Newsletter
Some short stories and excerpts in the issues of this newsletter have erotic content. The newsletter is intended for those 18 years of age or older who are not offended by erotic content.
Would you like to receive an email version of the newsletter each month and be eligible for exclusive contests for newsgroup members only? Join Kate's newsgroup here:
December 2008
CONTENTS:
GREETING
NEW RELEASES
UPCOMING RELEASES
GUEST AUTHOR: VICKY BURKHOLDER
EXCERPT FROM ANTICIPATION BY VICTORIA ALLEN
POLLS
EXCERPT FROM MOONLIGHT ON WATER
REVIEWS
Hello!
Welcome to the December issue of my newsletter.
I can't believe it's December 2008 already! I hope everyone has a happy holiday season. To celebrate the holidays, I've posted a December contest at my website. Also check out these other holiday contests: 13 Days of Bloody Kiss'mas and Vampire Vixens Holiday Contest.
This month's guest is Vicky Burkholder, author of Prime Time. To find out more about her work, read her interview below and also an excerpt from her recent release, Anticipation.
What are your favorite holiday foods? That's the topic over at my blog. If you have a chance, stop by and let me know what you look forward to eating on the holidays.
Noodlin' for Nadine, the fourth book in my Hot River series, was recently released by Changeling Press. For more information about Noodlin' for Nadine and Hot River, click here.
This month I'm pleased to announce that Moonlight on Water, the second book in the Alien Affairs series, is tentatively scheduled for release. Xenos is a hero who lives by his own set of rules. Many consider him a villain, including his lady, Moonlight, until she gets an inside look at his world. You can find out more about Moonlight on Water in the coming soon section below or at the Alien Affairs page.
Also scheduled to release this month is my holiday short story, Sugar Plums, that is part of the Gingersnaps series from Changeling Press.
On December 14th I'll be at the Ellora's Cave chat loop from 4pm-8pm EST and on December 17th I'll be at the Changeling Press Bar and Grill from 4pm-8pm EST . Hope to see you there!
Kate
If you'd like to be included in my newsgroup contests, receive an email version of the newsletter, and also occasional posts about new releases and special events, please sign up below:
Noodlin' for Nadine
(paranormal)From Changeling Press.
Brady's number one pastime is noodling. He loves the thrill of catching magical catfish with his bare hands. Imagine his surprise when he's feeling for catfish beneath the waters of Hot River and gets a handful of womanly curves instead.
Nadine is just a water nymph lazing about in her favorite underwater cave when she feels a pair of pleasantly rough male hands rubbing her in all the right places. She knows this is too real to be a daydream. It's more like the man of her dreams has found her, but is their love strong enough to cross the boundary between water and land?
Sugar Plums
(m/m paranormal)Coming soon from Changeling Press.
Yule is here and it's an especially magical time at Hot River, unless you're Tarn. He's a grouch even for a Frost Giant and never fails to complain about the dismal winter mood being ruined by holiday cheer.
Old Man Winter has spent ages providing beautiful frosty weather but he's rarely allowed to join in the fun surrounding it. People look at him in fear and awe, never thinking he might want to join in the festivities.
The sulky frost giant stumbles upon the powerful, lonely and surprisingly passionate winter icon and Tarn finally learns just how enchanting the holiday season can be.
Alien Affairs: Moonlight on Water
(erotic science fiction)Coming soon from Ellora's Cave.
Moonlight, a translator at an interrogation facility, has a dilemma. Her mother has been imprisoned on Laetez and in order to free her, Moonlight must strike a bargain with the feared military leader, Xenos Nineteen. Posing as an escort, she meets Xenos in his private rooms, prepared to do whatever it takes to rescue her mother.
In spite of her hatred for Xenos, Moonlight finds herself singed by need for the alien crossbreed. His looks, savage yet irresistible, terrifying her and filling her with lust.
Xenos is hardened against emotions such as love, but something about Moonlight draws him in. He indulges his passion for the lovely human female in every way, but is too jaded to realize his feelings for her run far deeper than sexual.
When Xenos turns outlaw to fight for the rights of crossbreeds, Moonlight becomes a key member of the rebellion and the willing mate of the man considered the worst villain in the galaxy. But can they make it work against all odds?
GUEST AUTHOR INTERVIEW: VICKY BURKHOLDER
KH: What are your favorite genres to read and write?
VB: Paranormal romance, fantasy, science fiction, and suspense.
KH: What do you like best about writing romances?
