As authors we’re used to enduring the long bumpy roads that, hopefully, lead to success. The long road of writing our romance novels, then finding that right publisher, of going through the editing process... you get the picture, especially if you’ve traveled, or are traveling down those long writerly roads. Yes, often, being published is *partly* a matter of sheer dogged persistence.
It’s been one dang long *roller coaster* journey from the point of inception to arriving at this moment. My American Title IV manuscript is now in print. When the idea for MURDER BY HAIR SPRAY IN GARDENIA, NEW ATLANTIS hit my brain like a lightning bolt... yes, that’s the best description I can come up with... it was supposed to be just an erotic romance novella. You know, the heroine and hero have to stay together at Gardenia’s only hotel in order to catch the Hair Spray Killer.
Yeah, right. My Muse can be naughtily deceptive.
New Atlantis came alive as a character immediately. Larger than that, Sheriff Kalypso Sun Wing and Federal Agent Zryphus Dolen Vasquoz were much more emotionally complex and rich in character than I’d originally envisioned. Plus, the Hair Spray Killer wasn’t about to be captured that easily. Not only that, the Killer’s puppet strings were being pulled by bigger enemies determined to conquer New Atlantis.
Thus, was born a novel that is over a hundred thousand words and is the first book in the New Atlantis Trilogy.
Every road I’ve traveled with this futuristic novel has been a long one and definitely *hang onto your hats* bumpy. Yet, the long road to romance and murder has also been emotionally rewarding and satisfying at a deep level. Yep, right down to my soul.
Here’s the promo ~
Murder by Hair Spray in Gardenia, New Atlantis - IN PRINT
So, if you're into a futuristic look at the risen land of Atlantis, a mystery with lots of action... and how about a love story where the battle of sexes incites extreme passion... this might be the erotic romance novel for you.
Murder by Hair Spray in Gardenia, New Atlantis
~ This story spun and formed in my imagination, turbulent as a sea storm ~ then sprang forth onto paper and onto my computer screen like Poseidon’s powerful emergence from the ocean, during a time lost to history when gods and goddesses ruled the world and the heavens above.
Gardenia, New Atlantis... The future begins here...
The story of beginning a new world on a legendary land...
The beginning of a love Sheriff Kalypso Sun Wing never believed was possible for her, especially not after a hundred years on Earth...
The beginning of a love Federal Agent Zryphus has arrived on Earth to find, only he didn’t plan on remaining in a land where women are in charge...
First Line:
The evil cloud of hair spray dominated the air in guest room 666 at Gardenia’s only motel, The Eternal Magnolia – so named because it was surrounded by a park-like acre of Magnolia trees, saved despite the cataclysmic weather, wars and land changes on Earth.
Heroine and Hero:
Sheriff Kalypso Sun Wing is 100 years old in the year 2051. A rebel at heart, an artist by soul, she survived the sterile fifties’ suburbs, the revolutionary turbulence of the sixties, the disco guru seventies. After the suicide of the man she loved, Kalypso barely survived the designer eighties, the fast-forward nineties. In the 21st century Mother Nature rebelled. Kalypso battled for freedom. She never knew why she survived. Until Atlantis rose. Once again.
Agent Zryphus Dolen Vasquoz chose an enforcement career on Earth for several reasons – his fascination with primitive worlds, to make his own way outside the family heritage, to keep official watch for his own Worlds – and, Zerculeon men find Earth women highly desirable, like the gods of old they rival in strength. Since there aren’t enough Zerculeon women, it’s a match made in intergalactic heaven. Especially when Zryphus gets a real eyeful of the Sheriff.
~~~~~~
Excerpt ~
The evil cloud of hair spray dominated the air in guest room 666 at Gardenia's only motel, The Eternal Magnolia—so named because it was surrounded by a park-like acre of Magnolia trees, saved despite the cataclysmic weather, wars and land changes on Earth.
"Reminds me of seventh grade, after gym class. When I avoided the noxious fumes of spurting hair spray," Sheriff Kalypso spoke to her deputy.
"We sure can't go in yet. Till some of this evil stuff airs out," Deputy Anna agreed. Holding up her Video Multi, she stood in doorway, scanning the room before they entered.
"Lucy," Sheriff Kalypso yelled, her voice aimed toward Gardenia's only enforcement van, parked near the bottom of the steps. "You got International linked up yet?"
"The operator's comin' on shortly," Deputy Lucy hollered up.
"Track down the Agent-slash-agency that's in charge of the Hair Spray Serial Killer, will ya? Anna, you finished scanning yet?"
"Almost, Sheriff. Large number of odor pixels installing now for later analysis at the lab. Looks like two males so far. One she entertained, sexual wise, that is—nothin' kinky I can pick up, though."
"Too bad. The Tribune needs a sensational story," Sheriff Kalypso half-joked, half-mocked.
"Murder by hair spray isn't kinky enough?" Anna drawled. "Hell's little bells, Marzzie would dance one of her jerky bar jigs on top of her news table."
"We'll give her whatever exclusive we can. But I gotta feeling the Federals are gonna request some private investigation time. Unless it's a copycat? Other than who she was with, any of our people been in the room since our victim occupied?"
"Naw—only with her and trace genes from before. Elsie's cleaning crew looks like."
"When exactly did Elsie's assistant click on the room camera?"
"Barb got concerned when the guest, now victim, didn't ring down for breakfast. She'd been here for an old-fashioned week, and always rang at eight. Waffles with fruit, rice milk and dark chocolate souffle. Barb clicked on at about eight thirty. Took her a time to find the body on the floor. Medical monitor never chimed emergency. She did a med scan immediately, then called us."
"Yeah, our poor victim is stiff as a board with hair to match, apparently." Sheriff Kalypso carefully stepped into the guest room, gazing around for any detail the Video Multi couldn't retrieve. "Go ahead, deputy. Video her body as is."
"This hair spray stench is demonic, I swear. One can of the stuff is by the body, Sheriff. Looks new. But this nasty crap hasn't been made for several decades." With meticulous precision the deputy scanned the face-down victim, inch by inch. "She was gone in sixty seconds. Death by hair spray asphyxiation."
"Any chance of a blast from the past? That stuff is highly flammable. I remember reading it on the back of the cans."
"Don't light a candle for her," Anna suggested, her tone pure irony. "She was definitely here to have a private good time. Multiple sex partners. Most of them male. Earth human or hybrid human." Anna inhaled sharply. "Oh my Goddess! She was with child. Twelve days since conception."
"Still viable?" Sheriff Kalypso moved toward the corpse."Checking status."
The hair spray victim was a small slender woman with mother-of-pearl skin. She wore an early sixties Jackie O blue shift and pumps, with the hair style to match.
"Shellac for the hair," Sheriff Kalypso commented. Kneeling, she sat back on her haunches, observing the body. "Shiny and not one strand has moved."
"We have a two hour window, if we can round up the proper womb incubator."
"Sheriff," Lucy hailed from the doorway. "Head Agent Vasquoz will be here by portal, to quote 'soon as I'm shaved and down a cup of coffee'."
"I take it Vasquoz is male and didn't mean his legs. Lucy, get Dr. Victoria up here now. We need her expertise. Tell her we have a viable twelve day pregnancy. Then go meet 'Head Agent Vasquoz' for me."
"Sure as shootin' fish, Sheriff." Deputy Lucy athletically ran down the steps, already signaling Dr. Victoria with her Handheld.
"You know Georgia's been seeking a viable fetus. She's in the mood for motherhood again. And she's the best." Deputy Anna completed her corpse scan. Leaning back on her calves, she studied the results as they appeared on screen.
"She is the best. I didn't know she was seeking again. Though, I hate to put her through the process if there's another claim on file. You know how heart-vulnerable she is."
"Yep, she is. Let's see what Dr. Victoria recommends. Sad, haven't had a murder in over a year. And the last case was a boundary dumped body...an escaped rapist."
"Yeah, nothing to mourn there, except his soul and his family."
Sheriff Kalypso frowned. "Our Jackie O's real identity hasn't even popped yet. We may not own the time to find out who she is."
"Sheriff," Anna crooned with excitement, and absolute surprise, "the fetus is Venutian hybrid, female. Someone wanted our victim pregnant."
"Yeah, the bio father wanted her pregnant. Or it never would have happened. Check the International missing partner list. Venutians are extremely protective."
"Checking. Unless it was done by nefarious deception."
"Absolutely on target, Anna, thanks. The perpetrators could have stolen the semen, treated it with the right bio hormones, then inseminated her."
"Whoever she is. Her ID still hasn't popped. She was taking whole-food pregnancy nutrients."
"Why would a woman who knows she's pregnant, using natural nutrition, even come close to decades-old hair spray?" Sheriff Kalypso stood, studying the woman's body for a moment. "I'm looking around for any form of ID."
"The Vid Multi picked up a personal bag in the bottom chest drawer."
Watching her step, Sheriff Kalypso moved to the small bureau. "It's not just her hair. She's entirely coated with the stuff. But lightly, like an artist's touch."
"Like a death portrait. Great moons away. Some poor artist type gone round the bend for whatever good reason. And there are a lot of good reasons in this world."
"Conform or it's time for a psychological lobotomy. Could be. Or it could be the killer gene was stimulated, like during the Conflicts."
