Friday 27 February 2015

Weekend Reading

The jungles of Colombia, a holiday on a beach or ‘The’ Club. Where will you meet your soul mate?




Title of book: Nate's Naughty Nymph (The Doms of Club Mystique 5)

Name of author: Mardi Maxwell

Genre: Contemporary erotic romance

Description of main characters:

Nate McLeod, age 31, 6'4", black hair, blue eyes, operative for a global security agency.

Nymph Lachlan, age 27, 5'9", blond hair, soft brown eyes, DEA agent.

Setting: Dallas, Texas, the jungles of Colombia, and Rendezvous Texas.

Length: 186 pages

Blurb:

Nate was left for dead by Mendez' drug cartel. He's determined to protect his sons and has no time for vanilla relationships. Nymph is more interested in her job than marriage but she wants Nate. She’ll submit in the bedroom but be his equal partner in their pursuit of Mendez.

What’s hot? Nate likes to play sex games but he's reserved the best one for the right woman—Nymph. He calls it Interrogation of the Sexy Double Agent.





Title of book:  The Beach Boys: Summer

Name of author: Berengaria Brown

Genre: MM, erotic, contemporary

Description of main characters:

Craig Darnell: mid 30s, olive skin, brown eyes, brown hair, long lean build

Seth Tyler: 35, very tanned, dark hair, almost black, almost black eyes, more muscular, broad shoulders

Setting: Two Waters beach

Length: 20k

Blurb:

Saber Crouch is ready to settle down and find his soulmate. But everyone at Two Waters beach where he is vacationing is already with a partner or family. Until he sees Moses Sandler. Moses doesn’t believe he’s worthy of having a partner. He feels old and fat. But he can’t help being drawn to Saber.

What’s hot?: Craig has a very sexy body piercing




Title of book: Rescuing Cade

Name of author: Elodie Parkes

Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance with a sprinkle of vanilla BDSM

Description of main characters:

Cade, nearly thirty, 6'2 and muscular, eyes are cornflower blue and dreamy. Usually clean shaven but on weekends and vacation he's known to sport a shade of stubble, dark hair slips through your fingers and his lips are enticingly kissable.

Marissa, nearly thirty and works in advertising, slender and reasonably tall but still only comes up Cade's shoulder in her spike heels, eyes are dark and hair is a cloud of brown falling down past her shoulders, very independent and protects herself fiercely from losing that.

Setting: A lovely leafy river side city and surrounds, where The Club, the street market, Cade's and Marissa's offices and their homes are located.

Length: Words 28,605

Blurb:
Cade’s trying to get over a broken heart when his friend Jack takes him to a nightclub, named only, The Club. Although at first Cade is shocked by the place, he meets Marissa. It’s not long before they get together, but under the pressure of expectations from, The Club, and Marissa’s fear of commitment, they’re both running in opposite directions.

What’s hot?: Every single love scene.



Wednesday 25 February 2015

Writing a new genre

The latest post in the series of authors talking about writing a new genre is from Marion Webb-De Sisto talking about writing horror….



In 2012 a Canadian publisher asked me to write a short horror story for a proposed anthology. Although I’ve always enjoyed reading horror stories, the thought of writing one had never occurred to me. I write paranormal/ romance stories, some erotic, some not, as well as non-fiction books. The previous year I’d written an erotic paranormal/romance novella for the same publisher. It was included in an Adult Only anthology. So I decided to try my hand at writing a horror story.

I had no idea where or how to begin, but suddenly a scary situation was creeping around in my head. What if a man was travelling home from work by train and he was speeding into a strange green fog? Would something happen to him and the other train passengers, or would they all arrive home safely? With this situation in mind I began a new writing experience – creating a tale for the Horror genre.

The story took shape quickly and easily, it was no more of a task than writing about love developing between paranormal beings. I’m a sucker for romance. J Non-fiction needs plenty of research, but painting a picture of a man travelling on a train wasn’t a problem. In childhood I made my way to holiday destinations by train. As an adult I’ve journeyed to and from work and visited places of interest in the same manner. I can certainly describe the setting in which someone is sitting in a moving train. In addition, I enjoyed breaking away from the various difficulties, anxieties, or pleasures that plague and thrill the characters I write about who fall in love.

