Rachel Leigh - Erotic Romance

Welcome prolific author, Rebecca Royce...

2012-02-14T05:03:00.006-08:00

Welcome author, Rebecca Royce! I am sooo impressed by your booklist, you put me completely to shame with my two little stories, lol - looking forward to read your post. Good luck with the tour!

Over to you...

Tips For Aspiring Authors

I get asked for advice for aspiring a lot and my answer is always the same: write everyday. None of us begin writing for publication with the idea that we want to languish in sales and never make it. Of course not. If we didn’t care about having readers, we would write things and leave them on our computer. We want to be successful. And if there is one thing I know about how successful writers became successful it was that they worked on their craft every day.

If you want to be published, treat yourself like you are a published writer. Make deadlines. Keep to them. Writing is tricky. It is both an art and a career. If you want it to be a job, treat it like. Go to it at the same time every day and make the commitment to doing so. Go to the blogs of some of your favorite bestselling authors. What are they talking about doing that day? They’re writing.

We can’t write once every so often and expect to make a book out of it. Our characters demand more than that from us. If you want to tell their stories, tell them. Don’t let them float around in your head with the idea that some day you’ll put them down. How many people do you know with half a book written? I would bet a ton. Not everyone can write a book, can be an author. If you can be, you have to do the work.

Write every day. Because I want to read your book on my Kindle. I want to lose myself in the world you created. I can’t wait to do so.

Blurb:

Gabriel Ward has no problem with the fact that he’s an Outsider. Hell, he’s always known he was different. What he takes issue with is the idea he has to follow any destiny at all. He’s taken care of himself-and others-since birth. There’s no way he has to start following rules now.

Loraine Peacock can speak to animals. Other than that she thinks she’s just a regular woman making her way in the world. She figures its not that weird. Many people have unusual abilities.

But when Gabriel and Loraine are forced together by a destiny he denies and she is ignorant of, they will both finally have to accept their Outsider legacy and help the others in their quest to defeat the ultimate evil—a demon bent on world destruction. That is, if they can both survive to find their way to the most important part of their destiny: love.

Excerpt

“Are you going to tell me what happened to you? You just stood there and let that wave slam into you. I thought you were dead but Futon knew you were alive.”

Futon? He regarded the dog. A medium sized border collie with black spots stared back at him. His heart sped up. He‘d heard that name for a dog before. In fact, it was the same damn dog.

“I know you.” He pointed at the creature. “But the last time I saw you was with an old woman on Magazine Street in New Orleans.”

Gabriel had been working for a shady lingerie storeowner on the bad side of Magazine Street at the time. Trying to find out what Sebastian wanted with the man, he would later uncover that the demon had employed Trent, the owner, to kill virgins by bleeding them to death. Gabriel still didn‘t fully understand how it benefited Sebastian and he wasn‘t sure he ever would. On his second day, he‘d been hassled by an old woman on the street who‘d told him Sebastian was in New Jersey and that he needed to hurry up and get there.

She‘d spoken of fate and a lot of mumbo-jumbo he hadn‘t understood. It had turned out that she was right and he‘d high-tailed it off to New Jersey to help stop Sebastian‘s assault on the Outsiders. The woman had been with Futon.

The woman shook her head. “There are lots of border collies around this area. You must have seen a different one because Futon never leaves me.”

As a teenager, Rebecca Royce would hide in her room to read her favorite romance novels when she was supposed to be doing her homework. She hopes, these days, that her parents think it was well worth it.

Rebecca is the mother of three adorable boys and is fortunate to be married to her best friend. They live in northern New Jersey and try not to freeze too badly during the winter months.

She's in love with science fiction, fantasy, and the paranormal and tries to use all of these elements in her writing. She's been told she's a little bloodthirsty so she hopes that when you read her work you'll enjoy the action packed ride that always ends in romance. Rebecca loves to write series because she loves to see characters develop over time and it always makes her happy to see her favorite characters make guest appearances in other books.

In Rebecca Royce's world anything is possible, anything can happen, and you should suspect that it will.

Rebecca is giving away a $50 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. 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/2011/12/virtual-book-tour-love-beyond-loyalty.html

www.rebeccaroyce.com

Current and Upcoming Works

The Outsiders

Love Beyond Time

Love Beyond Sanity

Love Beyond Loyalty

Love Beyond Sight (TBA)

Westervelt Wolves

Her Wolf

Summer’s Wolf

Wolf Reborn

Wolf’s Valentine

Wolf’s Magic

Alpha Wolf

Angel’s Wolf

Darkest Wolf (coming soon.)

The Warrior

Initiation

Driven

The Conditioned

Eye Contact

Embraced

Sexy Superheroes

Screwing the Superhero

Banging the Superhero

Other Works

Behind The Scenes

First Dimension

Yes, Captain

Return to the Sea

One Night With A Wolf

Another Chance

Light Me Up

I’ll Be Mated For Christmas

Rebecca is waiting to hear from you...comments? Questions?

Saturday Promo - Kathleen Scott...

2012-02-11T04:21:00.001-08:00

Bateo Gunner is dead.

The treacherous bastard met his fate in a Celedon prison cell by a stroke of a very long and delicate blade. The lethal strike appears to have come from an Ashlin tiger sword, and suspicions fall to the only other person of that warrior class in the royal residence.

Stationed on the royal planet of Celedon, Ashlin Warrior Nadja Kelswan is charged with acting as liaison between her country of Vanden and the Celedon tsia. Also, to get answers from Bateo Gunner on the conspiracy that turned Jovita Rees into a weapon and now infects a good portion of the Celedon Empire. Nadja’s most important duty came from the tsia himself, to act as Prince Rohan’s personal bodyguard. It is a task she takes seriously, even as the conspiracy around them thickens.

Duty prohibits her from acting on the intense feelings she has for the tsia’s heir. Seeing his sorrow and loss over Jovita to another man, touches Nadja deeply. But the prince keeps an active sex life going with the palace whores, and Nadja fears their approaches to sexual relationships will forever clash. It is in the middle of one such intimate transaction that Nadja must save the prince from an insidious laser-guided weapon sent from within the palace walls to kill him.

Prince Rohan of Celedon has had his heart broken twice: once by the faked death of his lover, Jovita, then by her desertion to another man. Loving only one woman since childhood, it surprises him when a raven-haired Ashlin warrior haunts his dreams. She’s strong and lithe and formal. Her stagnant hazel eyes are so different than the twirling depths of a Celedon’s. Her training as an Ashlin has also made her extremely wise beyond her years. He finds solace in her counsel. By rights he should hate Ashlin Nadja for her interference in his reunion with Jovita, but he can’t seem to help himself from falling under the warrior’s spell.

Any man takes his life into his own hands to attempt a seduction with so lethal a weapon as an Ashlin warrior. Now, with everyone in the palace a suspect to murder, it is Nadja who suggests they share quarters so she can better protect him. It is the chance Rohan has been waiting for since her arrival on Celedon.

The list of crimes against Celedon continues to grow: parts are missing from shipments to outposts, security vids are tampered with and the body of Bateo Gunner is missing from the morgue. The more questions they ask the more the questions come. Amidst all the chaos a new planet sends an overture of friendship to the tsia. It is an ill-timed and suspicious request as far as Nadja is concerned.

Nadja’s suspicions are realized when Rohan is taken ill and his body infested with a newer more sinister nanite. One that replicates faster and has the power to compel the host to do whatever the programmer wishes. Torn between duty to her sword and her love for Rohan, Nadja takes up the mantle of protector to rid the palace of the conspirators once and fall all. Even if it means giving her very life to save those she’s sworn to protect.

Buy Link:

http://www.amazon.com/Clandestine-Alliance-ebook/dp/B00738LSLW/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1328963192&sr=8-11

Welcome Eternal Press author, Alice Wade!

2012-02-08T23:49:00.000-08:00

I only recent 'met' Alice online and already feel as though we're friends so it's great to have the chance to learn more about you! Welcome to my blog and hope you enjoy being here for the next couple of days!

Let's start the interrogation...

1) What is your writing routine?

If I am writing a new story and have to enter the ‘zone’, I will lock myself away and just write. If I am tweaking, editing or adding flavor, I will plop myself in front of the TV with my family and kill two birds with one stone. I don’t outline ideas or jot scenes or characters down. I think about them first and then cut loose and let the story tell itself as I write. Once I have the shell down, I will go back through and add flavor, tweak the dialogue or give more depth to my characters.

2) Which author/s inspire you to write?

Anne McCaffrey (sadly deceased), Anne Bishop, and Robin Hobb are the greatest influences in my writing. All have amazing abilities with character development and spinning engaging plots that suck you in – something I strive for as an author.

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

Fantasy, hands down. I just can’t find a way to get away from elves, dragons or magic (oh my!). Even if I sit down to write something serious, they always find some way into the story. Same goes for reading. I only stray from Fantasy to support my fellow authors to give advice, but for personal reading it is rare.

4) How do you deal with criticism/rejection?

With a grain of salt. I can’t grow as a writer if I don’t hear true feedback on what worked or didn’t work. I draw a line with rudeness, though. Honesty can be offered without offending and I do not tolerate this form of feedback. I also look at feedback as a reality. I made my work public and I know my writing does not resonate with everyone who reads it. So I filter the malicious feedback from the genuine and carry on. I will not lie to you, sometimes the hard feedback bites, but that is part of the process and I swallow my pride. Luckily, I don’t have to swallow that very often!

5) What do you expect from an editor?

Hmm. I expect honesty and a clever eye. Another way to say it is they are a partner in the process. Behind every good author is a very talented and dedicated editor, right?

Another thing, I don’t expect them to fix all my problems, only point out where the story could be enhanced and more engaging. I don’t want them to rewrite my vision, I want to rewrite it.

6) Tell me about your latest release

Well, my very first book published is Talon and it’s releasing on April 7^th. I have two books releasing with Eternal Press back to back, and this is the first in the order. This novel is a very personal piece for me. I wrote this as a challenge in my writing guild I started because all members (except for me) wrote vampire/were novels. I decided to tell vampires in a different way, weaving in elves and magic through the entire telling. Yes, I put my own personal stamp. Talon was a fun title character to write, though! Seriously, have you ever seen an elven vampire before?

This story is darker than I normally write and is filled with intense interactions/characters. My writing style weaves profound emotional reactions throughout, and I’ve done that with almost every character in Talon. I hope you all check it out!

7) Tease us with a blurb ~~or short excerpt~~

Vampires only fear one name -- Talon. The elven prince and his mate, Kailani, have made it their mission to hunt down the violent vampire covens that have been destroying hundreds of innocent lives in their pursuit of selfish and depraved entertainment. Their strategy would have been fool-proof, except for one problem: Talon and Kailani are vampires too.

But when they enter a castle overrun, they realize they are out of their league. The vampire leader has stolen elven magic, something Talon takes personally and can’t fight alone. This sets them on a path of redemption, destruction and closure. Along the way, they pair up with two humans who are destined to become the family Talon craves.

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

Strangely, not the title character. My favorite to write was Deandra, the Crown Princess because I utterly cut loose with her and had a lot of fun. She’s wicked, wild and absolutely the cruelest character I’ve ever written! She was fun to write and I hope fun to read J

9) What are you working on right now?

I am working on edits for my second book with Eternal Press titled, Flame Thrower which releases on May 7, 2012. This one is more traditional for me and the first book in a six book series and spans across three different realms. One realm has heavy magic, another is mixed with non users and last one rejects anything magical. Flame Thrower sets the stage for what happens throughout the saga.

Here’s a blurb: While out hunting with his men, King Ryan of Yorath finds a badly-beaten woman who had been left for dead by her attackers. He is surprised to discover that she is none other than Tillian, the Princess who had been reported missing by messengers from the neighboring realm of Folkyn.

Despite her injuries and the circumstances behind her disappearance, Ryan is swept by an immediate attraction for Tillian, and his vows to never marry are tested when he learns the truth behind her abduction. Tensions rise as Ryan's overwhelming need to protect Tillian leads them straight into a war that will change their lives and their kingdoms forever.

Flame Thrower is due out in May 7, 2012 with Eternal Press, and I hope you read this one as well!

10) Your biggest piece of advice to aspiring novelists?

Don’t give up! Ever! If you work hard at what you love, you will succeed. I am proof of that, because I didn’t intend to be a writer and stumbled into this by accident. I love it, and have worked hard at getting better. Find a writers group (there are many out there) or start your own – but get feedback and loads of it. If you are serious about getting published, create your community on blogs, Twitter, FB and online venues where you can post your stories. Get involved and stay involved. The most important thing to remember is to stay in love with what you are doing and have fun. Without that, writing will become a chore not a passion.

11) Where can readers find you?

I love hearing from you all, so please stop by:

http://www.alicewadewritings.com/

https://twitter.com/#!/AliceWadexx

Facebook: Alice Wade

Email: alice.wade.writing@gmail.com

Great interview, Alice - I am not a fantasy writer in any shape or form (see what I did there??) but I know a lot of my visitors are. Comments?

Welcome Eternal Press author, M. Casigh!!

2012-02-07T01:26:00.000-08:00

Today I welcome Eternal Press author, M. Casigh to my blog - this is the first time we have met so I am looking forward to finding out more about both writer and their new release! Love your cover, by the way. Gorgeous!

Okay, let's get started...

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

· I’ve been told my whole life that I have the best stories. Funny, heartbreaking, exciting, etc. The economy in Southeastern Michigan when into the toilet and I thought, “perhaps I can make a few bucks doing this?” That jury is still out.

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

· When I was writing a short story, being a former Chicago Police Officer, I described a key character once just as a cop would, height, weight, hair & eye color, etc. One of my first editors told me to describe how I felt at the moment and go with that. Perfect! Simple brilliance! It seems like something so easy and obvious, but so frequently overlooked, the simplest solution.

3) Favourite author/s?

· Mark Twain: Because in my early years, he seemed to understand that teen-aged angst better than most. Plus his stories always carried a very strong sense of right & wrong. Being Catholic, I kind of appreciate that clarity. Those broad distinctions.

