RACHEL LEIGH

I thought I would give out a shout of appreciation to my critique partner today. We have only been working together for a few months but up until that point I had worked alone, with no first reader and no critique partner. I have to say I find that really, really strange now.

It is not the way to write, I promise you.

She is fantastic! Not just with editing and restructure of sentences but making me think deeper and harder. A critique partner will not only improve your writing, he or she will also make you understand yourself a lot better too. I am not lecturing about spirituality or ‘finding yourself’, although I do believe in people continually searching for their authentic self. What I am saying is, I didn’t realize how much of me I put into my stories when I write.

What do I mean?

As I write erotic romance I don’t mean the sex is me…well, maybe some of it is, lol! What I mean is, I’ve come to realize that the theme or message of my stories is often very similar. My main issue seems to be trust. What it takes for my protagonist to trust again after heartbreak, bereavement or betrayal.

A fresh pair of eyes can spot your theme, sometimes before the author recognizes it themselves. The advantage of knowing your theme from early on in the creativity process is huge. It means as the writer, you will delve deeper into your character, bring their heartfelt emotions onto the page and thus, give your reader a hugely satisfying read.

Why? Because they will understand your character’s deep-seated fear, the internal obstacles holding them back from being the person they want to be. This is what is at the heart of a good story, surely? Think about your favorite books. Wasn’t it the characters internal struggles that kept you turning the pages. When we pick up a book, we hope to find something that resonates with us. Something that makes us think, feel, cry or laugh. We want to travel with the character through an issue we understand.

On the other hand, if your critique partner is making you uncomfortable or suggesting changes you really don’t agree with – that’s fine too. Reach out for a partner. I promise whether or not you find one who fits, they will add something to you as a writer and make you and your work better than it was before.

I’d love to hear your experiences with critique partners or whether or not you even agree with me!

Rachel’s latest release is “Coming Back” available now from The Wild Rose Press.

Blurb:

Kelly Hampton loved once...and lost. After two years of looking for Sean MacKenzie in other men--and failing miserably--she takes a vow of celibacy. No sex until she finds love. Then Sean strolls back into her bar, reigniting old flames. No one has come close to understanding or satisfying her like he did. Her body burns for the passion they once shared, but her heart still remembers the pain.

Sean escaped Jessop Hill and his father's fists in the middle of the night without a word--even to his love, Kelly--to protect his battered mother, but he never forgot the explosively erotic relationship he left behind. Now his father is dead and Sean is back for the only woman he's ever wanted. Their reunion is full of fire – but can sexual attraction and noble intentions overcome years of heartache or will Kelly walk away to protect her heart this time.

Buy Link:

http://www.wilderroses.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=837

Bio: Rachel Leigh lives in the UK and is married to her own sexy hero. With two erotic romance novellas published and numerous short stories in UK national magazines, Rachel loves her job. Her next novella is about two Brits living in Greece…where things get hot, hot, hot!

When she isn’t writing, you can find her reading, watching American TV dramas. running around after her two daughters….or playing with her husband.

Misconceptions of Ménage Reads By Leslie Lee Sanders

Ménage stories come in many arrangements; MMF, MMM, MFM, MFF and more. I personally enjoy reading and writing MMF ménage or Male/Male/Female (for those who aren't familiar). I love finding interesting ways to bring together two handsome guys and a lucky girl for my readers. However, not everyone understands the appeal of ménage themed erotic romances. Some people have misconceptions of erotic romance in general as well as the ménage theme in such stories, but that's another post.

Below I discuss four misconceptions about ménage themed erotic romances, and add my two cents to clear up the confusion.

1. There's not much variety. It's all the same thing.

You read an MFM read so other MFM stories would be the same, right?  Wrong. Reading one ménage story doesn't mean you're going to get the same reading experience from another in the same arrangement. The only thing that's consistent in ménage is that arrangement. If it's an MMM arrangement, all these stories will feature three males who sexually engage with each other. An MFM arrangement will feature two males and one female; the men pleasure the female during the same encounter but do not sexually engage with each other. In an MMF arrangement, the men do engage with each other as well as the female, and so on. The characters, voice, mood, plot, setting and author are factors that give every single book its individuality.

2. There's no happy ever after.

If you're reading an erotic romance, no matter the category or theme, there will be a happy ending. The romance is the key. Yes, there are three people involved in the main relationship, but it doesn't mean one of those people will be kicked to the curb to allow for a traditional pairing at the end. In ménage reads, "traditional" has already been kicked to the curb.

