guest blogger | Lucy Felthouse

Guest Post on Spicy Scenes by Jenna Jaxon

by Lucy Felthouse | Apr 27, 2026 | Guest Bloggers | 1 Comment

Well, this topic seems rather apropos, as almost all of my books are spicy at about the 4-4.5 level (I guess depending on who’s reading it). And I have to say, As Long As You’re Mine may have a record number of love/sex scenes of all the books I’ve written, mainly because in the very first chapter my hero and heroine are in bed together. So they literally have the entire novel to have sex in. I even toyed with the idea of taking one of the love scenes out, even though I liked it a lot, because I thought there might be too much sex. But in the end, I left it in and I think readers will find it one of the sexier of the H/h’s encounters.

This doesn’t always happen in my books, however. In my second novel, Only Scandal Will Do, it’s an enemies-to-lovers trope, and the heroine hates the hero so much they don’t actually share a bed until three-quarters of the way through the book. And I believe, depending on the characters and the circumstances, the slow burn can be every bit as thrilling and sexy as the actual sex scenes. Because we all know sex just for sex’s sake doesn’t make for a very satisfying romance. The characters have to develop their relationship and use the sex scenes to further the relationship, not just for titillation. And in As Long As You’re Mine, the characters actually use sex as a way to get to know one another, to show that they care for one another, and have a good time into the bargain.

Now as to just how hot historical romance sex scenes can get, well, I can tell you mine do get pretty steamy. The language isn’t contemporary, but there are period appropriate words that leave the reader with nothing to the imagination about what’s going on on the page and in the bed—or chair—or table. In one of my books the couple got inventive with a jar of honeyed pears!

Just remember, there’s nothing new under the sun, including sexual positions, sexual preferences, and sexual prowess. Historically, gentlemen were told by physicians that in order for a woman to conceive she had to have an orgasm, so they were often very diligent about pleasing their wives.

And historical romance authors take full advantage of that piece of medical advice!

*****

BLURB:

A scandalous mistake…or a wicked way to happiness?

Hoping to compromise herself, Lady Amantha Easton sneaks into the bedroom of her would-be suitor only to find a total stranger there—a totally handsome, charming stranger to be sure—but not at all the man she plans to marry. She leaves his room with her reputation intact—barely—only to fall victim to the gentleman’s charms in a public place. Now Amantha must face the fate she’s tried to avoid—marriage to a man who will never love her.

All Rafael Beauregard wanted was a warm bed and a good night’s sleep…but what he got was an unexpected romp with a beautiful vixen and a fiery kiss that left him wanting more. An excellent trade, except now he’s got to marry Lady Amantha, one of the most willful women he’s ever met. So Rafe’s challenge is to persuade her that marriage to him might be the best thing for them both…once he convinces himself.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GS54DPYB/

*****

Excerpt:

“What is it, love? What’s wrong?”

“Father,” was all she could get out at first.

“You went to see him? He didn’t agree to grant your request?”

Amantha nodded and sniffed. Rafe reached into his breast pocket and produced a handkerchief. “He g…gave me a choice. Marry you or…or be put in p…prison.”

“Prison!” What kind of monster would threaten his own daughter with prison? And what kind of power did such a man wield? “He’s going to send you to Newgate? On whose authority?”

“His own authority.” She wiped her eyes and nose then clenched the square of linen in her fist. “And not Newgate. Not a real prison. But he will turn his northernmost property, Woolston Lodge in Northumberland, into a prison. He will send me there tomorrow, with no clothes and no friends, just a jailor and armed guards for the rest of my life.” Tears threatened again and Rafe pulled her head back to his shoulder.

“Shh, love. Don’t think about it. We won’t let that happen, will we?” She shook her head and nestled deeper. The small movement of acquiescence shot straight to his heart. He could fix this. “I am afraid, though, that I’m going to have to change my mind about our marriage.”

She sat bolt upright, terror widening her eyes as she stared at him.

Damn. He hadn’t meant to frighten her even more. His own fault for drinking that second brandy.

“Shhh.” He ran a gentle thumb down her delicate jaw line, cupping her chin and pulling her face close enough that she had to look into his eyes. “Amantha, I just meant I now want to marry you more than anything in the world.”

*****

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Jenna Jaxon is a best-selling author of historical romance, writing in a variety of time periods because she believes that passion is timeless. She has been reading and writing historical romance since she was a teenager. A romantic herself, Jenna has always loved a dark side to the genre, a twist, suspense, a surprise. She tries to incorporate all these elements into her own stories.

She lives in Virginia with her family and a small menagerie of pets–including Olive, an almost silent cat, Earl Grey, a very curious bunny, and a Shar-pei mix dog named Frenchie.

