GUEST POST: Accidental Contact by Adriana Kraft

Accidental Contact, By Adriana Kraft

Release date: November 3, 2023

ASIN B0CMHLHL

Genre: Erotic Romance

Length: Short Story

Pairing: FF

Tropes: Cougar Story, New York City, Snowbound, Just One Bed

 

BLURB

Natalie and the much younger Bridgette are real estate agents who’ve often traveled together for business seminars. Now they’re snowbound in New York City in a hotel room with only one bed. Will Natalie dare to make her move?

 

Universal Buy Link

Just $0.99 at all e-book retail outlets

 

https://books2read.com/u/47djkE

 

EXCERPT 

“Are you ready for me to shut off the TV?”

“Yes. I’ve heard enough chatter by pundits.”

“Me, too.” Natalie hit the off button, set the remote aside, and rolled onto her side to face the wall. The mattress shifted as Bridgette turned to face the opposite wall. “Good night,” Natalie murmured.

“Good night. I’m looking forward to being snowbound with you in New York.”

Closing her eyes, Natalie didn’t respond. She concentrated on breathing in and out. The predicted blizzard was a pleasant surprise that might prove to be the tipping point.

She’d done all she could do. It was up to fate now. She wouldn’t risk being rejected by her younger colleague. They’d traveled together several times representing their firm at realty conferences. She’d been surprised how comfortable they were as  travel companions, respecting each other’s routines. Bridgette chattered too much, but then Bridgette had probably had to adjust to some of Natalie’s idiosyncrasies, too.

Usually they shared a room with two beds. When they’d checked in at the front desk, Natalie had somewhat berated the clerk for their sleeping arrangements—but she was the one who’d explicitly requested one queen bed when making the reservation. She’d also anticipated correctly that given the size of the conference, there’d be no available rooms with two beds.

Natalie wished she could make the next overture, but she couldn’t. Pride intervened. She had no idea whether the twenty-six-year-old lying next to her would be interested in a forty-year-old divorcee who hadn’t been with a woman since college.

 

GUEST POST

What romantic pairings do you love to read? Straight f/m? Bisexual f/f/m? Lesbian f/f? I’m half of the writing duo Adriana Kraft, and we love writing (and reading) all these pairings. Our newest release is a sapphic short story we wrote for an anthology over a decade ago, then revised and updated to release under our indie imprint. Is it really erotic romance? It’s definitely erotic, featuring one of my favorite f/f scenes as Natalie is caught between her fears and her desires in the middle of the night. Since it’s a short story, I’d call it happy-for-now, with a promising future.

And the inspiration? I love New York City, and we love setting stories there. I especially love it in the winter – Rockefeller center, with its giant tree and all the skaters, Central Park, Fifth Avenue with all the shoppers and window displays. Was I ever snowbound there? No, but I was stranded for two steamy August days during the great East Coast blackout of 2003.

Our conference was just concluding on the NYU campus in Greenwich Village when the power went out. When we left the building across from Washington Square Park, it seemed the entire city was on foot, rumors circulating wildly. Pretty quickly we knew it wasn’t just New York. With 9-11 less than two years behind us, there was speculation about the possibility of terrorism. I can’t remember how quickly that was dispelled with information about failure of the power grid in the heat wave. I do remember that several of us decided to walk the two miles north on Fifth Avenue to our hotel rather than try to board a bus. With no stoplights operating, traffic was basically gridlocked.

Part way back we found a Chinese restaurant with ready-to-go meals they had no way of keeping, and we bought supper, then sat and ate it on the steps of the beautiful beaux arts library at 42^nd Street. When we finally reached the hotel, the elevator was out of service, but the staff had set out small candles on every step of the narrow spiral staircase leading up from the lobby, a welcome sight.

So many flights were cancelled that it was clear we wouldn’t get out of the city for a couple days. Some power was restored by the next day, and a friend and I took advantage of the nearby Times Square box office to get last minute discount tickets for two shows. I don’t know what adventures our heroines Natalie and Bridgette might get up to after their bedroom adventure, but I’m sure they’ll find ways to enjoy the city.

