1. Introduction

News!

Special Announcement

March Contest Winner

Congratulations to member (Yahoo ID): ivonne13g

Please contact Bella Andre to receive a copy of TAKE ME in trade paperback and TEMPT ME, TASTE ME, TOUCH ME in trade paperback.

 

April Contest

Elisa Adams will be giving away a signed paperback copy of SETTLING THE SCORE and a download of REALITY CHECK.

Good luck to all subscribers!

*Subscribers, please note our contest rules have changed: Winners must now contact the Siren/author of the month named in each issue to redeem prizes. The author must be contacted by the winner before the publication of the following month's newsletter to be eligible to win, or forfeit prize(s).

2. Siren News

Interviews & Appearances

3. Presenting our featured authors for this month

Reading, Food & Inventive Fun

This year we're doubling our Decadent Delights with even more recipes for you to enjoy!

Recipe presented by Judy Mays

Are your dreams sensuous? Day or night? Everybody dreams at night though we don't always remember them. <G> How about your day dreams, though? Do you ever catch yourself skiing in the Alps? Sunning on a tropical beach? Relaxing in the shade of a huge oak next to a quiet Alpine Lake? Shaking your booty in a hot night club?

How about food? Ever dream about it? If you do, what do you do with it, besides eat it, that is? <G> After all, some ingredients for various recipes lend themselves to other -- endeavors...

So, what can you do with some of the ingredients for a Raspberry Dream Cake? The raspberries should be especially intriguing...

Dream away...

Judy Mays
********************************

Raspberry Dream Cake

1 pkg frozen raspberries
1 pkg white cake mix
1 pkg vanilla instant pudding
4 eggs
1/2 c oil
2 c powdered sugar
1/4 c butter softened
1/2 tsp almond extract

Thaw berries. Drain; save 1/2 c syrup. Save 2 T
berries for frosting.

Stir cake mix, eggs, oil, pudding, syrup and remaining
berries in a bowl. Beat at medium speed for 3 minutes.

Pour into greased and floured tube pan.

Bake 350° for 50-55 minutes. Cool 15 min before
removing from pan. Cool before frosting.

Frosting:

Beat powdered sugar, butter, 2 T raspberries and
almond extract well until blended and smooth

5. Enticing Excerpts

Treva Harte
http://www.trevaharte.com

WICKED Excerpt -- Treva Harte -- coming in May to Loose Id

“I’m going away.” Doyle looked at her, blonde hair blowing into his face. His hair looked even more tousled and unkempt than usual.

“Away? Where?” Livana was startled.

“To school.” His jaw set.

Livana knew, without him saying anything, that he’d begged not to go away to school. And she knew, without him saying anything, just why. Doyle was too different, too bookish, too…crippled. She didn’t mind his hesitating walk but others his own age would laugh and torment him. She’d heard what was said about him in town.

“But why? Why can’t you stay here?”

He looked away. “With mother dead, everything’s changed.” His voice was soft.

“But you’ll be back for the holidays, Doyle.”

“No.” He shook his head and sighed. “Father is shutting up the house and going away. Back West, I think. I’m not to come along.”

Her eyes softened. “Doyle, don’t be bitter.”

“Don’t worry. That’s not important. Just don’t expect me for the holidays. I don’t know where I’ll be. Not there. Not here. I wish I was the right age to do what I want.”

An ache spread from her throat to her heart. Livana didn’t like to think of her world without him in it. No one else was her friend. No one else wanted to be. They thought she was as odd as he was. “Very well. When you’re old enough you can come back. I’ll be here.” She kept her voice steady.

“Will you, Livvy? That’s a long time. Things happen.” Doyle’s eyes were watchful and tired. And old.

“You don’t believe me?”

“I’m afraid to believe anyone anymore. And you’re younger than I. You can’t promise anything. You don’t even know what to promise.”

“What do you want me to promise?” Doyle wanted something, something that was just beyond her awareness. Something…important.

“I shouldn’t. And you can’t.” His eyes, very blue and direct, stared into hers.

“But what?” Livvy pressed, scared but needing to know.

He took out a penknife without saying anything, then pricked his finger. She smiled. They’d done this before, long ago, when Doyle first came to town and they’d met. She’d been afraid to do this back then.

Now she held out her finger unhesitatingly and his knife made the tiniest of cuts in it. They pressed their fingers together. He looked down at her hand and, suddenly, he bent and sucked the cut finger. She felt his warm tongue stroke against her skin and shivered. He straightened, still holding her hand.