3. There's always a gay character.

Most stories featuring a cast of same sex characters in a threesome will obviously have gay content. If the abbreviation has the same two letters together (FFM, MMF) then most likely there will be a homosexual character involved, but not always. Although they may engage in the threesome, the character may identify as bisexual, bi-curious, and even straight (which is common in gay-for-you stories). In MFM or FMF stories, (the latter more uncommon in erotica and erotic romance) usually the characters are straight and there will not be any homosexual content involved.

4. Ménage stories are pure erotic and lack romance.

Threesomes in fiction can be romantic. A writer can play with their word choice and the mood of the story to add the feeling of love, commitment, and sacrifice throughout their erotic romance. Tweak the characters' motives, inner conflict, and focus on character development instead of pages of explicit sex scenes and the story could transform into a beautiful romance. There are plenty of successful ménage romances that don't just focus on the sex. However, it wouldn't be a very satisfying "erotic" romance without the sex.

Here is my latest MMF erotic romance, Benefits of Sharing, available from Breathless Press: http://www.breathlesspress.org/Book/361

Blurb:

Cara Matthews is about to turn thirty, and for her, it’s the death of her youth and the beginning of the dull years. Her husband, James, is aware of her sudden grief and surprises her with something that should take her mind off of aging: young Isaac.

Maybe Isaac can help Cara create her very own wild and crazy experience to share—in more ways than one—and help her transition smoothly from her twenties to her thirties.

Cara is all too eager to finally experience the excitement she’s been desperately craving, but she’s also a little skeptical. Exactly who is Isaac, and why is he so eager to please?

Author Bio:

The author of several books of fiction and fiction with spice, Leslie Lee Sanders spends her time writing erotic romances (mostly in the gay and ménage categories). She currently has two books available for mature teen readers and several erotic romances published as e-books and in print. www.leslieleesanders.com

Times Are A-Changin’ By Em Petrova

Lately I’ve been part of several conversations concerning e-publishing, self-publishing and New York publishing. Like any good debate things got heated—and not in a good way! Authors and readers alike are on the fence about these different methods of delivering new books to you. Blogs and workshops are dedicated to it. There are even publications about the avenues of publication.

Any newbie writer knows there are many options available to us. You can query your heart out to NY agents in hopes of them picking you up. For the most part, their agencies only take on a handful of new authors a year. That’s about a 2% chance you’ll shove your foot in the door before they shove theirs up your ass.

Writers can submit to many e-publishing houses—and even some NY ones—without agents. But even more confusing is the question of self-publishing. I know authors who have dipped their toes in the waters of all three of these venues in hopes of finding their own answers.

To me, it seems like NY carries a lot of prestige. One thing remains the same with all venues though—no writer really makes the “big bucks” unless they’re selling a bajillion copies. And sometimes not even then if their contracts suck. In the past few years since e-publishing has skyrocketed, many authors are making good money here. And in the world of self-pub I’ve heard of authors making even BETTER sales because they get a higher cut and don’t have to share with a middle man.

So what does this mean for readers? We’ve all picked up print books and put them right down again. Just because it’s paper and ink doesn’t mean it’s good. I’ve unfortunately doled out many wasted dollars on print books I couldn’t get through and donated to the church rummage sale later.  Ditto with e-books. I’ve found some fabulous reads and some that bored me to tears. Luckily the e-versions are often cheaper so you don’t feel as ripped off and you’re not left with slogging the remains of your hated paperback to the bring-and-buy.

And lastly self-published works are as hit and miss as NY publishing and e-publishing. I’ve read a few that needed the work of a professional editor and some that rocked the world with their fabulosity (yeah, I know—not a real word but it fits!) As far as I can tell though and in my personal opinion, readers are confused by which book they should sink their money into. E-pubs barely hit their strides and they were overturned by self-pubbed authors. Many are floundering for submissions and losing valuable authors who want to make a bigger buck somewhere else. I’m by no means saying authors shouldn’t self-publish. The writer must take many factors into consideration. Genre, readership…even the thickness of one’s own skin in comparison to the number of rejections she can tolerate before saying screw it—I’ll do it on my own.

