Oy...it's been a while since I've been here. Sorry! I have a good excuse.

Two weekends ago I went to an awesome weekend writers workshop and left my laptop at home. (And if you've never listened to Michael Hauge, and you're a writer, your really should find where he's speaking and go listen. The man is amazing.) My kids played on my laptop while I was gone and somehow downloaded a virus which has totally mucked up my system. After a week of trying to clean it up I have nearly everything working except for Google. And since blogger works off Google log-in info...yeah. I haven't been able to blog. Grrrrrrrrrr... Right now I'm on the netbook but hoping to get my regular laptop back up and running soon. (Oh please, oh please, oh please...)

Aside from working on pulling my eyebrows out over the computer issue, I've been working on TEMPTED (Eternal Guardians book 3). The book is going good and I'm loving the characters.

In other news, I got an A+ review today on STOLEN SEDUCTION from The Good The Bad & the Unread! I can't remember the last time I got an A+ on anything! My good friend (and fellow writer) Kristina McMorris has a way of keeping me firmly rooted in reality, however. When I told her about the review, she said, "...do you really think it's a healthy policy to award a PERFECT grade to any author? I mean, where does an author aspire to go from there? Basically, they're saying you just penned "The Sixth Sense" as one of your first books. And we all know what happened to THAT director since. All downhill from there." Ah, thank goodness for friends who know how to bring everything back into focus. LOL

So let's see...in other news...I have a few ARCs of MARKED left and I'm thinking of running a newsletter contest. If you haven't signed up for my newsletter...go do it soon!!! (The sign up form is on the bottom of the home page.) You just never know when I'm gonna start handing out ARCs!

Oh! And I almost forgot! Stay tuned because my new updated website is going to go live sometime this month! It's really really really really awesome (did I say really? Trust me. It's REALLY awesome.)

Hope you're all well.

This press release went out yesterday and I thought I'd share:

DorchesterPublishing

02/03/10 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dorchester Announces Its New Pledge

Publisher Promises Fulfilling Reader Experience & Guarantees Satisfaction

New York, NY-Dorchester Publishing is proud to introduce its Publisher's Pledge program, a bold, new marketing initiative created to launch the careers of the next generation of genre superstars. A privately owned publisher of mass-market original fiction, Dorchester has a long, storied history of discovering the most exciting names in genre fiction, including Victoria Alexander, Christine Feehan, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Katie MacAlister and Lynsay Sands.

Next year marks the firm's 40th anniversary, which prompted the company to redouble its commitment to the discovery and nurturing of the needs of new authors, thus reinforcing its founding philosophy.

"Publisher's Pledge is a reaffirmation of the business model Dorchester has always prided itself on," stated Brooke Borneman, Director of Sales and Marketing. "Our strength has been identifying emerging voices and trends in the industry rather than chasing bestsellers. Our intent is to reestablish ourselves in the market as the publisher authors and agents turn to first to introduce new talent. Dorchester has proven countless times-through our innovative marketing, tireless dedication and willingness to take chances-that we are uniquely qualified for this special and vital niche. This program represents our commitment-our pledge, if you will-to everyone in the book publishing community."

Launching in April 2010, the Publisher's Pledge program will be supported by online and national print advertising; bookstore mailings; press release and ARC campaigns to media, reviewers, bloggers, retailers, libraries and consumers; lead features in bookseller, library and consumer e-newsletters; consumer contests and buzz campaigns through social networking sites; and a money-back guarantee for readers.

The first Publisher's Pledge title will be Barbara Monajem's Sunrise in a Garden of Love & Evil (April 2010), an erotically charged urban fantasy in the same vein as Charlaine Harris. Additional titles include Elisabeth Naughton's Marked (May 2010), a darkly sensual paranormal romance inspired by Greek mythology that will appeal to fans of Sherrilyn Kenyon; Christie Craig's Shut Up and Kiss Me (June 2010), a delightfully quirky romantic mystery that will appeal to fans of Janet Evanovich; and Erin Kellison's back-to-back debuts Shadow Bound (July 2010) and Shadow Fall (August 2010), the first two releases in a riveting post-apocalyptic series that fuses dark fantasy, science fiction, horror and romantic suspense.

Additional information about the books selected for Dorchester's Publisher's Pledge program will be available on www.dorchesterpub.com in March 2010.

***
Sweet, huh? Anytime I'm compared to Sherrilyn Kenyon, I'll take it. ;)

In other news...BookBinge gave STOLEN SEDUCTION an awesome review yesterday. Take a peek here.

And today I'm hosting the RomCom Forum. The topic is Getting Your Romance Fix. Hop over and say hi! I'm giving away books!

Also, the contest for an ARC of MARKED is still open through tomorrow. Winner announced on Saturday. Don't miss out on a chance to get a sneak peek at my new series. See post below on how to enter.

