Samhain Publishing

I hope you guys enjoy Never Have I Ever, the dirty hawt introduction to the Reynolds Pack of Manhattan…it was tons of fun to write.

The higher the stakes, the hotter the game.

Reynolds Pack, Book 1

Ana Hudson enjoys her picture-perfect marriage to the love of her life. Everything is pleasant, easy—and satisfying. Then an anonymous e-mail arrives filled with lurid pictures of Taylor’s youthful exploits, leaving her wondering if she really knows him at all. More importantly…does she know herself?

Driven to uncover the truth and push the limits of their sexual boundaries, she convinces Taylor to arrange a weekend getaway to a friend’s luxury cottage in the mountains. It’s the perfect place to get her husband to spill his secrets—and show him there’s a wealth of kinky fantasies hiding inside his good girl.

Taylor’s spent years suppressing his animalistic side, hiding the not-completely-human DNA that once drove him wild. Except now his once quiet, reserved Ana has launched a campaign to destroy every inch of his hard-won control.

With the snowy wilderness containing his darkest memories surrounding them, and his old pack-mate dropping in to give them a few pointers, the sexual battle of wills gets fierce.

Let the games begin.

Contains a brooding, dirty-minded, not-quite-human hero, a sweet not-quite-good-girl heroine, a howling-hawt car ride up a mountain, a chase through the snow followed by an erotic adventure with sports equipment, oral sex, anal sex, and a M/F/M ménage scene that will leave you panting.

To read an excerpt or for more information, just head on over here! You can find out more about all of my books at my website.

Alisha Rai
http://www.alisharai.com
twitter.com/alisharai

I got an invite from an old friend to go up to her cottage on the beaches of Canada for a little mini vacation last month. Sun, sand, and Canadian hospitality? How could I resist? I had my bag packed and my passport out before I hung up the phone.

The first day was awesome, canoeing, sunbathing, (Canadian) beers, splashing in the water, more (Canadian) beers—don’t you like how I throw a bit of culture in there?—more sunbathing. We got back home around five, had an early supper, and sat outside on the wood porch, watching the waves roll in.

If you follow me on Twitter, you know I often talk about my netbook like it’s a real person. That’s because it can usually be found on my lap whenever I’m at home. Not to say that I carry real people on my lap—well, you get the idea, I love the darned thing. So, I had Mini out and I casually pulled up the list of wireless networks. “What’s your network ID here?”

“Oh. We don’t have internet.”

I tried not to hyperventilate, but maybe some of my utter stupefaction came across, because she started to look worried. “Sorry, I should have told you. Is that okay?”

“No, no problem,” I said, as I eased my phone out of my pocket. “I have it covered.”

“Oh, yeah, be sure your phone’s network says home. Or you’ll get charged through the roof.”

As soon as she said it, my heart sank. I’ve been faithful to Sprint for years, but I’m not blind to its cheating, roaming ways. Sure enough, my phone proclaimed “International” loudly on the home screen, despite the fact that I was in yelling distance of the border.

“Don’t worry, you’ll see, you’ll have so much more fun without all of that.” My friend sipped her wine and focused on the water.

I nodded and smiled, but really I wanted to compulsively click on internet explorer in the hopes Google would magically pop up.

So my vacation continued. No internet, no television, no phone calls, no DVD’s…there were no distractions, no outside world intruding on the fun and relaxation. It was a great vacation, a beautiful country filled with outdoor activities, and I truly enjoyed myself.

However, and here’s my dirty secret…I missed it! I know I’m supposed to say that I came to a realization that the world is better without all of that stuff. Not for me, bud. I wouldn’t want to sit in my hotel room and answer emails, but I love taking some time at night to plug in. Alas, some of us just aren’t cut out for roughing it.

On the ride back to the States, I clicked on to my email as soon as I was back in network.

What about you? Can you stand a vacation without wifi or do you leave your laptop at home?

Alisha Rai
Never Have I Ever, coming to Samhain this winter!
http://www.alisharai.com
twitter.com/alisharai

http://www.scribblingninjas.com

Even the best-laid seductions can go awry.

Veiled, Book 2

Beneath Dr. Maira Khan’s reserved exterior, her heart beats triple-time for only one man: Sasha Karimi. For two years she’s waited patiently for the handsome police lieutenant to wake up and see her as more than a buddy. When he’s injured in the line of duty, though, she realizes time is too precious to waste. Ditching her scrubs—and her shyness—she cooks up her very first seduction.

