Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Things I'm tired of in Romance novels...

As I welcome in the new year, a new business plan, and the "new"ness of it all.  I have a new series, tons of new ideas, and even a new plan of action!  So with that in mind, I've made a mental list of "don'ts" that I'm going to implement.  Of course, that's a whole blog post in and of itself, but I'm going to split it up into several different ones.

The first being, things I will never write into my books, because I'm sick to death of seeing them in books I read.  Some of these, I'm actually guilty of writing in the past.  (See?  I can own it.)


#1--"You like what you see?"  (duh, or she wouldn't be staring.  Now don't be an asshole about it.)

#2--(as soon as she touches his junk) "You better watch out (be careful, etc.), or this will be over before it starts."

#3--Sex noises.  Yeah, they don't really translate into the written word well.  Please don't try.  Words like, "ugh," and "mmmm...," bring to totally un-sexy things to my mind.

#4--When the guy looks at the girl naked for the first time and mutters in an awestruck voice, "Beautiful..."  I'm not going to lie and say that's an awful thing to say, because EVERY woman feels vulnerable the first time they get naked and show off the goods to a lover, but can we get a little creativity?  Besides, "Fucking beautiful..."  I'm actually guilty of this one, but I don't think I've done it lately.

#5--Billionaires- Okay, I'll give on this one.  Up until I researched for this blog post, I thought there were only, like, 7 legitimate billionaires on the planet.  But, according to Forbes, there are 1,645.  And they aren't all ugly, old, skeezy dudes.  Sorry.  But I'm still a little tired of the old "Billionaire sweeps the innocent off her feet" trope.  Now that I know I was wrong about the number of them, I may entertain ideas of actually writing about this.  But I will twist up the trope.  While there may be that many billionaires, I have a hard time believing they're all sucked into the innocent trope that easily.


My number one goal of the new year is to get my blog back up on a regular basis, so look for more posts like this in the future.  I'll still be spotlighting authors on occasion, but not everyday like I did, once upon a time.  Leave me a comment telling me what you'd like to see blogged about, and I'll try to include it.  Every comment will get entered into a drawing to win an ecopy of my next release (sometime in the next two weeks) The Best Laid Plans of Boys and Men.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

#dith15 Deep in the Heart Author Event



Where: 
307 w. 5th St. Austin, TX 78701
Get your Admission
Tickets
 now 

V.I.P. tickets includes a
swag pack and the admission to cocktail hour with the authors and models from
4-5pm at the madison.




When:

February 7, 2015

11:00 - 12:00pm VIP Signing 

12:00 - 3pm Regular Signing


4:00 - 5:00pm Cocktail Hour with ticket holders, authors, models.



6:00 - whenever - Austin Ale House is where we will do
appetizers. 
Then - get your Austin Weird groove on.











Who:





Connect with us

Friday, December 5, 2014

Spotlight on Guardian of Paradise by W.E. Lawrence

NEW BOOK RELEASE
 By W.E. Lawrence
 HISTORICAL ADVENTURE
 Laced With Spicy Romance


23372949


 On a volcanic island paradise in 1888, beautiful but capable Kira Wall finds herself
 hopelessly in love for the first time—while she is simultaneously desperate to save her
 island's treasures from ruthless merchant traders.
 Available Online at Amazon.com/books 

A graduate from the University of North Carolina, W. E. Lawrence has run a successful home health care distributorship for the past twenty-three years. He currently lives in Davidson, North Carolina, with his wife and two children.

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Holy CRAP!!!!

Okay, so I never in a million years ever, ever, EVER thought my step mother-in-law would be an answer to an author's prayer, but OMG, she did it!  I didn't even ask her for anything.  At all.

So, Thanksgiving, I'm sitting around with the hubbie's family, drunk off my ass, (because I was in total denial mode, but that's another blog post altogether) and she whispers to me, "Did I ever tell you about Devon?  My cover model friend?"

Quirking an eyebrow, like I often do with my in-laws (because it's some sort of law that we never take each other seriously) I said, "Do tell..."  Okay, I slurred it, but whatever.