"The super soldiers, bred to be killers, and hyped up on adrenaline. You had to blast their heads off to stop them," Deputy Anna recalled.
"Sheriff," Dr. Victoria hailed from the doorway. "How do I help?"
"Stay there. Anna will show you her results. We'll go from there."
"Sheriff," Anna summoned. "Got an ID on one of the males in here. Brody...Lavern's son."
"Crap and snap! He's only sixteen. Ring Lavern. Have her bring him to the constabulary office. I'll get Woodson to talk with them. He can get the full story out of most anyone, the easy way, with no harsh chemicals involved. Woodson, that you?" Sheriff Kalypso spoke into her wrist vid unit.
"Yeah, Sheriff. What's going on at the motel? The town's buzzin' like a beehive."
"Keep it on suppression, deputy. Nasty scene. Need you to work your dialogue magic with Brody. He was here. Might have shared some saliva and seed. Keep it friendly for now. No use stirring up a hornets nest of feelings yet."
"Will accomplish, beautiful. Let you know if I discover what you need."
"Thanks, Woodson. Later." Sheriff Kalypso slid on her working gloves, then used one finger to open the bottom drawer, just in case the vid scan hadn't picked up all the evidence. The bag perfectly matched the woman's pumps. Since it was unlatched, she gingerly opened it wider. She could see makeup, lipstick, and grooming accessories, all early 60's period reproductions. Then, as she leaned over peering deeper inside, she spied the piece of folded up paper, a rarity these days. Especially because it didn't look like a love letter reproduction, a trendy sentiment currently.
Nope, it was plain white note paper, the kind the Sheriff knew about. She'd had a recent birthday, turning one hundred years old. As a shared joke, one hundred cupcakes had been delivered to her from the people of New Atlantis, each with its own tiny candle. Actually, the pastel candles had been miniature fireworks' sparklers. She'd lit them all, one at a time, at the impromptu party her friends had insisted on.
"Anna, you and Victoria decide on anything yet?"
"We need to turn her over, Sheriff, for removal. Location of the fetus," Dr. Victoria explained. "The vitals indicate survival in a temp incubator will be for thirty minutes, only."
"Anna, did you talk to Dr. Victoria about Georgia's possible availability?"
"We have Georgia on contact now," Anna answered. "She's willing. Understands the hybrid genetics. Says she'll be a surrogate if necessary. But does want the child."
"Let me check what's on this piece of paper, in case there's ID info." Sheriff Kalypso unfolded the strip of paper, which had been precisely creased four times. There was only one handwritten word or name, Beatrice. "Beatrice," Sheriff Kalypso spoke. "That's it, all that's written here. Go ahead, remove the fetus for Georgia."
"Sheriff." The man's voice commanded first, and announced his presence second. "Sheriff Kalypso Sun Wing."
"Yeah, that's me." Turning, Kalypso's gaze gave no quarter, hard as diamonds on the outsider. "Agent...?" Dang it to hang, he was a tall and broad drink of water. She'd expected the usual tight-ass wimp, with grim lips and eyes that were mirrors, reflecting nothing but the orders the been given. No, this man burned with sheer vitality. His gaze assessed, a damn force of nature. She'd bet if she struck a match and tossed it toward his eyes, they would sizzle like her birthday candles, then explode at his will. Yep, he was definitely a whole load of nano dynamite, unlit.
"Agent Zryphus Dolen Vasquoz," he answered. "Give me your evidence retrieval. I'll take over from here."
Audible gasps burst from Anna and Dr. Victoria at the man's patriarchal and patronizing tone.
"No, you won't, Agent Vasquoz. You're here at my invitation. Only. You follow my rules or you don't get to play 'Find the Hair Spray Killer'. Do you understand?"
"Wowzi Powzie," Deputy Anna whispered, watching her vid screen light up with the sparks flying between the Sheriff and the outsider Agent.
"It's a Federal Union case, Sheriff. I have priority investigation." The Agent's gravelly deep voice filled the entire room.
"You have nothing, Agent. Unless I say so. You can turn around, hit the portal. Or you can cooperate. You'll have full access. Anna will give you all she's retrieved so far. If you want, I'll even act friendly, let you 'analyze' this bag more closely." Sheriff Kalypso approached, a lioness with no fear. "I'll even sweeten the pot, Agent Vasquoz—let you do a quick exam of the body before we save the fetus. As they used to say, deal or no deal?"
"Whirlwind in the room," Deputy Anna whispered to Victoria, who still watched her vid screen.
"Deal. For now, Sheriff." Focusing his gaze like a cannon laser, the Agent straightened his over-large shoulders, his latent power obvious.
"Pull anything against my authority, Agent Vasquoz, and I guarantee you won't like the results. Deputy, feed your vid evidence to the Agent's data base, will you, please?"
Once Anna stood, he handed his data vid to her without looking. His gaze relentless, Agent Vasquez followed the Sheriff's arm wave to the corpse. Moving easily in the small confines of the room, despite his size, he knelt with deliberate care, scrutinizing every detail of the body.
Sheriff Kalypso couldn't deny his concentration was impressive. She watched him turn the victim over with gentle precision.
Awed, her heart tripping rapidly, Sheriff Kalypso moved closer. "Even her face resembles Jackie O."
"How do you know?" Agent Vasquoz demanded, not looking up.
"I was born in 1951. Check out your history data base, Agent."
"Call me Zryphus."
He stood, gradually moving around the corpse. His gaze never deviated until he halted, and faced Sheriff Kalypso. Immediately, she nodded toward Anna and Dr. Victoria. Kneeling, they worked as a team, rescuing the fetus.
"Got an ID on her, Zryphus?" Kalypso ignored his intense study of her.
"I know who she is. Vrilesa Corzinski. We've been looking for her ever since she disappeared. She fits the Hair Spray Killer's profile. Before she discovered her ability to bear children easily, she was an elite prostitute. Baby-making is a premium moneymaker in some circles."
"Who reported her 'disappearance'?"
"Her brother. He became suspicious of an ongoing vid relationship she had. He was worried when she just packed, and went on vacation, and wouldn't confide where. He claimed it was unusual behavior for her, even when she was pregnant."
"Then there would be parents for the fetus."
"No one on official record. She may have just conceived, and decided to keep the pregnancy."
"Twelve days ago. A Venutian hybrid is the father. That doesn't add up to a 'let's have sex fun' conceived child. Unless you know something I don't."
"Point accepted, Sheriff. May I call you Kalypso?"
With the fetus safe, Anna grinned and checked her vid. Sure as the sky, the Agent's voice suddenly registered as masculine velvet.
Kalypso hesitated. Dang and wolf's fang, was he putting the moves on her? "Why not? We try to stay friendly around here."
"Fake charm or real charm?" Dr. Victoria whispered.
"He's for real," Anna spoke near her ear.
"Now that I have new leads, Kalypso, I'll research later, discover if there are waiting parents. Where's the victim's handbag?"
"Down in that drawer. I used gloves, and had a look inside. Found this folded piece of paper at the bottom." Sheriff Kalypso handed over the evidence. "If the handwriting doesn't belong to our victim, your resource base is larger than ours. I expect full knowledge of whatever you find out."
"Mutual giving. It's a deal," the Agent purred, his meaning obviously beyond investigative cooperation. He gazed down at the unfolded paper, as if it could be the key to solving his case.
"Mean anything to you?" Sheriff Kalypso finally prompted.
"No. Not any connection to a 'Beatrice' that I've come across."
"We have a volunteer surrogate for the fetus." She arched a brow. "Do you object?"
"I can't offer a surrogate soon enough. No, Kalypso, I don't object. What autopsy methods do you have here?"
"Dr. Victoria, let me know how insertion goes, will you?"
"Sure, Sheriff. On my way."
"We have machine autopsy. Holo program or real cutting. Our town butcher knows her way around the human body. She worked forensics in Chicago before the permanent break up of the United States. You got a preference?"
"Start with Holo. From my examination it looks like 'the Hair Spray Killer'. Not a copycat."
"Anna, give a holler to Deputy Lucy. You two take the victim to autopsy after you've scanned her clothing, and all her personal items. Once the Agent and I have satisfied each other on the collection of evidence, I'll check in."
"Sure as fire, Sheriff. Sorry, bad joke. No sparks allowed in here with all these fumes. Heck, the corpse could still explode from all that hair spray covering her. We'll keep the ride real cool."
"Lost several of our victims that way, Kalypso. One static spark before we arrived, the body burned," Zryphus seriously stated. "Leave the hair spray can here. I need to do an analysis."
"How many victims so far?"
"Twelve. If this proves out, it will be unlucky thirteen. Or lucky thirteen. I have a feeling you're a very persistent woman."
"Truth, justice. That's our way here, Zryphus. Play it that way, we'll get along. Once Deputy Anna finishes scanning, you can take her data, or follow in her footsteps, and get your own." She eyed him, wondering if he was a wolf dressed in wolf's clothing, as he appeared. There was no pretense of wearing sheep's clothing that she observed. "Do you usually work alone?"
"Back up team for forensics, investigation. Yes, I work alone. No partner. You're the exception, Kalypso. Let's investigate the contents of her handbag together."
"From what I can tell. the makeup and lipstick cases look like replicas of the early sixties era. We have lab verification and analysis, if you want use of it."
