Welcome Decadent Publishing author, Liz Crowe!

Today, I am happy to welcome Liz Crowe! She has been lucky enough to have some of the most delicious covers I have seen - who is the cover artist, Liz? They are gorgeous!

Tell us more about Decadent Publishing? I have heard so much about them and all good, so I'd love some insider info!

Okay, over to you...

Why Multiple Delights?

I love series books.

Seriously I love to read them, to get all attached to main and secondary characters then pick up the third or fourth of fifth story and have that secondary story fleshed out for me. I'm currently irrationally addicted to JR Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood and will dive into her fallen angels series soon. I loved the Patricia Briggs series with Mercy and barely slept while devouring Jeaniene Frosts' Night Huntress books. (huh, and I claim NOT to like paranormals...silly me).

I believe it is truly the ultimate compliment to a writer's story to clamor for more. Not all books require sequels of course. There are a few that remain nameless lest I libel myself that I could have stopped at one but that went on (and on...and on) and made their author briefcases full of money. So somehow, when I write a story, my secondary characters are always strong, and many times demand their own tale.

My first series, The Brewing Passion series from Breathless Press, started as one novel, from which I subbed a few choice chapters as shorts. They got accepted and now that series includes The Tap Room, which is a choose your own romance format, plus 4 more shorts as "missing chapters." I have a hot realtor series under consideration at a few publishers now.

But for Turkish Delights, after I finished that first one, Emre and Elle's story just needed more. So I latched on to Elle's hot personal assistant Caleb who had been in a committed relationship with Emre's twin brother Tarkan for a while and told their story. Prepare the tissues. Blue Cruise is a tear jerker of the highest order.

Then, for Tulip Princess I was allowed to go outside the bounds of the "less than 12,000 words" requirement for the 1NightStand series for Decadent Publishing and was able to bring Lale (pronounced "Lah-lay" who is Emre and Tarkan's younger sister) to life. She was a tough girl to get my head around. But I did and so does one hunky Greek, Andreas Michos. Their little "magical date" seems destined to fail miserably and not just because she's Turkish and he's Greek and you are more likely to throw a snake and a mongoose into a room and have them get along.

Once these were secured into the Decadent system, my editor suggested I write and submit something more. "People are going to want more," she claimed. So I did. "The Diplomat's Daughter" a novella prequel to the entire series has been accepted and will be published in early 2012. It is the story of Emre, Tarkan and Lale's parents set in Istanbul in the early 1960s. She's the daughter of an American high diplomat. He's the son of servants, but who has made good for himself. They knew each other as children, but were forced apart by "propriety." You know what THAT means right? Yep. Destiny.

TURKISH DELIGHTS

The fifteen year age difference between Elle Kensington, ex-patriat American executive and Emre Deniz, son of Istanbul's most successful businessman, has not kept them from becoming fast friends as they tour Istanbul together. But the time has come for him to return to the U.S. to finish his master's degree and she has just been named CEO of the pharmaceutical company that brought her to Turkey in the first place. Elle adores her adopted country, and is alarmed to find herself falling in love with the young man who's been her impromptu guide for the last few months.

But she knows they can never be. She will return home to California within a month, leaving behind all she loves about the ancient city. In a rare fit of spontaneity, Elle has contracted with Madame Eve's OneNightStand dating service to hopefully find a way to forget the dark, handsome young man who has captured her heart. Little does she know what awaits her in the ancient recesses of the Ottoman palace turned luxury hotel under the hands of her one night stand masseur.

Excerpt

“I miss you already,” Emre said, with his usual candor. “I can’t believe I just met you and now we must part.” He finished his tea and signaled the waiter for another. Before she could lean back, he reached over the tiny table and captured her hand, putting it to his mouth. Elle’s entire body zinged. His lips were gentle, soft but with a firmness that spoke of his potential talents with them. Exactly as she thought they would be, even if only pressed to her hand. She bit her lip, no longer caring what the gawkers around them thought, as she pressed her thighs together to ease the ache building between them.

“I know.” Her voice was a whisper. “It’s been…nice getting to know you.” Lame, her brain screamed. Just kiss him, for crying out loud. You are the newly-named CEO of a major pharmaceutical company. You eat fear for breakfast. What the hell is your problem?

