Cover reveal: Extraction by @LexValentine

Upcoming new release, from one of my OCC/RWA friends. Lex and Winterheart Design also does wonderful graphics and cover art.

EXTRACTION

By Lex Valentine

Two soldiers, former lovers, each think they are saving the other from a South American drug cartel, all the while rehashing their broken relationship.

Green Beret Shane Cullen has been undercover for the DEA with a South American drug cartel. Eighteen months into his assignment, and unbeknownst to Shane, the cartel's number two man is captured by the U.S. Marshals and starts to talk. Shane's mission becomes endangered. His Special Forces commander calls in a favor and pulls in Shane's former lover and teammate Elliott Hutchens for an extraction.

Elliott hasn't seen Shane in almost two years, since his lover walked out on him. But Shane's in trouble and doesn't know it, so Elliott can't refuse the mission. Getting himself captured by the cartel in order to force Shane to rescue him is the easy part. The hard part comes when Shane discovers he's the real extraction, not Elliott. Shane's bad temper ended their relationship once before. Will it get in the way again or can these two soldiers work through their issues and find their way to a happy ever after?

Release date is Nov 18 from MLR Press. http://www.mlrbooks.com/upcoming.php. Cover artist is Winterheart Design.

#IFangirl #30DaysGettingtoKnowMe #Authorsharing

Before the Scottish Ball at RT 2012, Chicago.

In 2012, I attend RT in Chicago, and one of my best friends from college Staci was my roommate. I’ve mentioned it before but naturally I’m pretty shy. I’ve always put myself in positions, though, where I cannot be.

Before one of the big balls, Staci and I were sitting in the reception area alone. Charlaine Harris came to stand in front of us, holding a box. She’d spoken that day. Especially at that time, I was an extreme fangirl of Harris. But really, what could I say except, “I LOVE your books!” *sigh*

Next, she sat next to us, and fear struck. OMG. She was alone, with us. Really? What did we do? Did I get up the gumption to talk to her? Oh, no.

We got up and left. D’oh!

Later that evening, I told the story to Heather Bennett, who was then one of the publishers of Decadent. She laughed, and I mentioned my other “favorite” author was Heather Graham. If I don’t pre-order her books, I buy them the day of release.

It was the end of the night, and Graham stood on stage pretty much alone and I was on the dance floor with Heather. She called out to Graham how much I loved her, and basically pushed me on stage.

Graham was gracious, she hugged me, someone took a photo – not sure if I’ve ever seen it because I can’t find it – and what did I do? Did I mention how much I adore New Orleans, and how I wish to someday attend her con in December? No. Did I mention how I’ve reviewed a lot of her books, and what’s with the trend of beheading several people in the Krewe of Hunters’ series? No. Did I ask her about her belief in the paranormals, and how I believe in ghosts? No.

I say, “I LOVE your books.” And you know what? It was all right.

Louisa Bacio

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The Love of Dia De Los Muertos

Dia De Los Muertos honors loved ones who have passed on. Nov. 1, Dia de los Angelitos, is for the souls of the young departed, and Nov. 2, Dia de los Difuntos, is for adults. Four years ago, on Nov. 2, my mother-in-law passed away.

Since then, the celebration has taken on additional meaning in our household. While it’s known as Day of the Dead, the celebration also focuses on the love, which inspired the story “Dia Del Amor.”

Although the idea for the sexy story “Dia Del Amor” had already sprouted, the first writing came from a prompt “Now it’s time to go” in Siobhan Muir’s weekly flash fiction, #ThursThreads.

That initial piece received an honorable mention. Here’s the feedback from the judge:

P.T. says: Great use of the senses and I love that it shows the sexual side of a married couple.  (And I love how the last line reflects how story starts with the dead and moves on to the passion of the living.)

Here’s the original piece of flash fiction:

Jazmin stopped by altar in the hallway, taking in the mementos, ofrendas. The ceramic bowl held plenty of water, and she placed a fresh cut pomegranate, one of Nana’s favorites, on a white dish. The juice bled over the ceramic. She closed her eyes, bowing her head. With her heart, she reached out to her loved ones, murmuring words of prayer and wishing their spirits well. She missed them, and honored their memories on this most special day.

Solid footsteps announced her husband’s approach. She turned to watch him. The long drapery of his black cloak billowed behind him as he swept down the hall to where she stood in the entranceway. She straightened his crisp collar, and adjusted his bow. He reached past, opening the door for her.

“You make a sexy skeleton.” Lightly, with the tips of two fingers, Hector touched the corner of her jaw, admiring the finishing touches of her dramatic make-up.

“La Calavera Catrina.” She smiled, feeling the paint stretch tight over her skin, like flesh over bone. “No kissing!” she teased, before stepping out.

“I’ll wait until we get back from the fiesta to ravage you again.” His wink sent a charge of heat through her body. “Now it’s time to go.”

As she passed him, he swatted her ass. A warm ache settled between her legs, a physical reminder of the love, loving and life she shared with her mate.

Dias De Los Muertos. Dia del Amor.

Dia Del Amor by Louisa Bacio

On a day known for honoring the souls of departed loved ones, Jazmin and Hector heat up the costuming before the fiesta. Explore when Dia De Los Muertos transforms into Dia Del Amor.

The story can be found in the boxset Sexy to Go Halloween 2, https://amzn.com/B01LZQHV0A

Like Sexy to Go on Facebook.

Louisa Bacio

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