Feature ~ Calm Before the Storm Cara Lake

Check out Calm Before the Storm by Cara Lake! Out now!

In a world on the brink of chaos, only two people can balance opposing forces and restore order to the universe. To do so, the two must forge an intimate bond. Unfortunately, they’re complete opposites who are unaware of their powers—and of the consequences if they fail to unite.

A lawyer with good reason to abhor violence, Irina is wary of her new client, a famous boxer accused of murder. As a street orphan, Tyr learned to fight for survival and trust no one. Despite their differences, the two find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other.

With secret forces working both for and against their alliance, Tyr and Irina find themselves on a journey fraught with danger, betrayal and overwhelming desire. Ultimately the fate of billions rests in the hands and hearts of two lost souls who must overcome their fears and learn to trust each other.

Reader Advisory: This story has graphic sexual language and scenes—no closed bedroom doors (or other rooms) here!

A Romantica® urban fantasy erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

And now for an Excerpt: 

The corporate box had been exactly as Irina expected, full of deathly boring egos and bad chat-up lines, most of the guests more interested in the sound of their own voices than watching the early bouts. Irina had been grateful for the distraction and very happy to follow him when Luc suggested getting nearer to the action. Mainly to get away from the corporate suck-ups, she told herself, not to get closer to the fight and…him.

Needing little encouragement, even from Cassi who had practically insisted they go off together, Irina followed her flatmate, chewing her lip nervously. Luc being Luc pushed a way for them both through the rowdy spectators, the VIP passes provided by her boss working their magic. A sudden roar as the crowd bellowed loudly, and Irina’s ears were assaulted by a frenzy of cheering, shouts and whistling as the two main protagonists emerged from the tunnel to her right. Both men were hooded, but Irina immediately felt the buzz of barely contained energy that emanated from the figure closest to her in red as he tracked a path to the ring.

And then he was there. Close enough to touch. A whisper away.

His head swung to the left as he passed by, a freeze frame moment, two dark eyes locking on to hers, dragging them both into a vortex, that dark, still space of existence. A gaping black hole opened up before her. Time and the whole of eternity stood still. The space around them dissolved and Irina found her gaze snared by twin black holes that widened for a split second beneath slashing ebony brows. As they expanded, she experienced a wild rush of adrenaline, her body spiralling into freefall, the compulsion to simply lose herself in the darkness of his eyes, so overwhelming she was paralyzed by it. His head turned, jostled by the ocean of the crowd. The connection broke and Irina was left shaking, deafened by the sudden barrage of sound and crushed by a devastating sense of loss.

Trembling, Irina grabbed on to Luc who steadied her with strong arms but was too busy cheering to notice her reaction. The rest of the fight was a complete blur. Irina glimpsed snippets through a red haze of noise and motion. The fighters in the ring, the hustle of coaches and trainers, the referee trying to keep them apart before the bell sounded, the surge of battle, fists flying, a block, a jab, a flurry of uppercuts, bones cracking with the force of impact.

Blood. Guts. Sweat. Everything she hated. Violence. Rage. Anger.

The thump of bone onto canvas and the racing of her heart pounding as an arm punched the air in victory. Her one overriding memory at the end of the night, the jubilant face of the man who haunted her dreams and nightmares, triumphant in all his bloodstained glory.

About the Author: 

Cara Lake has always loved fantasy, romance, adventure and all things mythical and magical.
Her urban fantasy world is populated with fantastical creatures, exotic landscapes and set in a universe on the verge of destruction. Cara loves creating sticky situations for her kickass heroines to enjoy passionate encounters with hot, alpha males. The universe of her first book Calm Before the Storm is infinite and full of sexy soul mates on a collision course with fate and destiny. The second book in the series, Rage to Adore is coming January 13^th 2016.

Cara enjoyed writing Mistletoe Kisses and has plans for other employees of the Fosters Ad Agency.

