Merry Christmas everyone! Here’s a recap of my 30 Days of Christmas event. I hope everyone had a great time and found new authors to read. I know I had a lot of fun bringing you all these authors and books.

Total number of books given away: 89

Total number of authors participating (including Lex): 56

Number of Lex books given away: 27

Number of holiday books given away: 21

Number of new release days during the giveaway: 5

Number of gay rom books (or menage with M/M elements) given away: 36

Number of covers done by Winterheart Design (Lex) in the giveaway: 31

Number of trailers done by Winterheart Design for books given away: 19

Winners:

Nancy Gilliland – The Wise Guy, Gambit

Ute – A Very Cougar Christmas, Up on the Housetop, 33 Days Till Christmas

Renee Bennett – Uprooted, Mystified, She Rides

Dawn Rosemier – NightShift

Lindsey E. – NightShift

Joanne B. – Shifting Winds, Fancy Free, Her Man Flint

Cyndi Welding – Hot Water, Chains of Silver,  Fighting For Control

Renee S. – Fire Season, Because It’s True, The Russian Boy

Shelly A. – Ride the Lightning, Phantom Touch, Alpha vs Alpha

Estella – Danielle’s Touch, Touch Me In the Dark, Infidelity, Cruise Into Jeopardy

Joder – Holiday Hearts, Common Ground, Shiny Objects, Three Times the Scandal

Beatrice – Sunstroked, Unacceptable Risk, Bound For the Forest

Sarah S. – Breathe Me In, Tingle Bells, Paradise Found

Debra G. – Blood Play, What the Earl Desires, Always You

Emily Tardy – Weylyn’s Gift, The Pleasure Girl, Sex Symbol

Amber Hall – Unbreak Me, Dark Moon, Dark Ice, The Veteran

Cathy M. – Insolence, Heartbeat, Sherry Amour

Regina Ross – Rock My World, Laid Bare, Voices in the Dark

Kaje Harper – Orientation, The Secret of Talmor Manor, Cop Out

Tracey D. – Mistletowed

Barbra B. – Honorable Silence, Sno Ho or A Summit City Christmas, Spinning, Grounded, Finding Home

eeper – Breath of Heaven

Shelley Munro – Love Me Dead, Memories Erased, Treachery, Howl at the Mistletoe

Sarah Kalaitzidis – Where There’s Smoke, The Birches, The Crush, choice of backlist from Ethan Stone

Anne – Christmas Catch, Slave Master’s Choice, Tinseltown, In Remembrance of Us

Virginia C. – Stark Naked

Patricia – Christmas Hookup, The Pixie Prince, Ginger Snap

Casey Wyatt – Marked For Surrender

Tina Seitz – Christmas in Hell, Christmas Wishes, Santa’s Sleeping Beauty

Danielle – Cupid Christmas, Earl of Darkness, Dragons at Midnight

Cyn – Christmas Cowboys, Wishing on a Blue Star, The Dark Angels-Tied Together, A Picture Perfect Holiday, Secret Light

For one last chance to win a holiday book from me, head on over to Castles and Guns today. You have until the next post goes up to leave a comment. One commenter will win a copy of Christmas Cowboys which is 5 Christmas stories together!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Recap of 30 Days of Christmas 2011 is a post from: Lex Valentine, Author

It’s the last day and I have a really special line up for you. First, I have a copy of Christmas Cowboys which is the ENTIRE Christmas Cowboys of Forbes Ranch series, all five stories. Next, I have a copy of Wishing on a Blue Star which features my story In the Light starring my horndog werewolf Weylyn Randall in a serious tale of friendship and loss. Wishing on a Blue Star was edited by my MLR Press editor Kris Jacen and today is Kris’s birthday so she is giving away an ARC of The Dark Angels-Tied Together.  And last but never least is my good friend and favorite lunch companion, Z.A. Maxfield. ZAM, who is also in Wishing on a Blue Star, has two wonderful holiday stories out this Christmas. I did the cover for A Picture Perfect Holiday and I did the video for Secret Light. Both stories are really great reads, but I simply fell in love with Secret Light and the video is the most poignant, beautiful thing I’ve ever done.

So let’s celebrate Kris’s birthday and take a look at all these luscious books!

Christmas Cowboys

Pink Petal Books

Anthology – M/F and M/M erotic holiday romances

BUY LINK

Blurb:

Christmas at Forbes Ranch is always special. It’s a place where dreams come true when you wish on the Christmas star and Happily Ever Afters always happen on Christmas Eve. The magic of Christmas weaves itself through five stories of love with five amazing couples. A supermodel cowboy and an older woman bring a twisted version of the Gift of the Magi to life. A former military pilot and a rancher turn a lonely holiday into the promise of a future. A city girl and a former rodeo star realize that they’ve been both been wanting the same thing. A cowgirl and a computer geek put their faith in the power of the Christmas star. And two rodeo cowboys heal a decade old wound with forgiveness and a love that never died. Come to Forbes Ranch this Christmas and experience the joy of a holiday happily ever after.

Wishing on a Blue Star, featuring In the Light, A Five Dark Realms Tale

Dreamspinner Press

Anthology – M/M short stories and dark tales

FREE! DOWNLOAD LINK

Blurb:

A Special Project by Dreamspinner Press & ManLoveRomance Press. Edited by Kris Jacen.

How much impact can someone have on your life if you’ve never met them face to face?

In this electronic age of E-mails, electronic publishing, and social networks, quite a lot.

Through his emails, stories and blog, author Patric Michael has touched numerous hearts, minds and lives from the start of his career and further as he now takes us along on his journey to battle cancer.  Along the way, Patric shows us a side of life that not many truly see– how we are all a part of something larger than just ourselves, and how we are each touched by others for the betterment of all.

