Showing posts with label Juniper Bell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Juniper Bell. Show all posts

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Midsummer Night's Dream-Man Blog Hop



Welcome! I'm Juniper Bell. In my upcoming Regency Erotica release, MY THREE MASTERS, the young nurse Miranda Brown spends her nights in feverish fantasies about her master, the Marquis the Beaumont:

In the dark, my face burned as I recalled some of the Marquise’s stories about her husband. At Eton he’d been caught in bed with three students and a professor—at the same time. He was equally voracious with men and women, and his sexual appetites knew no bounds. I’m ashamed to admit that I lived for those stories. Shocking and titillating though they were, when I crawled into my tiny cot in my mistress’s dressing room, I thought of nothing else. It was as if I were transported into another world. A dungeon, perhaps, where I hung helplessly in chains, my arms stretched overhead, my naked body exposed to the ruthless black gaze of the devil himself. With that sardonic twist of his mouth, he’d come closer, closer, then he’d lift one gloved hand, touch his finger to my nipple and a shivery sensation would sing through me. I’d sag against the chains, panting and begging for… I knew not what.

Exclusive for the Midsummer Night’s Dream-Man Blog Hop, here’s an expanded, “deleted scene” glimpse into Miranda’s forbidden dream world. 



 Miranda's Midsummer Dream

The expensive leather of the Marquis’s glove felt like a tabby cat’s tongue against my tender nipple. No one had ever touched me there before. Only once had I done so myself, when I crept to a mirror late at night and explored myself by the light of a candle. I’d pinched my own nipples between my fingers, shocked by the sweetness that lanced through me. This was different. The Marquis lifted my nipple as if he owned it, as if he knew something about it I did not. And so he did. He knew that if he rubbed it between the thumb and forefinger of his gloved hand, it would answer with a pulsating burn. He knew it would grow plump and swollen under his attentions. He knew that golden fire would streak to my belly and make the hidden place between my legs ache with need.

I couldn’t bear it. I twisted as far as I could to make him stop.

“What do you think you’re doing?” With one firm hand, he gripped my waist, his thumb pressing into the little dip inside my hip bone. I burned, flames licking at my sex.

“Stop. Please stop.”

“Little liar.” Still holding my hip steady, he bunched one of my bosoms high, a ferocious gesture that made my nipple stand out, red and eager, like a saluting soldier. “You want this more than your next breath. Admit it.”

He flicked his thumb against my frantic nipple. Fever flashed through me, a lunatic, wild need I’d never felt before. “No!” I cried. My body contradicted me, swaying toward him with shameless want. My body might be like softened candle wax in his hands, but I’d claim my independence with my words.

He gave a low, amused chuckle, then shifted his hand from my hip to my bottom, where it joined my upper thigh. He squeezed hard, spreading the two globes apart, even as he lowered his mouth to my bosom. My eyes widened at the sight of his black head bent over my chest, and then I felt a warm, wet sucking at the nipple.

A brilliant spasm ripped through me. I arched my entire body toward him. I thought I might die. Of shock? Of pleasure? It was all the same. I moaned something that had no words. Lucky it didn’t, because they would have been embarrassing pleas for more.

“Tell me again that you don’t want me to take you,” growled the Marquis around my nipple. “That your hot little quim isn’t begging me to fuck you hard and long.”

Forbidden words, nasty words, thrilling words that I’d only heard from the Marquise’s stories. I shook my head violently from side to side.

A rough finger entered me, sliding into the slippery cave of my sheltered innocence. Why so slick and liquid? I didn’t know. I knew only a restless craving for something hard, something that would rub the itch I couldn’t reach, the need I didn’t understand. I pushed against the finger, desperate for contact. The palm of his glove deliberately brushed against a spot I knew well from my own nighttime explorations. It flamed into glorious life, more radiant than the solitary candle that lit our dungeon.

He knew it, too. Of course he did. The Marquis knew everything. He pressed against that spot, just so, making subtle circles that made my legs tremble.

“Oh please,” I whispered.

“Please stop?” Oh, that sardonic, mocking tone! I wanted to hit him. I wanted to bite him. I wanted to devour him. The hand between my legs slowed to a crawl, dragging a long, lingering stroke along my soaking wet cleft.

“No,” I whispered. “No!”

