He's Back!!!

Paolo Mancini is back! After Samhain Publishing closed its doors, all my titles with them became unavailable and I will slowly be re-releasing them all myself. The first project was to get new covers for the 5 Paolo's Playhouse stories, then get them formatted and back out into the world. I may have mentioned that I took a big leap and designed my own covers for the first time. After a lot of trial and error, I really like the way they turned out. If you didn't get a chance to read these sexy, emotional stories the first time around, you should give them a try!

Paolo’s Playhouse. A new playground for consenting adults. Playrooms for every interest or desire. Bring your own plaything or we can provide one for you. We’ll help your fantasies come to life.

           Amazon   Other vendors

                                                                  Amazon   Other vendors

                                                               Amazon   Other vendors

                                                                Amazon   Other vendors

       Amazon   Other vendors

The first four are short, perfect to read just before bed. I wrote #5, Playing For Real, which is longer, after readers asked for more with Paolo and Julianne. If you haven't read them, I hope you'd like to give them a try. If you have read them, please consider leaving a review at your favorite spot. They mean so much.

While I'm working on a new project, I'll be getting the rest of my backlist ready to upload. I'll keep you informed here, but if you want to get a notification in your inbox, you can sign up for my mailing list here. 

Natasha

www.natashamoore.com

Series it Is!

After last week's post, I realized that series is the way to go. I also realized that just because a book is a part of a series, doesn't mean it isn't an awesome, standalone book on it's own. So now that that's settled...did you know I have two series right now? One erotic romance series is complete. My contemporary royalty romance series is ongoing. So for those of you who like series...

Paolo's Playhouse - erotic romance

Her Royal Romance - contemporary romance

The Paolo's Payhouse series is complete, but there are more to come in Her Royal Romance. Next up is Her Royal Mistake, to be followed by more sexy royalty romances in the future. Along with other series I have planned. All contemporary. All sexy, emotional and romantic. Because that's the way I like it. How about you?

Natasha
www.natashamoore.com

Firemen Calendar "Mr June"

Wouldn't he make a great addition to next year's NY Firemen Calendar? It's hard to believe the little guy is nineteen months old. Where does the time go??

He's a big boy now and wants to do everything himself. Like try to find Elmo on Netflix.

And eat with a fork, even if it's easier to use his fingers.

In true boy fashion, he loves to play with water.

It's not easy to get a good picture of him now because he's always on the go. And he knows what a "phone" is and wants to look at the pictures. I caught him here just before he reached for it.

On the swing with "Papa".

Even though he's on the move most of the time, he still likes to cuddle with Grandma. (And Elmo and Cookie Monster and Bear)

And I'll cuddle with him for as long as he lets me.

Natasha

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Playing for Real - available now
Her Royal Masquerade - available now
Her Royal Bodyguard - available now
The Cottage Next Door - coming Sept 16th - pre-order now
www.natashamoore.com

Our Winter Home

Now that hubby and I are no longer working day jobs, the idea of becoming snow birds during the long, cold winters of western NY has become a topic of conversation. Debate. Negotiation...

We have quite a few friends and family who travel south for the winter. We visited many of them this past winter. Almost all of them, in subtle or not-so-subtle ways, chatted up their particular areas and/or pointed out houses that were for sale in their areas. As tempting as it would be to own a house in Florida, realistically...we can't afford a second mortgage. But a new RV...a little bigger, with MUCH more storage??? That we could handle.

We bought a fifth-wheel trailer, with TONS more storage, and a vaulted ceiling that gives it a very open feel. Because it has slide-outs on both sides of the unit, we were afraid it wouldn't work with the deck we'd built at our camping space. But there's still plenty of room.

You can see the pendant lights over the kitchen island. The stairs in the back go up to the bathroom and bedroom.

Pictures don't do it justice. The rear living area is very spacious, and aside from all the large windows, we have a flat screen TV and an electric fireplace.

Yes. I think we will be very comfortable in this new home.

And the great thing about this winter home is that we can live it in during the other three seasons, and take it to visit other areas of the country. We plan on a trip to the Finger Lakes this summer and to the Outer Banks in the fall. And we're thinking about going out west sometime in the next couple years. I'm still waiting to see the Grand Canyon.

