Saturday Promo - M M Bordeaux...

Blurb:

Amanda Sloane’s passion has been solely focused on becoming a well-respected, NYC art appraiser. With that appetite sated, she can no longer ignore her body’s carnal desires.

Tasked with authenticating an uncataloged Randell painting that could be worth millions, she meets a trio of Texas ranch hands who take her on an erotic ride imagined only in her deepest fantasy. Between ranch owners, Jake and Justin Morgan, and their ranch foreman, Luke, the cowboys ignite in Amanda a raging fire of uninhibited sexuality.

For years, the Morgan brothers have fought off their greedy cousin's attempts to take their ranch, including poison and sabotage. Now, Jake is counting on the elegant and sophisticated art appraiser to authenticate his grandaddy's painting to stave off foreclosure on the family ranch. Awakening the big city vixen’s sexual hunger has his body ablaze with need and his heart yearning for love.

Can Amanda give up the intoxicating pleasure of her sexual awakening? Or is Jake's love unconditional enough to encourage her to continue her erotic odyssey?

Excerpt:

“Does that turn you on Miss Sloane? Watching Julie make love to two men at once?”

She jerked around to find Jake standing not more than two feet away. Barefoot and shirtless, he stood wearing only a pair of jeans. The starlight gave his body a luminous glow, defining his ripped pecs and abs.

“Oh God,” she whispered, staring up at him in shock, unable to move.

“Does it turn you on?” He repeated, obviously aware of her arousal.

A loud moan from the bedroom caused Amanda to blink. He glanced past her shoulder and smiled. “It’s amazing how much pleasure two men can give a woman.” He reached out and put one hand on the back of her neck, pulling her close.

She raised her hands, pressing her palms against the smooth muscles of his chest, trying to push away. Slowly, deliberately, he leaned down and kissed her, his hand behind her neck keeping her lips turned up toward his. With his free hand, he held the small of her back, pulling her closer. Then his hand slid up to caress her breasts, his fingers pinching and twisting her nipples, sending currents of electricity straight to her pussy. For a long moment, he continued the kiss, his tongue probing deep, searching. His kiss ignited a desperate need and she kissed him back, her limp arms finding life, lifting to encircle his shoulders and grasping urgently at his neck.

Buy Link:

http://www.wilderroses.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=156&products_id=877

Welcome Ellora's Cave author, Jean Hart Stewart!

So nice to meet you, Jean! I don't think we've spoken before. I love the sound of your new series...8 books, that's quite a feat. I haven't known a publisher take on a series that long before so I am really, really impressed and happy for you! Let's get on with the questions...


 1)       What is your writing routine?

A. I get the idea at once, usually, and sometimes write down the first chapter in a rush. Then I stop, gives the characters some description and depth, write a very sketchy outline, and do the research on the time period. Then I can write the book. I actually do e-mail in the morning, write in the afternoon and evening. Shopping gets stuck in whenever I can.

2)       Which author/s inspire you to write?

A. Mary Balogh, Marian Zimmer Bradley, Jane Austen, and a host of modern authors. These are from when I first started. Now there are too many to list.

3)       Which is your favorite romance subgenre to read? To write?

A. Can’t really answer this question. I like so many, and have just started to write erotica so am reading a lot of that. I’ll even read the print on the cereal box. I really read every spare moment.

4)       How do you deal with criticism/rejection?

A. Not well, I’m afraid. How dare somebody not like my book? Luckily, I’ve only received one really negative review, and managed to cool off enough to thank her for the valuable criticism. Didn’t really mean it, but at least felt like a good sport.

5)       What do you expect from an editor?

      A. Tough criticism but fair. If we sometimes disagree, a willingness to talk it out with me. I’ve been blessed by truly excellent editors. Ellora’s Cave goes through two rounds of back and forth edits, plus the final edits. This last one is short since everything’s been decided by then.

6) Tell me about your latest release.

A. Love to! Fiery Pursuit is the first in a planned series of eight books about sexy, honorable devastatingly handsome elves with pointed ears.

