Like a Virgin with Hank Edwards...

When Hank Edwards was like a virgin…

So…in honor of my first solo release coming out soon…I've decided to celebrate by talking to some very talented authors about their first solo release! *giggles* You see…it isn't all about me all the time…but I do love weaseling my way into the mix most of the time…hehe

Today I've got the dashing and debonair Hank Edwards sharing the love seat with me…I'm his #1 Hankie!!!! *waggles eyebrows and pats cushion even closer to me*…He's answering a few questions about his first ever release Fluffers, Inc. and after that we get a yummy taste straight from the source…*giggles and bounces* gotta love that!

*scoots closer to Hank and smiles saucily* Hello you big, strong, smart, yummy man…thanks for allowing me to drag you over to my blog today…

Oh, this is just for today? (pushes overnight bag under love seat with foot). Ahem, so, thanks for having me. I'm glad to be here, and I love talking about Charlie Heggensford, he's my all time favorite character that sprang from my imagination and onto the page.

Oh he is a character…He's the type that you just gotta like and hope for the best! So, let's start this off with the basics…tell us about your first ever release…

Well, I was about thirteen, I think, and watching The Six Million Dollar Man…

Whoa big boy…let's finish that conversation later on in private…I kinda sorta meant your first book release…*face goes red as I take notes for Hank and my private moments later* Hold on one more moment…*jots another thought down*…okay, I'm ready now *smirks*…soooooooo about Fluffers, Inc.…

Yes, well, way, way back in 1999, I started writing erotic short stories and selling them to magazines like American Bear, Bear, and 100% Beef. It was fun, but it was limiting because word counts were, at most, 5,000 words per story. I had the idea for a dispatch service for fluffers and a clumsy fluffer fresh off the farm and thought, "Hey, I'll write a series of short stories and sell them to a magazine, like an erotic Armistead Maupin!" Well, my very logical and encouraging partner suggested I package the stories up and submit it as a novel and, voila! Charlie was born.

Oh that partner of yours is the best, you know…*looks around as I finger comb my hair* um…did he come with you today? *blushes* sorry…got a lil sidetracked…Tell us, why did you publish with Lethe Press…was there something special there or just fate?

Actually, the book was first published in September 2002 by Alyson Publications. They were having some money issues and let the book go out of print in 2007, and I thought that would be the end of it. But then, in 2008, I got an email from Steve Berman at Lethe Press asking if I would be interested in publishing it through them and I, of course, jumped at the chance. I had written two sequels that I thought would never get published and was excited to give Charlie another chance. In February of 2009 Fluffers, Inc. was once more in print and, not long after, the two sequels: A Carnal Cruise and Vancouver Nights, which was a finalist for a Lambda Literary Award for Gay Erotica in 2010.

3rd sequel to Fluffers, Inc.
finalist for a Lambda Literary Award
for Gay Erotica 2010

That's something terrific! You have got to be proud of Charlie and especially of Vancouver Nights! I assume you had more than one work in progress when you published Fluffers, Inc.…what made you decide this would be your first book published?

Actually, I was just writing short stories at the time and this book sort of came together (chuckles) all by itself. Charlie was a lot of fun to write.

Okay…about me for a second *strikes a pose and preens*…I'm personally going through some withdrawal anxieties with my boys… did you have any withdrawal pains when you sent your boys out there in the big bad world?

I did! I missed Charlie and Rock and Billy and Kinitia and even Cedric so much I had to write two sequels!

Looking back—now that you have more experience under your belt—would you change anything about Fluffers, Inc. or your way of handling its release?

You know, the books get slammed for having way too much sex in them (I know! Too much sex?!), but my goal with the first book was to have something sexy and something funny happen in each chapter because I was thinking they would be separate short stories in stroke magazines. Now, if I were to rewrite the book today, I'd cut out some of the sex scenes. But, really, I do love the story, and the characters.

Oh come on…no such thing as too much sex…and I get what you mean with something hot in each 'chapter'…*giggles and winks*

So big boy…if you had to turn the experience of publishing your first book into an erotic novel…what would you title it?

Quick and Dirty



Bk two of the
Charlie Heggensford trilogy



Oh that's…um…*squirms on couch* Yeah…what color would you label your first foray in publishing your book and why?

