Welcome, Wild Rose Press author, Jenna Howard!

Welcome to my blog, Jenna, so great to have you here! Firstly, congrats on your recent sale to Liquid Silver Books, you must be thrilled. Feel free to tell us a little bit about that book too!

So, on with the interview...I do so love hearing about a naughty, sexy, irresistible cowboy, yum!

1) Who is your favourite author and why?

Oh no…I have to pick? My three top faves are Linda Howard, J.R. Ward and Joey W. Hill. Why? Their characters are off the charts awesome for me. How they weave the story leaves me breathless and hating them a little with writer envy.

2) When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Grade 11 when my teacher wrote on an assignment “Well…you made me cry so I guess that was a success.” I knew I was doing something right.

3) Describe your writing space?

It’s my couch so I’m often surrounded by empty glasses of Coke Zero. If I’m in my bed, it’s a mess and if I actually use my desk that means it’s clean.

4) What are you reading now?

Actually…nothing. What the…I seriously having nothing with a bookmark in it. What is wrong with me? I’m sorry, I have to go check my temperature. Clearly I am sick.

5) How many books have your written? Which is your favourite?

I have 4 anthology stories plus Spurred On that have been pubbed. What I’ve finished on the other hand is well…I can’t even count. My favorite is still Midnight Hour, the anthology story published by Liquid Silver Books in their Zodiac line. It was a contest win. You always love the first right? It’s Maddy. I love my heroine. She’s tough yet vulnerable. I still have no idea how I did that.

6) What comes first, plot or characters?

Characters, absolutely. They just…show up. Talking. I often worry I don’t have plot. I’m known to jump the shark a lot but at least I recognize it and can delete it. I’ve tried plotting beforehand but that never works for me. I do make my trailers first and use that as a guideline. My iMovie is filled with little video clips. I guess that’s the closest I come to plotting.

7) Do you ever suffer from writer’s block?

I wouldn’t say it’s writer’s block. I’m coming off a five year hiatus. Real life gave my creativity a good solid kick to the curb after my dad suddenly passed away. I was too busy just trying to adapt to my new world and writing wasn’t high on my priority list. Then suddenly just last year I began to write again and found comfort in the words again. I had another 4-5 year dry spell about ten years ago when I was trying to figure what I should write. I battled trying to write various series lines without much success. I had listened to a published author who said I should write romantic comedy. Big mistake. Huuuuge mistake. It was the worst piece of crap I had ever written. Then one day my best friend found Ellora’s Cave and once I found the world of erotic romance…the words and desire to write.

8) What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I’m a reader which is dangerous since I’m currently working in a book store. Dangerous dangerous.

9) Tell us about your latest book?

Spurred On is in Wild Rose Press’s Scarlet Roses’ Cowboy Kink line. For ten days, Calgary turns into a cowboy rodeo city with the Calgary Stampede. It felt only natural to set my kink fest during the Stampede. Imagine my surprise when my heroine announced to me she was a Domme. Not many Dommes kicking it in the wilder side of the garden. Here’s the blurb:

He wears the spurs, but she's not afraid to use them.

Country singer and secret Domme Jessa Brody is home to perform at the Calgary Stampede and to brainstorm some new songs for her next album. Sexy bronc rider Luke O'Connor is once again the perfect inspiration for her songs and naughty dreams. Strong, brave and handsome, he's man enough to submit to her wildest desires. But can she handle the responsibilities that go hand in hand with being a good Domme, or will she lose herself --and Luke--when Spurred On?

10) What’s next for you?

I’ve got a few stories on the go. I’ve just signed with Liquid Silver Books with a hockey goalie who falls for his best friend’s older sister. As for what I’m writing? Wish I wasn’t so muse fickle…this would go a lot easier. :D

I tell you after years of quiet in my head all this company is a little thrilling.

Thanks for having me, Rachel!! I do so love visiting England.

Glad to have you here, Jenna! Your story sounds fantastic and with 4 and 5 star reviews from Whipped Cream & Happily Ever Reviews, I am off to download it right now! Clearly, you are too modest to mention these little gems...

Rachel x

Welcome Cobblestone Press author, Vanessa Devereaux

Hi Vanessa, great to have you here! Once we are done with the interview, I would love to hear more about Cobblestone Press. I know very little about them and you are my very first guest I have hosted who writes for them. I know they have been around for a long time and have a lot of happy authors so tell us more!