“No what?” He dipped his head to my bosom and scraped his teeth along my nipple. “No to this?”

I shook my head wildly. I didn’t know the right answer. I knew only that I’d die if he stopped.

“No to this?” He tightened his possessive grip on my sex, sending shooting stars all the way to my toes, which lifted off the floor. All my weight rested on his hand; as did all my happiness. He gave me a slight shake. I felt my bosom jiggle in the cool dungeon air. Surely steam must be rising off me.

“No!” I wailed the word. “No!”

“Never say no to your master,” growled the Marquis.. “Understand?”

“Yes,” Speared on his gloved hand, I shrieked as he ruthlessly worked his way deeper into my passage. He sucked my nipple into his mouth. “Yes!” And then he rubbed against that magic spot, that engorged and sensitized button, and I shattered. “Ye-eeeess,” I sang as I spiraled into a realm of pure sensation, a world where pleasure echoed through me like the deep tolls of a bell, a world so different from …

A bell. A bell was indeed ringing. My mistress’s bell. I blinked, lying on my narrow cot, my hand between my legs. I snatched it away, my own sharp scent rising to my nostrils.

“Miranda!”

I wiped my hand on my shift and swung my legs over the edge of my cot. My heart skipped and fluttered as I tried to regain my equilibrium. It was time to resume my duties. My dull, dreary days of tending to the Marquise and living for mere glimpses of the Marquis de Beaumont. Time to resume the long wait for the night, when my dreams would reign and the Marquis would come for me once again. 

MY THREE MASTERS will be out on August 2 from Ellora’s Cave. You can add it to your wishlist here, and read the blurb and an excerpt by scrolling down. To celebrate, I’m running a special side contest for all you blog-hoppers. If you leave me a comment, I’ll put you in the running for a copy of the first book in this series, MY THREE LORDS. The two books are both stand-alones, but hey – the more smutty Regency fun, the better, right?

To return to the blog hop, click the banner at the top of this post. Happy midsummer night’s dreamin'! 

Monday, December 3, 2012

"Red-hot eroticism"






The first big review of UNLEASHING THE RECEPTIONIST is in! Lily at Romance Junkies gave it 4 1/2 blue ribbons and had this to say:


"UNLEASHING THE RECEPTIONIST zings with red-hot eroticism.  Author Juniper Bell mixes tantalizing sex scenes with genuine romantic warmth in the third book in …THE RECEPTIONIST series."

Full review here

What a great way to kick off a bone-chilling Monday here in Alaska. Have a great week, my friends!

xoxo
Juniper

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Special Offer from Samhain

Hi everyone - 

I wanted to share this special offer from Samhain Publishing.

Use "TRICKORTREAT" as a coupon code for any of our 8 featured October titles, and receive 30% off! (exp. 10/31/12)

UNLEASHING THE RECEPTIONIST is one of the 8 featured titles (yay!!) along with new books from Lorelei James, Erin Nicholas, and more. The 3rd book in the Receptionist series comes out on October 30, so if you go ahead and preorder it now, you won't miss the special. Here's the link: 

Click to preorder


Enjoy!! And happy October! 

Juniper 
 

Thursday, May 10, 2012

"A Fantastically Hot Read"

I absolutely love this review of BEAUTIFUL OBSESSION from Riverina Romantics. It's the first review I've seen, and I wasn't sure if my unusual narrative technique would work. But this reviewer totally got it. Choice line:

"Sweet baby Moses floating down the river! Talk about a fantastically hot read! This novella by Juniper Bell was just what the doctor ordered."

http://www.riverinaromantics.blogspot.com/2012/05/review-beautiful-obsession-by-juniper.html

So if you're wondering whether to give BEAUTIFUL OBSESSION a try, maybe this review will help make up your mind!

Click to buy.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Six Sentence Sunday


For Six Sentence Sunday this week, here are six ADULT sentences from my upcoming Ellora's Cave release, "Beautiful Obsession." Read on only if you don't mind explicit content.


I sat on a washing machine with my legs spread open. I still had my pocket watch, the one I’d pretended was broken. I wrapped the chain around my hand and drove it down my pants like a madwoman. With the chain pressed against my cunt, and the washing machine vibrating under me, I thought about J – his big, hulking shoulders – black shadow on his jaw – the way his midnight black eyes strip the clothes right off me – the swelling in his jeans – oh God. The chain bit into my clit—I needed that, the harshness, the pressure. I came so hard I bit my arm to keep from making too much noise.


