Magical Surprise ~ Two of Them...

Hi, the first magical surprise was the last-minute release of my novella, Black Cat Beauty, last Monday ... yay! And meow-pow...
The second surprise was the wonderful review Bekki Lynn, romance author, wrote ~ her first ever. Yeppers peppers... see below, after the excerpt.

Purring Seduction ~ Black Cat Beauty

A Halloween shifter tail just in time for Valentine’s Day...

That’s right, I wrote Sable and Devon’s story when I was possessed by that spooky time of year when the veil is thin between worlds and the paranormal comes out to play. As a black cat shifter this is Sable’s favorite time to show off her feline abilities, especially in the Haunted Houses.
Ever dare wonder about that too-human acting black cat that crossed your path last Halloween? The one who paused to glare at you like a demon, then seemed to laugh at your expense?
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Blurb: A private Halloween party in a gothic mansion hidden in the Hollywood Hills. Add one party crasher, Sable Kiki, a naughty black cat with a sexy wild human side.
Her covert assignment from her devious, always-cunning father: use her seductive wiles to find out the truth from Devon Zant, a movie star on the rise to super stardom.
Posing as the superhero actor, Devon Zant, D’Torr has arrived on Earth seeking revenge for the capture of his younger brother, and to assist in stopping a powerful enemy.
The leviathan warfleet of the Altirrux wants rule of all intergalactic trade routes to Earth, endangering the survival of D’Torr’s race, and all the inhabitants of the rare blue jewel, Earth.
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Since it is now the time of year when valentines rules, I’ll share that Devon romances his Sable with songs in a scene where he is playing with his rock band. He croons his version of THE YEAR OF THE CAT into her little cat ear from afar, a super ability he possesses. Although, more passion and erotic naughtiness ensue between these two, than soaring hearts and sweet words.
Chills and shivers here, I cannot tell you how many times I heard that particular song while I wrote Sable and Devon’s love story. Not because I played it intentionally. Most often I heard it as the bumper music for Coast-to-Coast am, a night time radio talk show which focuses on all things paranormal. Hearing The Year of the Cat became such an eerie synchronicity I would get goosebumps, and simply shake my head.
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Excerpt ~ Sable Kiki and Devon Zant meet ~

Sable flipped her ear forward, noticing Devon Zant had halted high on the stairway, his attention clearly on the “accident” commotion. Although concealed by shadow, the bold strength of his physique could easily be seen. His dark shirt and pants skimmed his superbly muscled body as if the materials had been poured over him.
“Every inch the superhero,” Sable whispered, wondering how he would look flying on screen as the son of Super Ace. She hadn’t bothered with the movie trailer or the website. Especially since she’d only learned about the assignment late yesterday afternoon. A catnap in the sun had seemed much more enjoyable.
“Of course, I haven’t viewed those meaty ‘inches’ yet. So who knows if his cock is supercharged and heroic in action?” Sauntering unimpeded to the stairs, Sable briefly scanned her surroundings. Evidently Mr. Rising Superstar didn’t require beefy cow muscle to protect him ... just PETA to protect him from wandering pussycats. Maybe I should offer him personal protection from all pussies ... if he’s worthy.
Once she placed her foot, encased in the supple black leather of her sleek shoe, on the first step, his gaze fastened on her. Slowly she smiled at him. She lingered her Mae West smile on him as she provocatively swayed up the stairs.
Riveted, almost standing at attention, he trained his gaze on her.
Sable drew in his scent, careful not to overwhelm herself--easily done in this topsider culture. Ignoring the expensive men’s cologne he’d used, she inhaled his virility, raw and rivers-of-lava volcanic. Give me some more of him--yum.
Sliding her hand along the polished wood banister, she gradually mounted the stairway. As his gaze smoldered over her, Sable swayed even more teasingly. Her breasts rounded, becoming heavier, her nipples peaked into tight buds, and she knew they were outlined by the black gleaming stretch fabric of her costume. For a human male, his allure was far more ferocious than she’d ever experienced.
Smiling seductively, she tipped her face upwards, keeping her gaze beneath his as she approached, and halted one step away from him. Instead of blatantly perusing his masculine assets--yet--she studied his classically carved features through her half-lidded gaze. The god Hermes and the half-god Hercules, blended as one--and definitely more handsome than either--that was Devon Zant’s face.
From on high, his gaze scorched over her. Glints of lightning sparked in the depths of his eyes, and she was surprised to see how blue his eyes truly were--not sky blue. Not Paul Newman blue. No, they were deep iris blue, and so brilliantly luminous that for a moment she thought she observed an aurora of color slide over them.
No wonder a movie camera, even in the age of digital, couldn’t completely capture the actual color of his eyes. Nor could any camera do full justice to his hair. His auburn mane just brushed his shoulders and was nearly black, with fine streaks of burnt gold and bronze. She could analyze by the smell he hadn’t dyed the color. It was all natural, and obviously, a hairdresser’s dream.
Flirtatiously Sable smiled widely, then flashed her gaze over him admiringly.
“Sable,” she softly rumbled her name for him.
Excitement skittered along her skin like electrical currents as she waited and wondered if the sound of his smoky strong voice would be beyond the capacity of digital mikes.
“Your hair?” His gaze broke away from hers, moving pointedly to her own auburn tresses, which were not quite as dark as his and flamed with reddish tints.
“Not colored and like my name.” She enticed her voice over him, then languidly moved her hips back and forth so the thick waves of her hair rippled over her back and bottom. The Cat Goddess, Bastet! His voice was smoky and sinfully rich--yet pure as a clear mountain stream. If she had willed it, Sable could have orgasmed over his voice. Right there on the steps. In full view of him.
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~~~ Bekki Lynn’s Review of Black Cat Beauty ~~~