· William Shakespeare: Not until I joined the Army and by happenstance picked up “Henry V,” the quintessential book of Leadership! A must read for any Combat leader. But like Twain, I believe that their stories will always be timeless classics because they chose not to write about characters or villains of the day, but instead, they wrote about the one consistent and unchanging factor in their equations; Basic Human Nature

· Steve Hartov: His powers of description are uncanny. Like rarely I’ve read elsewhere! Fast paced action over terrain I’m well acquainted with lends his stories an incredible sense of realism.

· JC Polleck: Again, incredible powers of description, character description that makes me say, “I know these guys…” Spellbinding plots, action that is second to none! Puts Tom Clancy to shame!!!

4) What is your typical day?

· Spending way too much time answer E-mail, spending an hour at least deleting trash, trying to find a four hour window in the week to sit down and write. Don’t laugh! It’s tougher than you think!

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

· An Excerpt from “Awakenings: Cozumel, Mexico,”

That kiss, that passionate sensuous kiss! Our mouths melded together, our tongues so intertwined that neither of us could tell where one began and the other ended. I suddenly found my one hand at the back of her neck holding her face to mine, while my other hand had reached into her top and withdrawn one of her glorious, big beautiful breasts. My fingers dug into her tit-flesh like the hungry desperate carnivore that I was.

At that moment, she broke our kiss and gently pushed my shoulders back against the message table, then took my hand that was on her breast, and pressed it more firmly to her flesh, and helped me to feel and knead her beautiful, oh so damned beautifully breasts! My God! They were gorgeous! The dark chocolate brown, long profound nipples, a sharp contrast to the golden butternut brown of her Mexican-Indian complexion. The fine sheen of sweat which covered her body, made her bountiful bosom shine so deliciously, as she worked my hand over first one breast & nipple, then the other. In frustration, she stopped and pealed off her top, because it got in our way. Oh how they jiggled so perfectly. So delicately.

At the same moment she flung her top to the far side of the cabana, she pressed against my shoulders again and her face launched downward against my chest. Her tongue, like a heat seeking missile, quickly locked onto and slathered my left nipple, she licked at my entire breast and then gently raked it with her teeth, then tugged on my nipples with her teeth. The gasp that escaped my mouth was quickly followed by a moan, which bordered on a growl. She shifted between both breasts and at some point in that moment, my pussy spasmed and I came slightly! Just from breast sucking? No! From Passion! My back arched slightly as I felt the unmistakable wave of orgasm surged through my body. The orgasm came on so swift, so unexpectedly that I moaned out loud against it. My head rolled to the side and my hands trapped her head to my breast. She continued to suckle, as she snaked her hand down to the front of my hips beneath the towel. Her fingers played and tantalized at freshly waxed and now completely barren pussy that she had just stripped not twenty minutes ago. Again, for the briefest moment she teased, and her finger circled my clit for a few moments, then curled and snaked down inside my sopping wet folds of flesh. Oh, the feeling was soooo exquisite!

The memory now… brought yet another leak.

Buy Link:

http://www.eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781615725144

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

· Mysti: Sandra Bullock

· Denise: Nellie Furtado – I know she’s not an actress, but I am at a loss for a young up & coming female Hispanic acress…

· Daniel: No idea, a young up & coming Hispanic male actor.

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

· Actually, I wrote this as a collection of short stories as a request from a friend of mine. Then, on a lark, I sent it out in response to a call for submissions. It was declined by that publisher but accepted by Eternal Press & Damnation Books. I had my acceptance within 48 hours.

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

· Just how slow the business is to start up and to become profitable. No, I didn’t expect barrels of money over-night. I didn’t even expect small barrels of money for a few years. In fact, I think that’s a very important teaching point. It take a lot of time & patience. Sometimes, more than I have!

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

· I have an office in my home, with relatively modern computer desk, however antique design, full couch, Barrister book case with two wood file cabinets and a fax machine. Your basic set up. What more does one need?

10) What’s next for you?

· I have a number of series in mind. First I’d like to do a sequel to “Awakeings; Cozumel, Mexico.” I actually have at least 3 more in the series in mind, in particular “Awakenings II: Rome, Italy” and “Awakenings III: Montreal, Quebec” and lastly, “Awakenings: Cozumel, Mexico II-Daniel & Denise’s Beginning.” Then I have a Historical Fiction Story-Line I’d like to see hit paper and another series set here in Detroit, in the not so distant future. This won’t be an erotic or romance line at all. This will be strictly Thriller/Suspense. I hesitate to give any more than the barest details.

Great interview! Really enjoyed it and fabulous to meet a former Chicago police officer - being a stay at home mum, living a suburban life in the UK, that is very exciting, lol!

Comments?

Saturday Promo - Jennifer Lynne!

2012-02-04T02:00:00.001-08:00

Platinum Passion (Gods of Love #1) blurb:

Three people. One erotic fantasy. And a twentieth wedding anniversary like no other.

Jeannie yearns for the return of passion in her marriage. Jake wants new excitement in the form of another man, in a way that won't upset the balance of his relationship with his wife. Pothos is one of the erotes and an aspect of Eros, the Olympian god of desire. This couple's distinctive yearning has called to him, and by the power of the erotes he intends to rekindle the flame of Jeannie and Jake's passion in a night of desire that could be the ultimate platinum anniversary gift.

And when the gods of love decide your marriage needs a boost, they never do it by halves.

Platinum Passion is the first in a series of stand-alone novella-length stories with the erotes as a common theme. The erotes are Pothos, god of sexual yearning, Himeros, god of sexual desire and Anteros, god of requited/unrequited love. All are the children of Aphrodite and aspects of the primal god of desire, Eros.

Platinum Passion (Gods of Love #1) excerpt:

Turning slightly, she inhaled the delicious aroma of his skin. Different to the clean citrus smell of her husband, Pothos smelt exotic and sensual. Not quite musk, not quite spice, but altogether it was heady and enticing.

“Like someone bottled pheromones and sprayed you with it,” she muttered, wanting to bury herself deeper in his embrace.

“You like it, of course,” he said, and now it was Jeannie’s turn to laugh, at that supreme confidence.

“I love it,” she admitted, and at her words the aroma intensified around her, as if she were immersed in a sensual river, almost drowning in pleasure. Her knees buckled as erotic images began to assail her. Images of herself crammed between Jake and Pothos, the three of them somehow entwined on the sand, moaning and rutting and taking it in turns to love each other in the silvery light of the moon.

That’s what I want, she thought, and the ferocity of her longing had her hands reaching up to fist in his hair. “Can you bring Jake here, too? I want you both.”

“Good,” he said, voice rough with desire. “That is how it should be. The three of us, sharing a platinum night of passion. Together.”

His decadent words sent a delicious shiver across her skin, but before she could respond Pothos bent down to grasp the bottom of her nightgown and rip it up and over her head. Moments later and those cotton panties were gone too. She stood naked in front of him as he threw the underwear aside, but strangely, she felt no embarrassment. A light breeze tickled her flesh and puckered her already aching nipples. Pothos reached out one finger and lightly grazed one of the expanding nubs. “Beautiful,” he said, and now his voice had a deep huskiness. “Jake should see you like this. Bathed in moonlight and sensuality.”

His finger left her breast and traced the rest of her body in a delicate caress, skimming across ribs moving rapidly as she struggled to breathe evenly, down through the curve of her waist and over her abdomen to rest, feather-light, at the very top of her slit. Her mons was bare except for a tiny heart shape of hair right where Pothos’ index finger now rested. She’d had the Brazilian last week, leaving the heart in a display of whimsy and hoping Jake would enjoy the new look.

But he hadn’t even noticed.

Unlike Pothos, who now had a crooked little grin on his face as he traced around the heart.

“A genuine blonde,” he said.

She nodded in a distracted fashion. She was finding it more and more difficult to draw a breath. Her gaze fell to his jeans, the denim now clearly stretched to its limit across his groin. Not fair that he should still have clothing on, while she stood here dressed in nothing but her pussy heart.

“Would you…please…remove…?” She reached out a trembling hand to touch his straining bulge, and his intake of breath was audible. She enjoyed the momentary power, mimicking his fingertip exploration of her body to trace up the shape of his penis, over the ripped abdominal muscles and then down again, taking pleasure in the increasingly irregular pattern of his breathing.

So this…god of love, or whoever he was, could be moved by desire, too.

She fumbled again for the fastening on his jeans, but he shook his head, then stepped back to remove his clothing in a fluid movement that was far quicker than she’d have been able to achieve with her shaking hands.

His cock sprang free and she gasped at the enormous size and inherent power in his organ. Pothos was longer and wider than Jake, but not unduly so, as her husband was rather well-endowed. But it was not only his erect appendage that had her eyes wide and her whole body aching for sex. Though his shoulders were built for power his body tapered down in a long, lean arc to narrow hips, and as he turned toward the water for a moment she got a view of tight buttocks and impressively muscled thighs.

Had he done that twirl on purpose? So that she’d see and appreciate the perfection of his body from every angle?

Yes, she decided, as he glanced back at her over his shoulder and grinned boyishly. He most certainly had.

“Nice butt,” she managed, in the understatement of the century, but it was worth it to see the affronted look on his face.

“Nice?”

“Very nice, in fact.”

He moved so fast she only had time for a quick yelp before he was standing over her, gripping her shoulders. The head of his organ was almost, but not quite, touching her stomach, and she could feel the radiant heat leaching out from its proximity. “Nothing about me is nice, Jeannie.”

“This book was on fire…just the right amount of love, passion and eroticism to make this a smokin’ hot read and a MUST add to your TBR list…cannot wait to read more from this fabulous author.” Hesperia Loves Books

Available from:

Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Platinum-Passion-Gods-Love-ebook/dp/B006LUHIDK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1328349788&sr=8-2

All Romance ebooks

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-platinumpassion-652347-144.html

Barnes & Noble

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/platinum-passion-jennifer-lynne/1108076466?ean=2940032925965&itm=1&usri=jennifer+lynne

About the author

Jennifer Lynne is a multi-published author who writes sensual and erotic romance from her home in Melbourne, Australia. She lives in hope that readers will continue to enjoy her novella-length tales of love and lust!

Find Jennifer on the web at:

Website/blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Welcome UK erotica writer, Lucy Felthouse!

2012-02-02T01:14:00.000-08:00

A wedding, an evil plan, a love story and a sacrifice are the order of the day in this modern retelling of Snow White and the Huntsman.

Susie White and her stepmother-to-be have never seen eye to eye, despite all of Susie’s best efforts to be friendly. Eager not to spoil her father’s happiness, Susie still agrees to be bridesmaid at their wedding. When the big day comes, she meets Louise’s right hand man, Scott. Susie had never believed in love at first sight until that moment. The pair hit it off, sharing a mutual dislike of Louise and her wicked ways. Their camaraderie quickly develops into something more, and they date in secret until it’s time for Susie to leave for University – and freedom. Unfortunately, Scott has an earth-shattering revelation, which means the two of them of them must work together to unravel Louise’s evil plan, before it’s too late.

More info and buy links: http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk/published-works/susie-white-and-the-right-hand-man/

*****

Excerpt:

I should have known my stepmother was up to something when she offered to help me move all my stuff to my University digs. It wasn’t like her to be civil, much less helpful, but I figured that she was happy I was moving hundreds of miles away, and therefore would do anything to make sure it happened as quickly as possible.

As my father’s only child, I’m the sole heir to White’s Bites, a massively profitable confectionary company based in Wiltshire, England. My stepmother had made no secret of the fact she resented that she wouldn’t get a stake in the business, should anything happen to my father. Of course, the reason for this was that my father knew the first thing the witch would do was put the business on the market to get her greedy little hands on the cash. I, on the other hand, loved White’s Bites and would continue to run it to the best of my ability.

We’d never seen eye to eye, my stepmother and I. However, it wasn’t the usual ‘child resents someone trying to replace their parent’ syndrome, it was her that resented me.

My mom had died of cancer when I was fifteen. My father and I were devastated, as you’d expect, but I’d always urged him to get on with his life. After all, it’s what mom would have wanted, and I certainly didn’t want my dad to be lonely when I got married and left home.

So, a couple of years later, when dad met Louise and they started dating, I was thrilled. He was happy, therefore so was I. Soon it became more serious and dad wanted me to meet her. I was excited, but nervous.

When the time came and Louise had walked into our house, I’d been in awe. Don’t get me wrong, my mom had been beautiful, but in a natural way, as if she didn’t realise, or care. But Louise clearly did. Her gorgeous hair was perfectly quaffed, and her attractive features were enhanced by expertly applied makeup. Her outfit looked like something from a fashion magazine. I managed to pull myself together before she saw me standing there, all slack-jawed and stupid-looking. Walking towards her, I’d held out a hand.

“Louise!” I’d said, beaming, “I’m so pleased to finally meet you. Dad’s told me so much about you.”

She’d smiled thinly and without any real emotion. “Charmed, I’m sure, Susan.” She’d shaken my hand gingerly, as though she was afraid she’d catch something. I’d half expected her to wipe her hand on her clothes afterwards.

“Oh please, call me Susie.” I’d said, ignoring her odd behaviour. I’d been eager to get on with the woman, knowing it would please my father. “Everyone does.”

Another tight-lipped smile. I’d tried hard to make conversation with her and make her feel comfortable in our home. But I never felt like I was succeeding. At first, I put it down to her being nervous or shy, but as weeks and months passed, I still never felt as though Louise warmed to me. I never bothered my father with my concerns. After all, as long as she liked him, what did it matter?

While Louise and my father were just dating, things weren’t too bad. They went to restaurants, the theatre, the cinema, and so on. I didn’t see her very often, and therefore didn’t have to put up with her frosty behaviour towards me.

Naturally, everything changed when dad told me he was going to ask Louise to marry him. He’d sat me down to break the news – fortunately – and I’d done my best to act delighted. Luckily, dad hadn’t noticed anything was amiss, and as he’d chatted about ceremonies, honeymoons and Louise moving in, a cold shiver had run up my back. This could not end well.