 
 For more Six Sentence Sunday offerings from some pretty darn fabulous authors, click here. Enjoy!

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

GO DEEP is out today!

I love release days ... it's kind of like an extra birthday. Today is the release of GO DEEP from Ellora's Cave. It's the second in a series set during the winter festival Wild Nights in Wild, Alaska. Here's the blurb and another excerpt, a hot one this time. Enjoy!


Click to Buy

Go Deep
Juniper Bell

A standalone sequel to Go Wild.

Beth is the shy, dreamy type. No one guesses at the wild sexual thoughts she hides behind that quiet façade. She doesn’t even share her secret longings with her husband.

Gavin loves his wife, but he’s tired of living in a marriage in which neither he nor Beth reveal their true desires. When Gavin sees Beth’s response to an erotic bondage photo in her framing shop, he jumps at the opportunity to break through her barriers.

He accepts an invitation to a showcase match for the amateur hockey team he coaches during Wild Nights, the infamous winter festival during which “anything goes, nothing counts.” But he’s opened a sensual Pandora’s box—Beth has some surprises of her own. When she meets Eagle, a free-spirited Wild resident, she knows he’s the perfect man to help enact her erotic fantasies. And once they go deep, there’s no going back.


ADULT EXCERPT

When Gavin stepped naked into the room, the world had changed.
Beth sat on the bed with a man. A stranger. He had long black hair and straight black eyebrows. He was dark-skinned, with some Native Alaska blood, perhaps. His eyes met Gavin’s. He’s a wild thing, thought Gavin. Free. A creature of the wilderness.
Gavin remembered that he was naked. The hell if he’d try to hide himself in his own cabin. Hockey players weren’t exactly shy. He was very used to being bare-ass in front of other men. His eyes traveled back to Beth’s, looking for guidance. She blinked twice, looking anxious. The tip of her tongue made a quick pass across her lips.
“In the photograph,” she whispered, “there were two men.”
Two men. He looked at the intruder again. The man returned his gaze steadily.
“My name’s Eagle,” he said in a deep voice. “Your wife asked me to come.”
“I met him at the ice pond. He…I asked him to help.”
Gavin’s heart skipped a beat at the plaintive tone in her voice. His poor girl must be terrified of his reaction. But she’d done what he wanted. She’d summoned the courage to bare her fantasy like this.
Eagle spoke. “I told her I’d have to meet you first.” A little zing of heat traveled between the two of them.
“Well—” Gavin had to clear his throat. “What do you…”
“I’m into it.” The quick answer made Gavin’s cock jump. “If you are.”
Gavin looked at Beth, her face flushed, tilted away from him. “I want to make her happy. But this is new to me. To us.”
“Yeah, I get that. I’m a little nervous too.” Eagle’s dry tone made all three of them relax. “How about we start with the photograph. Your wife told me about it. You’ve seen it.”
Obviously not all of it. But he nodded.
“Figured we could go from there. Nothing’s going to happen that you, me and Beth aren’t okay about.”
Gavin felt his nervousness ease. He wouldn’t just be a spectator. He had some control over what was to come.
“It sounded hot, that photo. Two men, one woman. She’s naked, but they aren’t.” Eagle brought his hand to the neckline of Beth’s catsuit.
Gavin took in a deep breath. Beth’s eyes were cast down, toward the floor. He had the urge to take her into his arms, squirrel her away under the covers. But that’s not what she wanted right now. “Unzip her,” he said.
* * * * *
The relief made Beth so dizzy she barely noticed when Eagle unzipped her catsuit. A whoosh of air on her nipples sent a shaft of excitement through her insides. This was actually happening. A strange man was actually undressing her, just as she’d dreamed ever since she’d seen that photo. And maybe before…
Her eyelids drooped and she let her head fall back. She wanted to be handled like a baby, like a toy. She’d done her part—she’d brought the three of them together and showed them what she wanted. Now she wanted to put herself in their hands. Two men using her, pleasuring her. Eagle spread the two sides of her catsuit apart, exposing her torso to Gavin’s scalding gaze.
“In the photo,” said Eagle. “One man is fondling her, the other man is watching.”
Beth moaned. Hearing him speak it aloud was unbearably arousing. Eagle touched her nipple, lightly, but that was enough to make her entire body jump like a fish.
