Sunday, March 31, 2013

Meet Thea Landen, author of 'Disintegration'

Please welcome author Thea Landen to the blog today, as she shares with us more about herself and her writing.

What was the inspiration for this book?
It was actually going to be a fanfic taking place before a video game I love in a location that is never seen, only mentioned. Then I realized that 1) it was mostly my original ideas anyway, and 2) there seemed to be a shortage of stories out there involving sex with robots/androids/cyborgs. Everything else has gotten the erotic treatment, so I figured why not?
Which character was your favorite to write?
Ro is one of my all-time favorite characters, not just in this book. She initially comes off as fun-loving and carefree, but little by little, the layers are chipped away to reveal the emotions she tries to hide. She’s also a bit of a smartass, and I had some good giggles when writing her lines.
What is your favorite scene?
Ooh, this one’s tough. There’s a scene near the end that’s both sexy and heart-wrenching (where the reader knows something isn’t quite right, but the main character doesn’t), but I don’t want to give away any spoilers! Other than that, the second time Ro and Callum have sex is one of my favorite erotic scenes. There’s all sorts of teasing and struggling for the upper hand in the relationship before everything finally explodes. I, uh, may have had to put the laptop down and fetch my husband in the midst of writing it….
Do you have any other projects in the works?
Always! I’m working on the final chapter of the sequel to my first novella, Searching the Skies. (The sequel is still unnamed. I need to get on that.) I also have the first few chapters done of my first venture into lesbian erotica. On top of that, I’m also planning on self-pubbing a few short stories through Smashwords that I need to finish editing.
What is the best writing advice you have ever received?
Only use adverbs when they alter the implied meaning of the verb, or, in the case of “said”, the implication of the dialogue. Examples:
Look at her. She’s so pretty!” Jane whispered softly.
“Whisper” already implies “softly”. Take that adverb out!
Look at her. She’s so pretty!” Jane loudly shrieked.
Same with loud shrieks. Delete!
Look at her. She’s so pretty!” Jane said adoringly.
This is subjective, of course, but for me, the dialogue already implies “adoringly”, so I’d remove it.
Look at her. She’s so pretty!” Jane said harshly.
Also subjective, but here, the adverb changes how the reader might hear the dialogue in his/her head. Though context is key, I’d probably leave the adverb in here.
What did you teach when you were an educator?
 
Music, actually. Mostly band, but I sang when I had to. Somehow, music hasn’t yet played an important role in my writings. Maybe someday!
What messages do you hope to send with your writing?
Sex is a vital part of life, and I enjoy fiction reflecting that. I hope to write stories with detailed plots that don’t just resort to the “fade to black” when the characters enter the bedroom.
What are you reading right now?
I haven’t started it yet, but Tina Fey’s Bossypants is next on my list.
What is your favorite role-playing game?
Do I only get to pick one? If you’re holding a gun to my head and forcing me to make a decision, I’ll go with the Phantasy Star series. (The first game of the series is my favorite favorite!) If you’re a fan of old-school games and have never played, I strongly suggest checking it out!
If you could go 100 years into the future, would you?
Nah, I’m happy with the way things are right now.
What is something readers may be surprised to learn about you?
Most of my closest friends are men. This has offered some interesting benefits to my writing – as men typically are more turned on by visual depictions of sex, rather than reading it, their feedback really lets me know if my titillating writings are effective!
Anything else you would like to share?
Thanks for reading this interview and checking out my latest release! If you’re not sure about committing to a full-length novel, I have a set of erotic prequels available for FREE at Smashwords (https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/279206) that introduce the characters and the setting.

Thank you for your time!

About the Author
Thea Landen lives in New York with her husband and a variety of houseplants. A former educator, she strives to encourage creativity and passion in all those around her, and uses writing to help inspire. Though she reads and writes in nearly all genres, she has a special fondness for science fiction and fantasy and anything that pushes the imagination beyond its usual limits. When she’s not writing, or thinking about writing, her hands and mind are occupied by either yarn crafts or role-playing games.

Connect with Thea Landen
 
Disintegration
by Thea Landen
Erotic Fantasy/Futuristic Romance
Categories: Action/Adventure
Publisher: Carnal Desires/Double Dragon Publishing
Release Date: January 28, 2013
Heat Level: Sizzling
Word Count: 53,000

Blurb
Dutiful soldier Callum Renwick wakes up in the underground laboratory of a mercenary organization. He learns he was the sole survivor of an attack that destroyed his unit, his hometown, and his family. In addition to the loss of his loved ones, he discovers that due to his injuries, half his body has been supplanted by artificial skin and cybernetic parts. Once he has recovered, he is assigned to the care of Ro Bernard, who leads the effort to turn him into a powerful assassin. She is outspoken, yet secretive, and uses unconventional means to mold him into a depraved killer. Mind games and rough sex are in her repertoire of training tactics, and Callum is both infuriated and fascinated by her. As he comes to terms with his grief and his new role, many of his biological body parts fail and must be replaced. Will he adapt to survive in Ro’s world and exact vengeance on the woman who ordered the attack that changed his life?

