Meet Sven Smits. I love black and white photography. Not only does the lack of color create a mood but the contrasting light and shadow show various touchable planes.

Have a great weekend!

Summer is gone, the hot temperatures replaced with cooler evenings. Take a few leisure moments and follow the RWBB romance writers as they take you through some of the naughtiest and sultriest blogs for your chances to win free ebooks.

You should be coming to Romantic Interludes via Gem Sivad's blog. Welcome! For more fun on the blog tour visit a good friend of mine, Dawne Prochilo and her blog An Open Book.

I love rain...thunderstorms even better. When I was a moody teenager, I'd sit on the porch of my parents house on a rainy night and write poetry. Rain is very sensual. The natural scent calls to the primal creature with us. Drops of cool rain caressing hot skin, arousing the senses even more. Lightening flashes give power to the beast while thunder is a musical anthem.

Rain was an important element in the first love scene of my characters Puzzola and Elizabeth in the book Painted Soul. They had been separated for ten years, sexual passion that had been stifled for so long was ready to explode much like the clash of lightening and rolling thunder.

Please sit back & enjoy this excerpt from Painted Soul. Elizabeth is painting in her studio, angry with her brothers because they prevented her from seeing Puzzola as he hid in the shadows of his own gallery opening. However, the brothers have devised a plan for Puzzola to surprise her.

Puzzola with his usual cool exterior was outside leaning against the wall when the brothers exited Elizabeth’s gallery. The flash of lightening and rumble of thunder reflected the storms churning inside him. He was balancing on a thin line. The plan was in motion.

“I’m trusting you with my sister, friend,” Michael said, meeting Puzzola with a cold stare as lightening flashed again in the distance.

Erick palmed a key to the dark figure, “Oh, she’s mad at us!” Then he leaned closer to whisper, “Good luck.”

Puzzola nodded to his friends before slipping inside. The plan called for elevating Elizabeth’s emotions to the same level she had experienced that memorable night while dancing in The Place. Tonight they would finish what they started, both releasing years of pent up emotion. The lightning lit up the empty gallery showing him the stairs, but he could not miss the mind-blowing music full of hard driving guitar riffs and unbelievable energy. From personal experience, he knew Elizabeth was on an escapist trip. Drugs or alcohol could never take a person close to the trip an artist takes while working intensely on a piece. Pausing at the top stair, he tried to slow down his breathing.

Slowly, he peered into the studio like a peeping Tom, but wasn’t prepared for the sight. With her hair flowing freely over her shoulders Elizabeth danced in the candlelight holding a paintbrush and wearing only a thin camisole and thong panties. She raised her arms over her head in a graceful gesture swaying her hips to the sexual groove blasting from the speakers. Her smell filled his nostrils, his hunger for her intensifying as he struggled for control.

Elizabeth was definitely caught up in the mood of the candles, music and emotion. When she finally turned and saw him standing in the doorway, she stopped dancing, still holding her paintbrush. Puzzola met her gaze, smiled as he shrugged his shoulders and boldly stepped into the room. Sexual tension in the air was thicker than the paint on the pallet.

“Hello, my lady,” his voice thick and sensual.

She stood breathless, still in shock. Here he was, in her studio.
“How did you get in here?”

“Someone thought I might need this,” he placed a key on a table. “I wanted to thank you personally for coming to my opening. But I’m sorry if you found some of my work disturbing.”

“You were there.”

“Yes. I enjoy listening to my work being analyzed,” he moved effortlessly around the room sending her sultry glances. “It’s a fun little game I play with my critics.”

“I’m sure Painted Soul will get you committed.”

“Committed to whom?”

He was the most delicious man she had ever seen. Taller than she remembered and more masculine than the clean cut punk with two-tone hair she met so long ago. Yet he still held a mysterious power over her. In his black clothing, he moved like a panther. She shivered thinking of the image in “Painted Soul.”

“Nice work,” he complimented as he looked at the painting. His eyes momentarily narrowed then flashed back to Elizabeth.

Puzzola held out a hand to her, she saw the scar across his palm and the gold band on his thumb. Her heart pounding, she touched it. Upon her hand, she wore a thumb ring she purchased shortly after meeting him. Puzzola rubbed his thumb against hers with a slow stroking motion. Cat-like he moved until they touched palm to palm and stood chest to chest, staring into each other’s eyes. Elizabeth’s heart pounded to the beat of the provocative music. Emotions and memories filled her mind. She wanted him more than ever.

“Do you want me to be here, Elizabeth?” Puzzola asked in a husky voice.

In a daring move, she touched his check remembering the two black painted stripes long gone, then traced his jaw line with her fingertips. Her throat felt dry, as she caressed the face that haunted her dreams. She couldn’t believe he was real, but she could feel his heat. Elizabeth saw the raw hunger in his eyes reflecting what she felt.