“You’re making me hot,” muttered Eagle. He spread his palm across her chest, between her breasts, so her two nipples peaked on either side of his hand. The heavy warmth of his hand, just above her heart, gave her a melting sensation. Eagle shifted her so she sat between his legs, leaning her back against his hard chest. She breathed in his scent, like fresh forest air. So different from Gavin’s.
Raising her eyes to her husband’s, she felt another wave of relief that he was still here, that he hadn’t run off or called it quits. The opposite, in fact. She knew that look on his face. It meant he wanted her, desperately. His cock reared between his legs in proud arousal. He looked magnificent, like a naked warrior. She knew that Eagle admired the sight as much as she did when his cock hardened behind her.
Two stiff cocks. The thought made her head spin.
She shifted restlessly, needing more.
Eagle plucked at her nipples. The rough friction sent shock waves straight to her sex. She arched and twisted against the white vinyl of the catsuit still hugging her hips.
“You want out of this thing, sweetheart?” Eagle asked.
She nodded manically. He took his hands from her nipples and pushed the catsuit down as far as he could reach. Gavin kneeled down in front of her and peeled it off her legs. It was a two-man operation, with Eagle lifting her ass up while Gavin pulled the suit down. The feeling of being stripped by two men gave her a deep, unaccountable thrill.
When her body was free of it, she wriggled deliciously, feeling like a butterfly released from a cocoon. Her body flushed with a giddy sense of freedom.
For the first time in her life, she was completely naked in front of two men. And it felt good, so good.
Her skin breathed in the warm air, basked in their appreciative gazes. Where was her shyness, her restraint? Gone with the cocoon, she supposed.
“You’re a knockout,” said Eagle in a thickened voice. The fact that he was getting so turned-on gave her an extra thrill. He cupped her breasts in his warm hands, so dark against her pale skin. He thumbed her nipples. Heat shafted to her belly. She responded with a throaty moan that would have embarrassed the old Beth. She spread her legs apart and smelled her own arousal, piercing and sweet.
“I have to lick her now,” said Gavin in a voice raspy with lust.
“Do it,” Eagle urged. He scraped his thumbnails across her aroused nipples until she wanted to scream. It felt strange to have them discussing her like that. Strange and intoxicating.
Gavin crouched between her legs, strong hands on her inner thighs. She could tell he was restraining himself from taking her like a savage beast. His black hair brushed against her inner thighs. Goose bumps pebbled across her flesh. He spread open her lips and tasted her clit with delicate stabs of his tongue.
Oh God! She thrashed from side to side, or tried to. Eagle held her arms bound to her sides in a tight embrace. Gavin took one of her buttocks in each hand, his large thumbs pressing into the upper part of her thighs. His strength made her liquefy. Strong man at her pussy, strong man at her breasts. Her body theirs to tease, stroke, torment.


HUGS!

Juniper 

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

GO DEEP Excerpt #1

Ellora's Cave has an excerpt from Go Deep on their coming soon page, but I thought I'd post another one for some variety. Enjoy!


A standalone sequel to Go Wild.


Beth is the shy, dreamy type. No one guesses at the wild sexual thoughts she hides behind that quiet façade. She doesn’t even share her secret longings with her husband.


Gavin loves his wife, but he’s tired of living in a marriage in which neither he nor Beth reveal their true desires. When Gavin sees Beth’s response to an erotic bondage photo in her framing shop, he jumps at the opportunity to break through her barriers.


He accepts an invitation to a showcase match for the amateur hockey team he coaches during Wild Nights, the infamous winter festival during which “anything goes, nothing counts.” But he’s opened a sensual Pandora’s box—Beth has some surprises of her own. When she meets Eagle, a free-spirited Wild resident, she knows he’s the perfect man to help enact her erotic fantasies. And once they go deep, there’s no going back.


EXCERPT


The final touch was the mask. Once she put that on, she screwed up her courage to look at herself in the bathroom mirror. At the sight of her reflection, a surge of such fierce power rushed through her that she had to steady herself on the bathtub. The woman who stared back was an erotic work of art. She was sensual, stunning, alluring. She was someone else. Someone who didn’t jump at the sound of a quiet rapping on the door.

