Shannon Leigh

Valentine's Day Blog Hop Day 1

2012-02-11T00:01:00.027-05:00

Hello! I’m so glad you stopped by my blog during the Valentine’s Day Blog Hop. There are over 200 hundred authors participating in the this year’s Hop and I’m so glad to be a part of it. To check out the other participating authors, just click on the picture on the left.

Over the next 4 days, I’ll be posting excerpts from my books along with opportunities to win 1 of 3 prizes I’ll be giving away.

First Prize is a lovely necklace and bracelet set made by me. For this set, I’ve incorporated a few different types of beads: glass, pearl, seed, and glass bugle. To keep with the Valentine’s Day spirit, I created these pieces using white, gold, and red beads. It’s a lovely set that can be worn with casual clothes or even a nice dress.

Second Prize is a pdf copy of one of my books, winner’s choice. To check out my backlist, please see the right sidebar. All my book covers are listed there. Just click on a cover to find out more about the book.

Third Prize is a 4-piece set of wine charms, handmade by me. There are 2 charms with red, white, black, and silver beads; and 2 charms with pink, black, silver, white, and dichromatic beads. All four are adorned with a beautiful heart pendant and are sure to be a lovely addition to your favorite wine glass.

How can you enter to win one of these fabulous prizes? It’s simple. Just stop by my site one or more days during the Blog Hop (February 11^th-14^th) and leave a comment about my excerpt for that day. The more days you visit and comment, the more chances you’ll have to win. At the end of the 4 days, I’ll draw 3 winners. See, simple.

If you happen to have missed the previous days’ posts, here’s the links to them so you can be sure to enter for each day:

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4 Happy Valentine’s Day!

Okay, so let’s get on with today’s excerpt...

Chasing Booty

Genre: Science-fiction erotica

Purchase: Amber Quill Press

Excerpt rating: R

His glossy hair swept back from his steep forehead in a pointed crest. Its lengthy locks fell in solid black panes of unblemished silk upon his broad shoulders. Two braids—one at each temple—decorated with an assortment of silver and gold beads, kept his perfectly manicured mane in place.

She focused on the small ivory horns emerging from his scalp, one on each side of the head, just at the hairline. “You know; if it weren’t for the red skin, barbed tail, and…those.” She indicated his horns with a lazy point of her index finger. “You might pass for a normal guy.”

Reese chuckled. “My dear, in this day and age, everything is normal. If what you mean is I could pass for one of your human males, then I assure you, I have what counts…and more,” he added with a secretive smirk. “I’ve even been called gifted.”

Gaelyn’s right brow cocked with skepticism. Stretching herself out on the lounge, she said, “Really?” in a tone that dripped with sarcasm.

Reese nodded, his cocky expression betraying his sense of self-accomplishment.

Her attention shot to his sharply pointed tongue as it swept his bottom lip. Moisture pooled between her thighs again as she imagined him using it to lick her from top to bottom. The thought of him sliding that flexible tip between the sensitive folds of her pussy made her insides quiver with anticipation.

Reese approached the chaise, his gait slow and confident. “Shall we discuss…payment options?”

“Payment?” Gaelyn snapped incredulously, sitting straight up. “I thought we agreed on—”

“For my room and board,” he cut in. “How shall I…compensate you for your generosity?”

Gaelyn melted back against the chaise. “Well, I don’t know,” she replied with a nonchalant shrug. “What exactly did you have in mind?”

Reese stopped at the edge of the settee, his faded blue jean clad shin brushing the velvet material. “I thought maybe we’d take it out in trade.”

She let out a snorty laugh. “What could you possibly have that I’d want?”

He dropped to one knee on the couch, right between her spread thighs. His other foot remained on the floor, balancing his weight. Before she registered his intent, he leaned forward, placing his hands on the divan, one on either side of her head, and successfully pinned her beneath his bulky frame.

“How about ten inches of solid cock?” The offer rolled off his tongue with a thrilling growl.

Unprepared for such a bold proposition, Gaelyn stammered in response. She wasn’t sure what bothered her more, his audacity at assuming she’d be so easy, or the fact that he was right. Quickly regaining her wits, she opened her mouth to tell him off, but before she uttered a word, his lips covered hers with a searing kiss.

A gust of warmth filled her throat and lungs as his unusually hot breath invaded her mouth. Fire coursed through her veins as desire heated her blood to full boil. Feeling as though he robbed her breath, she turned her head and gasped, breaking their kiss.

Sweet Jesus! The man knew how to use his mouth! She wondered at his other skills.

“What makes you think I want—”

“Come on, Gael, you’ve been starin’ at my groin since we left the bar. Don’t play coy, it doesn’t become you.”

Gaelyn glared daggers at him. Arrogant, conceited, self-absorbed…

There weren’t enough vile names for him. Never mind his accurate assessment of things, she did want him. Bad. So bad, in fact, she practically tasted it.

He owes me. For being so nice to him even after all the times he’s cheated me out of my booty.

Her channel spasmed in agreement.

“What are you afraid of?” he cajoled, running a fingertip along her jawline.

Gaelyn molded her hand against the hardened form at his crotch. “Nothin’,” she growled. “I’m not afraid of nothin’.”

His black eyes bore into hers as he licked his bottom lip once again. “Then we have an agreement?”

The feel of his shrouded cock in her hand and his finger against her flesh had all but obliterated her will to argue. Why deny herself simple pleasures? Especially when she had such a luscious specimen of maleness offering to fulfill her every need.

With a quick nod, she agreed to his terms—sex for a place to lay his head. Seemed a fair trade. However, at that moment, she wanted his head between her thighs.

***

Thanks so much for stopping by today, don't forget to comment and enter for a chance to win one of my prizes!

Anne Brooke blog tour

2012-02-10T00:00:00.018-05:00

Please join me in welcoming Anne Brooke as she stops here today on her blog tour (February 6-16th) and shares with us some information about her writing, what part of a man's body she finds absolutely sexy, and what three things in the world she'd like to change.

She has some wonderful prizes to give away so don't miss out on her contests:

1. One lucky commenter at each stop will win a free backlist book from Anne Brooke!

2. A second lucky commenter at each stop will win a signed cover flat and magnet with the gorgeous cover art from

3. There is also a cumulative competition throughout the blog tour involving answering 3 questions from The Heart's Greater Silence. One lucky commenter on the tour will winthree backlist ebooks if the answer the following questions

(a) What item of his trade is Richard wearing when Mark sees him in church?
(b) When Craig discovers Mark and Richard together, what does he do just before leaving?
(c) What action does Mark take at the end of the story?

4. Lastly, one lucky commenter at the end of the tour will win a gift certificate. See the tour stops for details!

Oh, and be sure to check out her hot excerpt from The Hearts Greater Silence after the interview.

INTERVIEW:

1) Links to website and list of books with purchase links.

You can find my gay fiction at: Gayreads. Meanwhile, my fantasy trilogy is at Gathandria and my biblical/spiritual fiction and poetry is at Biblical Fiction, so there’s a fair amount of choice!

2) How long have you been writing? What got you in to writing?

I’ve been writing since my mid 20s so that’s … um … over twenty years now. I started off with poetry and then discovered how to make lines reach the end of the page. Well, I’m a bit slow on the uptake, you see. I found I had to write things down as I’d start a story in my head or even dream one (see below!) and then wouldn’t know what happened next, so would write it down to find out. Is that weird?

3) What was your first published book? Looking back, is there anything you’d change about it?

My first published book was gay psychological thriller A Dangerous Man, which is now with Cheyenne Publishing as a paperback and Bristlecone Pine Press as an ebook. I don’t think I’d change things now, but I would have loved to have got it right first time or nearly right anyway! I ended up scrapping about 90% of draft one after some very wise editorial input and basically rewriting it from scratch. A very painful process but ultimately worthwhile.

4) What or Who has influenced your writing?

I’ve been very influenced by the dark gay writings of Patricia Duncker and also by Maria McCann’s As Meat Loves Salt. It’s a very powerful book and, if I hadn’t read it, I don’t think I would have had the courage to start putting my own ideas down at all.

5) Where do you get your ideas?

Sometimes I dream first chapters or scenes and then have to write them down to see what happens next when I wake up (see above). That was how I started my fantasy series, The Gathandrian Trilogy, and other books as well. I also get inspired by things other people say or do, by items on the news or on TV or even by a publisher asking for submissions for a themed anthology. Interestingly, it’s how my next book for Riptide Publishing, called Where You Hurt The Most, started out, as I wrote it for their male prostitution collection of stories, Love for Sale.

6) What hinders your writing? (distractions? noise?)

The Internet can be a real distraction as I’m a huge fan of Facebook and am very much involved with a couple of forums as well – but at the same time, I do write best if I take regular breaks, as I get bogged down if I do too much writing in one session. It’s little and often for me! Another distraction is the garden as we moved house last year so have our very own garden for the first time ever, which I find very exciting – I always want to go to see what’s happening in it J

7) What genre are you most comfortable with? What would you like to explore?

I really love writing dark gay fiction and I’m also writing more BDSM now, which I’m very much enjoying. I also find myself automatically veering towards thriller writing – even if I start off in another genre entirely, I do like keeping myself and the reader on the edge of their seats. In terms of what sort of writing I’d like to explore, I have a real hankering to write an historical, but the thought of all that research and the terror of getting it wrong does put me off – I’m a bit of a wimp, you see.

8) Are you a by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of writer, or do you have to use an outline to put your collective thoughts into some semblance of common sense?

I’m definitely a seat-of-my-pants writer – I never really have a clue what’s happening between one sentence and another, but I just see where the keyboard and my own mind takes me – it’s part of the fun of it for me. More especially as writing is the only part of my life I don’t plan to the extreme as I’m usually really organised! So much so that I’m probably a control freak by nature – which makes writing in the way I do both frightening as well as fun.

9) Which of your books is your favorite? Why?

I’m really fond of my erotic m/m/m Delaneys Series as the main character Liam is quite cheeky (sorry!) and approaches his rather wild relationship with the Delaney twins with a great sense of fun. I think, because of that, I’ve really enjoyed writing it and it’s certainly more light-hearted than I’ve been used to.

10) Do you incorporate some of yourself into your characters? Personality traits? Likes? Dislikes?

Definitely. My characters always seem to have my taste in art, and some are painters themselves or would-be painters. I have to admit that’s just my own private fantasy as I can’t paint at all – I just really wish I could! I also don’t tend to include many children in my books as I’m not a mother by choice so have neither the interest nor the experience in writing about them. And I do have a lot of redheads in my work – I’m one myself and I come from a whole family of redheads – one day our time will come! Just you wait and see (cue evil laughter …).

11) What do you think is the perfect hero/heroine? Why?

Someone with kindness, courtesy and strength – that’s a real turn-on for me. And I do always prefer dark-haired men, and if they’re the strong silent type, that’s even hotter. Oh, I think I’ve just described my husband in this paragraph J Plus I do have a Big Thing about how sexy men’s forearms can be – if I see a nice pair of arms, I get all hot under the collar. Is that just weird?...

12) What is your latest release? Please share the blurb and purchase info with us.

Please see above!

13) What do you have in the works?

As I’ve mentioned already, Riptide will be publishing my gay prostitute story, Where You Hurt The Most, later in the summer, so I’m looking forward to working on that. At the same time, I’m coming to the end of the Delaneys Series, and I’m also hoping to write a sequel to gay BDSM story, For One Night Only, which came out last year. Finally, in the middle of all that, I’m working on and off on a gay fantasy novella, The Taming of The Hawk – so I foresee a busy few months ahead.

14) Do you have any suggestions/comments for prospective authors?

I’d say write what you really want to write, no matter how unpopular it might be. There are many roads to publication these days and, as long as you make your writing the best it can be and make sure you get expert editorial support, you can’t go far wrong. Most of all, enjoy yourself – writing is great fun and a real journey of discovery for you and your reader.

JUST FOR FUN:

1) If you had super powers, what would they be? Why?
I’d LOVE to be able to fly – which is odd as I really hate planes and heights. But I do envy birds, and it must be such a fantastic feeling to be soaring that high above everyone and everything else and to go exactly where you want to. Bliss.

2) If you could change three things in the world, what would they be? Why?
I’d make chocolate one of my Five A Day, as I’m a real chocoholic and it’s so unfair that it’s not good for you. Then I’d arrange it so that roses grew all year round and not just in the summer, and were always the nice smelly variety – I really love scented roses, and my father loved them too, so looking at them brings back happy memories for me. Finally I’d make Star Trek into a real universe and not just a fictional one, sigh. I’m a huge fan of the series, especially Deep Space Nine, and would love to be in the captain’s chair and having those sorts of adventures if I possibly could. Dream on, eh!…

3) What would be a perfect date for you?

A night out with my lovely husband in the local pub (which does seriously good food) where we’d drink champagne and get very tipsy before walking back home for a … um … hot cocoa and an early night … Well, some of that is true anyway!

4) Is there anywhere you’d like to visit? Why?

I do love cathedrals so really enjoy visiting those. My favourite one is Exeter Cathedral which honestly has the best cream teas in the known universe in their café and I always make a point of going there if I’m anywhere near the area. They have scones and cream to die for, mmm …

5) Do you have a crush on any actor/actress? Who?
Ooh, loads! I really love Alan Rickman and whenever he appears on TV, my wicked husband puts on his sexy voice and asks if I want to lick the TV screen. As if! Well, not when my husband’s actually in the room as the shame would be too much J I also really fancy Ioan Gruffudd, and have been a fan ever since he appeared in the TV series Hornblower, which suddenly gave me a whole new interest in the sea which I hadn’t had prior to that. Say no more …

Author Name: Anne Brooke

Book Title: The Heart’s Greater Silence

Genre: Gay contemporary

Publisher: Bluewood Publishing

Purchase

Format: Ebook

Blurb:

Mark isn't sure he believes in love, especially when he's torn between two very different men: his reliable boyfriend, Craig, and his illicit lover and priest, Richard. Mark knows what he should do, but he can't bring himself to give Richard up. The sex with Richard is unlike anything he's ever known with Craig, and he hungers for it as much as - if not more than - the truer intimacy he finds in his boyfriend's arms.

When Craig discovers his betrayal, Mark is forced to look at his life more closely, but the path to self-knowledge is never an easy one. Richard seeks the way back to God, but Mark finds no solace there. Can he ever discover the truth of his own soul, or is he too afraid of what he will - or won't - find inside his heart?

Excerpt: Adult

When Richard’s cock was inside me, nothing else mattered. We could be the only two people in the whole bloody world. Or at least, that’s how it always felt.