 

ABOUT ADRIANA KRAFT

I’m Adriana Kraft, and I write both steamy romantic suspense and smoking hot erotic Romance. My husband – a criminologist – is my partner in crime. We’ve been writing romance together for twenty years and by now have published more than fifty novels and novellas.

Our goal? To write characters you’ll care about, hot sex scenes, and  compelling stories you can’t put down. Our romantic suspense novels deliver one man, one woman, danger, intrigue, and of course lots of steam. Our erotic romance is edgier and nearly always includes ménage or polyamory. As you’ve probably guessed, our romantic pairings include MF, FF, and the ménage arrangements FFM, FMF, MFM, foursomes, and more.

After many years in the upper Midwest struggling with ice-packed driveways and foot-deep snow, we gave my mother’s antiques to the kids, sold our house, and spent a couple years traveling the county in our motor home while working remotely. We especially loved spending several weeks in a region, learning its history and its less popular hidden gems. Santa Fe, Taos, Puget Sound, and the Black Hills were special favorites.

We now live in sunny southern Arizona, where we enjoy hiking, golf, and travel, especially to the many Arizona Native American historical sites. Oh – and if it’s too hot to go outside? We’ll probably hold an impromptu writing retreat. Arizona summers give us lots of opportunities.

AUTHOR LINKS

Blog: https://www.adrianakraft.com/blog

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Twitter https://twitter.com/AdrianaKraft

FaceBook Fan Page https://www.facebook.com/AdrianaKraftAuthor

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kraftadriana/

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Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/author/adrianakraft

GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1578571.Adriana_Kraft

BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/adriana-kraft

 

COVER REVEAL: "Checkout Love" by V.J. Allison (and More!)

 As promised, the new cover and new name of my short (short) story that was in the Together We Stand anthology in 2020…

  

©2022 Veridian Rose Designs

Checkout Love

By V.J. Allison

Tagline:

When two people are in love, social distancing cannot prevent them from being together.

 Vicki has been half in love with her friend and co-worker, Mason, since she started working at a grocery store eight months ago. When a pandemic reaches the province, social distancing protocols are installed, and their friendship is put on hold. A break at work brings them back together, but will they have the time Vicki hopes to pursue her hidden desires?

It took me only a few minutes to find the right photo on Deposit Photos, but it took a while to get the fonts, positioning, etc. just so, while talking to D.S. (Dawn) Dehel and Cameron Allie in Messenger.

 

Special thanks to:

Cameron Allie

Julie (JA) LaFrance

Maggie Blackbird

Sarah Kaulback

Jon Bradbury

Jesse (JS) Frankel

Rhonda McIntosh-Tipton

D.S. (Dawn) Dehel

 

In other news, I have permission to show off the cover I designed for D.S. (Dawn) Dehel! It’s so pretty!

  

Past Imperfect

by D.S. Dehel

Eve Tate's past romances have been imperfect, to say the least, and her recent--and very public--humiliating breakup has her swearing off men, but when sexy movie star Bastian Cahill wanders into her bedroom, she begins to rethink her vow. The problem is, her past is hot on her heels and could derail her future with Bastian. She must decide to stand and face the ex who stalks her instead of fleeing once again, or risk losing the man she loves.

Past Imperfect is available on Amazon Vella (US Customers). You can read it here: https://www.amazon.com/Past-Imperfect/dp/B09RSK998W/

Thanks for hiring me to do your cover, Dawn! It was so much fun designing it for you.

I hope you loved both of the covers, mine and Dawn’s. Have a great week everyone! I leave you with one of my favorite songs of all time, a cover of Wham’s “Careless Whisper” done by Seether.

Author Spotlight: Maggie Blackbird

Good morning everyone! Today, my dear friend and fellow eXtasy Books author MAGGIE BLACKBIRD drops by on her Author Spotlight Tour. Please give her a warm welcome and enjoy reading about her books, as well as an extra tidbit about her.

* * * *

Thanks to You 

by Maggie Blackbird 

Genre: Contemporary Romance Short Story 

She’s from the boundary waters of Northwestern Ontario, and he’s from a place his people call Waiekwakitchigami in northern Minnesota. Neither expects to meet, much less spend Thanksgiving together. 