In case you haven't heard, I'm here spreading the news! STOLEN SEDUCTION officially releases today, which means you should be able to find it, well, everywhere!

A missing bronze holds the key to a decade’s-old murder. To prove her innocence, she’ll have to partner up with the sexy homicide detective who has the power to steal more than her freedom—if she’s not careful, he may just steal her heart…

STOLEN SEDUCTION
Book Three
Release Date: December 29, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-505-52795-0

The individual who collects all six statues and deciphers the code locked within will be awarded controlling interest in Roarke Resorts.

YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THIS ENDEAVOR IS A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH.

Hailey Roarke was never interested in her family’s fortune. That’s why she became a cop. But with her father and now her cousin dead, she’s suddenly on the wrong side of a police interrogation. The only way to clear her name is to solve the riddle before the real killer. Without getting killed herself.

Detective Shane Maxwell can’t deny the spark of lust he feels every time Hailey is near. But the woman is clearly hiding something. Trusting his gut—and the heat in her eyes—he joins her on an elaborate global treasure hunt staged by her late father. Caught between a sizzling seduction and a maniacal murderer, for Hailey and Shane the biggest reward of all will be making it out alive.

***
EXCERPT:
As the music shifted from nice days to life on the docks and Hailey lifted her fists again to jab at the bag, Shane pulled the gym’s main door open and stepped inside. Sweet female sweat and just a hint of the lilac scent he always associated with her drifted toward his nose.

She didn’t stop punching. Left hook, left, right again. And his blood warmed the closer he got. It wasn’t until he reached the stereo and flicked the power button that she stopped abruptly and whipped his way.

Surprise registered in her sapphire eyes first. Then distrust. And finally, disgust.
Okay, after their run-in earlier, he had that coming. But she’d purposely left him hanging, and he wanted answers.

She didn’t say anything, but her chest rose and fell as she drew deep breaths. A bead of sweat rolled down her bruised temple, over her jaw, down the long, slender column of neck, heading straight for her breasts. Like an idiot, he watched the droplet, his body temperature growing hotter by the minute as it slid downward.

And that’s when he saw the yellowing bruises. Faint traces of what she’d been through before. On her ribs, on her thighs, on the soft skin of her arms. Near a bandage by her shoulder.

“How’d you get in here?” she asked in a breathless tone before he got two steps closer to her on the blue mats that matched her eyes.

He forced his gaze away from her fading injuries, told himself she was fine, healthy, that whatever she’d endured, she’d survived. But the urge to cold-cock whoever had done this to her was hard to overcome. And Kauffman was seriously dead meat.
“Janitor.”

“Did you come to arrest me or are you just having trouble sleeping, Maxwell?”

Her voice pulled his brain away from extracting revenge, and he focused on her face. He wasn’t about to tell her didn’t sleep, not much anyway. And the look in her eye warned him her little work-out session hadn’t done much to cool-out her temper. “Should I arrest you?”

She glanced past him to the windows, then looked at his face again. “Who’s playing good cop tonight?”

“No one. I’m here alone.”

One elegant brow lifted. “Inspector Clouseau know you’re going renegade?”

The muscles around his eyes tightened with humor. “No, he doesn’t. He’d tear into me if he did.”

“Then why are you here?”

“’Cause I’m not done with you yet.”

Her eyes never left his as she lifted her hand to mop up the sweat on her forehead. “I already told you I’m not answering any more questions without my lawyer.”

“I’m not here officially, Hailey.” When she opened her mouth to protest, he added, “I saw the surveillance tapes. Trust me when I say, you need a friend right now. And I may be all you’ve got.”

Her eyes narrowed. “What do you want?”

“Answers. Unofficially,” he added before she could spout off anything else about her lawyer. “But mostly to help you.”

Those blue eyes of hers searched his face, and he could practically see the wheels turning in her mind. Along with a great big dose of I-don't-think-so.

“You want answers?” she said. “Unofficial?”

He nodded slowly, thinking she was capitulating way too quickly, but thankful he wasn’t going to have to pry it out of her.

“Fine. I’ll answer whatever question you’ve got. But you’ve got to take me down first. I take you down, I get to ask the questions.”

She wanted to spar? With him? Here? Now? He glanced around the mats, back at her, slicked with sweat, bruises not yet healed from her last run-in and juiced up on endorphins. Yeah, he wanted answers, but he wouldn’t hurt her to get them. “I don’t think that’s such a good—”

“Scared?”

The look of utter confidence across her face stopped him. “No, I just—”

She took a step back and held out her hands. “How bad do you want your answers, Maxwell? Gimme your best shot.”

He wasn’t going to actually do this, was he?

***

Today I'm over at Writeminded giving away books, so join me over there to enter for freebies. But before you leave, scroll down and enter for a chance to win Emily Bryan's A CHRISTMAS BALL!!