I didn’t know why he let me keep on coming back. I’d never asked him. We’d first fucked about before I’d known who he was, before he’d joined this church. We’d met at a party given by a friend of a friend—so God alone knew why I’d been there anyway. We’d shaken hands. I hadn’t caught his name, but half an hour later, we’d been bringing each other off behind the garage.

That first time, he’d pushed me outside the kitchen while I was getting a beer, my hand still hot from the contact with his thirty minutes earlier. He obviously knew the place well, as he’d steered me round the corner and up against the garage wall, where he held me prisoner with both hands while he kissed me. Though, hell, I hadn’t protested. There’d been no need for either of us to speak. We both understood what we wanted. Before I knew it, he’d unzipped my trousers, pulled them to my knees, grabbed my cock and brought me to hardness. A few moments later, and my spunk was shooting out all over his hand. I hadn’t been able to believe how quick I’d been or how much juice there was.

When I’d finished, he’d wiped his hands on his handkerchief and threw it into the shadows. I took the opportunity to twist away from his body and swing him round so now he was the one against the wall and I was the one on the prowl.

“Your turn, mate,” I whispered.

I gave as good as I got, but managed to avoid the jetstream of his spunk better than he’d avoided mine. When, still panting, he sagged against the brickwork, I kept a tight grip on him and leaned close so he could hear me over the sound of his own harsh breathing.

“I don’t know who you bloody are,” I’d said, “but this won’t be the last time we meet. I swear it.”

The Heart's Greater Silence.

Mourning Meadow by Larion Wills

2012-02-08T00:00:00.011-05:00

Getting personal with Larion Wills…

Many times writers incorporate personal experiences in their writing. The action just before the excerpt (below) was Kari’s pickup careening down a dangerous grade when the brakes failed. When the pickup started scraping the side of the mountain in an effort to slow it, Kari, following in another vehicle, asked, “What the hell is he doing?”

In real life, I wasn’t the one asking that question. It was my daughter following behind my husband, myself, and two three year old grandchildren in a pickup pulling a camper. We were on our way to the lake for the weekend. My daughter and then boyfriend were right behind us. He’s the one who said, “It’s the brakes, baby.”

My son, his wife, and two more grandchildren were behind them. My son was—wait, I don’t want to give too much away here. Let me just say, in my experience, when the brakes failed, my husband said, “Get a hold of the kids.”

I asked, “What for?”

He said, “To jump.”

I didn’t scream, not aloud anyway, but my head whirled. I leaned over and started searching the floorboard.

He asked, “What are you doing?”

Keep in mind this is all going on while we’re scraping the side of a mountain with a camper doing a horrible imitation of a bucking bull behind us and there was nothing on the other side to keep us from going down into a canyon.

“I’m looking for my shoes.”

Okay, crazy. I had the notion if I was going to jump out of a runaway pickup with a kid in each arm; I should have my shoes on. Like I was going to stay on my feet.

The kids, one boy and one girl, never made a sound the entire time it took my husband to use the mountainside for a brake. He really did do a miraculous job. I can tell you there were six very relieved adults when the grade leveled off and that pickup stopped.

In the book, Edward says he could use a drink. Well so did I. I wasn’t thinking alcohol though, I was just thirsty, and never thought much about my daughter handing me a cooler. I don’t drink often, don’t care for how it makes me feel, but a wine cooler? Can’t be strong.

I sucked that puppy down. When my head started swimming and I giggled, my daughter informed me that particular cooler wasn’t wine; it contained rum. As mellow as it made me, it sure helped when the brakes cooled and we had to get back in that pickup to get the rest of the way down that mountain. PS, we took a different route home, longer but flatter.

Author Name: Larion Wills

Book Title: Mourning Meadow

Genre: suspense/romance

Publisher: Secret Cravings Publishing

Purchase

Format: pdf, mobi, epub, HTML, LIT

Blurb:

Steven jumped at the chance to see the Morning Meadow Mansion even if he had just met Caroleigh and suspected he would have to fend off her amorous attentions for the weekend. The house was one of the few houses left designed by DeBain and had never been open to the public. There was the added possibility of landing the job of developing the property for a resort/hotel. Forewarned that Caroleigh's sister, Kari, was a little strange and taking his own transportation in case Caroleigh's advances became too much, he wasn't warned of possible haunting until the party of four arrived to find themselves locked out and waiting for Kari. Kari was remote and distant. Steven found out why; more secrets existed in the meadow than visits from the hereafter.

Excerpt: G (Steven begins the conversation with Kari.)

"How often does someone else drive your truck?"

"Never, but at least now you can't believe it’s Caroleigh."

"At least now you're taking it seriously."

"I don't—" She broke off as Steven and Rascal both jerked and looked up the stairs. "What?"

"Evelyn is screaming her head off."

"Hurt or mad?" she asked, braced to run if need be.

"You'll be able to tell soon enough. She's coming this way."

So was the group from the kitchen. They all met at the foot of the stairs as Evelyn ran down the steps. She waved clothes in each hand, still screaming.

"Look at this! Look at what that miserable old man did! Look at my beautiful clothes!"

It was difficult to see what she raved about the way she flailed them. Edward caught one, a frilly blouse, and pulled it from her hand. He held it up, and light shone through the slashes in it.

"You see?" she shrieked. "See what he did!"

"Who did?” Edward asked as the others stared in astonishment.

"That miserable old man."

"Max?" Caroleigh asked. "Why would he do that?"

"He's mean and hateful."

"That's personality, dear," Edward told her, "not a reason."

"She put him up to it." She pointed an accusing finger at Kari. "She doesn't want me here."

"Maybe the ghost did it," Emily suggested quietly.

"There is no ghost, you moron."

"Yes there is. I saw him."

"Not now, dear," Edward told her.

"I did see him. He was right there.” She looked as she pointed, gave one of her ear piercing screams and nearly crawled up Vern’s chest.

"Jesus," Caroleigh breathed. She back-handed Edward in the chest, showing she had known all along that he had been responsible for the tricks. "Turn that off."

Edward could only stammer. "I-I-I…"

The man, though obviously not a real man since he was transparent, stood just inside the front door. He was bloody from gashes on his forehead, and more blood dripped from a severed arm.

"This isn't funny," Caroleigh yelled at Edward. "Turn it off."

"That isn't mine," he croaked.

"Kari, no,” Steven shouted.

He grabbed for her and missed her arm as she stepped towards it, but she heard him and twisted to look at him in puzzlement. When she looked back, the man was gone.

"Jesus," Caroleigh gasped again.

"I don't think so, love," Edward quipped weakly. "The clothes were all wrong."

"That wasn't funny," she shouted at him.

"I didn't do it," he shouted back.

“You’re the one,” Evelyn shouted at Kari.

“What?” Kari asked in distraction and jerked her eyes away from the landing behind Evelyn.

“What were you looking at?” Steven's question was lost in Evelyn’s screeching.

“You’re the one who blocks him. You’re probably the one who calls him just to-to…just to-to…”

As she stammered to a stop, Kari half-shook her head and murmured in perplexity, “Why would I call him only to block him? You’re not making any sense.”

Evelyn threw what was left of her clothes to the floor. “That’s it. Take me back to Denver, right now.”

The last was directed at Vern. He had not made a sound or moved except in reflex to protect himself from Emily's strangle hold around his neck. When Evelyn yelled at him, he gulped but still didn't move.

"Take me now," Evelyn ordered with an edge of hysteria to her voice.

Edward shook himself. "Evelyn, dear, it's—"

"I won't stay here one more minute, not one minute. You aren’t making me stay."

"Okay, okay," he said quickly. He turned to Vern. "You better take her before she does something rash."

Vern looked at him helplessly.

"Yes, right, well, ah, Emily, would you like to go back to town as well?"

Emily dissolved into tears and nodded vigorously.

"If you could just give me a hand," Vern said weakly, "I'll be glad to take them."

They had to work Emily’s arms loose first. Edward had to help Vern support her once they did. Evelyn needed no help, not even with the van door. She was outside and in the van before the other three could reach the porch. Edward slipped a credit card into Vern's hand with orders to charge his fee and get whatever the women might need before he hurried back. He was met with two sets of accusing eyes and one curious.

He answered the accusers with, "I didn't do that. I didn't."

"How would it be done?” Steven asked, not in the least sure he believed him.

"I don't know. Some kind of projector, but…" He shuddered. "It looked so…so…give me a minute." They waited the second or two it took him to collect himself. "Okay, a projector of some kind. Did anyone notice a shaft of light going into him…it?"

"All I saw was blood," Caroleigh said quietly.

"He bled to death," Kari said.

"What?" all three asked.

"My father, he bled to death on the front veranda. He couldn't get in.

Grandpa had locked the door. He couldn't get in, not until now.”

Edward asked nervously, "Are you saying you've seen that before?"

"He’s never made it in the house before. The door always stopped him until now. He must have gained strength through Evelyn’s anger."

"This is cruel," Caroleigh told Edward angrily.

"I didn't do it," Edward exclaimed again.

Kari's gaze turned inward as she stoked Rascal. Steven was the first to notice she was drifting away from them. He touched her on the arm lightly.

"Doesn't seem to have bothered him any," he said gently.

"They don't frighten him anymore. He’s gotten used to them."

"Them?” Edward croaked.

Caroleigh groaned and sat down on the stairs, her face in her hands.

"That's why I sleep in the back,” Kari explained. “They don't go there.”

While all of them stared at her, she batted her eyes.

"Damn it, Kari!" Steven shouted. "That wasn't funny!"

"It was a joke?” Edward asked dumbly.

"Got ya," Kari told him.

"Oh, thank God.” He dropped to sit beside Caroleigh.

Kari remarked matter-of-factly, "Steven thinks someone is trying to kill me.”

***

Larriane AKA Larion Wills, two names one author, thousands of stories

Available from Muse It Up Publishing:

White Savage

Chase

Tarbet

Available from Secret Cravings Publishing

Mourning Meadow

You can also find Larriane/Larion Wills at:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

An Interview with Cara Marsi

2012-02-06T00:00:00.005-05:00

Please join me in welcoming Cara Marsi as she shares with us a little information about her writing journey, her writing inspirations and distractions, and what she’s got in the works.

Be sure to check out her excerpt for Murder, Mi Amore, after the interview.

1) Links to website and list of books with purchase links.

Website

Buy links plus excerpts for all my books, except my short story anthology, are on my website.

Short story anthology, A Cat’s Tale & Other Love Stories

2) How long have you been writing? What got you in to writing?

I’ve been writing seriously since 1992. A friend and I were trading Harlequin romances, looked at each other one day and said, “We can write these.” It took 10 long years before I sold my first book. Writing is hard work.

3) What was your first published book? Looking back, is there anything you’d change about it?

My first published book was a traditional romance, A Catered Affair, from Avalon Books. I originally wrote it as sensual but had to take out the sex, alcohol and cursing for Avalon. I have the digital rights to it and will soon publish it electronically but with a new title and cover. I added back the alcohol (wine drinking), some curse words and a love scene. One thing I learned from this book is that when I had to take out the love scenes the book was stronger because I had to focus on the relationship between the characters and not depend on the love scenes.

4) What or Who has influenced your writing?

I’ve loved to read from the minute I learned how. Elizabeth Howard, who wrote a series of YA romances that I read as a young teen, probably influenced me more than anyone. I loved her books and wanted to be a writer like her. Also I used to read Robert Ludlum. When I heard he had a house in the Caribbean and wrote from a terrace overlooking the ocean, I thought all writers made that kind of money. Was I ever wrong.

5) Where do you get your ideas?

From instances in my own life, like in A Catered Affair. From TV shows and movies, from news items. From everyday things all around me.

6) What hinders your writing? (distractions? noise?)

My husband and my cat hinder my writing. My husband keeps coming into my office to talk and my cat comes in and cries until I leave my desk and walk her to her food bowl to watch her eat.

7) What genre are you most comfortable with? What would you like to explore?

I’m most comfortable with contemporary romance and romantic suspense. I have one paranormal romance out now, Cursed Mates, from Noble Romance Publishing. I’d like to write more paranormal.

8) Are you a by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of writer, or do you have to use an outline to put your collective thoughts into some semblance of common sense?

I have to have an outline. I’ve tried writing seat-of-my pants and it didn’t work. I like to be organized.

9) Which of your books is your favorite? Why?

That’s a tough question. I love them all. A Catered Affair has a special place because it’s my first. Logan’s Redemption, a romantic suspense, holds a special place too because it’s a story that had jumbled around in my head for years. Murder, Mi Amore, a 2012 EPPIE finalist for best romantic suspense, is dear to me because it’s set in Italy, a country I love. I could go on. I love them all for different reasons.

10) Do you incorporate some of yourself into your characters? Personality traits? Likes? Dislikes?

Yes, all the time. I think every author puts a little of herself into everything she writes, like that famous chef who said every cook should put a little of herself into everything she cooks. I love cats, and most of my stories have a cat character. I have always fought to be independent and my heroines fight for their independence. Personality? I’m shy so my heroines are usually on the shy side.

11) What do you think is the perfect hero/heroine? Why?

A woman who has flaws and knows it. A woman who knows what she wants and fights for it.

12) What is your latest release? Please share the blurb and purchase info with us.

Other than my anthology of short, sweet romance stories, I have a new novella, a contemporary romance called Loving Or Nothing.

Here’s the blurb:

No stranger to loss, Tami Morrelle is holding on with one satiny thread to the only thing she has left that ties her to her loved ones - the family bridal shop.

Local bad boy Daniel Ramsey is back in town and on a mission - to turn Tami's world upside down - any way he can.

Daniel needs Tami's beachfront home and business to complete his crowning achievement as a successful developer. His latest proposal hinges on buying former high school classmate Tami's land to make it happen. More importantly, it will show those in Loving who were convinced he'd amount to less than nothing they were dead wrong about him.

For Daniel, it's Loving or nothing. For Tami, selling out to Daniel will leave her with nothing. But when the ruthless developer and sentimental bridal shop owner clash, sparks fly.

A secret crush. Two wounded hearts. Will Daniel and Tami be willing to give up what they think they need and open their hearts to what really matters in Loving?

(Includes bonus short story, "Accidental Love.")

Available now exclusively on Amazon Kindle, also available in print.

13) What do you have in the works?

As I mentioned, I’m revising A Catered Affair, now titled, A Catered Romance. I hope to have that available by Valentine’s Day. And I have a very steamy novella called Storm of Desire, which will be out in a few months.

14) Do you have any suggestions/comments for prospective authors?

Read the kind of books you want to write, attend workshops and conferences, learn the business side of writing and never give up. Writers who give up never publish. Write what you love.

JUST FOR FUN:

1) What is the sexiest or most erotic thing someone has said to you?

When I first started dating my husband he told me I was a hell of a woman. I thought that was really sexy. He also said he found my slightly rounded belly sexy.
2) If you could be an animal, what would it be? Why?

