Win an ARC of Coyote's Mate

December Monthly Competition

Here are the rules

To win an ARC of Coyote's Mate, Simply answer these questions and email your answers to breedsarehot@gmail.com

Question 1 - Which Breed would you buy a Christmas Present for?

Question 2 - What would you buy him or her?

A winner will be drawn on December 31st and the ARC posted out in the new year.

Dont forget, your answers have to be emailed to breedsarehot@gmail.com in order to qualify for entry.

Lora Leigh Booksigning this Saturday

Lora Leigh, Kay Stockham and Justine Rutherford

Will be signing books from 2 - 4 pm

at

Barboursville - Borders

120 Huntington Mall, Barboursville, WV 25504

Phone: 304.736.6233

If anyone is in the area, please come along !

Win an ARC of Only Pleasure

To celebrate Thanksgiving I am running a competition on my forum, Simply post about which Bound Hearts male or female character you would like to share Thanksgiving with and why.

The instructions on how to enter can be found at this link http://pub4.bravenet.com/forum/330493581/show/1154607

I hope you have fun.

As promised, here's your first taste of ONLY PLEASURE. I hope you enjoy the excerpt, and when the book releases, I do hope you enjoy the story.
Kia's part in the Bound Hearts series has intrigued me since the first book and her name came up as the disenchanted wife that told the tale on the members. It took a while for me to get to know her though, for her to tell me her story, and when she did, it was so much more than I had imagined.
Chase's fascination with her, and his determination to hold himself aloof also drew me. In WICKED PLEASURE, he was a difficult character to write at times because he was so determined to hold his secrets, and his desires inside. And now I know why.
I hope you enjoyed WICKED PLEASURE, and I hope ONLY PLEASURE fulfills his story in all the ways you're looking for, as well as ways that will surprise you as it did me.
Until it's release in January 2009, I hope you enjoy the small glimpses I'll give you into it, and I hope Chase and Kia touch your heart as they did mine.


ONLY PLEASURE
(Unedited Excerpt)
By Lora Leigh

Prologue


Kia Rutherford-Stanton opened the door to her penthouse suite and stared back at the man on the other side. Dressed in dark slacks and a gray dress shirt, he appeared far more dangerous than the clothing and the handsome quiet features would suggest.
She knew him, everyone knew who Chase Falladay was, and those who didn’t soon learned. According to her bastard husband, he was also the one man she didn’t want standing on her doorstep.
As though she should be frightened of him. Perhaps that was her mistake. It was never fear that filled her whenever she was around Chase. Wariness at times. Uncertainty. And since her marriage, an awareness that she shouldn’t be anywhere near him.
But fear had never been one of those emotions.
“What do you want?” She wondered if the bruises on her face were still apparent. She didn’t think so. She’d spent forever on her makeup that morning.
It seemed Drew hadn’t been pleased when he found out that his wife had no intentions of taking him back, or of retracting the information spilling through their social set that he had not just attempted to rape her with another man, but that he and that man were part of a club created just for such perverts.
As though she wanted that to get out. As though it didn’t humiliate her as much as it did him. That didn’t mean she had to do anything to help him. And the back handed blow had given her in response had assured her that she didn’t care if he fried in society.
But, as he had warned her, Chase had shown up. And he had also warned her that if he did, they all needed to be very frightened.
“I’d just like to talk to you a moment, Kia.” His voice was like smooth, rich brandy. It curled over the senses and reminded her, no matter how much she wished otherwise at the moment, she was still a woman, and a voice like his was guaranteed to gain a response.
“As if I’m not perfectly aware of what you want to talk about.” She stepped aside, watching as he moved into the apartment, his tall, hard body somehow at odds in the mainly feminine atmosphere that surrounded him now.
She turned and led the way from the wide foyer to the living room, tossing him a glare over her shoulder. Drew, her soon to be ex-husband had called her the day before, warning her to expect a visit from the goon squad.
The son of a bitch. Fury rose inside her like a vicious flood, filled with betrayal and anger, it stamped a trembling sneer on her face as Chase Falladay stepped into the room.
“Kia, I don’t want to battle with you,” he turned to her, staring back at her, as though he understood, as though he were compassionate. “It appears to me that you’ve been through enough.”
“Then why are you here?” Her lips trembled as she let herself meet his cool, light green eyes. They pierced her, had her throat thickening with the gentleness in them.
“Can we sit down?” He motioned to the chairs.
Kia sat down warily, watching as he took the other chair across from her, his gaze brooding and heavy as he watched her.
“Drew told you about the club,” he finally stated softly.
Kia flinched and looked away. Like the bastard had a choice.
She licked her lips nervously and turned back to him.
“Did he tell you what he did too?”
“He didn’t, but others have. I’ll tell you, his membership is being investigated. He’s facing losing it, as well as a hefty deposit he paid. But there’s more at risk here than the deposit he could lose, or his membership. The risk, Kia, is in the gossip, which came from you, and is now spreading through Alexandria.”
She tightened her lips. “Do you think I wanted that damned gossip?” She came to her feet in a rush of anger. “It seems I can’t trust my husband, nor the few friends I believed I had. And now, you’re here?” She waved her hand at the room. “What are you going to do Chase? Kill me for it?”
According to Drew the secret of the club had been maintained for more than a century. Until she told a friend what he had told her the night he and his friend tried to rape her.
She pushed her fingers through her shoulder length blonde hair before shaking her head wearily at his patient look. Chase was never ruffled. He was always calm.
“You’re not denying the gossip,” he pointed out.
Hell no she hadn’t. She had thought she could let her husband strangle beneath the weight of it, hoping he twisted in agony as all eyes turned to him. She had thought she could. How wrong she had been.
“Two of your members tried to rape me, in my own home, Chase,” she informed him bitterly. “And you’re here to what? Berate me because I told a friend and she spread the rumor of all those little perverts you protect?”
He sat back in his chair, his arms laying comfortably on the heavily cushioned arms as he stared back at her. Those eyes, they seemed to sink into a woman, made her soften, made her want to please him. What a dangerous talent for a man’s eyes to possess.
“You’re not denying the rumor,” he stated again.
“Neither am I upholding it,” she argued.
He watched her carefully, silence stretching between them as she paced back to her chair and sat down wearily.
Her father was pacing at home she knew. He had called that morning, torn between loyalty to his daughter and the knowledge he had just learned that his entire life, the holdings four generations of Stanton’s had possessed could come crumpling to his feet. All because of Drew. Because he had dared to threaten her with that damned club and when she had spilled all her hurt and anger to the person she believed was a friend, it had begun to spread.
“My father called,” she finally said. “He’s received phone calls from major stockholders.” She knew this game. She had been born and raised within the dirty little social sect that thrived on power and threats. “Drew was right, wasn’t he? You have enough power to destroy all of us.”
“Kia, I’m here to help you,” he promised her.
“Yes, of course you are, how could I have ever believed otherwise?” She stated tearfully, mockingly. “What do you want me to do, Chase, take out an ad in the newspapers that I lied? That Drew never brought a third in on me from your damned club and tried to rape me.” Her voice rose in humiliation and pain. “Tell them he never threatened to destroy me with the power that club wields? Did you bring a list of the papers? Should I stand on the street corner and proclaim it to the world?”
The tears didn’t fall, but they wanted to. She wanted to sob in fury.
“I want you to call your friend and tell her the club doesn’t exist. That you were trying to hurt Drew. When you’re asked about the club or anything he told you concerning it, I want you to deny he ever mentioned it. You didn’t give names, Kia. At this point, it’s all speculation based on the few single members known to share their lovers. Help me fix this now, and I’ll make certain you’re protected.”
She gave him a harsh, very unladylike snort. “And how will you do that, Mr. Falladay?”
“Will you trust me, Kia.” He leaned forward, his elbows braced on his knees as he watched her. “Will you trust me to keep my word? That you’ll be protected, not just in any retaliation against Drew, but from Drew as well?”
The bruise at the side of her face burned.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“There’s not enough makeup in the world to hide that mark on your face, or the fear in your eyes, Kia. I don’t want to add to that. No one is going to hurt you, physically. Drew will never touch you again, period. When the time comes, he’ll pay for what he’s done to you, just as he’ll pay for using the club to attempt to threaten you into a relationship you didn’t want.”
She stared back at him in shock.
“Why would you do that?”
His expression hardened. “Kia, we’re not just a club filled with members who share an agreement in a lifestyle. That club, that powerbase and that protection wasn’t created for its members alone. It was created for their women”
She shook her head. That didn’t make sense. None of it did. “I’m divorcing him though.”
Something flared in his eyes, something she didn’t dare delve into too closely.
“It doesn’t matter. He and another member hurt you, they bruised you Kia, and they frightened you. And that isn’t tolerated. Trust me. Work with me, and before you know it, Drew, and the pain, will be behind you.”
It wasn’t such a large request, and she knew it. The gossip would truly never be squelched but it would never be considered more than an amusing tale without her backing.
She looked down, staring at the toes of her very stylish heels that matched her very tasteful silk dress. She hated the gossip, and she’d never had the friend she had believed she possessed.
Her world was exploding around her, what did this matter?
“I’ll take care of it,” she finally whispered. “I should have never lied on Drew. What he did was bad enough.” Humiliation flamed through her. “Perhaps I was just trying to excuse him.”
“Perhaps the friend so determined to tell the tales put her own lies to the story?” He suggested softly.
To that, Kia shook her head. “No. I’ll take the blame. I trusted her. That was my mistake. I’ll deal with it.”
Chase watched her, so vulnerable, her hair covering her face, hiding the tears he knew must be filling her eyes. Coming here had been the hardest decision he had ever made. It was the only time he had regretted fulfilling this part of his job as Ian’s private investigator.
Wounding this woman’s pride made him feel like a damned animal.
“Kia,” he whispered her name gently, the urge to take her into his arms, to hold her against him, to shelter her from that pain almost impossible to resist.
When her head lifted, he saw her eyes. Bright blue, damp with tears, but fierce with pride and with anger.
“Why did he do it?” She suddenly snapped. “Why attempt to get me drunk and rape me? Why not just ask me?”
He would beat that explanation out of the bastard.
All he could do now was shake his head. “I don’t know. But a divorce is the least of what he deserves from it. And demand a high settlement.” He would make certain she received it for this blow to her pride.
“Why do you do it?” She asked him then, her expression vulnerable, her need for answers swirling in her eyes.
She made him feel like a bastard with that look.
He reach out to her, touched the hair that framed her face and tried to smile back at her. “For the pleasure, Kia. For my lovers pleasure. For my own. Only the pleasure. And there’s no pleasure in rape or in humiliation.” He dropped his hand from the soft, warm silk of her hair and rose to his feet, staring down at her.
“There was no pleasure in what they tried to do to me.” Her voice was choked, with anger and with pain.
Chase nodded slowly, his expression tightening, anger pulling at him. “And he’ll find no pleasure in the consequences of it, Kia. I promise you that. Help me fix that, and I’ll make him pay, for you.”
He left then. He couldn’t stand there any longer and watched the tears fall from those sapphire eyes or see the evidence of that bruise on her face any longer.
He’d begin the process to take Drew Stanton out of the club though, and he’d do it as painfully for the other man as possible.
And one of these days, he swore, he’s show that son of a bitch how it felt to be backhanded across the face. And he’d add a punch just for the sheer pleasure of it. If he weren’t careful, once he got started on the spineless little bastard he might not stop.
Drew Stanton had backhanded his pretty delicate wife, and Chase knew, he wanted to kill him for it. The club had rules against this. No club member abused his wife, period, neither sexually or physically. Those women were the basis for their greatest pleasure, for their satisfaction. They were not to be harmed.
And Drew had dared to hit his wife.
As he left the penthouse he drew in a hard, savage breath and promised himself he was going to stay as far from that woman as possible. Because she made him want, and what he wanted, he knew, she could never give him.