Now, those that have been touched by Patric and his words have joined together to give something back, to him and to us all through something he values highly – words. In this compilation, gay short stories, poems, and anecdotes combined with excerpts from Patric’s blog and a few entertaining, educational group posts reveal, and celebrate, the man who has touched so many hearts and minds.

This collection, sometimes erotic, sometimes irreverent, and always poignant, is a gift from all our hearts to celebrate Patric and give strength (and a little levity) to others. The price reflects this; no one is receiving royalties or payment from the sales. Use it to celebrate life, celebrate words, and possibly inspire someone who needs it.

The Dark Angels – Tied Together

By Z. Allora, Edited by Kris Jacen

MLR Press (This book is not yet released.)

M/M erotic contemporary romance

Blurb:

As part of the rock sensation, The Dark Angels, Josh and Robin Strider have the fans calling them “The Twins”. Although they’re not blood brothers, growing up together has given them a special bond that was challenged when they were thrown out of their home. Surviving and being saved from life on the streets makes Robin cling to brotherly ties that don’t exist.

One night with friends opens the doors to what Josh has always wanted – Robin’s body and heart. If Josh learns to master Robin’s inner submissive, he’ll be able to give Robin the security he craves. But can rumors from Josh’s father unravel the ties between Robin and Josh or will a collar and love be enough to tie them together?

 Z. Allora has always loved to write. In the last fifteen years, Z. has lived in Singapore, Israel, NY, PA, AZ, CA, and now China. While it is hard to leave family and friends, Z.’s boys follow where ever. WEBSITE

Kris Jacen is the Executive Editor and Formatting Director for ManLoveRomance Press and its imprints. She was invited to join the MLR staff in 2008 and has never looked back. Working with over thirty-five phenomenal authors such as Rick R. Reed, JP Bowie, James Buchanan, J.L. Langley, Ally Blue, Jet Mykles, William Maltese and has allowed her to both hone her editorial skills and indulge her inner fangirl. Kris also acts as editor, mentor and sounding-board for newcomers including Kimberly Gardner, Lex Valentine, S.J. Frost, Patric Michael and Z. Allora. With this stable of talent under her guidance, Kris is quick to tell anyone who will listen that she loves her job. And her authors are just as quick to say that they love their editor.

A Picture Perfect Holiday

MLR Press

M/M, YA sweet contemporary romance

BUY LINK

TRAILER

Blurb:

Photography club president Caleb loves football standout Christian Munez. He knows it’s an old high school chestnut, but if being a cliche is wrong, he doesn’t want to be right. They’ve been in school together since the fifth grade but having brothers on the same soccer team provides Caleb with a great opportunity to get to know Christian better. What he finds out – about Christian’s home life and his future plans – could end his hopes forever. Or they might be the beginning of something wonderful.

Secret Light

Loose Id

M/M, WWII-era historical romance

BUY LINK

TRAILER

Blurb:

Rafe Colman likes his life. He has a nice home, a good job, and a wonderful dog. But he’s exhausted by living a lie. When his home is vandalized because of his perceived German ancestry, he can’t even share the irony with friends.

Officer Ben Morgan falls for Rafe’s dog first, but it isn’t long before he’s giving her owner the eye. He thinks they have more in common than the search for Rafe’s vandals, and he’s willing to take a chance and find out.

If life in 1955 is tough on a cop in the closet, it’s even tougher on a refugee who’s desperate to hide his roots and fit in. Rafe knows from tragic experience how vicious prejudice can be. Every second with Ben is stolen, every kiss fraught with danger.

When Ben’s partner threatens to ruin everything, Rafe and Ben have to fight to protect what they have but they’re tired of hiding their secret light.

Z. A. Maxfield is a fifth generation native of Los Angeles, although she now lives in the O.C. She started writing in 2006 on a dare from her children and never looked back. Pathologically disorganized, and perennially optimistic, she writes as much as she can, reads as much as she dares, and enjoys her time with family and friends. If anyone asks her how a wife and mother of four manages to find time for a writing career, she’ll answer, “It’s amazing what you can do if you completely give up housework.” WEBSITE

WOW doesn’t even cover it today. That is an amazing collection of books for the lucky winner. I’m definitely ending this event on a high note. Tomorrow I’ll post a list of all the winners, how many authors participated and how many books were given away. Maybe next year I can top it!

Thank you all for your support throughout the year. I most sincerely appreciate all the fan mail, comments and good wishes on my blogs and on Facebook and Twitter. I would be nowhere without my readers and fans and my very good author, editor and publisher friends. You all make my Christmas – and every day – worthwhile.

Wishing you all the most wonderful holiday ever! Merry Christmas!

Day 30 – 30 Days of Christmas is a post from: Lex Valentine, Author

OMG. This is the next to last day of my Christmas giveaways. This year has been bigger and better than ever. I’ll have a post on Christmas Day with all the winners’ names, the total number of authors who participated and the total number of books given away. Maybe next year we’ll be able to top it!

For today, I have two really wonderful authors and books for you as well as a copy of my newly released holiday story, Cupid Christmas, which is the last of the Forbes Ranch Christmas Cowboys series. Cupid Christmas is M/M but the other two books are not so it’s a bit of a mixed bag for readers today. I think my publisher hated to see the last of the Christmas cowboys but I couldn’t think of any other characters to give a Christmas Eve HEA to so it was time to end the series. Next year I’ll come up with something new.

The other authors I have for you today are two good friends. Alix Rickloff from my Watercooler Gang group of RWA PAN authors and my dear friend Selena Illyria who has known me since my early days in this industry, sending out my first manuscripts to publishers. Alix has just the hottest hero ever for you and Selena has something oh so sexy for you…dragons! All three of the books up for grabs are part of series. My book is the last of a series. Alix’s book is the first of her series. The last book in her series releases in just a few days on 12/28. Selena’s book is the first of her Dragon New Year series. Here’s some info on the books and authors.