"Let's see what we've got first." Agent Zryphus carefully dumped out the handbag's contents. After scanning each item, he professionally murmured, "Just her prints and bio cells. Take a look at the lipstick. Is it the color she's wearing?"
"Wouldn't your scan data verify that?"
"Wrongly phrased. You're the period expert. I wanted your impression of how real the lipstick and the makeup itself are to your recollection."
Sheriff Kalypso uncapped the lipstick. "It's been ages, but it looks real. Smells real. Not the same color she's wearing."
"The color of lipstick has been the same on each victim. Never found a container."
"How could you tell on the burned victims?"
"Enough residue remained for holo reconstruction. Take a look inside the other cases," he suggested.
"Why the nice treatment, Zryphus? I was dirt under your shoes when you first arrived." Sheriff Kalypso did some burning of her own while she picked up the mascara wand. "Black, black. Just like I remember."
"Sheriff," Deputy Anna called out, "finished the personal item scan. Got the body ready for transport. We're on our way. I'll leave the door open. Keep airing the room out."
"Thanks, Anna. You know where I am." Kalypso picked up a compact case, solid rich elegance in design. Opening it, she studied the pasty heavy covering. "Looks real. But I never used this stuff. Couldn't stand it. I used the sheer version they came out with, when I used makeup. Except when I acted in college theater. We used the heavy stuff because of the lighting. You haven't answered my question, Zryphus."
"Bluntly, Kalypso...I want you in my bed."
Placing the compact case down delicately, Kalypso absorbed the shock. "No, I don't think so," she slowly enunciated each word.
"Do you have a lover?" Zryphus handed her the powder case.
"None of your business, as they used to say. Looks real. Mind if I test it with my finger?"
"Please. You don't have a lover. Neither do I."
"Probably because you're married or in a committed partnership. Or you just ended an affair. Something like that. No!" Kalypso shifted gears. "Feels real, smells real. Are you aware of a company, or maybe a small business, that creates these replica products?"
"Three, to be exact. I can't tell where these originated. I'm a one woman man, Kalypso. You'd have all my attention."
"No thanks. I politely decline. Eyelash curler. Never used one. They always looked so barbaric. Hmmm, brow tweezers. Unfortunately, I tried this a few times. Way too painful."
"I'll convince you. What's this?"
"Eyebrow darkening powder. No, you won't. I don't like men when it comes to relationship crap. Perhaps you don't know much about our social structure here. Women rule."
"I dominate in bed. In our passionate relationship."
"No. Make me say 'no' again and something ugly will occur to you. Eye shadows. Definitely not the colors she had on. Let me see the blush."
"Ever been married, Kalypso? Which one is the blush?"
"I'm not answering. This case." Snatching it up, Kalypso lifted the lid. "Looks like the same color she had on. But we'll have to test. What's in the white satin bag?"
"Rings, three of them. They scan out at the same time period." He answered as if they were merely investigating together.
"Those have to be worth a fortune. To an investor who can pay."
"Approximately four ounces of platinum on the investor's market."
"Inscriptions?" she asked.
"Jim loves Mary forever on this one."
"Wonder if they're family heirlooms?"
"Intuitively, how do you read it, Kalypso?"
"Our Jackie O look-alike, was searching for something. I don't know if these rings are part of what she was looking for. Or maybe they were just an insurance policy."
"Insurance policy?"
"Like 'diamonds are a girl's best friend'. But since they're period, maybe they hold more sentimental value. Maybe a way of life she wanted to create for herself. The sixties Camelot of the Kennedy's, which wasn't, of course. But it was certainly a lovely shining hope at the time. Until the day certain powers-that-be at the CIA killed him, President Kennedy."
"Diamonds are a girl's best friend?"
"Come on, how old are you? Don't you ever watch vintage movies?"
"I'm 150 in Earth years. I have inhabited Earth for thirty-two years. Vintage suspense and crime movies. Dinner later? I'll bring diamonds."
Well hell and do tell, that explained his bull-massive size. He wasn't Earth human. "I'm ignoring you, Mr. Space Man. Except for a temporary professional relationship. What next?"
"We check out her clothes. You tell me your favorite kinky sex acts."
Kalypso decided a scowl in his direction wasn't worth the energy. "Only if you tell me why your behavior is so reprehensible toward women. Her clothing is mostly hanging in the closet, except for her underwear."
"What is reprehensible about sexually pleasing you? Several Jackie O outfits, I believe. You tell me."
"I don't want you 'sexually pleasing' me. That's what is reprehensible. Yes, three more. Travel clothing, as if she arrived by auto-bus rather than portal. English horse riding outfit circa late twentieth century, early twenty-first. Yoga exercise garments. Wow! negligees. Too bad you missed out on those vintage movies. These are early sixties styles, too. Boas, shoes to match everything. Find any stray hair that doesn't belong to her?"
"These aren't the clothes she wears with a sexual partner. Let's check the drawers. Yes, you do. You want me to do all those fantasy carnal acts you play out when you orgasm."
Used to commanding men during the Conflicts, Kalypso didn't flinch. "Meet me at our training gym. I'll show you what I want. To mash you like potatoes, into a begging pulp." She opened the first drawer. "Oh, my Goddess...she came equipped to play out fantasies. You should have asked her about favorite kinky sex acts."
"See what you mean. No new evidence recovered on the vid. Same males that were in bed with her. Two women. One-on-one, far as I can tell by the evidence. Actively used, however. Maybe enthusiastically would be a better description."
"Must be the type of woman whose hormones leap to insatiable when she's pregnant."
"Promise not to make you pregnant, Kalypso. If that's a worry for you."
"Why would I trust you? Next drawer?"
"You open. I'll vid any evidence. You'll learn to trust me."
"You'll learn to trust my incredible dislike for you." Sliding the drawer open, Kalypso gasped, poignantly. "Baby clothes, early sixties. She was planning on keeping the baby. At least, that's the way it appears."
"It does," Zryphus gently uttered. "Maybe she wanted to raise her child here."
"It's happened before. A mother who wants to change her life, start over. She decides to live in New Atlantis. Maybe she was searching for a life partner, also. By the way, we've got one of our own people coming down to the office for an interview. He's only sixteen, though."
"Why didn't you inform me earlier?" Zryphus growled.
"Why should I? It wasn't the priority. I've got my best person handling the interview. Male, if that makes you happy. He'll let me know immediately, if anything vital to the case plays out."
"This male want you as a lover?"
"Geez Louise, you're a bore."
"You won't say that after I kiss you. Bathroom, let's check it out."
"Picture my knee plowing into your male jewels." Kalypso pictured it with great satisfaction as they moved toward the bathroom door.
"You've got the most exquisite lush ass. Doggie lust at least once a week."
Kalypso whirled, feeling her face ignite to red. Her rage barely suppressed, she demanded, "What woman has ever responded to that degrading approach? Never mind!" She whirled back toward the bathroom, and forced her fists to unclench. "Obviously they have or you wouldn't be using it on me."
"You're the first. Believe it or not. What's that overwhelming smell?"
Pausing, she inhaled deeply, just to make certain. "It's Chanel #5. A popular perfume during that era. Personally I never liked it." Wishing she could jab her knuckles into his throat, a shot that would knock him off his big fat feet, she snapped, "Of course, I don't believe it. Men usually lie. Why would you be an exception to that rule?"
"What was your favorite perfume during that era?"
He'd spoken as if they politely conversed. Figuring she'd be rid of the monstrously framed irritant soon, she answered, "Emeraude it was called. Don't like perfumes now. Too synthetic still. Even with the revolution toward eco life styles. Look at all this replica stuff. Electric hair curlers, ancient hair dryer for heaven's sake. I wonder if she was trying to live the way she remembered her mother or grandmother? She showed up about half my age on the bio data. Do you know her birth date?"
"April 26, 2000. Five life path."
"Yeah. Lookin' for adventure. Never the bored girl. But she needed roots somewhere, if she was planning on keeping her daughter."
"Your town, Gardenia, and even your settlement area here on New Atlantis, remains isolated. Was it a new life or was she running from something?"
"If she was running, she should have kept on going. Maybe she could have outrun the Hair Spray Killer. The Hair Spray Killer, male or female, or both sets of genes, do you know?"
"All indication is male. Although the bio isn't conclusive. One male's presence looms larger than the others in here. A primary lover, do you think?"
"Client? Whatever. We don't tell people how to live their sex lives here. Keep it away from the children. Keep it private from those who don't want participation—and you can do whatever consenting adults do. Should be right up your preference alley." Kalypso knife-inserted her voice. "Get enough bio on the primary male for ID?"
"He's a Venutian hybrid. Maybe the baby's father? Nothing pops on immediate ID. Sending the bio to world search." He glanced at her professionally. "Got a local bio bank of all your people?"
"No. Just those who want ID for safety purposes. That's how we knew it was Brody, and his age, sixteen. You won't put his bio in your system." She stressed won't. "If you do, which we will discover, I'll make certain your systems are fried. All of them. In fact, you will not put any of our people in your federal system or any system—without permission. Do you understand?"
"Sure, gorgeous. You got sovereignty. Curious though, how are you planning to southern fry our systems?"
"Intention. Ever get a group together...a little concentration? A whole lot of intention. The system fries up like catfish. And if that doesn't do it...well, we always have a backup plan. Which I won't divulge." Kalypso half-turned away, before her itching kneecap enjoyed some exercise between the tree trunks that were his thighs. "Where's her underwear drawer?"