It's been a while since my last posting I know. I promised myself I wouldn't let the blog be neglected, but the last year has been a roller coaster ride and it doesn't seem as though its going to end anytime soon.
RAW, the Readers Appreciation Weekend in September was a huge blast. The slumber party and Masquerade ball was simply wonderful. There were a few glitches, but over all, I think everything went very well.
My special thanks go out to Lorie O Clare and Jessica Beard for all their wonderful help in making the event a success. And all the ladies that pitched in, stuffed tote bags and worked tirelessly to help out, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. We couldn't have done it without you.
Personally, my life is moving along I guess. I'm busier than I've ever been in my life as I try to get everything together but I think I'm making headway in the chaos. At least I hope I am.

Now, onto the good stuff.
I hope you all enjoyed the release of Mercury's War. Mercury had a very special soft spot in my heart, the gentle giant, the man who had accustomed himself to being alone, and now he's alone no more. From the moment he showed up in The Man Within, I adored him, and I hope you came to love him just as much.
I hope you also enjoyed Christmas Heat, my novella in the Christmas Cat anthology.
Noble was such a sweetie, and I thought Haley was the perfect match for him. I very much enjoyed writing their book.
The release of Only Pleasure in January 09 will see the story of another character that I've become quite fond of. Chase Falladay was an unexpected addition to the Bound Hearts series, but one that I was excited to write. His heroine is Kia Stanton. You may remember her from the first books as the wife of another member who had begun the rumors of the 'Trojans'.
Kia divorced her deceptive, calculating husband, and now two years later, she has a chance to see the world she had rejected with another man.
Acting as Chase's third is Khalid, another long time character that I've come to love. Khalid was more than just a wonderfully supportive third, but he played a part in Kia's past that I hadn't quite expected until he spoke the secret in my ear.
ONLY PLEASURE was a joy to write, and of the series, I think this might be my favorite, until I actually start Khalid's book.
If you want to know more about ONLY PLEASURE, here's the blurb that goes with the book and I hope to have an excerpt up soon.
Until then, happy reading to you all, and I hope this year, has seen your greatest dreams come true.

Blurb:
Since Chase Falladay came to her rescue two years ago, Kia Stanton has never been able to forget the powerful man or the kind of life he leads. So two years later when she runs into Chase and his friend, Khalid, and leaves with them that night, she knows exactly where it is all heading. However, little prepares her for what it is like to be in Chase’s arms, and in his bed. After years of holding back, Kia is finally able to be the woman she’s always dreamed of being in his arms.
Kia is a dream Chase has not allowed himself to entertain. Now that he has her, it’s her heart he’s after and he’s determined to win it, no matter the cost. And even though they both agreed that it would only be for pleasure, somewhere along the way it becomes and all-consuming love.

And soon, I'll have an excerpt for your reading pleasure.

A Personal Message to All Of My Readers

I know many of you have wondered where I have been lately. I haven't been up to making this announcement before now, but the time has come with RAW right around the corner. And I wanted all of you to hear this from me.

I have separated and I am filing for divorce from Tony. I don't want to go into details but I will say things are not amicable and the last few months have been some of the hardest of my life.

I ask for your understanding. I'm sorry I've been absent on line and late in answering e-mails. I also ask for your continued patience. It is going to be a long, trying time as I put my life back together and catch up with my deadlines.

Please know that I love and cherish all of my readers. Writing for you is all that has kept me sane over these past few months. Thanks for being so supportive over the years. I look forward to seeing many of you at RAW and writing many more stories for you in the future.

Lora

Get Nauti & Wild in August

Nauti Dreams Available now!