Warning: This title is intended for readers over the age of 18 as it contains explicit sex scenes and/or situations and adult language, and may be considered offensive to some readers.

Read an excerpt:
Her eyebrow flicked up in response to his snide tone. “Don’t sell yourself short. I admit to being curious as to the various ways your…condition makes you different. But I liked what I saw in our initial training sessions. It’s been a while since anyone’s actually impressed me.” The trademark smirk made its appearance again. “And don’t forget, we’ve already been on top of each other.”

Callum didn’t know what to make of her candid statements. Nor could he ignore the memory that flashed through him for a moment of her legs wrapped around his body. “Do you treat everything so casually?” he asked.

“You ask too many questions.” She sighed and shook her head, further mussing the brown spikes of her hair. “It’s just sex, Callum. It doesn’t have to be that complicated. I’ve made it known that I’m attracted to you, and you can do whatever you want with that information. Fucking me doesn’t mean we’re in love, or that I’ll expect anything from you the next day.”

Silence ensued. Ro stood up. “Well, I didn’t mean to take up so much of your time. Enjoy the extra hour or so of sleep. If you need me for anything….” Her sentence went unfinished as she walked towards the door and opened it.

Callum stood up as well, and turned away from her. He remembered her fingers on his skin, and how it had made him feel whole again. The fleeting thrill conflicted with thoughts of how Meyta used to touch him, and sorrow stabbed at him once more. He struggled with the opposing emotions. The desire to cling to what he had left won out. “Ro…wait.”

Her bare feet stopped moving across the floor. Without facing her, he spoke again. “Since waking up here, I haven’t given a lot of thought to…certain things. I don’t even know the extent to which my injuries or the resulting modifications to my body affected….”

The door clicked shut. “Is that all you’re worried about?” she asked.

“It’s high on the list. Don’t you think it’s rather important?” He risked a glance at her.

She was leaning against the closed door, hands tucked behind her back. Her lips curled into a coy smile, and she peered at him through her messy hair. “Only one way to find out,” she said.




Giveaway Info:
Prize is 5 eBooks copies of any title from author's back list (winner's choice; 1 each to 5 winners) PLUS swag (magnets). Contest is tour-wide, open internationally and ends Apr 13. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.
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Friday, March 29, 2013

Meet Sabrina Devonshire, author of 'Message from Viola Mari'

Please welcome Sabrina Devonshire, author of 'Message from Viola Mari' to the blog.

What was the inspiration behind 'Message to Viola Mari'?
A few years ago, I joined a Tucson writing critique group that included world-famous meteorite hunter, Geoffrey Notkin. Notkin was constructing a memoir, recently published as Rock Star: Adventures of a Meteorite Man. Science has always fascinated me—I have a Masters in Geosciences as a matter of fact—so Notkin’s submissions ignited my interest in meteorites and catastrophic asteroid and comet events. I read articles on the subject, ideas started flowing, the personality of the lead character popped into my head and the rest is history.


Which character was the most fun to write?
Definitely meteorite scientist, Marissa Jones. Message from Viola Mari is written in first person from her point-of-view. Since I’m a scientist-type myself and took classes with some folks who got so absorbed in their rocks and minerals, they barely paid attention to their attire; I found it easy to write from her perspective. I hope readers will find her “quirky” personality humorous. She’s an expert in her field, finds primping a nuisance and is socially inept around men. Even though she’s super confident about her competence in her field, outside that realm, she often feels awkward and insecure.

Which scene is your favorite?
I got a kick out of writing the scenes from the science fiction writing class where the students—in particular, Marissa—argued with each other about what was and wasn’t working in their manuscripts. This felt so true-to-life since I’ve taken many writing workshops where people jumped down each other’s throats, getting too personal instead of remarking on ways to improve the writing. I’ve been on the receiving end of destructive criticism before, so I had fun overdramatizing these scenes and making them comedic.


You combine the genres of erotica and sci fi in this book. Do you have a preferred genre?
My aim is to provide readers with a great escape—so they can step outside their stressful lives for awhile and just immerse themselves in a new world. For that reason, my forte is adventure stories set in exotic places. Message from Viola Mari actually reads like straight contemporary suspense until near the end. I don’t consciously decide on a heat level—I just let that part develop. I aim to create sex scenes that are highly descriptive, but also intense in emotion. Expect characters to disrobe each other on beaches, in pools of water, forests, or even in caves.

On what other projects are you working?
A two-book series (Love in the Labyrinths), will released July 1 and July 15 by Extasy Books. Dangerous Descent and The Unseen are both romantic suspense. Here’s the “working blurb” for DD… A catastrophic accident during a Tucson area hike leaves outdoor adventure director Rebecca Devereaux unemployed. After months of being holed up in a dreary department store, Rebecca decides something has to change. When she learns Kent Dunbar is seeking assistants to accompany him on a caving expedition to Vietnam, she applies for a job.