So all that's left now is deciding where we want to stay in Florida during our three months as snowbirds next winter. Or will it be two months? Or only six weeks? Um...hubby and I are still in negotiations over that part. I'll let you know once that's been decided.

Natasha
Her Royal Masquerade-available now
Her Royal Bodyguard-available now
Playing for Real-available now
The Cottage Next Door-coming Sept 16 - pre-order now
www.natashamoore.com

The Cottage Next Door - Cover Reveal

I'm thrilled to share the cover for my September release from Samhain. This is a second-chance-at-love, beach romance and I'm in love with the beachy feel of the cover!

Blurb:

It’s tough to grasp a second chance at love when you’re holding on to the past.


After his wife died in a car accident, bestselling author Hunter McCaffrey stopped writing—and stopped living. He’s rented a beachfront cottage to try to get his head on straight, and start the long climb up from his pit of despair.

Instead of pounding out a first draft, though, he runs the beach, drinks away his pain, and tries to ignore the vibrant woman in the cottage tucked next to his.

Still floundering months after the loss of her adventure-junkie husband, Sylvie Chase hopes some beach relaxation will help her decide what to do with the rest of her life. Instead she’s wondering what to do about her unexpected attraction to Hunter, who makes her body long for the feel of his arms around her.

As Sylvie drags Hunter back to the land of the living, soon they’re agreeing to a short fling. Just to get past their sorrow, not because it means anything. But when emotions get in the way, it’s a struggle to leave the past behind and dare to love again.


The Cottage Next Door releases September 16th, but if you don't want to forget, it's available for pre-order now at Amazon and Barnes&Noble and iTUnes (And probably other vendors as well, those were the only places I checked this morning.) As we get closer to release date, I'll share some excerpts and hold a beachy contest or two.

I can't wait to share Hunter and Sylvie's story with everyone!

Natasha
Her Royal Masquerade - available now
Her Royal Bodyguard - available now
Playing for Real - available now
The Cottage Next Door - coming Sept 16
www.natashamoore.com

Paolo's Series

Paolo’s Playhouse. A new playground for consenting adults. Playrooms for every interest or desire. Bring your own plaything or we can provide one for you. We’ll help your fantasies come to life. Inquiries, phone…

The last story in the Paolo's Playhouse series released recently and it appears I'm feeling nostalgic this morning as I think back over the past few years. When I started brainstorming this series, I wanted to write a series anchored by a place, an exclusive sex club with private playrooms. Then I'd take couples at a crossroads and bring them to the Playhouse. I'd focus on different types of kink - bondage, exhibitionism, voyeurism, and menage - and show how an evening in a playroom, exploring their relationships, help the couples to move forward, heal wounds, and even begin to fall in love.

But in the end, it wasn't a place that anchored this series. It was a person. Paolo. And readers liked him so much that after Plaything, Paolo's story, the last in the original four short stories, they asked to see more. And so Playing for Real was born, a longer story, delving deeper into his relationship with Julianne, who he'd only just met in Plaything. I don't often re-read my stories after they're published, but I recently did with Playing for Real and I have to admit, I loved the way it turned out. And after five stories, Paolo finally got his happy ending.

All five of the Paolo's Playhouse stories are stand-alones, so if only a few appeal to you, you don't need to read the others to enjoy. But I hope you may want to lose yourself in Paolo's sexy, emotional world. So here's a quick re-cap of the five stories in Paolo's series.

Flaunt It - book #1
He’ll put her on display, if that’s what it takes to keep her…

Risk It - book #2
Time to put out…or get out.

Birthday Girl - book #3
It’s not the age. It’s the attitude—and a healthy dose of kink.

Plaything - book #4
One taste of everything she ever wanted…how can she walk away?

Playing for Real - book #5
There’s no safe word strong enough for this power play date…

Excerpt from Plaything:

“This is Paolo’s Playhouse. How may I help you?”

The warm male voice and its lyrical accent—Spanish? Italian? Greek?—nearly melted her into a puddle on her kitchen floor. She couldn’t seem to speak as she imagined a dark, exotic man at the other end of the line. One of her favorite fantasy images, strong masculine hands holding her wrists, sprang to her mind. She knew her fantasy lovers from now on would speak with this incredible voice.

“Hello? Is someone there?”

