The Maker - Lone Wolf Book 3 by Dellani Oakes

If anyone had told Wil VanLipsig that five years in the future, he'd be part of a small, dedicated force who stood against an legendary evil, light years from home, on a planet that's buried in the mists of time, he would have shot them—pure and simple.

Now, he and his wife, Matilda Dulac, stand together with a well trained, but meager, army at their backs, waiting for the coming of the Kahlea. Are they up to the challenge? Read The Maker and find out!

The Maker has recently been re-released on Amazon. Below is a short excerpt from The Maker – Book 3 of the Lone Wolf Series.

Ben sat quietly, thinking along lines he had never ventured down before. It was a little like doing recon in a dark swamp, in the fog, but he was slogging through. He had latched onto a comment made in passing and he was working on that idea slowly, deliberately, like Marc playing a game of What If.

"You're awfully quiet," Matilda sounded concerned.

"I was just thinking about what you said about the string and getting back to Becky."

"It was a story, Ben, written thousands of years ago."

"I know that, but it's given me an idea. Remember how your dad did that thing with the Trimagnite finders, to locate Iyundo when the High Elder disappeared it? He said he got the idea when Patsy was talking about playing with mirrors, right?"

They waited to see where he was going with this.

"Well, the thread and Becky is what gave me the idea. We can't follow a string back, exactly, but maybe a string could come to us?"

"I still don't get your direction on this," Wil muttered.

"We know that Marc and Becky have their rings, linked by their AI's," Ben said.

"Yes, so do we. It didn't help us find Matilda."

Ben shook his head. "I don't know, maybe it did. Think about it, would we have pressed the balloon idea if Grandma hadn't nagged the ever loving shit out of you for twenty-four hours?"

Wil chuckled. "No, we would have trashed it after about five minutes. It seemed too ridiculous."

"But it worked. Also, you didn't have two telepaths, the Maker and a whole butt load of raw Trimagnite to boost your signal. Marc, you have Matilda and me to work with you. We do something similar like we did to reach Ysilvalov, and we try like hell to contact Becky or the Elders. Worth a try, right?"

Wil stared at his son, amazed and proud. "Damn, Ben, you have a good idea there!"

Matilda looked around at the three men whom she loved the most in her entire life. "That's what I like about this family, creative thinkers." Giggling, she stood with difficulty.

"You okay, babe?" Wil supported her.

"I need to go the the bathroom, Wil. I'm fine."

"Again? You just went five minutes ago."

"And I'll probably go again in five more minutes. Try having an eight pound weight on your bladder and see how you feel!" Playfully smacking his hand away, she walked to the bathroom.

Wil followed her with his eyes, worry all over his face. "I don't know how we're going to get her out of here safely. She can't walk all that way, it could take months. Based on what we saw of the indigenous life around here, it's dangerous as hell. We have no weapons, no food and no water. The suits are good for a week, but we could be a lot longer than that. Hell, we could walk for years and never get back. I think we can find our way out of here all right. I have my doubts about finding our way home."

"We might find a teleporter," Marc suggested.

"And risk that with a pregnant woman?" Wil shook his head adamantly. "If it were just the three of us, I'd say fuck it and run for the roses. We can't do that with Matilda, not with the baby—" His voice trailed off as she came out of the bathroom.

"You've been talking about me, I can see it all over your faces." Smiling, she sat heavily by Wil. "You don't look happy. I thought we had a plan. We do have a plan, don't we?"

"Yes, of sorts. But, Matilda, think about it for a moment. This is a big planet, who knows how deep we are. Maybe the shaft is our best approach. We could be wandering around for days, weeks or years with no way out! I can't risk that."

"You mean you can't do it with a fat lady in tow." Her eyes sparked dangerously.

"No, Matilda, that isn't what I mean and you know it."

"I'd slow you down, I get that. Do you think I don't realize what a liability I am right now? If I weren't pregnant, we could run out of here and never look back."

Wil took both her hands in his, their rings gliding over one another. Lowering his voice, he spoke calmly.

"What I'm saying is that you and Mariah are too precious to risk in this place. Even without the baby, I wouldn't risk you in this environment. The shaft is really our best bet."

"I won't go back in that shaft, Wil. I'm sorry. No, I'm not sorry! I'm being irrational, I know, but we nearly died in there! I won't go back!"