Cupid Christmas

Pink Petal Books

M/M erotic contemporary western romance

BUY LINK

TRAILER

Blurb:

It’s another Christmas at Forbes Ranch and this year the family is playing Cupid with Grayson and Jared’s best friend Steve Yarrow. Years before, Steve’s heart was broken by the love of his life Dalton Emory who left him to further his career by marrying a woman with a rich daddy. Now, divorced, outed and publicly humiliated, Dalton is trying to build a business and keep a low profile. He doesn’t believe he deserves a second chance with Steve after the way he hurt him. However, Dalton didn’t reckon with his former lover’s interfering friends, the depth of Steve’s love nor the forgiveness the spirit of Christmas can offer. Can one lonely, broken cowboy forgive himself and accept the love that has always belonged to him? And will the Forbes tradition of Christmas Eve Happily Ever Afters give Steve and Dalton the future they never thought they’d have?

Earl of Darkness

Pocket Books

M/F paranormal romance

BUY LINK

Blurb:

The magic she tries to hide . . . Born a lady, but reduced to surviving in the slums of Dublin, Catriona O’Connell has been hired to steal a mysterious book from Aidan Douglas, Earl of Kilronan. But Cat is secretly Other, an age-old mixture of Fey and human—something Aidan recognizes immediately when he surprises the lovely young burglar in his library, about to steal a magical diary.

. . . is the magic he desperately wants. From the moment Aidan sees her, Cat’s spirited beauty enchants him, but her uncanny abilities are what he truly needs, for Cat can understand the mystical language in the diary he inherited from his murdered father. So Aidan makes an offer: translate the book or be thrown in prison as a thief. And as Cat slowly deciphers each page, she and Aidan are drawn together by passion . . . and into the violence of the Other world that is the Kilronan legacy. Can they defeat those who seek the book, or are their lives in even greater danger than their hearts?

A writer of historical-paranormal romance, Alix Rickloff creates a compelling world of magic and enchantment set during the British Regency period. Her books have been described as “sexy and intense”, “exciting and spellbinding” and “a universe you won’t ever wish to leave”. You can visit her at www.AlixRickloff.com, www.facebook.com/pages/Alix-Rickloff/101434889914147 or www.blameitonthemuse.com.

Dragons at Midnight

Etopia Press

Paranormal, Interracial, Ménage, Dragons

BUY LINK

Blurb:

Tiger shifter Louisa thought she’d ring in the New Year all alone little did she knew that three, sexy, younger dragon shifters plan on making sure she celebrates things right. Add a little steam, some dragon shifters with a dirty mind and some creative use of furniture and you’ve got the perfect party for four.

Interracial author Selena Illyria was born with an overactive imagination. With great curiosity and a love of writing that pushes her imagination there are many worlds she’d love to explore, from paranormal to sci-fi from cyberpunk and beyond.

Are you willing, dear reader, to step into her worlds? If you do feel free to poke around. Mind the pixies. They can be very um… excitable by newcomers. *wink*

Email her at selenaillyria826@gmail.com or visit her:

Website: www.selenaillyria.com

Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Selena-Illyria/100175079107?ref=nf

Twitter: twitter.com/Selena_Illyria

Now, how hot are those? That dude on Alix’s cover makes me drool! For a chance to win these three books, comment on this post by midnight Pacific time. Merry Christmas!

Day 29 – 30 Days of Christmas is a post from: Lex Valentine, Author

It’s getting close to Christmas! WOOT! I’ve got two of my Christmas Cowboys books for you today and something special from my friend Lisa Fox! The two Christmas Cowboys stories are about siblings Devon and Brad Marsh. Devon’s story is Christmas in Hell and Brad’s is Christmas Wish. As usual, both tell the tale of a Christmas Eve hookup on Forbes Ranch. Lisa’s book is Santa’s Sleeping Beauty. Three holiday tales of hotness! Here’s some info about the books.

Christmas in Hell

Christmas Cowboys Series #2

Pink Petal Books

M/F, Erotic Contemporary Holiday Story

BUY LINK

Blurb:

Devon Marsh is resigned to spending Christmas in Hell. A city girl, Devon accompanies her boss to their family ranch where she feels out of place. Even worse, she is faced with the prospect of dealing with former rodeo star Jared Abbott, one of the cowboys on the ranch. Sexy as hell Jared spins Devon’s wheels in a big way, but in the past, he’s made it clear that he despises her. When the two of them are caught in a rainstorm on Christmas Eve, emotions run high and ignite into passion. Can cowboy Jared convince city girl Devon that living in a town that smells of horse and cow poo is worth it if she has him?

Christmas Wishes

Christmas Cowboys Series #4

Pink Petal Books

M/F, Erotic Contemporary Cougar Holiday Story

BUY LINK

Blurb:

Bradley Marsh is spending Christmas with his sister Devon and her husband Jared. In the past, he managed to avoid the holidays at Forbes Ranch. But now, he’s there and faced with the woman he’s wanted for eight long years. With his 30th birthday on the horizon and all his friends settling down, Brad’s tired of being single and tired of yearning for a woman who doesn’t know he exists. This year, his only wish is to make the woman of his dreams his own.

For years, Anne-Marie Mallory’s mourned the death of her husband and high school sweetheart Danny. But more recently, she’s had her eye on hunky younger man Brad Marsh even though she’s sure his crush is because he feels sorry for her. She wishes Brad would stop seeing her as the grieving widow of a decorated war hero and start seeing her as a woman in her prime who needs a man like him to make her holiday – and her life – complete.

Santa’s Sleeping Beauty

Ellora’s Cave

M/F contemporary erotic romance

BUY LINK

Blurb:

When Jordan takes a break from her last-minute Christmas shopping to have a cup of coffee, she meets a handsome Santa with a twinkle in his eye and a sinful smile. He offers her a special Christmas treat that Jordan is more than happy to accept.

