Drive. He’s a kinky dream come true—and her only protection from danger.

Book Title: Drive Author: Teresa Noelle Roberts Genre: Erotic Romance Release Date: February 9, 2016 Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

He’s a kinky dream come true—and her only protection from danger. Eight months after her (cheating, almost-ex) husband's death, Suzanne Mayhew has a plan to move on with her life. First step: sell off Frank's classic cars, starting with the red vintage Mustang convertible he never let her drive. Second step: get her unexplored kink on with a delicious younger man. Preferably the one an old friend sends around, ostensibly to check out the Mustang. Neil Callahan—Boston cop, Dom, fifteen years her junior. Neil feels the mutual sizzle, but if the blush staining her cheeks is any indication, her flirting skills are a little rusty. Though his instinct tells him to take things slow with the recent widow, he can’t resist inviting her along for a test drive—for the whole weekend. Throwing caution to the wind, Suzanne takes him up on it. But they’re barely out of the driveway when Neil’s cop instincts kick in. They’ve got a tail…and it looks dangerously like her ex’s secrets looming large—and deadly—in their rear-view mirror. Warning: Spies, lies and vile bad guys. A meddling BFF. Inappropriate use of kitchen tools. Completely appropriate use of rope and floggers. Your mileage may vary, depending on battery life.

The red Mustang with the FOR SALE sign on it was the second thing to catch Neil Callahan’s eyes, even though he’d been looking for it on this tree-lined suburban street of huge, handsome, but cloyingly similar houses. Cookie-cutter, but an expensive cookie cutter. The first thing he noticed was the ass and long, jean-clad legs of the woman cleaning the windshield of the classic convertible. The car was hot, a vintage Mustang—1965 or so, he thought—in near-showroom condition. Yet the car’s current owner drew his attention away from the vehicle. It said something about how tempting that butt was. How firm, yet curvy. How spankable… Which was definitely not what he should be thinking, unless he wanted to talk cars while sporting a mammoth hard-on. If this were porn, he could do that and find himself banging the callipygian redhead within thirty-five seconds, and she’d turn out to be as kinky as a cheap garden hose. But this was real life, so she’d probably pepper-spray him, or at least think of some good reason to cut the conversation short, leaving him without either the information he wanted on the car or a chance to flirt with her. Neil made himself ride a couple of blocks while thinking distinctly non-sexy thoughts about the details of the latest investigation at work (looked like a straightforward case of one drug dealer shooting another over money, but it was early yet) and the schematics of Ford engines from the ’70s. When he thought he could talk without sounding like a horny teenager, he whipped his vintage Indian motorcycle around and headed back. Probably the woman would have gone back indoors and he’d have to call but with luck, she’d come back out to answer his questions, so he could see if the rest of her was as impressive as the rear view. Then maybe he’d ask her if she’d like to get lunch sometime, or coffee, which could lead to all sorts of interesting places, including his bedroom, the inside of his favorite bondage club or… Down, boy! All the meeting was likely to lead to was finding out if he wanted to pursue the car, not the woman. She was probably married with kids, seeing as how she lived in a big house in upscale, suburban Bellwood, with the whole manicured-lawn thing going on. A far cry from his home base in Boston’s working-class Dorchester neighborhood, but one of his kink-community friends knew how badly he longed for a new project car and had mentioned seeing a Mustang for sale in this area. Not that this car looked like a project. More like it had been someone’s precious baby, lovingly maintained all these years, and would be out his price range, even if his dad wanted to go in on it. Their usual project cars were more the “three tubs of parts and a frame” kind. But he could always drool. Whether he’d be drooling more over the car or the woman was an excellent question. When he pulled up, the woman was still out front, idly adjusting the FOR SALE sign, which had been resting on the bumper but was now in a more prominent position on the windshield. The rest of her looked just as good as the rear view suggested. Older than he was, early to mid-forties, he’d guess, to his thirty—the perfect age, in his opinion. Older women were more confident, as a rule, more in touch with their own sexual needs and less likely to use the submissive role as an excuse to avoid responsibility. A guy could dream. Just like he could dream he could afford the car.

Teresa Noelle Roberts started writing stories in kindergarten and she hasn’t stopped yet. A prolific author of short erotica, she’s also a published poet and fantasy writer—but hot paranormals, sexy science fiction romances and BDSM-spiced contemporaries have become her favorites. Teresa is a crunchy granola girl who enjoys belly dance, yoga, cooking, hiking, playing in the ocean and growing more vegetables than she and her husband can possibly eat. She’d enjoy sleeping too. She thinks. But it takes so much time! She shares her home in southern Massachusetts with her husband—a Leo in law enforcement—and three cats. She and her husband often plan vacations around food,history and/or proximity to water. Find out more about Teresa at www.teresanoelleroberts.com. If you’d rather be conversational, find her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TeresNoeRoberts or become a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/AuthorTeresaNoelleRoberts. She also hangs out on Pinterest, sharing pictures of hot cars, hotter men and other inspirational imagery, at www.pinterest.com/teresanoellerob.

