Impromptu Contest

I recently received a few copies of Eternity and a Day in print and thought...why not do a giveaway? Do you want to enter? It's not difficult. Go to my Facebook author page and leave a comment (you'll see the post -- it's on the top):

https://www.facebook.com/JASaare.AlineHunter

I'll pick a winner on Monday using Random.org.

Hope you're enjoying a great weekend!

Release Day & Contest Results

Release day is technically tomorrow, but due to circumstances beyond my control I'm posting about the book today. It will be available in all formats at Ellora's Cave and costs $6.99. Not bad for an 85k book. If you'd like to purchase a copy CLICK HERE and redirect to the publisher website. Thank you in advance for your support. I hope you like the story. Just remember -- there's a lot of smexing goin' on!

Now, for the winner of an e-copy of Eternity and a Day...

Random.org chose #1...That's Scott!! Congrats! I'll be in contact soon to see which format of the book you'd like. :)

With that out of the way, onto other pressing matters.

I recently received bad news about my father. This means I will be away from my computer and the internet. I plan to answer emails and such but as far as networking you won't see me very much. I plan to Tweet and do a Facebook message about the release of Omega Mine but otherwise I'll be missing in action. This is a very difficult time and I'd like to thank you in advance for your patience in the event I don't respond to emails and the like. Cross your fingers that things take a turn for the better. I appreciate any and all well-wishes.

As always, thanks for purchasing my work, promoting it, and spreading the word. Each and every one of you are the reason I am able to do this. I can't thank you enough.

Much Love,

Jaime

Release Day Celebration & Giveaway

Hiya, peeps!

I'm sorry I haven't been on the blog. Trust me when I say things have been crazy.

Our youngest child is on the mend from an infection that sent her to the hospital, I'm dealing with school issues for our special needs son, and I've been doing my best to write, edit, and revise when I have time.

It's been busy, busy, and BUSY. Meaning I haven't been able to promote upcoming releases and the like.


Which brings me to the topic of this entry.

On Friday Omega Mine releases at Ellora's Cave. I'm extremely excited and hella nervous. I completed the book last year, right before I ventured to Lori Foster's Reader and Author Get Together. It was unlike anything I'd ever written. For starters, the smex is smoking. Diskant (the hero) is unapologetic and takes what he wants. The instant I heard him in my head, I knew I was going on a wild ride. From start to finish, I followed the characters and let them guide me through their story. The result is a book that features shifters, vampires, hunters, and all sorts of dark, unexpected things. I hope that you enjoy it.

As you may recall the second book in the Desires of the Otherworld series, Darkest Hunger, released last Tuesday at Loose Id. This was a story I really enjoyed writing. The characters are ones I love to revisit, and it's very easy to slip back into their heads. I can't wait to return and start writing Elizabeth and Alucard's book. After that, I'll dive into the story most of you want to read -- Byron and Elsa's. There are several installments planned, if only I can find the time to write them.

So, why am I bothering you with all of this information? Of course it's to let you know where the books will be available, but it's also because I've decided to have one last contest before I fall off the radar. Soon I have to get to work, meaning I won't be around. Curious about the prize? Check out the image below...

Up for grabs is an e-book copy of Eternity and a Day, the first book in the Desires of the Otherworld series (click image to read the blurb and an excerpt). If you'd like to put your name in the hat, leave a comment with a valid email address and I'll enter you. I'm going to run the giveaway until Friday, when Omega Mine releases. It's my way of saying thanks for all your support and generosity. The winner will be able to choose the e-book format of their choice.

Have a wonderful week! I'll be back to announce the winner Friday morning. Just in time for the weekend!

**PS. Books at Loose Id and Ellora's Cave do not go to third party distributors right away. I apologize in advance. If you'd like to purchase a copy of any of my works from these publishers the only way to do so is to purchase directly from the publisher website. If you'd prefer to wait, it will be two or three months before the books appear on Amazon and other resellers.**

Darkest Hunger

Several folks have asked about the cover for Darkest Hunger (formerly Dark Hunger on a Killing Moon). Well, here it is. The book will release tomorrow at Loose Id and is the second installment of the Desires of the Otherworld series. While different than Eternity and a Day, the story does have a few returning characters.

Here's the blurb:

Temptation is always made worse when you long for the forbidden...
 
Vampire King Bridon Walkyr has waited centuries for the return of his Chosen. Yet instead of the docile and fragile human he anticipates, his beloved has been reborn of the very race that wishes to destroy his kind. Unwilling to lose her a second time, he travels to the mortal realm under a guise to intercept his mate and challenge fate.

Lycae Princess Willow Miloradovic lives under the strain of a preordained destiny she has yet to commit. From the time she could conceive of right and wrong, she has been told she will bring about the downfall of her pack. For her Fated is not only her enemy, he is the very ruler of the blood drinkers they detest. Intentionally guided into the trap Bridon has placed, she has special instructions from her alpha -- kill the vampire king and sever their connection.