“You’re inside me, Liv. I’m inside you,” he whispered. “I’ll come back. I swear. And then I’ll see what you can promise me.”

He dropped her hand and left without looking back.

 

Beverly Havlir
http://www.beverlyhavlir.com

LOGAN’S FALL by Beverly Havlir
Available April 18 from www.ellorascave.com

“As a gesture of gratitude from the people of Zalian Three, please do me the honor of accepting the gifts I offer you.” The Lord Marshall clapped his hands. The double doors at the far end of the hall opened with flourish.

A servant appeared, bearing a trunk. What the fuck? The last thing he needed was more cargo for his ship. He already had fifty Karn’alians that he was transporting home. He had no room for more shit.

“Lord Marshall, I really can’t accept this.” He tried to keep his tone polite even though he felt like snarling.

“Nonsense, Logan.” The short, paunchy man dismissed his objections with a wave of his hand. “This is just a small token of my appreciation.”

“I was glad to help. I don’t expect to be compensated.”

“Don’t be too quick to refuse. I have another surprise for you.”

Logan frowned as a hush fell over the crowd. Everyone shifted to stare at the young woman who was making her way up the aisle, dressed in a diaphanous gown that put her voluptuous body on display.

Fuck…me. He was riveted at the sight, unable to look away from the vision of loveliness walking toward him. Her hair was as black as the night, the long, curly tresses tumbling to her waist. Her full lips were unsmiling and her face expressionless…until her gaze clashed with his. Her eyes widened, the indigo orbs showing a mixture of shock and recognition. She looked…stunned to see him.

Had they met before? He didn’t think so—hers was the kind of face he wouldn’t forget. And the way his cock was eagerly reacting to her presence, Logan was positive he’d never seen her before.

“I’m giving her to you as a gift.”

Od’ric’s words penetrated the fuzz clouding his mind. He’s giving her to me as a gift? He perused her slowly, noting the proud tilt of her head and the graceful curve of her neck as she bowed briefly in front of him. And damn, those large breasts made his mouth water. The sheer gown did nothing to cover them, the dark nipples clearly visible through the material. His gaze lingered on her chest for long moments before trailing down her front. The dress dipped enticingly into her bellybutton before sloping into the enticing shadow between her thighs. At the thought that she was naked under the gown, his cock stirred to burning, pulsing life.

The Lord Marshall grinned at his reaction. “Beautiful, isn’t she?”

Logan knew he was being rude, gawking at her. He could see the beginnings of a flush cover her cheeks. Was he drooling? Finally mustering enough sense to turn to the man standing next to him, Logan scowled and said the first thing that came to his mind. “I can’t take her.”

© 2007 Beverly Havlir

 

Ruby Storm
http://www.rubystorm.net

KEEPER OF THE SPIRIT By Ruby Storm
Winner of the 2006 Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award

BLURB

Minnesota lumber baron, Tyler Wilkins, knew he needed to come to grips with the death of his wife. Little did he understand that his business trip to New York would be the beginning of an unknowing journey to find peace within himself and a love that sometimes happens twice in a lifetime.

Beautiful Emma Sanders has her entire world mapped out. Being the daughter of one of the richest shipbuilders in New York in 1880 guaranteed her a life of leisure. It also guaranteed the option she’d chosen to remain single and manage her father’s company someday. That is, until Tyler walked into her father’s study and turned her world upside down. Until this one sad man she had crossed paths with would change the course of her life forever.

The mysticism of an old Indian brave…a forgotten evil that lurks in Emma’s past…one tragic hour in their lives, will all combine to lead them to a future filled with trust and understanding…and the discovery of peace and love that only two willing hearts can share.

SET UP for the following Excerpt:
A few short hours before the following scene, Emma had wagered with her father, Edward Sanders, that the ‘boy’ from Minnesota would be just that. A simpering, gutless person who knew nothing of hard work and simply lived off the family’s wealth. There is also mention of a man named Samuel who in the end will be my villain. This is the first time my hero, Tyler Wilkins, meets the beautiful Emma Sanders…

********
A slow smile crept across Edward’s features when Tyler rose from the chair and moved to the open window, allowing the pungent smoke from his cigar to drift from the room. He wanted to be around when Emma met this man—and he wanted to bask in the astonished expression on her face.

He didn’t have long to wait. The front door slammed and short, staccato steps neared the open door of the library.

“Papa?” a feminine voice inquired. “Papa?”

