1. Introduction

September Contest Winner

Congratulations to member: Macnfinn

Congratulations!
Please contact Samantha Winston at Samantha_Winston @hotmail.com (no spaces) by the publication
of the November 2006 issue for instructions on how to receive your three great books.*

October Contest

The Siren for the month of October is Judy Mays. She'll be giving away a download of choice from any of her Changeling or Ellora's Cave titles, and a surprise gift. 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

Treva Harte
http://www.trevaharte.com

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

"Interesting best describes Treva Harte's latest, TURNS. From the moment I read the blurb I was intrigued and curious about this book. Lucy is a feisty character who sometimes, most times, lets her libido rule her actions. When she meets C.J. it's kind of like love at first sight, but she's not sure it's for real. C.J. is your typical male who gripes and grumbles like a baby because of his injury. I chuckled when reading his thoughts and his anger over being hurt. Together Lucy and C.J. heat up the pages, but there's still the question of Lucy's sanity, at least from C.J.'s point of view, and the how and why as to C.J. not retaining any memory of what he is. Treva Harte writes a stimulating read with her futuristic story, TURNS. You never know how things are going to turn out."
~ Sinclair Reid, Romance Reviews Today


Beverly Havlir
http://www.beverlyhavlir.com

THE ABDUCTION OF EMMA
http://www.ellorascave.com/productpage.asp?ISBN=1-84360-831-6

"The Abduction of Emma soothed my love of Dominance/submission with just the right touch. Beverly Havlir is to be commended on a wonderful, well-written, and extremely erotic tale. It is for this book alone that she is on my automatic read list and I find myself buying and reading every book she writes."
~ Talia Ricci, Joyfully Reviewed
http://www.joyfullyreviewed.com/reviews/theabductionofemma.html

KARN'AL: JED'S REVENGE
http://www.ellorascave.com/productpage.asp?ISBN=1-4199-0425-6

4 ½ Hearts! "Ms. Havlir has written a scorcher of a romance that readers will likely finish in one sitting. Heat and heart make this revenge sweet indeed."
~ Lil, Love Romances
http://www.loveromancesandmore.com/reviews/Sept06/karnaljedsrevenge_lil.htm


Titania Ladley
http://www.titanialadleyromance.com  

A GYPSY’S THIEF

5 Stars!
“Titania Ladley returns to the world she created in A Wanton’s Thief. The first story had some sizzling sex scenes, but at the end of the book the reader was left wondering what would become of Little John now that Robin had Lady Salena… Now that he added Catriona to the mix, the sex is even more delicious. I have a feeling that Lorcan’s story is going to just as hot. This book will keep every reader turning the pages to find out what happens next and, at the end, scream for more.”
- Candy for Ecataromance
http://sensual.ecataromance.com/reviews?type=&id=406


Judy Mays
http://www.judymays.com

PERFUMED HEAT
http://www.ellorascave.com/productpage.asp?ISBN=1-84360-742-5


6 Magical Wands
"I loved this book. I always thought that to have a really good werewolf story the hero had to be young and hunky in human form. Thankfully this story pointed out my mistake, Artemis is hot enough to make anyone melt. My advice pour yourself something cool and sit back and enjoy. I certainly did."
~ Mary, Enchanted Ramblings
http://www.enchantedramblings.net/reviews/review0395.html


A BREATH OF HEAT
(A Midsummer Night's Heat and Solstice Heat together in paperback)
http://cgi.ebay.com/A-Breath-of-Heat-Judy-Mays_W0QQitemZ220003166573QQihZ012QQcategoryZ377QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

Top Pick! ****1/2 Romantic Times Magazine
(A Midsummer Night's Heat and Solstice Heat together in paperback)
"Mays's two novellas reunite readers with the Gray family, powerful heroes who will stop at nothing to find their life's mate. The were - in the third and fourth stories in Mays' Heat series - find their place in the packs while dealing with issues such as jealousy and sibling rivalry. The stories are intense, solid and utterly sensuous."

