1. Introduction

July Contest Winner

Congratulations to member: waurlamae

Waurlamae, you just won some great prizes…a signed copy of the trade paperback of RULING PASSION or HEALING PASSION by Katherine Kingston, and a deck of Ellora's Cave playing cards. Big congrats! To redeem your prize, please email her at katherinekingston@yahoo.com by the publication of the September 2006 issue*.

August Contest

The Siren for the month of August is Lani Aames. She'll be giving away winner's choice of one download, candles and surprises to the lucky winner. 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

Lani Aames
http://www.laniaames.com

THE WIZARD'S STAFF
http://www.amberquill.com/AmberHeat/WizardsStaff.html

"The Wizard's Staff is a touching story with a happy ending, where love triumphs over fear and revenge. This is an enjoyable read and I recommend it. I look forward to reading more from this author."
~ Annie, Joyfully Reviewed
http://www.joyfullyreviewed.com/reviews/WizardsStaff.htm


4.5 Flags!
"This story is about life, love, reincarnation, greed and evil. Any love that can span lifetimes is worth fighting for. In the same right, any evil that spans lifetimes is worth fighthing against. Lani Aames writes about both beautifully. I was sucked into this story from the very beginning and turned pages non-stop until it was over. This is a very entertaining, touching and fast-paced story. I highly recommend it to anyone."
~ Tara, Euro-Reviews
http://euroreviews.eu.funpic.de/bookdetails.php?book_id=569


Treva Harte
http://www.trevaharte.com

TURNS
http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=399

4 1/2 Blue Ribbons!
"Treva Harte is a master of paranormal tales and knows how to weave one that will leave the readers wanting more. CJ is disbelieving and can't understand why Lucy thinks he's a shape-shifter. Lucy has to find away to convince CJ that she is on the level and that he really is what she says. Together they are an explosion waiting to happen and when it does move back. The love scenes are full of erotic passion that will leave you running for the ice. Treva Harte has done a terrific job of creating a story that is sure to be a keeper."
~ Angel, Romance Junkies


Beverly Havlir
http://www.beverlyhavlir.com

IRRESISTIBLE
http://www.ellorascave.com/productpage.asp?ISBN=1-4199-0615-1

5 Cupids!
"IRRESISTIBLE is exactly that - irresistible. MS. HAVLIR has done an awesome job in creating characters you absolutely love and feel everything they feel. There are many heart stopping scenes in this book that just take your breath away."
~Marina, Cupids Library Reviews
http://www.cupidslibraryreviews.de/irresistiblebh.php

4 Tattoos!
"These two were flammable whenever they came in contact."
~ Desiree Farrell, Erotic-Escapades
http://www.erotic-escapades.com/Irresistible.html


Katherine Kingston
http://www.katherinekingston.com

FUN IN THE SUN: DOMINANT BOYS OF SUMMER

4 Roses!
"DOMINANT BOYS OF THE SUMMER is one hot quickie. And there's nothing quick about this quickie either! Ms. Kingston takes her heroine slowly through the world of being dominated, leaving this reviewer anxious to read on to find out what would happen. The heroine was put through some intriguing situations, nothing too overwhelming for a beginner into the world of Domination making it more believable."
~ Tina for Love Romances and More
http://www.loveromancesandmore.com/reviews/Aug06/dominantboysofsummer_tina.htm

4 Angels!
" Rather than a typical "boy meets girl and falls in love" story, Dominant Boys of Summer explores the issues and complications that can arise even after you've met the man of your dreams. Poignant and romantic, this is a dreamy tale that will surely help readers see yet another side to love and sex."
~ Reviewed by: Sarah W, Fallen Angels Reviews
http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/2006/July/SarahW-DominantBoysofSummer.htm

4 Coffee Cups!
" Jam-packed in this story is the intense tale of a woman out to save her sexuality. Perfect scenery, anticipation and best yet great sex, makes this book great for an evening warm up. With the turning of each page, the heat generated by the characters defines precisely what the tale gets across; intense heat meant to scorch the senses."
~ Mila Bean Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance
http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/Dominantboysofsummer.html

"Ms. Kingston wows the reader with titillating ménage scenes and explosive sexual completion. Dave and Nick demand total sexual surrender from Julie, but in return she receives complete satisfaction. When Dave and Julie truly make love for the first time, I felt the love shining through. However, when they include Nick, my heart skipped a beat. These three make a wonderful ménage a trois. A fun summer read hot enough to start a heat wave. I am anxious to see what Ms. Kingston comes up with next. I am hoping in the future she will tell Nick's story."
~Ophelia for Erotic Escapades
http://www.erotic-escapades.com/DominantBoysofSummer.html

Titania Ladley
http://www.titanialadleyromance.com  

A GYPSY'S THIEF
http://www.ellorascave.com/productpage.asp?ISBN=1-4199-0654-2

5 Stars & a Recommended Read!
"A Gypsy Thief is a very scorching hot book… The erotic scenes…will leave you fanning yourself and wanting more. I couldn't put the book down. John and Catriona were made for each other and as you read, you'll fall in love with both of them. Ms. Ladley has left this reader wanting more of her books. I can't wait until the next book comes out and Ms Ladley's books are a keeper for any reader. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy and erotic. You will not be able to resist its pull!"
~Moonluster, Fallen Angel Reviews