In Fiery, Lars rescues Sophie from a harem in Constantinople and brings her to his home in England. One if his family’s attributes is they fall in love at once and forever, and Sophie doesn’t believe she’s worthy. Besides, Sophie is pursued by the ruthless murderer of her father, but she’s determined to kill him first.

Lars and Sophie have really hard paths to follow to happiness.

7. Tease us with a blurb or short excerpt.

 A. Glad to. This is not from the erotica sections, so anyone can enjoy it. 

“Lars had seldom felt so wordless. He’d lived his years in pleasure and with pain. More pleasure than pain certainly, as his elfin abilities gave him immeasurable advantage in most situations. But always with honor. And now, to be offered the one thing he wanted the most, masked in a reasoning he could not quite dismiss.

As he hesitated he looked at her. He noticed the distress in Sophie’s eyes as tears filled them, but she didn’t waver. She looked lost as a child in a dark forest, and well she might. Her life as she knew it had been ripped away. She’d suffered for weeks at the hands of uncaring brutes.

She needed the cherishing he’d longed to give her. And the life-long protection he’d commit to at the same time. He’d not tell her yet of his sudden and complete certainty they were each other’s destiny. But he realized it to the depths of his soul, and he’d go to her with that conviction.

He moved quickly, wrapping her in his arms. He’d give her what she wanted, and gladly, and he’d not tell her yet that in doing so he was committing himself for whatever length of life remained to him. He’d pleasure her—oh, how he’d pleasure her–even though she wouldn’t know he was giving her his total love and his soul.

Elves loved only once, and deeply. He’d almost decided he’d never find the one girl for him.”

8) Which is your favorite character in the book?  Why?

A. You mean I have to pick between my babies? I really can’t. Lars is so incredibly sexy and honorable, but Sophie faces the world with such bravery. Nope, I refuse to pick.

9) What are you working on right now?

 A. Fiery Pursuit is the first book in a planned eight book series called Passionate Pursuits.  Lars is eventually the grandfather of the clan. Stormy Pursuit, the second book, is now being edited. Dark Pursuit, the third, is finished and my beta editors are giving me last criticisms. It will go off to my editor in a few days. I’m about 60 pages into Reluctant Pursuit, the fourth book.

10) Your biggest piece of advice to aspiring novelists?

A. This one is easy to answer.  Advice I got from Mary Balogh years ago at a lecture. I asked her what to do when you hit the saggy middle of the book and had no idea where to go with the plot. She said, “Make it worse.”  Best advice I ever had.

11) Where can readers find you?

A. I’ve just revamped my website and would love to have you visit. www.jeanhartstewart.com  I’m at Facebook, Twitter, My Space and blog regularly at www.romancebooksrus.blogspot.com  and www.Sweetn’SexyDivas.com  I love to hear from readers, so do write me with any questions you might have.

FIERY PURSUIT

By

Jean Hart Stewart

Blurb:

When Lars uses his Elfin power to rescue Sophie from a slave market in Constantinople he knows instantly she is meant to be his mate. But the murderer of Sophie’s father still pursues her, and Lars must all his strength to try to save her. And convince Sophie he is what she wants.

The villain who sold her into slavery reappears and Lars needs all his Elfin strength. When his power mysteriously weakens, can Lars get it back? And will it be enough to save them both?

Excerpt

Lars had seldom felt so wordless. He’d lived his years in pleasure and with pain. More pleasure than pain certainly, as his elfin abilities gave him immeasurable advantage in most situations. But always with honor. And now, to be offered the one thing he wanted the most, masked in a reasoning he could not quite dismiss.

As he hesitated he looked at her. He noticed the distress in Sophie’s eyes as tears filled them, but she didn’t waver. She looked lost as a child in a dark forest, and well she might. Her life as she knew it had been ripped away. She’d suffered for weeks at the hands of uncaring brutes.

