The Governess and The Beast: Available on Audio!

THE GOVERNESS AND THE BEAST  

Decadent Publishing. Historical/Gothic/Erotic novella 

Book 2 in the Blind Cupid series

Approx 21,000 words

Release: May 14 2013

I adore the Victorian era! It was an amazing time of scientific discovery and industrial improvements. Though Victorian society was outwardly prudish, underneath is a seamy underbelly that fascinates me! In London alone, there was one prostitute for every four men. So if a lot of my heroines are prostitutes, its because most women left on their own had no other recourse to survive. The era was a brutal one for the poor and indigent. In my best-selling novella, The Governess and the Beast, two lonely, damaged people take a chance on love. ~Karyn

BLURB: 

Hiding secrets and a past she longs to forget, Hortense Jennings answers an ad for a governess and embarks on an adventure she did not expect.

Concealed in a gothic, crumbling manor on the edge of a North Sea cliff, Baron Simon Wolstenholme is hiding from life. Horribly scarred from battle wounds, he lives up to his name “The Beast of Stonecliff” in both appearance and attitude until he realizes how lonely he has become.

Simon propositions Hortense for a singular night of passion. Raging weather and storms of anger clash between a lonely man and a distrustful woman to reveal secret desires in an emotional crescendo. Can the Governess and the Beast find calm amid the storm and admit their true feelings, or will pride destroy the fairy tale before it begins?

CONTENT ADVISORY: Light Bondage

REVIEWS:

5 STARS "Karyn Gerrard has written a powerhouse of a story. This novella has the chemistry and passion found in much lengthier stories and the characters are well developed."~Melissa

5 STARS "Packing all of that characterization and emotional impact into a short story of less than twenty-one thousand words shows Karyn Gerrard's formidable writing talent" ~Gaele

Excerpt:

“Do you have courage, Miss Jennings?”

The question confused her for a moment. “I suppose as much as the next person....”

Baron Stonecliff reached behind his head, untied the knot, and unwound the scarf until he exposed his face. Utter ruin. She fought back the gasp of shock but could not prevent her physical recoil and stepped back. Mottled, puckered skin and a maze of nasty wounds, some of them burns, covered the left side. Scars crisscrossed his cheek and disappeared into his hairline. How miraculous his lips and jaw remained intact. What made the destruction harder to bear was the breathtaking masculine beauty still visible on the right. Lord Stonecliff must have been devastatingly handsome at one point. She kept her gaze steady, and she hoped, her emotions well buried. With swelling evident, she surmised his injury must have occurred in the last several months. The skin was red and raw. Would it be it sore to the touch? The scarring continued down his neck and disappeared under his collar. So, not only his face received injury.

“Have you looked your fill?” Stonecliff snapped in annoyance. “You must be able to gaze upon the horror that is my face. When I am in my own home, I do not cover it. The doctors recommended leaving my visage free to breathe in order to aid healing. Since am I told it is not as red as before, I suppose their theory has merit....”

He frowned and shrugged with slight indifference. The words were probably the most he had spoken to anyone in some time, and no doubt more than he wanted to share.

Hortense swallowed and took a step toward him. “Regardless, you are free to do as you wish in your own home. Since I did not run screaming from the room, there should be no difficulty.”

Did one corner of those full, sensuous lips quirk into an almost-smile? Oh, Lord, why was she thinking of his lips?

He bade her to sit again and took the chair opposite. Stonecliff crossed his long legs and regarded her closely.

“What I am about to say may well have you scream and run from the room. I did not bring you here to be governess to my ward. In truth, he is eleven years old and away at school. I lied. I brought you here to be—my companion.” 

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Also available on Audio!

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BOOK 1 of The Blind Cupid trilogy  is THE BLIND CUPID (Short Story)

BLURB:  

   Was Cupid blind? 

   Anne Sommer, a spinster firmly on the shelf, does the unthinkable. She hires a man to give her pleasure for one night. Anne wants the erotic memories to keep her company in the lonely years ahead. She did not expect the young man who showed up at her door to move her in ways she never imagined. 

   Desmond Glover gives pleasure---for a price. An orphan whose childhood was mired in scandal and poverty, Desmond has learned to close off his emotions with regard to his occupation. He did not count on a lonely spinster to awaken his hidden passion. 

