Shameless Self Promo

This week I'm featuring a different book every day on my blog. I thought it only fitting that I do the same here, today, on the Goddesses of Storytelling! :)
Today is an April release from Ellora's Cave Splashing Good Time. Look for Body Shots Dec 15th and Ignited, an Exokita coming soon.

Blurb:
Reece Collins is growing tired of her Wednesday rituals of masturbating to the sight of the so called “pool boy” and her battery operated friend is leaving her unsatisfied. She craves a no-strings-attached torrid sexual encounter. Problem? The only one offering is ten years her junior.

Nathan Donovan ha s lusted over his client forever. When he happens upon her in a very compromising position, his desires swell, as he plunges head first into the deep end to save her. One brief encounter leaves him yearning for more, but when she splashes cold water on his plans, will he walk away or spank some sense into her?

Excerpt:
“You look hot!” she told her reflection. “Irresistibly hot?” Only time would tell. Strolling over to the window she dared a peak outside. He wasn’t here yet. Would he come? Certainly Steve sounded convincing enough. The fifty dollar bill she planted in his palm was enough encouragement to make an actor out of him. She stood by his side while he made the call. If she hadn’t known better, she would have believed him. She sent him on his way after the call. No need for him to stick around for the fireworks—hopefully of a sexual nature.
The undeniable sound of tires crunching on gravel alerted her Nathan was here. And from the hurried sound of the truck coming to a stop, he wasn’t pleased. Silently she prayed her idea wouldn’t backfire. Hurrying from the room s he descended the stairs, hoping to greet him at the pool.
“What the fuck!” she heard him scream.
Too late. She wasn’t quick enough. Nathan knew and he wasn’t happy. Reese slowly opened the door and walked casually over to the pool where Nathan stood looking at the water, obviously trying to figure out where the emergency was.
Whipping around he demanded, “What s going on here?”
Lost for words Reese stood frozen in her spot. She hadn’t expected such anger. Yes, she tricked him into coming over. Maybe having Steve tell him the pool had turned an ugly color green that he couldn’t get rid of was a bad idea but she believed he’d be happy to see her. Boy was she mistaken.
“I-I-I put Steve up to it,” she confessed. “I didn’t think you would see me any other way.”
“Maybe if you picked up the phone you would have found out.” The disgust in his voice was evident.
He was pissed at her. Her plan was slowly crumbling before her eyes. She couldn’t risk losing him a second time. He couldn’t walk away out of her life. She loved him. God help her she loved him more than any man she’d ever loved in her life.
“Would you have come if I had ?” she challenged.
Looking away he shrugged.
“Then I was right to do what I did. I needed to see you, Nathan. You’ve been avoiding me. I’ve missed you.”
She watched him looking at the water. Was he searching for answers? Maybe there was hope for them after all.
Closing the gap between them, she touched his hand. “Please Nathan, look at me.”
He did as she asked and immediately her heart sank. Pain, deep pain, filled his eyes. Gone was the sparkle she loved so much, replaced with pain that cut to the core. Pain caused by her foolishness.
Touching his face she whispered, “I’m sorry.”
“What’s done is done.” He tried pulling free but she refused to let him walk away.
“I never meant to hurt you.”
“I’m fine.”
“I wasn’t trying to compare you to Vince. It may have sounded that way at the time and I’m sorry. I love you for who you are, not because you’ve proven him wrong. It doesn’t matter to me what Vince thinks, or anyone else for that matter. The only thing that matters is what’s in here,” sh e said pointing to her heart. “And here.”She placed her hand over his heart.
She felt his heart beating rapidly through his tight black t-shirt. He covered her hand with his.
“Do you honestly believe you’ll be okay with what others think about us? Because as you’ve pointed out before I’m much younger than you.”

You can purchase a copy for less than $3 at http://www.jasminejade.com/

Until next month!

P.S. The winners of last months contest who still haven't claimed their prize are: Jean Hart Stewart and Mia Watts. If you'd like a copy of one of my releases hop over to http://amberskyze.blogspot.com/ and pick a title. Contact me at amberskyze@aol.com with your choice and I'll send you the copy!

Mercury in Retrograde!

Should I sign anything???

