Don't forget to stop and VOTE!

Okay, before you go and all lynch me for jumping on the political wagon, WAIT!  While I'm a strong supporter of our electoral process, this voting isn't going to require you spend hours caucusing or even leaving your home to stand in line at the election booth. Nope, what I'm asking will only take a few minutes of your time, and be painless...promise!  

Some of you may have heard that the wonderful Dawn Roberto, over at LRC (Love Romance Café) is once more hosting her annual "Best of...." Awards and it's now time for the 2015 edition.  That means you romance readers, (and even some of you nonreaders) are going to see your facebook feeds blow up with...please vote for me please from us hard working authors over the next few days.

It is quite the honor for us authors to be nominated for these awards because it's YOU the readers who nominated us.  With that being said, I can't tell you how much that means to me to be included with all the other wonderful authors who strive each day to entertain you.  

This year, I have the pleasure of having three nominations, but just to show I support EVERYONE who got nominated, I've reposted the list that Dawn was so nice to provide us with...and ask you to do this...please take a second, hop over to LRC's yahoo group and vote for your favorites... and if I happen to be one of them - thank you!  

But before you go, here are the instructions that Dawn gave us. Be sure to follow it too the letter, or your votes won't count!

The voting will begin at 1pm est (USA) on Tuesday February 16th at the LRCafé Yahoo Group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/loveromancescafe) and run to February 20th. Polls will close on Feb. 20th at midnight so make sure to get your votes in.

Best of 2015 Award Nominees
 
Best Fantasy/Steampunk Book
Shadow Play by Maria V. Snyder (Harlequin)
Nyx’s Pixie by KM Mahoney (Totally Bound)
Blood of Solar by Alexis Duran (Loose Id)
Iron & Ether by August Li (DSP)
Keys by Amber Kell (Dreamspinner Press)
Caught in a Snowstorm by Ann Anderson (MLR Press)
Bind Me by Marie Medine (Evernight Publishing)
Scarlett Hood & the Hunter by Pumpkin Spice (Evernight Publishing)

Best Contemporary Book

Giving into the biker by Sam Crescent (Evernight)
Break Me by James Cox (Evernight)
Misfits by Garrett Leigh (Riptide)
Secrets Dispatched by Raven McAllan (Totally Bound)
Bind by Sierra Cartwright (Totally Bound)
Take the Long Road Home by JA Rock (Loose Id)
Ripples in Cedarwood by Megan Slayer (Loose Id)
Fire & Ice by Andrew Grey (Dreamspinner Press)
How to be a Normal Person by TJ Klune (Dreamspinner Press)
Storming Love: Jackson & Nick by Laura Baumbach (MLR Press)

Best BDSM/Kink Book

For Real by Alexis Hall (Riptide)
The Subs Club by JA Rock (Riptide)
Make Me Soar by KC Wells (Dreamspinner Press)
Red Skye By Night by Ashe Baker (Totally Bound)
Love Matters by Sean Michael (Totally Bound)
Trust and Consent by Megan Slayer (Liquid Silver)
Met Her Match by Sierra Cartwright (Loose Id)
Someone to Keep Me by KC Wells & Parker Williams (Dreamspinner Press)
Leather Nights by Alex Ironrod (MLR Press)

Best Anthology

Hope & Love Anthology by Tempeste O’Rielly
Wild After Dark by multiple authors (Totally Bound)
Unconventional in San Diego (Pride Publishing)
Mythologically Torqued Vol. 2 (Torquere Press)
Tales of the Curious Cookbook by Amber Kell, Mary Calmes, Amy Lane& RJ Scott (Dreamspinner Press)
Travels through the Scarlet Equinox by Freddy MacKay, Angel Martinez, Toni Griffin & J. Scott Coatsworth (Mischief Corner Books)
Bad Alpha anthology-multiauthors (Evernight Publishing)

Best Book of 2015
Blue-Eyed Stranger by Alex Beecroft (Riptide)
Releasing Rage by Cynthia Sax
Make Me Soar by KC Wells (Dreamspinner Press)
Texas Wedding by RJ Scott (Love Lane Books)
Command by Sierra Cartwright (Totally Bound)
Big Man on Campus by Carol Lynne (Pride Publishing)
Driven by Fire by Draven St. James (Loose Id)
Knight of Ocean Avenue by Tara Lain (Dreamspinner Press)
Anything For You by Kristin Higgins
Fallout- Flight HA171 by Meredith Russel (Love Lane Books)
Devoted In Death by JD Robb
Boyfriend Forever by Diana DeRicci (MLR Press)