"Where's her underwear?"
"Good question, crazy man. She was wearing a bra, panties and hose circa the period. Showed up on the vid scan. I'll check all the drawers in here. You check her luggage, since there was none in the chest of drawers."
"Rather have you squeeze past me, our bodies in mutual contact...gorgeous." Zryphus grinned in that overbearing male, highly irritating way.
"Deviant. Why don't you advertise? There are women here who would 'appreciate' that particular lack in your character. 'Male Deviant. For sexual hire and doggie style pleasure. Top dog position required'," Kalypso sarcastically crooned, and shrugged one shoulder.
"Ruff, ruff, baby." He spun out of the bathroom before Kalypso could sock his jaw with her balled-up fist.
"I'd probably break my hand on his square rock-hard jaw," she muttered, then leaned over, and pulled open the first drawer. Lotions, nail polishes, and a manicure set were neatly arranged. "It would be worth it," she groused.
"I heard that, gorgeous."
"I hope so. If you know what's good for ya." Kalypso opened the next drawer. Anti-aging health supplements and creams lined the bottom. Most of them she was familiar with, and used.
After years of deliberate misdirection, and lies by the Global Elite-run corporations, the truth had finally come into full raging spotlight. There were three basic corrections that could be made naturally, which would effectively reverse aging back to a peak state of youth and beauty. A truth that had come to 'cosmic light', in part, because of Contact. Contact with the ancient Humans, who had returned to Earth as visitors. Many of them had departed before the destruction of the Atlantean empire, one more story of biblical proportions on the billions-year old Earth.
Deciding the fantasy-playing Jackie O may have hung her 'unmentionables' in the shower, Kalypso slid open the shower door. Only a pair of red lace thongs hung from the shower head. "Darling," she called out as if she was in a Doris Day/Rock Hudson movie. "In here...with your equipment, please."
"Our first sex act in the shower, darling?" His low gravelly voice seized her.
Kalypso whipped around. "Get your equipment up, stud dog, for these."
"Not worn long," he stated, watching his vid scan. "And not worn by our victim. Must be one of your citizens. She's not showing up on my ID. I can analyze her gene material, give you a profile, unless that's contrary to your sovereignty, Sheriff gorgeous. By the way, no underwear, anywhere." He fastened his gaze on her. "You're not wearing any."
"Don't like it." Kalypso averted her face, and twisted the corner of her mouth. Men! "Except on special occasions," she added for affect. "Give me a profile on our red lace gal. My prerogative as Sheriff of our fair land and town."
"I like it. That you're not wearing any...underwear. It'll take a few minutes. I have to use the central program."
"Really don't care what you like. And don't like," Kalypso grouched. "Anything else you want to investigate here?" She shoved past his great hulking frame, and breathed in the air of freedom, from him, even if it still reeked of hair spray.
"Feeling trapped by our ferocious attraction?" Zryphus sauntered toward her, his gaze locked on the vid.
"If I have to personally tromp through hell, I'm finding the killer just so I don't have to be around you!"
Zryphus raised one dark ruthless brow, then both brows. "If I were the killer I'd be quaking in my killer boots...my killer shoes, or my killer bare feet."
"Is that the diabolical plan? Make me hate you so much, I'll do whatever I have to do to get the killer, despite my duty to the sovereignty of New Atlantis?"
"No, the deviant diabolical plan is to trap you in my bed, take advantage of every carnal thrill with that exceptional and sweet body of yours."
"Disgusting doesn't cover it!" Kalypso marched toward the door. She grabbed a breath to calm herself. "Before I touch the door handle, do you want a second close-up scan?"
"Better scanning-safe than sorry. You've got me slightly off my game, gorgeous. Or I would have thought of that." He strode to the front door, watching her pivot to one side, then fold her arms tightly against him. She tapped her foot impatiently, while he thoroughly ran his super vid over the entire surface. "The handle, it's been intentionally cleaned, on the inside and outside of the room."
"Cleaned with what? Top dog detective," she sniped.
"It reads out as old-fashioned Windex. Effective enough."
"Defeated by Windex. Great holy cow!"
"I see your Deputy Anna scanned the direct area around the room outside."
"Yep, when we arrived. As we walked up the steps to the room. The camera feed from the motel is already in process at the office. The little amount there is...we don't spy on our people here!" Kalypso heatedly defended at his hard glance. "Do you want to view it, or not?"
"Anything to stay next to you, gorgeous. The profile on your red lace gal is coming up." He flashed a small cock-of-the-walk grin at her.
~~~~~~
Happy Summer Reading...
May your most romantic dreams come true...
Savanna
Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~
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~~~ Kalypso & Zryphus invite you to read their love story ~ a match made in intergalactic heaven ~~~
MURDER BY HAIR SPRAY IN GARDENIA, NEW ATLANTIS ~ 2051 suspense futuristic, erotic romance ~ American Title IV finalist ~ One hundred years later Sheriff Kalypso despises relationships. Zryphus has found his one woman. The Battle of the Sexes begins. Rising from Siren-BookStrand ~ the future begins here... ~ http://bookstrand.com/authors/savannakougar ~ IN PRINT ~ available at Barnes and Noble & Amazon.
~~~~~~
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Long Road to Romance and Murder
Monday, June 29, 2009
Night Owl Romance Review for Black Cat Beauty
Hi, HEA lovers, another wonderful surprise landed in my email box. The exceptionally kind Vivien Dean - viviendean.com, an eppie award winning romance author, let me know about a new review for BLACK CAT BEAUTY.
Given the large numbers of romance books awaiting reviews these days, the I am absolutely grateful for this 4.5 review.
Night Owl Romance Reviews ~ Thank You, Vee
~ Black Cat Beauty is an entertaining, quick read. Its plot is 
complicated given the length of the book, but Ms. Kougar pulls it off. The erotic scenes were well done and fit in with the rest of the story. ~
For the full review claw-click on the button ~
~~~
~~~ Sable & Devon invite you to read their love story ~ will a black cat girl find happiness with a superhero? ~~~
BLACK CAT BEAUTY ... She has the claws and the cattitude to prove it... He has the super-powered strength and passion she fights, but needs... available from Liquid Silver Books ~ http://liquidsilverbooks.com ~ http://www.liquidsilverbooks.com/books/blackcatbeauty.htm ~
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HAVE A WONDERFUL SUMMER
~ MAY ALL YOUR READING DREAMS COME TRUE ~
Savanna Kougar
~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Romance of the Tame Prairie
One of the reasons I absolutely love living on my tame prairie or in midwest cattle country ~ is because I see the abundance of wildlife each day.
Now, I’m certain what I currently observe is nothing compared to the wildlife that used to live in the area before it was settled by the west-moving pioneers. Still, it’s like a little paradise for me.
Of course, there are lots of winging, singing birds... cardinals, blue jays, wrens, one of the titmouse species... I hear the raucous call of crows at times. The geese get into screaming battles with each other as they chase each other overhead.
Recently, when I returned from my mailbox, which is a ways from the house, a young hen turkey crossed right in front of me. It was a breathtaking exhilarating moment. Occasionally, I’ll see the flocks of wild turkeys that live in the area. I find them truly inspiring birds and nothing like domesticated turkeys.
Yes, I’ve seen adorable bunnies and a huge buck rabbit. The squirrels have finally decided my doggies aren’t a threat unless they fall out of their trees at the wrong time. Then, it’s likely to be goodbye squirrel, hello lunch. I’ve discovered Squirrels are much noisier and more aggressive than I realized, and what they can do with those tails... the signals are amazing. I watched one fellow sit on his hind end and angrily, loudly chatter proclaiming to one and all this was his tree. This went on for, at least, ten minutes.
Then there are the large canine paw prints we see in the snow. The large piles of poo on the gravel drive.
Yep, there are growing packs of coyotes around here. How do I know? I hear them more often and there are more of them. It’s chilling and utterly fascinating to listen to the coyotes during the night hours, howling and yipping in the surrounding fields. Their voices are so close to the way my doggies sound when they decide to howl, I often have to concentrate to tell the difference. No, my baby dogs aren’t kept outside, in case, anyone thought that. But, they do have their own room for the night since I do most of my writing then, and need to concentrate. Or, if mom and I are outside for too long and not in the fenced off area, they howl.
A couple of times now, I’ve seen coyotes in the distance when I’m traveling back and forth to go shopping, etc. I am always enthralled.
Today, and the reason I’m penning this bloggie... I saw a wild critter I thought I’d never see around here. As I was driving home and on the gravel road close to my house, I saw some smallish critter ahead of me on the road, just moving on down the road at a leisurely pace. I slowed the van because, gosh, I don’t want to accidently hit whatever it is. And I was curious. Creeping closer, I think it’s someone’s cat out for a fun time in the wilds of nature... at first. Actually, I haven’t seen that many cats in the area.
Not twenty feet away, the cat turns to the side... it’s a tawny color with some kind of darker markings...AND! It has a bobtail. Well, my first thought is that it’s a Manx cat. Where I used to live there was a group of feral Manx cats, so I’m familiar with what they look like and their gait. This feline, while large for a Manx, also didn’t move like that breed and didn’t have the characteristic high hindquarters.
