Mardi Ballou - author of fun and sizzling romantic erotica

Perfect Pear - a Succulents novella from Ellora’s Cave - erotic contemporary romance.

Who knew pears could be sexy? Not Adam MacKnight, on assignment to undermine the whacko upstart business that threatens his boss’s market share. Now that his career is about to take off, he won’t let anything get in his way.

But then he catches sight of Penelope Perdrix, the focus of his secret fantasies for years. She’s the one who makes pear the sexiest four-letter word. She’s also his best friend’s kid sister. Worst of all, she owns the whacko upstart business he planned to terminate. Now all he has to do is advance his career, keep his best friend and deal with his hots for Penelope.

Unbeknownst to Adam, the luscious Penelope has had a crush on him since forever. While she plots to seduce him away from the dark side, Adam’s determined to hold out. Irresistible as he finds her luscious lips, arms and pear tarts, it’s all about principles and work ethic, right?
                                           Read an excerpt of Perfect Pear                

Playing with Matches - the 3rd Fangly, My Dear novella from Samhain Publishing - erotic paranormal romance.

After an investigation goes horribly wrong, former journalist and brand-new vampire Gabe Morrow wants to get a life. A social life, that is. Fresh from the vampire halfway house, he’s ecstatic—and a little wary—when Fangly, My Dear fixes him up with San Francisco cop Tanith Kalinski. Although his last investigation had him tracking corrupt cops, one night with this detective blows him away.

Vampires have always both repelled and fascinated Tanith. She figures one date—one long, passionate night of hot sex—will finally get the creatures out of her system. Then she meets Gabe. Their instantaneous attraction is so intense that instead of curing her of her obsession, their one night together makes it stronger than ever.

What’s worse, Gabe wants more than she’s willing to offer. With his murderer still on the loose, keeping Gabe at arm’s length risks more than her heart—it could mean her life.
                                           Read an excerpt of Playing with Matches        Reviews                                            

Déjà Brew - a short story from New Concepts Publishing - erotic paranormal romance.

Lisa Lavery and Jack Ryan are partners in work and love. Lisa’s obsessed with her business career. She’s afraid letting up in her drive will doom her to a return to trailer trash roots. But her workaholism is driving a wedge between her and Jack.
     Always on the lookout for new products to market, Lisa feels they have a sure winner in Déjà Brew, a potion that transports customers to key moments of their past. Dora, the witch who created Déjà Brew, is less than enthusiastic about mass marketing her product. Jack is also hesitant. Lisa, determined to market Déjà Brew, sets up a meeting for the three of them to seal the deal.
     Dora invites Lisa and Jack to sample the elixir. Jack returns to the first time he and Lisa made love, reminding him what it felt like to fall in love with her. Lisa’s emotional journey highlights her and Jack’s unique relationship with Ricky, who made love to them both with his camera. These erotic memories focus new lights on their relationship -- and convince Lisa not to market Déjà Brew. But will the newly awakened past strengthen their love or destroy it?

What’s a Ghoul To Do? - the 2nd Fangly, My Dear novella from Samhain Publishing - erotic paranormal romance.

Lilith P. Graves needs to get a life. A social life. This shouldn’t be a problem, since she’s partnered with her best friend in the “Fangly, My Dear” dating service. Problem is, she keeps falling for the wrong guys, and they don’t get more wrong than the super-hot alpha Rafe Graywolf. With the history of bad blood between her kind and his, the message is clear: Vegetarian demi-ghouls need not apply.
     Obeying the call of duty, Rafe took the role of alpha at a rough time for the pack. For the sake of stability, the elders insist he find a mate. Now. A dating service isn’t normally his cut of steak, but he has little time -- or choice. But Lilith . . . now there’s a choice morsel he could sink his teeth into. Too bad they’re on opposite ends of the ghoul-werewolf social spectrum. Not to mention the food chain...
                                           Read an excerpt of What’s a Ghoul To Do?       Reviews                                           

Whatever Maura Wants - a Peridot novella from Ellora’s Cave - erotic paranormal romance. Also available in the Passionate Peridot print anthology with four other great stories.