Blog: http://www.jennajaxon.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenna.jaxon

Instagram: @passionistimeless

Bluesky: jennajaxon1.bsky.social

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@passionistimeless

TicTok: @jennajaxon1

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jenna-jaxon

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jenna-Jaxon/author/B005CHPBD2

Twitter/X: @1jennajaxon

*****

GIVEAWAY!

Jenna Jaxon will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Be sure to follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here.

Sustainability x Sex – Love Not War’s Winning Equation for the Ultimate Valentine’s Day #guestblog #guestblogger #ecofriendly #green #sustainable #sustainablebrand #sextoys

by Lucy Felthouse | Jan 25, 2022 | Guest Bloggers | 0 Comments

By Will Ranscombe Co-Founder and Managing Director of Love Not War, maker of eco-friendly sex toys that don’t cost the earth.

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. A day totally set apart to celebrate love, sex and everything in between. It’s therefore no surprise that at Love Not War we absolutely love Valentine’s Day, it also just happens to come with the added bonus of being one of the busiest times of year for the sex toy industry.

Although, with that being said, we aren’t blind to the negativity that can often surround Valentine’s Day with many feeling it’s too commercialized, promotes waste and was created purely with the intention of selling inventory en masse. I suppose the rumour of Hallmark’s involvement in the creation of the day must have originated from somewhere, right?

And while we enjoy the sentiment behind it, what we don’t enjoy is the 124 million adults across the world who jump on the Valentine’s love train every year, exchanging enough gifts, cards and chocolates to generate more carbon emissions than driving around the world 3,993 times.

With millions of pounds being spent globally every year as February 14 rolls around, it’s obvious to see that romance is very much alive and well but at what cost?

That’s why at this is a time of year, perhaps more so than others, we want to help people see that while ‘sustainability’ mightn’t seem like the hottest subject to bring up as we approach Valentine’s Day, it actually has the potential to be pretty damn sexy. At Love Not War we actually don’t think of sex and sustainability as the ‘chalk and cheese’ of the sex toy world, in fact, we believe they have the potential to be intertwined with one another. So much so that we went as far as creating an entire business firmly rooted in the common ground that they share.

At Love Not War we know how important your pleasure is, but we also know that it shouldn’t come before the planet. That is why we created the world’s first range of sustainable eco-friendly vibrator sex toys, all made using the highest quality materials, including FDA-grade silicone and aluminium. At Love Not War we also don’t believe in scrimping when it comes to function or quality, quite the opposite actually. We have created a range of toys that will make you feel great, both inside and out, all while knowing that your pleasure hasn’t come at a cost of the earth.

So for those interested in keeping that Valentine’s Day fire burning, while also respecting the earth, here are some of our top tips to get you ready for the ultimate sexy yet sustainable Valentine’s Day.

Set the mood…

Creating a sexy environment is the first port of call for any Valentine’s Day. Why not purchase some coconut oil candles, turn the lights out and enjoy an evening off the grid with your partner without electricity. Order in some food, play some strip poker, give each other a sexy massage, all by candlelight.

It’s also good to be prepared for your evening by purchasing some lubricant and condoms. Two items that can be difficult to get right when you’re trying to be sustainable, especially condoms, the catch 22 of the ‘green sex’ world. An item that we need to practice safe sex but they are just one-time use products so it’s important to find a condom brand that is cruelty-free and considerately made. A great option is Hero Condoms, an eco condom brand that’s products are 100% electronically tested, paraben-free and vegan friendly.

Lingerie is also a frequent staple for Valentine’s Day and with a growing number of ethical and sustainable clothing brands coming to the market, this is the perfect way to ensure you look and feel sexy while remaining sustainable. Find a brand that is ethically sourced, organically made and uses recycled packaging. Some ethical clothing brands include Organic Basics, Cosabella and Pact.

Gifts, cards, wrapping and everything in between

When we think of Valentine’s Day, the picture that often comes to mind is the colourful cards, heart-shaped boxes of chocolates and teddy bears.

However if you’d like to show your love sustainable way, why not this year ditch the cards, wrapping paper and plastic disposal gifts and opt for something eco-friendly yet just as thoughtful.

How about giving an e-card or a gift that is built for longevity, such as a sustainably created Love Not War vibrator. At Love Not War, we offer have seven vibrators made from predominantly recycled and recyclable materials in our custom-built, green-powered factory. Our fully waterproof and rechargeable vibrators also come with interchangeable heads, meaning that only one battery base is needed for all the available heads making multiple products in one.

This Valentine’s Day we have also teamed up with popular British illustrator Charlotte Willcox to create a range of limited edition Valentine’s e-cards. With three designs in the LNW x Charlotte Willcox downloadable e-card range, the cards are available free of charge directly from our website.

Support local

One of the best ways to ensure you can remain sustainable at Valentine’s Day is to trace the supply chain of any brand you purchase from. Choosing and supporting local companies that ethically, sustainably and locally produce, design or source their products is a great way to do this.