Green – it was like spring time for me. I was so excited about my first book! I had always dreamed of the day and it really made me feel like all those hours sitting at the computer were justified.

Now I'm sure you've been asked this before…but seriously, this book is hilarious and the OMG moments don't stop! How…Where…Why…HOW did you get this idea and your imagination…um…did I mention wow? *rereads* I'm sure there is a question or two in there somewhere…*blushes*

LOL!! Yeah, I have no idea where I came up with some of those things. I read the book today and am amazed at the craziness. I just knew that Charlie was a good person who cared about others, he just liked to show it in very intimate ways. And he seemed to have a bad luck streak following him around. Chairs would break, he'd trip and fall, if something could go wrong, when Charlie was around, it would. My partner helped me come up with some of the scenarios, but most were just based on Charlie and his war with gravity.

Now…just because I like to swing it at you and see if you can catch it baby…*winks*…here are a few quickies for us about your boys…answer with Charlie or Rock…



Most likely to get down and dirty in public (um…duh *heads desk*)… Ha! Both!!

Most likely to wear a fedora and rock it… Rock, definitely.

Most likely to eat food in bed *winks*… Rock, he's playful

Most likely to be found barefoot… Rock, he likes to be naked

Most likely to find a stray kitten and bring her home… Charlie, so sweet

Most likely to be caught wearing women's lingerie… Charlie, but mostly because it was the only thing available after he ruined his own clothes or something. Ha!

Most likely to have a sweet tooth… Charlie

In a silly battle of wills…most likely to refrain from…um…pleasuring themselves the longest… LOL! Um, I'll say Rock, he's kind of competitive

In a sillier battle of wills…most likely to come first in a race to completion… Charlie, that boy can shoot off faster than anyone!

And now for my fave part…well besides Hank telling me sweet whispers in my ear *blushes*…*cuddles up to Hank and pulls his kitties, Riley and Emma, on our laps*…okay handsome tell us the story of a simple cutie named Charlie…

Blurb:
Charlie Heggensford is fresh off a farm in Idaho when he stumbles (literally) into the office of Fluffers, Inc., where his natural talents are quickly put to use getting male porn stars in the "mood" to perform. Along with the rest of the gang at Fluffers, Inc., Charlie encamps on a serious of hilarious and sexy misadventures.

Find Fluffers, Inc. here—Amazon…Barnes & Noble…ARe

Find Hank Edwards here—Hankerings Blog…Facebook...Story Orgy Blog

Excerpt:

As Charlie watched the men writhing before him, his cock began to throb. The sun was hot out in the open and he peeled off his flannel shirt, exposing his broad, tanned, hairy chest. Work on the farm and a weight set in his parents’ basement had helped him build up his physique. He kept his eyes on the actors by the pool and reached down to massage his expanding cock.

“You the fluffer?” a deep voice asked and Charlie jumped. He had been so absorbed in the couple being filmed he had failed to notice the man sitting in a chaise to his left. The sun was behind the man and spiked directly into Charlie’s eyes.

“Uh, yeah,” Charlie stammered, squinting in the glare. “Are you a member of the crew?” He stepped forward and shaded his eyes.

“In a manner of speaking,” the man replied. “I’m Rock Harding.”

“Oh, nice to meet you.” Charlie looked the nude man over in awe. He was built like a ton of bricks. Every muscle in his body was crisply defined beneath a smooth layer of tanned skin. A thin coating of dark hair covered his body, thicker on his forearms. His cock lay soft between his legs, resting on the cushion formed by his shaved, pendulous balls. He had a square jaw with a shallow cleft in his chin, two days of stubble, dark, close cropped hair and deep brown eyes that pinned Charlie to the spot. “Oh,” Charlie breathed at the sight of him. “Are you an actor?”

“No. I’m a porn star.” Rock said and spread his legs, resting a foot to either side of the chaise. “I would like to be up and fully aroused in about five minutes. Think you can do that?”

“I can try,” Charlie mumbled and fell to his knees alongside the gorgeous hunk of man before him. He slurped up Rock’s stocky prick and began to suck, reaching down and wrapping his fingers around the magnificent set of balls.

“Oh, that’s it,” Rock whispered and tipped his head back. Charlie felt the member in his mouth begin to lengthen and increased the suction, feeling his throat muscles tighten up as he tugged a little more forcefully on Rock’s sack.