“Yes,” she answered with little more than a whisper, “very much.”

Like the lightening outside, Puzzola quickly moved her into his arms and pressed hard against her. His carefully planned night was unraveling, he was losing composure. His emotions were taking control. He had to devour his ravishing tormentor and make the pain inside his soul subside. She would be his, tonight.

“I have made time stop for us tonight. You will not get away from me this time,” he whispered in her ear. He felt her melt into his arms as his body gyrated against hers in time with the music. “Welcome to our fantasy. Open your mind let your wishes come true. I am here, Elizabeth, flesh and blood to set you free. I will be whatever you want me to be. I am all your dreams and your worst nightmare in one. Release me only when you are ready to begin your reverie.”

Elizabeth pressed against him, tilted her head back with closed eyes as a small moan escaped from her lips. Her body begged to be touched, to feel the burn. She needed him to wipe away those lost years without him. He cupped her face with his fiery hands, forcing her eyes to open. His eyes burned into her then they rolled back when she ran her hands across his torso and along his sides, feeling the sculpted muscles beneath the silk fabric of his shirt. She could hear his struggled breathing and feel his rapid heartbeat. Pleased with her affect on him, she continued her movements.

His eyes opened as he caressed her throat with his fingers and brought his hand down her chest across her breast. Elizabeth thought her heart would leap out of her chest when his hand stroked her body as if inspecting, then finally resting on the small of her back. His other hand slid behind her head. A soft purr escaped from her as he tangled his fingers in her hair. Elizabeth closed her eyes, breathing hard, tipped her head back desirous for a kiss.

Pulling her close Puzzola nuzzled her check, “You have haunted my dreams. I can not believe I am finally holding my specter. I have wanted you so long.”

His mouth came down on hers in desperate need. Heat churned inside her as she answered back with the same desperation. Flames of passion and desire spread to inferno.

“Dream lover,” she touched his check and he turned his face to place a kiss in her palm, “take me where I want to be.”

Hearing the repeated promise of long ago, Puzzola smiled, “Oh, my lady.”

Lightening flashed, thunder rolled and rain began to pound on the roof. The music, the candles, Puzzola lost all control as the need to be released from the burning desire peaked. In a swift movement he pulled the camisole off Elizabeth’s body, exposing soft round breasts to the glowing candlelight. He picked her up with his hands under her, pushed her back against a wall and covered her neck with fervent kisses. She gasped and arched against him as he sucked a sensitive nipple into his mouth. Puzzola groaned as she ran her fingers through his hair. He took her mouth in a deep, possessive kiss as he pulled off her panties. The kiss stopped when they both were breathless. Looking into her eyes, he was lost.


“You are so beautiful, my lady,” he murmured, “I want to taste your sweetness.”

“Puzzola,” Elizabeth whimpered as she placed a hand on his face.

“I am here,” he said as he trailed kisses down her neck.

He buried his face into the softness of her chest, his tongue flicked at her nipples and traveled down across her flat belly. He dropped to one knee, cupped her butt and moved her legs over his shoulders.

Elizabeth didn’t pay any notice to the cold wall on her back. The fire within her blazed. Bracing her back on the wall she twisted her fingers in his silky black hair. She was floating in air consumed by the emotions and sensations she was feeling. His touch pushed her higher, she thought she was on her way to heaven. His fingers probed her as his tongue tickled the silken folds, she cried out his name in sheer pleasure.

Not stopping his kisses, he gently moved her legs down and rose while she tugged at the stays of his pants. Elizabeth was amused when she found there was nothing between this man and his leather pants as she reached to release his throbbing manhood. His pulsating erection felt like velvet in her hands. Puzzola’s tremble and muffled groan told her of his struggle.

He leaned forward with both hands on the wall as she touched him. With the next clap of thunder he reached under her butt and roughly lifted Elizabeth and braced her against the wall. He had to become one with her. Elizabeth cried out in pleasurable surprise as he thrust inside her. Puzzola paused for a moment to allow her to become accustomed to him, but when he felt her muscles milking him, he couldn’t hold back any longer. With vicious ferocity he pushed Elizabeth to cry out in ecstasy before he exploded inside her.

Still inside her, holding her tightly he slid to his knees. The burning need did not decrease, his pulse continued to race.

He let out a shaken laugh, “Erick said you would bring me to my knees.”

“I’m not through with you yet,” Elizabeth felt a surge of newfound energy. Standing, she tugged hard at Puzzola’s shirt, buttons flying in all directions while nibbling on his ear.

She couldn’t help but stare at him once he had shed the rest of his clothing. His sculpted body called to her touch. The Painted Soul towered over her, his chest wet with sweat, all muscles tense and hard from their last workout. His black hair fell over his forehead and into his eyes. He flashed a lusty smile at her.