My sister called me the other day and asked, "Should I sign a contract? Should I get legal services? A friend just told me Mercury is in retrograde! What does that mean???"

I said, "I don't know what the hell it means, I don't even know if I believe this stuff. The only thing I know is that the last time someone told me Mercury was in retrograde, my life went to shit for thirty days...so whatever you do, don't sign anything until it's un-retrograde!"

I had my horoscope done once by a professional and yeah, it was amazingly accurate as far as predicting, not only my personality, but certain major life events, however, I don't read my horoscope. Just not into it. Yeah, I'm an Aries and I have an Aries (red-headed) temperament and I'm pushy and determined and impulsive and fiery and way bossy. But...can someone please explain what on earth it means when Mercury is in retrograde? I assume it means Mercury is spinning backwards and since Mercury is the God of messages, all messages get delivered in a big, incoherent jumble.

Open to suggestions readers...

Lost and Found

Lost - me that is. I was away on a short cruise and came home just in time to pack up and move to my new little apartment. I am living with a pile of boxes awaiting to be opened and put away. Downsizing from a large house to a small apartment has been and still is a challenge. Forgive me for neglecting my Goddess duties. Life got in the way!

In the meantime. When my friend, Soveig Mclarent were on the short cruise we planned a murder mystery on a cruise ship. Very interesting. How do you get rid of a body? I asked the captain of our ship for assistance. I asked. "What do you do when a passenger goes missing?" He was terrific. Explained in detail what is done and when they have to call in the FBI or the RCMP, depending in which jurisdiction the ship is when the passenger disappears.

We took pictures of where and how we'd dump the body. Very interesting. Watch for further developments. We are planning a series. When I have my head together and have time to sit down and write I will clue you in.

In the meantime, check my web site, www.anitabirt.com for information about my five books published by Cerridwen Press. My historical romance, A Very Difficult Man, is available in trade paperback.

Anita

3 Things you should never blog about

Some days it seems people are willing to share everything. I do mean everything from their yearly visit to the ob/gyn straight through to politics, religion and their sex lives. I've read the post and skimmed the blogs and discovered there are some things I never needed to know. Such as the exact nature of how your doctor does his testing behind that closed door. Yikes, I may be a female, but I still don't need to share your every discovery.

So here's my random and pretty useless list of things I never want to see blogged about or on.

#1 Exactly what goes on behind your doctor's closed door. Leave us some mystery and our lunch.

#2 Politics. Yes, I am very well aware that America is a free country and founded on the principals of free speech. Yes, this is really happening with romance writers and their blogs. I don't get it. You want to ditch talking about your latest release or work in progress to trash a member of Congress, health care issues or whatever? Readers of your blog aren't interested in your political views, they are interested in how alpha you can make your hero or when your next book will be out or even better how hot you can make them sweat with your next love scene. Leave political opinions off your blog and everyone will be much happier. There's a time and place for everything and unless you're a political writer it has no place on your blog.

#3 Other authors, editors or publishers unless it's flattering don't tempt it. Some people forget that whatever we sent out into cyber space is never lost and available to general public anytime. Careless comments have a way of biting our butts when we least expect it. E-mails written to a friend in private can sometimes end up public fodder. I've seen and read many examples of writers venting in a letter to a trust friend, things they'd never say in a public forum. With one wrong click of the mouse or a carelessly typed address that venting has turned to bashing and there's no way to stop it, take it back or delete it. It's forever out there in cyber space waiting for just the wrong person to read it and start the cycle all over again. Be safe instead of sorry, keep your e-mails friendly and saving the trashing and bashing for your cell phone. After all, no one is perfect and we all need a stress outlet from time to time. Just remember to speak it, not type it and your butt and other body parts will be safe from any further chewing.

multitasking

In some ways, I'm great at multitasking. I can actually watch TV and do complex needlepoint at the same time. Or read a book and have a conversation with my husband at the same time.

Some days I recline on the deck dreaming of new books or casually flip through some research material. I may even wonder what's happening with my writing career? Why the *!@$ isn't anything happening?

