LESSONS AND LOVERS - redux

I've just self published a new book. Well, it's an old book, really, one I had published by an epublisher nearly a decade ago... but for which I got back the publishing rights last year.

LESSONS AND LOVERS is a fairly crazy book, with a highly unlikely storyline, and not really set in the actual world as we know it. It's a sort of slightly archaic romantic erotic fantasy. Not 'fantasy' fantasy, just absurdly escapist and fun, with tons of hot explicit sex, and a complicated and super-angsty central relationship. It also has a gorgeous hero, though I say it myself. He's a cool, composed alpha who's tortured by what he thinks is unrequited love and is only able to act on his feelings by supplying rampant sexual services to his beloved.

Here's the blurb:

What happens when a perfectly civilized sexual arrangement turns into a minefield of turbulent emotion?

Wealthy widow Hettie Miller misses her dead husband terribly, but is still beset by a gnawing physical desire. Lonely and confused, she turns to Starr, her late husband’s personal assistant, who discreetly supplies an after dark solution. At night, he comes to her bed and thrills her with intense, breath-taking sex, even though by day, their employer/employee relationship is scrupulously formal and hands off.

But Starr loves Hettie. He’s loved her since the first time he ever met her, but until now, he’s always managed to conceal it beneath a mask of immaculate manners and rigidly controlled reserve.

During a summer getaway at her secluded country mansion, it finally dawns on Hettie that her feelings for Starr are far more than simply carnal, and the parameters of their relationship start to change…

More info and an excerpt here:

Lessons and Lovers - info/excerpt

LESSONS AND LOVERS is available for Kindle/Kindle Apps from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk

It's also available in Epub format from All Romance Ebooks, and I'm hoping to make it available at as many other outlets as I can in the near future. 

Join my mailing list!

Today, I'm announcing a little prize draw on my mailing list!

I'm asking a simple question, just a sort of poll really, rather than a right or wrong test... and in a week's time,  on Tuesday 26th March, I'll be randomly picking a winner from amongst the mailing list members who've responded. The prize will be a copy of THE ACCIDENTAL CALL GIRL, or an alternative title if the lucky winner has already got that one.

The question is:

Tall, dark and handsome... or gorgeous golden haired god? Which do you prefer? And if the entrants include why they prefer the type they prefer, and name a prime example, all the better!

Remember, this is a competition on the Mailing List... NOT here. I'm really trying to coax more people to join, so I can keep them up to date with my releases, and maybe offer exclusive excerpts and engage in a bit of debate on erotica and romance etc. :)

Join my Mailing List... I'd love to see you there!

ps. I'll be posting the question on the list again, perhaps a couple of times, for people who've joined up later in the week.

A Gentlewoman's Quartet - cover reveal

Isn't this pretty? The book, A GENTLEWOMAN'S QUARTET, is published by HQN as a digital only title, and will be available to buy on 15th March! 

It's an anthology of all four of my Ladies' Sewing Circle short novellas for Harlequin Spice Briefs. 

More info here.

The Accidental Call Girl - published today!

Yay, it's publication day for THE ACCIDENTAL CALL GIRL, my crazy book about a crazy girl who does the craziest thing when she meets the most beautiful man she's ever set eyes on, in a bar!

It's lust at first sight, on both sides, and the normally cautious Lizzie Aitchison knows she just has to have one glorious night with John, or forever torment herself with what might have been. John Smith, a careful, prudent man in his forties, and not given to unconsidered actions, knows he simply has to possess this stunning younger woman who looks a lot like the famous glamour model Bettie Page.

The trouble is, he thinks she's an escort... and Lizzie soon realises that. But on the spur of the moment, she decides to take a chance and play along. Even when she discovers that John enjoys kinky, daring pleasures... In fact, especially then!

THE ACCIDENTAL CALL GIRL  is the story of what happens when both faux call girl and client discover that one night together is never going to be enough for them. And deeper feelings begin to overtake their 'business' transaction...

Discover more about THE ACCIDENTAL CALL GIRL here.

And also here.

The Accidental Call Girl is published by Black Lace, and is the first part of THE ACCIDENTAL TRILOGY

Mork and Mindy - Week 3

Aren't they the most gorgeous duo you've ever seen?

Mork [R] and Mindy [L] are starting to settle in quite well now, after three weeks with us. They both have times when they hide a bit, but they spend much, much more time out and about now, and love to socialise with us. They enjoy their food, and they love to be fussed and stroked. Once they're relaxed and feeling sure of themselves, they're the most affectionate cats we've ever had, and their devotion to each other is just adorable.

Mork has a little bit of a cough at the moment, but he's very cheerful in himself and eating lots. We're seeing the vet with him, so I'm confident that'll clear up with treatment, and he'll be A1 again shortly. When that's sorted out, the next adventure for this pair is being introduced to the outdoors. They've been used to going out in the past, but we've kept them in thus far, to allow them to bond with us. The catflap will be a new phenomenon for them, as they've been used to having a window left open to get in and out... but they're both smart kitties, who are quick on the uptake, so I'm sure they'll quickly suss out the flap.