Running his tongue along the shaft, Charlie moved his oral attention down to Rock’s balls and watched with interest as the saliva slick dick continued to expand. How big was this guy? He ran his tongue along the smooth balls, sucking up one then the other and darting his tongue down to the base of Rock’s testicles.

“Oh yeah, that’s nice,” Rock groaned quietly. Off in the background, Charlie could hear the director still talking his actors through their scene. “Suck my cock again. Take it all the way to the root.”

Charlie obediently lowered his mouth over the sturdy, tanned cock. Rock was big, probably nine inches at least, and Charlie had to fight back a gag as he pushed his nose down into the man’s perfectly trimmed pubic hair.

“Oh, you fucker,” Rock grunted. “Not very many people can take all of me.” Rock’s hips shifted up, pushing his cock even deeper into his throat, and Charlie felt the weight of Rock’s big, hair flecked hand come down on the back of his head. He inhaled the smell of suntan lotion and sweat through his nose and worked his tongue along the shaft of Rock’s impressive boner.

Fingers fumbled with the snap of Charlie’s jeans and then pulled his zipper down and soon Rock was jacking Charlie off with a big, meaty fist. Charlie reached back and pushed his jeans down to his thighs and felt Rock’s fingers wrap around his balls and the base of his cock. Charlie groaned around the girth of Rock’s dick and eased his head up, starting to suck furiously at the massive member.

“Jesus, you got a big dick yourself,” Rock said in a voice throaty with lust. The timbre of the man’s voice sent goose bumps rising along Charlie’s skin as he pumped his fist along the shaft of Rock’s prick and fastened his mouth on the ballooning head.

Rock spit into his hand and then reached back down to grab Charlie’s cock in a strong grip. He began jacking him quickly, pumping out a copious amount of pre cum to coat the head and upper shaft of Charlie’s boner.

Charlie could feel himself getting closer to climax and began to suck and stroke Rock’s dick faster. A few moments later Charlie felt Rock’s dick swell and then suddenly his mouth was filled with the hot, sharp taste of the man’s semen. It seemed to be never ending as the torrent of cum flooded his mouth and throat and spilled out over his lips. As he came, Rock let out a deep, guttural groan.

Raising his head, Charlie let the cum bubble out over his chin as his hand continued to pump the slowing vestiges of spunk from Rock’s deflating dick. He leaned down to suck the softening cock as the actor’s fist continued to bang along his prick. And then Charlie felt himself tumble over into the abyss of orgasm and grunted around Rock’s prized prick. His load exploded out of his penis and splattered over the tanned, sweaty skin of Rock’s hairy thighs.

“Oh yeah, fluffer man,” Rock grunted. “Shoot that load on my legs. Oh, yeah. That’s hot.”

And then the screaming began.

“What are you doing?!” a high pitched voice shrieked in his ear. “What the fuck are you doing?”

Charlie sat back, more cum burbling out of his mouth, and looked up into the bright red face of the large, sweaty director. “Huh?”

“I asked you a fucking question!” The man leaned down and wiped some of the cum off Charlie’s chin. “What the fuck is this? Huh?”

Charlie blinked at the spunk dripping off the man’s fingers. “It’s, um, cum, sir.”

“No shit,” the man snapped. “And why did you feel you were entitled to come here to my set and suck off my lover? Huh? Any reason for that?”

“Your … your lover?” Charlie looked over at Rock who was watching the director through half-lidded eyes, a smirk on his face. Charlie looked back at the man before him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know he was your – I thought he was next up and was my customer. I just thought he needed to be hard for the next scene and I . . .” Charlie’s voice faded out.

The director straightened up and glared at Rock. “Typical.” He then directed his attention back to Charlie. “Get dressed and get out. Not only did you fluff the wrong man, you actually made him cum. Jesus! Don’t come back until you learn what a fluffer is supposed to do. Tell Kinitia she owes me a free service.”

He turned his back and Charlie scrambled to his feet, pulling up his jeans and wiping his face on his shirt as he fled through the house. He ran down the driveway and out to the road where he flagged down a passing taxi and cowered in the backseat as he headed back to the office. What was Kinitia going to do to him? Would he lose yet another job?

Charlie hung his head and fought back tears. What was he going to do?

He was never going to make it in this city.

Like a Virgin with Jambrea Jo Jones...

