View the old and the new covers. Aren't they pretty?

ISBN #1-84360-249-0Format: ebookpaperback coming in March 2006 with new cover$6.49
A dead FBI agent with a mission.Special Agent Sage Kaimoon has spent the four years since his death tracking French traitor, Lu-Marc. He's hot on Lu-Marc's trail, ready to bring him down, when an unexpected encounter with a powerful spirit sets him on a path that will change his…death.A witch looking for her spirit guide.Teri Mallory follows her grandmother's dying wish and works a spell to bring her a spirit guide. Teri expects an elderly spirit with the wisdom of the world to help her find her way. What she gets is a scorchingly sexy ghost bound for vengeance who turns her life and her heart inside out.Passion unites them. Death separates them. But she can't live without his ghost touch…
Buy Ghost Touch NOW from Ellora's Cave

You can read an excerpt on my website, or catch back issues of my newsletter.

Posted by Mary Winter :: 6:01 PM :: 2 comments

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Sunday, November 20, 2005 Five Days of Passion

Contest will be continuing and finishing up this week. Thanks for your patience. :) Hope everyone has a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

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Monday, November 14, 2005 FIVE DAYS OF PASSION - paused

The FIVE DAYS OF PASSION contest will resume in approximately a week. I apologize, but in the meantime this will give you longer time to read and enjoy the excerpts.

Thank you for your understanding.

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Saturday, November 12, 2005 FIVE DAYS OF PASSION - Day 3

Welcome to day 3 of my FIVE DAYS OF PASSION contest. Today's book is a combination of my two loves -- great romances and horses. After being told by Silhouette in a very nice rejection letter on my first manuscript that "books about english riding don't sell," I was determined to write another one. So without further ado... Juli's Choice.

Today's Question: Where is Juli's Choice set?
Today's Prize: another silver bullet

Juli's Choice
ISBN #1-59836-090-6
format: ebook
Price 5.98

Available Now

Every little girl wants to get married to a doctor, and when Juli has
to marry to receive a trust fund, she thinks she has it made. Only her
doctor is turning into a nightmare, and Juli fears she won’t be able to
continue her veterinary career or her dream of opening a horse rescue
after she’s married.

Then she goes on a midnight call to pull a foal and meets Riley. A
former Olympic equestrian, Riley understands her dreams and his touch
ignites her passions. Juli has to choose between the man who will give her
the funds to pursue her dream or the man who fills her nights with
passion.

