A cover and a common thread

What do a Chosen One, a Thief, 1840’s Irish Immigrants, a Guardian, and a Boy Toy have in common?

Sapphires.
And Erotic Romance!

When Ellora’s Cave sent out the call for quickies and novellas based on Gems to be released during their birthstone month throughout 2008, the following authors were inspired by the deep cobalt blue of the sapphire.

Take a look at the blurbs from the September Gem Novellas. Isn’t it fascinating how one gem can invoke such a variety of stories?

Amarinda Jones created the story of Micah Blue (Released Sept 3)

A demon has been waiting one hundred and twenty years for the next chosen one who commands the power of the sapphire. He will stop at nothing to make that woman his own. He needs her power to survive.

Ever since a fortune teller gave Micah Blue a lump of blue rock the drought in her sex life came to a screaming halt. Dark, erotic dreams of a stranger haunt her nights and a tattooed builder drives her wild with lust during the day. Both men are wicked. One wants to enslave her and one just wants to love her.

Ned Langford, builder and part-time garbage collector isn’t about to the let the love of his life be taken from him. He will do whatever it costs to thwart a demon and keep Micah at his side.

Marilu Mann was inspired to write Sapphire Tease (release date Sept 10th)

Ever have your clothes removed by a sexy man as punishment? What if you were trying to steal from him and he is determined to teach you an intimate lesson you'll never forget? Cath Monroe learns just how much she can take from the man she mistakenly marks as an easy target. Ramon Kentaro introduces the lovely thief to more than just his mastery of weapons in this arousing tale of a very erotic game of cat and mouse.

Marissa Alwin crafted the tale of Winning Bess. (Release date Sept. 19th)

Bess McGinty and her father wouldn't have been able to escape the devastation in Ireland without Colm Devany. Now they share a cramped shack with Colm and his cousins in New York City’s Five Points neighborhood. But Bess' feelings for Colm go well beyond gratitude. If only her da would give them his blessing.

Three things aid Colm's survival- a small bit of savings, his ready fists and his desperate love for Bess. When he discovers that his desire for her is mutual, he is determined to find a way to win Bess and get them out of New York forever. To do this Colm sets his eye on another prize-an exquisite sapphire that goes to the winner of the fiercest prizefight in Five Points.


Natasha Moore’s imagination produced Lia’s Warrior (release date Sept 24th)

As Guardian of the Sapphire Moon, a crystal globe with a sacred sapphire embedded in the center, Lia must witness couples mating after they receive the Moon’s blessing. But she can never enjoy the pleasures of the flesh herself.

Weary warrior Roark has come back home to try to forget the horrors he’s lived through. He always believed Lia was his true mate and his body heats with desire for her. Then he’s told it’s forbidden to mate with the Guardian.

But a Warrior doesn’t take no for an answer.

And Rena Marks ingenuity brought us Play Thing (release date Sept. )

When Jessica's friend Nina shares the story of her friend, Silver Scott, giving her a magical pendant that controls a boy toy for one month during his birthday, Jessie wants the same. But voodoo creeps her out, for you can't trust it.

But then she meets Levi Garrett, the resident boy toy. Mr. Alpha Male to a fault, Jessie would love to tell him where to go after telling him exactly how to please her.

Unfortunately, things go awry and Jessie finds herself a Play Thing instead of having a boy toy.

So there you have it… A dark urban fantasy, a contemporary, an Americana, a futuristic, and a paranormal. They were all hatched with the single inspiration of the sapphire. There is quite the variety behind the steamy cover which they also share. We hope you take the time and enjoy them all! You can find them at Ellora's Cave.

May you find several ways to enjoy the variety of life.
Mari