Guest Blogger – Kacey Hammell

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Author Interviews, books, Decadent Publishing, erotic romance, Guest blog, Kacey Hammell, romance author, romance authors, Romantic Suspense

Today we’d like to welcome author Kacey Hammell to the blog. With a love of contemporary settings, modern day romances and the happily ever after, as well as the excitement of suspense, Kacey creates stories in genres she’s familiar with and that she loves most. She also loves vampires who nibble the necks of the heroines, ghosts who can’t leave a loved one, shape-shifters who are sexier than hell and the thought of her very own werewolf or were-cat to tame makes her tremble! Locked in her office, at her computer, she lets her lusty and exciting characters lead her through their trials and tribulations, love and their adventures. Detectives, P.I.’s, musicians, club owners, sassy and headstrong women all come to life in her heart and on paper.

Her latest release from Decadent Publishing is Illusions, available now. After the interview there is a blurb and an excerpt for your enjoyment.

What genres do you write besides Romantic Suspense?
I’m working on a paranormal (witches, telepathy, clairvoyance)/ Ménage series. I have another Paranormal (Ghost) WIP. I have 2 other Contemporary Romances currently available and more in progress.

Do you write to music? If so what was the sound track to Illusions?
A lot of time, I do listen to music while writing. With Illusions, it was a mix of pop, easy listening tunes and a few Nickelback songs.

What is the most you have written in one day?
I wrote just over 21k in one day, on a WIP, which is now being considered with a publisher. It was a story that just grabbed hold of me and I needed to finish it before I could even go to bed. Normally I don’t write so much in one day but it just poured out of me. I was exhausted but thrilled.

What are you currently reading?
Celebrity in Death by JD Robb. One of my fave authors/series.

You have to jump out of a plane w/ a holey parachute or edit your 100K MS by hand, what. do. you. do?
Oh for sure, edit the 100k story. I mean, really, why the heck jump out of a perfectly good plan? *g*

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Some yes. I think all authors project something from their lives or someone they are close to a little bit in their stories. I firmly believe that there has to be some personal touches to a story to make it more believable, intimate.

What are your current projects?
The ménage/paranormal series. As well as the sequel to Illusions (which is in edits with Decadent Publishing), the sequel to my self-pubbed title, and a few more contemporaries.

Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
There isn’t just one. I’ve a few authors that have been greatly supportive since I started writing again. Rosalie Stanton, Sara Brookes, Stacey Kennedy, Patricia Rasey, Sandra Sookoo, Jaci Burton. Their support has meant so much!

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Starting the story. Many times I’ll just start writing scenes, then put them in order, develop more of those scenes, then the beginning starts to take shape. Those couple of opening chapters is the worst to get started for me.

Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
I have many favourites, JD Robb/Nora Roberts, Suzanne Brockman and Jaci Burton top the list. I never miss any of their releases and haven’t been disappointed in anything they’ve written. I think the connection between the characters, their likeability to a reader is just one of the many great things about these author’s stories. I remember every characters/relationship and the journey they have had. I can’t say that about all stories I’ve read by others.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
That life is wonderful after a loss. As Isabella learned in Illusions, I connected with her because of it. Having lost a parent about a year after I’d originally wrote Illusions, going back to revise it/fill the storylines further, I really identified with her more this time around. It’s difficult to push through the pain/grief of losing a parent and there are still days that I struggle with it, and I think working with Isabella again really made me see her in a fuller/deeper light this time.

Do you have any advice for other writers?
Just keep writing. Always be prepared to learn, take criticism in stride and really be true to your voice and the story itself.  Even after six stories written, I still learn from critique partners, authors and readers. If you’re open to learning consistently and understand that an editor is there for you through the process and not every reader will love your work, then just keep on writing. Just share the stories with readers and share in the joy of writing.

Bonus Round:

Coffee/Tea? Tea please.
Cake/Cookies? Cookies – mint Girl Guide hopefully.
Coke/Pepsi? Diet coke.
Heels/Flats? Flats.
BDB/The Order? BDB for sure!
Vampires/Werewolves? Werewolves.
Cats/Dogs? Both – I have one of each. J
Fly/Drive? Drive – living in Canada, I dislike dealing with airport hassles. J

ILLUSIONS
By Kacey Hammell
Romantic Suspense/Erotic Romance
Available at Decadent Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-61333-236-8

Protection. Adventure. Love.
It’s all found within The Arms of the Law…

Detective Isabella Knowles, a tough-as-nails cop, lives by the law, and knows what she wants out of life. And it doesn’t include marriage or all that comes with it. Everything Isabella has ever known seems like an illusion when a new relationship makes her feel more alive than ever before.  She isn’t happy about it and fights it every step of the way.

