30 April 2012

Erotic Romance Madness Hop - May 10-14th!


Want to win a free ebook?

Please join me and some of my AMAZING fellow authors for the Erotic Romance Madness Blog Hop!  Starting May 10th and going through the 14th, be sure to stop by and leave a comment at my blog to be entered to win a free PDF ebook...winner's choice!  One random winner will be picked on the 15th, so make sure you leave your email address so I can contact you!

25 April 2012

And the Winner is...

Today was the release day for my new historical Western menage titled The Scarlet Dove!

Thank you everyone who entered my contest!  Unfortunately, there can only be one winner...so I put everyone's name in a bowl and had my five year old son, Hadrian, pick one name.

And that name was...Helene!  I just emailed her!  Thanks everyone who left a comment.  Tomorrow I'll be doing another drawing for winner's choice so GOOD LUCK!

22 April 2012

Cover Revealed Contest! The Scarlet Dove!



When Liza Trent decided to become a mail order bride out west, she never thought her fiancĂ© would die before she arrived; sending her $500 in debt with the only way to pay off the money by auctioning off her virginity against her will.  When she's rescued by two handsome men, she mistakenly thinks they're assassins, and makes a pact with them: her body in unconditional surrender for their protection.

Only the two men, Apollo Beck and Blue Hawke, aren't assassins.  They're Texas Rangers sent after a man who preys on women and their dangerous hunt has just brought Liza into the line of fire.
As they navigate a relationship built between three people, Liza has the difficult decision before her: commit to loving two men or commit to her burning desire to become a doctor…unless she's found and taken for revenge first.

***This is an interesting cover for me.  Liza isn't exactly how I wrote her to be.  In the story she has golden red hair, cornflower blue eyes and freckles everywhere.  I asked if the eyes could be changed and they agreed.  Still not the right color but at least they're blue!  Otherwise, I really love this cover! Her face has the right combination of unsure woman and steely resolve.  She's very mysterious, I think.  In the background, Apollo is the one taking his clothes off while Blue (Morgan) is simply waiting.  I love it!

Let me know what you think!  One winner will be chosen at random, will receive the free pdf ebook version on release day of April 25th!!  And make sure you check back on April 25th for the opportunity to win another free pdf ebook of your choice!  

16 April 2012

Liza's Eye Color Change!

I asked my publisher to change her eye color to match the book description, and they did!

Here is the revised cover!

Release date is April 25th.  ***This is an interesting cover for me.  Liza isn't exactly how I wrote her to be.  In the story she has golden red hair and freckles everywhere.   Otherwise, I really love this cover! Her face has the right combination of unsure woman and steely resolve.  She's very mysterious, I think.  In the background, Apollo is the one taking his clothes off while Blue (Morgan) is simply waiting.  I love it!

Let me know what you think!  One winner will be chosen at random, will receive the free pdf ebook version on release day of April 25th!!  And make sure you check back on April 25th for the opportunity to win another free pdf ebook of your choice!  

15 April 2012

Meet Wendy Grischow!



I've been fortunate to meet a wonderful new author...Wendy Grischow!   Her first book, The Crimson Teardrop, has been released by Secret Cravings Publishing!  You can find it here: http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=book_info&cPath=31&products_id=330

Please welcome Wendy with me as we learn a little about her!


1)  Tell us a little about yourself!  Have you always wanted to write stories?

Yes, I had my first story printed in our local newspaper when I was 8.  I loved to go to the library when I was younger and would go every chance I got.  I would read as many books as I could an then start writing one, lol.  I never finished writing any as far as I have with The Crimson Teardrop.  I did however take a break for 10- 15 years.  I was living on my own and only reading minimal, then I met my husband and started my family.  It's been 3 years since I started writing again.

2)  How does it feel being a new author?

Fun, exciting, scary.  There is so much to learn now.  Writing the book is fun and rewarding in itself, but when I got the publishing contract is when I started really learning.  It's great to meet so many different people with the same interest.  Everyone at Secret Cravings Publishing is so kind and helpful.  When they find out you are new, they are all so willing to help answer any questions!!