She was someone who sauntered to that door and opened it slowly, teasingly drawing out the moment.

Someone who didn’t recognize the man who faced her.

The man who must be Gavin scorched her body with a long, deliberate look from head to toe. Every part of her came to life under his scrutiny.

“Gavin?” Her voice sounded tinny to her own ears. “That’s you, isn’t it?”

He was dressed all in black and wore a black mask that covered the upper part of his face. He looked dangerous and very, very sexy. Her eyes drifted to his pants. Black leather. His shirt was made of softer material that clung to his muscles. He looked like a lethal cat burglar who planned to surprise some lucky lady in her bedroom and steal her jewels right after ravishing her.

She shivered at the fantasy.

“Let’s go,” Gavin said. His voice sounded lower, rougher than normal. And his tone left no room for anything other than obedience.

“Out there?” She shook her head in panic. “I don’t want anyone to see me.”

“Well, I do.” There was that tone again.

“Gavin, be reasonable. I mean, look at me.” She looked down at her chest, where darkened nipples pushed against the fabric. The sight gave her a wild pulse of excitement. She looked like someone in a movie. Or in a photograph. The photograph flashed into her mind. Her knees went weak.

“I’m looking. So will every man out there. They’ll all wish you belonged to them. But you don’t. You belong to me. Time to go.”

He opened his hand. A leather collar nestled in his palm. A collar just like the one…

She went faint. Gavin had seen the photograph. He knew all the dirty thoughts she’d had. All the air seemed to disappear from her lungs and the room blurred. Would he scorn her now? Shun her as she deserved?

“I’m going to put this on you now,” came Gavin’s stern voice, like a lifeline through her fog. “Once it’s on, you must do what I say. I wouldn’t want to have to use the leash, but I will if I have to.”

She shook her head quickly. She didn’t want a leash. Or maybe she did. Unbearable excitement pounded through her veins. He came close, his presence so overwhelmingly powerful she bowed her head to him. She smelled the spicy, rawhide scent of leather and felt his fingers on her skin. He turned her so her back was to him. Stiff, cool leather surrounded her neck. As soon as he fastened the collar, a strange feeling came over her. By marking her like this, wasn’t he assuming responsibility for her? Anything that happened after this, anything she did, would be his doing.

No one could blame her. Especially not…but she pushed the ghost away.

This was Wild Nights, and she was wearing a mask and a collar. Anything could happen and it would be all right. The sense of freedom intoxicated her.

“Who are you?” she asked him without raising her head, surprising herself with the question. Maybe she wanted the illusion to be complete.

Gavin ran his index finger along the lower edge of the collar, back to front, testing its tightness. Then he went lower, across the exposed skin between the collar and the netting. She wondered if he could feel the frantic beat of the pulse in her throat. He seemed more interested in the curve of her breast, following the plump flesh to the edge of her nipple. There, he scratched the nipple with his thumbnail.

A shivering, silvery feeling shot through her. Her tongue tingled and her whole body jerked in response.

Good God, where had that come from? She never jerked like that. She was always calm and cool, even in bed. But the person who had put on this outfit, the person who loved the feel of a collar around her neck, that person had jerked.

With his thumbnail, he drew a line along the edge of the corset to her other nipple. She held her breath, bracing herself for the thumbnail, but instead he squeezed the nipple between his thumb and forefinger. Squeezed and rolled until a sound ripped from her throat that she’d never heard before, never even imagined. A sensual, guttural, needy sound.

Still squeezing her nipple, he leaned close to her ear and said hoarsely, “I’m your master. The master of your body. Everything here is mine. And I intend to use it exactly as I please. Understand?”

Her senses whirling, she nodded.

“As your master, I demand one thing you cannot deny me.”

“Wha… What?”

He tightened his hold on her nipple, plucking it until she cried out. With his other hand he pulled her against his body. She felt his aroused shaft against her ass.

“This. Your response. You are forbidden to hold anything back. Anything. I want your cries, your moans, your screams, your curses, I want to hear it all.”

