Friday, June 28, 2013

Retrospective... a.k.a. WTF?

For some reason I woke up this morning and immediately thought, "One month until my birthday." Why? I have no idea! After all, once you get past about twenty-one birthdays just aren't as exciting anymore- and I'm waaaaay past twenty-one! It's not even as though this one is a "Big" one either, although it's one of those that make you kind of realize a "Big One" is just around the corner.

Having started out that way, I then seemed to get on a track of looking back. My son will be twenty this year. We've lived in Canada for ten years. My mother has been gone for thirteen-and-a-half years. All these things make me shake my head in wonder. Where did the time go? How did it fly by so quickly?

And how come I still feel like twenty-one (or maybe twenty-five at the outside) most of the time?

Well, I can only hope the latter fact remains with me a little longer, but all of this retrospective makes me want to quote Latin. Stuff like "Tempus Fugit" and "Carpe Diem", because sometimes when you look back you not only wonder at the speed of time passing, but also realize there's a lot more that could have been done that wasn't.

Of course, that Latin impulse may also have been brought on by being immersed in writing the second in my historical/paranormal novellas, tentatively titled Lion's Need, which is set during the days when Julius Caesar was seizing power. Research being one of my favorite things, you can imagine a great deal of time is being spent looking up facts and doing that one-site-to-the-other web crawl that can really suck a chunk of time out of the day. Now, with all that looking back stuff, I'm tearing myself away from the web and putting my nose to the grindstone! Don't Fugit the Diem, but Carpe the Tempus and finish the story, is what I'm telling myself. After all, I'm not getting any younger!

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Amazing reviews for Dragon's Claim

I'm flying high on the reviews of Dragon's Claim that have been posted since its release, two awesome ones coming out almost back-to-back over the last couple of days. This first review, a five star one, on April 29th, was from The Jeep Diva's site and said in part:

"Dragon’s Claim by Anya Richards was an exquisite tale of the unrequited love between long ago friends and the courage they exhibited to pursue and cement their love..." "I felt every nuance of their despair and Ms. Richards words brought me to tears." You can read the full review here.

Then, on June 15th, RomFan Reviews posted their review (five men) the highlight of which, for me anyway, was:
"This was one of the most powerful love stories I've read in a long time." "...I actually found myself tearing up towards the end when they're saying their goodbyes." Read the rest here.

Finally, today, came a 4.75 star review from the Joyfully Jay site. Snippets that thrilled me included:
"They are one of my new favorite couples." "This tale is captivating. It’s a sweet, exciting, sad, heart-pounding rollercoaster ride, and completely worth it."
Full review here.

It's been wonderful to see others have enjoyed this book as much I have... have fallen in love with the characters, which happen to be two of the favorite I've ever written.

I'm in the process of writing a series of short, historical fantasy-based m/m novellas, and can only hope they'll be as well received!

Friday, June 14, 2013

Jayne Kingston's Key Party!


Key Party

Series: Mischievous Matchmaker Book 1
Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance
Flame rating: Sorching
Released: 6/5/2013
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Tour long Giveaway: $25 from Amazon or B&N and one pdf copy of a title from Jayne's backlist
Dates: 6/5 thru 6/23/2013

Bio:

When Jayne Kingston was growing up she spent many hours daydreaming about a time when she could flee the too-small town in Ohio where she grew up and run laughing for the sunny West Coast. Of course she stuck around and raised her family in that small town instead, and doesn’t regret it for a moment. Now she spends her days dreaming about the delicious fun two people can have while falling in love.

Find Jayne Here:
Website: http://www.jaynekingston.com
Email: jayne@jaynekingston.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaynekingston.writer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/jayne_kingston
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5806691.Jayne_Kingston


Blurb: 

After five years of living abroad, Rachel has returned to Chicago. As a welcome-home present, one of her best friends throws a ‘70s-style key party. A night of mingling and anonymous sex with one of Petra’s hunky friends seems perfect.

Petra knows about the crush Rachel had on Ben in college, and she rigs the game so Rachel ends up with the very fine young doctor. But Petra doesn’t know the whole story. Rachel never told her friend about the scorching-hot make-out session that is now Rachel’s go-to sexual fantasy.

And neither of them could know Ben is more than looking forward to showing Rachel every carnal moment she missed when she left without finishing what they’d started that night.

Buy Links:
Ellora’s Cave: http://www.ellorascave.com/key-party.html
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Key-Party-Mischievous-Matchmaker-ebook/dp/B00D93NN40

Excerpt

The door closed with a click behind them and suddenly she was in his arms, her hands pressed over the fine silk of his vest and her body touching his from chest to knee. He held her tight to him, one arm around her waist and the other buried in her hair, angling her head so he could take her mouth in a long, deep kiss.