She takes me back to the bedroom and pulls up her facebook page and shows me a picture of an incredibly YOUNG guy, then goes immediately to a picture of him in a bathing suit.  I have to laugh, because it's my MIL, and she's showing me pictures of hot, young guys on her computer, but I shut the fuck up when she whispers, "He's coming by tomorrow to visit."

So he does, and we visit, and not only is he gorgeous, but he's NICE, TOO!  We all talked about my books, with me totally ignoring my father-in-law's eye-rolling, because he's not the most supportive dude on the planet.

Fast forward, and I now have spoken with Devon again, he's agreed to model for my book covers, and I've also spoken with a photographer, Jules, a friend of Devon's.

AND I'M GOING TO HAVE MY VERY OWN BOOK COVERS!!!!!!  NOT STOCK ART!!!!

I cannot tell you how tickled I am about this.  Not only am I starting a new series in 2015, an edgier, sexier series, but I'm going to have some original cover art, and I am super excited.  Of course, since none of the people in my real life get as excited about these things as I do, I'm going online to tell my virtual friends.

Because I love you.  Muah!!


Monday, November 17, 2014

#InfernoBlast New Release, coming your way!

Passions so intense they're almost too hot to handle.
Publication Date: November 17, 2014
Genre: Erotic Romance




Devour Me: Taryn Cummings could not believe she was accepted into the prestigious International Institute of Culinary Arts culinary institute she dreamed of studying at in beautiful Paris, France. It was a far cry from her unglamorous life back home in New York where she helped her mother run their small family-owned restaurant called Sam’s. The Institute churned out the top chefs in the world, including the wildly sexy and eccentric Master Chef, Errol King, whose celebrity personality was larger than life.   She wanted excitement in a city of romance and thrills, but arrived to find her apartment barely livable and herself in need of a suitable place to stay. A chance meeting at the Institute brings her face-to-face with her new roommate…the devilishly charming Errol King, who would be guest teaching her class this term.   The attraction is as hot as the fire they cook with, and while Errol King, the notorious bad boy chef with an attitude, can get anyone he wanted into his bed, he wanted this woman more than anything. Something about her sweet innocence and sad eyes reach into his harden heart, but is it enough for him to forget his past?

Belong to You: My honeymoon was almost everything I dreamed it would be, a tropical paradise, turquoise water, romantic walks on the beach, and loads and loads of mind shattering sex. The only thing missing was the groom. 

After seven years of coasting through a relationship with Michael, my senses were numb. A week of passion with a stranger was just what I needed to clear my head and take back control of my life. But how do you move on when the man that was only supposed to be a fling somehow seeps into your soul and steals your heart?



Tattooed Dots: Easton Crawford put his modeling career and good looks before his marriage until it was over. Years later, he is finally learning how to be the father his daughter needed him to be. He’s not looking for a new mom for his daughter—just nightly casual hook-ups. When his best friend, Avery, convinces him that a good way to meet a lot of single women is to go on a singles cruise, Easton finds more than just a hook-up when he meets a fellow cruiser, Brooke. 

Brooke Bradley has taken care of her younger sister, Bailee, for most of their lives. While their mother was enjoying not being a mother, Brooke became the adult in the household at thirteen. She had always taken care of the people in her life, especially her boyfriend, Jared. If it wasn’t for Brooke, Jared wouldn’t know how to function throughout the day. 

When Brooke’s best friend, Nicole, gives her a gift of going on a cruise without telling her that it’s a singles cruise, will Brooke find someone willing to be her constant and finally leave Jared? 

Brooke and Easton learn that people are brought into their lives for many reasons. Over time, they find out what those reasons are. Some are to be a temporary acquaintance while others are there for life.


Chase: A struggling actress finds herself in over her head when she takes a job as an escort and finds her first client is a sexy, dominating presidential candidate.



3:AM Kisses: Baya Brighton is looking forward to her first year at Whitney Briggs University, new friends, dorm life, and finally being close to her brother again. Love is the last thing on the list, but when Baya meets her brother’s roommate she begins to have thoughts and feelings that make even her blush. 

Bryson Edwards has a secret he prefers buried in the past and long forgotten. He keeps himself busy with the important things, loose girls, fast cars, and long nights working at the string of bars his family owns. When his roommate’s sister shows up on the scene, she’s far too innocent and sweet for him but he can’t shake Baya out of his mind and worse, it looks like she’s seeping into his heart as well. 


