Tuesday, June 28, 2011

So Sensitive by Anne Rainey

The great Anne Rainey has a new book coming out from Kensington. Her friends are going all out on her behalf, and I'm joining in the fun. Also, Queen of the Night Reviews is holding a contest and giving away a copy of SO SENSITIVE. Here's a blurb and some links where you can find more. Enjoy!


When Fear Crosses The Line

At first, the mysterious emails are flattering. But soon, Gracie Baron can’t deny she has a stalker—and it’s clear she needs protection…

Into Pure Pleasure

P.I. Wade Harrison admits that his friend’s luscious assistant, Gracie, has been tantalizing him for months. So Wade jumps at the chance to offer her the personal protection she needs, free of charge. The only catch is, Gracie must agree to obey his orders—no questions asked.

The Answer Is Yes

Once Wade has Gracie alone, he isn’t shy about letting her know what he wants. His fantasies involve erotic toys and a very willing partner—and that’s just for starters. Gracie doesn’t know what she wants, but Wade is hot and restless—and surrendering to his desires may be exactly what she needs…

Praise for Anne Rainey’s Body Rush

“Deliciously naughty, smokin’ hot…read if you dare!” –Janice Maynard

“With red-hot sex, hot and heavy BDSM, and three alpha males to make this book almost dangerous. You will not be disappointed!” –Coffee Time Romance, 4 Cups

“Supremely sexy and beautifully emotional, Anne Rainey’s writing is intensely relevant for today’s woman.” –Lucy Monroe

Please Order this book from:
Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, BooksaMillion.com, indieBound.org, borders.com, or your favorite retailer.


Monday, June 20, 2011

Sexy Summer Solstice Blog Hop

Welcome to the most magical day of year! Where I live in Alaska, sunset blends into sunrise this time of year and the light never dies. Summer solstice is one of our most mystical, treasured days, to be honored with bonfires and dancing. My contribution to this blog hop is a story that's been simmering in my head, waiting for the perfect moment to blossom. It's short, but may well turn into a full-length story some day. I hope you enjoy it!

If you leave a comment, you'll be entered into a special drawing for a special Summer Solstice prize of Captain's Coffee Beans roasted here in Homer, Alaska. (So you can stay up all night partying!)

MIDSUMMER MAGIC



Tansy ran across the meadow, her long legs sailing over scarlet poppies and green marsh grass. The wicker basket she carried over one arm bounced against her hip. The edge of the dark forest loomed closer with each joyful, airborne leap. Most in her village feared the forest. So had she, until she learned the truth. Now, those thick woods held all her happiness, all her reason for existing.

Especially on Summer Solstice.

The old stories told how another village, even larger than theirs, had disappeared one misty night. One day it had been there, busy and prosperous; the next morning, every single person was gone. When a band of strong men from Tansy’s village had gone to investigate, they’d been scared off by the biggest bear anyone had ever seen. The bear grew larger with each subsequent retelling, until it had assumed mythic proportions by the time Tansy first heard the story.

No one went near the site of the old village anymore. Well, no one except her.

The cool forest reached for her with spruce-scented limbs as she dashed into its shelter. She inhaled the aroma of the mossy earth – the smell of spring, of stolen moments, forbidden meetings – the smell of him. Barefoot, she darted around thick tree trunks, ducking under the branches that stretched across the trail. No one had been down this path since the snow melted. Most likely, no one had been this way since last Summer Solstice. The forest had started to reclaim the trail with its deep, silent embrace.

Fine with her. Nothing in this forest would ever hurt her. Bjorn had promised her that, and while he didn’t say much, when he spoke, he meant it. Goosebumps pebbled her arms at the thought of him, of his fathomless dark eyes, the passion in every brush of his flesh against hers.

She felt him everywhere, in the flash of a rabbit darting behind a tree, in the cool air against her bare arms, in the branches that tugged at her waist-length hair. The last time she’d seen Bjorn, he’d wrapped himself in her hair so they were pressed together, the sunlight filtering through the long golden strands. After she’d returned to the village, lonely and desolate, she’d refused to comb her hair for weeks. Until she’d realized that the tug of a hairbrush reminded her of his hands on her scalp, his lips on the delicate bone behind her ear.