“I’m in the library, Emma!” her father answered. A second later, she burst through the door before he could rise from his chair to greet her.

“There you are! I had such a wonderful day today! I met up with Jacob’s cousin, Marion. You remember her.” Emma barely paused between sentences as she crossed the length of the room, then stood on tiptoe to press a kiss to his cheek as he rounded the desk.

“She’s the one from Boston. Remember? Well, she’s in town to celebrate her engagement to a local man. Can you believe that? A man in New York City. Isn’t that wonderful? Anyway, she invited me along to help her shop for a trousseau, and so away we went. We had lunch at one of the posh restaurants downtown and spent money like it was water!” Her hand fluttered across her chest as she continued. “Oh, I met her fiancé, too. He’s quite handsome. Marion is absolutely ecstatic.”

Without taking a breath, she rambled on while pulling at the ends of her gloved fingers, sliding the costly leather from her hands. “Then we went riding in Central Park. The entire time, we talked about Samuel. Do you know she’s been doing her best to dodge him? She doesn’t care one bit for him, either.” She tossed the gloves carelessly onto the shiny surface of her father’s desk. “So, I’m quite sure that I won the wager. You know, the one from this morning? And, I bet I’ll be right about our other wager, too.” She crossed her arms in a pose meant to prove the point just a tad more and leaned a slim hip on the edge of the desk. “So, tell me, how was the ‘boy’ from the backwoods of Minnesota? Was he a pansy, like I expected him to be? Come on, confess, Papa. Was I right? Is he still trying to figure out how to use the indoor toilet at the hotel? Does he even know we have indoor toilets in New York?” Her shoulders shook with glee upon coming up with such an ingenious assumption.

Edward cleared his throat uncomfortably. It was then that Emma noticed the pained expression on his face.

“Are you feeling ill, Papa? You look sick.”

Edward’s eyes darted to the corner of the room, and then back to her. “Uh…Emma, I would like you to meet someone. Mr. Tyler Wilkins.”

She turned slowly and, for the first time, realized that there was someone else in the room.

Tyler’s first impression of Miss Emma Sanders changed from that of a petite, whirling tornado dressed in green to that of a spoiled brat in a matter of seconds. Granted, she had a mop of the most beautiful auburn hair he’d ever seen, and her riding habit clung alluringly to rounded, lush curves. She was obviously doted on by her father and accustomed to getting her own way. She rode about town on an expensive horse, spent money like it was “water” and giggled at anything that walked by in a pair of pants. She was a prima donna to the core, who saw herself as better than anyone else, especially if that anyone else was from Minnesota.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Papa. I didn’t realize you had company.” She turned toward Tyler with a sheepish smile. “Mr. Wilkins? I’m Emma Sanders. I’m sorry about blabbering on like that.”

Tyler stepped out of the late afternoon shadows. A jolt of strange excitement coursed through Emma’s body when she stared up at his rugged, finely-hewn features. The raw, male aura he exuded claimed her fast-dwindling composure, and she swallowed in an attempt to regain it. The effort proved useless, however, when he stopped only inches from her and reached for her hand. Slowly lifting it higher, he tilted his head. Never taking his gaze from hers, he lightly kissed the back of her palm.

“I’m pleased to meet you, Miss Emma Sanders.”

His green eyes—so like her own—mesmerized her frazzled brain. Emma snatched her hand away and hid it behind her back to hide its trembling. Clearing her throat, she struggled to make her voice sound normal.

“Are you from the area, Mr. Wilkins?” The words came out in something that closely resembled a squeak as Emma fought to pull her gaze from the dark wavy hair resting on the collar of his jacket.

Edward caught the devilish glint in Tyler’s eyes. Once he realized his guest wasn’t nearly as offended as he should be, he began to enjoy the little show that unfolded before him.

“No, I’m sorry to say I’m not from your fair city. Since you seem to hold New Yorkers in such high esteem, I wish I could be among them.” Tyler took a step back and lowered his gaze to hers. “No, Miss Emma Sanders, I’m sorry to say I’m just in town on business.” He paused for effect. “In town…from Minnesota.”

If ever Emma had wanted anything in her life, it was that right at that very moment, a huge black hole would open beneath her feet and swallow her up. Instantly, her cheeks flamed with embarrassment.

“Mr. Wilkins, I’m terribly sorry. You see…this morning, my father and I…I mean…just me, well…my father had nothing to say about you except good things. Please don’t think he was a partner to my thinking.” She inhaled deeply in an attempt to seek some sort of composure.

