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Love it or hate it, Steve's Story releases in print

Steve’s Story, Book 2 in the Circle of Friends series, released in print at the beginning of the month.

Now I confess, this book has received many mixed reviews. I’ve had readers who loved it to nth degree, who could not stop raving about it, and I’ve had readers who hated it so much, some could not even finish the book.

Which got me thinking how this might happen. Why would one book appeal to some readers and yet repel others? Truthfully? I’m not sure. But having given the reviews for Steve’s Story a lot of thought, I think I’ve figured it out.

Steve’s Story isn’t a fun ride from beginning to end. Yep, there are some funny lines and a couple of entertaining scenes, and yep, the sex is scorching. But underneath all of that lies a book steeped in reality. Yes, it is a romance, but it does not take place in a fantasy world. It stays true to the facts. And while the ending is a happy one, it’s also a terribly sad one. (Heck, I sobbed finishing the last chapter.)

While writing the warning in the blurb I made a big mistake. I focused on the sex instead of the story. The result? The warning makes the book sound like a sexy romp. Yes – it’s sexy and hot as hell. But it’s no romp. So I have taken the liberty here of rewriting the warning…

This is how it reads on the back cover:

Warning: This book might just make you cry, but it’ll make you smile as well. The story will probably get you all hot and bothered too. It contains naughty activities in the car, sex on the kitchen counter (and up against the wall), a quickie in the garden, a little experimenting with scarves – oh, and some hot loving in the bedroom.

This is how I now believe it should read:

Warning: The book is pretty sad. It’s also realistic and may not be everybody’s cup of tea. If you’re looking for a light-hearted, fun romance – this isn’t it. Yep, there’s a happy ending (helloooo? I write romance), but it’s certainly not your classic “And they lived happily ever after”.
If you’re looking for a hero who knows where his heart lies and refuses to give up on his heroine – no matter what obstacles they face – then this is the book for you!

So, you may love it or you may hate it, but until you’ve read it, you’ll never know.

STEVE’S STORY: THE BLURB

When love is threatened by truth, every moment counts…

Circle of Friends, Book 2

Steve Sommers is having a gut-wrenching week. His fiancée has left him, the woman who broke his heart is back in town – and they’re all gathered at the bedside of his best friend, who’s in a coma. The emotional ties between them are strained to the breaking point. Like it or not, it’s up to Steve to find the strength and compassion to support the four of them through the toughest ordeal of their lives.

In the midst of the turmoil and trauma, passion unexpectedly flares anew between Steve and the woman he loves. Suddenly the future he’d believed lost lies within his reach. But she still carries the secret that once tore them apart, and determined to protect Steve from the truth, she fights their rekindled relationship every step of the way.

Now the fragile bond they’ve developed hangs in the balance, threatened by a reality that love may not be strong enough to overcome…

Warning: REFER TO ABOVE.

Jess

Going All In is now available

I’m thrilled to announce that Going All In is now available at Samhain Publishing.

This novella began as a m/f/m short story, but pretty soon morphed into something I wasn’t expecting. A longer menage with three-way, anything-goes action.

Over and over the characters surprised me with their expectations, feelings and stories, and in the end, the book was written the only way the characters would let me write it: As a m/m/f romance.

I’ve become incredibly fond of Jules, Jay and Hunter, and I’m pretty sure you’ll love them as well once you’ve read the book.

Going All In – The Blurb

The higher the stakes, the harder they fall—in love.

Julia Savage’s weekly poker games are tearing her apart. She’s in love with two of her fellow card players, and much as she’d like to pick and confess her true feelings to one man, she won’t. Not if it means risking the love of the other.

Hunter Miles has wanted Julia for four months, and he’s about to deal a hand she couldn’t see coming. He’s determined to give her a New Year’s Eve celebration she never expected. He’s going to seduce her—in front of his friend and rival for her affections, Jay Baxter. But Jay’s not willing to lay down his cards. He’s going after Julia too, and he’s not above bluffing to get what he wants. Either way, one of them is going to win her over.

