The short answer is no, not right now.  The reason for that is a bit of an explanation, but the original two books were written for one publisher.  I now write for another publisher, and due to very complicated legal reasons that make my head spin, the books can’t be written right now.  Hopefully some day!  I had great stories planned for the remaining two NY Girlfriends.

Will you write a story for Evan Monroe, from the Fast Track series?

Yes!  This is mentioned on the home page.  Evan’s book, THE CHASE, will be out in early 2011, featuring a heroine named Kendall Holbrook.

How many books will be in the Fast Track series?

As of right now, SIX total.  I don’t know who will be the characters in books five and six yet, but I’m hoping Eve Monroe will present me with her story idea to write.  So far, she’s being stubborn and nothing is meshing right.

Why is HOT FINISH coming out in mass market paperback when the first two were in trade size?

This is a publisher decision intended to get greater distribution for the book.  I know the different sizes are awkward, but at least they’re cheaper!

Is the Vegas Vampires series really finished?

Yes, until something drastic changes with my publisher, it stands at four books and the two loosely connected novellas in FIRST BLOOD and OUT OF THE LIGHT, INTO THE SHADOWS.

When is the next teen DEMON book out?

Unfortunately, this too is a publisher decision, and as of right now, there will be no third book.  Can you see me pouting?   I really want to finish the series and am toying with the idea of publishing them myself on Kindle.  If you would be interested in a Kindle edition, let me know!

How can I get a FREE Suzanne and Ryder wedding shot glass?

Send a receipt for one of my books to:

Author Island
P.O. Box 663
LaGrange, Ohio 44050

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and are enjoying 2010 so far.  January 5 saw the release (finally!) of the third book in my Deadly Sins Series, THE TAKING.  If you’ve picked it up already, thank you, and please let me know what you think.  The future of this series is in jeopardy, and I’d love to be able to forward to my publisher proof that readers do want more!

What’s New

The Members Only area on my site is up and running! Sign up for the Official Fan Club for special “Members Only” benefits including:

• Members Only Contests for Advanced Reader Copies of Erin’s Work
• Advanced Sneak Peaks and Previews of Erin’s Upcoming Books
• Behind the Scenes News and Updates on Erin’s Books and Career
• Exclusive Excerpts from Erin’s Upcoming Books Found No Where Else
• Character Interviews with Your Favorite Erin McCarthy Heroes

Become a card-carrying “Preferred Fan” by sending in a receipt from the purchase of any Erin McCarthy novel and you’ll receive a special “thank you” package that includes:

• An autographed bookplate for your purchased novel
• An autographed Tarot Card (like in THE TAKING)
• An exclusive and collectible shot glass available only to Preferred Fans
• An Official “Preferred Fan” ID Card (that will entitle you to special giveaways and benefits if presented to me at conferences or events she attends)

Want to see the sexy cover for HOT FINISH?  It’s in the Members Only area.

Releases for 2010:

• THE TAKING – January (Book #3, Deadly Sins)
• SUCKER BET – February (re-release in mass market)
• FLAT OUT SEXY – June (re-release in mass market)
• HARD AND FAST – July (re-release in mass market)
• THE BEAST WITHIN – August (werewolf anthology)
• HOT FINISH – August (Book #3, Fast Track)

Contests

There is a new contest up on the site and as always check www.authorisland.com for more fun giveaways.

Cheers!

Erin

HANDLING- How a car responds on the track (the car doesn’t race well if the driver has handling issues)
What It Means- His ex was difficult and unreasonable and now that they’re over, it’s your time to move on in

START YOUR ENGINES- The signal for drivers to start their cars and move into position
How to Work It- Hair, Body, Nails, Make-Up… make sure everything under your hood is ready for the race

GREEN FLAG- A green flag means go, so a driver hits the gas pedal
How To Spot It- Come on, girls, we all know the look when a man is interested, so wave your green flag back

STOP-and-GO- A penalty handed out to drivers who speed on pit road
What It Means- Your man is on the fast track to sex and needs a warning to slow it down

BATTLING FOR POSITION- When two cars are racing each other for the same spot in the field
What it Means- Both you and your guy are using everything in your arsenal to get what you want

YELLOW FLAG- A caution period has been called by officials because of dangerous driving conditions and drivers must slow down
What It Means- Step back and think about your actions… is this really the appropriate time or place? Is this relationship right for you?

VICTORY LANE- Where the winning driver and team celebrate their victory
What It Means- Exactly what you think it means… enjoy your victory and your man!

The Lusty Pirate (Part I)

Damn my cock for getting me into a situation like this.

Drake shifted in his crouched position, trying not to think about the strange skittering sound next to his left foot. He hoped it was a rat or a spider–anything but one of the other creatures sharing his cell. At least a rat or an insect was identifiable. He had no idea what the other things in there were.

Shooting a quick glance to his left, his lips curled at the sight. He knew the dark forms huddled along the wall were human. But just barely.

He looked down as a movement along the packed earthen floor caught his attention. Inelegantly, he shoved upright, using the slick stone wall to balance himself. He stumbled back as one of the other prisoners reached out a chapped, filth-caked hand to stroke Drake’s boot.

