New Today from Ellora's Cave!

Jaded Hearts

By: Denysé Bridger

Protected federal witness Carlos D’Alejandro and Special Agent Jade Lazlow–Whinton have had a relationship of convenience over the years. Jade’s retired, but when her estranged husband needs her, he uses her attachment to the enigmatic Carlos to lure her back into the field. When she recovers from near-fatal wounds and discovers the deceit, she goes to the one man who will never lie to her. Carlos.

The idyllic Pacific island paradise D’Alejandro calls home is the stuff of fantasy, but it isn’t long before reality knocks on the door and shatters their peace. The news is grim. People they loved have been killed, and these two unlikely lovers are forced to face a truth neither of them has been willing to examine too closely—that their passion is more than intense attraction.

Publisher’s Note: This title was previously published elsewhere and has been extensively revised for Ellora’s Cave.

ELLORA'S CAVE - Read an Excerpt

Anyone who drops by and leaves a comment, you'll be entered to win a copy of my other Ellora's Cave release - HIDE AND SECRET

Is there a cure for Social Ignorance?

Here we are again, and for some of you, this is simply the latest chapter in an on-going story for me and the Social Networking Wonder known as Facebook. I’ve been using Facebook for I believe about five years now, not entirely sure, but that doesn’t matter anyway. About two years ago I decided to take advantage of their “fan page” alternative because I was getting so much promotional stuff posted to what is my personal profile. So, I created a page that mirrors my website and called it Romance and Fantasy, as most things associated with me professionally come under that tag line and have since 2004 when I signed my first contract. The fan page currently has approx. 2800 followers, and daily stats show it to be a very active page, seen by just under ONE MILLION people since its inception. So, it has become a popular stop for many readers and fans, often on a daily basis. Something that truly humbles me and leaves me in awe.

One of the things I’ve done as a fun way to chat is post images of sexy heroes for everyone to enjoy. The page’s primary readers are women, and the men have been known to have a lot of fun bantering with the comments that are posted on some of the hunky guys, too. It’s all in fun, and 95% of the images posted are from other pages on Facebook or Male Model sites. NONE of them are naked, graphic, or offensive to those who drop by to hit the like button or leave a comment. However, I was forced early on to set the page as visible to those 21 years old and over. Not a problem, we all get a little profane occasionally, and when I rant, I’ve been known to be less than ladylike. If I was a parent, I wouldn’t want my kids reading what is occasionally posted in comments on my fan page. That stated, it’s rare that anything questionable is said.

In the past two years, the fan page has seen its share of controversy. Only TODAY I have had a photo reported and removed, and I’m currently under a three day suspension with FB for posting what someone deemed “inappropriate content” and this image is the offence. I see an attractive man wearing all his clothes, all the naughty bits are well covered. Yet someone hit report–some supposed ADULT found this image sexually inappropriate or pornographic. Maybe I’m not seeing straight, but how is this pornographic? I can well imagine this guy inspiring a few pornographic fantasies, but here he’s just a sexy model, at least in my view. Feel free to correct this misconception of mine, if you want to, I’m always open to an intelligent exchange of views.

We all have our frustrations with this site, and many of them are valid annoyances. Facebook allows the formation of unmonitored groups that spew hate propaganda to impressionable minds, support homophobia, racial discrimination, violence against women and children, bullying, and any other number of things society as a rule finds repugnant. Yet, these sites continue to exist and are left alone to spread their disease. People who want to put themselves in the position of moral watchdogs need to cast their net wider than romance sites, in my opinion. Some guy’s naked chest doesn’t disturb me unless he’s got a kill list tattooed on it, then he’d be the monster we need to be rid of on a page.

The media has taken some weird twists and stands over all our lives to a large degree. We live in an age where absurdities are accepted as the norm now, and that’s a scary damn precedent to have set. Huge corporations tell us what is and isn’t appropriate for us, and we accept this far too often. Recently Sony Corporation has told a romance author she can’t use the name Adele, because it’s one of their registered trademarks. And there are people who support that stance. I’m only guessing, but I think it’s a safe bet that the author’s mother registered her daughter’s name long before the singer came onto the stage. Can one trademark a commonly used given name? Apparently, but does that mean it should be allowed? Think about that–we might all one day be sued or issued cease and desist orders instructing us to stop using our own names!