Happy Reading, all!

Just a quick note...

Amazon has STOLEN SEDUCTION in stock early!! If you were hoping to get the book by Christmas, or were wanting to give the trilogy as a Christmas gift, now you can! Click the link to order before the 29th!

And now scroll down to see the 30 Days of Treasure Hunting Contest!!

I love it when I'm surprised. My son is watching Cars right now (for probably the 10-thousandth time). I'll admit I never wanted to see this movie. Cars? Ack. I'm so not a NASCAR fan. But this movie is adorable and it has a great message about going after your dream, doing what's right, not holding a grudge and the meaning of true friendship. I've watched it several times myself and I never get tired of it. (And I also love that Lightning McQueen is a total smart alec!)

The surprise I'm looking forward to today? The DVD release of Star Trek. When this movie came out last year I had the same reaction I did to Cars. Ugh. I was never a Star Trek fan. I grew up with the original series though since my Dad was a huge Trekie. I think I've seen every episode at least three times. When I heard this new version with the original Star Trek characters was being released, I groaned. Then I heard a friend (who I trust) rave about it and I decided to give it a try. To my surprise I LOVED IT. My hubby was only lukewarm about the movie, so I think my love of the film has a lot to do with the fact I was subjected to the original series over and over (and over...) again. (I laughed through a lot of it because the references to the old series are so good.) But regardless, I'm on my way to the store to pick up my copy today. Can't wait to watch it again.

And in other surprising news, RT reviewed STOLEN SEDUCTION! Here's the Official review:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This third installment in Naughton's Stolen series has plenty of twists, a number of intriguingly intertwined mysteries wrapped around a strong central romance and a charming secondary love story. The appearance of characters from Naughton's previous stories is an added delight.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary: The ludicrous terms of her father's will have police officer Hailey Roarke breaking into her cousin's house in search of a small bronze statue.

When her cousin turns up murdered, Detective Shane Maxwell is assigned the case. He's not an unfamiliar face. Shane and Hailey met the year before at his sister's wedding and the two almost had sex. Though Shane is not entirely certain that Hailey didn't kill her cousin, he finds himself putting his job in jeopardy to help her unravel the puzzle her father left and to prove her innocence. Along for the ride are various family members, which adds to the couple's growing tension. (LOVE SPELL, Jan., 320 pp., $6.99) HOT
—Susan Mobley, RT BOOKReviews, 4 Stars

Hey all, sorry I've been MIA all week. I've been busily working on my deadline book. Getting close to the end. Thankfully!

If you're looking for something funny, check out my post yesterday at The Mid-Willamette Valley RWA blog. I wrote about my mental process and what I go through when I'm writing a book. The comments were great and it's nice to know I'm not the only one with angst.

Today's Saturday Snippet is black moments. I love black moments. This comes from STOLEN SEDUCTION. A little warning: It's only a tiny section of the scene because if I post the whole thing in it gives away too much. I hope you enjoy!

Excerpted from STOLEN SEDUCTION
Release Date: December 29, 2009
Dorchester

Shane hadn’t spoken a word to her on the boat ride back to Marathon. Hadn’t asked if she was okay or even looked her way. And Hailey tried not to read anything into that. Tried to tell herself she didn’t care whether he was worried about her mental health.

But it was hard. Especially when they climbed on the Roark Bombardier and she gave the pilot the coordinates from her father’s letter, found out they were heading to Jamaica, told Shane, and he still didn’t say a single word in response. Just strapped in and waited for takeoff with clenched jaw and eyes that seemed to look off into space.

Okay, he was ticked. Didn’t take a brainiac to figure that one out. She twiddled her thumbs while the plane gained momentum and they shot into the air. The second they were high enough, she flipped off her seatbelt and hit the galley for something to drink to settle her nerves.

She was pouring her second shot when Shane picked her up by the elbows and turned her around to face him. The bottle of bourbon slipped from her fingers and hit the counter with a crack. “What the hell are you—”

His mouth was over hers before the words were even past her lips, but she knew instinctively this wasn’t a gentle kiss. Wasn’t a loving kiss. Wasn’t even an I’m sorry for everything you’ve been through kiss. It was hard and wet and a little bit mean as his teeth sank into her bottom lip hard enough for a lick of pain to shoot though her skin. He didn’t give her a chance to say yes or no or anything in between, because he was yanking her off the floor and pushing her through the door into the private cabin and shoving her down to the mattress before she even realized they were moving.

He was pissed. She could feel the anger pumping off him in hot, rolling waves. Knew he was replaying what she’d done in that bunker and using it to punish her. And while her brain told her rough, angry sex was a really bad idea, especially after the way things had gone last night and this morning, her own adrenaline was still so high, she didn’t care.