Best Series
Blue Water Bay- multi-authors (Riptide)
Collars & Cuffs by KC Wells (Dreamspinner)
Penny Maker Tales by Tara Lain (Dreamspinner Press)
Quantum Force by Marie Force
Drunk Monkey Series by Tymber Dalton (Siren Publishing)
Crescent City Creatures Series by Samantha Stone (Liquid Silver)
Black Hills Wolves- Multi-authors (Decadent Publishing)
1NS Series by multiple authors (Decadent Publishing)
Yuletide Knights Series by Johnny Miles (Loose Id)
Frankie Series by Sue Brown (Dreamspinner Press)
The Lusty, Texas Collection by Cara Covington & Morgan Ashbury (Siren)
Storming Love Series: Wildfire- multi-authors (MLR Press)
Montgomery Ink Series by Carrie Ann Ryan (Carrie Ann Ryan Publishing)
Bad Oak Boys by Erin M. Leaf (Evernight Publishing)
 
Best M/M Book

Lessons of Survivors by Charlie Cochrane (Riptide)
Part & Parcel by Abigail Roux (Riptide)
A Better Man by Jaime Reese
Lost in the Fire by Draven St. James
Carry the Ocean by Heidi Cullinan (Samhain)
Building Bonds by Morticia Knight (Pride Publishing)
Jefferson Blythe, Esquire by Josh Lanyon (Carina Press)
Make Me Soar by KC Wells (Dreamspinner Press)
Roped by SJD Peterson (Dreamspinner Press)
Happy’s Ever After by Stormy Glenn (Siren)
Rock Star Baby by Erin M. Leaf (Evernight)

Best Historical Book

Lessons of Survivors by Charlie Cochrone (Riptide)
Mastering Love by Morticia Knight (Totally Bound)
Taming Saffina by Flora Dain (Totally Bound)
What the Marquis Sees by Amy Quinton (Liquid Silver)
Letters from a Cowboy by Sue Brown (Dreamspinner Press)
Skid Row Serenade by JS Cook (Dreamspinner Press)
Valens The Fletcher and His Captive by Lindsay Townsend (Bookstrand)
A Knight for the Doctor by Adonis Deveraux (Evernight Publishing)
Compromised by Raven McAllan (Evernight Publishing)

Best Interracial/Multicultural Book
Branded by Fire by Aliyah Burke (Totally Bound)
When Dove Cries by Beth D. Carter (Totally Bound)
On the Run by Michael Mandrake (Pride Publishing)
Kotoris Sacrifice by Dakota Trace (Decadent Publishing)
Stepping Stone, Not Doormat by Karenna Colcroft (Loose Id)
Keeper of the Flame by Stephanie Burke (Loose Id)
Starting Over by Marteeka Karland & Sharon Azord (Changeling Press)
Dasher by Avril Ashton (Evernight Publishing)
Murder & Mayhem by Jennifer Macaire (Evernight Publishing)

Best F/F Book
Bound with Love by Megan Mulry (Riptide)
A Kiss is a Kiss is a Kiss by Destiny Moon (Pride Publishing)
Time for Teri by Roslyn Bane (liquid Silver)
Exposing Ellen by Skylar Kade (Decadent Publishing)
Cupid, Mardi Gras and Auld Lang Syne by Katlin Maitland (Loose Id)
Noble Persuasion by Sara Gaines (Harmony Ink)
Blue Jeans and Sweatshirts by Jo Ramsey (Harmony Ink)
 
Best Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Book
Base Instincts by Larissa Ione (Riptide)
The Shadows by JR Ward
Driven Snow by Tara Lain (DSP)
Sated by Lucy Felthouse (Totally Bound)
Her Demon, Her Angel by Kari Thomas (Liquid Silver)
Shifter Magnetism by Stormie Kent (Loose Id)
Holly of Dark Haven by Belinda McBride (Loose Id)
Rare as a Unicorn by Stephanie Burke (Changeling Press)
Turquoise Trail by Julia Talbot (Changeling Press)
Spell Bound by Jacob Z. Flores (Dreamspinner Press)
Manny’s Heart by K-Lee Klein (MLR Press)
Wolf’s Heart by Desiree Holt (Decadent Publishing)
All I need by Eden Ashe (Decadent Publishing)

Best Western/Cowboys Book
Belt Buckles and Cowboy Boots by Bailey Bradford (Totally Bound)
The Outrageous Offer by Aurelia T. Evans (Totally Bound)
City Country by BA Tortuga (Totally Bound)
Frozen Peach by Kaitlin Maitland (Loose Id)
Breeding Season by Vonna Harper (Loose Id)
Saving Faithless Creek by Andrew Grey (Dreamspinner Press)
Bound to Fall by Jaime Samms (Dreamspinner Press)
The Shearing Gun by Renae Kaye (Dreamspinner Press)
Playing with Fire by Desiree Holt (Decadent Publishing)