When Bridon and Willow clash, sparks will fly, passions will ignite, and enemies will become lovers. Unfortunately, with a killing moon on the rise, their union can signify only one thing -- death.

I hope you enjoy the story! For those who have inquired about Byron and Elsa, I will be doing their book. I just have to wrap up other projects (*cough* The Ripple Effect *cough*) first. Don't forget to check back later this week when I give away a few books and some swag!

New Contract at Ellora's Cave!

I wanted to wait until the contract was in the mail to share the news on my blog. I received a contract offer from a press I've always wanted to be a part of for my hot, racy paranormal romance Omega Mine. Ellora's Cave will be the home of my newest work released under my Aline Hunter pen. It's quite different from my other books, offers more heat, and was a blast to write. Here's the (unofficial) blurb:

A bond forged in blood; a fealty given to the one he desires above all others.
 
Graced with the ability to shift into any form, Diskant Black is the absolute authority in the world of shifters and, as the omega of New York City, his word is law. Protecting those who share his lineage is more than a job, it is a predisposition ingrained since birth -- nothing is more important. Until a chance encounter with a tiny female sets fire to his blood, brings him to his knees, and turns his world upside down. Ava Brisbane is more than he bargained for in a mate -- beautiful, fragile…human. If he wants to keep her by his side, he’ll have to sacrifice a portion of his soul in order to establish a bond that can never be broken.

A telepath since birth, Ava uses her ability to ward off the things that go bump in the night. When faced with a powerful, sexy shifter who claims her as his own, she’s not sure if she’s frightened or excited by the prospect. Diskant inspires fantasies and desires she’s never experienced, tempting her to lower her defenses, but mating with a shifter comes with a cost, and the price is danger knocking at her door.

When Shepherds -- the hunters of all shifter races -- arrive in New York searching for a former member of Diskant’s pack, he and Ava up the ante as they turn up the heat. As passions ignite and truths are revealed, they’ll have to rely on each other in order to unite the shifter populace and face those who have come to start a war.

Onto other things...

The edits for Dark Hunger on a Killing Moon (book two in the Desires of the Otherworld series) are coming along nicely, and soon I'll begin editing The Renfield Syndrome. For those of you who have asked, I do not have the exact release date for TRS but the book WILL release in early August. I'm currently working on The Ripple Effect, the third book in the series, which is almost halfway done. After that I'm going to wrap up my UF Company of Wolves novel (as yet untitled), begin the fourth installment of the Rhiannon's Law series, Edge of Darkness, and finish Crimson Sunset. For those who have emailed about Crimson Sunrise, the book is currently under edits. I won't have a precise release date until they are done. As soon as I get the information, I'll share it here and on my website. Thank you again for your interest in the trilogy!

It's really quite astounding. I started writing in June of 2008, and I had no idea I would have so many works published in such a short amount of time. I hope I can continue to write stories that you enjoy. It's difficult to write sometimes, since I have so many ideas floating around in my head, but I'll do my best to get them onto the PC and out to you as soon as I can.

Have a fantastic week!

Dark Hunger on a Killing Moon

Tonight I signed my contract and tomorrow it will be in the mail, so it's almost official. Dark Hunger on a Killing Moon will be published at Loose Id (under my Aline Hunter pen). There is no release date yet, but I'm very excited. This story is a prequel (sorta) that begins on the same day (Samhain) as Eternity and a Day and is book two in the Desires of the Otherworld series. This time you meet Bridon, the vampire king, and Willow, a Lycae princess. There are also appearances by the Draigen brothers, Lucian, and Yuviette. It's shorter at 50k but was a joy to write. I hope you enjoy the story. I've included the blurb (which is subject to change) and an excerpt (which could also change) for you below.

**Warning, the snippet is R rated**

Dark Hunger on a Killing Moon blurb:

Temptation is always made worse when you long for the forbidden...

Vampire King Bridon Walkyr has waited centuries for the return of his Chosen. Yet instead of the docile and fragile human he anticipates, his beloved has been reborn of the very race that wishes to destroy his kind. Unwilling to lose her a second time, he travels to the mortal realm under a guise to intercept his mate and challenge fate.

Lycae Princess Willow Miloradovic lives under the strain of a preordained destiny she has yet to commit. From the time she could conceive of right and wrong, she has been told she will bring about the downfall of her pack. For her Fated is not only her enemy, he is the very ruler of the blood drinkers they detest. Intentionally guided into the trap Bridon has placed, she has special instructions from her alpha -- kill the vampire king and sever their connection.

When Bridon and Willow clash, sparks will fly, passions will ignite, and enemies will become lovers. Unfortunately, with a killing moon on the rise, their union can signify only one thing -- death.