Oh, God…

Bad, awful, really dangerous idea. So how come with him it felt so right?

***
Now check out these other fabulous Saturday Snippets!

Vivian Arend
Ashley Ladd
Jaci Burton
Taige Crenshaw
Shelley Munro
TJ Michaels
Juliana Stone
Eliza Gayle
McKenna Jeffries
Savannah Foley
Elisabeth Naughton
Moira Rogers

Unless you live under a rock, by now you know that the New York Yankees won the World Series last night. I'll admit to being a baseball fan, but not necessarily a Yankees fan. However, this year I was rooting for the Yankees and it was for a purely selfish reason.

This is a short excerpt from a scene from STOLEN SEDUCTION, which releases December 29, 2009. Let me preface this by saying my hero--Shane--is a HUGE Cubs fan. And this book was written well OVER a year ago:

***
Excerpted from STOLEN SEDUCTION
Release Date: 12.29.09
ISBN: 978-0-505-52795-0

Shane tugged the baseball cap lower over her face and frowned. “Couldn’t you have found a Cubs hat on that rack? Shit, I’d even settle for a Red Sox cap at this point.”

“You don’t like the Yankees? They’re like America’s team.”

He stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and stared at her like she had three eyeballs. “You’re sick, you know that?”

Hailey couldn’t help it. She laughed. “It’s only baseball, Maxwell.”

He slapped a hand against his heart. “Only baseball? Only baseball? That’s only my heart you’re ripping to shreds and throwing on the sidewalk.”

She rolled her eyes and kept walking. “Please tell me you aren’t one of those guys.”

“What guys?” he said, catching up.

“Those guys. The ones who don’t have a life from March to October because they’re either at the ball field or glued to their TVs. The ones who base their year on whether their team wins the pennant, then plot ways to murder their Yankee neighbors when the Yankees take the World Series. Again.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

She shook her head and bit her lip to keep from laughing. Dammit, she liked him. More with every passing hour.

***
As I told my editor this morning (she's a big Red Sox fan) I scare myself sometimes. I really do. I seriously should have put money on the Yankees to win the World Series.

I know. Quite a hodge-podge of topics, eh?

First off, I'm guest blogging today over at Cynthia Eden's blog for her month of monsters, talking about monsters, what scares me and my new paranormal series - Eternal Guardians. Plus I'm giving away a free book.

So stop on over and leave me a comment to be entered into the drawing.


***
Secondly, I promised pictures of Hawaii, and no, I didn't forget. I've simply been overwhelmed with my deadline, so apologies for not getting these up sooner.


We had a fabulous time in Kauai. It was my first time to that particular island and I can totally see why people consider it paradise. Originally we were supposed to stay in a condo in Poipu (south, sunny side) but 10 days before our trip the rental agency called to inform me that the unit I'd rented had sold and they didn't have anything else available. You can imagine my shock - and stress. I scrambled at the last minute to find something that would work. Luckily, I did, and we ended up at the Waipouli Beach Resort in Kapa'a. (Located in the heart of the Coconut Coast, and now I know why.)


I hadn't wanted to be on the east side (due to the weather) but it turned out great. The resort was gorgeous, the pool was beautiful and the kids had a fabulous vacation. This was the first time any of them had been to Hawaii, so the fab pool and the great beach were a bonus. It did rain a few days in Kapa'a, but we were able to load up in the car and drive to the beaches in Poipu on those days and find some sun, so all in all it wasn't bad at all.


We didn't get to do a few things I wanted to do, like explore the northern beaches (the weather didn't cooperate) or sail the Napili Coast (the seas were a bit rough) or hike Waimea Canyon (we learned quickly on a hike to Secret Beach that the kids are not hikers in the least). But that was okay. We relaxed on the beach and hung out at the pool, and spending time with the kids was our goal for the trip, so we were happy.





***
And finally, now that I'm home my focus is trained on finishing the 2nd book in my Eternal Guardians series. It's due soon so I may be in and out. But don't forget to check back soon for deets on my upcoming contest. STOLEN SEDUCTION, the third Stolen book, releases December 29, 2009. It seems so far away, but really it's not. It's right around the corner!!

Yes, I am on vacation. Go ahead, say it. "Elisabeth, what are you doing blogging while you're in Hawaii???" Yeah, okay, so normally I probably wouldn't, but I just got this review for STOLEN SEDUCTION and it was too good not to share...

Night Owl Romance Book Reviews
STOLEN SEDUCTION
by Elisabeth Naughton
Dorchester Love Spell
5 out of 5 stars



All Hailey Roarke wants is to be left alone by her family. She's not interested in the family fortune, which is why she became a cop and just wants to live her normal life without all the family drama. But when her dad dies and leaves her a mysterious message concerning hidden statues and deciphering a code, she can't help but get involved. Hailey goes to Chicago, where her multi-millionaire family is, to try to find out what her dad's message was about and why she got it. However, she soon finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation; her cousin is dead and all evidence points to her.