VB: The chance to explore relationships and that the entire book doesn't sit just on one person's shoulders. The hero and heroine share responsibility. :)
KH: Would you tell us about your latest release, Anticipation?
VB: It actually started off as a challenge. I belong to a very small group of writers (five of us) who kick each other's butts or offer support when needed. Last winter, we challenged each other to write something we'd never written before. In my case, it was contemporary erotica. (One of our members is a multi-published best seller in this genre). After I finished, they all told me how much they liked the story. I submitted it and when offered the contract, decided to go with a different name since this is such a different genre from what I usually write. I had so much fun doing it though!
Blurb: While growing up, Marielle Jameson's best friend was her neighbor Ben Carson. But Mari ran with the popular crowd and Ben was a nerd. Then life intervened and they lost touch. Now Ben is back, and he is most definitely not a nerd. Their reunion is hot, heavy and full of promise. Can Ben pull Mari out of the slump she's fallen into? And can Mari trust Ben not to break her heart? The answer to both is yes, although figuring out their future will take some work. But, as Ben says, "Anticipation is half the fun."
KH: What are you working on now and what is upcoming for you?
VB: I'm currently working on three fantasy type stories - two that take place in other worlds, other times and the third is contemporary urban fantasy. I also have a second paranormal anthology coming out with Draumr Publishing next February and we're working on the stories for that right now.
KH: To you what makes a great romance hero?
VB: A man who isn't afraid to love. Or be loved. Someone who is protective when necessary, but can let a woman be who she is without overpowering her. A great hero to me is a man who accepts the heroine as his partner.
KH: If you could meet one of your characters, which one would it be?
VB: Oh wow. Any one of them! I love them all. Well, the heroes and heroines - not the villains. :)
KH: Do you have a website, blog, newsletter or email where readers can reach you?
VB: I'm working on a new website so right now, it's tied to my blog: http://vickyburkholder.blogspot.com and they can reach me through there or at: vickyb@vickyburkholder.com. My web page, when it's up and running will be: http://vickyburkholder.com
KH: Thank you, Vicky!
VB: Thank you!
Also by Vicky Burkholder:
EXCERPT FROM ANTICIPATION BY VICTORIA ALLEN
"Oh. My. God. Who is that with Sam?" Mari asked. A contender for a Playgirl centerfold waited across the street with Janie's husband. He looked a little familiar but surely that couldn't be Ben. Not skinny, geeky Ben. He had to be someone else. The stranger was easily six feet tall with broad shoulders that tapered to well-shaped hips. His dark gold hair curled softly around his ears and the nape of his neck. His jeans molded to his legs and the t-shirt he wore showed muscles in all the right places. As he waited, he stared in their direction. Mari had the strangest sensation he was looking for her and then he saw her. Even at this distance, she could sense his eyes going over her, studying her. Normally, she'd be uncomfortable with that kind of scrutiny but for some reason, his attention didn't bother her. Quite the opposite. Heat built in her body that had nothing to do with the afternoon sun.
"Now that guy is definitely drool-worthy," Mari whispered.
"What? Do my ears deceive me or is there a little life left in your loins?" Janie laughed at her.
"My loins are fine," Mari said.
"Your loins need screwing." Janie stood up and waved her hand. "Hey! Sam! Ben!" The men grinned and waved. When the light turned, they crossed the street to the women.
"Hi, Jane." The contender for the title of Adonis greeted them both but his eyes didn't leave Mari's face.
Ben? This was Ben? Mari was quite certain the temperature had just taken an enormous hike because she was certainly warmer than the weather warranted. The man was gorgeous. He had eyes the green of a summer forest. Deep and mesmerizing. She didn't remember his eyes being that shade.
Jane hugged Sam, then smiled at his friend. "Hi, Ben. I think you remember Mari."
"I do. Hi."
"Hi." Mari swallowed hard.
"Getting to know the town again?" Janie asked.
"Yeah. Thought I'd take a look around. Been some changes since I left but the basics are the same." His eyes held Mari's.
"You should let Mari show you around." Janie glanced at her watch. "Sam, don't we have that thing we need to go to?"
"Huh? What thing?"
She jabbed him. "You know. That thing."
"Oh. Oh, yeah. That thing. Ben, Mari, we've got to go. We'll see you later."
Mari waved her friends off, her eyes on the man standing in front of her.
"Mind if I sit?" Ben asked. His voice was like warm honey pouring over her. Something she wouldn't mind having him do to her--then licking it off. Sheesh, where had that come from? She hadn't had such thoughts in a long time. Too long. Was Janie right? Had her life become dull and predictable? Yep. No argument there. Even her job as a business and acquisitions attorney in a large legal firm sounded as boring as the reality was. What had happened to her dream to own her own business? To travel? To do anything?