Bobcat... a cub... that was my next thought as my wild critter leisurely trotted into the pasture, then halted and gave me and the van a long look before trotting on, not in a frightened manner, just a cautious one.
So, of course, once I got online I searched Bobcat cub pics. The above is what I saw, except, I think my bobcat was younger than this cub and was more tawny in color. Now, I wasn’t close enough to see the ear tips, however the shape of its face looked like the pic above.
There, my miracle baby Bobcat. I have to say, though, I have no clue if it was really a wild one, or someone’s escaped pet.
And, just in case, it’s a shamanic message... this is a snippet from Judith at ~ http://angelsandancestors.blogspot.com/2008/05/spirit-animals-bobcat.html ~ Bobcat is often associated with new lessons and with growth in spirituality.
New lessons, yep, everyday. Hopefully, I am growing in spirituality everyday... yet, without the trials and tribulations... yeah, right... dream on...
Still, I am incredibly grateful for seeing a bobcat on the tame prairie.
Savanna
Savanna Kougar
~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~
Author of ~
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Romancing Flash Fiction ~ The Heart's Misunderstanding
Truthfully, I have no idea how or when what is currently called Flash Fiction came into being, or who wrote the first one. My first introduction to the creative challenge and extreme pleasure of penning 100 word Flashes began with Flash Fiction Sunday on the Liquid Silver SEx blog.
I was tentative about joining in the outrageous fun, at first, having no idea how to write one. While I haven’t really gotten into Sunday’s cyber-wild party of Chippendale dancers and free-flowing tequila that often goes along with the flash-ing, I have definitely discovered a niche for myself ~ what I call Serial Flashing. Or writing a scene or a story in 100, 150 or 500 word installments.
Flashes are not, obviously, limited to those word counts. It’s whatever size floats your creative talented boat.
Currently I have a Serial Flash in Two Hundred that I began last December 26, titled ~ Happy Courtship on Another Earth ~ which is still running on the Liquid Silver forum and is written 200 words at a time, each day. First, I write the heroine’s voice, then the hero’s voice. I began it as an experiment to find out the response and because I enjoy creating Sylva and Zeke’s love story... boy! do I enjoy creating their Wild West meets modern times, alternative timeline story. Right now, I’m up to Part 122, or 14,400 words.
For this blog, I thought I’d share my flash from last Sunday, with an added two flashes... because it’s a happily ever after theme common in romance novels, especially of ye olden days when I began reading them. Part of the inspiration that flickered before my mind’s eye was Rhett’s love for Scarlett in Gone With the Wind... what would have happened if... well, if several things were different, including the culture itself. Although, to add, the heroine and hero do not resemble Vivien Leigh or Clark Gable.
The Heart’s Misunderstanding
ONE
Giddy with happiness, she raced down the long staircase. Surely wings were attached to her slippered feet. Pausing at the bannister, she caught her breath. He was here, waiting for her in the reception room. Terrance, the love of her life. She’d seen his personal coach from her balcony. At last evening’s ball, he’d hinted at his arrival this day. Her diaphanous daygown whispered around her ankles as she floated forward. What would she say when he asked for her hand in marriage? How would she say her acceptance? Would she smile demurely, or would her tears erupt in joy.
TWO
Terrance spun around on the heel of his superb cavalry boots, a wide smile on his solid handsome face. His gaze beamed with the strength of several suns. “Oh, Terrance,” she breathed out her heart. Kalvesta rushed toward him and swore her feet felt like hummingbirds’ wings. She halted as swiftly when he suddenly frowned, his countenance resembling the quiet before a storm. “What is it?” fell from her lips.
“Kalvesta, my sweet one.” He moved to her, grasping her hands inside his. “It was your sister, Lolenda, I asked to join me.” He paused, compassion owning his gaze. “I am sorry.”
THREE
Kalvesta’s world whirled and crashed around her. If she had been a tower she would have crumbled into unrecognizable dust. “I, I am sorry.” She stuttered over her words and felt everything inside her die. Her heart stopped and refused to start. Still, she noticed its tiny resilient thump inside her chest. How do I remain standing, she wondered. A terrible bubble of silence surrounded her and suddenly she could see nothing. “Please, do not let Lolenda know I was here.” Tearing her hands from Terrance’s kind grip, she fled. On instinct she found the garden doors and flew outside.
FOUR
Dhaldago unfolded his arms, observing the woman he wanted with a ferocity that owned his soul, burst out the tall ornate door – as he had surmised would occur, once she discovered Terrance had arrived for her sister. Her lovely delicate shoulder had been coldly shown to him every time he’d made the slightest courting advance. Now, she would be his. He had carefully spoken his desire to her parents, gaining their consent. Although, it was his right to boldly take her in marriage, since her sister was the younger of the two. Shoving away from the stone wall, he sprinted.
FIVE
Keeping a falcon eye on his Kalvesta, Dhaldago marveled at her fleetness of foot. Yet, wasn’t that one reason for his loin’s passion? Her female form was all fragile sumptuousness while her spirit in whatever sport she played was savagely glorious, and more often than not, she triumphed. Gaining on her, he watched her jerk to a halt beneath a weeping willow tree. Her small hand flattened on the trunk before she doubled over, crumpling onto the ground. Not caring how much she loathed him, Dhaldago raced to her. Before she could react, he scooped her up into his arms.
SIX
“What are you doing?” Flames owned her tongue. Still, she remained stunned and too emotionally weak to struggle against his hold as he strode with her along the path.
“My coach awaits for you, my intended bride.” He glanced downward, glimpsing her sea-sensual eyes, now huge pools of shocked realization.
“No.” He felt the force of her whisper.
“Yes. I have right of marriage.”
“I will despise you forever!”
“Your hatred is preferred over life without you, beautiful woman.”
“How can that be?” she fired on him with her tone. He acknowledged the scorch of her strike.
“Simple. I want you.”
SEVEN
“You are a fool just as I am a fool.” Her tone demonstrated she gave no quarter to herself. “I am betrayed by my own unreliable heart. You are betrayed by your baser desires,” she charged.
“Forgive my frankness so early in our life together, my precious Kalvesta, you know nothing of my heart, nor my soul... nor my baser desires.”
Dhaldago continued his long rapid strides, his obsidian-colored coach in sight now. The gold trim and his dynastic crest subtly gleamed in the lesser light of Autumn. The six elegant, yet substantial-bodied horses displayed eagerness, restless in their harnesses.
EIGHT
Their dark golden coats shimmered more brightly than his door crest.
“I must assume I will soon know your baser desires despite my unwillingness.”
Her pride and her trembling little fright of him sliced to his heart as if his chest had been opened by a battle axe. Still, his passion for her ruled.
“Oh, I shall cause your explicit and exceptional willingness,” Dhaldago darkly promised.
She thrust up her delicate and defiant chin, pretending to ignore him. Catching sight of his coach and horses, she started, then stared. “They are lovely as heaven,” she burst out softly. “Your horses.”
~~~~~~
HAPPY DANCE AROUND THE MAYPOLE DAY...
May your most romantic dreams come true...
Savanna
Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~ http://savannakougar.com ~
*******************
Sizzle Romance Title coming from Savanna Kougar ~ MAY 1, 2009 release date.
HER INSATIABLE DARK HEROES ~ what does it mean when The Harbinger arrives on a world devastated by weather wars...where super powers are given to a few... coming from Siren-BookStrand ~ http://bookstrand.com/authors/savannakougar ~
~~~~~~
Escape into the seductive fantasy romance of your choice ~ FICTIONWISE ~
http://www.fictionwise.com/eBooks/savannakougareBooks.htm?cache ~
For my novels at KINDLE, MOBIPOCKET & ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS ~ Search *Savanna Kougar* ~
WHEN A GOOD ANGEL FALLS ~ >>>Now in Print<<<>
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Western Erotic Romance ~ Or Lasso Me, Cowboy
Yep, lasso me, cowboy, I’m ready and willin’ to be yours. That’s one of the newest trends in erotic romance.
Within the past year, to my notice, alpha-hero cowboys have become hot property in most of the erotic romance subgenres. Happily, some readers can’t get enough these tough, but mushy hearted ~ *do-anything-for-their-woman* ~ *fast with a gun and a cocky grin* men ~ a good thing because I want to write my own stories and live the Western Erotic Romance adventure.
I’ve had so many swoony-heart crushes on TV-show cowboy heroes growing up, I’d hesitate to name them all here, space being at a premium. Suffice it to say, there has never been a lack of inspiration, whether it’s Roy Rogers, Bonanza or James West of Wild, Wild West ~ and of course, two of my absolute favorites, The Lone Ranger and Zorro (blog coming soon).
Oh soar-my-heart, yes, I confess, I do adore a man who can ride a horse really well... yeehaw!
Yep, the Westerns of yesteryear have met today’s erotic romance, and it’s a marriage made in absolute big-sky heaven.
Contemporary sexy-hunk cowboys are at home on the range, on a modern dude ranch, riding in the rodeo, enjoying the high life of Las Vegas, or residing in the marrying town of Wayback, Texas, a popular series put out by The Wild Rose Press.
Cowboys are also dark, tall and deadly vampires, who know how to make love with one bite. They are alpha-dangerous werewolves who know how to seduce a woman to every pleasure.