There wasn’t an inch of her body that he hadn’t loved, possessed, treasured.

The path wound behind a giant boulder, then disappeared in a tangle of underbrush. It forced her to slow down and she gave an anxious sigh. Solstice was just a few minutes away. Sixteen minutes past the first hour after high noon, on the twenty-first day of June. She should know; she’d been counting down the hours since last Solstice. If she missed the exact moment of Solstice…well, she didn’t want to think about that. She’d make it. She had to. And it wasn’t far now. Just across the little stream, under the massive root of an ancient oak, into the green glade that spread like a welcome mat before a deep hidden cave. Birch trees made magical sun-spangled patterns on the soft cushion of moss that blanketed the glade.

Panting, she gazed around the empty clearing. It glowed like a green jewel. Joy and peace flooded her. She wasn’t too late. If he’d come and gone, she would have known. There would be tracks, evidence, a disturbance. Instead, it waited, perfect and pristine, as if the forest held its breath.

So did Tansy. High overhead, the golden sun slid across the sky to the balance point it would reach within moments. Here in the glade, the air hummed with strange, vibrant energy. A bee buzzed, then became muted. Tansy felt as if the atmosphere had transformed into some other element, something crystal clear that she could float through if she tried.

And then all the energy in the glade coalesced with a rush and focused on the opening of the cave. Sounds from within echoed in the shadowed dark. Tansy’s heart raced. The sun ticked closer. A figure appeared in the opening. Black and massive, it ambled into the sunshine, then reared on its hind legs. A bear, twice as huge as any normal grizzly.

Tansy’s hands went sweaty. As long as they’d been married, she never got used to her first glimpse of her husband in the spring. “Bjorn,” she whispered. The bear swung his head toward her. His brown eyes, set deep in the fur of his face, surveyed her with animal wariness. All the other bears had left these woods by now, gone to search for salmon in the rivers. But Bjorn stayed behind. Waiting. For her. For this moment.

He dropped back on four legs, then prowled toward her, his enormous head swinging back and forth. Tansy fought to stay calm. He wouldn’t hurt her. He would remember. He always did. So far.

When he reached her, she held out a trembling hand. It looked so pale compared to his fur, which was the color of spiced chocolate. He sniffed at it, his hot breath wafting across her skin. Her lips parted. His breath smelled earthy and wild. It ignited desire deep in her belly. The bear rose up on his rear legs again, threw his head back and uttered a mighty roar.

If you skinned the fur coat off a bear, you’d be left with a form not unlike that of a human. Her people considered bears to be the closest to humans of any wild creature. Tansy knew this, but still, she stepped back. Some primitive instinct urged her to flee.

He was magnificent, this creature. Untamed. Unpredictable.

But the sun must have crossed the magic line, because in that instant the dark fur shimmered into something more pale. The massive body shrank, seeming to collapse in on itself. Limbs reformed, skin took the place of fur, and the face morphed from animal to man.

Her man.


Bjorn stood, blinking and naked, in the glade before her. It always took him a moment to get his bearings. She surveyed him greedily, running her eager gaze over each powerful ridge of muscle, each new scar, the longer length of his dark hair – she’d brought scissors in her basket. A new haircut was one of their rituals. He looked good. Handsome and strong. It had been a good winter, a fine spring. He was still alive. That was all that really mattered.

“Tansy.” His voice sounded like a rusting hinge. He cleared his throat. “My dearest love.”

She threw herself into his arms. He caught her up as though she was made of the most precious thistledown and swung her around.

“You’re here. You came.” His voice sounded thick with disuse.

“Of course. I’ll always come.” But they both knew there was no “of course” about it. Not many women could bear having a husband they could only mate with one day of the year.

His arms felt so good around her, so solid and real. Nothing else ever felt as wonderful as being in Bjorn’s arms. He pressed kisses into her neck, sending flutters through her body.

“Did you bring clothes?” That was another of their rituals. Haircut, clothes, the choicest morsels of food, a year’s worth of pleasures packed into a basket.