Naughty never felt sooo right as together they share an outrageous night of love that is supposed to end with the coming of dawn.

Or so they thought…

World-renowned neurosurgeon, jet fighter pilot, secret member of American royalty, seducer of legions of beautiful, outrageously sexy angels and demons and vampires and werewolves and the occasional pirate, Lisa Fox has done it all…in her own mind. In reality, she can generally be found at her desk with a cup of coffee close at hand. Or maybe a martini. It really depends on the day.

Feedback, comments, opinions, words of wisdom, chocolate cake and the addresses of super hot men are always appreciated and encouraged. Please feel free to contact Lisa any time.

Website: www.LisaFoxRomance.com

And there you have it for today! Christmas heat without a fireplace! For a chance to win these holiday stories, leave a comment on this post by midnight Pacific time tonight. Happy Holidays!

Day 28 – 30 Days of Christmas is a post from: Lex Valentine, Author

As we wind down toward the last day of this giveaway, I do have a few special treats in store for you. Today is one of those treats. Today’s book is by Jennifer Leeland, who, if you’re a fan of my writing, you know her to be the catalyst for me getting published. Jen’s the one who prodded me on my blog Sunlight Sucks to send my work to a publisher and lo and behold, she was right! They liked me! So you can totally say she discovered me. *wink*

It’s my great privilege and pleasure to have Jen and her latest release on my blog today. If you’ve never read her books, you need to. She has just the right combination of sexy and suspense and sci fi to make me all shivery.

Thanks, Lex, for having me here at your 30 Days of Christmas.  It’s always a blast and definitely a privilege.

Christmas is definitely my favorite time of year and in our house Christmas starts about October 31 with “A Christmas Story” (and the infamous lamp) and Christmas music.   Now that we’re so close to the Big Day, we come to the most important pre-day before Christmas that no one–not even the biggest Scrooge can avoid.

Grocery shopping.

You know what I mean.  It’s that moment, a day or two before Christmas, when you realize you need milk or more eggs or coffee.   And you also realize that the grocery store is filled with people like me who have a ton of people coming over and need to empty the store and their pockets to put on Christmas dinner. The next thing you know, you’re standing in front of the grocery store with sweaty palms and resignation, wishing you had a magic lamp to rub so you could just conjure your one small item without waiting in the express line.

But no genie can rescue you from the insanity.  The doors slide open and you’re instantly hit with the frantic anxiety of a million people trying to make sure they get that can of pumpkin, that bag of flour and that jar of mincemeat.  The crazy is everywhere.  The employees are just as crazy with their own shopping deferred as they ring up basket after basket.  Even the corner market doesn’t escape this horror as the woman in floury sweats and the man with the six pack of Pale Ale rush to the line to purchase whatever they forgot to get at the bigger stores.

There’s no getting away from it.  Oh, you can try.  You can load up your freezer with pot pies and swear to drink only water as you wait for the crazy people to dissipate.  But it will happen.  Something, some odd twist of fate, will drive you to the nearest market with your debit card and a prayer that this time you might escape unscathed.  It’s inevitable that we will be bombarded with Christmas music piped through speakers, accompanying our frantic search for band-aides, creamer or toilet paper.

So, every year, I do the same thing.  I resolve to enjoy myself.

If I have to go to the store to purchase hundreds of dollars in food and supplies, I’m going to crack jokes, smile at other people and generally make the experience bearable.  Let’s face it.  There are times when slogging through the pre-Christmas stuff is much like going through a bank robbery.  You get your pocket picked and it definitely feels like there’s a gun to your head.

When you go to the store this season and there’s some goofy chick with an overflowing cart smiling at you, she could just be making the best of it.  We’re all in this together.  We can’t escape it.  Whether you’re a guy who is running out on Christmas Eve to get someone a bottle of wine as a present or a stressed out hostess who ran out of butter, we are fellow suffers to the same thing.  The only way to survive is solidarity my friends.

May your trips to the grocery stores be quick and painless and your Christmas be filled with warmth and love.  And may we all remember that it’s the little things that can give us joy.

Since I love Christmas, it shouldn’t surprise you that I have a Christmas book out.  I’ve written a “Marked” book set at Christmas time called “Marked For Surrender”.  Lex will choose one winner for a copy of this book.

My Webpage
My MySpace Page

Marked For Surrender

Loose Id

BDSM futuristic menage

BUY LINK

Blurb:

When Zevon and Christophe are accused of being traitors to Nylar, they both believe the truth will come out and justice will prevail. But the Blueshift Brotherhood has targeted them and the two men end up with the Nyral Mistresses to be broken. Hope seems gone for the two lovers and they come face to face with their inner secrets when they face the most infamous Mistress of all: the Ball Breaker.

Mistress Andia Cyrus has broken thousands of criminals, turning dominant men into slaves. The two men she’s handed this time, however, are not the usual type she’s used to. They seem to be innocent, for one thing. For another, they’re in love. And for another, she’s starting to fall for them. She begins to dig deeper and soon finds a Blueshift Brotherhood assassin on her tail.

Fate seems to drag them together and Andia, Christophe and Zevon discover they can only survive if they are marked for surrender.

Publisher’s Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: anal play/intercourse, BDSM them and elements (including Domination/submission), male/male sexual practices, menage (m/f/m, m/m/f).

I have to read this one! I love the Marked series. And you will too if you win this book! So leave comments. You have until midnight Pacific time to get your comment on this post! Happy Holidays!