“Yes.” Her voice cracked and she had to swallow before she could speak again. “Yes, I’m here.”

“Wonderful. How may I help you?”

Her knees began to shake and she sank into the chair. “I…I saw your ad.” She swallowed again. She was an intelligent businesswoman, why could she not form a coherent sentence?

“And do you perhaps have a fantasy I could help you with?”

If he was half as sexy as his voice, he could help her with anything. She nearly let a nervous giggle slip out, but this suddenly seemed too important to joke about. “Bondage.” It was harder than she thought it would be to say it out loud.

“Ah, of course. And do you prefer the caress of the ropes or the weight of the chains?”

She shivered and rubbed the cord still hugging her wrist, pulled it tighter and felt the answering tug in her core. “Um, ropes. I think.”

There was silence on the other end of the line. What was wrong? Surely he couldn’t be shocked like her old boyfriend had been.

“What is your name?” he asked after a moment.

“Julianne.”

“I heard some hesitation in your voice. Tell me, Julianne. Have you ever been bound before?”

The words finally burst from her lips, the admission she’d not allowed herself to say for so long. “No. That’s why I’m calling. I want to know what it’s like. I think I need to know.”

“Are you certain?” he asked softly. “Do you really want to allow another person to bind your body? To take away all your control?” His voice became even softer, almost seductive in tone. “Do you want to allow him to enjoy your body in any way he desires and in return, bring you to an intense level of satisfaction you have perhaps never been able to attain before?”

As he spoke, her body pulsed with awareness. He summed up her feelings perfectly. His sensual words conjured up the desperate need that had been buried deep within her. “Yes. Exactly.” Tears sprang to her eyes. “Can you help me?”

“Of course. That is why we are here. Will you be bringing your partner with you?”

“No. I don’t have anyone.” That sounded pathetic. “I mean, I don’t have anyone I want to…you know, tie me up and take me.” There was that silence again. “Is that a problem? The ad said—”

“No, of course it is no problem. I simply want to be certain to match you with the right person.”

“Oh, I didn’t think about that.” She hadn’t really given a thought to the other half of the equation. To the person who would be tying her up. She’d been too focused on her own needs. “Of course, you have to match me up with someone who wants to…um…who wants to…”

“Who wants to tie up a willing woman,” he completed. There was a touch of amusement in his voice and Julianne had the sudden wish to see his smile. “You are in luck. There will be someone here tomorrow night who has need of a bondage toy.”

Bondage toy? She shivered.

“Can you come tomorrow night at seven?”

“Tomorrow?” So soon? But would putting it off be any better? “Yes. All right. Tomorrow.”


Natasha
Her Royal Masquerade - available now
Her Royal Bodyguard - available now
The Cottage Next Door - coming Sept 2103
www.natashamoore.com

Excerpt Playing for Real

I'm traveling for the next three weeks, getting out of the cold and visiting friends and family. I'm looking forward to enjoying some warm weather for the first time since last October. So today I'm sharing an excerpt from my most recent release, Playing for Real.

Julianne was more than a little scared at how fast she’d submitted to Paolo. How fast she gave over her body to him. How much she loved it. How desperately she wanted more. As frightening as it was, something soul-deep told her it was right.

But a voice in the back of her mind screamed out a warning. She couldn’t let this go on too long, couldn’t let herself get used to his control over her.

Or get used to him taking care of her.

She would always take care of herself. Julianne had made that vow years ago when she saw how lost her mother had been when Julianne’s father walked out on them. Her mother had no backbone and no skills to make it on her own. Julianne made sure she’d been able to take care of herself from an early age. She might agree to being a sexual submissive, but she’d never allow anyone else to have a say over the rest of her life.

After Paolo left, she wandered into her bedroom. She wished she could call Stacey and talk things out with her, but for all the time they’d spent together, they’d never talked about sex. Julianne could never tell her that Paolo gave her an orgasm while she was sprawled across his lap. Or that he’d tied her up with ropes. Bound her with chains. She’d never admit to anyone she wanted more of that. More bondage. More sex. Yes, more submitting to his dominance.

How could she ever make this work?

She kicked off her shoes and carried them into her closet to place them back in their shoe box. Julianne stared at the rows of boxes she’d arranged to keep things neat and tidy in the small space. To keep things where they belonged, so they didn’t interfere with the other stuff and make a mess.