When Jambrea Jo Jones was like a virgin…

So…in honor of my first solo release coming out soon, I've decided to celebrate by talking to some very talented authors about special 'first' releases of theirs! *heads desk giggling* Not that type of release! *winks* You see…it isn't all about me all the time…but I do love weaseling my way into the mix most of the time…hehe

Today I have the very talented and wonderfully entertaining Jambrea Jo Jones with me...*nods at Jams* I'm sorry the furniture is all covered with sheets…I'm painting and redoing my blog—isn't it looking purdy like? But we can be so nice and comfy on this blanket by the fireplace…*pats blanket next to me*  So…Jams is gonna answer a few questions about a first release of her's, Heart Song…and after that we get a yummy taste straight from the source…*sighs happily* oh yeah, life is good! *winks*

Thanks for joining me today, Jams…before we get started…well I mean really get started *nudges Jams and giggles*…tell us what 'first' Heart Song fills for you?

Well…first let me say your blog is looking marvelous and the fire is nice and warm. I do hate to be cold! And I brought some presents. Mens to help keep us warm!

Let’s see…lets…see…first—Heart Song is my first, first person. Wow…try saying that five times fast--- lol Oh! It’s also the first time I wrote full on man-on-man smexin’! heehee

Oh yeah…we're gonna have fun with this tongue twister in this interview…*grabs thesaurus and giggles* and thanks for all the pretty eye candy you brought with you...I mean *sighs*

Well now, on with the basics…tell us about Heart Song.

Heart Song is about finding love in death. Doesn’t that sound odd? Lol But it’s true. The story is about learning to let go and finding happiness through heartbreak.

That's quite beautiful! *sighs* Okay…I'm celebrating my very first solo release *jumps up and shimmies a bit…stops…blushes…squats back down maybe a tad closer to Jambrea than I was before*…um…well, I'm personally going through some withdrawal anxieties…and no—it's not too much coffee *eye roll*…did you have any withdrawal pains when you sent your boys out there in the big bad world?

*Smiles at Havan and winks* Not with these two. I wanted them to be seen because this story was very special to me. Still is to this day.

  

You are braver than me, Jams! *hugs* Speaking about your boys…did you develop a stronger/closer connection with Rafe than other characters that you've written since this was first-person POV?

I would have to say yes. When doing first person you are so into that character’s head they almost become you. Rafe is special and he was hurting and I felt that. I think when doing first person, if done right, people are drawn into ‘being’ that character, if that makes sense?

Yeppers it does…and isn't it an amazing feeling when you can accomplish that?

Looking back—now that you have more experience under your belt—would you change anything about Heart Song:  maybe the POV it was written in or even the way you handled its release as your 'freshman' 1st person release?

I would have to say no. I think that is one of the main reasons I haven’t pulled the story and added to it. It did what it needed to do for me. I wrote this book in a day. At the time that was a big thing for me. The story poured out of me wanting to be written. See, a few things happened to make this story what it was. eXtasy was doing a call for rose stories. By that I mean, they wanted stories based on different color roses and what they mean. My first thought was I wanted to do a story about a black rose. Death. Then I wanted to pair it with a white rose for new beginnings. At the same time I was looking at the rose colors my ex’s grandmother passed away. It was like the story was meant to be. I had to write it and I did. The words flowed out of me and Rafe was born.

I’ve written other first person stories now and I think they’re my favorites. Just because I do put myself into the role of the character. But not every story can be first person. I don’t know how to explain it, but certain stories need that personal touch that you get with first person. A good first person you won’t even be able to tell you’re reading it. I think it was this one, I had my beta read it and I asked if it was okay in first person. She said, “it’s first person?” She had to go back and re read it to make sure. THAT to me is a good first person.

Oh yeah—those stories that you forget you are reading, and finish WAY too quickly!

If you had to turn your virgin venture at 1st person POV into an erotic novel what would you name it?

This one is hard. Get your mind outta the gutter Havan.

But…um…*hangs head* okay…

Heehee I mean—it’s difficult to think of a title on a good day. Lol Much less try to think of what I’d name an erotic novel about 1^st person POV. Hmmm…. Mind Fu*k. heehee Yep. I’ll go with that. Why? Because it really is screwy to become that person as you write. It’s almost like a journal or something—only—not. Lol

What color would you label your first foray in 1st person POV and why?