3) What inspires you and your stories?

 Sometimes we will be driving and there will be a certain type of home and/or property and it sparks something inside of me.  I usually have to go home and start writing then.   But mostly I find that a rainy day sparks the writer in me.
4)  Are you working on anything at the moment?

I am actually very close to finishing a short story, and I started two other stories that I am dying to get back to.  The characters are yelling at me to come back, but my house always seems so crazy, lol.

5) Who are some of your favorite authors and what are your aspirations for the future?

 I can't really say I have a favourite author.  I like so many kinds of books, if I read the back and it interests me I read it.  I usually listen to friends and family for their recommendations on what to read next as well.  I would love to be able to write stories all day.  I love creating stories full of twists and turns that you can't figure out until the end.  Those are my favourite to write.


The Crimson Teardrop will be published with Secret Cravings Publishing and is projected to be released in May

Blurb:

Have you ever wondered if there was more to your life?  Clari often wondered, but continued living what seems to be just a normal life.  She goes to work and lives her life day in and day out, until one day she gets a phone call that will change her life forever.  Her Great Auntie has passed away and she must tend to her estate, but once she arrives there, she gets more than she has bargained for.   Unwelcome visitors, strange occurrences and learns of a whole new life lying in wait just for her.  Will she be able to handle it all?  Maybe it's too late and there is no turning back, only time will tell.

http://wendygrischow.wordpress.com/
http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=book_info&cPath=31&products_id=330

14 April 2012

Cover Revealed Contest! The Scarlet Dove (April 25 release)

When Liza Trent decided to become a mail order bride out west, she never thought her fiancĂ© would die before she arrived; sending her $500 in debt with the only way to pay off the money was by auctioning off her virginity against her will.  When she’s rescued by two handsome men, she mistakenly thinks they’re assassins, and makes a pact with them: her body in unconditional surrender for their protection.

Only the two men, Apollo Beck and Blue Hawke, aren’t assassins.  They’re Texas Rangers sent after a man who preys on women and their dangerous hunt has just brought Liza into the line of fire.

As they navigate a relationship built between three people, Liza has the difficult decision before her: commit to loving two men or commit to her burning desire to become a doctor…unless she’s found and taken for revenge first.



***This is an interesting cover for me.  Liza isn't exactly how I wrote her to be.  In the story she has golden red hair, cornflower blue eyes and freckles everywhere.  I asked if the eyes could be changed so we'll see what the editors say.  Otherwise, I really love this cover! Her face has the right combination of unsure woman and steely resolve.  She's very mysterious, I think.  In the background, Apollo is the one taking his clothes off while Blue (Morgan) is simply waiting.  I love it!

Let me know what you think!  One winner will be chosen at random, will receive the free pdf ebook version on release day of April 25th!!  And make sure you check back on April 25th for the opportunity to win another free pdf ebook of your choice!  

12 April 2012

The Scarlet Dove excerpt...

“You owe me a lot of money, Miss Trent.”

Liza cast a quick glance at the man speaking.  He had introduced himself as Mr. Reynolds, her travel benefactor, when the stagecoach had finally come to a halt in Diablo Hills, Arizona.  He had the swarthy undertones of someone mean, the lifelessness in his dark eyes hinting at a streak of cruelty.  He was tall, thin, dressed impeccably in silk brocade pinstripe complete with a top hat and cane. He spoke in a southern twang laced with barely concealed sarcasm as he stared down his long nose at her.

She felt her face flush and she quickly looked back down at her hands.   
            
“Now I know it’s a terrible shame,” he went on, “having your intended die before the wedding, but business is business, Miss Trent, and now you have business with me.”
            
Liza felt sweat gather between her breasts.  She shifted in her seat, trying to find some comfort in the stifling room from the oppressive heat but finding little success.  With no windows, the room was nothing short of a tinderbox from Hell.   She felt like she could pass out any minute.
            