And she knew she had her answer.

She could have it both ways. She could give up control to Paolo sexually and still keep the rest of her life her own. All she had to do was keep her time with him tucked in a neat little box, completely separate from her real life.

Have a great week!

Natasha
Playing for Real - available now
Her Royal Masquerade - available now
Her Royal Bodyguard - available now
www.natashamoore.com

Teasing...

I'm a sucker for those little teases you see on social media. I love getting a taste for a book I've never heard of or an author I've never read. Plus, there's just something about the actual act of teasing that's fun. And since in the past week I dealt with revisions on one book, edits on another, as well as filling out art and cover sheets - I'm ready for some fun.

So I'm sharing a few teasers with you today.

“I find myself doing unforgivable things, wishing for impossible things, in order to be with you.”
~ Her Royal Masquerade

So with every ounce of freedom she possessed, the princess of Mezzano held tight to her bodyguard’s soft cotton shirt and drank him in. She let her heart race, her body heat. She let go of all the restrictions and expectations she’d always had to deal with because of her title, and for a moment, a young woman named Angelina simply kissed a man called Rico.
~ Her Royal Bodyguard

He thought of nothing but the sweet way she responded to his touch, the possessiveness that crawled inside him. The primitive instinct to claim her as his.
~ Playing for Real

He wanted her more than he wanted his next breath. He almost reached out and touched her. Almost drew her into his arms. Almost plunged deep inside her so they could both relieve their aching need. The only thing holding him back was his stupid promise to her. It had to be her choice.
~ Silken Canvas

He wanted to touch her again. Really touch her this time. Play with the fringe of hair around her face. Nibble on her pretty little ears. Kiss the bare nape of her neck. He grasped both ends of the pizza box. He was in big trouble.
~ The Ride of Her Life

Two could play that game. Meredith put her hand on his thigh. It was so hot and hard.
~ Voluptuous






I hope you had fun with my little teasers today. And to tease you just a little more...I hope to soon be able to share from my September release from Samhain, The Cottage Next Door :)

Natasha
www.natashamoore.com

Once it Gets Warmer

Like most of the US, western NY has been seeing unbroken cold weather for what feels like forever. We may be on the way to March but right now it feels as if winter will be here forever. I've been hibernating for weeks, rarely leaving the house. Getting a lot of writing and reading done, but it hasn't done much for the shape of my body.

So I've decided I have to stop putting off things. The things I keep saying I'll do "once it gets warmer".

I'll get my hair cut once it gets warmer. I let my hair grow over the winter but now I feel like it's just hanging there and I'd really like to get a cut that looks like an actual style. BUT...right now it covers my neck and it's freaking cold!

So I made an appointment to get my hair cut. Lots of people have short hair in the winter, right? I'll just need to wear a lot of scarves to keep my neck warm.

I'll start walking once it gets warmer. I love to walk around our village. We are on a lake and it's a beautiful sight to have on my walks. But not so fun when there is frigid air blowing across the frozen lake.

So I need to use the treadmill more. Yeah, it's not as much fun, but I can get my heart rate up and burn a few calories. My butt has not fared well with all the writing and reading I've been doing this winter.

I'll get more fresh air once it gets warmer. This is a tough one. As I said, I've been hibernating - not necessarily sleeping in, but staying in. I've decided I need to push myself to bundle up and get some fresh air every day. I'd like to say I'd get some sunshine when I go outside too, but we haven't had a lot of that either...

I'm finishing up one book, the first in a new series I will be publishing this year. I just got edits on another story which will come out from Samhain later this year. I'm eager to start book three in my Her Royal Romance series. So I have plenty of reasons to sit inside. But I need to get up and move as well.

My hubby and I are planning a trip to Florida next month. Hopefully there it will be warm enough to walk a lot, get tons of fresh air and sunshine, and be glad I have a shorter hair cut.

But as for now...I'll try not to put so many things off until it gets warmer.

Natasha
Playing for Real - available now
Her Royal Masquerade - available now
Her Royal Bodyguard - available now
www.natashamoore.com

Great Review for Playing for Real

Playing for Real, the final book in the Paolo's Playhouse series, released on Feb 4th. I've loved being a part of that world. And was thrilled at the great review it got from Harlequin Junkie.