She needed the cherishing he’d longed to give her. And the life-long protection he’d commit to at the same time. He’d not tell her yet of his sudden and complete certainty they were each other’s destiny. But he realized it to the depths of his soul, and he’d go to her with that conviction.

He moved quickly, wrapping her in his arms. He’d give her what she wanted, and gladly, and he’d not tell her yet that in doing so he was committing himself for whatever length of life remained to him. He’d pleasure her—oh, how he’d pleasure her–even though she wouldn’t know he was giving her his total love and his soul.

Elves loved only once, and deeply. He’d almost decided he’d never find the one girl for him.

Author Information


Love living in California, even though I’m a transplant. Love writing and all it entails, crazy characters demanding to be let loose on the page, long hours of research, every bit of it. I raised two children and spent about twenty years in real estate before I summoned the courage to quit and do what I always wanted to do  

At every stop, Jean will give one commenter her choice of a book from her backlist which can be found at www.JeanHartStewart.com At the end of the tour, one random commenter, as well as the host with the most comments (not counting their own or Jean's) will win their pick of Jean's books in print, plus a Fiery Pursuits t-shirt.)


Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/05/vbt-fiery-pursuits-by-jean-hart-stewart.html. 

Welcome, author & publisher, Christine Leov Lealand!

Welcome to my site, Christine! I love your author pic - where are you? Looks fascinating to this Brit currently hiding in her conservatory away from the non-stop rain we've had in the UK this early summer. Shall we get started with the interview? Okay, here goes...

Who is your favourite author and why?

            

I realise you have asked me who is my favourite author but I have

dozens of favourite authors in a lot of different generas: – sci-fi &

fantasy authors like Frank Herbert, Tolkien, Douglas Adams and C.S.

Lewis whom I admire for the depths of their milieu, I also love the

'Many Coloured Land 'series by Julian May for the same reason and also

because she deftly takes many characters, develops each individually

and creates a universe in which they are utterly believable.

            

I also like non-fiction like last year's 'The 4% Universe' by Richard

Paneck an admirable book which successfully describes physical and

cosmological information which we would otherwise miss out on. The

findings of this book have a lot of potential for those of us who

write science fiction, as well as metaphysics. I'm sure Robert Persig

would be interested in this information. His book 'Lila' is a very

interesting discussion about what it means to be human and the

metaphysics of the best in life.

          

  I love Hunter S Thompson whose work does not fit any category

particularly but who had an unparalleled vision of life and an ability

to communicate with unique humans which anyone who is a writer would

do well to study. I love John T Nichols' book 'The Milagro Beanfield

War'  which is quite simply full of the most marvellous

characterisation and is one of the funniest books I have ever read.

David Gregory Roberts 'semi autobiographical book 'Shantaram' is also

a book with studying and thoroughly enjoying because of its

descriptions, characterisations, unique dialogue and combination of

spiritual and human development. It is not often we get to live in the

mind of a person who has committed crimes and been through experiences

which, fortunately, most of us will never need to go through.

I could go on and on with amazing books I have read.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

            When I was five years old and sat at my little desk as my mother

taught me how to write with a pencil on a blank sheet of paper I

realised that I could have this excitement for the rest of my life by

writing books. I went on to virtually teach myself to read, and by the

age of eight was hand sewing and covering with fabric tiny books full

of quotations of CS Lewis.

 I was also at that age beginning to read the adult Encyclopaedia Britannica, studying classical mythology and writing synopses of CS Lewis' Narnia novels. I began poetry and haiku around aged 11/12 and began my first novel, a work of around 10,000

words, in the summer holiday when I was 16 years old. I have a degree

in history and I also love oral history so for me writing is a battle

between the focus I want to give to fact as well as the attention I

wish to give to fiction.

Describe my writing space.

