Guest Blog with Ayla Ruse!!
Ayla’s hijacked my blog today to talk about her amazing release The Deciding Factor.
Without further ado, here’s Ayla!!
___________
Hi Tina! Thanks for having me on your blog today. I’m going to jump in with both feet and discuss a topic that can never get old: ménage.
I love ménage. I mean, really, who in their right mind doesn’t? Adding a third to a pair used to be something at which to scoff. You’ve heard the phrases, “Two’s company, three’s a crowd,” or “the third wheel,” and I’m sure there’re others. But three doesn’t have to be that way.
The number three is powerful in and of itself. It’s stable. It tightens and balances a pair that could easily break on its own. If you look around you, you’ll find evidence of three of some kind. There are triangles; there are tenses: past, present and future; there are the three graces. If you put even a little bit of thought behind the coincidence of three, you just might be surprised at what you’ll find.
Trust in the strength of this number is what drove me to write my first published story, and several other ménage stories thereafter. Yes, it’s exciting to read a tale involving the accepted two-person scenario, but to read a tale that involves three? That’s erotic as hell. I’m not talking strictly about the sex, either. To sustain a three-person relationship, each individual has to face challenges that not every Joe, Tom or Jane out there encounter. Emotion is involved, and everyone knows when you toss emotion into the mix, everything goes in one of two directions: out of whack or smooth as clockwork.
Today I’m sharing with you my first ménage story, The Deciding Factor. Other than being close to my heart because it was my first, I am still in love with these characters. I trust you will enjoy the ups and downs of their relationship as well.
AUTHOR: Ayla Ruse
TITLE: The Deciding Factor
GENRE: Contemporary erotic romance, ménage m/f/m, novel
PUBLISHER: Total E-Bound
WHERE TO BUY THE BOOK ON LINE
Total E-Bound http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?P_ID=1045
ARe http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thedecidingfactor-537454-144.html
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/The-Deciding-Factor-ebook/dp/B004WLO4M8
Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-deciding-factor-ayla-ruse/1104299666
RELEASE DATE: 1/17/2011
Being with two men suddenly became a lot more complicated …
Reuniting with both a first love and a first lover within a matter of days is enough to make any girl’s head spin. Alycia Delaney is no exception. About to turn 30, Aly decides to take charge of her lacklustre life and to live with a try-anything-new attitude. Too bad her attitude didn’t account for fate throwing two of the most important men from Aly’s past straight into her arms.
Sawyer Test and Luke Coldwell are best friends and each man wants Aly for himself. Leaving the choice to her, Aly opens door number three and decides they should embark in a summer-long ménage.
When talk turns into action, each participant is forced to question their impulsiveness, and Aly is left caught between the safety of a painful decision and the perils of following her heart.
Excerpt:
“You’re right in what you said, Aly,” Sawyer said suddenly, stepping towards her with Luke right beside him.
“I am? About what?”
“Everything you said tonight,” Luke answered. “I don’t know why we didn’t think of it ourselves. But Sawyer believes we need to sit on the idea some more. Make sure it’s the right decision, overall. I say, let’s start now, but he wants to wait.” The look Luke shot Sawyer let Aly know Luke didn’t agree with his friend’s decision to wait, for whatever reason, but he’d go along with the results. If she read their silent communications correctly.
“Okay?” She didn’t want to delve into details of what they were talking about, she simply wanted out. “So I can go now? No hard feelings? I’ll see you later, then?”
At their nods, she walked forward as if to move between them. Just before she brushed past, Sawyer reached out and cupped her face. “Where do you think you’re going without a goodbye kiss?” he murmured.
“No kisses,” she started to say in protest, but the words ended on his lips as his mouth took hers fully. Her hands shot up to stop him, not believing he dared kiss her right in front of Luke. What if she got hit in the head when Luke swung?
In only seconds, she nearly forgot about Luke, moaning as Sawyer stroked his tongue against the length of her own, the caress racing all the way through her core. She reached up to touch his face and stiffened when a set of hands gripped her shoulders. Sawyer ignored her lapse and deepened the kiss, softly demanding her response. Luke’s body crowded her from behind, his heat warming her back. Aly couldn’t decide if she should be scared off or turned on.
“My turn.”
She barely heard Luke’s whispered comment, but it must have made its way to Sawyer’s ears because the next thing she knew, large hands turned her around. Sawyer’s mouth slid off hers, only to be replaced with the fierce demands of Luke’s lashing tongue. She surrendered to the assault, whimpered as her panties went from damp to sopping, and gave herself over to the kiss, even when Sawyer began rubbing her back.