Nauti Dreams by Lora Leigh

ISBN: 0425219518

Publisher: Berkley

Order From Amazon


View a Book Peek (TM)


Third in a sizzling trilogy by the New York Times bestselling author of Nauti Boy and Nauti Nights.Natches Mackay separated himself from his family years ago, except for the two cousins who gave him the only family he’d known. Now he’s being dragged back into his father’s life in ways that could destroy him and the one woman who tempts him beyond reason: Government Agent Chaya Dane, who has fought to put her own past behind her. A mission in Somerset, Kentucky, brings her back into the dreams of Natches—and into the shadows cast by his father, suspected in the theft of government missiles. And it could cost Chaya more than she ever imagined.


What Reviewers are saying:

Reviewer Top Pick! "While the first two books in this series were great, this installment surpassed them. As a treat, you get a brief glimpse into how the other "Nauti Boys" are doing in their new lives as married men. Ms. Leigh just keeps getting better, her stories more intricate, and her writing more touching. And as for steamy sexual encounters, no one writes better." Chris ~ Night Owl Romance

"Lora Leigh lived up to her reputation as the 'Mistress of Seduction' because NAUTI DREAMS was so hot that one match would have been enough to make me erupt into flames. Romance played a huge part in NAUTI DREAMS and I found myself in awe at how romantic, yet forceful, Natches was. Nothing was going to deter this Mackay from his mission and when the smoke cleared Chaya was well and truly caught -- Natches Mackay style." Natasha Smith ~ Romance Junkies

"Hot, sexy and steamy is the Nauti theme to this series while adding mystery and intrigue into the mix. Definitely a must read!" Mandy Burns ~ Fresh Fiction

"While you always can count on Leigh for hyper-charged sensuality and raucous, bad boy sexuality, "Nauti Dreams" has an elevated emotional element that makes the romantic payoff especially sweet." Michelle Buonfiglio ~ MyLifetime.com

"NAUTI DREAMS has everything -- action-adventure, suspense, drama, romance and some wickedly hot love scenes." Jennifer ~ Wild on Books

"This is one hot book, and even though part of a trilogy, its sexy sensuousness lets it stands alone well." Lani Roberts ~ Affaire de Coeur

Wild Card Coming Agust 26th!

Wild Card - Elite Ops Book 1

ISBN: 0312945795

Publisher: St. Martin’s

Pre-Order From Amazon

View a Book Peek (TM)

It was supposed to be simple. All Navy SEAL Nathan Malone had to do was rescue three young girls from a Colombia drug cartel, then allow himself to be captured just long enough to draw out a government spy. That was before his mission went disastrously wrong…and before his wife, Bella, was told that Nathan was never coming home.

Bella’s mourned her husband’s death for three long years. But she has no idea he’s still alive. Forced to assume a new identity, the man Nathan was is now dead. If he can get back to his wife, can he keep the secret of who he really is…even as desire threatens to consume them? And as danger threatens to tear Bella from Nathan’s arms once more?

Advanced Review!

"WILD CARD is an intoxicating first installment of a brand new series. The words flow, the emotions are raw, and love is in the air. Add in the danger of Noah's mission and I could not have asked for a better book. I can't recommend WILD CARD enough. It is ultimately one of the most satisfying books I have ever read penned by this prolific and talented author." Natasha Smith ~ Romance Junkies

Read an excerpt: http://www.loraleigh.com/eliteops/wildcard/

Find out more about this exciting new series...and get a free desktop background while you're there! http://www.loraleigh.com/eliteops/

This week I’ve been toiling away on a new novella. Toiling, yeah right! I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. HANNAH’S LUCK (tentatively titled) features a hero you’ll meet in WILD CARD. The decision he was forced to make in that book tugged at my heart. I knew he’d have to have his own happy ever after.



RESCUE ME jumped to #16 on the New York Times Best Sellers List! Thanks y’all!

COME SEE ME!

August 9th, 2:00-4:00pm
The Bookstore
301 W Lincoln Trail Blvd.
Radcliff, KY 40160270-351-1801
The Bookstore

August 23rd, 2:00-4:00pm
Paperbacks n’ Things
8044 Wayne Road
Westland, Michigan 48185(734) 522-8018

August 30th, 2:00-4:00pm
Barboursville - Borders 120 Huntington Mall
Barboursville, WV 25504
Phone: 304.736.6233
Borders

October 11, 2008 at 2:00pm
Barnes & Noble
1932 Pavilion Way Lexington, KY.

One of the most rewarding elements of this "job" is getting a chance to meet my readers face to face. I hope to see you there!

Also! Don’t forget: Special Chat July 21st 2008 at 9:00pm EST Lora Leigh and Veronica Chadwick

Contest winners and their prizes have been announced and posted on my website. You can find them under CONTESTS on the left side bar.

EXCERPT

You thought I forgot huh? LOL Nah, not this time.

Exclusive blog excerpt of NAUTI DREAMS:
© Copyright, Lora Leigh
UNEDITED


So why was Miss Dane currently taking up residence in his fair town again? It had to be under orders, because he’d warned her, she wasn’t safe here, least of all from him. If she wanted to keep to that cold, lonely bed of hers then she should have found another town to sleep in.

He laid his arms over the steering wheel and contemplated this new development as his cousin Rowdy pulled his pickup in beside the Jeep. On the other side, Dawg pulled in, his black dual cab taking up space and rumbling like the powerful machine it was.

He glanced to each side, taking in his cousins as they moved from the vehicles. The wind shifted through black hair that wasn’t near as long as Dawg used to wear it, but Rowdy’s was longer.
Married life was keeping them decent in too many damned ways. Dawg had a decent hair cut, and Rowdy let his grow out. Dawg was broader than the other cousin, a few years older. They were both just as damned powerful and irritating as they ever were.

And irritating they may be, married and shackled and tied so damned tight to their wives that if a man just breathed in those women’s directions then their hackles rose. But they still came when he called, and the thought of that tugged at something inside him. One of those bits of emotion that he fought to keep buried and hidden.

As they came up beside his jeep Natches opened the door and stepped out slowly, his gaze still centered on the building. He’d called the little girl on duty at the front desk before he arrived to make certain Miss Dane was given the proper room.


One that looked right out on the parking lot. He wanted her to see him, wanted her to know she was being watched. “What’s brewin’ Natches?” Dawg leaned against Rowdy’s gray pickup, his arms crossing over his broad chest.

Natches lifted a brow as he took in the pressed jeans and white shirt his cousin was wearing. It was a far damned cry from the holey, scruffy appearance his cousin had before he picked back up with Crista Ann Jansen the year before.

“Snazzy looking duds there, cuz.” Natches grinned. “Crista iron those for you herself with her own little hands?”

Dawg scowled back at him, but his light green eyes, nearly a celadon in color flared with impatient arousal at the mention of his wife.

“Dry cleaners,” Dawg finally growled. “And I don’t think you called us here to discuss my laundry.”

“Watch him Natches,” Rowdy grinned, his darken green eyes, sea-green and filled with mirth, crinkling at the corners with mirth. “Dawg’s been a hair upset over the laundry. Crista put her foot down over the wrinkled hole-ridden t-shirts he liked wearing to the store. She won’t let him play the disinterested owner anymore.”

Dawg grunted, as Natches smirked absently and glanced back toward the hotel. “That call you made earlier sounded kind of important, dumb-ass,” Dawg sighed as he addressed Natches again. “What the hell is going on?”

Natches turned back to him, glaring at his cousin for the nickname that was getting more frequent. “You keep calling me dumb-ass and I’m going to split your head open for you.”

Dawg grunted and it was his turn to smirk. “I think it suits you. You go moving out of your houseboat for solitude over that damned garage and start working like a man who’s grown some principles and I start worrying about you.”