© 2017 Dellani Oakes

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I Love Dialogue from Indian Summer

Historical romance, Indian Summer, is due to be re-issued on Friday, September 8, 2017. This sweeping historical novel is a must read!

It's the night of Gabriella's birthday and Manuel is her escort. When he and her sister, Maria, take flirting a bit too far, she is angry and hurt. Manuel does his best to apologize to her.

Manuel reached for my hand. I gave him stiff fingers and a cool look. His face fell as he dropped his head.

"It's only right that you chastise me, Gabriella. I let a meaningless flirtation carry me away beyond the boundaries of propriety. I owe you and your family an apology. You most of all, for I see that my actions have wounded you deeply. Perhaps you would like to take a breath of fresh air with me the garden? My aunt is seated out there. The noise and press of people is too much for her these days."

I allowed myself to be led from the courtyard, saying little. Manuel held my hand closely to his arm, absently patting my hand from time to time, apparently thinking.

"Is there some way I can make this up to you? Can I do something to prove to you that my heart is yours alone?"

He turned me to him gently, looking intensely into my eyes. Before I could answer, I heard Aunt Securo from a short distance away.

"It isn't your heart that's the issue, my boy. It's the rest of you."

Manuel looked at her a little astonished. "What do you mean by that, dear aunt?" He truly was surprised at her remark.

"I mean, my lad, that it's perfectly easy to pledge your heart and your love to a lady, but if your other parts wander off from her doing things they aren't supposed to, that's the issue."

I must have looked very puzzled. Manuel glanced at me and shrugged. Aunt Securo muttered briefly to herself about what was proper and then shook her cane at Manuel.

"Propriety be hanged," she said angrily. "Nephew, you've a bit of a reputation, of which I'm sure this young lady is blissfully unaware. However, people talk near an old lady whom they think blind and deaf. Blind I may be, but my hearing is as acute as it was thirty years ago." She turned to me.

"My dear, I'm sure you're not aware of the ways between men and women yet, as well you shouldn't be. I'm sure you know that some women are a little overzealous in their pursuit of a man. Some of them slip and fall flat on their backs. Sometimes there are men unscrupulous enough to take advantage of that position." She muttered again. "How can I say this without stepping over the lines?" She sat silent a moment.

I waited patiently, but curious just the same. I noticed Manuel was trying to make himself small and was backing slowly away from his aunt.

"You stand still, boy! I'm talking to you as well! My dear, come sit beside me so I can see you better. And you, scalawag, you stay put. I can hear you breathing!" She shook her cane at him again as I sat beside her.

"My dear, I'm sure you know by now that the same rules don't apply to men as do to women. What a lady guards so carefully in her lifetime before her marriage, her virtue, a man is more honored for if he gives it up early." She sighed heavily. "Some men are womanizers, my dear. My nephew is one. As much as I love him, I know his faults. He likes women, he likes strong drink and he likes to gamble more than is good for him."

Manuel started to protest, but she shook her cane at him again. "Be still, you! Let me finish. Despite all that, he's got a heart of gold, he's strong as an ox, brave as a lion and loyal as a, well as a dog? No, no that's not the right thing. Well, in any case, he's loyal. Honest I'll not always say of him, but he loves you, of that I'm certain. I'm also certain that if you wed, he won't do anything undeserving of your trust."

She shook her cane even more violently at him. "For mark my words, boy, I shall know if you play her false!" She patted my hand. "That scene in there was harmless, though hurtful." This was directed at him. "He's learned his lesson now, haven't you?"

Manuel spoke briefly and quietly. I had never seen him so cowed as he was in her presence. "Yes, my aunt." He looked over at me imploringly. "Bella, can you forgive me? I regret that I caused you any pain, for I would never do so intentionally." He came over near where we sat and went down on his knee.

"I ask your forgiveness, Gabriella. Please say you forgive me or I'll stay down here and—I'll soil my pants." He looked so sincere, yet so ridiculous, I started to giggle and took his hand.

"Never let it be said I caused a gentleman to muss his trousers. I forgive you."

© 2017 Dellani Oakes

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Shakazhan - Lone Wolf Book 2 by Dellani Oakes

Where Lone Wolf left off, Shakazhan begins.

Three years after leaving Mining Guild Headquarters on Aolani, Wil and Matilda find themselves on the isolated planet of Iyundo. they followed Wil's psychotic son, John Riley, who is on a quest to release an imprisoned Kahlea.

