Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Guest Post - Sloane Taylor and Masquerade



Today I turn my blog over to Sloan Taylor and her new release from Musa Publishing, Masquerade.

Take it away, Sloane.  .

Chicagoan Clancy Marshall has planned her dream vacation in Venice down to the last detail. From gondola rides to masked balls, and anything else that just happens along, she is determined to experience all pleasures. But those careful plans fly out the door when she literally falls into the arms of a masked stranger.

Vittore Ricci comes from an old Venetian family that claims two doges in their lineage. A straight-laced Count and owner of a prestigious hotel, he never does anything without serious consideration. Until a sexy American tourist offers an opportunity no man can refuse.

EXCERPT:

Green eyes sparkling behind delicate shades of purple feathers held him hostage. Vittore thought he had recognized her the moment she walked onto the pier. When she spoke, he knew his search had finally ended. Determination and desire had persevered.  The gods had delivered her into his hands and he wanted to learn more about this mystery woman with her gay laugh and quick wit, even if it was only for one night.

Clancy opened her door, then switched on the entry light. At the bedroom, she glanced over her shoulder, the long plumes brushing her creamy bare shoulder. “Make yourself comfortable. I’ll be just a moment.”

He wandered around the room, straightening the pillows on the sofa, adjusting a wing backed chair and, finally, the magazines scattered across the pecan desktop. It was there he found a handwritten note caught between the pages. A little guilt crept in for snooping, but he shoved it aside, eager to discover more about this sensual woman who intrigued him.

Note to Self — Loving Venice
1.    Ride in a gondola
2.    Climb the Campanile in St. Mark’s Square
3.    Attend a masked ball
4.    Dance under the stars in St. Mark’s Square
5.    Tour a professional kitchen
6.    Buy one special piece of Murano glass
7.    Fall in love—at least for the night
8.   Hear a Vivaldi Concert
9.    Attend an opera at the Fenice
10.                       

Vittore reread the paper, paying close attention to number seven. He looked out at the waning moon and sent a prayer of thanks to Raphael the Archangel, the patron saint of happy meetings, for his good fortune.

On a whoosh of material, he slid the list back under a book.

“Vittore, I have a suggestion, a little game to add to the Carnaval mystique. Sort of an adult Twenty Questions. Are you willing to play?”

“You spark my interest.” He liked games, particularly in the bedroom. A myriad of erotic foreplay flitted through his mind. Before they said farewell, his princessa would experience pleasures she had never imagined. “What are the rules?”



Sloane's a sensual woman who believes humor and sex are healthy aspects of our everyday lives and carries that philosophy into her books. She writes sexually explicit romances that takes you right into the bedroom. Being a true romantic, all her stories have a happy ever after.

Her books are set in Europe where the men are all male and the North American women they encounter are both feminine and strong. They also bring more than lust to their men’s lives.

Taylor was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago. As a young adult she lived in the Pullman neighborhood created by that old curmudgeon George Pullman. Studly, her mate for life, and Sloane now live in a small home in Indiana and enjoy the change from hectic city life.

She is an avid cook. Check out “It’s Wednesday. So What’s Cooking?” with complete menus posted once a week on her blog http://sloanetaylor.blogspot.com/.  The recipes are user friendly menus, meaning easy. Feel free to email her at sloanetaylor@comcast.net to be included on the Cooking Pals list. These are people who receive an advance email of the new menu.




 
I hope you enjoyed Masquerade. I know I did. After all, what's not to love about a strong heroine, an Italian Count and a magic weekend in Venice? Please check out Masquerade.

 

7 comments:

Lizzie said...

Thanks for sharing the excerpt, Sloane! Love your setting for this book...one of my fav cities!

Sloane Taylor said...

THANK YOU, Nancy, for having me out today! I appreciate your support.

Sloane Taylor said...

Hey, Miz Lizzie! Good to see you. You're welcome and I agree with you about Venice. sigh...

Sharon Ledwith said...

I'm into the first few chapters of Masqerade, Sloane. Can't wait to get to the 'spicey' parts! Now I want to go to Venice! Cheers and best wishes for all your publishing ventures (gondolas included!)Salute!

Patricia said...

Always nice to see you, Sloane. And I love your cover.
Patti

Sloane Taylor said...

Glad you like it, Sharon. Never fear, spicy bits are just ahead. lol

Sloane Taylor said...

Good to see you, too, Patti. Thanks, Kelly Shorten designed the cover. She did a stellar job.