"Playing for Real (Paolo’s Playhouse) by Natasha Moore is a real scorcher. It is a tastefully done BDSM romance with an engaging plot, interesting characters and an adult playhouse where sexual fantasies come true...Wow, this is an unbelievably hot and erotic book. Ms. Moore’s voice is enticing and smooth, which kept me engaged during a couple of harsher BDSM scenes that would normally turn me off. I found the cover to be extremely inviting, due to the color variations. If you enjoy erotic romance combined with BDSM, look no further than Playing for Real."

Excerpt:

Maybe she should cancel before it was too late. Julianne paced the living room floor, her phone clutched in her hand. She couldn’t pretend this was an ordinary date. Couldn’t pretend it was an ordinary man she thought about as she had showered and dressed to order. It was a play date. With a Dom. What had she been thinking?

There was nothing wrong with her solitary life. She made her own decisions and didn’t have to answer to anyone. She wasn’t a submissive. She didn’t need to get all tied up in this—

Her phone buzzed, vibrating in her palm. Maybe this was Paolo. Maybe he was cancelling. Maybe he realized this was a mistake. She glanced at the screen. It wasn’t Paolo. “Hey.”

“You are still alive.”

She grimaced at her best friend’s sarcastic tone of voice. “Stacey.” There had been a time when they saw each other at
least once a week.

“It’s been almost two months, Jules. You’re taking workaholic to the extreme.”

“I know. Booming business is a mixed blessing.” Not that it was booming exactly, but it did keep her busy. “Sorry I haven’t called you back.”

“Well, I’m not giving you a chance to blow me off again. I’m on my way to pick you up. We’re going to go get some drinks. Have dinner. Bad mouth all the guys who don’t appreciate us.”

“Oh I’m sorry, Stace. I have plans.”

“Yeah, probably picking out paint colors or something. Cancel them.”

“I can’t.” And Julianne realized she didn’t want to. She might not be submissive but she had to see if what happened last week was a fluke. To see if she could give up control again. She wasn’t sure she could, even to get the best sex of her life. Even with a Dom as experienced as Paolo. A man as sexy as Paolo.

What would Stacey think if she knew Julianne was looking forward to another bout of bondage sex with a man she just met?

“Jules? You still there?”

“Yeah. Sorry. I have a date.”

“On a Monday night? Come on.”

“Really.” The loud rasp of the buzzer made Julianne jump. “I have to go, Stace. I’ll call you later. Promise.” She disconnected the call and then slapped a shaky hand on the intercom button. “Yes?”

“Julianne? It’s Paolo.”

She shivered simply from the sound of his sexy, lyrical voice speaking her name. She swallowed before she could speak. “I’ll be right down.”


And I'll just remind you that there's still time to enter the Stay Warm With a Book giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Natasha
Playing for Real - available now
Her Royal Masquerade - available now
Her Royal Bodyguard - available now
Her Royal Mistake - coming spring 2014
The Cottage Next Door - coming Sept 2014
www.natashamoore.com

Stay Warm with a Book

Tomorrow is the release day for Playing for Real, the final book in the Paolo's Playhouse series. I love these characters, have lived with them for a long time. Paolo and Julianne first appeared in Plaything. While that short story was released as #4 in the series, it actually was the first one I wrote, so for me, these characters have been with me the longest.

I have joined with thirteen author friends of mine who also have February releases in a month-long giveaway "Stay Warm with a Book". If you'd like a chance at some great books and a gift card too, you can enter here!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Playing for Real releases Feb 4th!

Blurb:


Paolo’s Playhouse, Book 5

Paolo Mancini’s needs are simple: a committed relationship with a submissive who will let him love and care for her. But after a long, heartbreaking string of relationship failures, he’s beginning to think the perfect woman for him simply doesn’t exist.

When Julianne Barnes steps into his playhouse for one night of bondage sex, she blows him away with her beauty, sass and bravery. She could be the one…if she will allow him to show her how to weave bondage and submission into her life. And hopefully, into his.

Julianne keeps her craving for soft ropes, dark blindfolds, and strong fingers apart from “real life”, where this successful businesswoman doesn’t need anyone telling her what to do. Yet Paolo’s lyrical, steel-under-silk voice affects her body in ways that make her want to offer up her soul.

