I Cannot Tell A Lie...

I like imperfect heroes. Since this is Presidents' Day, it's a perfect time to be thinking about heroes. Today honors two of our most famous leaders: "The Father of Our Country" and "The Great Emancipator." George Washington and Abraham Lincoln both have monuments dedicated to them in our nation's capital. Legend has made them larger than life. But neither man was made of marble. Biography reveals their humanity.


Being human means being imperfect. The question is, how imperfect can a hero be and still be a hero? That's what I had to deal with when writing my second erotic romance, "Take This Man." The man in question is Adam Vostek, who appeared as a secondary character in my first book. In that story, Adam was a cynical loudmouth who didn't have anything good to say about love. Though I liked Adam, I wasn't sure I could make him sympathetic enough for readers. How could I go about doing that? Well, put him through the wringer of course! Emotionally, that is.


The biggest mistake of Elyse Zemanski's life was falling in love with Adam. When a night of sexual fantasy went too far, she was crushed and couldn't leave town fast enough.

The biggest mistake of Adam Vostek's life was letting Elyse go. He'd been afraid of the love she promised, and pushed her away—into another man's arms…and bed.

When Elyse returns to Summit to help a friend, Adam wants a second chance to prove he’s worthy—in and out of the bedroom. She claims she's over him but one look from those smoldering eyes, and she throws caution to the wind. Elyse offers him seven days of wild sex, hoping to get him out of her system.

Adam's good to go on the sex. But will a week be enough to win back Elyse's love and trust?


Adam needs to prove himself to Elyse—prove that he loves her after letting her down. She doesn't make it easy for him, because she's just as hard-headed as he is. But she needs to face a few truths about herself, too. They both need to let go of the past in order to forgive and move forward.


Today I'm giving away an e-copy of "Take This Man" to a random commenter. Please leave a comment today about what qualities you think make a good hero. Or about a special hero in your life! Thanks so much.

Nona Raines

P.S.—George Washington never chopped down a cherry tree. ;-)

To read an excerpt or to purchase "Take This Man", click here
To learn more about Nona and her books, visit http://www.nonaraines.com/

Exceeding Boundaries by Mia Downing

Exceeding Boundaries
by Mia Downing

Lawyer Megan Connors wants a man, one that will wine her, dine her, and help her to forget the pain of a date rape she experienced as a teen. Her boss, Adam Wentworth, is just the man--tall, dark-haired, blue-eyed, and a confirmed player. He's perfect for a weekend of non-committal sex that will entice her inner woman out to play for good. So Megan devises a plan for seduction, one that will lure Adam into her arms.

Adam has been attracted to Megan since day one, but his preference for dominance and her fragile air kept him at bay. Megan's kiss under forgotten mistletoe is just the fuel his lust needs to exceed the boundaries she once put in place. He's game, but he wants more than a weekend with the vulnerable yet sexy Megan.

When the weekend is over, will Megan allow the past to keep her bound or can Adam convince her she’s strong enough to submit.

Click here to read an excerpt.

Aloha From Hawaii! by Lelani Black

Visiting the islands anytime soon? Bring lots of sunblock, and your joyful spirit of Aloha! It means Hello, and Goodbye…Here are a few interesting Hawaiian island facts...Movies/television series filmed in Hawaii or in a Hawaiian setting:Princess Kai’ulani, Lilo and Stitch, LOST, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Hawaii Five-0 (current series, ages ago the original show starred Jack Lord), Jurassic Park, Pearl Harbor (Ben Afflect, Kate Beckinsale, Josh Hartnett), Honeymoon in Vegas, Magnum PI

These are the magnificent koi fish at the world-class shopping mall of Ala Moana Center, in Honolulu.Did you know...There are eight islands in the Hawaiian chain of islands. The Big Island of Hawaii boasts an active volcano, and snow capped mountaintops, coffee from the Kona region, and an island winery. Everyone is a minority in Hawaii, with many residents being of mixed race. The rainiest place on earth is on the island of Kauai. Hawaii doesn’t observe Daylight Savings Time. Hawaii is the only state in the union that was an independent monarch state—the only state that possessed its own Hawaiian sovereignty until the monarchy was overthrown by a small, but powerful group of businessmen. In 1993, President Clinton signed a Congressional resolution in which the US government apologized to the Native Hawaiian people for its conspiracy, and role, in the illegal overthrow of the lawful island kingdom. Iolani Palace, located in downtown Honolulu, is the only royal palace in the United States. Hawaii has cowboys!! Called paniolos, many are descendants of Mexican vaqueros invited to the islands to help Hawaiians manage cowherds that were running wild in the countryside. And now I give to you...Diamond Head!

* Lelani Black is a multi-published author of Erotic Romance. She was born and raised in the tropics and spent many lazy days on island beaches. She can be found in the midnight hour in front of her computer spinning spicy stories that require romantic backdrops and sexy heroes and heroines. Find her stories here at the Wilder Roses and visit her at her website. http://www.lelaniblack.com

Sweet Restraint by Becca Dale

Sweet Restraint
by Becca Dale

Savannah Jensen’s well-planned life offers everything a woman could want except a driving passion to override self-imposed rules. At twenty-nine, the clock isn’t screaming, but it has begun to tick loudly, so when a friend convinces her to attend a bridal blow-out sale, she’s not exactly excited about the reminder that she is alone, especially when a gorgeous man sweeps her into a sensual dance that threatens everything she has ever believed in.

Gavin Ferguson doesn’t believe love exists, but when he picks up the tuxedos for his sister’s wedding, fate, lust, and the family curse throw him a curve. Suddenly, he longs to convince the beautiful woman in ivory that she should be his—at least until he can sate the sexual fire she ignites. Yet, distrust born of disappointment and betrayal insists he protect his heart from the lie of perpetual happiness shining in her eyes.

Once Savannah and Gavin dance, raw desire, too hot to ignore, sweeps them toward insanity with nothing to cling to except sweet restraint.

Click here to read an excerpt.

Out Of Control by Desiree Holt

Out Of Control
by Desiree Holt

Twenty five years ago Carrie Nolan was the only victim to survive the killing spree of a pedophile. Her life has been frozen in time, and not even a move to a distant city and a name change has healed the wounds that left her emotionally and sexually scarred. Determined finally to reclaim her life, Carrie returns to High Ridge as multi-published crime novelist, Dana Moretti, in hope of asking the questions that would lay her nightmares to rest.

Sheriff Cole Landry, came to High Ridge to escape the horrors of Iraq and Afghanistan, but soon after the sexy author arrives and starts poking her nose into matters best forgotten, his town once again becomes the hunting ground of a ruthless killer. She's sure it's the same man, and he's not all that convinced she's wrong. Keeping Dana safe means keeping her close--very close--under his protection, under him.

Between her sexual need for Cole and the danger lurking behind every stranger's face, her world is spinning out of control.

Click here to read an excerpt.