press on the 21st and check out my first erotic romance novella. If you’d like to read an excerpt, visit my forum.

Help make my first officially published book a success!

To celebrate the coming soon release date, I am giving away a free copy of the ebook of Painful Reflections. To read an excerpt, visit the forum. All you have to do to win the ebook is to join Jude’s mailing list (occasional newsletters on upcoming contests, new releases, etc). It’s on the right side of the main site at judesplace.com. I will announce the winner on Friday, August 7th. For those that still want to read the book but don’t want to join the mailing list, be sure to visit Cobblestone Press on the 21st to buy a copy for the low price of $4.99.

I made a few book trailers for my books awhile back. I had fun and enjoyed finding the right photos and transitions and music. I found an article that discusses exactly how I did it. Anyone else out there that wants to save a few bucks, be sure to check out the following article:

http://resourcesforwriters.suite101.com/article.cfm/book_trailers

Publishing your ebooks online has never been easier. Read my newest article at NewsBlaze where I show you how easy it is to sell your ebooks online! http://newsblaze.com/story/20090626151755jude.nb/topstory.html

RWA challenges validity of Digital Publishing! Be sure to read my newly published article on Newsblaze.com:
http://newsblaze.com/story/20090622151919jude.nb/topstory.html

• she reminded herself as she unlocked the door. Viv could feel Leo’s breath on the back of her neck, but he didn’t touch her. Would he? #jrf #
• “I need to get cleaned up. Didn’t expect u to take me to my own party.” A nervous giggle slipped out, and she cringed. “No problem,” he #jrf #
• said with a grin, his expression sexy but unreadable. She nodded, backing out of the room. Leaving the door unlocked, she stripped. #jrf #
• Viv felt a bit wicked getting naked with a man in the other room. She caught her reflection in the closet mirror and smiled at the flush #jrf #
• in her cheeks. Her gazed traveled down her nakedness, wondering if Leo would appreciate her lightly tanned skin. She shook her head #jrf #
• at her own foolishness, heading for the bathroom. Turning on the shower and testing the water, she stepped under the hot spray. #jrf #
• Viv enjoyed the water coursing through her hair and down her body. She held her breath when she heard the shower door slide open but did #jrf #
• not turn around. She held her breath & waited for him to touch her. Leo’s hands slid over her shoulders and then the sides of her neck. #jrf #
• Viv closed her eyes with a soft moan. “U shouldn’t be in here,” she whispered. “U want me to leave?” He kissed the rose tattoo on her #jrf #
• back, letting his tongue linger. She quivered unable to speak. Leo’s fingers slid around her to gently grasp her breasts. “Is this OK?” #jrf #
• Viv clenched her eyes shut, curious how far he would go if she didn’t move. She knew it was wrong to let him continue, but she couldn’t #jrf #
• stop him. She felt his touch all through her body to the tips of her toes. Leo’s hands stopped moving and she held her breath. “Viv?” #jrf #

This is the last post for this story. It will be the first erotic romance I am writing to submit to an online publisher. This excerpt just gives you a taste of the final product.

Newsblaze published my review of the DVD Double Take of Amityville Horror. Please visit http://newsblaze.com/story/20090612074842jude.nb/topstory.html to read it.