I think in the end the readers must try to make better decisions about what they’re buying. Take an extra minute to open Amazon’s “Look Inside Me” feature and actually read the first page. Read some reviews on Amazon or by doing a Google search for reviews on that book. Ask your friends what they’re reading. Tweet “anyone ever read this book?” and see how many responses you get. We consumers work hard for our money. Why should we throw it away? No matter what type of book you buy or from which house, what still matters is quality. Yeah, sometimes the best product wears the prettiest label. And sometimes the generic version works just as well—if not better. A few minutes of research will help you choose which book will best satisfy your hunger.

Em Petrova

~where words mean so much more~
www.empetrova.com

Deux:  http://www.breathlesspress.org/Book/305

Trois: http://www.breathlesspress.org/Book/290
Tattoo Dream: http://www.breathlesspress.org/Book/273
The Tempest: http://tiny.cc/78ydb
Runes: http://tiny.cc/rh5yl
Trefoil: http://www.eredsage.com/store/product859.html
Runestone: http://www.eredsage.com/store/Runestone.html
Forbidden: http://www.eredsage.com/store/Forbidden.html
My Sexy Valentine: http://tiny.cc/2w5ea
Isolde’s Wish: http://www.loose-id.com/Isoldes-Wish.aspx
Market Place: http://tiny.cc/l1gch
Bound for Romance: http://tiny.cc/k7huy
(all books are with e-pubs)

Erotica: Writing on the Edge

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10 Things You Wish You Knew About DC Juris

Or maybe you never wanted to know. ::shrug:: Either way - here we go!

1. My all time favorite movie is The Sound of Music. Why? Because the handsome man gives up the fancy, wealthy, beautiful woman for the plain one. He chooses the woman who holds his heart, and damn the consequences.

2. Though I'm outgoing online, I'm terribly shy in person. I hate social gatherings, though I'll make myself go, just to prove I did. I'm the guy who works the edges of the party, glancing at his watch every five minutes and willing time to move faster so I can leave.

3. I collect animal bones. I'll spend hours in the woods looking for them, then bring them home and bleach them. Right now, I've got a cauldron full of deer bones, as well as a bowl full of small animal bones - like mice and whatnot.

4. I've watched the movie Joe Dirt about five times, and never once cracked a smile. Not one. Didn't smile, grin, laugh, or even chuckle. Much to my husband's dismay.

5. I have a multitude of phobias, but I'll spit in the face of all of them if it means getting a good photograph of something. I crave the excitement of knowing I've been able to freeze a moment of time for all eternity. Or at least until someone deletes it.

6. I have so far in my life been unable to learn to play a musical instrument. Except a triangle, which I'm not sure counts.

7. My mother was a hoarder. Every month or so, I go through my entire house and get rid of stuff because I'm constantly worried I'll turn out like her. 

8. I've never broken a bone in my body, though I did once dislocate my knee

9. I've never once received a speeding ticket, though I've been pulled over three times. Once I got out of the ticket by arguing the laws of gravity on a downward sloping hill (how can I possibly fight gravity?), the second time I told the officer I'd had bad food and was in a hurry to get home, and the third time I was just honest. When the officer asked if I knew why he pulled me over, I nodded and said "doing 50 in a 45," and held out my hand for a ticket that never came.

10.  I hate writing blogs. Not because I think it's beneath me or anything, but because I can never come up with an interesting topic, or a topic I think people will care what I have to say about.

Betcha think you know me now, eh? ::grin:: Baby, you've barely scratched the surface. ::wink::

Berengaria Brown~Creating a whole new world~

I write a lot of ménage stories, mostly MMF but I do have an MMM story at Breathless Press called, “Carnal Connections”, which is also in the “Ad-dick-tion” anthology with other male/male stories.

I also have one FFM story (a very rare genre in Romancelandia, but this fairy insisted on having a woman as well as a man, instead of two men, so all I could do was take dictation!). But recently I have started a new series of stories, called “Possessive Passions”, which are based in a world where all the brothers share a wife. So the books are MFM and MFMM.

Every story demands world building to some extent. People and places need to be consistent. If the heroine goes upstairs to her apartment at the start of the book, she needs to go upstairs to it every other time is well.

But for the “Possessive Passions” series I built a whole new world, underground in rural America, hidden from the average person, so their polyandrous traditions could flourish. It was a lot of hard work designing the geography, history, economic system, and traditions of this world, as well as actually writing the heroine’s story. But it was awesome fun, creating something completely new. Then, with each new book in the series, I could add to the world, until all four heroines have achieved their HEA.

Book 1, “Shared Possession” has just released and books 2 and 3 will be coming soon.