It wasn’t right to compare men. She should be bored with Sawyer’s lazy kisses. She should be repulsed with Luke’s aggressive mouth. Instead, both intrigued her and heated her body like no one person ever had. It’d be impossible to choose between the two of them. It had to be both or none.
Aly made up her mind to go with whatever the guys wanted. Her reference to a threesome had been a joke, but if they were serious, at this point, she wouldn’t argue.
~~~~~
To contact Ayla, visit her at any of these places in the big World Wide Web (see, another three)!
website (URL: http://www.aylaruse.com
blog (URL: http://aylaruse.blogspot.com/
Facebook (URL: https://www.facebook.com/ayla.ruse
Twitter @aylaruse (URL: https://twitter.com/#!/AylaRuse
Thanks so much for having me over Tina. I’ve had some great fun!
Zenobia Renquist talks about Pet’s Pleasure
Zenobia’s taken over my blog today to talk about her intriguing new release Pet’s Pleasure.
So pull up a chair, sit back and relax. Heeeeeerrrre’s Zenobia!!
_____________
Readers usually want to know tidbits about what went into creating a book, like a Behind the Scenes or The Making Of… type of deal. I don’t have a film crew following me around as I write—because lord knows they would be bored to tears—but I do sometimes have little quirks that stick in my mind about certain scenes and such.
To help the flow of conversation for PET’S PLEASURE, I read many of the conversations (okay, they were arguments) between Starling and Bekion out loud. Doing so let me “hear” their voices and make sure I was describing the right level of emotion as well as getting the wording right.
I had to make sure the house was empty (hubby was usually at work and I don’t have kids) so I didn’t embarrass myself. But the minute I was alone, I was acting out some of the more explosive conversations and laughing myself silly over how Starling and Bekion bounced off of each other. I think if I ever do a reading in the future, it would have to be from PET’S PLEASURE because I have the most practice reading it, and I would have so much fun acting out both these characters that I wouldn’t be nervous.
Pet’s Pleasure by Zenobia Renquist
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave, Blush
Genre: Mainstream Science Fiction Romance, Interracial
eBook ISBN: 9781419936524
Price: $5.20/US
Length: Plus Novel
The love of a good owner is hard to find.
Starling envied the easy life of pets…until she became one. Kidnapped from Earth and sold to the highest bidder, she now belongs to an alien king. But she doesn’t want to be his pampered possession. She wants Bekion to see her as an independent woman with needs and desires of her own.
Only deviants break the laws barring sexual relations between owners and their pets, and King Bekion has no intention of succumbing to simple lust. But the long nights with Starling’s lush body pressed tight against his take a toll. Her strength and intelligence make it difficult for Bekion to remember Starling is human—and forbidden. He knows it isn’t right but he can’t stop thinking of his pet and all the pleasure he could give her, even if it costs him his crown.
EXCERPT:
Bekion asked between clenched teeth, “If you are so desperate for sexual partners, perhaps I should agree to Lady Idruc’s suggestion and couple you with Ladrow?”
“You do and you won’t have to worry about assassins because I’ll be the one who kills you in your sleep.”
He believed her. The threat was serious and so was she. He backed down—figuratively and literally. He sat on the bed with a long, tired sigh. “I have no intention of giving you to Lady Idruc’s pet, Starling. I wouldn’t do that to you.”
“And you have no intention of sleeping with me either.”
“No.”
“Then why do I have to stay in your room? Give me a room of my own or let me sleep with Nausic. That would make his job easier.”
Though said in an offhand, innocent manner, her words reignited the full force of Bekion’s anger. “Your place is in my room.”
“Your closet, you mean.”
“You put yourself there.”
“I wouldn’t want to tempt you into bestiality.”
He pushed to his feet and stalked toward the door. “You’ll remain in my chambers until Lady Idruc and her pet leave tomorrow.”
“Whatever.”
He turned back but regretted it. Starling stood in her panties and nothing else. She’d stripped off her dress while his back was turned. He swallowed, trying to wet his suddenly dry throat.
Starling glanced at him. “Did you want something?”
Bekion turned his back once more and left the room. “Furielle, see to her,” he barked as he passed the woman.
Starling yelled something in her mother language. Bekion started to face her but Rois yanked him to the side. He felt the wind of a small vase speeding past his cheek. It crashed into the wall exactly where his head would have been if Rois hadn’t moved him. Bekion glared at Rois for laughing, which the man tried to cover with a coughing fit.