Unless they change the rules of the game. If they double up, there’s a chance they can split the pot…

Warning: This book contains two hunky heroes, a heroine worth betting on, sizzling hot three-way action (m/f/m and m/m/f), a whole lot of unexpected fireworks and a New Year’s Eve to remember.

Going All In is available now at MBaM

Jess

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TV Bloopers

I’ve been sitting here for ages wondering what to blog about. I’ve even been going through the Samhain Blog, seeing what other bloggers have written – so I can get some ideas, and I’ve notice a couple of people have used videos in their posts.

Well, that got me thinking. I’ve seen a couple of videos that have left me in hysterics. So I thought “why not share them with you?”

Yes, this’ll give you a little insight into my somewhat twisted sense of humor. And yes, I confess, I laugh in the face of other people’s embarrassment. But wait til you see these. I suspect you’ll laugh too.
;)

Only Tyler Releases in Print

To say I’m thrilled is the understatement of the century. On the 1st of November, Only Tyler, the first book in the Circle of Friends series released in print. I nearly cried when I held the book for the first time. The cover looked gorgeous on the ebook. On the print book – well it is utterly stunning.

ONLY TYLER

Circle of Friends – Book 1

Love…or friendship? Does she really have to choose?

Katelyn Rosewood is facing a moral dilemma, one that’s six-foot-two, sexy as sin—and her fiancé’s best friend. Katie spent a lot of time getting over Tyler Bonnard, but now that he’s back in Sydney, he’s turning her carefully reconstructed world upside down.

Her relationship with Steve Sommers may be short on heat and desire, but after Tyler left her two years before, she’ll take security and solid friendship over wild passion any day. Except Tyler seems to have a good—if outrageous—explanation for why he’s returned.

After a tragic family secret tore him out of Katie’s life, Tyler is glad to be back with his two best friends. But one thing is out of place: Katie’s in the wrong man’s arms. And if her reaction to his return is any indication, she’s not quite over him. Which could mean hope for Tyler, heartbreak for Steve…

And another devastating loss for Katie, who must choose between the man to whom she’s committed her future, and the man who still holds her heart.

Warning: Keep a tissue or two handy while reading this book. While it does contain a few steamy love scenes, the rest of the story might just make you cry.

Only Tyler is available now in print from My Bookstore and More

Happy reading

Jess

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15 Reasons Why I Hate Winter

All of you lucky buggers living in the Northern Hemisphere may find it difficult to relate to this blog. But since I am sitting in my office, freezing my toes off, I believe I have every right to moan and complain about winter. We’re slap bang in the middle of my worst season. There seems to be no hope of summer ever returning, and all I want to do is feel warm again. I’m drinking about ten cups of tea a day. (Do you have any idea how many trips to the bathroom that translates into?) And for some peculiar reason, chocolate seems to be the only food that comforts me through the low temperatures. (Hmm, go figure.)

So, in an attempt to refine all the reasons I hate winter, I have made a list. Feel free to add to it at any time.

1) It’s cold.
2) My toes are always freezing—no matter how many pairs of socks I wear.
3) There is no way to warm up a cold nose. Believe me, I’ve tried.
4) Doesn’t matter how many boxes of tissues (Kleenex) I buy, there are never enough.
5) Getting out of a cozy bed in the morning is absolute hell.
6) Ever tried encouraging a dog to do his business outside when it’s freezing and rainy?
7) We never get to make snowmen or snow angels.
8) We can’t ski or skate outdoors. (Hey, it’s Sydney. It doesn’t snow here.)
9) There is nothing quite like the shock of cleaning your teeth in frigid, icy water.
10) Sushi does not make for a warm, nourishing meal. (Which is a damn pity, since it makes for a convenient, yummy one, and the kids love it—in summer.)
11) I desperately miss the heat of the sun warming my skin.
12) It rains altogether too much. (Yes, I know rain is a good thing, especially after years of drought. But day in, day out, rain and cloud can be pretty darn depressing.)
13) Ever tried finding cool activities for the kids in the middle of winter? In a city geared towards beach life and the outdoors, there is not much to do on a cold, rainy day. (Which makes winter school holidays a massive pain in the behind. And yes, school holidays begin on Friday afternoon. AARRRRGGGHHHH!)
14) Early morning swimming lessons with the kids are hell.
15) I cannot understand why my kids will not put on warm clothing when I am cold.