“Shiny,” the man–at least Drake thought it was a man–said in an eerie singsong voice.

Drake backed up further, his back hitting the iron bars of the cell. Damned right his boots were shiny. He had the best valet rich women’s money could buy him. And he didn’t want them any further marred than they already were. He tore his gaze away from the ragged, dirty man to look at his own expensive clothes. Smears of dirt and God knows what stained the fine fabric of his dress coat and shirt front.

Some of that was probably there due to his ill-fated attempt at an escape that had landed him in a large rose bush and then in this horrid place. He knew the clothing was beyond saving. Somehow symbolic, really.

Another movement caught his attention, and he saw the ragged creature at his feet had lost interest in his boots and now watched some scurrying insect, large and black, shining in the dim lamplight. Not terrible different than his shoes when you gave the matter some thought.

The hovel of rags snapped out a surprisingly quick hand and snatched up the bug. He inspected it, tilting his head and peering at the helpless vermin with wild-eyed interest. Then he shoved the poor insect down the front of his pants.

Drake grimaced, turning to stare out the bars. My God, to what low depths he’d fallen. But until he started ramming beetles into his trousers, he was still better off than many. Or some at least.

This was exactly what a man got when he allowed his heart to become involved in his livelihood. He’d been a very successful libertine, making his living seducing women. Women loved him–and in truth, he loved them too. He just loved a lot of them. And he loved their monies as well. Overall, his chosen profession worked well for him. He had successful juggled all his paramours–leaving none feeling neglected or used.

He rolled his eyes. Okay, very few feeling neglected or used. He was good.

But then he met Charmaine. Young–his first mistake–, breathtaking, smart, and exuding a sexual innocence. A wide-eyed naiveté that hinted to a need for sexual awakening.

Drake rested his forehead on one of the rusted iron bars. And she had been rich. Obscenely so. And he’d told himself that was what had motivated him to pursue her. It certainly didn’t hurt, but it was really her pale, clear blue eyes and sweet smile that had lured him. Not to mention she had a body that most men would severe a testicle for.

He’d been immediately smitten. And she with him. Her husband was a man in his fifties with very little hair, except for in his ears, with a disturbing tendency to twitch, and rumors of only one testicle. Of course, the poor sot may have willingly sacrificed that to gain his lovely wife in the first place.

Needless to say, she accepted Drake’s seduction quite readily. And Drake had been stunned to discover, his sweet, innocent Charmaine was a wildcat in bed. A delightful surprise, and one that drew him in deeper. Literally.

And all had been going well. He found himself releasing his other paramours. Only Charmaine would do. She cared for him well, physically, emotionally and indeed financially.

Drake was a satisfied and–dare he say it, in love man.

Then the night before last had ended his dream relationship.

With a drama worthy of the stage.

Some people think so. Below are just a few of the most famous Ohio haunts.

The Mansfield Reformatory: This prison, now closed, has the largest free standing cell block in the world (six floors of cells stacked one of top of each other, so you can stand in the middle and see all 600 cells). It has been seen in movies like Air Force One (remember the Russian prison scene?) and The Shawshank Redemption. With a history of violent riots, prisoner mistreatment, and overcrowded conditions, some people say not all the prisoners have left the empty building. Visit http://www.mrps.org/

Taft House: The home of President William Howard Taft’s brother and sister-in-law, it is now an art museum for the extensive collection Anna Taft accumulated. Reportedly, she is still there overseeing operations. http://www.taftmuseum.org/

Johnson’s Island: In the Civil War, Confederate prisoners were housed in a prison on this Lake Erie Island, chosen for its isolation and the psychological impact harsh lake winters would have on men used to warm temperatures. Unless you could dig through solid limestone and then swim thirty miles to Canada, there was no escape, and eventually twelve thousand southerners passed through here, over two hundred dying while confined. Italian quarry workers at the turn of the century (who spoke no English) were reported to be heard whistling “Dixie” and an entire company of Confederate soldiers has been seen rising out of the cemetery, falling into formation, and marching across the bay. www.prairieghosts.com/oh-john.html
www.coastalohio.com/site.asp?id=73

Punderson Manor House: Built as a wilderness retreat for a millionaire from Detroit, construction was abandoned when he lost his fortune in the Great Depression. Rumor has it he hung himself in the attic, and employees of the Manor House (now a banquet facility and hotel) have reported seeing a man swinging from a rope in the lobby ceiling. www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/parks/punderson.htm

Other haunted houses:

• The Thurber House (author James Thurber’s childhood home in Columbus)
• Franklin Castle (Cleveland
• Kelton House (Columbus)
• The Victoria Theatre (Dayton)

Read an Excerpt from A DATE WITH THE OTHER SIDE

Question: What is Ryder’s nickname for Nikki Borden?

All entrants will be added to Erin’s Newsletter list, which is sent out every 3 months or so. Your information will, as ever, be kept strictly confidential. This contest will run until October 1st, 2010.