Her knees buckled when his tongue dove into her mouth. Pure, electric charges crackled and snapped through every one of her nerve endings as he groaned deeply and pulled her even closer. Her hands slid slowly over his chest and shoulders until they were buried in his thick black hair.

“Christ, Rachel,” he whispered, pressing his forehead to hers. “Seeing you naked the other night took my breath away, but you in a suit is… pornographic.”

She shivered despite the temperature rising in her body. “Ben.”

“I know.” He lifted his head. His eyes were dark, pupils dilated wide. “It’s completely inappropriate to drag you off and molest you when I should be sitting in on the next interview, but I couldn’t help myself.”

“Yes, inappropriate is a good word,” she agreed, finding it thrilling when he pulled back slightly to look her over top to toe again anyway.

She loved the way he made her feel delicate when he held her in his arms.

And she loved the way he was looking at her at that moment.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Legal Information:
- Entering this contest means you have read, understood, and agree with all rules and regulations stated.- Entrants must be 18 or older (or age of majority in your country) to enter and to win.- No purchase necessary.- Void where prohibited.- All stated rules are subject to change without notification or reason given.- Chances of winning vary widely based on the number of entries received.- Prize is as stated. No substitutions or exchanges.

- Contest host/organizer is not responsible to misrepresented/mis-typed email addresses, spam filters, mailer demons, and other internet wackiness that may crop up at the time of winner notification.

- Winners are final.- Contest Starts 00:01EST June 5, 2013 and Ends 12:59EST June 23, 2013 and open to International participants- Winners will be notified via email, twitter, or facebook no later than 12:00EST June 25, 2013 -Respond by date to collect prize is 14 days from notification date.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

World Exclusive!!!!

I'm so freakin' excited, if I were a dog I'd have three tails and they'd all be wagging at 1,000 mph.

Today I have the pleasure, the honor, the... dammit, can't even find the perfect superlative...the privilege to debut a sexy excerpt of the amazeballs Cynthia Sax's soon to be released He Watches Me, book one of the Seen Trilogy! It's already up for pre-order, and will be released in three weeks, on July 2nd. I can't wait!!! *bounces*

Book two, He Touches Me, and book three, He Claims Me are also available for pre-order, so get them now!

Enjoy the excerpt, but be warned...it's HOT!


Blurb

She desires to be seen. He wants to watch.

Anna Sampson has a naughty secret. Every night, she slips into her neighbor’s yard and swims naked in his pool. She fantasizes that the dynamic young billionaire watches her nightly nude aquatics, his brilliant green eyes gleaming with lust.
She discovers this isn’t pure fantasy. Gabriel Blaine has been watching her via his security cameras, and now that he has returned to L.A., he doesn’t plan to stop. That’s all he wants—to watch. Anna knows she shouldn’t allow him and she certainly shouldn’t want more, but she craves Blaine’s attention, needing his gaze fixed on her body.

Excerpt


I pick up the towel and I pad to the edge of the pool, my flip-flops bending the grass as I walk. I pause and look around me, having the peculiar feeling someone is watching me.

I see nothing. Blaine’s mansion is outlined against the indigo sky. The moon hangs full and low, its light reflecting off the glass in the windows. The water ripples, tempting me.

I spread the towel on a nearby lounge chair, my body warming with excitement, this small act of rebellion keeping me sane during days of monotony. I kick off my flip-flops and I wiggle my toes, the stone cool and hard against my soles.

I pull my camisole over my head, the action freeing my hair from the ponytail. Yet another elastic band is lost in the grass. I drop the worn garment on the stone, planning to retrieve it later. My nipples tighten, the breeze caressing my bare skin, its touch lighter than my fingers, the only touch my breasts have known.

I’m a virgin priestess honoring the night. I arch my spine and cup my small breasts, offering them to the stars. They twinkle their approval above me. Maybe on a distant planet an alien is gazing down on the Earth, watching me, wanting me, small breasts being desirable in his culture. This fantasy excites me. I swipe my thumbs over my taut flesh and tremble at the sensations flowing over my body.

My pussy moistens. I shimmy out of my bleached white boy shorts and leave them in a puddle around my bare feet, enjoying the decadence of being naked in Gabriel Blaine’s backyard, a creature of nature, wild and free.

I face the pool and my pale body reflects in the surface, my form slim and supple. My breasts are small, slight ivory curves tipped with tight pink nipples, and my private hair is full, untrimmed and untamed. Both are frowned upon in L.A., the land of waxing and silicone, and I normally conceal my unpopular silhouette under layers of clothing.