On the other hand, there is nothing quite like snuggling up to a warm , loving body on a cold night. It kind of makes up for most of the hardship of winter.

☺
Jess
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Passion Killers

As a romance writer it’s my job to make sure my books hum with passion and sexual tension. Every line in the book has to resonate with desire and lust and love. Which is why I found myself laughing out loud earlier today as I recalled a couple of incidents from my youth.

Some of you may identify with this post immediately, some may have to stretch your minds back a little to those days before you found your life partner. I’m talking about that continual search for ‘the one’. Or if not ‘the one’ than ‘the one just right for now’. Some of those ‘ones’ I remember with a fond smile, some with a slight blush, and there are those I think about with a shake of my head and a snort of disbelief. Then there are the two I think about with a howl of laughter.

Steve's Story Releases Today!

It’s here. Finally. The 28th of April. Which means the second book in the Circle of Friends Series, Steve’s Story is now available at Samhain.

Circle of Friends is a two part series. Only Tyler, released at Samhain on the 20th of January this year, is the first book. The series revolves around three best friends: Steve Sommers, Katelyn Rosewood and Tyler Bonnard.

STEVE’S STORY:
The Blurb

When love is threatened by truth, every moment counts…

Circle of Friends, Book 2

Steve Sommers is having a gut-wrenching week. His fiancée has left him, the woman who broke his heart is back in town—and they’re all gathered at the bedside of his best friend, who’s in a coma. The emotional ties between them are strained to the breaking point. Like it or not, it’s up to Steve to find the strength and compassion to support the four of them through the toughest ordeal of their lives.

In the midst of the turmoil and trauma, passion unexpectedly flares anew between Steve and the woman he loves. Suddenly the future he’d believed lost lies within his reach. But she still carries the secret that once tore them apart, and determined to protect Steve from the truth, she fights their rekindled relationship every step of the way.

Now the fragile bond they’ve developed hangs in the balance, threatened by a reality that love may not be strong enough to overcome…

Product Warnings:
This book might just make you cry, but it’ll make you smile as well. The story will probably get you all hot and bothered too. It contains naughty activities in the car, sex on the kitchen counter (and up against the wall), a quickie in the garden, a little experimenting with scarves—oh, and some hot loving in the bedroom.

You can get your copy of Steve’s Story right here!

Happy reading

Jess

Jess Dee
Dee-liciously Sexy Romance
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Can friends become lovers... Can lovers remain friends?

The title of the post is my question to you:
Can friends become lovers…Can lovers remain friends?
Perhaps Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal sum it up best in one of my all time favorite movies ever: When Harry Met Sally.

Harry Burns: What I’m saying is – and this is not a come-on in any way, shape or form – is that men and women can’t be friends because the sex part always gets in the way.
Sally Albright: That’s not true. I have a number of men friends and there is no sex involved.
Harry Burns: No you don’t.
Sally Albright: Yes I do.
Harry Burns: No you don’t.
Sally Albright: Yes I do.
Harry Burns: You only think you do.
Sally Albright: You say I’m having sex with these men without my knowledge?
Harry Burns: No, what I’m saying is they all WANT to have sex with you.
Sally Albright: They do not.
Harry Burns: Do too.
Sally Albright: They do not.
Harry Burns: Do too.
Sally Albright: How do you know?
Harry Burns: Because no man can be friends with a woman that he finds attractive. He always wants to have sex with her.
Sally Albright: So, you’re saying that a man can be friends with a woman he finds unattractive?
Harry Burns: No. You pretty much want to nail ‘em too.
Sally Albright: What if THEY don’t want to have sex with YOU?
Harry Burns: Doesn’t matter because the sex thing is already out there so the friendship is ultimately doomed and that is the end of the story.
Sally Albright: Well, I guess we’re not going to be friends then.
Harry Burns: I guess not.
Sally Albright: That’s too bad. You were the only person I knew in New York.