            Essentially I can and do write wherever I happen to be. I am

fortunate to have a life full of travel, so when I am not at my

beautiful Edwardian house surrounded by big trees, I might be in a

car, writing on my laptop; or sitting on a hilltop or on a beach

somewhere with a notebook and a pen or pencil. I use Dragon Naturally

Speaking so that transcribing my handwritten notes is now easy, as is

adding to and amending them. I am considering attempting to use my

iPhone to write a novel. A challenge, I think! But certainly doable!

What am I reading now?

            The 'Seventh Scroll 'by Wilbur Smith,  part two in his series set in

ancient Egypt which are fascinating adventure romances and I have been

studying his style, which of course is very successful; to see how we

can improve the novel AJ Burton and I are working on: Atlantia Soul

Mates I :-The Secret Empire

How many books have I written? Which is my favourite?

   

         I have five finished novels: three erotic romance novels which were

trade published. (Available as e-books from smashwords.com - links

here http://christineleovlealand-author.blogspot.co.nz/) I have

researched three biographies and had one published:-' Barry Brickell -

A Head of Steam'. (Available from me) I have also hundreds of Word

files of unfinished novels. Also some unfinished non-fiction work

including my autobiography. I have substantial writing for about eight

more books. Some history, one is a fantasy novel, and some are general

fiction and chick lit. I have also self published two volumes of

poetry. XKISS is available directly from me and self published a craft

book. I aim to republish this book very soon.

I like all of my books, I put my heart and soul into each one, so it

is impossible to say that one is more me then another.

What comes first, plot or characters?

            I am not so great on plotting, I am the kind of writer who sees the

scene happening in front of me and I describe it. I also have the

visual, mental, spatial ability to see scenes in my mind in three

dimensions and to be able to view a scene from any angle, rather as a

movie director might see a fight scene from the vantage point of a

moving gantry, for example. To me writing gets boring if I plan too

much. Better writing happens if I work as if I were driving at night,

allowing what happens next to be illuminated as I write. That means it

is as exciting for me to write as it is for the reader to read.

Neither of us knows what is going to happen next! Of course plotting

and other concerns like continuity and building character are

implemented in all the rewrites I do.

Do I ever suffer from writer's block?

            I suffer more from writer's procrastination! It's often much easier

to do the dishes, or mow the lawn or weed the garden; than it is to

open a file and continue editing and rewriting. It would be nice if

all one needed to do in writing a book was to finish the first draft.

However, I don't believe that anyone should publish a first draft

unedited. The best advice is to write your draft, put it aside for a

few months, work on something else in the meantime; and then go back

to it. You'll be amazed at how many flaws, faults, mistakes and

continuity problems are suddenly visible after you've left the book

for a while. I find reading the entire book aloud reveals more

mistakes than any other test procedure!

What do I like to do when I'm not writing?

            I am usually very busy as I run a small engineering company as well

as my own publishing company. I love to travel, meet new people, I am

always interested in learning new information about health and healing

and hearing people's stories. I enjoy belly dancing and aim to do some

snowboarding this winter. I have a large garden and I grow some of my

own food. I love hunting for fossils and studying geology and

palaeontology. I also hang out on Twitter which I really enjoy.

Connect with me there I am @loveleov.

Tell us about your latest book.

            Atlantia Soul Mates I: The Secret Empire will be my next published

novel which I have written with my friend and cowriter AJ Burton. It

is set in a steam punk Atlantis and is an adventure romance. Klaus

Meinbach rescues Helena of Delphi, a Greek priestess of Apollo. By

Atlantean law he must kill her, however he believes she is descended

from a shipwrecked Atlantean sailor and also, of course, he cannot

kill her because she is the first woman he's ever been romantically or

sexually interested in. So yes, Klaus is in a bit of a bind! Gradually

they grow to love and trust each other and work to try to win the

legal battle for Helena's life in the Atlantean courts.

Our Atlantean miliu has been really exciting to write – we have

invented some new technological gadgets and reinvented some old ones

for the people of Atlantis. The Secret Empire began as one book of

87,000 words which we wrote in eight weeks last year. However it has

proliferated into two books with two sequels to follow; The  Atlantia

Soul Mates series will even include Nikolai Tesla - he features in

book four! Check out this blog

(http://longshippublications.blogspot.co.nz/) for sample chapters and

publication news about The Secret Empire.

