Sizzling Summer Reads Party

Posted on July 1, 2012 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome to The Romance Review’s              Sizzling Summer Reads Party!

I hope you enjoy the party–all month long!  From July 1 thru 31 there will be games and prizes, not only here but on all of the more than 400 sites participating!  The Romance Review is also giving away a Grand Prize of a $100.00 Gift Card.  Just register with The Romance Reviews and start playing!

My Sizzling Summer Read is an historical romance, set in Georgian England.  This is my first full-length novel to be published and I’m very excited because the wait is almost over!  Monday, July 23 Only Scandal Will Do releases from Lyrical Press.  Here’s the blurb–see what you think.

Blurb for Only Scandal Will Do:

He has the woman of his dreams, but what price will he have to pay to win her heart?

Kidnapped and sold at auction in a London brothel, Lady Katarina Fitzwilliam squelches an undeniable attraction to the masked stranger who purchased her, pits her wits against him, and escapes him and the scandal that would ruin her life.

Unable to resist temptation in a London brothel, Duncan Ferrers, Marquess of Dalbury, purchases a fiery beauty. She claims she’s a lady, but how can she be? No lady of his acquaintance in polite society is anything like her. Then he discovers she is who she says, and that this latest romp has compromised her reputation. He knows how that is. One more scandal and he’ll be cast out of London society, but he needs a wife who’ll provide an heir to carry on his illustrious family’s name. He seeks out Katarina, intending only to scotch the scandal, but instead finds his heart ensnared. He’s betting their future he’ll capture her heart, but does he have what it takes to win the wager?

WARNING: A blade-wielding heroine who crosses swords with a master of sensuality.

And if you liked that, you’ll love the excerpt!

Excerpt from Only Scandal Will Do:

Katarina clutched the chair’s golden upholstery to keep from launching herself at him and wrapping her fingers around his arrogant throat. “I am Lady Katarina Fitzwilliam, sister to the Earl of Manning. I was kidnapped and brought here tonight against my will.”

He cocked his head. Then his mouth twitched. “Truly? What an exciting life you must lead…Lady Katarina, was it?” He chuckled deep in his chest, and took a step toward the chair.

She glared at him. “I am Lady Katarina Fitzwilliam, you dullard.”

“And true ladies always run around London at night scandalously underdressed as Greek slaves?”

“My brother and I were on our way to a masquerade ball when I was abducted.”

“As was I, fair lady,” he bowed with an exaggerated flourish, “when I decided to come to this charming establishment instead. Perhaps if we had continued on our ways uninterrupted, we would even now be dancing together at the ball.” That nasty laugh grated against her nerves worse than the screech of rusty nails, making her contemplate murder. If the scoundrel didn’t believe her story, killing him might be her only means of escape.

Check back during the month–I’ll be posting excerpts for Scandal on Sweet Saturday Sample, Six Sentence Sunday, and Horny Humps Day during July.

And there will be a BIG PARTY on July 23 when the book becomes available for purchase. Come on by and party with me! 🙂

Posted in Blog Hops, Giveaways, On Only Scandal Will Do | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Sweet Saturday Sample–6/30/12 Time Enough To Love: Betrothal

Posted on June 30, 2012 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome back to Sweet Saturday Sample!  All excerpts here are rated PG-13 or milder. Here’s another post from my new WIP, my medieval trilogy Time Enough To Love.  Part 1 is called Betrothal.  The series is set in England and France in 1348.  Betrothal takes place at the court of King Edward III.

Lady Alyse de Courcy is a waiting gentlewoman to Princess Joanna, youngest daughter of King Edward.  As the book opens, Alyse is anxiously awaiting word of her betrothal.   After receiving the news that the new courtier, Sir Geoffrey Longford, is her betrothed, a dazed Alyse manages to finally speak.   She acquits herself well, but just as she thinks her ordeal before the court is over, Geoffrey turns the tables and escorts her around the Great Hall. During their procession, Alyse sets him a feat to win her regard.  (Disclaimer:  This work is not yet edited, so please forgive any flaws.)