We know that choosing to implement eco practices in your everyday lives, especially at Valentine’s Day, is definitely a learning process, but it’s important to remember that anything big always starts with small steps. Making the decision to not send a paper Valentine’s Day card this year might seem like nothing monumental but as the saying goes, “We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly”.

As a sustainability brand, it is our responsibility to create products that are green. We know the industry is not perfect and we still have a long way to go, but if we all make a conscious effort to try, we’ll be able to make a difference.

The full range of Love Now War products is available directly from our website at www.l-n-w.com.

How Did I Start on This Path? – A Guest Post from Carrie Whitethorne/Shae Banks

by Lucy Felthouse | Apr 12, 2019 | Guest Bloggers | 0 Comments

Hi, I’m Carrie. I publish under two pseudonyms, Carrie Whitethorne, for my paranormal and urban fantasy romance, and Shae Banks for my more contemporary work.

I wasn’t always a writer. I was supposed to be a nurse. Instead I took a completely different path.

I followed my heart. How many eighteen-year-old girls do that and it ends in disaster?

I could have become a statistic. Instead, after weathering the storms that come with ten years of marriage, we were stronger than ever. Decisions were made, I become a mother, and every hard lesson I learned over the years turned out to be a training exercise for some of the most difficult days of my life.

Fast forward a few more years and my children were going to school, one of them against all odds, and after a minor incident one morning I found myself sitting at the laptop, writing.

It poured from me. I didn’t have the first clue how to write a novel. I’d always been an avid reader, but I wasn’t a writer. The short stories I wrote as a child were just something I did to pass the time. I didn’t have the experience or the ability.

Then, late 2016, I read an article about self publishing on Amazon.

By this time I had two books written, a third in progress, just sitting on my laptop and thought “what the hell? Even if I don’t sell any at least I can say I published a book,” and so the Riftkeepers series was born.

It’s been three years. I’m a USA Today Bestselling Author. I have the bug and I couldn’t stop writing now if I tried.

I have two completed series spanning nine books under Carrie Whitethorne’s belt and a third publishing later this year.

Shae banks has two books published over two series and I’m enjoying the new venture as much as I did the first time.

It hasn’t been an easy road, but the experience has been worth every trial.

I have my first signing in Sheffield (UK) this June. I’ll be fan girling all over the place, but I don’t care. This is me being where I never thought I could be.

I don’t want to be anywhere else.

*****

Carrie Whitethorne

Riftkeepers: https://amzn.to/2KpOjTK

One night stands are all fun and games until you discover you’re pregnant.

With twins.

Having no idea where the father of her children was, Charlotte raised them alone, dealing with the trials of parenthood as best she could.
When strange events bring her face to face with Callan McAidh, the man she hasn’t seen since that fateful night, she has no option but to tell him who the little girl at her side is.

To her surprise, he wants to meet his children.

But Charlotte isn’t the only one with revelations to share, and when Callan shows her what he is, she is thrust into a world she could never image existed- much less have come from herself.

But as well as the magic and wonder of the Fae realm, Charlotte discovers there are darker forces at work. Forces that know who, and what, she is.

Can Charlotte protect her family from this enemy while holding on to the love of her life?

This Paranormal Romance Saga will keep you on the edge of your seat as you follow Charlotte’s evolution from struggling single mother to Fae Princess in this story of family, friendship, and love.

Discover how one person can make such a difference to so many, and how a single decision can affect the lives of people you have never met.

*****

Three Tricksters: https://amzn.to/2If8JwJ

Trickster’s Hunt

Eat, win, get paid, go home.

That was the plan.

I wasn’t looking for guys.

Okay that’s a lie, it’s been a long six months, but I didn’t expect Silas, Rhett, and Amos to turn up.

I don’t believe that stuff just happens.

I didn’t believe in genies, either, until the three of them started disappearing and reappearing at will.

The truth is I wouldn’t be here without them. But sometimes you don’t always appreciate what you have while it’s right in front of you with all that bronze skin and hard abs. There’s something uniquely hot about a guy dressed as a Middle Eastern assassin defending you against an Egyptian God. I have three.

Silas has sworn to protect me. Amos, too.

Rhett… well he can please his miserable self. But they all think I’m someone important. Someone impossible.

They want to stay close.

I can see a number of benefits to having them around but do I really want three genies following my every move?

*****

Trickster’s Guard

Being a Goddess isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

I never said I was perfect. Far from it. And when I sent them away it proved it.

Now my mistakes have caught up with me and I’m wishing I’d done things differently.

Rhett, Amos, and Silas are doing everything they can to uncover the mysteries surrounding our attraction and my role in all of this, but it takes time.

Time we don’t have with a god hunting me down.

Faced with the prospect of losing everyone I love, it’s time for me to step up.

I hold the power to balance the universe.