More info and buy links: http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk/published-works/susie-white-and-the-right-hand-man/

*****

Lucy is a graduate of the University of Derby, where she studied Creative Writing. During her first year, she was dared to write an erotic story - so she did. It went down a storm and she's never looked back. Lucy has had stories published by Cleis Press, Constable and Robinson, House of Erotica, Noble Romance, Ravenous Romance, Summerhouse Publishing, Sweetmeats Press and Xcite Books. She is also the editor of Uniform Behaviour and Seducing the Myth. Find out more at http://www.lucyfelthouse.co.uk. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter. You can also subscribe to her newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/gMQb9

Welcome fellow Lyrical Press author, Stephanie Haefner!

2012-01-31T00:58:00.000-08:00

Welcome busy writer and mom, Stephanie Haefner! I too, juggle two kids and my writing so I have complete empathy and sympathy - so many of us do it and the worse thing...the comments of when we're going to get a proper job! Do people not realize how hard we work?? Anyway, rant over, welcome Stephanie!

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

I can’t remember exactly. It was after I finished my first completed novel…all 130,000 words of it! I felt so accomplished. I wanted to share it with the world. So I started researching what I needed to do to make that a reality.

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

Best- To work as a team to produce the best product we could.

Worst- I can’t think of anything..she’s been great!

3) Favourite author/s?

I love Ann Brashares. She does a fantastic job of writing characters you want to be friends with. People you can relate to. I love a coming of age story.

4) What is your typical day?

Get up, get kid #1 to school. Then me and kid #2 head to the gym. After that it’s home and I try to write in between fetching him drinks and snacks and setting up toys or games or his favorite movie or TV show.

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

Karma Kameleon is the sequel to A Bitch Named Karma. I’m so excited for it’s release!

Karma is back, but this time she’s not completely to blame.

After surviving a heart- wrenching tragedy, Lexi Marshall is determined to find happiness with her wacky, new-age family. Stumbling through her first few months of motherhood, she's achieved the perfect balance living with her son, the love of her life, and her best friend and his lover. But happily-ever-after all under the same roof doesn't last long.

For one thing, Rich doesn’t exactly agree living with everyone is ideal. With their gay/straight double wedding fast approaching, he wants to find a place of their own instead of continuing to sponge off of Marcus and Kevin. But Lexi isn’t ready to give up her easy l ifestyle...or the never-ending wisdom of her lifelong best friend, Marcus.

Torn between assured comfort and true happiness, Lexi has to make a choice, and fast. Will she lose everything, or can she trust karma, and have it all?

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

Such an easy question! Since this is a sequel, these characters have been around for a while, so I have given this some thought! LOL! Rebecca Budding and Zac Efron. Yeah…she’s a t hirty-something dating a much younger guy! J

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

Most of it was planned, but I am not a super plotter. The basic plot is there, but I do tend to let myself wander when I write. If I like the way it’s going, I adjust my plot.

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

Some of the people I expected to rush out and buy my book did not.

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

Sadly, no. I write from my loveseat in my living room on my laptop, usually wrapped in an electric blanket.

10 ) What’s next for you?

Working on editing my next book. Hoping to find a home for it soon! J

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

Website/blog: www.stephaniehaefnerthewriter.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanie-Haefner/99513980888

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/StephaniHaefner

Thanks for being here, Stephanie - I must download your books today! Now I've got Zac Efron in my mind, they just have to be read, lol!

Comments?

Novella number 3 is contracted!!

2012-01-30T01:16:00.000-08:00

Good morning, my lovelies!!

I just wanted to add a quick post to let you know my fabulous editor and cover artist has sent me the contract for my next novella - "Zante Heat" is under contract with The Wild Rose Press and I hope to start the edits soon.

As soon as I have a release date and/or cover art, you will be the first to know. In the meantime, here's the working blurb:

Michelle Hutton leaves everything behind and flies from the UK to Greece in search of a new beginning. Her first encounter is with a sexy, pro-bono lawyer with a body that could adorn the cover of Playgirl. He tells her his sister has a restaurant in desperate need of a new chef. Sam Clarke seems too good to be true. And Michelle doesn’t trust anyone else after being let down time and again by the people she loves. Including the mother she left behind. But Sam is just too hard to resist…

Clarke is a busy man – a man on a mission to help women in jeopardy. So when he meets a woman with hair like a sheet of gold and eyes bluer than the ocean needing help, what is he’s supposed to do? The electricity between them is hotter than a live wire and Sam soon learns Michelle is more than capable of demanding and getting what she wants. She doesn’t need him, he should walk away…yet time and again he goes back for more.

As always, thanks SO much for your never-ending support - you guys are the best! Don't forget to follow me on Twitter!

https://twitter.com/#!/rachelwriter

Love

Rachel x

Saturday Promo - Rynne Raines!

2012-01-28T05:51:00.000-08:00

Welcome To Eden--Eden Series: Book One (Short BDSM Themed Erotic Romance)

Blurb

Within the walls of Eden, temptation rules and anything goes….

Psychiatrist Caitlyn Ward never imagined setting foot inside the hottest fetish club in Los Angeles until the day a patient’s concerns about sexual desires went beyond her expertise. Now, determined to uncover the answers needed to alleviate her patient’s mind, Caitlyn ventures into a world of dark and forbidden pleasure beyond her wildest dreams.

Excerpt

"Come here," Evan said from across the room.

She could think of no better time to test his limits than now. "What if I say no?"

Something in those midnight eyes sparked and sent a chill through her right before they narrowed. "No?"

"That's what I said." Defiant, she met his stare.

He arched a brow and then crossed the room to stand toe to toe with her. It still amazed her she had to look up at him. That rarely happened, especially when she wore heels, but somehow it made her feel surprisingly feminine. He lifted a hand slowly, slipped it to her nape and into her locks of blond that spilled down her back. His fist clenched and the pressure of his grip alone made her knees buckle. Regardless, she looked into his eyes, unwilling to back down. This aroused him, she could tell, and more than anything, she wanted him turned on as much as she was.

He started forward until for the second time this evening he backed her to the wall. His rock-hard cock rubbed against her lower abdomen and she imagined what it would feel like when he filled her, stretched her, pounded her….

"Let me tell you something, sweetheart." She gasped as his hands went to her shoulders and locked her in a solid hold. "In this room, I don't take no for an answer."

He spun her and she found herself trapped between his massive frame and the wall. Before she could say another word, he had her wrists pinned above her head in one hand while the other worked expertly on the zipper of her dress. The latex came down in one hard yank to expose her scantily clad body. The rush of excitement overwhelmed her as she tested his strength and tried to pull free. He didn't budge an inch. She arched against him but his knee jutted forward between her legs and held her in place. He barely had to rock his leg to earn her harsh moan of approval.

"Someone's a naughty girl. I knew you'd like that."

His arrogance only fueled her desire. How was it that this stranger knew exactly what she wanted, needed, when no other man had even come close to driving her this wild?

Buy Now:

http://www.amazon.com/Welcome-To-Eden-ebook/dp/B006RXJ06Y/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325533963&sr=1-4

Pure Sin --Eden Series: Book Two (BDSM Themed Erotic Romance)

Blurb

Whips. Blindfolds. Restraints. And a man rumored to be the most skilled Dom in the city...

As the BDSM instructor at the hottest fetish club in Los Angeles, Bianca Alexander prides herself on being open, honest, and informative with her clientele when it comes to kink. The fact that she hasn’t knelt before a master of her own in four long years doesn’t affect her ability to teach, though a part of her longs to be back in her Dom's arms. But when her boss hires Cade Sinclair--her primary rival from a competing club--to assist teaching her classes, Bianca’s comfortable solo act becomes a sinful duet drenched in Pure Sin.

Excerpt

So this was Cade Sinclair’s idea of educating, was it? Bianca clenched her fists. Well, if he thought she would allow this type of behavior in her studio, he was in for a surprise. She narrowed her eyes and plotted his slow and painful death. No way in hell would she allow her classes and clients to act as a buffet to the man’s obviously insatiable ego.

“On your knees, slave.”

The warm whisper burned against the back of her neck and Bianca’s knees buckled. But it wasn’t the sensation of the breath against her skin that had her reeling. It was the voice. The low seductive drawl had coaxed her to orgasm several times in the past.

Sin.

“I must be losing my touch. Never took you this long to obey an order before.”

Her lashes fluttered against her cheeks.

It was Sin all right.

Bianca turned on wobbly legs and wondered when her three-quarter-inch heels had narrowed to the width of toothpicks. She leveled her eyes with a tanned V of flesh bordered by the clean lines of a stylish charcoal dress shirt. It wasn’t necessary to see his face. She recalled the exact width, the masculine curve of his chest, the powerful shoulders. Every ounce of her being warned not to look up, yet she couldn’t stop herself. She slowly lifted her gaze and an invisible fist struck her in the solar-plexus.

God help her.

Buy Now:

http://www.amazon.com/Pure-Sin-Eden-ebook/dp/B006RXJ4HY/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325533963&sr=1-5

Legally Bound --Eden Series: Book Three (BDSM Themed Erotic Romance)

Blurb

Evelyn Morgan has a secret. Donavan Carver wants to expose it. Bondage, debauchery, and a weekend at Eden lands one of them on their knees….

For years, Eve has craved sexual domination, but a kinky romp in the hay isn't worth destroying her prestigious legal reputation over. Even if that romp’s with her handsome rival and legendary Dominant, Donavan Carver. Desperate to protect her secret and keep the notorious playboy at bay, Eve clings to the lie she’s told for two years—she’s a Domme. Donavan doesn’t buy it. Given an opportunity to put Donavan’s doubts to rest, Eve lures him into a bet he can’t win—one that will tether him to her leash. So what if she cheats to win? He’ll never find out. Or will he?

Excerpt

At the challenge, Eve lifted her chin a measure while the wheels in her head nearly flew off their tracks. This could be her chance to finally put Donavan’s doubts about her being a Mistress to rest. “Care to make a friendly wager, then?”

Donavan studied her thoughtfully. “I’ve been known to make a bet or two. What did you have in mind?”

As if deep in thought, Eve tapped one freshly manicured fingernail against her lips. She wasn’t however. She knew exactly what she wanted.

“All right, if I win this case, we will attend the masquerade together—ah,” Eve wagged her finger when he tried to interrupt. “But you will be my slave. You’ll peel me grapes, rub my feet, and if you’re lucky I might just let you fan me with one of those giant feathers.”

For the first time in ages, Eve saw Donavan hesitate. It was only for a split second but it was there. Perhaps the stakes were just a bit too high for him.

“And if you lose?” he asked, intrigue evident in his tone.

There was no chance in hell of her losing now that she had the tape. Although it was underhanded to make a bet with an ace in the hole, he would never find out. No harm. No foul.

“If I lose, I’ll willingly submit to you for the entire weekend.”

His eyes narrowed and Eve’s pulse skipped a beat. Could he smell the bet was fixed? Did she look too eager? Too confident? Were her lips twitching and giving her lucky ace away?

Her throat dried further as Marcy proudly clutched the tape to her chest and marched toward them. If Donavan spotted that cassette, he wouldn’t enter into a wager that could land him on his knees without seeing what was on the tape first. She needed his answer. Now.

“What do you say, Carver?”

With his scorching gaze hot enough to melt the buttons clean off her ivory blouse, Donavan scanned her from head to toe. He brought his eyes back to hers. “You got yourself a bet, counselor.”

Buy Now:

http://www.amazon.com/Legally-Bound-ebook/dp/B005O1O9FC/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327759197&sr=1-1

Welcome Eternal Press author, Gianna Bruno!

2012-01-25T23:31:00.000-08:00

Today I have Gianna Bruno join me to chat - I am so glad because it has been FAR too long since I've welcomed one of the lovely Eternal Press authors to my little corner of cyber-world. Can't wait to see what you have for us, Gianna!

The floor is yours...

Thanks for having me, Rachel!

It's hard to believe Christmas was a month ago and that Valentine's Day is just around the bend. I've long lived my life with holidays, and holiday celebrations as mile markers. Since having children, the months tick by as I carefully pack up the crepe paper ghosts and Q-tip skeletons, pull out the pinecone turkeys, then tuck them in a corner to hang the ice cream stick ornaments with fall school portraits lovingly placed inside.

Soon it will be time for candy and hearts (sex and chocolate for the adults) and that's where I get on the nostalgia train. Some of my hottest memories are wintry ones in a Vermont log cabin with smoke spiraling from the chimney, soaking muscles tested to the aching point by icy ski slopes in a hot tub, then generating plenty of body heat to get through the long, cold nights.

I'l love to hear your memories of winters past--both the good and the bad ones. How did they inspire you to write a story, a poem, a love letter? Did your experiences motivate you to make big changes in your life, cement or break a bond between a friend or a lover?

My paranormal novelette Hot Chocolate Kiss was "born" on a wintry mountaintop. Rick and Keela not only battle the slopes, they face off with the metaphorical demons of life, lingering in a moment of "hopefully ever after," which is the best we can hope for in real life as well.

Readers have shared that they liked the story because the characters feel real and face the same dilemmas as the rest of us. And I struggled to write the characters as composites of friends and family to make them come to life.

In my novella The Journey, Milena's darkest moments are during a long, cold winter during which she wonders whether her lover--a sailor named Thomas--is dead or alive. It was easy for me to tap into those emotions--not being able to imagine being alone and cold, battling the elements as well as dark magick.

So if you'd like a special Valentine's gift for a special someone, consider Hot Chocolate Kiss, a quick sexy read that which guys love because of the extreme sports both on and off the slopes. Or The Journey, the story of a woman's odyssey during which she not only finds her man, but discovers dark truths about her own past while battling the both human and supernatural forces that threaten to tear them, as well as the North and the South, apart.

Contact me at gianna AT giannabruno.com for special print gift packages or personalized gift cards for digital formats. Please click over to my blog at http://giannabruno.blogspot.com for excerpts and to view the trailers. And I always love to hear from readers on my blog, on Facebook or Twitter.

Hugs and Hot Chocolate Kisses,

Gianna

What a brilliant idea for a Valentine's gift, Gianna! I love it :) Your post has really inspired me to come up with a Christmas story. All that snow, log cabins and skiing - how's a girl to resist?

Buy links:

The Journey
http://www.eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781615722488

Hot Chocolate Kiss
http://www.eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781770650268

Contact/connect:

http://giannabruno.com

http://twitter.com/Gianna_Bruno

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gianna-Bruno/153839997984159?v=wall

Welcome book reviewer, Marika Weber/Kate!!