Yep, make-me-wanna-ride cowboys come in every species of shapeshifter ~ Big Cats like tawny cougars and stallion shifters like my hero, Trail Drojovv, in my WIP ~ Stallion of Ash and Flame ~ He alters into his horse form to save the heroine, Seneca, in this scene-snippet.
“No!” He heard her scream, trying to protect him from the Sheriff’s bullets.
Seeing through his blood-red rage, he snaked his neck. His teeth trapped the Sheriff’s forearm, and he crunched down, then ruthlessly twisted. The gun flew out of Pork Belly’s grip. He grimaced with excruciating pain, and grunted, not yelling because shock had him in its grip. Drojovv head-butted him against the side of the car. Rearing, he attacked with his hooves, pummeling his chest and shoulders until he was utterly cowed.
Wild with the need to make certain his Mate would never be harmed, Drojovv flailed his hooves around the Sheriff’s upper torso. Both car windows shattered.
~~~~~~
Recently, I purchased the historical western erotic romance, INTIMATE STRANGERS by Gem Sivad, because I’m impressed with the powerful realism of the excerpts I’ve read.Instantly, I’m transported back to that time in the Old West, and I’m living the love story of Lucy and Ambrose as they live it. Nothing better than that. I can’t wait until I get some time to read it, so I can lose myself in the type of western I’ve always wanted to read.
Here’s a scene Gem kindly sent me with her intro ~
~~~
Back on the Double-Q with her husband, Lucy has no memory of him. Ambrose is determined that she will once again be his wife, memory or not (and maybe it would be better if she didn’t remember their sad marriage of before.)
~~~
Whenever he could, more often than not, Ambrose Quince came in from the ranch work and washed up on the back porch before sitting down in the kitchen with a cup of coffee to watch her cook.
It irritated her to step around him as he cluttered up her work space. She only tolerated his being in the way because Brody was delighted that her pa was visiting them each afternoon.
Lucy was not. Each time she softened her voice, controlling her need to slap Brody’s father or chase him from the kitchen with a broom, she did so to ingratiate herself with her daughter. And he knew it.
“Mr. Quince, are you watching for mistakes or looking for my flaws?” Her voice was sharp this afternoon as she tried to erect a barrier of words between them. It was usually unnecessary with Brody talking a mile a minute, but Alex had lured his sister to the barn to help with an orphaned calf, abandoning Lucy to the unwanted attentions of her husband.
“Neither, Mrs. Quince,” he drawled after frowning over her formal address. “I’m just wondering how many fellas came courtin’ after they ate their first Lucy-cooked meal?”
The question was meant to be teasing, but came out as more of a possessive growl. Lucy let her voice convey the full measure of her dislike of him, relieved that for once, she had no reason to pretend.
“One,” she declared grimly, watching sham curiosity change to jealousy. “But after I shot off half his ear, the traffic from the dining room trickled down to just Roberta.”
Ambrose settled deeper in his chair facing her, as though preparing to withstand the siege if she pulled out one of her weapons and started slinging lead at him. He didn’t bother to hide his gratification at her answer and ventured another question.
“Got any sugar for me today?” Brody made sure they had a treat waiting for him every afternoon. Cinnamon rolls left from breakfast, apple pie made for supper, johnnycake and beans when he came in roaring hungry and needed a tide-me-over.
Suddenly, Lucy wanted him out of her kitchen. She wanted the innuendoes and sly comments stopped.
“What do you mean by that, sir?” She could feel the flush of outrage heating her cheeks as she glared at him. It was the way he said sugar—it just made her want to scream at him. The fierce heat in his glance was at odds with his bland demeanor.
He shrugged answering, “Just hoping for some of your hidden delights, sweetheart.” His face was inscrutable, but his lip did that little twitch that Lucy had come to realize concealed his humor.
She slapped a withered apple in front of him, the last of the dried bunch Brody had supplied. “This will have to do. I’ve got nothing else to offer.”
His look made her tense and uneasy. When he stood and walked toward her, she backed against the counter, frightened by his sudden approach. But he reached past her shoulder and pulled out the slab of chocolate cake Brody had secreted away for him.
“I figured you’d forgotten something you had saved back just for me.” His chest brushed closer to her shoulder than was needed, and he leaned over her closer than necessary. Head even with hers, resting one hand on her back as he retrieved the cake slice, he inhaled deeply. “My God, I’ve missed that smell.”
Rattled at his proximity, Lucy demanded defensively, “What smell?”
Ambrose paused, bending closer to her neck to breathe deeply. “…Salt … Sugar …
Cinnamon…”
“I thought you said I didn’t cook before. Did you hang your nose over the shoulder of somebody else who quit?”
He stopped to consider, almost brushing his lips against her neck before he continued, “No other cooks, no other women. I guess I must be remembering you … the scent of Lucy Quince. That’s what I’ve missed, the smell of my woman.”
The words made her gasp, and she was unpleasantly aware of a tightening in her chest and her nipples pebbling beneath the rough material of her dress. Her breath heaved in and out, fighting some wild passion that made her want to—She looked around for something to hit him with.
~~~
INTIMATE STRANGERS is available at Liquid Silver Books where you can read the first chapter.
~~~~~~
If you have a hankerin’ for those drool-worthy cowboys, they’re just waiting to show you a real good time at epublishers like Siren-BookStrand, where western erotic romance is flourishing big as the Montana sky.
Happy Romantic Trails
May your most romantic dreams come true...
Savanna Kougar
~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Romancing the Heavenly Stars in Blue
I was commissioned to do this painting showing a very Earth-like planet near some blue stars. Globular star clusters are usually made up of very ancient stars and tend to be yellowish in colour, however on this occasion I was asked to paint a swarm of sapphire-like stars. The planet seems to be floating on the canvas while the eye is drawn to the dense cluster of stars. ~ Richard Bizley ~ http://bizleyart.com ~
Because I’ve never been a big fan of April Fool’s Day, you won’t get your sniggering laugh here. Not that I haven’t been a witness to, and a victim of a really good April Fool’s *I gotcha*. In fact, last April 1, George Noory, host of Coast-to-Coast am, nighttime radio, told a whopper of a tale about finding a baby T-Rex in the Australian badlands. His skill at pulling off the playful deceit was impressive, and for months after people would call into the show asking for an update on that crypto zoological *news story*. No, that one didn’t get me.
Instead on this first day of April, my Spring mood runs to romance, so I finished a scene between Lady Sheridan and Baron Zaggry, their first meeting. Since I began their love story ten years later in ALL SHADES OF BLUE PARADISE, it’s a special delight to write about the beginning of their courtship.
I had originally planned to use the scene on Valentine’s Day for promo. That didn’t happen because of other author-type busyness. However, ALL SHADES OF BLUE PARADISE is my first contracted story, so I thought it fit this number one day.
~~~~~~
Heavenly Stars in Blue
Sher & Zag ~ First Meeting
Lady Sheridan gazed down at the man who dared stride in front of her mare, her blood blue-boiling. She had been on her way to the show ground’s stable with the intention of overseeing the care of her horses. Easily handling Bellesza’s fractious dancing steps, she kept the bold-spirited mare calm enough.
“Sir, you are in my path. Remove yourself immediately.” If she could have, Sher would lashed the arrogant oaf with the bluefire words of her temper.
“I will always remain in your path, Lady Woadeir.”
Eyes of icy green smoldered upon her face. Sher drew in a soft rush of breath before she realized it, yet stifled the urge to toss her loosened hair. The tawny and russet-maned man appeared familiar to her eye. Most probably one of the Royals she cared little for, the ones who always blue-cooled her mood to a cold disinterest.
“Remove yourself. Or I will be tempted to allow Bellesza her striking hoof.”
Instead of obeying, the impudent Royal languidly gripped the rein near her mount’s bit, gaining control, unless Sheridan commanded her mare otherwise.
“I am Baron Zaggry, most beautiful woman. I will immediately remove myself once you agree to accompany me this very evening.”
Sheridan knew why women fell at the Baron’s perfectly booted feet in erotic surrender, as she’d heard tell in the salons. Beyond his obvious handsome features, it was his tone, smooth and splendid as gold-blue brandy. Yet, his voice, was also rough and ruthless as a cougar’s rumbling purr.
He would give a woman smooth and splendid passions. He would give her rough and ruthless lust.
Sheridan knew she paused too long. “No, I decline. I am otherwise engaged, Baron.”
He paused as well, his gaze falcon-trained on her face. “Heavenly stars in blue.”
His sincere wooing spiraling-jolted her middle, and caused Sheridan to lean back a bit on her spare saddle. Alert now, Bellesza stood patiently, her interest captured by the Baron.
“Your eyes, Lady Woadeir. I wondered at their color.” He took a step closer, keeping hold of the rein. “Heavenly stars in blue and turquoise, I see now.”
“Your compliment is kind, Baron. Yet, I must decline. I have no desire--"
“You will,” he interrupted, brave as a rutting stallion. “You will desire my escort and my company, Lady Sheridan.”
“I gave you no permission to address me with such intimacy.” Sheridan glared for good measure, her own haughtiness a thin veil over her ire, now rising swift as a wind-fed wildfire.
“No, you did not.” A grin tugged at one corner of his mouth.
Sheridan swallowed down a flare of desire. His lips were sensually carved, reminding her of her kiss-erotic daydreams as a girl becoming a woman. A man’s mouth had always gained her notice.
