After six years of self-imposed celibacy, how does a woman get the nerve to lure a man into her bed? And, what if the man you want just so happens to be New Orleans most eligible bachelor who is totally out of your league? This is Lily Hedrick's dilemma. She wants to feel desired and loved once again, but no average man will do. Only Julian Leaumont, owner and CEO of renowned financial company, can quench the burning desire raging within her. Her opportunity arises when she attends a masquerade ball. She dons a mask and sets out to seduce him without him ever knowing her identity. However, her scheme could very well backfire in her face.
Julian Leaumont basks in his success and social standing within the community. His notoriety guarantees he is never without female companionship. Yet despite his playboy reputation, he secretly wishes to settle down and start a family. Unfortunately, he has met no one he has desired enough to fulfill that wish-that is, not until he meets a mysterious woman at his company's masked ball. He wants her, and he would move heaven and earth to discover her true identity.
Book Excerpt:
"Tsk, tsk, I'd prefer the desk myself."
Julian's eyes shot open. He would recognize the soft, silky voice anywhere. It was his mystery lover. She stood in the doorway dressed in the same blue satin costume holding his sandwich bag in her left hand. Her long, honey hair fell in luxurious waves down her slender back. Teasing him. Taunting him to touch the silky strands. Damn, but he itched to bury his face in the heavy tresses and lose himself in her sweet scent.
Slowly rising, he watched her glide across the room to halt a few inches from him. Silently, she reached behind her to unzip her dress. Slowly and deliberately, she pushed the material off her shoulders and let it slid down her flushed body. Gloriously naked, she stepped out of the puddle of silk and saddled closer to him.
In the dim light and the hindrance of the mask, he still could not discern details of her face. But her eyes, well, they were unique. He could literally drown in the sparkling blue pools, never wishing for salvation.
He lifted his hand to her cheek, his thumb gently caressed her smiling lips. Full, luscious, lips. "Who are you?"
"Shh, no questions," she said softly, laying a finger on his mouth to still his words.
Mesmerized, he watched as she leaned closer to him. She lightly touched her flaming, hot lips to his. He closed his eyes and lost himself in her soft, gentle kisses. Each sweet touch radiated delicious warmth through him. Never had he felt such an intense reaction to something as simple as a kiss from any other woman. Not this degree of desire or want or passion. He hungered for more.
Julian claimed her lips with his. Hard and demanding. He wanted to taste her very soul in that one kiss. When she responded with equal fervor, he deepened the kiss. He thrust his tongue into her mouth and savored her flavor, her essence. Before this night was out, she would be totally his.
Reviews:
4 SUITE Hearts!
"MASQUERADE...it's a story that will wrap you up into a modern true love tale that will leave you looking around the corner for yours if you haven't found him yet. Melissa Jackson shines in her first book and I look forward to see what other jewels she pulls from her treasure chest."~Lysa Demorest, SUITE Magazine
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"MASQUERADE is full of southern sensuality that will leave the air sweltering...Love scenes are positively steamy and the characters have a passionate tension that can't be matched." ~ Angel, Romance Junkies
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"A big impact in a short story
Masquerade takes you to the Big Easy and shows you that the good times roll all year long...For such a short story I found quite a few favorite passages.
Masquerade is one hot erotic story that is perfect for a summer fantasy."
Reviewed by Jo,
Joyfully Reviewed.com * * * * *
Additional Publications~
Suite Magazine~~"Shutter Lust" written exclusively for the online magazine. A short erotica about Caitlyn Grant, an ambitious magazine photographer. She is assigned to shoot a layout featuring one of the sexiest male models in the world, Adam Ryder, a man she had been fascinated with for months. During the intense photo shoot, their attraction is a force neither one can deny. Needing to feel desired again, Caitlyn tosses caution into the wind and seduces Adam into her bed. She knows he is the only one who can feed her thirst for passion even if for one night. However, her heart has other plans. Can their one hot night of passion lead to more? ~~ To read the entire story, please go to www.suitemag.com and click on June 2007 issue. It's under the Main Events- Heat Between the Sheets section. Enjoy!
In a world devoid of romance and monogamous commitments, Ceres Buchanan aches to break free from her lonely existence, but not at the risk of losing her heart again. Her only recourse is to buy a sexbot, an android designed to fulfill all of her needs, both in and out of bed. The perfect mate. What more could she ever want from a true companion?
Then she meets Galen West. A man who sparks not only her curiosity and libido, but also something much deeper. Despite her attraction, though, she must resist him. She cannot allow herself to be tempted by him. Her sexbot will be everything that she needs in her life. Or will it?
Galen West, inventor of the revolutionary sexbot's technology, is the typical twenty-second century man--successful, intelligent, and defiant of old-fashioned romantic ideals of love and monogamy. He wants for nothing until he meets his newest client, Ceres Buchanan. Why would such a beautiful woman need a sexbot when any man would clamor to be in her presence, in her bed? He desires her like no other woman he has ever known. He vows to show her that real, hot-blooded men are still better sexual companions than any machine. Can he succeed in seducing her to his will? Or will he succumb to her charms and toss aside his own cynicism and believe in the impossible?
Reviews~~
4 out of 5 Stars "No big surprises, but this was a really entertaining read. With the growing divorce rate, I could really visual the total disillusionment with the "happily ever after" scenario everyone expects. The twist was in how the tables were turned. Ceres experiences fates ironic sense of humor when she decides to buy her sexbot. Fate also smacks Glen upside the head with his own foolish beliefs. While what Galen did was wrong, and for the wrong reasons, it was gratifying to see how it affected him. And to see Ceres get her true hearts desire. Worth your valuable reading time." ~~ Reviewed by Chris at Night Owl Reviews
"Escapade by Melissa Jackson is one of those stories that I don't know what to say about. I enjoyed the story overall, but had some major problems with it. I can't explain much without giving spoilers, but I felt that the solution was too pat. Certain characters gave in too easily while others gave up too easily. I found it difficult to believe that she had truly fallen in love with both males, given the fact that she had really only spent quality time with one. But having said that, the writing was strong, the sex was hot, and the attraction seemed real and believable. Hell, I want one of my very own, too." ~~Reviewed by Elysia at Joyfully Reviewed
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