Available
NOW from Venus Press

---

The exit signs for Kansas City flashed past overhead, and Riley effortlessly drove
through the growing mass of traffic. “You look lost in thought,” he said with a quick
glance over to her. Reaching across the seat, he patted her thigh. “You had a good time today, didn’t you?”
The briefest touch of Riley’s fingers against her denim-clad thigh sent shivers of
awareness darting through her. Her pussy clenched as she imagined his fingers sliding
over the curve of her leg to stroke her inner thigh. Inch by tormenting inch he would
work his way up to her pussy and stroke her until she came. By then, they’d almost be to her house and he could carry her upstairs and make love to her. She swallowed hard.
“I had a good time,” she said. “Just thinking about my rescue.”
Riley nodded. “I thought so. It’s an admirable thing. I hate to think what would
happen to racehorses if there weren’t people like Nancy. I mean, once their race careers were over, who would take them in?”
Juli nodded. “I know. And for the most part, all these horses need is just some
retraining and then they have great second careers.”
“Exactly. I’m going to retrain Springs and hopefully he’ll be my lead horse by
the time the colt is old enough to start training. I could still campaign Windfree, and I’m going to, but I’d like to ease him back a bit and give him a better chance at a career at stud. I’d love to give him one more chance at an Olympic medal before I retire him.”
“I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.”
Riley chuckled. “Only if I can bring in a bevy of mares for his pleasure.” He
exited off the interstate and began the drive through the residential neighborhood that led to Juli’s house. A few moments later, he pulled into her driveway. Reaching across the seat, he cupped her chin in his hands. “I had a great time with you today.” He leaned forward and brushed his lips across hers.
Heat sizzled in Juli’s blood. She’d wanted to kiss Riley ever since the fall, and
now the silken glide of his lips across hers only heightened her desire. Her tongue
slipped past her lips to stroke Riley’s mouth. With a moan, he deepened the kiss.
Juli’s nipples pebbled. She reached for the seatbelt, feeling it slide out of the way. She scooted across the seat and reached for him. Her fingers closed around his hard bicep.
Riley slid his arm around her, his fingers splayed across her buttocks. With a
gentle push, he drew her closer to him, until her legs tangled with his. His other hand made a deliberate exploration of her rib cage, his fingers sliding up to brush against the underside of her breast.
Juli shivered. She parted the kiss to suck in oxygen. “Riley,” she said, the husky
timbre of her voice making her realize just how aroused she was. “We should—”
Riley brought his lips down on hers again. No gentle tasting, he branded her. His
tongue swept into her mouth, stroking her intimately in a prologue to what he wanted to do with his body. He brushed his thumbs across her nipples.
“God you feel so good,” he whispered. He trailed kisses down her throat, and Juli
could do no more than let her head fall back. Her pussy grew wet, and she whimpered as Riley scraped his teeth along her collarbone. His tongue stroked her, tiny brushes
combined with open-mouthed kisses against her flesh.
Somehow, she ended up on Riley’s lap, sandwiched between him and the steering
wheel. Juli didn’t care. Not with the hard length of his cock pressed against her covered pussy. She rubbed her sex against him, needing to feel the delicious friction of hot, sweaty sex. She reached back to run her fingers down his chest.
Her elbow bumped the horn. The sharp blast shattered the air. Juli pulled away,
suddenly aware that she groped Riley in the cab of his truck. They weren’t even in the house. She slid away from him and grabbed her purse. Swallowing hard, she looked at him.
Passion filled Riley’s gaze. He stared at her with darkened eyes. His lips,
swollen from their kisses drew her attention to them, and she wanted to reach across the truck and run her fingers across them.
“I think we should take this inside,” she said softly.
Riley nodded. “That probably is for the best.” He grinned rakishly. “I don’t
want to get arrested for exposure on your front lawn.”

Posted by Mary Winter :: 11:26 AM :: 0 comments

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Friday, November 11, 2005 FIVE DAYS OF PASSION - Day 2 Prodigal Son

It's day two of FIVE DAYS OF PASSION. Can you feel the heat? Today's book is very near and dear to my heart.

Today's Question: What Color is Te's briefs in the excerpt?
Today's Prize: A $5 gift certificate to Amazon.com


Prodigal Son

ISBN #1-4199-0333-0
Format: ebook
Print version coming March 2006
$5.95

Orphan. Sorcerer. Te Mulligan held many labels. With the impending death of his foster father he’ll add one more – leader of StarMyst Conclave. Ten years ago he’d left StarMyst after a night of passion with Jacy Duwards. He always loved her, always wanted her, but had taken something he never had a right to take. Still, memories of her haunt his days and his nights.
Jacy stayed by her foster father’s side, nursing him through the long months of his battle with cancer. With his time near the end, Te’s back. Ten years hasn’t changed anything, except to heighten her desire for the man destined to take over the Conclave.
The Prodigal Son has returned, and he’s ready to claim everything that’s his – including the woman he loves.