Bekion and Starling needed distance so they could both calm down. The recess he called had ended five minutes ago, so he headed for the throne room. He didn’t have to explain his tardiness to anyone. But he hated setting a bad example.
“She has a strong arm,” Rois said, amusement still coloring his voice. “She threw that vase from the inner chamber doorway. It had some speed on it too. I almost didn’t get to you in time.”
“Silence, Rois.”
Read full first chapter online:
http://www.drb1stchp.com/2012/04/pets-pleasure-by-zenobia-renquist.html
Buy Links:
- Ellora’s Cave
http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9948-pets-pleasure.aspx
- Amazon Kindle
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007RXA3FU/
- All Romance eBooks
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-pet039spleasure-771462-143.html
- Barnes & Noble Nook
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pets-pleasure-zenobia-renquist/1110186509?ean=9781419936524
- Sony eReader
http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/zenobia-renquist/pet-s-pleasure/_/R-400000000000000672545
- Amazon Kindle UK
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007RXA3FU
Zenobia Renquist Online:
- Website
- Blog
http://dreneebagby.blogspot.com/
https://twitter.com/#!/ZenobiaRenquist
https://www.facebook.com/Author.DRBagby.ZRenquist
- Goodreads
http://www.goodreads.com/zenobiarenquist
- Newsletter
Lynne Connolly talks about Ghost Stories
I’ve invited Lynne to take over my blog today. She’s talking about ghost stories and her release Rendezvous at Midnight.
Welcome, Lynne!
____________
I have my dream job. I’m a writer. Now all I need is to write a runaway best-seller, and I can die happy!
Just not yet. But some of my characters are dead, because I’ve started to write ghost stories, and “Rendezvous at Midnight” is one of them.
Inspired by ghost hunting programs, I wrote a story about a haunted ocean liner, but because I’m a romance writer, I wanted it to form the background to a steamy love story. One with a happy ending. So “Rendezvous at Midnight” is the story of medium Michael Scott and presenter Lisa Perez, who work for the TV franchise “Ghosts at Home.”
This being a paranormal romance, I wanted a bit more. So Michael is the child of a vampire. In my paranormal world, not all children of vampires are vampires themselves, but they all have the gift of being able to communicate with ghosts. Michael is in contact with other Talents, as my paranormal beings are called, and they come from every walk of life. At the beginning of the story, we meet a professional golfer who is also a griffin shape-shifter. You never know, I might write a story about him next!
Michael has been tormented by watching Lisa with no-good Carlos, so when she finishes her relationship with him, Michael is determined that he will be the next man on her list. Their scheduled weekend at the old, reomantic ocean liner, “Gem of the Sea” is his chance to persuade her. He doesn’t realise that Lisa will find herself in deadly danger, and will need all his psychic skills to save her from the fate of her mother.
Lisa wants to do the job on the “Gem of the Sea” because her mother died aboard. A member of staff when the “Gem” was a seagoing vessel instead of a stationary luxury hotel, Lisa’s mother’s death has never been properly explained, and with Michael available to contact ghosts, Lisa wants to discover once and for all her mother’s fate. However, she stirs up more than ghosts, and vengeful spirits are the hardest to defeat. If Michael doesn’t succeed, they’re both dead, and their love with it.
This book flowed so well, that I’m thinking of writing more. Romantic historical locations, a touch of terror and high octane steamy sex? Who could resist? Certainly not me!
*****
A haunted ocean liner, a woman with a family mystery to solve, and a man who can talk to ghosts—what do they have in common? A timeless love and the very real threat of murder, that’s what.
Lisa, a host for the TV program Ghost at Home, and Michael, a medium also for the program, share a past together. But it remains to be seen if they have a future….
When the program gets offered to spend a weekend of ghost-hunting on The Gem of the Sea, Lisa sees her chance to discover what really happened to her mother the day she died on the great ocean liner. But over the course of one passion-filled weekend, Lisa and Michael must fight a malevolence the likes of which neither has encountered before.
Will they win or become two more of the unquiet spirits haunting the old ship?
Rendezvous at Midnight is published by Decadent Publishing, and is available from Amazon UK, Amazon US, All Romance eBooks and all other good eBook retailers.
*****
I was born in Leicester, England, and lived in our cobbler’s shop with my parents and sister. It was an old house and most definitely haunted, but I didn’t find out until I left that my great uncle had hung himself in the living room! But I think our ghost might have been older than that. It was built on the site of the old Roman cemetery, and the land had been constantly inhabited, being in the centre of town. Then, when the council bought the house from us to build a road, my grandfather retired and my father went and worked for the Post Office. My mother was a sample machinist; that is, she worked with designers on the prototypes (models or samples) of garments. So I was very well dressed! We bought a relatively modern house in the country, and my mother was blissfully happy. It’s all very well living in a large old house, but it’s a dreadful task to keep it clean and warm!