   Not only do the years separate them, but their social standings. Can Anne and Desmond cross such a chasm and find mutual desire---or love? 

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BOOK 2 is THE GOVERNESS AND THE BEAST 

BOOK 3 is THE COPPER AND THE MADAM

BLURB: 

   In 1897 London, Scotland Yard Detective Sergeant Rory Kerrigan never expected to find love among the crime-ridden streets he vowed to protect. Kerrigan, a man with a wretched past and hardened heart, keeps emotion from his life and its interference with his police work.  

   Abbess Rea is owner of the brothel, The Blind Cupid, and a woman with a secret and desolate past of her own. Rubenesque and leery of men, Rea lets no one close.       Yet, she cannot deny the ruggedly handsome Rory touches her heart.  

   A grisly murder on Kerrigan’s turf has Rory and Rea teaming up to bring the killer to justice. As danger lurks closer, secrets are revealed and passion is ignited. Will the copper and the madam acknowledge their mutual yearning even at the peril of their lives? 

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Karyn Gerrard Bio:

Karyn lives in a small town in the western corner of Ontario, Canada. She wiles away her spare time writing and reading romance while drinking copious amounts of Earl Grey tea.

Tortured heroes are a must. A multi-published author with a few best-sellers under her belt, Karyn loves to write in different genres and time periods, though historicals are her favorite. As long as she can avoid being hit by a runaway moose in her wilderness paradise she assumes everything is golden.

 Karyn’s been happily married for a long time to her own hero. His encouragement keeps her moving forward.

                               Karyn's Site/Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest

5 Reasons I Like to See the End of Summer…

by Kacey Hammell

I know many would say, YAY the kids are returning to school (Sept 4 here in Canada) so what else is there to say? For me, it will mean a lot more writing time most definitely but I detest the routine of morning lunches, homework in the evenings etc etc. I like having the kids home to keep things always entertaining, and so the crazy routine is forgotten for a while.  End of summer for me (my household) means return of our fave shows. Here are my top 5 reasons to love the end of summer this year!

1.   REVENGE Returns!!! This show instantly became an addiction. I confess, while Jack and Daniel are hot (hell, as is the whole cast!), the fashion is gorgeous, the scenery is spectacular, it was Nolan Ross that kept me hooked! That dastardly, geeky sexy kind of guy, wealthy, mischievous – okay, vengeful and secretive – he’s the type of mystery I love. Plus his humour and devotion to Emily (with more secrets!) is charming and sexy. The added bonus of course is Emily getting answers/revenge against the Grayson’s is equally addicting. While I believe forgiveness is the best course of action, I have to say, I LOVE how Emily does it.

2.   SUPERNATURAL Returns – need I say more than just Jared Padalecki (Sam) & Jensen Ackles (Dean) ??  Castiel…Hell… No, I didn’t think much explanation was in order.

3.   GRIMM Returns (well already did about 3 wks ago) but love the spin on old fables and tales the GRIMM way. Plus the relationship between Monroe and Nick is amazing. The show weaves in some humour with the intensity of each episode.

4.   NCIS Returns – can you believe how things were left last season? Explosion, Abby & McGee seemed to be in the midst of it straight on. Ducky on the beach!! I plan to have tissues handy and try to keep the nail biting to a minimum when it returns. I can’t even begin to say what the demise of any of the main characters would mean to me. I mean, don’t you get the feeling when you watch a show every week/every year faithfully that the characters feel like old friends? I’m just hoping I’m not going to have to scream at the TV for anything the writers pull! I need my Gibbs & DiNozzo every week! The others too of course, but those are my top two.  And this year, I’d love to see Jamie Lee Curtis return!!!! *fingers crossed*

5.   HAWAII FIVE-0 Returns – Dylan, who was introduced in ILLUSIONS as Brady’s partner, is a tad bit modeled after Alex O’Loughlin from this show. I mean, how could I not? O’Loughlin inspires a lot of naughty thoughts and various scenarios to put him in. Plus the finale, where he sees his mother! I have to hear the story behind how she’s back from the dead!

But back to the more writing time. Yes, it’ll be quiet around here and Dylan’s story will really take off…along with the other 3-4 WIPs that are all battling for time.  However, be on the look-out for these THREE titles coming soon from Decadent Publishing and me.