Dark Hunger on a Killing Moon Excerpt:

“We’re staying in a cave?” she asked softly, breaking her silence.

He glanced over his shoulder. “Is that a problem?”

“No.” She returned to her nervous state, folding her arms over her chest.

He turned from her and continued on, guiding her down the path to where they would remain during the day. His cock became harder with each step, until he knew there would be no way to mask how she affected him. Unlike Aislynn, who smelled of powder and roses, Willow smelled like the forest following a cleansing spring rain. Each time he inhaled, his canines started to ache. While it might be possible to keep his promise about making love to her, he wasn’t certain he could refrain from tasting her blood.

She smelled too damned sweet.

They made it to the circular area deep underground, next to the spring along the back. He sat the satchels down and rolled out the sleeping bags before he pivoted to look at Willow. She had stopped several feet away. The undeniable heat in her eyes told him everything he needed to know. No matter how much time had passed, she hadn’t changed her mind about being with him.

“Come here,” he ordered, forcing himself to remain where he was when all he wanted to do was throw her to the ground, strip her of her clothing, and sample all that she had to offer.

Uncrossing her arms, she did as he said. Each step brought the refreshing smell of pine, rain, and woman closer to him. When she stopped a foot or so away, he growled, “I said to come here, Willow.”

She blinked, obviously taken off guard by his aggressive tone. He thought she was going to argue, but after opening her mouth to do so she promptly closed it again. One step put them chest to chest and hip to hip. He lowered his head to her throat and inhaled, biting back the hunger that gnawed at him.

“I agreed to your terms, so it’s only fair that you agree to mine as well.” He pulled away and gazed down at her, growing rock hard when he saw how cloudy her eyes had become. Her irises were now fully gold in the center, her lids were heavy, and she was breathing shallowly.

“What terms?” she asked breathlessly, swaying so that her breasts brushed his chest.

“For the duration of the trip, you will allow me to drink from you.”

She started to move away but he trapped her in his arms, forcing her against his body, and allowed her to feel the length of his cock against her belly. The moment she recognized what was prodding against her, her wariness became something else. He knew she wanted him. There was no mistaking the pounding of her pulse in her throat, or the way she moved so slightly that a friction was created between their bodies.

“No way.”

“Why not?” He lowered his head a second time, allowing his breath to caress her skin. She gasped when he licked a line from her throat to her ear, and wrapped her hands around his arms.

“It’s against our laws.”

“I don’t see your pack here, do you?” He continued tormenting her skin with sharp nips of his teeth, followed by soothing flicks of his tongue.

“No, but…”

He brought his hands down and cupped her ass, shifting his hips so that he rubbed against her. “Let me taste you, Willow. Let me introduce you to how it feels to accept the kiss of a vampire. I’ll bring you to climax from my bite alone.”

“I can’t.” Even as she shook her head, she pulled him closer, digging her nails into his arms.

“Are you sure about that?” He forced his knee between her legs and applied pressure, until he touched the apex of her thighs. She cried out, pressed her pussy against him, and rotated her hips.

“Please.” She groaned and her head feel back, allowing him to see the vein he would use to bring them both pleasure.

“You have to say it.” He lodged his leg more firmly against her and used his hands to still her motions. “Tell me to drink from you.”

She didn’t answer but shook her head, sending waves of blonde cascading all around them. He removed his left hand from her ass and cupped the back of her head, forcing her to meet his gaze.

“You’ll tell me, or I won’t give you anything at all.”

He started to pull away from her, placing distance between their bodies. She scrambled to pull him closer, clinging to him like a kitten.

“You said you wanted to continue where we left off.”

He grinned, taunting her. “I did, didn’t I?”

“Damn it.” She narrowed her eyes. “Don’t do this to me.”

“I’m not doing anything to you,” he corrected, pulling her closer. “I’m just waiting for you to tell me what you want.”

“I’ve told you want I want.”

“And I’ve told you what I want in turn.”

Her claws raked into his shoulders, and he continued staring into her face. She smelled even better up close; wind, rain, and forest -- with a trace of the lavender soap he’d purchased just for her. It wasn’t necessary to repeat his request. He simply waited, allowing her to make the decision for herself.

“Bridon?” Her bottom lip quivered as she met his gaze.

He arched a brow mockingly. “Yes?”

“You’re really going to make me ask?”

He felt her trembling, could see the need etched all over her face. “Aye, I am.”

For a moment, he thought she’d refuse. She frowned as she internalized the information, going tense in his arms. Determined to keep her mind with him -- then and there -- he leaned in and nipped her bottom lip, biting hard enough to get her attention. Her lips parted as he pulled away.

A heat appeared in her eyes, something he didn’t dare imagine was possible so soon, and she did something he didn’t expect. When she lunged upward, wrapped her arms around his neck, and twined her legs around his waist, he kept her balanced against him via the hands around her neck and ass. Then she was kissing him, hard and rough, her tongue snaking into his mouth as she moaned.