Website

http://caralakeromance.com

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/caralakeauthor/?ref=hl

Twitter

https://twitter.com/CaraLakeRomance

Fourth of July Authors Bash Questions!!!

There were questions asked at the party and because I couldn't be there, I decided to follow suit with Tigris Eden and answer them in a blog post. :-) Here's what I had to say.

Do you ever worry about what friends or family think in regards to the steamy scenes we all love so much?

Honestly, I enjoy watching my family and friends squirm when they find out what I write. I get the initial shock and horror, then the...wow, that's kinda cool. My folks still aren't thrilled, but I don't think I've ever done things they wanted me to do.

Do you come up with the titles before or after you write the book?

I tend to have the title first, then the story...but lately, I've been coming up with cool characters and finding a title later. For example, my characters in my teachers series at Ellora's Cave all had titles first, but Tying One On was called "MMF Short Story" for the longest time because I wasn't sure what to call it.

Do any of you guys listen to music while writing?

I have to have something playing when I'm writing. I have my BDSM playlist which gets me in the right headspace to write BDSM. It's got some Nine Inch Nails, Korn, Five Finger Death Punch and Evans Blue. I've got my Billy Joel playlist and the Beatles playlist, too. I know. What a bizarre grouping, huh? I'm odd. I admit it. I've also got a penchant for listening to movies while I write. The Avengers, Captain America, X-Men: First Class and X-Men Origins: Wolverine are some of my current favorites.

How are you going to celebrate the 4th of July?

We're having a big ole bonfire and watching the fireworks. I might record the Capital Fourth show on PBS (I said I'm strange...I LOVE PBS) and hang out.

What is it like ending a book? Whether it has a sequel, series, or stand alone?

Ending a book can be freeing, but it can be tiring and sad, too. I like seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and knowing the characters got their HEA but I get sad because I don't want to leave them. The hardest series I've ever written....well, there are two. My hardest Wendi series was from the Crestline, Ohio group because I wrote a menage first. Three people who stayed friends even when the two guys paired off and eventually they bring her back into the group. It was hard because I knew how it ended and I knew what kind of emotional turmoil had to be written in to make the eventual ending right. Then I was asked by a lot of readers to tell what happened before the story. It was tough because I wanted that prequel to have a good ending, but I knew it would eventually be negative for the sequel to be right. It was a mind screw for sure.

The Megan series, my Club Desire series, was hard in its own way because I started with two guys at Club Desire. They have their story and ending, but in the ending, another character is introduced. In that book, he seems like a jerk...until you read book 2 and get his point of view in the SAME scene. I had to write the same scenes from more than one point of view. It was a challenge and a good exercise in figuring out what to do with the characters.

Do you have nicknames for your significant others? I've noticed there is a bunch of authors that call their S.O's by something other than their actual name, like McIrish or Alpha Man.

Mine's DH or JPZ. Usually I call him DH. It just works. :-) The tot is always referred to as the Tot. 

Thanks to everyone who came out and posted or commented. It's been a lot of fun. Want to know which books I featured for the party? Check them out below!

Available here!

Adam Pallas knows what he wants out of life—to teach history, to be happy and to have a hot woman by his side. He’s got one out of the three. He should be happy, but he’s not. There’s one woman who grabs his attention every time. The catch? She’s very much out of his league. Can being himself actually snag the woman of his dreams?

Melissa Murphy isn’t looking for love, but every time she sees Adam her plans go sideways. The English teacher knows there’s a confident, hot man hiding behind the slightly nerdy history buff façade. But her past and the things she wants between the sheets tend to scare men off. She believes the odds may be stacked against them. But it turns out that their lives might just be perfectly written together.

Inside Scoop: Our heroine has fun encouraging her man to be more aggressive in bed by adding spanking and role-playing to their hot nights.

\

An AllRomance BestSeller
Available here!

A Romantica® contemporary erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

She’s the mistake they can’t live without.