She stood, pulling up her bag. Emre remained seated, staring at her.

“I’m not what you think,” he said, as he stretched long legs out in front of him.

Her face flushed with anger. Good. Now I’m on familiar ground. Mad at a man for assuming things about what I think.

“Just what do I think, if you don’t mind sharing.” She used her coolest-cucumber voice, and it pleased her to see the young man frown. Anger she could cope with. Besotted was beyond her, especially since she felt the same damn way about this boy nearly fifteen years her junior.

“Never mind.” He stood, towering over her even as she stood in her highest heels. “Let’s not fight. It’s our last day together, no?”

The urge to run a finger down his strong, stubbled jaw was intense. She clenched her hands together so hard they hurt. He put a familiar arm around her shoulder, nearly bringing her to her knees with lust. The smell of his subtle cologne, mixed with the exotic manliness she’d come to associate with him in his element at his grandfather’s spice booth nearly sent her over the edge. She shut her eyes, leaning into his strong torso ever so slightly. Was it her imagination, or did he flinch? She drew away, ashamed at herself.

“I should get back,” Gesturing in the general vicinity of where her car and driver waited, she gasped when Emre held her close then dropped to one knee right onto the cobblestones. Embarrassment and excitement fought for her brain. He took her hand, kissed it, held it to his heart.

“You are the most amazing woman in the universe. It has been my honor to know you. I wish….” He blinked, and she used the opportunity to pull her hand away. “I just wish we’d known each other sooner.”

It was Elle’s turn to blink. Realization rushed through her, heating her face. He knows damn good and well I’m a dried up specimen, too focused on my career to find and keep a man or sustain any relationship beyond the office. Fists clenched at her sides, she tried to calm her breathing.

You are a fool, Ellery Kensington. He knows you’re a horny old lady. And he might oblige you between the sheets, but get the foolish romantic bullshit about spiriting him back to the States with you out of your head. That’s patent nonsense and you should know better.

Finished with her self-lecture, she squared her shoulders and leaned in to press her lips to his jaw. Closing her eyes against the chemical reaction she had to him, she stepped away quickly.

BLUE CRUISE:

Caleb and Tarkan were an odd couple, men from two different cultures, but so in love they were determined to overcome any obstacles. Fate had different plans. Two years after tragedy strikes, Caleb is still a hollow shell of himself, alone and miserable. Adem Broussard is happy enough, as owner and chef of his restaurant on the Turkish southern coast. But a tall, American Adonis he saw once, years ago on a Turkish Blue Cruise haunts his most erotic dreams and he hopes contracting with Madame Eve's 1NightStand service for an unconventional date will help him forget.

When Caleb caves in to his friend Elle's insistence that he return to Turkey and exorcise some of the demons that haunt him, he reluctantly climbs on board a private yacht for a special 1NightStand Blue Cruise. There he comes face to face with the man who remembers him well, and wants to help him heal.

TULIP PRINCESS

Lale Deniz, young, drifting and prone to wildness that her Turkish family doesn't understand is seeking something to help her reestablish control over her life. Her beloved brother Tarkan has exited her life. His twin, Emre lives far away in America with his growing family. When Elle, Emre's American wife has a scary brush with death giving birth, Lale is dispatched to California to help with their five-year old daughter. But a recovering Elle has plans for Lale that involve a magical 1NightStand.

Andreas Michos, Greek former NFL star, now athletic director at UNLV also floats through life, unsuccessfully seeking satisfaction. His former wife and sexual sub left him when he took away the limelight of football stardom. He doubts his own abilities anymore and has given up finding an outlet for his natural Dom.

Set against a backdrop of ancient cultural clashes and Mediterranean family dynamics, Lale and Andreas do meet in Las Vegas at the famous Castillos resort for a date. But it seems destined to fail. Unless they are both willing to relinquish control and discover what can be found inside the soul of another.

Thanks for having me here today!

I will offer a box of actual "Turkish delight" candy to one lucky commenter....