OK, on with the interview...

1) When and why did you decide you wanted to be a published author?

I knew I wanted to write stories. At first it was just for fun but then ambition kicked into overdrive and my goal was to a published mystery writer.

2) What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given as a writer?

To be patient.

3) What is the best thing you have learned from an editor/agent?

One editor…yes, they rejected my story but told me I was a talented writer.

4) And the worst?

That I wouldn’t make it as a writer and to think about doing something else.

5) Share your blurb or short excerpt from your latest release with us

Hannah’s hands shook. She’d never done anything like this before and wasn’t sure if she had the nerve to go through with it. Her instructions were to enter the house, then walk up the stairs to the master bedroom. There would be a painting of a vase of flowers on the wall and behind it a safe that she’d need to open.

Then the game would begin.

She lifted the painting off the wall and sat it on the floor. Glancing at her palm, she checked the combination sequence. Twenty-three right, thirty-two left and then nineteen right. Taking a deep breath, she turned the dial to number twenty-three. How had her friends managed to talk her into doing something like this?

A bead of perspiration broke out on her forehead. She turned the lock right to nineteen, causing the safe door to spring open and almost hit her in the face. Inside sat a box of condoms, some DVDs and a pair of stockings and garters.

Yeah, she’d made a mistake, all right. She swallowed twice. Could she do this?

Her hand hovered near the button she’d been instructed to push when she was ready to move to level two of the game.

“Hold it right there,” a man’s voice said.

6) Who would you cast to play your hero & heroine in a movie?

I have no idea who would play the heroine but I think Henry Cavill would be perfect to play Andy.

7) Did you plan this book? Or write it as it came?

A little of both. I had the basic idea and then wrote as I went along.

8) What surprised you the most when you became a published?

That your work is never ending. Editing, promoting etc.

9) Do you have a dedicated writing space? What does it look like?

Yes, I always write on the couch in the living room and always on laptop.

10) What’s next for you?

I have two stories being published by Cobblestone for their Wicked line. And I’m currently working on an erotic romance, older woman, younger guy and part of is set on the island of Mallorca.

Finish with details of where readers can find you – website, Facebook, Twitter etc

I have my Web site at www.vanessadevereaux.com and on Twitter @vandevereaux.

Ooh, I love the sound of the story set in Mallorca! Why did you decide on that location? Have you been there recently? Sounds fabulous. Vanessa is waiting for your comments and questions!

Thank you!!

How are we all today, peeps??

I wanted to dedicated a short post to all the friends I have made since jumping into the erotic romance arena last year. There are SO many fantastic erotic romance writers out there that I felt more than a little scared I could do this and anybody would actually buy my stories. I am pleased to report they have and Explicitly English reached number three on the Wild Rose Press fictionwise.com bestseller list, yay!

After this story was accepted, my confidence hitched up a notch and I wrote story number two which is still under consideration but I am hoping to hear some good new soon. I will of course, tell you as soon as I do!

So the romance authors who have influenced and supported me that I want to send a shout out to are the wonderful and often prolific erotic romance authors at The Wild Rose Press, Lyrical Press and Eternal Press. PLEASE pop along to these wonderful publishers websites and try something new...go on, you know you want to!

www.thewildrosepress.com/wilderroses/

http://www.lyricalpress.com/

http://www.eternalpress.biz/

R x

Erotic romance author Toni Zuma is joining me today, welcome!

First of all, Toni - how hot is your cover??? I LOVE it! Who was the cover artist? She or he definitely deserves a mention - it's sexy yet classy. Fabulous!

Hey, everyone. I’m Toni Zuma, and I write erotic contemporary romances. Thanks, Rachel, for inviting me to guest blog today. I’m going to be talking about love, picante style, and why it’s good for you.

I read an article awhile back called 13 Simple Tips for Seriously Better Sex*. I won't go into all 13, but I had to share the tip that made the number 3 spot: Read Something Hot. Hot -- as in erotic.

Let’s share the logic of number 3, shall we?

• Having sex is good for our health.
• Reading erotic novels can light a fire under our libidos, which can lead to more and better sex.
• Therefore, reading erotic novels is also good for our health.

