Christmas In July

Have you heard about the contest to the right? I put it there two weeks ago and forgot to say anything more.

CONTEST 1: (Open to readers/unpublished writers.industry reps - NOT published authors unless you're already a RBRU Yahoo group member)

Prizes: Amazon/Barnes & Noble $125 Gift Certificate, Christmas ornaments, decks of Ellora's Cave/Blush playing cards, RBRU hats, tee-shirts and tote bags. To enter:

1. Join RBRU yahoo group athttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/romancebooksrus

2. Visit http://romancebooksrus.blogspot.com. Click on each of the 20 Bloggers names left sidebar) to visit their sites. Find the name of one of their books along with the names of the hero and heroine. COLLECT THE 20 BLOGGER NAMES, BOOK NAMES, AND HERO AND HEROINE NAMES. (If a blogger has two pen names, only do one). In ONE email message, send all this information to: contests.rbrus@gmail.com

CONTEST 2: (Open to everyone, including published authors)

Prize: Amazon/Barnes & Noble $25 Gift Certificate.

To enter:

1. Join RBRU Chat group at:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rbruchat

2. Become a Follower at our blog:http://romancebooksrus.blogspot.com

Here's an excerpt from Love On The Rocks, since I just found the printed galley yesterday. It had gotten buried on a bookshelf. Enjoy:)

Love Finds A Way (Formally known as Love on the Rocks): Publication Date: November 2007

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Love-Finds-A-Way/Molly-Daniels/e/9781434325457/?itm=12

Available at www.authorhouse.com 11-7-07

Can a blind date turn into a romance? Amy Callahan wants to find out, so when she flies to California to spend a week with Matt Slagal, she discovers the ups and downs of a long distance relationship. Which one prevails..."Absence makes the heart grow fonder" or, "Out of sight, out of mind"?

Excerpt:

Later, when everyone had gone home, Matt gathered Amy in his arms. "I love you."

"And I love you," she replied, kissing him.

Matt released her, locked the door, and shut off the lights. The music was still on, only playing softly. Amy turned down the bed and began to undress.

"No, don't," Matt stopped her.

"Why not? I thought you wanted me to stay," she asked, puzzled.

"I do." He took off his shirt, then joined her beside the bed. He took her face in his hands and gently began to kiss her. His lips traveled from her forehead to her cheeks, then finally recaptured her lips. They clung together, then Matt's lips moved to her ears and down her neck. Slowly, he unbuttoned her shirt and bra, and removed them. He bent down and rediscovered the hills and crevices of her young body. Amy quivered; it had been a while since they had taken time out to pleasure each other.

"Oh Matthew..." Amy sighed, her eyes closed.

He pulled her jeans down until they lay in a heap around her ankles. Rising, he removed his own pants and just gazed at her. Amy opened her eyes to meet his, and saw the love reflected in them. She let her eyes move down his tanned body, marveling at his masculine beauty: Broad shoulders, golden hair covering a strong muscled chest, then tapering off across a flat stomach and narrow hips.

Matt, in turn, was reflecting on the girl's delicate loveliness. His eyes traveled from her shoulder length blonde hair, to her softly curved body, bathed in the moonlight. He lifted his hand and gently traced her jaw, then down to brush against the roundness of her breast. He stepped closer and enfolded her in his arms, his mouth seeking hers. Scooping her up, Matt gently laid her on his bed as they gave themselves up to one another, rediscovering the joys of their passion.

Afterwards, they snuggled together, caressing and enjoying the close comfort of their bodies.

"Aim," Matt mumbled, stroking a strand of her hair. "Do you think your parents will like me?"

"I hope so," she answered slowly. "Your lifestyle is quite...different from ours, and the attitudes and customs are-"

"What attitudes?" Matt interrupted. "I mean, shit! They either accept me, or they don't!"

"Well," Amy tried to find the right words. "It's like this: Back in Indiana, my family doesn't drink or curse so much, and I know for a fact that they definitely would not approve of us sleeping together."

"I'm not changing my life! If they don't like it, they can stuff it!" Matt returned hotly.

"Ssssh...I'm not asking you to change." Amy tried to be tactful. "All I’m asking is that you not, er, curse so much," she finished lamely.

"Amy..."

"Please?" she pleaded. She rolled over and looked him in the eye. "All I ask is that you clean up your vocabulary for a few hours while we're with my parents."

"You want me to kiss ass," he commented.

"Not quite...I just want you to make a good impression." Tears welled up unexpectedly in her eyes, and she rested her head on Matt's chest. "This is important to me," she whispered.

"Oh, all right, I'll watch what I say next weekend. Can I smoke and drink beer too, or is that also taboo?"

"Stop it!" Amy locked eyes with him.

"What?" Matt asked, acting innocent.

"You know what I mean," she replied fiercely. "I'd rather you not smoke, but a few beers won't hurt. I'm not asking you to bend over backwards; all I want is for you to be civil towards them!"

"I'm always civil," he protested.

"I didn't mean it like that," Amy put her head down again. "I meant that sometimes, well, you have a tendency to act antisocial, as a know-it-all."

"I do what?"

Feeling herself losing ground, Amy groaned. The conversation wasn't going the way she'd hoped.

"I would feel better if you and my parents were to start off on the right foot," she said, choosing her words carefully. "They have the stereotypical California military officer in their minds, and I don't want them judging you in that way."

"Just out of curiosity, what exactly is the 'stereotypical California military officer'?" Matt was amused.

Amy thought for a moment. "Promise you won't get upset? He's the dedicated officer, but loud, rude, disrespectful when off duty. He's lazy; a womanizer; an alcoholic; not someone to bring home."

"So that's what your parents are expecting me to be," said Matt.

"But," Amy continued. "I've told them your good points, so they're not expecting Godzilla. Now, can we drop the subject and get some sleep?"

"No, we can't."

"Why not?"

"Because," he lowered his voice while sliding his hand down to cup her breast. "This military officer has a naked, sexy woman in his bed, and wants to take advantage of the situation!"