I just hope I can work out how to access it before we’re found and destroyed.

*****

Trickster’s Consort

Despite the best efforts of the djinn to keep me hidden, Set found me.

I sent him home with a knife in his face.

Does he think he can break into my home, kill my best friend, and get away with it?

Maybe the old me would have let that slide, but I’m not her any more.

I’m not who he thinks I am, either.

I’m something different.

With Amos, Rhett, and Silas at my side I’m going to Duat.

I’m taking back what’s mine.

I’ll make him pay for every life he’s taken. Even if that means razing his world to the ground.

But let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.

*****

Shae Banks

Things We Lost: https://amzn.to/2X5aFLY

For Nathalie Johnson, securing a new job closer to home is a cause for celebration. On a night out with a friend she runs into the very last person in the world she expects to see…

Jason Locksley.

He was her everything, until he took off to university without so much as a goodbye thirteen years before.

He broke her heart.

Despite her attempts to evade him, Jason is persistent and manages to talk her into coffee.

Coffee leads to dinner. And the rest, she thought, would be history. But walking away from Jason is harder than she ever thought it could be, and despite her trepidation, he wins his second chance.

Thirteen years is a long time, and people change.

Both have broken marriages behind them, and while much is shared, there are many things left unsaid.

Will a misunderstanding cause irreparable damage?

*****

Discarded: https://amzn.to/2uXcbUa

Working two jobs just to stay afloat, Bekah Daniels is short on time. Any she does have she devotes to her boyfriend, Johnathan.
But when he abandons her over the holidays, Bekah finally sees where his priorities will always lie.

With his wife.

Despite her efforts to break it off, Johnathan won’t let go, and when he becomes aggressive she finds friendship and refuge with her boss, millionaire chef Callum Lowell.

Their friendship takes a surprising turn, and Bekah soon finds herself not only on his books but in his bed.

When Bekah wants to further their relationship Callum has a condition; she has to hand herself over to him entirely, purging Johnathan from her mind and body.

Can she submit to Callum after all she’s been through, or is he asking too much?

*****

You can follow either of my pen names here:

Carrie Whitethorne:
‪http://www.carriewhitethorne.com
‪https://www.facebook.com/Whitethornebooks/
‪https://www.bookbub.com/profile/carrie-whitethorne
‪https://facebook.com/groups/138915443519708

Shae Banks:
‪http://www.shaebanks.com
‪https://www.facebook.com/Shaebanksromance/

‪You can get a free ebook by visiting my websites.

The Beauty of Forever (A Christmas Realm Tale #1) by Elyzabeth M. VaLey (@ElyzabethVaLey)

by Lucy Felthouse | Dec 26, 2017 | Guest Bloggers | 1 Comment

A Christmas Realm Tale, 1

Once dead, always dead.

Christopher Beaufort works in what could easily be the most cheerful place on earth, Santa’s Christmas Realm, but as a vampire, he is nothing more than a shadow among the living.

Worn out by the demands of his job as Chief Toy Officer, Santa assigns a human woman to help him, Samantha Kraus. Tantalized by the fiery red-head, Christopher makes it his business to seduce her, but as he does, something within him begins to stir.

Life is a gift in which every moment counts.

When Samantha Kraus accepted the job of assistant manager at Santa’s, she expected elves, fairies and maybe some shifters, but definitely not vampires. Least of all did she imagine her boss would be one of them or that she’d be attracted to him.

Though she tries to remain professional, Samantha finds herself falling for Christopher. But, can a vampire’s heart ever beat again?

Available at:
Evernight Publishing
Amazon.com
Amazon.uk
Bookstrand

Thank you for having me on your blog today!

I’m excited to share my latest release with you, The Beauty of Forever (A Christmas Realm Tale I). This is the first story in a new paranormal – holiday themed series, which revolves around Santa’s kingdom in the North Pole and the different people who work for him.

Christmas is my favorite holiday and I’ve always enjoyed both reading and writing holiday-themed stories. One day, I was chatting with my sister about some story ideas I had and she mentioned vampires. My muse immediately made the connection.

Vampires + Christmas.

I was a bit baffled. How was I going to make that work? After all, vampires are supposed to be dark, gloomy and Christmas is the opposite. I set the story aside for a good year or so, until, I began toying with the idea again and that’s when Christopher formally introduced himself. I could picture him, a 500 year old vampire standing at a floor to ceiling window, looking down at what was supposed to be the happiest place on Earth and feeling miserable.

Why?

Little by little, Christopher opened up to me along with Santa’s empire. I had turned the key to the door of a world in which vampires, elves, fairies, fauns, shifters and more co-inhabited and I greedily immersed myself in it.

Every time I think about Christopher, Samantha and everyone in The Beauty of Forever, my heart soars. I can only hope you feel the same. Enjoy!