Not that anyone looks at me, which is a good thing … I suppose. I’ve been ignored and I’ve been ridiculed. Long ago I decided being invisible was preferable. Michael Cooke, the charity’s resident hottie, might walk past me as though I was a piece of office furniture, but at least I never see disgust in his sea-blue eyes.

Now, I’m free to be hairy, flat-chested Anna Sampson. No one is here except me and the stars and—I glance upward—perhaps a horny alien. I extend my arms, bend my knees and dive into the water. I shoot across the pool, undulating, cool liquid streaming over my shoulders, breast, thighs, ass.
I curve upward and break the surface. I gasp and then laugh, unable to contain the joy bubbling within me. The stresses of a job I want yet can’t do, student loans I don’t know how I’ll ever pay back, and a life lived alone rolls off my shoulders.

I tread water with my feet and the waves lap at my breasts, slapping against my nipples, escalating my reckless need. I’ve never had sex, but that’s due to being distrustful of other people, not because of lack of passion. I burn. I need. Constantly. I run my right hand over my chest, across my flat stomach and between my legs, seeking relief.

I stroke my folds, brushing my fingertips over my clit, bobbing to the rhythm of my hand, adding my juices to the moisture surrounding me. I picture Michael with his shaggy blond hair, broad shoulders, and tight khaki-clad ass, imagining his blue-eyed gaze fixed on me and only me. I envision a giant purple alien watching me masturbate, his humanoid body naked, his cock overly large and extremely hard. And for some unknown reason, I conjure up piercing green eyes in a too-rawboned-to-be-handsome tanned face, a wayward lock of black hair falling forward.

“Gabriel Blaine.” I try out the technology billionaire’s name, my voice husky and low. “Blaine,” I repeat, liking the sound. I’m in his backyard, in his pool. It is only right I honor him with my impending orgasm. I work my pussy harder and harder, passion coiling around my chest, squeezing the air from my lungs, making it difficult to breathe.

Will he suck my breasts with that sternly-set mouth of his? I pinch my nipples, the pain sharpening my pleasure. Take me doggy-style in his big limousine, pounding into me hard and fast? I pull at my untamed private curls. Because he can’t wait to find a bed? I ruthlessly ravish my pussy, rubbing and writhing. Rivulets of liquid streak down my cheeks and into my panting mouth, my wet hair plastered to my face.

In my fantasies I’m not ignored. I’m a femme fatale, a woman no man can resist, a woman guys fight for, come to blows over. I reach deeper inside me, stretching me open with one, two, three fingers, savoring the fullness.

As I pump my pussy, the sensation of being watched intensifies. Instead of dousing the flames of desire, this fuels the heat between my thighs.

I tremble and shake. “Yes, Blaine,” I cry out, the waves surround me growing rough, my body tossed on a sea of sweet turbulence. “Yes.”

I thrust hard, slam the heel of my hand against my clit, throw back my head and scream. The darkness bursts with color and light. The stars spin around my head. My pussy clenches down on emptiness. I kick my legs, pushing my body out of the water. Droplets dapple and glisten on my skin.

My breathing steadies, the water flattens once more, and I still, my form loose and relaxed, my passion temporarily sated. I float lazily on my back and gaze up at the full moon, wishing I could take care of the other problems in my life as easily as I soothe my desires. “That was wonderful.” The words echo in the silence.

“I agree,” a deep voice drawls.

Friday, June 7, 2013

Amy Ruttan Release Day & Book Tour!


I'm so excited to be kicking off my good friend Amy Ruttan's virtual book tour, and on the release day of Private Release to boot! I'm telling you...this book is awesome. I'm so lucky, I get to read a lot of Amy's stuff before it gets published and I loved this book so much. I think everyone else will too, and I asked Amy to tell me how she started writing her bear shifter books (the heroes are sooo yummy!) and this is what she had to say. There's an excerpt and a giveaway too!

Private Release

Genre: Paranormal/shifter Erotic Romance
Flame rating: Scorching
Released: 6/7/2013
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Word count: 30K
Tour long Giveaway: Bear shifter charm bracelet, ebook copy of Private Release and Mounted Release


I want to thank Anya Richards for having me here today. Not that she had much of a choice, as she’s my critique partner. *insert evil laugh here*
She wanted me to talk about my bear shifters, or my bears.
I still remember when I sent Private Release to her, to read before I sent it to my awesome editor, Shannon. Anya’s words were, “I almost missed my bus stop because of you!”
That was music to my ears.
I never intended to write about bear shifters. They came about because of the Oh! Canada call for submissions at Ellora’s Cave.
I was writing something with the RCMP in it, but it was falling flat. I couldn’t get past 1k and the deadline was looming fast. Out of the murky depths of sheer PANIC Gordon Thomas (the hero from Mounted Release) walked into my brain and shifted into a bear.
I chose a bear because I wanted to keep it a Canadian animal and having a Loon or Beaver shifter wasn’t what Gordon was. He was a bear, through and through. As was my heroine.