Natches nostrils flared as anger began to churn inside him. Damn Dawg. He didn’t need his damned advice or his snide assed comments which pretty much described the reason why his cousin was calling him names. Because he refused to listen to either.

“Cranston’s running another Op in town,” he told the other two men before he could let that anger take hold. The rest of the accusation he ignored completely.

He didn’t need to get pissed right now. He’d spent a lot of years trapping that emotion so deep inside him that it didn’t burn in his gut anymore. Keeping it there was important. Keeping it there kept certain breathing and Natches conscious clear.

“What the hell does that fat little fucker want?” Dawg straightened and glanced toward the hotel with obvious animosity. “Is he in there?”

“No. Not yet. Miss Chaya Greta Dane is there right now, and if my guess is right, she’s watching us right now from room three-oh-four. Do you think maybe she’s figured out we’re onto her?”

“How did you find out?” Rowdy was watching Natches.

Natches hated it when Rowdy watched him like that. Like he knew something, or saw something Natches didn’t want seen.

“Anonymous tip.” Natches grimaced. “And that aint no joke. A call to my cell phone an hour ago, untraceable so far, letting me know she had hit the county line and she was here for DHS. If Cranston’s lost more missiles boys, I might have to kill him.”

He was joking. Kind of.

“We haven’t heard anything.” Dawg rubbed at his clean shaven jaw as he glanced toward the window of Chaya’s room.

She liked to go by the name Greta, but hell if that name suited her. With her multi hued blonde hair and exquisite features, she was as exotic as a tropical flower. Chaya suited her. The name rolled off the tongue, and in the darkest nights, as he jacked off to the image of her in his head, the name sounded like a prayer as he spilled his release to his hand.

“I’ve not heard anything from my contacts either,” Rowdy murmured. “Not even a whisper that a DHS agent was coming to town.”

Which meant whatever Cranston was up to, he was keeping very close to his chest. And that was a very bad thing. When that rabid little bastard kept his mouth shut, then things were about to get ugly.

The thought of that had him glancing toward the hotel again. Chaya was a hell of an agent, but her heart wasn’t in it. Natches had seen that the year before. She hadn’t wanted to be in Somerset, and she hadn’t wanted to play Cranston’s games.

“She was supposed to have resigned,” he murmured, his eyes narrowing against the bright autumn sunlight overhead. “Turned the papers in just after the Op here was what I heard.”
He was unaware of the curious looks his cousins gave him. Rowdy glanced at Dawg questioningly, but all his cousin had in reply was a brief shrug.

Natches never cared enough about anyone except his cousins, their wives, his sister and Rowdy’s father Ray, to check up on them over anything. He often claimed when it came to people he wouldn’t stop the train from wrecking, because it was too damned amusing to sit back and watch the cars piling up.

He hadn’t been nearly so amused by the role Cranston had forced Miss Dane into though. He had placed her in danger, and that had pissed Natches off. Just as Cranston had placed all their asses in the fire.

“What do you need from us?” Rowdy turned back to his younger cousin, his chest tightening as it always did whenever he stared at the other man too long.

Natches was almost cold now. It had been coming for a while, but sometimes he feared that cold had taken full hold on him, and chilled him clear to his soul.

Natches seemed to shrug at the question, as though he either didn’t care, or wasn’t certain what he needed.

“Doesn’t little Lucy Moore work here?” Dawg asked then. “She works registration doesn’t she?”
Natches nodded at the question. Lucy was a third cousin on his mother’s side, a sweet little girl, but sometimes she was a little too smart for her own good. She had put Crista in the room he wanted her in, but she had been curious as to why he wanted her there.

“Then just wait till she leaves and slip into her room. Check her shit out and see if she’s as anal as she used to be with her notes,” Dawg suggestion.

Natches glared at him. “She’s not stupid Dawg. Those notes, if she has them, will be locked tight in that laptop and none of us are hackers.”

“Slip in and seduce the information out of her.” Dawg grinned at that one. “You’re good at that shit. Get her to talk then send her ass home.”

It was an idea, except he knew something they didn’t know. Chaya didn’t have a home.
“What the hell is up with this Natches?” Rowdy questioned him then. “You knew her before she came here, don’t deny it. Now, she’s back with no clear reason why. Maybe she’s back to see you.”

Natches shook his head slowly. No, she wasn’t back to see him. He came with memories, and Natches knew exactly how that worked. Those memories were too painful, and they were rife with too much emotion for Natches or Chaya either one to touch them with a ten foot pole.

“She’s not here for me,” he finally said, wondering at that regret that pricked at him.





Thanks for reading!

Lora

RESCUE ME -- #21 on the NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER LIST!

Thank you so much for all your emails and comments on ATLANTA HEAT. I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate the feedback.

The second book in the Elite Ops series, MAVERICK is finished!
Risa Clay is still tormented by the nightmares of the past, and Micah Sloane, former Mossad agent is determined to vanquish them…the nightmares and the assassin hired to kill her.

BENGAL HEART, Cabal’s story is the next full length novel on my writing schedule. Remember Cassa Hawkins, the journalist from Tanner’s Scheme? She will be Cabal’s mate. Right now I’m typing away on a novella featuring someone you’ll meet in WILD CARD. So no deets right now. LOL

Check out the new cover of NAUTI DREAMS!

Natches Mackay separated himself from his family years ago, except for the two cousins who gave him the only family he’d known. Now he’s being dragged back into his father’s life in ways that could destroy him and the one woman who tempts him beyond reason: Government Agent Chaya Dane, who has fought to put her own past behind her. A mission in Somerset, Kentucky, brings her back into the dreams of Natches—and into the shadows cast by his father, suspected in the theft of government missiles. And it could cost Chaya more than she ever imagined.

Be sure and check back for an exclusive-to-the-blog NAUTI DREAMS excerpt. Also, I'll be announcing winners of the contest soon!

As always I'd love to hear from you, feel free to email me. Come join the fun on the forum!

HUGE Contest from Lora Leigh & MORE ends July 4th! Hurry!

Want to have a chance to win one of these fabulous prizes? All you need to do is answer the questions & email your answer with your mailing information! Visit Lora's site for easy instructions. Deadline is midnight EST, July 4, 2008

Click on Contests: http://www.loraleigh.com/

1. Awesome Prizes! An Advance Reading Copy of Nauti Dreams by Lora Leigh
2. A prize pack from Lora Leigh
3. A prize pack and the October ARC of Wild Riders book from Jaci Burton
4. Reader's choice of a print book by Lorie O'Clare
5. An ARC of Shayla Black's Tempt Me With Darkness
6. One print title and gift tote from Sylvia Day
7. A Sexy Hot Night in the Desert gift pack from Lucy Monroe
8. Two Summer ARC's from Dorchester
9. "I'm a Millennium Stalker" T-Shirt from Millennium Promotion Services Inc
10. Samhain Publishing, Ltd. is giving away an eBookwise eBook reader
11. A signed copy each of Slave to Sensation & Visions of Heat from Nalini Singh
12. Two arcs of books releasing July-Sept from St. Martin's Press
13. An ARC of Shiloh Walker's November Berkley release, The Missing and a prize pack
14. One Arc of Virginia Kantra's SEA WITCH, Christine Feehan's TURBULENT SEA, and Nalini Singh's HOSTAGE TO PLEASURE from Berkley

GOOD LUCK!

Wicked Pleasure by Lora Leigh

ISBN: 0312368720

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Available Now online or at your favorite book store

Jaci Wright has been running from Cameron Falladay, for seven years now. Fears of the desires he arouses in her, and the knowledge of the relationship he wanted with her spurred her to run, to find a life that kept her traveling the globe and out of his reach. His and his twin brother's.