I haven't read a shapeshifter story in forever though I do have a few in my to-be-read files. Savanna first peaked my interest, months ago, with a tidbit about a panther shifting to a human form, I've been salivating with hunger for the story ever since. I knew it had to be different, hot and fun. And I love cats. She did not disappointment me whatsoever.
Well, except for the fact that I didn't want the story to end. I wanted more of Sable's sassiness, quick comebacks and feistiness. Savanna uses references to well-known figures in such a manner that turned the story into a movie before my eyes. Her imagery was amazingly real and well done.
I loved everything about Sable and Devon. Though she didn't want to succomb to his charm and lustful scent, she simply couldn't resist the power of it and once she got a taste, she was his to command though she wanted to claw him to pieces for it. But who couldn't resist a virile, caring, yet demanding man who could serenade you in and out of your mind and have you orgasming beyond your wildest demensions.
There is so much packed into this short story you'll not believe it. I don't want to give away too much, but if you've experienced a floating sensation while in the throes of loving your mate -- well, Devon will take you on a flight you can't imagine. Throughout the story, I wanted to be Sable and at times I felt like I was.
The chemistry between the characters is sweet and fun while scorching hot. Black Cat Beauty is going on my keeper shelf to be reread over and over. I highly reccomend it to anyone who enjoys shapeshifters and those who don't.

Bekki

Daring to be different...
Dare to discover... passion - secrets - love
A Psychic Hitch Venue of Choice
Last Glass of Wine Venue of Choice
Servin' It Up Venue of Choice
www.bekkilynn.com
www.myspace.com/bekki_lynn
http://bekkilynnsplanet.blogspot.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bekkilynnsreaders

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Sable & Devon invite you to read their love story ~
BLACK CAT BEAUTY ... She has the claws and the cattitude to prove it... He has the super-powered strength and passion she fights, but needs... available from Liquid Silver Books ~
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HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY ~
May your most romantic dreams come true...

Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance

Black Cat Beauty... the magic begins soon

Black Cat Beauty

Coming soon from Liquid Silver Books ...