My mother’s side of the family are Romany gypsies, although sadly we haven’t any of the old trailers that are so astonishingly beautiful. I was taught to read the Tarot cards, and I usually use two packs; the Rider pack for simple readings and the Crowley Thoth pack for the complex stuff.
I’ve always had an interest in the paranormal and it’s been a delight to be able to put some of this into my novels.
Website: http://lynneconnolly.com
Final Day of TRR’s Erotic Romance Madness Hop!!!
This is it!! Your last chance to leave comments to win prizes!!
If you LOVE erotic romance, you’ll adore this. Scores of authors will be showcasing one erotic romance book May 10-14. Even better, they’ll be providing at least one giveaway for the commenters on their blogs/sites.
The Romance Reviews will also be giving away THREE grand prizes. Bloggers and commenters are eligible to win. More info here: http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/index.php?hop
I’m not done yet! Now, for my prize. To one lucky commenter during this event, I’m offering a chance to win one of my backlist, including:
1. Adored – RWA award-winning; EPIC 2011 Finalist; 4 Stars RT
2. Deep, Dark, Delicious – EPIC 2011 Finalist; Holt Medallion Award of Merit
3. Lush Velvet Nights – EPIC 2011 Finalist; Golden Nib Award
4. In His Arms – SIX 5 Star Reviews; 4 Stars RT
5. Sensual Stranger – 2010 Book of the Year (erotic); 4 Stars RT
6. The Yearning – Top Ten Bestseller; Holt Medallion Award of Merit
7. Take Me Away - #1 Pick, Miz Love Loves Books
8. Unending Desire – Best Book Rating LASR
So please, leave those comments!!!
Now back to erotic romance and the book I’m f0cusing on during the hop – Emma Holly’s The Top of Her Game.
The best part of Emma’s book for me was the ending. The epilogue specifically. I cried during it and I smiled too. Left such a satisfying feeling that I couldn’t wait to buy another of her books.
In each of my own erotic romances, I’ve tried for endings that not only satisfied, but brought my readers to smiles and tears. The one my fans have most commented on was In His Arms. Even after all the times I’ve reread the story through revisions and edits, it still moves me greatly. It also makes me proud of what I’d accomplished with this tale.
Don’t forget to leave those comments for your chance to win!!! :)
Paris Brandon talks about Bend Over Cowboy!!
Paris has hijacked my blog today to bring you a smokin’ hot excerpt from her latest release Bend Over Cowboy. I’m having to fan myself just looking at that cover. 
So pull up a chair, sit back and relax. Heeeeerrrreeee’s Paris!!
_________
Woman On Top…
I’ve read and loved countless erotic stories where anal sex has been portrayed in a loving, sexual relationship. Now, I’m one of those people who thrive on the “What if?” question so it wasn’t long before I was wondering why a big, strapping hetero-sexual male who enjoyed sex wouldn’t enjoy anal sex from, let’s call it, another perspective.
Know what? I couldn’t come up with a single reason other than he might be afraid of being thought of as not masculine enough. But what if, and there’s that phrase again, what if he was so comfortable with his sexuality and so crazy about his lover that he regarded anal sex as just another avenue of pleasure?
I admit that wondering about some of my reader’s reactions gave me pause. What would readers think about a story of a hot cowboy who isn’t afraid of letting his girlfriend explore her wild, strap-on fantasy? Going by some of the Bend Over, Cowboy reviews and comments floating around these days, I’m going to have to say that some of you think it’s hot!
If you enjoy short stories with a generous dose of romance, hot sex and mutual respect, please have a peek at the excerpt I’ve left. And if you leave a comment, be sure and leave your email address because one of you will be receiving their choice of an e-book from my backlist!
Cross My Heart…a Night Owl Review 5 Star Top Pick
Head Over Heels/Book One/Red Stilettos…5 Stars, The Romance Studio
Assassin’s Kiss…4 Stars from Romantic Times
No Holds Barred…4 Stars , Just Erotic Romance Reviews
I’ll leave you with a blurb, excerpt and links to the reviews for BEND OVER, COWBOY!
The toss of a coin, a whispered request and some very interesting toys add up to an amorous weekend for an adventurous woman who isn’t afraid of asking for what she wants and a pleasure seeking cowboy that’s finally found a woman who can give as good as she gets!