Buy NOW from Ellora's Cave

---

Her fingers explored the contours of his body beneath his skin She pressed her fingertips against his collarbone, feeling an especially taut muscle. Working it with gentle touches, she focused on sending calming energies to him. This close to him, the scent of his cologne enveloped her, and the freedom to touch his body beat a cadence through hers. Her lussor rose, and she tamped it down. Now wasn’t the time for such things.
When his shoulders felt looser, she moved to the back of his neck. Her heart went out to him as she realized they’d put the stress into his muscles. Reid, Kade and her, with the fighting and jockeying for position. For the first time she put herself in his position—nearly twenty, having just taken the virginity of a sixteen-year-old. Not only were there legal ramifications, but she knew she had stared at him like a moon-eyed girl in love for the first time. She had been. The thought of all that, plus his responsibilities to the Conclave, had simply been too much. Maybe even Edwin told him it was for the best.
Her hands slid over his shoulders to his upper arms. Corded steel, solid enough for her to hang onto in the throes of passion, met her touch. Closing her eyes, Jacy gave in to the sensation of touching his body. His heart pounded. She saw it in the pulse along his neck, felt it in his body. A glance into his lap proved to her he wasn’t immune to her touch. His cock pressed against the denim. Jacy licked her lips.
She trailed her fingers along his arms, then moved to face him and dropped to her knees. Te reached for her, his fingers skimming the line of her jaw. "What are you doing?" The husky timbre of his voice sent shivers down her spine.
"Taking care of you." She pressed two fingers against his mouth.
He parted his lips, and his tongue slid out to caress her fingers. A hot flush suffused her skin. She reached for the button on his jeans.
Te reached for her.
A wicked grin curved Jacy’s lips. With a thought, she wrapped bands of magic around wrists and ankles, keeping him bound to the chair. She glanced at him, unsure how he would handle the sudden restraint. Te arched an eyebrow at her actions, but nodded.
Jacy lowered his zipper. The rasp echoed in the silent room, a counterpoint of their quickening breaths. His cock pressed against the fabric of his zebra-striped briefs, and Jacy cupped her hand against it. Heat filled her palm.
Te gasped. Risking a glance at him, she saw his closed eyes, his head tilted back, and his throat worked as she slid her hand along his length. She freed him from his briefs. He sprung toward her mouth, almost as if his cock wanted her to kiss it. She obliged.
Jacy ran her tongue along his shaft, marveling at his hot, silky skin. The musk of fully aroused male filled her nose, and Jacy breathed deeply. Wrapping her lips around his cock, she drew it into her mouth, hollowing her cheeks as she sucked hard. Te groaned.
Jacy cupped his balls. Her lussor rose, and she sent it out in tiny tendrils along her fingers, wrapping it around his thighs and stomach. Muscles clenched beneath her hand, and she heard the cadence of his breathing change. The fact she had such power over him drove her, wetting her pussy and making her ache to feel him inside her. She waited, wanting to be the giver, not the receiver. She swirled her tongue in the slit on his head, probing deeply as she squeezed his balls. Then, she drew him far into her throat, so far he slipped into it, as if he could fuck her pussy from her mouth. Jacy groaned around him.
"Please," Te groaned above her.

Posted by Mary Winter :: 5:26 PM :: 0 comments

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Thursday, November 10, 2005 FIVE DAYS OF PASSION -- Day 1

It's time ladies and gentlemen to start five days of passion. Are you ready?

• Today's Question: What species are the sentient animals Cadan is trying to save on Corella 9-C?
• Today's Prize: A silver bullet

Galaxy Rogues 2: Cadan's Cause
ISBN #:1-59836-072-8
Format: e-book
Price $6.98

A crash landing is never a good thing? Or is it?

When Marassa and her partner Walnik crash on Corella 9-C, she never imagines
she'll meet a man who shares her defiance against the Concordance, or that he'll
make her question the mission. But when former Concordance officer Cadan
Montgomay meets Marassa, he introduces her to a world unlike any she's ever
seen. When his fight to save the planet, and its native creatures, from
Concordance domination, becomes her fight, Marassa fears she'll give up
everything just to take up Cadan's cause.