Desperate for a Minneapolis getaway to prove she can break out of her by-the-numbers and by-the-book, disciplined life, divorcée Paulina Natawance doesn’t expect to have her truck break down outside the casino in Cloquet where she’s had lunch. Nor does she expect to encounter a handsome man with long, flowing black hair, ebony eyes, and a smile that could melt the ice cream she’s holding. 

While finishing up his shift at the Big Bear Casino, widower Tripp Beargrease isn’t looking forward to going home to celebrate Thanksgiving alone…again. But when he encounters a stunning Anishinaabe-kwe with legs to her neck, a tiny waist, and a pink, wet tongue licking an ice cream cone standing helpless at her dead vehicle, he’s more than willing to paddle his canoe to her rescue like a true warrior should. 

With the garage closed for the holiday and the hotels booked because of Thanksgiving, Tripp generously offers his dinner table for Paulina to dine at, and his spare bedroom for her to sleep in. And maybe, just maybe this proper woman can repair his broken heart. But her truck is ready the next day, and Paulina has a big decision to make—return to the boring, predictable life she’s created for herself, or throw away her day planner and take a huge gamble on Tripp. 

**Only .99 cents for the month of May from eXtasy Books!!**

Add to Goodreads

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo * eXtasyBooks * Smashwords * Bookstrand

Tied Up With a Bow 

by Maggie Blackbird 

Genre: M/M Contemporary Romance Short Story 

He’s got the perfect Christmas present for the community’s chief—vengeance wrapped in a shiny box with a red bow on top. 

Joseph Slade Indian isn’t angry. He’s pissed. Pissed that the man who threw over his love for glory and money is back, and now leads their Ojibway community as the new chief. Holding the pain deep in his chest, Slade knows how he’ll celebrate the most miserable day of the year—opening a gift of recompense after being dumped by the one man he dared to love. 

Gavin Pemmican is full of regret. He knows he made a big mistake leaving Slade for a materialistic dream of power and prestige. No longer the poor bullied misfit but an educated lawyer, he’s ready to put his skills to the biggest case of his life by brazenly challenging Slade in the kangaroo court of sexual torture he’s daring to stick Gavin in—and win back the only man he’s ever loved. 

** Get it 30% off for the month of May direct from eXtasy Books!!**

Add to Goodreads

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo * eXtasyBooks * Smashwords * Bookstrand

Dressed For Success 

by Maggie Blackbird 

Genre: Contemporary Romance Short Story 

Two wounded-in-love go-getters must decide if they’ll break their personal rule that cost them so much in the past by mixing business with pleasure. 

Divorcée Bebe Boshey flees her Ojibway community for the city of Thunder Bay to begin anew, landing a great job that affords her an independent lifestyle she covets and a great condo. Best of all, her silver fox boss thinks the world of her. She can’t help her attraction to him, but office dating is a huge no-no. 

Divorcé Alden Campbell is tired of spending his nights alone. And he’s also quite uncomfortable about his feelings for his ace real estate agent, Bebe. Even though they are strictly professional in their daily dealings, the sizzling chemistry ready to boil over between them is enough to shake him with fear, because he’s been there and done that. 

While they’re on a business trip together, a crafty playboy pushes Alden into making a big decision that might cost him dearly—pursue Bebe and break his rule of business-only, or let Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome work his charm on the one woman Alden wants to call his own. 

** Get it 30% off for the month of May direct from eXtasy Books!!**

Add to Goodreads

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo * eXtasyBooks * Smashwords

My Inspiration for Dressed for Success:

I enjoy real estate.  I really do.  One of my favourite shows is Love It or List It and its spin-off Love It or List It Vancouver.  I also adore the Property Brothers franchise—especially Buying and Selling.  All these shows deal with real estate.  They have the agents taking reality show contestants from home to home, showing them different houses the contestants can consider purchasing.

Since I tend to set most of my stories in the city of Thunder Bay in northwestern Ontario, I wanted to have my characters head for a destination where I had to stay for many a business trip in my former job.  I’m also a sucker for May/December romances, whether it’s an older man and a younger woman or an older woman and younger man.  I like the “older” of the two to be in a position of power, as well.

Power play is fun, especially when the younger character is driven to succeed, and not willing to risk losing the successes they’ve already accumulated that they might lose if they dare take a leap of faith and follow their heart.