Bio:

Microbrewery owner, beer blogger and journalist, mom of three teenagers, and soccer fan, Liz lives in the great middle west, in a Major College Town. Years of experience in sales and fund raising, plus an eight-year stint as an ex-pat trailing spouse plus making her way in a world of men (i.e. the beer industry) has prepped her for life as erotic romance author. When she isn't sweating beer inventory, sales figures or promotional efforts for her latest publication, doing pounds of laundry for her sweaty athletic children, watching La Liga on the Fox Soccer Channel, or trying to figure out what to order in for dinner, she can be found walking her standard poodles or doing Bikram Yoga. Liz loves her Foo Fighters Pandora station, and watching reruns of Deadwood, when there isn't any decent European football on the telly. If you want a beer education follow her: www.a2beerwench.com. For writing related stuff, including her backlist, go to: www.brewingpassion.com.

Thanks so much for being here today, Liz and for hosting a giveaway! Liz is waiting for your comments...

Welcome my online friend and Wild Rose Press author, Jennifer Jakes!

I am so excited to have Jennifer here to share her VERY interesting post with you today, lol! I read this and burst out laughing and then spent the rest of the day thinking....

THEY DID WHAT??

Have you ever had one of those days – or weeks – where nothing went right? Maybe you’ve been plagued with insomnia, irritability, headaches or melancholy? Never fear, after extensive research I know what is wrong with you. You have Female Hysteria. And the cure? Easy. . . A doctor manipulated orgasm!

Huh? – you say. Come again? (OK, did you think I could pass that one up?)

In the Victorian Era – specifically 1837 to 1901 – doctors treated woman by genital stimulation to induce “hysterical paroxysm” or an orgasm. This hysteria was supposed to be a build up of fluid in the woman’s womb and doctors assumed that since men ejaculated and felt better….

But what about the husbands? What did they have to say about this? Well, proper gentlemen of the time were not trained to see to their wives needs – it was not even understood that women had needs. Instead it was much easier to call for the doctor when a woman exhibited symptoms of hysteria. (Do you think husband’s noticed if large doctor’s bill arrived?)

Manual stimulation was applied by the doctor simply reaching under the woman’s skirt, but by 1869 a steam-powered vibrator had been invented – no doubt after numerous doctors complained of carpal tunnel!

This vibrator’s motor had to be housed in a separate room (see picture) with the fun part sticking through the wall. By 1889 an electrical vibrator was available – beating out the electric iron and vacuum cleaner by a decade. So the next time you hear someone talk about prim and proper Victorians, you can say, “Oh, contraire!”

Jennifer is here promoting two titles today - her latest is Twice In A Lifetime, coming soon from The Wild Rose Press. Here is the blurb:

TWICE IN A LIFETIME

Be Careful What You Wish For. . .

No-nonsense stuntwoman Isabella Douglas will do anything to stop an unwanted divorce and reclaim the happy life she had, even allow her old friend to concoct a magical spell to turn back time. But when the spell goes awry, Izzy finds herself trapped aboard a 1768 Caribbean pirate ship with a captain who’s a dead ringer for her sexy as sin husband, Ian. Convinced he’s playing a cruel joke, she’s furious – until she realizes he doesn’t know her or believe they’re married.

Captain Ian Douglas does not have time to deal with an insane woman who claims to be his wife; he has to save his kidnapped sister. But as Izzy haunts his dreams and fills him with erotic memories he can’t explain, he’s forced to admit he feels more than lust.

Trapped in a vicious cycle of past mirroring present, Izzy knows they only have days to find Ian’s sister and prevent disaster from striking a second time. If she doesn’t, their marriage will be destroyed again – along with the man she loves.

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/108621

As well as the fabulous Rafe's Redemption - this awesome story is available right now! Go buy it - you won't be disappointed...

He rode into town to buy supplies, not a woman.

For hunted recluse Rafe McBride, the raven-haired beauty on the auction block is exactly what he doesn't need. A dependent woman will be another clue his vengeful stepbrother can use to find and kill him. But Rafe's conscience won't let him leave another innocent's virginity to the riff-raff bidding. He buys her, promising to return her to St. Louis untouched. He only prays the impending blizzard holds off before her sultry beauty breaks his willpower.

She wanted freedom, not a lover.