Red. Probably because it was so hot to be written. Lol

Now…just because I like to throw things at you, Jams baby…*winks*…here are a few quickies for us about your boys…answer can only be Rafe and Stewart…

Most likely to get down and dirty in public…Stewart

Most likely to wear a fedora and rock it…Rafe

Most likely to eat food in bed *winks*…Rafe

Most likely to be found barefoot…Rafe

Most likely to find a stray kitten and bring her home…I’m cheating. Lol Rafe AND Stewart.

Most likely to blow off plans and talk the other into staying in bed all day…Stewart

Most likely to have a sweet tooth…Rafe

In a silly battle of wills…most likely to refrain from…um…pleasuring themselves the longest…Rafe

And now for my favorite part! Jams will tell us about this wonderful book and how we can get our grubby little paws on it…*scoots even closer to my lovely guest and winks*…this doesn't bother you does it? I mean I am Italian…personal space really isn't in our vocab…*giggles and listens to Jams perfect voice*

See Havan—I don’t think you’re close enough. *Pulls Haven into her arms and strokes her hair while whispering into her ear about Heart Song*

I think, like I’ve said before, Heart Song is a bit personal. It came at a time where I think I had to write it and I hope others can see that when they read it.  Rafe is a good man who really just wants to be loved. I think we all want that.

You can get it from a few places.

All Romance e-books

Amazon

eXtasy Books

Short Blurb:

Rafe lost his love, but did he really have it to begin with? He finds out more than he bargained for after the death of his ex-lover. Will he ever find the love he is looking for?

Remmy Duchene...shirts (or lack of)...and Rajan…

Remmy's Shirt off his back Contest...

Well if this isn't what we've all been waiting for! Remmy Duchene wants to give us the shirt off his back! *giggles and wiggles*

Havan! Stop putting words in my mouth.

Oh what would you prefer in your mouth? *smiles innocently*

That's right baby…it's about darn time you showed up on my blog and showed us some skin! *winks*

*chuckles* You behave.

Remmy Duchene is a terrific interracial M/M author…he nails different cultures and heritages with smooth grace and hot words. He doesn't disappoint with his latest book—the second in his Sons of Eros series, Rajan's Seduction.

*sways over to Remmy and starts lifting his shirt* I'll take this one if you don't mind…

*swats hands* Stop that! I'm here to tell your friends about Rajan.

What was that? We have to wait for our 'private' time for that…*pouts*

That's not what I said!

*smirks* that's what I heard…

Sons of Eros bk 1
available here

*pushes Havan in chair and wraps rope around her*

oooooh…kinky…um…but Remmy these are kinda tight…I can't move my arms…

Perfect!

Ok so it's been a while since I've had a contest. But I feel it's time to celebrate the fun that is my Sons of Eros series.

PRIZES (pick one) 

"DARK SIDE" T-shirt from Family Guy 

"Bazinga!" Shirt from Big Bang Theory! 
A Mr. Rajan Anatolis Tshirt
Mr. Savaro Anatolis Tshirt
Mr. Laird Anatolis tshirt, 
A Jose's Thang tshirt.

**There will be two draws**

What you have to do to win? 

Because you already bought your copy of Rajan's Sedution. Send me the name of the movie he was thinking of about while standing in the ring at Xavier's home.  (***HINT*** The title is in Hindi)

No, spelling doesn't count because I know the language is hard but it has to be as close as possible.

Send your entries to remmy.duchene @ gmail.com 

**Havan's readers, comment on this blog and you will be entered into the contest to win!**

Entries close March 2, 2012 and winners will be announced on my blog!

Sons of Eros bk 3
available here
on March 10, 2012

Okay…got it…so leave a comment here with the shirt you prefer to win and you are in one drawing…email Remmy with the answer to his question and the shirt you would prefer to be entered in a second drawing.

*wiggles and giggles and hip bumps loosening the tight ropes*

Remmy is giving us two chances to win! *bouncing*

And rumor has it he will be appearing on other tasty blogs also…so follow him—he loves stalkers *giggles* and leave comments on those blogs for more chances to win!

But don't forget your email addy…he needs to be able to get a hold of you if you win! *winks*

*squirms and slides to the right some…shimmies out of bonds* I'm free!