http://www.venuspress.com/catalog/books/cadanscause.htm

---

Excerpt

Marassa whirled to face him. She half expected him to still be in his sheet, but he
wore the tan shorts and shirt that had once been a Concordance officer’s uniform. Her
gaze lingered on the darker places where the insignia had been removed. “What do you
want?”
Cadan inhaled deeply. He dragged his fingers through his hair. “I acted like an
ass back there. I’m sorry.”
CADAN'S CAUSE
39
His words shocked her. She stepped back, eyes narrowed. “Yeah you did,” she
agreed.
“Look,” Cadan said. He stepped forward and cupped her chin. “I’m attracted to
you. You’re a beautiful, strong woman, and you’re right. I do know of your exploits
through the Concordance. You’re not a coward.” He brushed his lips across hers, a
gentle, soft caress that sent tingles racing through her. “I’m honored you told me what’s
in your ship. And yeah, I do understand why you’re doing this. I visited Lahtviana once.
The culture and the people were...” He gestured, at a loss for words.
“Charming. Unique. Beautiful,” Marassa finished for him.
“Yeah, all of that.” His gaze remained focused on her face, and the intensity in
his gaze made her wonder if he spoke of someone other than the Lahtvianan people.
“I’m sorry I slapped you,” Marassa replied. She reached up and lightly touched
the red mark on his cheek. Gently, she pressed her lips to it, and she heard Cadan’s soft
groan.
His hands clasped her waist, and he pulled her to him. Through his shorts, she
felt the ridge of his arousal. “I can’t let you use my ship,” he said. “I need it to defend
this place from the Concordance. They’re only going to step up their attacks.”
Marassa didn’t know what to say. To know that he was even contemplating
letting her use his ship spoke more about their relationship. She wrapped her arms
around him, pressing her cheek to his chest. “Thank you for even thinking about it,” she
said.
He slid one hand up her side, caressing the edge of her breast. Her nipples
instantly pebbled against his chest, and she felt her pussy grow damp. He cupped her
chin, tipping her head up to his. “I think about a lot of things,” he said, before bending
his head to kiss her.
His lips moved across hers, a slow, sensual dance that promised more carnal
delights. Marassa laid her palm against his chest, and she felt Cadan’s heart pounding in
his chest. Changing the angle of his kiss, he found a more intimate angle, and Marassa
groaned against his lips.
The pounding of hoof beats intruded upon them, and Marassa pulled her head
away. Looking over her shoulder, she saw two centaurs racing towards them. She
gasped at the site, their equine legs pounding the ground in a fast four-beat gallop. Closer
now, she saw that it was a pair of males, the larger of the two obviously Khelar, the King
Mary Winter
40
of the Centaurs. A younger male ran by his side, his blonde hair chopped short around
his face. His arms and torso looked less muscled than Khelar’s, and she wondered about
his place in the herd.
Cadan looked down at her. “What is it?” he asked.
“Centaurs,” she breathed, and he turned around to face them. A smile spread
across his face. He opened his arms in greeting, and Khevar skidded to a stop in front of
him. A dust cloud bellowed over Marassa, and she coughed against the influx of dirt.

Posted by Mary Winter :: 4:41 PM :: 0 comments

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CONTEST BEGINS TODAY - Five Days of Passion

I'm getting excited about this, are you? For the next five days I'll be featuring one of my novels. Then, I'll ask a question about the novel. At the end of the five days, I'll provide a link to a handy email form and you can email me your answers.

Contest Schedule
11/10 - Galaxy Rogues 2: Cadan's cause
11/11 - Prodigal Son
11/12 - Juli's Choice
11/13 - Ghost Touch
11/14 - Galaxy Rogues 3: Fighting Chance

I will be giving away five prizes during this contest, and prizes will be posted as each question is asked.

Rules
At the end of the contest I will post a link to an email form to help you fill out your answers. Only one entry per person. Five winners will be drawn randomly to receive the prizes.

It's pretty simple! So, later on today (when I get home from work) I'll post information about our first book Galaxy Rogues 2: Cadan's Cause and we'll get started.

Good luck!

Posted by Mary Winter :: 8:11 AM :: 0 comments

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Wednesday, November 09, 2005 More Men of Sci Fi - Tamoh Penikett

Are you ready for FIVE DAYS OF PASSION? The contest starts tomorrow. Until then, here is another hunky installment of the Men of Sci Fi. Today I'm featuring Tamoh Pinikett - Helo - from Battlestar Galactica. Although he's in love with a cylon and the father of her child, this rugged Viper pilot is 100% human male.





And the fun quote of the day. . .
"I love tootsie roll pops. If you suck them hard enough you get to the tasty surprise."

Posted by Mary Winter :: 4:24 PM :: 0 comments

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Tuesday, November 08, 2005 December Book Club Book

Currently this month, we are discussing Denise Agnew's book, Haunted Souls, the third book in her Deep is the Night trilogy. You are welcome to join me on my chat list (link to the right) and post about the book. We generally begin discussions after the 15th of the month.