Burned by his fiancée years ago, seer and P.I., Brady Jacobs never wants another commitment in his life.  But his bachelorhood and heart are threatened when he has one of his visions and see a killer striking too close to the woman he has recently come to love.

Danger lurks close to home and neither Brady nor Isabella like that they can’t control every situation…especially matters of the heart.

Excerpt

Feeling his hands on her, his mouth taking hers, Isabella shivered. His tongue played with hers. His hands palmed her ass cheeks, bringing her hot center into contact with his jean-clad cock. She’d go over the edge in seconds if he kept it up.

Breaking free of his kiss, she craned her neck back to accommodate his exploring mouth and grasped the shoulders of his jacket, relishing for a moment in the smell of leather and hot man. Pushing the jacket off his shoulders in a hurry, her body shook at the precipice of release.

“Brady,” she breathlessly moaned. “Off…want the clothes off now. Please.”

“Bella…Christ, okay…all right.”

He moved a mere half an inch, it seemed. His torso pressed her into the bathroom door as he shook his arms, freeing himself of his jacket, and letting it fall to the floor.

Helpless to keep her hands still, Isabella ran them over his glorious chest, his abs, and made quick work of the button fly hiding his erection from her.

Dipping his head, he caught her mouth with his again, making her moan and her heart quicken.

Hands clawed at hands and the waistband of his pants, as both tried to shed his jeans in a hurry. He took a breath and looked at her, dark gray eyes smoldered. The passion and desire in his gaze made her breath hitch.

He leaned down to pull his jeans off his legs and feet and placed a barrage of kisses against her stomach. Her muscles quivered and her pussy clenched tighter, letting her know she was too close to allow him play time.

“Brady….” His name on her lips died on a moan as he took her right nipple into his warm, moist mouth, drawing it in until it was a tight bead.

Pulling his face up to hers, she breathlessly mumbled between kisses. “No time for this. I’m ready. I can’t take more. Fuck foreplay.” He moaned against her mouth. He wanted this as much as she did. “Just fuck me.”

Decadent Publishing (Lowest Price of $3.99)
Amazon
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Smashwords
 
 
Readers can learn more about Kacey’s books and contact her via …
Website/Blog
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Chat Today!

Tags

Amy Ruttan, Chat, Coffee Time, silken sheets and seduction

HEY, HEY! Today’s regularly scheduled blog post is being moved over to Coffee Time Romance, where the authors of Silken Sheets & Seduction will be chatting in the Latte Lounge all day. There will be give aways and general fun!

Here’s the link to join in the chat: http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/board/forumdisplay.php?f=1877

Here’s our schedule to:

9-11 a.m. EST: Amy Ruttan (me)

11-1 EST: Kharisma Rayne

1-3 p.m. EST: Voirey Linger

3-6 p.m. EST Sorcha Mowbray

6-8 p.m. Lolita Lopez

8-9 p.m. Sorcha Mowbray

9-Midnight: Lillian Grant 

Have a great Saturday!Hope you can make it!

Cover Lust and why I love my CP

Tags

april martinez, coffee time romance, critique partners, erotic romance, erotic romance authors, erotic romantic comedy, Lillian Grant, liquid silver books, male review, reigning men, romantic comedy, silken sheets and seduction

Every good author needs a critique partner. I don’t mean someone who just loves every word you write, they’re called fans.  No I mean someone who is happy to tell you that you suck donkey dick and that you have clearly lost your mind.

I am currently writing book three in my Reigning Men series and I am slowly moving my characters toward a threesome. Now, my men are both alpha males with a complete hands off policy where other men are concerned. One is already in a relationship with the heroine and is very possessive about her. So do you see trouble ahead? How can they possibly get in bed with each other or share a woman?

The whole thing was getting very complicated and difficult to write. I want to get to the sex scene that is playing in my head. The one where my heroine finally gets her men. So I took a short cut, egged on by the Irish Git who is the third wheel and the one currently not getting any. He played his part perfectly and suckered me into taking my other two characters out of character. Hell he has no issues about sharing Maggie the other two are the problem.

Happy I had finally moved the story along toward the sex scene I sent the offending chapters to my critque partner. They came back almost by return email. She hated them and told me my characters had gone wandering out of character. I read her comments and hung my head in shame. She was right. Did I cry? Did I beg her to see it from my point of view? Did I tell her she had no idea what she was talking about? Nope, none of the above. I asked her how I could make it work and she made a brilliant suggestion.  So, I rewrote them and sent them back to her. Thanks to her honesty the characters are firmly in character and things have still moved a step closer to the bedroom.