The Kahlea, a beast so powerful, it can kill with its mind, has called to John, demanding that he come and release it from his prison. John leads his father to Iyundo, escaping from his clutches at the last possible moment.

On the long deserted planet in deep, forgotten space, Wil and Matilda watch as their quarry sets the controls on an ancient transport device and disappears into the vastness of space. With a little help from their friends, Wil & Matilda follow him to a place from myth and legend—Shakazhan!

Excerpt from Shakazhan - Lone Wolf Book 2

The cavern they entered dwarfed the other one. The ships inside were enormous. Flotilla and Hannibal could fit in there easily with room to spare. The design was unlike anything Wil had ever seen. The ships were shaped like horizontal teardrops, the narrow end foremost and the full end aft. The colors ranged from dull gray to a lustrous blue. The hulls shifted color as they walked by, particularly if Wil and Matilda spoke or touched them.

Wil laid his hand on one. It throbbed like a gigantic heart. To their right, a green light flashed rapidly, accompanied with odd, piercing, urgent sounds. The High Elder motioned them to follow. It took several minutes, but soon they were close enough to see blue and red and amber yellow had joined the display.

"Wil, I think it's singing to us! Listen!" Matilda approached, mesmerized.
The ship was a deep, rich peacock blue. Larger than those below, it dwarfed any ship Wil had seen. Even the huge Guild ore transports weren't this big. He felt like an ant in comparison.

Reaching up to the ship, Matilda's hand smoothed the side. "It is singing!"
The tune changed when she touched it. Removing her hand, she heard the sounds modulate yet again. She stroked the hull of the ship, the colors shifted, altered and realigned themselves following the movement of her hand. A contented purr vibrated under her palm.

"Wil, it's alive! Feel it!"

She grabbed his hand before he could pull away. Their two left hands brushed the hull together, hers atop his. The skin of the ship glowed a vibrant red, changing gradually to orange, flickered to dark yellow, settling to blue again.

Wil laid both his hands beside each other, leaning against the ship, placing his cheek to the side. As he moved back from it, the imprint of the outline of his face and hands remained for a moment, gradually receding.

"By God, Matilda, you're right!"

The smiles of Felix and the High Elder confirmed their suspicions.

"I've heard legends of ships like this, but never expected to see one! This is incredible!"

Grabbing Matilda's hand, Wil dragged her around the side of the ship, looking for an opening. About twenty feet from the point, a doorway appeared where none had been before. Steps descended, the ship molding them from its skin, forming depressions for their feet. They entered excitedly. Moments later, Felix, The High Elder and Aisulov joined them.
The sight greeting their eyes was one they hardly expected. The inside was ultra high tech, the instrumentation so advanced, they could only imagine what most of it was. The consoles had an Art Nouveau feel, with flowing lines and organic shapes. Here too, the colors melded and shifted.

"She's beautiful!" Matilda's eyes glowed happily as she walked around.

© 2014 Dellani Oakes

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Red River Radio Presents What's Write for Me with Endless Ink Publishing

Listen Live Wednesday, August 23 from 4 – 6 PM Eastern time

on Blog Talk Radio

Summer's come to an end and all thoughts turn to school—not! If you're like me, you want to avoid school books and find something to entertain you. The folks at Endless Ink Publishing House will do just that!

TODAY! Wednesday, August 23, we welcome Julian Fernandes, author and publisher at Endless Ink.
Also on board are author Christina DZA Marie, and illustrator John Hawkins.
This is a step into outer space, the future and all things alien. The truth is out there – and even if it's not, the folks at Endless Ink will make it your reality.
Join us as we blast into the cosmos with the folks at Endless Ink.

Or catch the show at your leisure here!

I Love Dialogue from The Kahlea by Dellani

Dr. Stan has used a psychic connection on Captain Hank Connor. The effects should only last a few hours, but weeks later, they still can read one another's emotions and thoughts. It's disconcerting, to say the least.

"What are you thinking about?" Hank blurted out.

Stan looked guiltily at the major source of his annoyance, the man who was becoming a friend despite his personality glitches. "Nothing."

"Liar. You spent too much time in my mind, Doc. I can sometimes guess what you're thinking." Hank spoke harshly, tapping his temple adamantly. "Believe me, it's as disconcerting for me as it is for you."

Stan frowned, squinting at Hank to see if he might be kidding, one look in the man's eyes told Stan he wasn't.