But now, life has come full circle. A new job has placed Jaci in the Sinclair mansion with Cameron and his brother Chase. And Cam is tired of waiting. It's hard enough to face accepting a relationship with Cam, knowing what he wants, but having the world her lover's brother touches her as well fills her with dread. Gossip, rumors and the tattered tales of juicy secrets fill the society she now moves within. Can she face the world knowing she's a lover to both men, or will her hesitancy and her fears destroy her chance of happiness forever.

View a Book Peek (TM) http://www.loraleigh.com/boundhearts/wickedpleasure/

What Reviewers are saying...

Recommended Read from FAR "Lora Leigh pens a steamy tale that has both heat and tenderness as well." Serena ~ Read the full review HERE

"Grab a fan and settle in for an arousing and deliciously naughty book – Lora Leigh style." Natasha Smith ~ Romance Junkies ~ Read the full review HERE

"WICKED PLEASURE is a must read for those who like their romance with an edge." ~ Jennell ~ RRT Erotic ~ Read the full review HERE

"Wicked Pleasure is a whirlwind of sensual delight and deep emotion." Jennifer ~ Wild on Books ~ Read the full review HERE

Excerpt...

Sometimes life just came full circle, whether a woman wanted it to or not. It was inevitable. And life had definitely come full circle for Jaci Wright.

The party was different. The stilted, gossipy political crowd was nothing like the raucous booze-laden crowd that had inhabited the last party where one of the Falladay twins had waylaid her.
She wasn't a woman-child now. She was a mature woman with more hang-ups than a closet and just as many reasons for running as hard and as fast from them now, as she'd had seven years ago.

But this time, she knew she wouldn't run.

"It's definitely a party your mother would approve of." Chase Falladay stepped up to her. She had always been able to tell the Falladay brothers apart. Chase was dressed in an evening suit, his thick black hair brushed back from his strong features, his light green eyes watching her with a hint of laughter as a smile tugged at his sensual, sexy lips.

Sun-darkened flesh was stretched tighter over his face, it seemed, than it had been seven years ago. There were laugh lines at the corner of his eyes, but those eyes--such a light green they were mesmerizing--seemed more shadowed now. Haunted. And he still looked much too much like Cameron--the one man that haunted her dreams and her thoughts, even when he shouldn't have.

"Yes, Mom would approve of this party," she murmured, staring around for a second before her gaze was drawn back to him.

He was just as handsome as he ever had been. Just as bold as Cam and just as much out of her league. As she stared at him, she felt the past wash over her. The face that stared at her was the right one, but the man wasn't.

"Fancy meeting you here." She let a smile curve at her lips before raising her champagne glass and sipping at the sparkling liquid. She should have felt uncomfortable, hesitant, but she didn't, she was more intrigued than she should be.

"Hmm. Providence perhaps?" He lifted a dark brow and leaned against the wall beside her, one hand pushing into the pockets of his dress slacks while the other held his champagne glass negligently. "Should I rescue you from this one, as Cam did the last one?"

The mention of that last party, the cool autumn night, the hot male body, and everything she had walked away from when she walked away from him and Cam, flashed through her. Heat whispered over her skin but it wasn't embarrassment.

"Courtney might kill us both," she whispered as though they dare not let their hostess hear those words. "I had to promise her I'd mingle, under the threat of dire consequences."

Courtney was her dearest friend. She, along with Sebastian De Lorents, had saved Jaci's life on a dark street in England, years before, when a mugger decided to get ugly.

Courtney and Sebastian were both here now, in Squire Point, Virginia. Courtney had married an American businessman, and Sebastian was working for him. Just as Jaci would be doing soon.

"I'm sure Courtney would understand," he offered suggestively. "And if she doesn't, then I'll have Ian explain it to her. He seems to have some small measure of control over her."

There was a hint of laughter in his voice. Sexy, certain of himself. Confident.

"Chase Falladay." She shook her head, still bemused to be standing there, talking to him as though the years had never separated them. "What are you doing here?"

He leaned forward several inches. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

He was close now. So close that all it would take was the smallest movement from her to touch him.

She shook her head, forcing herself to smile as she stared out over the crowd once more.

Fate was definitely being fickle at the moment. Not only were her two biggest headaches at this party, but also the identical twin of her greatest torment. Now, how was that for her life? She dreamed of Cam, but here was Chase. And perhaps, as he suggested, it was providence--a sign, Fate laughing its silly ass off and showing Jaci how fickle its favor could be.

"I don't know," she finally answered as she turned back to him. "I've been known to be pretty gullible at times. Tell me your tale, and then I'll decide if I believe it."

She liked to believe she was much less gullible than she had once been. She had seen the world; at times, she seen more of it than she had wanted to. And she had learned lessons she never imagined she would be faced with.

His eyes gleamed with laughter. "I wouldn't want to make you blush. I hear it's impolite."

Sexy, charming. He was devilishly amusing, and the laughter was just as hard to contain as it had been seven years ago.

Chase had always been the joker, Cam the more serious one. Cam's dark wit and almost dangerous sexuality had drawn women to him like flies to honey, just as it had drawn Jaci.

"As though that would stop you." She had to force back the laughter, but it was hard. Chase had always had a way of making her laugh. "You delighted in it once. You made everyone laugh, while Cam made certain he made everyone angry." She looked around again, her heart thumping hard in anticipation. "Where is Cam?"

Shockingly, she felt the remembered heat of that night so long ago. Cam's kiss stealing her mind, and then later, his voice breaking her heart with the knowledge that he wouldn't be her lover alone.

For so many years she had wondered if she had made a mistake in running from him that night. If she had stayed, so many things would have changed. And perhaps she wouldn't have spent seven years wondering.

"Cam's around." His voice softened, the dark cadence gentling as she turned back to him. "He'll enjoy seeing you again. It's been a long time."

It had been. It had been too long. And yet, not long enough. Because she still felt that warmth low in her stomach as it threatened to turn into a burn. A reaction only Cam, or the thought of Cam, could cause to build inside her.

And a regret. There was always regret.

Bolder than brass, strong, muscled, larger than life. That was what Cam had always been to her. Until the night she realized exactly how bold he could be.

Chase had been her friend, though. Even later, during her odd visits home, he had been there. Flirtatious, yet knowing. He had teased her and laughed at her when they met up; but that spark, that hidden flame had never been the same with Chase.

"It has been a long time," she nodded. She felt uncertain now. She could feel the nervous tension rising inside her.

Cam was here, and so was Chase. And so much had changed, and yet so much hadn't. But she remembered Cam's warning clearly. He would kill over her. He wasn't a man that made false declarations. And he never forgot a promise. That was a dangerous thing for a woman who knew her past was about to catch up with her.

See all Bound Hearts Books here: http://www.loraleigh.com/boundhearts/

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What Does Romance Mean To You? http://www.loraleigh.com/contests Get your entries in now for your chance to win!

The folks over at Millennium Promotion Services have cooked up a fantastic book trailer for Wicked Pleasure!




Wicked Pleasure
Book 9 of the Bound Hearts Series
ISBN: 0312368720
Publisher: St. Martin’s
Coming May 2008
Pre-Order From Amazon
Read Excerpt
View Book Peek

Jaci Wright has been running from Cameron Falladay, for seven years now. Fears of the desires he arouses in her, and the knowledge of the relationship he wanted with her spurred her to run, to find a life that kept hertraveling the globe and out of his reach. His and his twin brother’s.

But now, life has come full circle. A new job has placed Jaci in the Sinclair mansion with Cameron and his brother Chase. And Cam is tired of waiting. It’s hard enough to face accepting a relationship with Cam, knowing what he wants, but having the world her lover’s brother touches her as well fills her with dread. Gossip, rumors and the tattered tales of juicy secrets fill the society she now moves within. Can she face the world knowing she’s a lover to both men, or will her hesitancy and her fears destroy her chance ofhappiness forever.