Really, if you are serious about writing you need to find a critique partner who is serious about helping you. Not someone to pat you on the back and tell you you’re a genius. Someone who tells it how it is. Jane does indeed tell me when she enjoys what I write, and I find sending her a chapter as I finish it keeps me motivated because someone is reading it and waiting to see what happens next.  Each relationship is different but it must be built on mutual respect and honesty. I love Jane and I love reading what she writes and the day she gets published will be right up there on my list of life’s wonderful moments, but for now I am happy to have her on my side helping me to get my characters to bloody well behave themselves…especially you Michael!

Now in other exciting news, I got a new cover. Male Review, Reigning Men Volume Two is out with Liquid Silver Books on the 28th of May.

A nymphomaniac octogenarian great aunt, a frigid mother and a BDSM themed male strip club, what could possibly go wrong?

All will be revealed.

And a huge thanks to April Martinez  for another amazing cover.

And finally, don’t forget to come and chat with us at Coffee Time Romance all day Saturday. Lots of fun and giveaways.

Guest Blogger: Ella Drake

Tags

Author Interviews, books, Carina Press, erotic romance, Guest blog, new release, romance, romance author

I’d like to welcome my friend Ella Drake to Silken Sheets today. Ella writes for Carina, Liquid Silver Books, Lyrical Press, Samhain and is soon to be published with Ellora’s Cave. Today she’s sharing her latest release, Desert Blade.

Welcome, Ella!

I’m always interested in the hero of the story. What do you love most about him?

Derek Covington is a noble man. Trained as a National Guardsman, he’s a protector. But that doesn’t mean he’s not foul-mouthed, brash, and unrepentant at the same time. I love that about him. Noble, sweet, and rough around the edges.

How is building a post-apoc world different from other settings?

There’s a sense that life could be better. It’s not something that can be overlooked, whether the apocalypse happened far in the past and people aren’t sure how it happened, or if the apocalypse just ended life as the characters know it. So the outlook, the view of the world and expectations are completely different, even if the setting is still very similar to what we have now.

Some quickie questions–
Leather, lace or naked?

Leather pants, naked chest.

Favorite underwear on a man?

Boxer briefs.

Sexiest book you ever read?

This is such a difficult question! There are so many books I like to read that I’d say are terribly sexy. It’s my favorite kind of book! I’ll have to beg to give two answers. The romance novel that first appealed to me in a “that’s sexy” kind of way was Shanna by Kathleen Woodiwiss. I still re-read it every year or so. I find it still has that sexy feel to it no matter how many times I read it. The other is one of the first e-books I read from the mid-nineties. In Heat by Leigh Wyndfield (re-released from Samhain in 2008) opened my eyes to the world of erotic sci-fi rom and futuristics. It was the kind of book I’d been looking for and I still enjoy re-visiting that story.

Desert Blade by Ella Drake
Now Available from Carina Press

When the world ends, only a hard body will do.

A post-apocalyptic romance needs a warrior. A big strong alpha male who can take care of everyone around him and still be the kind of man a woman could fall for. It’s a tall order. Especially when the woman in question is a smart, self-sufficient doctor who can take care of herself.

In Desert Blade, Derek Covington didn’t survive the collapse of civilization fully intact. He’s damaged in heart and body. Who better to help him than a doctor he’s had passionate dreams of for the past decade? Doctor Lidia Sullivan has also survived, but she’s buried her heart and her long dormant libido. But someone as vital as Derek awakens those passions. And it’s those passions that allow them to reach each other again even in a world that’s utterly in ruin:

A crash and a swoosh sounded to her left. Smoke clogged her nose. Derek hissed. “Fucking Molotov.”

It happened too fast.

Everyone else from the trucks was ahead, scrambling from the platform through the train doors. Derek broke into a run, pulling her faster than she’d ever run, and shoved her toward the steps of the train. His hold never left, but yanked her around. He loomed over her, his eyes glittering. Red streaked across his cheeks; his chest heaved. Angling to bring her up against his uninjured side, he cupped the back of her neck and tilted her face up to his. His breath fanned across her, and her legs went weak, sending her falling against his side.

“You are no longer my doctor, Lidia.”

“No,” she breathed.

His mouth covered hers in a sweet caress. For seconds, they suspended there, the point of contact aching with need. Then his lips parted and his tongue pushed the seam of hers. Her chest warmed and she let him inside. The kiss turned hot, desperate and consuming. A shudder shook beneath her feet, and Derek broke away.

In the post-apocalyptic Midwest, now a ravaged dust bowl, former guardsman Derek Covington must find help for a sick boy. With nothing but memories of all he lost, Derek crosses the desert alone in search of the doctor who saved his own life ten years ago. Drifter gangs who loot and pillage don’t dare come near, for Derek has a formidable weapon: a prosthetic arm with a deadly blade.