An Excerpt From: BEND OVER, COWBOY
Copyright © PARIS BRANDON, 2012
All Rights Reserved, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.
“You plan on misbehavin’ anytime soon?” he asked, sounding hopeful as hell. His sexy grin made her want to drag him into the nearest dark corner and rub up against him like a cat but she’d just caught Livy’s confused what-the-hell-does-he-see-in-your-big-butt glare.
For someone as astute as the beautiful marketing executive usually was about business, she didn’t have a clue about personal relationships. Livy, with her lithe little cheerleader body and her surgically perfect profile was a trophy hunter and she couldn’t seem to wrap her mind around the fact that Tall didn’t have any interest in being part of her collection.
Bless her heart.
Kitty had had about all this party she could politely stand and she could tell Tall was getting itchy when he reached into his pants pocket.
“I think it’s time for our annual coin toss,” he suggested, pulling out what she knew to be the same quarter he’d used the first time they’d cut and run from Marcy’s annual to-do.
She knew because he kept it on the dresser in his bedroom. “Toss away, cowboy. I call heads,” she said sweetly and watched him flip the coin into the air, catch it and slap it down on the back of his hand.
His lips twitched after he lifted his palm and she knew she’d won again. “You are the luckiest woman alive.”
“Don’t I know it,” she bragged and couldn’t resist winking at him.
She’d been flirting with the idea of how this night was going to end since last summer’s Fourth of July impromptu photo shoot when she’d posed him naked except for his chaps and boots. And that raggedy-ass cowboy hat that was almost as battered as he was after surviving riding bulls and anything else he could get his hands on during his ten-year stint on the rodeo circuit.
She smiled and he looked wary, but as usual, very eager.
“Are you going to tell me what I’m in for or are you just going to smile all night and make me guess?”
She leaned in close and breathed in the sharp tang of his cologne that reminded her of crisp, dry leaves, earthy moss and sun-warmed leather. “I want to take you to bed and not let you out for days. I want to tie you up and watch your face while I take you every way you can imagine and some I hope you haven’t even thought about yet. And I want to strap on the prettiest pink cock you ever saw and fuck your ass until you beg for mercy.”
She watched him swallow hard and try to get his breathing under control while her heart was doing flip-flops. She was so wet she’d almost made herself come just from describing what she wanted to do to him.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and she went into his embrace, enjoying the feel of his just-bordering-on-impolite-grasp and parted her lips for his kiss. His tongue swept inside like a conquering hero while his big hands cupped her ass so hard she knew they’d leave marks. So much for behaving in public.
His mouth telegraphed a desperate need that she tried to match but she’d wanted him under her for so long that she started to shake and finally stopped wondering how his mouth could be so hard and sweet at the same time.
“Always said I wanted a woman who could give as good as she gets,” he whispered after he finally broke the kiss. She almost creamed her panties when she felt the full-body shudder that racked him.
“So you’re up for it?”
“Yeah baby,” he whispered and placed her hand over the erection tenting his pants. He licked his lips and his gaze locked on to hers. “I’m up for it.”
Buy Link: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9942-bend-over-cowboy.aspx
Reviews:
http://www.guiltypleasuresbookreviews.com/2012/04/kclus-review-bend-over-cowboy-by-paris.html#more
http://www.nightowlreviews.com/nor/Authors/Paris-Brandon.aspx
Thanks for stopping by!
Paris Brandon
Bend Over, Cowboy is also available at
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007RXA1SY
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bend-over-cowboy-paris-brandon/1110186510?ean=9781419939914
KOBO: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Bend-Over-Cowboy/book-IJ01rJ2hK0m_-5JMemh4Rw/page1.html
Day 4 – TRR’s Erotic Romance Madness Hop – PRIZES!!!
If you LOVE erotic romance, you’ll adore this. Scores of authors will be showcasing one erotic romance book May 10-14. Even better, they’ll be providing at least one giveaway for the commenters on their blogs/sites.
The Romance Reviews will also be giving away THREE grand prizes. Bloggers and commenters are eligible to win. More info here: http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/index.php?hop
I’m not done yet! Now, for my prize. To one lucky commenter during this event, I’m offering a chance to win one of my backlist, including:
1. Adored – RWA award-winning; EPIC 2011 Finalist; 4 Stars RT
2. Deep, Dark, Delicious – EPIC 2011 Finalist; Holt Medallion Award of Merit
3. Lush Velvet Nights – EPIC 2011 Finalist; Golden Nib Award
4. In His Arms – SIX 5 Star Reviews; 4 Stars RT
5. Sensual Stranger – 2010 Book of the Year (erotic); 4 Stars RT
6. The Yearning – Top Ten Bestseller; Holt Medallion Awardof Merit
7. Take Me Away - #1 Pick, Miz Love Loves Books
8. Unending Desire – Best Book Rating LASR
So please, leave those comments!!!