A cat, what else?

3) If you had super powers, what would they be? Why?

I’d be like Samantha in the old “Bewitched” TV series. I’d twitch my nose and my house would be cleaned.

4) If you could be an immortal, what would you want to be? Why?

A witch. See above.

5) If you could change three things in the world, what would they be? Why?

Cats would be idolized because they are the best creatures in the world; we’d stop killing wolves because they are magnificent, much-maligned creatures; and it would rain every night while we slept so that every day would be sunny. Of course I’d want world peace. That goes without saying.

6) Is there anywhere you’d like to visit? Why?

I’ve always wanted to see Mt. Rushmore and Yellowstone. I’ve seen most of the major national parks but those two. I’ve always wanted to see the Alamo and will see that in March when I attend EPICon.

8) Do you have any obsessions? What are they?

I don’t like clutter. I clean out my closets and drawers twice a year.

9) Do you have a crush on any actor/actress? Who?

Not anymore.

Author Name: CARA MARSI

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Book Title: MURDER, MI AMORE

Genre: ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

Publisher: THE WILD ROSE PRESS

Purchase: AMAZON

Format: EBOOK

BLURB:
Lexie Cortese is in Rome to forget. The last thing she expects is to meet a sexy Interpol agent who suspects her of being part of a terrorist plot involving a stolen diamond. Suddenly thrust into a world of murders, muggings, and kidnappings, Lexie doesn’t know what to think—or who to believe.

Dominic Brioni’s assignment is simple. Befriend the American and bring her to justice. Only Lexie seems the most unlikely terrorist Dominic has ever met. Sweet, determined, and direct, she faces life with courage and fire, a fire that sparks his protective instincts and a longing for something more—something he allowed himself to hope for only once before.
But that woman betrayed him, and his boss isn’t about to let him forget it. With his career on the line and Lexie in danger, will Dominic learn to trust his heart before they both get killed?

EXCERPT: PG

Lexie had started to run to him when someone grabbed her arm, pulling her around. A man, his face hidden by a ski mask, held tightly to her. Her shock ratcheted to fear. “Let go,” she yelled, trying to jerk her arm away from him, but his grip tightened. The dim light from the balcony above illuminated his flat black eyes. She had seen those eyes before. Holy shit. She was in trouble.

The masked man grabbed for her purse. She screamed, and with strength she didn’t know she possessed, whammed him on the head with her purse. He staggered back, swearing, and slipped and fell. Lights and freedom beckoned from the nearby Via Corsi, but all Lexie could think about was Dominic. Turning on her heels, she ran to him, slipping on the ancient stones herself as Dominic struggled to stand. But before she could reach him, the mugger caught up with her and grabbed her shoulder, twisting her around. Dominic sprang up and flew at the mugger, knocking him to the ground. The two men grappled, rolling together on the cobbled street. Lexie, her heart thumping wildly, looked for an opening to bean the mugger again, to give Dominic a better chance at overcoming him.

“Stop it! Stop it! Leave him alone!” The mugger ended up on top, and she whaled away with her bag, getting in any shot she could.

Shouts and the slap of running feet vibrated through the alley. The mugger swore, jumped up, and raced away, a few men giving chase. Several others helped Dominic to stand, yelling in excited voices, and gesturing toward where their attacker had disappeared.

Dominic winced in pain. Lexie looked down at his ripped, blood-soaked pant leg. “Dominic, you’ve got to get to the hospital. You’re bleeding.”

“I’m okay,” he said. “It is nothing.” Brushing dirt off his jacket, he turned to the men and said something in rapid Italian. With nods, they strode away.

Breathing heavily, Lexie disagreed. “You’re not okay. We’ll get a cab and take you to the hospital.”

He cupped her shoulders. “I’ve been through worse. I’m fine. Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”

“No. I’m…” The full impact of what had happened hit her. The adrenaline that had given her strength suddenly dissipated and she began to tremble. “I’m not okay.”

“Lexie.” Dominic moved forward to take her into his arms. She held on for dear life, needing his strength. He rubbed his hand along her back. “It’s okay, Lexie. We’re both okay. You’re safe with me.”

She clung to him. It wasn’t her imagination. Strange things were happening. She had nothing anyone could want. She didn’t know who to trust. Dominic said she was safe with him. But was she really?

To Love and Trust Again by Anna James

2012-01-30T00:00:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone,

Happy Monday! I’m Anna James, author or contemporary romancve novels.

I invite you to come with me and get lost in a world filled with passion, romance, and heartfelt emotion.

Today I’d like to tell you about my new release, To Love and Trust Again.

Three years ago Molly Quin walked out of Dan Berringer’s apartment and told him that she wanted nothing to do with him ever again. Now, after accepting a position with Bennett Engineering, she will have to see Dan every day. Fate could be so cruel! Seeing him again so unexpectedly, she discovered to her chagrin, brought back feelings she thought she’d dealt with a long time ago.

Dan Berringer made a mistake. He’d hurt Molly badly. He wants her back now and will stop at nothing to win her including letting Max McDermott get in his way.

Max McDermott wants Molly Quin. She’s smart, funny and sexy as hell, but he is reluctant to pursue her. He knows Molly is attracted to him but what about her relationship with Dan Berringer? And is he willing to become involved with someone he works with again?

Follow Molly on her journey as she deals with hurts from the past and her feelings in the present and learns how to love and trust again.

To Love and Trust Again is now available from Melange Books.

Stop by and visit me on my website.
I’d love to hear from you.

You can also visit me on Facebook

Many thanks to Shannon for having me here today and thanks to everyone who stopped by!

Happy Reading,

Anna

An interview with Juliet Chastain

2012-01-29T00:00:00.000-05:00

Please join me in welcoming Juliet Chastain as she shares with us a little about her writing and her latest book release, The Captain and the Courtesan.

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:
1) Links to website and list of books with purchase links.
Website

The Captain and the Courtesan available at:
Amazon
All Romance eBooks
Bookstrand
1 Place for Romance
Breathlesspress.com

2) How long have you been writing? What got you in to writing?

Back in sixth grade, inspired by a wall calendar with photographs of kittens (one of my most treasured possessions at the time) I wrote a sad story about a couple of kittens. This tragic tale made me cry and got me an “A” from my teacher.

Along the way, I switched focus, so to speak, and became a photographer. But here I am, after fifteen years shooting fashion, writing again. This time my stories have lots of steamy romance and happy endings. No kittens no sad tears.

3) What was your first published book? Looking back, is there anything you’d change about it?
The Captain and the Courtesan is my first published book.

4) What or who has influenced your writing?
I adore Jane Austin, especially Pride and Prejudice. Growing up I loved Charlotte Bronte and Louisa May Alcott. I think their spunky heroines who are overcome by love had a strong influence on what I want to write.

5) Where do you get your ideas?
Wish I knew. A little snippet of something pops into my brain, and sometimes I take that and start writing and more ideas come that eventually make a story. Sometimes no more ideas come and I get really cranky and go do something else.

6) What hinders your writing? (distractions? noise?)
Computer non-co-operation (the truth is, I don't really know how to use it)

7) What genre are you most comfortable with? What would you like to explore?
I have several things in the works. One is a full-length mystery with a photographer heroine. Another is a sprawling family saga—the family members are witches. Right now I'm concentrating on a few more short erotic romances that are almost ready for submission.

8) Are you a by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of writer, or do you have to use an outline to put your collective thoughts into some semblance of common sense?
I'm a pantser but trying to become more organized!

9) Which of your books is your favorite? Why?

I have only one book out now, and a couple more soon to be released. So far, I must admit that I am pretty fond of them all.

10) Do you incorporate some of yourself into your characters? Personality traits? Likes? Dislikes?
I think I do that a little, but I mix it up with other people's characteristics.

11) What do you think is the perfect hero/heroine? Why?
For romance stories, the hunky, powerful hero is a given. I tend to like him to be gentle, sensitive and kind as well. The heroine should be someone I like—smart, spirited, and nice.

12) What is your latest release? Please share the blurb and purchase info with us.

The Captain and the Courtesan.

BLURB:
Against his conscience, Captain Edward Howland buys a night with the enchanting and mysterious masked courtesan, Lady Amelia Kentley, and their evening together becomes far more than either expected.

As her first night as a courtesan approaches, the mysterious masked noblewoman is the talk of London. Impoverished Lady Amelia Kentley, wearing a mask to hide her identity, is resigned to her fate, working in a brothel to support her child and herself. When she meets the kindly and passionate sea Captain Edward Howland, she is shocked at the powerful attraction she feels for him. She hopes that he will be her first paying lover. Dare she dream of more, of running away from her degrading situation with him?

Edward disdains paid-for sex, but he is so enchanted with the masked Lady Amelia that he cannot resist the chance to claim a night's pleasure with her before he sets sail in the morning. They share hours of overwhelming passion, and a deep affection develops between them. By daybreak, Edward is determined to find a way to rescue her from her fate as a courtesan, but can he do so without besmirching his honor?

Amazon
All Romance eBooks
Bookstrand
1 Place for Romance
Breathlesspress.com

13) What do you have in the works?

In February Cry of the Wolf , a short story, in which a hunk of a man who is also a wolf, keeps his passionate love a secret, certain that the woman he adores could never love a man who was also a wolf.

Gypsy Lover will be released in April. Dragged off to London kicking and screaming, to become a proper young lady, Lucy-Anne Spencer rebels. She doesn't want the suitable husband she is supposed to find but longs instead for the Gypsy lad and the freedom she once loved.

14) Do you have any suggestions/comments for prospective authors?
This is hard. Only do it if you love it.

Book Title: The Captain and the Courtesan

Genre: Regency erotic romance
Publisher: Breathless Press
Purchase:
Amazon
All Romance eBooks
Bookstrand
1 Place for Romance
Breathlesspress.com

Format: all e-book formats

BLURB:

Against his conscience, Captain Edward Howland buys a night with the enchanting and mysterious masked courtesan, Lady Amelia Kentley, and their evening together becomes far more than either expected.

As her first night as a courtesan approaches, the mysterious masked noblewoman is the talk of London. Impoverished Lady Amelia Kentley, wearing a mask to hide her identity, is resigned to her fate—working in a brothel to support her child and herself. When she meets the kindly and passionate Captain Edward Howland, she is shocked at the powerful attraction she feels for him. She hopes that he will be her first paying lover. Dare she dream of more, of running away from her degrading situation with him?

Edward disdains paid-for sex, but he is so enchanted with the masked Lady Amelia that he cannot resist the chance to claim a night's pleasure with her before he sets sail in the morning. They share hours of overwhelming passion, and a deep affection develops between them. By daybreak, Edward is determined to find a way to rescue her from her fate as a courtesan, but he finds there is no honorable way to so.

EXCERPT: Adult

Before she entered the parlor in which the gentlemen waited to bid for her favors, Amelia took a glass of spirits, for she could not stop trembling. She had struggled to accept her fate, but she was resigned no longer. Since last night, when she had kissed the new captain, she had been filled with an unreasonable hope, which she could not suppress. She warned her heart that a navy man would be unlikely to have the means to outbid Madame's wealthy aristocratic clientele. And even if tonight were spent in his arms-she seemed unable to keep herself from longing for that outcome with all her heart and soul-in the morning he would sail and be gone from her life. Then she would be available to any man who could pay whatever Madame charged for her.   

And yet she hoped. She hoped for one night with the new captain. And, in spite of herself, she dreamed of more.   

She entered the parlor on Madame's arm. Against the dark green walls the huge lewd paintings in their heavy gold frames appeared to flicker in the light of the gas lamps as did the gentlemen seated on the damask upholstered sofas and on the fine Chippendale chairs.  Madame led her to a small dais and helped her to step onto it. Amelia wore a pale green dress, cut shockingly low and of fine, almost transparent muslin. She wore no petticoat or stays beneath it but only a thin shift and a string of fine pearls around her neck.  

She counted eleven men. Her heart sank. The captain was not among them.

She took tight hold of Madame's arm for a moment as she tried to gather her courage. She was glad of the mask, for she felt the blood drain from her face.   

She had known she must not hope, but all the same she had anyway. He had awakened her heart and her body and she did not regret it, but now her life as a harlot would be all the more difficult for her. She looked out at the men and could only dread what lay ahead. If it had not been for her child, she would have wished herself dead.   

Each a man had a glass of spirits or wine in his hand, and each carried at least five hundred guineas in his waistcoat, more than five times the amount a working man made in a year. She recognized a few of them, including an elderly man she had met socially in the past before she had been thrown onto the street. She could not help but be shocked to see him here, for she had always thought him the soul of propriety. Several others had sat with her, as had the captain, in this house and had a drink.

The door opened and two more men entered. One wore the navy coat of a seaman and her heart leapt. It was he, the newly made captain.   

She almost laughed out loud in joy. And then she wanted to laugh at the irony. Until recently, she was a completely respectable woman, the granddaughter of a viscount and the widow of a baronet. Now she prayed that a man whose name she did not know, and with whom she had spent a mere half hour, would buy the right to bed her in a brothel.  

Lily by Xavier Axelson

2012-01-27T00:00:00.003-05:00

Title: Lily

Publisher: Silver Publishing

Purchase

Genre: Contemporary, Family & Relationships, Gay, Paranormal/Alternate World, Romance, Shape-Shifter, Werewolves

Length: 93 pages

Book Trailer

Blurb:

When Pryor's daughter Lily is taken by a wolf, Pryor is convinced she has turned into the creature he sees lurking in his woods. He swears she promises to return to him. But is it his despair and desperation making him see things or is there something more lurking in the shadows of the forest? When he meets Ned, a silversmith who helps him with a plan to bring his daughter back into his life, he begins to live again. But can his newfound love help ease the horror that may be waiting? What if the ultimate horror isn’t when Lily was taken but it’s when Lily returns and he realizes his nightmare has only just begun...

Excerpt:
LILY

I am Lily's father, my name is Pryor. It was a year ago last Father's Day when she was taken from me. I still believe being Lily's father is the most important thing in this world.

Unfortunately, my daughter dwells in another world.

* * * * *

I glanced at the necklace. Ned's pressed close to me, but the necklace I hoped would bring Lily back to me felt closer. Ned was soft in his sleep; not the bull of a man he was when he's awake. I loved him soft and I loved him hard. It was his hardness that grounded me, that brought me in from the darkness. The necklace caught the light of the fading moon and I wondered where Lily was tonight.

The old clock on the nightstand hummed quietly; its vintage florescent glow a pale mockery of the necklace that lay beside it and yet I heard the clock, it won in that department. Time always does.

Ned moved against me, I could feel his arms pull me close, felt the bulge of his muscles, his arms thick and powerful. He had never loved a man before me. I had only loved Lily. Once she changed, I had little left to love; in fact, I was certain love had disappeared from my life all together.