2012-01-24T10:38:00.000-08:00

I am thrilled to have Marika visit with us today as any writer in the world should be hoping for those sparkly 5 Star Reviews - what writer wants 3 stars when 5 are up for grabs?? Not me, that's for sure. So when Marika agreed to visit, I was SO happy she was willing to reveal a few secrets into the minds of those elusive reviewers...

Over to you, Marika!

One Reviewer’s Take

I want to thank Rachel for having me on her blog today. It’s really an honor. Most people don’t want a reviewer on their blog much less having them talk about reviews.

Okay, right to it…a little background on myself. I live in East Texas, raised in Dallas, married with one son in 1^st grade and work an EDJ. I review for Night Owl Reviews, The Romance Studio and The Forbidden Bookshelf. I also have a review blog that I update semi-regularly. Why the information about me? To let you know, that I’m a real person, with a real life and real everyday issues. I’m not a god, a fairy, or an ogre. I bleed just like you do. Why the dramatics about me? I have some things that I want to talk to you about reviewing and what goes through my mind when I’m reading a book for review.

1. I get to pick the books that I review. Bet you didn’t know that? Well, I do and I choose books/authors/publishers that I normally don’t read or know much about. I pick books that are way out of my comfort zone. When I decided to review, I decided that I wouldn’t read books or authors that I was comfortable with. In the year that I began reviewing, I have found authors, genres and publishers that I seek out on a regular basis. I have been given books to review from authors for my blog and again, I follow the same guidelines if I was reviewing it for one of the sites that I review for.

2. When I review a book, I look for the following: plot (does it hold my interest), characters (do I even like them), flow (am I having to start and stop all the time) and lastly, did the characters connect emotionally and was it believable?

3. When writing a review, I don’t give out spoilers, the ending, the conflict, nor do I give out plot points. I will however, talk about what I did like about the book and what I didn’t. I hate when book review blogs from individuals give you a dissertation on the book. I mean, why buy the book in the first place? The blog already told you everything that you needed to now and more. This is becoming more and more commonplace with so many people reviewing books on their blogs and it really pisses me off. I have books on my Nook that I bought that sadly, I’ll probably never read because of it. Grrr…

4. Also, if you get a bad review, just remember, its only ONE reviewer’s opinion. Some people are going to love your stuff and some won’t love it. Reviewing is subjective and therefore, should be taken with a grain of salt. That said if the review is snarky and/or down right rude and mean, please, please let the review coordinator/owner know. That should not be tolerated at all. That does happen and it puts all reviewers in a bad light.

5. Lastly, why do I review? I review because I love to read. Period. Some reviewers crave the power they have over an author but for me that’s the wrong reason to review. I review for the simple pleasure of reading and then telling people why I liked it.

If you’re an author, tell me some of your experiences good or bad with reviewers. No names, please. If you’re a reader, what do you look for in a review? I’ve listed below links to where I review to check me out. I look forward to hearing from you.

http://harliebooks.blogspot.com - personal review blog

www.nightowlreviews.com - Marika is my review name

www.theromancestudio.com - Marika is my review name

www.theforbiddenbookshelf.com - Kate is my review name

One last thing, contest…to one commentator a GC of $10 to either B&N or Amazon. And you thought reviewers were stuffy and not human?

What are you waiting for? Marika/Kate would love to chat! :)

Saturday Promo - Dena de Paulo

2012-01-21T04:54:00.000-08:00

Blurb:

Laurel Stevens's professionalism has earned her the opportunity to orchestrate one of Spain's most important art events of the year. She needs the Lunera Exhibition to go off without a hitch, to assure her dream position back home in the States. But when sexy Spanish artist, Alejandro Lunera, introduces her to desires she's never known, she's tempted to risk everything she's worked for to spend one night in his arms.  Alejandro has built his career celebrating the sensual side of women through paint, but he's tired of the clientele his work attracts. He needs a new direction...a new muse. And he's found her. The intriguing Laurel rekindles his passion for color and inspires him to create again...to paint the woman of his dreams.  Can Alejandro convince Laurel to choose the passion and love he offers, or will their time together become no more than a moment painted with pleasure?

Excerpt:

Damn, the sooner this meeting was over the better.   He tugged her through a series of concrete tunnels until they approached a large steel door guarded by two big men, Jorge and Louis. They both looked Laurel over then smiled at her in unison. Alejandro yanked at the door and loud heavy metal music greeted them.   Whips and paddles decorated one wall. A leather masked man named Fernando, sat spanking a woman on his lap. The dance floor held many people in states of undress grinding against one another. Some were in leather and chains, some in khakis and polos. Some people had their sexual body parts exposed and painted. One corner held a pillowed harem style platform with women draped over the laps of the most influential men in Madrid. And in another corner the pool tables sat innocently enough but for the man who ran his hands up the lady in a mini leather skirt much like the one Laurel wore as he showed her how to use the cue stick.   “You come here often?” She edged backward, eyes wide and for the first time uncertainty played over her delicate face.   “No. One of my biggest clients is in the harem corner and he has some buyers with him. I’m hoping to sell out of my canvases and start a new venture.”   “You want to what?” She tugged at his hand. “You want out?”   “I don’t know. But right now, I want something else.” He wanted her, needed to paint them entwined. Was that possible after a single one night of great sex? Hell. “Come on, I’ll make it worth your while.”

http://www.wilderroses.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=87&products_id=852

Blog, Twitter

Dena is giving away a PDF or Kindle version of her book to one random commenter today!!

Welcome my online friend and fabulous author, Emma Lai!

2012-01-18T23:48:00.000-08:00

So excited to have my friend, Emma Lai, visiting with us today, She is one of the Wild Rose Press' most supportive and friendliest authors I've met since writing for them. I encourage you to follow this lovely lady on Twitter! Okay, over to you, Emma. Can't wait to read what you've got planned for the 2012... :)

New Year, New Plans

Happy New Year, Rachel, and thanks for hosting me. Happy New Year to all visitors as well. :)

For those of you who don’t know me or aren’t familiar with my writing, I am the author of a wide variety of genres: science fiction, fantasy and horror (as L. J. Maisen); children’s (hopefully you’ll forgive me for not sharing that pen here); and romance, both of the sweet and the erotic kind.

In 2011, I focused heavily on the erotic side and released five stories: Twice is Not Enough, Slave to Innocence, Tempting Terms, Not Just Friends and Riding Rodeo. However, this left me feeling slightly off kilter. So, this year I have a new plan.

I don’t know about other women, but I seem to have an...uh...natural cycle of highs and lows. And, it’s much easier to hammer out an erotic piece during the highs than during the lows. It’s also a b*tch forcing yourself to write something you’re just NOT in the mood for.

So, the new plan is a series of short pieces (3K or less) to be released in four anthologies throughout the year with Sybarite Seductions. I’ve teamed up with two other authors and hope others might get interested in participating. This way, I get to exercise those muscles at the appropriate time and hopefully create some fun, quick reads.

Now for those of you who like my longer pieces, no fear. I’ve just completed my first M/M, am 5K from completing the sequel to Twice is Not Enough and have a full-length piece I’m polishing. I’d like to get them all submitted by the end of February, which hopefully means longer releases later in the year. Also, I have a sweet romance, His Capture, Her Rescue, coming in April and a fantasy with strong romantic elements, Blood Sword, releasing under L. J. Maisen in March.

The rest of the time, I plan on working on the sequels to Blood Sword and a sci-fi/fantasy book that’s sitting at half-done. Busy year planned!

You can check my website at http://www.emmalaiwrites.com and my blog at http://emmalaiwrites.blogspot.com for updates.

Here is the blurb and link for Emma's latest erotic romance release...

Blurb:

After several disastrous engagements, Lady Minerva Peters is an expert at suppressing her own needs. Only in the darkness of night does she give in to her wanton desires with a fantasy lover.

In the middle of a crowded ballroom, she learns her father is not yet ready to let her fade into spinsterhood. Humiliated, she ducks into a dark alcove only to find out she's not alone. Her hiding spot is occupied by a captivating stranger. Before she can escape, the two become voyeurs to another couple’s sexual rendezvous. The atmosphere heats up and so does her body, especially with the tempting offers whispered in her ear.

Will Minerva deny her needs once again or will she embrace the anonymity of their seclusion and finally explore her basic impulses and the startling attraction to the compelling mystery man?

http://www.wilderroses.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=87&products_id=804

Phew-wee, missus!! You are going to be one busy writer, lol! Puts my plan of two, maybe three novellas for 2012 to shame. Here's where you can find Emma on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/#!/EmmaLaiWrites

Okay, let's here your plans - writer or reader we want to know!

Welcome one of my favorite erotic romance writers, Desiree Holt!

2012-01-16T23:28:00.000-08:00

Today, I am thrilled to have the wonderful Desiree Holt at my site - I can't remember which story it was now, but I read one of Desiree's stories when I first started venturing into writing erotic romance and I remember it blew (...) me away! Totally inspiring and a fabulous turn on - what more do you want from an erotic read??

Take it away, Desiree...

Fantasy: imaginary, illusional, make believe

Dreams that visit you in the dark cloak of the night

We all have them, in one form or another. Of course, the most stimulating are the ones we keep the most secret–erotic fantasies.

People who have never read erotic romance always ask me, “But exactly what kind of books are those? Are they–um–er–(in a whisper) pornographic?’ Then in an even softer whisper, usually behind a hand, “I don’t know if I could read–um-that kind of book.” So here’s what I tell them.

Everyone has fantasies. All kinds of fantasies. The kind they see in their dreams. Secretly wish for. Wild fantasies. Fantasies that come to you in the dark of the night. That make you blush as well as excite your body.

I bring those fantasies to life in my stories I gather all the dreams in your mind and present them to you n a love story that will touch your heart as well as ignite your sexual desires. In the pages of my books you can indulge in all the sexual activities that you hide in the light of day. And each story is different.

Here is just a taste of the fantasies you’ll find in my book list.

Night Mission (Decadent Publishing)

They each had a fantasy-a hot one night stand with their dream lover)

Navy SEAL Gabriel Walker didn’t think he was asking too much, just a hot woman with some brains who made his down time between missions pleasant. And maybe a little but more. Forty-something Maggie Fitzpatrick wanted a younger man with a sex drive to match her own and even smarts to hold a conversation. And maybe a little bit more. When Madame Evangeline paired them for the one night stand neither of them expected the explosive chemistry, the very hot sex…and a littler bit more.

Once Upon a Wedding (Ellora’s Cave)

Raine McIntyre had one fantasy and only a short weekend before her wedding to make it come true.

Loraine McIntyre longs for just one weekend to let down her hair and find a man who will help her live out all her fantasies before her conventional wedding to her very conventional fiancé and continuing her very conventional life. Despite Stuart's protests, she knows she has to do this or she'll always feel she missed something in life. Goodbye Loraine, hello Rainie.  And hello Joe, the sex god with lion's eyes she meets at the beach. Hopping on his motorcycle with him, she roars off to a weekend of the wildest sex anyone could ever want. But things are not always what they seem and life is about to hand Rainie a few surprises.

Teaching Molly (Ellora’s Cave)

Molly thought her fantasies had died with her marriage, until she met Nick

Molly Gerard, in her mid-forties, is divorced, unfulfilled and wondering if the things she reads in erotic romances could happen. To her. Meeting Nick Trajan, she thinks wow! But Molly is ten years older. Will that make a difference? When she accepts his invitation to spend the night with him, she wonders how she’ll compare with his younger women, but the night is more erotically satisfying than she could imagine. Nick, however, is immersed in the D/s lifestyle. When he introduces Molly to it, will she run? Or can he teach her sexual pleasure as she’s never known it?

All Jacked Up (Total-e-Bound)

Jack and Darcy had fantasies about their future mates–but neither of them resemble either of them.

Jack Manning is celebrating his fortieth birthday in a favorite bar with his friends. But it’s a bittersweet celebration because all his friends are coupled up while Jack–not quite as tall, maybe not quite as rugged looking–still lives in lonely solitude. Why? Because his ideal woman-a combination of Heather Locklear and Mandy Roth–has yet to appear in his life. But Fate is about to play a huge joke on Jack and turn his life upside down.

Give It To Me (The Wild Rose Press)

Callie and Sam each had fantasies about each other, but it takes an act of fate to bring them together

Carolina (Callie) Michaels is tired of being a good girl. She has deep, erotic fantasies she’s just dying to live, but none of the men she dates seem to want to share them. She decides to give herself a birthday present of a night to remember, but when her intended date decides she’s too adventurous for him, Callie’s attention turns to dark, sexy Sam Winthrop, her next door neighbor who’s had his own erotic dreams – about her. She invites him to celebrate her birthday with her, and when he gets to her place and discovers what kind of celebration she has in mind, Sam’s convinced that tonight his fantasies as well as Callie’s will come true.

Want to read about more fantasies? Check out my web site www.desireeholttellsall.com and check out my blog www.desireeholt.com

And be sure to pick up my newest release, Erected, at Ellora’s Cave

http://www.jasminejade.com/

You can find my books on Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Fictionwise and other online bookstores.

Be sure to leave me a comment today for a chance to win one of my ebooks. I’ll pick three winners.

Follow me on Twitter (@desireeholt) and Facebook (/desireeholt.)

Your backlist is fabulous, Desiree and thank you for hosting such a fabulously generous giveaway!!

Comment for a chance to win, lovely people :)

Giveaway Weekend!!

2012-01-14T04:27:00.000-08:00

As I am all out of ideas for this weekend's blog, I thought I'd giveaway a copy of Explicitly English to a random commenter.... Explicitly English is special to me as it's my first published erotic romance novella. If you're a reader, what was the first erotic romance you read? If you're a writer, what is the name of your first published story? And more importantly, where can we buy it?