Whisked to the auction block by her devious, gambling cousin, and then sold into the arms of a gorgeous stranger, outspoken artist Maggie Monroe isn't about to go meekly. Especially when the rugged mountain man looks like sin and danger rolled into one. But a blizzard and temptation thrust them together, and Maggie yearns to explore her smoldering passion for Rafe.

But when the snow clears, will the danger and secrets that surround Rafe and Maggie tear them apart?

http://www.wilderroses.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=156&products_id=812

I cannot wait to read your comments!! ;)

Rachel x

Where do your ideas come from???

Readers often ask authors where they get their ideas and I think I am right in answering for most of us when I say, I have absolutely no idea!

Ideas are everywhere but they start out as such a tiny nugget that by the time the finished story is done, that idea is barely recognizable. Passing conversation, TV shows, plays or movies I’ve seen trigger a lot of my ideas. I am yet to be stuck for any amount of time. In fact, I have the outlines for my next two novellas already written down and saved in a file.

My biggest tip with regard to finding new ideas is to watch TV and when you find a program or episode that you really like, ask yourself why. Then adapt it to suit what you want to say. The same is true of a program or episode you hate – why did you hate it? How would you change it to make it better? Bam, there’s you next story.

Don’t ever worry that you are stealing another writer’s idea because no two people will ever write the same story. Ask any writing tutor. They often give out a single scenario to a class of people and those students will hurriedly write something down. Each story outline will be very different. Guaranteed.

However, having said all that, the idea for my latest release “Coming Back” didn’t come from any of those sources. It came from a voice in my head, a single line of dialogue spoken by the woman who would become my heroine, Kelly Hampton.

“From now on I am going to be celibate.”

That was it. That single line and I was off and running. Why was she saying this? What brought on the decision? Would she fail or succeed? Ideas are all about having fun, playing, working things out until you have a bona fide story with a solid goal, motivation and of course, the all-important conflict.

Writing is fun – enjoy every part of it! I do :)

Rachel x

Welcome Accent Press author, Victoria Blisse!

Hi Victoria!

It's great to have you here and to be a part of your tour - hope my visitors and readers offer you a fab welcome. Over to you!

That's funny!

I think a lot of people would believe that humour and erotica should never meet. When sex comes to mind you don't generally think of laughter at the same time! However I want to beg to differ. I think humour and erotica can and do work well together.

What is one of the first thing women will say when asked what they desire in a partner? Often they will say a good sense of humour. Someone who can make us laugh is sexy! They put us at our ease and that in turn makes us feel confident and sexy, laughter is brilliant foreplay.

But laughter isn't a no-no as things get even more serious. I think it again works to put people at their ease and sometimes you just need to let go of some tension so you can enjoy the rest of the proceedings if you know what I mean! Humour works in all kinds of serious situations, here's an excerpt from Naughty Rendezvous http://www.erotica-romance-ebooks.com/naughty-rendezvous.html to illustrate my point.

I may not be able to promise that I’ll never hurt you or your sweet little child but I can promise to try

my hardest to treasure you both in the way you deserve to be treasured.’

‘Thanks,’ I sniff, ‘I’m sorry I doubted you.’

‘Oh, it’s OK. I’ll spank you for it later.’ He grins and then leans in to kiss me. Our lips meet and all fears melt away as our giggles spill between our kissing lips.

‘You’re incorrigible,’ I tut, jokingly.

‘Yes, and encourageable.’ He chuckles and we kiss again, our arms wrapping firmly around each other.

The phone ringing breaks through our haze of happiness.

‘Oh shit that’ll be Mum,’ I curse, as I leap up and run to the phone.

‘Hello, Mum.’ I feel Joe’s hands on my hips, his body pressing against me. ‘Half an hour? OK then.’

His hands reach round me and cup my breasts. I hold back a moan as his hardness presses against my bottom.

'I’ll see you in 30 minutes then, Mum. Bye.’

As I put the phone down, he spins me round and kisses me firmly.

‘Joe,’ I fight to gasp out. ‘My mum will be here in half an hour ¨I’ve got to change.’

‘OK, I’ll give you a hand.’

He slips off my skirt and moves his hands up to the front of my blouse, undoing the buttons.