Available at Waldon Books, Borders, Amazon.com, and Ellora's Cave

3. Presenting our featured author for this month - Judy Mays

Interviewed by Rachel Bo

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

For this month, I thought I'd try to concoct the ultimate aphrodisiac meal!

Aphrodisiac - the name comes from the Greek goddess of love. She was born from the sea foam and thus popular belief has it that seafood is aphrodisiac. And why not? There is something exotic and sensual about a platter of fresh oysters on the half shell, nestled coyly in sea-salt, surrounded by tangy lemon wedges...

The French serve them with rye bread, salted butter, and spoon tarragon flavored vinegar over them.

For starters, let's have...

French Oysters on the half shell:
(For each person)
A dozen fresh oysters
(For everyone)
Rock salt or crushed ice to hold the shells decoratively in the plate
Sliced rye bread
Lemon wedges
Tarragon flavoured white vinegar

Also aphrodisiac is rare meat. Men especially appreciate a good, tender steak. So why not continue the meal with a filet mignon, cooked to perfection with a strip of bacon?

Filet Mignon à la bacon

Ingredients (For Each Serving)
1 slice bacon
1 filet mignon cut about 2" thick
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Directions

Fry the bacon in a skillet over high heat until almost crisp. Drain on paper towels and wrap around the side of the filet, attaching the ends with a toothpick. Season the filet with salt and pepper and sauté in a little bacon grease until browned on both sides.

Transfer to a preheated 450°F oven and roast to an internal temperature of 125° F for medium rare, about 8-10 minutes. Allow to rest at room temperature for 5 minutes before serving.

You can also transfer these to a preheated grill on medium heat to finish cooking.

Some vegetables, because of their suggestive shapes, are thought to be aphrodisiac, along with certain spices. To serve with the steak, how about some spiced carrots?

Spiced Carrots

8 medium carrots
1/4 cup Vermont Maple Syrup
3 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon ginger

Directions
Slice carrots Cook in boiling water until tender. Drain.
Add maple syrup, ginger, and butter
Simmer carrots in maple syrup mixture until glazed

Of course, everyone knows Chocolate is the ultimate aphrodisiac experience. The Aztecs and Mayans drank it, and the Mayans dedicated it to their goddess of fertility.

For dessert, how about a platter of special chocolates with exotic fruit?

Now, have fun and enjoy The Ultimate Aphrodisiac meal!

5. Enticing Excerpts

 

Treva Harte
http://www.trevaharte.com

Alpha 2: Stay
ISBN: 978-1-59632-339-1
Price: $3.99
http://www.loose-id.com


"Ahhhhhh. Ahhh, fuck, that's good!" The stranger gasped above him, the man's weight suddenly collapsed against his back as he shuddered out the last of his climax.

Lowell shuddered, trying to catch his own breath, still gripping the wall for balance. He drawled out the words, forcing himself not to suck for air with each sentence. "Yeah. Yeah, not bad at all."

The world stopped spinning a split second afterward. The man pulled out and then off. Everything was back to normal. Lowell took another deep breath and stepped away from the wall.

"Ah…thanks, man." Lowell buttoned his fly and strolled away from the alley without another look. He'd learned no one appreciated good-byes, least of all himself, after a quickie.

When he got near the bar at the other end of the dirty little alley, he paused, trying to decide if he felt any better.

Not much. The immediate need had drained off, but not the underlying problem. Moonbeams hit his face through a break in the buildings surrounding him. Almost a full moon. Shit. That never helped his itch.

Lowell hesitated at the bar's battered door and listened to the music wailing inside about good times, bad women and cold beer. Why go back at all? He'd been there before--maybe not this particular bar in this particular part of El Paso, but to enough bars just like it and enough men just like his already forgotten partner.

You'd think I'd be tired of this by now. Shit, I am tired of it. Thirty one and still picking up the flotsam at two-bit bars to fuck.

Lowell grinned. Maybe the real problem was his cock still wasn't tired and it hadn't had any ass tonight.

He was an idiot. There was more than enough ass at home. Why did he hang out at these damn places and let himself get picked up like he was some kind of desperate whore?