People have been screaming for some kind of moderation and review of the vagaries of social media and the control it has over us all. EVERYONE agrees that policies have to exist to protect people from predatory internet stalkers and hate mongers. That isn’t even a question that needs revisiting. What DOES need looking at, with honesty and some semblance of sense is how “reports” are monitored and dealt with on large media sites. Every day millions upon millions of users log in to their Facebook profiles and socialize with people. The site can deactivate you for nothing more than someone vindictively pressing a report button on something you’ve said or done if they don’t like it. You don’t even get the chance to defend yourself, the judgement is passed.

Authors of romance novels have had their book covers deemed “inappropriate content” by Facebook–had their profiles frozen for days or weeks because some ignorant, uptight asshole didn’t like an image, or a story excerpt, or maybe what colour underwear the author said she/he wore that day. We use this site to network with others in our chosen profession, to allow readers to socialize with us in a SAFE environment that works for us and them. Role-play writers pour their hearts into entertaining people and fans, often bringing much needed relaxation and enjoyment to their readers, every day they risk all that hard work vanishing because of some jerk with a bug up their ass reporting them as a phoney profile. It’s acceptable to take out a creative writer, but not the page that screams about white supremacy, or tells you it’s your right to slap around your kids or your mate? If this is the case our next major research really needs to be finding a cure for social ignorance.

See you on the dark side in about three days everyone! That’s when Facebook is going to let me talk to you again.

NEW from NIKKI NOFFSINGER

Take a look at the new release from Renegade Night author Nikki Noffsinger. Enter a world of passion, wolf-shifters, and love that conquers all.

New from XoXo Publishing™

Also available at Amazon.com

Blurb:

Ivy Morgan has re-invented herself and is looking forward to the future for the first time, in a very long time. Since fleeing for her life from an overzealous religious cult, she is able to be a modern woman that is gaining her independence; so taking up with a sexy stranger named Nyx is the last thing she needs. Or, is it?

Nyx Wahpeton can’t stop thinking about the young woman he’s met. It couldn’t have come at the worse possible time with the clans meeting and his family wrapped up in a centuries old war that’s nothing short of what horror movies are made from. He’s been a protector of his people and those that reside at the Reservation. There’s betrayal and evil at his front door; but, in his heart he knows Ivy is the one for him. She’s surrounded by secrets that he’s vowed to unlock, as well as her heart. However, can he keep her safe from his own secrets?

Read an excerpt and be enchanted:

Lorna drove down the street to a salon. Ivy was going to get her hair cut. She was excited as they went in and started looking through the hair magazines for a new hairstyle. Ivy had long hair for her whole life and felt as if she should be nervous about cutting it, but it symbolized a life that she had no desire to live. A petite blonde woman came over to where they were sitting and ushered Ivy to her chair.

“You have really gorgeous hair, you know that! Are you sure you want it cut?” the beautician asked as she fingered through Ivy’s waist length hair.

“Yes! I am quite sure! I was thinking something to my shoulders and layered perhaps.” Ivy replied.

“Alright, I know just the style that would be perfect for you that would complement your face shape!” the beautician said as she took Ivy to a shampoo bowl.

Lorna looked on as the beautician shampooed, conditioned and wrapped a towel around Ivy’s head. Ivy had certainly come a long way from the scared girl that she’d rescued from the Shepherds of the Flock religious group. The Shepherds of the Flock were a cult that was similar to the LDS church that she had fled herself fifteen years ago. It had taken her three years to help Ivy get to where she was today. Ivy had been married to an elder as his seventh wife and it had been hell getting her out! She had first met Ivy in a hospital where she had been taken for not just a miscarriage but also being beaten nearly to death. A nurse, Millie Shugart had called Lorna and she had broken a number of traffic laws getting to the hospital to see Ivy. Lorna shuddered in her seat as she remembered how battered and beaten Ivy had been.

She had been like a frightened child and Lorna had told her of her own life with the LDS church, and had offered Ivy a way out. Ivy had been so distrustful but she took the help that Lorna had offered. Lorna immediately called Terrance McGee and got a police guard at the hospital and filed the necessary paperwork and police report. Ivy had been a child bride and had gotten pregnant but due to a beating by her ‘beloved’ husband, she had miscarried the baby. One of the sister wives had brought her to the hospital and left her there. When the hospital released Ivy, Lorna had taken her in and for a solid year it had been a nightmare! Ivy had terrible nightmares and for the first part of that year, she wouldn’t even talk to the psychologist.

It was like getting a wild and feral animal to trust, and Lorna was amazed she’d been able to salvage Ivy through the layers of abuse. This was her job, her calling and Ivy was a success story. Ivy would have the life she was meant to have, not the one she had been born into. Lorna smiled as she watched Ivy’s face scrunch up as the hair stylist took that first cut off those long locks of hers. ‘Breathe Ivy! Breathe!’ Lorna thought to herself. Lorna knew all too well that first cut had been not just a big step but more like a jump across the Grand Canyon.