Now back to erotic romance and the book I’m f0cusing on during the hop – Emma Holly’s The Top of Her Game.
The secondary characters in Emma’s fabulous book were nicely drawn. However, the ones I remember the most were the animals, Zach’s dog and the mare who’d just given birth. I love animals and the scenes with them really drew me into the story.
I haven’t often used animals in my erotic romances. However, in my award-winning erotic contemporary Take Me Away, the little puppy known as Buddy (or Buddy Baby as Lexi likes to call him), definitely made me and a lot of my fans smile.
Don’t forget to leave those comments for your chance to win!!!
Day 3 – TRR’s Erotic Romance Madness Hop – PRIZES!!!
Okay, you should be pretty well versed on what The Romance Reviews is offering during this hop, along with my prize. But just in case you aren’t…
If you LOVE erotic romance, you’ll adore this. Scores of authors will be showcasing one erotic romance book May 10-14. Even better, they’ll be providing at least one giveaway for the commenters on their blogs/sites.
The Romance Reviews will also be giving away THREE grand prizes. Bloggers and commenters are eligible to win. More info here: http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/index.php?hop
I’m not done yet! Now, for my prize. To one lucky commenter during this event, I’m offering a chance to win one of my backlist, including:
1. Adored – RWA award-winning; EPIC 2011 Finalist; 4 Stars RT
2. Deep, Dark, Delicious – EPIC 2011 Finalist; Holt Medallion Award of Merit
3. Lush Velvet Nights – EPIC 2011 Finalist; Golden Nib Award
4. In His Arms – SIX 5 Star Reviews; 4 Stars RT
5. Sensual Stranger – 2010 Book of the Year (erotic); 4 Stars RT
6. The Yearning – Top Ten Bestseller; Holt Medallion Awardof Merit
7. Take Me Away - #1 Pick, Miz Love Loves Books
8. Unending Desire – Best Book Rating LASR
So please, leave those comments!!!
Now back to erotic romance and the book I’m f0cusing on during the hop – Emma Holly’s The Top of Her Game.
When I first picked it up I thought it was going to be another cowboy/city girl romance with lots and lots and lots of sex thrown in. How wrong I was.
Not about the sex - there was lots of that; however, the depth of the main characters Zach and Julia was so well crafted. Julia has her intimacy issues and Zach wasn’t all that assertive in the beginning. But once he hits his stride with her – wow. We learn why both of them turned out as they did. It’s an amazing journey into someone’s psyche.
Because I’ve always written character-driven stories, rather than ones focused solely on plot (or simply sex), I truly enjoyed the evolution of Julia and Zach’s love, their coming together in the face of so many odds.
And that’s how I approach my stories. For example, my award-winning romance Sensual Stranger.
When Zach and Toni meet, she’s flat broke, without family, alone for too long and just about out of luck. For him, he’d lost his wife in a tragic accident. Their heartache made them who they are. It enriches their love and the sex. Yes, there’s a lot of that in Sensual Stranger. However, it enhances their growing bond. It never overshadows it.
Don’t forget: Leave a comment at this post for your chance to win one of my backlist, including Sensual Stranger.
CONTEST and guest blog with Virginia Cavanaugh!!
Virginia’s hijacked my blog today to talk about her awesome new release Seductive Reunion (wow, love the cover!). And she’s hosting a contest. More on that later.
For now, here’s Virginia!
___________
Hello Everyone!
Thanks so much to Tina for having me here today.
Everyone seems to have their own opinions on high school reunions. Some can’t wait to go and be reunited with their friends, while others couldn’t be dragged there. I for one missed my ten year reunion because life got in the way. There are times though that I wish I could have gone.
And that is where the idea for Seductive Reunion was born. I loved writing the characters in this story, and I also have a companion story coming soon featuring Margo, the sly best friend in Seductive Reunion.
Blurb:
It should have been a simple evening. Go to the high school reunion. Have a couple of drinks. Share a few laughs. Easy peasy. Until Special Agent John Clayton walks in and turns Andi Morgan’s life upside down.
He makes her want things…deliciously wicked things. But Andi’s past complicates matters. Her ex-husband, and local Senator’s son, Steve Hidel, is in deep shit with the Havenk brothers, a shady pair of gunrunners and they all want something only Andi can give them. Will Andi be able to trust the safety she finds in John’s arms, or could he possibly have ulterior motives of his own?