Best Author of 2015
RJ Scott
Sue Brown
Dakota Trace
Cara Covington
AJ Llewellyn
Edward Kendrick
Angel Martinez
Sierra Cartwright
Cara Carnes
Desiree Holt
Laura Baumbach
Megan Slayer
Jessica E. Subject
B.A. Tortuga
 
Best Ménage Book

Second Son by Elle Q. Sabine
Twice Upon a Blue Moon by Helena Maeve (Totally Bound)
Taken In by Wendy Zwaduk (Totally Bound)
Falling by Belinda McBride (Pride Publishing)
Eyes Wide Open by Lucy Felthouse (Pride Publishing)
Love Under Three Valentinos by Cara Covington & Morgan Ashbury (Siren)
The Trail Back by Ashley Malkin (Siren)
Flames of Desire by Leah Brooke (Siren)
Own Her by Jenika Snow (Evernight Publishing)
Claimed by her Bears by Doris O’Connor (Evernight Publishing)

Best Science Fiction/Futuristic Book
Releasing Rage by Cynthia Sax
Lovin’ the Odds by Vicky Burkholder (Liquid Silver)
Coletti Warlords: Just Desserts by Gail Kroger (Loose Id)
Chasing Secrets by Mychael Black (Changeling Press)
Brielle and the Alien by Jessica Coulter Smith (Changeling Press)
Rise and Fall by Charlie Cochet (Dreamspinner Press)
Desert World by Lyn Gala (Dreamspinner Press)
Oracles Child by Sandra C. Stixrude (Mischief Corner Books)
An Alien to Love by Jessica E. Subject (Decadent Publishing)

Best Mystery/Thriller/Suspense Book
Fair Play by Josh London
Devoted In Death by JD Robb
Reaper by Edward Kendrick (Pride Publishing)
Third Eye by Rick R. Reed (Dreamspinner Press)
Shotgun by Marie Sexton (Dreamspinner Press)
Murder & Mayhem by Rhys Ford (Dreamspinner Press)

Readers Choice Nominees
Best Couple

Will and Prudence in WILLING LOVE by Mary Jean Adams
Hailey and Fin (Eerie by C.M. McCoy)
Herres and Delia in Vampyre Rescuer
Cassandra Lowry and Jim Hunt (DARK MOON RISING)
Yulen and Atty from Battle Lord Saga by Linda Mooney
Kate& Curran (Kate Daniels Series by Ilona Andrews)
Eve and Roark (In Death Series by JD Robb)
Lysander Brock and Kyle Dalton, Testing Lysander by L M
Somerton
Ty Grady& Zane Garrett (Crash & Burn by Abigail Roux)
Jackson& Nick (Storming Love: Wild Fire by Laura Baumbach)

Best Hero
Sky in WOLF'S PRINCESS by Maddy Barone.
Fin (Eerie by C.M. McCoy)
Dreydon in Stolen Away
Jim Hunt (Dark Moon Rising)
Yulen from Battle Lord Saga by Linda Mooney
Salter Beauman, Scorched Edges by L M Somerton
Asher from C.M. McCoy's "EERIE"
 Sloane Brody (Rise & Fall by Charlie Cochet)
Curran, the Beast Lord (Magic Shifts by Ilona Andrews)
Holden Carter (Stolen & Forgiven by Carrie Ann Ryan & Alexandra Ivy)

Best Heroine

Hailey (Eerie by C.M. McCoy)
Delia in Vampyre Rescuer
Cassandra Lowry (Dark Moon Rising)
Atty from Battle Lord Saga by Linda Mooney
Sloane Brody (Razor Wire by Lauren Gallagher)’
Kate Daniels (Magic Shifts by Ilona Andrews)
Ariel Sands (Stolen& Forgiven by Carrie Ann Ryan and Alexandra Ivy)
Shea Little (Ink Inspired by Carrie Ann Ryan)
MeKenna (Own Her by Jenika Snow)
Samantha Holland (Fatal Series by Marie Force)

©Dakota Trace All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. No portion of this work may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the author.

#MySexySaturday: {79} Giving it her all...

So this week our wonderful Lynn has tasked us with coming up with a few sexy moments for Valentine's Day.  While my newest release was issued in time to correspond with the release of the Fifty Shades of Grey movie (no booing here - I haven't read the books nor do I plan on the seeing the movie.) it has a decidedly dark theme to it, about love lost, then reclaimed. After all what would you do - to get back the man you love?   So sit back and enjoy seven paragraphs from Kotori's Sacrifice, one the newest additions to the 1NS line.  