“Shared Possession” Blurb:

Chevaunne is abducted by three brothers who take her to a new world where brothers share one wife, who is their treasured possession. Jim, Sam, and Paul have waited years to find the perfect woman, and when they see Chevaunne, they know immediately she is the one for them.

After a mind-blowing night with the three men, Chevaunne marries them the next day in front of the entire community. Now she has to learn a totally new life—a new culture, new ways of doing everything. But the sex is amazing, her men are considerate and loving, and Chevaunne is making friends and settling in.

Soon, though, she begins to wonder if she’s losing her mind. No matter how happy she is, she was kidnapped, after all! What was she thinking when she agreed to stay?

Buy Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/shared-possession

Carnal Connections from Breathless Press:

Blurb-

Ithiel meets Jason and Toby at a wedding, and a night of hot passion follows. But what will happen the next morning?

Jason is darkly handsome and delicious. Toby is quicksilver lightness and fun—and Ithiel wants them both. But can three men form an ongoing relationship, or is one night all they will ever have?

Excerpt-

Half an hour later, they stepped out of the elevator, walked a little way down the hall, and Ithiel unlocked his room door, welcoming Jason and Toby inside. He was excited but a little unsettled. On the one hand, he craved these two men, desperately wanted to make love with them, get to know them better, and fuck them thoroughly. On the other hand, he wasn’t the kind of man who carried condoms in his wallet or had frequent one-night stands.

Shit! I hope that box of condoms is still in my Dopp kit, or I’m really gonna be fucked!

"So," he started in a husky and half strangled voice, "do you want coffee or what?"

"Oh, I think the what." Toby grinned.

"Definitely the what." Jason kicked the door shut, emphasizing his words, then strode into the room. He drew them both into his arms, uniting them in his strong grasp.

Jason touched his lips first to Toby’s, then to Ithiel’s. Suddenly, the three were in a fierce, messy, sloppy, three-way kiss with tongues and lips—tangling, sucking, licking, and hearts pounding.

Ithiel pressed his cock into Toby’s butt and wrapped his arms around the smaller man, pulling Jason against them both.

Jason swiveled his hips, scraping his cock across Toby’s and against Ithiel’s thigh. Toby pushed his ass back into Ithiel’s cock, rubbing hard, then thrust sideways to increase the pressure on Jason’s. 

Three long, hard erections. So much heat.

Jason gasped, tightening his hug and gyrating his pelvis harder.

"This would be a really good time to get nekkid," said Toby, breaking free from their embrace and shrugging out of his jacket.

"God, yes." Jason wrenched at his tie and kicked off his loafers, matching Toby’s eagerness.

Ithiel was hit with a momentary pang at the loss of their hard bodies pressed together, but knew he needed something.

"Condoms," Ithiel panted, and headed into the bathroom. With a quick rummage in his Dopp kit, he had the box and tube of lube in his hand. Thank you, God.  He ran back to the bedroom and dropped them onto the nightstand.

Buy Link: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-carnalconnections-450485-144.html
Berengaria Brown

You can find out all about me at:

http://berengariasblog.blogspot.com/
http://berengariabrown.webs.com/
Friend me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter.

Kelli A Wilkins

The Royal Desires Trilogy - Three Fun Fantasy Reads!
 By Kelli A. Wilkins, Amber Quill Press author

Someone recently asked me how I plotted my “Royal Desires” trilogy: A Most Unusual Princess, http://www.amberquill.com/AmberHeat/MostUnusualPrincess.html Dalton’s Temptation, http://amberquill.com/AmberHeat/DaltonsTemptation.html and The Pauper Prince http://amberquill.com/AmberHeat/PauperPrince.html. Did I use note cards to keep track of each character’s description? Did I make an overall outline of the whole trilogy, and then write each book?

Nope. The truth is… I just wrote the story that was in my head. I didn’t intend to write a trilogy – it kinda happened on its own. (With a lot of typing on my part, of course!) I wrote each book by itself, with its own setting and theme, apart from the book that came before. So, although they make up a series, each book can stand alone as an individual read.

I specifically wrote A Most Unusual Princess  http://www.amberquill.com/AmberHeat/MostUnusualPrincess.html for the Amber Quill Press “Amber Heat” contest. The book won (along with two others, The Dark Lord & The Sexy Stranger). Although the Fantasy genre wasn’t something I had written in before, I liked the idea of following a very headstrong and spoiled Princess Elara as she looked for a suitable husband.