Kent Dunbar believes Mountain River Cave may be the largest in the world. He plans an expedition to survey the cave and have a science channel film their work. In need of assistants to help him with his work, he’s surprised to receive an application from a voluptuous beauty from Arizona.

The two find attraction too hot to handle from the beginning. But Kent’s not used to commitment, both are coping with traumatic pasts, and murderous gem smugglers are on the loose near their camp. Will their tumultuous love affair survive?


What is the best writing advice you ever received?
One of my writing professors, Meg Files, told me to “beware of the easy phrase.” I try to reflect on this whenever I’m writing because certain words and phrases constantly pop in my head and it’s easy to just “settle” for them instead of straining the brain. But I really work at this, because too much repetition will eventually either bore or frustrate readers. I remember I wanted to scream when Anastasia said she felt like “Icarus flying too close to the sun” for the fifth (or was it the 50th) time in 50 Shades.

What is so appealing to you about "going off the beaten path"? Where do you most like to go?
I like travelling to places completely different from where I live so I feel transported from my world of responsibility and “have tos” to where I feel relaxed enough to act on whim for awhile. I also relish the tranquility of places out in the middle of nowhere—an isolated beach surrounded by mountains in Costa Rica, a mountain peak en route to Macchu Picchu, a jungle lodge perched high on a cliff in Guatemala… It’s also fun to be somewhere I’m not easily reachable by phone or email. I get home from work and I have all these calls to make or emails to answer when I just want to collapse in my armchair with a book… I’m also a sucker for adventure, so I like exploring new places and staying active on trips; climbing pyramids, hiking through jungles, swinging on vines, zip-lining, snorkeling, diving, and/or open water swimming.

Being in the water speaks to you. Do you have a different experience in the ocean vs. a pool, for example? How does water help you?
If the water’s clear and warm, swimming in the ocean is amazing. Swimming over an underwater natural world, brilliantly illuminated by sunshine, that looks magnified because you’re peering through a water lens is unforgettable every time. I’ve seen so much beauty swimming, snorkeling, and diving in various locales and I share some of these scenes through my characters’ eyes in my books. My vacation ocean swims tend to be very zen. I swim for as long or short as I feel like it, not worrying about the pace, and I often take a dip in the water several times a day. Sometimes I’ll do backstroke and just stare at the cloud formations. Other times, I’ll hover around rocks or reefs and dive down and swim underwater with some schools of fish. The brilliant colors of the fish and plants never cease to amaze me. I’ve swum with sea turtles, sea lions, and dolphins, but not all on the same day At home, I swim for exercise and mental therapy. It’s my hour during the day to work out my frustrations, enjoy the sensation of moving through the water, and jump out feeling refreshed and alive. Swimming is really one of the best gifts I’ve been given—it gives me my health, more energy, a better outlook and inspires loads of ideas.

What places are currently on your bucket list?
Here are a few of my top picks…I’d like to head to the South Pacific for a week of open water swimming, possibly in Tahiti or Vanuatu, and also dive the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. A memoir I just love called Beyond the Sky and Earth by Jamie Zeppa whetted my appetite for travelling to Bhutan.

What is something readers may be surprised to learn about you?
I’m a book junkie. A contest for a $100 Amazon gift card excites me almost as much as an image of a delicious, scantily-clad male.
Anything else you would like to add?
I wish everyone who celebrates a Happy Easter and everyone else a weekend full of blessings. Holidays are a wonderful time to express gratitude for all the good we have in our lives and to show our family and friends how much we love and appreciate them. Thanks to my family for being so kind and supportive—I love you all! And thank you very much for this interview opportunity

Message from Viola Mari
by Sabrina Devonshire
Contemporary Erotic Sci-Fi Romance
Publisher: Extasy Books
Release Date: January 1, 2013
Heat Level: Sizzling
Length: 157 pages

Blurb
World-renowned oceanographer and meteorite specialist Marissa Jones uncovers evidence that a comet cloud will soon destroy Earth. When aspiring writer and her best friend Jennifer begs her to take a Saturday morning sci-fi writing class, Marissa reluctantly agrees. Writing her real-life story as fiction gives her an astonishing new perspective on the anomalous set of craters she discovered off the La Jolla Coast.

But this favor for her friend stirs up more than scientific results…writing teacher Justin Lincoln goads her constantly and taunts her with his irresistible curly blond locks and steely physique he knows only too well make women drool. Marissa teeters on the edge of anger and raging attraction for this irritating man. But it’s a terrible time to let lust call the shots when the world’s about to end and Marissa’s the only one who can save everyone.

Warning: This title is intended for readers over the age of 18 as it contains explicit sex scenes and/or situations and adult language, and may be considered offensive to some readers.