Snippet: 

Forgetting all about his waiting playmate, Seba stalked across the room, ready to give Akira a piece of his mind. How dare she interrupt his date? But before he’d covered the distance between them, she turned to face him. He froze in shock. Perching on her slightly upturned nose were Mey-rin’s opaque glasses. Suddenly, the reasoning behind the note made sense, even if he had no intention of accepting the matchmaker’s advice. 

Then Mey-rin…or, rather, Akira spotted him. Her lips slowly parted then drew up into a gorgeous smile. The skin at the corner of her eyes crinkled as she took a step toward him. Her happiness at seeing him seemed to spread until it engulfed her petite frame. He swallowed hard, torn between leaving and demanding a full refund from the elusive Madame Eve, and staying and taking what Akira offered—until he fucked her out of his system. But before he could decide on which course of action to take, his former submissive came to a stop in front of him and sank to her knees, head bowed. 

“I offer my body to you willingly, Sir. To whip or fuck. I am at your service. I only wish to please you.” 

A low growl built in him. She’d pressed every one of his erotic buttons with her words. An offer she had made many times in the past, but always failed to follow through on. 

“Look at me, kotori.” The endearment rolled off his tongue. 

At his feet, she stiffened. But it no longer mattered. She’d seen his face, knew his identity, what he was capable of, and had still offered herself. When she lifted her head, he took the glasses off, confirming his suspicion. Her beautiful golden brown eyes stared up at him, the longing in their depths familiar. 

“There will be no way out this time. At least, not tonight. You will submit because I will accept nothing less than a total sacrifice on your part. Do you understand?”

Blurb

A Dominant who just couldn’t let go… 

As an experienced Dom, Seba Havas, specializes in helping traumatized submissives find the release they need. He knows when a firm hand is needed or a gentle touch will work better, but nothing in his nearly fifteen years in the scene prepares him for Akira. Like a whirlwind, she turns his orderly life upside down with her refusal to submit. Still reeling from his failure with her six months later, he turns to 1Night Stand. Madame Eve’s suggestion? A trip to the Carnivore Club, the brand new BDSM themed Las Vegas Strip resort on a date to an elegant masquerade ball with a beautiful submissive. 

A submissive who’s willing to sacrifice it all…

As the oldest daughter of the Ito clan, Akira has been responsible and self-controlled her entire life, up to the point it has caused her to lose the dominant she loves. Now she has one chance left to prove to Seba she can be what he needs. In true Vegas fashion, and with a little help from Madame Eve, she’s going to gamble it all on one night of dominance and submission. But will it be enough?

BUY LINKS

AMAZON    ARe     B & N    BOOKSTRAND

©Dakota Trace All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. No portion of this work may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the author.

#MySexySaturday {60}: At the masquerade ball...

So this week we're supposed to be focusing on love, no matter the location. Well, in my newest accepted 1NS book, Kotori's Sacrifice, my feisty heroine is willing to do about anything - including attend a masquerade ball at the Carnivore Club, if it will mean that she has a chance to win back her former master's love. 

Enjoy my sexy seven paragraphs and be sure to check in with the rest of the peeps. 

Inspiration for the Sanctum Ballroom

Snippet: 

“We all have baggage, Sir. Why don’t we enjoy the masquerade, and see where we are afterward. After fifty to sixty hour weeks, I could use a bit of fun.” 

“You got a deal.” Seba smiled at her, liking the light-hearted side she was showing him. “As long as you promise to dance with me. It’s been too long since I’ve felt a woman in my arms.” 

Mey-rin cocked her head. “I suppose so. As long as you don’t mind risking your person. In that costume, I can’t promise my hands won’t wander. All those buttons make me want to open them with my teeth...” 

He groaned, as the image of her undoing his clothing with only her mouth, popped into his brain. He narrowed his eyes, but reined in the lust that simmered just under the surface. “Naughty girls get spanked. Hard.” 

Her breath caught in her throat, but he could hear the need in her voice when she spoke. “Then I guess I’ll have to be naughty.” 

Tempted to pull her over his lap, the only thing that saved her was the fact the car came to a stop. He yanked the zipper shut on his play bag. There wasn’t a doubt in his mind, he’d have her bound to a St. Andrews Cross wearing nothing more than that crisp white apron and begging for release before the night was over—at least if he had anything to say about it. 

As the door opened and she moved to exit, he took a deep breath. Now was not the time to act like an over-eager teenaged boy. Grabbing his toy bag, he slid out of the limo and stood. And stopped to take in the resort. Gone were the bright lights of the Strip. Instead, in its place was a massive resort complete with pueblo-style buildings that were backlit by soft ground lights. In the moonlight with the desert in the distance, it had an ethereal feel to it.

©Dakota Trace All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. No portion of this work may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the author.