Excerpt:

“That went well with Jacobs, right?” she blurted, searching for a distraction.

Christopher looked at her. The intensity in his gaze threw her back and her knees weakened.

“Yes,” he replied. “You were fantastic. I can see now why Santa hired you.” His mouth thinned. “Jacobs was practically salivating after you.”

Samantha blinked, surprised by the ferocity in his tone. “I don’t know him as well as you do, but from what he spoke, he seemed devoted to his wife.”

“It’s not what I saw.”

She smiled, trying to ignore the low timber of his voice and the way it curled in her belly, heating her from the inside out.

“Is that why you were glaring at him while we were working?” she joked.

“I wasn’t glaring. I was simply—” Christopher raked his gaze over her. “Watching.”

Samantha shivered. She lifted her chin. “And did you observe anything of interest?”

Christopher slid his arms to the height of her elbows. He didn’t touch her, but the hairs on her body rose. Nerve ends tingled. Christopher leaned in. “Absolutely.”

“Mind sharing?”

What was she asking? She knew full well they weren’t talking about work anymore, but she couldn’t stop herself. Her body had taken over her mind and all it wanted was for Christopher to come closer. She craved to see him bring out his humanity in the most carnal way possible.

“I’m not sure you’re ready.”

“Try me.”

Christopher grinned. His gaze held a warning which she should have heeded because the moment his lips touched hers, she knew she was lost. Burying his hand into her hair, he slanted his head and dove into her mouth. Like a flower urgently seeking sunshine, she opened up to him. His groan reverberated through her and she arched against him. His minty taste swept over her, taking her by surprise. Holding her firmly, he devoured her like a man starved of nourishment. Each stroke of his tongue drew her further away from reality, into a bubble where only they existed. Desperate to find something to hold on to, to keep her grounded, Samantha fisted his shirt.

It didn’t help. The world vanished, leaving only him behind. His essence. His strength. The heat of his passion, which she frantically desired.

The train lurched to a stop and they stumbled, breaking apart. Gasping for air, Samantha stared at Christopher. His eyes had deepened to an indigo blue and he had a wildness to him that spoke of danger and unyielding hunger. For her? She swallowed. She had to stop this now. Before it got too far. It was one thing to flirt with him so he would smile, and another one entirely different to kiss on a train full of people.

“Christopher—”

People shoved their way out of the wagon, drawing them close again. Christopher wrapped her in his arms. His scent flooded her and for an instant, she shut her eyes and pretended the sound against her ear wasn’t her own heart thrashing, but his, beating.

But it wasn’t. The knowledge chilled her to the bones. Christopher wasn’t really alive. He spoke and he moved but his heart was dead. How did he even exist?

The piercing whistle of the shutting doors signaled the train’s departure. Christopher tilted her chin.

“Are you all right?”

Samantha sucked in her cheeks.

“Christopher, we can’t do this,” she said.

“By this, I imagine you’re talking about the kiss?

She nodded.

“Why not, Samantha?”

He stroked her bottom lip with his thumb, leaving a tingling trail which echoed in other parts of her body. Damn it all if she didn’t want to nip his finger and tease him. She yearned to kiss him again, to feel his unpredictable heat against her.

“I don’t see the problem. We’re both adults and we’re attracted to each other,” he continued.

You’re not alive.

“We need to work together. Things could get complicated,” she said instead.

Christopher cupped her cheek. His eyes narrowed and he set his jaw. “Complicated?”

“We work together,” she repeated.

Wanting you scares me. It’s unnatural.

Christopher raised his eyebrows.

“I see.” He disentangled himself from her. Samantha shivered and fought the urge to wrap her arms around herself. Christopher smirked. He knew.

“I’ll respect your wishes, Samantha. For now. But, just remember, doll, I’m an animal of prey. What I want, I hunt down and get. I’ve lived long enough to know I want you, Samantha, and a night of hot, passionate sex won’t make things, as you put it, complicated.” The train started to slow again. Their stop was next. Christopher leaned in. “Sooner or later, doll, I will have you.”

*****

About Elyzabeth M. VaLey

Elyzabeth M. VaLey is a writer of sizzling, sexy romance who firmly believes in happy ever after. From paranormal to contemporary, fantasy, or historical, she enjoys exploring her characters’ darker side and writing stories about tortured heroes, strong heroines, and all that comes between them and their love.

When she’s not writing, she can be found walking in the Spanish countryside with her black Lab, exploring castles, or enjoying some tapas with her friends.

Follow her at:

Blog
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram (@elyzabethm.valey)
Goodreads
Pinterest
Amazon

The Challenge – A Hot New Reverse Harem Series by Lily Harlem (@lily_harlem)

by Lucy Felthouse | Oct 6, 2017 | Guest Bloggers | 0 Comments

What’s reverse harem? Basically it’s having your cake and eating it, one girl, however many hot guys she can handle, no jealousy. Think of it as a tasty little nibble here and there, a few big delicious bites when the mood arises and a whole lot of flirty, steamy fun.