Excerpt from Chapter One ~

“Bored.” Sable tossed back her auburn waves of thigh-length hair, sauntering inside the main ballroom of the privately owned gothic mansion.
“Flat.” She wrinkled her nose and wished she could flip her own tail, instead of being stuck with the fake, listless cat tail of her costume. With casual flair, she set the champagne glass on the first passing tray, waiter attached, and kept on gliding into the main party area of the monstrous mansion.
Remembering not to flip her ears in search of Yisbet’s high-pitched signal, a keening sound beyond human hearing, Sable surveyed the Halloween crowd of black cats, and decided Halle Berry’s version of Catwoman won out as the most favored costume, with the Eartha Kitt costumes coming in a close second. If it hadn’t been for the fact that most of those present were humans encased in their second-skin black cat costumes, Sable would have felt right at home.
“Ooooh, Dracula black cat,” she cooed to a tall man who was obviously gay. His gaze slobbered over the boy-toy waiter passing between them. Yet he grinned at her, his fake whiskers at odd angles on his artfully painted face.
Listening for Yisbet, her long-time friend and surveillance partner, Sable wove through the loose crowd of partying black cats, who flirted with the realization that the night was still young, with midnight several hours away.
“Felix, the cat,” she teased with her tone, then tweaked the paunchy man’s black fur cheek. He was one of the few guests with extra love handles showing on his short frame and probably a producer invited to this celebrity shindig.
“Yeah, honey, you got some cat scratch fever for me?” he asked like Mel Brooks. She paused, smiling at his good-natured comeback.
“Wouldn’t want to tangle with your wife. She’s an Amazon compared to me.”
“How’d you know the redhead wearing the cat burglar costume was my wife?”
“Smell.” Gripping the tip of her nose with her thumb and forefinger, she wiggled it in an imitation of Samantha from Bewitched TV fame.
He grinned widely just as Yisbet signaled. Sable gave him a sassy grin, then pivoted toward the long low bar. Elegant and chic in design, it was covered by expensive leather, the red mahogany color stitched in a large diamond design.
Sable smiled at several other men, her natural cat-like grace causing them to stare, even though the curves of her lower half were more generous than was allowed in tinsel-shallow town.
“You’re late to the party.” Yisbet saluted her arrival with a generous-sized gimlet.
“Can’t a black cat have some scary fun on All Hallow’s Eve?” Casually, Sable leaned on her elbow and languorously planted her hip against the bar.
Yisbet stopped mid-sip. “What did you do?”
“Just a ‘little tiny wee’ chase. A four-footed bounce and pounce through the local haunted house.”
Yisbet scowled for an instant. “You’re lucky no one tasered you or hit you with a blast of pepper spray.”
“The kiddies loved it,” Sable defended, grinning. “Most of them cheered when I chased Freddie Krueger. They clapped and hopped, very happy, and were especially excited over my departing finale...” Sable waved away the willowy black cat bartender, who strongly resembled Audrey Hepburn.
“What?” Yisbet reluctantly prompted, rolled her eyes.
“I hissed and spit viciously at them while arching my back. Then I performed the typical cat scream. As bedlam ensued about me, the parents clacking and clucking like hysterical chickens, I bared my scary claws and evilly flattened my ears. Right on cue, I sprang like a panther, straight for Frankenstein’s face. Splat! I hit my target. Sinking my claws into his mask like a wildcat, I clung as he whirled around, grabbing at me.” Sable flipped a triumphant smile. “Quite enjoyable until the sirens yowled in my ears.” Cocking her head, she peered into her friend’s face, then offered a light-hearted grin. “Are you going to report my misbehavin’ antics?”
“You escaped.” Slowly Yisbet returned a wry grin. “Without a scratch. No. Why upset the Council?” She sipped daintily. “Or, more importantly, why upset your father?”
“Duty to the realm ... yes, to please father. Why I’m here. Observe the surface-dwelling humans. I am so bored to tears.”
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Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~ http://savannakougar.com ~
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Black Cat Beauty ~ Cover Art Magic

In this sacred season of gift-giving, I received an incomparable gift, the cover art for my novella, Black Cat Beauty, coming soon from Liquid Silver Books. Anne Caine, my cover artist, captures the naughty black cat heroine perfectly ~ along with her rising Hollywood star hero. Not only that, Anne’s polished artistic touch is like the wave of a magical wand. The final creation is a shimmering of fantasy and reality fused, which tempts the eye to simply indulge and linger in the enjoyment.
I don’t have a release date yet. But here’s the blurbie ~