So that was the basis for Dressed for Success.  Alden Campbell is a successful real estate broker with his own very successful business.  Bebe Boshey is starting over after her marriage that started as an office romance crashes.  Being an Ojibway woman, she knows the odds are stacked against her.  And being extremely ambitious, she is determined to achieve success.

Being such A-type personalities, neither likes losing.  And both have lost in the past by taking risks.  When their attraction for each other reaches a climax, they got some tough decisions to make.

I hope you enjoy the story!

After the Snow Melts 

by Maggie Blackbird 

Genre: M/M Contemporary Romance Short Story 

He’s got to find a way to tell his best friend that he wants him—or lose him forever. 

Rich, popular, and gorgeous Bryan Dechamps pines from afar for his best friend. He loathes the idea of helping Elliot score a date for the snow dance. With his time running out, Bryan must find a way to capture his buddy’s attention—and that means boldly leaving an anonymous card in his main man’s locker. 

Grateful for Bryan’s friendship ever since he moved from his Ojibway community to Thunder Bay to attend high school, Elliot Wasacase can’t disclose his true feelings, or he’ll lose the one true friend he has. Upon discovering an unsigned card in his locker from an admiring dude, he’s terrified someone knows his secret but suspects the person might be Bryan. 

When Bryan’s car breaks down, stranding them on top of the mountain during a snowstorm, the two must either take a leap of faith or let fear and clashing beliefs cost them what they truly desire. 

** Get it 30% off for the month of May direct from eXtasy Books!!**

Add to Goodreads

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo * DevineDestinies * Smashwords

An Ojibway from Northwestern Ontario, Maggie resides in the country with her husband and their fur babies, two beautiful Alaskan Malamutes. When she’s not writing, she can be found pulling weeds in the flower beds, mowing the huge lawn, walking the Mals deep in the bush, teeing up a ball at the golf course, fishing in the boat for walleye, or sitting on the deck at her sister’s house, making more wonderful memories with the people she loves most. 

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

$25 Gift Certificate from eXtasy Books/Devine Destinies 

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

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PREORDER: Tied Up with a Bow by Maggie Blackbird

Everyone please give a warm welcome to my dear friend and fellow eXtasy Books author MAGGIE BLACKBIRD, who has a short story coming out next week, TIED UP WITH A BOW. It looks like it's a fun and yummy read, so get your copy on preorder NOW!

Cover by Martine Jardin

He’s got the perfect Christmas present for the community’s chief—vengeance wrapped in a shiny box with a red bow on top.

Joseph Slade Indian isn’t angry. He’s pissed. Pissed that the man who threw over his love for glory and money is back, and now leads their Ojibway community as the new chief. Holding the pain deep in his chest, Slade knows how he’ll celebrate the most miserable day of the year—opening a gift of recompense after being dumped by the one man he dared to love.

Gavin Pemmican is full of regret. He knows he made a big mistake leaving Slade for a materialistic dream of power and prestige. No longer the poor bullied misfit but an educated lawyer, he’s ready to put his skills to the biggest case of his life by brazenly challenging Slade in the kangaroo court of sexual torture he’s daring to stick Gavin in—and win back the only man he’s ever loved.

Genre(s):  Multicultural, m/m contemporary romance, adult, LGBT.


Heat Rating: Level 4


Publication Date:  November 29, 2019


Publisher:  eXtasy Books

Purchase at eXtasy Books:  https://www.extasybooks.com/maggie-blackbird/978-1-4872-2731-3-tied-up-with-a-bow/

About the Author:  An Ojibway from Northwestern Ontario, Maggie resides in the country with her husband and their fur babies, two beautiful Alaskan Malamutes.  When she’s not writing, she can be found pulling weeds in the flower beds, mowing the huge lawn, walking the Mals deep in the bush, teeing up a ball at the golf course, fishing in the boat for walleye, or sitting on the deck at her sister’s house, making more wonderful memories with the people she loves most.