‘Joe,’ I gasp as he slips the material off my arms and reaches round me to pop open my bra. ‘I have to change, like, now.’ Off comes the bra and the words freeze in my mouth as his lips latch on to my breast, sucking and nibbling on my excited nipple.

‘Joe!’ Once more, I try and get over to him the urgency of this matter but his lips have dipped lower and I find myself leaning back against the wall to keep from falling backwards. He forcefully splits my thighs and kneels before me. He looks up, his nose literally brushing the curls covering my pussy.

‘Shall I stop?’

‘No,’ I gasp, ‘but, please, be quick.’

He doesn’t waste time on words as his fingers split my moist lips wide, his tongue lapping up and down my slit. I gasp and run my fingers through his hair, pulling him in close, his tongue driving me wild, pushing me closer and closer to orgasm,

‘Joe,’ I pant. ‘Oh, Joe.’ I pull on his hair, tugging it as he wiggles his tongue inside me, then tickles and flicks over my clit, establishing a rhythm that proves too much.

I yell his name as I come, clutching him to me, as he licks and sucks till the vibrations stop.

‘OK, now you can go and get dressed.’ He grins. ‘I’ll tidy up down here.’

‘Ah, no wonder I love you,’ I quip, pressing my lips to his as he stands, savouring the taste of my femininity there.

‘I love you too,’ he replies as I run off upstairs to get dressed. ‘You naughty minx.’

If you want to read more of my mix of funny and sexy pick up Naughty Rendezvous http://www.erotica-romance-ebooks.com/naughty-rendezvous.html or browse through any other of my tales http://www.victoriablisse.co.uk/books as I can't help joking about in my stories!

What do you think? Is funny sexy?

*****

Joe gives Leanna her perfect punishment.

Joe likes to tease and single mum Leanna loves it too. When they meet up for their first official date, the sparks fly but who's going to crack first? Will Joe's intimate questions and kiss and run tactics bring Leanna to her knees or will Leanna's curves, flashed in moments of exhibition drive Joe to rip off all her clothes and indulge his urges?

How will she react to Joe's domination and will she be turned on by his spankings? She's going to be a naughty girl, so she's bound to find out.

Buy links:

http://www.erotica-romance-ebooks.com/naughty-rendezvous.html

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-naughtyrendezvous-614536-144.html

http://www.bookstrand.com/naughty-rendezvous

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005Z2CKE2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=lucyfelthouse-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B005Z2CKE2

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005Z2CKE2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=lucyfelt-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B005Z2CKE2

*****

Victoria Blisse is a Mother, Wife, Christian, Manchester United Fan and Award Winning Erotica Authoress.

She is equally at home behind a laptop or a cooker and she loves to create stories, poems, cakes and biscuits that make people happy. She was born near Manchester, England and her northern English quirkiness shows through in all of her stories. Passion, love and laughter fill her works, just as they fill her busy life.

If you want to keep up to date with what’s going on in the world of Blisse check me out at My website: http://www.victoriablisse.co.uk

My facebook: http://www.facebook.com/victoriablisse

My Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/victoriablisse

*****

Comment on this post or any in the Naughty Rendezvous Blog Tour http://www.writermarketing.co.uk/prpromotion/blog-tours/currently-on-tour/victoria-blisse/ and you will be in with a chance to win one of these prizes:

A Print novel, Tempting Rendezvous.

All three eBooks in the Getting Together trilogy.

A copy of the eBook Restoration.

All you need to do is comment on this post and make sure your email address is included there somewhere (feel free to type as myname AT myemailprovider DOT com to avoid attracting spam!) and your comment will be counted in the draw.

One comment per blog will be counted but there are 10 blogs in the Naughty Rendezvous blog tour http://www.writermarketing.co.uk/prpromotion/blog-tours/currently-on-tour/victoria-blisse/ and if you comment on all of them that gives you 10 chances to win!

Victoria Blisse will choose the three winners on the ^4th December and will announce them on http://www.victoriablisse.co.uk. Good Luck!

Thanks for being here, Victoria and loads of luck with your tour!

Comments?

Favorite on screen romantic couples...who are yours?