The clock still hummed, never quiet; it's old and made noise as if time itself wanted us all to know that it was passing and with each minute Lily fell farther and farther into the darkness. The tears came then and at the same time Ned's cock pushed more firmly against my back. He grumbled, pulled me even tighter so that I could truly feel his penis--not hard, not entirely soft--on the edge of wanting. A tear fell and I gasped a little. Seeing the necklace; hearing the clock, feeling Ned's cock, his muscles, I fell away into him and closed my eyes.

"Why aren't you sleeping?"

"I was," I replied softly.

"No you weren't," his voice was sleepy; distant and yet he knew things, he knew I was awake, thinking about my lost daughter.

"It's Father's Day," I answered, skipping over my lie. "Do you think she will come?" I felt him nod and nodded in return against my pillow. Another tear fell.

"Come closer," he whispered.

"How much closer could I get?"

"Closer," he said again, a growl, a grunt; there was the bull I knew.

His lips brushed on my neck, a hand on my thigh stroking, touching, pulling a sigh from my mouth. I wiped a hand across my face.

"I never get sick of touching you," he whispered wetly, his tongue tracing my ear.

Smiling, I turned in his big arms and I could feel my thoughts ease. Ned had that way about him. 'Magic arms' I called him because he had this way of holding me that made me feel completely safe and for one man to be able to do that for another was amazing.

I kissed him and was happy to discover his breath was not bad but sweet, the trace of his toothpaste before bed still there and I smiled even as I kissed him. Ned sighed gently, his cock fully hard now, urgent, pressing. I reached down and stroked him through his boxers; he was already wet. I tried to pull my tongue from his mouth but he only pulled me closer, deeper; at one point I was almost certain one of us was going to stop breathing.

He finally relented but only because I jokingly squeezed his balls a little too tightly.

"Fuck, you make me nuts," he grumbled, we both laughed at his joke.

His hand reached for my cock; I slept naked so there was no flimsy cotton between his rough hands and my skin.

"You like that?"

I nodded, I did like it, I'd thought I wouldn't ever be able to like sex again, or any intimacy after Lily disappeared.

His hands were rough but I relished his edges; he touched me as if he knew me and, after a year, I guess he kind of did.

"You want me to suck it?" His voice was hoarse with his question; there was still a shy embarrassment behind it, as if he couldn't really believe he was going to suck cock.

"What do you think?"

My response excited him. I could see it in his eyes, even in the dark; the fading moon told me just enough.

When you had a daughter like mine, you learned a lot from the moon.

****

Where to find Xavier Axelson:
Facebook
Twitter
Examiner
Website

An Interview with Raven McAllan

2012-01-26T08:46:00.000-05:00

Please join me in welcoming Raven McAllan today as she shares with us a little about her writing, what's newly published, and what she'd do with her super powers if she had them.

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:
1) Links to website and list of books with purchase links.
Website
Blog

Books available at Breathless Press:
Wallflowers Don't Wilt
Purchase from:
Publisher
Amazon
Bookstrand
All Romance Ebooks

To Please A Lady
Purchase from:
Publisher
Amazon
Bookstrand
All Romance Ebooks

Book Available at Noble Romance:
Taken Identity

2) How long have you been writing? What got you in to writing?
Seriously, just over a year. In reality as long as I've been able to write. I got back into writing after being invited to tea with author Robyn Donald when I was on holiday in New Zealand. Then in late 2010 I entered a competition to write romance. My offering was terrible, but I met my amazing crit group through that.

3) What was your first published book? Looking back, is there anything you’d change about it?
Wallflowers Don't Wilt. Well I like it as it is. Of course there's loads I'd write differently now, but would it still be the same book?

4) What or Who has influenced your writing?
My Crit group Up and Coming Writers. They helped me expand how and what I write.

5) Where do you get your ideas?
I have no idea. They just come to me. I have been known to get out of bed because I had a thought for a story.

6) What hinders your writing? (distractions? noise?)
Nothing, I switch off and write. I surface to find the cat sitting on my shoulder demanding food, my mobile telling me I have three missed calls and a realization the joint in the oven is now the size of a chop. A charred chop.

7) What genre are you most comfortable with? What would you like to explore?
I like romance, of some description. So far I've written regency erotica, regency menage, contemporary romantic mystery and a contemporary cougar novel. I can't stand sci-fi or horror. I am trying my first go at an adult paranormal.

8) Are you a by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of writer, or do you have to use an outline to put your collective thoughts into some semblance of common sense?
I'd love to be a plotter. I try to be a plotter. Indeed when I start anything I think I am a plotter. Wrong, very wrong. My characters take over. They might let me stick to my outline, If I'm very good to them.

9) Which of your books is your favorite? Why?
I love them all, but I have a soft spot for The Price To Pay, due out from Breathless Press on February 24^th. I think because I had to extend myself to write it.

10) Do you incorporate some of yourself into your characters? Personality traits? Likes? Dislikes?
Re my personality traits? I hope not, the poor characters if I did. Likes and dislikes, not that I know off. I'm too fussy!

11) What do you think is the perfect hero/heroine? Why?

You have to see redemption there. You might not like them, but you need to know they can be redeemed. They have to be believable, have some flaws and not take themselves too seriously.

12) What is your latest release? Please share the blurb and purchase info with us.

I have Two.
Taken Identity, available from Noble Romance.

Blurb:

Gray Reynard was looking for his wife. What he found was a woman who took his breath away and kick-started his libido.

Jules was godsmacked to see the gorgeous hunk on her doorstep looking for Julia Frayne. That's her name, but she'd remember marrying him. And she hadn't.

And To Please a Lady. Available from Breathless Press.

Blurb:

When your lovers are lovers themselves, and want you to help them make
the perfect triangle, what do you say? Persuade me of course.

Unconventional, and happy, Hermione is in the enviable position of having not one, but two lovers to attend to her every need. That her lovers are lovers themselves, only adds to the equation. Berry and Ran feel it’s time to make all their various twosomes, into one splendid threesome. Now all they have to do is persuade Hermione!

Being men, they are too impatient to wait for her answer. Being a woman, she isn’t going to be pushed, shoved or coerced into saying anything until she is good and ready. Patience is a virtue, and one her men needed to get.

13) What do you have in the works?
Well February 24^th The Price To Pay as I mentioned. March 9^th Almost Entente Cordiale (regency) then (Sorry you might want to have a rest) 2 M/M in an antho. One full length M/M. one hot story in another antho, and a couple I'm waiting to hear about. I think that’s them all. I'm also in the middle of writing a series of YA with a different hat on.

14) Do you have any suggestions/comments for prospective authors?
Write as you can, not as you think you should. And ENJOY it.

JUST FOR FUN:
1) What is the sexiest or most erotic thing someone has said to you?
I'll wait for you. (he did)

2) If you could be an animal, what would it be? Why?
Leopard... er because.

3) If you had super powers, what would they be? Why?
Scary, because I'd be all over the place sorting world crap out.

4) If you could be an immortal, what would you want to be? Why?
Too complicated, being a human is hard enough.

5) If you could change three things in the world, what would they be? Why?
Get rid of poverty, dictatorship and anti social weather! Because they all suck.

6) What would be a perfect date for you?
Somewhere warm, with DH and champagne. Or a good book and champagne lol

7) Is there anywhere you’d like to visit? Why?
I'm lucky, I've been to a good few places now. We're doing our gap year in two week stints! But to see more of Australia and the far east, I guess. Because I'm nosy! Seriously If I got told no more travelling I've so many memories to pull out and drool over!

8) Do you have any obsessions? What are they?
Don't think so unless you count chocolate? And that's not an obsession it’s a necessity.

9) Do you have a crush on any actor/actress? Who?
Sadly no, too old for all that. I'd have to pull my tummy in and smile a lot.

Book Title: To Please A Lady
Genre: Renency Erotica
Publisher: Breathless Press
Format: ebook
Excerpt: ADULT

She caught sight of her image in the mirror. Rosy nipples showed through the material, their darkened surrounds providing a guide to their presence. Lower, the shadow of dark curls hid her pussy, or was it that they showed the way to where it waited, impatient to feel the hard, usually impatient cocks that it welcomed? Oh the joy of having no pretense, being able to be honest and open about her enjoyment of the act of lovemaking, these last months had been so satisfying; those to come promised to be even more so. Tying the lowest set of ribbons, barely inches below those curls, Hermione could not control her compunction to sooth the throbbing concealed within. Her hand slipped beneath the ribbons, and touched. She closed her eyes to feel with her senses. Ah that first swirl through her curls and then, the sheer pleasure of touching her now wet lips, finding her fingers coated with the evidence of her desire. The intensity of her feelings shot through her like lightening and she gasped. Not from her arousal, however.

Dark velvet covered her eyes.

As she caught her breath, soft hands feathered across her nape as the covering was fastened. Then her hair was pushed to one side, and she experienced the press of lips, kissing where the ribbons from the knot of velvet brushed her back.

"My Love, you started without me? For shame. How shall I punish you?"

Her breath quickened. Her punishment had started! Knowing what those elegant hands were capable of, and unable to see how they explored and excited her to ever more passion, was punishment enough. As her tormentor well knew.

"You were late My Lord, the play started on time, alas without your attendance."

A soft laugh greeted her remark. "Ah Mione-mine. I would be lost without you in my life. Shall I begin act two?"

Oh if it so pleases you, and three, four and five. However, never would she allow her eagerness to show.

You can also find Raven McAllan:

BlogThe Nuthouse Scribblers

An interview with Jamieson Wolf

2012-01-24T00:00:00.002-05:00

Please join me in welcoming Jamieson Wolf as he shares with us a little about his writing technique, as well as a wonderfully enticing look at chapter one of his latest release: Reaping Shadows

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:
1) Links to website and list of books with purchase links.
You can find me at my website

2) How long have you been writing? What got you in to writing?
I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. The first story that I can remember writing was back when I was eight years old about a camel who wanted a sweater as he found winter cold.

I have always been driven to tell stories. I got into it for escape purposes and the stories I told were always far more interesting than the life I was living.

3) What was your first published book? Looking back, is there anything you’d change about it?
My first published book was The Ghost Mirror, a young adult novel available from eTreasures Publishing. Looking back, I’d like to have written a longer book, but other than that, I wouldn’t change a thing.

4) What or Who has influenced your writing?
Stephen King has always been a big influence in my writing. Anne Rice, Carol Shields, Margaret Atwood too. I hope to one day write as well as they can!

5) Where do you get your ideas?
Anywhere and everywhere. It can be a bit of conversation I hear, a dream, a memory from long ago. Or I just get an idea and decide to go with it.

6) What hinders your writing? (distractions? noise?)
If I don’t have music on, I have trouble just letting myself go. I also have to turn off my internet connection as I surf on the web when I should be writing.

7) What genre are you most comfortable with? What would you like to explore?
I’m most comfortable with m/m romance but have recently begun writing dark horror, which is what I actually started out writing within, but got sidetracked along the way.

8) Are you a by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of writer, or do you have to use an outline to put your collective thoughts into some semblance of common sense?
I’m usually a seat of the pants kind of writer. I find plotting can be too constricting. I love to see where the story is going to go on its own and let it grow organically as I write.

9) Which of your books is your favorite? Why?
Oh, gosh, I have to pick a favorite? I would have to say Reaping Shadows and The Fruit Machine (both from Breathless Press). As The Fruit Machine isn’t out yet, I’ll talk about Reaping Shadows. Why is it my favourite? Well, because the entire book was so unexpected for me. It went well beyond the short I had envisioned for it and became (I hope) the first in a trilogy.

10) Do you incorporate some of yourself into your characters? Personality traits? Likes? Dislikes?
There is usually a character within each of my novels who is my stand in. I always figure that if I’m not IN the story, I can’t write it. Does that make sense? In Reaping Shadows, for instance, Kale is my mouthpiece. I try not to let my likes, dislikes, etc, influence the character. Instead, I deal with my own issues of self confidence and, for a time, the fact that I had a broken heart that needed mending.

11) What do you think is the perfect hero/heroine? Why?
One who is flawed. If they are perfect, there is nothing they have to go through to help them grow into a better person.

12) What is your latest release? Please share the blurb and purchase info with us.
My latest release is Reaping Shadows from Breathless Press! I’m so thrilled with this books release. (Blurb and purchase info are below).

13) What do you have in the works?
Sometimes too much, I think. I’m working on Knight and Daye Book Two: Blood Magic for Cobblestone Press and a horror novel titled 69B. I’m also working on an app for a collection of short stories I put together.

14) Do you have any suggestions/comments for prospective authors?
Just keep writing, keep trying. It’s a difficult task, writing. It IS work, but the rewards are oh so wonderful. Ignore the naysayers and, if it’s your dream to write, realize that dream. Never give up on yourself.

JUST FOR FUN:
1) What is the sexiest or most erotic thing someone has said to you?
The first one I can’t tell you. The second, that I was too intelligent for my age.

2) If you could be an animal, what would it be? Why?
I would be a wolf, and not just for the obvious reasons. They run alone, but do find a mate from time to time. They are solitary yet comforted by companionship. And may in fact be smart enough to read. LOL

3) If you had super powers, what would they be? Why?
I’d love to fly. I wouldn’t wear tights or anything, but it would save me a fortune not having to buy bus passes.

4) If you could be an immortal, what would you want to be? Why?
I’d be a vampire. They still look alive and well and just need a drink from time to time.

5) If you could change three things in the world, what would they be? Why?
Ignorance, greed and stupidity. LOL

6) What would be a perfect date for you?
Friday the 13^th.

No, seriously, a quiet evening with a bottle of wine, a pizza, a good book, my iPad and my sex boyfriend. And not necessarily in that order. LOL

7) Is there anywhere you’d like to visit? Why?
I’d love to go to Egypt. I’ve studied Egyptology for years and would love to see the Pyramids’.

8) Do you have any obsessions? What are they?
Books, coffee and candy. And more books. Oh, and Harry Potter. LOL

9) Do you have a crush on any actor/actress? Who?
Love Meryl Streep, just because he’s fabulous. And Johnny Depp.

EXCERPT: Reaping Shadows
Genre: Romance, m/m
Publisher: Breathless Press
Purchase
Format: eBook
BLURB:

Death has always been a lonely business.

Darion Muerte knows this first hand. Darion is a Reaper, one of those who gather the souls of the dead so that they can move on. He has been a Reaper for centuries. Accompanied only by his Shadow, a being that scouts for the dead, Darion has not been touched by another for over a thousand years.

That all changes when Darion meets Kale. Though mortals are not supposed to be able to see Reapers and their Shadows, Kale can see both of them. And his dark blue eyes see right into Darion.