Elizabeth remembered the night they met and the way he smiled when she was caught staring at him. This time she kissed the lips beckoning to her, showing him her flaming passion. Her tongue stroked his, her teeth tugged at his lower lip. Feeling daring and wanting more, she became more adventurous.

“Let’s make a fantasy real,” she taunted as she kicked a large roll of canvas into unraveling across the studio floor. Elizabeth took Puzzola by the hand and led him to the center. His eyes glimmered with recognition of her plan.

“I hope you’re planning to use acrylic paint on this canvas,” his eyes never leaving her body while his smile only grew larger.

“Certainly,” Elizabeth presented him with a basket full of brightly colored tubes of acrylic paint.

Puzzola laughed when she opened a tube of paint and squirted a long snake-like color onto his chest. She smeared it across to his shoulders and down his belly without taking her eyes off his face. With an incredible sense of freedom, Puzzola removed the top from a tube of crimson and slowly spread the pigment over her breasts. The cool touch of the paint felt good against her warm skin. Elizabeth was living a dream she secretly coveted and she felt herself turning into putty at the mercy of Puzzola’s hands as he spread more paint on her.

Pulling him down to the canvas, she kissed him with the promise of more. As they covered each other’s bodies with paint they rolled around on the canvas. Puzzola grabbed Elizabeth by her shoulders and rolled on top of her. She counteracted by pushing him off onto his back. She surprised him by mounting him with one swift move. He massaged more paint onto her breasts as she began to ride him with pure sexual force. Their enthusiasm rose as they continued to revolve around the canvas, leaving paint trails, while searching for climax. Their search ended as they reached the pinnacle together.

Lying on their backs, they turned their heads to view to mess they had created. Puzzola’s body was tiring, but a power still lingered within. For a moment, navy eyes met his. Candlelight reflected the surge of emotions he was sure she was feeling. More than the emotion of lust was rising, he wasn’t sure he understood what he was experiencing. Yet, he felt comfortable in Elizabeth’s embrace. Their eyes still connected they began to laugh while lying naked on the canvas covered floor.


“That has been my fantasy for years!” Elizabeth shared.

“I think that has been every artist’s fantasy,” Puzzola teased.

“Well, I like to think mine was special.”

“I hope I was part of that fantasy before tonight.”

“Perhaps.”

“You have green paint in your hair,” Puzzola pulled at a painted golden lock as he rolled to his side.

“I won’t tell what is green on you,” Elizabeth giggled.

“Oh, no,” he made the mistake of looking down. “What do you say to taking a shower?”

“I would say that could prove to be fun.”

The shower stall was very small but wasn’t a problem. Puzzola washed the Elizabeth’s mane while she washed various other parts on him. Hues swirled into a rainbow at their feet. Music continued to be heard from the studio. Puzzola felt rejuvenated.

“I still want you,” Puzzola murmured in Elizabeth’s ear as he stood behind her.

Lifting her hair, he licked the water off her neck and shoulders. His hands explored her body, exciting a renewed appetite. He held firmly onto her hips as she pressed against him. Elizabeth moaned when he entered her. Her breath came in short gasps with each thrust Puzzola made. He drove too hard, too fast and wasn’t able to satisfy her before himself. That was something that had never happened before, he was definitely out of control.

“I am sorry, my lady,” he said as he slid out of her, “I couldn’t help myself.”

Elizabeth turned and her smile melted him, “Let’s dry off, you can put lotion on me.”

“You wench,” Puzzola growled, “you’ll be the death of me.”

He stood frozen holding his towel as he watched Elizabeth dry herself. Puzzola felt himself craving her again. What would it take to overcome this burning hunger for her? Did he want to conquer his greed? He had to have more, but how much was he willing to give?

The music was off now, only the sound of the thunderstorm outside was heard. Candles in the studio flickered low. Lightening illuminated the room. Without saying a word, Puzzola lifted Elizabeth into his arms and carried her into the bedroom, gently laying her on the bed. Her arms draped over his shoulders, her warm gaze full of trust.

He took her mouth before she could utter a word. The kiss was expressive of the strength behind Puzzola’s pleasure. He wanted to make Elizabeth feel the way he felt. He wanted to give her an experience she’d never forget, but he was afraid he would be left wanting more.

“I want to feel your heat,” he murmured

Elizabeth’s heart raced as she lay on her back, wrapping her arms around him. She touched his cheek and ran her fingers through his wet hair as he kissed her. His kisses sent fire all over her body, his touch a pleasurable burn. She wanted to touch him, burn him.

Puzzola leaned on his elbow as he slid his hand over her stomach. He beamed at her, his eyes danced with delight watching her react to him. Her heart melted. He lowered his head to give her a kiss, more tender than any she had ever felt. His gentle hand traveled across her body to heighten her senses. She could be dreaming this wonderful night.