A private Halloween party in a gothic mansion hidden in the Hollywood Hills. Add one party crasher, Sable Kiki, a naughty black cat with a sexy wild human side.
Her covert assignment from her devious, always-cunning father: use her seductive wiles to find out the truth from Devon Zant, a movie star on the rise to super stardom.
Posing as the superhero actor, Devon Zant, D’Torr has arrived on Earth seeking revenge for the capture of his younger brother, and to assist in stopping a powerful enemy.
The leviathan warfleet of the Altirrux wants rule of all intergalactic trade routes to Earth, endangering the survival of D’Torr’s race, and all the inhabitants of the rare blue jewel, Earth.

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If you’re in the mood, or you simply want to increase you TBR pile, here are two opportunities from my Publishers and my sister authors.

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Liquid Silver's Stocking Stuffer Giveaway!

For a peek at the real Santa of your dreams...and a stocking full of Liquid Silver Books for the Grand Gift winner ~ and individual giveaways, too ~ come slide down all the blog chimneys and leave a comment ~ from THURSDAY, the 18th MIDNIGHT to FRIDAY, the 19th at MIDNIGHT.

The blog trail will START at Nina Pierce’s blog and END at Stephanie's blog.

1. Nina Pierce: http://www.ninapierce.com/romanceblog ~
2. Paige Tyler: http://paigetylertheauthor.blogspot.com ~
3. Savanna Kougar: http://kougarkisses.blogspot.com ~
4. Kim Knox: http://www.darknessandromance.wordpress.com ~
5. Jeanne Barrack: http://jeanneworldsnewsletter.blogspot.com/ ~
6. Dawn Montgomery: http://www.dawnmontgomery.com/blog ~
7. Tina Holland http://tinaholland.wordpress.com/ ~
8. Taige Crenshaw: http://www.taigecrenshaw.com/blog ~
9. McKenna Jeffries: http://mckennajeffries.com/blog/ ~
10. Stephanie Adkins: http://stephanieadkins.wordpress.com/blog/ ~

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PLUS!!! Saturday, the 20th and on Sunday, the 21st its...ta-da!