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More-than-Human Characters and Why I Love Them--Roxy Mews NEW RELEASE

photo credit: FOR HUMANS ONLY via photopin (license)

I'm so thrilled to have Roxy back! And has she got a great post for us today. Settle back and enjoy!

In fiction we play with extreme situations, because really, no one wants to read about the big strong hero folding laundry. (Although I would definitely pay to see that in real life.) And in playing with these extreme situations we want to have our characters react in fantastical ways.

In certain genres we have even more room to play. If we are writing about a vampire, we can show how he feels by the way he moves or the way his body reacts to another person. When my hero, Jake Meyers, is in deep thought his body ceases all movement, including breathing and blood flow.

My heroine in Coral-600, uses CPU’s to transmit reports to the lab she was created in, and certain bodily reactions cause very interesting data to be transmitted. This allowed me to give specific data to those in charge of her to prove her humanity in quantifiable ways.

And if we want something to happen for a story line, even if it’s not “believable” we can alter the world we are building to make it believable. We still have to follow lines of continuity and we still have to follow the rules we have laid out for our universe, but it’s our world to play with when we’re writing in Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, or SciFi.

Characters don’t always act the way I want them to. And there have been some instances where I have had to go back to the beginning of a manuscript and change major parts of the world, because the character I want wouldn’t exist otherwise.

When that happens I am usually in a corner rocking and hoping the editing fairy will visit me and fix the mess I wrote myself into. Turns out the editing fairy doesn’t exist and after a substantial glass of wine I get myself under control and fix it my darn self.

My books revolve around my characters, and creating worlds in which I can give them their happily ever afters. So when my character needs to be able to use mind control, I have to make him a vampire capable of compulsion. When my character needs to have the ability to smell someone from across the street, I make him a werewolf with heightened senses.

So far I’ve played with Vampires, Werewolves, Hybrids, Witches, and Robots. They all have had different stories to tell, but it was a blast letting them show me their worlds. I can’t wait to see where my characters take me next.

What is your favorite paranormal character to read or write about?

Roxy's latest in The DMA Files series, Interlocking Hearts, is available for preorder!
Amazon | Barnes & Noble |  iBooks | Google Play | All Romance Ebooks | Samhain Publishing Store | KOBO

Interlocking Hearts releases today!

The DMA Files, Book 2
After her husband threw her out, Paisley Compton drew her sexuality around her like a shield. She finds solid ground as a palace maid until, during a formal dinner service, she trips onto the lap of a man who takes her breath away.

Ben has always known Jon is far more than property, and he jumps at the chance to get the android his certificate of humanity. Paisley—whose abilities far exceed her job title—is a welcome distraction from the bureaucracy.

Used and abused by his former owners, Jon trusts no one—particularly the smartass woman who’s caught Ben’s eye. He might not be certified human yet, but he has all the right parts to get to the bottom of this sexy mystery wrapped in a maid’s uniform.

Their attraction sparks unexpected new conduits among them, but when they realize Jon’s certificate comes with a terrible price, they must risk everything to foil an Anti-Mech plot—and hope they survive to lose themselves in each other’s arms.

Product Warnings: Overheating is likely. The mechanics in these pages require ample lubrication to perform at optimum levels. When possible, multiple system operators are recommended. 

Kindle | Nook | Samhain

Roxy wrote her first story at age six on an electric typewriter. It was about a cat and a haunted house. Thankfully, her stories and technology have matured since then. Now Roxy spends her days fighting the evil day job in hopes of conquering the stories that run rampant in her head when she comes home at night. When she discovered Erotic Romance, Roxy fell in love. She can’t wait to share all her fun and sexy stories with everyone. To connect with Roxy Mews find her babbling on Twitter, friend her on Facebook, visit her Blog, or find all these links on RoxyRocksMe.com

February 1T Status Update

So (big problem for an author) I'm never sure how soon to reveal a cover. I've got a new one for August's release Mind Mates, and frankly, it's stunning. And I'm aching to show it off*...but. But what if I show it off now and in August y'all see it again and don't buy it, thinking you got it in February?

What about you? When do you reveal a cover?

I have a Mind Mates blurb too, but I'm sitting on it. Grrr! GOTTA REVEAL SOMETHING...how about an initial blurb from March's release, Cin Wikkid: April Fools For Love?

Cin Wikkid--a fairy tale romance with a twist.

THE WRONGED DAUGHTER
Cinderella hungers to escape from under Widow Wikkid's grinding thumb. But to snare a plum job at Prince Industries, Cin desperately needs her degree, and she can't wrap her mind around tax accounting.
Then scarred but sexy Rafe Montoya ignites her imagination with his brilliant tutoring—and, as they work together in his cozy apartment, he sets her body on fire. So why is he pushing her to attend Gideon Prince's marriage-mart ball?

THE HANDSOME PRINCE
Rafe is really Gideon Prince, head of Prince Industries. He must name his bride by his April first birthday or suffer the loss of his family fortune. Rumors say he's still single because women love his money and looks, not him. Is he lonely or just another duplicitous tycoon?