Mindless and wild, he carried her to the sleeping bags and lowered her to the padded surface. To Hades with being a gentleman. Willow was nothing like Aislynn. She was wild and uninhibited, untamed and brazen. He realized then that the traits she exhibited excited him far more than a demure smile, a wine colored blush, and whispers of love he’d known so long ago. This was his true Fated. The past was just a means to bring them to this point -- now, together.

He released her ass, grasped her head in his hands, and peered into her face. “Say it. Tell me.”

She looked at him with desire glossed eyes, her breathing rapid. “Do I have to?”

“Tell me.”

He didn’t smile as he pressed his cock firmly between her legs, until she was unable to lift her hips or move. She went limp beneath him and lowered her hands, until they were resting at his waist. Her entire body was quaking, her limbs shivering so hard it almost made him cave in and give her what she wanted despite her willingness to say the words.

“B-Bridon,” she stammered.

He brought his head down and spoke softly into her ear. “Tell me, Willow. No more games. I want to hear you say it.”

Turning her head and baring her neck, she did as he asked. “Drink from me.”

Eternity and a Day Cover

Well, here it is! I just got my hands on the cover tonight.  

I was extremely excited when I heard Christine Griffin was the artist and I think she did a wonderful job.  It's hard to believe that I have two releases within the next few weeks!  If you're interested in Eternity and a Day (releases July 6th at Loose Id), you can read the blurb and a couple of excerpts by clicking the cover art.

Eternity and a Day Sneak Peak

Writing Status - Edits
Mood - Blech
Playing on itunes - In this Twilight by Nine Inch Nails

Since I'm editing Eternity, I figured I'd share a bit of what I'm working on. Interested? Read on!

Eternity and a Day Blurb (Unofficial):

A Draigen consumed by longing…

Dreading the one night per tide in which he’s forced to travel between the realms, Draigen Eric Locke has only one desire on Samhain, to retrieve the fae guilty of transporting daemon relics through the realms and escort her to the Unseelie Dark Court to face the sidhe King. But when he mistakenly recovers the wrong fae, the dragon under his skin responds in a way he never could have predicted, and he soon discovers he’s found the woman destined to him by the Fates – his Chosen.

A Fae that’s never known pleasure…

Runa Charon is an anomaly among her kind, the mortal offspring of a human and a fae. Unlike her fellow sidhe, she longs to experience pleasure instead of pain, love instead of lust. Immortally strong but mortally fragile, she’s been sheltered all of her life, existing in a gilded cage. When the opportunity to meet a Draigen from the Otherworld arises, she can’t resist the temptation and travels on Samhain to meet the man that will change her destiny.

A love to last a lifetime…

Unlike other netherworld creatures, Draigen mate for life, choosing to follow the path of their beloved mate in this reality or the next. Knowing a future together can only span one lifetime, will they settle for less than an eternity? Or will they be grateful for the gift of each day?

Excerpt:

A hand grasped her shoulder, and she cried out in alarm. She pivoted on her heel and cursed at her lack of awareness. One lapse in judgment, one miniscule second of time, was all it would take for someone to cut her throat.

She was sidhe, after all, mortal or no.

Swinging her corresponding arm under and out, she rotated in a circle to sever the contact, and the hand vanished. The hood of her cloak dislodged from her head, and the soft red material pooled around her shoulders. She couldn’t help but gawk at the Draigen standing directly in front of her. He was so massive and enormous that he blocked the entire space behind him from sight.

Blessed Fates, he must be seven feet tall.

Form-fitted dark leather pants molded seamlessly to his thick muscular legs; the same material clung to his impossibly broad shoulders, wide chest, and narrow waist. The matching leather coat he wore over his clothing made him look sinister and dark yet intriguing.

Her heart fluttered as her eyes swept over his face. She was relieved to discover he had no scales or blemishes. His skin was perfectly smooth and flawless, with a golden complexion much darker than her ivory pigmentation. The black hair cascading around his face radiated blue. The thick strands brushed his shoulders.

She froze and gasped when she met his eyes. Sweet heavenly Moirae.

His deep hunter green irises were framed by dark lashes that matched his oddly tinted hair, completing a face that outshone the beauty of any fae kind she had ever encountered.

A wicked lick of heat swept through her body, and she took a cautionary step back. Averting her eyes, she shook her head. She did not want to draw him in accidentally with glamour, and she didn’t need her sensual nature rushing to the surface to cloud her judgment.

“Octavia Charon?” His deep, rich voice carried a hint of the olde accent Runa had always been attracted to…

She attempted to respond and found herself nodding like a mindless twit -- mortified, dumbed down, and embarrassed. Her reaction to this stranger, this netherworlder, was totally tantalizing and unexpected.

