(WARNING: May be just a tad steamy for those under 18 so only keep reading if you are 18 or older, thanks!)

Today I have the pleasure of hosting my friend Jodie Griffin, who has a very hot new release from Carina Press – Forbidden Fantasies! We’re going to interview her hero & heroine in a minute! But first the blurb (and an excerpt below the interview):

After fifteen years of marriage, Jessica Meyers’s sex life is, well, a little predictable. Her handsome husband turns her on, but missionary style once or twice a week? It just can’t compare to the hot new world she discovers in the pages of erotic romances. Her fantasies fuel the fire of her desire, adding a new spark to her and Alex’s lovemaking. But Jess is afraid to tell her husband what she really wants in bed–and her secrets start coming between them.

State trooper Alex Meyers is a master at uncovering the truth–except when it comes to his sweet, shy wife. She’s clearly keeping something from him. An affair? She wants out? When he finally confronts Jess, he’s shocked to learn she wants to turn her forbidden fantasies into nightly realities. But when he takes her to a unique B and B–Bondage and Breakfast–catering to couples and multiples, Alex is about to find out just how far he’ll go.

VS asks Jessica and Alex a few questions (and their author chimes in once or twice):

What was your life like growing up?

Jess:  Well, pretty low key. My parents were older when they had me, and I’m an only child.  I didn’t really start living until I went to college.  That’s where I met Alex.    *slides a smile toward Alex, who winks*

Alex:  Me, I was your typical kid. Baseball, baseball, baseball. Then girls, baseball, girls, more baseball.  *kisses Jessica’s neck and nips at her ear*  And then I met Jessica, and it was all Jess, Jess, Jess, baseball, Jess, Jess, Jess.

Before the action in the book, what were your plans/hopes for the future?

Jess:   The usual, I guess. Raising happy kids, taking care of my family. Life’s been good. Maybe a little boring sometimes, but good.

Alex:   With my job, I’ve always hoped I’ll be around to see my kids grow up.  And I want to have time to travel with Jess. We had kids pretty quickly, so we haven’t had a whole lot of time for just us.

What changed that?

Jess:  It all started with a book.  (Author note: this was the original first line of Forbidden Fantasies, but it got cut during edits.)   See, I found out I like reading erotic romances. Really, really, REALLY like.  *blushes*  And once I realized I liked them, and thought maybe our sex life could use some livening up, I got a little…restless. And kind of cranky.

Alex:  She’s not kidding, cranky.  *Alex grins, laughs when Jess pinches him*  You know, you think you know a person, and then something happens to blow your mind.  Like finding out my wife has fantasies of kinky sex. Am I a lucky guy, or what?

How would you describe your personality?

Jess:  Can I describe Alex’s, instead? *grins* He’s sexy as hell, my guy. Possessive and protective of his family.  A good cop who really cares about and believes in what he does. And he’s a great husband and father.

Alex:  *Alex squeezes Jess’s hand*  Thanks, love. My gorgeous Jess is sweet and kind, sexy and kinky. Before she started sharing her fantasies with me, I never knew she had a bad girl hiding inside her.  I love it when her naughty girl comes out to play.  She’s bad and needs a firm hand – sometimes I think she likes being punished. *winks again as Jess turns pink*

What one thing would you take to a deserted island?

Jess: Alex.  Or toilet paper.

Alex:  *Alex laughs*  I’m interchangeable with TP? Really? I was going to say “Jess” but maybe I should make it….I don’t know, sunscreen?

*they both laugh, and Jess settles back into Alex’s arms*

Where would you go on vacation?

Jess:  With the kids, the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  Without the kids? I’d love to go back to the B&B.

Alex: *Alex’s eyes go molten hot* We don’t need a vacation for that, babe. I was going to tell you tonight after the kids went to bed, but I guess I’ll tell you know.  I just got confirmation we’re booked next month for a long weekend, Friday to Sunday.  Gabe, the guy who owns the B&B, says he has a seminar going on there that weekend, but he had one room left and we’re welcome to it.

Jess:  A seminar? On what?

Alex: *grins widely*  Bondage, what else? Remember what we saw in the lounge that night? Yeah. More of that.

Jess: Oh. My. God.  *squeezes eyes shut, then laughs ruefully* I’ve created a monster. So, where would you go on vacation?

Alex:  As long as I’m with you, I’ll go anywhere.  *kisses Jess*

 What is your most distinguishing characteristic?

Alex:    *opens his mouth to speak, winks at Jess as he stares at her cleavage*

Jess:   Don’t you dare!  *rolls eyes and elbows him*  

Alex:  What? *rubs sternum*  I was going to say your generous….heart. Talk about creating a monster. *laughs*

Jess:  You’re insane.  *kisses Alex*  And you have a world class butt.  *turns to Veronica*  You should see him in his boxer briefs. Oh. My.

What is your major skill or talent?

Alex:    *opens his mouth to speak again*

Jess:   *covers his mouth with her hand as he does the same to her*

*both start laughing*

 What’s your favorite color? Favorite food?