Explicitly English blurb:

Laura Markham needs to forget - just for awhile. Be someone else for change - live as her parents will never have the chance to. And for Laura, that means leaving the City for the English countryside and doing just what the hell she feels like…wherever she feels like doing it…

British stockbroker, Stephen Cambridge knows by going home to his country retreat two days early, he's likely to surprise his contracted interior designer. And when he finds out she's the woman who performed the solo masterbation show for him on the inward bound journey, Stephen will do anything to further convince her to miss the outward bound train and stay with him forever…

Thanks for all your emails asking if I have any news on novella number three! Nothing as yet, but you'll be the first to know as soon as the good news drops into my inbox... ;)

Love Rachel x

Welcome fellow UK author, Lily Harlem!

2012-01-12T01:19:00.001-08:00

Hi Lily! Great to have you here. I interview so many US authors because I write primarily for the US market, it's fab to welcome another UK writer who does the same. I love that you live in rural England, we do live in such a gorgeous part of the world.

This is the first time we've spoken so I'm looking forward to learning more about you and your writing. Exceptional covers, by the way. Yum! ;)

Let's get started...

1) What is your writing routine?

I like to write first thing, which is odd as I have never been a morning person. I think it’s because I often wake up with new ideas, or characters thoughts and dialogue playing on my mind and I want to get it down. I am very lucky and my home office overlooks beautiful meadowland so whatever time of year it is there is always a lovely view – somewhere to gaze as I daydream, ponder plot lines and descriptions. For me its bliss to have a whole day to indulge my imagination. Housework can wait!

2) Which author/s inspire you to write?

Oh, so many, and in lots of different genres. Anyone who writes well, with fresh, snappy dialogue, intricate characters and a tale that doesn’t jump out too obviously makes me want to write. I particularly like, and this is a mixed bunch, Bronte, Hemmingway and Maya Banks. Also Natalie Dae, Kristina Lloyd and K D Grace.

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

To read I like ménage and BDSM. To write, ménage or anything with hockey or music included, especially if I can add a sprinkle of kink! But reading or writing it’s always romantic, there is always love, trust and respect and of course consent.

4) How do you deal with criticism/rejection?

Take a deep breath and think of the next step for that manuscript, whether it’s a complete overhaul or a new publisher. I deal with it better now than I did when I first started out, though now I have editors I know well so generally understand what they’re looking for - luckily it’s exactly what I want to write.

5) What do you expect from an editor?

I would like to think that the editors I have worked with over the last few years, a couple in particular, have become friends, though of course ultimately it is a professional relationship. I value honesty, tolerance and an understanding that sometimes I don’t research things quite as much as I should first go round because I’m just in the writing zone! I come back to small details on edits, if the story just has to get out then I go with the flow and fiddle with the finer points afterwards.

6) Tell me about your latest release.

My latest book is a full length novel available from Ellora’s Cave and is called Cold Nights, Hot Bodies. I was snowed in last year - I live in a very rural part of the UK - and the characters had been rattling around my head for several weeks. But it wasn’t until I had the peace and quiet to sit and write that Ashley and Shane’s story tumbled out. It was enormous fun. Ashley is a mad fan of erotic romance, much like myself, and she was not going to settle for a guy who couldn’t live up to the heroes in her books, fortunately Shane more than stepped up to the challenge even going so far as to helping act out some of her favorite scenes! And when I got the book cover through I have to say, I was a puddle of lust on the floor – phew! – and yes, that is just how I imagined him to look!

7) Tease us with a blurb or short excerpt

Blurb - All my life I’ve been the quiet bookworm, the office mouse. It hasn’t bothered me. Immersing myself in erotic novels has kept me wriggling on the edge of my seat at work and firmly entrenched in my own fantasy world at night.

Though one thing is bothering me—my damn virginity. If only I could find a sexy bedroom expert to introduce me to the delights of having a lover. Someone handsome and charming, who can rival the hunky alpha males in my books. I have a very vivid, very well-fed imagination—he’ll have to keep up. Then, one bitterly cold night, thanks to a devious, conniving so-called-friend, the perfect opportunity to rid myself of this pesky virginal problem comes along. Before I know it, the heroes in my novels have come alive in the person of Shane Galloway, who’s pleasuring me with every trick in the book and wheedling into my heart in the hottest possible of ways.

Excerpt link (18+) - http://www.jasminejade.com/productspecs/9781419935985.htm

8) Which is your favorite character in the book?

Shane and Ashley are of course my very favorites, but there is another character, Derek, who is Ashley’s boss, and to use my crit partner’s words, kind of like a ‘fairy godfather’ to Ashley. He was fun to add into the story and instrumental in Ashley’s happy ever after. I like secondary characters; they make the story real, no one lives isolated without friends or other people in their lives.

9) What are you working on right now?

My fifth Hot Ice novel. The fourth is with my Ellora’s Cave editor and this one just has to come out quick. Without giving anything away, I left a character in a tailspin and he needs my attention! Each book in this series is fine as a standalone read, but I’ve weaved the hockey players and their love interests into each new story so that the reader gets to know the whole team and say hi, like old friends, whenever they pick up the next book. It’s a fun way to write but it has meant that one player is in need of my attention! Not that I am complaining, he’s gorgeous!

10) Your biggest piece of advice to aspiring novelists? Get a crit partner. Someone who isn’t afraid of being honest, and then if something is rubbish, scrap it, don’t be precious about every single word. Also make sure you send the right manuscript to the right publisher, if they want delicate romance and you send erotic it’s never going to happen. When I started out someone told me that the first five novels you write are all practice, it’s the sixth that will be the one. I remember thinking, seriously, how long do you think my life is? But actually looking back, it was the sixth book that I thought, yes, that is it, I am truly happy with it. That book is Shared and was my debut release at Ellora’s Cave.

Link for Shared - http://www.jasminejade.com/p-8441-shared.aspx

11)Where can readers find you? www.lilyharlem.com and http://www.lilyharlem.blogspot.com/ and http://www.jasminejade.com/m-640-lily-harlem.aspx

Thanks so much for having me today, Rachel, it’s been fun.

Lily x

Winner of 2009 Love Honey Award for Erotic Fiction

www.lilyharlem.com

Welcome fellow WIld Rose Press author, Callie Croix!!

2012-01-09T23:40:00.001-08:00

Hi Callie! Great to have you here. I am excited about talking with you as I have been waiting for a Kindle (lovely Christmas pressie from hubby!) so I can download the Cowboy Kink series from The Wild Rose Press. This series sounds super sexy and Dillon's Claim must've been so much fun to write. Let's get started!

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

-I’ve wanted to be an author since I first learned to read, but I never thought seriously about getting published until I had my first child. Maybe all the hormones spurred on my creative juices?

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

-Best things: This business is completely subjective, so don’t take rejections personally (yeah, still working on that one, but it’s good advice), and a successful author needs to be persistent. Quitting will get you nowhere.

Worst advice would be to write what’s currently hot in the market (chasing trends).

3) Favourite author/s?

-Oh, gosh. Anne Calhoun, Lisa Marie Rice, Gennita Low, Cherise Sinclair, Eden Bradley, Katie Reus/Savannah Stuart, JR Ward (the first five books of the BDB series).

4) What is your typical day?

-I’m a mom of two little guys, a part time Registered Massage Therapist, a Board member for a scholarship foundation and an assistant soccer coach in addition to my role as an author. Every day is different but I try to do promo and emails first thing in the morning then do some drafting/revising before lunch. After noon I’m pretty much sapped of creative energy so I try to save less important things for those few hours before I pick up the kids from school.

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

-Dillon’s Claim: Charissa Myers attends a bachelorette weekend at a Texas guest ranch, knowing she'll have to confront Dillon Dumen. The sexy cowboy is everything she's ever wanted in a man but, gun-shy after a previous BDSM encounter gone bad, she denied her need to submit to the irresistible Dom. She expects his anger, but what she doesn't expect is Dillon's determination to finish what they started all those months ago.

Dillon doesn't understand what spooked Charissa in the first place, but now that she's on his turf, he wants a hell of a lot more from her than answers. He's got two days to weaken her resistance and stake his claim once and for all. And this time, he's not letting her go without a fight.

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

-This book is far too hot to ever see the silver screen, I’m afraid ;)

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

-I was asked by my editor to write Dillon’s story, as it’s a standalone sequel to Deacon’s Touch, the first story I wrote in the Dumen Ranch Series (my romantic suspense editor actually wrote the remaining two stories in the series).

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

-That all of a sudden it wasn’t good enough anymore. I wanted to be continually published, which isn’t an easy feat!

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

-I don’t. Usually I camp out on the couch in my living room or family room with my laptop. I have to write away from noise and other distractions so if my phone rings one time too many or unplanned visitors drop by, I’ve been known to pack up and head to the local library to get some serious work done. Procrastination is far too easy a trap to fall into when you’re suddenly at home throughout the day with no children underfoot!

10) What’s next for you?

-I’ve got another erotic romance coming out with Carina Press this May, and I’m currently revising one I hope they’ll accept as well. As Callie Croix I have four erotic romance releases so far, and as Kaylea Cross I have six award-winning military romantic suspense novels as well.

Thanks so much for having me here today!

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

Callie Croix: www.calliecroix.com

www.calliecroixauthor.blogspot.com

www.twitter.com/calliecroix

www.facebook.com/calliecroix

Kaylea Cross: www.kayleacross.com

www.kayleacross.blogspot.com

www.twitter.com/kayleacross

www.facebook.com/kayleacross

Wow! You are one hardworking woman, lol! Our stories are similiar in that, as soon as I had baby number 2, I knew I had to get serious about my writing. I love what I do and hope to stay at home, write, look after my kids and generally live the dream, lol...

Right, off to follow you on Twitter!

Callie is waiting to chat - questions? Comments?

Here we go...

2012-01-06T01:43:00.000-08:00

Hip, hip, hooray! A brand new year means brand new goals. I love this time of year and the chance it brings to start afresh. I speak to a lot of writers every day, whether in person, through email or responding to blog posts and Time Management is a massive subject for discussion. I think after seriously writing and working at my craft for two years now, I have my daily writing goal sussed.

Five hundred words minimum – every day, seven days a week (okay, so I took Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off this year, naught girl!) because this is totally achievable. I used to have a goal of a thousand words per day but beat myself to a pulp of guilty mush every time I failed to achieve that. And with a husband, two young kids, a dog, two hamsters and a part time job, I failed A LOT.

Therefore, five hundred words works perfectly for me and I very often exceed that amount – and it also means a guaranteed one hundred and eighty two thousand words a year! Imagine, that’s six thirty-thousand word novellas every year!

Will I do it? Who knows, but I'm going to try. How about you? Do you want to join me in the five hundred words per day challenge? It makes you feel a whole lot better than the manic November challenge of NaNo (50,000 words in a month) which I’ve failed to do both times I tried.

So here’s my plan for 2012 – please share yours with me so I don’t feel quite so vulnerable putting it out there like this, LOL!

And in between? Lots and lots of promo/blogging and everything else I can manage!

Hmmm…when it’s written out like that, it doesn’t seem quite so easy, does it? Hey, we can only do our best, people. LET’S GO!!!

Here’s the blurb and an excerpt from my latest release, “Coming Back” from The Wild Rose Press.

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.

Excerpt:

The stranger…all the massive height and width of him kept walking ever closer without as much as a blip to his stride. Kelly stared and when his gaze met hers, recognition hit her between the eyes like a demolition ball. Her breath caught and her heart picked up speed. No. No, it couldn’t be. Swallowing hard, she lifted her chin and crossed her arms to hide the shaking in her hands. He looked away from her, casually taking in his surroundings as he continued to approach the bar. No, she was wrong, it couldn’t be him.

This was a potentially dangerous situation. She was alone, and the guy was built like a Trojan warrior. Instinctively, she inched her hand below the bar and curled her fingers around one of the three aluminum baseball bats dotted beneath it at four feet spaces. Any funny stuff and this arrogant son of bitch wouldn’t know what hit him.

He reached the bar, shook the rain from his dark blonde hair, spattering the polished wood of the bar and looked straight into Kelly’s eyes.

Oh, shit. It was him. Her heart turned over. “Sean?” she croaked.

His smile was slow, sexy and completely irresistible – and Kelly promptly trembled with the effort it took not to leap over the bar and slam his face between her breasts.

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

Welcome Eternal Press author, Carol Itoh!!

2012-01-05T01:27:00.000-08:00

It was only after my call-out for guest bloggers that I met Carol. I am really looking forward to this interview to learn more about her, her books and writing. You have been given some really great covers, Carol!

Let's get started... :)

1) Did you set any goals for 2012?

My biggest goal for 2012 is to finish my nonfiction book on Fibromyalgia. I was diagnosed with Fibro in 1990 and the progression of this devastating disorder has completely taken over my life. My books so far have all been romantic fiction so writing nonfiction has proven to be a bit more daunting than I had imagined. The process is completely different. In fiction you are bound only by your imagine, in nonfiction you are bound by the facts. And with a medical based book there are more facts then there are stars in the night sky. This leaves you no room for imagination.

So my 2012 goal is to complete this book and then get back to the thing I love best, romantic fiction and allowing my imagination to run free once again.

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

The creation of lives and worlds is an amazing feeling. It’s the giving birth process that I love best about writing. It’s so exhilarating. I cannot sing or draw so writing is my only artistic outlet. Yes, I consider writing an artistic expression. We create from nothing from our imagination entire lives and the people who live them. We create the world they live in and how they will live that life.

Some may say it’s like playing God by being creationist in our little way but I say we are more like artist by using words to paint mental vignettes that once combined make a complete picture or story. Something beautiful when done well. However, having said that, I will say I work more like Jackson Pollack in a free style, than say, like one of the old masters such as Rembrandt, who worked in a highly stylized way.

3) The worst part?

Due to my more freestyle way of working and not censoring myself when I work I tend to have a lot of editing to do when preparing a manuscript for submission. Then I have a ton more in preparation for publication. So I would have to say editing is my nemesis.

I have always said I am the luckiest and the laziest writer I know. I never have a shortage of ideas or time but I think I may have ADD and just loose interest after a few weeks of writing on one book. I have a tendency to bore easily. Before I can finish one book I’m tired of that story and I’m excited about another plot I’ve come up with and in a hurry wanting to move on. I would say discipline is another demon I fight with all the time.