"Full of great twists and turns … Titania Ladley has created a very enjoyable, and highly erotic, Robin Hood series that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat and begging for the next installment…and one of those readers begging for the next book will be me."
~Amelia, Joyfully Reviewed


Judy Mays
http://www.judymays.com

CELESTIAL PASSIONS
http://www.ellorascave.com/productpage.asp?ISBN=1-4199-0485-X

5 Roses!
"The second in Judy Mays' Celestial Passions series is just as full of sex, action, sex, intrigue, sex, nefarious deeds and (did I mention) sex! Sheala is wonderfully comfortable in her body. She knows what she wants and how to get it. Sheala is also quick witted and loyal. Marljas is her exact match. He shows great compassion and strength of character in handling Sheala after her ordeal. Together this couple will have you rejoicing in love and making love. With the cast of characters from the previous story as well as a few new ones, Ms. Mays has developed and breathed life into a new universe for her readers to become so engrossed in that I wouldn't have been surprised if I saw a Gattan male walking down the street!"
~ Vikky, A Romance Review
http://www.aromancereview.com/reviews/index.php?app_state=show_event&bookid=8093

3. Presenting our featured author for this month - Lani Aames

Interviewed by Rachel Bo

Reading, Food & Inventive Fun
By Samantha Winston
http://www.samanthawinston.com

It's hot and getting hotter. Summer is at its most sizzling. To cool down all that heat, here's a cool, summer soup. Serve with lots of tangy ice-tea - and why not start with some iced lime margaritas?

Frozen lime Margarita
Makes 4 Servings

Ingredients:
3 oz. tequila
1-1/2 oz. Triple Sec
1 can frozen limeade concentrate
3 cups ice cubes
Sea-salt for rim garnish
Lime slices for garnish

Directions:
In blender container, combine ingredients in order given.
Cover and blend on highest speed until smooth and slushy
Pour into stemmed glasses: garnish with salt and lime slices

'Cool as a Cucumber' Summer Soup

2 large cucumbers (about 2 lbs) peeled and chopped
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 lb raw shrimp - peeled and deveined (try to find the tiniest shrimp)
2 tablespoons sweet butter
1/4 cup dry white vermouth
1 1/2 cups chilled buttermilk
3/4 cup chopped fresh dill

1) Toss the chopped cucumbers with vinegar, sugar, and salt and let stand half an hour.
2) Rince the shrimp and pat dry. Melt butter in a skillet. Add shrimp, raise heat, and toss until they turn pink, 2-3 minutes. Remove and reserve.
3) Add vermouth to the skillet and boil until reduced to a few spoonfuls. Pour over the shrimp and season with salt and pepper.
4) Drain the cucumbers and put in a food processor - process briefly, then add the buttermilk and process until smooth. Add fresh dill to taste and process for about a second.
5) Pour the soup into a bowl and add the shrimp and their liquid - garnish with additional dill sprigs and serve in chilled bowls.

Enjoy and have a wonderful summer!

5. Enticing Excerpts

 

Treva Harte
http://www.trevaharte.com

TURNS
ISBN (10) 1-59596-500-9
ISBN (13) 978-1-59596-500-4
Word Count: 18K
Price: $3.49


"Listen. You're hungry?" Lucy rubbed the back of her neck. There was no arguing with genetics or chemistry or whatever it was. She had to stay with him. "I can fix you something."

"You cook?" He looked her over, clearly suspecting she was either too stupid or too capable of poisoning him.

"Yeah. And not just in bed, either."

For a moment his face changed from icy scowl to something -- interested? Startled? Different, anyhow. Now! Now he'd know she was the one. But he scowled instead. "I don't have anything here to cook."

Burn it, when was the man going to acknowledge her? Lucy almost tapped her foot. "Fine. I'll go get something."

"Pizza."

"Great." What all night store stocked up something as old-fashioned as pizza? "Listen, buddy, as long as I'm doing this, what's your name?"

"C.J. Christian Joyce."

"Yeah, right." Lucy snorted and then looked again. It was hard to tell if the man was tall when he was huddled on the sofa, but he did look hulking. His face was shadowed but --

"Take a better look." He clicked on a light, set to dim.

Oooo. He had the café au lait skin most people of polyglot ancestry did. Pretty, but not unusual. However, the blue eyes against the dark skin were startling, even more startling live than when you saw it on the media screen. No one could fake those eyes.

"Whoa. Maybe you really are the infamous AntiChrist."

The slash of a smile almost warmed up the severity of the face. Burn it, he was handsome. Scary handsome, but handsome. She could see where the nickname came from. She bet other skill players shivered when he directed that look at them. She was lucky he was just annoyed, not enraged. His intensity was almost overwhelming as it was.

