Stripped Bare by Nikka Michaels and Eileen Griffin

Posted by Lea Bronsen on December 3, 2014

Genre: M/M, BDSM

Length: 22,000 Words

Series: Cooper Mountain

Release Date: November 14, 2014

Publisher: Evernight Publishing

Goodreads page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23561694-cooper-mountain

BLURB:

When Donovan Ramsey comes home from yet another business trip he realizes he and his long-term boyfriend, Nate Pearson, have drifted apart. Donovan is used to engineering solutions in his career, but he’s stumped on how to fix his dwindling sexual relationship with Nate.

After a late night internet search, Donovan finds a place that might be exactly what they need to rekindle the romance in their relationship. There’s just one catch: the idyllic Cooper Mountain Bed and Breakfast specializes in BDSM for couples.

Over the course of the weekend, the two men experience a taste of what the BDSM lifestyle has to offer. Will that taste lead to a stronger connection between Nate and Donovan, or will it ultimately be their undoing?

EXCERPT:

Donovan recognized a few of the search results from friends’ suggestions about quick weekend getaways. The majority, though, were ones Donovan had never heard of. “Deluxe cottage, nestled in the woods. Full shower and bath. Total privacy.”

Donovan kept that window open, even though the price was way more than what he would normally pay for a hotel room for the night. The next boasted similar features, except this one had a private outdoor hot tub for the guests’ use. Donovan was about to go back to the first listing until he saw one that looked different from the others.

“Cooper Mountain. A secluded B&B that caters to couples who want to rekindle their relationship. Fully catered meals, private quarters, and attentive staff. LGBTQ Friendly.”

Out of curiosity, he clicked on the link. The first picture that popped up featured a beautiful cottage situated in a rural setting next to a lake. The next picture, however, had his mind reeling. A wooden cross, labeled St. Andrew’s Cross in the caption below, made him wonder if this was a couples’ retreat or a torture palace. The owner’s message at the bottom of the image gallery explained that play was optional, and every stage of kink was welcome. There were educational classes for newbies as well as complete privacy for the more advanced couples.

Testimonial after testimonial made his head swim.

“Toby and Logan are the perfect hosts. Not only did my partner and I rekindle the passion we thought we’d lost, we found out we really love floggers!”

“Thank you, Logan, for the best weekend getaway we’ve had in years. We’ll definitely be back on our next anniversary to try out the spanking bench.”

And the last one, “A weekend at Cooper Mountain worked wonders for expanding our understanding of the D/s relationship. We’ve grown closer as a couple and can’t wait to take more of Logan’s classes!”

Donovan’s mind raced as he clicked through the image gallery, shocked and slightly scandalized by the images he saw. After all, what kind of person got off on pain? What kind of person got pleasure from tying another person up or by dominating someone else sexually?

EILEEN GRIFFIN BIO:

Eileen Griffin lives in the southwest, but loves to travel and has spent many summers crossing Europe with nothing but a backpack on her back. She enjoys TexMex, lives for good wine, and has a certain penchant for purple unicorns. She loves reading all genres of books, but her current obsession is writing M/M romance. Her past published works include: Chasing Matt, a M/M novella co-authored with Nikka Michaels, Dinner For Two, a M/F romance novella, “Claiming Ayden”, a M/M shifter romance that is part of Evenight’s Alpha’s Claim Anthology: M/M Edition, and “Lost and Found”, a short story written for the M/M Romance Group’s Don’t Read in the Closet: Love’s Landscapes Event. Eileen is currently working on book three of the In the Kitchen series from Carina Press with Nikka Michaels, as well as several other projects both individual and co-authored.

NIKKA MICHAELS BIO:

Nikka Michaels lives in the rainy Pacific Northwest where she spends her time cooking up romantic tales to satisfy her craving for HEAs with heat. A voracious reader, novice knitter and music lover she’s been known to multitask without breaking a sweat. She loves to read and write M/M romance but believes everyone deserves a love story. She currently has several releases out including, Chasing Matt, a M/M novella co-authored with Eileen Griffin, Christmas with Caden, a M/F romance novella from Cobblestone Press, “Waking up Wolf”, a M/M shifter romance in Evernight Publishing’s Alpha’s Claim: Manlove Edition anthology, and the MM series which includes, Mile High Service, Room Service and Lip Service from Cobblestone Press’ Blue line. She also has a short story, “His Assistant” in Evernight Publishing’s best-selling Executive Assistant: Manlove Edition anthology.