Maura wasn’t expecting anything special for her birthday. So when she spots the enormous green stone lying on her coffee table, she’s quite puzzled. But that stone is nothing compared to the present that shows up at her door. Antonio is a tall, smoldering hunk who seems to know her every wish and need -- and how to fulfill them.
     Antonio arrives at Maura’s doorstep on a mission -- to recover a prized peridot. He’s determined to do anything to retrieve the stone, because his job is hell -- literally. As a high-level demon, Antonio does not want to piss off his boss. And anyway, seducing a mortal woman is easy. She’ll never know what hit her.
     Antonio might be the one with magic powers, but Maura has him under her spell the second he walks through her door. With each minute they spend together, a quick getaway seems less and less possible... 
                     Read an excerpt of Whatever Maura Wants

Long, Slow Ride - an Oh, Yum! Quickie from Ellora’s Cave - graphic sex, older woman/younger man, contemporary romance.

The wedding reception is boring and depressing for Lori Nelson until she gets asked to dance by the chauffeur -- the twenty-something, very hot chauffeur. Lori figures Jeff’s just being polite -- until he takes her in his arms and shifts her libido into overdrive.
     The moment Jeff meets gorgeous, classy Lori, he falls hard. But much as Lori seems to dig him, she’s hung up on their eleven-year age difference and her own personal baggage.
     While Lori is convincing herself that she can handle a one-night stand, Jeff is revving up his limo, prepared to take Lori for the ride of her life. 
                     Read an excerpt of Long, Slow Ride       Reviews

Byte Marks - the first Fangly, My Dear novella from Samhain Publishing - erotic vampire romance.

Hereditary witch Dominique LaPierre refuses to use her powers, especially when it comes to business. Until now. Her new company, a computer dating service that hooks up the San Fransisco human and para communities, thrives on crossing that boundary. Business is great despite opposition from the arrogant and conceited Antoine Thierry, a leader in the vampire community. And, to Dominique’s irritation, she find she’s got the hots for him.
     Antoine doesn’t like or trust witches. Nor does he like the growing power of technology. And real vampires, in his view, don’t need it to have a social life. Besides, if he can’t control the game, he doesn’t want to play -- except with Dominique. The heat between them could melt down any hard drive. She pushes his buttons on every level, from the board room to the bedroom. But he’s holding out, especially when she looks to him to support her new business.
     Antoine wants it all. His way -- and his woman.
                                           Read an excerpt of Byte Marks       Reviews                                     

Noel, No Way - a Christmas Cookies short story from Changeling Press - graphic sex, vampire romance.

Bah, humbug. For vampire Carlie, Christmas is a time to bury herself in archives and do research while everyone else parties. She wants to distance herself from the celebrations so she can forget the time Vincenzo made her his Christmas bride. Three nasty spirits, determined to get her attention and change her mind, drag Carlie, kicking and screaming, into the past, the present and the future.
     Vincenzo got it right when he picked Carlie as his bride. Not knowing the full power of their bond and all it entails, he messed up. Now time is running out for him, unless Carlie opts to save him. Can the spirits open her heart in time for another Christmas miracle -- or is it too late?
                                          Read an excerpt of Noel, No Way        Reviews

Reluctant Goddess - a novel from New Concepts Publishing - graphic sex, futuristic & time travel romance.

In vain, K.C. tried to convince the Goddess’ consort, Adriac, and the Chief Priestess of the temple that she wasn’t the Goddess they were expecting. She didn’t know how she’d gotten to Niarofilca, but she was sure she wasn't their Goddess. She was also sure she didn’t like the Chief Priestess.
     Adriac Mendushar, Lord Pom’diflior, was another matter. In all her fantasies, she hadn’t managed to dream up a hero even half as appealing and she was pretty sure she was really going to enjoy the holy copulation part of the deal. She just wasn’t crazy about the sacrificing part to the God Xiatace that came directly after the copulation ceremony.
                                           Read an excerpt of Reluctant Goddess        Reviews

Triple Booked - a novel from Ellora’s Cave - menage (M/M and M/F/M) graphic sex, paranormal romance.