For December the book club book is:

Rutledge Werewolves - Scent of Passion By Elizabeth LapthorneBook 1 in the Rutledge Werewolves seriesSophie Briggs threw caution to the wind for one night, and found herself six weeks later staring at a scary line on her positive home pregnancy test. Now the biggest problem she has to face is whether or not to contact the father, a man she hardly knows. He may not know about her and the baby, but she is learning lots about him. Her nightly dreams are hot enough to ignite the bed sheets!Artemais Rutledge, as Alpha Werewolf for his Pack, had been searching for his True Mate for more years than he cared to think about, and felt certain he had found her that one night with Sophie. His biggest problem is claiming her and making her his for all time.When Artemais finally catches up with her, the sparks certainly fly, but she isn't as pliable as he believed. All he needs is to marry her and settle her in his house with their baby, explain he's a werewolf, and try to stop his brothers from finding out what a tough time he's having of it all.He's certain it will be a piece of cake, if he could simply stop wallowing in her scent and get his head (the one on his shoulders) screwed on straight for more than a few seconds at a time.
Buy it in electronic format at: http://www.ellorascave.com/productpage.asp?ISBN=1-84360-869-3
or in print format from the ebay store: http://cgi.ebay.com/Rutledge-Werewolves-1-Scent-of-Passion_W0QQitemZ4529094669QQcategoryZ377QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem
Or, of course, you may purchase it at any local book store or at Amazon.com, etc..

Hope to see you there!
Happy reading!

Posted by Mary Winter :: 5:35 PM :: 0 comments

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The Hotties of Sci Fi - James Callis

It's an ongoing theme... and next on the list is James Callis who also has a role in Battlestar Galactica. Although he had a role in Bridget Jones' Diary, he is best known to sci fi fans as Dr. Gaius Baltar, the genius who aided the cylons in their destruction of the colonies. Ooh... what a naughty boy!



We usually see James in his lab or as the acting Vice President of the Colonies. He looks good in a lab coat, a suit, or in nothing at all, as we see from his sexual relationship with the cylon known as number six.





I love a brainy guy, and Gaius Baltar fits the bill. Hot and intelligent. You bet he'll think of new and inventive ways to keep you up all night!

Posted by Mary Winter :: 5:06 PM :: 0 comments

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Monday, November 07, 2005 Sharing my passion for Battlestar Galactica

Having never seen the original, and watching it with someone who has, I have to say that the SciFi channel's original miniseries, Battlestar Galactica ROCKS!!! The eye candy. Oh, a girl just can't watch it without drooling over the hunky men. My favorite.... Jamie Bamber. Apollo.



With his boyish good looks, his well-defined body, and a smile that just melts your heart, this Viper pilot has it all. And he's in love. . . with Starbuck (who in the original series was a man, boy wouldn't that be interesting). Here's a picture of him, Starbuck, and Guyas, the Vice President of the Colonies.





Enjoy!

Posted by Mary Winter :: 6:47 PM :: 0 comments

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Sunday, November 06, 2005 FIVE DAYS OF PASSION - New Contest

Join me from November 10-14 for Five Days of Passion. Each day I'll post information about one of my books, including an excerpt. Then, at the end of the five days I'll ask you questions about the books. Email me your answers, and you'll be in the running for great prizes.

What can you win?
An Amazon.com gift certificate
A Venus Press gift certificate
a silver bullet (perfect for him or her)
and more prizes to be awarded. I will be giving away at least five prizes. Who knows what I might come up with?

So stay tuned to this blog and get ready for Five Days of Passion!

Posted by Mary Winter :: 6:23 PM :: 0 comments

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New Look... do you like?

I'm thrilled to have this new look for my blog. It matches my website, and I have to give thanks to my good friends Myra (visit her web/graphic diva goddessness at http://www.seffera.net and her online store http://www.finchniche.com/) and Lisa (visit her at http://www.lisareneejones.com or use the link to her blog to the right) for their patience and support.

We had a minor glitch today when the cable internet went out, or at least MIA for a while. Apparently the internet service decided it needed a break, but after calling tech support who scheduled a tech to come out on Tuesday and going to the barn, well, I came home to it being back up. Who knows? Technology. Gotta love it, because otherwise you'd hurl yourself off a bridge or something. And yeah, I say this working at help desk. I swear it's more magic than science, and there are little gremlins with a crazy sense of humor who live in our technological devices. Oh well, all's well that ends with a backrub, I say. :)

So enjoy the new look and look out for a contest coming soon!

Posted by Mary Winter :: 5:58 PM :: 0 comments

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