FAR FROM PERFECT - print edition out today!

My contemporary romance FAR FROM PERFECT is released as a print book today! I've received my author copies and they are lovely and shiny and beautifully produced, so if you prefer the feel of a traditional paper book in your hands, now's the time to indulge yourself. :)

Here's the blurb:


Enduring passion, turbulent emotions, and an engagement of convenience…

Four years ago, Anna Felgate seduced Nick Lisitano, a family friend she’d known all her life and always had a crush on. It was only supposed to be a one night thing, and the chance to lose her virginity with an experienced older man and legendary lover… but one taste of passion with Nick branded her soul for all time.

Four years ago, Nick Lisitano had a single night of peerless lovemaking with the one beautiful young woman he’d told himself he could never, ever have. Scarred by his parents’ nightmare relationship, he’d sworn off commitment forever in favour of temporary liaisons, but he knew Anna deserved deep, enduring love.

A far from perfect match, the two agree to forget their ecstatic night and manage to maintain a cordial distance for four long years. Until a family crisis brings the two of them together again and Nick makes a daring proposition… that they enter into a temporary façade of an engagement, to lift the spirits of his dangerously ill father. Against her better judgement, Anna goes along with him, even in spite of the perilous emotional turmoil that she knows being close to Nick again will bring.

But with genuine feelings for each other, and a volcanic mutual attraction that’s just bursting to reignite, can Nick and Anna keep to the terms their pragmatic agreement? Or will the passion of past become a present affair… and maybe more?

Click here to read an excerpt of FAR FROM PERFECT and check out buying links at various outlets.

Of course, if you like a digital version better, there are also links to buy the ebook in various formats from various vendors.

A different kind of angel

Today sees the publication of my second work for Samhain Publishing, an erotic paranormal novella entitled A TOUCH OF HEAVEN.

TOUCH is an unusual little story. It's comparatively short [18K words] but I think it packs quite a punch because there are a lot of different elements to it. While I was writing it, I certainly had to think long and hard about a variety of issues, including a woman's perception of her own ageing process and even some aspects of mysticism and theology. All sounds a bit heavy for a short erotic romance, doesn't it?

The story is about an angel, something that I haven't touched on before in my fiction. I originally wrote it in answer to a publisher call at Samhain Publishing, but because I was busy with other deadlines, I didn't manage to complete it in the time required, so I never actually subbed it. However, an editor saw me mention the story in discussion on a message board, and she urged me to submit it anyway when it was finished. Luckily for me, it was eventually accepted.

Patrick, my angel, is a different kind of angel. Not the kind that quite often appears in romance and urban fantasy books and stories. He isn't a warrior angel with a flaming sword, engaged in a never ending battle between good and evil, smiting demons right left and center, and sporting a name ending in 'riel'. No, my Patrick is a gentler sort of fellow. He's kind and nurturing, and humane if you can call a non human creature that. His mission isn't to participate in a holy war, but to heal and bring comfort to those mortals who need him. This might all make him sound very much like a mild, very Beta hero, but in his own way he's also strong and powerful. He simply wields his power in a quiet non-flashy style.

He's also human, at least in a temporary, quazi sort of way. To visit earth and do what he has to do, he has to take a human form, because his real state isn't something a mortal can comprehend. Everything about him, in his angelic form, is beyond our understanding, as are his 'home' and his 'boss'... The people he encounters on his mission, especially Miranda, the heroine, can only deal in approximations and representations of his mystical reality.

If all this sounds a bit airy fairy, don't be put off. Patrick, my golden angel, is actually a very down to earth guy. His mission completed, he has a little holiday time in hand... and he likes to spend it in a very human way. He enjoys lying in the sun - naked! He loves eating junk food and drinking pop. He listens to music on an iPod and reads romantic novels. And he also likes flirting with beautiful women, in the form of Miranda, who lives next door to the residence that he's apparently 'house sitting'.

Miranda, for her part, quickly falls head over heals in lust and love with the beautiful but mysterious young man next door. He's utterly gorgeous, and most miraculous of all, he seems to be genuinely attracted to her, even though she's well into her forties, and she suffers from twinges of arthritis. With Patrick she feels young and vibrant again, in a very literal sense. His magic touch with massage actually relieves her pain, and his gorgeous body and heavenly face revive her libido and send it in to overdrive. She feels sexy and attractive again because of him.

But of course, that's not all the story... despite their fast growing love for each other, and the idyllic pleasure that Miranda receives at Patrick's hands, there are terrifying difficulties in their path and agonizing choices they have to make. No sooner have they found each other than they face being wrenched apart again, and worse than that, the specter of extinction looms over Patrick...

So, if all that sounds intriguing, you might like to give A TOUCH OF HEAVEN a whirl. It's available now from Samhain Publishing and a variety of other ebook outlets, and you can read a taster excerpt of it here at my web site.