Jade and Gabe are a perfect match. As lovers and coauthors, they have everything they need and want -- almost. All they crave is great success for their writing. When they meet Alex at a party, he has a proposal for them. He wants to collaborate with them on a new literary work. Jade is sure it’s a sign -- after all, she did just draw the Three of Pentacles in a Tarot reading. But Gabe isn’t sure he wants to share his writing -- or his lady -- with the mysterious Alex, who tests his comfort zones on more than one level.
     Little does the happy couple know that Alex is a Mage of the Dionysian Oracle, and he needs to be invited into their partnership to complete his initiation rites. As Gabe and Jade begin to open up to him, though, he soon finds he’s not the only one capable of love magic. Alex quickly realizes he’ll need to choose -- the way of his order or the way of his heart.
                                           Read an excerpt of Triple Booked        Reviews

Goddess Goodies - a novel from Cerridwin Press - mainstream women’s fiction.

Diana Lambert returns home from a business trip to find Melinda, her trusted young assistant, and Derek, her trusted middle-age husband, playing house. Melinda, who’s pregnant with Derek’s child -- Diana’s childless -- has moved into Diana’s house. Diana soon learns the new couple also plans a business coup. After they take over Diana’s Delights, the successful business built on her family recipes, Diana will be out.
     Stunned and devastated, Diana looks to family and friends to help her regroup. Along the way, she meets Ben, a man she’s more attracted to than she wants to admit, and she bands together with friends whom Derek has fired. Derek and Melinda appear to be unstoppable. But when Diana learns they’re using inferior ingredients in Diana’s Delights products, she gets in touch with her inner goddess and begins to fight back.
     Is it too little, too late? Can this goddess rebuild a new life from the ashes of the old?   
                                         Read an excerpt of Goddess Goodies        Reviews

 Possession - a novella from Samhain Publishing - graphic forced sex, paranormal, gothic, horror romance.

Together forever. . . there is no power greater than their love.
     A dark, uncanny tale set in the moors set in the late 19th century.
     Anna Clarke, a talented weaver, loves her home in the moors and so endures her father’s brutality. But when she falls in love with Nicholas Durand, a stranger to the area, she crosses her father -- with tragic consequences.
     Nicholas stays in the moors only because he will not leave Anna. But her father plans to marry Anna off for a land deal and is not about to let a stranger disrupt those plans.
     Anna and Nicholas are determined to stay together always. No one and nothing on Earth or in the heavens will part them. . .
                                         Read an excerpt of Possession        Reviews

TV Bride - a novel from Whiskey Creek Press - contemporary romantic comedy.

What happens when TV’s THE BACHELOR meets The GODFATHER?
     Samantha Parker, a photographer with trust issues, and Nick Ryan, a cynical writer, fall in love on a nationally televised wedding reality show --“Here Comes the Bride”-- which culminates in his marriage proposal... to another woman. Will Samantha and Nick be able to overcome old patterns, family problems, the San Francisco Bay Area housing shortage, and the stress of media focus to be together? Of course -- with lots of bumps and bruises along the way. .
                                         Read an excerpt of TV Bride         Reviews

Tingle Bells - a novella from Ellora’s Cave - male/male graphic sex, paranormal romance.

Justin Clancy is counting on his new invention to make the holiday season bright for his financially struggling family. With a chime guaranteed to sexually arouse any adult, Tingle Bells are the perfect stocking stuffer -- until a cruel hex turns those sexy sounds into ear-splitting croaks. Far more adept at practical sciences than witchcraft, Justin knows he needs expert help fast or the Clancys’ Christmas will go down the tubes.
     Trust-fund-wealthy Ramon Ramirez is a private eye certified for metaphysical investigations. He’s also a long-time loner who wishes for connection. Sparks fly between him and Justin the moment they meet, and Ramon falls for Justin -- and his whole family. But neither man is quite ready to give up his heart to the other. Ramon has to work on cracking his solitary armor, and the self-conscious Justin isn’t so sure his new man isn’t just slumming -- or pitying him.
     In the midst of grappling with an eccentric family feud, mangled bells and their own personal baggage, Justin and Ramon vow to make things right... and stir up a little magic of their own.   
                                         Read an excerpt of Tingle Bells        Reviews

Between the Sheets - a novel from Whiskey Creek Press - graphic sex, contemporary romantic comedy.