*** Siren-Bookstrand Christmas Party ***

~~~ For a weekend of erotic sizzle and holly jolly lust join the authors of Siren-BookStrand this weekend. ~~~

Here’s the invitation from Lindsay Townsend, one of the original planners for this event ~
Hi! Join us for a full weekend on December 20 and 21st when we party away for Christmas!
It's all happening next weekend on the Siren-Bookstrand Group:
Christmas Crackers - Contests. Prizes. Hunks. Christmas Stocking Fillers. (Need a last minute gift? Our Stocking Fillers could give you that perfect present - especially to yourself. There will be excerpts galore to savour, from Christmas -themed stories and from other stories.)
All welcome! Tell your friends. Come as and when you can - it's all weekend on December 20-21st, right here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SirenBookstrand/ ~

Best wishes, Lindsay

Lindsay Townsend

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For those who enjoy a sizzle-rated seasonal love story, I will be posting my Serial Flash ~
Santa Baby, waitin’ just for you... HOLIDAY FLASH IN FIVE HUNDRED ~ Part One through Part Thirteen will be featured at the SIREN-BOOKSTRAND HOLIDAY PARTY ~ Dare to find out what Three French Hens really means...
And!
Volcano, my carnal cherub hero in WHEN A GOOD ANGEL FALLS, will be there with celestial bells on, giving his angelic readings for all who ask ~
VOLCANO’S ANGELIC FORECAST for this week ~ http://sirenbookstrand.blogspot.com ~
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HAPPY PURRING HOLIDAYS...

Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~ http://savannakougar.com ~

Three Magical Good Things

There’s so much in an author and aspiring authors’ life which can be really tough to deal with...ya know, that latest rejection. Or, a Muse who goes on strike when a deadline is looming. Not to dare mention life interruptus, itself...hey, kick me through the goal posts of life...isn’t that an old country western tune?
Anyhoo, I thought I’d share three magical good things, which have happened recently, in my life as an author.
The first ~ which made my day magical! Lindsay Townsend, a former guest blogger, and the fantabulous author of FLAVIA’S SECRET & A SECRET TREASURE, wrote a review for ALL SHADES OF BLUE PARADISE.

It’s an Author Discovery on the Siren-BookStrand Authors Blog ~ and yep, here it is ~

Author discovery: All Shades of Blue Paradise by Savanna Kougar
Blurb ~ Destiny and love can be denied for only so long...
Except for her daring equestrienne competitions, Lady Sheridan lives a quiet life caring for her family's estate, staving off financial ruin and keeping her brother's misdeeds from ruining his marriage and the life of her beloved nieces. Despite all his desperate efforts, Baron Zaggry has never discovered why his Sherfantasy broke their engagement. Now, his ruse successful, Sheridan is finally his, his slave lover. He has ten years worth of denied pleasures to make up for, to savor however he erotic chooses.
I savoured every delicious word of Savanna Kougar's ALL SHADES OF BLUE PARADISE. Kougar is a powerful, sensual writer, a poet of language, and the world she creates is richly textured, sensual and voluptuous, with its own language, beliefs and symbols. Blue is the colour of life, of love and of so much more in this alternate world of warring, sensual aristocrats. The pleasures and pains of slavery and of mastery are fearlessly and seductively explored and I was enchanted throughout. Sheridan is a beautiful, complex, caring woman of great dignity, compassion and courage. She is always graceful under pressure - and what seductive pressure Baron Zaggry tempts and teases her with! This is a kind of war between the sexes where all desires are admitted to and expressed but where the 'victor' of each encounter is always magnanimous. Their powerful relationship kept me guessing throughout and utterly enthralled. To be slave-dressed by a man like Zaggry ...
what a wicked, delicious fantasy!
This is the revelation of a decadent, disturbing world, a world of high politics and high stakes, where the fates of many are discussed at elegant yet deeply erotic soirees. In the midst of this sensual, abandoned world, the love between Zaggry and Sheridan remains absolute, although the cruel misunderstanding that has been deliberately engineered between them by their enemies remains until almost the very end of the novel, offering a satisfying conclusion of one of many threads. The end of All Shades of Blue Paradise is also a beginning as another contest has been arranged, with Sheridan about to compete with an enemy and Zaggry determined to protect her.
I await the next book in this intoxicating series with keen anticipation.

Lindsay Townsend
http://lindsaysbookchat.blogspot.com ~

Needless to say, Lindsay, has a very special place in my heart. Not merely because of her splendid review, but just because she’s a great lady, with a great heart.

Okay, the second magical good thing ~ Black Cat Beauty, my Halloween-theme novella, coming soon from Liquid Silver Books, is currently in edits. Yeah, there’s a trademark issue over ‘Superman’, and the usage of superhero terms to be resolved. Truthfully, I would never have written the story, using these terms, except that I’d seen other romance authors using them first. Other than that little issue, the edits are going well. Yay! And big relief.