To her consternation Geoffrey relaxed and chuckled.  “Aye, lady, when I behold you I do distrust myself.”  Alyse saw again in his eyes that unrecognizable flicker.  “Yet I still believe you do me wrong to have so little trust in me. Be assured I would do naught to dishonor you.  Even on short acquaintance, I vow to speak you fair in all things, as you are my betrothed and therefore as dear to me as my own life.”

“Very pretty words, my lord,” she answered him, then muttered under her breath, “would that they could be matched in pretty deeds!”

Geoffrey leaned closer.  “What deed may I do, gentle lady, to prove myself worthy of your regard?”

Exasperated that he had overheard her, Alyse’s brow puckered in concentration.  What task could she set him?  Preferably something that would get her back to her table and out of sight.  Or better yet…

 “I fear I would set you an impossible task, my lord.  A labor worthy of mighty Hercules.”  That ought to flatter his ego a mite.   “For I would beg you to stop time itself and postpone the wedding a little.”  Or much.  “With time I would come to know you better, be better resigned to our marriage ere we speak the nuptials.”  She looked at him, a spark of defiance edging her chin up.  “As I have said, so far you have treated me ill in my estimation.”

He faced her and gave her a captivating smile, which she had to admit was as charming as Lord Brayton’s.  “I will truly have to be a Hercules to accomplish the task you have set me, my lady.  You ask only that I defy the laws of God and man and halt the Sun in its journey ‘round the Earth.”  His eyes took on a devilish sparkle.  “Though if it will win your good opinion of me, I will fain attempt the feat.”

Alyse winced at that look, and spoke with as good a grace as she could muster.  “I thank you, kind sir, for attempting to ease my mind.  Should you prove yourself as mighty as Hercules and a man of compassion towards me, you might indeed win my regard.”  Let us see if your deeds can be as substantial as your person, my lord.   But if he could persuade the king to postpone their marriage even a little, she would be more than grateful. This betrothal had shaken her, though few women she knew managed to marry as they would choose.  Because of Phillip, she had never contemplated marriage to a stranger. 

I hope you enjoyed this sample of  Time Enough to Love.  Stop by SSS tomorrow for six sentences from one of my current works.  And today be sure to click here to visit more Sweet Samples.

Posted in On Sweet Saturday Sample, On Time Enough to Love, On Works in Progress | Tagged , , , , | 32 Comments

Friday Favorites–The Feisty Heroine

Posted on June 29, 2012 by Jenna Jaxon

 Welcome back to Friday Favorites where each week I’ll ask you to post an excerpt about a favorite.  Last week was favorite hero.  This week it’s the ladies turn.  Tell me about your favorite heroine.

Who is the favorite feisty heroine you’ve written?  We’ve probably written both–the ass-kicking, gun/sword toting, drinks-like-a-man, self-assured heroine and her counterpart, who’s not a doormat, but an intelligent, warm, loving heroine who has the strength of steel beneath the soft facade.

I’ve written a couple of these gals, though only one has actually carried a weapon.  The others use their wits and wiles to get their way, with the same determined spirit.  You don’t always have to literally kick-ass to kick-ass. 🙂
My favorite feisty heroine, however, is Lady Katarina Fitzwilliam from my upcoming release, Only Scandal Will Do.  Kat was raised in the wild society of 18th century Virginia and taught to fence and shoot from a tender age.  She’s fearless, intelligent, beautiful and determined to let no man decide her destiny.  Even after being compromised by the Marquess of Dalbury, she refuses to do the conventional thing and marry him.

Kat shook her head slowly. “What on earth do you believe you could do, Lord Dalbury, that could even come close to a remedy for the terror and humiliation you put me through? Do you think now that I have met you, heard your feeble attempts at an apology, and rejected them, the memory of that night will magically disappear?” She fought to control her anger, though she yearned to blast him with it. “What magic potion would you have me take that would erase the memory of you pinning me to the bed? Because if you have such an elixir, then yes, I will gladly take it from you and obliterate you absolutely and irrevocably.”

He stood silent at her words, then said simply, “I have only myself to offer, my lady.”