Answering the call of passion that sets fire to his skin, Darion gives in to his needs and lets himself experience one night of passion. That is all he can take. And then Darion must make the ultimate sacrifice.

Darion must take Kale’s soul.

Chapter One

He moved like the light. His Shadow moved behind him of its own accord, stretching itself along walls and peeking into windows. It did love to play and it had been in a frisky mood all night

He knew how it felt. He gave his Shadow a sharp, impatient tug and it fell into line behind him, slinking along the brickwork that formed the walls on either side of him, the alleyway dark and narrow. He made his way towards a pool of light from a street lamp.

“We don’t have time for that now.” Darion Muerte didn’t have time for anything anymore. That was the problem. Darion sighed again. “I gotta get a new job.” He whispered. Tugging on his Shadow, Darion whistled. Well trained, the Shadow was at attention immediately.

Darion motioned with his hand and let out another soft whistle. Whereas the first one had said wait for instructions, this new whistle said only one thing: Seek and find.

Darion hoped that tonight’s search would be a short one. He was dead on his feet; that was pretty bad, considering who he was. He looked at his watch and wondered if it was too early for a cigarette break.

While his Shadow slinked along the walls, sensing the heat of those inside the buildings, Darion walked further into the pool of light and took out a pack of cigarettes. He really should quit, he thought. But it wouldn’t make any difference now.

He snapped his fingers and a tongue of flame danced on the ball of his thumb. Darion watched it for a moment, a lick of fire that danced blue then red. Putting his cigarette to the tip of the flame, Darion took a drag and let the smoke out slowly. Closing his eyes, he took another drag and let out a long breath.

Fuck, I’m tired, He thought. “I need a fucking vacation.” He said out loud. “I’d even settle for a night off.”

His skin tensed when he heard the Shadow’s call. It was loud and high pitched. To mortal’s, it would sound like the screech of cats in heat. To him, it was a signal. His Shadow had found a Soul.

Walking with quick steps out of the light, letting the darkness claim him, Darion flicked his cigarette to the pavement where it landed with a shatter of sparks. He didn’t pay attention to where he was going; his feet would lead him to his Shadow. All he had to do was let them.

He had been doing this job for a long time and Darion was tired. He had seen so much death and thought of the last time he had known passion. It had been a long time ago. Death did not deserve passion, only penance.

Darion sighed when the Shadow screeched again, its call shrill and bell like at the same time. Darion quickened his pace and found himself entering a better area of his district, but not by much.

But he had put himself here, asked for this section of town. It was his district now, no matter what he did.

The Shadow screeched again and Darion knew that this time, the call was different. Running now, Darion ran towards his Shadow. He could see it slinking under the window, apparently quivering in fear.

Darion looked at the man that stood in the window and understood the Shadow’s distress immediately. Whereas normal mortal’s could not see Darion or his Shadow, the young man was looking at the Shadow with a curious glance.

And then the man shifted his gaze and looked straight at Darion. Darion’s blood froze. He could feel fear sliding through his body, something he hadn’t experienced in many centuries.

His Shadow looked at the mortal not as if it were about to die; but as if it were something else all together.

An Interview with Honoria Ravena

2012-01-22T14:17:00.000-05:00

Please join me in welcoming Ms. Honoria Ravena as she shares with us a little about her writing, who she has a crush with, and gives us a tantillizing snippet of her latest release, The Devil's Trap.

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:
1) Links to website and list of books with purchase links.
Website

Books:
Biohazard
Strapless
Fear of Darkness
The Devil’s Trap

2) How long have you been writing? What got you in to writing?
I’ve been writing for about ten or eleven years. I started writing when I was like eleven. I have dyslexia, so that was about the time I started to actually enjoy reading. And I’d always think “You know, this would make a good story” or “That’s not the way I would have ended that book.” Then I fell in love with this book by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes called Shattered Mirror. I was obsessed with her writing for a while and so I actually bothered to read her bio, and I found out she was published at thirteen. I figured I could do that. I didn’t manage it, but writing stuck.

3) What was your first published book?
Looking back, is there anything you’d change about it? My first books came out back to back. The absolute first one was Fear of Darkness. It’s since been completely rewritten for its re-release with Breathless Press, so I got to change all the things I didn’t like about it when it was first published. Biohazard came out the day after it, and I’d change a lot about that book. It’s a short story, but it wasn’t meant to be. It was a product of me cramming a big idea into a small word count. It’s still a good story. My friend Megan’s favorite actually. But there are so many places where I would expand. And when my contract is up on it, I might ask to pull it to do a rewrite. Think my publisher would go for that?

4) What or Who has influenced your writing?
Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, the woman I mentioned above had a huge impact. Laurell K. Hamilton was a big influence on me too, and gave me my love of kick ass heroines. And if there’s anything Sherrilyn Kenyon and J.R. Ward should teach, it’s how to make memorable, amazing heroes.

5) Where do you get your ideas?
Mostly books, and TV. History is a big one for me too. Sometimes something a person says can just set my brain off and send me scrambling for paper.

6) What hinders your writing? (distractions? noise?)
OMG. It’s a long list. My attention span is as short as a hummingbird’s on crack. I lack self-discipline like you can’t imagine, which is another reason why I admire J.R. Ward. The internet has to be my biggest problem. I can’t get off of it, and I can find all manner of random things to distract myself with.

7) What genre are you most comfortable with? What would you like to explore?
I’m most comfortable in paranormal romance. That’s WHAT I write. I’d like to branch out and do sci-fi and fantasy romance. I really like romance, and would like to stay in the genre. I have a few straight horror ideas, but I just don’t know if they would hold my interest.

8) Are you a by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of writer, or do you have to use an outline to put your collective thoughts into some semblance of common sense?
When I get an idea, it usually comes fully formed as the first half of a book. So I write down what I have, and it does become a sort of outline, but I didn’t brainstorm to get there. Now the second half of my books are the tough parts where brainstorming is needed, so usually there’s more outlining there, rather than random notes of stuff. Honestly I’d like to try doing more formal outlining than just jumping in there, but it takes so long, and my brain will go so fast with scenes for a new book. I’ll hit the mid-way point, and go “Well, it’s too late to outline now…”

9) Which of your books is your favorite? Why?
I love my book The Devil’s Trap. The hero is yummy bad boyness. He’s an ancient vampire, so he can be a real pain in the butt. He’s one of those characters that was so loud in my head that I had to write his book. And the heroine is the perfect match for him.

10) Do you incorporate some of yourself into your characters? Personality traits? Likes? Dislikes?
I incorporate some of my likes and dislikes. My music and TV choices. And of course, almost all my characters will have a sense of humor, because that’s what I find appealing in people.

11) What do you think is the perfect hero/heroine? Why?
I like bad boy hero’s and tough heroines. Bad boy hero’s because they’re just yummy. And kick ass heroines because they’re kind of opposite of who I am. I’m very shy, and quiet, and I just like to live vicariously through someone who isn’t.

12) What is your latest release? Please share the blurb and purchase info with us.
The Devil's Trap. See blurb and excerpt below.

13) What do you have in the works?
I’m rewriting Laden’s story now. He’s a werewolf from The Devil’s Trap, and then after comes Alaric’s book, who is also a character in The Devil’s Trap. I’d also like to start work on my sci-fi series, just because it might be nice to start something new and take a break from my paranormals.

14) Do you have any suggestions/comments for prospective authors?
Research the publishers you’re submitting to CAREFULLY. My first publisher was not on the up and up, and I paid for it. And I was lucky to get away from them, because they didn’t give rights back to all the writers that wanted to leave. So never skimp on the research, even if you think they can be trusted, make sure.

And another thing is get feedback on you’re writing. Join a critique group. Submit to contests. It’s important! I was the Acquisitions Manager at Breathless Press for quite a while, and so many things get rejected because of mistakes that would have been pointed out in your critique group.

JUST FOR FUN:

1) Is there anywhere you’d like to visit? Why?
I LOVE travel, and I’ll make it simple and say I want to go everywhere. I love studying history and other cultures. At the moment I really want to go to Scotland. Been reading too many books with Scottish hero’s lately.

2) Do you have any obsessions? What are they?
Oh yeah. I love belly dance. I love to watch it, do it, and buy the accessories. I’m mostly a tribal fusion dancer, and a great admirer of Rachel Brice. I’m also a beauty product junky. Mostly makeup, but some skincare and hair care products. I’m actually going to school for skincare and makeup application right now. I will hopefully be a licensed Esthetician by the end of 2012

3) Do you have a crush on any actor/actress? Who?
Ian Somerhalder from The Vampire Diaries. He’s so hot, and then you read things he’s written and he’s smart, and started a foundation for the environment, stopping animal cruelty and educating young people on these issues. SO he’s hot, and a positive influence on people.

EXCERPT from The Devil's Trap:

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Breathless Press
Purchase

Format: e-book

BLURB:

Regan is the best vampire hunter money can buy. But when she's paid to kill one of the most powerful vampires in existence, she doesn't realize she's in way over her head. Things go terribly wrong, and there is no escape...

Zarek is so powerful, he scares other vampires. One little hunter should be no challenge. However, Regan is different, and as soon as he sees her, he will do anything to keep her. But she's a stubborn woman who refuses to let someone else control her.

When a powerful enemy comes to town, she's forced to trust Zarek with her life. Who is the larger threat? The man out to destroy humankind? Or the vampire determined to own her heart?

Excerpt: Adult

I reached the wooden bar and slid onto a sleek black stool with a groan of relief. In front of me, a shirtless vampire buffed the countertop, muscles flexing with each circle he made. Now this was a guy you actually dreamed about seeing naked. He was built like a god. Every muscle toned to perfection. He had probably been a big, chiseled guy before, and vampire blood washed away any flaws he might have had as a mortal. His raven-black hair gleamed in the lights. He was the perfect thing to bring in young women for a bite on the neck.

I sighed in pure feminine pleasure. Just because he was a vampire didn't mean I couldn't appreciate the view. But, a black aura and raw vampiric strength bled from him. He would have been jump-his-bones hot if his power didn't creep over my skin like spiders. I suppressed a shudder. No matter how enticing their form, vampires always made my skin crawl.

His gaze met mine, and I drew in a breath. He had the most gorgeous violet eyes. They were filled with an ancient intelligence. His lips curled into an amused grin, as if he knew I was ogling his body.

I frowned. It annoyed me that he read me so easily. I shook my head. I needed to remember the real reason I was here. I was here to kill Zarek, not drool over some gorgeous vampire. I was in a den of evil creatures, and he was one of them. Now really wasn't the time to do any lusting.

The smile widened and he raised his voice over the music. "What can I get you?"

He had a subtle accent I couldn't identify, and the deep, growling bass made my toes curl. It soothed my nerves in spite of what he was and caused another kind of excitement to bubble in my stomach. God, this was not the right guy to get that good down-low tickle for. Focus, Regan!

I cleared my throat and leaned closer to him. "I'd like to see the owner."

The smirk turned wicked and suggestive. "I'm Zarek. I'm the owner." He scanned my body, eyes finally resting on my throat. The scrutiny made me flush and wish I could hide my neck. Unfortunately, my black tank top and ultra-short shorts didn't leave much to cover up with. People who went into vampire clubs usually favored bare skin and a gothic appearance, so I'd been forced to blend.

Had he fed tonight? Vampires were twice as dangerous when they were hungry. The better question was, had he killed tonight? For some strange reason, I found myself hoping he hadn't. I tried to shake the ridiculous feeling. Even if he hadn't killed tonight, he had in the past. And even if he'd stopped, like Alaric and his brothers, it didn't change what he was, or the fact that someone wanted him dead.

He licked his lips before meeting my gaze again, leading me to believe that he hadn't fed. Great, I wouldn't leave this place without giving a little blood to him, even if I ended up killing him. If a vampire wanted blood, he'd find a way to take it.

"Again, how can I help you?"

I barely kept my curse of frustration to myself. I'd hoped to meet with him in private. Fighting to the death in the middle of his bar was a bad idea.

***

Read the first two chapters of The Devil’s Trap here

Between the Lines by Ivy Bateman

2012-01-21T00:00:00.002-05:00

Please join me in welcoming Ms. Ivy Bateman. Today she shares with us her very first release, as well a little info about her writing and what type of immortal she's like to be.

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:

1) Links to website and list of books with purchase links.

This will be easy! I've only got one book for purchase!

Breathless Press, Between the Lines By Ivy Bateman

I'm very excited. This is my first ebook! It comes out January, 27th/12.

You can also find Ms. Bateman at:
Facebook
Twitter
Blogland

2) How long have you been writing? What got you in to writing?

I've been journaling off and on ever since my aunt gave me a diary for my 9th birthday. I have a giant plastic tote in the basement brimming with angst filled musings that will never see the light of day! I wrote a bit in college, in scriptwriting class and I enjoyed it a lot, but it wasn't until 3 years ago that I started writing with an audience in mind. A local Writer's Group asked if the music store where I work could host a monthly writer's event and I was hooked.

3) What was your first published book? Looking back, is there anything you’d change about it?

As I mentioned in question one, Between the Lines is my first published book. At the moment, and maybe because it's still new, there isn't anything I would change about it.

4) What or Who has influenced your writing?

This may sound a bit cheesy, but the need to be creative drives my writing. If I'm not doing something creative, and writing is the easiest way for me to express myself right now, I get very blue. Writing keeps me sane which is great for the people who live with me.

5) Where do you get your ideas?

It really depends on what I'm writing about. If I'm writing a blog entry I may get an idea from something I've seen that day or done. If I'm working on a short story, when I sit down at the computer, I may only have the tiniest inkling of what I'm going to write. I get in a zone, and things just sort of fall into my head. It's very trippy really.

6) What hinders your writing? (distractions? noise?)

It depends on my state of mind or if I have a deadline. If I'm stressed, everything is a distraction. If I'm in a perfect writing mood, nothing stops me.

7) What genre are you most comfortable with? What would you like to explore?

I really enjoy being silly and making people laugh so I find I'm very comfortable writing in a comedic way. However, I'm a huge Neil Gaiman fan and I love taking a seemingly normal story and twisting it into something very strange and unexpected. I would really like to explore erotic writing with a paranormal twist and yet...still funny...if that's possible!

8) Are you a by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of writer, or do you have to use an outline to put your collective thoughts into some semblance of common sense?

Definitely the former; more often than not when I sit down to write a chapter, I really have no idea where my brain is going to take me. I love it actually. Some of my best ideas have come out of nowhere!

9) Which of your books is your favorite? Why?

I guess I'll have to go with the only one I've written. But in all seriousness, I am extremely proud of it. I hope people enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

10) Do you incorporate some of yourself into your characters? Personality traits? Likes? Dislikes?