Ever thought about giving tip number 3 a try? You have nothing to lose except stress, that icky pent-up feeling deep in your belly, a few minutes of your favorite TV program, the routine.

There’s an endless array of erotic books on the market today to get you going, including the easy-to-buy e-books, and in subgenres ranging from paranormal and fantasy to contemporary and historical. Many are no more than the cost of a cup of coffee and take less than an hour to read. And for those of you read on your trusty e-reader, no one will know why you’re blushing.

At heart, erotic romance is like “regular” romance except the sex is more detailed. To illustrate, here’s a passage from my own erotic romance, Hot Summer Fling (www.lyricalpress.com).

With each stroke, I tugged him toward my wetness, letting him brush against the hot opening, enticing him to come inside. But he refused to be rushed.

He inched down my body, leaving kisses on my stomach, licks to my belly button, and nips on my thighs before settling his head between my legs. The feel of him between my legs, his breath against me, was about more than I could stand.

When his lips began tugging at me and, oh God, his tongue began lapping and circling my c!it, I grabbed his head, holding his probing mouth closer. I was almost there. And he knew it.

Want another example? OK, here’s an excerpt from the as-yet-unnamed novel I’m working on now about a lusty American woman who found herself a lusty Irish man.

Sean drizzled kisses like rain over Kristin’s body, running shivers up her insides, trillions of tiny sensations awaking in hunger. She threw her head back and let his talented lips do incredible things to her neck, her nipples, and the underside of her breasts. Let them dance across her ribs, tease her belly, her navel. His hands joined in, caressing her flesh, slowly, carefully, as if he didn’t want to miss a single inch. His warmth penetrated everywhere he touched, causing wave after wave of desire to crash through her.

He slid both hands down her legs and palmed her mound, pressing against it with the heel of his hand, kneading. He parted her damp lips with his thumbs, gently, like he was opening a delicate and rare treasure box, and placed them on her c!it. Clipping the flesh between both thumbs, he gently rubbed it to a tiny peak. She cried out in pleasure.

“Ah, Sean. It feels so good.”

“Hold on, love. There’s more.”

With erotic romance, there’s always more. More love, more laughs, more sex. Do something good for your health today. Read an erotic romance and enjoy love, picante style!

Toni Zuma

Web: http://tonizuma.webs.com

Email: toni.zuma@yahoo.com

Buy book: www.lyricalpress.com

Book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAb-DA3ckoA

*http://online.prevention.com/13simplesextips/list/3.shtml

Great excerpt, Toni - how long have you been writing erotic romance? My readers love to hear writers personal stories and how they broke into the elusive publishing world. Fabulous to have you hear, enjoy!

Here's Rhonda Carver talking about dating - second time around!

Hi Rhonda, great to have you here!

I love your chosen blog topic - never had anyone talk about dating before, fabulous! Take it away...

Dating after Divorce

Divorce is never easy. It’s one of those things that even if you know it is coming, you still aren’t prepared. And for an appropriate amount of time we go into hibernation. In pause mode. But unfortunately, months later, for me, the big bombshell came with dating.

My first mistake—not having some idea in my mind, some unseen list of expectations, or qualities, that I wanted in a man. It’s like going to the grocery store without a list. You’re standing in aisle 5 and staring at the huge selection of items and can’t remember for a darn what you needed or wanted. If I take the time to write a grocery list, I damn sure should have a mental list of what my prospects are. Shouldn’t everyone??

With this said, it’s very likely we will venture away from this list on occasion. If we are shopping and the ooey-gooey, warm cake grabs our attention, we may just make an unexpected purchase. We will enjoy every bit of that delicious cake, knowing in the back of our mind, it is only a temporary, momentary pleasure. And yet, we still indulge.

It is essential that at times we pull out our list and make corrections, or edits, when and if necessary. Feelings change. People change. Needs change.