LOL.
What do you think? Can men and women have platonic friendships, or will the sex thing always get in the way. This is the basic premise of my print release, Photo Opportunity.

Can friends become lovers? Can lovers remain friends?

Daniel Tanner’s through with being loved like the proverbial brother. He intends to make his best friend, Amy Morgan, blaze with the same desire he feels for her. The plan? Initiate a series of escapades that will have Amy falling into his arms—and into his bed.

When her trusted buddy suddenly turns up the heat, Amy finds it impossible to resist his sexy advances. But as his best friend, she knows a thing or two about Daniel. While he may be charming and gorgeous, he’s also commitment phobic.

If she trusts her heart to him, she’s sure he’ll leave it—and their friendship—shattered in a million pieces.

Warning: Contains smoking hot love scenes between two best friends who can’t seem to keep their hands off each other.

Photo Opportunity releases in Print on the 31st of March, 2009.

Jess

Famous Love Triangles

After A Question of Trust, from The Menage and More Anthology was released, I put together a list of famous threesomes which I then published on my blog. That was in September last year. I’m still astounded how many daily hits I get on that particular post.

So I thought it only appropriate now that Only Tyler (Book One in the Circle of Friends Series) has been released, I put together a list of famous Love Triangles. (Yep, Only Tyler is about a love triangle. Katie Rosewood is engaged to Steve Sommers, but is in love with his best friend, Tyler Bonnard.)

So, I hit the internet, and these are some of the well known love triangles I discovered:

1) Princess Di, Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles.
2) Angelina, Brad and Jennifer.
3) Julia Roberts, Danny Moder (her hubby) and Vera Moder (his now ex wife.)
4) Richard Burton (husband), Liz Taylor (wife) and Eddie Fisher (her lover.)
5) Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra and Ava Gardner (his lover, his future wife and his future ex-wife.)
6) Mia Farrow, Woody Allen and Soon Yi-Previn (Mia’s adopted daughter, and Woody’s lover.)
7) Spencer Tracy, Mrs Tracy and Katherine Hepburn (his long term lover)
8) King Arthur, Guenevere and Sir Lancelot
9) Kevin Federline left Shar Jackson for Britney Spears. (Do I sound like a twit admitting I have no idea who Kevin Federline or Shar Jackson are?)

Then I searched for famous TV love triangles. There are lots of them. You just have to think about any of the soap operas to know the list could be endless. Here are the ones that have stuck in mind over the years…

1) Friends: Rachel, Ross and Emily
2) Grey’s Anatomy: Alex, Issy and Denny and Meredith, Derek and Addison
3) Sex in the City: Big, Carrie and Aiden
4) Lost: Sawyer, Kate and Jack
5) Beverley Hills 90210: Kelly, Dylan and Brenda
6) Melrose Place: Amanda, Billy and Alison
7) Ally McBeal: Ally, Billy and Georgia

Can you think of any more? I’d love to see how long we can make the list.

Jess

The Book That Should Never Have Been Written

It’s with a ridiculously large smile on my face that I stand here now and say, “I am thrilled to announce the release of Only Tyler, Book One in the Circle of Friends Series.” I’d be lying if I said that writing this book and having it published was smooth sailing all the way. On the contrary, from the very start I was warned, over and over: Do not write this book! A love triangle, I was cautioned, is not good material for a romance. It’s frowned upon by most readers and publishers. Especially a love triangle in which the woman is in love with her fiancé’s best friend. More than that, infidelity is a no no. How can you possibly justify it to your readers?

I guess I should have listened. I guess I should have put the book aside and worked on something else. But you know what? I couldn’t. Tyler, Katie and Steve kept me up at night, insisting their story be told. And so, against the rest of the world’s better judgment, I wrote the book.