Oh, and lest he doesn't sound particularly angelic in the traditional sense... Patrick does have wings. They're big and white-feathered and very powerful... and sometimes he actually flies!

Check out an excerpt of A TOUCH OF HEAVEN here

Check out A TOUCH OF HEAVEN here at Samhain Publishing, along with another excerpt

ps. here's a pic of how Patrick might look with his clothes on... ;)

Look what just appeared on Amazon!

A TOUCH OF HEAVEN just popped up on both Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk for pre-order!

You can read an excerpt of my interpretation of a sexy angel here.

A most auspicious day today!

Wahey, it's a big publishing day for me today. Not only do I have a new book out myself - FAR FROM PERFECT, my first ever release with a new-for-me publisher Samhain Publishing - but my fabulous writing buddy and critique partner, SASKIA WALKER, also has a new title published today. So you might say that Tuesday, 1st March 2011 is a bit of a Yorkshire double, as we both live in the same region, not ten miles apart. Saskia is on holiday at the moment, taking a well earned break, so we won't be able to lunch out to celebrate our new books, but I'm sure when she's home again we'll soon be hitting our favourite cafe to mark this occasion.

Anyway, first, my offering:

FAR FROM PERFECT is the first out and out romance I've had published in a while. As readers will know, I'm mostly known for writing women's erotica and erotic romance, but I am a romance author too, and have had a couple of releases over the years, under an earlier nom de plum MEGAN PAUL. However FAR FROM PERFECT is my first non erotic romance release as "Portia", and it's a sort of "friends to lovers" plot crossed with an "engagement of convenience".

Anna Felgate has loved Niccolo Lisitano since she was a teenager, and four years ago, she kind of forced the issue with him somewhat, by sliding into bed with him one night and pretty much offering herself to him "on a plate". She knew he was the man for her, and was convinced that if he could just see her as the woman she'd become, rather than the girl he'd always looked out for in a brotherly way, the path would be open for their relationship to blossom. However, as so often happens, the best laid plans of mice and lovers went awry, and though the lovemaking was blissful, the aftermath was a mess of recriminations and emotional over-reaction, leading to an outcome was a polite estrangement between Anna and Nick.

However, four years later, Nick needs Anna's help in cheering up his dangerously ill father, and only an engagement between his playboy son and the daughter of his old and dear friend will suffice for the elder Lisitano. Cue a high drama of spiky verbal jousting, love-hate confrontations, and a desire between Anna and Nick that just won't quit.

So, if you want to find out how these two stubborn people resolve their differences, and what Nick's special patent migraine cure is, you can find out by taking a chance on FAR FROM PERFECT! It's available now direct from Samhain Publishing here, or you can nip over to my website, and read the prologue and check out various buying links for your preferred ebook vendor or ebook device [I'll be adding more choices as they become available]. But do remember, if you're a Portia Da Costa fan who's looking for edgy erotica and kinkiness, this book might not be the one for you. It's got highly sensual love scenes, and emotional intensity, but no raw, graphic descriptions or perviness.

You can also read quite a generous sized portion of FAR FROM PERFECT here at Googlebooks. That should give you a fair idea if it's hot enough for you!

* * * 

But if you want a read that's guaranteed to be red hot and raunchy, as well as wonderfully written, look no further than HER FANTASY by my chum Saskia Walker. This is a Harlequin Spice Brief, so the level of eroticism is super high, and Saskia's story is themed around a sizzling menage a trois.

Here's the description:

"Which sexual fantasy is your ultimate turn-on?"

How is Anya Reid supposed to control her lust for her sexy coworker Warren McClure when he asks questions like that on their very first date? She has wanted Warren and to be more adventurous in bed for a long time, but she never expected him to be so direct...or to correctly guess that a ménage is her secret desire.

Soon Warren isn't just talking about Anya's fantasies—he's making them come true. But does he want a true relationship, or is he only interested in their erotic games?


You can find more delightful details about HER FANTASY here at Saskia's site, along with a taster excerpt and links to purchase it.

Enjoy!

Isn't this completely fab?

Aren't those hands tantalizing? Is she encouraging him? Accepting him? Restraining him? I can't believe how enigmatic that simple hold is... Love it, love it, love it!!!!

Read an excerpt of Far From Perfect here and here.

Thought for the New Year!

Found a link to this clip on a great author message board that I frequent, Romance Divas, and I thought it was an apt sentiment for the start of a new year. 

No brooding on the mistakes and mis-steps of the past. It's the fun and the challenges ahead that are important. Here's hoping that 2011 is a brilliant year for us all! 

ps. also appropriate for my March 2011 Samhain release FAR FROM PERFECT, which has a hot Italian hero who likes to drive fast cars! :) 

The *other* Patrick and Miranda

Because I'm a colossal doofus and my memory is a bit dodgy, I've managed to write two pieces of fiction lately where the names of the hero and heroine are Patrick and Miranda. I'm not sure how I've got fixated on the name Miranda, unless it's because this wonderful lady is so funny, but obviously, the name Patrick is derived from my current Muse, the divine Patrick Jane, the clever yet tragic central character in The Mentalist.