For a decade, Dr. Lidia Sullivan has fantasized about the handsome guardsman who’d been in her care. And now she can’t deny his dangerous request. But as they make the treacherous journey back to Old St. Louis, they must contend with much more than fierce desert winds and their unthinkable attraction. A fearless gang has spotted Lidia—a rare woman—and will fight Derek to the death to get her. And though he risks his life to save her for the sake of the child who needs her, she fears there’s one thing Derek will never risk: his heart.

Available from CarinaPress.com | Amazon | B&N | AllRomance

Thank you for letting me visit and share Derek and Lidia with you!

Author Interview – Regina Cole

Tags

Author Interviews, Ellora's Cave, erotic romance, erotic romance authors, Guest blog, new release, Paranormal, Regina Cole, Sexy, Sinful Truth, Supernatural

Welcome Regina Cole! I am excited to have you join us at Silken Sheets today to talk about erotic romance and your latest release. Without further ado, let’s get to the good stuff…

What genres do you write besides Erotic Horror Romance?
Contemporary Erotic and paranormal erotic under Regina Cole and mainstream contemporary and paranormal romance under my other ego, Gina Lamm

Do you write to music? If so what was the sound track to SINFUL TRUTH?
I use Pandora Internet Radio for my writing playlists, usually. I like the mix of familiar and new music that focuses on the mood. For ST, I mostly listened to my Angelspit station, which has music from KMFDM, The Birthday Massacre, Kidneythieves, and Mindless Self Indulgence, among others. Thick, gritty, dark music that helped to set the mood of this paranormal slasher erotic horror romance. (how’s that for a genre, huh?)

What is the most you have written in one day?
My current record is 8,700 words. I did that last fall on a novel I was determined to finish before a conference. It worked, I finished, and subsequently got a contract from the editor that I pitched to.

What inspired you to write your first book?
Escape. I was in a very dark transitional period emotionally, and I used writing to escape from it. In an odd sort of way, it was really therapeutic, and helped me to make some tough decisions and move forward with my life. Writing has profoundly changed me for the better.

How did you come up with the title?
It was a group effort. The working title of this book was “Truth Keeper”, which is the sort of curse that Verum, the hero, has. But “Truth Keeper” didn’t accurately reflect the erotic side of the book. So between me, my lovely editor Carrie, my crit partner Denise, and my beta readers Heather and Dawn, we had a week-long title chew. The winner was Dawn, who came up with SINFUL TRUTH.

What are your current projects?
Well, juggling two writing personas is definitely more of a challenge than I’d expected. As Regina Cole, I’m working on editing INDELIBLY INTIMATE, a contemporary erotic romance that’s scheduled for release on July 13th. I’m also working on another erotic horror romance, which is yet untitled. This one will be more psychological horror than SINFUL TRUTH. And all this has to happen around Gina Lamm’s sequel writing schedule, and marketing for both name’s other titles. And full time job. And family obligations. So, yeah.

Do you see writing as a career?
Absolutely. This is my job. This is my future. I will be a full time writer within the next two years, so I’m treating it like my bread and butter now. It’s definitely challenging, but it’s what I want to do when I grow up.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Staying on task. I’m one of those people that work obsessively, and slack off equally obsessively. When I’m “off”, so to speak, deadlines aren’t. Finding the creativity and the will to keep working when I’m not feeling it is tough, but you have to keep moving, so I do.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?
With SINFUL TRUTH, it was definitely the genre. I was stepping way outside my comfort zone with this one, and it definitely reflected in my gumption to get it done. I intimidated myself a lot, actually, when it came to writing this book. But once I relaxed and got out of my own way, it came. That’s actually a big problem of mine. Getting out of my own way. I should remember that. *scribbles note to self*

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
I can write any-damn-thing I want to write! It was a mental challenge to get this done, but I’m so stoked with the results. I guess the lesson I got from this was not to be daunted by genre definitions. To write the story that needs to be written, and figure out what the heck to call it later.

Do you have any advice for other writers?
Stick to your guns. My absolute favorite writing quote is this, and I have no idea who said it: “You know what you call a writer who doesn’t quit? PUBLISHED.” And I’m here to prove it. Stick to it. Keep writing. If you want it bad enough, and you work hard enough for it, it’ll happen.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Please give SINFUL TRUTH a chance. It’s different. It’s really really different. My editor said it was the “sexiest and most disgusting book she’s read in ages.” I know that slasher films may not be your cup of tea, and that’s okay! They aren’t really mine either! But the love story between Bryerly and Verum is worth being scared, at least I think so. So step out of your comfort zone and give this one a shot. I really think (fingers crossed) that you’ll be happy you did.