A taste of Killer Secrets by Lora Leigh & More Book News
2008 is full of exciting books - there's something for everyone! To see the lineup and keep updated, check Lora's Coming Soon page. Click on the book covers to read blurbs, excerpts, and view Book Peeks as they're available. http://www.loraleigh.com/coming-soon/



Killer Secrets by Lora Leigh

ISBN: 0312939949

Publisher: St. Martin's

Order From Amazon

View Book Peek



THE FIGHT OF HIS LIFE
As the illegitimate son of Diego Fuentes, Ian Richards faces danger at every turn. Neither his father nor his fellow Navy SEALs knows which side he's fighting for--or against. Which is exactly how the game must be played...until Agent Porter enters the picture.



STIRS HER DESIRE FOR LIVING
Kira Porter, an undercover agent for the Department of Homeland Security, shadows Ian on his journey. She thinks she can see the real man beneath Ian's bad-boy exterior...but the ever-elusive Ian keeps her guessing at every turn. Is his goal to protect the Fuentes cartel from French terrorists? Or to do his father in for good? The only thing Kira does know is that her attraction to Ian is a time-bomb waiting to explode. With time running out on the Fuentes mission, she and Ian are drawn ever close to the edge of desire--and even closer into the line of fire...


A taste of what's inside Killer Secrets...



"You shouldn't be here." He laid his forehead against her shoulder. "A man should be able to say goodbye to a buddy without an audience, don't you think?"

She looked back at him, hazel eyes cool. There was no fear there. No anger. No impatience. But beneath the calculating chill there was a hidden flame. One he never failed to respond to.


"Wrong time, wrong place." He stared back at her as she watched him over her shoulder. "Wrong life."


He let himself experience the feel of her for just a few seconds later, long enough to let the regret in his gaze telegraph to hers. Long enough to watch the flicker of indecision in her eyes. That second where he knew she was weighing her options and her escape.


"I'll miss you," he breathed against her ear. "I'll miss you more than you know, Kira."


A deft move of his hands, just the right pressure, and a second later she slumped against him, thick lashes drifting over her eyes as darkness closed over her mind.


Ian swung her in his arms, lifted her from the floor and stepped to the chair on the other side of the room. He placed her there, cushioning her head with a spare pillow against the back of the cushions and brushing the blonde bangs back from her face with regret.


Wrong place, wrong time, wrong life. Because blood would tell. And this time, the hated blood that ran through his veins was telling in ways he had never imagined possible.


See all Tempting SEALs Books here: http://www.loraleigh.com/seals/


Shifter by Angela Knight, Lora Leigh, Alyssa Day, Virginia Kantra
ISBN: 0425220354
Publisher: Berkley
Order From Amazon

Includes A Jaguar's Kiss by Lora Leigh

Jaguar breed Saban Broussard has a job to do. His assignment? To protect the first teacher chosen to teach breed children. And protecting Natalie Ricci is exactly what he'll do. With just one kiss and his touch, the mating phenomena begins that will tie her to him forever. Unless her ex-husband manages to get them both killed.

Read an excerpt

See all Breed books Here

Need help with BREED CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER? Check out this page for current books and coming soon:

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Excerpt: DAWNS AWAKENING
Dawns Awakening
Copyright Lora Leigh 2007
unedited, unproofed

DAWN's AWAKENING

She was just entering the wide, sheltered portico of the mansion, her duffel slung over her shoulder, when she saw him.The door jerked open and he stepped from the house, his expression livid, his gray eyes dark and firing with fury as he slammed the door closed.

Dawn smirked. It was completely unlike her, everything rolling through her senses and her emotions was completely un-Dawn-like since learning Seth had a lover.

She stopped, cocked her hip and stared back at him as he stalked over to her, gripped her arm above the hem of the long sleeved light jacket she wore and steered her to another entrance.Steered her nothing, he thought he was dragging her. The heat of his palm raced through the thin material of the black jacket, fired against her flesh and sent erratic impulses rushing through her body.

Past arousal was nothing compared to what she felt now. It wasn’t arousal, it was imperative all consuming hunger and a need that she couldn’t survive without fulfilling.

He was hers. He was a part of her soul. When had that happened? Other than those brief days ten years before she hadn’t allowed herself to be alone with him, hadn’t allowed herself the hope that she could have more than the nightmares.

She didn’t want the pity. She didn’t want the knowledge in his eyes of what she had been, but she couldn’t bear to lose him either.

He pulled her into another door, slammed it closed then swung her around to face him.

Dawn smiled mockingly as she looked around the huge, deserted laundry room.“Isn’t this just a little too cliché, Seth?” She drawled. “And here I’m not wearing my little French maid outfit. Should I change for you?”

My God. His eyes. For a second, the hunger, the lust that fired inside them wiped the thoughts from her head and the saliva from her mouth, and not in fear. She could smell the lust pouring from his body, his pores, filling the room with the subtle scent of male musk and heated flames. It was the most erotic scent she had ever known.

“Who the hell are you and what did you do with Dawn?” He snarled. “Better yet, why the fuck are you here?”

“What, didn’t want me to witness you going to your knees in surrender when you propose to your little bunny of the month?” She shot back, and watched as his nostrils flared, his head jerking back in surprise. “Didn’t think Callan would tell me, Seth?” She wrinkled her nose as she had watched Cassie do a dozen times when slapping one of the breeds down for impertinence. “Didn’t think poor little Dawn could handle the sight of it?”

His lips thinned as she watched the anger build inside him. Well that was fine with her. Let him get mad. Let him get as mad as she was and let him burn inside it.

“You’re right.” She lifted to her tiptoes and almost, just almost managed to get right in his face as she dropped the duffel back, placed her hands against his chest and pushed furiously. “You have a problem on your hands stud. See how you can fix it.

”He fell back a step, his expression frankly incredulous as she felt, scented, knew the hunger that began to whip through his system.

The power of it, it slapped around her, it tore through her like lightening and left her struggling to breathe as they glared back at each other like combatants.

“You don’t want to be here,” he snarled. “God damn you Dawn. I won’t let you fuck me up again, and I won’t let you fuck my body up again. Get your ass back on that heli-jet and get out of here. I don’t want you here.”

“Liar,” she growled furiously. “I can feel how much you want me here. I can smell it. I can feel it like flames burning over me, so don’t even try to tell me you don’t want me here.”

His hands clenched at his sides, anger pulsed off his body in waves and fired her own, just as the arousal did. She could feel the familiar dampness growing between her thighs, felt her nipples hardening beneath her light summer weight tank top and she felt her hands and tongue itch.

They itched like a rash. Worse than a rash. Or what she had heard a rash felt like. She wanted to touch. Touch his skin. She had to touch his skin, had to rub her tongue against it and infect him with the same insanity crawling through her.

“I don’t want you here,” he bit out again, furious, sincerity ringing in his voice as it sliced across her soul. “I don’t want to look at you, day in and day out and ache for something I can’t have again, Dawn. You won’t rip through me like that again. I won’t allow it.”

He didn’t want her? Had he ever really wanted her or had it just been the mating heat?

Pride had her head lifting, her chin notching in the air as she snarled back at him. “Then stay away from me, Mr. Lawrence. Keep your ass safe, and let me and my team find your irksome little assassin and I’ll just be on my way again.”

“Why?” Frustration, fury, lust, they all filled his tone.

“Why, because it would look excellent on my resume of course.” She shrugged, the sarcasm in her voice thick enough to slice through. “Just think of all the nifty little government assignments I’ll get after this? Commanding my own team. In the thick of the danger?” She drew in a hard, sensual breath through clenched teeth. “Mr. Lawrence, I could command my own price. All because I managed to save your very tight, very sexy ass.” She flicked her eyes over his body slowly and smiled. “Oh, and maybe your little mistress while I’m at it. Tell me, Seth, does she scratch and beg for more, or does she lay there like the little ice princess she portrays herself to be?”