Sliding an arm under her, he moaned when she reached out to him. Elizabeth ran a hand over his chest and washboard abdomen, caressed his hard maleness, and then fluttered over the tight muscles of his thigh. With each touch she admired his physique as an artist admires a fine work of sculpture. She also focused on what his body had done to her and the limits he pushed her to. She felt free.

Puzzola’s kisses so tender, his touch so talented. His controlled moves drove her mad with hope that she would fly higher than before. She arched against him and pulled at his shoulder. He continued to cover her with soft nuzzles and kisses.

“This time, I want to savor every moment,” he stared into her eyes, “I have dreamed of tonight for years, but those dreams never prepared me for how I feel at this moment. Let me take you once more. Let me give you myself.”

She thought she would explode hearing his words. When he shifted on top of her, he slowly parted her legs. Elizabeth wrapped her legs around his torso, she could feel the tip of him teasing her womanhood. Puzzola slid into her wetness slowly then pulled out several times before sheathing himself all the way. He coaxed her with his technique to relax and enjoy the slower rhythm. She felt possessed by him, her body anticipated his movements and reacted with blazing intensity.

The wind rattled the open window as the lovers’ rhythm matched the tempo of the rain. Lightening lit the room. Elizabeth felt herself being driven to heights never achieved before. She desperately clutched Puzzola’s back and buttocks as his thrusts began to quicken. Her body arched into his, he drove deeper.

“I will take you where you want to be,” she heard him whisper.

“Oh, Puzzola,” she cried out, “take me with you!”

Elizabeth’s body trembled from excitement, her mind dizzy with emotion. Their souls danced together as they grasped for release. Lightening flashed, with a crash of thunder, the room exploded. Elizabeth cried out Puzzola’s name in paradise just as he called to her.

Puzzola slid off her onto his side, his body exhausted. Without a word, he kissed her and circled his arms around her. Elizabeth relished being in his arms and was about to drift off to sleep when she felt him stir and get out of bed.

Her heart went into her throat. She feared he was going to leave and possibly not come back. He returned from the bathroom and stood at the edge of the bed looking down at her. After a long silence, she gathered courage and sat up in bed.

“Are you leaving?”

“Only if you want me to leave, my lady,” he walked over to her and offered her a drink from the cup of water he was holding. “I have been called cold-hearted before but never a fool.”

He quietly placed the cup on the nightstand then crossed the room to the window.


“The rain isn’t coming in. Do you want me to leave it open?”

“Yes, please.”

Elizabeth felt something strong stir inside her as Puzzola crawled into her bed and tugged the covers over her. The pleasant sensation continued when he pulled her close. She felt she belonged in his arms, forever.

“You have my soul,” she heard him whisper before she fell asleep.

Puzzola lay awake for a while, watching her sleep. He smoothed her hair and snuggled closer. He knew one night would not be enough with his precious Elizabeth. He would need to feel her touch, taste her sweetness, and take her to heaven again and again. He would never be able to douse the flame he had for her. He had accepted the fact that he didn’t want to be without her.

She had set him free for a time, if only he could be free from his twisted life, his mental prison of his past. Free to love. A sudden pain stabbed at him, he would hurt her someday if he couldn’t give her his heart, his love. He didn’t want to hurt his soul mate, but he would savor the moments spent with her and give her what he could.


AMAZON B&N OMNILIT PDF

KINDLE SMASHWORDS MULTIFORMAT


For more fun on the blog tour visit a good friend of mine, Dawne Prochilo and her blog An Open Book.

You MUST post a comment on each blog to be eligible for the prizes. Winners will be notified by Tuesday Sept. 14 2010 via email so please make sure you leave you email on the final blog entry (Chloe Waits) to receive your prize if you're chosen in a random drawing of all participants

A new weekly event has arrived! A little somethin' somethin' to rest your eyes upon. PHOTO FRIDAY I'll feature a lovely, artistic photo I've found. Enjoy!



Hmmm.... don't you just love his tattoos?

13 Places to Be Kissed

There is always time for a kiss but some places can be more fun and romantic.

1. In the shower or in the bathtub.

2. On the beach late at night when there is no one around.

3. In the rain.

4. Sitting on a blanket on the roof on a warm night with the stars shining bright and the moon glowing.

5. In the kitchen because it can lead to many other delightful things.

6. In a warm cozy room in front of the fireplace.

7. Sitting on a motorcycle together watching the sunset.

8. On a swing on a porch.

9. Inside a tree house with candles burning.

10. Outside lying in the grass at night.

11. While swimming naked.

12. While taking a walk and holding hands.

13. On the hood of a car.

Where ever you are when you are with that special person, the kiss will be amazing and wonderful!

I'll cover the best places to kiss on the body in another post. I need to collect more data for that one.