Feel free to let me know what shows/adventures you’re most looking forward to seeing this fall.

And what will you miss most about summer?

Who Is That!

by Olivia Starke

So what do normal, and seemingly sane adults do when confronted with a hot mystery man on a random TV commercial for Hershey’s candy?

Why fixate on him and stalk him all over the internet of course! At least that’s what I’m doing right now with the guy from the York Peppermint Patty 

commercial. 

I mean, really, how many men can make eating candy a form of porn?

I wish I had the tact (and good sense) to keep this obsession to myself, but I feel I’m doing the world justice by bringing everyone I can into the York Guy Fold. Watch the commercial on YouTube if you haven’t had the chance to see it already. Join me and as the Borg once prophesized “Resistance is futile.”

From what I can gather the guy’s name is Gavin Dunne, and his ability to sport old man beach fashion is spectacular.

Every old man on the beach sporting knee high black socks imagines he’s Gavin Dunne.

And to make him even more sinfully good than the chocolaty minty sweet he promotes, he’s Irish born! Though,if Google hasn’t led me astray, immigrated to the US with his family at the age of 10. Internet stalking isn’t an exact science.But thankfully it offers us stalkers a sense of community, check out this Tumblr hit.

He’s going to take his time eating it, so he can extend the pleasure…and I mean the candy of course :-)

Olivia Starke

I’ll be holding a drawing for a $5 Amazon gift card in May. All you have to do is sign up for my newsletter on the Home page of my website! 

What an easy way to earn $5!

Blurb:

Sex is better when you’re one of the undead.

When her luggage is stolen at the Las Vegas airport, Kelly finds herself stranded and broke. Lucky for her, sexy Detective Nick Rodriguez offers her a room for the night. And when he whips out the handcuffs, she is ready to offer gratitude for his hospitality all night long.

Of course, when in Vegas the party doesn’t stop even if someone wakes up dead….

Excerpt *ADULT CONTENT*

Her sultry smile encouraged him. “And what kind of woman do you think I am?”

His fingers moved to the fly of his jeans. “One that can handle whatever I give you.”

She arched her back, sucking her bottom lip between her teeth, a long moan slipping from her throat. He held her gaze while he undid the fly of his jeans and shoved the denim down. Her eyebrow quirked as his hard cock sprang free.

“Commando?”

He shrugged. “Laundry day.”

“Oh, I’m not complaining.”

He jerked the T-shirt over his head, before taking her in from head to toe. Her curves left little to the imagination despite a modest T-shirt and jeans. He licked his lips, ready to get his mouth on every inch of her body. His planning had been off. Having her tied to the bed made it impossible to get the shirt over her head.

Fuck it. Never a man to give in to defeat, he crawled over her and claimed a nipple between his teeth. Kelly bucked into him, her cry of pleasure urging him on. Palming the other breast, he squeezed it. He ground his hips into her, slipping his hands beneath her top to savor the cool satin of her stomach. Needing more, he shoved the shirt over her breasts, and with a growl of frustration, grabbed the delicate lace of her bra and yanked. The cups ripped, her breasts spilling out to his greedy mouth.

“Please, Nick, oh God….”

Nick pushed away, straddling her. “Fuck me, I’m going to come before this even starts.” It’d been several months since his last relationship, and his balls had drawn tight, ready to blow.

Her eyes widened, studying his every move. “Are you going to torture me and not let me play?”

He circled his girth with his hand, stroking down the length and back up again. Her eyes glowed in the low lighting, and her pale hair fanned around her head like a halo. His personal angel, if angels could be nymphomaniacs.

“We have all night. Plus, I kind of enjoy watching you squirm.”

She bit her bottom lip until it turned red and plump between her teeth.

Margalrighta Time!

by Olivia Starke 

Frozen Strawberry Margaritas are my weakness (mmmmmtequila)I found this recipe and thought I’d share! 

Frozen Strawberry Margaritas

 

Ingredients

• 2 pints ripe strawberries
• 4 ripe limes, juiced, plus 1 lime wedged for rimming and garnish
• 8 rounded tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 2 trays ice cubes
• 8 shots good quality tequila
• Coarse salt, to rim glasses

Directions

Reserve 4 strawberries with tops for garnish and split them. Clean, dry, and trim remaining strawberries.