Day 27 – 30 Days of Christmas is a post from: Lex Valentine, Author

Today, I’ve got two stories of mine for you plus a hot holiday story from my fellow EC author Shoshanna Evers. I’m giving away a copy of Christmas Hookup along with a copy of The Pixie Prince. Both of these are stories I wrote early in my career but both are heart warming as well as hot as Hades. Christmas Hookup is still tops the bestselling Cowboy/Western category at ARe. As for Shoshanna’s book, lets just say if you live somewhere with snow and ice you may be glad of it after reading her book! Here’s info about the books:

Christmas Hookup

Christmas Cowboys Series #1

Pink Petal Books

M/F, Erotic Contemporary Cougar Holiday Story

FREE DOWNLOAD LINK

Blurb:

A hot cowboy, a class reunion on Christmas Eve, a stumble in the parking lot… Elle literally falls into Riley’s hands in the country club parking lot. Sparks ignite and lead to a very hot hookup with a twist at the end! If you love hot erotica, but still want that Gift of the Magi warm, fuzzy feeling, this book is for you!

The Pixie Prince: A Twisted Tale from the Darkworld

Cobblestone Press

M/F, vampires/pixies, erotic paranormal romance

BUY LINK

Blurb:

Underwear model Max Fever has a problem. He’s just become the Pixie Prince and his inheritance includes big golden wings that won’t let him sleep on his back. Max has to find a soft mattress or spend the rest of his days with a bruised behind.

An enigmatic waiter named Marty takes Max to club Carpe Noctem to meet a vampire who has a space foam mattress. Max falls in love with the mattress and its owner, vampire Bliss Wilde. Will the tragic pasts of Bliss’ brother and Max’s best friend become a roadblock to their bonding?

Ginger Snap

Ellora’s Cave

M/F contemporary BDSM romance

BUY LINK

Blurb:

When Holly sits on Tom’s lap to tell him what she wants for Christmas, she knows she’s naughty enough to get a lump of coal—but she never expected to get a hand of ginger root. Peeled ginger in her bottom burns like crazy without causing any actual harm—so the punishment can go on as long as naughty Holly deserves.

Ginger-figging has been used since Victorian times to keep girls from clenching against a proper caning because, as Holly finds out, clenching around ginger has her begging for mercy—and more turned-on than she’s ever been. From now on Holly should be on her best behavior…but with this sort of punishment, it’s more fun to be bad.

Bestselling multi-published romance author Shoshanna Evers writes for Ellora’s Cave, The Wild Rose Press, Cleis Press, and Berkley/Jove, as well as becoming an Amazon Erotica Bestseller and #1 Amazon Authorship Bestseller with her self-published books. When she’s not writing hot romance, she’s a stay-at-home mom, a syndicated newspaper advice columnist, and a registered nurse. Her favorite thing to do is cuddle up with a good book…and her husband.

Shoshanna lives with her family and three big dogs in a lakefront cottage in upstate New York. She welcomes emails from readers and writers.

Email: shoshanna.evers@yahoo.com
Website: www.ShoshannaEvers.com
Blog: www.TheWritersChallenge.com

friend Shoshanna on Facebook and follow Shoshanna on Twitter

And there you have it for the 20th of December! Comment on this post by midnight Pacific time tonight for a chance to win these books. Happy holidays!

Day 26 – 30 Days of Christmas is a post from: Lex Valentine, Author

It’s Day 25 which means this is Christmas week. I have some very special people joining me this week and today we start off with one of the most amazing people and writers I’ve ever had the privilege to meet. She’s a tiny little thing with a huge heart. To be honest, having read her books and loved them, I was afraid to meet her at RT but my friend Regina Carlysle made me promise that I would go up to Desiree Holt and introduce myself and give her a hug. So I did. She stepped back after the hug, looked at me with a big smile and reached out for another hug. She is just the most amazing woman. And it my great pleasure to have her newest release on my blog today. She promised some hot cowboy lovin’ and I know she always delivers! So here is some info about Desiree and her new release.

Stark Naked

Samhain

M/F erotic contemporary cowboy romance

BUY LINK

Blurb:

Reenie Davenport learned the hard way that men are cheating, promotion-thieving poison. A month after making a fresh start in Texas, she looks forward to taking a breather at her old college friend Amy’s family ranch. Instead, she’s left breathless when Amy’s very drunk, very sexy, very naked brother lands at her feet. Even as she hardens her heart, a small part of her wishes that quickly tossed towel would shift…just a little.

When Matt Stark shows up at Reenie’s door to apologize, he can barely squeeze a word past her emotional barriers. Suddenly nothing else matters except convincing her not all men are clones of her ex. Sweet-talking her into lunch is only the beginning.

One touch, and boom! Much to Reenie’s dismay, lunch ends in a hot, flaming dessert—in her bed. Shutting Matt out isn’t as easy as simply blowing out a match. Especially since this cowboy is equally determined to unlock her heart.

Desiree Holt’s writing is flavored with the rich experiences of her life, including a long stretch in the music business representing every kind of artist from country singer to heavy metal rock bands. For several years she also ran her own public relations agency handling any client that interested her, many of whom might recognize themselves in the pages of her stories. She is twice a finalist for an EPIC E-Book Award, a nominee for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, winner of the first 5 Heart Sweetheart of the Year Award at The Romance Studio as well as twice a CAPA Award for best BDSM book of the year, winner of two Holt Medallion Awards of Merit, multiple winner of the Whipped Cream Book of the Week Award and is published by five different houses. Romance Junkies said of her work: “Desiree Holt is the most amazing erotica author of our time and each story is more fulfilling then the last.”

You can find her at

www.desireeholt.com

www.desireeholttellsall.com

www.facebook.com/desiree holt

Twitter @desireeholt.com

Now, I’m off to buy myself a copy of this hot book and if you know what’s good for you, you’ll leave a comment on this post by midnight Pacific time tonight so you have a chance at winning a copy! Have a great Monday and Happy Holidays!

Day 25 – 30 Days of Christmas is a post from: Lex Valentine, Author

This is the last day of my gay rom week although I will have gay rom for you on Christmas Eve too.  The book from my backlist is my first gay rom cowboy holiday story Christmas Catch. It’s just a hot little holiday tale perfect for warming you up quickly. Joining me today are my fellow MLR Press authors. MLR Press has been totally in the holiday spirit this year with lots of holiday releases. Their authors really know the spirit of giving. I have books for you from Kimberly Gardner, Barry Brennessel and AJ Rose. Here’s some info on the books and authors.