He stood before her—so calm, so smug—waiting for an apology. Emma clamped her mouth shut when she realized the oaf actually took pleasure in her discomfort.

“Excuse me, Mr. Wilkins. I should never have interrupted your business meeting with my father. I’ll leave the two of you alone now.” She spun and exited the room in such haste that only a trace of perfume lingered.

 

Samantha Winston
http://www.samanthawinston.com

Excerpt from MERLIN'S SONG by Samantha Winston
available from Ellora's Cave

Merlin’s voice was drained of emotion, but his words made Kyla’s heart pound. “The news from the war is not good. The Mouse King has returned. He’s somehow managed to convince the barbarians from the north to join his cause, and he’s also recruited the behemoths to his army.”

“Oh no.” Her aunt sank to the ground at Merlin’s feet and put her hand on his knee. Kyla almost gasped. Her aunt had never been familiar with a messenger before.

“Sebring is meeting me here. We’re taking one of the ships and heading south. Branagh thinks we can convince the Southern Isles to fight with us.”

This time Kayla couldn’t suppress her gasp of surprise. Luckily her aunt gasped as well. “But the Southern Isles refuse to get involved with our politics.”

“That was before the Mouse King returned. Now they will be obliged to help us. King Branagh had conferred this mission on Sebring and I, and we mustn’t fail. The future of Hivernia hangs by a thread. We have to leave as soon as possible.”

“I will order a boat prepared for you.”

“We’ll need the swiftest boat you have.”

Kyla’s aunt looked even more troubled, but said, “My fastest ship will be put at your disposal.”

“Thank you.” He looked around. “I’m parched, is the refreshment coming?”

“Oh Mistral! Where is that girl? Hold on, I’ll go see what’s keeping Kyla.”

Kyla clapped her hand to her mouth. She was supposed to be on kitchen duty tonight. Her aunt had probably pulled the bell ropes to her room and the kitchen, but she’d been gone. Holding her skirts high, she ran toward another, even smaller secret passage that led to the kitchen pantry. She arrived before her aunt did and hooked a pot of water on the chain over the fire, then she grabbed two cups and put them on a tray just as her aunt pattered into the room.

“What have you been doing? Hurry, we have a guest!”

“I’ll bring a tray in to him. Where is he, in the reception room?” Kyla asked, not meeting her aunt’s eyes.

“Where else would he be? Bring something to eat as well. Some sugared plums, and some fairy cakes if there are any left.” Her aunt fluttered her hands, her round face pink with emotion. “Oh, I forgot, we haven’t had sugared plums in ages.”

Kyla almost asked if elves liked fairy cakes, and shut her mouth just in time. She had to be careful. Her aunt would be vexed if she found out Kyla was spying on her. The secret passages were known to her aunt, of course, but she didn’t know the extent of Kyla’s knowledge, and Kyla meant to keep it like that.

“Of course there are fairy cakes left. I made some extra ones today. What kind of fairy castle would lack fairy cakes?” Kyla managed to keep the bitterness out of her voice. After all, it wasn’t her aunt’s fault they were at war and her father had dumped her in the southernmost land in this crumbling castle to stay with her elderly aunt. She loved her aunt. She hated staying here. There was nothing to do but cook fairy cakes, shake rugs and go for endless walks along the empty beaches.

Her aunt sighed. “I know you’re bored here all alone with no other young people around. When you bring the refreshments, I’ll introduce you to our guest.”

“Who is it?” Kyla couldn’t suppress the eagerness in her voice.

“Merlin. He is Queen Melflouise’s brother.”

Prince Branagh had married an elf woman, and now that he was king she was queen, the first elf woman to sit on the throne of Hivernia. It hadn’t pleased Kyla’s father, a staunch royalist and conservative too. He’d bellowed for weeks about change and the downfall of Hivernia. But he had met Queen Melflouise, the one they called Melle, and had fallen under her charms. He’d come back from court and had stopped blustering about the ruination of the royal family. But he hadn’t mentioned the fact that she had a brother.

Kyla wished she’d taken more care of her appearance, but she was too anxious to go meet the elf to really care. Besides, everyone knew elves didn’t care about appearances. They were rough and wild, like King Branagh’s legendary one-eyed captain and his d’ark t’uath bride. Now there was a race of elves that Kyla would never be able to fathom. A whole tribe comprised only of women. No men! Imagine that! No pleasure! And at the thought of pleasure a little shiver of heat ran through her. Elves were bigger than fairies…in every way.