Web Site:  https://maggieblackbird.com/
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18176196.Maggie_Blackbird
Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/maggieblackbirdauthor/
BookBub:  https://www.bookbub.com/profile/maggie-blackbird
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/BlackbirdMaggie/

eXtasy Books:  https://www.extasybooks.com/maggie-blackbird/

Featured Release: Sanguineous by Diana Waters

Good morning everyone! My friend and fellow eXtasy Books author Diana Waters drops by with her newest release, a Halloween short story - Sanguineous. Enjoy!

* * * *

Book title: Sanguineous

Author: Diana Waters

Genre: Paranormal Horror/MM Romance

Publisher: eXtasy Books

Date published: October 25, 2019

Book length: Approx. 5,000 words

Blurb:

Sometimes the past really bites.
Niccolo, a vampire-turned-private detective, is living peacefully in New York with his lover, Felix—until, on the eve of a certain holiday, a late-night visitor from his past comes calling…
Sanguineous is a 5,000-word paranormal horror/gay romance short story in celebration of Halloween.

Excerpt:

“Ignoring me so easily? And the night before Halloween, too—tut tut.”

“Show yourself!” Niccolo shot up from his chair, the harsh squeal of the wheels underscoring his alarm. He could protect himself well enough, but Felix—

“Perhaps I will show myself, if only you would agree to do the same…oh, very well.” The other vampire materialized with no further fanfare. Then again, it was not as though he needed it.

Shock had Niccolo’s body prickling. He was suddenly cold. His mouth felt clumsy, his words were nowhere near as authoritative as he would have liked. “What do you want?”

“My, what a foolish question. I did say I would be back to fetch you, did I not?”

EXtasy buy link: https://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2721-4-sanguineous/

Author Bio: Diana is a New Zealand M/M romance author currently residing in New York. However, she has also lived and worked for several years in Japan and several months in Thailand. She has no idea where in the world she’ll be this time next year and is pretty okay with that. Other than reading and writing, her main passions include international travel, amateur photography and competitive swimming.

Author Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/diana.c.waters

Author Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/diana_waters
Author BookBub link: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/diana-waters

Author Twitter link: https://twitter.com/diana__waters

Meet the Author - ROUND TWO!

CONGRATS to SE White, who won a copy of STRICKEN in a random drawing today!

Today was my second MEET THE AUTHOR in Book Carousel, and although it started slow, it picked up and was going full tilt by the time my hour was up.  We had a few "Name Generators" and a Four Word Story rolling, and I shared photos of my mom and mother in law, each holding their paperback copies of Stricken.

THANK YOU AGAIN to eXtasy Books and Devine Destinies for having me! It was fun!

I'm unsure when my next round will be, but it will be sometime in the new year. I have to get on the ball more with actual writing and the dreaded EDITS and REVISIONS (GAG!) before I do any more public appearances. I think people are getting sick of seeing me give away copies of that book, it's time for new things to show up...

I'm finally going to answer a question I've been asked a lot lately:

What are you working on now?

I have FOUR projects currently on the go, in various stages of writing and editing.

Two are currently being drafted - a short story, and one that I hope will be novel length. I'm bouncing back and forth between them. The subject is ROMANCE... Duh! However, only my betas, a few trusted friends, and a few of my fellow authors and editors at eXtasy Books/Devine Destinies know the nitty gritty of my work, and it will stay that way until we deem it's okay to start sharing a bit more. I need titles for both, so I'll definitely be brainstorming with the gang.

I also have two finished drafts that are currently being overhauled. They had been written before I got on with eXtasy Books, so they need to be formatted to the way they want the pages, and other items that's required of a book published by them and Devine Destinies. It's a lot of work, I made a lot of mistakes in both, and they are full of JUNK. So far, the one lost over 20 K, it was all passive scenes and nonsense. Let's keep it simple! *wink!*

On that note, I should shut up and get back to work.... These stories do not sell themselves, you have to network, talk to other authors, give away free copies now and then, and promote, promote, PROMOTE yourself until you turn blue... And promote yourself some more!!!

Have a great week everyone! Don't forget that eXtasy Books has their STOCKING STUFFERS available starting DECEMBER 8th! My friend LYNN MICHAELS has her story "A Frostbite Christmas" coming out on Sunday, December 9th - GET IT! I dare you!!!

I leave you with my favorite song by GODSMACK, "Voodoo".