Tempting Tuesday - a Gem Sivad western romance

Time to do a shameless plug for a friend.

WOLF’S TENDER, is an erotically charged tale while the detail and richness of the setting were superb. I'm not one who was a regular reader of western romance, but Gem has opened a whole new door for me. This book is a must read!



Rough and tough Charlie Wolf McCallister knows he needs to get laid, when the prim and proper school teacher with a sharp tongue, starts looking good to him. When Naomi Parker’s students are snatched from their school by marauding Comancheros, the only way to get the girls home safely, is to hire the half-Kiowa bounty hunter. But Naomi has no cash and Mr. Charlie Wolf McCallister won’t take her I.O.U. His price seems a bit steep when Naomi must choose between her virtue and her students’ lives.

Cad that he is, Charlie Wolf operates on the philosophy that a bird in hand is better than no bird at all, and the longer he’s around Miss Naomi Parker, the more he wants this particular chickadee from the Sparrow Creek Ladies Academy. And so he offers to trade service—for servicing.

When one straight-laced spinster, tenders her body to one cynical sometimes savage, the unexpected bounty is love.

READ AN EXCERPT

AVAILABLE NOW
Liquid Silver Books
ISBN 978-1-59578-633-3

Wolf’s Tender available in print @Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other online bookstores.

Thursday Thirteen - 13 Reasons to Attend the Montrose Blueberry Festival

I live in a small community in Mid-Michigan and every year during the third weekend in August we host the Montrose Blueberry Festival. (Yes, we do have many places to pick berries!) But for those who have never attended our festival, here are a few reasons to zip into my town for a visit.

1. Blueberries… everything blueberries! Yummy! Pie eating contest! (Don't forget to have save room for the Pig Roast

2. Blueberry pancake breakfast on Sat & Sun. We serve 4,000 hungry folks. The sausages are the kids favorites. My family has been working the breakfast for years, so come to it and I’ll take a break to chat.

3. Medieval Village & Renaissance Faire. Montrose is Scottish for “mountain of roses”. In this hilly farming community, many wild roses grow around fields and in ditches.
Working with the knowledge of our Scottish heritage and members from the greater Renaissance Festival folk from the Shiabruck Medieval Village, we’ve put together an amazing village and faire. Stop by
and meet my special friends, Gypsy and Hagrid. Gypsy made the original necklace Mike McAlister wears in my book "Lonely Soul".


4. The awesome parade. My boys have been in it every year! The carnival & Midway are a blast!

5. Farmers Market. The best food to put into your body is wholesome home grown!

6. Flea Market and craft show. I lose myself in there every year; the boys have to lure me out with chocolate.

7. Classic Car Show and Vintage Snowmobile Swap Meet.

8. Mud Drag & Mud Bog for those who still enjoy playing in the mud.

9. Demolition Derby. A great way to take out aggression.

10. Live music and a karaoke contest. No way… you won’t hear me sing! We also have an awesome beer tent.

11. Firefighters Demonstrations.



12. MI Championship Wrestling.


13. Softball,5-mile road race,horseshoes, Tug-of-War Challenge and more time in the beer tent. Great opportunities to see some shirtless men!



Throughout the town and township, there are a ton of rummage sales offering wonderful treasures and parties galore! I hope many of you take a break from your busy schedule and visit. If I’m available, I’ll let you know where the best "goodies" are. Hugs!

Visit the Blueberry Website for more info.

Excerpt Monday - Painted Soul

BLURB: Journey into the lives of two artists, through the streets of London, the shadows of the underground clubs and a secret past, and into their souls to believe in love.
American artist, Elizabeth McAlister searched for ten years for the dark art student she gave her heart to in a Soho nightclub. When the famous underground artist, Puzzola, appears out of the shadows in her London studio one night, a summer of intense passion and dark secrets begins. As she falls deeper in love with him, Elizabeth tries to rescue Puzzola from a tortured life he refuses to talk about. Unfortunately, his true identity and erotic past are exposed in a local newspaper. Even though Elizabeth holds his heart and soul in her hands, she’s not sure she can win the battle with the ghosts of his past or if their love is strong enough to survive.


Painted Soul - EXCERPT 1
“Breathe, Elizabeth, breathe,” she willed herself.

“Slide the rail, Elizabeth! Come on!” She saw Michael jumping up and down.

“Oh, hell. Why not!” She swallowed the last of her drink and slid down the rail into a vision of black and white.

“Hey there!”" She felt his breath on her cheek. His hands, with their strong grip on her bare waist, seared her skin. She looked into those piercing eyes. Piercing blue eyes, not black, but the color of the Caribbean Sea. Unlike many guys here, he wasn’t wearing the usual makeup sported around the club scene, just a bit of eyeliner. His lashes so dark, his lips so, so, so....