“Of course. But first…” She drew back and pulled the hem of her dress over her head. Nude and flushed, she faced him. His eyes darkened. “It’s been three hundred and sixty three days, twenty-three hours and fifty-nine minutes since I last saw you as a man. I don’t want to waste a minute.”

“Nor do I.” He drew her against him, curving one hand around her cheek with aching tenderness. “I love you so. You’re more beautiful every year.”

“Make love to me, husband.”

He lowered her to the soft grass. They had just under twenty-four hours to be together like this. Try as they might, the magic never lasted past Summer Solstice.

It was never enough, and yet more than enough.


Thanks for reading, and don't forget to leave a comment for some delicious Alaska coffee! I hope you'll roam around my website while you're here. My latest release is the #1 Samhain bestseller Restraining the Receptionist. Click here for more about it. Click here to get back on the Tour Bus. There are many more great stories and amazing prizes to be won -- including gift cards, books, and a grand prize of a NOOK!! Happy Solstice!

Peace and Love,

Juniper

Excerpt Monday

Welcome to Excerpt Monday! My name is Juniper Bell, and my latest release is Restraining the Receptionist from Samhain. Here's the blurb and an ADULT excerpt.

Every deal has a loophole.


Restraining the Receptionist

© 2011 Juniper Bell

…the Receptionist, Book 2

Dana Arthur’s new job with the firm of Cowell & Dirk is going well. Translation: the occasionally kinky ménage with her two bosses, Ethan and Simon, has been several months of politically incorrect bliss.

Except the relationship feels unbalanced. While Ethan is the undisputed master, the partners’ iron-clad agreement stipulates that Simon must be present as she performs her “duties”. And she senses there’s a subtle, powerful tug-of-war developing for more than just her body.

Simon had agreed to share the firm’s fiery, sensually daring receptionist…to a point. With Simon out of town, Ethan plans a feast of erotic temptations designed to have Dana begging him to break the deal. He didn’t realize his heart would be a casualty.

Once she surrenders to his wicked demands, Dana realizes there’s no going back. It’s time for a three-way renegotiation…this time, all or nothing.

Warning: NSFW!! Do Not Try This at Your Job. Contains highly inappropriate workplace behavior including m/f/m, m/m, bondage, creative use of office space and a high-stakes trip to Atlantic City.

Enjoy the following excerpt for Restraining the Receptionist:

My unpredictable number one boss showed up in a new mood the next day. I’d never seen him light-hearted before. Now that I had an idea about his history, not a big surprise. But that’s exactly how he seemed when he breezed into the office. He wore casual clothes, blue jeans and a light blue open-collared shirt that made his eyes look like summer without the smog.

“I’ve got no pesky clients today, luv,” he told me, without pausing by my desk to check my outfit, which he usually did. “I’d like you to order us a picnic lunch.”

“Huh?”

“Picnic. You have those in America, right? Or are they banned in the great state of New York?”

“We have them, but you can’t even spread out a blanket without kicking aside a stray used needle or two.” As soon as I said it I remembered the heroin. “I…I’m sorry,” I stammered.

But my thoughtless reference didn’t make him miss a beat. “A little local color will add to the experience, I’m sure. Handle the details and we’ll go around noon.”

Did a picnic violate the terms of our deal? Ethan and I would be doing something outside of work, just the two of us, something intimate. Almost like a date. But he hadn’t suggested anything physical. It was lunch. We both had to eat, right? It seemed perfectly harmless.

Since I was working from the company petty cash fund, I called up the neighborhood yuppie café where they served giant organic sandwiches. On my budget, I would have gone for a Subway footlong. But Ethan would no doubt demand something better.

We held our picnic on a concrete bench in a sweltering park a few blocks away from the office. Dog walkers and stroller-pushers, listless from the heat, wandered by now and then, but otherwise we were alone. The humid heat pressed on us like a steam iron. My hair stuck to my cheeks as I bit into my upscale sandwich.

Ethan didn’t comment on the slabs of free-range chicken that had probably been hand-raised and read bedtime stories before being slaughtered and inserted into a sandwich. He did remove the unruly mound of bean sprouts and toss it to a nearby pigeon. The pigeon pecked at the stuff, clucked scornfully and waddled the other direction.