To make matter worse, Shane Maxwell, is the detective in charge. Hailey and Shane met months ago at a wedding and while they both went their separate ways, their attraction for each other never lessened and they never stopped thinking about each other. Now that they're in close proximity, the sparks are flying but there's something sinister going on that's bigger than they could ever imagine. Now, Shane and Hailey are smack in the middle of a global hunt started by her late father and they have to trust each other or they won't survive.

Stolen Seduction is the third in Naughton's Stolen series and in my opinion, the best yet! The chemistry between Hailey and Shane comes off the page and it's so steamy. Reading how they're slightly reticent about trusting each other at first but having to start was very enjoyable to read. The treasure hunt and finding out who was behind the murder kept me on the edge of my seat all along, I really wanted to find out who was orchestrating the murders and why. Stolen Seduction's a very fun, adventurous, and sexy book and I highly recommend it.

I think that made my day. And that's saying a lot considering my day was spent here:

Aloha!

One of these days I'll post this on time...

Today's Saturday Snippet is first paragraphs. So for fun I'm pasting in the first paragraphs from all three STOLEN books and the opening of MARKED, my new paranormal series. And you know what I discovered? I have a tendency to start in the heroine's POV. Who knew?

Enjoy!

Excerpted from STOLEN FURY
Copyright Elisabeth Naughton (January 2009)
Dorchester Love Spell
ISBN: 978-0-505-52793-6

The floor was still at least twenty feet below her.

Surrounded by utter blackness, Lisa Maxwell tipped her head so the cone light from her helmet could slide over the interior of the cave. Then wondered what the heck she’d gotten herself into.

***


Excerpted from STOLEN HEAT
Copyright Elisabeth Naughton (August 2009)
Dorchester Love Spell
ISBN: 978-0-505-52794-3

All things considered, she looked pretty good for a six year-old corpse.

Katherine Meyer checked her reflection in the bathroom mirror one last time and smoothed a few wild strands of hair back from her face. The black slacks and matching jacket were perfect, not one thing about them the slightest bit memorable. No one glancing her direction tonight would ever see anything other than the professional assistant she resembled, and that was precisely the way she wanted it. The less attention she drew, the safer everyone would be.

***


Excerpted from STOLEN SEDUCTION
Copyright Elisabeth Naughton (January 2010)
Dorchester Love Spell
ISBN: 978-0-505-52795-0

“You’re trying to get my ass kicked, aren’t you?”

Hailey Roarke smiled at the moody male voice echoing in her ear as she peered into the darkness. “Define trying,” she said into the mike attached to her turtleneck.

***




Excerpted from MARKED
Copyright Elisabeth Naughton (May 2010)
Dorchester Love Spell
ISBN: 0-505-52822-3

Some nights, a woman just wanted to bash her brain against a wall to keep from screaming. For Casey Simopolous, this was one of those nights.

“Yo, sistah. My tongue’s not getting any wetter over here by itself.” The blond frat-wannabe at the other end of her section threw his arms out wide with a could-you-be-more-stupid? look on his face. “We gonna get those drinks or what?” The two idiots seated next to him at the small circular table laughed and slapped him on the shoulder in a you-da-man move that made Casey grind her teeth together.

***
Now check out these other fabulous Saturday Snippets!

Kelly Maher
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Shelli Stevens
Michelle Pillow
Lauren Dane
Leah Braemel
Jaci Burton
McKenna Jeffries
Moira Rogers
Taige Crenshaw
Vivian Arend
Juliana Stone
Anya Bast
Lacey Savage
Shelley Munro
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Ashley Ladd

Is it Saturday again? Wow. This week flew by and I didn't blog at all. I've been buried in page proofs for STOLEN SEDUCTION this week, but I'm happy to say they are done and off to my publisher. I'm feeling a little nostalgic today...this is the end of the STOLEN TRILOGY (at least for now) and I've really fallen for all of these guys. Especially Shane. Oy. What a guy.

Today's Saturday Snippet is an emotional fight scene. This is one happens to be both emotional and physical and it's from STOLEN SEDUCTION:

Excerpted from STOLEN SEDUCTION
Copyright Elisabeth Naughton (January 2010)
Dorchester Love Spell
ISBN: 978-0-505-52795-0

Hailey's eyes narrowed. “What do you want?”

“Answers. Unofficially,” Shane added before she could spout off anything else about her lawyer. “But mostly to help you.”

Those blue eyes of hers searched his face, and he could practically see the wheels turning in her mind. Along with a great big dose of I-don’t-think-so.

“You want answers?” she said. “Unofficial?”