“Dance with me, my lady.”

Everywhere he touched, she burned. She fought to regain her senses. He seemed familiar. There was an entity projected from this young man that completely mesmerized her.

“What’s your name?” she wondered aloud.

“My friends call me, Puzzola,” his gaze never leaving her face. “You must be Elizabeth. I know your brothers.”

“It seems everyone knows my brothers!”

He smiled and nodded in agreement.

“Puzzola? That’s an unusual name.”

“It means, skunk. My friends in Italy gave me the name. Don’t understand why,” he said running his fingers through the bleached blonde stripe. “The name has stuck with me since.”

“Do you go to school in Italy?” Elizabeth asked.

“Yes. I’m studying from the masters.”

While they danced she felt so aroused by him, and somewhat embarrassed by the awakening wanton emotion. Maybe Lynn was right, perhaps they did know each other and were lovers in another life. That would be too cool, she thought to herself. She’d never felt this way about any guy she dated, so hot and ready for anything he would ask of her. And she was only dancing with him, a total stranger! Every part of her body Puzzola touched was set afire, while the rest cried for his touch.

“You’re a good dancer,” Puzzola yelled.

“Thanks,” Elizabeth was knocked toward him by out of control dancers.

“Are you alright?” he frowned in the direction of a green-haired dancer bouncing away. “I’m not sure if we could get off the floor now if we wanted to. It’s getting more crowded. The band is about to play the best set of the night.”

“You must come here often.”

“Enough,” his mouth was next to her ear, “Your brothers drag me out of my den occasionally when I’m in town. If you came here, I wouldn’t need to be dragged. You are beautiful.”

Elizabeth felt herself blush. Several times she thought he would kiss her, but he didn’t. Puzzola grabbed her hand, placed it on his shoulder, turned his head with closed eyes placed a soft kiss on the back of her hand. He then turned to face her and put her through a dance move, never taking his gorgeous eyes off her.

“I’ve died and gone to heaven,” Elizabeth mumbled to herself while looking back at the dark figure.

“What?”

The heat between the dancers intensified as the music grew louder. Their world was spinning out of control. They felt a common bond, a shared destiny, but neither could fathom the depth of what they were experiencing. The music was too loud and the dance floor too crowded to carry on a conversation, but their eyes spoke. They danced into the night only with each other, constantly touching, with the exception of occasional interruptions by Lynn or her brothers’ untamed behavior.

As the club wound down in the early morning hours, Puzzola drew her into his arms and led her off the dance floor.

“I must see you again, Elizabeth,” he looked at her with desperate hunger in his eyes.

Suddenly, she was overcome with a sense of sadness; “I leave for New York in the morning. I start college classes next week.”

“What are you going study?”

“Art,” she replied breathlessly.

His eyes lowered to her lips and he nodded.

“Art. I like art,” he smiled crookedly. “Promise me, you will study hard and become undeniably skillful in your chosen medium. If you are true to your heart,” he tapped her chest with a long finger, her heart fluttering with his touch, “I promise you,” he paused to pull her closer, “we will meet again.”

His lips caressed hers. Elizabeth melted. If he hadn’t been holding her so tightly, she probably would have fallen into a heap on the floor. She slid her arm over his shoulder to tangle her fingers in his long, soft black hair. Puzzola groaned as she ran her other hand over his painted cheek and her fingers through his blond stripe. She inhaled rapidly as he pulled her upward to place feather kisses on her neck and collarbone. It felt so good, so right pressed against him. His lips came down hard on hers, parting her lips for a deep, intense kiss that reached into the depths of her soul.

“There is so much I want,” his voice was raspy. “I want to be with you. I want to take you where I know you want to be.”

“I wish I didn’t have to leave in the morning,” Elizabeth could hardly breathe. She was ready to give herself, and would have bargained with the devil himself for more time tonight in London. If he asked her to spend the night with him, she would.

“There is not enough time to kiss you. Not enough time to touch you. You are in my soul, Elizabeth McAlister. Remember my promise, we will meet again,” he whispered the pledge to her as he rubbed her temple with his thumb.



He ran his long fingers across her cheek to the back of her head and kissed her with greater intensity than before. She felt him claiming her, possessing her. With their bodies flattened against each other, she felt them fusing together. She could feel his heart beating as fast as hers was pounding loud in her ears.

As he pulled away, Elizabeth asked, “What’s your real name?”

“Puzzola,” he responded as he bowed his head and a lock of blonde hair fell across his dark eyebrows and ocean eyes. With two fingers, he gave her a jaunty salute and disappeared into the crowd.

“Ready to go, Elizabeth?” Michael’s voice said bringing her back to reality. “You all right, doll? You look like you did at the funeral. You were supposed to make a good memory to take home, remember?”