*** CONTEST ALERT *** CONTEST ALERT *** CONTEST ALERT ***
Leave a comment for a chance to win an electronic copy of my romantic suspense title, Winter’s Shadow. A winner will be drawn at random from the comments on the 15th. Good luck. 
Buy Link: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-10070-seductive-reunion.aspx
Why I Love Erotic Romance – CONTEST
Okay, before I get this show on the road, let me make one thing clear. I do not enjoy erotic romance only because of the sex.
In fact, the steamy parts are a very small part of what makes an erotic romance – a really good erotic romance – sing.
The last time I wrote about Emma Holly’s The Top of Her Game, I told you about her style, which is absolutely awesome. However, it was the interplay between the lead characters, Zach and Julia, that made me keep reading. I was rooting for them both. I wanted them to be together. When an author can do that to a reader, s/he’s succeeded.
In my own erotic romances, I’ve concentrated on the emotional build between the characters, the sexual tension between them. Those are the parts I like most. Two people who are just meant to be. They may be fighting it. They may succeed for awhile, but they just have to be together in the end.
I did that with my erotic romance Sensual Stranger which was voted Book of the Year 2010. And I’ve continued to do it with my latest novels, including Sinfully Wicked. The emotional connection between my characters is what makes the story and the sex so worthwhile.
Now for the contest part!
If you LOVE erotic romance, you’ll adore this. Scores of authors will be showcasing one erotic romance book May 10-14. Even better, they’ll be providing at least one giveaway for the commenters on their blogs/sites.
The Romance Reviews will also be giving away THREE grand prizes. Bloggers and commenters are eligible to win. More info here: http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/index.php?hop
I’m not done yet! Now, for my prize. To one lucky commenter during this event, I’m offering a chance to win one of my backlist, including:
1. Adored – RWA award-winning; EPIC 2011 Finalist; 4 Stars RT
2. Deep, Dark, Delicious – EPIC 2011 Finalist; Holt Medallion Award of Merit
3. Lush Velvet Nights – EPIC 2011 Finalist; Golden Nib Award
4. In His Arms – SIX 5 Star Reviews; 4 Stars RT
5. Sensual Stranger – 2010 Book of the Year (erotic); 4 Stars RT
6. The Yearning – Top Ten Bestseller; Holt Medallion Awardof Merit
7. Take Me Away - #1 Pick, Miz Love Loves Books
8. Unending Desire – Best Book Rating LASR
So please, leave those comments!!!
Guest Blog with Author Marie Rose Dufour!!
Marie’s highjacked my blog today to talk about eroticism and her newest release Saddle Up. Love the cover!!
Take it away, Marie…
__________
Eroticism doesn’t always equate to sex
When I explain to people about what I write, I normally receive a stunned silent moment before the person quickly recovers. After their recovery time, I’m usually asked one of three questions. Why erotic romance? How do you feel about writing porn? How does your family feel about your writing?
I smile at them and give them answers that I give to every person who’s asked me. I don’t get upset because I’ve come to a realization that these people just don’t get it. My stories revolve around couples who are committed to each other, always have a happily ever after, and includes some really hot sex.
Although the stories are not defined by the sex within the book, constant sex without a strong romantic story ventures into a different genre. What these people, “who don’t get it”, don’t understand is that a scene can be incredibly erotic without the couple ever consummating their love.
Over the weekend, I caught a showing of the Keira Knightly version of Pride and Prejudice. My friends and I have often debated which is the better version, this one or the one starring Colin Firth. He plays Darcy so convincingly; you would think he’s the original model for the character. I obviously like the Colin Firth version because let’s face it, it stars Colin Firth!
I find the Keira Knightly version enjoyable because I find it highly erotic and Miss Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy don’t so much as even kiss until the final few minutes of the movie and it comes after their wedding. There is a subtle layer in the movie that makes my insides go all warm and buttery. It’s the way the director (or writer) uses the characters’ hands. Whenever Darcy and Elizabeth have the opportunity to touch, you get the feeling that it electrifies and arouses both of them. By zooming in on Darcy clenching and unclenching his hands after helping Elizabeth into the carriage, let’s us know there is more going on underneath the surface. There is a restrained passion and who doesn’t love simmering, restrained passion in an alpha hero?
So eroticism isn’t only limited to hot sex scenes. I try in my writing to include this type of layering. Don’t get me wrong, I love writing scorching love scenes between my characters but sometimes the subtle can be just as satisfying.