Bonus Round:

Coffee/Tea? Coffee with tons of sugar and flavoring syrup
Cake/Cookies? Lemon Pound Cake, please!
Coke/Pepsi? Diet Pepsi. No question.
Heels/Flats? Heels, but only as long as I don’t have to walk in them.
BDB/The Order? BDB. No question. Vishous is MINE.
Vampires/Werewolves? Vamps. Way sexier
Cats/Dogs? Both
Fly/Drive? Depends on the company and the distance.

SINFUL TRUTH

Bryerly Keats just wants a fresh start. Instead she discovers a group of men who prey on women, devouring them to gain powers and immortality. When the men set their sights on Bry, she’s rescued by Verum the Truth Keeper, an ancient being who sees all, knows all and bears the ugly truths of the world on his broad, lonely shoulders. He’s willing to rescue Bry if she’s willing to pay a price—not just hours of mind-blowing, orgasmic bliss but a lifetime of sharing his burdens. Including the ability to read minds and see the past.

In a town where men do horrible, unspeakable things, being able to hear the darkness of their thoughts is more curse than gift but Bry is willing to do anything if it means ending the carnage…and staying with Verum forever.

Reader Advisory: Sinful Truth is a supernatural slasher romance with lots of hot sex and a hero who’s to die for—literally. If you’re squeamish or object to a nipple clamp or two, you might need a fainting couch for this one.

SINFUL TRUTH Excerpt

“I am called Verum.” He left the bedside to stand near the purple globe.

It glowed brighter when he came near. I sat up on the bed, watching, rapt, as he carefully pulled back the long sleeves of his robe. He had large hands, with skin the color of dark, rich caramel. A shiver that had nothing to do with the warm air in the room skittered along my spine.

I drew my legs up beside me, trying to preserve some level of modesty. “Well, Verum, thanks for saving me from Rafe. I’d be dead if you hadn’t been so wonderful as to help me.”

He turned then, facing the bed. I strained to catch a glimpse of the face hidden behind the hooded robe but to no avail. How could I be this interested in a man I hadn’t really seen?

“I am sorry, Bryerly, but I did not help you because I am a good person. You agreed to pay my price.”

Blood rushed to my cheeks as I remembered the feel of his hardness pressing into my ass. My legs shifted restlessly, trying to dim the longing ache between them. “I did but you’re not going to force me to have sex with you, are you?”

He came closer, his smooth movement unearthly as he closed the gap between us. “No, that is not part of my price. But we will lie together and I’ll have no need for rape. You can hide nothing from me, Bryerly Robin Keats of Percee County, Virginia. Not the math test you cheated on in third grade, not the time you smoked pot in the girl’s locker-room, not the boy you sucked off in your dorm while your roommate slept. And most especially not…”

He paused as he reached out, a long finger raising my chin. I stared into the dark space of the hood where his eyes were hidden. “The way your body clamors for mine.”

My heart thudded so hard it could have cracked my ribs. “How do you know all that? I’ve never told anyone about those things.”

He raised his hands to the embroidered edge of his hood. I bit back a scream as he looked at me. His face was incredibly handsome, masculine, dark and strong, but his eyes were solid white—blank, empty and terrifying.

“Because I am the Truth Keeper.”

Buy a Copy: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-10021-sinful-truth.aspx

Website: http://reginacole.net/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/ReggiCole
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Reggicole

Guest Blogger – Rosanna Leo

Tags

erotic romance, For the love of a god, humor in romance, liquid silver books, romance author, romantic comedy, Rosanna Leo, silken sheets and seduction

“A little sex, a little romance.  A little seltzer down your pants.”  The importance of humor in a love story.

     I love romance, always have.  And I love an evocative sexy scene, one replete with heaving chests, swollen lips and a hero and heroine who are just meant for one another.  When I turn the last page of a romance novel, I want that all-encompassing *sigh.*

But what I like even more is an erotic romance that can make me laugh.  Sounds strange, non?  It may not be as odd as you think.

Allow yourself, for one heated moment, to picture the sex act.  You know what I mean.  Don’t be bashful now.  You can see it as clearly as I can.  Arms and legs flailing.  Sweaty bodies.  The distinct possibility of getting elbowed in the gut if you’re not watching where you’re going.  That sex act. Let’s face it, it can be rib-tickling funny.

To me, humor in a romance is just as important as humor in a mate.  Sure, we’re all attracted by the beauty of the physical form.  However, is it just coincidence that every magazine poll lists a “sense of humor” among the top traits desired in a mate?  Glamour magazine can’t be wrong!  I feel the same way about a good romance story.  I’m drawn in by the cover, intrigued by the blurb.  But in the end, the humor and chemistry between the main characters is what keeps me reading.