Had she bespelled herself? Was that it? Or did he possess glamour of his own?

Is that even possible?

“You are not as I was told.”

“And what were you told?” She could only imagine the exploits he had heard about Octavia. God help him.

“I was explicitly forewarned you would never deem to show yourself here, even as your word had been freely incurred.”

Runa peered up at him, and his irises shifted from forest green to a brilliant reptilian emerald. His gaze drifted back and forth between hers, and a rush of blistering heat burned through her bloodstream, causing her skin to tingle. She tore her eyes away and focused on a small black stain in the floor. Her body throbbed and pulsed in all sorts of dangerous places. Places that would bring her to her knees before him. Places that could potentially bring forth what she feared in others of her kind.

Places best left alone.

“To be told you would not emerge, yet here you stand. Why did you come?” His voice was like the richest satiny velvet. The extended vowels bristled along her spine.

Runa tried to keep her voice even, grappling for an answer, any answer. “I wanted to meet a Draigen.” She ground her teeth together as she lost her train of thought, frustrated by her sudden inanity. “Since your kind doesn’t venture to our dimension, this is the only opportunity I would have to meet one such as yourself.”

She chanced another look. He appeared legitimately dumbfounded. A frown formed, nearly marring the perfection of his face. He seemed to be struggling with two very different emotions.

Confusion and…

She froze.

Holy light, he was positively furious.

“Listen” -- she shifted to the left, her intense desire to get the hell away from this dangerous being overriding her curiosity -- “this is getting too weird. I only wanted to warn you not to spend too much time waiting around. My sister isn’t the most reliable person, and does this kind of shit all the time.”

She kept her eyes on him as she moved along the wall, just in case she needed to break into a sprint or get the hell out of dodge. He looked like he wanted to devour her completely and not entirely in a manner she would appreciate.

A deep growl erupted from his chest, and she blurted, “I wish you a swift journey home. I can’t stay. I have to go.”

He moved faster than she would ever have given someone of his size credit for. Grasping her arms in massive hands, he lifted her from the ground in a singular movement that she did not anticipate. He leaned down as he drew her body upward, bringing her face to his descending one. Emerald eyes glowered at her, and she knew two things with absolute certainty.

He definitely did not want to eat her in the manner she would approve of, and she was pretty damned sure he was going to kill her.

Ten Questions with Jeanne St. James

Please welcome the wonderful Jeanne St. James to the blog today! I had the pleasure of reading her story, Banged Up, not too long ago and absolutely loved it! She here to answer Ten Questions and to offer a glimpse of her latest offering, Double Dare, for your reading pleasure.

Hello, Jeanne! Welcome to the blog!

What is your favorite beverage when you write?

I prefer to drink Diet Vanilla Coke and Captain Morgan. If it’s later in the day and I don’t want the caffeine, I will have a glass (or two) of wine, Sangria preferably. Otherwise, I drink water. I’m a huge water drinker.

What is your favorite font to write in?

Times New Roman, 12 pt.

What music do you listen to when you write (or do you prefer it quiet)?

I prefer quiet. If for some reason I have music on softly in the background, I usually put on classic or soft rock.

When it comes to those all important jotted notes, which is it – composition pads or sticky notes?

Neither. I use Microsoft Word and make a file of notes. I’m so used to using computers (at work and at home) that my handwriting is atrocious. AND I’m so much slower handwriting. I can type over 80 WPM.

What’s your favorite snack when pounding away at the keyboard?

None. I try not to snack.

What inspires you when you write?

Your question #1. Alcohol loosens me up a bit and my imagination just takes over. I get into my characters’ heads and just write.

What do you turn to when you stumble across a road block in the creative process and need to regroup?

Go watch a movie. Movies seem to inspire my creativity. Sometimes they spark an idea.

Where do the ideas and concepts for your work come from?

Lately, it’s been special calls for submission. I see something a publisher is looking for and it sparks an idea.

What do you wish there was more of in the market?

Interracial ménage a trios (m/m/f). I love them. That’s why I decided to write one myself (DOUBLE DARE with Loose Id).

Lastly, what advice would you give to an up and coming writer that hopes to submit their work and become published in the future?

Keep writing. Don’t get discouraged. Find a good critique partner. Keep writing. Keep writing. I can’t say that enough.

You can find Jeanne by visiting the links below!

My website: http://www.jeannestjames.com
My blog: http://jeannestjames.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jeannestjames
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/jeannestjames
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jeannestjames

Now, for an excerpt of Double Dare, available now from Loose Id. Be sure to check back Wednesday and Friday when I'll share snippets from Banged Up and Rip Cord! Thanks for stopping by the blog, Jeanne! All my best!

Double Dare Blurb:

What could be better than waking up next to a hot guy? Waking up sandwiched between two of them.