Steve Reynolds and Ronan Boyd are happy in their relationship. They own and operate the Circle B Ranch and are very much in love. Both men dated the same woman before they began their own love story. She’s their best friend. But there’s something missing. Would the woman from their past want to be their third?

Trista Connolly knows her place with Steve and Ronan—she’s their friend. She wants to move on with her life after breaking up with her current boyfriend. But she’s still in love with Steve and Ronan. Tylerville isn’t a big city and everyone knows everyone else’s business. She keeps her horse safe at their ranch, but can she keep her heart protected as well?

Things are about to heat up and fast—times three!

Available here!

Desperately Seeking an Alpha with Graig Case from Drawn Together (PG RATED EXCERPT)

Follow the Rest of the Hop here!

I thought I'd feature my hero from Drawn Together for my portion of the hop. A hero who takes charge is really hot and Graig is a hottie.

Here's my favorite moment from Drawn Together:

Graig, dressed in jogging pants and a tight T-shirt, stood in the doorway and grinned. “Dropped my gear in the hallway. Darned balls like to roll all over.” His shoulders slumped. “You know what? I’m not going to dance around this. I’m tired of games.” He crossed the room in five large strides. “Tessa, I love you. You might not care about me, but I’m crazy in love with you.” He cupped her face in both hands. “I’m the bastard son of a married man and his secretary. He lied to her, told her he’d marry her then stopped seeing her altogether when I was six. She married another guy who tried to be my dad. I knew better and knowing I didn’t belong to Gerald really fucked with my head. I didn’t know where I belonged. I decided I wasn’t going to put myself in her position. I’d get a good job and have a stable life with a wife and kids I loved. Except I’ve realized my mom followed her heart. She loved me the way she knew how. I’m not perfect but I love you in the only way I know how. My heart belongs to you and I can’t walk away.”

Want to know more about Drawn Together? Here you go!

Drawn Together by Wendi Zwaduk

Graig Case wants to teach history and coach baseball. Plain and simple. But nothing in his life has been simple. He’s also got a secret. He loves to watch the sexy woman across the courtyard dance. He’d love for his fantasy girl to be his best friend, but fantasy and reality don’t always mix.

Tessa Martin has given up on love. She’s played second fiddle most of her life. Guys like hanging out with her. But being one of the guys doesn’t keep her warm at night. Still, she indulges in her one treat—dancing naked at night for Graig. No emotions involved means no one gets hurt.

Except when they end up working in the same school, in the same hallway. Then all bets are off.

Inside Scoop: This lucky hero gets to take control when his new girl encourages him to spank her.

A Romantica® contemporary erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

Novella

M/F, Spanking, Light BDSM

Available here: http://www.ellorascave.com/drawn-together.html

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/ dp/B00HQH99KW/

Amazon UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk /dp/B00HQH99KW/

Want to win a prize pack full of swag and a one-of-a-kind beaded bracelet and earring set? Then leave your name, email and a comment in the comments - who is your favorite alpha? If you don't leave the info, I can't get in touch with you and you can't win. I'll draw a random winner on January 20th and post the name. I'll email you, too. So good luck and happy reading!

Book Faery Visits and Leaves Written Together

The cover faery, Fiona Jayde in this case, brought me a pretty new cover for Written Together. 

I love it! Check it out! LOVE!

Hump Day Humps from Drawn Together

READ THE OTHER HUMPS HERE!

I thought for the Hump Day Hump, I'd share a particularly hot spot from my latest release, Drawn Together. Enjoy!

Drawn Together by Wendi Zwaduk 

Ellora’s Cave

Novella

M/F, Spanking, Light BDSM

Graig Case wants to teach history and coach baseball. Plain and simple. But nothing in his life has been simple. He’s also got a secret. He loves to watch the sexy woman across the courtyard dance. He’d love for his fantasy girl to be his best friend, but fantasy and reality don’t always mix.