I couldn’t help giggling at Ethan’s wounded expression. “I wouldn’t take it personally,” I told him. “He’s a New York pigeon. He’s used to eating dog crap.”

He chuckled. “Have you lived here your whole life, Dana?”

The sheer ordinariness of the question unnerved me. “Well, except for that semester abroad in Paris, and the year I spent in Fiji with the Peace Corps. I’m joking,” I added, when he didn’t laugh.

“Oh. Well, I’m certainly familiar with your sense of humor, but I confess I don’t understand the joke. You could have done those things.”

I let out a spurt of laughter that startled the pigeon. “I had other things to do.”

“Like what?”

“Like dodge my father’s fists after a drinking binge.”

“Ah.” Ethan didn’t show sympathy or disapproval or anything else. He chewed on his stack of multi-grain goodness. “And your mother?”

“No clue. My father always said she ran away, but for all I know he has her body dismembered in a freezer somewhere.”

That earned me a sharp taste of Blue Fury.

“I’m kidding. I have a dark sense of humor. My father’s not that bad. And my stepmother would have gone for poison instead.”

A crack of laughter from Ethan. “You really are something, you know that? You fascinate me.”

I filled my mouth with sandwich so I didn’t have to answer that. I was very much afraid the fascination was mutual. We settled into a munching, digesting kind of silence. He had one ankle crossed over the opposite knee, and occasionally his bent leg would brush against mine. Every time it happened, a little jolt of awareness zinged straight to my groin. Did he know it was happening? Was he doing it deliberately?

“Your knee keeps touching me.”

“Does it?” He didn’t move away.

“That’s against the rules.”

“So sorry.” But he didn’t look sorry. He looked entirely unconcerned, even though he moved his knee away. “One of these days we must write these rules down. For instance, is all physical contact forbidden while Simon is away, or only that of a sexual nature?”

Lord, why did he have to say “sexual” with that spark in his eyes and that slant of his eyebrow? It wasn’t fair, damn it.

“Another example. I’ve been longing to tell you how delicious you look today and how the shadow of your nipples through the fabric of your blouse keeps drawing my eyes. But is verbal praise also off-limits, since I’d be unable to keep it G-rated, I’m afraid?”

“You can’t see my nipples through my blouse!” I looked down to make sure.

“Oh, yes, I can. I know what they’re doing right now. They’re just beginning to stir to life. You’re probably feeling a pleasant prickling as they become engorged. I’ve realized something about you, you know. The sound of my voice has a powerful effect on you.”

So right he was. I tried to block out his voice. Might as well try to stop the Hudson River.

“In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if I could bring you to orgasm just with my voice. I wouldn’t have to touch you at all. All I’d have to do is tell you what I wanted to do to you. I’d tell you how much I want to bend you over this bench and take you in the open air. Or how much I’d like to tie you to that birch tree over there, open your blouse and bring you to orgasm with my fist up your cunt. Sure, someone might see. For instance, those three fellows playing Frisbee over there. It’s entirely possible they’d start to notice when I tied your hands behind the tree and ripped off your blouse. Maybe they’d even come running to your rescue.”

His gravelly voice hypnotized me so I could practically picture the scene. My body melted into a shivery puddle of craving.

“And then, of course, I’d have no choice but to invite them to join us, either as witnesses or participants. They look like red-blooded, able-bodied, clean-cut gentlemen, nothing to fear. I’d have to convince them you were willing. More than willing. Eager. I’d have to show them how wet you already were, just from having your breasts exposed. You like being exposed, don’t you?”

“Stop,” I murmured. This was going into an area we’d never touched. Other men had had no place in our games so far.

As soon as I told him to stop, he did. And as soon as he did, I wanted him to start again. After all, what was the harm? He was going there in imagination only.

“Well…” I cleared my throat. “Would you let them touch my breasts?”

“I’d give them a chance, see how they behaved. Not just anyone gets to touch my Dana. Our Dana, I should say.”

I winced at the reminder of the absent Simon. But I was too caught up in Ethan’s hypothetical scenario to be bothered for long.

“Our Dana’s luscious nipples deserve nothing other than sweet tender care. Long, lingering suckles. Perhaps a man to each nipple, and one to jerk himself off as he watches. That should get you started, I’d say. You’d be making those adorable little whimpering sounds. But perhaps I’d begin to sense that you want more, that you need the grip of cold metal on your flesh.”