What's next for me?

            Working with AJ on the rest of the Atlantia Soul Mates series. Plus I

have several pet projects of my own writing to finish and finish

rewriting. I have dozens of stories I wish to publish; I really want

to publish 'BI' a novel about being a bisexual woman, and 'Doors' a

fantasy novel set in prehistoric New Zealand. Orson Scott Card defines

the genera of fantasy as " having leaves " while science fiction "has

rivets". So while I privately think of this novel as science fiction,

its real genera is fantasy. H - a,ha! there are lots of trees and

nothing is riveted - yet!

The reality is that I have enough great ideas for books to keep me

writing and publishing for another 50 years!

Great interview, Christine - thanks for being here. You sound like a very busy and committed writer, i wish you all the luck for future success. Okay, Christine is waiting to hear from you! Questions? Comments?

Saturday Promo - Kate McKinley...

Marine biologist Morgan Johansen doesn't believe in fairy tales, so when rumors of a sexy male siren surface, she sets out on her boat to prove them wrong. But when she's tossed overboard by her ex, she comes face to face with a strong, virile siren who's undeniably real and promises to awaken her every erotic fantasy.

Racing to save his people, Erik, heir to the siren kingdom, must find the one woman destined to be his queen. When Morgan hits the water, he feels her presence and knows instantly she's the one. Now he must convince her to abandon her strict scientific beliefs and submit to the powerful desire that grips them both. But one question remains to be answered...

Will Morgan return to the surface, or will she surrender to the siren prince?

Excerpt


“I can’t stop thinking about Aeron.”

“If he’s out there, my men will find him. They know these waters better than anyone,” Erik said, moving back within reach.

She nodded once and swallowed back the tears. Erik’s men would find him. She had to believe that. What other choice did she have? She wasn’t strong enough to make it back up to the surface, even with Erik’s help. For the first time in her life, she felt completely helpless. The reality of her situation settled like a lead weight in her stomach.

Erik lowered himself next to her, reached out and touched her lips with the tip of his finger, a barely there touch that sent a jolt of electricity straight to her womb. “You have beautiful lips.”

She trembled under his warm touch. He looked at her as though he wanted to possess her. More frightening was her need to be possessed by this man. It had to be that weird siren attraction pulling at her, luring her into his dark, mysterious web of desire. And damn, she was falling hard.

She jerked her head away, breaking contact. “Stop,” she whispered.

Allowing him to touch her earlier had been a mistake. Just the feel of his skin on hers made her want to abandon all reason and crawl into his arms. It didn’t matter that he was the enemy and keeping her here against her will. All she wanted was the feel of his hard muscles pressed against her. 


“As you wish.” He rose to his feet and looked down at her, his face unreadable. “But know this, Morgan. You will be mine. Sooner or later.”

Buy Link:

http://www.wilderroses.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=87&products_id=875

Welcome fellow Wild Rose Press author, Sarina Wilde!!

Welcome to my blog, Sarina! I am so looking forward to hearing about the Wild Rose Press "Boys of Summer" series. I can remember the call-out and so many of my fellow authors were excited to contribute so huge congrats on your contract! Wishing you lots of sales. Okay, on with the interview...

1)   Did you set any goals for 2012?

 My goal for 2012 is to earn enough money from what I write so my husband can no longer chuckle at my writing…though I do have to admit, he is beginning to take it a lot more seriously which is encouraging. He’s a bottom line kind of guy…in money and other things.

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

 Starting a new project is always the most exciting part of writing for me. The creative juices really get going with a fresh idea. Since I’m still mostly a pantser rather than a plotter, I really love leaping right into the writing.

3)   The worst part? 

Did I mention that pantser part? Right…the worst part has to be when my pantser mentality suddenly backs me into a corner, and I must fight my way out.

