Great News!

There are 15 Sirens now!

Please welcome Tracy Cooper-Posey, Lacey Savage, Ruby Storm, and Mary Winter!

December Contest Winner

Congratulations to member BLACKROZE37 (Yahoo ID): You've won a choice of download e-books from Treva Hart, Kathrine Kingston,and Samantha Winston. Congratulations!
Please contact Samantha at samantha_winston@hotmail.com by the publication of the February 2007 issue. She'll give you instructions on how to receive your prizes!

January Contest

Three sirens are featured this month: TRACY COOPER-POSEY, JUDY MAYS, and MARY WINTER

Tracy Cooper-Posey is offering a download of one of her books - winner's choice! Judy Mays is offering a download of PERFUMED HEAT. And the winner can choose any one of Mary Winter's Venus Press titles

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).

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!

Chicken Salad like Mary’s Mom Makes
By Mary Winter

My mother usually makes this chicken salad when she comes up and visits. It makes the perfect thing to put in the fridge and then snack on for lunches or as the mood strikes.

Ingredients:
2-4 cups of canned or cooked chicken chopped.
Celery 1/2 c.
diced, onion to taste,
1-2 cups of dried cranberries or any dried fruit you prefer. Cherries work well.
Miracle whip or real mayo to the moistness you like.
1-2 cups of sliced flavored almonds or any nut you prefer (almonds work well).

Note: If you’re going to refrigerate for several days or even overnight don't add too much dressing as the salad will get watery.

Mix all the ingredients and then refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.

******************************************

Okay, you've had a hot night - maybe a new love, maybe an old love.
Want to keep impressing him - or her - even more after that early morning romantic tryst with a really fantastic breakfast/brunch? Just have some of these waiting in the fridge.

Judy May's Recipes and Jokes

Ziploc Omelet

Crack 2 eggs (large or extra-large) into a quart size Ziploc bag (not more than 2) shake to combine them.
Put out a variety of ingredients such as cheeses, ham, onion, green pepper, tomato, hash browns, salsa, etc.
Make sure to get the air out of the bag and zip it. Shake.
Place the bags into rolling, boiling water for exactly 13 minutes.
Open the bags and the omelet will roll out easily.
Nice to serve with toast, fresh fruit, and coffee cake.

Imagine having these ready the night before, putting the bags in the boiling water, and in 13 minutes, you have a nice omelette!!! Be prepared for that special someone to be amazed!

******************************************

Joke (sorry guys, lol!)

Q: Why do men snore at night?
A: Their balls fall over their assholes and cause vapor lock.

ESSENCE OF EMERALD
By Ruby Storm
Releasing February 7, 2007 at Ellora’s Cave Publishing
http://www.rubystorm.net

BLURB:

Emerald Tucci is engaged to one sexy man. Mark Vistar embodies every woman’s dream. Tall, muscular, and handsome enough to send shivers down any woman’s spine. But still, Emmi can’t confirm a wedding date and the reason is Jay, Mark’s best friend. She doesn’t love Jay, yet the man’s sensual magnetism has her enduring sleepless nights and rampant sexual emotions…and wondering what it would be like to have two men make love to her at the same time.

To squash her wandering thoughts of a fantasy come true, she speaks honestly with Mark in hopes that by coming clean, her strange desires will be put to rest. Emmi even admits that her candor could possibly mean the end of her engagement.

She never counted on Mark and his devotion to her, or the fact that he loves her enough to make her fantasy come true.

EXCERPT:

Emmi wiggled on her chair and struggled to appear relaxed and sated from her meal, but she’d hardly touched it. Mark on the other hand had eaten with gusto, laughing and joking throughout supper.

Jay wiped his mouth with a napkin, sat back and darted his dark eyes from one to the other. “Okay, I have to ask. What’s going on?”

“Are we that transparent?” Mark asked.

Emmi could have kicked him.

“Well, hell yeah. You’ve talked so much tonight that I’m surprised you managed to finish your meal.” His gaze turned to Emmi then. “In contrast, Emmi, you’ve hardly said a word. You’re wiggling and squirming like you’re in the hot seat or something. What’s up? Things don’t seem quite what they should be. Can’t put my finger on it, but you two definitely have me wondering.” Suddenly, he sat forward. “Oh, wait one minute. Have you two finally set a date for the wedding? Is that what this is about?”

Mark found Emmi’s hand, surprised that it felt clammy to the touch. He gave it a squeeze for encouragement, winked at her and turned to face Jay. “Well, in a roundabout way. We were discussing it last week, but something else came up. Something we both wanted to speak to you about.”

