Postcasting and Blogging This Week

I've added a new chapter excerpt podcast this week. This one is for my historical erotic romance "The Diary of Lillian Manchester: The Stranger." This story is now available at Amber Quill Press (www.amberheat.com).

Slade McCord, scarred by his past, arrives in the Arizona Territory on a mission. Lillian Manchester recognizes him as the only man to tame her restless, wildfire heart. His secret objective and his inability to trust could jeopardize not only their lives, but Slade's last chance for salvation.


Also this week, I was blogging at the Servants of the Muse blog. Find out what I had to say about "Breaking Down, the Muse, and Me." Such are the joys, and inspiration, of owning a car, and having a fertile imagination.

Adrianna

An excerpt from The Midas Bride (explicit)

Title: The Midas Bride
Author: Adrianna Dane

Purchase Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberHeat/MidasBride.html
Author URL: http://www.adriannadane.com
Publisher: Amber Quill Press/Amber Heat

ISBN: 978-1-60272-097-8

Cover Art by Trace Edward Zaber


SYNOPSIS:

Once upon a time there was a modern woman who wasn't looking for prince charming. Not anymore. But there was indeed a prince who needed to find his princess bride or suffer the full effects of the curse brought down upon his family. He tossed a magic coin out into the world in hopes of finding his true soul mate–the one woman who could tame the beast inside his soul and halt the curse. Only her love could save him. But will a greedy witch find her first and destroy his one chance at happiness?

Excerpt:

This was the first he had seen his bride—a photo of her naked and bound to a bed.

Anger burned inside him. Had it been Darth who touched his bride, or the witch? A red haze blurred his vision. He wanted to rip out their hearts for doing this to her. It was not the way it should have been. He had meant to woo his bride, to show her the human side of himself before unveiling the secrets. He wanted her to love him before he revealed his true self. It was not fair to have brought her to this. She would be frightened when she discovered the truth. She would be angry.

It should have been different and he would make them pay for what they had done to her. The photograph showed her bound and spread out on a bed. They'd undressed her and she lay there naked and exposed. He felt the rage building like a tornado, gathering speed as it gripped him. The beast would overtake him if he wasn't careful.

Maybe that's what they wanted.

This was his woman they had misused. And they would pay dearly for having dared to touch her. He picked up the scrap of blouse that had also been enclosed in the envelope from the desk and lifted it to his face, inhaling her scent. His cock thickened, needy to claim her, to mark her as his.

They would have their map, damn them, though it would do them no good. Having the touch was not something these greedy kidnappers would be prepared for. Maybe it's exactly what they deserved.

He walked to the other side of the room and opened the ornate box, removing an ancient rolled-up map tied with a strip of rawhide. He had sent for it yesterday, as soon as he received the envelope. Their possession of the map would not bring them what they expected. By the time he returned to his home with his bride, Darth and Moreen would have met their fate. They would get everything they deserved for eternity. If they wanted the location of the river they would have it and everything it entailed.

He inserted the map into the inside pocket of his tan suede jacket. He turned back to the desk and picked up the photograph, gazing down at it. Her long hair lay in disarray trailing over the pillow. Her body was lush and ripe, not thin and gaunt as was the fashion. Her mouth, even in repose was sensuously inviting. Her long legs looked silky and he ached to stroke them, to be certain she was real.

He crumpled the picture in his fist. They had touched her, violated his woman, his bride. He felt the change beginning to assert itself. If he allowed it to consume him now, he would never regain control in time to make the exchange. His need for her was too great. If he allowed anything to happen to her, there would never be another to take her place.

He flung the crumpled photograph across the room, whirled around and stalked out the doorway, hurrying toward the elevator and down to the car waiting in front of the hotel. The chauffeur quickly came around to open the door of the sleek car for him. Lyon shook his head.

"No, I'm driving myself."

Adrianna

The Lydian Lion and Temptation's Price

A while back I was doing some research about coins and I came across an interesting article entitled "A Case for the World's First Coin: The Lydian Lion." Now I don't know about you, but just the name of the coin yelled SHAPESHIFTER!! to me. The more I read about the coin and its fascinating history, the more intrigued I became.

The Lydian Lion, according to this article, preceded ancient Greek coinage which is apparently the basis for all Western coinage. It is thought that these coins were first used by the government and were minted in electrum, an alloy of gold and silver. This first coinage wasn't used in the same manner that currency is used in transactions today, and in fact, may very well have been used for strictly government/official business and controlled by the ruling body, possibly offered as gifts in treaty ceremonies, wedding presents, etc.

So I see wedding presents, and I think "bride price." Oh, but it has ended up being so much more than that...after all, my coin, is a MAGICAL coin.

Bits and pieces from the history revealed in this article is what led to my creation of the myth surround The Midas Bride. It really is exciting to research--one of my favorite parts of story writing. And then I love twisting it around and reshaping, and embellishing, and...


So, guess what? This weekend the Temptation's Price AmberPax is scheduled for release. I'm pretty excited about it. We've created a new video trailer for this collection and you can view it at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPQX4qmcX2Q

I so enjoyed writing "The Midas Bride" and creating its underlying mythical basis which involves King Croesus and King Midas. I'm pleased that I came across that article and which has led to my story and just sort of took off from there with a "what if." It's a bit of an erotic shapeshifting fairytale involving a magical coin (not exactly THE coin). Watch for another of my Midian white lion shapeshifters in an upcoming story.

Enjoy your weekend!

Adrianna

This Week's Podcast: Sea Sentinel, Ep. 1: From the Waters

I've just broadcast the first chapter excerpt from Sea Sentinel, Ep. 1: From the Waters.