Add all but the reserved strawberries to a blender. To that, add the juice of 1 ripe lime, 2 rounded tablespoons sugar, a splash of orange juice, 1/2 a tray of ice cubes and 2 shots of tequila. Blend on high speed until the drink is icy but smooth.

Rim a cocktail glass with lime juice and dip rim in salt and pour in the frozen strawberry lime drink. Garnish glass with a wedge of lime and a split strawberry. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

Olivia Starke

 

 

(Available at Decadent, Amazon, and other ebook sellers!)

Maddie takes a weekend camping trip to forget her two timing ex-boyfriend. Instead of peace and quiet, she stumbles upon two hunks who put the wild in wilderness. And they have plans of their own—to heat up her sexless life. An evening of rowdy lovin’ is just what she needs to get over her broken heart.

When she joins them in a trio that leaves her satisfied and exhausted, they have one more surprise in store called Midnight Madness... 

Excerpt: 

Who the hell has an orgy in the middle of the wilderness?

Reported random animal attacks had been Maddie’s concern, not the harassing sounds of sex. She needed peace and quiet to lick her wounds and sort out her life. Not the lusty grunts of some overzealous man giving it to his lady. For the past two hours.

Seriously, two flippin’ hours? She charged through the woods, ready to rain on someone’s parade. They’d just have to find someplace else to have an obscenely loud lovefest.

“God, the nerve of some people.”

She batted at a fly buzzing around her head. So what if she hadn’t had an orgasm in four months—thanks to her selfish ex-boyfriend—well, not one that wasn’t self-induced. And who cared if sex had been nonexistent while the relationship had suffered a slow, painful death.

“Men suck. Certainly no marathon lovemaking for me anytime soon.” She yanked at a limb and flinched when it lashed back against her face, knocking her glasses off. Unreasonable anger boiled over.

“Son-of-a-bitch, piece of….” She kicked out at nothing in particular, giving in to the long overdue temper tantrum. Brambles hooked around her foot and she did a face plant on the leaf-covered forest floor. My utter lack of grace strikes again. Rolling onto her back, she spit out dirt and stuck a scraped finger into her mouth. The wound smarted, distracting her from her fury. She stared at the blue sky through the budding tree limbs, sweat breaking out on her brow. The unseasonably warm spring had driven her to seek a peaceful weekend camping retreat. Maybe she should’ve opted for a hotel with air-conditioning instead. And a six pack of beer, give or take another twelve pack.

“Oh God, yes! More, more, more….” The deep, male voice echoed through the hollow.

Maddie pummeled the ground with her fists. “You oversexed freak!” Her words were drowned out by the man’s grunts. 

Author Bio: 

Olivia Starke calls a little town in southern Missouri home. Some of the most beautiful country in the U.S., she loves the Ozarks and hikes, runs, or kayaks whenever possible. When not working at her laptop or in her retail management job, she’s playing mom to an ever expanding collection of dogs, cats, and horses who find their way to her little farm.

Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Olivia's new release,

Midnight Madness! 
Make sure to leave your email address so we can contact you!

MmmmmmmAlcide

by Olivia Starke 

All right, let’s use this Hump Day to enjoy a fine muscley hunk of man-goodness. Mr. John Magg…uh, John Magn…John Maggendennnn…okay, I can’t say his last name. Let’s just use the name we love him for…Alcide.

(I mean seriously, can a man with a look like this be called anything but “OH GOD YES!”) 

So what if I’ve never watched True Blood?I swear someday I’m going to pick up the series and delve into its hedonistic pleasure. I just don’t have the room for one more addiction in my hectic schedule.

(Not to mention my constantly licking the TV screen couldn’t be good for me or the TV.)

He’s everything an Alpha Wolf should possess—the dark intense eyes, the delts, the biceps that could cause lust induced hysterics……………Sorry, couldn’t stop staring there for a moment. If you need me, I’ll be in Google Images….

Olivia Starke www.authoroliviastarke.comhttp://romancingthepentoday.blogspot.com

Olivia Starke calls a little town in southern Missouri home. Some of the most beautiful country in the U.S., she loves the Ozarks and hikes, runs, kayaks, or rides horses whenever possible. When not working at her laptop or in her retail management job, she’s playing mom to an ever expanding collection of dogs, cats, and horses who find their way to her little farm.