He nodded slowly, thinking she was capitulating way too quickly, but thankful he wasn’t going to have to pry it out of her.

“Fine. I’ll answer whatever question you’ve got. But you’ve got to take me down first. I take you down, I get to ask the questions.”

She wanted to spar? With him? Here? Now? He glanced around the mats, back at her, slicked with sweat, bruises not yet healed from her last run-in and juiced up on endorphins. Yeah, he wanted answers, but he wouldn’t hurt her to get them. “I don’t think that’s such a good—”

“Scared?”

The look of utter confidence across her face stopped him. “No, I just—”

She took a step back and held out her hands. “How bad do you want your answers, Maxwell? Gimme your best shot.”

He wasn’t going to actually do this, was he?

The smug spark in her eye answered his question. Before he thought better of it, he was toeing off his shoes and sliding out of his jacket.

“The gun, too,” she said as he tossed his coat on the counter along the far wall. “I don’t want you to get shot again.”

He glanced back at her as he removed his shoulder harness and set his firearm on the counter as well, refusing to rub the scar on his shoulder where he’d been shot three months before when he’d gone looking for his sister in Florida. Hailey had been there then as well. In fact, if it weren’t for Hailey, he might not have survived.
He remembered the panic in her voice when she’d found him left for dead, and the way she’d said his name—the only time he ever remembered hearing her say his first name—how sweet and sexy it had sounded on her lips. How he’d wanted to hear her say it again. But she hadn’t. Not when she’d sat with him at the hospital telling him stupid jokes when he’d been getting stitched up or when she’d kept him company on the way back to Florida. Even after they’d hung out and danced most of the night at Lisa and Rafe’s wedding, weeks later, she hadn’t once called him by his first name again.

Which, in retrospect, was probably a good thing. What would he have done if she had? Just because she was the first person who’d made him feel something in almost a year, didn’t mean shit.

Except…he suddenly wanted to hear her say it. Needed to for reasons he couldn’t understand.

He walked back out on the mat, dressed in his jeans and T-shirt, watching as her eyes ran over him from head to toe. His blood warmed under that heated look, and he told himself if she wanted to play this game, he’d go along, but he wouldn’t hurt her. No answers were worth adding to her bruises.

“You’re looking a little overconfident there, Maxwell.”

“Only because I know you’ve got to be tired after your workout.”

Her eyes sparked. “I was only warming up. Show me what you’ve got.”

Neither of them moved. Just stared at each other. He felt like an idiot because he wasn’t about to flip her to her back and pin her to the mat. When it was clear they were at a standoff, he stepped toward her. “Look, Hailey—”

She had her hand around his wrist before he even saw her move. She was quick, and her pressure-point technique worked like a charm. As his wrist numbed and pain shot up his arm, she hooked her arm under his elbow, twisted his wrist around his back and slammed him into the mat, face first.

“That’s one for me,” she said, pressing his wrist into his back until his teeth knocked together from the pain. “Why did you walk away from me in Puerto Rico?”

“I didn’t—”

“Nice try.” She twisted his wrist up until he slapped his free hand against the mat to keep from screaming like a little girl.

“Alright! Goddammit. It was a crappy thing to do, okay?”

She let go of his wrist and stood quickly. “I know it was.”

He rolled to his back, wiggled his wrist to get the blood flowing again. Then sat up slowly and studied her across the mat.

Okay, this was a surprise. He’d known she was attracted to him, but he’d figured walking away from her after the wedding instead of after he slept with her would spare her some angst. Obviously he’d thought wrong. “I saved you from getting involved with me then. You should be thanking me instead of being pissed about it.”

“I am. Get up and let’s go again.”

That good ol’ instinct of his said he should do what he’d done back then and walk away from her now. But that irritating voice screaming, coward, forced him to his feet. And as he studied her carefully, he realized she’d led with her left. Come to think of it, when she’s been pounding the crap out of that bag, she’d been using her left hand as well. “Hailey, I really just want to talk to you about what happened at your cousin’s—”

“No talking. Give me your best move.”

He still wasn’t willing to fight her over this. He took a step forward to try to get her attention, and again she moved so fast he barely tracked it. One minute she was facing him, the next she was up close, her left arm sliding around his back, her torso twisting around and lowering so her hip hit him just beneath his center of gravity. Then all he felt was air as she threw him over her hip and he hit the mat with a resounding thud.

He groaned and rolled to his back. Okay, that one she hadn’t learned at the academy. And damn, she was stronger than she looked.

“That’s two for me, Maxwell.” She braced her hands on her knees and leaned down toward him with a self-satisfied expression. “Is that a habit of yours, going around leading women on, or are you just a prick?”

“Leading women on? Is that what you think I did?”

“Two for two. I’d say that’s exactly what you do. I think you like the power of it. I think you like seeing a woman get all worked up so you can drop her on her ass. Good fun, huh?”