So, with that cleared up here’s a little about erotic romance series THE CHALLENGE by Lily Harlem. It’s a new on-going contemporary reverse harem best-read-in-order series that sizzles from the page. The first book CASTAWAYS is available for pre-order at just 99c and will release on 15^th October (grab your copy now while it’s cheap!), and book two TEARAWAYS is also available for pre-order, release date 26^th October.

*Please note, the entire series will be available on Kindle Unlimited*

Back Cover Information for CASTAWAYS

Olivia Bailey is up for The Challenge. Why the heck wouldn’t she be? With mariner qualifications piled high, engineering experience to rival someone twice her age, she’s ready to take on the mighty Pacific Ocean and win.

But what about her fellow crew? Five guys, four nationalities. A billionaire’s heir who likes to take charge in every aspect of life, an outback expert with a heart-stopping smile, a Spanish chef with mouthwatering moves and sexy twins who reveal themselves slowly, until it matters, then they act fast.

An adventure was what Olivia wanted, it’s certainly what she gets. Because things at sea happen in a heartbeat, friendships grow, tempers heat and desire flares. But what about when it all upends? When the unexpected happens? Will they pull together, or will fear drag the crew of The Temptress apart?

PRE-ORDER NOW – http://myBook.to/Castaways

Back Cover Information for TEARAWAYS

Having survived The Challenge, Olivia is now hitting the road with her five sexy men. Seeing them all dressed in tight leathers, with big, growling Harleys between their legs, is enough to have her pulse racing and her mouth watering. So naturally, before long bonds strengthen, love blooms and they’re all enjoying the ride of their lives.

But with little more than bikes and the clothes on their backs, how will they survive a long, arduous journey? Having a billionaire’s heir in their midst is no help when Dante Vidal is insisting on them being cashless and having to work for their supper.

Amongst all of that, Olivia finds herself performing a complex juggling act. Having Alpha males sparring, sparks flying and tempers flaring needs a strong woman to take charge. Is she up for the challenge of keeping her men happy, connected and most of all satisfied? One thing is for sure, it’s a task she’s willing to throw herself into heart, body and soul.

PRE-ORDER NOW – http://myBook.to/Tearaways

Excerpt from CASTAWAYS

“How is my galley?” Raul asked, pulling on a t-shirt, then settling back in his seat.

“All tidy.”

“You are too good to me, mi niña hermosa.”

“I try.”

Mason appeared on deck. “I suggest, Captain, that we shift a degree west, it will put us in line with a tiny crop of islands. Uninhabited, but it might be nice to see land on day three.”

“Good plan.” Harry nodded and looked down at the compass. He then turned the helm a fraction. “Can’t believe we’ll be on our third day tomorrow. We’ve made good progress.”

“Yeah, I agree,” Evan said, plucking a pack of cards from the pocket of his shorts. “Who’s up for poker?”

“Si.” Raul rubbed his hands together and grinned.

“I’m game,” Mason said, sitting next to him. “What are we playing for?”

“Let’s make it strip poker.” Evan twitched his eyebrows at Olivia.

“I think not.” She laughed. “That would leave me at a definite disadvantage.”

“You call having five blokes admiring your body a disadvantage?” Evan chuckled. The sun had given his cheeks a faint pink hue and his lips were shiny, as if he’d slicked on balm.

Damn it, the guy could be an advert for healthy, outdoor living.

“Knowing you lot, you’d club together and fix it so I lost.” She narrowed her eyes at him.

“I wouldn’t.” Lucas shook his head.

It was the first time he’d spoken in front of everyone, but Olivia decided not to make a thing about that. “Okay, not Lucas, but the rest of you would.”

“I think it’s sad,” Raul said. “That you have so low opinion of us.”

“It’s not that.” She shrugged. “You’re just guys, with lots of testosterone and you like…” She glanced at her chest. “Boobs.”

“Boobs!” Evan burst out laughing. “Yeah, we like boobs.”

“What are boobs?” Raul asked.

“These.” She pointed at her breasts.

“Ah, boobs!” Raul grinned. “I learn another new English word.”

“I bet she could teach you some more.” Evan winked at her and dropped the deck of cards into his hand.

“Probably. But I won’t.”

Lucas took over the helm and Harry sat at the table, his elbows propped on it and leaning forward. “We play for who gets to take Olivia out on a date in Sydney.”

“Fine by me,” Mason said.

“But what if I don’t want to go on a date…with any of you.”

“Ah, you will.” Evan expertly shuffled the pack.

She frowned. “And what if I win? What do I get?”

“To choose who takes you out on a date.” Harry grinned. It was a cocky grin, as though he presumed it would be him she picked.