To that end, I love heroes and heroines who don’t take themselves too seriously.  They may be as gorgeous as sin, but I never like them to believe it about themselves.  And there’s nothing funnier than a delicious hero being thrust into an outlandish situation.  To me, the perfect example is Kathy Love’s wonderful novel Truth or Demon.  It boasts a delectable, supernatural hero, one who happens to be a demon on a mission.  Sounds pretty serious, right? Not when he’s confronted by a trio of silly, teenage girls who demand he act as a matchmaker for an older sister.

Another scene that has remained with me is from one of Diana Gabaldon’s “Outlander” novels.  In that scene, Jamie and Claire are walking through the bush on a particularly hot day, sweating up a river.  Despite the uncomfortable setting, the sparks between them fly.  Pretty soon they are a slippery, sliding, sensuous mess, unable to keep their hands off each other.  Humorous, but still oh-so-sexy.

A sense of humor shows depth and often intelligence.  It demonstrates awareness.  It’s a character trait we all possess in some measure.  Does it not stand to reason that we’d want to see the same depth displayed in a lead character?

I’m not talking Vaudeville here.  I’m not talking Monty Python.  But give me a romance that tickles my funny bone and I will be your best friend.  I’ll take your heroines who may look like goddesses but laugh at jokes about flatulence.  I’ll love your heroes who look like the perfect Alpha, but are secretly afraid of spiders.  Send them all my way.  I will read about them with a smile on my funny face.

Rosanna Leo has three books being published soon by Liquid Silver Books.  For the Love of a God , a paranormal romance about Greek gods, is available through www.liquidsilverbooks.com.  For more information on Rosanna, hop on over to www.rosannaleo.blogspot.com.

For the Love of a God – Blurb:

Conservator Maia Douglas is an expert on ancient Greece and its mythology. She would never tell anyone at the museum where she works, but she’s always had a secret crush on the mythical Eryx, Greek god of love. There is nothing she loves more than to tend to her favorite statue of him, and her nighttime dreams are filled with luscious images of Eryx making love to her.

One day, the peace at Maia’s beloved museum is shattered when a new director arrives. A man who looks exactly like her image of Eryx. As Maia watches, he manages to upset her ordered museum world, at the same time he inflames her with unwanted desire.

Maia does not know that her new boss is actually the god Eryx, disguised as a mortal so he may work in antiquities. Although he is the god of love, he has forsaken his sexual nature because of a curse that has killed any woman he’s dared to love. Though he fights it, Eryx is drawn to Maia with a force he’s never experienced in a thousand years. But can he convince her of his true identity? And can he protect her from a vengeful goddess who seeks her destruction?

The Almost-Kiss

Tags

erotic romance, first kiss, kiss, love, lust, Reading, romance, sex scenes, Voirey Linger, writing

I can’t think of anything sexier than the almost-kiss. Those scenes that balance on the edge between sense and insanity, that draw out the moment and make it feel like you need to tip over that edge more than your next breath. Loitering in that sexually charged moment of tension is sexy as hell.

There’s more to it than just aborting a kiss or leaving the characters hanging in mid-air, though. It all starts with a thought, that moment when the character glances across the room and sees him there, and a primal awareness hits. There is an acute awareness of him, of his body, of his masculinity. It leads to wondering how that body would feel, what it would be like to be pressed together from ankle to lips.

Those lips draw the attention then. the shape of them, they way they move, the way he smiles. how would they feel? Would his kisses be soft and gentle or would they be hard, forceful?

The characters are pulled by all of this, drawn together like two halves of a whole. the moment is quiet, almost sacred between them. Every move, every heartbeat brings them closer together. Soon they are face to face, his breath is a warm wash over her face and she can almost taste him in the air.

Unable to resist, his head dips, just a little, reaching for her oh-so-slowly, knowing they shouldn’t be doing this but powerless to stop. Common sense tries to intrude, their lips so close they can imagine the scalding heat of skin-on-skin. Hearts thunder, breath catches, and the world ceases to exist.

They might kiss, or the real world might interfere. They might come to their senses or they might cave in to the sheer carnality of the moment.

Whatever happens afterward, that moment, where pure need drives them to forget every reason why they can’t, has snagged me. I need that kiss on a visceral level. There is nothing sexier.

Here is an almost-kiss moment from Forsaking Eternity. Enjoy.