This is a picture of me and Jasper the RCMP bear at Jasper National Park, July 2012. See, I’m not totally crazy in my idea of a Mountie Bear!
The next thing I knew my world of the Mukswa was born and Mounted Release was finished.
And that’s honestly where I intended to stop it…until the reader mail and reviews came in.
People wanted Jared (the heroine’s brother) and honestly, Jared wanted his story to be told.
Because of other commitments, an epic road trip across Canada and working on my first Harlequin release it took me a year to write Jared’s story, but Private Release was finally born, finito in January 2013 and I have to say I loved writing Jared’s story.
So much so, there’s another one in the works.
And maybe another…and another! ;)

Bio:

Born and raised on the outskirts of Toronto, Ontario Amy fled the big city to settle down with the country boy of her dreams. When she's not furiously typing away at her computer, she's a mom to three wonderful children, who have given her another job as a taxi driver.
A voracious reader, she was given her first romance novel by her grandmother who shared her penchant for a hot romance. From that moment, Amy was hooked by the magical worlds, handsome heroes and sigh worthy romances contained in the pages and she knew what she wanted to be when she grew up.
Life got in the way, and after the birth of her second child, she decided to pursue her dream of becoming a romance author.
Amy loves to hear from readers. It makes her day, in fact. You can find out more about Amy at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amy.ruttan.3?ref=tn_tnmn
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ruttanamy
Website: http://www.amyruttan.com
Blog: http://amyruttan.blogspot.com

Blurb: 

Jared Stevens hasn't been the same since he was shot. His duty is to marry a Mukswa woman and be a strong leader. He lets the elders of his clan choose his bride, because the woman he wants is only in his fantasies, the only woman who brings him to exquisite release.
Adele Banks loved being a Mountie, but one shot ended her career and altered her world forever. Adele is determined to make a life for herself. She's hired to recover Beare Enterprises embezzled funds, but what she didn't count on is being extremely attracted to her client when meeting him for the first time as he's naked in his shower.
Adele is Jared's mystery woman, but she's taboo. He bonds to her, but has to keep his society secret, as much as he wants to mark her as his own.
As Jared fights his own inner beast, remnants of the prior chief's wrath is affecting the clan and Adele. To save Adele's life, Jared may just have to betray his clan's secret and risk his heart.

Buy link: http://www.ellorascave.com/private-release.html

Excerpt PG

“Chill, Bri. I was sleeping. Look, I have to go. I’m running late.”
“Don’t hang—” 
Adele hung up the phone. She loved her sister dearly, but jeepers. She was obsessive when it came to checking up on her. Adele was disabled, not helpless for fuck’s sake.
The phone rang again. Adele growled and answered it. “Damn it. I have to pee, leave me alone.”
“Pardon?” The gruff male voice on the other end said.
Adele cursed under her breath. She recognized Jared’s scary body guard’s voice anywhere.
“Never mind, I thought you were someone else.”
There was silence, painful silence. “You often discuss urination with others?”
“No. Look, don’t worry about it. How can I help you?”
“Mr. Stevens will be sending around a limo to escort you to work today.”
“Really, that’s fine. I don’t need it.”
“Mr. Steven insists. The limo is on its way. Please be downstairs in ten minutes.”
The other end went dead and Adele hung up.
Dammit. There was no way she could shower, dress and eat in ten minutes.
Well, since they sprung this ride on her she was going to make them wait. It wasn’t as if her car was broken or anything. Sure it wasn’t the coolest ride, but the engine worked and she owned it outright.
They could wait.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Legal Information:
- Entering this contest means you have read, understood, and agree with all rules and regulations stated.- Entrants must be 18 or older (or age of majority in your country) to enter and to win.- No purchase necessary.- Void where prohibited.- All stated rules are subject to change without notification or reason given.- Chances of winning vary widely based on the number of entries received.- Prize is as stated. No substitutions or exchanges.
- Contest host/organizer is not responsible to misrepresented/mis-typed email addresses, spam filters, mailer demons, and other internet wackiness that may crop up at the time of winner notification.
- Winners are final.- Contest Starts 00:01EST June 7, 2013 and Ends 12:59EST June 28, 2013 and open to International participants- Winners will be notified via email, twitter, or facebook no later than 12:00EST July 1, 2013 -Respond by date to collect prize is 14 days from notification date.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

A.M. Griffin Dangerously Yours scavenger hunt!