The story was fun to write and I enjoyed contrasting Elara’s moodiness with her sensual feelings for Dalton. And poor Dalton! By the end of A Most Unusual Princess, I knew he had to have his own story, so I followed up with Dalton’s Temptation.

In Dalton’s Temptation, http://amberquill.com/AmberHeat/DaltonsTemptation.htmlI deliberately focused on the theme of fidelity. Elara wants to test Dalton’s loyalty, so she masquerades as a sultry girl in a pleasure palace. Naturally, she gets in over her head and into trouble. I enjoyed taking Elara out of her element and giving her new challenges and experiences. We also got to see a different side to Dalton’s character and learned about his weaknesses and desires.

Dalton’s Temptation also introduced us to Elara’s brother, Prince Allan. What a pip! He’s a perfect example of a secondary character who tries to run away with the story.

While writing Dalton’s Temptation, I knew Allan needed his own book, and The Pauper Prince was born.

In The Pauper Prince, http://amberquill.com/AmberHeat/PauperPrince.html Allan is banished to live the life of a commoner. His life has been turned upside down. He’s broke, miserable, and forced to endure abuse at his job in the shipyard.

Allan’s character undergoes a complete transformation between Dalton’s Temptation and The Pauper Prince. Once a carefree womanizer, Allan discovers a secret side to himself and through his relationship with Claudette, he learns a lesson about what is truly important in life. A more settled Elara and Dalton also appear in the book and help wind up the trilogy.

I enjoyed writing each of these books. It was fun to create the characters, give them unique adventures, and complicate their lives – all in the name of love. Although these are spicy romances, there’s enough drama, sadness, and humor to keep readers entertained and enthralled. But don’t just take my word for it. Here’s what a few reviewers had to say:

“A Most Unusual Princess is an amusing book that will seize your attention from the first word. Elara is a woman who wants to get married on her own terms, not those set by her father. The growing attraction and love between Elara and Dalton carry this sweet story. Ms. Wilkins has created appealing characters that will touch your heart.” - Tewanda, Fallen Angel Reviews

“I thought the first book [A Most Unusual Princess] was hot, but Dalton’s Temptation is worth reading. Kelli A. Wilkins did a superb job in this one and introduces us to a new side of Dalton. The beginning was just about Princess Elara, and this time we learn more of Dalton. I loved this story and it’s hard for me to give a Historical Erotica a 5 for the first part and a sequel but Kelli Wilkins did a beautiful job in showing us a princess with stubborn heart to love and a man who completes her in every way.

Lena, Reviewer, Mybookcravings.com

“Kelli A. Wilkins finishes her trilogy of books, which started with A Most Unusual Princess and Dalton’s Temptation, with a bang. The Pauper Prince is a riveting tale, and it is a must read for anyone who enjoys fantasy Romance. It is stuffed full of action, love, excitement, sedition, and scurvy characters that are set to make our prince’s life miserable if he lets them. Skillful crafting allows the reader to slip under the spell of Allan and live his every ache, pain, and triumph. The Pauper Prince is a real must read, and in case you haven’t read the others, I would suggest you get A Most Unusual Princess and Dalton’s Temptation, too. Kelli has definitely written a trio of must buys for Amber Quill!!!"

- Rose, Reviewer, Romance at Heart

Happy Reading!

Kelli

Kelli A. Wilkins

Four Days with Jack

Hot new romance release from Amber Quill Press author Kelli A. Wilkins

(www.KelliWilkins.com)

 Hi everyone,

I’m pleased to announce the release of my new book, Four Days with Jack. Although this is my 13^th Amber Quill Press romance, it’s my first gay romance for Amber Allure.  Today I’m sharing some background about the book.

 Since this is my first gay romance, readers may be wondering – why a gay romance now? What sparked the change in genres?

 Up until now, I’ve written straight contemporaries, historical/fantasies, and paranormals of varying heat levels. Some books are scorching-hot and include storylines with multiple partners (A Midsummer Night’s Delights), while some are focused exclusively on a M/F relationship (Trust with Hearts). When I write, I let the story and characters take me wherever the plot leads. In the case of Four Days with Jack, it led to a tropical resort!

I always knew that one day I’d write a gay romance, and I’ve been batting ideas around in my head for a while. I was in between books and had just finished editing A Perfect Match when I heard about the Amber Allure “Postcards from Paradise” line, and I knew I had my next project.