Jay leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. “Now my interest is really piqued. Come on, Mark, out with it. The suspense is killing me.”

Mark took a deep breath. “All right. Emmi and I were talking about the possibility of simply eloping—well, I was talking about it. Then she told me something that surprised the hell out of me.”

“Mark?” Emmi stated quietly. She met his understanding eyes. “Let me.”

He nodded his consent.

Emmi took a moment, then finally began. “I want to say something first, Jay. And I’m speaking from my heart. I love Mark with all my being. So much so that when he suggested we head to Las Vegas to get married, I had to tell him about something that has bothered me for quite a while. What I told him at first caused a bit of an argument.” She squeezed her fiancé’s hand. “Well, maybe a better way to describe it would be some hurtful sentiments. We spent the night apart. But the next morning, we were able to discuss it maturely. Mark loves me.”

“You two didn’t break off your engagement, did you? Man, don’t tell me that is what’s going on. You two belong together. It’s plain for everyone to see.”

“No,” Emmi smiled. “Far from it. I told Mark about a fantasy that I’ve been thinking about. A sexual fantasy.”

“Wait a second,” Jay blurted. “I know the three of us are close, but you don’t have to share something like that with me.”

“But we want to. We want to because in my fantasy it’s not only Mark and myself, but you also.”

A clock could be heard ticking in another room. Jay’s swarthy features paled a bit as he glanced from one to the other. He cleared his throat. Then he cleared it again. His eyes searched Mark’s steady gaze. “I don’t know what’s going on here, but I want you to know I’ve never made a pass at Emmi. Never. I wouldn’t do that to you.”

Mark chuckled. “I know that, Jay.”

Jay studied his friend for a moment, swung his gaze to Emmi, and then back again. Understanding, however tentative, dawned in his eyes. “Are you saying— Are you asking what I think you’re asking?”

Mark wrapped an arm around Emmi’s shoulders and pulled her close. “Yes.”

“Spell it out,” Jay demanded softly. He had it figured out, but even as sexually prolific as he was, he found it hard to believe that the couple before him was actually inviting him to join them beneath the covers.

“I know Emmi loves me, but she’s been struggling with the fact that sexually, she’s attracted to you. It took a bit for me to understand, but what she feels really is not romantic love. She took the chance to tell me her deepest emotions, knowing full well there was every possibility that I might walk away.” His blue eyes softened, but sparkled as his gaze followed the line of one blushing cheek. Emmi peeked back at him. “She felt guilty when I asked her to elope and refused to say yes until I knew exactly what she was feeling.”

Jay scrubbed his jaw with a trembling hand as he stared across the table. Anyone could see how the two felt about one another. Mark and Emmi were a matched set. They always had been and always would be. He couldn’t help it when his gaze slid over Emmi’s breasts which were outlined by the tight satin blouse. Most women couldn’t carry off satin or silk. But Emmi was firm without an extra pound on her petite frame.

His cock stirred in his pants at the thought of her naked. He should be ashamed of himself. He’d never thought of her in that way. She had always been Mark’s, always would be. Besides, Mark was his best friend. Because of that very special bond, Jay had never paid attention to Emmi’s womanly attributes—as strange as that was. Jay would be the first to state he was a “hound dog”. He loved women with a passion. He loved to kiss them and he loved to fuck them, but not Emmi. It just wasn’t like that with her.

Now she wanted him—and Mark was okay with it?

Amazing.

He leaned forward and studied each of them again. “I know this sounds dense but, Emmi, did you just blurt out to Mark that you wanted to go to bed with me? Come on, you two. You’ve got to admit this is fucking bizarre.”

“This isn’t Emmi’s idea,” Mark instantly replied. “She just told me that she’d fantasized about the two of us in bed with her. That’s all. An admission forced because the thought filled her with guilt. Jay, I was the one to suggest to her that if you agreed, the three of us should talk about it. I just felt that since she’d opened up to me, it was something we’d always think about. I want to do this for her. I wouldn’t trust anyone except you. Just once. That’s all.” He sat back to study his friend for a moment. “Can I ask you something?”

Jay shook his head in bewilderment. “If you think you can top what you just suggested, go ahead.”

Mark laughed outright, feeling better about the evening with every passing minute. “Have you ever been in a ménage?”

