It’s Release Day!

Our latest lesbian erotic romance story is being released today at Torquere Press  in the Toy Box anthology Tattooed Ladies! This is a new publishing house for us but one we’ve long admired, and we’re thrilled to be part of its author roster. Everything about producing the book has been extremely professional and timely. I was especially impressed with the editing, having worked as an editor for some e-pubs in the early days. Each editorial suggestion improved the story and tightened the writing. The goal is always to keep the writing from getting in the way of the flow, and this editor was marvelous.

The story is close to our hearts on several fronts. It’s about tattoos – something I never would have ventured into if an earlier character hadn’t led me there – and hot f/f romance, something both of us love to read and write. Plus we love body paints, so that’s what we wrote. Here’s the blurb:

 A Bucket List Tattoo  

Just past fifty and freshly divorced, cardiac nurse Natalie Gardner decides it’s time to create her personal bucket list. On the top of her list? A tattoo – but she’s nervous about the pain. Maybe Cindy McGraw, the hot young physical therapist she often lunches with, can help her out. Next on her list? It may be too much to hope for, but she’s definitely angling for more than tattoo advice from Cindy. Would a taste be too much to ask?

Check out the Torquere Yahoo Group for a brief diary entry from Cindy McGraw – she’s even giving away her recipe for homemade edible body paints, just like the ones she uses in the story. Here’s a brief excerpt to give you a tantalizing taste:

 EXCERPT 

Lying on the massage table, Natalie tried not to scrunch away from the tickle of Cindy’s brush, her soft fingers, or her warm breath. Equally, she resisted wrapping her arms around the petite woman and hugging her tight. The last fifteen minutes or so had to the most torturous of Natalie’s life. Cindy had said she was nearly finished, but that must’ve been five minutes ago.

“There.” Cindy straightened and grinned. “It’s adorable, if I do say so myself. Let me get you a hand mirror and you can see for yourself.”

“Wow! You did that? It’s beautiful.” Natalie thrust out her chest. “It’s too bad no one will see it on my breast, but it’s wonderful. I hope what Mel does will turn out so good. Maybe I’ll have to have a second one on my shoulder so I can at least show it to people. But…” Her eyes watered. “That is so lovely. Do we have to take it off? How long will it last?”

“Not long. Remember, these paints are edible. The colors will run and fade when you shower, but the point was to let you see what a tattoo would look like.

“I know. I just don’t like the idea of destroying your handiwork.”

“I see a smudge I didn’t take care of.” Cindy wet her finger and slid it along the stem of the flower, which extended down the slope of the breast.

Natalie sighed, placing a hand on Cindy’s shoulder. “You have such a soft, light touch.”

“I can’t get it right without getting it wetter. Hope you don’t mind.”

“Oh.” Natalie peered down to see Cindy’s tongue sliding along the flower stem. She steadied her breathing. This was it. She knew it. They both knew it. It was her call. “I don’t mind at all,” she moaned, lacing her fingers in Cindy’s hair. “You have such a wonderful, playful tongue.”

“Super,” Cindy murmured. “I’ve wanted to play with this nipple for the longest time.” She tugged on it with her teeth. “Tell me if I’m too rough.”

“I will, trust me.” Natalie bent over to kiss the top of her lover’s head. “That feels so good.” Reflexively, Natalie pressed against Cindy, encouraging her to suck more of the breast, and she readily complied. “Don’t stop. Your mouth is so warm.”

“Umm,” Cindy moaned at last, lifting her head to smile at Natalie. She leaned into her and slanted her mouth across Natalie’s. Their breasts crushed between them.

And of course we’re sure you’ll enjoy the other two stories in the collection: “In My Skin” by Beth Wylde, and “Lipstick Prints” by Kissa Starling