"Tell me what I'm thinking now." Stan's blue eyes bored into Hank's, unblinking, penetrating, he concentrated all his telepathic energy on one thought.

Hank recoiled, blushing furiously, hanging his head. "That's not right, Stan. Damn low a blow." He refused to look at the doctor for several minutes, wondering how the hell he'd seen what had been in the other man's mind—a picture of himself copulating like a marionette with Marine precision, while some unseen hand pulled his strings.

"Is that what you really think of me?" The hurt refused to be contained, his tone was closer to a whine than he would've liked.

Despite his age and having been a Marine for so many years, he still cared what someone, whose opinion he valued, thought of him. Any other schmoe, he wouldn't have minded, but Stan was different. They were connected, that link they shared at Committee Home Base had never really gone away. There were plenty of times that Hank still felt Stan in his mind and was sure that his own touched Stan's from time to time. He couldn't explain the connection. According to Stan, the process wasn't supposed to last more than a few hours.

"No. No, I'm just frustrated. We're all feeling the tension of the last few weeks. I apologize, it was really unforgivable, but I had to be sure."

Hank continued to look hurt and dubious. "Be sure of what? That I know you think I'm some damn mechanical puppet? Thanks a whole hell of a lot, Dr. Savolopis. If I want to feel my manhood shrink to nothing again I'll be sure to call you."

Connor rose to leave the room, still thinking in old fashioned terms, he got to the door before Stan could stop him. With a thought, Stan kept the doors to the ready room shut. Hank smacked his face painfully on them.

Rubbing his nose, Hank stopped, turning around slowly. "Adding injury to your insult now. Thank you. I don't think you broke it for me."

Stan walked over, felt the bone of Hank's nose with long, strong, practiced fingers.

"No, but I think you've a deviated septum. One too many bar fights." Stan smirked as Hank knocked his hand away. "You saw that though, right? Did you hear it?"

"Hear myself clicking like a wooden man? Yes, thanks. Now that I've been humiliated, I'd like to go."

"Hank, come on. Would you just get over it and think about what this means!"

"It means you think I'm a mindless puppet."

"No, Henry, it means you have telepathic powers we didn't know you had."

Connor sat stiffly in the seat Hecate provided for him. "I'm not telepathic." He shook his head disbelievingly.

"What other proof do you need? You're a receiver, a strong one too, if I'm any judge. Helen could tell us better, but barring her expert diagnosis, you'll have to take my word."

"How does this in any way pertain to the conversation we were trying to have earlier?"

"It doesn't, but it's important just the same."

Hank shrugged. "Except for giving me a headache and making me feel about as important as a mote of dust, I can't think of what. Not," he held up a restraining palm, "that I care. Just—don't explain."

Stan's lips parted, he thought better of it and closed his mouth.

"That was wrong, Stan," Hank said quietly, still not looking at the doctor. "It was wrong in so many ways and on so many different levels."

"I know." Stan lit a cigar and smoked without speaking for some time. "We're driving one another crazy."

"Ya think?" Rubbing his scalp through his short hair, Hank leaned elbows on knees, eyeing Stan conjecturally. "Sometimes I don't know if I like you, Old Man."

"I know. On occasion you hate me, now for instance."

Hank's lip twitched upward, eyes twinkling. "Naw, I just don't know what to make of you. One second you're all friendly, the next you make me feel insignificant. Takes a special individual to do that."

Stan laughed loudly. "It's a gift! If being completely irritating could be inbred, it must have come from my dad."

© 2017 Dellani Oakes

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Coming Soon from Pennywise Press

Lone Wolf by Dellani Oakes

Lone Wolf - sci-fi adventure at its best! The year is 3032 and mankind has expanded far beyond Earth’s galaxy. Matilda Dulac is a member of the Galactic Mining Guild. With her lover, Marc Slatterly, she works in a small mining ship in deep space. Their well ordered life if suddenly thrown into chaos when one miner arrives with a load of Trimagnite, a highly toxic liquid ore. Enter the Lone Wolf. Wil VanLipsig, known as the Lone Wolf, arrives to take the Trigmagnite off their hands. Is it a coincidence for him to show up on Marc’s ship years after Marc thought he’d killed Wil? Or is this the beginning of something far more insidious? The Lone Wolf is book in a new science fiction series by Dellani Oakes. Below is an excerpt from Lone Wolf. Wil has just arrived on the mining vessel where Matilda and Marc serve together. It's obvious fairly early on that something isn't right between the two men.