Shit. “Hailey, I—”

“In case you forgot, I’m the one asking the questions. You’re the one getting your butt kicked.” She stepped back. “Go again.”

His blood pulsed as he pushed to his feet. Okay, he’d been wrong. She was ticked about what had happened in Puerto Rico and even more pissed about last night than he’d thought. Which meant only one thing—he’d gotten under her skin. Maybe as much as she’d gotten under his. That thought cooled him out a little. But his adrenaline surged when she charged out of nowhere, grabbed him by the shoulders, slid to the ground and kicked both legs out from under him.

He landed hard on his back, and this time saw stars. And oh, shit, there was something seriously wrong with him because he liked this. Liked having her hands on his body and loved being hurt by her.

She was on her feet before he could even catch his breath. But she was breathing hard. And she wasn’t quite as solid as she tried to appear. “Go home, Maxwell. I’ve got better things to do than toss you to the ground all night long. And as fun as this has been, I’m not interested anymore.”

She turned and got one step away before he kicked out, knocking her off balance. Her hands flew out in surprise, but before she hit the mat he was up, twisting around so he was at her front, going down with her so he took the brunt of the fall and she landed hard against his chest.

She immediately pushed off, but he rolled, pinning her beneath him. Her hands darted out, but he easily grabbed them and shackled them over her head. Then he hooked his feet around her legs so she couldn’t break free and kick him in the nuts as he stared down at her enraged face.

“Let me go,” she growled.

Each time she wiggled, it brought their hips into closer contact and sent more blood rushing to his groin. “Not a chance. I think a pin counts for three.”

“Go to hell.”

“I will. But not today. Question one. Are you sleeping with Billy Sullivan?”

***

Okay, here are some links for some other awesome excerpts!

Lauren Dane
Leah Braemel
Jaci Burton
McKenna Jeffries
Moira Rogers
Taige Crenshaw
Victoria Janssen
Vivian Arend
TJ Michaels
Juliana Stone
Anya Bast
Lacey Savage
Eliza Gayle

Check it out...STOLEN SEDUCTION is available for preorder on Amazon, complete with cover image and everything!

Last night was the Powell's Cheeky Pages book club meeting. (Isn't that title just great!) They read STOLEN FURY for their August book and invited me to come up and be part of the discussion. I have to say, I was a little nervous - all those people having read the book! - but it was very fun. Of course, everyone loved it (how could they not?! LOL) and there were some very nice comments that ranged from "This was better than the Nora Roberts book we read last month," to "This needs to be made into a movie, to "You totally stumped me with the villain."

And thanks to all who gave me SWAG suggestions! Since the book club read STOLEN FURY, I put together goodie bags for everyone that included 1st chapter sample books of STOLEN HEAT, bookmarks and chocolate. During the meeting we had a trivia session where I handed out prizes to winners, and at the end I raffled off a treasure hunt gift basket. My good friend Lisa took pictures, so when I get them from her, I'll post them here for you to see.

I also got some great feedback that will help with my upcoming paranormal series...mainly, readers suggested a glossary for non-English terms would be helpful and that they want a teaser preview for what's coming up in the next book in the series. I will, of course, mention these to my publisher, but final say on adding items like this is up to them, not me.

On September 18th I'll be back up at Powell's for their Fall Romance Event where many Pacific Northwest romance authors gather to sign books and conduct a Q&A session. If you're in the area, you should stop by and check it out. It's a fun event.

And before I forget, I have to mention the book I'm reading now. THE MADNESS of LORD IAN MACKENZIE. I've never really been a huge fan of historicals, but the premise for this book - a hero with aspergers autism - really intrigued me. And I'm so glad I picked it up. I am LOVING this book! Jennifer Ashley writes a to-die-for hero. If you like historicals (or even if you've never read one before) you should definitely give this one a try.

Now I must get back to the kitchen. Tomorrow we're hosting a big bbq and there's still lots to do. I haven't cooked this much since...well, I can't remember when! But it should be fun. We're doing a Hawaiian Luau bbq with lots of yummy food. It's definitely putting me in the mood to travel to the islands.

Aloha for now!

So lots of "stuff"...

TODAY ONLY Shelli Stevens is 'sharing the love' and giving away a copy of STOLEN FURY on her blog. Pop over and leave a comment about your favorite adventure movie to be entered in the drawing.

I finished the line edits for STOLEN SEDUCTION and got them sent off to my editor last night. Whew...felt good to get those done.

Now I'm moving into serious promo mode for the release of STOLEN HEAT at the end of the month. Check back STARTING WEDNESDAY, July 15th for my big BIG contest. For 30 days I'll have daily author guests, daily prizes, and you can also enter my big contest with the chance to win a $100 VISA gift card! You don't want to miss it.