Note: This kiss is m/m

~~~~~~~~~~~~

They reached the language studies building and Adam led Ren inside. Adam’s office held the same quaint charm and timeless appeal as the grounds. Dark wood floors squeaked under their feet as they entered. Two large windows dominated the wall opposite the door, stretching from knee-high to a handsbreadth of the high ceiling. Wooden shelves, their stain nearly black with age, lined the walls on either side of the room and matching wainscoting graced the bare walls. The plaster was a plain white which gleamed in the midday light streaming through the glass.

“Is it too bright for you? I can close the blinds if you’d like.” Adam took a stack of books from a battered chair and set them on his overfilled desk. He began shuffling papers, straightening the desk. “I like the light so I keep the blinds up most of the time. Natural light is much better for working, at least it is for me, but if you don’t like it…”

Adam stood still as a statue for a hesitant second. “I’m rambling, aren’t I?”

“Perhaps a little.” Ren ducked his head and smiled.

“Please, make yourself comfortable. I don’t have much time, unfortunately.”

Ren didn’t move. He couldn’t. His feet were firmly planted on those aging boards, held captive by this man, this simple human. After an eternity of living among wonders beyond this or any man’s comprehension, how was it that Adam, in all his base humanity, could fascinate him so?

“I don’t really wish to sit.” He peeked up at Adam and his gaze caught on the expression on the human’s face.

Adam slowly circled the desk once more until he stood close in front of Ren, closer than socially acceptable, closer than comfortable. Something deep in Ren’s chest responded. It pulled at him, tugged him toward Adam until he swayed.

“Why did you come, Renatus?” The words were a whisper, their speaker so close Ren could feel them ghosting over his own lips.

“I wanted to be with you, if only for a few more moments.”

Ren couldn’t say which one of them moved, or if maybe they both had. He just knew that in the next moment his jacket brushed against the tweed of Adam’s, the near-contact of their bodies so overwhelming that he could feel every fiber as they caught and clung. Adam’s breath fell hot and fast against his face. Ren’s lids grew heavy, his head tilted and he began to lean in.

A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words

Tags

erotic romance, erotica, Fantasy, fetish, seduction, sex scenes, sexuality, silken sheets and seduction

You’ve no doubt heard that old saying, “A picture’s worth a thousand words.” As writers, we labor to create that picture in our readers’ minds with the words, but photographers create those pictures literally.

I recently had the opportunity to see into the mind of photographer Michael Clothier as he developed a series of pictures that he used to tell the story of Carmilla, a vampire who lived before Bram Stoker’s Dracula enthralled readers. Published in 1872 by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, the novella explores the story of a vampire that preys on a small manor and its town.

In the process of selecting models, Michael developed the project descriptions and shared a blurb, just like we do as novelists.  As they understood the project, the pictures grew in their ability to tell the story.

One funny part of this particular shot is that the taller model was so much taller, yet the “victim,” that it presented problems for the other model and from the perspective of the photographer.  Another thing I noticed as a viewer is the subtle sexuality surrounding this image without the use of any overt adult imagery.

Jockeying for position, the boundaries blur as to who is seducing whom here, both for the image itself and the viewer.

Brilliant.

For more on Michael and his work, please visit his website:

Wolfshead Photography

You can like him on Facebook:

Wolfshead FB Page

Real Sex Is Not Romance Sex

Tags

BDSM, erotic romance, love, lust, Real Sex, romance, Romance Sex, safe sex, seduction, sex, sexuality, Sorcha Mowbray

Real sex is not like romance sex. Yup. I know, it’s a shock. Why are they different? Well, romance is fiction and romance writers get to take a little creative license. Where and how do we do that?

Anatomy
We are not all perfectly curvy with an amazing ass, and all men aren’t like a Greek god with an eight inch cock that is as thick as your wrist. In real life we have bellies and hips, skinny legs, and no ass. Men are not really well muscled and their dicks are more like six inches that your fingers can easily wrap around. And I am not even going to start on SFF issues. LOL!

Biology
Would that we all could be multi-orgasmic and do it repeatedly in a night. Sadly, not so much. Especially not for real men. There is such a thing as refractory period, and real men need it. As they get older, they need more of it. Of course, we all know there are exceptions to every rule if you are one or your SO is, then bless you!

Practicality
Okay, now don’t throw rotten tomatoes at me. But, not unlike porn, we sometimes write positions that aren’t comfortable or just sound better than they would be if actually performed. We do try to stick to executable maneuvers, but come on, some positions just aren’t realistic and can’t be maintained through completion. Just saying.

Kink