Marc opened the door to the docking bay. The other ship had attached and the airlock was pressurizing. As the door spiraled open, Matilda sensed a shudder pass through Marc. He raised his weapon, covering the entrance.

Slowly, with a casual air, a man entered the airlock. Nearly as tall as Marc, he was leaner of build. His curly, dark brown hair fell to his shoulders. He stood still while Rubee scanned his identification tag before releasing the force shield in front of him.

He wore a black eye patch over his left eye and a scar ran from his left temple to the corner of his lips. It was an old scar, worn and somewhat sunken. A slight stubble of beard shaded the lower half of his face, all but the scar line, leaving a pale crescent in the dark. His uncovered eye glittered, black and dangerous in his ruggedly handsome face. Holding his arms from his sides, he waited as Rubee scanned him for weapons. Finding none, she gave clearance for him to pass.

He stepped forward, lighting a dark, thin object. The pungent odor of a cheroot filled the confined space. Squinting past the smoke, he gazed into Marc's eyes. Marc's weapon remained pointed at the other man's head, his calm expression strangely predatory.

Their visitor sized Matilda up with a glance, dismissing her as non-threatening. He puffed on his cheroot thoughtfully. A crooked grin cracked his face in half, the scar pulling his left lip up at an odd angle.

"Marc, it's been a long time." He held out his hand.

Marc remained aloof, not taking his eyes off the visitor, lowering his weapon or acknowledging the proffered hand.

"Kind of a cold reception, isn't it?" His voice was rasping and low.

The smile was replaced by a slight frown, a hint of sadness in the obsidian eye. Then the same placid expression took its place. Nothing in Marc's face betrayed what he was thinking or feeling.

Marc spoke calmly. "Commander Dulac, please show Colonel VanLipsig to the lounge."

"Of course, sir." Looking puzzled, she did as he asked, feeling his eyes on her.

Marc followed, covering the man from the rear. When they had seated themselves, Matilda ordered three cups of joe from the synthunit. Marc kept his weapon out on his knee with his hand resting upon it.

The other fellow leaned back, seemingly unconcerned and at ease. Taking a sip of the joe, he grimaced, glancing down at his cup before matching his gaze with Marc's.

"I know we parted under difficult circumstances, but is this really necessary? I'm here to do a job, nothing more." He carefully kept his hands in plain view, moving slowly, talking with deliberate ease.

Marc looked at him blankly. "I thought you were dead, Wil."

VanLipsig nodded slowly, thoughtfully. "You were sure you killed me." His voice was flat, toneless, unemotional. He shrugged casually, tilting his head to the left. "I got better." There was a flash of a chilling smile.

"The reports...."

"The reports of my death were greatly exaggerated," VanLipsig quipped, dark eye glittering mischievously.

Marc's fist dented the metal table with a furious blow. "Dammit, Wil! Can't you stay dead?"

VanLipsig threw back his head, laughing caustically. The laugh became a long, high-pitched, chilling howl. Matilda felt a shiver run through her to the very bone. She did her best not to show it, but a subtle shift of her bearing betrayed her. His gaze penetrated her soul, laying it bare, finding it wanting.

"Aren't you going to introduce me to the lady, Marc?"

"No."

Marc hid his anger, but Matilda knew he was furious. His attitude toward VanLipsig was puzzling. They seemed to have known one another for years, obviously parting on less than amicable terms. Though VanLipsig seemed to harbor no ill will, Marc certainly did.

"May I present myself, ma'am? I'm Colonel Wilhelm VanLipsig, also known as the Lone Wolf. Perhaps you've heard of me?" He attempted to look humble. "Pleased to make your acquaintance." His glance flicked to her nametag and insignia, dark eye lingering hungrily on her chest. "Commander Dulac." His mouth formed the words, enjoying the feel of the consonants on his tongue. He waited patiently for a response. Getting none, his eye locked with hers, curious, intrigued. "Do you speak?"

Matilda studied him quizzically, raising an eyebrow. "There seemed little to say."

© 2017 Dellani Oakes

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This Lovely New Cover by Suzette Vaughn

I Love Dialogue from Poplar Mountain by Dellani

Dollie Belloit and her sister, Patty, are from the big city Up North. They have come to work at a small settlement school in Kentucky as the secretary and accountant. Dollie is sweet on Lucius Henry, a local man, who is also sweet on her. Both shy, they find it hard to communicate their interest. When Dollie asks Lucius to help her find boys to decorate the dining call for a party, he happily complies.