Because he had been once. That's why. Sometimes going back to where he'd been as a scrawny kid, back when he was ready to be bent over and be fucked on command--literally and figuratively--reminded him that his life now wasn't all bad. Hell, there were plenty who would envy everything he had right now. He was the one with the problem. He just hadn't quite found what he needed yet.

And odds were that he wouldn't find it tonight. He should give it up and leave. He had responsibilities now.

The music rose up in the bar, sending its false notes about the good times to be had inside. He wasn't restless enough to get suckered in by that, was he? Then again, he'd left his hat in the bar. No harm in getting it before he headed back.

Telling himself he was being stupid to linger, Lowell stepped back in anyhow. The bar was still smoky and noisy and like a million others. That was no surprise. There was nothing for him here and never would be.

Lowell walked to the back booth. He could see his Stetson hanging on the hook. A minute, two minutes, and he'd be gone. The babble of drunken or excited voices hit his ears and he tuned it out. No more beers tonight. No more cock.

"I'm not interested." The cool voice that cut through his protective shield was female and husky and somehow familiar.

Pussy. That was something different.

His damn cock twitched. Bad idea, cock. Pussy is way too dangerous for us.

"If you're not, then what are you doing here?" The male voice answering her was slightly drunk and very unhappy.

"Maybe I should have said I'm not interested in you."

Lowell looked over to the couple, deciding no one else cared whether he eavesdropped. The bar was getting more intriguing by the minute.

His eyes narrowed and his nostrils flared just a little once he saw her. She was a pretty girl. Tall. Reddish-brown hair, blue eyes. Flat stomach with a tiny ring attached to her belly, a fact she had no problem showing off since her skimpy little T-shirt cut off almost up to her boobs.

"Maybe you're too picky." The man started to get up from his chair.

Pretty and she smelled…He sniffed again. She smelled like someone he should remember. Lowell scowled, keeping himself from rubbing his forehead with an effort. Sex, no matter how meaningless, made you sluggish. Why couldn't he place her?

He didn't have time to think about it, though. The girl got out of her chair, facing the would-be pickup artist down. Her jaw jutted out as if she meant to confront him with more than words. The kid was tall and looked strong but she was still facing a drunken man. Lowell knew what that meant.

Unless he intervened.

"The lady isn't interested because she's with me." Lowell stepped up to the guy's elbow and growled the words into his ear.

"With you? But you just stepped out with--" The guy stopped, measured how much taller and broader Lowell was, and sat back down. "Whatever. You probably deserve each other."

Lowell looked over at the almost-familiar girl and frowned. "Are you even old enough to be here?"

"I'm twenty one. Had to show my I.D. at the bar to prove it, too."

She pouted at him and then the memories clicked into place. He knew that lower lip and how it stuck out. The rush of remembering almost made him dizzy.

Lowell laughed and leaned over to flick the braid from her shoulder. "Bullshit, girl. I can do the math. You might be eighteen, Lin, but even that could be pushing it."

"Busted. This town is just too dang small. I don't know you but you sound just like…Lowell! Of course it's you!" She flung herself at him and Lowell grabbed her, getting a nice armful of tits and hair and squealing laughter. "Damn, I forgot how pretty you looked. Your hair is shorter. And your goatee is just too cute."

Home. Damn it, she smelled like home and family. His arm closed around her just a little too tight and too long. He stepped back once he realized what he was doing, but her laughter had already faded.

"Now you." She focused in on him as if he were tasty prey. "You, I was always interested in."

His cock twitched again. Damn it.

Beverly Havlir
http://www.beverlyhavlir.com

For One Night Only

Michael glanced at the cream-colored envelope on the sterling silver tray. His name was scrawled across the expensive-looking paper. Curiosity won out and he tore it open. Nestled inside were a key and a note that simply said An Invitation to Play in neat, feminine script. On the bottom, in smaller letters, it read Second floor, last door on the right.