“What if I don’t want to go out with any of you?” How could she not? She looked around the table. Four guys, very different both physically and in personality, but each gorgeous, intelligent, witty and very eligible. Throw in sweet, sensitive Lucas who was also a lean, strong guy in the prime of his life and just waiting to be discovered, and most girls would be salivating at the thought of being able to take a pick. “No scrap that,” she said. “What if I can’t choose?”

“What because we’re all so hot it’s an impossible decision?” Harry asked.

“Well, I guess I’d have to go by personality, and thinking you’re hot might not be the best trait.”

“Hey.” He held up his hands. “I’m only saying what the gossip mags and my one million Twitter followers tell me.”

“One million Twitter followers?” Mason said. “Jeez, you really got that much to say?”

“No.” Harry shrugged and picked up his deal of cards. “But what can I do? They follow me, I don’t follow them.”

“I bet you get loads of girls desperate for you to notice them,” Olivia said. “All hoping to bag themselves a billionaire.”

“For the record, I’m not a billionaire, my father is.”

“And you’ll inherit it some day,” Mason pointed out.

“Some of it. I’ve got a sister remember. It’ll get halved.”

“But still be in the billions?” Evan said.

“I guess.” Harry looked away, a slight crease between his eyebrows.

For the first time Olivia wondered if he’d like to have grown up in a normal family, with a normal childhood. His must have been one of privilege and indulgence. How had that molded him into the man he was today? Did he regret not blending in with the crowd, or did it suit him to harness attention wherever he went?

She made a sudden decision to never treat him differently from the other crew, okay he was the captain, but other than that, he was just a guy whose father happened to be stinking rich.

And damn it, he was cute with it.

“Everyone know the rules?” Evan asked, turning his hand over.

“Aye,” Mason nodded.

“Si. Very well.” Raul grinned as he looked at his cards.

Olivia looked at hers. Not great, but it would be a start.

They played for an hour and a half. There was much laughter, quite a few insults and possibly some cheating on Raul’s behalf.

Mason took a turn at the helm so Lucas could join in and he won his hand quickly.

“Last game,” Harry said. “It’s getting late.” He glanced at his watch.

“Ah, but I want to play all night,” Raul said. “I love to play poker. Better with rum but this is what it is.”

“Nah, last one.” Harry shrugged.

Olivia pulled her fleece up around her neck. It was getting chilly, she’d be glad to get to bed.

Her last deal of the pack was a great one, and within a minute she’d won.

“Bravo,” Mason said.

“Are you sure you’re not a hustler?” Evan asked.

“That’s for me to know and you to find out.” She grinned.

“You must have a prize,” Raul said.

“Okay.” She paused. “Kind as it is of you all to offer yourselves up for dates in Sydney, what I’d really like is…”

All five men looked at her. Lucas seemed to have held his breath, and Evan tugged on his bottom lip as if a whole bunch of wicked thoughts were going through his mind. Harry raised his eyebrows and Mason leaned closer.

“Tell us,” Raul said. “Anything we have, it is yours.”

“Did I see some hot chocolate in the galley?” she asked.

“Si.” Raul nodded.

“That’s what I’d like as my prize. Then to bed….alone.”

All five men seemed to sag a little as they sat back. Lucas returned his attention to the helm.

“I will do it for you. I will get your prize.” Raul stood.

“Thank you.” She passed her cards to Evan who was stacking the pack together again.

Had any of the guys really thought she’d pick one of them as her prize? Was it so obvious she fancied them all?

Oh God.

I do. I really do.

And I’d never be able to choose between them.

PRE-ORDER NOW – http://myBook.to/Castaways

PRE-ORDER NOW – http://myBook.to/Tearaways

About Lily Harlem

Lily Harlem lives in the UK and is an award winning, bestselling author of sexy romance. After giving up a busy career in nursing she now spends her time enjoying her army of rescued pets and penning steamy stories. She writes for publishers on both sides of the Atlantic including, HarperCollins, Evernight, and Stormy Night Publications. She also self-publishes novels that range from emotionally charged erotic romance, to steamy ménage a trois.

One thing you can be sure of, whatever book you pick up by Ms Harlem, in whichever pairing or genre takes your fancy, is it will be wildly romantic and down-and-dirty sexy so make sure you hang on tight for the ride! Subscribe to her newsletter to get a FREE ebook.

Website – http://www.lilyharlem.com

FREE eBook – https://www.instafreebie.com/free/Mms5U

THE CHALLENGE on Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.co.uk/lilyharlem/the-challenge-reverse-harem-series/

THE CHALLENGE on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/TheChallengeReverseHaremSeries/

Working with Police on Research – A Guest Post by Lisa Mondello (@lisamondello)

by Lucy Felthouse | Jun 6, 2017 | Guest Bloggers | 0 Comments

Writing crime romances can be difficult. You never know who is going to you’re your story and you want to get procedure correct if you’re writing about specific special law enforcement agencies.