"Don't worry. I'll get them hopping," he assured her as they passed behind the clinic. "You head on up to the dining hall. I'll go by the boy's dormitory and see what I can do."

"Thanks, Lucius. You're a prince."

He bowed deeply, sweeping his hand behind him as if pushing back a cape. "Mine is but to serve, Your Highness."

Blushing, Dollie giggled nervously. She liked Lucius more than she wanted to admit. The boys back home had never interested her much, nor had they treated her like a grand lady. Lucius always gave her the feeling that she was the most important person in the world.

Lucius righted himself, stepping closer. "Do you have an escort to the play party tonight, Miss Dollie?" His voice deepened, growing husky.

"I—I don't."

"I'd be proud if you'd consider me your partner for the dancing."

"I'd be delighted, Lucius."

"Thank ye, Miss Dollie. You do me an honor."

"Just Dollie," she whispered, dropping a slight curtsey. Embarrassed at her boldness, she turned and ran the rest of the way to the dining hall.

Lucius watched her until she was a pastel blur. Turning his steps towards the boys' dormitory, he whistled a happy tune. Fond of the mountain tunes of his ancestors, he chose There Was An Old Woman. Soon, he was singing in a clear, ringing tenor, "There was an old woman in our town, in our town did dwell. She loved her husband dearly, but another man twice as well. Sing too-di-um, sing too-di-um, Whack fa-lal-the-day." He reached the end of the song when he got to the door of the boys' dorm.

Snatching up the first four boys he found, those who couldn't outrun him, he drove them like cattle over to the dining hall. They, of course, complained the entire way.

"Luke, you got no call," his younger cousin, Jed, whined.

"Y'all oughta helped Miss Dollie without being told. What would your mothers think, you making a lady work all on her lonesome?"

"She had to ask you," Jed pointed out rudely.

"But I didn't know she needed help, or I'd of been down here all ready."

"That's cause you're sweet on Miss Dollie," Jed teased.

Lucius cuffed his cousin. The teenage boy hopped ahead, teasing and chanting. He danced backward, sticking his tongue out until he fell over a tree root and sprawled on the ground.

"Teach you to keep a civil tongue," Lucius said as he helped him up.

"Shucks, I'm just telling the truth," Jed replied, sulkily.

The other boys filed into the dining hall. Lucius kept Jed back a moment.

"You don't ought to say things like that, Jed. What'd Miss Dollie think if she heard?"

"Well, ain't ya?"

Sixteen year old Jed saw deep into his soul. Lucius couldn't hide from him how he felt about Dollie. Blushing, he partially turned away.

"Don't have to say a word, cuz. Reckon I know that look. Didn't Jake look that way over Rachel Gibbons 'fore he popped the question?"

"Ain't poppin' nothin'," Lucius replied sullenly. "No way Dollie'd take a man like me serious."

"What's wrong with a man like you?" Jed could see the time to tease was over. "You're a hard worker, ain't ye? You've got a spot of land to build on...."

"I ain't been to college. I'm not a proper gent. I'm a poor farm boy from up the holler."

"You're more a gent than most citified men we ever met," Jed replied stolidly, punching his cousin good naturedly. "What you lack is confidence. You look at Miss Dollie sometime when she thinks you ain't, you'll see what I mean." Raising an eyebrow, he put his index finger beside his nose, giving Lucius a saucy salute.

© 2017 Dellani Oakes

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Red River Radio Presents Dellan's Tea Time with Brownell, Eden & Jordan

Summer's coming to an end, but it's still hot and steamy with these gals around. This month, Dellani and Christina welcome erotic authors Brownell Landrum, Eden Walker and Jordan Monroe. Things are getting hot here on Tea Time, so break out the iced tea and a fan!

Tune in on Monday, August 14 from 4-6 PM Eastern for this fun filled show!

Brownell Landrum is the author of Fifty Shades Deeper, and the Duet series, as well as other sizzling stories. Welcome, Brownell!

Eden Walker is the author of One Night in Venice coming soon from Tirgearr Publishing. Hello, Eden!

Jordan Monroe is the author of One Night in Washington, Not Sorry and several erotic short stories. Hiya, Jordan!