Coming September 7 from Ellora's Cave.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Go Deep Cover Art

I just learned this cover has been approved for posting! This is for Go Deep, the next story in my Wild, Alaska series. It'll be out soon from Ellora's Cave, but I don't have the release date yet. Dar Albert designed the cover and I absolutely love it. Thanks, Dar!

Juniper

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Summer Fun

I went a little crazy and signed up for all kinds of summer contests. Yep, I'm giving away prizes all over the Internet. Here's a list -- I may have to update it soon because more fun events keep popping up!

The Romance Reviews is having a Sizzling Summer Reads party. This one is really fun -- amazing prizes and all you have to do is answer some cute (and easy) questions about the books. The Erotic party (yes, that's me) goes until July 28.



The Long and Short of It Reviews is having an enormous 4th Anniversary Bash. (Happy Anniversary, I love you guys!) They're celebrating with a scavenger hunt from July 30 to August 28, culminating in a two-day blowout party on August 27-28. I believe I'll be chatting for an hour on the 27th at 3pm EST. Prizes for this one include 2 $150 gift certificates and a Nook Color.

Next comes the Romance Junkies Summer Splash Contest. This one goes all summer, until August 31. It's so cool -- when you click on this link, you'll come to a page with three postcards on it. Each postcard contains many contests (you scroll your mouse to see the various authors and publishers.) I'm on postcard #3, and I'm giving away a $10 Sephora gift certificate. And winning is easy, I promise!

Having fun yet? There's more. On August 27-28 I'll be taking part in The Romance Studio's End of Summer Blowout party. I'm sure I'll give away prizes for that one too, but I don't know what yet. Any ideas?

I hope to see you at one or more of these events, and that you win a fun prize!

Happy Summer!

Juniper

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

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, March 30, 2011

Restraining the Receptionist comes out June 14!


Click here for Samhain's Coming Soon page, with an excerpt. And here's the blurb:

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.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Romance Trading Cards


Have you heard about the new Romance Trading Cards? A lot of authors are making them to hand out at RT and RWA, as well as Lori Foster's event and other romance hotspots! I'm going to be at RT in Los Angeles -- hope to see you there! -- and I chose to do this card in honor of the Training the Receptionist sequel coming out in June. I hope you like it!

And speaking of the sequel ... hot off the presses, here's the blurb.

RESTRAINING THE RECEPTIONIST

…the Receptionist, Book 2

Every deal has a loophole.

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.

The release date is June 14. I can hardly wait!

Peace and Love,

Juniper

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

First Reviews for Go Wild

It's always a relief when you get your first reviews and they're not a disaster. Great reviews are even better, of course! The first reviews of GO WILD are coming in, so I thought I'd share a couple.

Romance Junkies gave it 4 blue ribbons and had some great things to say. Here's a sample:

"a deliciously dirty story ... Juniper Bell weaves a spell binding story that will make you shiver with delight ...While GO WILD is definitely erotic, at its core this is a love story...it was a fantastic read from start to finish!'


Night Owl Reviews calls GO WILD a "smoking hot story" and gave it 4 stars. You can click on the two links to read the complete reviews.

Big thanks to the reviewers who took the time to read GO WILD and share their thoughts. Reviewing books isn't easy -- I sure couldn't do it! But someone has to, and I truly appreciate you guys.

Peace and Love,

Juniper

Friday, February 18, 2011

Best Book of 2010 Nomination


Whipped Cream Reviews is a great review site for erotic romance, which is why I was incredibly honored to find out that MY THREE LORDS is nominated for the Best Book of 2010. A lot of great books are in the running. I was a little starstruck looking at the list, to be honest. Here's the link in case you feel inspired to vote for MY THREE LORDS or for any of the other books up for the award. Voting goes through February 27.

VOTE HERE


Thank you! I hope this doesn't come off as crowing, but if you can't share good news on your own blog, where can you?

Peace and Love,

Juniper

Friday, February 11, 2011

Spreading the Love - Valentine's Blog Tour

I'm Juniper Bell, and welcome to my stop on the Valentine's Blog Hop. I've got a lot of love to spread around right now -- I just got married! Six weeks ago I said "I do" (figuratively speaking, since we used our own version of the vows.) What amazes me the most about marriage is that someone agreed to put up with all my quirks and flaws and neuroses on a permanent basis. And vice versa, of course. There's something incredibly moving about that, which helped inspire my interpretation of the beautiful photograph chosen for this blog hop. So, flowers are nice...


sexy lingerie is fun...
but true love trumps it all.