Why did she feel like she just lost something dear? “I did, I think,” she gulped. “Michael, do you know a guy named, Puzzola?”

“Yeah, he’s like a rebel, a punk, but a real upright guy though. Comes from an aristocratic family, but he wants to do his own thing," Michael smiled. “He’s studying art in Italy, and his father is totally freaked out about it. He’s not following the ‘master plan.’ Kind of sounds familiar, huh?”

“What’s his real name?”

“Ah, he just goes by Puzzola.”

Michael wasn’t stupid; he made a point to keep an eye on the girls through the night. When he took a break from dancing during the crush, he saw the heat between Elizabeth and Puzzola. Too bad Father wouldn’t let her study in London.
Puzzola, being Erick’s age, was a member of the brothers’ inner circle of friends. A group built on honesty and trust. He could trust Puzzola with his sister; he always thought they’d make a good match. But the fire he saw ignited tonight could build into an inferno. Perhaps when they are a little older and can handle the blaze, they might be given the chance to burn together. In the meantime, he’d be the overprotective big brother.

He put an arm around Elizabeth to lead her outside. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Puzzola with the same lost gaze on his face. Michael smiled at him only to receive a nod from the striped head. They seemed made for each other, both being creative and emotional. Maybe soul mates, but now was not the time in their lives to test such waters. He didn’t want to see his sister hurt, or lose a good friend to bad timing. He would make sure they would meet again some day.

“He got under your skin, little sister,” Michael said. “To be honest with you, that’s the first time I’ve seen him on the dance floor. You two melted The Place down! Come on, let’s get back to the flat. You have a long trip ahead of you.”

Elizabeth looked up to her oldest brother and had a sinking feeling he wasn’t referring to her plane ride back to New York.

Buy Painted Soul now.

Thursday Thirteen - 13 Ways to Feel Sexy

It's a busy week so I've chosen to rerun an old favorite. Enjoy!




Busy schedules and unsuccessful diets are the primary reasons many of us don’t feel sexy. Who can feel sexy when they feel tired and frumpy? Women are beautiful creatures; we just need to remind ourselves of it periodically. Now put the chocolate away (well, maybe not) for this one and take notes.

1. Do your make up and/or hair. Have you ever noticed how good you feel after a visit to the beauty shop or when you get all dressed up? You can capture that same feeling by paying a bit of attention to your self for a simply dinner at home.

2. Visit a spa, take a long bath, or give yourself a facial. Take a break to enjoy your own skin. Touch it, caress it… then let your honey touch it and caress it.

3. Work out. Go to a gym, join Curves, or just get a couple of girlfriends to walk with daily. The effort not only makes you healthy (may or may not lose weight), but you’ll notice little things about yourself that make you feel sexy. Sometimes, just actually working out fires you up.

4. Wear sexy clothing. I don’t me movie star red carpet stuff or even hooker style. A nice tight silk t-shirt that feels good when you wear it. Or an old worn pair of jeans that really flatter your assets. Look in your closet, take a close look at your favorites and think about how you feel when you wear them. If they all make you want to take a nap… go shopping.

5. Find a material that makes you feel good. I don’t mean flannel because it makes you cozy; I’m talking about silk or cotton and how it feels against your skin. When you find yourself feeling sexy in a particular fabric, purchase more items made with it. Instead of your old blend button down shirts, try an inexpensive machine washable silk blouse. It will go with everything from jeans to a pair of dress pants.

6. Wear lingerie that flatters you. Don’t buy something and wear it because it looks good on the mannequin or honey’s eyes bug out. Wear it because it feels good and looks good on you.

7. Don’t worry about your appearance. Everyone has flaws; just no one else cares about them as much as you do. So what that you have a scar from a surgery or a little pouch from having kids.

8. Plan at least one sensual experience a week for you love. Planning a sensual escapade can be very arousing. Add a little teasing in there to build confidence.

9. Take a shower together. Hmmm… water, wet, skin, slippery… oh, ah…

10. Dance seductively with your partner. Turn on the music just for the two of you. Have fun and do some dirty dancing.

11. Try being the dominant one in the next love-making session. Being in control can be a rush and very sexy.

12. Accept compliments regarding you looks and abilities. This can be a simple lesson in building confidence; and confidence is very sexy.

13. Allow yourself to feel sexy. Take time to reconnect with yourself. Try to find things that work for you, that make you feel good about you and sexy… and then do them.


What makes you feel sexy?

Humpday Help - A poem

In this busy week, take a moment and enjoy the world around you. I love the day, but I prefer the night and the midnight sun. My favorite is when I can see the moon during the day. Sit back and enjoy my rambling.


The Moon

I looked up from the cement world
and saw the moon today.

What a pleasant surprise!
He may have even looked my way.

I stood in my white cloak
Made of angels small.

I wanted to find my voice
But my body headed the call.