Christmas Catch

Christmas Cowboys Series #3

Pink Petal Books

M/M, Erotic Contemporary Holiday Story

BUY LINK

Blurb:

Mitchell Caulfield’s soul is as wounded as his body once was. The former Air Force pilot, forced to retire after being shot down over Afghanistan suffers from PTSD. Working as a bodyguard to supermodel Riley Forbes, Mitch accompanies the model and his wife home to the ranch for Christmas. There he meets Riley’s cousin Grayson, a former rodeo star who now runs Forbes Ranch. Can the magic of Christmas bring two men from diverse backgrounds together? And will they open their hearts to the possibility of love?

Slave Master’s Choice

Loose Id

M/M fantasy romance

BUY LINK

Blurb:

When Alejandro finds himself captured and taken into slavery in the hostile kingdom of Inemor, his first priority is getting free and going home. The last
thing he expects is to become His Majesty’s favorite plaything. But between his natural penchant for the touch of a man–a thing forbidden in his homeland–
and the sensual attentions of the charismatic slave master, he discovers captivity is far more liberating than freedom.

Once a pleasure slave himself, Kedmund is now master of the king’s elite cadre of playmates, a post which grants him sexual access to any slave at any time.
But no man has ever touched his heart until Alejandro. Though he fights his attraction to the beautiful slaveboy, he finds himself continually drawn in,
risking more with each encounter until desire becomes his greatest nemesis.

But when murder is done and Alejandro is accused, the ultimate question of loyalty or love threatens both their lives and all that matters is the Slave
Master’s Choice.

Kimberly Gardner has been making up stories for as long as she can remember. As early as the seventh grade, she was slashing her favorite rockstars for her own and her friends’ enjoyment. Around that same time she began a lifelong love affair with the romance genre, devouring category romances as fast as she could smuggle them into the house and past her mother’s watchful eye. So it’s not all that surprising that her two passions, romance and putting pretty boys with other pretty boys, should ultimately come together in her writing.

Kimberly’s fourth novel, Slave Master’s Choice, was published in November 2011 by Loose-ID. She is currently hard at work on her fourth novel, the third book in the Phoenix Rising series, a gay contemporary with the working title Consent To Pleasure which will be available in 2012.

Moliere says, “Writing is like prostitution. First you do it for love, then for a few close friends, then for money.”

Kimberly is delighted at long last to be doing it for money. WEBSITE

Tinseltown

MLR Press

M/M contemporary romance

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Blurb:

Film student Micah Malone learns the hard way that when life sucks, you can’t just yell “Cut! Let’s do another take!”

His grades are a box-office bomb. His friends create more drama than a soap opera. And his love life needs a laughtrack. While there’s no script to dictate what happens next, can Micah find the direction he needs? Life, after all, is no film school project. But it is great source material. The only source material.

Let the cameras roll. Micah’s quirky story has begun filming.

When Barry Brennessel’s first collection of stories was read aloud by his second grade teacher, the author hid in the bathroom. As the years flew by, he wrote more, hid less (not really), and branched out to Super 8 films and cassette tape recorders. Barry’s audience—consisting solely of friends and family—were both amused and bemused.

Since those childhood days, Barry has earned degrees in English and French from the State University of New York College at Brockport, and a Master of Arts in Writing from the Johns Hopkins University.

Tinseltown is Barry’s first novel. His second novel The Sulphur Cure is forthcoming from L&L Dreamspell. Reunion, a collection of linked stories, is forthcoming from Lethe Press. His novella The Price of Silence recently debuted.

His work has appeared in SNReview, Perspectives, Time Pilot, Liquid Ohio, Nocturnal Lyric, Midnight Times, Gival Press’s ArLiJo, Polari Journal, and the Dreamspell Nightmares (I & II) and Dreamspell Revenge (I & II) anthologies from L&L Dreamspell. His stories, novels and teleplays have won awards, including a 2008 Pushcart Prize nomination; 3rd Place in the 2010 Pacific Northwest Writers Association (PNWA) literary contest and finalist status in the 2006, 2008 and 2009 PNWA contests; 3rd Place in the 79th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition and finalist status in the Winter 2010 WILDSound Screenplay competition.

When not embroiled in his own writing, Barry sips wine, nibbles on chocolate, and watches films and TV—both the classic and the cheesy. (Mmm…cheese!) WEBSITE

In Remembrance of Us

MLR Press

M/M contemporary romance

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Blurb:

When epic friendship turns into epic romance, there’s no possible outcome besides Happily Ever After, right?

Tom Foster hopes so, but he can’t answer that. A traumatic brain injury during a mugging wiped out his memory. His love for Ryan Guthrie, the man he’s learned he’s married to, is strong and true, but as each memory returns, Tom discovers much discontent. Can they build a new foundation to stand on, or will epic be the word that describes their marital failure?

It began with a Halloween themed short story assignment from his second grade teacher, and from then on, AJ Rose fell head over heels in love with writing. Even an active social life through school, learning to play the piano in a passable imitation of proficient, and a daring move to New York City from the Midwest couldn’t stop him from telling tall tales about imaginary people. College experiences changed his perspective to romance and passion, and his propensity to slash favorite TV characters brought him to where he is today. But don’t be surprised if the occasional ghost still pops up in his stories. WEBSITE

And I thought  yesterday had some hot books! Yowza! Today looks amazing too! For a chance to win these books, leave a comment on this post by midnight Pacific time tonight. Happy Christmas!