Quinn Preston, a financial analyst, is not happy when her friends dare her to pick up a handsome stranger at a wedding reception. What better reason to give up men when her previous long-term relationship had not only been lackluster in the bedroom but he had cheated.

Logan Reed, a successful business owner, can’t believe that he’s attracted to the woman in the ugly, Pepto-Bismol colored bridesmaid dress. And to boot, she’s more than tipsy. After turning down her invitation for a one-night stand, he finds her in the parking lot too impaired to drive. He rescues her and takes her home. His home.

The next morning Quinn’s conservative life turns on its ear when Logan introduces her to pleasures she never even considered before. And to make things more complicated, Logan already has a lover…

Tyson White, ex-pro football player, is completely in love with Logan. He has mixed emotions when Logan brings home Quinn. But the dares keep coming and things heat up with the three of them. Nevertheless Ty wonders: will adding Quinn to the mix end up enhancing or destroying Logan’s and his relationship?

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, BDSM theme & content, male/male sexual practices, ménage (m/m/f).

Double Dare Excerpt:

Quinn Preston almost choked on her Alabama slammer when her friend elbowed her in the ribs. "Ooof."

She saved her drink before it could spill all over her ugly bridesmaid dress. Yeah, that would have been a shame: to ruin such a nice, frumpy, pukey pink taffeta dress. One the bride had said she would be able to wear in the future. Like to a cocktail party. Or maybe her own funeral. Yeah, right. No one in their right mind would want to get caught dead in this thing.

Ruining the dress wouldn't have been a loss, but losing her drink would have. She was drinking slammers for a reason -- to get good and drunk.

Lana nudged her again. "You see that?" She nodded her head toward the back of the room.

"What?" Quinn really didn't care what Lana was excited about. She just wanted to get this day over with. She was tired of watching the happy couple. She was tired of pasting on a plastic smile for the photographer. And she was really tired of listening to the sappy congratulations. All things she might never have -- the wedding, the husband, the bridal bliss. And something her parents never failed to remind her. Especially now that she was in her early thirties. And single. Again.

"Not what. Who."

"Huh?" She sucked on the dainty little straw the bartender had put in her drink. Hardly anything would come out of it. Maybe it was designed just for stirring. She pulled it out and threw it onto the bar. She really needed one of those big giant straws that came in those fancy frozen drinks.

"Him. Over there." Lana grabbed Quinn by the shoulders and turned her around to face whatever had caught her friend's attention.

"Oh, him." She took a deep draw of the punchlike drink, only there wasn't a bit of punch in it. Not the fruit kind anyway.

"Yeah, him." Lana dragged out him like she was sucking on a maraschino cherry and enjoying the sweetness on her tongue.

Quinn didn't even take a good look. Men were on her shit list at the moment. She didn't care how hot they were. The potent drink in her hands was all the company she needed. She smiled into her glass; it was the best date she'd had in a while.

Another pink taffeta blur whizzed up to them, out of breath.

"Jeez Louise. Did you see that hunk of man meat?" Paula, another victim of the wedding fashion nightmare, was flushed and had a bead of sweat running down her chipmunk-like cheeks. "Do you think he's single?"

Quinn raised one shoulder in a half shrug and turned back to the bar. It was bad enough when the three of them had to stand next to each other at the altar, then throughout the grueling pictures, followed by having to sit beside each other at the head table. All in that awful pink froth. But now that it was all over, and they had done their duty for their friend Gina, there was no reason they all had to stand there looking like someone threw up Pepto-Bismol.

She leaned into the bar and asked the semicute bartender the time. When he answered that it was six, she gritted her teeth. They had only been at the reception for an hour. It was way too early to bail.

Damn.

With a sigh, she turned back to her friends. They were still ogling the male eye candy across the room.

Paula's sigh drifted over her. "I wonder if he likes women with a little meat on their bones."

A little meat? She opened her mouth to correct Paula, but shut it quickly. Her friend didn't need to be on the receiving end of her miserable mood.

"Quinn, I bet he'd make you forget Peanut."

Quinn winced and took another long draw from her drink. She loved the flavor and the tanginess on her tongue. And she was trying to forget Peanut. She hated the nickname her friends had called her ex-boyfriend, Peter. Once they had actually called him Peanut in front of his face -- by accident, of course. Right. It had taken her a while to brush that one under the rug. He had never liked her friends after that.

On the other hand, her friends had never liked Peter from the beginning. Unlike her parents, who loved the bastard. Probably more than they loved her.

"Yeah, Quinn, he could probably fuck your brains out, and you'd never remember that douche again."

Quinn frowned at Paula. She noticed her friend's string of pearls hiding in the skin around her neck. Quinn's hands automatically went to her neck to finger a similar necklace -- a part of the stupid wedding costume. Ugh. She hated pearls!

She hated taffeta. She hated pink. She hated frilly dresses.