Tessa Martin has given up on love. She’s played second fiddle most of her life. Guys like hanging out with her. But being one of the guys doesn’t keep her warm at night. Still, she indulges in her one treat—dancing naked at night for Graig. No emotions involved means no one gets hurt.

Except when they end up working in the same school, in the same hallway. Then all bets are off.

Inside Scoop: This lucky hero gets to take control when his new girl encourages him to spank her.

Available here: http://www.ellorascave.com/drawn-together.html

And now for that HUMP!

Graig whipped his shirt up over his head, then tossed the garment out of sight. He eased her legs apart and licked his way down her leg to her inner thigh. He stopped short of her pussy, then switched to her other leg.

Beneath him, Tessa writhed. She threaded her fingers through his hair. “Make love to me.”

“You bet,” he replied, then eased her panties to the side, exposing her glittering cunt lips. “Nice and wet for me. So sexy.” He spread her pussy with one hand, giving himself better access to her sweetness. She arched her back and rocked into his mouth. He’d never get enough of her. Her groans turned his senses inside out. He moved her shirt up out of the way and palmed her breast.

Graig slipped one finger into her cunt and pumped, meeting her thrust for thrust. When she tugged his hair, he delved his tongue farther into her. He added another finger and spread her open.

“God.” She whimpered and rocked her body. A fine sheen of perspiration glittered on her skin. Her nipples beaded beneath her bra. He tweaked her nipple, pinching and caressing her heated flesh. At the same time, he sucked hard on her clit.

Tessa groaned and trembled. She clamped down on his fingers in her pussy and panted. Her juices slickened his way and coated his hand. When she cried out his name, she pushed him out of her body. More cream slid from her cunt.

A squirter? “Hot damn,” he murmured. “That is so sexy. Every time?”

“Most of the time.” She nodded. “Can be messy.”

He loved seeing her come apart on his hand. Loved when she embraced her uniqueness. Besides, she tasted like sin and he wanted another helping of her.

Releasing Tomorrow ~ Drawn Together

 Out tomorrow from Ellora's Cave! I'm so excited!!!!

Drawn Together by Wendi Zwaduk  

Ellora’s Cave

Novella

M/F, Spanking, Light BDSm

Graig Case wants to teach history and coach baseball. Plain and simple. But nothing in his life has been simple. He’s also got a secret. He loves to watch the sexy woman across the courtyard dance. He’d love for his fantasy girl to be his best friend, but fantasy and reality don’t always mix.

Tessa Martin has given up on love. She’s played second fiddle most of her life. Guys like hanging out with her. But being one of the guys doesn’t keep her warm at night. Still, she indulges in her one treat—dancing naked at night for Graig. No emotions involved means no one gets hurt.

Except when they end up working in the same school, in the same hallway. Then all bets are off.

Inside Scoop: This lucky hero gets to take control when his new girl encourages him to spank her.

Available here: http://www.ellorascave.com/drawn-together.html

And now a Hot EXCERPT:

Artists do it dirty.

He loved the poster on her wall. Such an odd item for the bedroom wall of an adult woman, but then again, he liked it, so maybe he was just as odd. Didn’t really matter. Once the woman caught him watching her, well, the game would be over.

Graig settled back into the easy chair he’d moved into his bedroom. He checked his watch once more. Eleven o’clock. Just about time for her to come into her bedroom.

He shouldn’t watch her. Shouldn’t be turned on by the sway of her hips as she shimmied out of her jeans. But damn. She moved like she knew he was there.

The light flicked on, bathing the room across the courtyard in warmth. Thank God they both lived on the top floor with balconies blocking the view to the apartments below. Any lower and everyone else would be able to see her. Blood pounded in his veins and heat flooded his body. Any moment now. The woman stepped into frame. She unwound the elastic from her hair and tossed her dark tresses over her shoulder. The scent of strawberry floated to him. Her perfume? The scent of her shampoo? Probably his mind playing tricks on him, but he didn’t care. He licked his lips. Just to grab hold of the silky locks and bury his face in them.