Sasha’s had a hell of a week. Thanks to the national media, amorous women are pouring out of the woodwork, all wanting a piece of America’s newest “hero”. The biggest disappointment? Maira seems to have contracted the same case of mass hysteria. Betrayed, he pushes her away—but not before he samples a taste of her luscious mouth and body.

It works. Maira retreats, mortified and ashamed. And Sasha realizes he’s just driven away the perfect woman. Now all he needs is a foolproof plan to win her back, starting with a proper courtship—and restraining his lust. Except once Maira glimpses the man behind the uniform, she sets out to show him that pure need has its own ideas about what’s proper…

Warning: Contains a brilliant heroine who knows how to take matters into her own hands, a sexy hero who knows how to win his woman, an awesome full-body massage, a tender romance and sizzling bedroom (and kitchen) shenanigans.

Read an Excerpt
Buy from MBaM

Alisha Rai
http://alisharai.com
twitter.com/alisharai

I am so excited to announce the release of Veiled Desire today!

Look, but don’t touch…

Leyla Karimi can’t keep her eyes off the hunky guy living in the house behind her. How could any woman resist ogling Dr. Mason Barrett, especially when he makes it so easy by parading around in his skin and skivvies?

If it was only their age difference, she would have made a move a long time ago. Except Mason is more than a neighbor. He’s her baby brother’s oldest friend. It’s not like they can have a casual fling and walk away in the morning.

Mason’s been doing a little lusting—okay a lot—for quite some time. When he catches Leyla peeking, it’s a sure sign she could finally be ready to heat up his nights with loving. One taste of her lips, though, and he doesn’t want a “little” of anything. He wants it all.

Unwilling to jeopardize a lifetime of friendship for a one-night stand, Leyla is reluctant to throw caution to the wind. When he’s kissing her senseless, though, it’s hard to remember all the reasons why she should hold back…

Warning: Contains a hot hero who doesn’t mind baring it all in the name of love, a heroine who doesn’t settle for less, a sweet romance, steamy sex in a car and more good lovin’ in bed.

Read an Excerpt

Available everywhere you buy your e-books!
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Glutton for Pleasure came out in print this month and I cannot tell you how excited I am. I tried to play it cool. I tried to be calm.

I can’t do it. After all, this is my very first print book. MY FIRST PRINT BOOK!!!

Ahem. Sorry. It’s just a huge deal for me. I mean, when Glutton came out in e, I was through the roof with happiness. But there’s just something about holding your first book in your hands, stroking that lovely cover, thumbing through the pristine pages, it’s…sigh. Awesome.

To share the awesomeness, I am giving away a copy (my first autographed copy!) on my blog (http://alisharai.wordpress.com) this week. Check it out.

Thanks for listening to my squeals of joy. I hope the new decade brings you much happiness as well, and lots of time to read.

Blurb below:

They’re craving something sweet. She likes it spicy.

Devi Malik knows how to heat things up. She does it every night as head chef in her family’s Indian restaurant. Her love life, though, is stuck in the subzero freezer. Now, with a chance to fulfill a secret fantasy with her long-time crush and his brother, it’s time to put her desire on the front two burners.

For Marcus Callahan, a love-’em-and-leave-’em attitude isn’t only a necessary evil of their kink. It’s a protective device. Lately, though, his brother Jace has been making noises about craving something more.

Jace’s dissatisfaction with their lifestyle grows with every glimpse of sweet little Devi. Yet Marcus is too haunted by the pain of their shared past to give love a chance.

Despite their reputation for vanishing with the dawn, they discover one night with Devi isn’t nearly enough. And Devi finds herself falling in love with two very different men.

It’ll take more than explosive sex to light up the shadows surrounding the Callahan brothers’ secrets. But Devi’s never been afraid of the dark…

Warning: This title contains two sizzling men for the price of one, ménage a trois, oral sex, anal sex, fun toys, great food, and creative uses for syrup and dressing rooms.

Read an excerpt
Buy the book

Best,
Alisha Rai
http://www.alisharai.com
alisharai.wordpress.com
twitter.com/alisharai

If you didn’t quite realize it from the loops of Christmas music in the stores or the commercials on T.V., the holidays are here! You know what that means.

Food.

Glorious food.

During the holidays when I was little, my mother used to bake these wonderful chocolate chunk cookies from scratch. To give you an idea of the effort involved, I remember her sifting oatmeal back and forth between two strainers at least a dozen times. And then repeating. And repeating. You couldn’t even feel the oatmeal inside those cookies, but it was there. Oh, my was it there.