A missing bronze holds the key to a decade’s-old murder. To prove her innocence, she’ll have to partner up with the sexy homicide detective who has the power to steal more than her freedom—if she’s not careful, he may just steal her heart…

JANUARY 2010

I have New Book Excitement.

It's no big secret to anyone who knows how I work that I'm not a big fan of writing the opening scene. Sometimes the opening comes to me - bam! - and I know immediately how a book will start (as was the case with STOLEN FURY). Other times I seem to rewrite an opening 100 times or more before I find the one that works (as I did with STOLEN HEAT). (July 28, 2009) This time around, working on the 2nd paranormal (working title: DECEIVED), it's been one of those - bam! - in-your-face openings that has stuck with me, and off I went. I'm now in chapter four, past the "set-up" hurdle, and loving the book. I love the characters, I love the plot, I love where this is going. I love that I have that "this is totally going to work" feeling. Sure, I'll probably go back and revise some of that opening (I always do), but so far? *big grin* New Book Excitement.

I also have New Book Excitement for my CP. Yesterday I didn't get to write. I know, I know, if you're following me on Twitter or FB, you know that contradicts with my 100 day challenge, but don't worry, I'll make up the words today. Yesterday I was too busy critting my CPs new book, which she has a request for. And, oh my gosh, I LOVE THIS BOOK! Every time I sit to read a chapter (and my CP can't send them fast enough), I get that shiver feeling. You know the one...when you're reading something you KNOW is going sell. This book is amazing, and I can't wait to tell her, "I told you so," when it finally does sell.

And along those same "New Book Excitement" lines, one of my beta readers called yesterday to tell me she finished STOLEN SEDUCTION (January, 2010) and absolutely loved it. I can't tell you how happy that makes me. I love all my heroes, but *sigh* there's something special about Shane. Maybe it's because I wanted to kill him so many times while writing that book, maybe it's because he was the first character I really didn't "get", and maybe it's because I was so blown over by his character arc. I have no idea why he's the one hero I still think about long after the book is over, but he is.

My beta reader had some great things to say about the book, and one constructive comment I am so SO happy she shared. It deals with one tiny section of a scene in the end of the book - or, rather, a tiny section I cut because I was already over on word count. But after listening to her, I'm pretty convinced that section needs to be there, and it's kinda nice to know my first instinct was correct. So...I'm probably going to add it back in and worry about cutting elsewhere later (...have I mentioned what a magician my editor is at editing my long-windedness?).

So yeah. New Book Excitement. All around.

How about you? Reading or writing anything right now that has you excited?

Official Slacker

Yup, that's me. Big ol' blog slacker. Sorry to be so MIA. In my defense I've been busy. Not like the rest of the world isn't busy, too, but...ya know how it goes. LOL

So what have I been up to? Let's see...Page proofs for STOLEN HEAT are done and out the door. Woohoo! I've been immersed in those the last week.

Revisions on MARKED are done, and the ms is off to an awesome NYT Bestselling author who agreed to read and blurb it for me. I hope she likes it. (*Says Elisabeth while she chews her fingernails down to the quick.*)

I got news that STOLEN SEDUCTION will definitely be a January 2010 release, so I'm pretty pumped about that. I absolutely love this book. And as much as I love all my heroes, there's just something special about Shane. (It's that whole love/hate relationship thing he and I have going.) The art department is already hard at work on the cover, and I can't wait to see what they come up with. The cover should be the same style as the first two books.

Oh! And I think I can announce this (gosh, I hope so since I'm doing it anyway...). The first paranormal is going to keep it's original title. Book one is going to be called MARKED. And the series is going to be called 'Eternal Guardians'.

And before I forget...I'm running a new contest. I put the details in my newsletter and will get them up on my website hopefully this weekend, but here it is in the meantime:

In the Mood for Some Hidden Treasure?
Enter my Newsletter Contest to Win Your Very Own Treasure Box!
For every person you refer to me who signs up for my newsletter, you'll be entered into a drawing for a box of buried treasure. The goodies will be GOOD (and fun), so start spreading the news(letter) and enter. The rules are simple. Just sent the info about my newsletter to your friends. Then email me at elisabeth (at) elisabethnaughton (dot) com separately with the names of the people you referred. For each person from your list that signs up, your name will go in the drawing for the treasure box. It's THAT easy. A winner will be picked at random in mid-May.

So...aside from all that book stuff, I have nothing else exciting to report except that Nickelback tickets go on sale tomorrow morning, so you can be guaranteed I'll be on the phone trying to get some good seats. Anyone out there Nickelback fans? My Gremlins know most of their (tame) songs, but I had to put a 'hands off' sticker on their new Dark Horse CD. Definitely rated R, this one. (And I love it!) I'm thinking it's a good Eternal Guardians soundtrack.