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

I really wish I’d written Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austin. It has wonderful dialogue, lovely descriptions, and characters that are timeless. Her subtle delicate romance was so perfectly handled and the timing in which she paced the action in her book was divine. I loved this book and read it every few years and I’m always in awe of Miss Austin’s talent.

5) Favourite author/s & book/s?

My favorite author’s are Jane Austin, Charles Dickens, Anne Rice, Stephen King, and Gregory Maguire to name a few. I like Amy Tan too. But I can admit to having read some Ayn Rand and really liking her books. But you have to be in the mood for some heavy reading when you read Ayn Rand. She challenges you.

6) Tell us about your latest release?

In October 2011 Eternal Press released my book, The Real Housewives of Hell. This was my first foray into the more humorous side of writing. The subtitle is How to go from Millionaire Row to Poverty Row if you don’t work at Bravo! It’s a tongue in cheek look at how to go from having a lot to having very little in this down-turned economy. All the character’s names in the book are ones taken from the Real Housewives of…series on the Bravo Channel. Even though the book concentrates on my circle of friends I match them to the Housewife that closest resemble them and blend some of the qualities. I don’t need to lose any more friends by telling all their stories unfiltered.

The book blurb reads: How to go from Millionaire's Row to Poverty Row if you don't work at Bravo! Life has been unfair to many Americans. We have suffered the pain of a severe economic disaster and no one feels that more the American housewife. How do you feed your family on less? How can we survive with style and grace? Who can you trust when so many in power have lied to you? You can only trust one of your own! Another housewife. Allow me take you on a journey where you will discover skills you never knew you possessed.

7) Tease us with a blurb/short except

Husband number one was a long tall Texan...need I say more? Every time he and his good ol’ buddies got together, I heard more whoo hooing than a Vicki heavy episode of The Real Housewives of Orange County! Those Texas boys can whoop and holler it up like a pack of crazy coyotes out on the plains. They can also drink and do a lot of drugs too. Oh, and least we not forget, they can sleep with all your girlfriends as well. Yeah, that little nasty bit of news I didn’t get the full extent of until after the divorce was final. Then my girlfriends came out from under the woodwork to let me know how badly they felt for sleeping with my husband, and now that the marriage ended, would I please forgive them. Of course, you know I didn’t! Bitches! I had to move on!

8) What’s next?

As I mentioned before, I am currently writing He Called Me Fat & Neurotic: Our Struggles With Fibromyalgia and the Legal and Medical Systems which will be out in late 2012.

This book chronicles not only my struggles but also the stories of many women who suffer the same. This compilation is to help those who fear seeking help or don’t know what it is exactly they do suffer from. We give them permission to seek help or to find a doctor to better address the issues they are struggling with daily.

9) Tell me where you write?

In my bedroom, late at night, mostly, I find it better to concentrate with the house all quiet and asleep. It’s the only time I have no distractions and can dedicate several hours uninterrupted.

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

One would hope to be a well-known writer and somewhat more successful financially. However, if this does not occur, I will think that with the releases of my current books, Tokyo Heat, Blood Drops, The Real Housewives of Hell and the coming He Called Me Fat & Neurotic, I do feel vindicated in my dreams of being an author.

11) Where can we find you?

I can be found at:

http://www.carolitoh.com

http://carolitohbooks.blogspot.com/

Great interview, Carol and good luck with that discipline! I completely understand about wanting to leave one story to start another - our minds are buzzing with new ideas all the time. I hope you have more good days than bad with your illness...

Okay, Carol is waiting for your questions and comments!

Welcome prolific author Tori St. Claire/Claire Ashgrove!

2012-01-03T02:15:00.000-08:00

So thrilled to have you here today, Tori! We have spoken quite a lot via the The Wild Rose Press loops and especially Twitter so it's great to host your latest release.

I know you are horse mad and write like a demon so there is little left to do but leave my readers to discover for themselves just how good a writer you are!

Let's start the questions... :)

1) Who is your favourite author and why?

My favorite author is Steve Berry. Beyond his ability to create edge-of-your-seat suspense, he weaves in speculative fiction, and as a history addict it fascinates me. To be completely honest, it’s very hard to pick up one of his books and not jump to the very back where he lists the historical tidbits and how he altered them.

I don’t think I’ve picked up a book yet that hasn’t left me wholly satisfied and just a little amazed. He blends everything so smoothly that it always makes for a fascinating read.

2) When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I’ve always been a writer, always loved to write. It wasn’t until early 2008, however, when I was at-home with my infant son and sat down to write and pass the time, that I decided to turn a hobby into something professional.

I joined RWA the same month, finished two other books through the summer, and then in the fall wrote SEDUCTION’S STAKES, which became my first published novel. It was contracted in December of the same year.

3) Describe your writing space?

Usually absolute chaos. I fell into the habit someplace along the line of writing at the dining room table, and right now, with the holidays here it’s fairly clean, amazingly. Usually I have a pile of papers on my right, notes and portions of outlines that haven’t made it into the laptop. Some collection of snacks to my left – jar of pretzels, sack of chips, warmed-over coffee. And I’m surrounded by critters: cat in the lap, another cat on the table, dog in the chair beside me, dog at my feet, and four other dog bodies scattered around my dining room floor snoring soundly.

My actual desk in my office is immaculate. That’s because I never touch it.

4) What are you reading now?

I just finished Karin Tabke’s BLOOD LAW.

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

Oh gosh…

I write under two pen names: Tori St. Claire and Claire Ashgrove.

As Tori I’ve written STRIPPED and the second book in the Black Opal series, LIE TO ME.

As Claire, I’ve published five full-length contemporary novels, two contemporary novellas, three paranormal novellas, and a total of four in my paranormal series, The Curse of the Templars.

There’s also a handful of stories that are written and sitting with my agent.

6) What comes first, plot or characters?

That totally depends on the story. With STRIPPED, Natalya came before all the others. Then Brandon. Then I had to work in the plot, which brought the other characters to life.

LIE TO ME worked pretty much the same. I knew who I wanted to write about, had a bare-bones idea for his personality, and knew my heroine rather well. I had to make how they fit together, how they would clash, and the suspense surrounding them, mesh with their differing personalities.

Actually now that I think about it, everything I’ve done with the Black Opal series has been character first.

Not the same for the paranormal works or my contemporaries as Claire Ashgrove. The vast majority of them were/are plot first.

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

I wish? It might be a little more quiet in my head if so.

Truthfully, I’m very prolific. Both in idea and end result. I have files of outlines that maybe I’ll get to, maybe I won’t.

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

I’m a horsey-gal – I like to spend time with my horses, though I haven’t ridden in a long, long while. I spend time with my friends, lots of time with my family and my sons. Really though, as much as writing is a career, it’s my hobby too. So I write for the pleasure as often as I’m writing for a deadline.

9) Tell us about your latest book?

Well, I’m here today to talk about STRIPPED, my debut erotic romantic suspense.

STRIPPED is a dark, edgy erotic thriller that introduces the Black Opals, an elite, deadly team of CIA Operatives. Natalya Trubachev has been under cover, working for the Russian mafia and engaged to mob-boss, Dmitri Gavrikov. Dmitri is trafficking women for a sheikh in Dubai. Natalya’s sister is Dmitri’s next target.

Determined to stop him, expose the human trafficking ring, and save her fraternal twin, Natalya goes to Las Vegas, where she meets Brandon Moretti, an undercover cop investigating a string of murders on the Strip. Everything unravels as passion enters the game and Natalya struggles to keep both her secrets and Brandon from being exposed.

Here’s the official back cover blurb:

Body of secrets…

As a member of the CIA’s elite, Black Opals, Natalya Trubachev must live a lie, working undercover as the lover of Dmitri, a Russian mob boss. His business is trafficking vulnerable Las Vegas strippers overseas for twisted sex games. Natalya’s business is to blow the ring wide open and bring down Dmitri and his American contacts. But the stakes are raised when she learns that the next target is her own sister Kate, a dancer in the famed club Fantasia. Only now does Natalya realize how personal her mission has become, and how far she’s willing to go to complete it.

Body of lies…

The manager of Fantasia is Brandon Moretti, an undercover detective who keeps a close eye on his girls, and an even closer one on his sinfully sensual hire. For Natalya, working the club could be the break she’s been waiting for. But for Moretti, Natalya is a possible link to a killer. Only he never counted on her being so lethally seductive or so dangerous to get close to. As every forbidden pleasure between them is stripped away, his own secrets threaten their security, but it’s Natalya’s that could destroy them both.

STRIPPED differs from traditional erotic suspense in the sense that my characters are very dark people, with even darker histories. When you cut through all the paperwork that makes a Black Opal legal, they are deadly killers, specialized for their jobs, and elite players in the world of international security.

10) What’s next for you?

Well, LIE TO ME is coming up around the corner. That’s the only concrete work. I have proposals in with my editor – including more Black Opals – that we’ll have to wait and see which will fly.

Otherwise, as Claire, I’m continuing work on the series, The Curse of the Templars, and my paranormal short series, Inherited Damnation. Through 2012, Inherited Damnation will come to a close, so all of those will be available.

Thanks for hosting me! It’s been a lot of fun!

~Tori

www.toristclaire.com

www.claireashgrove.com

I am giving away a $25 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour and to the host with the most comments. Please 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/2011/11/virtual-book-tour-stripped-by-tori-st.html

Excerpt from Stripped...

“Tell me what you want, beautiful.” His breath rasped over her cheek. Featherlight kisses accompanied the whisper, trailing across her skin in a taunting path toward her mouth.

Kiss me. She turned her head in search of lips she instinctively knew would be warm, the words on the tip of her tongue. Kiss me until I don’t care whether I live or die.

Honesty. Just once.

He caught her lower lip with his teeth, the nip nowhere near gentle. But the lazy stroke of his tongue soothed the stinging bite. She parted her lips, dipped her tongue out to touch his.

Brandon’s body tightened like a whip. The pressure in her lower back increased as his fingers curled into her skin. Their breaths mingled. The tips of their tongues met in a slow, sensual dance. As another spasm of ecstasy threatened to send her tumbling into his solid chest, she braced her hands on his shoulders.

And then Brandon was gone, the magic of his fingers disappearing as he stepped back and set both hands on her waist. His gaze scorched in to flood her body with tingles. He waited, his question unspoken, but hanging between them.

Tell me what you want.

Clearly he intended to make her admit she wanted to feel him deep inside her. Wanted to experience the slide of his bare skin against hers. And God, how she wanted to kiss him. To taste the desire that burned in his gaze and the indescribable flavor of hot, aroused man.

Confessing might lead her to an early grave, but for once, her conscious would be clear. She swallowed hard and dug deep for the courage that had kept her alive these last three years. His gaze followed the sweep of her tongue as she moistened her lips.

“Kiss me.” Her senses honed in on her whisper, amplifying it and the ragged fall of their mutual breathing. She became aware of every minuscule sound as she waited for Brandon to either dip his head and honor her request, or shove her aside with a wicked sneer.

He took a step closer, bringing their bodies in contact from chest to toes. One arm wrapped around her waist, then slid up her back to offer support between her shoulder blades. The other tangled in her hair, tipping her head back. Putting her where he wanted her—subtle dominance that thrilled her in places she hadn’t known existed. Her womb clamped hard, sending another rush of moisture through her pussy.

His mouth descended. Warm lips played against hers, drawing her into the spell his body wove. Pulling her in so deep she struggled for air.

The sudden, brassy ring of her cell phone jolted her out of hazy desire. She froze. With Kate and Sergei due to arrive at Fantasia any minute, there could only be one other person calling at this time of day—Dmitri. It would be almost one in the morning in Moscow. The time Dmitri put aside his work and crawled into bed. He’d want to talk before he slept.

“Don’t answer that,” Brandon whispered against her mouth.

Damn if those lips weren’t compelling. She’d had his mouth on her breast, knew the incredible magic his tongue could create there, but had yet to experience the tantalizing slide of his tongue against hers. The need to feel his mouth on hers, to get lost in his potent masculinity pressed her to ignore the ringing tones.

Duty, however, rose up screaming. If she didn’t answer, Dmitri would get suspicious.

“I have to.”

http://www.amazon.com/Stripped-Tori-St-Claire/dp/0425246779/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1325440195&sr=1-1

Tori's bio:

Tori St. Claire grew up writing. Hobby quickly turned into passion, and when she discovered the world of romance as a teen, poems and short stories gave way to full length novels with sexy heroes and heroines waiting to be swept off their feet. She wrote her first romance novel at seventeen.

While that manuscript gathered dust-bunnies beneath the bed, she went on to establish herself as a contemporary, historical, and paranormal author under the pen name, Claire Ashgrove. Her writing, however, skirted a fine line between hot and steamy, and motivated by authors she admired, she pushed her boundaries and made the leap into erotica, using the darker side of human nature and on-the-edge suspense to drive grittier, sexier, stories.

Her erotic romantic suspense novels are searingly sensual experiences that unite passion with true emotion, and the all-consuming tie that binds -- love.

Tori can be found at:

www.toristclaire.com
www.claireashgrove.com

Twitter: @claireashgrove

Great interview, Tori - I have a confession to make...after reading the blurb of Stripped, I realized I judged the opening chapter of this in a RWA contest. I am pleased to say I gave it a very near perfect score, lol! Congrats on it publication :)

Over to you guys for questions & comments!

Happy New Year!!!!!!!

2012-01-01T04:09:00.000-08:00

How was it? Head banging? Feet aching? Wondering where that strange bruise on your left thigh came from? Hmm...I'll say no more, you naughty people ;)

As for me? I was a very good girl last night on account of my husband being out singing at someone's else party for most of the evening. But all was good - he had a great time and was back by 11.30. We snuggled up on the sofa and saw the New Year in with a few glasses of bubbly. Happy days!!

So...are the resolutions made? The goals set?

Mine are and they are pretty straightforward...

1) Spend more time with friends and family

2) Cut down on the wine (this maybe easier said than done!)

3) Write at least three new novellas

4) See at least two novellas published this year (I'd better crack on pretty damn quick!)

What do you think? Achievable, right? For me, writing achievable resolutions and goals is a much better way to go rather than throwing anything out there and then feeling like crap when you don't manage to achieve any of them. That is not the way to go, trust me!