The publisher accepted my story and it can be read in the anthology ‘The Speed of Dark’, which offers a number of scary tales. Mine is entitled Into the Fog and I trust it gives a person a few chills, especially if s/he happens to be reading it while travelling on a train. The tag line is – Drive home, don’t take the train. This anthology has received several glowing reviews that suggest it’s “not for the faint of heart” and “keeps you up all night reading… and trembling.”

Since creating the short horror story I haven’t felt inclined, or been asked, to write another one, yet I’m sure I would feel happy to do so if the occasion arises. Publishers and readers want a happily-ever-after ending to books about romance, but horror situations often conclude in creepiness and a sense of uncertainty, or even fear. Those aspects appeal to me.


Here is an excerpt:


Eric looked at the window and watched the swirling density change from off white to dirty grey, and then a sickly green. What could make the fog become such an unnatural color? Perhaps some toxic chemical had been inadvertently released into the air? He was grateful to be on the train and not outside, having to breathe in that possibly harmful fog.
As he continued to stare at the window, the fog thickened so much that it seemed to be pressing against the glass. He could almost swear he saw the window buckle slightly under the pressure. That was ridiculous. Eric wanted to look away, but felt compelled to watch the fog. Now, it changed back to thick, twisting strands of greenness that bizarrely looked like elongated hands. Then, a ghoulish face suddenly peered in the window and grimaced at Eric. This startling act completely unnerved him. What was wrong with his eyesight? He must be hallucinating. Fog was just fog and nothing more.
Eric looked around the carriage to see if anyone else was noticing what was happening outside. The two young women were no longer giving it their attention. Some passengers were engrossed in newspapers or books, while others were busy with their laptops or iPads. No one appeared to be interested in the weird green fog.


Thank you very much for your interesting post, Marion. Next month it's the turn of J R Gray talking about writing fantasy. 




Monday 23 February 2015

Having a laugh

I had a laugh – a friend was introducing me as an author to some of her friends and they naturally asked what I wrote.

I said erotic romance… and that I was also coordinating an anthology (the Men for Hire anthology for Luminosity Publishing). One of them gave me a strange look and asked if she could check what I had said…

….she thought I had stated that I was coordinating an orgy!!!!



Nope, not this time. That’s my next project! LOL

Friday 20 February 2015

Weekend reading

An alternative universe called Ashdown, a Boston nightclub or a haunted forest… where will you find your true love?


Title of book: Abigail's Acquiescence - Portraits of Submission 1

Name of author: Tara Rose

Genre: Erotic Fantasy, consensual BDSM, MFM menage

Description of main characters:

Abigail Dawson - 30, dark hair and blue eyes, works in IT, divorced

Prince Jarrett - 48, dark hair and hazel eyes, a prince of Ashdown who likes bondage and impact play

Prince Colton - 47, medium brown hair and blue eyes, a prince of Ashdown who enjoys blindfolding a submissive

Setting: an alternate universe in a kingdom called Ashdown

Length: 40K

Blurb: When Abigail Dawson is compelled to buy an erotic painting in an antique store, she discovers it’s actually a portal to an alternate universe. Once there, she’s forced to become a sex slave to princes Jarrett and Colton, but quickly gives her heart to them as well as her body.

What's hot?: flogging, spanking, paddling, caning, bondage





Title of book: Susceptible to Him (A Risso Family Novella)

Name of author: Lynn Burke

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Description of main characters:

Lia Risso – 25, 5’2”, long, dark hair and brown eyes

Ryan Walsh – 33, 6’2”, longer dark hair, scruffy, blue eyes

Setting: Boston, present time

Length: Roughly 13k

Blurb: One dinner…one night of dancing and flirting with the attraction between Lia and Ryan, puts them both in danger of heart break.

They have a choice—open themselves to the possibility of hurt or walk away, never knowing what might have been.

What’s hot?: A hot encounter in the dim hallway of one of Boston’s night clubs.