Slowly, delicately, Paolo tantalizes her closer to the idea that fantasy and reality can live as one. But to convince her it’s safe to open the last compartment protecting her emotions, he’ll have to expose his greatest vulnerability. His heart.

Warning: Features a petulant sub looking to live out her fantasies and a sexy Dom looking for love of the forever kind. Contains an intense sex-with-a-stranger fantasy, ropes, chains and a spanking. Or two. Or more.

Baby, It's Cold Outside - what could be better than staying warm with a book?

Natasha
Her Royal Masquerade - available now
Her Royal Bodyguard - available now
Playing for Real - pre-order now
Her Royal Mistake - coming spring 2014
www.natashamoore.com

2 Weeks to Playing for Real

The first book in the Paolo's Playhouse series, Flaunt It, was released in August 2011. The fifth and final Playhouse story, Playing for Real, will be released on Feb 4, 2014. I had a great time in this world and am sorry to see it end. But what a way to end it. While the first 4 Playhouse releases were short stories, Playing for Real is longer and deals with the development of the relationship between Paolo and Julianne that started with Plaything.

The cover is lovely.

The story is emotional and pretty darn hot!

Blurb:

Paolo’s Playhouse, Book 5

Paolo Mancini’s needs are simple: a committed relationship with a submissive who will let him love and care for her. But after a long, heartbreaking string of relationship failures, he’s beginning to think the perfect woman for him simply doesn’t exist.

When Julianne Barnes steps into his playhouse for one night of bondage sex, she blows him away with her beauty, sass and bravery. She could be the one…if she will allow him to show her how to weave bondage and submission into her life. And hopefully, into his.

Julianne keeps her craving for soft ropes, dark blindfolds, and strong fingers apart from “real life”, where this successful businesswoman doesn’t need anyone telling her what to do. Yet Paolo’s lyrical, steel-under-silk voice affects her body in ways that make her want to offer up her soul.

Slowly, delicately, Paolo tantalizes her closer to the idea that fantasy and reality can live as one. But to convince her it’s safe to open the last compartment protecting her emotions, he’ll have to expose his greatest vulnerability. His heart.

Warning: Features a petulant sub looking to live out her fantasies and a sexy Dom looking for love of the forever kind. Contains an intense sex-with-a-stranger fantasy, ropes, chains and a spanking. Or two. Or more.


Excerpt:

“Julianne? It’s Paolo.”

She shivered simply from the sound of his sexy, lyrical voice speaking her name. She swallowed before she could speak. “I’ll be right down.”

“Buzz me in, Julianne.” There it was. The commanding tone that made her stomach tickle and her sex clench.

What had she gotten herself into? “Okay. But I’ll be right down.”

She grabbed her purse and locked the door to her apartment behind her. She’d walked up and down the narrow flight of stairs hundreds of times, but somehow tonight it seemed longer, narrower, her heels higher, skirt shorter, tighter. She was anxious to see Paolo again but still, she couldn’t help being nervous.

He was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs in the entryway, frowning slightly. He took the first few steps up, hand outstretched, to meet her. He looked elegant, more than sexy, in a loose black jacket over a white shirt. “I should have come up to get you.”

She took his hand and his long fingers wrapped around hers, fingers that had strummed over every inch of her body. The electric spark of awareness might have been clichéd, but it was there just the same. She couldn’t let it zap her into submission that quickly. “There was no point in you climbing all these stairs just to come right back down.”

As soon as they were off the stairs, he drew her close, their bodies not quite touching. He nailed her with his deep blue gaze. “From now on, I will walk you to your door and collect you there as well.” He brushed his lips lightly over hers, only long enough to tease, not nearly long enough to taste.

She resisted the urge to lean into him. Instead, she shrugged as if her mind wasn’t screaming at her to end this now before he dictated more than how he would pick her up for a date.

He stepped back then, looked her over, her hand still in his. A lock of his dark, wavy hair fell over his forehead and gave him a softer look. His familiar scent wound around her.

He wrapped his arm around her waist and led her across the foyer. “Have you been anticipating our evening as much as I have?”

“I’ve been thinking about it a lot, yes.” She was excited to start their play dates. But she was also a little frightened about what he would want from her. What he would want to do to her.