In the Raw by Eileen Griffin and Nikka Michaels

Posted by Lea Bronsen on October 6, 2014

In the Raw

By Eileen Griffin and Nikka Michaels

Genre: M/M, Foodie Romance

Length: 84,000 Words

Series: In the Kitchen

Release Date: October 6, 2014

Publisher: Carina Press

Goodreads page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22599510-in-the-raw

BLURB:

If you can’t take the heat…

James Lassiter has had a crush on fellow culinary student Ethan Martin for three years, but has never had the guts to make a move. Putting himself out there is hard, especially when under the thumb–and wallet–of his overbearing parents. Now that bad boy chef Ethan–who is always vying with Jamie for best in class–is struggling with the pastry course, Jamie suddenly has a reason to reach out.

Ethan doesn’t mean to be an ass–okay, so mostly he does–but even though he’s secretly hot for Jamie, he sure as hell doesn’t want help with pastry. Ever since his dad walked out, Ethan has been the one to hold things together and he’s done fine on his own. Except that he can’t get his cake to rise.

Jamie could be the answer to what Ethan’s been missing his whole life–someone to depend on. But with the two competing for the same scholarship, things suddenly get too hot to handle. And if Jamie finds the strength to go for what he wants, he isn’t about to settle for what he needs.

EXCERPT:

I opened the door, shivering when a gust of wind swept through. I pulled my jacket tight around my body, sighing when I saw no cabs waiting at the curb. “Shit.” I could either call information or wait a few minutes for another to drive by. I leaned against the brick wall of the building to wait when I heard the bar’s door squeak open and shut again.

“You could have waited for me, you know?” Ethan’s annoyed voice as he approached had me wondering what I’d done now.

“No worries.” I shrugged, tired from the long day and the confusing mix of emotions hanging out with him seemed to bring. “I didn’t want to rush you because I was ready to leave.”

He stepped closer, his shoulders hunched as he reluctantly admitted, “I wanted to hang out with you. Not Summer or the guys. Just you.”

I stared at him. “What do you want from me, Ethan? Half the time I don’t know whether you hate me or want to be friends. Then you do something like defend me to my father, who incidentally thinks you’re the antichrist. Tell me what we’re doing here.”

Instead of launching into the verbal tirade I expected, a determined look crossed his face and he murmured, “Fuck it.”

He stepped closer and I tensed. As unpredictable as Ethan was, I wasn’t sure what he’d do. I let it out a surprised gasp when his mouth met mine. There was nothing gentle about it. Months of tension, fighting, flirting all igniting when he touched me. Not a romantic kiss by any means…it was bruising, rough, passionate, intense, all the same things I’d come to equate with Ethan Martin. My fingers curled in the fabric of his sweatshirt, tugging him closer as my eyes slammed shut.

Braced between the solidness of his body and the cold wall behind me, I felt my entire body heat. Ethan’s ravenous lips and desperate tongue claimed my mouth, tasting of beer and mint. He slid one hand up to cup the back of my neck, holding me captive as he braced himself against the wall. I kissed him back fiercely, our teeth knocking together with the force of it.

Sounds I didn’t even know I was capable of making left my mouth and I didn’t care we were in public where anyone could see us. I nipped his lip, sighing with pleasure when he moaned into my mouth. He might be an infuriatingly stubborn asshole at times but one thing was for certain: Ethan Martin could kiss. He broke away, breathing hard as he leaned his forehead against mine.

“Wow.” I fought for breath, a smile tugging at my lips. “For once we’re actually on the same page.” As soon as the words left my mouth, he pulled back. His expression changed from needy to terrified as he released me, his hands clenched into fists.

“Ethan?”

“I’m sorry.” He backed away, staring at my face like I’d punched him. “I’m really fucking sorry, Lassiter.”

I swallowed hard and took a deep breath, raising my hands as if I was soothing a spooked animal.

“Ethan?”

He yanked up his sweatshirt hood and took off, leaving me to stare after him in silence. What the hell had happened?