Title of book: Unbearable

Name of author: Wren Michaels

Genre: Erotic Fairytale

Description of main characters:

Rose Red: Fiercely independent and provocative, on a mission to free her family from the evil wrath of Hestor the dwarf sorcerer.

Marcus: Raw, animalistic and soulful, searching for a way to end his curse.

Setting: Haunted Forest, Historical Fairytale

Length: 22,000 words

Blurb: A twist of fate puts Rose's life in the hands of a mysterious stranger. Marcus is a bear by day, man by night, thanks to a curse. But Rose may be the key to getting his kingdom back, as she breaks one spell and puts him under another.

What's Hot?: Light Bondage and Self-pleasure


Wednesday 18 February 2015

Character Profiles

This month’s character profiles are from ‘Chasing Emily’ – the second in the Duoterra series:




Name – Emily Dubois

Book – Chasing Emily

Love interest – Finn and Robin

Age – 45

Hair/eyes – Dark with red tones – long and curly/grey eyes

Height/weight – Voluptuous – big bosom and hips

Looks – attractive

Other – Owns the bar in Frontier, is a widow, has a son - Derek



Name – Finn Taylor

Book – Chasing Emily

Love interest – Emily

Age – 34

Hair/eyes – Blond with a fringe that flops into his eyes/green eyes

Height/weight – Short and wiry

Looks – good looking

Other – Is a travelling musician



Name – Robin McPherson

Book – Chasing Emily

Love interest – Emily

Age – 29

Hair/eyes – Dark brown, short/brown eyes

Height/weight – Tall and well built

Looks – good looking

Other – Is a carpenter in Frontier



Blurb: On the colony planet of Duoterra, unattached women are expected to marry one or more men. But Emily Dubois, a widow in her forties who owns the bar in Frontier, loves her independence too much and the freedom to have sex with whomever she wants—particularly the young men of the area. When she is caught in a compromising position with fun-loving, cocky Finn Taylor, a travelling musician with a commitment-phobia, the Judge insists they marry, much to her horror. However, the ceremony is interrupted by another lover—serious, protective, hunky Robin McPherson, who’s been in love with Emily for years, but she keeps rejecting his proposal as she had such an awful first marriage. Both younger than her, the men are jealous and fight over Emily, but ensuing events mean that they have to work together to keep their woman from fleeing them. Can they do it? 


Review on Bookstrand: I love the older woman, younger man books. This series I so enjoy and look forward to reading more. Emily is a strong woman who doesnt want a man like her deceased husband. BRAVO! Jennifer - I cant wait for another


Buy links:




Monday 16 February 2015

Something you never knew about me

Something you never knew about me…




I have a large birthmark on my left elbow! You can just about see it, slightly covered by sand! 




And lots of little red moles all over the main part of my body. These are called ‘cherry angiomas’ or something like that! You get them in middle age and are the result of blood vessels bursting near the surface of the skin. (I was worried when I first started getting them that I had skin cancer!!)

You can just see the one on the inside of my boob in this photo.


Friday 13 February 2015

Weekend reading

Shapeshifters (of an unusual sort), high school friends or triplets. Take your pick!



Title of book: Wolfe and His Bunny

Name of author: Susan Laine

Genre: MM, Paranormal, Shapeshifters, contemporary

Description of main characters:

- Max Wolfe: short-cropped black hair, hazel eyes, glow golden when in wolf form, big and brawny, muscular and beefy, hairy body.

- Peter Bennett: blond curly hair, green eyes, a cute little twink, button nose, small jug ears, buck teeth, slender figure, a preppy look.

Setting: An unnamed city, the suburbs

Length: 31k

Blurb: Wolfe is a century old Alpha werewolf for a small outcast pack. He hasn’t yet found his mate. One night he catches an alluring scent and gives chase to a cute but surprisingly reluctant guy. Though smart, funny and headstrong, Peter’s a rabbit shifter. And wolves and bunnies don’t mix, do they?