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

 The greedy part of me says the Harry Potter series…I could so get into putting my feet up and drawing those royalties. I suppose I would have to say either Jane Eyre or Gone with the Wind because those two books really played pivotal roles in sparking my interest in romance and erotic romance (Oh, I know they’re tame, but there’s so much sexual tension in them, and I think that really separates an okay story from an outstanding one).

5)   Favourite author/s & book/s?

 Crazy about the J.R. Ward  Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Uber-alpha  smartass vampires with women who might be physically weaker but lead them around by their….noses, yeah, noses.

6)   Tell us about your latest release? 

Hook, Line & Sinker is a new direction for me since it is a male/male romance. (Do you know how confusing that can be with all the  he/his/hims floating around?) The tough part was getting two hero type characters to open up enough they could actually care about each other without coming off too effeminate. Personally, I’d take either one of these guys to bed, but hey, I’m the wrong sex.

7)   Tease us with a blurb/short except.    This is the scene where Taz and Ridge kiss for the first time:

Ridge stood and stretched, drawing Taz’s gaze to the bulge in the front of his slacks. “Have you ever kissed a guy?”

For some reason that shocked him. Taz had only thought of being with a guy in terms of sex.

“No.” He swallowed, his stomach jumping at the idea of being that intimate. “Would you…I mean…have you?”

Ridge’s long lashes dipped. “I have. And I will. Come here, man.”

Heat filled Taz, and the throb in his dick was as regular as the blues beats Ridge liked. When Ridge held out his hand, Taz took it, letting the other man pull him to his feet. As he stood, he stared at Ridge’s crotch. They were nearly identical in height. Taz swallowed again, his breathing shallow and his lips parted. Ridge rested his hands on Taz’s hips.

“Put your arms around my waist and relax.” Ridge’s voice had dropped to a low rumble.

Taz’s dick swelled and pulsed until he feared he’d come right in his jeans. When Ridge pulled him closer, their shafts brushed through their clothing. Someone moaned. He realized it had come from him and stiffened with embarrassment. What a fucking idiot.

“‘S okay,” Ridge whispered, tilting his head to one side and moving in.

Taz liked the feel of his mouth—firm, sure. Nothing tentative in the kiss Ridge gave him, and Taz willingly let him in. The thrust and parry of their tongues went on forever. The brush of a tongue, the rasp of a beard—all of it made Taz’s heart pound and left him gasping for breath.

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

  See what I mean about this male/male thing…lol. I refer to them as H1 and H2. I think the appeal to these two for me is how well they complement each other. Taz needs Ridge’s outgoing personality, and Ridge needs Taz’s essentially restful nature to help him relax.

9)   What’s next?

 I’m finishing the first draft of a novel involving a ménage of two men and a woman. There’s plenty of hot sex, after all it is erotica, but I like to think my stories have tenderness as well. If I had to define my writing I would say that element of emotional caring has to be there for me. It’s not just about hopping in and out of beds.

10)                  Tell me where you write?

 Most of the time I write in a cluttered office off our master bedroom. I spend enough time in there, it’s where the dogs immediately dash to find me when they come inside. Am I predictable, or what?

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

I’d like to be writing full-time. I suppose that’s the dream of almost every writer out there, so I’m no different in that respect.

12)                  Where can we find you? You can find me at www.sarinawilde.blogspot.com, like my author page on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sarina-Wilde-Author/116691761742833, or you can find me on twitter: @SarinaWilde. I love hearing from readers! I am also running a contest through 6/22/12 – stop by my blog to enter to win a free copy of Hook, Line & Sinker. Make sure you leave me an email contact so I can get in touch with you if you should win!

 Thanks so much for the chance to sit down with you, Rachel. I always enjoy your blog!

Here are the buy links for HLS:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

The Wild Rose Press

All Romance E-books

Great interview, Sarina and thank you for being so kind about my blog! I must admit we sound very similar in both our routines and out aspirations.  Being a pantser is not all its cracked up to be, is it?? :/

Comments?