 At first, I didn’t know what the story would be. All I had was a basic plot (straight guy comes out to his gay best friend), a title, and one pivotal scene that takes place in a bathroom. (For those of you who have read the book, you know which scene I’m talking about – but I won’t give it away here.) From there, I let my imagination wander and came up with the resort, the rest of the plot, and the unusual cast of characters that Jack and David encounter.

 Four Days with Jack is one of the very few books I wrote without an outline. I think not having an outline let the characters write their own story (so to speak), and took the book in new directions. Over four days, David and Jack learn a lot about themselves, each other, and what sacrifices they’ll make to stay together.

 I like the story, and I hope readers will, too. It’s got a good blend of humor, drama, and plenty of sizzling love scenes that will heat up your summer! 

 Here’s a short summary and the book link:

 FOUR DAYS WITH JACK

 When David invited his best friend along on vacation, he never expected them to fall in love…

 Spending four days in a tropical paradise with Jack is a dream come true. For years, David lived a lie and denied his attraction to Jack. Now that they’re together in an isolated Caribbean resort, he finally sheds his denial and admits what he really wants—to be Jack’s lover.

 Jack is more than willing to introduce David to the life he has always fantasized about. Their sizzling nighttime encounters confirm David’s long-hidden desires. But what will happen when they leave the resort? Will David sacrifice everything to start a new life with Jack? Or will he go back to his old ways and risk losing the best friend he ever had?

***

The book link is:  http://amberquill.com/AmberAllure/FourDaysWithJack.html

The link to A Perfect Match is: http://amberquill.com/AmberHeat/PerfectMatch.html

The link to Trust with Hearts is: http://amberquill.com/AmberHeat/TrustWithHearts.html

The link to A Midsummer Night Delights  is: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberHeat/MidsummerNightsDelights.html

I hope you’ll check them out!

Happy Reading!
Kelli

Kelli A. Wilkins

An Inside Look at A Midsummer Night’s Delights & A Midwinter Night’s Delights – Two HOT Historical-Fantasy Romances

By Kelli A. Wilkins (http://www.kelliwilkins.com/ ), Amber Quill Press author

Hi everyone!

Today I’m sharing an inside look about two of my Amber Quill Press historical-fantasy romances, A Midsummer Night’s Delights http://www.amberquill.com/AmberHeat/MidsummerNightsDelights.html 
and A Midwinter Night’s Delights http://amberquill.com/AmberHeat/MidwinterNightsDelights.html .

A Midsummer Night’s Delights(http://www.amberquill.com/AmberHeat/MidsummerNightsDelights.html) introduced readers to repressed newlyweds Julian and Annabelle. They were strangers trapped in an arranged, sexless marriage. To loosen them up, Julian’s father sends them to the Marquis of Demby’s estate to attend a Midsummer Ball. (And this type of ball isn’t for dancing!)

Julian and Annabelle meet the Marquis, Vincent, and his wife, Sabrina. Over the course of their visit, they learn how to open up and explore their sexuality. When they attend the Midsummer Ball, they shed their inhibitions while indulging in their wildest fantasies.

A Midwinter Night’s Delights (http://amberquill.com/AmberHeat/MidwinterNightsDelights.html ) picks up six months after the first book. (If you haven’t read the first story, that’s okay – each novella stands alone as an individual read. And yes, this book is just as hot – if not hotter – than the first one!)

In the sequel, we discover that Annabelle and Julian have taken what they’ve learned and gone wild. Ever since the summer ball, they have been overindulging in all sorts of lewd activities. Instead of being shy and repressed, they are more than eager to give in to their desires whenever (and wherever) the mood strikes – even if it’s at a formal dinner party. Needless to say, Julian’s father sends them back to Vincent’s estate to be disciplined and learn self-control.

A Midwinter Night’s Delights is more intense than the first book. From the outset, readers know that Julian and Annabelle are learning lessons and being disciplined – but it’s all for their own good. I did sprinkle in some BDSM throughout the story (and at the ball) to make things interesting! It was fun to explore a different side to the games that take place at the estate house and watch how the characters reacted as they received their ‘punishments’ throughout the book.

After the release of A Midsummer Night’s Delights, some readers asked for prequel – they wanted to know how Vincent and Sabrina met and what their history entailed. Although I have no plans to write a full prequel, I did give the readers what they wanted. In A Midwinter Night’s Delights, Sabrina tells Annabelle how she met Vincent and how they got involved in their naughty games.
So, will there be a third book? Maybe. There’s definitely potential for another chapter in the saga. Will Lono and Lobo (two new characters I introduced) unmask and have their own side-story? Perhaps. I haven’t thought about their backgrounds much, but it would be interesting to learn more about them.