All three ladies will share excerpts from their hot and sultry stories, so if you're easily offended, this is not the show for you. However, for those who like it hot, so be sure to tune in. (Language will still be PG13)

Or listen at your leisure after the show is over!

Vile Villains from A Portrait of Love by Dellani

Gemma Reinhardt is a bit of a recluse. She's also worth several billion dollars, now that her parents are dead. She split the fortune with her horrid older brother, Henry, who seems determined that she won't marry. Now she's met Vik Windsor, that's likely to change. Henry finds out that Vik is staying there, recuperating after a fight. I have to admit – Vik is one of my favorite heroes.

The front door banged open and shut. Raised voices alerted her to a problem. Dropping her book, Gemma raced to the stairs. Henry paced the foyer, bellowing at Bernadette. She tried to calm him down, but he wouldn't stop yelling. James came in a few moments later, and kept Henry from advancing.

"This is my house!" her brother cried. "You can't keep me out!"

"Actually, it's my house," Gemma corrected as she dashed over to him. "And he most certainly can because I want him to. Why are you here?"

"Is it true you've got another one?"

"Another what?"

"Boyfriend!"

"I don't know what you mean," she evaded his question.

"Don't lie to me, Gem. I know there's a man staying here."

"How could you possibly know? Are you spying on me?"

"If I am, it's for your own good. You're too damn naïve to watch out for yourself. And your people are suck ups who don't know how to tell you no or control you."

"Control me? No one needs to control me, Henry. I'm a grown woman."

"You're like a little girl! You have no idea what this guy is all about. The first one is crazy and now you've got this one? Have you considered that he might be after your money? That he got his buddy to beat him up so you'd feel sorry for him?"

"It's not like that, Henry. They didn't know I was rich!"

"Ken knew after he was over here. It's pretty obvious when you live in a mansion, that there's money."

"So what! It's my house and my money. I can do what I want with it."

"Even if you're throwing it away on some loser?"

"Enough!" James bellowed. "You have no business here, Mr. Reinhardt. This is your sister's house and you're here on her suffrage. I suggest you leave before I call the security team."

"Oh, you suggest I leave? I suggest you stand aside and let me in my house."

"My house," Gemma repeated. "And I don't want you here."

"Excuse me," Dolores said from behind them. "But my patient is in this house and your noise is going to wake him, if it hasn't already. He's recovering from some serious injuries. You need to go," she told Henry pointedly.

"Oh, God forbid we wake him. What's he gonna do to me?"

"Beat your sorry ass," came Vik's voice from the balcony.

Henry looked up at Vik's battered body and laughed. "You? You're a scarecrow. You couldn't hurt me if you came at me with an army."

Vik's face remained calm. "Buddy, I could put the hurt on you one handed and blind. But since you're Gemma's only family and I'm a guest here, I'll let it slide. Don't make me come down there."

"Don't make me come down there," Henry mimicked. "Oh, I'm so scared. There's an ironclad pre-nup," he continued, pushing past Gemma as he advanced on Vik. "Even if you convince her to marry you, you can't unless you sign it. If you divorce, you leave with exactly what you had coming in. My father left nothing to chance." He climbed the stairs two at a time, walking up to Vik, trying to intimidate him.

Vik smiled, his split lip twitching upward at an odd angle. He didn't seem quite as feeble up close. Henry took a step back, but Vik moved into the other man's personal space, coming alarmingly near. He was quite intimidating; taller and bigger than he'd seemed from downstairs. Every time Henry moved back, Vik advanced.

"I don't want the money," Vik said. "I want Gemma. She could be poor and homeless, I'd still want her."

Gemma followed them up the stairs. Henry turned, taking a step toward her, his hand raising as if to strike her. Vik grabbed his arm, spinning him to face the balcony. Hanging over the edge, Henry realized how much stronger and faster Vik was than he. Even injured, Vik managed to pin Henry with very little effort.

"You need to leave now," Vik leaned over and whispered in Henry's ear. "You aren't welcome right now. Because you're her brother, I'm not going to pitch you over the railing. You come at her like that again, I can't be held responsible. Are we clear?"

"Yeah," Henry grunted.

"And do I really need to tell you I'm a black belt and I can take you apart one handed?"

"Nyeh," Henry replied, trying to catch his breath.

"Gemma, I'm sorry I pinned your brother to the banister," Vik said, still holding Henry against the railing. "Where do you want him?"

"Outside," Gemma replied. "But I think you've made your point. Hasn't he?" she asked her brother.