A couple of days ago, I linked to an excerpt of TOUCH OF HEAVEN, my late 2011 paranormal erotic romance novella from Samhain - in which Patrick #1 is the mysterious and hunky next door neighbour of Miranda #1.

Today I have a link to the story of Patrick #2 and Miranda #2. This Miranda is a successful and dynamic businesswoman who's a bit of a workaholic and desperately needs a bit of downtime and a change of scene. Luckily, she has a remarkable and rather gorgeous male PA, who also happens to be called Patrick. When the pair go for a drive in the country, their roles are reversed, and Miranda discovers that the super efficient and normally subservient Patrick is actually a thrillingly dominant lover with a taste for kinky fun.

Why not not check them out as they set out on their excursion...

A VERY PERSONAL ASSISTANT

Unfortunately, there's a little bit of a wait to read the full story. It'll be published by Harlequin Spice Briefs in March 2012.

TOUCH OF HEAVEN - a first look

Pleasure with a perfect stranger can be divine

When Miranda Clay first sets eyes on her neighbors' temporary house-sitter she gets a delicious, erotic treat that she hadn't bargained for - mysterious Patrick likes to sunbathe without his clothes on! Mesmerizing and golden, her new friend is more than just a handsome face and a perfect male body though, and his healing hands and his uncanny natural empathy quickly dispel Miranda's aches and pains and her fears of growing older. But as the pair are drawn ever closer, and their physical intimacy becomes transcendent, a stunning revelation and an agonizing choice threaten to part them even while a lasting love blossoms.

~~~~~~~~~~

Touch of Heaven is a sexy paranormal novella that's due to be published by Samhain Publishing in the second half of 2011. 

Click here to read an excerpt and meet the divine Patrick! :)

It's official... I'm a Samhain Publishing author!

I know I've been talking about this for a while, but now it's official. I've just signed the contract for my first ever book with the wonderful Samhain Publishing!

Far From Perfect is a category length sensual contemporary romance, and a reunited lovers story, one of my favourite themes. I'm not sure yet when it will be published, but I'm hoping it won't be too long.

I have a bunch of other story ideas that I'm planning to develop for Samhain, and I'm really looking forward to working with my new editor, the wonderful Heidi, and the rest of the Samhain team. I'm also absolutely thrilled to be part of a stable of fabulous authors that includes many of the brightest stars in current romance publishing!

Wahey, a new sale!

Totally thrilled to announce that [subject to contract, of course] I've made a new sale to a house that's brand new to me!

FAR FROM PERFECT is a category length contemporary romance, and it's going to be published by Samhain Publishing. This is what I'd call a sensual romance, rather than erotic. It has some hot sexy love scenes, but they're not described in quite the same explicit sort of language I'd use in my erotica and erotic romance. Still pretty sizzling though, hopefully, with a delicious and rather glam Italian hero.

I don't have a publication date as yet, but I'll be posting about it here as soon as I do have one! In the meantime, here's the blurb:

FAR FROM PERFECT

Enduring passion, turbulent emotions, and an engagement of convenience…

Four years ago, Anna Felgate seduced Nick Lisitano, a family friend she'd known all her life and always had a crush on. It was only supposed to be a one night thing, and the chance to lose her virginity with an experienced older man and legendary lover… but one taste of passion with Nick branded her soul for all time.

Four years ago, Nick Lisitano had a single night of peerless lovemaking with the one beautiful young woman he'd told himself he could never, ever have. Scarred by his parents' nightmare relationship, he'd sworn off commitment forever in favour of temporary liaisons, but he knew Anna deserved deep, enduring love.

A far from perfect match, the two agree to forget their ecstatic night and manage to maintain a cordial distance for four long years. Until a family crisis brings the two of them together again and Nick makes a daring proposition… that they enter into a temporary façade of an engagement, to lift the spirits of his dangerously ill father. Against her better judgement, Anna goes along with him, even in spite of the perilous emotional turmoil that she knows being close to Nick again will bring.

But with genuine feelings for each other, and a volcanic mutual attraction that's just bursting to reignite, can Nick and Anna keep to the terms their pragmatic agreement? Or will the passion of past become a present affair… and maybe more?

----

I'm thrilled to bits to be writing for Samhain, because it's a house I've admired and aspired to being an author with for ages, both for its peerless reputation and its wonderful stable of writers.

And in other news...

Don't forget that my first historical Spice Brief - A GENTLEWOMAN'S PREDICAMENT - comes out on 1st May! It's the story of a frisky and inquisitive Victorian widow, and what happens when she seeks "intimate advice to the gentlewoman"... hee hee!

Here's a naughty excerpt

A GENTLEWOMAN'S RAVISHMENT will follow in June!