Unfortunately, I think my mother is half magician. This mere mortal rarely has the time or patience to bake as much as I’d like to. Luckily, I discovered a recipe for my holiday cookies that is almost as good, if slightly different: The Perfect Sugar Cookie (With Frosting) (Mmmmm, Frosting).

These are deliciously moist and soft cookies, and marvelously convenient. I froze these about a week before a party, and when I defrosted them they were as good as new. They’ll stay moist in a plastic box or ziplock bag for a while. You can also make the dough well in advance and let it sit in your fridge until you’re ready to use it.

Ingredients and directions:

Combine the following dry ingredients and set aside:
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
3 cups of flour

Cream together:
3/4 cup butter
1 cup sugar

Blend in:
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup of sour cream

Add the dry ingredients you set aside earlier to your batter. Blend it all together until the dough is smooth. Wrap the ball of dough in a sheet of plastic wrap and set it in the fridge to refrigerate for at least one hour or until firm. When you’re ready to bake, use a rolling pin (and extra dry flour if it’s sticky) to roll out dough and cut out desired shapes, or you can just pinch off and use your hands to pat flat circles if you’re in a hurry. Place on a greased cookie sheet or parchment paper. Bake 8-10 minutes. Do NOT let them turn brown.

Now this is the really yummy part. These cookies taste great on their own, but who doesn’t love icing?

Ingredients:
2 tbs. sweet cream butter
1 1/4 cup confectioners sugar
1 tsp lemon extract
1-2 tbs milk

Combine butter, sugar, and extract until smooth, add in milk slowly until you reach the desired consistancy. If you don’t care for lemon extract, you can try almond (also very delicious), orange (yum), banana, etc. If you do the citrus flavors, try a little zest in there as well, it’s a nice touch. Oh, or if you really want to get festive? A drop of peppermint extract.

Spread it on your cooled cookies and enjoy.

I’d love to hear your favorite holiday treat!

Alisha Rai
http://www.alisharai.com
http://alisharai.wordpress.com
twitter.com/alisharai

I could barely sleep last night, I was so very excited about today. Glutton for Pleasure was my first published book, but Cabin Fever was the first book I believed in enough to get serious about my writing. Over three years, it’s gone through more than a couple of overhauls in plot, length, names, and settings. One thing that has never changed, for me at least, is the essence of the main characters. I loved this hero and heroine so much, I just couldn’t ignore them or deny them their hard won happily ever after.

I sincerely hope you enjoy Genevieve and Alex’s story.

BLURB:

Love isn’t something she thinks she needs…until it lands right on her doorstep.

Genevieve Boden is a witch and doesn’t care who knows. The townspeople’s fear of her keeps away those who have hurt her before—like the local men of authority. Besides, a life of exile deep in the woods of West Virginia is due punishment, she figures, for the part she played in her mother’s death. If she’s alone, no one need know that the trauma took away her powers.

Then she finds a bloody, fatally wounded man slumped on her porch. In an instant, her healing ability reawakens—and that’s not all. He stirs a hunger beyond her wildest dreams. But a relationship with the new chief of police? Not a chance.

Alex Rivera isn’t sure how he survived, but he’s certain his beautiful savior did more than just bandage his wounds. Captivated by this wary angel and stunned by the depth of emotion he feels for her, he vows to discover her secrets. After all, thanks to the raging snowstorm, they have nothing to do but share body heat.

Their sizzling attraction goes straight to their hearts. So could a killer’s bullet…once whoever shot Alex finds them.

Warning: Contains a convenient snowstorm that throws together two wounded characters who happen to be wildly attracted to each other, a drool-worthy hero, a shotgun-toting heroine, mattress sex, shower sex, couch sex, armchair sex, some light bondage, and a really good cup of hot cocoa.

Read an Excerpt
Buy it Now

Alisha Rai
www.alisharai.com
alisharai.wordpress.com

Not too long ago I sent a first chapter of a new story off to a friend to critique. When I got it back, I opened it up, all eager to check out her initial reaction. Everything looked solid until I came to the part where I had described the hero as “average” in height, just an inch or two taller than the heroine. The words had been highlighted, with a typed comment in the corner: “NOT very heroic.”

Huh, I thought. When did height become a heroic quality?

My family is not made up of towering people (read: short) so I spent my life surrounded by males I consider to be average. I’m pretty sure I’ve never used height as a sole determining factor in terms of attractiveness or compatibility. I might have been very lonely if I had, because, let’s face it, giant guys are the exception, not the norm. In real life, most men do fall into that sort of average category.