When I wrote Safe Haven, I knew there were certain things I wanted to do, but I wasn’t sure if they were legal. Luckily, my husband was a part time police officer in a neighboring town and I knew I lot of police officers I could bounce ideas off of. Some authors go to the Writer’s Police Academy. One day maybe I will attend. But I relied on in house feedback for Safe Haven.

One of the things I quickly learned was that police officers have seen a lot and are suspicious of everything you say. They have fertile imaginations, too, which made it fun to brainstorm ideas. I would go down a path with my idea and they would quickly reel me in though when it was clear I wanted to do something that wasn’t plausible. They’d reel me in. They wouldn’t give me ideas of what to do. But if I had an idea, they’d help me flesh it out.

But I had to be careful. It’s easy to get excited about a new book I’m working on. I do a lot of Google searches that lead me down paths and help me build on the seed of an idea. But then when I get that idea, I have to be careful when I call on a professional to ask them questions. It’s important to preface each call with why I’m asking a question.

For example, in Safe Haven, there is a bloody scene. I needed to know details about blood, how it’s collected, preserved, how much blood a person could lose to give suspicion that it might be fatal. You get the idea. As he scene was coming to me and I realized I needed to know detailed information, I called one of my neighbors who is a medical technologist. I figured she’d at least be able to lead me in the right direction. She knows I’m a writer. We’d sat at enough neighborhood campfires together at that point.

But in my excitement about this scene I was about to write, I neglected to tell my neighbor who I was when she picked up the phone. I just started rattling off about blood and how I was going to use that blood and asking how much blood a person can drain from their body before it’s fatal. Well, I think the blood drained for her face even though I couldn’t see it. She sputtered a bit and then asked who it was on the phone.

We had a little laugh and once her heart stopped pounding so hard, she gave me the info I needed and I wrote my scene. I made a mental note to myself to make sure I announced myself and what I was calling for before launching into gory details. I was also thankful that call hadn’t been to the police station. Even though I know a lot of police officers and they’ve helped me before, I have a feeling I would have had blue lights flashing in my driveway before I finished writing my scene.

*****

Book Description:

When someone you once loved wants you dead, is there any SAFE HAVEN?

Finding out her ex-husband hired a hitman to kill her didn’t leave Daria Carlisle all warm and fuzzy. But Detective Kevin Gordon’s suggestion she flee the only home that had ever truly been hers was downright crazy. Forget that the sexy police officer made her heart pound and her blood stir. She’d worked too hard to get what little she had. She wasn’t leaving.

Kevin Gordon didn’t make mistakes, but he’d made a big one in letting Daria’s ex slip through his fingers. Although he tried to make it very clear to Daria that the fixer upper home she considered a palace was no safe haven, she just dug in deeper and insisted on staying, leaving him no choice but to be her protector. Left on her own, she surely faced murder at an assassin’s hand. But can Kevin spend every waking hour sleeping on her doorstep just to keep this stubborn woman alive without risking his heart to love?

*****

Excerpt:

“Your husband hired me to kill you.”

The last words Daria Carlisle expected to hear in her kitchen on a bright and sunny Sunday morning were those. She stared at the man who’d just uttered the frightening words. Words spoken with such ease and comfort it made her blood run cold.

She stood statue still, almost glued to the aged linoleum floor that was too frail to be salvaged. Her gaze swept from his face to the decrepit floor as she dragged in a breath of air. Earlier that day she’d been obsessing over how she was going to afford replacing the linoleum. Hearing these words from a man she’d just invited into her home willingly put a slightly different spin on her priorities.

Your husband hired me to kill you. The words just hung there in the air between them like some bright red cartoon balloon, mocking her.

*****

About the Author:

New York Times and USA TODAY Bestselling Author, Lisa Mondello, has held many jobs in her life but being a published author is the last job she’ll ever have. She’s not retiring! She blames the creation of the personal computer for her leap into writing novels. Otherwise, she’d still be penning stories with paper and pen. Her book The Knight and Maggie’s Baby is a New York Times Bestseller. Her popular series includes TEXAS HEARTS, DAKOTA HEARTS, Fate with a Helping Hand and the new SUMMER HOUSE series. Writing as LA Mondello, her romantic suspense, MATERIAL WITNESS, book 1 of her Heroes of Providence series made the USA TODAY Bestsellers List and was named one of Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2012.

You can find more information about Lisa Mondello at lisamondello.blogspot.com and sign up for her newsletter to receive new release information at http://eepurl.com/xhxO5

Website: http://www.lisamondello.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaMondello.Author/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisamondello

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/71059.Lisa_Mondello

Newsletter sign up: http://eepurl.com/xhxO5

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lisa-mondello

*****

GIVEAWAY!

a Rafflecopter giveaway