BUY/PRE-ORDER LINKS:

EILEEN GRIFFIN BIO:

Eileen Griffin lives in the southwest, but loves to travel and has spent many summers crossing Europe with nothing but a backpack on her back. She enjoys TexMex, lives for good wine, and has a certain penchant for purple unicorns. She loves reading all genres of books, but her current obsession is writing M/M romance. Her past published works include: Chasing Matt, a M/M novella co-authored with Nikka Michaels, Dinner For Two, a M/F romance novella, “Claiming Ayden”, a M/M shifter romance that is part of Evenight’s Alpha’s Claim Anthology: M/M Edition, and “Lost and Found”, a short story written for the M/M Romance Group’s Don’t Read in the Closet: Love’s Landscapes Event. Eileen is currently working on a new M/M series set in a Bed and Breakfast with Nikka Michaels, as well as several other projects both individual and co-authored.

NIKKA MICHAELS BIO:

Nikka Michaels lives in the rainy Pacific Northwest where she spends her time cooking, laughing and crafting romantic tales to satisfy her craving for HEAs with heat. A voracious reader, novice knitter and music lover she’s been known to multitask without breaking a sweat. She loves to read and write M/M romance but believes everyone deserves a love story. She currently has several releases out including, Chasing Matt, a M/M novella co-authored with Eileen Griffin, Christmas with Caden, a M/F romance novella from Cobblestone Press, “Waking up Wolf”, a M/M shifter romance in Evernight Publishing’s Alpha’s Claim: Manlove Edition anthology, and the MM series which includes, Mile High Service, Room Service and Lip Service from Cobblestone Press’ Blue line. She also has a short story, “His Assistant” in Evernight Publishing’s best selling Executive Assistant: Manlove Edition anthology.

His Assistant by Nikka Michaels

Posted by Lea Bronsen on June 27, 2014

Genre: Erotic Romance, M/M, BDSM, Contemporary

Length: Anthology Length Short Story

Release Date: June 20, 2014

Publisher: Evernight Publishing

Anthology Title: Executive Assistant: Manlove Edition

ANTHOLOGY BLURB:

Unleash your naughty side with Evernight Publishing’s Executive Assistant: Manlove Edition anthology…

These sizzling hot stories dare to explore the taboo world of office romance. From X-rated job interviews, controlling Doms, to the unprofessional use of office furniture—these seven stories have it all.

Our bestselling authors are determined to make you squirm. You may never see the office the same way again!

AUTHORS:

Cat Blaine, JC Holly, Xondra Day

Nicola Cameron, Noelle Keaton

Pelaam, Nikka Michaels

HIS ASSISTANT BLURB:

Justin isn’t the typical assistant to powerful executive John Ryan. Like any good assistant, Justin fetches coffee, makes copies and manages the busy executive’s schedule. Behind closed doors, Justin’s more than an assistant; he’s in control.

EXCERPT:

“I have several things to add to the next meeting’s agenda and I think you should take some notes, Mr. Ryan. You’ll find a notepad and pen in your desk drawer.”

John swallowed hard, as his handsome face flushed. No one told him what to do like Justin did; they all just scurried around to do his bidding. But Justin didn’t scurry. When John turned toward the desk, obeying orders, Justin knew what he wanted. Justin came up behind him, pressing the length of his body against his boss’s, and whispered in his ear. “On your knees, Jonathan. You do all your best work when you kneel.”

BUY LINKS:

Evernight Publishing | Amazon US | Amazon UK | All Romance Ebooks | Bookstrand

NIKKA MICHAELS BIO:

Nikka Michaels lives in the rainy Pacific Northwest where she spends her time cooking, laughing and crafting romantic tales to satisfy her craving for HEAs with heat. A voracious reader, novice knitter and music lover she’s been known to multitask without breaking a sweat. She loves to read and write M/M romance but believes everyone deserves a love story. She currently has three releases from Evernight Publishing: Chasing Matt, a M/M novella co-authored with Eileen Griffin, “Waking up Wolf”, a M/M shifter romance in the Alpha’s Claim: Manlove Edition anthology and “His Assistant” in the Executive Assistant: Manlove Edition Anthology. She has four short stories from Cobblestone Press including the MF novella, Christmas with Caden and three MM short stories from their Blue Line including Room Service, Lip Service and Mile High Service coming July 15, 2014. Nikka is currently at work with her co-author on two M/M foodie romance novels, In the Raw and In the Fire set to release October and November 2014 from Carina Press.