Reviews
5 Stars from Ellen Cross—“Marissa Jones is a young Oceanographer and Metorite specialist, with a poor track record with men. Driven by her best friend, Jennifer, to join a sci-fi writing class, Mari is forced to suffer the frustratingly personal attention of her beyond mouth-watering, yet insanely irritating teacher, Justin Lincoln. One look at Justin, and Mari doesn't know whether to follow her body's desire to kiss him, or satisfy her mind's urge to punch his lights out. Mari's research into the mysterious craters on the ocean floor, leads her to the discovery that the earth's end is approaching in a cataclysmic event that will claim all life. With no-one willing to believe her research, Mari is left with not only the fate of all mankind in her hands, but a best friend to keep happy, a sexy man to figure out, and a book to finish writing. Simple huh? Sabrina Devonshire has exploded into the sci-fi genre with "A message from Viola Mari". Her beautifully descriptive style with the delicious splashes of witty humour throughout, are a delight for the senses. “Message from Viola Mari” will keep you guessing right up until the very last page.”

5 Star from Dean C. McMillin—“Marissa Jones is an oceanic geologist specializing in studying ancient meteorite impacts. She's tough and serious with little need for anything else in her life ... But, when her best friend talks her into enrolling in a creative writing course, she falls hard for the instructor, Justin Lincoln, much to her embarrassment. Marissa can't believe that she's so attracted to the hunky writing guru. She has to get over her own insecurities and accept the truth of his love ... At the same time, she is uncovering an ancient secret that might mean doom for humanity ... Unless she can find a solution and decipher what she believes is an alien message of hope. Investigating ancient underwater meteorite impact sites with Justin, Marissa becomes involved in life-threatening intrigues in a conflict that leads to an action-packed climax. This was an offbeat novel which I found to be a quick and easy read. The characters were sympathetic and relatable, and writing was clear, the story briskly paced. The story veers quite heavily into science fiction territory near the end, which is set up very well earlier in the book. Overall, a fun, light read.”

Read an excerpt:
Men in my life, in La Jolla and elsewhere, had been few and far between. I spent most of my waking hours working alongside male coworkers who cocooned themselves in polyester and bathed infrequently. My mother suggested taking up tennis and golf to meet eligible bachelors, so I dutifully joined the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club.

On the tennis and golf course, the closest I ever came to a romantic encounter was when a Kevin Costner look-alike handed me a golf ball that had hit him in the head and glared at me. Then there was the titillating conversation I had with a dark-haired police officer after I sent a golf ball reeling through the window of someone’s BMW.

It’s not that I’m out of shape. I’m proficient at running and swimming. But engaging in any sport that requires swinging, balancing or hitting any kind of target—other than an unintended one—is a high-risk endeavor for me.

People often romanticize the typical day-in-the-life of a female oceanographer. They imagine that I stand with windblown hair on the bow of a majestic ocean vessel, my makeup undisturbed after photographing underwater scenes from the safe cocoon of my submersible. But no, I am the woman every mother prays her daughter won’t become. Once a tomboy who petted amphibians and reptiles and collected rows of muddy rocks, rather than dolls, I’m now an employed adult who rarely dons cosmetic products and spends most of my waking hours in a windowless laboratory.

I was completely content with my dirty fingernails, make-up free face, and solitary weekend nights in the lab until one of Jennifer’s schemes landed me face-to-face with a man who transformed my ordered universe into chaos.
Men in my life, in La Jolla and elsewhere, had been few and far between. I spent most of my waking hours working alongside male coworkers who cocooned themselves in polyester and bathed infrequently. My mother suggested taking up tennis and golf to meet eligible bachelors, so I dutifully joined the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club.

On the tennis and golf course, the closest I ever came to a romantic encounter was when a Kevin Costner look-alike handed me a golf ball that had hit him in the head and glared at me. Then there was the titillating conversation I had with a dark-haired police officer after I sent a golf ball reeling through the window of someone’s BMW.

It’s not that I’m out of shape. I’m proficient at running and swimming. But engaging in any sport that requires swinging, balancing or hitting any kind of target—other than an unintended one—is a high-risk endeavor for me.

People often romanticize the typical day-in-the-life of a female oceanographer. They imagine that I stand with windblown hair on the bow of a majestic ocean vessel, my makeup undisturbed after photographing underwater scenes from the safe cocoon of my submersible. But no, I am the woman every mother prays her daughter won’t become. Once a tomboy who petted amphibians and reptiles and collected rows of muddy rocks, rather than dolls, I’m now an employed adult who rarely dons cosmetic products and spends most of my waking hours in a windowless laboratory.

I was completely content with my dirty fingernails, make-up free face, and solitary weekend nights in the lab until one of Jennifer’s schemes landed me face-to-face with a man who transformed my ordered universe into chaos.
 
About the Author
Sabrina Devonshire, an avid swimmer most of her life, can usually be found near or immersed in a body of water. If she's not seeking an endorphin rush in a pool, lake or ocean, she's often encouraging people to work out or writing a book or magazine article. She also loves traveling to off-the-beaten-path places where phones and electronic devices tend not to work well. Peru and Belize are two of her favorites. Sabrina lives in southern Arizona with her husband, two children, and fluffy dog, Sugar.