“What’d you say?” Olivia stared down at Randall, a silly, unstoppable grin spreading across her face.

“Don’t tell me you’re going to make me say it again.” He made laughing, puppy dog eyes at her. That same look had gotten her into this fix—out on a date with him, into bed with him, and now...

“No, don’t you dare! If you say it again I’ll have to smack you.” She hoped her smile took the sting out of her words. “We talked about this, remember?”

“You talked, but you didn’t make any sense. This makes sense.”

“What kind of sense? You could have anyone. Someone who can give you what you want. What you need. I told you from day one.”

“Trying to scare me off. Told you it wouldn’t work—from day one.”

She saw the determination in the set of his jaw. He was different, this man. She’d always known it, which was why she’d been honest with him from the start. He was different and wonderful, and he deserved better than her. But the thought of giving him up gave her an ache in the pit of her stomach.

“So…you don’t care?” She whispered.

“Course I care. About you. About the future we’re going to have. The family we’re going to have.”

Her breath caught. “But I told you—“

“I know, baby. I know. I remember every word. I had to look some of them up in a medical dictionary, but I remember. There’s a word you left out, though.”

“What?”

“Adoption.”

She bit her lip and looked down at the rose in his hand. Of course she hadn’t mentioned adoption. Most men she dated didn’t want to hear about that kind of stuff.

“There’s another word too. Love. I love you, Olivia, and that’s it. End of story. The rest is details. Nothing we can’t work out.”

Her eyes filled with tears.

“Now are you going to say yes before my knees dig holes in this floor?”

Her smile held all the “yes” he could ever want.


For a very different, much steamier marriage proposal, check out my newest release, GO WILD from Ellora's Cave. How many men does it take to convince one free spirited woman to say yes? Click here to find out.

Thanks for stopping by! Here's the link to get back on the tour bus. Have a wonderful Valentine's Day weekend!

Peace and Love,

Juniper

Friday, February 4, 2011

GO WILD is out!


Tips from Wild, Alaska on how to survive a long, hard winter:

1. Throw a party

2. Make it last all weekend

3. Follow one rule – “Anything goes, nothing counts.”

4. GO WILD

Tonight, you're invited to Wild Nights 2011!

Let off a little steam, crank up the heat, and see what happens when Lars Nordegren pulls out all the stops to get Katia Pollard to say “yes.”

Go Wild

Juniper Bell

Lars loves Katia. Katia loves Lars. Lars wants to marry Katia. Can he convince his free-spirited lover that marriage will be as fun as her sexually adventurous single days?

Never before has Katia been tempted to give up her carefree ways. She’s deeply in love with Lars, but she doesn’t know if he can handle her wild side—or needs.

But Lars is a hard man to resist. The former Olympic champion won’t give up—not when he knows just how to please her.

The people of Wild, Alaska know the best way to survive winter is to let off a little steam. When Lars’ buddies hit town for Wild Nights, a notorious winter festival with one rule—“anything goes, nothing counts”—he jumps at the chance to prove he’s the perfect man for Katia.

He vows to win her over, even if it takes four rugged Alaska men and one wildly erotic night in a sauna.

Note: Features an extended ménage (M/F/M/M/M), anal play and references to bondage experimentation and sexual escapades of all types.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

1st Excerpt from GO WILD - Rated R


An Excerpt From: GO WILD

Copyright © JUNIPER BELL, 2011

All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.

Storm-dark eyes demanded her response. In bed, when he got that look, she knew there was nothing for it but to bend over, spread her legs, whatever it was he’d demanded. Ecstasy always followed. Lars knew how to touch her like no one else, knew what she liked, what she needed.

But he didn’t know everything.

“You’re trying to put me in a box,” she said, loud enough to surprise a magpie in the woods. It fluttered to a higher branch.

“How? Why?” He actually looked mystified.

“You’re telling me who to fuck, and how, and when, and why. I don’t want a ‘why’, Lars! I want to fuck who and when I want. For whatever reason.”

“Katia, I know you’re a wild child. I know you like sex in all sorts of different ways. That’s one of the things I love about you.” He dropped his ski poles and pulled her toward him, thrusting his thigh between her legs. An instantaneous, irresistible urge to rub herself against him took over. She pictured his thigh naked, each massive muscle perfectly defined and sleek. On its own, her groin ground into him.