What does it says at the front pages of a book? All resemblance to real people is coincidental? If I end up in the characters, it's never really intentional and when a character has a trait like mine or behaves in a way that I would, I don't even really notice until I reread what I've written.

11) What do you think is the perfect hero/heroine? Why?

Perhaps this is because I'm a bit of a Lord of the Rings Nerd, but Aragorn is a wonderful hero; noble, strong, complicated, flawed, brooding, but not afraid of showing his feelings for the woman he loves by giving her a big ol' sloppy kiss in front of thousands of people. Sigh...

12) What is your latest release? Please share the blurb and purchase info with us.

My latest release is of course, Between the Lines. It will be available January, 27th, but it is available now for pre-order!

Breathless Press, Between the Lines By Ivy Bateman

Here's the blurb for you!

Lara Munroe is perfectly fine with the characters in her books having better sex lives than she does, until the night she meets Devin Monaghan.

When erotica writer Lara Munroe heads down to the ballroom to take part in an extravagant book launch, she has no idea her path will finally cross with political writer Devin Monaghan. He's smart, sexy, and roguishly handsome, and the chemistry between them is instantaneous. Lara feels her natural guard slip whenever she lays eyes on him. The thought of a night with Devin becomes more than a little distracting.

Devin, who could have any woman in the crowd to share his hotel bed, quickly sets his sights on Lara. He finds her alluring, beautiful, and intoxicating, and his attraction to the erotica writer had started long before their first encounter in the hotel elevator.

Lara and Devin have their careers to think about, a busy evening ahead, and very little chance for verbal communication. However, that doesn't stop them from coming together. They are both authors, and words are their greatest medium, but even they know that when it comes to figuring out how to get exactly who you want, it could be as simple as reading between the lines.

13) What do you have in the works?

At the moment, I'm working on 2 paranormal stories, but outside of my Ivy life, I'm busy directing and acting in a one act play that I also wrote. Once that's over, it's back to the world of erotic tales!

14) Do you have any suggestions/comments for prospective authors?

Write, write, write. I heard a lovely phrase last month that really helps me when I'm feeling blocked "Just get out of your way and you'll be able to create." The inner critic is an annoyance we all deal with, but the more you write, the easier it is to ignore that demon and really love what you're doing.

JUST FOR FUN:

1) If you had super powers, what would they be? Why?

It's cliche, but I'd love to fly. However, if I couldn't get that ability, I'd settle for super speed. And super strength. Those could be handy when it comes to helping friend's move.

2) If you could be an immortal, what would you want to be? Why?

I have a thing for vampires, but I don't know if I'd want to be one. Perhaps an Elf...again we go back to Lord of the Rings...beautiful, wise, graceful, crafty...I could get used to that.

3) What would be a perfect date for you?

A perfect date is exactly what my last anniversary was: pizza, wine and a great movie.

7) Is there anywhere you’d like to visit? Why?

I would love to visit Ireland and Scotland mostly because I have a lot of roots there. I'd also like to place my hand on a piece of really ancient history. You can't really do that in Canada.

8) Do you have any obsessions? What are they?

I guess I'd have to say that I'm obsessed with the TV show Corner Gas. It makes me very happy and I never tire of it.

9) Do you have a crush on any actor/actress? Who?

When I read this question out loud to my husband he just laughed...yes I suppose I do. Not serious crushes...just for fun. To name a few...Christian Bale, Viggo Mortenson and Michael Fassbender. They are all, not just lovely to gaze at, but fantastic actors.

EXCERPT:
She felt herself grow hot—she knew she was blushing, and she should at least acknowledge his presence, but she couldn't. Devin...she'd completely forgotten the unbelievably sexy Irish writer was one of the seven authors launching a book tonight!

For some time now, she had been hoping to meet him and, had she remembered Devin was part of the book launch, she would have steeled herself for this moment. Ever since Isaac introduced her to Devin's work, she had developed a crazy, high-school crush on him. She loved his rough-around-the-edges good looks and often gazed hungrily at his author photo on the back cover of his books—cigarette in hand, sometimes smiling, sometimes not. Lara usually found smoking to be a turn off, but this didn't seem to be the case when it came to Devin. He had beautiful hands and sexy eyes. When he held a cigarette, it looked as though he was making love to it. Lara found him irresistible.

She snuck a glance at him in the reflective elevator wall. He was lovelier than his publicity photos had ever captured. He was looking at the floor and grinning slightly, a dimple adorably apparent on his right cheek. He ran his hand through his mop of dark brown hair. It gleamed in the light, begging to be touched. Lara immediately pictured his head working its way down her body, her hands tugging at his locks, maybe pushing it to go even lower...

Lara quickly stopped her imagination from running wild and was about to look away when he looked up and met her eyes in the glass. He smiled at her; a shy, slightly knowing smile...one that told her he knew what she was thinking. That was ridiculous. How could he know?

She returned his smile, or hoped she did. She may have just let her jaw drop. She started to attempt a sentence when the door chimed and opened into the lobby. For a moment, neither of them moved; they stood in the elevator looking at each other in their reflections on the wall.

"After you, Ms. Munroe," he quietly lilted.

An interview with Lee Brazil

2012-01-20T00:00:00.038-05:00

Please join me in welcoming Lee Brazil as he dazzles us with some personal information about his writing technique and a tantalizing peek at his personal thoughts on super powers and perfect dates.

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:
1) Links to website and list of books with purchase links.

Blog

Book Links
Keeping House

Breathless Press
Amazon
All Romance eBooks

Telling the Truth
Amazon
All Romance Ebooks
Breathless Press

Giving Up
Breathless Press
ARe
Amazon
BookStrand
1 Place for Romance

Loving Jacob
Breathless Press
Amazon
All Romance Ebooks

The Librarian
ARe
Amazon
Bookstrand
Breathless Press

And the Prompt Is
Amazon
1 Place for Romance

Word Play
Breathless Press
Bookstrand
ARe
Amazon

2) How long have you been writing? What got you in to writing?

I've been writing for publication for a little over a year. I always wanted to write, even as a child, but somewhere along the line reality and the need to put a roof over my head and food on the table put that ambition on a back burner. When I retired form teaching, I picked writing up again, first as a hobby for my own entertainment, and then a friend convinced me to try for publication.

3) What was your first published book? Looking back, is there anything you’d change about it?

Keeping House was my first published book. It's been out less than a year. If I were writing it today, I'd probably make it longer. I have all these random ideas, and I know they're eventually going to go into a sequel. SO, I probably should have kept going.

4) What or Who has influenced your writing?

I think my writing is influenced by the music I listen. I also take a great deal of inspiration and support from the writing group I belong to, Story Orgy.

5) Where do you get your ideas?

Ideas seem to come from all around. Mostly from people. I mean, I conceive my characters first, and build a plot around them, rather than creating a plot and building characters to suit it.

6) What hinders your writing? (distractions? noise?)

I think my own lack of belief in myself is what hinders me most. I'll sit down and look at what I've written and think "This is worthless". When that kind of mood overcomes you, it's very difficult to put a word on the page.

7) What genre are you most comfortable with? What would you like to explore?

I am most comfortable with contemporary m/m romance. I am venturing into a Regency m/m this year, and *fingers* crossed, will try my hand at a romantic mystery.

8) Are you a by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of writer, or do you have to use an outline to put your collective thoughts into some semblance of common sense?

I have done both. I think that most of the time I have a mental outline to work form, but it's very general. Only twice have I actually written out an entire detailed outline.

9) Which of your books is your favorite? Why?
I think I have to say that Keeping House is my favorite of my stories. The characters really hit home with me, and everything just worked out perfectly.

10) Do you incorporate some of yourself into your characters? Personality traits? Likes? Dislikes?

Yes. How could you help but do that? My characters pick things up from me- like the music they listen to, or their views on fashion.

11) What do you think is the perfect hero/heroine? Why?

A perfect hero is one who overcomes his flaws to be with the one he loves. Or one who makes me laugh, or sigh...

12) What is your latest release? Please share the blurb and purchase info with us.

The Librarian

BLURB:
Valentine Michaels has just taken a vow of celibacy. Adrian Grey intends to take full advantage of that vow to re-create his relationship with Val.

Val is at a crossroads in his life. A college dropout, he's gone as far as he can in his career as a cosmetologist, owning his own style salon. He no longer finds satisfaction in it, though he's put years into proving to his bigoted parents that a college degree and the veneer of straightness aren't the only roads to success. They'd turned their backs on him, and he proved he didn't need them to make it.
His love life is no better than his working life. His relationships always start with a bang and fizzle into boredom, or worse, anger.

Adrian has his own agenda for helping Val: he's been in love with Val since they were freshmen. The intervening years of listening to Val's gossip about his lovers and relationships have taught Adrian just what it was he did wrong all those years ago, and he thinks this time around he now knows exactly how to get—and keep—his man.

Buy Links: The Librarian
ARe
Amazon
Bookstrand
Breathless Press

13) What do you have in the works?

My next release in February is Truth or Dare book #5, Taking the Dare.
14) Do you have any suggestions/comments for prospective authors?
Don't give up. Keep writing, keep trying.
JUST FOR FUN:
1) If you could be an animal, what would it be? Why?

I'd be an elephant. I have memory issues, and an elephant never forgets.

2) If you had super powers, what would they be? Why?

Hmmm...the ability to teleport a cup of coffee to me in bed. I hate getting out of bed first thing in the morning to fetch that cup of coffee.
3) What would be a perfect date for you?

Perfect for me would be a walk in the woods or on the beach to watch the sun rise or set, maybe a glass of wine.

4) Do you have any obsessions? What are they?

Boy, do I. I’m obsessed with a lot of things. Too many to name.

PG EXCERPT: The Librarian
Genre: m/m contemporary romance
Publisher: Breathless Press
Format: all e-book formats

Adrian writing in purple ink stunned him more than the idea that Adrian had a crush on him. After all, they'd been down that road once before. Purple ink was so not Adrian. Black. Or Blue. Traditional. Classic. That was Adrian.

"Yeah, did you like it? Here, grab a cup of coffee and a pastry and let's take a walk." The other man turned and walked out the door, apparently assuming that Val would follow.

Val grabbed a coffee and hurried to catch up with Adrian. Jeez. Now what would he do? He had to let Adrian down gently. No sense ruining what had been a perfectly good friendship. No way could he ask Adrian to help with the redecorating project now. Distance, not closeness, was called for.
"Listen, Adrian, we have to talk. I really meant it when I said I'm not interested in men right now and honestly," he touched the other man's arm sympathetically, "you're just not my type, you know? So, much as I appreciate all the little gestures, I just feel friendship for you, okay?"

The other man's blue eyes sparkled at him, in apparent—amusement? "Are you done, Val?"

"Well, yeah, that's what I wanted to say. No hard feelings, right?"

"Right, Val. Let me set you straight on a few things before we talk about feelings, okay? First of all, I noticed you were down Friday, so I sent you the flower, yeah. I love those bird of paradise flowers. The colors are so sunny and cheerful. Then this morning, I wanted to talk to you about something, and sorry, but the coffee and pastries were as much because I knew I'd be hungry as for you. Yeah, you're hot as hell, but I know I'm not your type. And you know I know it, too. That's why you've been ramming tales about your wild and crazy love life down my throat for the past ten years, isn't it? I've heard about every new man as soon as you've met him, and every break up when it inevitably comes along. Why do you do that, Val? It's not for your own benefit, you know? You've been making sure that I knew that you weren't interested in hooking up with me all these years. I fucking get it, okay? You don't seem to see that I'm not the same man today as ten years ago. And that's your loss, not mine. I've done things, experienced things in the last few years that have helped me define who and what I am, in and out of bed, Val. Too bad you can't say the same."

Val swallowed and pulled his hand back. He shook his head as his brain whirled trying to keep up, to comprehend all the data Adrian threw at him in one long speech. "Whoa. Sorry. I just talk while I'm working, you know? I... Shit...sorry."

***
Be sure to visit Lee Brazil's Blog for more information about his writing.

An Interview with DC Juris

2012-01-19T09:18:00.003-05:00

Please Join me today with a warm welcome to DC Juris and fluffy...

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:
1) Links to website and list of books with purchase links.
Website
Blogspot
Facebook
Twitter

List of Books:

Heterosexual Romance:2) How long have you been writing? What got you in to writing?

"Stars Embrace" - "Echoes of Possibilities" anthology

"Love Revisited: Jacob and Arlite"

"Waiting for Home" - "Hot Shots Volume 2" anthology

Gay Romance:

"Betrayed"

"Relearning the Ropes"

"Buried Treasure"

"Simply Smut"

"Who Better Than Canyon"

"Orion's Way"

"A Good Bargain"

"Dream Come True"

"The Door Under the Bridge"

"Cupid Knows" – "Shot Through the Heart" anthology

"On Solid Ground"

"Nice: The Best Kind of Prize"

"Finding Sanctuary"

"Omarati"

"No Place Like Home"

"Always, My Prince" – "I Kissed a Boy" anthology

Lesbian Romance:

"Nice: Tenacious Bea and the Bite of Destiny"

Bisexual Romance:

"Tailor Made" – "Coming Together: As One"

Transgender Romance:

"Even Guys Cry" – "I Do, Two" anthology

"Actions Speak Louder" – "Toybox Silence" anthology

"What the Lady Wants"

2) How long have you been writing? What got you in to writing?
I've been writing since before I entered kindergarten. It just always seemed like what I was meant to do.

3) What was your first published book? Looking back, is there anything you’d change about it?

My first publication came at the tail end of 2009, and it was a short story called "Even Guys Cry" for the "I Do, Two" anthology. There's always room for improvement in any story, but I think for first efforts, it did pretty well.

4) What or Who has influenced your writing?

I don't really have any external influences on my writing.

5) Where do you get your ideas?

They just pop into my head.

6) What hinders your writing? (distractions? noise?)

The only thing that hinders me is finding time. Otherwise, I can write anywhere, under any conditions.

7) What genre are you most comfortable with? What would you like to explore?

I like fantasy and contemporary, and I'll probably stay in those.

8) Are you a by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of writer, or do you have to use an outline to put your collective thoughts into some semblance of common sense?

I write things down as they come to me and piece them together later.

9) Which of your books is your favorite? Why?

I love all of them and they're all favorites for different reasons. I really enjoyed writing "Finding Sanctuary" because it allowed me to go to places I hadn't before in sex scenes.

10) Do you incorporate some of yourself into your characters? Personality traits? Likes? Dislikes?

Not usually. Some of my characters and I have things in common, but it's not a conscious choice.

11) What do you think is the perfect hero/heroine? Why?

I don't think there's any such thing as a perfect hero or heroine. Everyone is flawed.