“You would have me kill you, my lord? In that, too, I agree I would oblige you, but not at the cost of my own life. I understand the English law punishes those who do murder quite severely.” Kat was astonished when he lurched backward, as from a blow.

“No, my lady, I would not have you kill me,” he said, sounding grimly amused. “Though indeed that would probably give you most satisfaction. I meant I would have you marry me.”

His words surprised a laugh out of her. “Marry you?” The laughter grew. “I see, my lord, you think me both a whore and a fool.”

“I think you are neither, Lady Katarina.”

“Then you are the fool to believe I would put such a man as you in control of every aspect of my life.” That he thought she would even entertain the suggestion was insulting.

The pale moonlight shadowed his face, but she could read displeasure there just the same. “You judge me solely on one act that, I assure you, was grossly out of character for me. You cannot possibly know what kind of husband I would be.”

“And never will, Lord Dalbury. I can swear to you that I would not marry you if I were in Hell and you were my only hope of Heaven.”

And just wait until you see her with a blade in her hand!  She’s a force to be reckoned   with–Dalbury has no idea what he’s letting himself in for.  LOL

Now, why don’t you tell me about your favorite feisty heroine?  Decide which of your kick-ass gals  you’d like to introduce everyone to, and choose a snippet about this character to share about her. (A snippet from your manuscript would be awesome, but if you’re not comfortable with that, you can choose to do a character sketch–something to show us your character and writing.)  And if you’re not an author or just can’t decide, tell me about a heroine you’ve read who really made you stand up and cheer. (Outside of my novels, Diana, Countess of Arradale from Devilish is the heroine I most adore.)  Can’t wait to see your favorites again!

Posted in About Characters, Friday Favorites, On Only Scandal Will Do | Tagged , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

Angels vs Demons BlogHop–June 28 through July 1

Posted on June 28, 2012 by Jenna Jaxon

I’ve always been fascinated by Demons.  I think it may stem from watching Fantasia at an early age and being thrilled and scared to death by “Night on Bald Mountain.”  If you haven’t seen it, or haven’t in a long time, click the demon’s image for a quick video to get you in the mood for this Hop.

But not all demons are so…demonic.

You could argue that Demons are simply those fabulous “bad boys” we’re all so attracted to.  The works of Larissa Ione and Kressely Cole have demons who are wickedly gorgeous–like these hunky guys.

No wonder demons are so popular these days!

Unfortunately, I don’t write demons, but I’ve written my share of “bad boys.”

My forthcoming release, Only Scandal Will Do, features a rake (read BB) whose idea of a night out on the town includes disguises, buying a woman for a night’s pleasure,  dueling, and …well, I’ll let you see for yourself how “bad” Duncan can be.

Blurb for Only Scandal Will Do:

Kidnapped and sold at auction in a London brothel, Lady Katarina Fitzwilliam squelches an undeniable attraction to the masked stranger who purchased her, pits her wits against him, and escapes him and the scandal that would ruin her life.

Unable to resist temptation in a London brothel, Duncan Ferrers, Marquess of Dalbury, purchases a fiery beauty. She claims she’s a lady, but how can she be? No lady of his acquaintance in polite society is anything like her. Then he discovers she is who she says, and that this latest romp has compromised her reputation. He knows how that is. One more scandal and he’ll be cast out of London society, but he needs a wife who’ll provide an heir to carry on his illustrious family’s name. He seeks out Katarina, intending only to scotch the scandal, but instead finds his heart ensnared. He’s betting their future he’ll capture her heart, but does he have what it takes to win the wager?

WARNING: A blade-wielding heroine who crosses swords with a master of sensuality.

Only Scandal Will Do will release on July 23, 2012 from Lyrical Press.

My other really “demonic” bad boy is  from my latest erotic novella, 7 Days of Seduction.  The title alone should tell you something about Hunter Hopewell. 🙂

Blurb for 7 Days of Seduction:

Ashley is known for her outrageous parties and last Friday night was no exception.  Except she wakes to find a video of her in the middle of a menage a trois with her ex-boyfriend and a gorgeous stranger.  Unable to remember anything about the night, other than the hot sex she sees on the computer screen, Ashley begins a search for Mr. Hunk.  She has no luck until he unexpectedly shows up–in her shower.