He paused with his hand on the door handle and looked over at her. He was so close she could have gotten lost in those eyes. “You sound nervous. Do you want to talk about it before we head out?”

Hell yes, she was nervous, but she didn’t want to hang around here in the foyer to hash it out. “No. I’m okay.” She tried to keep her smile light. “I think we talked it all to death the other night.”

He chuckled and she relaxed a little. “Yes. You are right.” He opened the door and they stepped out into the warm Monday evening air.

Was that really a limo parked at the curb? A tall, broad man in a dark suit stood on the sidewalk. She glanced at Paolo as he led her to the long black car. “This is for us?”

“Of course.” The uniformed man—was he a chauffeur or a bodyguard or what?—opened the back door for them. Paolo smoothly delivered her into the car as if he’d escorted dozens of women into the spacious backseat of this limousine at one time or another. And he probably had. A man as sexy and charming as Paolo, a man as dominating as Paolo, must have had plenty of women to ravish in the back of a dark vehicle.

And the thought of being ravished by Paolo was probably more exciting than it should have been.

The leather seat was soft and warm. Paolo slid in beside her and the door closed behind him, shutting them together in what a moment ago had felt like a huge space. Now that Paolo was beside her, he seemed to be sucking all the oxygen out of the air. Julianne started panting lightly, finding it suddenly hard to breathe.

He didn’t seem to notice her difficulty. He took one of her hands in his, intertwined their fingers before he lifted their joined hands to his lips. He lightly kissed her knuckles. Tingles shimmered over her body.

“The Playhouse must do very well,” she blurted out, her nerves getting the better of her.

Paolo lifted a brow, paused a moment before replying softly, “Yes. I am happy with its success.”

“I mean…a car like this? A driver like that? I didn’t expect…” She shut her mouth before she shoved her foot any deeper inside. It wasn’t any of her business. She sounded as if she was fishing for information. As if she cared how rich he was. As if she was surprised how rich he was. Even though she was.

“Why should you expect anything?” Paolo replied smoothly. “I did not pick you up in this car in an attempt to impress you. The truth is that I would rather not have my eyes and hands occupied with driving when I could have them more pleasantly occupied.” He kissed her knuckles again. “Watching you. Touching you.”

“Oh.” The word came out on a shaky sigh.

Playing for Real is available right now for pre-order.

And of course, the 4 previous Playhouse stories are available now if you want to catch up:
Flaunt It
Risk It
Birthday Girl
Plaything

Natasha
Her Royal Masquerade - available now
Her Royal Bodyguard - available now
Playing for Real - preorder now
Her Royal Mistake - coming soon
www.natashamoore.com

So long 2013 - Hello 2014

This is the time of year when we tend to look back on the past 12 months and see what we've accomplished, what we wish we had, and how we want to carry on in the new year.

2013 was a year of big change for me. I left the day job to write full time. And as well as contracting two stories to Samhain and one to Ellora's Cave, I also took a big step into indie publishing with a contemporary royalty romance, Her Royal Masquerade.

And watched the little guy grow from an infant into a toddler with a personality and a mind of his own.

Looking ahead to 2014, I have book #2 in my Her Royal Romance series - Her Royal Bodyguard - ready to go and am planning on writing several more in the series this year. I have two releases from Samhain scheduled. Playing for Real will be released Feb 4th and is availabe for pre-order now. The Cottage Next Door will be out in September. Only Playing for Real was even imagined when 2013 started, so I can't wait to see what 2014 brings.

Here's hoping 2013 was a great year for you and that 2014 brings even more wonderful things for you. And I'll finish off this post with a few pics of the little guy because I just can't resist :)

Happy New Year!
Natasha
www.natashamoore.com

Playing for Real - Sooner is Better

Playing for Real - book #5 in my Paolo's Playhouse series continues the story of Paolo and Julianne, the characters who met in Plaything, book #4. Playing for Real takes the loving Dom and the tightly-in-control sub from their first meeting at the Playhouse to finding a way to weave bondage and submission into their lives and falling in love along the way.

Playing for Real was scheduled to release March 18, 2014, but because of an opening in the schedule, the release date has been moved up to February 4, 2014. I know, still a ways away, but sooner is better, right?