12) What is your latest release? Please share the blurb and purchase info with us.

My latest release is a fantasy m/m called Betrayed. It's not like anything I've written before. It's very dark and emotionally challenging.

Blurb: Two years after he lost his soul mate to the war, Faldor still pines for Meldrick. His world is turned upside down when Meldrick appears on his doorstep late one night, seemingly back from the dead. Finally escaped from a prison camp, Meldrick protects a dark secret—one that could rip their rekindled love apart if Faldor ever learned the truth. But the longer they're together, the more questions come up. What really happened two years ago? How did Meldrick escape the prison camp after so long? Is Meldrick still the man Faldor fell in love with? Can Meldrick reconcile who he is with who he was and move beyond his treachery, or will betrayal win?

PURCHASE

13) What do you have in the works?

I have 24 WIPs right now, featuring familiar faces and new ones.

14) Do you have any suggestions/comments for prospective authors?

Don't give up. Find an established author who is willing to give you some pointers. Be willing to listen to criticism - your words are not gold, and they may not, in fact, be salable. Chose your publisher wisely. Buy several books from several genres from each publisher. Ignore weather or not you actually like the story - pick it apart from a professional point of view. What do you think of the cover? How is the editing? What does the formatting look like? Are there plot holes an editor should've picked up? Are there name and/or eye color changes for the characters? Are there any of your personal pet peeves in the book? (Like characters referring to each other by their first names every other line, or things like "man pussy" or "man tits," or things like impossible sexual acts - people bending in ways only circus performers could achieve or lubeless anal sex). Write your answers down. If they're not favorable, then steer clear. No, it won't matter that your story is a shining example of How to Write Good 101 - if the other works at the publisher suck, you'll be lumped in the suck pile right along with them. Trust me.

JUST FOR FUN:

1) If you could be an animal, what would it be? Why?

Probably a bird, just for the views.

2) If you had super powers, what would they be? Why?

Invisibility. And no, not just to steal stuff and get away with it. LOL It'd also come in handy for avoiding douche bag individuals I have no desire to interact with.

3) If you could be an immortal, what would you want to be? Why?

If I could be immortal without being a vampire, you mean? Yeah, I'd take that. I find the concept of immortality fascinating. I wouldn't be one of those whiny "oh, ::sigh:: the world is dying around me" pussy immortals. I mean, think of the things you could impact - the changes you could watch.

4) If you could change three things in the world, what would they be? Why?

Gender equality, for a start. Why? Well, I'm transgender. I'm a male who was born a female. It's not easy, and we're still - legally - discriminated against in some states. GLBTQ equality. Why? Because it's doesn't matter what the gender orientation of the person I sleep with is, it doesn’t impact anyone else, it's no one's business, and it's certainly no reason to treat me like a second class citizen. And finally, a cure for cancer. For obvious reasons.

5) What would be a perfect date for you?

I'm not very picky. I've been on dates to fancy restaurants and plays, and then I've also been on a date to McDonalds and Toys R' Us. What's important is who I'm with. Nothing else really matters.

6) Is there anywhere you’d like to visit? Why?

Nope. I hate to travel. You're lucky GayRomLit is a recurring thing, or I'd never leave my state.

7) Do you have any obsessions? What are they?

Hmm…No, actually, I don't think I do.

8) Do you have a crush on any actor/actress? Who?

Nope. I'm a person who is more attracted to personality than looks, and since I don't know any of them personally… Don't get me wrong, Gerard Butler is fun to look at, but that's as far as it goes.

***
Thanks so much to DC Juris for sharing some personal information. Be sure to check out the excerpt for Betrayed.

Betrayed by DC Juris

2012-01-19T09:16:00.001-05:00

Author Name: DC Juris

Book Title: Betrayed

Genre: m/m fantasy, BDSM

Publisher: Breathless Press

Purchase: Here

Format: Adobe Acrobat, Palm DOC/iSolo, Microsoft Reader, Mobipocket (.prc and .mobi), Rocket, Epub

Blurb:

Two years after he lost his soul mate to the war, Faldor still pines for Meldrick. His world is turned upside down when Meldrick appears on his doorstep late one night, seemingly back from the dead. Finally escaped from a prison camp, Meldrick protects a dark secret—one that could rip their rekindled love apart if Faldor ever learned the truth. But the longer they're together, the more questions come up. What really happened two years ago? How did Meldrick escape the prison camp after so long? Is Meldrick still the man Faldor fell in love with? Can Meldrick reconcile who he is with who he was and move beyond his treachery, or will betrayal win?

Excerpt: R rated

Objections sprang to his mind, but Meldrick ignored them. Trust me, Faldor had said. He owed Faldor his trust. He eased himself down, curled his legs underneath him, and pillowed his head on Faldor’s lap. Faldor’s hands roved over him, rubbing his arms, his neck, his back, down his thigh and back up again. The warmth of Faldor’s touch was a soothing balm to his frazzled spirit. Meldrick stiffened as Faldor’s hand dipped a little lower in its exploration. “Fal...”

Faldor’s hands stopped immediately. “I won’t do anything you say nay to, and I’ll stop anytime you ask me to. But trust me for a moment or two.”

Meldrick gnawed on his lower lip, but at length he nodded. Faldor continued the touches, teasing and petting his body, stroking his hair. He shivered as Faldor lifted the bottom of his tunic and pressed one hand to his chest, slid the other hand down into his breeches. Meldrick’s hips surged forward the moment Faldor’s flesh met his, and a moan escaped his lips.

Faldor leaned down and pressed kisses to Meldrick’s temples as he worked Meldrick’s cock with long, slow strokes. “Seek what you need, my love. Let me give it to you.”

Unable to bear Faldor’s touch in silence, Meldrick cried out, rocking his hips. But as the pleasure soared through him, so did the doubt and self-revulsion, unwelcome as the emotions were. He tried to push them away, tried to focus on the feel of Faldor’s hand, warm and tight, the feel of Faldor’s soft, pliant lips.

Meldrick became aware of a distant, almost phantom itch some- where in his body, though he couldn’t quite place where. He clawed at his arms even as he realized what he felt wasn’t an itch at all, but a need. While Faldor’s touch made his cock hard and his heart flutter, it wasn’t enough. He needed—the gods save him—he needed pain.

He shook his head and tried to push Faldor away. He didn’t think poorly of anyone who did that kind of thing—what two (or more) adults did was their own business, so long as they were agreed on it. But Faldor wouldn’t agree to this out of mutual interest—only in the interest of pleasing Meldrick. And that was something Meldrick couldn’t allow. But the more he struggled to get away, the tighter Faldor held him.

“It’s all right,” Faldor murmured. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

Tears rolled freely down Meldrick’s cheeks. “I know.” And that was the problem.

***

Be sure to check out the author interview with DC Juris to find out more about his writing.

Mandy and the Cowboy Mogul by Angela Claire

2012-01-18T00:00:00.007-05:00

AUTHOR: Angela Claire

TITLE: Colorado Dreaming 5: Mandy and the Cowboy Mogul by Angela Claire

PUBLISHER: Siren Publishing

GENRE: Erotic Western Romance

PURCHASE: Bookstrand

BLURB:
Everybody seems to think widow Mandy Parker is some kind of a Jezebel. Never mind that her two marriages to older men were never consummated or that her experience as a seductress is a myth. When a handsome cowboy happens into town, Mandy figures that if she's going to be cast in the role of the temptress, she might as well try to play the part in earnest and at least get the benefits.

Aidan Munroe has just taken over the railroad his family owns. When Mandy seems intent on seducing him, he decides to play a part himself, pretending to be a simple cowboy looking for work and claiming he just doesn't believe in "having relations" before marriage. He doesn't know what he enjoys more—the incredulous look on Mandy's face or her blatant attempts to disabuse him of the concept.

Will Mandy and Aidan ever stop playing their parts long enough to fall in love?

EXCERPT: Adult
God, she was fucking perfect, just as he’d always known she would be. He’d initially meant to have her undress for him in some tawdry striptease while he watched immobile, but the loveliness of her naked body overwhelmed him.

He’d had to let his cock out or else he’d come in his pants. Breathing heavily, he wanted to have her straddle him and ride him to a well-needed orgasm. But somehow, the complacent look on her face as she came to the bed at his behest made him change his plans. As much as it killed him to wait, he wanted to tease her some more before he gave her what they both wanted.

So he pulled her facedown over his lap. Not her face in his cock, though that would have been nice, but rather so that her pert little ass was over his thighs in just the right position for what he had in mind.

He leaned over to whisper in her ear. “You know what else I’d like, Mrs., er, Mandy?”

She shook her head. “Not really, but there’s not much I can do for you in this position, Dan. Now if I wriggle a little lower…”

She proceeded to demonstrate, apparently envisioning giving him the blow job she’d never even gotten to get started on last time, but he clapped one hand over her soft butt cheek, keeping her firmly in place.

“It’s not what I want you to do to me. It’s what I want to do to you.”

She stopped wriggling and looked over at him. The surprise on her face coupled with the tensing of her butt almost made him laugh. He caressed her silky cheek softly. “I want to…oh, I shouldn’t say it.”

This time she didn’t prompt him to, apparently unsure of the direction of his thoughts. Instead she said, “If you let me up, Dan, I can—”

He brought the flat of his palm down on one cushy butt cheek, rather lightly actually, though from her squeal you’d think it was a lot harder. He rubbed her ass, following the slap, and whispered, “I want to spank you.”

“You do?” she asked weakly.

For all her experience, it appeared Amanda was a little naïve in some areas herself. Actually, he didn’t get off from spanking a girl, but he knew it was fairly common, and God knows it’d been offered to him often enough by the experienced mistresses he’d had in the past. Personally, he usually got off more on feeling a woman’s ass while he was fucking her than he did on slapping it, but somehow he felt like Amanda really needed a good spanking, and he didn’t mind giving it to her.

AUTHOR BIO:
Angela Claire's first love was romance novels, but she resolved to give them up temporarily for law books (which were considerably less fun). In a quest for a 'responsible' career, she headed off to Harvard law school, obtained her diploma and settled into a corporate law practice in New York city...which she hated! After staying in the rat race long enough to pay back her massive student loans, Angela returned to her roots in the Midwest and is now raising two active boys and working as a lawyer at a more leisurely pace than big city law firm life would allow. She writes in her spare time and finds romance in real life with her husband of 24 years. If you would like to contact Angela via her email, she would love to hear from you.

The Bradford Sister's Trilogy by Anna James

2011-12-26T15:36:00.003-05:00

Season’s Greetings Everyone,

I’m Anna James and I invite to take a break from everyday life and get lost in a world filled with passion, drama, and of course, romance! Today I’m here to tell you about my Bradford Sisters Trilogy.

Meet Nicole, Natalie and Kate Bradford:
Guilty As Charged – Bradford Sisters Trilogy #1
Nicole’s Story

Passion ignites between Nicole Bradford and Max Paradis the second they lay eyes on each other. Nicole seems to be everything that Max is looking for in a woman. She’s sweet and loving and incredibly sexy. But looks can be deceiving. Hadn’t he learned that the hard way?

Nicole is crazy for Max. He is sensitive, caring, and his kisses are to die for. But when secrets from her past are revealed will she be found innocent, or is she guilty as charged?

Purchase
Watch the Book Trailer!

Shattered Dreams - Bradford Sisters Trilogy #2
Natalie's Story

Natalie and Reed seemed so happy when they got married just a few short months ago, but an unexpected pregnancy and a subsequent miscarriage throw their marriage into turmoil.

Natalie deals with the loss by burying herself in work. Reed is supportive but doesn’t understand why she is spending so much after-hours time with her handsome, sexy boss. And what about their dream of having a family? How can that happen when with each passing day Natalie becomes more distant?

Will Reed and Natalie find a way to work things out, or will all their dreams be shattered?

Purchase
Watch the Book Trailer!

Coming Soon

Shattered Illusions – Bradford Sisters Trilogy #3

Kate’s Story

Four years ago Kate Bradford met Raffaello D’Onofrio while attending a semester abroad. Rafe ran the family vineyard in the Lazio region of Italy but the thing that attracted her to him most, besides his ruggedly handsome good looks, fathomless deep blue eyes, and well-toned body, was his love of art. It was a passion they shared.

He had been the perfect man as far as she was concerned and in a few short months she fell deeply in love. She had thought that love was returned. Then she found Annalisa De Luca in his apartment wearing nothing but the shirt Rafe had been wearing the evening before. All her illusions were shattered. Distraught and wanting to escape the pain of Rafe’s betrayal, she returned to her home in Chicago, IL.

Now Rafe is back in her life and much to her chagrin, she is still attracted to him. How can just one look from those sexy blue eyes affect her so deeply and what is she going to do about it?

Rafe D’Onofrio has just agreed to allow the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art to display his unique art collection—a collection he has always kept private until now. This after learning the museum’s new assistant curator was none other than Kate Bradford. Once he had thought himself in love with her but after her abrupt departure from his life with no explanation he convinced himself it was just an illusion. So why, after all this time, can the mere mention of her name still send his pulse soaring? And what is he going to do about it?

Will Rafe and Kate shatter the illusions of the past and find love again? Or are they too much to overcome?

Thanks for stopping by and learning about the Bradford Sisters.

Please visit my website to learn more about me and my books or visit me at Facebook.

Happy Reading,

Anna James

An interview with Raine Delight

2011-12-14T00:01:00.006-05:00

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:

1) Links to website and list of books with purchase links.

Secret Cravings Publishing

Haunting Magic book Trailer

2) How long have you been writing? What got you in to writing?
Been about five or so years…I am a dedicated (read-obsessive) reader who got tired of reading about wimpy heroes & TSTL heroines who had to have the man rescue her. I wanted to read of tough characters that had hearts of gold, who loved as passionate as they hate. A friend dared me to write something if all I did was complaining and I did. J After a few drafts of really bad books that are sitting in a drawer somewhere, I got it right with Devon Falls series and Sticky Magic was born.

3) What was your first published book? Looking back, is there anything you’d change about it?
Sticky Magic (Devon Falls 1) was my first book I ever wrote and it still amazes me people love this story. I had tinkered at it and I am very proud of this latest version now available from Secret Cravings Publishing.

4) What or Who has influenced your writing?
Actually I love the story of how JK Rawling started out in the business, writing on scraps of paper at coffee shops and whatnot. She is huge and her series, Harry Potter, is still going strong.

5) Where do you get your ideas?
My muse is a crazy nut who loves to drive me nuts giving me story ideas at weird times, such as just as I am drifting off to sleep or walking around town running errands. Just about anything can inspire me-from a newspaper article to a song lyric.