Adam's Apple: Adam Kingsley reigns as the prince of Manhattan. His looks and money let him get away with all types of sins. It’s been an intoxicating ride until he meets Kathryn Delcour, an alluring socialite with unique erotic tastes.   Adam finds this complex woman too tempting to resist and will stop at nothing to have her, yet she is warned to stay away from him and his player ways. But will she be strong enough to hold the charismatic Adam Kingsley at bay?   The passionate lure of ancient sexual practices and a former business partner wanting to inflict a deadly revenge set the scene for an erotic love story. All told in Adam’s point of view.


Fixed on You: A bartender with obsessive tendencies and a billionaire built on dominance come together in a steamy story that explores the line between head games and love-cures-all.





Consequences: Every action has consequences. 

Waking in an unfamiliar bedroom in a luxurious mansion, Claire Nichols is terrified to discover that a chance encounter led her into the cruel hands of her abductor, Anthony Rawlings. Claire has no understanding of why she’s there, but it’s been made abundantly clear—she is now his acquisition and every action has consequences. 

Learn the rules to survive. 

Facing incomprehensible circumstances, Claire must learn to survive her new reality—every aspect of her livelihood depends upon the tall, dark-eyed tycoon who is a true master of deception. Driven by unknown demons, he has no tolerance for imperfection, in any aspect of his life, including his recent acquisition. Anthony may appear to the world as a handsome, benevolent businessman, but in reality Claire knows firsthand that he’s a menacing, controlling captor with very strict rules: do as you’re told, public failure is not an option, and appearances are of the utmost importance. 

Captivate the captor. 

To fit together the pieces of the puzzle, Claire must follow his rules. Will her plan work, or will Anthony become enthralled by Claire’s beauty, resilience, and determination, changing the game forever? If that happens, will either of them survive the consequences?


Seduction & Temptation: Daughter of a very powerful drug lord, Lola Anders life has always been dangerous and full of dark secrets. It’s something that’s always bothered her, but even more so after her mother dies. Lola thinks there’s more to her mother’s death than what she’s been told; that one of her father’s many enemies might have had something to do with it. And when a secret is revealed about her mother, Lola decides it’s time to leave the dangerous life she’s grown up in and get some answers. 

But before Lola can get too far, she’s kidnapped by Frankie Catherlson, one of her father’s enemies, and given a choice—commit murder or let her father die. Worse, Layton Everett is the guy chosen to make sure she goes through with the hit. 

Lola has known Layton since they were kids, but their friendship was ruined when he went to work for Frankie without so much as an explanation. Lola thinks Layton is just keeping an eye on her to make sure she goes through with the murder, but when it all comes down to it, Layton just might be on her side. 

Allure: Tattoo artist by day, exotic dancer by night, 22 year old Six has been fighting his attraction for the girl of his dreams. Why? She’s the high society daughter of the Mayor. Oh, and she’s only 17. But what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas...right?

Not likely. 





Kailin Gow has been known in The World Journal, an international newspaper, to be a phenomenon. She was profiled on the homepage of Amazon.com as an Author Success Story who overcame personal obstacles to become a bestselling author, appeared as one of Amazon’s top authors for the Kindle Fire launch release, and is one of the earliest indie authors who have sold over a million books. She writes for Fast Company as a publishing expert, had appeared on a CBS TV News as a bestselling author who writes fiction and non-fiction with a social conscious, and has made speeches and appearances across the U.S. and on top 15 national radio regarding self-esteem and issues relating to women.


Kailin Gow uses her author platform to bring awareness to issues affecting young adult and women. She has appeared on national radio as a regular guest on topics such as body image, self-esteem, dating and sexual relationships, bullying, and more; often brought up in her fiction books for young adults and women.


She holds a Masters Degree in Communications Management from The University of Southern California, and degrees in Drama and Social Ecology.


An ALA YALSA Reader’s Choice Nominated Author for her YA series, the Bitter Frost Series, in 2011, she was also a speaker at BEA in 2014, and multi-author signing event organizer for the popular Rockin’ Events. Two of her book series is in development as a video games, including the Bitter Frost Series and PULSE Vampire Series.