*curls up next to Remmykins and runs my fingers up and down his neck…purring* So…will you tell us about this yummy morsel you wrote now? *settles back and gets comfy while Remmy's voice floats over the air*

Sons of Eros 2: Rajan's Seduction

Available at Silver Publishing here

Blurb:

Successful Bollywood actor Rajan Anatolis has done many things to prepare for a role, but nothing like following a SWAT team. Captain Xavier Crawford hates untrained shadows. But how can he possibly object when the man is so damn sexy?

Rajan Anatolis has made the move from Bollywood to Hollywood. His first role is playing a New York City SWAT officer. In order to prepare, he has to shadow the Century City CT SWAT team and he and his brothers are worried about the risks involved. But more hazardous is dealing with the sexy leader, a mocha Adonis who hates untrained observers interfering with his work and putting his squad at risk.

Xavier Crawford loves his team. The last thing he wants is some untrained, spoiled actor coming in and putting them all in danger. He isn't ready for Rajan or his reaction to the gorgeous man; the moment he sees him, all Xavier wants to do is rip the actor's clothes off. What happens when what he wants and what his heart and body want are different things?

Excerpt:

When morning finally dawned over Excelsior, it wasn't welcomed. Xavier Crawford wanted nothing to do with it. His eyes burned as though someone had tossed sand in them and every muscle in his body hurt. The day before his team busted through a door and he had to tackle some guy with a handgun. Moaning, he rolled over and pushed into a sitting position, rubbing his lower back with a large hand. Each time he woke up to so much discomfort he thought about getting a new bed, but why bother? He was the only one sleeping in it. Once again, he thought of a new bed and this time, he hobbled down the stairs into the den. He turned on the laptop and scanned the internet until he found the furniture store he'd always used. Searching through the website--he found a large bed and grabbed the phone.

"Don't you want to come see it first?" the salesman on the other end questioned.

Xavier rubbed his eyes. "Look, my back feels like someone ran over it with a dump truck. My spine is all out of whack and if I sleep on this old bed one more night I'm liable to become a paraplegic. So get the bed over here and do it by end of day. Can you do that? Because if you can't I'm going to have to find another store who can."

"No, we can do that, sir," the salesman replied. "Will there be anyone there to let the delivery men in?"

"I have to go to work. But tell me what time they'll be here and I'll make sure someone is here."

"That's just it. We have some deliveries before yours."

"Yeah, yeah whatever. Just get it here."

Xavier offered up his credit card number and all the particulars before hanging up. He might as well use some of the inheritance his aunt left him after her death. He wasn't sure he wanted to use any but he didn't make that much on a cop's salary. He'd never had to touch the money before, but he really didn't think his back would survive. With his first job of the day done, he picked up the phone again.

"Hey Marty. Are you going to be home today?" Xavier asked.

"Sorry man," Marty Samms replied. "I'm heading to Amsterdam right now. But Ali will be. What's up?"

"I'm having a delivery today and someone has to be at the house. But we both know I won't be here and I need it today."

"Are you finally getting a new bed? Because your old one is like--torture."

Xavier laughed. "Yes father, I am getting a new bed."

"All right. I'll ask Ali to come over. And don't worry, she'll make sure they set it up for you and everything. We both know they don't want to mess with her."

Xavier thanked his best friend. "Tell Ali I'll buy her dinner."

Marty laughed. "Yes, as long as it's Japanese, my sister will be all over it."

"I remember."

The shower was next, right after he flipped on the coffee maker. By the time he got out of the shower, Xavier knew he had to run if he was going to make it to the station on time.


* * * *


Xavier walked into the station house and chucked his jacket into his chair. He had no idea why he even brought it. It wasn't cold outside. For some reason he was in a horrid mood that morning and the fact he'd driven through Eros to get to Century ticked him off even more. The traffic through the small town was a nightmare. He turned on his computer and scanned the daily reports. Nothing caught his attention but there were a few warrants on his desk he and his team needed to execute for the local police. The badge he wore dug into his side but he was so used to it. He ignored it and fingered through the different warrants. He found the hardest one and stuck it to the top. He figured if they could get that one done first--it would give his team a high... motivation to go after the others.

Dragging his fingers through his hair, he walked into the break room to find two of his team members there trying to catch peanuts in their mouths by tossing them in the air first. Xavier blinked but said nothing. He walked to the coffeemaker and dumped some coffee into a cup. He took a sip, made a face and chucked the cup and its contents into the sink.