Welcome to A.M. Griffin and her Dangerously Yours scavenger hunt! Make sure to read the Super Duper Important scavenger hunt instructions and the excerpt at the end of the post. And enter to win a $50 gift card to Amazon or Barnes & Noble, which you could use to buy up all of A.M.'s books...just sayin' :)

Dangerously Yours

Genre: Sci-fi erotic romance
Flame rating: Scorching
Released: May 24, 2013
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Word count: 62K

Super Duper Important- Scavenger Hunt Instructions:

There are 17 (seventeen) stops for this Scavenger Hunt. Each stop contains a picture/button with a letter on it. All 17 letters form a message or phrase that is associated with the book. The letters are scattered randomly to the hosts. You will need to collect all 17, unscramble them, and then enter the decoded message in the Rafflecopter for the ‘extra entries’. Good luck!

Schedule:



Bio: 

A. M. Griffin is a wife who rarely cooks, mother of three, dog owner (and sometimes dog owned), a daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She's a hard worker whose two favorite outlets are reading and writing. She enjoys reading everything from mystery novels to historical romances and of course fantasy romance. She is a believer in the unbelievable, open to all possibilities from mermaids in our oceans and seas, angels in the skies and intelligent life forms in distant galaxies.

For more information please visit www.amgriffinbooks.com

Links: 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dangerously-Mine-ebook/dp/B00AO5CWSY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366989050&sr=8-1&keywords=A.M.+Griffin

Website: http://www.amgriffinbooks.com/books.html


Blurb: 

The steamy standalone sequel to Dangerously Mine.

Kane Epps divides his life into two distinct parts—before the alien invasion and after. Before the invasion, he had a pregnant wife and a high-powered job. After the invasion, he’s left with only himself and his hatred for all things alien. He channels his bitterness by captaining a vessel of renegade humans—space pirates who don’t think twice about taking what they need.
Princess Sa’Mya is on the run. She and a few trusted advisers fled her home planet, only to be captured by the sexy, dangerous Captain Epps. He claims to hate aliens but can’t seem to resist touching her or kissing her…everywhere.
As Kane introduces Sa’Mya to ever-increasing, unimaginable realms of pleasure, the princess becomes determined to earn his trust. She’s used to getting what she wants. And this time, what she wants is Kane Epps. 

Inside Scoop: This space-opera romance contains male/male sex scenes, girl-on-girl action, group sex and some good old-fashioned voyeurism.

Buy Links: 

Ellora’s Cave
Amazon
ARe

Excerpt:

“Did they leave?” Anna asked in a hope-filled whisper from behind his shoulder.
“I’m not certain.”
He dared not move. They could still be out there, waiting.
“I think they’re gone. I don’t hear anything.” Relief was apparent in her voice as she stepped away from him. He watched her ease onto one of the broken stairs. “My stomach is hurting.” She lay back on her elbows, rubbing her oversized belly.
“Stay put. Try to stay calm. Once I know for sure that they’re gone, I’ll go out and find you some food and water.” He peered through the peephole of the door.
Where are those bastards?
“I don’t want you to leave me here alone. What if they come back?”
“You need water.” He gave her a reassuring half-smile before turning to the peephole. “Plus, you’re not getting rid of me that ea—”
A roar deafened his ears. Wood, metal and plaster erupted through the air. Direct hit.
Pain shot through him as debris rained down. His hands flew up to protect his face. He dropped to the floor, rolling to a fetal position. The house creaked and rocked around him.
He strained to open his eyes. Dust settled in them and burned. He snapped them shut.
“Anna!”
No answer. A dull ache thrummed in his ears.
Inhaling a lung full of dust, Kane coughed. “Anna! Come to me.” He threw out his hand, grasping at air. “We have to get out of here!”
Nothing.
He forced his eyes open. A cloud of dust obstructed his vision. The outline of the caved-in roof was the first thing he saw. He willed himself to a standing position and stumbled forward with outstretched arms. If he found the stairs he would find Anna.
“Anna! Anna! Answer me!”
His shoe brushed against something soft. Anna? His heart dropped to his stomach. Where would he find a doctor? What if she needed medical help? He grabbed at it.
An arm.
Anna.
Dropping to his knees, he frantically pushed the wood planks and shingles from her body, throwing debris in every direction.
Anna, please baby, be okay.
He pushed a piece of drywall off of her. His gaze settled on the broken body lying sprawled at an odd angle.
“Nooooo!” He gathered the remains of his wife’s charred, limp body. “Please God! No!”