Who would you think of if someone asked you to name your favorite screen or literary couple? Would it be Rhett & Scarlett, Elizabeth Bennett & Mr. Darcy, Lancelot & Guinevere? My favorite is none of the above as much as I love all their stories and have read and re-read, watched and re-watched the adaptations of Gone With The Wind, Pride & Prejudice and The Legend of King Arthur over and over again.

As much as I love them, and it’s interesting that all my favorites are set in the past, they don’t quite hit the romantic spot that puts my absolute favorite does. This is a couple I wish I’d created, a couple whose story I wish had come into my imagination fully-formed and ready to tell. It has everything.

My favorite on screen couple were the hero and heroine from a movie released in 1997. A movie that earned the actress and director an Oscar and at the time, I think topped all previous box office ticket sales for a single movie. Any guesses?

No? Drum roll please…

My favorite onscreen couple are Jack and Rose from Titanic. Played to perfection by the beautiful Kate Winslet and gorgeously handsome Leonardo DiCaprio.

These two are the perfect romantic couple from their entirely different backgrounds, to the passion they can’t contain, the internal demons that haunt them and their ultimate fight to be together. Titanic is an epic film in every sense because it has something for everyone, male or female, young or old.

As well-known as the setting for this romantic tale is, it is Jack and Rose who make the movie. We are routing for them from the very first scenes, even before they come together and when the do meet…woo-hoo, sexual fireworks abound!

Great movie, great couple, great story – in fact, I might even watch it tonight as Mr. Leigh is out and about, lol!

My latest release is “Coming Back” which is available right now from The Wild Rose Press. Here is the blurb:

Kelly Hampton loved once...and lost. After two years of looking for Sean MacKenzie in other men--and failing miserably--she takes a vow of celibacy. No sex until she finds love. Then Sean strolls back into her bar, reigniting old flames. No one has come close to understanding or satisfying her like he did. Her body burns for the passion they once shared, but her heart still remembers the pain.

Sean escaped Jessop Hill and his father's fists in the middle of the night without a word--even to his love, Kelly--to protect his battered mother, but he never forgot the explosively erotic relationship he left behind. Now his father is dead and Sean is back for the only woman he's ever wanted. Their reunion is full of fire – but can sexual attraction and noble intentions overcome years of heartache or will Kelly walk away to protect her heart this time.

http://www.wilderroses.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=86&products_id=837

Rachel x

Which sub-genre next? Historical, contemporary, paranormal?

Mmm…which sub-genre of erotic romance do I write next? That’s the question bugging me right now.

I am a writer who needs change, likes to learn different nuances of this wonderful craft, try different themes, sub-genres, conflicts to keep both my readers and me, interested. The same is true of my reading material, I love erotic romance, historical romance, contemporary romance and romantic comedy.

My debut release, ‘Explicitly English’ was a contemporary erotic romance, so is my latest 'Coming Back', my third which I am writing is contemporary but set overseas in Greece but already I am feeling the need to write something different with my next story. But what?

Recently I put up a poll asking my followers and visitors to choose a preferred erotic romance sub-genre. After the poll closed it was very hard to judge but the consensus seemed to be you guys crave either contemporary or historical erotic romance.

But what about the ever popular paranormal? Or those luscious cowboys? The thrills of a romantic suspense with those naughty boys in uniform? Mmm, delicious, I’m licking my lips just thinking about it!Even as I am writing this, the ideas are germinating…the lusts growing. I can’t help wondering how other writers create their stories. Do they start with an idea and immediately know in which sub-genre that story will fit into? Or maybe most writers aren’t like me and once they find the sub-genre they want to write, they stick to it. What do you think? I’d love to know what you guys write and/or read. Help me out!

Rachel x

Welcome busy Laura Browning!!

It's my absolute pleasure to welcome the lovely Laura Browning to my blog today. Laura writes for both The Wild Rose Press and Lyrical Press and has two new releases to celebrate. Before she takes the floor, I have to say how much I LOVE the Santa's Helper cover...sexy, sexy! Who was the artist?

Welcome, Laura!