Jay’s heart rate picked up. “What is this, truth or dare? All right, sorry. That was pretty flippant on my part.” He sat back and stared at the couple again. “You two have surprised the hell out of me. Okay. Honestly, Mark? Never. Not that I haven’t thought about it. I like my women for sure, but the opportunity for a threesome has never presented itself, either with two consenting women or with a couple I’m very close to.”

“Well, it’s presenting itself now,” Mark stated quietly.

HEADS OR TAILS?
Gay/lesbian novel coming January 24, 2007 to Ellora’s Cave!
Copyright © by Titania Ladley
Note: Heads Or Tails is a full novel with half of it featuring only a M/M story, and the other half strictly F/F. It IS possible to read just one of the halves (along with the Conclusion portion) and still enjoy this unique gay/lesbian book to the fullest. Here’s a steaming preview of the M/M love story.

[Setup: Left behind to man the B&B, Clifford Garrett is alarmed---and instantly attracted---when a dark and mysterious hitchhiker arrives at the inn. Between the furtive glances Manny Valentino shoots over his burly shoulders, the pistol hidden in his biker vest and the impressive “gun” nestled inside his ragged jeans, Cliff’s not sure if he’s got himself a dangerous drifter…or the answer to his libido’s prayers.]

The recessed light over the shower stall streamed down, bathing Manny in a soft silver glow. Each and every swell and undulation of muscle shone clear and well defined by the light.

Cliff felt his mouth go dry. He let himself take a quick inspection of the rippled abs, the wide, brawny shoulders and the powerfully corded legs made for thrusting. The chest was covered with just the right amount of dark curls. Rosy nipples, taut and erect, pushed their way through the array of hair. He tried to imagine what it might feel like to run his fingers through the soft fur. It made his hands clench into fists. Cliff’s body went rigid and his vision blurred. He drew off his glasses, set them on the sink and rubbed his eyes.

“Sorry, you startled me. I didn’t know you were in the shower, and I didn’t hear the water running, either.” Why did he sound so defensive? It was his home. And after all, he’d done nothing wrong.

“Sorry, back. I didn’t know you were in the middle of brushing your teeth. I’d just stepped in the tub when I realized I forgot my washcloth. Um, can you put your eyeballs back in your head and hand me one?”

“Yes, I---sure.” Glancing away, Cliff turned toward the small linen closet and located a washcloth. He curled his hand around the fluffy terrycloth. Now just walk on over there real nonchalant like, hand it to him and walk away, you stupid idiot.

He spun back around. Cliff heard the water blast from the faucet. A click sounded when Manny pulled the knob and the rush of water spraying from the shower filled the small room. He heard a guttural sigh, an animal sound of bliss that made Cliff’s heart stutter and his groin quicken. The spatter of water against tile became a seductive, irresistible tune in the room that drew him closer.

One step. Gulp. Two steps. Gulp. It seemed the bathroom became one of those never-ending hallways seen in horror movies. Manny was that unattainable goal at the very end looming just out of reach no matter how many strides Cliff took. He scolded himself for being so dramatic and continued his trek. Three, four, five.

An eternity passed before he got close enough to clearly view the intricate floral design in the curtain. There was the flip of the shampoo bottle, the squirting of it onto a palm. Through the light-colored vinyl, he could just barely make out the outline of Manny’s body as he raised his thick arms and started to scrub his head. Cliff’s pulse pounded in his ears. He groaned when that spot deep inside his loins started to throb. His legs trembled as he stood there on the opposite side of the curtain and clutched the washcloth.

Clearing his throat, he croaked, “H-here you go…buddy.” Buddy? Why the fuck did you call him buddy, for christssake?

Manny slid the curtain over just far enough to peer out at Cliff. Steam wafted up, its foggy clouds curling in wisps between them. Cliff could already smell the scent of his own shampoo. Manny’s hair was bubbly and slicked back from his face, and Cliff wondered how it was that he could look even more handsome waterlogged than he had the first time he’d laid eyes on this transient stranger in the saloon. It seemed he strangled on his own desire, and he thought he’d truly choke on the steam if something didn’t happen soon…or if his damn legs didn’t carry his stubborn body out of here before he did something really stupid.

He couldn’t quit panting, couldn’t stop staring as the water sluiced down and followed the tight curves of muscle and flat planes of fit abs. He forced himself to ignore that beautiful body for he feared if he indulged in one more glance, he’d do something rash and make a total fool of himself.

“Thanks.” For the longest time, Manny just stood there staring down at Cliff. Strange emotions swirled in the unusual-colored eyes. Finally, he snatched the washcloth and shoved the curtain back into place.