Day 24 – 30 Days of Christmas is a post from: Lex Valentine, Author

There are four books you can win in today’s giveaway. The book from my backlist is Where There’s Smoke, the third book in the Phoenix Prophecy. It’s standalone so you don’t need to read the other two books, but it sure is an awesome story if you do! The first book in the trilogy is written by Dee Carney and the second by Mina Carter. Dee’s story is about a merman and Mina’s is a menage with werewolves. My story is M/M and involves the Phoenix and a raven shifter. It’s the story of four brothers whose father wants to kill them.

The other authors and books rounding out my giveaway are all amazing. First, we have Elizabeth Lister’s The Crush. I did the cover and trailer for this one and had to read it. I found myself LOVING this story! There’s even a sequel to this one, one of MLR Press’s holiday releases, Holiday Matinee. (It’s just as good as the first book! Love, love, love me some Jack!) The next book is Xavier Axelson’s The Birches. I met Xavier when he interviewed me for the Examiner and he did a great job! And last, but not least, Ethan Stone offers winners a choice of his backlist. He’s got some great books so the winner will be hard pressed to choose!

This is a all gay rom day with great books that you can win so comment on this post by midnight for your chance to take these books home! Here’s some info on the books and authors.

Where There’s Smoke: Book Three of the Phoenix Prophecy

Liquid Silver Books

M/M, shifters, Erotic Paranormal/Urban Fantasy Romance

The Phoenix Prophecy buy links:

Book One – Deeper Than The Ocean by Dee Carney

Book Two – Playing Wolf by Mina Carter

BUY LINK FOR WHERE THERE’S SMOKE

TRAILER

Blurb

A murderous father. A son with a price on his head. Zander’s year-long affair with a mysterious woman ends when she tells him that her abusive mate is the father he’s never known. The woman, a prophesy-dreaming immortal known as the Phoenix, explains that Zander has three brothers and that his father killed their mothers. Now, the Phoenix has dreamt of her mate’s death and Zander’s destiny. Voth is the Phoenix’s successor and Zander’s true mate. The two set out to find Zander’s brothers while eluding the assassins sent after them by Zander’s father. Passion burns hot between them, sealing their fate, as their journey leads them to fulfill the Phoenix’s prophecy.

The Crush

MLR Press

M/M erotic contemporary romance

BUY LINK

TRAILER

Blurb:

Jack Claridge’s sister, Amy, has a big crush on her English professor, Michael Donovan. When Jack agrees to accompany her on an outing with the object of her affection, the last thing he expects is the professor’s reaction to him. One surreptitious hand-job later and Michael is hooked. But will Jack ‘use him and lose him’ or does Jack care for the professor more than he thinks? And what will he tell Amy?

Elizabeth Lister lives in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada with her very tolerant husband and two beautiful children.   She has a BA in Psychology and a certificate in Dramatic Scriptwriting.  Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2009, Elizabeth believes in the healing powers of great sex and a positive outlook.

WEBSITE

The Birches

Seventh Window Publications

M/M erotic contemporary romance

BUY LINK

Blurb:

Perfection isn’t everything, although it’s everything Leo wants. His desire to become the perfect chef may keep him at the top of his class, but it drives his friends and family crazy while keeping love and passion on the back burner. That is until he meets Dock, owner and chef of the new and popular restaurant, The Birches. Although Dock isn’t a trained chef, Leo finds the food he cooks delectable and the man behind the food irresistible. The lessons taught at the hands of an untrained cook may be just what this uptight chef needs to let go.

Xavier Axelson is a writer of erotica for Silver Publishing and Seventh Window Publications.  He is also the Los Angeles Sex Advice Columnist for Examiner.com, contributes regularly to Queer Magazine Online, and writes a column for All Bear Online Magazine.  Xavier has worked in the adult industry for over 15 years.  During this time, he has assisted countless people with exploring their healthy sexual needs, questions, and lifestyles.  Xavier has several degrees in fields such as communications, library technology, and literature. WEBSITE

Choice of: In the Flesh, Flesh & Blood, Blood & Tears or Wolf Moon

Dreamspinner Press

BUY LINKS

Blurbs:

In the Flesh: Reno Detective Cristian Flesh lives his life by a strict set of personal rules, preferring one-time flings and anonymous encounters to committed relationships. His rules work for him… until his life is turned upside down when first, a former lover, a famous televangelist, is attacked, and then one of his one-night stands is murdered, making Cristian the prime suspect.

When handsome lawyer Colby Maddox takes his case, Cristian finds himself wanting to break all his rules about relationships. The instant attraction between them is undeniable. But before they can contemplate any kind of future together, they’ll have to clear Cristian’s name by finding the real murderer.
Flesh & Blood: Detective Cristian Flesh is about to find out that he can only run from his past for so long.
When a local man is attacked and the suspect is a hustler, Cristian knows there’s more to the case than meets the eye. His investigation will lead him into a maze of lies, deceit, and underage prostitution. But that’s only the beginning as people start disappearing and turning up dead. Cristian begins to realize that solving the case and stopping the murders won’t be enough. If he wants to make his new life with lawyer Colby Maddox work, he’ll need to face the demons of his past and put them to rest once and for all.

Blood and Tears: The last thing Gabe Vargas wants to do after losing his girlfriend and nearly dying is leave his young son. But that’s exactly what FBI Agent Drew Bradley is asking him to do. According to Drew, the only way to protect Gabe and find the killer is to fake Gabe’s death.

With an already established adversarial relationship, protecting a firebrand like Gabe isn’t exactly a picnic for Drew either. But when Drew lets his guard down, his feelings of desire for Gabe leave him confused. Before the crime can be solved, Drew will have to risk more than his job. He’ll have to risk his heart.

Wolf Moon: When college student Jack Coleman meets Derek Malone at a party, it’s mutual lust at first sight. Lies and secrets almost derail the relationship, but they face the problems head on, and it isn’t long before Jack and Derek decide to take their relationship to the next level. That’s when things get complicated.