"Battery acid, huh," Mark "Muse" Dempsey chuckled.

"You coulda warned me!" Xavier muttered irritably and flopped into a nearby chair. He reached into a box on the table and pulled out a donut.

"What? And miss the look on your face?" Jackson "Salsa" Brown questioned. "You're kidding, right?"

He made a sound in the back of his throat.

"I really think you need to get laid," Muse laughed. "It's been too long and you're starting to implode."

Xavier made a face. "Pervert."

"Did you go see the Cap'n yet?" Muse asked. "He's been asking for you."

"Shit!" Xavier dropped the donut back in the box and pushed from his chair. "Just when I thought the day couldn't get worse."

"What did you do this time?" Salsa wanted to know.

"Who said I did anything? If I did, I can't remember."

Both Muse and Salsa burst out laughing and Xavier simply stormed from the room muttering a few well-placed profanities. He stopped by his desk trying to remember why he detoured and when he couldn't, Xavier made his way to the captain's office and knocked.

"Come in!" Captain Fiorelli called.

Xavier stepped into the office and closed the door behind him. Without being invited to, he tossed his body into a chair and stretched his legs out before him. The captain was still having a hushed conversation on the phone by the window, so he waited quietly but impatiently to be addressed.

"Sorry about that. Never have children," Fiorelli joked, hanging up the phone. "Or have children but give them up for adoption the moment you realize they're becoming teenagers."

Xavier laughed. "My father would agree with you. You wanted to see me?"

"Yes... There's this actor who received his first English role," Fiorelli said. "And he will be playing a SWAT officer. I would like him to shadow you."

Xavier arched a brow. He really didn't like the idea. Shifting in his seat, he held his breath only releasing it when he spoke. "I don't like this," he said. "I can't babysit some actor."

"Look, the commissioner asked this favor and I told him yes. He's just going to follow you around. The rules are simple--he doesn't go through the door with you guys, ever. He must wear a vest and keep his head down."

"That's going to make me feel better? Cap'n! It's a civilian!"

"I know. But he won't be following too long."

"How long?"

"A week."

"Oh no--that's not too long at all. When does this start?"

Fiorelli looked down at this desk to a piece of paper before him, he seemed to skim the info there before looking up at Xavier. "Tomorrow."

Like a Virgin with Em Woods...

When Em Woods was like a virgin…

So…in honor of my first solo release coming out soon…I've decided to celebrate by talking to some very talented authors about their first solo release! *giggles* You see…it isn't all about me…but I do love weaseling my way into the mix most of the time…hehe

Today I've got the wonderful Em Woods sharing the love seat with me…*waggles eyebrows*…answering a few questions about her first ever release Not Anymore and after that we get a yummy taste straight from the source…*giggles and bounces* gotta love that!

*scoots closer to Em and winks* Hello beautiful…thanks for allowing me to drag you over to my blog today…

Hello, my lovely. It’s always a pleasure to be here with you. What are we talking about again? Virgins? I don’t think I know any virgins. *blinks innocently*

I'm sorry…I thought we'd met already…*shoulder bumps the Story Orgy Goddess and winks*

*coughs* So, let's start this off with the basics… you popped your cherry with Not Anymore…*giggles*…tell us about your first ever release…okay—I mean book release…*heads desk*

Wow, that was a while back…let me think…

Why did you publish with Total-E-Bound…was there something special there or just fate?

You know, I consider it fate. At the time I wrote Not Anymore I was a member of the RWA (Romance Writers of America) and a friend that I had made in my local chapter (Greater Detroit RWA) said she would recommend me to her editor. I – of course – said omigod, please do! At the next meeting, she gave me an email address and said “send here, she’s waiting.” I was terrified.

Now if you are anything like me…I assume you had more than one work in progress when you published Not Anymore…what made you decide this would be your first book published?

Actually, what I had in progress was a hot mess of confusion. Not Anymore came together (after I took it out of first person!) and it just made sense. I subbed it and within two weeks – on April 1st, mind you (talk about a “there has to be an April Fool’s in this acceptance letter somewhere!”), TEB offered me a contract.

Well thank goodness they didn't have a sense of humor that day! *wipes brow* Okay…about me for a second *big smiles*…I'm personally going through some withdrawal anxieties with my boys… did you have any withdrawal pains when you sent your boys out there in the big bad world?