Alex:    *scowls, turns to Jess* Color? Do I have a favorite one? Guys don’t think about that. Blue? I don’t know.  Food, that’s another story. Steamed crabs, shrimp, corn on the cob, chips, beer.

Jess:   Green in almost any shade. Makes me happy. And I’m with Alex on the crabs. Welcome to Maryland. We eat crabs here. *smiles*  Oh, and chocolate, although not at the same time as the crabs. *shudders*

 If you had to pick another career, what would it be?

Jess:  Oh, I don’t know. Lingerie model? *snorts*

Alex: *glares* Over my dead body.  No one else gets to see Jess nearly naked but me. Not funny, babe.

Jess:  I was kidding.  *strokes his cheek*  You know that.

Alex:  Sorry.  *blows out a long sigh, grins sheepishly*   Me, I’ve always wanted to be a cop. I don’t want any other career.

Which actor or actress would you want to play you in the movie?

Jess:  Movie?  *snorts*  My life? Hah.  But really, I have no idea.  Now, Alex? He’d be… Alex O’Laughlin. Oh, yeah.  *grins*

Alex:  Who?

Who are your closest friends?

Jess:  Alex.  My college roommate.  And I just met someone who’s dating one of Alex’s friends, and I think we’ll get along great. Her name is Bella.  I hope she and Marcus can make it work.

Alex:  Jess.  My partner. And Marcus.   He’s the one who told me about the B&B. I owe him one.

Who do you love?

Jess:  Alex.  Our kids. Our extended families.

Alex:  Jessica, Kara and Ben. Mom and Dad.  My brother and sister

What are your future plans?

Jess: I don’t think that far ahead.  Too much goes on in our lives between the kids and Alex’s job for that!  But I know what I’m doing this afternoon, before Alex’s mom brings the kids home. *winks at Alex*

Alex:  *Eyes widen, and a grin crosses Alex’s face.  He stands up from the sofa, holds out hand* It was nice meeting you, Veronica, but I think we need to go now. *winks* We’ve got….plans.

VS sez, Believe me this couple loves each other…and things in the book do get HOT. Here’s an excerpt before they go off to the bed and breakfast they so fondly talked about in the interview:

 God, she hated conflict, especially the kind between her and Alex. And really, if this whole emotionally draining, nerve-twitching situation was anyone’s fault, it was his. After all, he’d been the one to give her the gift card she’d used to buy the first book. And the second. And the third.

Jessica Meyers sighed disgustedly as she tested the water of her bubble bath. No, none of this was Alex’s doing. It was all hers, and she was going to have to find a way to fix it. Soon, before the confused frustration she saw in her husband’s eyes turned into something irreparable.

It was late, but she needed to unwind. The kids were sound asleep, and Alex, a Maryland State Trooper, was still at work. He probably would be all night, unless the MSP caught a break on the case that had been all over the nightly news. It was quiet for once, and maybe now she could figure out what the hell she was going to do to make things right again.

She lit some aromatherapy candles that matched the scent of her bubble bath, turned off the overhead light and climbed into the claw-foot tub, sighing as the steamy water did its thing on her muscles. She settled back and closed her eyes, breathing deeply, letting the soothing aroma of eucalyptus seep into her pores. Her hands drifted idly over her stomach, back and forth through the thick bubbles.

Alex. She loved that man so much, even more than the day she’d said I do. They’d been through a lot together these past fifteen years, but never once had she been sorry she’d married Alex right out of college. She still wasn’t sorry. She couldn’t imagine ever being sorry. And yet, as much as she loved Alex and their life together, she was restless and itchy, and it had all started with a book.

It had been another Friday night, and she’d been alone in the house. Ten-year-old Kara had been sleeping at her best friend’s house, and seven-year-old Ben had gone on a camping trip. Alex and Jess had planned a much-needed date night, but then Alex called her to say he’d caught a case and would be working late.

Jess was frustrated, but she’d been a cop’s wife long enough to suck it up and not blame Alex for things out of his control. Rather than sit home alone, she drove to the bookstore in Frederick, looking for something new and fun and distracting to read.

She picked up book after book, looking at the covers and reading the backs, but nothing caught her attention. She was kneeling on the floor, surrounded by possible choices, when she found it on the bottom shelf.

The cover drew her attention first. It showcased a hazy photograph of a wrought iron four-poster bed with plush white bed linens, rumpled as if someone had just woken and stepped out of the room. A silky black scarf, tied in a knot like a blindfold, lay at the foot of the bed. Men’s ties were looped around each of the four posts.

Her mouth went bone dry, her mind whirling with images of what might’ve happened in that bed. She flipped the book over to read the back cover copy and got sucked right in. The erotic promise in those words flowed over her like warm honey, and she turned to the first page. Exactly what she’d been looking for. She paid for her book and headed home.

VS sez Jodie’s next book will be: Forbidden Desires from Carina Press in November, 2012.  And her website is www.jodiegriffin.com or Follow her on twitter at @jodie_griffin

Forbidden Fantasies can be purchased at Carina Press  Amazon