Keep Him? Or Give Him the Boot?

He's a Keeper!

Your guy is a rare find: sweet, kind, and loyal. And as long as he doesn't have three nippples, You should seriously consider keeping him a long time Sometimes a girl can't see a good thing when she's got one So let me tell you: your guy is a gold medal boyfriend Just make sure you treat him right in return!

Is He a Keeper?

The Color of Passion

Your Passion is Purple

Sophisticated and classy, you're a bit picky about sex. You're more likely to be turned on by a fancy hotel room than a dirty flick. Sex is fine enough, as long as it doesn't mess up your hair. For you, sex is more about power and favors than actually pleasure.

What Color Is Your Passion?

I almost forgot!

You can purchase your copy of Cairo By Moonlight here.

Nearly a year!

It's been nearly a year since my first EC release. Cairo By Moonlight came out last October. I love this story, love Caleb and Layla and the whole Egyptian amulet concept. To celebrate, I'm going to run a month-long contest to celebrate. I haven't figured out all the particulars yet, but I will. In the meantime, here's the blurb from Cairo By Moonlight. Then, an excerpt.

When Layla books a trip to Cairo she hopes that she and Caleb can rekindle the fires of romance that ten years of marriage have dampened. Excitement, passion, soul-shaking sex — she wants it all.

An ancient blue amulet is the catalyst that pushes them toward an endless stream of erotic adventures. The pyramids aren't the only large, hard structures in the city and the scorching sand is cool in comparison to the heat in Layla's body.

All is going well until sinister things begin to happen. Layla and Caleb work together to solve something that is older — and more deadly — than anything else the city has to offer. Can the pair find love among the ruins — and live to tell the tale?

I’ve had enough…ten years is long enough to know when things aren’t going to work out. Things with Caleb are just not going to get any better, no matter what we do…where we go…how hard we try. No, it’s better to just end it—what’s the sense in torturing each other any longer?

She grabbed her suitcase from the closet, tossed it on the bed and flung it open. It gaped on the bed and she felt as if it was accusing her of running away with its wide, empty stare. Turning to the chest of drawers she yanked the top one open and pulled out a lacy red nightgown, staring at it for a long moment.

What was I thinking? Caleb and I are so far apart at this point—how could I have thought it would only take a romantic vacation and some sexy clothes to fix our problems? There is no fix for this mess—not without a lawyer.

She dropped the filmy creation in the leather wastebasket.

The sound of a key in the door startled her. When she lifted her eyes toward the sound and was even more surprised by what she saw.

“Hey…I tried to catch you. You move pretty fast,” Caleb said. His chiseled features looked weary. His brow furrowed at the sight of the open case. He held out the enormous bouquet of orchids he held. “These are for you. Listen Layla. I’m…I’m sorry I was such an idiot back there. I don’t know what happened…what came over me. I don’t know what I was thinking—”

“You weren’t thinking—that’s the problem!” she snapped.

Instantly she regretted her words. They had become adept at hurting each other with sarcastic remarks. They had done it for so long that it had become a standard part of their conversation.

What the hell is wrong with me? He’s trying to apologize and I’m being a shrew. Why can’t I just learn to let it go? How can we ever move forward when all we seem to do is hurt each other?

“You’re right,” Caleb admitted. His expression reinforced his words. The college football hero still had the rugged good looks that had first caught Layla’s eye, but the cockiness was long gone.

“I didn’t think. Look we’re not going to just change everything overnight. Bear with me, okay? I’m trying—really, I am.”

She reached for the flowers. “I know. Me, too,” Layla buried her face in the blooms. “They’re beautiful flowers, Caleb. Thank you.”

Knocking at the door saved them from the need for further conversation. She headed to the bathroom in search of something to hold the flowers and from the modern, marbled room she heard voices. The owners of the voices were gone when she returned to the living area.
What she saw made her heart jump.

“By the time I paid for it, you were gone,” he said, standing beside the seen-better-days wooden cupboard. She hadn’t thought she’d ever see it again. “I think it’s going to look good in the house, don’t you? And I was thinking that we should be able to crate it and take it in the cargo hold on the plane, rather than shipping it. Would be a little more expensive, but at least you’ll know it’s going to get there in one piece.”