Oh yeah, she had checked up on Miss Caroline Carrington herself. She had nice thick file residing in her PDA and more information due at any time.

“Do you care?” He was breathing hard, staring at her as though she were some alien creature he had never seen before. Well let him stare, because she didn’t know herself anymore either. But she would figure it out before she left, and when she left she would make certain she had freed herself of Seth just as easily as he had managed to free himself of her.

“Do I care?” She flashed a canine at him furiously. “Not for much longer I won’t, if I ever did.”

It was killing her. It was breaking her soul in two and she could feel the screams of agony ricocheting through the very core of her being.

She had dreamed of him, ached for him. She had watched him every time he had come to Sanctuary and inhaled his scent the moment he left a room. She had fought herself, and she had lost. Now she was losing here too and something inside her was screaming out at the pain of it.

“If you ever did,” he growled, flashing a look of male disgust. “That’s the problem Dawn. You never did, until now. Why now? Because someone else might have something you didn’t want to begin with?”

“And when did you bother to ask me if I wanted it?” She wanted to scream. She wanted to rage and pound her fists at him. Because he hadn’t. He had never come to her. He had flirted, he had teased and she hadn’t known how to handle it so she had run. And within months he had stopped doing even that. He stopped seeking her out, and he had stopped caring. And she had continued to hide, because as God as her witness she had no idea how to tell him she needed when all she could see was that flash of pity in his eyes.

“I followed you around like a love sick puppy for months,” he bit out in self-disgust. “When I could find you.”

“Months.” She waved her hand mockingly. “Poor little Seth didn’t get instant gratification. Isn’t that just such a shame? Bad Dawn, being so mean to him.”

Seth stared at her incredulously. Who the hell was this woman? This was not the shadow he had watched slipping around Sanctuary for ten years. This was not the woman who, on the rare times they were in the same room, avoided him like the plague.

He clenched his hands again, fighting against the nearly overwhelming need to just touch her. To run his hands down her arms, to feel her hands against his chest again. To take her lips. He didn’t want a cool little brush of lips as they’d had before. He wanted to take her lips, he wanted to devour them, he wanted to lick against them and suck that pretty little tongue into his mouth.

Arousal, almost violent in its extremity rushed through his system. He could feel the thickening of his cock, the blood pumping furiously to it.

Damn her to hell. He hadn’t been this aroused in his entire fucking life. So aroused he could feel the need in every cell of his body.

“Dawn, don’t push me.” He leaned forward just enough, just that extra bit that the Dawn he knew would have run for cover.

This one didn’t run. She stuck her chin out further, braced her hands on her hips and smirked. Son of a bitch, she was smirking at him.

“You’re so hot you’re going to catch this room on fire,” she snarled. “Tell you want Seth, don’t you push me and I won’t push you. And get the smell of your lust out of my face before I have to tell your little girlfriend just how hard you get for me.”

“Dawn, don’t do this.” He wiped his hand over his face, more to wipe the betraying sweat from his brow than for any other reason. “This has been hard enough. For both of us. Let’s just walk away from each other and thank God neither of us ended up too hurt in the process.”

But he saw the pain flash in her eyes, for just a second. It was there then gone so fast that he couldn’t be certain it had even been there to begin with.

“Of course you didn’t get hurt, Seth,” she murmured her voice cold, her lips twisting in amused contempt. “You would have had to invest something first, wouldn’t you? As I said, just stay out of my way so I can keep that tight ass of yours alive, and I’ll consider my job done. Now, can I get out of your laundry room? I’m tired of the scent of your dirty laundry.”

Anger and lust beat a tattoo inside his head and his balls. He fisted his hands, fought against the flames racing over his body and knew if he didn’t get out of that room, if he didn’t get away from her, he was going to take her. He would rip her pants from her body, bend her over the fucking folding bench and take her with all the pent up fury of a lust he thought he had finally conquered years ago.

He would do that to her. Even knowing the hell she had endured as a child. Knowing the brutality those monsters had used, he would still do it and he knew it. He knew it and it sickened his gut.

“Stay out of my way,” he snapped.

She lifted a brow smiled and flashed those pretty little canines in a smile that almost had him drooling with the need to take those lips.

“Stay out of my way,” she amended. “I’d hate infect you again. Wouldn’t that just suck, Seth?”

“More than you fucking know.” He gripped the handle to the door, gave it a vicious twist and slammed out of the laundry room before he ended doing something that would scar his conscience forever.

Recommended Read from Lora Leigh

Riding Wild by Jaci Burton

Available from Berkley Trade on February 5, 2008

Pre-Order from Amazon

He's a Harley-riding ex-thief working undercover for the government. She's a gun-toting ex-socialite hired to protect a valuable museum exhibit. But in her attempt to stop a heist, she never anticipated having her breath and her heart stolen...

Mac Canfield was the last man Lily West expected to see again, never mind aim her gun at. But here he was, the bad boy who'd broken her heart years ago-still a thief, this time high-jacking a priceless artifact--and it was all she could do to push aside the memories of how it felt to have his perfectly chiseled body next to hers.

Mac was no less shocked to see the beautiful girl-next-door all grown up, threatening to shoot him on the spot. Little did she know she was blowing his cover-and now he had to figure out how to get her out of harm's way without succumbing to his crazy desire to take her on a hot trip down memory lane.

Unfortunately, Lily has no intention of going anywhere with Mac. Which means he has to resort to kidnapping. Unless, of course, she agrees to let him take her for the kind of ride destined to drive them both unbelievably wild...

EXCERPT

She skirted through the trees, though stealth wasn't really required since no one was on the lookout. But then she heard the motorcycle again. Closer this time. She darted behind a tree and watched as the rider cut his engine and pulled into a dark alley about a half a block away. She waited to see if he'd appear out of the alley, but he didn't. Still, instinct told her there was something not quite right about this, so she stayed hidden among the trees.

Five minutes later, he walked his bike to the museum delivery entrance.

Her heart skipped a beat. There was something hauntingly familiar about this man. The cocky way he tilted his head, the way he leaned to one side and hooked his thumb in his belt loop as he studied the door. The way he brushed his hair off his face--a weird case of déjà vu. She studied him, trying to make a connection. Did she know him?

Then it hit her. He looked so much like Mac Canfield it was uncanny. Was it because she'd just been thinking about Mac? The memories of all those years ago washed over her in an instant. Lily placed her hand over her heart to stop the thudding beat she was sure he could hear.

Oh, shit. And then her fast beating heart skidded to a halt as she watched him expertly jimmy the lock and slip into the building. She waited for the alarm to sound, ticking down the thirty seconds before it would go off. Nothing. He'd obviously deactivated it.

Well son of a bitch. He'd just broken in. In less than a minute and a half he had circumvented what was supposed to be an expert security system.

Now what? She had to check this out. She had to call the police. She headed in the direction of the door, reaching into her purse to grab her cell phone, but something made her pause.

Of course it wasn't Mac, even though she could clearly picture him riding a mean looking Harley like the one this guy had pulled up on.

Don't be stupid, Lily. Make the call. Mac was in Texas, where she'd left all the pieces of her past. Plus it had been ten years. The man she was looking at now was taller, broader, and he had a mighty fine ass.

Then again, so did Mac.

Three minutes. He'd been in there three damn minutes and was out again. No security team running like hell after him, either. He'd managed to slip in and steal something without the night watch even knowing he'd been there.

Those guys really sucked.

He had something under his arm. The telltale white sheen and its unusual shape meant it was one of the artifacts! Why the hell hadn't she called the cops? Because this guy reminded her of Mac?

Idiot, idiot, idiot! She was so fired. Of course even the cops couldn't have gotten here in time, and calling for the dipshit security guards would be useless. She'd have to stop him first, then call the police.