Her true life experiences as a world traveler where she has traveled to over 25 countries, logging hundreds of thousands of miles, absorbing the cultures and collecting stories relating to places and the romance of the land, and incidents in her personal life, has inspired her to write and publish over 150 books with over 27 series in multiple genres.


From visiting Romania, she was asked to write stories about vampires; visiting the Black Forest in Germany and seeing the castles of Europe inspired her to write fantasy; visiting Asia’s mystical mountains inspired her to write action adventure and mythological dystopians. From her experience in college as a peer counselor and her volunteer work with women’s shelters, she was inspired to write contemporary romance with social issues for women, new adults, young adults, and teens. Having faced adversity, including battling stereotypes and bullying, Kailin Gow has become a well-known speaker and figure in media against bullying.


Kailin Gow is an active advocate against bullying in the workplace and in schools. She has written The Shy Girls Social Club Handbook Against Bullying which won the Indie Excellence Awards (NIEA) in 2014 for Young Adult Non-fiction.


She resides in the American West with her husband and daughter, but had lived for a decade in Texas, and briefly in England. Besides being a full-time author, she volunteers for many organizations. She spends way too much time on Facebook than she is supposed, but loves meeting new people from all walks of life.

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Amazon | Google+



Vi Keeland is a native New Yorker with three children that occupy most of her free time, which she complains about often, but wouldn’t change for the world. She is a bookworm and has been known to read her kindle at stop lights, while styling her hair, cleaning, walking, during sporting events, and frequently while pretending to work. She is a boring attorney by day, and an exciting New York Times & USA Today Best Selling smut author by night!

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter



Kimberly Knight lives in the mountains near a lake with her loving husband and spoiled cat, Precious. In her spare time, she enjoys watching her favorite reality TV shows, watching the San Francisco Giants and San Jose Sharks kick butt, crushing candy on Candy Crush, playing computer games like World of Warcraft with Audrey Harte and online poker. Now that she lives near a lake, she plans on working on her tan and doing more outdoor stuff like…watching hot guys waterski. However, the bulk of her time is dedicated to writing and reading Romance and Erotic fiction.

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest



New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cassia Leo loves her coffee, chocolate, and margaritas with salt. When she’s not writing, she spends way too much time watching old reruns of Friends and Sex and the City. When she’s not watching reruns, she’s usually enjoying the California sunshine or reading – sometimes both.

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter 



Addison Moore is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author who writes contemporary and paranormal romance. Her work has been featured in Cosmopolitan magazine. Previously she worked for nearly a decade as a therapist on a locked psychiatric unit. She resides with her husband, four wonderful children, and two dogs on the West Coast where she eats too much chocolate and stays up way too late. When she’s not writing, she’s reading.

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Raised in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri, Liv now resides in Manhattan with her first and hopefully last husband. After relocating eleven times during his corporate career, she qualifies as a professional mover. Learning to bloom where she’s planted, Liv brings her moving and life experiences to her writing.


Liv received a degree in communication from the University of Maryland. She has published her debut series, Touch of Tantra, and the Love in the City romance boxed collection set.

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Mailing List



Laurelin Paige is the NY Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Fixed Trilogy. She’s a sucker for a good romance and gets giddy anytime there’s kissing, much to the embarrassment of her three daughters. Her husband doesn’t seem to complain, however. When she isn’t reading or writing sexy stories, she’s probably singing, watching Game of Thrones and the Walking Dead, or dreaming of Adam Levine. She’s also a proud member of Mensa International though she doesn’t do anything with the organization except use it as material for her bio.

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter 



Aleatha Romig is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana. She grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis. Together with her high-school sweetheart and husband of twenty-eight years, they’ve raised three children. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she’s not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time with her family and friends. Her pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams!


INSIDIOUS is Aleatha’s seventh novel. It is her first time to delve into the world of erotic thrillers. The Consequences Series, her first series has been categorized as psychological thriller and dark romance. With INSIDIOUS, Aleatha took the twists and turns of CONSEQUENCES and turned up the heat.