Midnight Madness

Blurb: Maddie takes a weekend camping trip to forget her two timing ex-boyfriend. Instead of peace and quiet, she stumbles upon two hunks who put the wild in wilderness. And they have plans of their own—to heat up her sexless life. An evening of rowdy lovin’ is just what she needs to get over her broken heart.

When she joins them in a trio that leaves her satisfied and exhausted, they have one more surprise in store called Midnight Madness...

Excerpt: 

Who the hell has an orgy in the middle of the wilderness?

Reported random animal attacks had been Maddie’s concern, not the harassing sounds of sex. She needed peace and quiet to lick her wounds and sort out her life. Not the lusty grunts of some overzealous man giving it to his lady. For the past two hours.

Seriously, two flippin’ hours? She charged through the woods, ready to rain on someone’s parade. They’d just have to find someplace else to have an obscenely loud lovefest.

“God, the nerve of some people.”

She batted at a fly buzzing around her head. So what if she hadn’t had an orgasm in four months—thanks to her selfish ex-boyfriend—well, not one that wasn’t self-induced. And who cared if sex had been nonexistent while the relationship had suffered a slow, painful death.

“Men suck. Certainly no marathon lovemaking for me anytime soon.” She yanked at a limb and flinched when it lashed back against her face, knocking her glasses off. Unreasonable anger boiled over.

“Son-of-a-bitch, piece of….” She kicked out at nothing in particular, giving in to the long overdue temper tantrum. Brambles hooked around her foot and she did a face plant on the leaf-covered forest floor. My utter lack of grace strikes again. Rolling onto her back, she spit out dirt and stuck a scraped finger into her mouth. The wound smarted, distracting her from her fury. She stared at the blue sky through the budding tree limbs, sweat breaking out on her brow. The unseasonably warm spring had driven her to seek a peaceful weekend camping retreat. Maybe she should’ve opted for a hotel with air-conditioning instead. And a six pack of beer, give or take another twelve pack.

“Oh God, yes! More, more, more….” The deep, male voice echoed through the hollow.

Maddie pummeled the ground with her fists. “You oversexed freak!” Her words were drowned out by the man’s grunts. 

Thinking Outside The Box

by Olivia Starke

  

I admit I’m lousy at thinking “outside the box.” If a proven path is tried and true, you can bet I’ll be trotting down it enjoying the expected scenery. But when it comes to writing I’ve taken to paranormal, which has forced me to think beyond what’s normal. Maybe it’s my way of testing boundaries and limits, and seeing how I can stretch as an author.And as a person.

(But being in my box is so cool! I’m two away from a fort!)

All authors try to push the out of box experience, even with the usual romance plotlines. It’s how we keep a reader’s attention. But paranormal really challenges you. Building a world that makes sense, even if it is outrageous, and delivering it effectively is an art form. I’ve learned a lot about seeing things from unique and lopsided angles, and it’s an adventure for me. It amazes me where a plotline can take a twist, especially when I have more boring pathways in mind.

I guess I could carry what I’ve learned over to my mundane real life job, I’m sure they’d love my attempt to contribute innovation. But there’s not much use for sexy vampires, ghouls, and other otherworldly beings in retail. 

Her Moonlight Lover

Blurb: Stranded in the middle of Iowa, Bailey has to rely on the hospitality of a hot redhead with a body to die for. After skinny dipping leads to an incredible night of Sapphic loving, Bailey is smitten by the eager and willing Melanie.

When morning comes, Bailey may find there’s more to Melanie than meets the eye.

Excerpt: 

I love a woman with stamina.

Bailey cleared her throat. “So, Melanie, you have a husband somewhere?”

She flashed that gorgeous smile. “Nope.”

“Boyfriend?”

She shook her head. “Nope.”

“Girlfriend?”

Melanie stood in waist deep water. Rivulets poured down her shoulders.

“I-I’ve never been with a woman, actually.” She swept her hands in wide arcs over the surface and small waves lapped at Bailey’s chin where she tread water further from shore. Bailey kicked toward her, then stood and the other woman sucked in a breath, eyes widening. She took a step forward watching closely for any sign that her redhead might shy away.

“Melanie, let me make love to you.”