What’s hot?: Hot sex in half-shifted form in the woods





Title of book: Awakening the Willow’s Heart

Name of author: Jacqueline Anne

Genre: Erotic romance

Description of main characters:

Miya Jenkins - when the story begins Miya Jenkins is a junior in high school and it ends after she graduates from college and starts her own event planning business. She has long blonde hair and fairy green eyes. She is 5’6” tall with an athletic build. She is a cheerleader and gymnast, a hardworking student, and starting her career early.

Caden Walker – he is a senior in high school in the beginning. He plays football throughout the story, graduates college, and goes to the NFL. He is built like a brick wall at 6’3” and well–muscled.

Setting: Their high school and college years take place in Ohio. They take a spring break vacation to Florida. Near the end of the book, Miya moves out to California.

Length: 82,092 words

Blurb: Coming from a troubled home where no on loves her, Miya turns to her best friends. She’s focused on success, all while enjoying what life and men have to offer. But her best friend, Caden, wants more. Will he be able to break down the walls she built around her heart?

What’s hot?: Miya enjoys being with different kinds of men and all they have to offer.





Title of book: Passion's Fury

Name of author: Julie Shelton

Genre: BDSM erotic menage romance

Description of main characters: 

The heroes are Simon, Caleb, and Ash Rafferty, identical triplets.  Black hair, sapphire blue eyes, they are 6'4" and extremely handsome and fit.  They own an airfield and their own charter company.  Simon is the usual pilot, although they're all pilots, Ash is a professional photographer, Caleb is the sheriff of Passion Lake.

The heroine is Kylie Ferrell, who is on the run from whoever blew up her house.  She is beautiful, voluptuous and curvy with dark brown hair and chocolate brown eyes.

Setting: Passion Lake, Virginia

Length: 106,799 words

Blurb:
The attraction between Kylie Ferrell and identical triplets Caleb, Ash, and Simon Rafferty is instantaneous and combustible.  But she’s the target of a mob hit.  And when she is kidnapped, they launch a desperate search to find her before she is ripped from their lives forever.
What’s hot?: Sex in a dungeon


Wednesday 11 February 2015

Great reviews

I do love it when I have some great reviews as these two, recently, on Bookstrand’s website for the two books I have out in the ‘Haunt of the Wolves’ series:


For ‘Collared by Wolves’ there was a five star review saying, “Wonderful and awesome book. Loved it.

A reminder - this is the blurb: When Natasha mistakenly ventures into a werewolf club holding submissive trials, a rogue alpha fights a pack of three beta wolves for her. She flees. Is the frightened by BDSM or their animal aspects. Determined to try again she is kidnapped by an evil pack. Her four men have to work together to rescue her.






And for ‘Torn Between Two Lovers’ – another five star review saying, “I really loved this book.”

Blurb: When submissive shifter Evie, runs out on her werewolf Dom, Stefan, she is attacked by rogues, but rescued by a human, Jace. As she recovers they begin to fall in love. But Evie is torn between Jace and his sensual, romantic ways or her old BDSM life with Stefan. Human or werewolf? Gentle or rough?




Thank you! J

Monday 9 February 2015

Self publishing

Welcome to Elizabeth Poynter, a lovely writer I recently met who is going down the self-publishing route so she kindly agreed to do a guest post about her experiences starting with her profile on Amazon.


For some strange reason I decided to study Chinese at university in the days when hardly anyone did that - only three of us graduated that year - which started me off on my travels. I lived in China for two years in the '80s, when foreigners were weird and exotic beasts there, and later seven years in Japan.


My great interests are languages and history, and these interests inform my writing. I've always loved science fiction, and started writing in that genre years ago, though I've also tried my hand at historical novels and non-fiction. I don't write 'hard' science fiction - I'm more interested in the characters and the culture. 

Over the years I've developed a whole galaxy of different species who interact with humans, their languages, religions, and key 'historical' events. You can read more about this world on my website (see below).



Self-publishing with Kindle Direct

Why did you decide to go down the self-publishing route?

Well, I've tried regular publishers and agents on and off for years. They told me my stuff was 'of publishable standard' but just not quite right for the market. In particular, SF is really hard to place in the UK. OK, nowadays the world has opened up and I could have tried to publish in America, but I'd got really disheartened. Then a friend happened to mention Kindle Direct and I thought: Why not?