CONSEQUENCES, her first novel, was released August 2011, by Xlibris Publishing. Then in October of 2012, Ms. Romig re-released CONSEQUENCES as an indie author. TRUTH, the sequel, was released October 30, 2012, and CONVICTED, the third in the series, was released October 8, 2013. Unexpectedly, the fourth book of the Consequences series came to life with REVEALED: THE MISSING YEARS. It is the fourth full-length novel in the series. It explores the years in CONVICTED that previously were only mentioned, as well as a complete character glossary and timeline. REVEALED was released May 20, 2014.


INSIDIOUS, the first released book from TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE will be released October 21, 2014. TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE will be a series of standalone, dark, erotic thrillers guaranteed to take you on a wild, hot, and dark ride. Each novel in the series will be independent of the next. The characters from one book will never be revisited. Instead, Aleatha leaves it up to her readers to imagine how each story will end while remembering that it is the journey that is the most fun.


Aleatha is a “Published Author’s Network” member of the Romance Writers of America and represented by Danielle Egan-Miller of Brown and Miller Literary Associates.

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads



Jessica Sorensen is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author that lives in the snowy mountains of Wyoming. When she’s not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter 



USA Today Bestselling Author Lacey Weatherford resides in the beautiful White Mountains of Arizona, where she lives with her family. When she’s not out supporting her children at multiple sporting/music events, she continues to love writing and reading.

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter 

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Saving Charlie by Anne Conley






Book Blurb:  100,000 children are sexually trafficked every year in the US.  In the 1990s, Charlie was one of those children.  She’s spent her adult life getting past that, trying to become a successful business owner in Serendipity, TX.   Relationships are not goals for her.  In fact, she’s not even sure she has what it takes to be a part of one.

Les is a fool for love.  All he’s ever wanted was a girl.  Now that every last one of his friends are married, and in happy relationships with families, he can’t stop thinking about the sexy lady who sells house parts, even if everything about her screams at him to stay away.  He just can’t.

When they are thrown together on a cross-country road trip, Charlie’s past comes back to her full-force, long-buried memories inundating her.  Les seems to be the only thing grounding her to the present, when everything else seems to be trying to tear her apart.

While it has a HEA, the road getting there is long, rough, and dark.  Enjoy the ride.

Excerpt:

He was a fool for love--had been in love with nearly every woman he’d ever met--and had never really had a serious relationship.  He’d had a couple of seriously one-sided ones, but nothing ever stuck.  Sweetness wouldn’t be any different.

But she just might come and work for him, if he could get the price right.

He dialed her number and listened to it ring.

“Charlie’s Recycled Restoration, can I help you?”  Her sweet, throaty voice screamed sex at him, and he shifted in his seat to accompany the sudden tightness in his pants.

“Hey there, Sweetness.”

“Hey, Les.  Did your clients like any of the molding?”

“Yeah, I’ll be out later today to pick it up, but I was calling about something else.”

“Oh yeah?”  Her voice lowered an octave, and Les had to control the urge to start talking dirty. That wasn’t really his bag, but something about this woman made him think all sorts of inappropriate thoughts.

“How would you like to come over to the dark side…?”

“Excuse me?”

“How much is Charlie paying you?  I’ll double it if you come work for me.  I need someone with your knowledge and aptitude to help me.  And you’re good with organization and numbers.  Come on, please?”

“I don’t think so, Les.  I’ve got a really good gig here.”  He could hear her laughing, and it stung a little, but he was nothing if not persistent.

“What, are there benefits I’m not aware of?”

“You could say so, yes.”  She sounded cagey, but still playful, so he decided to play along.

“I can tack on some extra benefits, Sweetness.  You just name it.”  Her breath caught on that line, so he continued.  At some point, he probably shouldn’t have, but he couldn’t stop himself.  The husky timbre of his voice gave his intentions away.  “I got all sorts of benefits in mind for you, Sweetness.”

“I’m sure your benefits are…amazing.”  She was breathless, and Les did a fist pump in the air in spite of himself.  “But I really can’t.” 


He wilted a little, but remained confident persistence would pay off in the long run.  “Think about it, the offer’s open.”  Defeated, he ended the call with the promise of seeing her that afternoon.  He’d try to time it so her boyfriend wasn’t there.  Maybe he could illustrate the benefits he had in mind.




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Add it to your Goodreads TBR list:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23521488-saving-charlie





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