I keep hearing that dating is a risk, one we must take at some point unless we choose to be alone. I guess the fact is, we either put on our seatbelt and racing tires and be in it to win it, or we get off the fast track and find the safe lane. I bought a brand new set of radials and wearing my helmet. Ready, set, go…

Excerpt

Carly squeezed her hands into fists. “My poor husband. How difficult it is for him to manage his inflated ego and keep his zipper closed.”
“We’re divorced, remember?” His voice reeked of sarcasm.
She groaned in irritation. Her pulse pounded in her ears like the beating of a drum. Her claws were showing.
Chance didn’t blink an eye as he gazed at her across the room. “Honey, I can keep my pants zipped just fine. Problem is, you can’t keep your fingers off my zipper.”
Carly’s palm itched to slap him. “We live in a small town, Chance. How do you think it’s possible we haven’t run into each other more than three times in the last two years?” She cocked her chin. “Let me fill you in. I’ve done everything in my power to keep from bumping into you. Do you realize how difficult it is to plan my schedule weeks in advance so I don’t have to see you? Is that a description of a woman who can’t keep her fingers off your zipper?”
“No, more like a woman who’s afraid she’ll forget what screwed up our marriage in the first place, realize she’s made a huge mistake and get her ass back home.”
“Humph, fat chance that’ll ever happen.” She fumbled with the sheet in irritation and gave her hair a toss over one shoulder.
Damn, he did have a point, although she’d never admit it to him.
“Yeah, right, Carly, because you can’t ever forgive and forget, can you? You think you’re the only one who has lost, don’t you?” His eyes became steely pools of green. His voice turned low and controlled. “I lost Devon, too. He was my son--our son. How long are you going to keep blaming me for his death?”
Carly swallowed the painful lump in her constricted throat. “I don’t blame you.”
“Could have fooled me.”
“We both know why I left.”
“We do?” His bitter laugh split the air with its razor-sharp intensity. “I know you want to hold on to the belief that I am the bad guy who drove you away, but isn’t it time you took half the responsibility for the failure of our marriage?” A trace of compassion softened his expression. He tugged on his shirt and finger-combed his hair.
“It wasn’t my fault you cheated.” Once she said it, she wanted to yank the words back. Too late, just like their relationship.
“You’re a broken record, sweetheart. It’s not worth denying the accusation any longer. Maybe eventually you’ll believe your words and feel justified in leaving. Devon died, Carly. He’s gone and we can’t change the truth. One of us needed to make the decision to let him go and I made it. I held out hope you’d eventually find a sliver of forgiveness in your cold heart. I guess I was wrong.”
The old wound broke open and her lungs emptied of oxygen. She wanted to lash out at him, tell him to go to hell, but the words didn’t come. Instead, she whispered, “I’m going to the bathroom. When I get back I want you gone.”
“Carly, you’ve become an expert at sucking all the joy out of your life and pushing away anyone who reaches out to you. You’re living in a self-made prison, founded on guilt and pain, and there is no key to unlock the cell door.”

Great excerpt and i LOVE your cover, Rhonda!

Waiting for your comments...

Welcome Breathless Press author, Gina Gordon!

I am so happy to welcome you, Gina - my very first guest author of 2011 and my first Breathless Press author. I thought I'd kick off the New Year with an interview so that other writers and new readers can get inspired straight from the get-go!

Over to you, Gina!

1) Did you set any goals for 2010?

Yes I did. I have been working on a 12 goals in 12 months project where I set a goal every month and record the outcome. It started off very well but then the goals were a little harder to attain. I have 6 goals left and my goal for this month is to rewrite and polish my novel Fire and Icing for submission.

2) What is the best part of the writing process for you?

The fact that my imagination has no boundaries. I will admit that sometimes I have to reign myself in but ultimately the sky is the limit when it comes to story ideas.

3) The worst part?

Writer’s block. I used to think that writer’s block was a result of not knowing where your story is going—a failure to plot. I have recently realized that it really doesn’t matter how prepared you are. Sometimes, your muse just does not want to come out and play.

4) What is the book you wish you’d written?

Can I choose books?
I wish I had written the Rough Riders series by Lorelei James.

5) Favourite author/s & book/s?

Obviously, Lorelei James. I also love Jill Shalvis. Of course, J.R. Ward is also a favorite. I have recently been turned on to Mari Carr and I am enjoying her Wild Irish series.

And even though it isn’t a romance, one of my favorite books is still Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

6) Tell us about your latest release?

My latest release, Forever In Lingerie, is the first novella in my Bare Naked Designs series. In each story, the hero catches the heroine in barely there lingerie.

Book 1 is Martina and Rob’s story. When Rob over-hears Martina describe her sexual fantasies, he decides that he's going to indulge every single one but neither of them plan on a casual fling turning into forever.

7) Tease us with a blurb/short except

How far would you go to hold on to forever?