"Sure. Would you like a drink or something?" Mari asked.
"No, thanks. I just finished an ice cream cone."
"Let me guess--peanut butter ripple from Greco's."
"Of course." He eyed her drink. "And that's an orange cream something, right?"
Mari laughed. "You remembered."
"I remember a lot of things about you. So, what's new around here?"
Oh god, she was in deep trouble. "Lots of things. Would you like to walk around?"
I'd also like to take you to the nearest alley and let you screw my eyeballs out.
This month's poll is:
Poll
You like to read series books: Version 2.03 The results of last month's poll question are:
In erotic romance, do you like sex in chapter one?
It depends on the story. (41)
Yes (7)
No (8)Total (56)
EXCERPT FROM MOONLIGHT ON WATER BY KATE HILL:
Coming soon from Ellora's Cave.
For a long moment he stared at her, his expression unreadable. She nearly squirmed beneath his gaze.
Finally he said, "Ah. The madam has decided to take over as my personal secretary. I'll have to talk to her about that."
"This wasn't her fault," Moonlight said quickly, not liking the glacial look in his eyes. "I arranged this meeting behind her back and I have every intention of giving you what you paid for. Tonight I am an escort."
He smiled again, mocking this time. "Since you've gone through so much trouble, tell me what's so urgent that you'd trade your pretty human skin for it?"
"My mother was arrested in connection to the protest against reestablishing private ACT labs at the Laetez capital. She wasn't actually there, but is part of the activist group responsible for the riot. She's been sentenced to six months in prison on this planet."
"What do you expect me to do about it?" he asked. "I have no problem with activists, but riots are unacceptable."
"But she wasn't at the riot. I know enough about your career to be certain you're not in favor of reestablishing private labs," Moonlight continued, her stomach already in knots. She began to realize how stupid her plan was. Something told her this man was as impenetrable as a steel wall.
"Without discipline, where would we be, Moonlight Santos Gama?"
"What about justice?"
"If a criminal has been imprisoned, then justice is served."
"How dare a murderer like yourself preach about criminals?" she said, her temper finally snapping.
"Explain yourself."
"I'm talking about the capture of Blackstar Base during the Laetez-Draper war."
"That was unfortunate, but necessary."
"Necessary to kill hundreds of innocent--"
"I'm not here to defend my actions. You must learn the difference between murder and war, young lady."
"I know my closest friend was murdered in a war. She died on Blackstar Base."
"So is that your real reason for coming here?"
Moonlight blinked, her head clearing a bit. Her anger had nearly made her forget her plan. She closed her eyes for a moment, realizing she'd probably lost her mother's only chance for freedom.
"What do you mean?" she asked softly. "I told you, I want to know if you'll free my mother."
"And I told you I can't do that."
"You can, Sir. As a Superior, I know you have the power to help me."
"Why should I?" He leaned back in his chair. His long, slim hand, encased in a dark blue glove, caressed the flat buttons of the spec built into his desktop. "So far you've done nothing but annoy me and ruin an evening of relaxation."
"I said I'd act as your escort tonight."
"You loathe me. I see it in your eyes."
"Don't tell me a man who uses an escort service is looking for true love?" she said, then nearly bit her tongue. She needed to keep her temper in check.
"Of course not." He smiled again, then ran the tip of his tongue over the points of his upper canines. As if compelled, she followed the slow, seductive gesture with her eyes. "Interactions with escorts are meant to be empty of emotion. Not true in this case."
"I'll do whatever you want." She leaned forward in her chair, staring into his eyes and ignoring his horrible Tydisian features. "Whatever your escorts normally do."
"You're willing to sleep with a man you hate to get what you want?"
"Yes."
If he had eyebrows, they'd have been raised. "I'm impressed. Be flattered. I'm rarely impressed."
"Then you'll help me?"
FOR DOING THYME
I found the scenes were very hot, but also felt loving and sensual. I recommend Doing Thyme due to its three-dimensional characters and forgiveness-embed storyline.
- Francesca Hayne, Just Erotic Romance ReviewsSex between the two is positively combustible, and the emotion is tender, and the two add up to a very enjoyable read.
-Whitney, Fallen Angel Reviews
To visit the webrings the Kate Hill site belongs to, go here!
The graphics used to create this site were designed by Wolfden Creations.