Hunter Hopewell is something of a mystery man, who would love to initiate Ash into a variety of sexual adventures he finds exciting.  He proposes a week-long seduction of colorful encounters, culminating in an experience that may be too much even for Ashley.  Will she embrace Hunter’s wild tastes, or finally resist his seductive charms?

7 Days of Seduction will release later this summer from New Dawning International Bookfair.

For my giveaway on this blog hop, three commenters will be chosen at random to receive a copy of one of my published works.

So leave me a comment telling me which one you’d rather end up with:  Angel or Demon?

And be sure to leave your email address with your comment so you will be entered in the Blog Hop Giveaways.  One commenter will win a Kindle Touch and one will win a $60.00 Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card.  Every blog you hop to and comment on earns you a chance at the Grand Prizes, so keep on hoppin’!  Click on the button below to hop on.

 

Posted in Blog Hops, Contests, Giveaways, On Only Scandal Will Do, On Seven Days of Seduction | Tagged , , , , , | 74 Comments

7 Days of Seduction–Horny Hump Day 6/27/12 Day 6: More Ghostly Dick

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Jenna Jaxon

WARNING:  MATERIAL NOT SUITABLE FOR THOSE UNDER THE AGE OF 18!

NOT SAFE FOR WORK!

Participating authors in Horny Hump Day post three sentences from their published works or WIP, hot enough to sizzle on the sidewalk! LOL

Today’s Horny Hump Day goes on to Day 6 of 7 Days of Seduction.  And I thought this post would be the perfect place to announce that I just signed a contract with New Dawning International Bookfair for 7 Days of Seduction!  If I can get cracking on it, maybe it can be released by early Fall!

Anyway, now Hunter, Ashley and Sam are in her bedroom in the midst of a menage a trois.  This three follows almost immediately after my Six Sentence Sunday snippet about Sam’s Ghostly Dick.  Hunter’s just snapped the lights back on.

 

 “Sorry, guys, but we really need to see this and the condom’s going to be invisible in a minute anyway.”

“Awww, man, I was hoping to see that glowing going in and out of her,” Sam grumbled, sounding bummed.

“Watch it disappear right now, Sam,” Ashley said, and grasped his hotness to guide it into her slit.

The Ghostly Dick rides again! 🙂

Please check out the Horny Hump Day blog site for the other sites on the hop and go visit the other hot authors.   The site also gives the details of how to sign up for next week if you’d like to play with us. 🙂

Thanks so much for visiting the Journal once more for Horny Hump Day.

Posted in Blog Hops, On Horny Hump Day, On Seven Days of Seduction, On Writing Erotic Romance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 35 Comments

What I’m Reading Now–Bloodwine by Cera Du Bois

Posted on June 26, 2012 by Jenna Jaxon

What I’m reading today is Cera du Bois’s Bloodwine.  A short, hot paranormal romance where the newly crowned King of the Vampires must mate to unite the vampire kingdoms and help provide peace with humans.  The trouble is, Darius still mourns his late wife.  And when an old flame makes overtures to him, he is torn over what will be best for the world and best for his own desires.

This is a true short story–I’m not sure of the word count, but it’s only 27 pages on my Kindle.  Fortunately, good things do come in small packages.

Part of its charm is its brevity because Ms. du Bois has packed a lot of sensuality and intimacy into that short space.  Which makes this intense romance short, sweet and hot. Darius is one sexy vamp and the beautiful Anastasia is quite a match for him.  Watching them spar and spark is like striking tender and flint together–you know there’s a hell of a blaze coming.

I enjoy paranormal romance, even though it’s not my favorite sub-genre.  And I certainly
enjoyed Bloodwine.

Here’s the link to Bloodwine on Amazon.  Read it with your own glass of red wine for an even more up-close-and-personal experience. 🙂

Posted in Reader's Corner, Reviews, What I'm Reading | Tagged , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

Contest Winners!

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Jenna Jaxon

Congratulations to the two winners of the blog hops I participated in over the weekend!