He sent a sweeping glance across the room, scanning the guests milling around, none of whom were familiar to him. Who could have sent him this? His decision to come hadn't been cemented until this afternoon. For a brief moment, Michael balked at accepting the brazen invitation. Then again, why the hell not? A blistering session of erotic, teeth-grinding sex was probably what he needed right now. Tossing back his drink, he left the empty glass on the bar and headed up the stairs, taking two steps at a time. The plush, Oriental runner in the hallway muffled his steps as he approached the door. With a flick of his wrist, the lock gave way. The knob was cool to the touch as he twisted it, pushing the door open and walking inside.

Recessed lights cast a soft, pale glow over the room. A woman knelt in the middle of the king-sized bed. Pristine gold sheets were stretched smooth and undisturbed beneath her legs and numerous plump pillows were piled high behind her.

Michael approached on silent feet, more than a little intrigued. A curtain of thick, golden hair hid her face. A white corset hugged her body, cinched tight around her waist. The lush weight of generous breasts balanced precariously in the cups, nearly spilling over the top. Silky panties in the same deceptively innocent color encased her shapely hips, barely covering her mound. The overall picture was tempting and alluring, without trying too hard.

The voluptuous body, the sexy corset and the submissive pose struck Michael like a sucker punch in the solar plexus. Excitement wound its way through his bloodstream, lighting every single nerve ending on fire. Lust was a violent pulse that centered on his suddenly alert cock. Heady arousal, something he hadn't felt in a while, went straight to his head, fogging his mind, leaving no thought except to fuck.

The woman raised her face and met his gaze.

Michael's heart skipped a beat. "Lily?" The word stuck in his throat. His thoughts skidded to a halt, unable to get past the realization that his former secretary stared back at him.

Lily's large blue eyes, as dark as a storm-tossed sea, met his. "Yes or no. That's all you have to say."

The husky words penetrated the shock that had paralyzed his brain. In the small part of his mind that was still functioning, Michael realized that the surprise of seeing Lily hadn't lessened the lust tightening his balls. The heavy drumbeat of need spread like thick syrup through his veins. His cock jerked eagerly at her beautifully presented body. But a part of him insisted on articulating the question banging around in his head. "Why?"

Lily licked her full, red lips, sending a powerful jolt of lust through his loins. "Do you accept my invitation?"

"You honestly don't expect me to demand an explanation? Just a week ago, you were my secretary." His voice came out raspy, scratching against his throat. Again and again, his eyes drifted to the magnificent globes that quivered ever so slightly in the corset. Goddammit, had he had fucking blinders on for the past year?

Her lashes fluttered. "I no longer work for you. Do you accept my invitation?"

The breathlessness in her tone sent little fingers of heat wrapping around his engorged shaft. Although he was stunned, eaten up by questions he wanted answers to, he was also a man-one experiencing normal reactions when faced with an invitation like this. But still… "I want an explanation."

Lily's creamy skin flushed a dusky rose color, the soft, enticing shade spreading over her cheeks. "I imagine things are pretty self-explanatory."

Michael raked a hand through his hair. "Why?" The deep breath she took pushed her chest out further. Jesus. Any minute now, her breasts were going to spill out of the tight corset. He cleared his throat. "Aren't I entitled to an answer?"

"You've been to these parties before." Her tone was the slightest bit defensive. "Do you ask every woman for an explanation before you agree to play?"

He clenched his jaw. "None of them worked for me. And none of them quit abruptly, without any reason."

Lily lifted her chin, a trace of defiance in her luminous gaze. "The invitation didn't include explanations. If your answer is no…"

"I didn't say that." He might be crazy but he wasn't stupid. "Lily, you're not a stranger to me. This takes some getting used to. I mean, I never expected that you would…" Once again, his eyes swept over her. He couldn't seem to think beyond wanting to rut between those toned legs and fuck the hell out of her. Shit. It felt like all the blood had drained from his brain and pooled in his cock. "What exactly are you offering?"

Relief flashed swiftly on Lily's otherwise expressionless face. "A night of pleasure. You. Me. Anything you want."


© 2006 Beverly Havlir