Connect with Sabrina Devonshire


Giveaway Info:
Prize is 5 eBook copies of "Message from Viola Mari" (1 each to 5 winners). Contest is tour-wide, open internationally and ends Apr 13. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

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Thursday, March 28, 2013

'Guilty Innocent' by D. N. Simmons Book Blast!

The Guilty InnocentThe Guilty Innocent

The Guilty Innocent is the second novel of the Darkness Chronicles Series.

In this installment, Darian, the gorgeous, charismatic and charming master vampire of Chicago is framed for a crime he didn't commit, but why? His lover, Xavier, Natasha and a few others must travel halfway across the world to find out who and why before time runs out and all hell breaks loose!

Original, sexy and gritty, the Knights of the Darkness Chronicles will suck you in and take you for a ride you won't forget!




Purchase The Guilty Innocent on Amazon.
Also get Book 1 on Amazon.

About Author D.N. Simmons

D. N. Simmons lives in Chicago IL., with a rambunctious German Shepherd that's too big for his own good and mischievous kitten that she affectionately calls "Itty-bitty". Her hobbies include rollerblading, billiards, bowling, reading, watching television and going to the movies. She has been nominated at Love Romances and More, winning honorable mention for best paranormal book of 2006. She has won "Author of the Month" at Warrior of Words. She was voted "New Voice of Today" at Romance Reviews and "Rising Star" at Love Romance and More.

Follow D.N. Simmons Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

Read Reviews by Bloggers -

2nd Book to the Right

Sizzle and Swoon

This is a very good length story and the author has put a lot of thought into the creation of a complex plot and well written characters. There is humor, angst, anger and tenderness between all the characters that gives the book a well rounded feel. Diane @ Turning Back the Clock

The Guilty Innocent was an excellent read. It's packed with action, passion and vivid characters. If you love the supernatural genre, you'll enjoy The Guilty Innocent. Jessi @ Mamas Got Flair

The Guilty Innocence is an addicting, sexy, mystery that's very hard to put down. D.N. Simmons crafts a fast paced world where the supernatural works and plays in one of my favorite cities, Chicago. ~Jen @ The Crafty Cauldron

What more can you ask for than shapeshifters and vampires. Wouldn't life be devine stuck in a love triangle with 2 hot vampires. Lisa @ Mommy Read too Much

D.N. Simmons is giving away a $100 Amazon Giftcard and everyone who enters gets an ecopy of Desires Unleashed. Fill out the form below to enter!
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'Undressed (The Manhattanites #1) ' by Avery Aster

Synopsis:

(78,000 words, Erotic Contemporary Romance, M/F, HEA, Ages 18+ due to sexual situations and mature content)


Milan's notorious playboy, Massimo Tittoni, seems to have everything--Lamborghinis, exotic women, palaces throughout Europe and business success. Ramping up his fabric company to go global with a new apparel brand, he ruthlessly stops supplying fabrics to the American client who inspired the collection. But once they meet, what's he willing to give to get her in his bed?

Upper East Side designer Lex Easton will be damned if she'll let an Italian stud muffin knock her down. So what if she named her favorite vibrator after him. With Fashion Week approaching, she'll do whatever it takes to secure the fabrics she needs to become the next Diane von Furstenburg-- even sleep with her rival. Lex's Louboutins stilettos are dug in deep to win this war.

Avery Aster's super-glossy debut novel is loaded with passionate escapism, pitting American ambition against Italian tradition. Erotic romance fans who appreciate extended sex scenes, witty banter and glamour mustn't miss Undressed.

Inside Scoop: Though the hero and heroine remain monogamous, their Prada-wearing friends indulge in a ménage a trois and other fashionable sexual fun and games.

The Manhattanites is a series of full length novels focusing on relationships. Each book may be read as a stand alone. If you've enjoyed TV shows like Girls (HBO), Dirty Sexy Money (ABC), and The Bold & the Beautiful (CBS) then you'll love this series. Avery's characters are over the top. They have raunchy sex, speak their minds and the plots are twisted. (In a good way!) Manhattanites celebrate lust, ambition, and true devotion.

Read the first chapter of Undressed:
http://averyaster.com/contemporary-erotic-romance-free-read-prologue-for-undressed/

Read a dirty love scene from Undressed:
http://averyaster.com/chapter-scene-from-undressed-sweet-tiramisu-melts-in-your-mouth/

Watch the Undressed video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=HMlPay2nqgA

Midwest Book Review on Undressed:
http://averyaster.com/midwest-book-review-undressed-the-manhattanites-1-erotic-romance/

Learn what inspired The Manhattanites series from Avery Aster in USA Today:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/happyeverafter/2013/03/08/avery-aster-undressed-ill-take-manhattan/1971329/


25 New Yorker Insights Revealed After Reading Undressed by Avery Aster

Sex

Your vajayjay can take a guy’s cock 'n' balls…at the same time.
Always name your butt plug after Anderson Cooper.
Pre-ejaculation while jetting a plane over Italy causes turbulence.
Never let a dog sleep in your bed, especially three dogs. It’ll ruin your sex life.
If he’s as hung as an Evian bottle, it’s best to look away.