She took a long swig from her glass.

And she hated Peter. The asshole.

His gift to her last Valentine's Day wasn't an engagement ring. Oh no, after five long, wasted years of dating the shit, he couldn't have gotten her a ring. Nope. Instead he sent her a text message.

That was it.

A stupid little text message. One line.

We've grown apart and I've found someone new.

She deserved more than that. Something better. After all those years of loyalty, standing by his side, being the "good, proper" girlfriend. As Peter had expected. As her parents had expected. The girlfriend any decent man would want on his arm. Right?

Not even a sorry. Not even an explanation. Nothing.

And the next day, FedEx had delivered a box with all the things she had left over at his apartment during the last half decade.

Quinn emptied her glass and turned back to the bar, blocking out her friends' chattering over that man.

She needed another man like she needed a hole in the head.

She slid her glass over the bar top, and before she could ask for another, a deep voice washed over her.

"Put her next drink on me."

Dumb ass. The drinks are on the house. She turned to ream whoever it was, and stopped. Her mouth opened, but nothing escaped.

"You look like a fish out of water with your mouth hanging open like that." When he smiled, the lines around his eyes crinkled. He was tan, an outdoorsy tan, not a manmade one. And he had beautiful green eyes. Shit. She had never seen such beautiful eyes on a man. His nose was a little crooked, like it had been broken, and it made him even more beautiful. No. Not beautiful. He was. He was.

Quinn closed her mouth and swallowed hard. He was so unperfect, he was perfect. His hair was a dark brown with natural highlights, more proof he liked being outdoors. It was long and pulled back into a neat ponytail.

She hated long hair on men. But it was right on him.

He had a beard that wasn't a beard. It was like a longer five-o'clock shadow.

She hated facial hair.

He had a strong, corded neck that disappeared into a stiff dress shirt. The collar had been already released and one more button undone below that. The knot of his tie was loose and hung crookedly from around his neck.

The sleeves of his crispy white shirt were rolled up to his elbows, and his forearms were tan covered in dark hair. His hands.

Oh. Damn.

His hands were large. They were working hands. They weren't soft and pampered. But calloused and thick and strong.

Capable. Capable of doing all kinds of things.

Quinn's nipples hardened under the scratchy taffeta.

His hands could do all kinds of dirty, nasty things.

Things Peter had never wanted to do.

Quinn ripped her gaze from him and spun back around to the bar, bracing herself against it for a second to catch her breath. She grabbed her fresh drink and took a gulp.

"Whoa. Slow down there."

She pressed the cold drink against her forehead in an attempt to cool herself off.

She needed to go change her panties, she was so freaking wet.

She could feel his heat next to her; his body was like a furnace. She wanted to plant her hands on his chest and feel how hot he really was. Her fingers convulsed around her glass.

"Are you okay?" The deep timbre of his voice sent a shot of lightning down her body, landing right in her pussy.

Quinn could only nod her answer.

He palmed her bare shoulder and turned her to him. He stared down into her eyes, his lips widening into a smile.

His lips. Oh man. Those lips probably could do all sorts of things to her, with her. Lips that were made for more than kissing.

"Yes." Oh my God, she thought. That was the kind of yes she blurted when she was in the midst of an orgasm. At least from what she could remember. It had been so long since she'd come.with a partner, anyway.

She felt the heat crawl up her neck, and she stepped back, breaking the contact.

"I.I'm fine." She cleared her throat. "Thank you for the drink." She took another sip before raising the glass to him in thanks.

"It was nothing." When he laughed, her knees almost buckled. "Enjoy it."

He stepped away and then paused. But it looked as though he thought better of whatever he was contemplating, and he continued on his way.

Quinn leaned back against the bar and let out a shaky breath.

She was suddenly flanked on either side by her friends. She had been so distracted, she hadn't even realized that they disappeared.

"Quinn --"

"Quinn!"

"Oh. My. God!"

"I told you he was hot!"

"Oh! I wish I weren't married already."

"I wish he liked chubby chicks."

Quinn couldn't take any more. She raised her palms in surrender. "Stop. Enough."

"But, Quinn --"

"But nothing," Quinn answered Paula.

"You're just going to let him walk away?"

"Paula, he isn't going anywhere. Unfortunately I'm not going anywhere. We have to be here for two more hours, at least."

Lana said, "Are you going to let Peter ruin the rest of your life? All men aren't assholes like him."

Quinn harrumphed and took another sip of her slammer.

"Why don't you at least dance with him?"

"No."

"Why not?" Lana asked.

Why not? Because if she did, she might come right on the dance floor? Because she might end up in a puddle of her own juices? The picture in her head shocked her: it was of her lying in a heap in the middle of the dance floor in the throes of an orgasm. Surrounded by all the wedding guests.

This drink was stronger than she thought.

"Because no one is dancing yet."