“I must earn your forgiveness, Lady Woadeir. May I escort you to this night’s Blues Festival?”
Though, his gaze remained glittering-intense, still, a gentleman’s seduction owned the depths of his ice-pale green eyes. In that moment, Sheridan lost her battle to deny him if...
“I shall meet you, Baron Zaggry, at the plaza dance floor. If you partner me in a way that pleases me, I will allow your escort for the evening.”
His eyes darkened for an instant, surprise flickering over the pale facets. He smiled, a cougar’s smile of temporary acceptance.
“Of course, I will be honored to earn my escort of you, Lady Woadeir. May I inquire, what will be the time of your arrival?”
Their game of courtship had begun. Sheridan flashed a wickedly teasing smile at him, her own satisfaction in play.
“I shall arrive at my pleasure, Baron.” His stunned gaze was priceless, indeed worth a handful of gold-laced lapis lazuli. “Perhaps, you will consider pleasing my feminine eye by wearing faded blue jeans.”
Releasing her mare’s rein, he stepped closer, his gaze enigmatic. “Lady Woadeir, to please you, I would wear nothing but my golden hide, with an impressive display of the family jewels.”
She glimpsed the private triumph of his grin before he bowed slightly, and pivoted from her.
“Dangerous,” she murmured to Bellesza. “A most dangerous man-animal. That is obvious as the leisurely spin of our azure diamond stars.”
~~~~~~
For the blue-green horse lands of Spring....
Lady Sheridan & Baron Zaggry invite you to read their love story ~
ALL SHADES OF BLUE PARADISE ~ an aristocratic fantasy of fiercest passion ~ *5 Stars* from ReviewYourBook ~ available from Siren Publishing ~ http://www.sirenpublishing.com/savannakougar/asobp.asp ~
An Author Discovery by Lindsay Townsend ~ http://sirenbookstrand.blogspot.com ~
~~~~~~
Note: No, Zorro is not forgotten and will be presented in an upcoming blog.
~~~
Happy Spring
May your most romantic dreams come true...
Savanna
Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance
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Friday, March 13, 2009
The Romance of the Lone Ranger
First ~ thank you to ~ http://lonerangerfanclub.com ~
After all, who could resist the theme from the William Tell Overture, not this buckaroo gal...
I raced inside as fast as Silver whenever I heard the blood-stirring beginning by Fred Hoy ~
Hi-Yo Silver — A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty Hi-Yo Silver … the Lone Ranger! With his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, the daring and resourceful masked rider of the plains led the fight for law and order in the early West. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. The Lone Ranger rides again!And this intro is from the radio show, born out of the Depression, and begun February 2, 1933 ~
“When the West was young and danger lay at the end of every trail, the Lone Ranger and his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, brought law and order to the length and breadth of the early Western states.”
Yes, I had a little girl’s crush on the masked man. And a little secret from my past...shhhh.. I also had a big crush on Tonto. Most of all, my heart belonged to Silver, then Scout, their horses. Horses always won out at that age.
Since forever, I’ve been in love with TV’s version of the Old West, the romanticized adventurous stories where the good guys win and the bad guys are beaten, then justice triumphs. Not to mention Dale Evans and Annie Oakley were no cowering-in-the-corner females. No sireee! They could shoot and ride with the best of them.Okay - not the corral, I’ve always wanted to write my own cowboy romances. I even went through a period of reading Zane Grey, long, long ago. Now, I have several Western Romance WIPs going, admittedly all of them in the fantasy/paranormal subgenres. One I hope to submit to Liquid Silver Books soon, Seneca and Trail’s love story. So, of course, I’ve been enjoying my trip down memory lane with all of my favorite cowboys of yesteryear (lots of them!).
And then, my memory was lassoed when I was wondering what to blog about for Happily Ever After. The first man I fell in love with, when I was sixteen, was gorgeous. Mike Gray was eighteen, and I mean he was living work of art. He had women after him like crazy.I had never seen any actor who resembled him until the ill-fated movie ~ The Legend of the Lone Ranger - 1981 ~ Klinton Spilsbury, the actor with a name guaranteed to fail, starred as the Lone Ranger. Evidently, his career was also ill-fated. I can’t even find a photo of him. However, let me tell you that movie didn’t fail me. I thoroughly enjoyed every mesmerizing moment, even if it wasn’t the true Lone Ranger, Clayton Moore.
Branded into my mind’s eye is the scene of the Lone Ranger and Tonto, astride Silver and Scout, racing side-by-side. Oh heavenly days... I swooned inside. Desire swamped every cell of my body. And, all I could do was wish with all my heart, I lived that story with them, riding alongside them on my own fantastic steed... while knowing, of course, it would never happen. A hopeless dream. Merely fantasy.
Perusing the pictures from the TV series...yes, I did remember those moments, and it felt darn good reliving those memories. It felt strange and not strange, because I haven’t seen them since childhood.
No, none of my WIPs are based on that particular Cowboy and Indian, plus magnificent horses, fantasy... yet.
But ya never know.
I believe one of the reasons Westerns have endured, even with a lessening in popularity until recently, is because there is a genuine romance to the Old West, despite the harsh and cruel realities. So many of the true stories are a testament to the resilience and power of the human spirit. And, if a man or woman were good, they were really good, rising above the ugliness and the baser natures around them.This is a scene at the end of the first episode of the Lone Ranger TV series ~
The last remaining Ranger from the ambush puts a mask on, one Tonto has made from the vest belonging to his dead brother, Captain Reid. Next, Tonto hands him the weapons.
Tonto: Here, guns, to kill bad men..
Reid: I’m not going to do any killing..
Tonto: You not defend yourself?
Reid: I’ll shoot if I have to. But I’ll shoot to wound, not to kill.. If a man must die, it’s up to the law to decide that, not the person behind a six - shooter!
Tonto: That’s right, Kemo Sabe!
Tonto: You all alone now. Last man.. You are lone Ranger..
Reid: Yes, Tonto.. I am.. The Lone Ranger!
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Guess what? Unknown to little ole’ me, Disney is planning/scripting a Lone Ranger movie, staring Johnny Depp as Tonto... and, maybe, George Clooney as the Lone Ranger... that’s the runaway rumor, anyway.
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Here’s my own little tribute to the Wild, Wild West. This is a Serial Flash I began, that is now up to *Part 75*. It’s New Year’s Eve night on two different, but parallel Earths.
Courtship on Another Earth
Part 1 ~
Sylva stroked on the red lipstick carefully. The shade was deep scarlet and it looked like a swathe of gleaming velvet on her lips. “Who needs collagen injections?” she murmured, then surveyed her festively made-up face. Dusky twilight purple shadowed her eyes, highlighting the blue-green color. A shimmer of pale gold brought out her high cheekbones ~ a magical contrast to the glistening pink-gold powder covering her face, her neck, and artfully ending at her propped-up cleavage, displayed by a heart-shaped tight bodice of midnight satin. “Mirror, mirror, on my bathroom wall, who’s the New Years Party fairest of them all?”
Zeke flashed a cocky half-grin at his appearance in the mirror his mother had given him decades ago. The white-gold scroll work surrounding the tall oval mirror contrasted sharply with his tan leather vest and matching pants, both designed for riding his horse into town and as evening wear for the new year’s celebration. His cream-colored silk shirt clung to the muscles of his chest, won by hard work on his family’s ranch empire. And won by the fistfights he was famous for ending, but never beginning. Tonight, by long-standing tradition, he could claim any available woman as his bride.
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Part 2 ~
Sylva flipped a smile at her reflection. Stepping back to see herself more fully, she thrust her hip, accentuating the sassiness of her short satin and tule-layered skirt. “Adorably sexy,” she complimented herself. Okay, her thighs were full unlike the stick figure models that had successfully invaded the fashion world. Her calves were shapely, what used to be considered starlet-sexy...especially since she wore spectacular ankle-strap black heels, along with a pair of old-fashioned seamed hose. Tonight, she would strut her stuff with the best of them. Tomorrow, no more job. She was one more victim of the current economy.
Zeke strapped on his pearl-handled revolver. He’d cleaned and oiled it earlier, then made certain it fired properly, shooting several pennies out of the air. Since they’d become non-legal tender eleven years past, he figured that was a damn good use. Leaning down, he slid a dead-aim derringer, one of his grandfather’s designs, inside his fancified riding boot. Decorated with swirls of gold thread and engraved with the ranch’s crest, his new boots were a show of his hard-won status as the Overseer of their horse operations, from breeding to sales. Yep, it was time to settle on one woman.
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Part 3 ~
Sylva beat back the worry that threatened to overwhelm her. Pasting a smile on her face, she tossed her strawberry blonde hair a bit. The long length waved over her bare back while her dangly ruby-imitation earrings swung enchantingly...to her eye. She felt sexy and sultry. Swivelling her head, she looked at her profile from the corner of her eye. She’d pulled the sides of her hair up, banded it, then attached a tiny glittering rose. As if possessed by a spirit, she faced the mirror, whispering, “I wish I may, I wish might, find my true love tonight.”
Zeke plucked his mahogany leather cowboy hat from the bronze curlicue hook, plopping it on his head. From years of practice, since he’d been knee-high to his father, the broad-brimmed hat settled at the perfect rakish angle, and covered most of his bay-colored hair. The curling waves at the nape of his neck and above his ears were touched by a golden sheen from all the time he spent outdoors. He’d had more than one woman, scarce as they were in these parts, run her fingers through the fringes of his hair, as if she sought real gold. He grinned.