THE GLASS SLIPPER TEST
Hopefuls flock to Prince's birthday ball, but only one will emerge triumphant. Only the woman who's kind, wise, and generous will win his heart. Is it Cin, or will her stepmother, as she always does, snatch the prize for her own daughters?
And on the night of the ball, when Cin discovers Rafe’s true identity, can she even accept his final test?

Warning: Rags-to-riches fairytale meets the texting generation. Stepsisters who are a blush-brush shy of a full makeup set, and a ball gown built like a tank. Contains material intended for mature audiences. Reader discretion advised.

News this month:

• Mind Mates blurb and cover finalized
• Mind Mates goes into edits
• Cin Wikkid back from the editor
• Cin Wikkid cover coming soon
• April Fools For Love 2016 party set
• Cin Wikkid blog tour being put together

* Okay, I couldn't just NOT show off the Mind Mates cover. If you really want to see it (and promise to remember it's new in August) it's part of the cover slideshow on my bio page and here on the blog.

4T Olio--a Book I've Enjoyed

I have to admit, between deadlines and practicing flute and trying to keep up with all the other various things that life demands between, I get very little time to read for pleasure any more. But I thought I'd share a few of those books I have read, and why I enjoyed them.

The Annihilation Score by Charles Stross.

I love the Laundry Files. Why?

• Stross plays with the English language in new and brilliant ways.
• Bob, the lead character is a geek!
• Computer geek turned occult master, what's not to love?
• Who else can make such pithy observations about bureaucracy?
• Did I mention how funny Stross is?

This one's different. Why?

• The lead character is Mo, Bob's wife.
• She's a musician
• The series story arc has taken a dark turn.

There are many, many people who have not connected with Mo. It took me a while to work through my own feelings during and after reading the story. But I think this book was amazing. Why?

• Stross shows Mo as being numb emotionally because of what's happened instead of telling the reader flat-out. (I think that's why the bad reviews. Some readers have to be told, not shown.)
• Despite a darker story, Stross is still amazing with his on-point, brilliant writing.

I am afraid the series story arc will go to a place I can't follow. But I still think this author is amazing.

The Annihilation Score is available for Kindle and Nook as well as in print where good books are sold.

Frankly, I disliked doing book reports as a child. I just wanted to read the story, experience the adventure and the emotion. But I do want to share my favorites with you. Hope you enjoyed this glimpse into a book I've enjoyed!

3T Writing Tidbit

Today I need to write a story.

Well, actually, I'm struggling with the plot for my 2016 April Fools For Love story. I'm struggling toward a goal, which is actually the first thing all the writing texts say you need--

A protagonist with a strong need or want. A goal.

But here's the thing, I'm toying with the idea of a Cinderella story, and trying to fit my heroine to that story's plot and I discovered--

Cinderella doesn't have a goal.

Think about it. She's got a terrible situation, stuck in a no-pay dead-end family/job with stepsisters/coworkers who trash talk her and dump on her and a stepmother/boss who despises her. But who gets her out of that situation?

The fairy godmother, then the prince. She's rescued, the exact thing all the writing books tell us not to do!! (and !!)

Don't get me wrong. I think a woman with a goal is more interesting--for example, the woman with the tattoos and no memory abandoned naked in New York (television show Blindspot) became a lot more interesting to me when she (*spoiler*) revealed she knew how to fight.

But that's not the Cinderella story. Nor is it the Sleeping Beauty story or many other princess tales. So what are those and how the heck did the writing teachers miss the fact that they're super popular?!?

I think (shh) they're morality tales. Stories that tell us the good gals get rewarded in the end and the bad guys get punished. That give hope to the downtrodden, that tell us sometimes things change without us doing anything but being ourselves and eventually win us through all the trials and tribulations.

That if we stick to being good, we'll be rewarded.

So now I have a choice. Which would you do? Do I tell an active story with a striving protagonist or an April Fools morality tale?

Published since 2009, over the years I've accumulated various items of writing wisdom. The Third Tuesday Writing Tidbit showcases these items in no particular order. Click here to see all 3T Tidbits.

2T Repeat Performance

January 2015 at Lust With a Laugh--Happy New Year!

• Being "One of the Girls"
• A New Year...A New Goal...A New Book!
• It's research. No, really. I swear.
• Have a Mashup New Year!

January 1T Status Update

photo credit: Happy New Year via photopin (license)

Happy 2016 everyone!!

Have you seen the new Star Wars movie? I hope to have by the time this publishes. The original actors have aged--well, we ALL have, and aging sure beats the alternative--but it's as good a reminder as any that time marches on.

Passion Bites was released last month, and we had a blow-out bash celebrating, Alexis's sister's book at 99c for two weeks (um, actually a little more at some vendors ;) ). But now it's January and I have some new releases coming.

• January 18, He's the Boss from Crimson Romance releases. If you haven't read Edie and the CEO, now's your chance to get it packaged with 9 other great romances.
• February will see the release of my first menage under a pen name. SL Carpenter also has a release fpr our Leap Year theme duo.
• March will be another April Fools for Love! Mine is a contemporary Cinderella-based tale, working title Glass Slipper Inc.
• August is the big month with Mind Mates, the second book in the Pull of the Moon trilogy, scheduled from Samhain Publishing.