THE ACCIDENTAL CALL GIRL - new excerpt

Things are getting serious now. It's crunch time. Lizzie has accompanied John to his room... acting out the 'call girl and client' scenario they began in the bar.

But should she own up now, and risk embarrassment, awkwardness and the prospect of saying goodbye to John forever? Or should she go with her gut, her heart and her courage and continue her masquerade to its inevitable, erotic conclusion?

New excerpt of THE ACCIDENTAL CALL GIRL

Not long to wait now... book published on 14th February! :)

Mork and Mindy - week 1

It's a week now, since Mork and Mindy arrived, and although progress is slower than we expected, they're starting to settle in a bit now, and become happy in their new home.

These two are very timid cats, who've had some disruption in their lives in the last eighteen months or so, which means it was never going to be easy for them to adapt to the biggest disruption yet, ie. to be suddenly dropped into a strange house, with unknown people, away from everything and everybody that was familiar to them. But, we're starting to turn corners now. At first, they would not come out from their hiding place beneath the settee when either of us were around... but gradually we're starting to see more of them, mostly in the hours of darkness in the evening and in the morning before it gets light. And when we do see them, and they come to us at quiet settled times, they are the most adorably affectionate pair. They love attention and fussing and both have incredibly loud purrs. They will also get on the bed at night now too, especially Mindy, who seems to have taken to me during after hours time. 

Even though I think it will be a while before they fully settle, I feel that they're going to be enormously rewarding cats and wonderful companions. Himself and I already dote on them completely.

MINDY

MORK

Sorry the pix aren't very clear, but hopefully we'll be able to capture better, much sharper images of this handsome pair when they spend more time out and about in full daylight.

We are cat people again...

I'm thrilled to present the two gorgeous new cats who've just come to live with us. They're Mork [L] and Mindy [R] and they're a brother and sister, who we've adopted from someone who can't keep them any more. 

They're very nervous, unsure of themselves and shy at the moment, as is natural. Mindy has taken refuge behind the washing machine for the time being, and Mork is staying put in the basket. But I'm sure they'll relax before long, and begin to explore their new home, and feel comfortable. I think it'll be an easier acclimatisation for them, because they're together, and each has the reassurance of their constant, known companion.

The fact that they are devoted to each other is brand new for us, as all our previous cats have come to us at different times, and have never really got beyond the stage of being 'used to' each other, and tolerating each other. To have a couple of cats who are real soul mates is a novelty, and absolutely delightful!

Look out for lots more photos as they get used to us and come out to investigate the house.

The Red Collection - out today!

Thrilled to announce my latest book from Black Lace!

THE RED COLLECTION is a jumbo anthology of my previously published shorter work. It's stuffed with my short stories that have appeared in Black Lace anthologies, two chunky paranormal novellas, BUDDIES DON'T BITE and ILL MET BY MOONLIGHT, and one or two other bits and bobs.

For a list of the goodies, a bit of info, and a teeny tiny taster, zip along to:

THE RED COLLECTION

Available from the Amazons thus far, other online outlets hopefully to follow, and also from physical bookshops and supermarkets various.

Look at this!

I've been ill the last few days, with a dreaded lurgi that's going around. But look what arrived while I was laid low!

Here are the details - Accidental Call Girl page

It's out on 14th February in the UK and 26th March in the US. 

Don't Panic!

Don't worry... it's still me, Portia Da Costa!

As it's the new year, I decided that I'd try a new look, both here and over at my web site. I've been meaning to do something for ages, because the pink and fluffy, with a Victorian background, just isn't in sync with what I'm writing any more. I do have another Victorian book coming out, but even that has a restrained black and white cover.

The new colours are to match, more or less, the livery of my Black Lace books nowadays, especially the Accidental Trilogy... though the header is my evocative blindfolded girl... Gwen, from In Too Deep.

There's still a lot to do, a lot of tidying up and improving, but I feel better for starting to make changes and starting 2013 with a sharp new style.

Ecstasy in the White Room

ECSTASY IN THE WHITE ROOM - out today!

"This is a gorgeous room. So white and tranquil and glamorous, like something from a thirties movie set.

From his pocket, Simon retrieves a white plastic rectangle. It's an invitation to a very exclusive private function, extended only to certain guests. The white card was in our welcome basket, along with the sex toys, and neither of us was quite sure whether we'd accept tonight... until now."

Suzanne and Simon check in at a luxurious hotel which provides very special services and enjoy the unique facilities of The White Room.

The best suite in the hotel, it comes complete with discreet bondage accessories and the mirror on the ceiling is a particularly provocative feature... not to mention the complimentary casket of exclusive, high end sex toys.

BDSM pleasure makes for the experience of a lifetime...

Ecstasy in the White Room is #3 in the Three Colors Sexy trilogy and published by Harlequin Spice Briefs

Available from eHarlequin, Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Barnes and Noble, Nook UK, Diesel Ebooks and All Romance Ebooks.

NB. To get the most out of ECSTASY IN THE WHITE ROOM, you'll need to read DISCIPLINE OF THE BLUE BOOK first, and then RITUAL OF THE RED CHAIR! :)