Every night I look to him
Wondering if he looks back at me.

Perhaps when I turn around,
He casts a glance to see.

Did I give him a smile?
Did my heart jump on my sleeve?

He graciously walked away,
Oh, the webs that we weave!

My mind tells me that he is dead,
My heart calls out to him.

I pray for him each day,
My hope never grows dim.

Only at night to I stand to gaze
In my cloak of white.

The small angles sleeping
Hidden from sight.

I speak in soft whispers
I’m sure he never hears.

I just wish for him to know
How I hold him so dear.

He loved me once then
Cast me to earth.

But my love remains,
And admiration grows from this dirt.

Memories of tenderness come
Rays of moonlight caress my skin.

Emotions never forgotten
But hidden within.

With my arms, I reach to the moon
Embracing the light cast below.

I’m sure he does not see me,
To him I am only a shadow.

I was surprised to see the moon
In the daylight, alive and well.

Tonight I will send him a smile
And in the shadow’s I will dwell.

Tempting Tuesday - Free Samples

Everybody enjoys a free sample! How many times can you resist the lady at the market holding out a yummy fresh baked pastry for you to sample? What about those little sampler boxes of chocolate? Yeah... admit it... we all like that little tease!


Well I'm offering a little tease, a sampler of my own and it's lower in calories than a pastry and better than chocolate.



It's a free sample of the Soul Series. You send me an email maryquast@yahoo.com with "Tasty Sample" in the subject and I'll send you a PDF of the book covers and first chapter from the first three books of the Soul Series.

The Soul Series
Contemporary romance with a twist... lots of creative... sensual...twist.



Painted Soul is Book One of the Soul Series. ISBN-13: 978-0-9814739-3-2

"A contemporary romance that takes the reader on a wonderful ride in an artist’s life, through the streets of London, and into the shadows of the underground."

Elizabeth McAlister was only eighteen when she met the art student, Puzzola in a London nightclub and gave him her heart. Ten years later, they meet again when a summer of intense passion and dark secrets begins.

As Elizabeth falls deeper in love with Puzzola, she tries to rescue him from tortured memories he refuses to discuss. Eventually, his double life and erotic past are exposed in a local newspaper just as he is involved in a life-threatening accident. Will their love survive?


Tormented Soul - Book Two of the Soul Series. ISBN 978-1-935407-22-5

Erick McAlister is known as London’s Most Dangerous Bachelor; he enjoys scotch, women, and spending time in the London underground club, The Skunk’s Den.

He’s never had a real relationship; women only want him for one thing- he desires more. When the one he vowed he would never toy with, Lynn Westmore, gives him an unexpected proposition, his life takes an enjoyable turn.

Just as he is beginning to find happiness, tabloids headline him, a woman from his past announces she’s expecting his child, someone is trying to kill him, and he finds himself questioning his relationship with the young courier he’s hired to teach him to ride his new motorcycle. Even though his life is in torment, he begins to believe in love, something he never thought he’d feel.

Unfortunately, Lynn doesn’t think Erick could ever be faithful to one woman, let alone be in love with her, so when she finds herself in love with him she runs. Erick falls into a spiral of depression, and it takes his brother and closest friends to bring him to his senses. When he finds out a magazine has rated him as the World’s Most Dangerous Bachelor, he agrees to do the interview only if Lynn is the photographer and he uses the opportunity to let Lynn know how he feels; he offers his heart to her one more time...


Lonely Soul - Book Three of the Soul Series. ISBN 978-1-935407-94-2

"The eldest of the McAlister siblings is a man with a deep sense of family and honor, yet at times could be manipulative and very controlling, always doing what he thought was best for others. Now that his brother and sister are enjoying their married lives, the time had come for Michael Casey McAlister to find his soulmate."

Featured on The Most Dangerous Bachelors list with his brother, he prefers daring outdoor activities and hanging out with his obnoxious friends than courting a high society princess. With his good looks, wealth and sexual prowess, he has attracted many ladies but when the one he thinks is Miss Right doesn’t like his dog he shows her the door.

Lonely and discouraged, he dedicates himself into a New York City community garden project with his friends and busies himself with his comic strip he has created under the name of Mike Casey. Mike meets Lauren “Wren” Avery with the help of their dogs in the park while he’s working on a cartoon. He sees her as a chance to improve himself and not follow his father’s path of unhappiness. He certainly didn’t expect to fall in love with the graphic artist. Wren falls in love with him as the cartoonist not knowing he is the co-owner of McAlister Enterprises, the same company she works for.

He knows he’s wrong not telling her the truth, but his world falls apart when she's transferred to the London office and she finds out who he really is. He realizes that in while building the company and interfering in other interfering in other people’s lives he may have lost control of his own life and what truly matters.

The Soul Series by Mary Quast