On a final note, thank you all so much for your amazing encouragement and support - and buying of my books. You're all fab! And if you haven't bought my books yet, you've dropped by at just the right time because The Wild Rose Press have just instigated a price drop, yay!

http://www.wilderroses.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&zenid=c50c3d699a6c9be40eb1adc799985a58&keyword=rachel+leigh&x=0&y=0

Happy New Year!

Rachel xx

Welcome Wild Rose Press writer, Louisa Masters!!

2011-12-28T05:43:00.000-08:00

Welcome fellow Scarlet Rose of the Wild Rose Press, Louisa's debut novella Inter-Office Relations is available right now. Hasn't it got a fabulous cover?? I LOVE it!!

Over to you, Louisa - enjoy your time here :)

New Year's Resolutions and Why we Break Them

Well, Christmas has come and gone and now we're ready to close out 2011. Is everybody ready for 2012? No? Good. Neither am I.

Now's the time to start thinking about your New Year's resolutions. I know some of you actually keep these. Me, I start out well but often peter out along the way. I have fulfilled some throughout my life, but not as many as I should. Personally, I blame over-enthusiasm. Think about it: you're all revved up at the idea of a fresh year. You think about all the things you'd like to do, but don't consider the reality of it. For example, one year I resolved to give up chocolate. Um. Yeah, right. A more realistic resolution would have been to cut back on chocolate, maybe to one piece a week. Or something.

Here are the Top 10 New Year's resolutions, as reported by Time:

1. Lose weight and get fit

2. Quit Smoking

3. Learn something new

4. Eat healthier and diet

5. Get out of debt and save money

6. Spend more time with family

7. Travel to new places

8. Be less stressed

9. Volunteer

10. Drink less

Aren't they all worthy goals? And they are actually do-able, but the problem is they're very general. Lose weight and get fit is a great goal, but how exactly are you going to do it? Is it something you can maintain?

Here are 10 resolutions that are probably more realistic:

1. Walk for thirty minutes three times a week

2. Quit Smoking (sorry, I'm a non-smoker and pretty opinionated on this one!)

3. Take cooking/sewing/dancing/car maintenance/whatever classes

4. Only have dessert once a week and eat salad every day / bring lunch to work instead of buying

5. Put together a budget / contact a budget and debt management company for help

6. Designate every second Friday as family night

7. Plan a trip to New York/London/Fiji/ wherever

8. Take up yoga/pilates/meditation/martial arts

9. Contact local library about taking books to the elderly

10. Drink only one night a week / have only three drinks a week

The resolutions are essentially the same, but with a more specific goal to work toward. You can tailor it to suit your likes/dislikes, budget, and the time you have available.

I still don't know what my resolution will be for 2012. I figure I have three days to think about it. In the meantime, I've got some time off work and a virtual stack of books to kick off the New Year with.

Remember that your resolution can be anything—take Jeannie, for example, the heroine of Inter-Office Relations. Her resolution may have been mid-year, but she definitely followed through!

With her resignation submitted, Jeannie Price has one last task she’s itching to perform before leaving her job. After months of sitting next to hot, sexy colleague Tim Harding, it’s time to turn fantasy into reality with a scorching invitation to collaborate on matters of the flesh in Conference Room B. Then she can walk away without regrets.

Tim’s dreams of wild, sweaty sex with Jeannie come true when he accepts her offer, but he’s stunned to learn she doesn’t want to see him again after their steamy tryst. She may be trying to brush him off as just one more item on her To-Do List, but he’s determined to convince her there’s nothing taboo about inter-office relations.

You can buy Inter-Office Relations here, or read an excerpt here. I'll be selecting one lucky commenter to receive a title of their choice from Rachel's backlist. I won't be choosing until New Year's Day, so be sure and tell me what you decided for your resolution!

Thanks to my wonderful hostess, Rachel, and Happy New Year to everyone.

HAVE A SEXY, SULTRY CHRISTMAS!!

2011-12-23T07:51:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to all my lovely, sexy visitors and readers!!!

It has been very much a learning year for me as both an erotic reader and writer - I am so obsessed with the erotic romance genre now, I can't imagine ever not writing it. The freedom of writing about sex within meaningful relationships really evokes hope, romance and sensuality in a entirely positive way.

The end of 2010 saw the release of my debut novella, 2011 the second and number three is under consideration as we speak so I've everything crossed 2012 will be my first year of two releases!

Of course when you tell anyone you write erotic romance, the lifted eyebrows and smirking is inevitable but that's fine - I've learned to just grin, wink and laugh right along. Once you try to explain erotic romance is about great sex in a monogamous relationship, the male audience tend to have the expression of being told it's not true that us girls don't pillow fight in our underwear, lol!

Embrace sex, embrace love and have very sexy Christmas!!! See you on the other side :)

Rachel x

Welcome fellow Wild Rose Press author, Randi Alexander!

2011-12-23T04:12:00.000-08:00

Today I am welcoming Randi Alexander to my blog and she is talking about her muse...the thing us writers hanker and sometimes, God forbid, lose altogether. Thankfully, it doesn't happen to me too often, what about you?

Welcome, Randi!

Energizing My Muse

I want to thank Rachel for letting me guest blog today. I'm Randi Alexander and I write cowboy erotic romances. My first book, Chase and Seduction is available from The Wild Rose Press' Cowboy Kink line. I have two more books coming soon from The Wild Rose, and I'm gearing up for a busy winter.

I'm usually a fast writer, but sometimes when I write blogs I get a blob of sludge lodged between my brain and my fingers. I can usually come up with something really good twice a month for my blog on Wild and Wicked Cowboys, but when I have a new release and am promoting on a blog tour, coming up with over 30 blogs can challenged me.

When I feel blocked, I pull out all my muse enhancement tricks. I meditate, sitting quietly for five minutes just breathing, concentrating on watching the ocean in my mind. Sometimes I'll watch an animated movie. Beauty and the Beast and Mulan are favorites for re-juicing my creativity.

It helps to read other writers' work, too. I'll open the most recent manuscript from one of my critique partners and read a scene from the middle of the book. Audio books are great, too. Did you know that many libraries offer audio books to check out via download? I slide them onto my iPod, and take a long walk. The combination of visual and audio stimulation is revitalizing.

Then, if nothing else works, I Google pictures of cowboys, country western stars, and steamy scenes of couples to use in video trailers. For some reason, cowboys get me going again ;-})

In Chase and Seduction, the heroine, Reno, is a writer, but she never seems to encounter writers' block. Must be the influence of that sexy cowboy, Chase! I'm excited to share with you the blurb for my book, as well as a sweet, happily ever after-type of excerpt.

Country music superstar/actor Chase Tanner has yet to be denied anything–and he’s never wanted anything or anyone more than gorgeous screenplay writer Reno Linden. So when the film they are working on is finally finished, Chase decides to turn up the volume on seducing Reno.

Reno Linden lived a quiet, rural life until she was thrust into the Hollywood scene when her book was adapted to film. Chase Tanner is larger than life, sinfully sexy and hell-bent on getting her into bed. Skittish after a failed wedding engagement, Reno risks the plunge into Chase’s arms, and is surprised that her good girl self can keep up with bad boy Chase.

Though Chase returns to his cowboy roots often, and Reno cherishes the time spent with him on his ranch, the two find their careers pulling them in different directions. Will their attraction survive the glitz and stress of fame?

EXCERPT: Over 18 only

Chase played for an hour and a half. A few parents stood in the back of the room, the mobile kids danced, the ones in wheelchairs wiggled and clapped, and everyone sang along. A few called out their favorite songs and Chase was hard-pressed to remember the words to some of them, but he’d gotten good at making them up.

Reno sat smack in the middle of the kids on a tiny chair, her knees nearly up to her chin. But she sang along, clapped, and talked with the children. His heart filled with emotion each time he looked at her.

Then a nurse popped her head into the room. “Bedtime, everyone. Say thank you to Mr. Tanner, and start heading back to your rooms.”

“Aw!”

“Already?”

Chase stood and set his guitar in its case. “I’ll be back in a few days.”

One little girl with IV lines into her stomach started crying, and her mother picked her up and brought her to Chase. She asked, “Can she give you a hug?”

His throat choked shut, and all he could do was nod.

“Cassie, thank Mr. Tanner for singing for you.”

Cassie released her mother’s neck and grabbed a hold of his. Her little body felt like a warm, soap-scented bird in his arms. “Tank you for singing.” Then she kissed him full on the mouth.

A sweet-hot burn grew behind his eyes, and he whispered, “You’re welcome, Cassie.”

She stared at him, her tiny arms were light as feathers against his neck. She whispered, “I love you.”

“I…love you, too.” Chase blinked back a swell of tears as he handed her to her mother. They walked away, then he caught Reno’s gaze.

Tears ran from her eyes down her cheeks.

He watched her, unmoving, unable to breathe for fear the tears would leak from his eyes. In his side vision, he saw the princess castle, the toy trucks, and the pretend kitchen. He’d love to have a kid. Maybe two. A boy and a girl. When he imagined his own little girl, she looked a lot like Reno.

I love a happy, romantic story. Especially when it's laced with lots of steamy sex scenes!

Thanks for stopping by today, and I wish you a wonderful Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a sparkling New Year!

Randi

RandiAlexander.com

WildAndWickedCowboysBlog

Buy Chase and Seduction at The Wild Rose Press Wilder Roses

Great excerpt, Randi! I love the Cowboy Kink series from Wild Rose but must admit, i am yet to read Chase and Seduction. I am off to download it right now! Randi is waiting for your comments...let's chat! :)

I'm passing the interviewing baton to Scarlett Valentine...

2011-12-20T03:25:00.001-08:00

She very kindly contacted me with news that she managed to somehow corner Santa for a quick interview - read on... (make sure you're not sipping a drink of any kind. It may end up all over your laptop...funny!!!)

Take it away, Scarlett :)

An Exclusive Interview

with

Kris Kringle

by Scarlett Valentine

I caught up with Kris Kringle over the summer and had the chance to chat with him about his life as Father Christmas and the goings-on at the North Pole. Grab a mug of eggnog and take a moment to learn a few secrets about auld St. Nick! The truth might amaze you . . . or shock you!

  Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to chat with us, Kris. We understand how busy you must be this time of year.

  {Santa laughs}

  Tell us a bit about yourself, your family, and your job?  

 {thinking, eyes rolling briefly toward ceiling} I was born in Patara of Lycia, now Turkey, sometime in the middle of the 3rd century {winks}. When you're my age, the exact date doesn't seem to matter. Ho, ho, ho! {belly jiggles like a bowl of jelly} I was raised in a monastery in Myra when my folks passed away. When I was 30 I became the Bishop of Lycia. Of course, back then I was called Nicholas.  I'm married to Mrs. Claus. In all our years of wedded bliss, she still won't tell me what her first name is {lifting brow and muttering something about complicated women}. We weren't blessed with our own children, but we have thousands of Elvi living with us now. And well, we've kind of adopted the children of the world as our own, haven't we? {smiles with cheeks like roses}  I think I've got the best job in the world. I work one twenty-four hour shift, then I'm off for the rest of the year. Ho, ho, ho! If you believe that, maybe you should get coal in your stocking this year {winks}. Seriously, being Santa Claus is no laughing matter. Certainly the 24th is the busiest night of the year for Claus and Company, but the rest of the year we put in long days and sometimes the evenings too. We now have billions of names to check, crosscheck and re-check again to be sure they're on the right list. Then there are the letters we get from those little tykes asking for special presents. We have a special department for that. Then there's production, quality control, engineering . . . we've quite a large manufacturing facility at the North Pole. Sure, I could just wiggle my nose and make presents appear, but that wouldn't be any fun now, would it? {winks, touches the side of his nose in "that way"} 

 What do you enjoy the most about being Mr. Christmas?

  Ho, ho, ho! Oh . . . there's just so much I enjoy about being me. I get to meet people from all over the world. I know all the languages. Even that silly hand thing they do on the lower east side {shakes head, incredulous}.  I love to give gifts too, but only to the good boys and girls. For the bad girls and boys I have a coal shed out back {winks}. Hey, where do you think we get the coal for the stockings?  

How did you get started and interested in gift giving? When did Christmas begin?

  Back in the old days, and I'm going back to the 3rd century, I used to be creative with my hands. I'd carve and shape things all year, and save them up for the big day. I had this cute little donkey, Ho, Ho, Ho . . . that was his name, Ho, Ho, Ho . . . and we'd ride out across the countryside once a year and deliver the toys to poor children. Word got around and the wealthy parents started commissioning things for their kids. Then neighboring communities found out and they wanted things for their kids and well, it just snowballed . . . pardon the pun.  It was after they made me a saint that I moved to the North Pole. I was hoping for a little peace and quiet up there. Then I met the Elvises. Nice little family with pointy ears and funny shoes who love to sing. Requests for gifts kept pouring in, so the Elvises helped me set up shop, and well . . . you know the rest.  

Do you have any favorite toys?

  {looks around quickly, narrows his gaze then whispers} I promised Mrs. Claus I wouldn't talk about those!

  {interviewer clears throat} Moving right along . . . What has been your best memory of Christmas so far?

  Ho, ho, ho! By far the feeling I get when I see the joy on the little one's faces when they receive their special Santa gifts {sighs}.

  Do you have a routine you follow during the year to help get in shape for the big night?

  {groaning} You know, I tried that low carb diet and the South Beach Diet. Poor Mrs. Claus suffered through the week I was on the cabbage soup diet. Who am I kidding? The poor Elvises threatened to quit if I didn't have more windows installed in the factory. In the end, I just stopped dieting. My good friend and mentor Father Time reminded me that I'm immortal and that a skinny Santa just wasn't right. Ho, ho, ho! I do have to pace myself though. At every stop is a plate of cookies or Christmas cake waiting with a glass of milk {rubs belly}.  

What do you find the hardest about preparing for Christmas?  

You know, if I had a few more hours in the day I'd like to relax a little, maybe sit by the hot tub a little more, get one of those little Jamaican gals to come up and braid my beard {glancing around quickly for Mrs. Claus, then grins}.  Seriously, a few more hours in the day wouldn't go amiss, especially on the 23rd. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to pack a few billion toys onto that little sleigh? {shakes head, disbelieving}

  What is your biggest pet peeve about the holidays? Is there anything that turns you off about Christmas?