“Y-you’re welcome,” he murmured. An odd jumble of relief and disappointment assailed Cliff. He closed his eyes, sighed and turned back toward the door. He was almost in the corridor when he heard Manny curse.

“Goddamn it, Cliff.”

Cliff whirled around. He wasn’t sure what he’d done to piss Manny off, but even after that sensual act of retrieving a washcloth, he was ready to defend himself to the temperamental god.

“What? What did I---”

Manny yanked back the curtain. Water pounded his right shoulder and trailed down to bathe that gorgeous specimen. Cliff should have thrown up a bright red flag and stormed from the room. But hell, how could he when he suddenly felt like a petrified tree entrenched into the cold tile floor?

Instead, he tore his gaze away, determined to fight this cruel, overt temptation head on. He shot a quick look at the rack. A towel indeed hung there. And he knew for a fact there was soap in the shower, because he’d just added a new bar that morning. He couldn’t think of anything more Manny would be barking about.

But Manny’s next words didn’t come out as a bark. Uh-uh. Far from it. They were the sexiest two words Cliff had ever heard in his life.

“Get in.”

~*~*~*~

Manny had stood behind the shower curtain in total agony. Even though his mind screamed, Don’t you dare do it, his body shouted, Son of a bitch, he’d looked good standing there with no shirt and nothing but boxer-style pajama bottoms on!

“G-get in?”

“Yes, get in with me. I can see it in your eyes. You want to,” he challenged.

“Y-you’re asking me to take a shower with you?”

“No.” Manny propped a hand on the tile wall. “I’m telling you to.”

“But I…are you sure?”

“No again, but I’m not going to know for certain unless I give it a try, am I now?” He added a wink to that, loving the way it lit Cliff’s eyes up. He liked him in glasses, but without them, his pretty-boy looks proved even more potent. It was like he was getting a glimpse of a hidden treasure meant only for special peeks. Without the spectacles, the stark irises were bigger, the lashes more defined. He imagined what they would look like in the throes of passion.

And why not give it a try? No one would ever know. He was out in the middle of Bumfuck. He didn’t know a soul here, and they sure as hell wouldn’t be getting to know him. He’d be gone in a matter of days and would never look back. Clifford Garrett would be a forgotten memory in no time. After warring with himself and trying to get up the nerve to invite Cliff to shower with him, he’d come to a very logical conclusion. It was the ideal situation to test his sexuality and prove something very important.

That I’m not gay.

Cool air wisped in to calm Manny’s ardor, but his pole only seemed to be getting harder. When Cliff just stood there like a zombie with his thin pajamas starting to tent up, Manny remarked, “Hmm, I’ve been wondering…it doesn’t seem to bother you that your ex-wife turned out to be a lesbian. Why is it, Cliff, that it’s so easy for you to live under the same roof as Molly and her female lover?”

He shoved a hand through his hair again leaving the longish locks standing on end. He shifted from one bare foot to the other. “I…I don’t know.”

“Bullshit.”

At that one-word accusation, Cliff blinked. “Are you going to start being a jerk again?”

Manny grinned. “Sorry. But how about you strip those pants off, get in and we’ll discuss it under the hot showerhead?” He made a play of shivering. “I’m starting to catch a chill, and I don’t want to let out all this nice steam.”

Cliff took a full thirty seconds to ponder and bicker with himself. Manny could see the rainbow of emotions clouding his eyes. As the seconds ticked by, Manny decided he needed to use a bit more persuasion. Besides, if his cock didn’t get some attention soon, he’d have a case of spontaneous combustion on his hands---literally. So without taking his gaze from Cliff’s, he soaped up his hand and started stroking himself. He heard Cliff gulp and watched with glib satisfaction as those lime eyes traveled lower, locking on Manny’s masturbation act.

“Suit yourself. But if you’re not going to join me,” he rasped, “I’ll be damned if I’m going to let a good stiff one go to waste.” He clenched his jaw. This was wildly exciting being watched by an obviously turned-on man while he jacked himself off. The slickness of his palm grazed up and down his rod, fueling his libido, making his balls tighten in preparation for the coming ejaculation. God, could he get any harder?

It did the trick. With a strangled moan, Cliff bent and swiped off his pants. In two seconds flat, he was standing in the tub with Manny, his chest inflating and deflating with his excitement.

HEADS OR TAILS? a gay/lesbian novel by Titania Ladley coming January 24, 2007 to Ellora’s Cave!