For the

the Winner of a book from my backlist is

CERA DU BOIS!

and

for the

the Winner of one of my published erotic works is

PENUMBRA!

Posted in Blog Hops, Contests, Winners | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Six Sentence Sunday–06/24/12 Seven Days of Seduction–Day 6: Three’s Company

Posted on June 24, 2012 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome back to Six Sentence Sunday!

(If you are looking for the Blog Hops,

Scroll Down)

Thanks once again to everyone for your great support each week.  I do appreciate your comments, so keep them coming.  I also look forward to visiting your sites and reading your wonderful snippets.

Today I’m offering another snippet from my  WIP Seven Days of Seduction–an erotic novella out to the publisher now– about Ashley and the man she runs into–in her shower.  We’re on to Day 6 of Seduction–where three’s company.  I bet you get the picture. 🙂  And Sam, Ash’s ex-boyfriend, has a special treat in store for them. Enjoy!

Sam nodded, slid off the bed, trotted to the dresser and picked up a three pack of condoms.  “I got special ones, just for this.”  He tore the package, rolled it onto his dick and flipped the light switch off.  “Glow-in-the-dark!”

The eerie sight of Sam’s glowing erection, bobbing as it came toward her in the dark, mesmerized her and she stifled a giggle.  The ghostly dick hovered above the bed as Sam sat down.


Sam’s prepared and eager to share!  Hope you found this SSS enlightening!

Thanks once more for visiting Six Sentence Sunday.  Click the SSS to try out more author snippets.  I bet you’ll enjoy yourself!

Posted in On Seven Days of Seduction, On Six Sentence Sunday | Tagged , , , , , , | 22 Comments

Sweet Saturday Sample–6/23/12 Time Enough To Love: Betrothal

Posted on June 23, 2012 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome back to Sweet Saturday Sample!  All excerpts here are rated PG-13 or milder. Here’s another post from my new WIP, my medieval trilogy Time Enough To Love.  Part 1 is called Betrothal.  The series is set in England and France in 1348.  Betrothal takes place at the court of King Edward III.  And just this week I finished the revision!

Lady Alyse de Courcy is a waiting gentlewoman to Princess Joanna, youngest daughter of King Edward.  As the book opens, Alyse is anxiously awaiting word of her betrothal.  She would prefer to marry Lord Brayton, a knight and courtier to the king, who has taken her fancy.  Alyse is watching Lord Brayton while a new courtier is presented to the court.  Now Alyse has been called before the king.  After receiving the new that the new courtier, Sir Geoffrey Longford, is her betrothed, a dazed Alyse manages to finally speak.   She acquits herself well, but just as she thinks her ordeal before the court is over, Geoffrey turns the tables and escorts her around the Great Hall.  (Disclaimer:  This work is not yet edited, so please forgive any flaws.)

 

At every stop she silently cursed him anew.  Could this great hulking oaf not see her discomfiture?  Did he not care about her feelings at all?  Or was he merely thick headed? And she must be married to this man?  Oh, Father, what have you done to me?

 

As they continued down the long side of the hall, Geoffrey leaned over to ask, “Why so quiet, my lady? Are you in awe of me or merely stunned by the good fortune of our betrothal?”

 

Outraged at the conceited fool, Alyse opened her mouth to explain just how much she was unimpressed with either him or her situation, only to meet eyes of darkest sapphire flickering with merriment at her indignation. 

 

“Nay, my lord, I do not think I would quite call it ‘awe’ that you inspire in me.”  Alyse was hard put to keep her countenance firm, so infectious was his grin.

 

“Then what would you call it, Lady Alyse?”

 

“Wariness, my lord.”

 

“You are wary of me, lady?  Do I inspire distrust in you?”

 

“Aye, my lord, that you do.” 

 

Geoffrey slowed his pace, frowning. “Why?  I am an honorable man, of good family.  I  served King Edward well in the recent wars.  So well that I was given lands and I am raised in station to serve in Princess Joanna’s household.  If the king himself trusts me, my lady, I think you must as well.” 