On the other hand, romance is meant to appeal to a fantasy and fantasy doesn’t have to have anything to do with real life. A big strong man who can make the heroine feel small and female regardless of her size or temperament? Yum, yum. In our society, tall = strong, and strong men can hunt and protect and…I don’t know, reach all those things on high shelves of the cave walls. Therefore, strong = attractive = pretty babies = evolutionarily outperforming those jerks next door.

However, does this hunger for a hyper masculine hero mean that there’s no room for a hero who might stand a few inches shorter than those vertically blessed males? Has height become less of a description, and more of a necessary characteristic? As a reader, would you be okay with a romance hero who is specifically described as not tall, or would it ruin the fantasy you’re looking to escape into?

Alisha Rai
www.alisharai.com
alisharai.wordpress.com

Rewrites have been on my mind lately. About two years ago, I sat down and wrote my first legitimate piece of erotic romantic fiction. It only came out to around ten thousand words, but it had a beginning, middle, and end.

Until that point, I’d never ended a single story. Ever. I had a whole file full of novels that ended after the first chapter. But then I’d get bored, or convince myself the piece wasn’t going anywhere, and I’d trash it.

As proud as I was of my first finished work, I just couldn’t seem to find a home for it. Two months ago, I decided to take another look at this novella. I dusted it off, “rewrote” it, and it came out to about thirty to forty thousand words. I’m putting quotes around rewrite, because I didn’t realize until recently that I hadn’t really rewritten anything. I’d added scenes, made it longer, but I’d never bothered to delete anything or change the general plot and scene sequences, which is an essential part of rewriting.

I don’t think it was laziness, probably more of a subconscious denial that I needed to erase anything from my original work. That’s right, folks, I committed the cardinal sin no author should ever do: I made this story, my first ever creation, my baby. Okay, not my baby. My puppy, at least.

Whatever cute and cuddly thing I objectified it as, I couldn’t delete any of my precious words. Until of course, a reader told me they couldn’t read past a particular scene. The last thing any author wants to hear is feedback like that.

I decided I still love the premise of this story. I love the plot. I sat down and really started to rewrite from the very first page. No matter how cute or sweet or hawt a scene was, if it didn’t work for my new overall plot and longer structure, it was gone. Deleted. Since I’m a packrat, if I really liked the words or scene, I copy-pasted it to another document, my version of a Word attic. Maybe I’ll use it somewhere else, maybe not.

So I’ve been living, sleeping, and eating this WIP for the past ten days. I’m on my third pass through, now, and each time I find something that can make it tighter, better, stronger. I’ve changed names, ethnicities, physical descriptions, season, setting, and the bad guy. Is this a lot of time to invest in a story I’ve already slaved over a few times? Yes. Am I going to do it anyway? Sure. After all, dishes and laundry don’t really need to be done, right?

Alisha Rai
http://www.alisharai.com

http://alisharai.wordpress.com

I feel like I’ve been waiting forever to announce this: Glutton for Pleasure releases today! This story was such fun to write…not only did I get to play with two hot men, but thanks to the setting, I got the very cool chance to incorporate a bit of the culture and flavor of my own heritage. Menage + good food = win, in my opinion.

I sincerely hope Devi, Jace and Marcus satisfy your hunger.

Blurb:

They’re craving something sweet. She likes it spicy.

Devi Malik knows how to heat things up. She does it every night as head chef in her family’s Indian restaurant. Her love life, though, is stuck in the subzero freezer. Now, with a chance to fulfill a secret fantasy with her long-time crush and his brother, it’s time to put her desire on the front two burners.

For Marcus Callahan, a love-’em-and-leave-’em attitude isn’t only a necessary evil of their kink. It’s a protective device. Lately, though, his brother Jace has been making noises about craving something more.

Jace’s dissatisfaction with their lifestyle grows with every glimpse of sweet little Devi. Yet Marcus is too haunted by the pain of their shared past to give love a chance.

Despite their reputation for vanishing with the dawn, they discover one night with Devi isn’t nearly enough. And Devi finds herself falling in love with two very different men.

It’ll take more than explosive sex to light up the shadows surrounding the Callahan brothers’ secrets. But Devi’s never been afraid of the dark…

Warning: This title contains two sizzling men for the price of one, ménage a trois, oral sex, anal sex, fun toys, great food, and creative uses for syrup and dressing rooms.

Read an Excerpt

Buy from MBaM

Happy Reading!
Alisha Rai
http://www.alisharai.com