I’d like to thank Tina for giving me the opportunity to guest blog here today. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
Marie Rose Dufour
AUTHOR: Marie Rose Dufour
TITLE: Saddle Up
GENRE: Cowboy/Cougar Erotic Romance
PUBLISHER: Secret Cravings Publishing http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=book_info&products_id=300&zenid=3d2961317e64d38082dd26ae2a5a045e
WHERE TO BUY THE BOOKS ON LINE
Bookstrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/saddle-up-1
ARe: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-saddleup-779969-149.html
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1110195961?ean=2940014518284
RELEASE DATE: 4/13/2012
BLURB
Tasha Lane never realized how boring her life had become until one phone call in the middle of the night totally changed it. Can this forty-two year old accountant put aside a nine-year age gap and perpetual “foot in mouth” disorder to find love and happiness with an ex-rodeo star turned rancher?
Three years ago, Devin Grant traded the rodeo circuit for a cattle ranch. If someone told him, he would fall in love with a woman he’d never physically met, he’d think they were kicked too many times in the head by a bull. When her brother is thrown from his horse, it was finally time to meet the sexy woman of his dreams and convince her, he was worth taking a chance on.
Can he convince her before she goes back to her boring life? Will she be able to overcome their age difference and her own insecurities?
EXCERPT
“Hello.” Tasha fumbled around in the dark to answer the phone, spilling a glass of water all over the floor in her haste.
“Hello. Am I speaking to Natasha Lane?”
“Do you know what time it is? Who is this?”
“I’m sorry for the lateness, ma’am. My name is Devin Grant. I own the Double Barrel Ranch. Your brother, Dave, has been working for me this past month.”
“Oh. My. God. What happened? Is David alright?” Tasha felt like her heart was going to explode out of her chest.
“He will be. His horse threw him earlier today when it was spooked by a rattler. He broke his leg in three places and had to have surgery. He is resting right now.”
She felt like she was paralyzed. She was hearing the words that Devin was saying, but it felt like he was talking to someone else. She was numb. David had been hurt. He was the rock in the family. If something needed to be fixed, you called David. If you were in trouble, you called David. He was always there for his family. Except for one month every summer, he flew to Colorado and worked on a ranch. He loved it. It was so different than working in a bank. Last month, he decided to quit his job and move to the ranch permanently. The rest of the family didn’t understand, but Tasha did.
“How can you leave me alone with Mom and Paul?” Tasha had joked with him while choking back the tears. She would miss him so much.
“You’re just worried about how you will have to start hiring someone when things break around here. You’re not going to miss me, you’re going to miss my tool belt.”
“You know, you’re right. Just hand me those yellow pages out there. With the rate that things break in this house, I’m going to have to find someone and put them on speed dial.”
She stared at her brother as her heart was breaking. “You will be careful, won’t you? It’s a hard life you’re choosing to live.”
“Careful is my middle name. Now come and give your little brother a hug.” He enveloped her in a huge bear hug.
“You know that this is going to make me happier than I’ve ever been before, right?”
Tasha nodded, not trusting her voice. The next day he was on a plane for the ranch.
“Natasha. Natasha. Are you still there?
The voice on the phone broke her out of her revelry
“Yes, yes. I’m still here,” she whispered in a small voice.
“I’ve arranged a plane ticket to be available for you at the USAir terminal. Do you think that you could be ready and at the airport in two hours?”
“What? What are you saying?”
“I figured that you’d want to come here and see how he is for yourself. So I bought you a plane ticket. It’s waiting for you. The only thing is that it’s in two hours. It was the only flight available. You’re really going to have to pack quickly if you want to make it.”
“I don’t know what to say. It is extremely generous of you.”
“Ma’am, you’re brother is my friend. I know that the two of you are close. He’s always talking about you. Sometimes I feel we’ve already met from the stories that he tells. He’s going to want to see you when he wakes up.”
“I can’t thank you enough. I’ll make the flight. You’re going to have to give me the hospital information. I’ll go there the minute I land.”
“I’ll be at the airport waiting to bring you to the hospital myself.”
“Ok. So I’ll see you in a few hours. Oh, and by the way, Mr. Grant, if you call me ma’am one more time, I might have to kick your ass despite your generosity.”
“Not a problem, sweetness. I’ll tussle with you anytime you want. See you at the airport.”
Tasha stared at the phone for a few minutes after he disconnected. What did he mean by that? Could he have been flirting with her over the phone? Nah! Just her mind playing tricks on her.
Two hours later, she was sitting in first class and on her way to Colorado to make sure that her brother was all right and to meet the intriguing Mr. Grant.
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