 

Alyse’s mouth twitched with suppressed amusement at Sir Geoffrey’s impatient tone. One did not bait an unchained bear, but perhaps the bear could be persuaded to listen to another side of the tale. “I am sure His Majesty trusts you completely, Sir Geoffrey, for he has known you for some time, I believe?” 

 

After his curt nod she continued.  “The question, perhaps, should be why should I trust you?  I  know you not, my lord, for I met you but moments ago.  And in the few minutes since I met you, you have managed to insult me, by making me think you would reject the marriage, then fixed me as the center of attention before the company by displaying me throughout the hall when we were but six steps from my seat!”  That point irked her most of all, but she swallowed her anger and continued with scathing civility.   “Considering all these things, my lord, I do not see how even you can trust you!” 


I hope you enjoyed this sample of  Time Enough to Love.  Stop by SSS tomorrow for six sentences from 7 Days of Seduction.  And today be sure to click here to visit more Sweet Samples.

Posted in On Sweet Saturday Sample, On Time Enough to Love, On Works in Progress | Tagged , , , , | 29 Comments

Friday Favorites–The Villain

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Jenna Jaxon

(If you are looking for the Blog Hops scroll down!)

I did this post last week and so many people liked having the opportunity to respond that I thought I’d try it as a regular feature for a while and see how it goes.  So welcome to Friday Favorites where each week I’ll ask you to post an excerpt about a favorite.  Last week was favorite hero.  This week it’s your favorite villain.

Do you have a favorite villain that you’ve written?  Someone so deliciously oily and evil that you enjoyed every minute he was on stage in your story and loved it even more when he was finally brought low?

Looking back on the stories I’ve written, many of mine had conflict mostly between the hero and heroine, or together they struggle against some natural disaster so a villain isn’t present.  And in one of my books, the true villain is never actually seen, though his actions set my H/H to swimming in a river of misery.

I do, however, have one real bad guy that I just love to hate:  Phillipe Tondereau, Vicomte St. Cyr from the second book in my Georgian series, Only Marriage Will Do.  Phillipe was previously engaged to the heroine, Lady Juliet Ferrers, though their betrothal was broken off by Phillipe’s father.  A year later Phillipe has turned up in London with papers claiming Juliet was married to him by proxy in France.  And the nasty little popinjay will stop at nothing to try to get her back:

“This need not concern the marquess.  I can arrange for your marriage to this gentleman,” St. Cyr waved his hand at Amiable dismissively, “to be annulled and then we can. . .”

“I am afraid that is out of the question, St. Cyr,” Amiable broke in.  “Disabuse yourself of the idea that I will have my marriage to Juliet annulled, with or without her brother’s consent.  She is my wife and there’s an end to it.  You have upset her enough for one day and I will thank you to leave.”  Amiable tried hard to keep a civil tone when he really wanted to take the young fop by the seat of his satin breeches and throw him out the front door.

“Juliet, ma chere,” St. Cyr reverted to his native French.  “You cannot have a serious regard for this monstrous oaf?”  His eyes raked Amiable’s form contemptuously.  “He is a barbarian compared to me, my dear.  I can make you forget him, forget any of his crude gestures.  Do you remember our embrace?  At the King’s Christmas court ball?  Such a quaint custom of the mistletoe.  You seemed to long for more than just my tongue that night, my sweet.”

“Philippe!”  Juliet stared at him in horror, blushing until her face matched the hue of her dress.

Anyone who would embarrass a lady to that degree is a true villain!  And he only gets worse as the book goes on. 🙂

Now, why don’t you tell me about your favorite villain?  Decide which of your bad guys  you’d like to introduce everyone to, and choose a snippet about this character (preferably no more than 200 words) to share about him. (A snippet from your manuscript would be awesome, but if you’re not comfortable with that, you can choose to do a character sketch–something to show us your character and writing.)  And if you’re not an author or just can’t decide, tell me about a villain you’ve read who really made you hate the ground he walks on. (Outside of my novels, probably Jack Randall from Outlander is the character I most love to despise.)  Can’t wait to see you playing favorites again!

Posted in About Characters, Friday Favorites, Only Marriage Will Do | Tagged , , , , , , | 29 Comments