Here's a little about this story:

Elana Del Rio witnessed something that almost killed her. Until, alone in the middle of the ocean, something unknown, only whispered about, rescued her. Half man-half creature, all primitive lover, he breathed life back into her and claimed her in the most primitive, life-affirming sexual encounter she had ever experienced. She had heard rumors of a being who guarded the seas from man-made dangers and destruction and thought it a myth. He was known as the Sea Sentinel and his powers far surpassed any of those known to mortal man.

Listen and/or download this free chapter and others at: http://adriannadane.podomatic.com/

Have a great weekend!

Adrianna

A Change in the Air

I was standing outside this morning and it was around six a.m. I was waiting for Mikala to finish investigating and I was sipping at my first cup of coffee for the day. I could sense the subtle change in temperature and could feel the pull of autumn just beginning to awaken.

The fall is my favorite time of year. We've lived on the East Coast and now the West Coast and what I love best is the change of seasons. Sometimes we ease quietly one into the other, and sometimes it's a quick burst. But no matter what way it happens, I love to watch the changes around me.

I live in a fairly rural part of the state and I walk out to the backyard where the blackberry bushes, in all their thorny glory, grow and a field beyond that, leading into a forest at the back, and farmland beyond that. So I get a good glimpse as the vivd rust and golden colors of fall begin to erupt and the brisk change in temperature begins to alter. I can smell and taste and see the changes taking place in the land. When I begin to hear the call of the geese as they fly overhead, leaving us for the winter, then I'll know fall has truly arrived in my part of the world.

In some ways the land is preparing for hibernation and I'm just waking up. I always have been a bit contrary.

I find that many of the stories I write take place in late summer and early fall. Several of the stories in my latest anthology, "Esmerelda's Lovers," take place in that time of year.

There's just something about the air in autumn. The clean briskness wakes you up, makes you more aware of what's around you. It's why I've always enjoyed living in areas of the country that court the four seasons clearly. Each one has a uniqueness all it's own. I guess we all have our favorites. Which season stirs the romance in your soul? Makes you feel more alive?

Adrianna

Tempt Me Not - an excerpt from my latest release

Title: Tempt Me Not
Author: Adrianna Dane
Publisher Purchase Link: TemptMeNot
Author Website: Adrianna Dane Website
ISBN: 978-1-60272-087-9

Blurb:

In a moment of weakness and bad choice, Diantha made a deal with a seductive demon. Zacchias wants something from Diantha that she's unwilling to give. Asher has also made a deal with Zacchias. If Diantha breaks her contract by making love with Asher, she will lose her soul. If she does as Zacchias wants, she could lose much more, including a love she has only just discovered. Scorched by the seductive flame of temptation, love will find a way.

Excerpt:

“I want him, but I can’t have him. The temptation is too much,” she whispered as she opened the drawer and pulled out the dildo she’d used infrequently since her arrival at Zacchias’s stronghold. But Asher Smith drew feelings and desires from deep within her that she long thought were dead and buried. Her body now told her that they weren’t and she needed to do something before she lost control.

There was no relief of daylight here, only the thick, clinging blackness of night, a suitable home for a twisted demon. It was his job to tempt, and he embraced his role with enthusiasm and devilish delight.

Diantha climbed onto the bed and spread her legs, pressing the instrument of pleasure against her wet opening. She leaned back and closed her eyes as she pressed inward, her greedy lips separating and accepting the phallus into her body.

Tonight, for the first time, she’d met Zacchias’s latest mortal acquisition—Asher Smith. One look and her heart had pumped faster than a speeding train heading toward collision. She knew he was the temptation she might be unable to resist.

Using her other hand, she swirled a finger over her clit, driving herself toward oblivion, away from this room. She imagined it was Asher’s cock burrowing deep and she arched and pressed deeper, gasping at the penetration.

He came from her world and still retained his soul. Like her. Dressed in a black tuxedo and pristine white shirt, he’d entered the dining hall accompanied by Zacchias, a soulless woman clinging to each arm.

Diantha studied him from her relaxed position seated in a leopard-patterned armchair situated next to the fireplace. A mantel overpainted with scenes of gigantic, predatory, mythical beasts overpowered the room, standing guard. Waiting for the perfect moment to pounce. Just like Zacchias. It was a room she had come to hate. Just like Zacchias.

Presentiment spilled over her as it seemed she gazed into the eyes of her destruction. Rising from the overstuffed chair, she sauntered across the room to greet Zacchias with a kiss to his smooth, chiseled jaw.

“Welcome back,” she murmured. Then her gaze turned to the man and she studied him closely. He was probably not much older than herself, perhaps in his mid thirties. “I see you’ve brought someone with you.”

The women were touching him, sliding their hands over the silky smoothness of the jacket he wore, rubbing against him. One of them inched her hand below to cup the front of his trousers, smiling up at him lasciviously.

“Enough, ladies,” Zacchias commanded. “Leave us.”

The women pouted but did as he asked, slinking out of the room, leaving the three of them alone, silently surveying each other.

Zacchias reached for her arm, linking it through his own, and they moved back into the main part of the dining room.

“Pour us a couple of drinks, my dear.” He walked toward the striped, black and white settee on the opposite side of the fireplace.

Diantha poured whiskey into two etched glasses and tracked across the room to hand them their drinks. First she offered Zacchias his drink and then she turned to the other man. Their fingers touched briefly as he reached for it, and she inhaled sharply at the connection.

“You like him,” Zacchias purred softly from behind her. She straightened and turned toward him, smoothing her expression. She knew better than to expose her thoughts to him.

He was staring at her, studying her reactions. He raised the glass into the air. “To new associations. May they lead to fruitful endeavors.”

Adrianna
"Passionate stories with adventurous heart"
www.adriannadane.com
www.midnight-pearl.com
www.myspace.com/adriannadane