“Are you okay, hon? You’re not going to cry or anything are you?” the beautician said frantically as she noticed that Ivy had an odd look to her face. It was a look that blended well with panic. Ivy wasn’t panicked but it was like some invisible fear that suddenly the world was going to fall apart or she’d be struck down by God for cutting her hair.

It wasn’t until Lorna walked over and bent down to her ear. “Ivy, Ivy open your eyes!” Lorna urged. Ivy slowly lifted her lids. Lorna smiled, “See, the world is still turning and you’re not a crispy critter! No cracking earth or devil to drag you through the floor!”

It was true, and she felt stupid for overreacting but for some reason she had to have that verbal assurance that nothing Papa Paul had said was true. The beautician waited until she relaxed again in the chair. Ivy smiled slightly and told the girl to go ahead with the hair cut. Lorna patted her shoulder and returned to her seat in the shop’s lobby. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to freak out! This is my first haircut!” Ivy admitted. The girl smiled and nodded, “Well it’s going to be the best first hair cut anyone has ever gotten.” The two young women laughed.

In about an hour, the beautician was finished. Ivy looked at her hair that came just past her shoulders. It had layers that had been cut in with a razor and she looked modern, stylish, and pretty instead of looking as if she dropped out of the 1800s. Papa Paul had always told her and the others that for a woman to cut her hair was a sin and abomination in the eyes of God and her husband. A woman who cut her hair, wore make-up and wore the garments of Satan would be subject to the wrath of God. Next to adultery and being barren; the sin of cutting one’s hair was right up there with the seven deadliest.

Anything that caused the displeasure of one’s husband and God was grounds for beatings, seclusion, starvation, and the worst - Purification. In her lifetime, Ivy had watched as her own mother had been whipped and taken out into the wilds to fend for herself with no clothing or even shoes. Her own mother had beaten into Ivy, physically and mentally the duties as to which Ivy would one day carry out. Ivy pushed those thoughts out of her head. Today she was starting her new life officially and the past was not going to play any part in it! She stood as Lorna met her giving her a reassuring look.

“Woo hoo! Look at you girl! Now that is what I call a very attractive hair do!” Lorna praised. Ivy blushed slightly at her friend’s assessment. Lorna paid the woman and they both left.

Buy The eBook HERE

Amazon KINDLE

Coming May 25th from Ellora's Cave

An Excerpt From: JADED HEARTS

Copyright © DENYSÉ BRIDGER, 2012

ISBN: 978-1419939-93-8

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

“What do you want, Jade?”

The words were soft but held no discernible emotion. She peered more intently at him, saw the lines that had settled around his eyes and the weariness that emanated from him now, blunting the unmistakable aura of sensuality that was a natural part of his being. She moved slightly, stood at his back and slid her arms around his waist, letting her fingers drift across well-remembered contours, caressing softly as she pressed her cheek to the broad expanse of his back.

“What do you want, Jade?” he repeated, holding her hands still but making no movement to dislodge her from her place behind him. “I know this isn’t social. It never was with you. I seem to have that kind of luck with the women I trust.” The last was said with faint bitterness and she pulled away, taking the step back to his side that would allow her to face him.

“What if I just wanted to see you, Carlos?” she challenged softly. “It could be as simple as that.”

He laughed, and she was enchanted by the low rumble of sound. There was distinct mockery in his voice when he answered. “It could be, but is it?”

She debated a lie, then chose the truth. He not only deserved it, he’d gotten to know her so well she was certain he’d hear the deceit in her voice if she tried to mislead him.

“Yes,” she nodded, then added, “and no, as well.”

He turned his back to the astonishing view and crossed his arms over his chest.

“I’m waiting,” he prompted after a few moments passed in silence.

“You’re very distracting, Carlos,” she murmured, her gaze drifting over him, drinking in every nuance of his presence. His long legs were slightly spread and the lightweight cotton of his pants was pulled taut across his hips. She knew there was nothing under the pants but bare skin. That knowledge was creating a disturbing lack of focus, as well as a distressing internal trembling. A condition that would soon become an undeniable and visible confirmation of just how deeply his physical presence affected her. And Carlos being Carlos would not overlook the reaction once he’d spotted it.

She dragged her gaze from the endless length of his legs and met his thoroughly amused smile when she faced him again. He reached out and hooked the index finger of his right hand into the strip of material that held her bikini bra together, then he tugged her toward him until she stood between his legs and her eyes were level with his.