The public remembers Courtney Clayton as the child star who sang like an angel. After a four-year hiatus at Harvard, she’s determined to restart her career. Only now, she’s all grown-up, a woman singing love songs.
     When ex-stuntman and current movie critic Dylan McLean says Courtney still sounds like a little girl, her producer threatens to hold up release of her newest CD. Furious, Courtney sets out to convince Dylan that she’s more than “woman enough” to sing her songs. Although attracted to Courtney, Dylan resists. . . at first.
     Courtney and Dylan’s romantic interlude heats up into something neither of them anticipated. Then a tabloid reporter discovers them together and writes the story that will make his own career -- and threatens to destroy theirs. Will it also destroy their love?
                                         Read an excerpt of Between the Sheets          Reviews

Anniversary Waltz - a novella from New Concepts Publishing - menage (M/F/M/F) graphic sex, contemporary romance.

Their destiny was to die in the avalanche, waiting for help that came too late. But, when what began as an attempt to stay warm turns into heated passion, the two couples trapped in a frozen cave by the snow discover that their love and desire for one another can keep them far warmer than their little fire. Their erotic intimacy and an angel with an attitude challenge fate.
                                         Read an excerpt of Anniversary Waltz         Reviews

Heliotropic 3: To the Light - a novella from Changeling Press - male/male multiple partners graphic sex, futuristic, vampire, romance.

Val, Paul, Trey and Soleil -- newly sun tolerant after exposure to Ideg Retkove’s serum -- voyage to Paul and Trey’s home world of Apoll’ex, where no vampires have ever been before. Val fears that, once on home ground, Paul will reject him. Paul wonders if he’ll ever be able to go home again.
     When they land, they quickly learn another vampire has preceded them and sown a path of destruction -- Retkove. The Apollans unite with the Earthlings to defeat Retkove. But Retkove is not about to give up his foothold in paradise. Desperate to stay together on Apoll’ex, Paul and Val face Retkove in a final confrontation.
                                         Read an excerpt of To the Light         Reviews

Petits S’Mores - a novella from Changeling Press - graphic sex, vampire, romance.

The grotesque video shows it all: Vampires use Clothilde DuBerry’s chocolate aphrodisiac gel and die. Shocked and distraught, Clothilde turns to the Rookery Cove community for help.
     It doesn’t seem possible, but her nightmare gets worse when security chief Manx summons off-island support -- her ex-lover, Dominic Ford.
     Now successful and wealthy, Dominic wants to reconcile with Clothilde, and doesn’t hesitate to try to mix business and pleasure. The chemistry is still there, but so is the baggage, and with a killer on the loose, will they find a way to work out their differences before it’s too late?
                                         Read an excerpt of Petits S’Mores       Reviews

Heliotropic 2: In the Dark - a novella from Changeling Press - male/male menage graphic sex, futuristic, vampire, romance.

Life on the run from their arch-enemy Retkove is getting to Earthling Val and former Apollan Paul. To clear his name so he and his lover can finally get a life, Val summons help -- his ex, Trey. Though they need his help, Paul isn’t crazy about the idea, getting his first taste of Earth-style jealousy.
     Then Retkove kidnaps another Apollan, subjecting him to the same torturous experiments Paul suffered. Vowing to rescue Soleil from Retkove’s lab, they discover Retkove has developed a serum that makes vampires sunlight tolerant. Given a chance to procure the serum, Paul must make the choice of a lifetime: Val or the chance to return to his home planet?
                                         Read an excerpt of In the Dark       Reviews

Heliotropic 1: From the Light - a novella from Changeling Press - male/male graphic sex, futuristic, vampire, romance.

Serving an unjust sentence, vampire Val Cutter spots a gorgeous stranger. Contrary to his usual caution, he quickly falls for Paul de l’Astre.
     Paul, a prisoner subjected to cruel experiments, wants only to return to his planet -- until he meets Val. But Val could never survive on sun-worshipping Apoll’ex, and Paul will die if his sunlight deprivation continues.
     Forced to hide from the villain persecuting them, the men face the ultimate test of their love. With Paul dying, Val must choose for his lover: transformation and permanent exile -- or death?

                                         Read an excerpt of From The Light       Reviews

Young Vampires in France - the sequel novel to Young Vampires in Love, from Ellora’s Cave  -- Also available in print - graphic sex, vampire, romance.