The image made my belly clench with need. My nipples were as hard as the bench we sat on. I thought I would suffocate if this went on much longer. I turned a pleading look on him. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of nipple clamps.

This was way over the line, totally against our rules, but I banished that thought from my mind. I nodded, biting my lip. I didn’t care who watched as he reached inside my blouse and fastened the silver clips to my nipples. The sweet pain of it made me sag against him and sigh. Exquisite relief flooded me. I leaned against him as if he were a boulder. When I looked down, the clips were clearly visible through my blouse. But I didn’t care. Ethan would take care of me.

Click here to buy.

Thanks for stopping by!

Peace and love,

Juniper

Friday, June 17, 2011

Weekend News Update

I'm thrilled beyond belief that RESTRAINING THE RECEPTIONIST has reached the #1 spot on the Samhain bestseller list! Thank you so much to the readers who made that happen. Love you! It's still available at a reduced rate of $2.45 for a few more days right here.

In other news, GO WILD has been reviewed by Whipped Cream and received 5 cherries. Here are some choice bits from the review:

Lars is one of the most gorgeous and darling athletes I’ve ever read about...I’m surprised this novella didn’t burst into flames as I flew through the pages. Each love scene was blistering and unique...I would recommend this book to someone looking for a scintillating novella.

And here's the link to the full review.

They sent me this cute little button. GO WILD will be part of the "Best book of the week" contest this weekend, so stop by and vote if you feel so inspired!


And my third news item: my Ellora's Cave editor has contracted GO DEEP, the next story in the Wild, Alaska series. The release date has yet to be determined, but I should be able to post the cover soon.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Release Day for Restraining the Receptionist

It's here! Restraining the Receptionist, the sequel to Training the Receptionist, is now available for download at the Samhain site and at Amazon for Kindle. Here are the links.



And here's the blurb. I hope you enjoy the next installment in the story of Dana, Ethan and Simon.

Restraining the Receptionist

Every deal has a loophole.


…the Receptionist, Book 2

Dana Arthur’s new job with the firm of Cowell & Dirk is going well. Translation: the occasionally kinky ménage with her two bosses, Ethan and Simon, has been several months of politically incorrect bliss.

Except the relationship feels unbalanced. While Ethan is the undisputed master, the partners’ iron-clad agreement stipulates that Simon must be present as she performs her “duties”. And she senses there’s a subtle, powerful tug-of-war developing for more than just her body.

Simon had agreed to share the firm’s fiery, sensually daring receptionist…to a point. With Simon out of town, Ethan plans a feast of erotic temptations designed to have Dana begging him to break the deal. He didn’t realize his heart would be a casualty.

Once she surrenders to his wicked demands, Dana realizes there’s no going back. It’s time for a three-way renegotiation…this time, all or nothing.

Product Warnings

NSFW!! Do Not Try This at Your Job. Contains highly inappropriate workplace behavior including m/f/m, m/m, bondage, creative use of office space and a high-stakes trip to Atlantic City.



Friday, June 10, 2011

Restraining the Receptionist at Samhain



Did you know that you can pre-order Restraining the Receptionist -- or any other book that catches your eye -- at the Samhain bookstore, and save? Yes, it's a new feature, and a great one in my opinion. Here's the link. Enjoy!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

First Review for Restraining the Receptionist

With the release of Restraining the Receptionist less than two weeks away, I'm already getting reviews. (I'm not sure why! I don't usually get reviews before the book comes out.) I especially love this review from Whipped Cream Reviews. Here are a couple snippets and the link to the full review.

If you have read the first book in this series than you must read this latest installment of Dana’s adventures with Simon and Ethan. Restraining the Receptionist takes you on an emotional ride that never slows down. Dana must take a hard look at herself and her feelings for these two men. Will she choose to stay or will she choose to go? ...

Juniper Bell writes an emotional, sexy story full of love and trust. ... This was a wonderful story and I cannot wait to see just what Ethan and Simon have in store for Dana next.

You can read the rest here.

June 14, here we come!

Love, Juniper