“You haven’t answered me,” he observed in a low growl.

Her gaze dropped to his hands and she stared in helpless fascination as his thumbs glided along the sides of her breasts while his splayed fingers held her firmly where he wanted her. The circles of motion expanded slowly, sensually until—finally—the pads of his thumbs brushed a feathery stroke over the rigid, thrusting tips of her nipples, clearly outlined by the thin white nylon of her bikini top.

“What was the question?” she murmured, the query disintegrating into a gasp of erotic pleasure when he bent forward and closed his teeth on one hard bud. The pressure of his tongue made the material between them even more irrelevant. She kissed the top of his head and her arms went around his neck, pressing him tighter to her. “God, Carlos, that feels incredible!” She was talking to him about what was happening as it happened, she thought with a flicker of irony. This was the only man she’d ever known who asked her what she wanted, what she liked and how she liked it. Then he’d given her everything she needed and more. All the time making her talk to him as they shared their passion.

The catch on the bikini top was opened with a careless flick of his fingers and he smiled as he pulled back to look at her. The bikini didn’t fall away, her fully bared skin still hidden from his sight until he decided to peel aside the material. He watched her, challenge in his dark eyes, making no further move until he was sure she wanted him to continue.

“What do you want?” he purred softly. “That was the question, honey.”

She traced the fullness of his lips with her fingertip and smiled when he sucked the slender digit deep into his mouth and swirled his tongue around it, licking suggestively.

Release Date: May 25th, 2012

Meet the lovely BRIGIT AINE

Today my special guest is the lovely and talented Brigit Aine. Everyone knows Brigit and I are friends, and she is one of the bright lights in my world, even in the darkest times. So, let's get to know her a little better, and then take a peek at her last release - which just happens to be our first Duet - we'll have another one for the Holidays later this year!

Brigit, how long have you been writing?

Gosh…forever? Since high school at least, perhaps before that.

And, how long have you been a published author?

Five years now (thanks to Denyse). Started with a company she was part of and have followed her since. *wink* (I won't let her leave me, what can I say?)

What titles do you have available?

Torrent's Talents: Red's Wolf, Cassie's Awakening, Kraig's Kat, Justice for Leanne, also in Anthologies/Collections: Just Another Paranormal Christmas, Just Another Paranormal Halloween, Halloween Triad, Lost to the Night, and Duets: Pas de Deux

Do you have any new titles coming soon?

There is always that possibility. (Isn't she a tease?)

What is your favourite genre and why?

I love fantasy/paranormal, doesn't even have to be romance. It allows me to feed my belief that all things are possible and do exist, we just have to look for it hard enough. It is out there and I will find it.

What, to you, is the most exciting part of the writing process?

I love starting a story. To see the beginning of a tale come to life. I love ending a story. Gosh to have the final pages done and know that you brought something to life and then to a close. It is the middle parts that drive me nuts :)

If you could co-author a book with anyone, who would you choose and why?

I think right now it would be Seanan McGuire. She has done such a great job blending the mundane world with the paranormal, in all her stories. She has created the world I know exists and I want to be part of.

Where can readers find you on the web?

Posterous: http://brigitaine.posterous.com

Blog: http://brigitsjournals.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/brigitaine

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/brigitsworld

My latest release is Pas de Deux with Denyse. This was so much fun and such a great read. One sweet tale of a new romance and one spicy erotic tale that will set you spinning.

PAS DES DEUX

Her Secret Admirer - Brigit Aine

The Conversation Cards - Denysé Bridger

One sweet, one sexy - both passionate and guaranteed to make you smile!

Available HERE

Two very different stories of love and passion. In Brigit Aine’s enchanting tale, Her Secret Admirer, love is being discovered, with all its magic and mystery and hope… and in the second movement of the Duet, The Conversation Cards, two people already involved in their passionate love affair learn new things about each other, and reaffirm their bond.

Pas des Deux: Her Secret Admirer – Love is often found when it’s least expected. Cindy is working hard at making her business a success, and at her side offering solid support is Will. When she arrives home one evening to find a Valentine Love Coupon taped to her door, a romantic game of dreams and hope begins as her Secret Admirer begins a courtship that will win her heart long before she knows his name…

Pas des Deux: The Conversation Cards – Two modern lovers, living often separate lives, discover that making time for their relationship isn’t always easy. A whimsical, spur of the moment purchase of a Valentine novelty evokes an open and honest conversation that makes their secret getaway an even more romantic rendezvous, and renews hope for a future that is the stuff of dreams…