After a century of plotting revenge for her sister’s death, Monique de la Chauve-Souris has nearly achieved her goal -- the destruction of her sworn enemy, the Comte du Montnoir. But in all her careful plans, she hadn’t factored in the possibility of falling in love with him.
     Blindsided by Monique’s sudden betrayal, the Comte must act quickly and ruthlessly. He enlists the help of Jon, Darlene and the other Young Vampires to put a stop to her rampage. But a startling truth complicates this battle with Monique. On top of stealing his business empire, she has also captured his heart.

                                         Read an excerpt of Young Vampires in France       Reviews

Heather and the Harem Scroll - a borderline category novel from New Concepts Publishing - graphic sex, time travel, romance.

A jolt of the Earth lands Heather in 16th-century Indurlia, the time and place of the scroll she just discovered. Terrified and thrilled, this feminist anthropologist not only finds herself in a king’s harem--but falls in love with Grentoori, the man most forbidden to her.
     Crown Prince Grentoori rejects Indurlia’s old ways and plans to bring reform. But even he wouldn’t dare break the law of his father’s harem--until he meets Heather and loses his heart. Passionate love brings them together--overwhelming upheaval forces them apart.
     If Heather lived one hundred lifetimes, she’d never forget him. But she must return to her own time, and he must remain in his.
                                         Read an excerpt of Heather and the Harem Scroll       Reviews

Third Time’s the Charm - a novella from Changeling Press - graphic sex, time travel, romance.

Looking for a diversion from her dull job, Brianna does not expect that going to a movie will change her life. But the moment her eyes lock with those of on-screen hero Mikhail Ivanov, a handsome military officer attending a ball, Brianna’s off on an adventure that will transform her.
      Before she knows it, she crosses into Mikhail Ivanov’s world and begins to fall in love. But sanity must prevail. She tries to stay away from her soldier and his world of illusion, only to find herself ever more deeply drawn.

                                         Read excerpts of Third Time’s the Charm       Reviews

Réunions Dangereuses - an Ellora’s Cave “Quickie” - male/male and menage (M/F/M) graphic sex vampire, romance.

Attend her high school reunion? Not after spending the last twenty years trying to forget those four years of hell, thinks Pam Holland. Then again, she’s kind of curious about what has become of Jake and Dean, the two gorgeous and charming guys who starred in most of her fantasies back then. If one of them asked her to be his date, she might just change her mind. But seriously, what are the chances of that happening?
    Jake Ardlow and Dean Morley have been buddies since they pledged the same frat in college. They came away from that initiation as vampires—and lovers. They’re happy now, and they see no reason to go to their twentieth high school reunion…except for Pam. Turns out, they both had secret crushes on her, and now they want to reconnect in a way that goes far beyond dinner, dancing and drinks.
   Will Pam accept their invitation to extend the reunion into an all-night affair, or will the changes they’ve undergone send her running off into the day?
                                                  Read excerpts of Réunions Dangereuses      Reviews

Love For Hire - a novella in the anthology Down and Dirty from Ellora’s Cave  -- Also available in print - graphic sex, contemporary romance.

Stephanie has had it with loser men. She lost her home, business and reputation because of her boyfriend’s scam. Nick’s got the FBI on his tail and has to go undercover at a bogus online dating service to bust them and clear his name. Stephanie and Nick meet on an arranged date neither wants. Despite their intentions, sparks fly the moment their eyes meet.
   Nick has to convince Stephanie to open up to him. Though she’s scared and scarred, she starts to let down her guard. Soon they’re falling in love -- but to play his role right, Nick will have to hurt her. When he tries to back away and protect her, the case explodes around him. Convinced that Nick’s even worse than her last boyfriend, Stephanie wants only to forget him and move on with her life. Knowing he’s got a lot to answer for, Nick sets out to win his lady’s heart.
                                                  Read an excerpt of Love for Hire      Reviews

Forever on the Isle of Never  - Pantasia book 3 from Ellora’s Cave  -- Also available in print - graphic sex, contemporary romance.
               Nominated for 2005 CAPA award!