LINKS:

My Writing Process

Posted by Lea Bronsen on March 3, 2014

This is a stop on a blog hop with several authors discussing their writing processes. I’ve been tagged by the lovely and talented Nikka Michaels and I’ve tagged three authors to follow my post in the hop. There are more authors to visit at Nikka’s post and you can continue hopping from there or here. What is this hop all about? It’s about authors offering others a glimpse into their work, their work schedules, and perhaps their innermost thoughts. Come take a hop on the wild side!

Before I get to the questions, I have to make sure you know about Nikka. She’s a writer of m/m erotic romance, a genre I have discovered recently. I read her Chasing Matt (co-written with Eileen Griffin) in one sitting, and boy was it good. With the right balance of steamy, romantic, a little edgy, and before all, characters to die (drool) for, you don’t want to miss it!

Nikka Michaels’ writing process post can be found here.

QUESTION TIME:

Q. What am I working on?

I have three works in progress. The erotica High Risk Fever will hopefully be completed this week—woohoo!—and I can’t wait to start the submission process with this one. In parallel, I’m writing the sequel to my first book, a dirty, gritty gangster thriller called Carnivora that explores some of the most disturbing deviances of human kind. Not for the faint-hearted. And then there’s the suspense romance Kill for Desire, a sexy, hold-your-breath cop novel that I’m co-writing with D.C. Stone 🙂

Q. How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I’m not sure how to answer this, because I’m writing several very different genres. But what I make sure to include in all of my works, whether they be erotic romance, cartoonish street crime or gory thriller, is one or more socio-political messages as well as a personal edge. My characters have reasons to be angry. Also, I am brutally honest: my stories are explicit both in terms of eroticism and grotesque violence. You get what my characters get!

Q. Why do I write what I do?

I have read a lot since I was a small child, and only on a few occasions come across a book that I could qualify as ‘perfect’ (to my taste). Therefore I wrote the stories that I wanted to read, and only in the past year dared have other people read them as well…

I have also written a few stories in response to challenges, a quite tough task as in those cases I couldn’t use my fantasies but needed to mobilize my imagination.

Q. How does your writing process work?

Either I have a clearly outlined plot in my head, like a puzzle where I know where all the pieces belong and place them at the same time—one here, one there, sometimes filling the middle before finishing a corner. That’s the easy way.

Or I have a vague idea of what I want to write about and build the story as I go. This is the case with Carnivora. I know most of the things my main characters will experience from start to finish, but there are several non-outlined sub-plots with other characters and controversial topics that I haven’t researched yet, which makes the overall story-weaving very complex. It’s exhausting.

Q. Who will we meet next?

I’m passing the question baton to three fellow writers:

Cait Jarrod is a writer of romantic suspense. Her debut novel Kidnapped Hearts was published in Feb 2013, and the novelette Rekindled in April. Look out for several new releases this year as she is a prolific writer. Cait is a lovely, funny person to chat with, and I can always count on her proofreading my stories (which is no easy task)! You can find her post here.

D.C. Stone is not only my very inspiring and humbling co-writer but a dear friend. Her writing concentrates on romance with specifics in paranormal, suspense, and erotica. She has three published books under her belt: the erotic romance High Scandal, the paranormal-military romance Feral Craving, and the erotic romance Armed and Desired. As you will see in 2014, there are many, many more to come. She shares her post here.

Michaela Miles is also a terrific author who writes the same genres as me. I love what I’ve read of her works so far and can’t wait to see her published! Here is her writing process post.

Thanks for taking the time to read about my writing process and be sure to check out Cait, D.C. and Michaela!

Room Service by Nikka Michaels

Posted by Lea Bronsen on February 16, 2014

Room Service

By Nikka Michaels

Genre: Erotic Romance, M/M, BDSM

Length: Short Story

Release Date: February 15, 2014

Publisher: Cobblestone Press

Room Service700

What is Cobblestone Press’ Blue Line?
The Blue short story line is erotica. For us, erotica is about the fulfillment of a sexual fantasy. These stories are sexy, very graphic, and are by no means a “traditional romance”.

BLURB:

When Dr. Seth Coleman catches the gaze of handsome conference speaker, Carson Randall, he’s intrigued. After the speech, Carson introduces himself and hands him his business card then leaves. Seth discovers the card holds more than Carson Randall’s information; on it Carson has written his room number.

For as long as Seth can remember, he has focused his attention on being a doctor. But now he has the chance to focus on his own needs. Will Seth take the safe route and socialize with his co-workers at the conference or will he accept the handsome speaker’s invitation?