It turns out Derek and several other people Jack thought he knew are werewolves… and so is Jack. In fact, his unusual birthmark brands him as a Chosen One, a werewolf of great power destined to be alpha. But Jack isn’t sure he’s cut out to be a leader. When a pack rival, Elias Fairchild, kidnaps Derek to force Jack’s hand, Jack has to make up his mind: Will he deny his newfound heritage or risk it all to save Derek’s life?

Ethan Stone is a struggling author. Struggling with getting those damn words out of his head and onto the computer. Struggling with being a father to a teenage son. He lives in a very small town in Nevada. He’s not sure why people choose to live there. He’s not even sure why he lives there. He’s got a day job that interferes with more important duties such as reading, writing, sleeping and drinking Mt. Dew. WEBSITE

Whew! Those all sound incredibly HOT! Today’s winner will have to sit in the snow to read these! Comment on this post by midnight if you want a chance at all this hotness! Happy holidays!

Day 23 – 30 Days of Christmas is a post from: Lex Valentine, Author

Boy, do I have some treats for you today! First up is an anthology I’m in, Love Me Dead. This is a ghost story anthology and my story is Rousing Caine, about a man who is so in love with a man’s he’s been watching from afar that when his wife kills him, he can’t leave the man behind and becomes a ghost. The book also contains stories from the wonderful AM Riley and the luscious William Maltese. Joining me in today’s giveaway are authors M.E. Reid and Angelia Sparrow. Angelia offers up a book of 19 GLBT stories while M.E. gives us two romantic suspense books. Here’s info on the authors and books.

Love Me Dead

Featuring Rousing Caine

MLR Press

M/M, ghosts, erotic paranormal romance

BUY LINK

Blurb for Rousing Caine:

Jason Rockham has lost faith in others and himself. He no longer trusts and doesn’t believe in love. When he escapes to his cliffside home in Northern California, he meets a ghost who is the antithesis of everything he’s come to believe about people. Caine Carruthers fell in love with the laugh of a man he didn’t know. After his unexpected death, he sought out the man and found him bitter and disillusioned with life. With love in his heart, Caine sets out to show Jason that life is worthwhile and love is possible. Two incomparable heroes – a man who has lost hope and a ghost who believes love conquers all, including death. This story will make you laugh and cry and most of all… believe.

Howl At the Mistletoe

GLBT Anthology

BUY LINK

Blurb:

19 short stories, including the gay Christmas Werewolf saga, kinky cosplayers, Rapunzel and Medusa in love and steampunk lesbians fighting zombies.

Angelia Sparrow is best known as an author of GLBT romance. She writes in a variety of genres, including horror, paranormal, fantasy and science fiction. She is a former library paraprofessional who traded her card catalogue for ten in the wind and the hum of the highway.

She works steadily on the newest pieces, haring off on tangents as the muses move her. WEBSITE

Memories Erased

Loose Id

Contemporary M/M Romantic Suspense

BUY LINK

Blurb:

Devin Piers Nilsson is a cold-blooded killer; Ewyn Kelley Calderone is an Italian mob brat.  Both work at the same agency, yet they have never met. Then, one fateful night, Ewyn walks into a gay bar where Devin is a regular. The attraction between the two is instantaneous, but Ewyn isn’t alone.  He’s with his abusive lover, Gareth Varvarinski, a Russian mob heavy.  When the two have a violent altercation in the men’s room, Devin comes to Ewyn’s rescue, believing Ewyn is worth the risks.

However, Ewyn has secrets. Secrets that create a conflict of interest for Devin, secrets that test his loyalty to Devin, and Ewyn’s secrets perpetuate murder. Devin ignores the consequences of what being with Ewyn could mean and Ewyn’s world of secrets soon explodes around them, becoming deadly at every turn.

Ewyn has a physical confrontation with Devin’s ex. A member of the Russian mob goes after Ewyn and ends up dead in his jail cell.  Then, someone kills Gareth Varvarinski, Ewyn becomes the prime suspect, and once again, Ewyn has a secret he’s afraid to share with Devin. Yet despite that lack of trust, Devin races against time to find a killer before Ewyn is the next victim.

Memories Erased: Treachery

eXtasy Books

Contemporary M/M Romantic Suspense

BUY LINK

Blurb:

The boys are back. Mob brat Ewyn Calderone and covertop Devin Nilsson

Two years ago, Ewyn Calderone escaped the subjugation of domestic violence.  The love and support of Devin Nilsson helped Ewyn reclaim his self-esteem.  Now his fragile self-confidence is tested when his brother, the Calderone mob boss vanishes, Ewyn becomes head of the family, and his pregnant niece and her sister die in a purported accident.  The baby survives and Ewyn becomes her guardian.

Days later, police report the deaths are homicides then ask about the women’s dubious lifestyles.  Ewyn has no answers and the panic of self-doubt re-emerges.  Can Ewyn and Devin, with the help of law enforcement friends, unravel the mystery of the child’s paternity and the deception of the nieces’ lives before the child becomes the killer’s next fatality?

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, M.E. Reid currently resides in Bullhead City, Arizona.  Very reclusive (shy). When not writing, or mired in research, she spends her time enjoying the company of her two adopted/rescue pets, Apache, a Giant Schnauzer and Mason, a Weimaraner.  Besides reference manuals and the extensive use of the Internet, quite a bit of her research is via Discovery, National Geographic, History, and Military channels watching crime/police/forensics, law enforcement, and CIA/DOJ documentaries.  She is an insatiable reader, has eclectic tastes in music, and for writing purposes, she uses Marie E. Reid. Emily Wade-Reid, and M. E. Reid depending on the genre. WEBSITE

Four great books you can win today so leave a comment on this post by midnight Pacific time for your chance to find these in your inbox! Happy Holidays everyone!

Day 22 – 30 Days of Christmas is a post from: Lex Valentine, Author