Money

Always retain the legal services of female lawyers, particularly ones named; Sarah Goldbaum and Hannah Goldstein.
Never allow your mother to spend your line of credit on a psychic from the Caribbean.
Sexual frustration leads to good business practices, enough to earn three hundred million dollars.
If Bergdorf’s, Barney’s and Saks Fifth Avenue reject your upcoming fashion collections try selling it to JCPenny’s or Kmart.
Use your American Express reward points wisely. You never know when you'll need to jet.

Life

Bellini cocktail consumption will induce foot fetishes.
Swedish Fish, Now & Later, and Gummy Bears from Dylan’s Candy Bar are perfect for your fuck-it bucket.
Everyone should be so lucky to have a best friend like Taddy Brill.
Never drive a Ford Thunderbird off a cliff thinking you’re Thelma & Louise.
Stay away from any woman named Scilla or Ottavia.

Fashion

Wearing Tory Burch ballet flats while racing a sports car may cause ones clitoris to hum.
Think twice before sitting Lady Gaga and Madonna next to one another at your fashion show.
Prada and a condom, when worn together, are known to make bisexual men go bonkbuster cra-cra.
Altering a vintage Valentino dress, formerly worn by socialite Nati Abascal, may land you on the red carpet.
We should all get "f'd" in Fendi.

Love

When in love, you can have as many orgasms as you like…in one day!
Slow dancing to Giuseppe Verdi enhances one’s emotional state.
Don't argue with your lover in public, above all—never in front of Anna Wintour, Marc Jacobs, or Karl Lagerfeld.
Playing Simon Says, in bed, may lead one to reveal their true feelings. So will strip dancing in front of him to the song Girls, Girls, Girls by Mötley Crüe.
And finally, he must always say, “I love you,” first.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

'Alpha Me Not' Excerpt Tour

Alpha Me Not (White Wolf #3)
by Jianne Carlo
Contemporary Erotic Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Categories: Action/Adventure, Mystery/Thriller
Publisher: Loose-Id
Release Date: August 12, 2012
Heat Level: Sizzling
Length: 233 pages

Blurb

Susie White wants no picket fences, no alpha, and no cubs. White wolf woman she may be, but no pack for her, no sireee. Alpha me not, that’s her motto. In all caps.

Mercenary and half-breed wolf Joe Huroq’s not looking for a mate. Stop and go screwing, that’s his motto. Hot and heavy between missions. Then he glimpses his new neighbor tanning nude and the situation explodes.

Literally. Susie’s house is consumed by fire. What’s Joe to do but offer Susie his hospitality?

Susie can’t resist the temptation of big, bad, mercenary, so she suggests a friends with benefits arrangement which he accepts with an amazing alacrity. The sex is frantic, hot, and frequent. Neither one can keep their hands off the other.

Then children go missing. The fire’s deemed arson. Bodies pile up. Susie refuses to accept Joe’s mate claim. Can he keep her safe when she won’t obey a single order?

Warning: This title is intended for readers over the age of 18 as it contains explicit sex scenes and/or situations and adult language, and may be considered offensive to some readers.


Read an excerpt
We have ze chocolate almond, ze chocolate orange, and ze chocolate peanut ice cream. A little of each, no?” Azzo spoke perfect English when he wanted. His fake macho Italian accent grated Joe’s nerves raw.
Susie clapped her hands. “Perfect.”
Joe ordered another cappuccino.
After Azzo delivered the banana split with all the accompanying pomp and circumstance of a coronation ceremony, Joe bared his teeth and said, “I noticed the cameras aren’t on. Is something wrong with the security system?”
Azzo glanced at the two minicams set into the corners of the room. He cursed under his breath. “That Luciano, he lives in another world. Once again, he has turned off the switch.’ Scusi.
Relaxing when the young stud disappeared through the kitchen’s swinging doors, Joe braced an arm on the chair, turned to face Susie, and near choked on his spit.
She’d speared the banana in half and proceeded to dip the tip in each of the three chocolate ice cream scoops. He dug his hands into the wooden chair handles. A sliver stabbed his thumb, and he hardly noticed, couldn’t drag his gaze from her pink, delicate tongue as she lovingly licked the fudgy cream and then sucked on the cleaned banana.
I’m somewhat of a chocoholic.”
Somewhat.
If he moved a muscle, if he so much as inhaled, if he didn’t stop staring at the dark smudge on her lower lip, he’d come in his pants, right there and then. He yanked his gaze to the ceiling. Counted to ten in Arabic, Mandarin, and Armenian.
When his ragged breathing regained something close to a normal rhythm, he jerked his attention back to Susie and stifled a groan as he watched the last morsel of fruit vanish into her mouth.
He’d give his left nut and then some if she’d agree to clean chocolate off his dick.
I love bananas. Hey, I heard they grow in Florida. Like, you know, the whole banana tree thing. Can you imagine waking up to a bunch of ripe bananas?”
Jesus.
Fricking A. He was going to detonate on the spot.
Azzo reappeared. He rocked on his heels and beamed. “Mama has a bunch of banana trees out back.”
Her eyes went spaceship wide and took on a faraway glaze. “No kidding? That was an off-the-tree banana? Wow.”
Azzo did that I’m-a-horny-Italian-sex-god sweep of fingers and thumb to his mouth. “Shall I show you? You can even pick a few bananas to take home with you for breakfast tomorrow.”
And Joe’d be there to watch her eat it.
Come hell or Armageddon. Holy shit. Even the notion of her candy-pink tongue sliding down the length of his banana had him ready to ignite. And damn if she wouldn’t suck the crown as lovingly as she had that fricking lucky banana.