Hot excerpts from both books are on my Amber Quill Press author page: http://amberquill.com/AmberHeat/bio_Wilkins.html

I welcome feedback about the books and would like to know what you think. Which book or scene is your favorite? Would you like to see a third book in the series? (You can contact me via the "contact the author" form in the News section of my website, http://www.kelliwilkins.com/)
I’ve also started a weekly blog where I talk about my books, give writing advice, and share my thoughts about whatever else comes to mind. The link is: http://kelliwilkinsauthor.blogspot.com/

Happy Reading!
Until next time,
Kelli

SourceBooks Authors and Giveaway

Olivia Cunning Interview, Author of Rock Hard
1. Tell us a little bit about your current release, Rock Hard.
OC: Rock Hard is the second book in the series, “Sinners on Tour”. In this installment, the vocalist of Sinners, Sed Lionheart, is reunited with the fiancée who dumped him two years ago. He’s still carrying a torch for her. Big time. Jessica Chase hasn’t exactly gotten over Sed either. When they bump into each other, sparks fly, tempers flare, passion ignites and they have to learn to love each other for real this time.

2. Has your life changed significantly since becoming a published writer?
OC: YES! I have less time to write now that I’m published. I know that sounds strange, but between promotion, editing, updating websites, maintaining an online presence and interacting with fans (LOVE that part), the time I have to write is seriously crunched. Do people recognize me on the street, chase me down and hound me for autographs? Erm, no.

3. What song would best describe your life?
OC: Manic Monday by The Bangles. Not metal at all, I know, but lately my life feels like one long string of never ending Mondays. I’m ready for Sunday now. I need a fun day. An I don’t have to run day.

4. Is there anything special you do to get in the mood to write?
OC: I listen to music. Rock and metal, of course. Going to concerts always puts me in the mood to write as well. I love live music!

5. Please share with us your future projects and upcoming releases.
OC: I’m currently finishing up the Sinners on Tour series. There will be a book for each of the five members of Sinners. After that? I’m not sure what I’ll do next. If there’s enough demand for more rock star erotic romance, I’d like to do another series about the member’s of Exodus End. You’ll meet one of them in Rock Hard. Yummy Dare Mills. Sigh.... I just love those guitarists. Though vocalists are pretty hot. And bassists. And drummers. Yeah, I’ve got it bad. Feed my inner groupie.

ROCK HARD BY OLIVIA CUNNING – IN STORES APRIL 2011

A Sinners on Tour Novel


Sinner’s lead singer, Sed, had his heart shredded when Jessica left him to pursue her dreams, so when she dances her way back into his life, he's not sure he's ready for her brand of pain, or pleasure, again. When she convinces Sed to engage in a benefits with benefits relationship, things seem to be going his way, until one of his fans catches their explicit public display of affection on film and posts it all over the internet. Will Jessica ever trust Sed again? And has Sed become the man of Jessica’s dreams or is he just posing to get what he wants?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Raised on hard rock music from the cradle, Olivia Cunning attended her first Styx concert at age six and instantly fell in love with live music. She discovered her second love, romantic fiction, as a teen—first, voraciously reading steamy romance novels and then penning her own. She currently lives in Nebraska. For more information, please visit http://oliviacunning.com/ . For updates on the Sinners, be sure to check out http://www.sinnersontour.com/ !

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SourceBooks Authors and Giveaway

Linda Wisdom Interview, Author of Demons are a Girl’s Best Friend


1. Tell us a little bit about your current release, Demons are a Girl’s Best Friend.
LW: This book takes a bit of a darker turn and an urban fantasy feel with witch Maggie O’Malley as a sort of police officer for the preternatural and what happens when she meets up with hot half fire demon Declan and they’re thrown together having to stop the culmination of an ancient Mayan curse that could destroy the world. Think Practical Magic meets Indiana Jones.

2. What is your favorite thing about being a romance writer?
LW: It’s so much fun to weave what’s in my imagination into a story that other people read.

3. If you could be a shapeshifter, what form would you take and why?
LW: Tough question! I’m a major dog person, so maybe a Yorkie. I still remember the scene in Supernatural where Dean’s running from the hellhound that turns out to be a Yorkie. I want to be that kind of Yorkie. :}

4. Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
LW: Hm, probably making my characters listen to me. They prefer going their other way and ignore anything I say. The trouble is, they’re generally right!