  Heck yeah! I think the whole thing has gotten too commercial. Back in the old days, it was about love and family and community. Today it's all about "keeping up with the Jones's." Kids want toys better than the kid next door, Mom's trying to bake herself into exhaustion, Dad's obsessive about the turkey. I tell you, Spot and Whiskers have it right. Just camp out by the fire all day with your legs in the air. Ho, ho, ho! And I can tell you, the Jones's are just a normal family!  I think we should get back to homemade gifts, things we create especially for someone, things that come from the heart. That's what Christmas is all about. Tell someone you love them. That's the best gift anyone could get.

  I'm sure the readers would like to know about your reading habits. Do you have much time to read?

  I love to read. It's a great way to escape for a few hours. I especially love them romance ones. Gives a man ideas! {lifts eyebrow} Unfortunately, the only time I get any peace is in the "necessary" so I read in there quiet often.  

What books are you anxious to grab when they come available?

  Oh, just about anything really. I love to read. Over the centuries I've learned to read quickly so I can go through a couple books a day. I especially love exotic locations. You know, living in the snow all the time really makes me appreciate sunnier climates.

  Like Jamaica?   Ho, ho, ho! {blushing}  

Do you have any aspirations to write a book of your own someday?

  Maybe one day I'll write my memoir, but for now I'll just stick to Naughty or Nice lists. {scratches chin through his thick beard} You know, if I was anyone else, I'd publish those Naught Lists . . . donate the proceeds to charity. Could end world poverty!

  You haven't mentioned the reindeer yet. How's the gang doing?

  Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudy are all doing well. Dash and Vixen hooked up. Comet, Donner and Blitzen are sharing quarters now. Dancer and Prancer are an item now too. To each their own. {rolling eyes}

  What about Rudolf and Cupid?

  Rudy's a playboy. The girls love his red nose. He's ever the gentleman, but to Mrs. Claus's disappointment, we don't think he'll ever settle down. But you never know, do you?  Cupid {sighs}…Cupid's a lover. Loves everyone, everyone loves Cupid. We're afraid if he spends too much time playing matchmaker that he'll never find his own match. {taps the side of his nose} The Elvises are onto something though. Can't say yet, but {makes imaginary quote marks in the air} watch this space. Ho, ho, ho!  

{interviewer grins} Tell us something we'd be shocked to discover about you. Kris?

  I have an all over body tan. There's this great little nude beach in Jamaica . . . {attention wanders reflectively}

  {clearing throat, getting things back on track} Is there anything you'd like to add to this interview, Kris?

  Ho, ho, ho! I'd like to wish all the boys and girls a Meeeerrrrrry Christmas {he sings}. There's still some redemption time left before the big night. You know who you are out there {lifts a single fluffy brow}. Do some good deeds between now and the 24th and that lump of coal will become a special gift in your stocking.

  Thank you very much Kris for the time spent doing this interview. It's always great, getting to know our Saints better.

What a fantastic interview! Love, love, love it! Thanks, Scarlett, lol!!

For the latest of what Scarlett is up to, you can find her here...

http://scarlettvalentineauthor.blogspot.com/?zx=f7a913db4262d60e

https://twitter.com/#!/theabcsofsex

Third novella under consideration...eekk!!

2011-12-18T10:15:00.000-08:00

Thrilled by a Second Acceptance – Will I get a third?

I am fairly newbie erotic romance writer, having only recently had my first novella published by The Wild Rose Press last year. Explicitly English was my first story and my lovely editor patiently helped me learn more and more about writing erotic romance fiction as opposed to writing mainstream romance. And believe me, I learned a lot!

The key ingredient for both writer and reader of erotic romance is red-hot sensuality – the sexual tension between the couple, the physical and mental sensations they arouse in each other, the tastes, smells and sights they experience when they are together is paramount in creating an erotic and thrilling atmosphere in which we can completely lose ourselves.

The difference a reader wants when they choose to buy an erotic romance rather than a mainstream romance is not the sex but the ‘no holds barred’ erotic experience the heroine and hero are living through. The reader doesn’t necessarily want every vivid, technical detail of what is happening to be conveyed to them – who wants to read about endless genitalia and bouncing bosoms, when they would rather ‘feel’ what the hero or heroine is feeling?

They want the sensations – they want to be squirming on their seat or fidgeting in their bed. They want to be turned on. Hopefully turned on enough to turn to their partner and demand to be taken care of, yum! To me, this can only happen if they are inside the heroine or hero and riding the wave right along with them.

I hope this is what I achieve in my writing and will keep on achieving it. Every writer worries that once they sold book number one, they won’t sell number two and on it goes. As for me? Well, I have sold two erotic romance novella to The Wild Rose Press and they are currently considering the third…wish me luck! In the meantime, here is the blurb for my current release “Coming Back”, enjoy!

Blurb:

Buy Link:

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

When was the last time you visit the garden...

2011-12-14T23:22:00.000-08:00

The Wilder Rose Press garden that is!!

As I am without a guest author this cold and windy Thursday, I thought I would give a big heads-up to my wonderful publisher, The Wild Rose Press and draw your attention to all the fabulous authors and stories ready and waiting to be downloaded to your ereaders this Christmas!

The latest releases are looking particularly delicious and the artwork is astounding enough, let alone the treats in between the digital pages!

Pop along and see which story tickles your fancy, there are plenty of choose from! Whether you like a cowboy, a festive naughty or a tale of office hotness, The Wilder Roses are there for you...

http://www.wilderroses.com/

Hmm...now which one shall I choose?? Yum!!

Rachel x

Welcome Ellora's Cave author, Scarlett Sanderson!!

2011-12-12T23:45:00.000-08:00

Hi Scarlett, great to have you here today!

Ellora's Cave continue to be one of the most popular erotic romance publishers to write for and buy from. Why do you think this is? How are they to work with? Have you worked with the same editor on all your stories?

I love finding out about different publishers!

Okay, on with the questions...

1) Did you set any goals for 2011?

As boring as it sounds, no I didn’t. At the beginning of 2011 I was experiencing a lull in my writing. I’d had a few releases with The Wild Rose Press, but I was focused on writing a novel. It wasn’t my usual genre and I felt a little bit lost.

Then in August I signed with Ellora’s Cave and it’s been none stop since. I do have plans for 2012 though J

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

Seeing the finished product. There is nothing as exhilarating as the feeling of seeing something you’ve created enjoyed by other people.

3) The worst part?

Finding the time to write and not get distracted. Sometimes, after a hard week at work all I want to do is surf the net, watch some tv, clean…sometimes it’s hard to find the motivation even though the characters are clawing at your mind.

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

Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning. It’s just a mind blowing, amazing book! The gradual build up through the series and then bam! I really wish I’d created Jericho Barrons J

5) Tell us about your latest release?

My latest release is out tomorrow, December 14^th. It’s a Christmas novella called At Their Command. It’s sexy and sassy, and Christmassy.

7) Tease us with a blurb/short except

All Hope wants for Christmas is Ethan St. Claire. She’s had a thing for him since high school, when he was the bad boy and she was the class geek. Now she’s older, wiser…and dying of sexual frustration. Fantasies of having Ethan and his best friend Dominic at the same time drive her wild with unsated lust.

Ethan has always loved Hope, and he’s finished waiting for her to realize they’re meant for each other. He’s taking command and giving Hope exactly what she needs. If she’s nice, he’ll give her a sexy spanking. If she’s naughty, he and Dominic will double her pleasure as an extra-lusty Christmas treat.

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

My favourite attribute of Ethan St. Claire is his determination to have Hope. Although he’s the bad boy of the town, he’s kept his feelings hidden from Hope, but now, at Christmas, he’s determined to have her. To me, that is sexy!

Hope has always loved Ethan and it’s her patience that floored me when I was writing the story.

7) What’s next?

I have a novella called Owned by the Night coming out January 11^th. It’s a vampire erotica. It’s probably one of the darkest things I’ve written.

I’m also in the process of writing two other stories which I hope you will see sometime next year.

8) Tell me where you write?

I write in my lounge. I have a huge wooden desk with pens and notes. I just sit there at my computer and write. I also carry a pen and paper around in my purse, just in case I get ideas while I’m out. It’s like a mini desk!

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

In 5 years time, I’d love to be writing full time. I’m happy when I’m writing, creating, so I would love to do it as my day job.

10) Where can we find you?

You can email me at scarlettsanderson@yahoo.com or visit my blog http://scarlettsanderson.blogspot.com/. Or you can tweet me: http://twitter.com/Author_Scarlett

I love hearing from readers and authors, so please do visit one of those links J

Fabulous to have you visit with me for the next couple of days, Scarlett! Over to you guys, Scarlett is waiting to hear from you...

Time for your help...

2011-12-10T06:49:00.001-08:00

I'm not sure if many of my visitors remember, but for my latest novella (currently under consideration), I held a fun contest where I gave achoice of three settings, three heroines and three heroes and the winning combination became the basis for my next story.

Remember? No? Well, I want to call on your fabulous help again to get my creative juices flowing and put my butt in the chair. This time though, I also want you to decide whether I should write contemporary or Victorian historical too :)

The person/s who suggest my favourite combination will win a copy of either Explicitly English or Coming Back, winner's choice! Okay, here's the choices...

Hero Occupation:

If you chose Contemporary:

Mechanic, Teacher or Architect

If you chose Victorian historical:

Boat-builder, Gentleman, Artist

Heroine Occupation

If you choose Contemporary:

Hairdresser, Dance Teacher, Writer

If you choose Victorian historical:

Lady's Maid, Milliner or Glove Maker

Setting

Bath, England

Paris, France

Virginia, USA

Okay, there's your choices....over to you!

Remember, the winning combination gets a free download of either of my books...Good Luck!

Love

Rachel x

Mechanic

Welcome my online friend and Wild Rose Press writer, Sarah Grimm!

2011-12-07T23:42:00.000-08:00

Such a thrill to have one of my favorite online friends with me today. Sarah is friendly and generous with her experiences as well as being a fabulous writer. I have had her latest release downloaded for a few days and can't wait to get to it!

Okay, on with the interview!

1) Who is your favourite author and why?

It’s impossible for me to pick a favorite, however the first author to come to mind is Tess Gerritsen. Her suspense books always pull me in. They don’t let go until I’ve closed the book, at which time I begin marking the days until her next release.

A few more authors on my auto-buy list are: Linda Howard, Karen Slaughter, Sandra Brown & Kay Hooper.

2) When did you first consider yourself a writer?

The moment I held my first book in my hands.

3) Describe your writing space?

My writing space is centrally located in the house, always seems to have a teenager standing in the middle of it, and is commonly known as the kitchen. More specifically, the kitchen table. Sad, I know. But a new bookcase seemed more important than the tiny desk I used to write at. You can never have too many books.

4) What are you reading now?

I’m reading THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER hoping to discover the secret handshake to successful promotion. J

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

I have two published books and one that I’m working on now. Out of the three, my favourite is definitely After Midnight. Every author I’ve ever spoken with has one story they truly believe is THE story of their heart, and After Midnight is mine. Isabeau Montgomery is the owner of Izzy’s Bar, a child prodigy, piano phenom—a woman who is hiding behind a lie of her own making. She’s just so very tortured, her past so full of tragedy… She deserves a happy ending and Noah is just the man to share it with her.

6) What comes first, plot or characters?

A lot of writers begin a story idea with plot, into which they insert characters. I’m the opposite. Characters have always come first for me. One day the hero (usually the hero) will stroll into my head, take a seat and begin talking. My job is to scribble down what he says, and then weave that conversation into a tale of happily-ever-after.

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

Writer’s block for me is when my characters stop talking to me. When that happens, I pull one of the many books off my TBR shelf and lose myself in a world of someone else’s creating. Usually about half way through the book, my characters begin talking again. By the time I finish reading, they’re screaming at me to get back to their story.

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

I’m a bit of a hermit. I don’t go very many places or do anything that’s exciting. When I’m not writing I can usually be found curled into the corner of my couch with my nose in a book, or kicked back in my recliner watching Netflix with my husband.

9) Tell us about your latest book?

After Midnight is a contemporary romance now available from The Wild Rose Press. It’s a tortured heroine story—yes, heroine. The tale of piano phenom turned bar owner Isabeau Montgomery, and how one night, after midnight, her entire world changed.

Here’s the official blurb:

Thirteen years—that's how long Isabeau Montgomery has been living a lie. After an automobile accident took her mother's life, Izzy hid herself away, surviving the only way she knew how. Now she is happy in her carefully reconstructed life. That is until he walks through the door of her bar...

Black Phoenix singer/front man Noah Clark came to Long Island City with a goal--one that doesn't include an instant, electric attraction to the dark-haired beauty behind the bar. Coaxing her into his bed won't be easy, but he can't get her pale, haunted eyes nor her skill on the piano out of his head.

Can Noah help Isabeau overcome the past? Or will her need to protect her secret force her back into hiding and destroy their chance at happiness?

10) What’s next for you?

While writing After Midnight, one of the secondary characters kept telling me he needed his own story, so I’m writing that one now. Midnight Heat is a reunion romance, and although I had no plans to give Dominic his own book, about half-way through writing After Midnight, I fell so in love with his character I had to make sure he got his own happily-ever- after.

I routinely post snippets from all of my books on my blog: http://www.authorsarahgrimm.blogspot.com

~*~

Sarah Grimm is an award winning author of contemporary romance and romantic suspense. She lives in West Michigan with her husband, two sons and three miniature schnauzers. Between mom's taxi service, parts runs, and answering the phone for the family marine repair business, Sarah can be found curled in her favorite chair, crafting her next novel.

Find Sarah here:

Website: http://www.sarahgrimm.com

Blog: http://www.authorsarahgrimm.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SarahGrimm.Author
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SGrimmAuthor

So please to have you visit with me today, Sarah - I wish you lots of luck with sales and your continuing success! Your life sounds so similar to mine except I have two girls and I suspect they are just a few years younger than your boys (12 & 10). Apart from that from the kitchen table to the taxi service, we're pretty much there, lol!

Sarah is waiting to chat...

Comments?