Perhaps that might be best, considering.
            
The new life she had envisioned for herself wasn’t turning out like she hoped.
            
“How much?” she whispered, barely able to speak at all past the lump in her throat.
            
“Well, let’s see, there’s the cost of your coach ticket, the chaperone services of Mrs. Nambaker, your hotel fees, your food fees, and of course, my fee of bringing you and your intended together.  So total, Miss Trent, your balance is five hundred dollars.”
            
Something heavy landed on her chest and for a moment, she thought she had stopped breathing.
            
“Five hundred dollars?” she gasped.  “I don’t have that much money!”
            
“Well, then, I guess you’re in a pickle,” said Mr. Reynolds. 
            
She clasped her hands together tightly and focused on a particularly large freckle near her left thumb, one of the thousand she must have, and let her mind wander for a moment.  She wondered how her freckle could seem so perfectly innocent to the problem she was facing.  When she had left Boston to become the bride of a man she had never met, it had seemed all her money problems had been solved.  Upon her arrival, however, she had been informed her fiancĂ© had succumbed to heart trouble, bringing the nightmare of the past year to a blistering head. 
            
“Miss Trent?”
            
She blinked and jerked her gaze back to Mr. Reynolds.  “I can work,” she said.  “I can…clean.  Wash clothes.  Sew.  I know how to crochet.”
            
She saw mocking amusement in Mr. Reynolds fathomless eyes.  “Miss Trent, you could sew and wash and crochet for a hundred years and you’d still not be able to repay all that you owe me.  In fact, there is only one profession that I can think of that would repay the revenue I’ve invested in you.  A job where your services are best rendered on your back.  Do you understand what I’m saying, Miss Trent?”



***COVER COMING SOON***
Release Date April 25th!  Blog Party with a free PDF version to one lucky winner!

10 April 2012

About Writing Erotica and Being Published

There is perhaps no other creative outlet that bares the writers soul quite like writing.  Whether it’s writing poetry, songs or stories, the modern day bard has to tap into deep recesses of the soul.  Writing stories can be a rollercoaster journey, full of emotional ups and downs as the writer tries to convey believable characters and situations.  A writer pours their very essence into their creation, much like Dr. Frankenstein into his monster.  Add a little electricity and pretty soon the author is shouting “It’s Alive!”.

It is very easy to stay within the confines of what is comfortable and normal in your set boundaries, being a reader or a writer.  But erotica romance writers have the double edge sword of writing not only quality stories, but writing sex scenes that sizzle.  But many of us erotica writers continually battle the preconceived notion that we write porn, that we write sub par work.  We’ve had our intelligence insulted, our feelings bruised and our talent questioned.  Some people think we even live what we write, that our moral ethics are nonexistent.  But for me, for many of us, writing sex is hard.  It’s perhaps the hardest aspect of my job and I do a lot of research, do a lot of interviews, and pour a lot of imagination into bringing each character to life

And then the writer turns in the manuscript, along with his or hers heart, hopes and dreams.  So what happens when it’s out of the hands of the writer?  The good thing about ebook publishing today is that it is opening a wide berth for non-traditional writers but still, the only way to sell yourself is to have a wonderful, completed manuscript.  A great concept, a hook, a fully developed plot with enticing characters…this is what publishers are looking for.  

Read other books, learn how other authors write and notice the use of adjectives in the right places at the right time.  Writers are readers and readers are writers.  Listen to your characters, they will usually tell you which way to take the story.  I never ignore my characters or my intuition.  Your novel is only as good as they are, so don’t be afraid of the voices in your head.

Erotica writers have to write compelling stories around sex scenes that sizzle on the page.  But stepping outside whatever box makes you feel safe is a way of exploring a part of yourself you may have been afraid to face, whether as a reader or writer.  I constantly push my own boundaries because I never want to stagnate my stories; to fall into the trap where I substitute character names but have the same plot and the same expectations.  And I never rest of my laurels.  I think I still have a lot more to learn on writing my full potential.