BANDAR: PURSUIT OF PLEASURE
By Beverly Havlir
Available now at www.changelingpress.com

“I’m grateful for your help. I know the decision didn’t come easy, considering what I had done to you. I’m glad it was you at the club that night.”

Oh, for heaven’s sake. “I’m simply helping because if the Xerexians are not stopped, we’ll all be in a hell of a lot more trouble,” he tossed back gruffly.

It didn’t faze Ariana. “Still, you could’ve just overpowered all of us and escaped. You’re a good man, Dax.”

She thought he was a good man? He stifled a disgusted snort. He’d rather she thought of him as sexy, irresistible, hot. Dax stepped close to her, intentionally invading her personal space. “You might not think so after I demand payment for hauling all your asses to safety.”

She blinked. “What do you mean?”

His gaze dropped to her chest. The meaning was unmistakable. “No jump drive. No weapons. That means if the Xerexians ever get wind of us, we’re good as dead. For putting my life on the line for you and your family, I figured I deserve a payment that’s equal to the risk I’m taking.”

Ariana took a jerky step back. “The crown jewels are worth an awful lot of cash currency.”

“I’m interested in more than the crown jewels.” He boxed her in, the console at her back preventing her from moving away. “I’m interested in the body that wears them.”

She swallowed. “My mother?”

Through the lust that zinged through his flesh, Dax managed a chuckle. “Nice try. You know exactly what I mean.” He dipped his head toward her.

“W-wait…”

Heat swirled in his stomach, spreading lower to wrap fingers of fire around his suddenly erect shaft. Ariana’s lips were damp, quivering ever so slightly. This woman was dangerous. That alone should have driven him to step away and put some distance between them. But like a lamb being led to slaughter, he couldn’t stop himself from leaning in until he was just a hair’s breadth away. Her light scent teased his nostrils, evoking memories of a summer rain shower back home on Earth.

The darkening of her eyes told him she wasn’t immune. Good. At least he wasn’t the only one hot and bothered. “Let me show you what I want.”

“I don’t think—”

Dax never gave her a chance to finish what she’d been about to say. He touched his lips to hers gently, intending to coax a response. Nice and slow. Her taste, sweet and fresh, exploded in his senses. The softness of her bottom lip roused the predator in him. Forget nice and slow. His good intentions flew out the proverbial window. With a low growl, Dax changed the angle of the kiss, intensifying the contact, his tongue delving deep in the damp cavern of her mouth.

Ariana’s soft moan could barely be heard over the hum of the engine, but it was enough to send fire shooting in his veins. Lust suffused his entire body, igniting places Dax never knew existed. He pulled her closer, kissing her like a starving man, greedy for more. Finesse didn’t even enter into it. He wanted more of her.

Bewildered by his unprecedented reaction to a mere kiss, Dax tore his lips away. He was panting hard. His heart was beating so fast it felt like it was going to jump out of his chest. His memory of their kiss at the club didn’t fail him. All along, he’d thought it was the spiked drink that made their encounter unforgettable. Stunned, he stepped back, ignoring the vicious protest from a certain part of his anatomy that demanded he stay. No other woman had ever aroused him with such intensity and swiftness. Damn.

“I don’t want the crown jewels. Nor do I need cash credits.” He ran a thumb over her damp lower lip. “There’s only one thing I want as payment for my services.” He tipped her chin up. “You.”

© 2007 Beverly Havlir

Excerpt from the upcoming ALPHA 3: HOME
By Treva Harte
www.loose-id.com

“Stay out of this, Grey.” Rome jammed his elbow, hard, into the fool who thought he had a chance to take him off guard. The man crumpled to the floor, whimpering. “Stay out or take me on.”

“Shit, boy.” The new man took a step forward.

Rome whirled, adrenaline surging, and grabbed Grey by the collar.

“Didn’t you hear me?”

They were almost mouth to mouth. Shit. Yeah, it was Grey all right. The same scars criss-crossing his face. The same scowl. Grey said people were put off by his scars. He’d even seriously thought Rome should be put off because Grey was older. But there was a hell of a lot more to him than some old wounds or grizzled hair. Ah, hell. Grey’s scent was just as sexy as ever. His body was just as muscular, tough and potent. Rome swallowed, his throat suddenly going dry.

Grey barked out a short laugh. “You’re getting mighty close for a fighting man. Do you want to fight me or fuck me?”

Both. Holy God, he wanted both.

“Why’re you here?” Pushing Grey away, Rome kicked out, landing a blow right under the chin of the bartender, who had been inching toward his nightstick.

“To fetch you back, boy. We need you.”

“Why?”