Like I said up there, I was terrified. Not Anymore deals with abuse and the awful things that can result from that type of a relationship. It was damn scary.

But you did it so well! Looking back—now that you have more experience under your belt—would you change anything about Not Anymore or your way of handling its release?

There are a couple things I would change now, but I think they all are part of the learning to write well, learning to be a good partner in an author-publisher relationship…I wouldn’t trade any of it.

Love the way you look at it…*hugs Em* If you had to turn your virgin experience of publishing your book into an erotic novel what would you title it?

Teasing Em  

*mumbles under breath* wouldn't we all like to do that…

What color would you label your first foray in publishing your book and why?

Yellow…because several times I wanted to run scared! LOL…

Good thing you didn't…we'd hunt you down!

Now…just because I like to throw things at you…*winks*…here are a few quickies for us about your boys…answer can only be Dan or Logan…

Most likely to get down and dirty in public…Logan.

Most likely to wear a fedora and rock it…Dan.

Most likely to eat food in bed *winks*…Logan.

Most likely to be found barefoot…Logan.

Most likely to find a stray kitten and bring her home…Dan. Wait…maybe Logan.

Most likely to blow off plans and talk the other into staying in bed all day…Logan.

Most likely to have a sweet tooth…Dan.

In a silly battle of wills…most likely to refrain from…um…pleasuring themselves the longest…Dan. Definitely. LOL

Okay…so now was the time I planned to tear Em's clothes off and cuddle under the blankets…and she was all for that honest! *crosses fingers behind back*…but I remembered that she owes us a story! *giggles and bounces* So let us cuddle fully clothed *pouts* on the love seat and listen to this bit of goodness that is Not Anymore!

Blurb:

When Dan Perry meets Logan Hall on the beautiful beaches of Hawaii, he knows keeping the man of his dreams means facing the demons of his past...but will his paradise be lost when he finds out Logan is really his boss?

Senior analyst and programmer Dan Perry needs a vacation. He finally talks his boss into giving him a week off to fly to Hawaii with his sister and her boyfriend. He knows he will be the third wheel but he has to get out of the office. And away from his abusive ex-boyfriend.

Two days before Dan is due to catch his flight back to Detroit, he meets Logan Hall. Even though he had no intention of outing himself to his family, things go awry when Logan accidentally does it for him.

As the second partner in the software firm where Dan works, Logan has wanted him from a distance for over a year. Now that he knows Dan is free, Logan intends to make his move. Things in Hawaii heat up when Dan is abducted by his ex-lover and these two honorable, loving men must face their worst fears to find the love waiting on the other side.

Not Anymore is available @ Total-E-BoundPublishing here

Excerpt:

Dan returned to his seat across from Logan, his face empty, his eyes flat and tired.

“God, I’m sorry.” Logan wanted to wrap him up tight.

“I left everything except what I could fit in one bag. I was gone before he came home.”

Logan stood, noted the slight flinch. He crouched next to Dan and waited for him to look his way. When he finally turned his head, Logan drew him in, sipped at his lips with a slow kiss. Dan soon took over, pushing Logan back until they lay on the cool tile floor.

The softness of Dan’s hair called to Logan until he weaved his fingers through it, holding Dan close as he followed his lead, let him set the pace. This time Dan didn’t want gentle touches or soft words.

Just the two of them and one bad memory.

Dan ground their cocks together, tongues tangled and teeth clashed in the frenzy. Every touch, every kiss harder, more rushed than the last.

Logan slid his hands out of Dan’s hair, cupped his face and put an inch of much needed space between them. “Hang on, stud.”

Dan’s eyes snapped open. His face, already flushed with desire, darkened to crimson. “Why are we stopping?”

“Not stopping. Just slowing down.” Logan guided Dan’s face back to his, teased the seam of Dan’s lips with the tip of his tongue. A splash on Logan’s cheek pulled him back. He looked into bottomless green eyes, liquid with unshed tears. “Are you okay?”

Dan nodded, licked his lips. “How can you do that?”

Logan’s brows scrunched. “Do what? Slow down?”

“No.” Dan rested his head on Logan’s shoulder, taking deep breaths before continuing. “How do you know me so well?”

“That’s easy. I feel like—” Logan paused. “How can I not know you?”