Martina Jackson spent the last two years running from her past. Through the practice of Holistic Medicine she has meticulously transformed into a self-fulfilled woman, with one tiny exception. –hot, steamy sex with no strings. While she waits for the job offer of a lifetime why not quench her sexual desires with an eager man willing to push her to the limit. She isn't prepared when her fling turns out to be exactly what she's been running from.

Rob Taylor has been waiting his whole life to find the woman he can call forever. He didn't expect to find her half-naked in his parents living room wearing nothing but white lace and stockings. When he over hears her discussing her secret sexual fantasies Rob decides to give her what she's been missing. He propositions her under the guise of needing her professional help. As they play out each fantasy he connects with Martina on a deeper level confirming what he knew the very first moment he heard her voice. Martina's stubbornness to follow her own path gets in the way and Rob is forced to decide how far he will go to hold on to his forever.

8) What is your favourite attribute of the hero and heroine?

I love that Rob is such a romantic. He knows exactly what he wants in a partner and he won’t settle until he finds her. I admire Martina’s strength. It takes a lot of guts to forge your own path without a support system and it takes even more guts to realize you’re an ass and go after the one you love.

9) What’s next?

In 2011, I begin my journey as Vice President for the Romance Writers of America erotic romance chapter, Passionate Ink. I know it is going to be a hectic and fulfilling year. This year’s Board of Director’s will work hard to do our chapter proud.

I also have three releases. Books 2 and 3 of the Bare Naked Designs series will be out in April and September 2011. Also, my novella, The Only Exception, will be released in January by Breathless Press.

10) Tell me where you write?

Usually I write at the dining room table or on the couch. Isn’t it pathetic that I don’t even have a desk? lol But I have recently claimed the spare bedroom as my own. It has my bookshelves, my space heater for when it gets really chilly, and most importantly, an atmosphere that calms me for some weird reason. I finally have my own space…until we have a guest sleep over!

11) Where would you like your career to be in 5 years?

I hope to have a print release and be 5 years closer to being able to write full time!!

12) Where can we find you?

Website: www.ginagordon.net

Blog: http://blog.ginagordon.net

Twitter: www.twitter.com/gordongina

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=100000903600762

Thanks so much for such a great interview, Gina! I couldn't agree more about the writers' block and your new series sounds pretty darn sexy to me, LOL! OK, people, over to you for questions & comments...

New Year, New Submisson...

I have yet to hear anything from my editor regarding my latest novella submission, but then again, as I only emailed it to her on December 15th, it's hardly surprising! I am so excited to hear what she thinks of this one as I really tried to get the emotion of the characters across as well as the clear sexual tension between them.

This is the first story of mine (tentatively called Coming Back), that had me tearing up as well as getting turned on while writing it. I have tried my best to get across the heroine's emotional turmoil upon the return of the man who left her without warning two years before the story begins. She is fiesty and determined - not one to sit around waiting for a man. But love hurts - a lot. And when the hero turns up at her bar, unannounced, it is clear just what is going on inside her...

Here's an excerpt, let me know what you think!

She screwed her eyes shut against the harsh sting of tears. Damn him. What did he mean he was back? For good? For her?

The silence bore down on her but no words came. Kelly didn’t trust herself to speak so she shook her head and pursed her lips together instead. He could fill the god damn silence, he could provide the answers.

After what felt like a fortnight, he cleared his throat. “So? Do you like it I am back or not?”

She snapped her eyes open as something painful twisted in her chest – a stroke of a knife tip scoring across her heart. “Not.”

“I missed you, Kelly. A lot.”

Curling her hands around the smooth edge of the bar, she held on. “I can’t do this. You can’t do this.”

Yet undeniable love for him swelled traitorously inside her belly, catching her body alight with a raging heat for him. To feel him inside her. To have his hands caress the heat of her sensitized skin. She swallowed, gripped the bar tighter. Two years since she’d seen him but time hadn’t alter his gorgeous six foot three height, or faded eyes the color of a warm blue sea, shrouded with lashes as black as midnight. Beneath his black bomber jacket, he wore a crisp white T-shirt which served to deliciously enhance the lines of some pretty outstanding pecs.

Kelly blew out a shaky breath and despite the screaming warnings in her head, reached across the bar and cupped her hand to his jaw.