She peered up through her lashes. “I wouldn’t know how. I mean I know how with a man, but….”

Bailey smiled, reaching a hand to the other woman’s upper arm, letting her fingertips trail to her shoulder then down to the delicate gold chain she wore around her neck. A tiny infinity pendant dangled from it.

Their breaths quickened.

Olivia Starke www.authoroliviastarke.comhttp://romancingthepentoday.blogspot.com

Author Bio: Olivia Starke calls a little town in southern Missouri home. Some of the most beautiful country in the U.S., she loves the Ozarks and hikes, runs, kayaks, or rides horses whenever possible. When not working at her laptop or in her retail management job, she’s playing mom to an ever expanding collection of dogs, cats, and horses who find their way to her little farm.

 

by D.L. Jackson

*Pokes head in door and adjusts big cone-shaped hat.* Excusest me kind Sirs and ladies. Wouldest thou pointest me in the direction of a guild of fantasy and paranormal scribes?

*Stares for a second.* Wouldest thou have seen them? They art...
A little help here. *Sighs.* Has anyone seen a group of Fantasy writers? Anyone? Hello? Demon looking for Fantasy writers. D L told me this was the place. Just wait till I get my claws into her.

 *Grabs long hair and begins to pull it through door. Hair pulls back.* Fred! Let go. *Braces foot on door jamb.* Listen you over grown lizard, let go before I sell you to the local fried chicken restaurant and they roll you in herbs and spices, and stuff your ass in a bucket. *Wig slips off head and disappears through door.*

*BURP*

Can you believe it? That wig is gonna cost me, and I can’t begin to imagine the hairball he’s going to puke up. Godiva isn’t pretty the second time around, and those costume wigs are not cheap. It was a rental. Opens purse and glances in. Wonder if they take Hell Express? I never leave home without it. You never know when a pair of shoes are going to call your name.

Oh, where was I...?

Yeah, Fred. He’ll eat anything. You really have to keep your eye on him. I’ve been having a hard time getting my mail lately. The mail carriers keep disappearing. It’s a good thing he’s not into ‘fine dining’ or the bike couriers would be gone too. Have you gotten a look at them? There’s a lot to be said for men that bike all day. *fans self*

Then there was Mrs. Sneider’s Bichon Frise, he burped up hairballs for a week. She called the animal control officer on me. Have you ever tried to explain how your twenty-foot dragon got out of the yard and ate fluffy? And of course, she accused Fred of leaving the yard muffins all over her front lawn too. Something about flaming piles of... *Snort* I told her it was fluffy. Fred uses her rose garden in the back yard. Besides, I really don’t know how that gate got open.

*Shrugs and examines nails.*

Flipping dragons! You can’t live with them and they make too large a meal for one. Well, I can see I’m a little overdressed. You could have told me we weren’t doing the whole role-playing thing. And to think I went out of my way to do the Mid-Evil wench thingie. See this corset. Do you have any idea how tight you have to yank the stays to get the pumpkins up to your chin? Never mind. *Snaps fingers and changes to stilettos, and three-piece suit. Sits on desk and crosses legs.* That’s better. From the look of it, it was going to be hard to find someone here that would climb up my hair and rescue me anyway.

Hi, my name is Bunny. I’m a demon. *Holds finger up in the air.* Wait, I know. *Claps hands and massive tome drops on desk. Flips it open.* Dwarfish, no. Goblin...ish? *Glances up.* Hmmm. Maybe. Fairy? I know, I know. It’s not fffffairy. It’s Sidhe, or Fae. Pixies. Whatever. A fairy is a fairy and they all have attitudes. Little bastards. Have you ever seen Tinkerbell when she has PMS? TinkerHell is more like it.

*Flips page.* Wait, wait, wait. Here it is... *Clears throat.* Work with me, okay. I am multi-lingual, but slayer isn’t one of my languages. I am fluent in Southern Sucubi, though. It’s the same as Northern, just less suck. *Glances around silent room.* That was a joke. I wasn’t serious. Lighten up, would you?

Get thee back, Satan. Put your hands up and drop to your knees. No wait. Disregard that last bit. I think can from an episode of COPs. *scans pages* You have the right...