Do you have to be a real techie to do it?

I thought that might be the case; my friend is an IT lecturer. But actually, unless you're still at the stage of writing by hand or on a manual typewriter, it's pretty straightforward. I spent quite a bit of time just reading the KDP website info - it's really well-organised and tells you exactly what to do at each stage. And then if something goes wrong, or there's something you don't quite get, you can email them and they get back pretty quickly. For instance, the first time I uploaded a book it came up with just the text and no images. Apparently when you convert a Word document to a Web page you need to put it in a zip file before you upload it so all the images go too. They not only told me this but also sent step-by-step instructions.


So what are the advantages, and is there a downside?

What I really want is for people to read my books. Anything that gets them out there has got to be a plus. And with KDP, I'm in control - I decide what I want the cover to look like, the blurb, the price, the publication date, everything. The downside is I could be getting those things wrong. And just getting the books published is only the start, as I'm now discovering - they offer a few promotional tools like Countdown deals, where you reduce the price in a particular marketplace for a limited period, but really, it's down to me, and self-promotion isn't one of my strengths.


What advice would you give to anyone thinking of self-publishing?

I'd say, go with KDP first, and if you start selling think about CreateSpace, also an Amazon company doing print-on-demand. Of course there are people out there who'd rather read on paper, but not that many, and if you're only selling small numbers it's probably not worth doing a whole new format and learning a whole lot of different IT skills. Read everything carefully and look on Amazon at what a few other authors have done. Use Amazon's Author Central and any other facilities they offer you. And don't expect to become a best-seller overnight. You're not likely to become a millionaire either. But if you just want a few more people to read your work, it's not a huge amount of effort and it's really satisfying to see your stuff there in the online store.


Extract from A Tale of Two Women:



Tania, one of the two protagonists, has been captured by the Yol, a feline species at war with the Federation . . .

For the first time, it occurred to me that more than chance might account for my preservation so far.  With the exception of the Dalonje, who had been the last to die, I had been the only woman in the civilian party.  To the Yol, with their sharp gender-distinction, all men are potential warriors and those who do not fulfill that potential are failures and probably cowards, worthy of no respect.  But women are different.   Yolyt women do not fight and are closely-kept.  The base's garrison was of course entirely male.  Was there, perhaps, some degree of sexual curiosity in Asgar's feelings for me, huge, hairless and ugly as I must appear to him?
     I freely admit that if I had had any idea as to what would attract him, I would have used that knowledge without shame.  When in the presence of my captors I had put thought aside and lived only in the moment.  Perhaps this showed in my eyes for his own blood red ones slitted in speculation, and I felt the shock of his stare in a hot flood through my body.  Instinct took over and dictated my response.  Unobtrusively I arched my body so that my breasts were thrust forward, at the same time running my tongue over my lips.
     There was a charged silence.  I could see the conflicting emotions run through his tensely poised frame.  When finally he moved I knew he was going to either kill me or take me; I'm not sure even he knew which.  I was filled with the breathless, heart pumping excitement which comes when you push things to the edge.  He seized me by the shoulders and then transferred the grip of his right hand to my hair, pulling my head back as he dug his claws into the matted strands.  For a moment I believed he was going to break my neck and hoped it wouldn't hurt too much, but I made no move to escape because it would have been futile, but kept my gaze fixed on his.  Then his left hand moved to twitch aside his apron and my head was forced towards his sexual organs.
     It could have been a lot worse.  He was clean, a good deal cleaner than I in fact, and close to his body had a faint spicy odour which was not unpleasant.  I did my best, and being strongly aroused he climaxed vigorously and quickly.  When it was over, instead of releasing me he kept hold of my head with both hands, running his thumbs lightly over my throat.  I knew that this moment was even more critical, if possible, than the earlier moment of decision, for now there was no desire to be satisfied. 


My website:

My Amazon author page:



Thank you so much, Elizabeth, for this most fascinating insight, and good luck with your work.