When did you write your first book and how old were you? I wrote my first book by hand in a spiral-bound notebook when I was 16 years old. It was a really bad gothic romance set in Cornwall, probably because every gothic romance I’d read at that point was set in Cornwall, certainly not because I’d actually been there. I gave it to my mother for Christmas, and she’s been after me to publish ever since.

Fortunately for me, as well as my readers, my writing style and choice of subject matter have matured. I actually have two books coming out within two days of each other. My contemporary romance, Bittersweet, comes out from Lyrical Press on December 5, and my holiday novella, Santa’s Helper, releases December 7 from The Wild Rose Press.

How much of the books are realistic? Well, I can tell you right up front that Santa’s Helper is total fiction. For the most part, so is Bittersweet, though I have so much experience with horses over the years, it’s definitely in my comfort zone. I have assisted veterinarians with my own horses in many less than ideal situations, like one horse that needed more than a hundred stitches. Since we didn’t have electricity in our barn, we were running work lights off a gas generator so he could see what he was doing.

What is the hardest scene you have had to write (published or not)? I think one of the most difficult scenes I (and my wonderful editor at Lyrical, Dianne B) have had to handle is a somewhat less than consensual sex scene. Since it plays a pivotal role in the plot, it needed to be handled. The difficulty we had to handle was how much to tell and what we could simply leave to the reader’s imagination. There were a lot of rewrites, but in the end, I think we dealt with it in an appropriate way to move the plot along without trying to shock readers.

What is your favorite character you’ve written (published or not)? I really like Jack in Santa’s Helper…a lot. He’s that American icon, the poor boy who pulls himself up by his bootstraps. But I’ll let you in on a secret, there’s a secondary character in Bittersweet who I absolutely adore (sorry hubby). If this guy showed up on my doorstep and asked me to marry him, I’d drop everything. I won’t tell you who he is, just that he ends up with his own, still-to-be-published story. It was when I finally let him have his say that he showed me how great he is.

I just wish sometimes that my characters wouldn’t wait until the midnight oil’s burning to show themselves.

So, are you a morning person or a night person? Yes. Ha, ha. I like any time of day in which I can find some quiet. Sometimes that’s late at night. Sometimes it’s early in the morning. Generally, I guess I’m more of a morning person. There’s something empowering and reassuring about watching the sun rise in the morning.

Do you sleep with the light on? Why or why not? Absolutely no light. I’ve been known to get up at night and pull my flash drive out of the computer because the little glowing light on it is irritating me. Total reversal from when I was a kid. Then I had every light on I could talk my parents into leaving on.

You mentioned having horses earlier. What is your favorite animal? That is a tough one. I love my old hunt mare to distraction. She’s a horse who’s always done everything I’ve asked of her—from hunting and eventing to playing polocrosse, which she’s waaaayyyy too big to be doing. But you know, you just can’t cuddle up to a horse and watch TV. We also have cats and dogs. Whenever I’m writing, they all usually end up in the office under my feet, on the chairs, just wherever they can find a spot to park themselves. I love putting animals in my stories when they fit.

The newest additions to our household are two Jack Russell/Border Terrier crosses. They are so cute and so sweet. Hubby likes hunting terriers. I like snuggling terriers. These crosses seem to be both.

So, what’s next with your writing? I always have multiple works-in-progress. I don’t want to say I have a short attention span, but I need several things going at once. That way, if I get bored or stuck with one story, I switch to another. The downside of that is there are a few never to be finished stories in my files. Whatever. I love to write, and I write very fast.

I am working on a third installment in my Silkie series. It will be Taylor’s story, but I have to tell you, I’m struggling with coming up with the right heroine for him. He’s such a great guy and he so underestimates himself… If anybody has some ideas on who would fit him, let me know what you think!

Contact info:

Website: www.laurabrowningbooks.com

Blog: www.laurabrowningbooks.blogspot.com

Twitter: @laurabrowning4

Facebook: laura browning author

Great interview, Laura! I too, am a huge animal lover and your life surrounded by our furry friends sound idyllic to me. I am off to download both your new books right now, I'd love to incorporate animals into my books more often.

Laura is waiting to hear from you! Comments?

Excited to host my online friend and fellow Scarlet Rose, Emma Lai!