Bet you just can’t wait for my blurbage...so, actually, I’m hoping you can’t...
Blurb: A private Halloween party in a gothic mansion hidden in the Hollywood Hills. Add one party crasher, Sable Kiki, a naughty black cat with a sexy wild human side.
Her covert assignment from her devious, always-cunning father: use her seductive wiles to find out the truth from Devon Zant, a movie star on the rise to super stardom.
Posing as the superhero actor, Devon Zant, D’Torr has arrived on Earth seeking revenge for the capture of his younger brother, and to assist in stopping a powerful enemy.
The leviathan warfleet of the Altirrux wants rule of all intergalactic trade routes to Earth, endangering the survival of D’Torr’s race, and all the inhabitants of the rare blue jewel, Earth.

Now, the third magical good thing ~ just the pure fun of being an author at this spooky paranormal time of year. On their blog, the Seven Wicked Writers are holding a flash fiction contest. So, if this is your kinda scary creepy story, read the entries, and leave your comments for your faves. And some of the entries are Horror-Scary!
I have no shot at winning this one...but, still, I entered just for my own chills and thrills. To me, that is one of the most magical things about being an author, this kind of let’s-have-a-good-time-together writing opportunity. With prizes for whoever does win.
If you’re intrigued, the info for the contest is below. And, of course, here’s my entry ~

From my WIP ~ Don’t Bite the Fortune Teller

Woo-woo feelings a whirlwind inside her, Solitaire gathered up her cards, listening to the still small voice of intuition. "Oh," she whispered, seeing him. Zhayme.
The whirlwinds increased inside her. Edgy, restless, Solitaire shuffled her cards more swiftly than usual. Not that the man didn’t drive her insides gooey with all sorts of forbidden desires. Forbidden, the key word. He was out of her league. He had an ex something? who probably had the fangs to fight for him. And she didn’t need any man complications in her life. Not one who could obviously devastate her heart.
And here he came. Incomparable. Potent. Charismatic. The description jangled in her mind like a phone during a 60’s suspense movie scene.
Stop. Down. She ordered her yearning rebellious sex juices, already starting to boil over for him.
"Wooh, hot in here," she muttered as he stepped up on the dais. Her hands shook, a true rarity for her.
"Why do you need a fortune teller?" She faced the birthday lion in his den, or her temporary den. Vigorously, she shook back her own long mane.
"My beautiful fortune teller, I have many abilities. However, not your gift." He sat before her, not just sitting, aristocratic, the latent power of a lion-at-ease sitting.
His voice, a melding of brandy and velvet, soaked into her. Add a match, she’d be flambe’ in his arms. In his bed. Oh God, I’m not thinking about his bed.
Her hands still shaking slightly, she fanned the cards. And desperately wished she didn’t look like an unprofessional klutz. "Choose a card, Birthday Man."
"You should know, my Solitaire, I have the ability to choose whichever card I desire."
Ohmygawd, his hand, impossibly beautiful and powerful, with tapered fingers. Solitaire swallowed down her passion, now threatening to steam out her ears.
"Prove it." Ridiculously breathless, she’d murmured the challenge.
"King of hearts," he low purred. Selecting one card with the grace of a magician, he presented it to her.
The King of Hearts.
The card’s face seized her entire being.
Tearing her gaze away from the betraying card, she inanely asked, "Is that a statement?"
"Soon to be ‘truth’." His voice grazed over every inch of her flesh.
"Is that so?" Having knife-flung the question at him, she flung up her chin.
He smiled, trip-tripping her heart.
"I do have a question for the fortune teller who can see our newest project beneath the ocean."
"What? The manner of my disappearance?"
"We will have to ‘disappear’ for a short time, to view the city."
"View the city...?"
"My question..." The dark intensity of his gaze honed in on her eyes like a laser. "Who seeks to destroy me? By sabotaging our restoration?"
The crucial importance of her answer shone in his eyes.
"The invisible man," she blurted out, the words pulled from her, unbidden.
"Make him visible, my Solitaire...to your mind’s eye."
His command was hypnotic. Not to be refused. She wondered at her compliance as the image quickly formed.

Here’s the info for any who dare to check out the entries ~ for the complete contest info click over to ~ http://sevenwickedwriters.com ~
The Seven Wicked Writers will be hosting a Flash Fiction contest starting October 1st. You have until Oct. 30th at Midnight to send them in. The email address for all entries is: contest@sevenwickedwriters.com . The contest winner will be chosen by Tina Haveman, the publisher of eXtasy Books. The top three will each receive a prize by The Seven Wicked Writers. ALL ENTRIES WILL BE NO LONGER THAN 500 WORDS AND MUST HAVE A HALLOWEEN THEME...

Note: Thank you to http://www.oldfashionhalloween.com ~ for the Halloween pics

Now, it’s your turn, what are your magical good things?

Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~ http://savannakougar.com