Buy links: Amazon \ ARe \ B&N \ Loose ID
 
About the Author
My motto is simple: Alpha Me Please. While strong heroines, exotic locations, and cultural differences are my forte, I go weak in the knees for warriors of any type, rebels, SEAls, Vikings, and bad-ass mercenaries.

Send me a man with an attitude and I'll find the right woman to tame him. My writing career began in 2008, and since then I've been lucky enough to have over twenty books published. Most of my books are TOP PICKs and several have been nominated for and won awards and prizes.

Nothing makes my day more than an email from someone who’s read one of my books. So far, I've received emails from almost every continent on the planet. Almost…

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Giveaway Info:
Prize is an eBook copy of "Alpha Me Not (White Wolf #3)". Contest is tour-wide, open internationally and ends Apr 2. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.


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Meet Jerrie Alexander, author of 'Hell or High Water'

Andrea, first let me say thank you for hosting me on this "Coming Soon" book tour. Due to production problems, the release date was pushed back, but it's in the cue and should be out soon!

What was the inspiration behind this book?

Around the time the Super Bowl was held in Arlington, Texas, I read a newspaper article on human trafficking. Apparently, criminals flock to areas where a big venue event is happening. The number of missing girls spike during that time.

Which character was the most interesting to write?

I loved them all. Nate, my Navy SEAL, was the most troubled and determined. The emails that flowed back and forth from my military advisor would make interesting reading. When I needed to kill somebody, I'd ask him about weapons and movement.

What was your favorite scene?

There's a reunion scene in the book where the heroine sees the hero for the first time in ten years only to discover he's the man who recently saved her life. At first it's poignant and then quickly turns explosive. I loved writing it.

This is the first book in a series. How many do you anticipate there being in it?

So far, I have four firm stories in mind. NO TIME TO KILL, book two in the Lost and Found, Inc series is with my publisher and in line to be edited.

What kind of research did you have to do for it?

That newspaper article set me off on a mission to learn more about these crimes and who investigated them. I researched child protection services and their investigators, giving that job to my heroine. My hero is an ex Navy SEAL, who broke the heroine's heart years ago. With him, I got really lucky. My advisor on all things that fire, explode, or go boom, is an ex SEAL. His help was invaluable.

What other projects do you currently have in the works?

I'm kicking around the idea of self-publishing my current WIP, working title THE LAST TEARDROP. It's about a high school counselor who turns to the one man she doesn't want help from when she's falsely accused of inappropriate advances. When her accusers start dying, she's accused of murder. Soon it becomes clear there is more at stake than her reputation. I'm still toying with titles, but I'm leaning toward.

You say that you were a closet writer in your youth. Have you ever revisited some of those stories as possible future releases?

Believe it or not, I still have my workbook from my Creative Writing classes twenty five years ago. The pages are yellowed, but without looking, I can tell you the hero's name was Bill and the heroine's was Ana. I titled that book, WITHOUT HONOR. But no, as much as that story was dear to me, it will never be brought back to life.

What made you decide to finally step out into the publishing world with your writing?

I worked for a third party logistics company. We lost a huge contact ,and it was time I made a few decisions. My husband, who's always been my biggest supporter, encouraged me to retire early and concentrate on my writing.

How does writing fulfill you at this point in your life?

It's hard to describe. When the words are flowing and the story comes together, it's very rewarding. I write almost every day. (Although I admit to spending part of the day on social media) If I'm not working on a book, I'm developing something for my blog. Writing helps fill that creative drive inside me. :)

You were fortunate to travel to many places during your career in logistics. Where were some of your favorites? Where do you still wish to visit?

Southern California! I loved the climate, the area, and most of all the people. I was there so often that the company rented me an apartment.

Oh, and Newnan, Georgia was one of the most beautiful places my job took us. Old Antebellum homes and friendly people...I love visiting there too.

What else is on your bucket list?

To snorkel in Hawaii. Or run away with Gerard Butler. (Trust me, this wouldn't surprise my husband)

What is something readers may be surprised to learn about you?

That I am an avid snorkeler! Put me on a warm sandy beach with clear water, and I'm a happy camper. It's the one time of the year I do not write.

Anything else you wish to add?