Where in heaven’s gate did that copy of the Miranda Rights come from? *Snaps book shut.* Never mind. I know. Ever play good cop, bad cop?

*Blinks eyes and stares at silent crowd.*

Okay...I see we’re a lively bunch today. They have something for that, you know. It’s called Viagr...vitamins.

Hey, put that broken beer bottle down. Yes, you in the back. *Narrows eyes* The skinny chick in the yellow...Beer wench? Hi, Liz. How’s Hans doing? *Laughs.* Oh that was a hell of a night, wasn’t it? Don’t worry, girl. Your secret’s safe with me. Anyone that knows me knows you can trust Bunny. Honestly. *pulls out a scroll* Just sign your name here on this contract and I won’t say a word. Souls are really overrated, you know.

No? *Rolls scroll up* We’ll talk later. I hear you like to negotiate, got a whole series on real estate agents, don’t you? *Eyes flare red*

Oh where was I...? Broken beer bottle. Yes. Fred’s going to have an early lunch if you don’t behave. He enjoys take-out now and again. Yeah, I know. Fast food is bad for you, clogs the arteries, but, *leans closer,* you don’t look all that fast. Still a little sluggish from one of those beer festivals you’re always traipsing around, I’ll bet. Mmmm, McWriter. A little sweet and sour sauce, maybe some beer batter and...

  Oh, there I go again, getting off topic.

  As I was saying. I’m Bunny and I’m a demon. Don’t say it, your really don’t want too. I’ll stick you with my pitchfork and roast you till crispy. Just because I look all cute, uh sexy with this tail and horns, doesn’t mean I can’t do damage. I’m the original Femme Fatale. I'm not overly fond of carrots either. Chocolate will do. I adore cookies, Devil's food cake.... *Sighs* Sorry, I start thinking about chocolate and it's all over.

So, the reason I’m here, D L Jackson has a new series coming out. About... *Lifts hand.* Wait for it...

Demons. Isn’t that just carnal?

Ooooh gets me all hot just thinking about it—not that I’m not, mind you. Now this series of Edge stories take place in a strip club called The Devil’s Den. It’s a great place to meet that someone special. No—really. I recently was out in the neighborhood, taking in the sights and stumbled into the club—quite by accident.

Really. *snorts* I know I’m no angel, but please, do I look like the den of iniquity type? Anyway, what a night. I met this hot Hell Lord. *taps fingers on desk* What was his name? Oh yes, Azael. A completely yummy hunk of incubus. You know what they say, once you go incubus....

*Eyes widen* Oh, dear. You have no clue what I’m talking about, do you. Well, there was this map going around the web that measured certain attributes of men around the world—someone posted it completely for research purposes. *coughs* She shall not be named. Anyway, I noticed the Devil’s Den was on it, and since those tour maps are kind of fun to follow and see where they take you.... Well one thing led to another and the next thing I know, I was in this club, swinging from the poles and having a great time.

Anyway, Azael and I, we really hit it off. After a few phone calls and multiple visits to his place of work, a restraining order, he agreed to go out with me on this date. A pool party.

My neighbor has a lava pool. It’s all the rage. We mingled, drank cocktails, and every now and then, we’d shove a telemarketer, banker or politician in. Don’t look at me like that. *Puts hands on hips.* I’m a demon, not an angel. You should try it sometime. Very liberating. I haven’t had that much fun since the Dark Ages.

*Glances at watch.* Damn. I’m late. I have a fitting for a wedding dress. *Claps hands together.* I can’t wait to see his face. Please don’t say anything if you see him. It’s a surprise and I really don’t want to have to hunt him down if he catches on early. It’s such a pain. Tracking them from work, following them out and harassing anybody they see. Do you know what I mean? It’s so much easier to blindside them before they know what you’re up to. Besides, I left his girlfriend, Jezebel, tied up in the cooler with the beer, and I don’t have all the time in the world. Those succubus think they’re the only ones with it going on. As you can see, she was wrong.

Thanks so much for having me over to visit. Enjoyed the chat. If you want to meet Azael, you can find him in the Devil’s Den. He’s in the Carnality Series: Carnal Desires, Carnal Attraction, and Carnal Denial. And that girlfriend of his...what was her name again?

*Rolls eyes* Not important. Gotta go.

  Ciao.

  *Vanishes in a puff of smoke*