"Sure they are. Look."

Quinn glanced over at the area cleared for dancing, and sure enough, a crowd of people were out there shaking their groove thing. Quinn had been too busy trying to get her drink on to notice.

From the looks of the participants on the dance floor, a few of them had been partaking in the open bar also. Even the bride and her new husband were bouncing and shimmying in the crowd.

At least they were a happy couple.

Quinn took another drink.

Lana frowned at her. "Are you just going to drink tonight, or are you going to do something about your situation?"

"Situation? What situation?"

"Getting laid."

Quinn checked over her shoulder to see if the bartender was listening. He was. He had a big grin plastered on his face. Great.

The father of the bride came up and asked for a gin and tonic. While he was waiting, he turned to them. "Hi, girls. Enjoying yourselves? You look great in those dresses. My wife picked them out."

Oh joy. Quinn would have to remember to smack -- she meant thank -- her. She couldn't wait to rip the scratchy, ugly piece of shit off.

All three women gave him a smile but bit their tongues. Eventually he wandered away, and Lana and Paula jumped right back to harassing her. Good thing they were her friends.

"C'mon. It's not going to hurt to have a one-night stand. Look at him."

"I already saw him." Holy moley, she knew they meant well, but they were getting on her last nerve.

"Yeah, and we saw how you were drooling too."

She had not drooled. Her hand automatically went up to her mouth.

Paula said, "He probably isn't interested in you anyway."

"Yeah, you couldn't get someone like that. You attract losers like Peter," Lana said.

If they thought their reverse psychology was going to work, well, it wasn't.

"Looks like he's with Paige Reed, anyway."

Quinn's gaze shot over to the corner of the ballroom where the tall man stood next to the petite, dark-haired beauty. Paige Reed. Figures.

"I thought Paige was dating Connor Morgan," Quinn mumbled.

She must have mumbled loud enough, because Lana answered her. "She is. Connor had to fly to Australia for something to do with his job."

"So why is she with him?" Quinn asked. Why was she so curious all of a sudden? Why did she care?

She didn't. She nursed her drink. After one and a half Alabama slammers, she was starting to feel pretty tipsy. She wasn't used to drinking. And when she did drink, she usually had wine, not hard liquor, and especially not such a hard-hitting mix of liquors.

Paula leaned into the both of them and said in an exaggerated whisper, "Maybe he's an escort," like it was a scandal, and then laughed.

Maybe he was an escort.

He was probably worth every penny too.

His back was to them now, but that just gave Quinn the opportunity to study how broad those shoulders were in his dress shirt. When he moved, the fabric bunched and pulled with his muscles.

Lana gasped, jerking Quinn out of her thoughts. "He's not an escort! That's Logan Reed, Paige's brother. I haven't seen him since we were kids. Holy shit, did he grow up."

"I'll say." Paula agreed. "Quinn, I dare you to go ask him to dance."

"Not interested."

Lana joined in. "Yeah, I dare you too. Don't be a wuss."

If she were a wuss, she wouldn't have come out in public in this pink atrocity. And the matching shoes were killing her feet. The last thing she needed was to be dancing. She'd be crippled.

"That's a double dare, you know, with the two of us daring you.."

Oh, boy, a double dare. She would definitely do it now -- not. "You're crazy."

"No, you are, if you pass up this opportunity. "

"How do you know he's available?" Quinn asked them.

"You don't know until you ask him," Lana said. "But if I remember correctly, his wife left him a while ago. There had been some rumors."

There had been some rumors about her and Peter too, but rumors were just that: rumors. She didn't take any stock in them.

Paula suddenly shouted, "Truth or dare?" making Quinn jump. It was like they were teenagers all over again.

Lana quickly said, "Truth." And bounced on her toes like she was fifteen.

Jesus, would someone please put a bullet in my head? Quinn needed to be put out of her misery.

Paula asked Lana, "Do you shave or wax?"

"Shave. Okay, Quinn, your turn. Truth or dare?"

Quinn was not playing this juvenile game. It was stupid; she was not going to fall into what was clearly a trap.

"Truth."

"How bad was Peter in bed?" Lana asked.

Damn. She wasn't going to answer that one. Even as drunk as she was. She didn't want to relive their vanilla, boring lovemaking. And she definitely didn't want to admit it or talk about it.

There was only one thing left for her to do.

New Website

Writing Status - About to start
Mood - Excited
Playing on ipod - Hot Mess by Cobra Starship

The children wouldn't leave me alone to write, but I did accomplish something today. The website for my smut alter ego Aline Hunter is up and running.

www.alinehunter.com

I mailed off the contract for Eternity and a Day to Loose Id this morning. I have never been more nervous! I'm not sure why. I've done this before, but somehow, it feels...different.

Tonight marks the return to NaNo. Hopefully I will be productive and get some writing done.