Layla crossed the large room in an instant, set the flowers on the cupboard and threw herself at him. Instinct took over and he caught her firmly in his arms.

Hell, if I knew she was going to be this excited about a broken-down old chest of drawers, I would’ve agreed to it before she stormed off. Maybe we can figure this out. Maybe there’s hope for us yet. God, she feels good…

She buried her face in his thick neck, inhaling deeply the heady masculine scent of him, feeling the solid strength of his body against hers, realizing that their hearts were beating in unison. It had been so long since she had let herself feel a moment of unguarded spontaneity with him—she had forgotten how liberating it was.

Why couldn’t he have cared for my feelings in the first place? Why did I have to get so upset for him to care? Oh, what’s the difference…he might just be getting a point or two, after all. Maybe there’s hope for us. Maybe we can work things out. I forgot how great he feels, how big and safe…

Caleb felt himself responding physically to her nearness. It had been a long time since they’d been this close and he was shocked at the sudden snugness of his jeans. His cock was stiffening and he was powerless to stop it.

Hell, no—she’s just happy with me again. If I put the moves on her I’m liable to be shot down. No, better to just bask in the happiness for a while. Not pushing my luck here.

Her feet gently landed on the carpet. Caleb brushed his lips with hers and was surprised at the pressure he felt from her lips in return.

She saw that he was red in the face and breathing rapidly.

I wonder…would she let me get close to her again? She looks ready for something…could it be me? Hell, it’s worth a try…

He probed her warm mouth gently with his tongue and when she opened herself to him he became bolder. Their tongues danced in the age-old dance of exploration and passion that was known to lovers since time immemorial. Their kisses grew deeper, more passionate, as their bodies heated and their inhibitions left them.

“Layla?” he asked against her neck, his voice hoarse and ragged as he bit gently on the warm, soft skin near the vein that pulsed beneath the surface of her long, graceful neck. “Babe?”

Nodding silently against his chest, she pressed herself to his hard body. Desire welled within her as she felt Caleb’s hard, thick cock beating against her hip.

Oh Caleb, I had forgotten how wonderful it feels to be near you like this. I want you--I want you more than I’ve wanted you for years.

He tugged her gently toward the butter-soft leather sofa that faced the balcony. The pyramids were outside the window, but neither of them noticed them as he reached to pull her shirt over her head. Raising her arms for him, she let him slip her shirt over her head, remove her bra and brush his fingers across her taut nipples. With a swift movement, he pushed her pants and panties down and she stepped out of them.

Naked, she stood before him without moving while his eyes danced across the contours of her body. Caleb hadn’t seen her undressed for far too long and he took his time examining her.

Good God, she’s beautiful. How had I forgotten how perfect she is? And she’s mine—all mine…if I can manage to hold on to her. I’ll show her how much I love her, how much I’ve missed her. I’ll show her how much I care for her.

His clothes joined hers on the floor in a New York minute.

Cairo By Moonlight, the first cover

The first title released by Ellora's Cave, Cairo By Moonlight. Isn't this an amazing cover? So warm and perfect fot the story!

Raising public awareness

I don't usually comment on things that I feel are too personal. Politics. Religion. World issues. The cost of a cup of Starbucks grande latte. But when I read this morning's headlines, I knew I had to say something about this.

Hilary Swank, a woman who has talent oozing from her pores and enough money in the bank, I'm sure, that she doesn't have to do anything she doesn't feel like doing, kicked off a round-the-world run at the UN. Why? To bring attention to the fact that there are places on this globe where clean drinking water is a luxury.

I give her a lot of credit. How many of us even consider the millions of people who don't have access to clean drinking water? How many of us sip bottled water, clean tap water or fancy, imported sparkling waters without caring at all about those less fortunate?

This morning's headline made me think. A lot. I hope it makes you think about it, too. Maybe if we all give some thought to things like this, and all do our part to make the world a better place, dirty drinking water will be a thing of the past--for everyone.

