My Last Orphan

   Ely’s Epiphany, my last Secret Cravings orphan, is a contemporary M/M military erotic Christmas romance. It is a humorous, scorching hot, stand-alone sequel to Search & Rescue that contains very explicit M/M sex scenes and graphic language. It is scheduled for release in November in Champagne Book Group’s Carnal Passions line. Ely and Todd, now living in a palatial home in South Georgia with Lexie (their former ward) and her new husband, are ex-Green Beret gay partners who are in the process of examining their relationship. It’s a difficult, at times humorous, proposition, since they’re not on the same page.Here’s the blurb:

    Will Christmas bring a breakup or a new beginning for ex-Green Beret partners Ely and Todd? For Todd Anderson, a West Point graduate from a wealthy family, it was love at first sight. Living with Ely wasn’t easy, but it was the only life for him. When Ely plays too nice, Todd fears his partner—his first and only lover who introduced him to the gay lifestyle and sizzling hot sex—is preparing him for a Christmas breakup. Will this Christmas be their last together?

     Ex-Green Beret Ely Locklear survived a childhood filled with poverty and abuse by building a wall around his heart. Although the millionaire mercenary and entrepreneur has a family and partner who love him, the wall and rough edges remain. When his ward’s new Army Ranger husband shows him that loving someone isn’t a weakness, he wonders if it’s too late for a fresh start with his partner.

In Ely’s Epiphany, Ely is a master chef. While I’m not a master chef, I love to cook and used my own recipes in the story. I’ll share them as we near publication.   Rita

New Contract for Christmas Story

Christmas came early for me when Secret Cravings Publishing  offered a contract for ELY’S EPIPHANY. The novella is my first Christmas story and my first M/M. Todd and Ely were Lexie’s Carter’s ex-Green Beret guardians in SEARCH & RESCUE, my first contemporary military romance. I liked them so much I gave them their own story. Heads up, though. While SEARCH & RESCUE was a four-flame story, ELY’S EPIPHANY is a five-flame, for sure – another first. No cover yet, but check out the blurb.

Will Christmas bring a breakup or a new beginning for ex-Green Berets Ely Locklear and Todd Anderson?  For Todd Anderson, a West Point graduate from a wealthy family, it was love at first sight. Living with Ely wasn’t easy, but it was the only life for him. When Ely plays too nice, Todd fears his partner—his first and only lover who introduced him to the gay lifestyle and sizzling hot sex—is preparing him for a Christmas breakup. Will this Christmas be their last together?

Ex-Green Beret Ely Locklear survived a childhood filled with poverty and abuse by building a wall around his heart. Although the millionaire mercenary and entrepreneur has a family and partner who love him, the wall and rough edges remain. When his ward’s new Army Ranger husband shows him that loving someone isn’t a weakness, he wonders if it’s too late for a fresh start with his partner of two decades.   

   

SEARCH & RESCUE – My Hometown Romance – The Marriott Grand Hotel

In Search & Rescue, my contemporary military romance, Spring Hill College student, Lexie Carter, meets Army Ranger Captain Taylor Jackson at a Career Day at the college. Two years and a steamy courtship later, Taylor is reported killed in action and Lexie must face a future without the love of her life. Lexie bids farewell to Mobile and travels across the Bay to The Grand Hotel where they planned to spend their honeymoon to kiss her old life goodbye.

The Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa is located on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay in Point Clear. The award-winning resort with its hotel, golf courses, and resort with all the luxurious amenities imaginable defines casual elegance. The original hotel which could only be reached by boat was built in 1847 by F.W. Chamberlain. The 150 Confederate graves located on the golf course serve as a reminder that the Hotel served as a hospital for Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. The hotel passed through a succession of owners and suffered extensive damage during the hurricanes of 1906, 1916, and 1978, but each time emerged better than ever.

The Grand Hotel is part of the Marriott family. While maintaining its unique character, the hotel has expanded adding a classic spa, several bars, and restaurants. Dress is casual throughout. The Sunday Brunch is a personal favorite that provides classic southern coastal cuisine with an unbeatable view. On another personal note, the Grand gumbo is well-named. Check out the The Grand Hotel for yourself HERE.

Tomorrow, More of My Mobile.  Rita Bay

SEARCH & RESCUE My Hometown Romance – Spring Hill College

In Search & Rescue, my contemporary military romance, Spring Hill College student, Lexie Carter, meets Army Ranger Captain Taylor Jackson at a Career Day at the college. Two years and a steamy courtship later, Taylor is reported killed in action and Lexie must face a future without the love of her life. Lexie attended a Mass for the Dead at the century-old St. Joseph’s Chapel on the SHC campus, rather than celebrate her wedding.

Spring Hill College is the oldest college in Alabama, It was founded in 1830 by Catholic Bishop Michael Portier who brought priests and seminarians from France as instructors. SHC was the first Catholic college in the Southeast, the third oldest Jesuit college and the fifth oldest Catholic college in the United States. Until 1935, SHC followed the French education model and included a high school on the campus. In 1932, SHC expanded their student body to include adult students and women. In 1954 SHC became the first and only integrated college in the Deep South.

U.S. News and World Report ranks Spring Hill 17th among the 118 Southern colleges and universities. The report also includes school’s online graduate nursing program as #48 in the nation. Forbes.com ranks Spring Hill College among America’s “Best Colleges.” SHC ranks #399 nationwide, # 291 in private colleges, and #5 in Alabama.

More Mobile tomorrow, Rita Bay

Release Day for Search & Rescue!!

Today I’m celebrating the RELEASE DAY for SEARCH & RESCUE, my first contemporary military romance. Search & Rescue is a novella published by Secret Cravings Publishing. I used my experiences as a military dependent and a nurse in the U. S. Army Reserve to write the story. Here’s the blurb:

Not every search ends with a rescue. One look at Captain Taylor Jackson at a college Career Day and wealthy coed Lexie Carter knew he was The One.  In six months they’re engaged and the wedding set for after graduation. When Taylor was reported killed in action in Afghanistan two months before their wedding, Lexie was devastated, her hopes for a family of her own crushed.  Can she survive a future without Taylor or will she succumb to her grief?

Army Ranger Taylor Jackson fell hard for young Lexie Carter. He introduced her to passion and she taught him to love. While on a mission in Afghanistan, Taylor is captured by insurgents. When he finally escapes and returns home on what should have been their wedding day, Lexie has disappeared under suspicious circumstances. Can he find her in time to rescue her from her fate?

Search & Rescue is an erotic military romance that is rated four flames by the publisher because of the subject matter – explicit language, wartime violence, and sex. There’s a bit of humor, also, because Lexie’s guardians (two former Green Berets) aren’t exactly happy when she brings Taylor home. Read an excerpt or buy HERE or click the cover.   Rita Bay

A New Cover: Search & Rescue

Just received my new cover for Search & Rescue. from Secret Cravings, July 2013. 

More tomorrow, Rita