Nan Sullivan is in a rut. Two boring day jobs leave little time for her passion, pottery. Social life: zero -- but what can a middle-aged, Rubenesque divorcee expect? When she gets an offer to be a full-time potter at a new tropical island resort, she holds her breath and goes for the gusto.
    Mike Darlin, construction chief at the resort, dislikes artists and, despite horniness, wants to remain woman-free -- until he meets Nan. Sparks fly and tempers flare. Can Nan and Mike get it together, or will the old baggage  weigh them down?
                     Read an excerpt of Forever on the Isle of Never      Reviews

Fangs ’n’ Foxes - a novella in the anthology Nibbles ’n’ Bits from Ellora’s Cave -- Also available in print - graphic sex, vampire, romantic comedy.

Leader of the Black Guards, Trenton, NJ’s elite vampires, Darnell faces his biggest challenge ever. In three days, he and the head of the Cosa Nostra vampires will duke it out for control of Trenton. But the granddaddy of all cavities hits Darnell in the right fang. If that doesn’t get fixed, he and the Black Guards better start packing.
    Vampire LaLilia plans to use her dental skills to convince Darnell not to fight anymore. It seems simple enough ’til she meets Darnell—and falls for him.
    Can the peaceful dentist and the warrior leader really get together?
                   Read excerpts of Fangs ’n’ Foxes      Reviews

Young Vampires in Love - from Ellora’s Cave -- Also available in print - graphic sex, light bondage, vampire, romance.
                    Finalist in RWA’s 2005 PRISM contest!

When their mentor, the Comte, delivers their nomination for Most Dull and Boring Vampires, Lynette Loring and Darlene DeMars realize they’re in trouble. The Comte challenges Lynette and Darlene to “get a life” -- the only way to avoid the prize.
    At San Francisco’s Happy Humping, a full-range sex boutique, Lynette checks out the toys and meets Nick LaStrada. Elsewhere, sparks fly when Darlene and Jon Torrance both reach for the same whip.
    Each couple is on the fast track to love. But cross-cultural differences between vampires and humans threaten to derail the new romances... These young vampires must avert the award from hell and get the guys before they succumb to the Comte’s predictions of disaster all around.
                     Read an excerpt of Young Vampires in Love       Reviews

For Pete’s Sake - Pantasia series sequel to Hook, Wine & Tinker from Ellora’s Cave  -- Also available in print - graphic sex, contemporary romantic comedy.

At the end of Hook, Wine & Tinker, Gwyn Verde dumped her boyfriend Pete Payne to run off with his boss, Dominic Laredo. Now Pete wants revenge, and he gets his shot when Gwyn and Dominic announce their upcoming wedding. With one brilliant keystroke on his computer, Pete manages to screw up Dominic’s impeccable plans. Soon, Pete’s sure, Gwyn will beg to return to him. Wanting to see the wedding fiasco in person, Pete heads to the tropical island where Gwyn and Dominic will exchange vows. Along the way, he spends a night with a special lady and starts to rethink his relationships with women. Then he meets Lily Tiger, the real woman of his dreams, and he finally “gets it.” Just his dumb luck, wrecking the wedding will destroy Lily’s career. Can the lost boy grow up in time to save the wedding and win Lily’s love? Or does he change his path too little, too late?
                   Read an excerpt of For Pete’s Sake       Reviews

Hook, Wine & Tinker - Mardi’s first Pantasia-series novel, from Ellora’s Cave -- Also available in print - graphic sex, light bondage, contemporary romantic comedy.

Gwyn thinks she’s landed in a once in a lifetime fantasy. Donning the costumes of Peter Pan characters, Gwyn/Tinkerbell goes to a Halloween party with boyfriend Peter -- and meets up with a very seductive Captain Hook. Gwyn gets up close and personal with A-list bachelor billionaire Dominic/Hook and his cabinet full of toys Tinkerbell never dreamed of, but that Gwyn can’t wait to try for just one night of exotic pleasure. Then she’ll go back to her “real life.” But Dominic wants more -- and doesn’t hesitate to compete with Gwyn’s boyfriend Pete. In the end, Gwyn must choose -- the pirate or the lost boy.
                      Read an excerpt of Hook, Wine & Tinker       Reviews

© 2003-9 Mardi Ballou