His eyes lit with fierce satisfaction. “See that? You’re just as crazy about me as I am about you.” He planted his hands on her ass, then manipulated her up and down against his leg until she moaned. “You can’t run from what we have.”

She tore herself away, stumbling because of her skis. He grabbed her so she wouldn’t fall. “Stop that.”

He came after her, intent and relentless. The sexy bastard knew what he did to her. Knew how to keep her coming back for more.

“Look, Lars. This isn’t going to work.” She scrambled for the right words. “I can’t marry you. The answer is no.”

His eyes flickered, but other than that he didn’t look one bit daunted. He kept coming at her. “Why? Because of Jimmy?”

“No! Well, sort of.” She shook him off, and this time he let her ski a few yards down the path before he stopped her.

“Sort of? What the fuck does that mean?”

“It means the answer is no. I can’t marry you.” She said the words as firmly and clearly as she could. It hurt like surgery, but it had to be done.

Lars rubbed a ski glove across his forehead, leaving a streak of white. She longed to brush it off, but stopped herself short. She couldn’t do this if she touched him. Touching him made her lose her senses. “Is it Wild? Living in Alaska? The cold?”

“No, none of that,” she said, taken off guard. “I like it here. No one’s telling you what to do or pushing you around. No one’s judging you. You can do what you want.”

The look of relief on his face tore at her heart. “I thought Alaska would drive you away from me.”

She shook her head. “No, it didn’t. It isn’t. It’s not Alaska.” A glance around the still woods gave her a quick vision of snow turning blue in the deepening dusk and velvety darkness settling among the trees. The beauty of it speared her heart. Leaving Lars would mean leaving Wild. She’d have to go back to the world of cities and her aimless existence.

Setting her jaw, she planted her ski poles and shoved off.

Of course, Lars chased her. “Then what? Give me an answer I can understand.” He slid next to her and they skied side by side. He had to keep brushing branches away with his pole.

”Oh, for God’s sake. Why do you have to be so persistent?”

“Because that’s who I am. I’m a competitor and I never give up.”

“This isn’t a race!” But she found herself skiing faster nonetheless.

“No, it’s more important than a damn race. I’ve never felt about anyone the way I feel about you. I thought you loved me.”

“I do. But I don’t want to be married.”

“Because marriage is a box.”

“Exactly.” Finally, he got it. Hope fizzed through her. Maybe they could just go back to how things were.

“You don’t mind it when I’m making you come three times in one night.”

“Of course I don’t.” The power of his body gliding next to her gave her the shivers.

“You don’t mind it when I tie you up and fuck you until you scream for mercy.”

“No. I love it!”

“But it’s not just sex. Everything feels right when I’m with you. When we’re together.”

“But we are together. That’s why I came here.”

“So why not get married? That’s what comes next when people feel the way we do.”

Katia’s eyes stung from the wind in her face, or maybe the realization that he didn’t get it, after all. Up ahead she saw their house. Lars’ house. The one she couldn’t stay at anymore. She stopped, panting, and waved a ski pole at him.

“Why can’t you leave things the way they are?”

“The hell with that.” He lifted her up with one hand on the back of her jacket, like a giant cat with its prey. “You want me right now, don’t you?”

“Yes! But you don’t understand.” Those last words came out as a wail as he clicked off the bindings on her skis. They clattered against each other as they fell to the snowy ground.

“Then make me understand.” He let her feet touch the ground again, but kept his grip on her parka. With a flick of his free hand, he unzipped her snowpants. The rush of cold air made her breath catch. He plunged his gloved hand between her legs. Tears sprang to her eyes as the rough friction of the performance leather, custom made for an Olympic champion, brushed against her clit. She went from zero to wildly aroused with one flick of his finger.

“Oh god, Lars. You’re killing me,” she moaned. The underbrush rustled as some tiny alarmed creature scurried to safety.

She writhed against the leather at her crotch, but his hand kept dancing away. The warmth of it radiated through the glove. His refusal to move against her the way she craved drove her right to the edge.

And he knew it, the bastard.


GO WILD releases February 4 from Ellora's Cave. More soon!


Juniper