She looked so damn familiar, but he’d never ventured across the courtyard to get a better look. She reminded him of the minx from the school. Tessa didn’t strike him as the type to dance in front of an open window. She came across so stiff and proper, not at all like the vibrant babe he loved to watch. Maybe if she peeled back the layers surrounding her and lived a little. Maybe. God, he wanted her to be Tessa. The resemblance was uncanny.

The woman turned her back to him and rolled her shoulders. Graig rubbed his flattened palm across his torso. His nipples beaded. From his touch or the vision of her? Both worked for him. She rested her hands on her hips, drawing his attention to her ass. A nice, plush bottom, perfect for slapping during sex and sinful when she danced.

He prayed she’d turn on her stereo. Not for the music, although sometimes he caught faint snippets of her selections. He wanted the music to accompany her dance. God, he’d come in his hand just from watching her move to whatever sensual beat she blasted from her stereo.

She snapped her fingers and left the frame of the window. Graig shot forward in his seat. Oh hell no, this wasn’t allowed to be over so soon. His heart raced. “I am too attached to this mystery woman, but damn,” he mumbled and closed his eyes. “I’m not done.”

Graig gripped the arms of the chair, ready to vacate his bedroom. Without her on display, going to bed wasn’t in the cards. He opened his eyes and watched the window.

Tingles shot from his toes to his brain to his cock. She was naked.

“Whoa,” he whispered. Full breasts bounced with her every step. Pink tinged nipples pointed to him. A thin thatch of curls protected her pussy. His lips parted and he gasped for air. For the first time since he’d started watching her, she stared in his direction. Could she see him? She cupped her breasts, giving her nipples a squeeze. Had to be Tessa or her damned twin. Did she have a twin? Not that he knew of. He couldn’t help wanting the fantasy girl to be the woman he craved—to be Tessa.

“Come on, Tessa. Show me everything.”

@Copyright Wendi Zwaduk 2014

Sunday Snogging with Drawn Together

 

Read more snogs here!

I"m celebrating the Tuesday release of my first title for Ellora's Cave, Drawn Together, in this week's Sunday Snog!

Drawn Together by Wendi Zwaduk  

Ellora’s Cave

Novella

M/F, Spanking, Light BDSm

Graig Case wants to teach history and coach baseball. Plain and simple. But nothing in his life has been simple. He’s also got a secret. He loves to watch the sexy woman across the courtyard dance. He’d love for his fantasy girl to be his best friend, but fantasy and reality don’t always mix.

Tessa Martin has given up on love. She’s played second fiddle most of her life. Guys like hanging out with her. But being one of the guys doesn’t keep her warm at night. Still, she indulges in her one treat—dancing naked at night for Graig. No emotions involved means no one gets hurt. Except when they end up working in the same school, in the same hallway. Then all bets are off.

Inside Scoop: This lucky hero gets to take control when his new girl encourages him to spank her.

Available here: http://www.ellorascave.com/drawn-together.html

And now a Hot EXCERPT:

Artists do it dirty.

He loved the poster on her wall. Such an odd item for the bedroom wall of an adult woman, but then again, he liked it, so maybe he was just as odd. Didn’t really matter. Once the woman caught him watching her, well, the game would be over.

Graig settled back into the easy chair he’d moved into his bedroom. He checked his watch once more. Eleven o’clock. Just about time for her to come into her bedroom.

He shouldn’t watch her. Shouldn’t be turned on by the sway of her hips as she shimmied out of her jeans. But damn. She moved like she knew he was there.