Today my hat's off to Hilary Swank. She's my hero for the day.

The Muse Strikes

Hmm...the muse strikes. Whenever, wherever, she wants, she hits me sometimes so hard I nearly smack my head on the tiled shower wall. Yes, that's where I usually am when the muse strikes. In the shower. Which is exactly where I was this morning when she made another unannounced, unscheduled visit. Shampooing my hair and BAM! An idea.

For now, it's just a little niggling idea. A "what if?" kind of thing. But who knows? With a little thought and some tweaking, the little idea could be something more. The next book, perhaps?

I'll keep you informed. For now, I'm wondering if I need another shower...

Memorial Day Weekend

Hi all. First, Happy Memorial Day Weekend. Please take a moment to remember those who deserve to be honored this weekend. There's so much more to these days than cookouts and parties--but aren't those fun, too?

Today we're headed out to the North Fork of Long Island, to a friend's beach house. We'll spend a few days wading, beachcombing and spending time with good friends. Mickey's already made his world-famouse potato salad (all right, it's only famous in our world!) and we're set to relax for the long, begin-the-season weekend.

Hope your Memorial Day weekend is a good one!

~Nina

A yummy kind of day!

What am I doing today? It is a glorious, beautiful sunny day here and days like this make me think of summer treats. My author friend Jenyfer Matthews has an amazing recipe for banana bread she's shared with me (check her blog, I know it's there, too) and I've been thinking the only way this yummy treat could be any yummier would be if it had a scoop of chocolate gelato beside it. So here's my recipe for chocolate gelato. I'm making that this morning, and Jenyfer's banana bread this afternoon. By dinnertime we'll have a wonderful desert!!


Enjoy!!

Chocolate Gelato

3 cups whole milk

1/4 cup sugar

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon salt

8 oz fine-quality bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped

Bring 2 1/4 cups milk to a boil in a heavy saucepan.


While milk is heating, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, salt, and 1/4 cup cold milk in a bowl until smooth. When milk on stove boils, whisk this mixture into boiling milk and bring to boil again, whisking all the while. Whisk in pot for 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat.

Bring remaining 1/2 cup coldmilk just to a boil in a separate heavy saucepan. When boiling, remove from heat and add chopped chocolate. Let stand until chocolate melts, then whisk until smooth. Add to bigger pot, then force entire mixture through a fine sieve into a bowl. Cool slightly, stirring often to prevent a skin from forming. Cover surface with wax paper and chill until cold, at least 2 hours.

Freeze mixture in ice cream maker, then transfer to an airtight container and freeze until hardened, about 4 hours. Let soften 5 minutes before serving.

*This recipe is originally from Gourmet, 2003, but I've modified it somewhat. I'd like to think I improved on it! :)

Finding myself -- In Italy!!

How cool is this? Along with the cover for Violet Moons, this is what I found here.

VIOLET MOONS by NINA NASH, Ellora's Cave

The land of Vestia is forced to replenish its life force from a circlet of power that is kept in a distant kingdom. Wathalia, one of the Vestian princesses, must make a swift, secret journey to retrieve the circlet. Along the way she meets all manner of odd creatures as well as one very handsome man. A man whom she has seen many times before — in her dreams.

It appears that Wathalia's mission is leading her to something other than the circlet and she realizes that her destiny may include more than a trip to the kingdom of the North. Meeting Priam makes her wonder if all moments in her life have been leading purposefully to the instant of their coupling. She wonders, too, if the man from her dreams is all he seems to be. Could he, too, have secrets? And will his secrets interfere with her ability to save the people of Vestia?

La terra di Vestia è costretta a rifornire la sua forza vitale da un anello di potere che è tenuto in un regno distante. Wathalia, una delle principessa Vestian, deve fare un viaggio rapido e segreto per recuperare l'anello. Lungo la strada incontra tutte le specie di strane creature così come un uomo davvero affascinante. Un uomo che lei ha visto molte volte prima - nei suoi sogni.