That I'm a reader too. I love it when somebody like Linda Howard sweeps me away with her words. To touch another person with the written word is amazing. It's my goal when I set down in front of my computer and begin a story. Only my readers can tell me if I succeed.

Thank you so much for your time!

About the Author
A student of creative writing in her youth, Jerrie set aside her passion when life presented her with a John Wayne husband, and two wonderful children. A career in logistics offered her the opportunity to travel to many beautiful locations in America, and she revisits them in her romantic suspense novels.

But the characters went with her, talked to her, and insisted she share their dark, sexy stories with others. She writes alpha males and kick-ass women who weave their way through death and fear to emerge stronger because of, and on occasion in spite of, their love for each other. She likes to torture people, make them suffer, and if they’re strong enough, they live happily ever after.

The author of THE GREEN-EYED DOLL, THE LAST EXECUTION, and her latest release, HELL or HIGH WATER, Book 1 in the Lost and Found, Inc. Series, Jerrie lives in Texas, loves sunshine, children’s laughter, sugar (human and granulated), and researching for her heroes and heroines.


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Hell or High Water (Lost and Found, Inc. #1)
by Jerrie Alexander
Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Categories: Action/Adventure
Publisher: Etopia Press
Release Date: February 22, 2013
Heat Level: Steamy
Word Count: 80,000

Buy Links
Coming soon…

Blurb
When ex-SEAL Nate Wolfe learns a woman from his past is in danger, nothing will stop him from protecting her. Not even her.

Dallas Child Protection Services Investigator Kay Taylor doesn't want or need Nate in her life. But he doesn't seem to understand the word no. He seems to also have forgotten the brand he left on her heart.

When Kay is taken and sold to a monster, the devil himself couldn't stop Nate from doing whatever it takes to find her...but will he be in time?

Warning: This title is intended for readers over the age of 18 as it contains adult sexual situations and/or adult language, and may be considered offensive to some readers.

Excerpt #2:
Nate picked the lock on Kaycie’s apartment and eased inside. The minute he stepped through the door the hair on the back of his neck rose. She wasn’t home, so why the sizzle of nerves? He shook it off.

It wasn’t difficult to convince himself that looking around was purely tactical. Necessary to ensure he could protect her.

Tyrell and Marcus would arrive in an hour. The three of them were having an intervention with Kaycie when she got home. She’d protest him getting involved, but until he stopped the threat against her she’d travel with an armed bodyguard.

The open floor plan of her small apartment lumped the kitchen, dining and living area into one big room and made for easy defending. The solid wall of windows troubled him, but he could close the blinds, effectively eliminating the possibility of someone getting a clear shot. He double-checked the locks on the windows. He shoved his fingers through his hair, tying it off his face.

The room at the end of the hall had to be Kaycie’s bedroom. He moved silently, stopped just inside the doorway, and breathed in the air where she slept. Sensible Kaycie, the room wasn’t elaborate or fancy. No luxurious king-size bed; she slept on a queen.

He could make do with a queen. If she was stretched out naked in it. He applied a mental head slap. No complications needed.

Every open space was filled with books, souvenirs, and pictures. He wondered if she’d kept the Saint Jude medallion. Maybe tucked it away in the back of the jewelry box or wrapped in tissue secured in one of those drawers on the dresser. More likely, she’d dropped it in the nearest trashcan the day he left for boot camp.

She deserved a better man, somebody without all his baggage. Somebody who didn’t reach for a weapon at every sound. Somebody who’d always be there for her.

The front door opened and closed, snapping him to the present. Nate froze. His pulse quickened. Not good. He’d let his thoughts wander and missed hearing the lock turn.

Or did Kaycie have an unwelcome visitor?

Other than him.

Keys jangled and Nate released the breath he’d held. Kaycie was home. He stifled a chuckle. Finding him in her apartment would seriously piss her off.

Nate silently moved down the hall. He found her in the kitchen with her back to him. Reaching up, she removed a glass from the shelf, giving him the opportunity he needed. He moved fast, trapping her between the counter with his body, his arms wrapped around, pinning hers to her side.

She screamed and tried to whirl. Wasn’t happening. She stomped where his feet should’ve been. Nice move, but he’d spread his legs out of reach. He leaned in tighter. He wouldn’t hurt her just keep her still. Damn, she’d mastered a few self-defense techniques over the years. He tightened his grip to immobilize her.

Inches from the nape of her neck, he fought an unexpected urge to lean down and test that spot right behind her ear. The sensitive place he used to kiss again and again until she purred.

She tried to butt him with the back of her head. Time to make her aware of who had her pinned.

Nate, you bastard. Get off me.”

Apparently, she already knew.

That Glock on your hip is no help if it’s holstered.” He intended to rest his hand on her gun, but instead, and of its own accord, he found the palm of his hand resting on her taut belly.

He stepped back before his erection pressing against her drew her attention. Her fingers wrapped around the butt of the gun.

Don’t try it,” he warned.

Get over yourself.” Her tone matched the hate in her eyes. “You really think I care enough about you to shoot you?”