"I'm going," Henry gasped as Vik let him up. "But you haven't heard the last of this, Gem."

"Yes. I have. I'm a big girl, fully capable of making up my own mind. You need to go now, Henry."

Henry straightened his coat and tie. "I've got my eye on you," he said to Vik, pointing his index finger at him.

Vik smiled. It was rather like watching a shark bare its teeth before striking. The mirth didn't reach his eyes. He pointed to his own eyes, then jabbed a finger at Henry. Without a word, he went back to his room.

© 2017 Dellani Oakes

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I Love Dialogue from Lord Roeder's Mine by Dellani

Lord Roeder's Mine is one of my sci-fi prequels. This story focuses on Matilda's father, Ed Dulac, chronicling some of the time between the destruction of Saltulle and his appearance on Guild Mining Ship The Flotilla.

Ed's had some weird experiences in Lord Roeder's Mine when he went to explore a large, unstable pocket of Trimagnite. Captain Tarvo is talking to him and he is deeply worried about Ed's behavior.

Tarvo looked worried as Ed continued to sway to the beat of music only he could hear.

"Ed." He waited while his friend continued to commune with the ore. "Ed!" His tone was sharp with warning.

Wayne Tarvo was worried now. Some people got taken that way. They were fine for a bit, then the Trim got in their blood. Not in any normal sense. Had Ed been exposed to even a drop of the semi-liquid, highly toxic ore, he'd already be in medical going rapidly out of his mind. This was strictly emotional, but just as dangerous. He tapped his comlink summoning a medical technician and security officers.

"You're getting a full check, Dulac. Don't make me force you."

Without offering any resistance, Ed followed the tech to the medical facility flanked by three guards each roughly the size of Kansas. He submitted to the battery of physical and psychological tests quietly, smiling and singing the entire time.

"Not a damn thing wrong, Captain Tarvo," the tech reported half an hour later.

"What's he acting like that for, then?"

"From what I could tell, the only thing out of place is a super elevated serotonin level."

"So, you're telling me that the best Trimagnite miner on my staff is whacked on happy hormones?" The Captain muttered, rubbing his balding pate with one hand while the other tapped irritably on his chair console.

"I wouldn't have said it that way," the technician looked a little miffed. He liked being precise. "But that's in effect what it amounts to."

"Thanks," The Captain signed off on the compact computer screen and handed the medical scanner to the tech. "Keep him monitored for twenty-four hours."

"Already done, sir. Doctor Macy took care of it personally. I think this has her spooked a bit too, sir. She's never seen anything like it."

"Thanks, Murphy. Good work." He dismissed the technician with a distracted nod.

Tarvo popped up a link to Ed's room, watching as his friend sat on the edge of his bunk, singing and smiling to himself. It was disturbing, unnatural. Whatever was happening to Ed Dulac could be contagious. Besides the tech, he was the only one directly exposed to him. Security had worn their stasuits. Making up his mind, he went to his ready room aft of the bridge, and called the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Eve Macy.

"Evie, I'm worried."

"I'm not yet, Wayne. Trimagnite's weird stuff. We've studied it for over a hundred years. Every time we think we have it locked down and figured out, it throws us a curve ball."

"Are you telling me this is Trim's next funky facet?"

"Who knows? All I'm saying is I'm not getting worried and upset until I have something to worry about. Do you really want me to lock down this facility for an epidemic? You know what they'll do to us if we halt production on a whim."

"I know, Evie. All right. Put me and anyone he's been in contact with under surveillance."

"Already done." She paused, assessing her Captain's mood. "Have you been watching him?"

"Hell yes. Weird shit, Eve."

"If he were violent, incoherent, I'd worry about exposure. I had his suit pulled and they are going over it now."

"Do we have anyone reviewing his scan?"

She shrugged. "It's in the queue for tomorrow, probably. As many techs as we have out there, they won't get to it yet."

"Let me know about the suit soonest. I'm putting someone on his scan immediately."

"I'll update you as soon as I hear on the suit. Try not to worry so much, Wayne." She smiled kindly, her eyes showing her love for him.

His smile reflected the same expression. "I'll do my best. See you at dinner." He clicked off, gnawing his left thumb knuckle absently. It was a nervous habit he'd tried to break for years. He'd have it licked until something wacko like this transpired.

"Dammit!"

© 2017 Dellani Oakes

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