She hurried the remaining distance across the well manicured lawn, pulling her gun. As he turned toward the bike, she pointed it at his back.

"Freeze. I've got a gun pointed on you."

"Fuck," he whispered. He raised his hands above his head, the artifact held tight in his left hand.
She exhaled in relief, then smiled. This had been way too easy. "Put the item down and turn around slowly." She'd put him face down on the ground, then call the cops.

He pivoted.

The past mingled with the present and Lily felt dizzy. She almost dropped the gun, her worst nightmare come to life. This was why she hadn't called the cops. Something inside her had sent off warning bells and she hadn't wanted him to get caught.

"Mac."

Ten years had changed him, but not enough. Six feet of prime male flesh was instantly recognizable. Wicked sexy and hot enough to steal a woman's panties, and her heart, right out from under her.

Recommended Read from Lora Leigh


ONE OF THE GUYS by Shiloh Walker

Available Now from Ellora's Cave

Jaynie knew that her fiancé had some serious ménage fantasies going on, but she never expected to catch him acting them out. As if that pain isn't enough, he tells her she couldn't be a real woman if she tried. Reeling from the double blow, confidence shattered, Jaynie turns to Brian, her sexy partner at work. One night, she tells him. She wants one night with him, no strings attached.

But Brian feels plenty of strings and it's as if all of them are pulling him toward Jaynie. She's sexy, she's funny and she haunts his dreams. Memories of that one night keep him awake and he's dying for another taste of her.But Jaynie doesn't seem at all interested. What's a man to do?

EXCERPT

If she stopped to think about what she was doing, she'd freeze again. Jaynie was damn tired of being cold. She paused at the mirror and stared at her reflection. The peach silk lay against her tanned skin, clung to the stiff peaks of her nipples. She tied the belt tightly and then slid her hands under her hair, pulling it free from the robe. It tumbled down her back, the thick gold-streaked strands razor straight.

For a second, she hesitated, staring at her reflection. She closed her eyes and when she did, she saw Brian's intense turquoise stare, hot and focused. If she started to panic or think, all she needed was that memory and she knew she'd feel steady enough to go through with this.

He wasn't in his room. She turned and stared back down the staircase, uncertain of where he might be. He hadn't gone out. She would have heard his truck if he'd left the house.

She headed back downstairs, made her way into the kitchen and from there she heard the muffled sounds of his breathing, strained and harsh. She heard metal clank as she opened the basement door. It was dim down there. Her feet were soundless on the carpeted steps as she descended.Jaynie's breath hitched a little as she stared at Brian. He was lying on the weight bench, his gaze on the ceiling, his features blank as he lifted the heavy bar up and slowly lowered it back down. He didn't make any of the annoying grunts and groans that Dean liked to make when he worked out. The only sounds she heard were his heavy breathing. He did ten reps as she watched.

She waited until he put the bar down and sat up before she moved. She didn't make a sound, she knew she hadn't, but his head turned and for a brief moment there was a fiery heat burning in the depths of his gaze. Then he blinked and when he looked at her, his expression was shuttered.

That blank look cracked as she lowered her hands to the robe's belt. She didn't say anything at first, just opened the robe and stood there as he looked at her. He stared at her breasts and she shuddered a little when he licked his lips. His big hands clenched into fists and under the thin cotton shorts, she could see the swelling of his cock. His gaze moved down her body. Jaynie had to fight not to jerk the robe closed when his gaze fastened on her sex. A muscle jerked in his jaw and Jaynie felt an answering throb deep inside.

He wanted her. The relief that flooded her was unreal. It didn't matter that he was probably just reacting to the physical stimulus of a woman standing naked in front of him. It was a basic, honest human reaction--a man wanting a woman. That was all she needed, to know that she hadn't totally failed and that she could react. Men could want her and she could feel heat--she hadn't frozen up.

"I need you to touch me," Jaynie said softly when he finally looked up at her face.

"Jaynie--"

She knew what he was going to say and before he could form any words to try to talk sense into her, she shrugged her shoulders and sent the robe to the floor in a puddle of peach silk. "I don't want anything more than you touching me, your hands on me. I'm not looking to find a replacement for Dean and you don't need to feel anything more than what you're already feeling. I need to be touched, Brian, and I want you to do it."

His voice was hoarse when he rasped, "And when you wake up tomorrow, then what? You're Kate's best friend. You're my friend and we work together."

"None of that will change, Brian. You don't need to lie to me and tell me that you love me. You don't have to worry that I'm using you as a rebound guy after Dean," she said softly. She took a step toward him. He took a deep, ragged breath and started to reach for her. When he would have dropped his hand, she took another step and caught it, brought it up and pressed it to her breast. His hand cupped her and he used his thumb to trace a slow circle around her nipple. "But I need this. Please."

Brian figured he had every man's fantasy standing right before him. A beautiful, sexy woman offering a night of sex, no strings attached. If it wasn't Jaynie, he would have already been on her, but it was Jaynie. Jaynie with long legs, tanned, smooth skin and hair that fell nearly to her very nice butt, but nonetheless, it was Jaynie. He'd known her all her life.

She stared at him with stark eyes brimming with an emotion he couldn't quite decipher and it made his chest feel strangely tight. I need this. Shit. Slowly, he stood up. Brian hooked a hand over the back of her neck and pulled her against him. She fit, he realized inanely. She fit against him as perfectly as if she had been made for him, herbreasts pressing flat against his chest, the soft curve of her belly cuddling the ridge of his cock. Her hands came up and curled around his biceps.

"You sure about this?" Brian murmured. He dipped his head and pressed his mouth to hers. Earlier, her mouth had been slicked with some shiny peachy-pink lipstick. Her lips were naked now but they were warm, soft and sweet under his mouth and the taste of her went straight to his head.

"I don't do things I'm not sure of," Jaynie whispered.

Check out the Video peek of Dawns Awakening!

ITS AWESOME! Millenium Promotions has outdone themselves with this one. I love it.

Dawn’s Awakening
ISBN: 0425219755
Publisher: Berkley
Pre-Order From Amazon
Read Excerpt

New York Times bestselling author Lora Leigh takes us on an erotic thrill ride with her series about genetically altered Breeds with feline DNA—and the humans who arouse their lust…

The runt of the lab she was created in, Dawn Daniels endured years of torture by her pride brother and the council soldiers. Finally freed from her torment, she’s now a Breed Enforcer, in control of her own life. Until she’s assigned to protect the one man destined to be her mate—and realizes it’sfar too easy to lose total control…One of the Breed’s most important supporters, Seth Lawrence has spent years trying to forget Dawn, knowing that her lost innocence has made it impossible for her to get close to anyone. But suddenly neither of them can find the strength to fight the overwhelming passion between them. At least until the most brutal tormenter from Dawn’s past reappears—and threatens to destroy theirnewfound love, along with their lives…

2008 is gonna get busy

I thought I would let you know what I'll be working on this year. The schedule has really filled up fast. I don't know the release dates for these books yet, but I have them on schedule to write.

As I may have mentioned, I signed a six book deal with St. Martins back in the summer.Elite Ops, Dead Men Don't Talk, is the first three the offshoot of the Tempting SEALs series, begins with WILDCARD (Nathans story), which I'll be writing this month.There will be two more in the that series that will be written this year, as yet untitled.

Berkley offered contracts on Two more Nautis. Nauti Intentions, Nauti Deceptions as well as a contract on the first book of a new series as yet Untitled. More to come on that book later once I've finished my research.

Berkley has also bought three more Breed books, which will be written this year. I haven't decided exactly which breeds will be in those books, but as soon as I've decided, I promise to let you know.

So, thats nine full length titles for this year alone. We're moving hard and fast, and now lets just hope I can keep up and that you continue to enjoy my books.