So happy to have Emma visiting with us today. Emma is one of the busiest and friendliest writers I have the pleasure of knowing and I am thrilled to be celebrating the release of her latest sexy Cowboy story, Riding Rodeo with her. It is on my virtual shelf waiting to be read, I can't wait!

Rachel, thanks so much for celebrating the release of Riding Rodeo with me. I’ll be giving away a copy to one lucky person who leaves a comment.

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

In the Fall of 2008, I was amusing myself, my husband and my mother-in-law with stories I’d written as a way to relax while studying for my comprehensives. My mother-in-law, who has many years of experience in the industry suggested I submit, so I did. The rest is history.

To be honest though, I didn’t really think it would go anywhere. Imagine my surprise when I heard back three weeks later that they liked my story.

2) What is the best and worst thing you have learned from an editor/agent?

With each round of edits, I’ve learned something new, which I then incorporate into my writing drafts on every new wip from then on. So, it’s hard to pinpoint one thing. Though I have to say my erotica editor made a lasting impression on how to write all those extra little details that really give a story life.

The worst experience I’ve had was being asked to completely rewrite a scene I felt was crucial to the story. It’s hard to see something you felt was intricate lying on the cutting room floor. Please note that if I had chosen to submit elsewhere, the scene would have remained intact. These are just decisions writers have to make when settling on publishing houses.

3) Favourite author/s?

Too many to name across too many genres. I think a lot of writers, such as yourself, are awesome and have an audience waiting for them. And what I like, others may not; but my latest reads include After Midnight by Sarah Grimm (romantic suspense), Captain Marvelous by Kat Henry Doran (romantic suspense), Fulfilled by Lynda Bailey (contemporary erotic menage), and Going Down Hard by KyAnn Waters (cowboy erotic m/m/m).

I do try and post reviews whenever I finish something, so readers can check my blog for reviews.

4) What is your typical day?

I have two, since hubby and I split duties watching our two-year old. The days I watch my son, I spend an hour in the morning doing admin stuff because it’s something I can go back to without having to worry about losing my place. Then in the afternoon, during nap time, I write or edit. On days, my hubby stays home, I leave the house as soon as I can and settle in at my local coffee shop for writing and editing. I go home for lunch and then I’m out the door again until five or later.

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

The last person Amanda Goodson expected to walk into her bakery was Sean Cassidy, the bareback bronc rider who rode her hard one night and left without a good-bye the next day. Since then, she'd sworn off one-night stands and cowboys, but one look at the man she called Rodeo leaves her hankering for another ride.

A nasty injury ended Sean's career and left him with nothing but time to contemplate past sins, especially the most damning one...walking out on Amanda, the one woman he couldn't forget. Eager to right the biggest mistake of his life, he finds Amanda--and learns he has competition. Never one to back down from a challenge, he offers to fulfill her darkest fantasy--taking two cowboys for a ride.

When the dust settles, will Sean's plan to win Amanda's trust backfire or will she risk her heart for one more shot at Riding Rodeo?

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

I think Ginnifer Goodwin would make a great Amanda, and Scott Caan for Sean.

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

This book is the happily-ever-after for a friend who passed before her time. It was never meant to be an erotica, but once I started writing, it just kept trying to go that way. I agonized over taking it there, but my sister and I decided our friend would have gotten a kick out of it. So, I just let the story go where it would. :)

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

The amount of time it takes to promote was an unpleasant shock, but it was countered by the friendliness and helpfulness of all the other writers I met.

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

When I write, it’s just me and my notepad sharing the area with my drink of choice and perhaps a snack. Most of my notes are on my computer, though I do have a book with some notes are early projects that I tote around in case the mood strikes.

10) What’s next for you?

Difficult question since my characters dictate what I write. I’m polishing a fantasy with strong romance elements. I have an M/M in progress, my first attempt that I have no idea if it will go anywhere. Besides those two things, a YA fantasy/sci-fi I’ve been developing has been calling of late.

Website: http://www.emmalawrites.com

Twitter: @emmalaiwrites

Facebook: AuthorEmmaLai

Thanks for being here, lovely Emma Lai! Remember Emma is giving away a copy of Riding Rodeo for one lucky commenter, so get writing!

Comments?