5. Please share with us your future projects and upcoming releases.
LW: I have another book coming out next January, A Demon Does It Better, which features healer Lili who’s been mentioned in previous books. I’m also working on some young adult urban fantasies along with putting up my backlist books as ebooks at Amazon, BN, and other sites. I have several books up already and more to come.

DEMONS ARE A GIRL’S BEST FRIEND BY LINDA WISDOM – IN STORES APRIL 2011

A Bewitching Woman on a Mission…


Feisty witch Maggie enjoys her work as a paranormal law enforcement officer—that is, until she’s assigned to protect a teenager with major attitude and plenty of Mayan enemies. Maggie’s never going to survive this assignment without the help of a half-fire demon who makes her smolder…


A Hotter-Than-Sin Hero with an Agenda…


Declan is a proprietor of an underground club and busy demon portal. No way he’ll allow his demon race to be blamed for the malicious acts of some crazy evil Mayans. But he’s already got his hands full when the sexy witch offers him a challenge he can’t refuse…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Linda Wisdom has published more than 70 novels with 13 million copies sold worldwide. Her bestselling books have been nominated for RT Book Reviews awards and the RWA RITA Award. She recently won the RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award for Hex in High Heels. Linda lives with her husband in Murrieta, California, where she is working on her next book, A Demon Does it Better, set to release in January 2012. For more information, please visit http://www.lindawisdom.com/ .

*All comments are entered for a chance to win a print book prize pack including Demon's Are aa Girl's Best Friend*

SourceBooks Authors and Giveaway

Joanne Kennedy Interview; Author of Cowboy Fever
1. Tell us a little bit about your current release, Cowboy Fever.
JK: Cowboy Fever is about a former Miss Rodeo Wyoming who returns to her hometown to start a therapy riding center for children with disabilities. When she runs into the boy next door, she discovers that her old, forbidden flame has turned respectable, and he’s determined to win her heart. This book means a lot to me because many of the scenes are based on my experiences volunteering for a therapy riding program for children with autism.

2. What do you hope readers take with them after reading one of your stories?
JK: I hope they bond with the characters and feel like they’ve lived in my world for a little while. My books are fast-moving and have lots of humor, but there’s a lot of emotion there too. There are parts of this book that make me cry every time I read it, and hopefully it will strike that deep a chord with readers, too.

3. If you were a superhero, what special power would you have?
JK: I would help children with autism communicate, and help people understand them and how they see the world. I would somehow make life easier for them and easier for their families.

4. What books or authors have most influenced your life?
JK: There are so many! But the two authors that made me want to write contemporary romance were Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Kristan Higgens. Both of them have that combination of humor and warmth that I strive for in my own books, and both create characters that are so vivid you feel like they’re your friends by the time you finish.

5. Please share with us your future projects and upcoming releases.
JK: My next contemporary Western romance is Tall, Dark and Cowboy. It’s about a former trophy wife who finds out her ex is a criminal and flees to Wyoming for help from an old friend. To her surprise, her geeky high school pal has turned into one hot cowboy while she wasn’t looking—and when everything goes wrong, she realizes he just might be Mr. Right.

Tall, Dark and Cowboy will be released in November, and I have two more cowboy romances slated for 2012. Those two involve rodeo as well as ranching, and I think readers are going to like my new heroes and the women who love them.

COWBOY FEVER BY JOANNE KENNEDY – IN STORES APRIL 2011

She Thought She Had It All…


A modeling contract with Wrangler got this Miss Rodeo Wyoming a first-class ticked out of town, but somewhere along the way Jodi Brand lost her soul. When she gets back to her hometown, her childhood friend Teague Treadwell’s rugged cowboy charm hits her like a ton of bricks…


He Believed He Wasn’t Good Enough…


Teague is convinced Jodi’s success lifted her out of his reach. Now he’s got to shed his bad boy image to be worthy of the girl next door…


But whoever heard of a beauty queen settling for a down and dirty cowboy…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Joanne Kennedy has worked in bookstores all her life in positions ranging from bookseller to buyer. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, and has published three books with Sourcebooks Casablanca: Cowboy Trouble, One Fine Cowboy, and her latest, Cowboy Fever. Joanne lives and writes in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where she is working on Tall, Dark and Cowboy (November 2011) and two more contemporary Western romances. For more information, please visit http://joannekennedybooks.com/ .

*All comments are entered for a chance to win a print book prize pack including Cowboy Fever*