EXCERPT:

My sharp knock on the hotel door went unanswered, and indecision began to creep in.

My thoughts cut off sharply as the door’s lock clicked. When the hotel door opened, Carson stood in the doorway, his jacket discarded and white dress shirt rolled up his forearms.

“Find what you’re looking for?”

I simply nodded and stepped inside. The door closed behind me with a soft click as I looked around his hotel room. Bigger than mine, it had a single king-sized bed, the blankets pulled back. Tossed across the bed was his jacket and tie.

Within the next breath, I felt my cheek pressed against the cool metal of the door as he pinned my arms behind my back. His breath against my neck sent a shiver through me.

“Is this what you want?”

I moaned.

Yes.

I wanted him to use me. Consume me. Fuck me. Ruin me.

His hands tightened on my arms, the faint suggestion of pain making my half-hard cock spring to attention.

“I said is this what you want?”

“Yes.” My voice was embarrassingly breathless, and he’d only just touched me.

His lips against my neck made me shudder when he nipped me with his teeth.

“Yes, sir.”

BUY LINKS:

Cobblestone Press

AUTHOR BIO:

Nikka Michaels lives in the often rainy Pacific Northwest where she spends her time cooking, laughing and crafting romantic tales to satisfy her craving for HEAs with heat. A voracious reader, novice knitter and music lover she’s been known to multitask without breaking a sweat. She loves to read and write M/M romance but believes everyone deserves a love story. She currently has three releases out, Chasing Matt, a M/M novella co-authored with Eileen Griffin, Christmas with Caden, a M/F romance novella from Cobblestone Press, and “Waking up Wolf”, a M/M shifter romance in Evernight Publishing’s Alpha’s Claim: Manlove Edition anthology. Nikka is currently at work with her co-author on two M/M foodie romance novels, set to be released summer and fall 2014 from Carina Press.

MEET NIKKA MICHAELS ON:

Guest post by Nikka Michaels – Christmas with Caden

Posted by Lea Bronsen on December 26, 2013

Good morning and thanks to the lovely Lea Bronsen for hosting me. I hope everyone had a safe and Happy Holiday and all the best in the New Year.

Christmas with Caden

by: Nikka Michaels

Genre: Erotic Romance

Length: Short Story

Published: December 15, 2013

Publisher: Cobblestone Press

BLURB:

Paige Anthony is annoyed at spending Friday night at the company Christmas party. She’s bored until she spots the son of the boss, Caden Davis dancing and is intrigued.

When Caden saves Paige from the advances of his brother, she looks at him in a new light. A few sexy dances later, she manages to forget the horrible beginning of the night. When she decides to leave, he offers to walk her home and admits he’s wanted her for a while. Will Paige’s attraction be enough to make her forget about holidays past and consider Christmas with Caden?

EXCERPT:

“Is this how you really dance? Because you can show me the real you, you know. After all, you did just middle school dance me. I want a Caden dance.”

His slow, wicked smile made her stomach flip and heat flood her skin. “You want me? You got me.”

Slowly he spun her in a circle, her back resting against the front of his body. His hands settled on her hips, squeezing gently as he nuzzled her ear. His fingers pulled the fabric of her dress taut against her nipples as the delicious friction intensified with every move. She bit back a low moan at the sensation.

“This is me. This is how I really dance.”

Shivering at the feel of his warm breath against her ear, she closed her eyes and let her body go loose, relaxing as she moved with the beat of the music. His hands smoothed up and down her sides, teasingly light as he moved with her, not guiding but simply moving with her.

Through the thin fabric of her dress and his shirt and suit pants, heat from his body added to the sweat that beaded on her skin. She could feel his hardness pressing against her ass when she rocked back into him, though he let her lead all their movement. The club had gotten more crowded as they’d danced. The look on his face when she glanced up at him was one of hunger, his heavy-lidded eyes gone dark, illuminated by the flash of the strobe light. With the top buttons of his shirt undone, he looked as though he’d just been dragged off the floor and ravished.

Paige wanted to be the reason he looked that way.

BUY LINKS:

Cobblestone Press | Amazon | Amazon UK | All Romance eBooks | Barnes and Noble

NIKKA MICHAELS BIO:

Nikka Michaels lives in the often rainy Pacific Northwest where she spends her time cooking, laughing and crafting romantic tales to satisfy her craving for HEAs.

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