AND...I've seen the cover the Samhain art department has designed and it is gorgeous! I can't wait to share!

And while you're waiting for Playing for Real, I'll have two more releases. Voluptuous, a Curve Appeal novella from Ellora's Cave will be released Sept 6th - and is available for pre-order now.

Also, look for Her Royal Masquerade, my first royal category romance, in October.

So you have a couple releases to look forward while you're waiting for Paolo and Julianne to find their happy ending.

Natasha
www.natashamoore.com

Release Dates!

Aside from contracts and covers, release dates are what we look forward to the most. This week I found out release dates for two of my upcoming e-book releases. I already knew the print release date for Silken Canvas this fall, but I'll be happy to give you a reminder today.



First coming up in the schedule is Voluptuous from Ellora's Cave. It's now up on the Coming Soon page on the Ellora's Cave website with a release date of September 6th. I know that day will come up fast because summers fly by, at least here in western NY.



Silken Canvas is available right now as an e-book from Samhain, but it will be out in print this fall. November 5th, to be exact. But it is available for pre-order on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. I think the cover is like a work of art and I can't wait to hold this one in my hand!



My third release will be Playing for Real, book #5 in the Paolo's Playhouse series from Samhain. We'll have to wait a little longer for this one. The release date is March 18, 2014. That means we'll have to go through another winter before Playing for Real comes out! But it'll get here eventually and the wait, I'm sure, will be worth it. It will probably be a while before I have a cover, but I'll share it here as soon as I can.

When you read this, I hope to be on the road, heading for a vacation in the Outer Banks. But even though I'll be curling my toes in the sand, that doesn't mean I won't be getting some writing done. The story I'm working on now takes place in a spot very similar to where we will be staying, so I'll be getting some research done as well. Looking forward to getting inspired by those parasailors and kiteboarders:) Hope to be sharing some pictures in a couple weeks.

Natasha
www.natashamoore.com
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Playing for Real - Paolo's Playhouse #5

After the release of Plaything, book #4 in my Paolo's Playhouse series from Samhain, I was asked to write more about Paolo and Julianne. In Plaything, they meet for the first time, in an intense scene of bondage sex at the Playhouse. Paolo, who made an appearance in each of the first three stories, finds the first woman in a long time who intrigues and delights him. The story ends with them planning to meet again.

It was more of a challenge than I thought it would be to write this story. I already knew these characters, I already loved these characters, so how hard could it be to write a story where they fall in love? I do it all the time, right? But I never realized the constrictions of taking two people I never expected to write about again, use the characteristics and plot points already laid out in the original story, and go from there.

It was all my fault. I made it hard on myself. After complaining about all the things I couldn't do with the story because of the way it was set up in Plaything, I finally embraced what I COULD do. Once I did that, things went much more smoothly. (We won't talk about the sub-plot I tried to add that didn't work and had to be ripped out.) All of this added more time to what it took to complete the project, but I'm happy to say I just signed the contract for Playing for Real and the book will be coming out early in 2014.

Here's a rough blurb to give you an idea of what will happen to that sexy Italian in Playing for Real:

Dominant Paolo Mancini wants to settle down into a committed relationship with a submissive he can love and care for. After a failed marriage and a string of short-term relationships, he’s pretty much given up on finding the perfect woman. Then Julianne Barnes comes to his playhouse for one night of bondage sex and she blows him away with her beauty and sass and bravery. He thinks he may have found the sub he’s been looking for. He yearns to show her how to weave bondage and submission into her life, and hopefully into his.

Julianne has always fantasized about soft ropes and dark blindfolds and strong fingers wrapped around her wrists. But just because she craves bondage doesn’t mean she wants to submit to a man in her “real” life. She’s a successful businesswoman and can take care of herself. But Paolo is so sexy, so seductive, she quickly finds herself under his spell. Soon, just hearing his lyrical voice, that silky tone with the steel beneath, makes her sex clench and her soul submit.

But while Julianne tries to keep her time with the sexy Italian separate from the rest of her life, Paolo is determined to show her that he’s playing for real.


I'll be sharing the cover, official blurb, and release date once they become available.

Have a great week!

Natasha
Voluptuous - coming soon
Silken Canvas - available now
www.natashamoore.com