6) What hinders your writing? (distractions? noise?)
Finding time to write. Between my day job, family and kid activities, I run myself ragged sometimes but I try to fit writing in at least once a day-even if it’s just 500 words or so.

7) What genre are you most comfortable with? What would you like to explore?
I love the paranormal genre as I can have my favorites-vampires, shifters and more-pop in and fantasy is a favorite as well. Just something about elves that makes me swoon. J I am branching out by trying my hand at science fiction/futuristic Ménage (MMF) and M/M stories.

8) Are you a by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of writer, or do you have to use an outline to put your collective thoughts into some semblance of common sense?
I can’t do an outline to save me from drowning. *shakes head* My muse hates them and the one time I did an outline, my story did a total 360 and went in a direction I never expected. So know I just let the characters go nuts and pray it will sound ok. J

9) Which of your books is your favorite? Why?
Actually don’t have just one favorite per say. Haunting Magic was a hoot to write since the heroine Jaxon, was a spitfire and determined not to fall for the bad boy Rodrick but I also have a soft spot for a few WIP’s I am working on.

10) Do you incorporate some of yourself into your characters? Personality traits? Likes? Dislikes?
I try to incorporate something like my love of books, chocolate maybe coffee but my characters are each their own person, so to speak. J

11) What do you think is the perfect hero/heroine? Why?
I think a perfect character is an anomaly. I love imperfect characters, with flaws and vulnerabilities. That tough nut with a heart of gold. Those call to me more than anything….all those layers to explore in their personality.

12) What is your latest release? Please share the blurb and purchase info with us.
My upcoming release is Moonlight and Magic, a brand new, never been published Devon Falls story. It is a story of a lonely tiger shifter who finds the woman meant to be his when he visits his friend in Devon Falls. He just never anticipated falling for her like he did.

Can a tiger shifter convince one stubborn woman that she is his for all time and show her that falling in love is just as sinful as a chocolate kiss?

Michael Barnes is a rare white were-tiger and is tired of roaming around the world alone. Meeting his destined mate was unexpected as well. Dixie Sinclair is fun, sexy, and everything he feels he doesn’t deserve. The past has a way of coloring a person’s life and it’s up to Michael to show Dixie that he is the one to hold her heart.

You can find it at Secret Cravings Publishing and its releasing December 26^th, 2011 as of right now.

13) What do you have in the works?
Currently I am going over Fantasies Unbound, my sensual fantasy romance for Secret Cravings for an early 2012 release then I plan to finish a few manuscripts I had started but put aside to work on five months of edits for five books. J I am eager to delve into new stories, characters and more. I plan to get a sci-fi ménage ready to submit to publishers plus two new trilogies I am working on getting out as well as a cowboy/western M/M novella. Lots going on with my muse…I just hope I can get it all done before he sends me new ideas.

14) Do you have any suggestions/comments for prospective authors?
enjoy yourself, write, write, write as much as you can whenever you can and keep learning the craft.

JUST FOR FUN:
1) If you could be an animal, what would it be? Why?
It would either be a panther or a lioness. Love the way the animals move.

2) If you had super powers, what would they be? Why?
I think the ability to pop in and out of places…would save on gas and my carbon footprint would be nonexistent. J

3) If you could change three things in the world, what would they be? Why?
That LGBT community would get equal rights no matter what; that climate change is acknowledged and acted on to change or reverse its effect on our planet and for chocolate to be never ending.

4) What would be a perfect date for you?
Anything I do with my honey is a perfect date night, be it watching a dvd at home to going out to dinner-sans kids-and dressing up. J

5) Is there anywhere you’d like to visit? Why?
I would love to visit Ireland, United Kingdom, Scotland, Italy and Greece. Just so I can explore their rich historical sites and experience being out of the states.

6) Do you have any obsessions? What are they?
Oh god…CSI shows, Criminal Minds (the original not that stupid spin-off), Cheesecake from Cheesecake factory, Vin Diesel and Johnny Depp movies. J

7) Do you have a crush on any actor/actress? Who?

Well considering my muse is a cross between Johnny Depp, Hugh Jackman and Gerard Butler…you get the idea who I lust after. *grins*

Thanks Shannon for having me here today. I had fun.

Thank you, Ms. Blaine, for joining us and sharing a little bit of yourself with the readers.

Be sure to check out the excerpt for Moonlight and Magic.

Moonlight and Magic by Raine Delight

2011-12-14T00:00:00.005-05:00

Title: Moonlight and Magic

Author: Raine Delight

Series: Devon Falls 5

Publisher: Secret Cravings Publishing

Genre: Tiger Shifter/Paranormal Erotic Romance

*Coming Dec. 26th, 2011*

BLURB:

Can a tiger shifter convince one stubborn woman that she is his for all time and show her that falling in love is just as sinful as a chocolate kiss?

EXCERPT--ADULT RATED:

With a sigh, she finished her drink and turning to stare out into the night in the window, wishing she was elsewhere. Just then, a man stood behind her and made her gasp in surprise. Before she could turn around, she felt him come up behind her, his arms sliding around her waist with a steel grip as his breath tickled her neck. She shuddered as she tried not to cream her panties right then and there. He was masked and from what she could see in the window’s reflection, tall. Everything inside her screamed ‘DANGER’. He was an alpha, though how she knew that she didn’t know, but as her gaze caught his, her pussy spasmed with a need that had her wanting more.

He leaned down and she shuddered as his lips teased her ear, his breath hot against her skin. Closing her eyes, she tried to keep her balance while trying to keep a moan from coming out. A lick against her neck had her gasping, and she leaned against him, or tried to, anyway. His hands held her in place as the man played with her ear and teased her with soft licks against her skin.

“I want you, Dixie, and I plan to have you…tonight.”

The huskiness of his voice had her trembling as she tried to stop the soft moan that passed through her lips. Her pussy gushed more at his words and the excitement that raced through her had her on edge.

Without another word, he turned her around and smiled a sinfully wicked smile that left her breathless. Need raged hot inside her and before she could think clearly, she pulled his head down and kissed him hard. Slipping her tongue inside his mouth, she dueled with his as she pressed herself against the hard male body and felt her own body awaken even more. The desires that she used to have such a tight control on raged unchecked through her, and she didn’t give a damn who saw them at that moment. She wanted this man, and she was going to take him—damn the consequences.

***

Be sure to check out Ms. Delight's author interview.

To find out more about Raine Delight's writing, please visit her:

Zenward's Magic by Clare Dargin

2011-11-18T00:00:00.004-05:00

Title: Zenward's Magic
Author: Clare Dargin
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: DCL Publications
Purchase at Amazon
Format: ebook

Blurb

Plagued by a demon his entire life, Marius Zenward will stop at nothing to free himself from this horrible curse. Captivated by his mystery and torn by her desire, Corrigan Heilyn longs to be with him but is held at bay by the horrible secret that follows Marius from town to town.

Will the magic that he possesses set them free?

Excerpt

Corrigan Heilyn's desire for Marius was palpable. Her body cried out for his touch. His strong heavily muscled arms gently caressed her body and held her close. The gentle musk from his skin tickled her nose as she leaned in close to feel her lips tap against his stubbled chin.

Marius parted his lips allowing his ruby red tongue to peak through. They licked her lips ever so gently before she parted hers allowing it to slip inside her mouth. His kiss was ever so sweet and gentle. Yet her body was on fire. As he pulled her close only one thought was in her mind...

I need you.

***To find out more about Ms. Dargin's writing, please visit her BLOG.

Devon Falls 4: Haunting Magic by Raine Delight

2011-11-16T00:01:00.042-05:00

Author Name: Raine Delight

Book Title: Devon Falls 4: Haunting Magic

Genre: Contemporary/Paranormal Erotic Romance/Wolf Shifter

Publisher: Secret Cravings Publishing

Purchase: Secret Craving Publishing

Tentative Release: Nov. 21st, 2011

Format: E-Book

BLURB:
A wolf shifter finds that falling in love is not the only problem he has. Can he convince Jaxon that his love is true?

For wolf shifter Rod Dracon, finding his destined mate just got harder, for the woman his wolf wanted was none other than Jaxon Sinclair. A woman who would sneer and quip about his life, but he couldn’t deny that she called to him on a primal level. Now the question is can this wolf shifter claim his mate before she walks away….forever.

EXCERPT:
He looked even better close up though she damn well wasn’t going to tell him that. He had a swelled head as it was, considering all the honeybees that swarmed all over him. She mentally gathered her defenses. If she didn’t know better, she would have thought she was in lust with Rodrick, impossible as seemed from the way they sniped at each other. Shaking her head slightly, she felt his gaze move to her and heard his startled breath as she walked up to the porch.

“Hey, Rod, slow night?” Jax asked. Her eyes drank in the way his muscles bunched under his t-shirt. She felt her stomach clench, though it could have been the anticipation of food that waited inside the dark mahogany doors. The way he was watching her had her nerves on edge. She didn’t know what the hell his problem was, but Jax was determined to get in and out with her order before Rod pushed her buttons. She just was not up to dealing with him tonight.

“Yeah, seems everyone is getting ready for the Halloween costume dance tomorrow. What are you up to tonight? Got a dinner date?” Rod growled at her, his eyes shining with a glow that almost made Jax take a step back before she caught herself.

Shaking her head, she said, “What the hell is wrong with you tonight? I was going to have dinner with Grady, but he got short-staffed and had to cover tonight. I just wanted to see if I can grab a take out from your mom.” J

ax marveled at how normal it was between them. Though she thought the hair on his arms bristled at the thought of her on a date, it probably was her imagination. Rod wasn’t interested in her, just the ones who wanted a good time and an easy lay.

“I am sure my mom would love to give you something since everyone knows you can burn water without even trying.” The smile that tugged at his lips had her eyes go wide then narrow in annoyance.

“What the hell would you know about cooking, you jackass? I bet you couldn’t make something if your life depended on it,” she sneered. Her hands closed into fists and she was tempted to smack him for being so damn annoying. If she didn’t know better, she would have thought there was a smile lingering on his smug face.

“Oh, are you challenging me, Jax? Can’t take the fact that I may actually know something you don’t? Want to take that to a test?” Rod leaned forward, stroked a finger down her nose, and said softly, “Afraid that maybe I can do something that will make you readjust your opinion of me?”

Jax was stunned by the clenching of her pussy as he traced his finger down her nose. If she didn’t know better, she could have sworn there was a flare of interest in his eyes; though it could have been that she was moon-mazed or something. Jax tried to still the weak-kneed response to him touching her as she tried to form an annoying response.

“You can boil water? Oh, my god!” Jax looked up at the darkening sky and then back at Rod. “Wow the sky hasn’t fallen yet. Did you pay off Heaven or something? Has Hell frozen over and no one told the Devil?”

The smile that played on her lips had him growling low in his throat. Jax didn’t know what to think when Rod yanked her to him and said, “You have a death wish don’t you Jax? You really don’t want me to show you that I can do that and so much more.” His voice was low and husky; Jax felt her bones turn to mush as he nipped her ear. He turned her on, no two ways about it and damn it, why him? He has to be the most annoying man on this planet yet he also was sexy as sin and damn it to hell and back, he made her want him with every inch of her being. Trying to shove away from him was like trying to hit a rock with an open palm. He was an immovable object and his eyes, she could have sworn, glowed faintly.

“Will you please let me go, you ass?” Jax tried to keep her voice strong and pissed off but dang it; he was making her stomach do flips every time he nipped her ear. “If you really want to prove to me you can cook, fine. I swear it is like your male ego got in a snit or something.” She huffed and blew her breath out when nothing else seemed to make him let go, though if she were honest with herself, she liked his hands on her body. Still, it wasn’t like she was going to tell this idiot that. No telling what else he would do with that information.

“Is it possible that I can go grab some food before I die of starvation? I swear if that was your goal tonight, Rod, you are not doing a very good job.” Jax said as she felt his hands glide down her arms then let go, the lack of his touch almost had her keening for more. This attraction she had for him was getting out of hand, especially since she and Rod rubbed against each other like oil and water.

Her treacherous body leaned into him before she caught herself and as she glared at him, she didn’t know what the hell was going on tonight but for some reason tonight he was determined to drive her insane.

“Go get your take out, Jax, but tomorrow, make no plans for the evening. I got something to prove and frankly, I am more than a pretty face, Jaxon. I think it’s time for you to see what else I can do besides be the resident “Lathario” as you so charmingly call me.”

“Fine,” She snapped at him, disgusted with her at the way her body aroused from the way his voice. “If it makes your fragile male ego happy to prove something, come on over and frankly it better be edible please. Nothing frou-frou or stuff that I cannot pronounce for god’s sake. I get home about six so come by after that.”

The next thing she knew, he leaned over, snatched her from her spot on the sidewalk and smiled as her eyes widened. “Jaxon, if I didn’t know better, I would say you are intrigued by me making dinner for you. If this keeps up, I think I am going to have to show you some of my other hidden talents.” Then before she could form a coherent thought and punch him, he leaned forward and laid his full wet lips on hers, teasing her with a light caress of his tongue and with light firm kisses until she was panting and flushed. Before she could form a sane thought or even think of pushing him away, she kissed him back, teasing him with hard kisses as her tongue dueled with his as her arms wrapped themselves around his waist. With one last reluctant kiss, he stepped back. His eyes glittered in the moonlight and Jax saw his arousal strain his jeans. “Now the deal is set, Sweets. I will be there around six-thirty so don’t be playing the ’I am late’ game, I will be waiting for you.” Then he sauntered away back into the Inn, leaving her body primed for something and ready to kill him.

Raine's Biography

Raine Delight loves to be pampered by her harem of men that exist solely for her pleasure. Wait…..that was in a movie she saw. Hey, she can dream. Raine loves to fight with her muse, attack her manuscripts and find a way to silence the many voices in her head. Inspiration hits at odd times and for Raine, a blank word document page gives her many possibilities on story ideas. Living with her two kids, a significant other who supports her every move in writing and doesn’t mind that she talks about her books like they are real people and doesn’t seem to mind she gets up at 2 am to type away on the computer. With a love for Johnny Depp, movies and 80’s hair bands, Raine finds a way to bring all her chaotic thoughts into a story that tells her readers about love and romance.

Raine Delight is a pseudonym of a self-professed book lover and after one too many TSTL characters, decided to see if she could write something a little better. Well many drafts later, the Devon Falls series came together. Check out my book pages to see what is going on with me. My muse us a male nut who likes to leave me to go sip mai tais on the beach and leave me floundering for words; though eventually he takes pity on me and gets my works flowing and charactesr start settling down.

Personal notes: I live with my own boytoy and two kids. I love Johnny Depp movies and enjoy hiking, reading, and watching movies with my family.

***

To find out more about Raine and her writing, please visit her at:

Shadowfire Press
Secret Cravings Publishing