"You think I don't know who I am?"

The vibration in her was almost a buzz, it was so strong now. Despite it not making sense, this guy was the one. He was here. All her body parts were tingling now. She could actually feel moistness between her thighs. She'd never been so aware of her mate before. Burn it, if he didn't drag her to bed soon, she'd have to drag him.

AntiChrist Christian Joyce. The most famous, wealthiest athlete in the world.

What had the turn done to them this time? And how had it happened? She'd think about that later. Much later.

Rip my clothes off, C.J. Let me bite that tight tush you're sitting on.

The stupid man just sat there, looking totally unmoved while she turned into a fireball in front of him.

But he did look like he really wanted that pizza. Who would have thought pizza would be so important to someone like him? No matter. She could work with that.

"Fine, Mr. Maybe You're Really Christian Joyce. I'll see what I can come up with by way of pizza."



Samantha Winston
http://www.samanthawinston.com

ICE MAN
Available from Loose Id
http://www.loose-id.net/detail.aspx?ID=75


When a man from our past winds up in our present, from eating to making love, everything old is new again. Kell's been frozen solid for millennia, and ours is a very different world. Some things, however, haven't changed...Allie's job is to help him adjust. But will it also be her pleasure?


Excerpt

Purely by instinct he could tell she wanted him. Now he had to convince her to listen to her instincts, and maybe the release he sought would help clear his head.

Opening the door, he saw Allie sitting near the fire, her chin in her hands. Quietly, using his hunting skills, he slid through the door and padded across the floor, staying out of sight at her back. He paused, a vague memory stirring in his mind. A wide expanse of snow, trees leaning in the wind, and something breaking beneath his feet. There came an impression of falling into nothingness. He tensed, sudden terror icing his blood, and then Allie turned and let out a bloodcurdling cry.

Startled, he jumped backwards, caught his heel on the edge of a pelt, and fell. His head hit the floor with a jolt that made him see stars. Instantly Allie knelt by his side.

"Kell! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scream. You scared me, that's all. Are you all right? Answer me!" She cradled his head on her lap and bent over him, her breasts brushing against his chest.

All thoughts of falling or panic fled. His cock stiffened and he managed a grin. "I think I've hurt something. Could you rub it for me?"

"Yes, of course. Where?"

He took her hand and put it on his cock. "Here."

She jumped like a rabbit caught in a snare, but he didn't let go of her wrist. He got to his knees and faced her, keeping her hand firmly on his cock. "Please, Allie. Let me ease my need. My body aches with longing for you." He lowered his head, trying to catch her gaze. Would she agree? She acted torn in two, this woman. A strange combination of shyness and desire seemed to inhabit her. One moment she stared at him with eyes that blazed. The next, she pulled away like a virgin maiden.

"Are you a virgin?" She seemed too old to be one, but she wore the moon goddess pendant, and virgins prayed to the moon goddess. He hoped she didn't venerate the moon goddess.

"No, I'm not."

Good. He tipped her chin up with his finger and stared into her eyes. "I want to worship your body. Will you let me?"


Allie couldn't believe her predicament. Dr. Paula must think she took her instructions very seriously. Damn Dr. Paula, and damn Kell, with his dark, serious eyes, and chiseled good looks. She had a weakness for good-looking men. It always ended in heartbreak and disaster for her. This would be no different. A one-night stand with a man from another time? She must be out of her mind. Well, she did have orders to do whatever needed to make Kell more comfortable.

She should struggle, pull back, act like a civilized woman. People were watching!

Struggle! her brain said very sternly.

Surrender, giggled her body.

She couldn't fight. Her muscles resisted about as strongly as marshmallows when he tugged on her arm. Besides, she suddenly realized the idea of people watching didn't bother her. Am I an exhibitionist? She'd never thought about it until now. And now the idea made her knees go weak.

He wrapped his arm around her waist and pressed her to his rock-hard chest. "Allie, I take you in the name of Kell." His mouth curved into a smile. "I have remembered my name. It is Kell, son of Bran, son of Orin. Kellorin Branson is the name I go by in my troop. I have led my men to many victories against the invaders from the north. I must have died in battle and this is the paradise promised to valiant warriors."

As he spoke he flexed his hips and rubbed his cock in sensuous circles against her belly. Its smooth, hot tip burned her skin through the thin leather of her dress. Rushes of heat and cold alternately washed over her, leaving her panting and totally incapable of speech. The most gorgeous man she'd seen in her life wanted her. All she wanted was to scream fuck me, and she didn't know how to say that in any foreign language. Think, Allie!

To know. To know a woman meant to fuck her.

She stared at his perfect features--dark, burning eyes, high cheekbones and long, narrow nose above full lips. Lips coming closer to her face and brushing against her temples, her cheeks, branding slow kisses down her chin and over her throat. "Know me," she begged, a sharp spasm shaking her belly and spearing her right through her cunt. The idea that people watched sent shivers of excitement down her spine. Exhibitionist? You bet your sweet ass. Another flash of heat inundated her body.