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Part 4 ~
Sylva grimaced and shook her head at herself, before whirling away from the mirror, and out the bathroom door. Yeah, that would be the day. True love, ha! She’d tried it several times now, with results more dismal than the prospect of not being able to find job. Refusing to think about what possessions she could sell to get by, she lovingly picked up her long velvet cape. Reversible, the hooded cape was a glorious red velvet on one side and a deep midnight black on the other. Who cared if people thought she looked like a witch in it.
Zeke swung the fringed buckskin jacket off the garment post, and slid into it. It fit his frame perfectly. He’d made certain of that by having it tailored in town, despite his family’s protest and ribbing over his extravagance, as they called it. But hell to the four winds, Brennon outfitted the other young bucks and the ranch gentlemen. All of whom partook of sophisticated entertainments in town, other than Sophie’s Sin Saloon. What did he care if others thought he was too dandified? His quick aim with a fist or gun meant most would keep their comments to themselves.
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Happy Age of Aquarius
May your most romantic dreams come true ...
Savanna Kougar
~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
The Romantic Heart of Men
One of the reasons ~ among the many *sigh and be still my beating heart* reasons ~ I have a passion for watching Adrian Paul perform as an actor, especially in the TV Highlander series, is because he possesses a romantic heart. It’s apparent in his presence on screen and how he portrays the various historical incarnations of Duncan Macleod. Believe me, it’s not just superb acting. And, omygoodness, who couldn’t fall in love?
Oh, and I love how Adrian Paul’s character picks up a bodice ripper romance novel and begins reading, in one ending scene of the long-gone TV show ‘Tracker’ ~ he plays an alien who has to learn how to survive and live on Earth, since he’s co-opted a male model’s body.
Yes, I definitely have a huge weakness for an alpha male who is also a romantic at heart. I can’t help it. I don’t want to help it. And I love writing those type of heroes.
Ever since I discovered some men (other than the heroes in romance novels) actually do possess a romantic side, a very delicious romantic side, I’ve been fascinated and have been discovering more about how they tick, how they think and feel.
If you’ve ever heard or read the love letters the Civil War soldiers sent home to their wives and sweethearts, you’ll understand why my heart waxes poetic over the romantic heart of men.
Some will contend a romance novel hero can’t be truly alpha if he turns a pretty phrase. I beg to differ. For example, a true man who desires a woman will want to please her. If poetry is one way to her heart and soul, he will woo her with words that express his feelings. Of course, always beware the silver-tongued devil who only plans to use and abuse you... or the heroine.
I recall a university study done some ten or so years ago, maybe longer. Men were interviewed about why they loved their wives. And asked, what was it about their spouses they loved the most? It seems, to the surprise of those running the study, a lot of men were more than willing to write pages on how much they loved their wives. A lot of it was pure prose and poetry. Of course, the wives were often shocked when they read these ‘love letters’ because their husbands had never expressed their feelings in such depth, or in such a romantic way.
When I was involved in doing transformational work, during the eighties, one of the discoveries brought forth in the seminar discussions, was how truly romantic men are, whether they know it or not. In fact, there are some who believe, from the analysis work they’ve done, that men, by nature, are more romantic than women in some ways.
Certainly, if the Regency era attire of men Linda blogged beautifully about, is anything to go by, I would say this is a definite demonstration of the romantic, yet virile man. And as a personal comment, I wouldn’t mind seeing more of that in our current world. Not at all. Wouldn’t we as women enjoy being wooed a bit more? And, wouldn’t that make this is a happier lovelier world, overall?
One reason for this blog topic... Okay, I’m deep inside the male mind of my hero, Trail, in my current WIP ~ STALLION OF ASH AND FLAME. This is my first attempt at writing an entire story only from the hero’s point of view. While Trail is not a poetry-crooning romantic, as some of my previous heroes have been, he definitely has his romantic notions. Best of all, his romantic heart is inspired by the heroine.
~~~
A splendid example of the romantic heart of men is this poem from my favorite Romantic Poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley.
Love's Philosophy
The fountains mingle with the river,
And the rivers with the ocean;
The winds of heaven mix forever,
With a sweet emotion;
Nothing in the world is single;
All things by a law divine
In one another's being mingle;--
Why not I with thine?
See! the mountains kiss high heaven,
And the waves clasp one another;
No sister flower would be forgiven,
If it disdained it's brother;
And the sunlight clasps the earth,
And the moonbeams kiss the sea;--
What are all these kissings worth,
If thou kiss not me?
- Percy Bysshe Shelley
~~~
And for some romantic fun, this is my inspired version ~
The clouds kiss the rivers with their rain,
And the rivers spill their love into the seas;
The wandering breezes stroke every terrain,
They wish to sweetly please;
Nothing born of heaven is ever alone;
Yet always seeks its mate
Whether desire of flesh or as spiritual tone –
Or by a mutual longing fate.
Hear! The thunder’s savage passion,
And storm winds as they tempest dance;
So like lovers embraced in frenzied motion,
Lost in the lightning of their romance;
Their kisses golden and strong as the sun,
Their coupling caught in moonbeams –
Their hushed words heard in heaven,
And, their hearts beating with dreams.
~ Savanna Kougar
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Savanna Kougar
~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
The Year of the Romantic Heart... Be kiss-ready...
TWO is the number of relationship and romance in numerology. February is the month of TWO, thus, absolutely perfect for Valentine’s Day. I’m telling you the Love Goddess, whether you call her Venus or Aphrodite, knows the art of planning and encouraging romance. And she has her celestial divine ways.
Yes, this is the year to ~~~ Be kiss-ready ~~~
I rarely pays attention to most TV commercials anymore. For one reason I find most of them tediously boring. I do keep one eye *sort of* open simply to keep track of evolving cultural trends, which has always been a fascination for me. So, here I was penning a bloggie for my Kougar Kisses blog and I hear in the background *be kiss-ready* ... how sweetly and passionately perfect for this Year of the love number Two.Now, the couple in the commercial, while cute in a teenage way... has little to do with the true possibilities and pleasures of being *kiss-ready* ~~~ for, what if you could look forward to delicious sweet and wild kisses from the lover of your choice everyday...what if...what if your lover bestowed your favorite kisses everyday and craved that time when you would bestow their favorite kisses...
Tell me, how much would that improve the love quality of your life?
On a global scale, how much would that improve the world for all us???
You betcha, a whole darn lot. If people were smooching up a passionate storm, how many would really care about fighting wars, for example?
And, how much fun could life be and become, if you and your beloved are always *kiss-ready* for each other?
Gals and guys, I say make it your sweetest goal this year to *be kiss-ready” ~~~
******
Since I remembered, this is a poem I wrote about thirteen years ago, about how just one kiss can transform a person’s life. I wrote it for the beginning of my first novella, Savage Gameswoman, so be kind...it was awhile ago.
Whose soul
has not been
transformed by the perfect kiss?
The first kiss beyond innocense–
The passion-ruled kiss without end–
The terrible soft kiss of farewell–
Whose life
has not turned
upon a kiss?
Each kiss we heart-soaring treasure–
Each torrid-sparking kiss that ignites the flesh–
Each kiss of promised sweetest love–
Whose heart
was never changed
upon a lip-honey kiss?
The remembered rapture of rolling kisses–
The night kisses of imagination’s fire–
I ask you!
Whose journey
was never altered
upon one kiss?
***
Oh, and reading romance novels could definitely be a kiss-ready aid. I’ll confess something that’s probably obvious. I love watching couples kiss...the movies, TV shows, and for real...especially when the kiss or kisses are from the heart. And as an author, I sigh over writing those kisses...no matter how sweet and tender or how passionate and scorching.
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The New Covey Cover Awards: Entry #26 - When a Good Angel Falls
Title: When a Good Angel Falls Author: Savanna Kougar Cover Artist: Jinger Heaston Genre: Fantasy futuristic, erotic romance. Links: ~ http://www.sirenpublishing.com/jinger/ ~ ...
The New Covey Cover Awards - http://thenewcoveycoverawards.blogspot.com/ ~
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My hero in When a Good Angel Falls, Volcano, is what is known as a carnal cherub. That is, he can operate in either the mortal or immortal realms. Since he’s here on Earth, albeit in 2012, with his heroine, Sedona, he gives me his angelic forecast each week. This one is about LOVE and the number 2 ~
February 2, 2009
Angelic Forecast ~ XXII
“Okay,” I murmur, “the 2's definitely have it. Here.” I feel astounded to say the cosmic-least, as I stare THE NUMBERS. All the numbers.
“Two, the magical and mystical I love you.” The Heavenly One has popped out of the ethers beside me.
“It must be all about love,” I say, entranced by the sight of Venus, hanging high above the western horizon, and so amazingly bright in the night sky, I can scarcely believe it.
“February, the second month, ushers in new horizons for love...for being loved.”
Suddenly a glistening shower of itsy bitsy pink hearts fall before my eyes.
MORE...Volcano’s Angelic Forecast for this week ~ http://sirenbookstrand.blogspot.com ~ or at the Title Magic blog ~
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HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY ~
May your most romantic dreams come true...
Savanna
Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~
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