I love Cerise Sinclair’s disclaimer at the beginning of her BDSM books. She basically cautions that a real D/s relationship takes time to develop and nurture. She is clear that the time lines in her books are escalated for the purposes of the story. Could it happen that fast? Yes. But, is that the norm? Should it be the norm? No way! Trust is earned, and that takes time. Now, I’ll be the first to admit I moved in with Mr. Sorcha Mowbray after knowing him for only two months. I am smart enough to know I took a gamble that paid off. I had doubts and fears even when it seemed right. Trust takes time, and engaging in a BDSM/kinky relationship takes a whole truck load of trust.

Can real sex emulate romance sex? Yes! Every time you create a special moment with your honey or find yourself in the grip of lust, you’re doing just that. There are lots of ways to bring the spirit of romance sex to your real life sex.

Set The Mood
Have a romantic dinner together. Do it at home in lingerie or in public sans panties. Light candles and turn on some music. Recreate your first date.

Talk Dirty
Not a talker? Try it! Tell your partner everything (or just one thing) you want to do to them. Or maybe what you want them to do to you.

Pushing Boundaries
Maybe try blind folding each other or tying each other to the bed with a scarf (loose enough you can escape). Maybe get your partner to swat your butt while having sex. Maybe just have them (or yourself) be more demanding during sex. You don’t have to go crazy with leather, whips, and chains to bring a little romance sex into your life.

Vacation Sex
Go on, admit it. There is something about sex away from real life that lets you be just a little more free. So, go on vacation and be your own heroine with your very own hero. Trying something new there might be a little easier than at home.

So, got any other ideas for bringing romance sex into real life? Share them! I am always curious about ways to keep things lively.

Short Stories As Stepping Stones

Tags

erotic fiction, erotic romance, erotica, Lolita Lopez, selling short stories, short stories, writing short stories

Short stories weren’t always my preferred length. I started out writing long, complex literary novels with a Latina bent (Dirty Girls Social Club was huge when I was in high school) and then branched out into ridiculously slow-paced historical romances reminiscent of Kathleen Woodiwiss. Clearly I was swimming in the wrong literary waters as a teen.

It wasn’t until I reached college that I realized shorter was better. For me, at least. I could bang out two or three thousand words in an afternoon or evening and feel like I’d accomplished something. They were nice little escapes from the drudgery of biochemistry. (Seriously, what the heck was I thinking double majoring in biochemistry and genetics?!) Those short stories would eventually help me figure out what I was really supposed to do with my life—and it sure as heck wasn’t wearing a lab coat and playing with DNA.

Short stories have opened a lot of doors for me. My first sale ever was to Ellora’s Cave on a longish (13,000-word) short story (novelette, technically) aimed at a paranormal erotic romance call. That was way back in 2007—and I haven’t looked back. I’ve sold to nearly a dozen Cleis anthologies since 2009 and placed half a dozen more in various online publications, some of them at lingerie or sex toy sites. (I know, lol.) My self-published short stories under this name and the super-secret pen name have done very well. Last fall, I was even invited to join the bespoke list launching the new Mischief imprint for Harper-Collins UK and have sold a handful of shorts to the line.

So…yeah. There’s money and success to be had in writing short. The key, of course, is writing a good short story. Generally, you’re working with 1,500 to 5,000 words. That’s not a lot of space but you can still build a satisfying tale. And that’s the big issue. Readers don’t want to feel cheated at the end of the story. They want to feel like they’ve taken a journey, albeit short, and reached a satisfying climax.

When writing erotic short stories, I like to think in snapshots. This is one brief moment in time with these characters. I don’t need to know what they did yesterday or what they’ll do tomorrow. I need to know what’s happening here and now. I tend to write fetish or kink or BDSM-themed short stories. I find those snapshots are more intense and more powerful than vanilla sex.

My very short The Tipping Point clocked in at 1000 or so words and was told from the POV of the submissive heroine as she contemplates submitting completely and totally (TPE) to her Dom. She’s been adorned with a beautiful rope harness and finds such comfort in the restrictive bonds. He uses his hands and mouth to bring her to orgasm while she makes her decision on whether or not it’s time to finally give over completely to him.

It’s just the briefest of moments in her life but incredibly powerful. It’s the tipping point that sends her reeling head-first into a world of submission and domination. It takes the reader just a few minutes to finish but when (s)he reaches the end, there’s a sense of satisfaction. The reader took a complete journey with the heroine.

So if you’re thinking of trying a short story, I say go for it. There are plenty of places looking for quality erotic content. Self-publishing is also an option. Some authors even use them as freebies to entice readers on their websites or in newsletters.

They’re also great learning tools and awesome for breaking writer’s block. When I’m struggling through the sagging middle of a novel, I’ll often switch over to a short story because when I reach the end I feel so victorious! Yes! I finished something! Now I can go back and tackle this big book.

Which is exactly what I need to do right now. But maybe I’ll squeeze in a short piece of delicious smut first…