The light flicked on, bathing the room across the courtyard in warmth. Thank God they both lived on the top floor with balconies blocking the view to the apartments below. Any lower and everyone else would be able to see her. Blood pounded in his veins and heat flooded his body. Any moment now. The woman stepped into frame. She unwound the elastic from her hair and tossed her dark tresses over her shoulder. The scent of strawberry floated to him. Her perfume? The scent of her shampoo? Probably his mind playing tricks on him, but he didn’t care. He licked his lips. Just to grab hold of the silky locks and bury his face in them.

She looked so damn familiar, but he’d never ventured across the courtyard to get a better look. She reminded him of the minx from the school. Tessa didn’t strike him as the type to dance in front of an open window. She came across so stiff and proper, not at all like the vibrant babe he loved to watch. Maybe if she peeled back the layers surrounding her and lived a little. Maybe. God, he wanted her to be Tessa. The resemblance was uncanny.

The woman turned her back to him and rolled her shoulders. Graig rubbed his flattened palm across his torso. His nipples beaded. From his touch or the vision of her? Both worked for him. She rested her hands on her hips, drawing his attention to her ass. A nice, plush bottom, perfect for slapping during sex and sinful when she danced.

He prayed she’d turn on her stereo. Not for the music, although sometimes he caught faint snippets of her selections. He wanted the music to accompany her dance. God, he’d come in his hand just from watching her move to whatever sensual beat she blasted from her stereo.

She snapped her fingers and left the frame of the window. Graig shot forward in his seat. Oh hell no, this wasn’t allowed to be over so soon. His heart raced. “I am too attached to this mystery woman, but damn,” he mumbled and closed his eyes. “I’m not done.”

Graig gripped the arms of the chair, ready to vacate his bedroom. Without her on display, going to bed wasn’t in the cards. He opened his eyes and watched the window.

Tingles shot from his toes to his brain to his cock. She was naked.

“Whoa,” he whispered. Full breasts bounced with her every step. Pink tinged nipples pointed to him. A thin thatch of curls protected her pussy. His lips parted and he gasped for air. For the first time since he’d started watching her, she stared in his direction. Could she see him? She cupped her breasts, giving her nipples a squeeze. Had to be Tessa or her damned twin. Did she have a twin? Not that he knew of. He couldn’t help wanting the fantasy girl to be the woman he craved—to be Tessa.

“Come on, Tessa. Show me everything."

@Copyright Wendi Zwaduk 2014

Thank You Thursday - Review for Steamy Reunion by Jambrea Jo Jones

I'm making another recommendation. I just read this book, and let me tell you, I needed a cool drink and a moment to hunt down the DH.

Steamy Reunion by Jambrea Jo Jones
Ellora's Cave
Contemporary
38 pages
m/m, anal sex

Ambrose Firth hated high school, so why is he contemplating going to his fifteen-year reunion? One name—Noah Winters. Noah stars in many of Ambrose’s wet dreams, but the man was a jock, and in high school, Ambrose was a geek. Not anymore. But he isn’t dating anyone either. Not wanting to seem desperate, he does what any self-respecting gay man would—he hires an escort.


Noah is everything Ambrose remembered—and then some. With a little push from his “date”, Ambrose determines to decipher the mixed messages Noah’ s been sending all night. Imagine Ambrose’s surprise when Noah can’t keep his hands off him. But Ambrose wants more than just a romp. Noah better hold on for a steamy reunion.

Ambrose Firth is all grown up and man is he looking hot. Noah Winters has no idea what he's up against. Throw in a fairy gay father and you've got yourself a hot story.

Jambrea Jo Jones isn't one to skimp on the story. I was pulled in from page one and instantly took a shine to Ambrose. He might have grown up, but the high school kid who spent way too much time being picked on still lives inside. I felt for him. He was an underdog and managed to make something of himself.

Noah makes a fine hero because he, too, deals with things we've all had to go through--the pains of high school and fitting in. But when he set his mind to getting what he wanted, man, oh, man, it was hot. I read and reread this story, savoring it each time.

If you want a book that's sure to tug at your heart and make your blood heat, this is the book for you.