Sembra che la missione di Wathalia la stia conducendo verso qualcos'altro rispetto all'anello e lei capisce che il suo destino potrebbe includere più che un viaggio verso il regno del Nord. Incontrare Priam le fa domandarsi se tutti i momenti nella sua vita stavano conducendola apposta all'istante del loro accoppiamento. Si domanda, anche, se l'uomo dei suoi sogni sia tutto quello che sembra essere. Anche lui potrebbe avere dei segreti? E i suoi segreti interferiranno con la sua capacità di salvare le persone di Vestia?

Pubblicato da Elisa a 4.14 1 commenti
Etichette: elloras cave, nina nash

Weather sets the mood

A rainy Sunday morning in New York City. I might be in the minority, but I love rain, especially on the weekends. I know, I can hear the "Boo"-ing!! But really, I love a rainy weekend. Why? It gives us a great excuse to not do anything. No running errands, no pressure to walk in the park, visit with friends or relatives, jog...none of it. Instead we get to stay in, lounge with the fat Sunday Times, have bagels delivered from the corner deli, and...well, I won't go on. You let your imagination run wild.

But I ask you, wouldn't you like to snuggle up with your honey on a rainy Sunday morning?

Mickey and I, we might cuddle all day long... :)

Black Thumb

Okay, it's confession time. I have a black thumb.

No, I'm not kidding. You know how gardener's always boast about having a green thumb? Well, mine's black. Or it should be.

I try. Really I do. I go to the nursery, filled with high hopes. I choose only the biggest, bushiest, greenest herb plants for my window box. Remember, we live in Manhattan during the summer, so it's not like I've got real ground or anything. A window box, that's it. Shouldn't be hard, should it?

This morning I woke up, padded to the kitchen, put the coffeepot on and looked at my window box.

Dead. Creeping thyme? Done creeping. Oregano? Laid out flat. Parsley? Ditto. Purple sage? Curled up and yellow.

Ugh. The black thumb, a curse for all time.

Lazy afternoons

We've just returned from a week in Vermont. Let me tell you, Vermont in the spring is gorgeous. Daffodils blooming, tulips opening, birds chirping. Lots and lots of time to relax...

I did a lot of reading, a good amount (just ask my checkbook!!) of shopping in the little boutiques and art galleries and waaay too much eating and drinking! Stairmaster here I come! But I had a great time, and I certainly needed the break.

I mean, really, doesn't everyone need a break now and then? Is your life as hectic as mine? I'll bet it is. Some days I feel like I'm trying to breakdance, twirl a baton and organize a gala all at once. But that just makes the lazy afternoons, spent with my darling Mickey, all the more enjoyable.

How do you get away? Unwind? Relax?

I could use a few hints, maybe a suggestion or two. Because really, once I unpack and do all this damn laundry, I'm going to need a mini-break...

Rites of Spring

There are certain rites of spring that are accepted in some circles. They vary greatly depending on what circle they're a part of.

For example, my mother and grandmother firmly adhere to the "Spring Cleaning" rites, airing out their homes, having drapes cleaned and even changing the "winter drapes" for the "summer" ones. Neither will rest until every inch of the house sparkles. Although I respect their right to ruin their manicures, I do not ascribe to the spring-as-houseslave credo. Yes, I'll wave the duster to each corner, as if saluting all points on the compass, but I refuse to break a nail over drapes. Not me. Nuh uh.

Others view springtime as the time for "Spring Break." Yep, time to head south, drink too much, party too hard, hook up with someone you barely know and puke your way back home. Again, not for me.

Then there are the gardeners. They see spring as the tilling time, the weeding time, the plowing time, the stooping-till-your-shoulders-break time, the planting time, the watering.... Well, you get my drift. Once more, not my style.

So what, then, is my spring ritual? My rite of spring, the thing that assures me that the warmer weather is here to stay?

One word.

Swimsuit.

Yes, it's the time for me to toss fray-bottomed, chlorine-bleached, droopy-bosomed, last-year's-color swimsuits and head to the store in search of replacements. By summer, I practically live in a swimsuit so I'll need a few.

What are your rites of spring? Tell me, please. I'm very curious. Besides, I'm just sitting here trying on swimsuits. I could use a diversion!!