OK, now is not one of those times. Now EVERYTHING is happening, so I've learned to multitask. I'm trying to write a rough draft for a series my publisher is doing. It's due the end of October. While waiting for edits to come back on my currently contracted book, I started resurrecting an old manuscript, doing lots of polishing and researching. By the time I got really into it, guess what? The edits came back. And painful as it was, I had to put aside the project I was really into.

And the rough draft? I'll be lucky if I even remember my characters' names, much less their arcs. Oh, wait. That's right. I haven't even gotten around to naming them yet. (The heroine is not too happy about rolling in the hay with a guy who doesn't know her name.)

When writing was a hobby, I only worked on one book at a time and I polished to my heart's content until I was ready to let it loose. Now I have to keep all those plots and characters divided in my mind like sections of a grapefruit. I have file folders on the desk, on the floor, and in my tote bag. Thank goodness for file folders.

As long as I keep working, I may not finish anything but at least I'll get something done.

Afton Locke
www.aftonlocke.com
Unlock your darkest fantasies and brightest dreams...

Interview With "Sexy Games" Heroine, Stacy Newman

Last month I interviewed Sloane Hoffman, hero in April Ash's newest erotic romance book, "Sexy Games". This month I thought I'd get the heroine's perspective so contacted Stacy Newman.

Q: Stacy, I'll be asking you some of the same questions I asked Sloane. To start things off, what made you decide to test games for the Naughty Games Company?
A: I thought about it for a long time. And my friend, Lorraine, kept pushing me to accept a "Game Testing" invitation. I walked into the main office ready to test a game, and hopefully find a way to "push" my own game idea.

Q: So, if Sloane wasn't going to be your partner, you would have tested games with someone else?
A: (Stacy turns bright red). Uh, that's tough to answer. I'd told Lorraine that my partner would have to be someone I knew, but I was relieved to see Sloane there. (she frowns) Actually, I was still mad at him but my hormones starting rampaging the minute I saw him. I'm not sure I would have said I'd test games with someone else.

Q: What game did you enjoy the most?
A: (A big grin crosses Stacy's face) Definitely has to be the Nerdy Professor and the Stripper. Wow. He was so needy and naive, and I...I mean Lola...got to teach him everything. I kinda enjoyed dressing up in that costumes, although I did have to practice walking in those five-inch heels and gyrating so the tassels of my pasties would twirl. Got to dance but without a pole!

Q: How about the Sheik and Bride-to-be scenario?
A: He looked so yummy in that costume. I got to dance in that one, too. And once my character, Fatima, gave into her own lusty feelings, things progressed quickly. (She leans in closer to me) And, I loved that edible Jasmine oil!

Q: I understand you found creative ways to have sex on your "off" night from testing games. Tell me about that.
A: (Stacy laughs) We weren't supposed to have sex on our "off" nights, but managed to satisfy our hunger for sex. You know, "telling" each other what to do or what you're doing or just watching each other satisfy your own needs sends each partner into overdrive, climax and sexual release. We couldn't touch, but had a great time!

Q: I heard a rumor about you two in a movie theatre. So...
A: Uh. I don't think we should talk about that. I mean, being in public and... No, let's have another question.

Q: Hmm. I think we're missing something about your escapade in the movies but we'll move on. Tell me about the last role-playing game you played..."The Lady and Her Butler".
A: (Stacy relaxes) Nice one, except that Sloane seemed distant and bothered by something, although he played his role perfectly. I enjoyed being the novice virgin and made sure I learned quickly as my role card suggested. Got to get in a bathtub with Sloane and enjoyed the bubbles popping around us.

Q: Trouble between you two developed. Tell us about those.
A: Uh, every romance has something or someone blocking their path. (Stacy shrugs her shoulders) Ours was no different. You'll have to read the book to find out what almost kept us apart.

Q: Anything else we should know about you or the book?
A: I had a great time playing the games and get to keep the costumes...for future use. Read the book and find out how we played games...and spent our "off" time...and what things almost separated us forever.

You can get more information about "Sexy Games" by April Ash at www.aprilash.net. In the "My Books" section you can read a blurb and click on a notation under the blurb to read three excerpts...one for each role-playing scenario. "Sexy Games" is available at:
http://www.ellorascave.com/pm-7393-441-sexy-games.aspx

Also, visit www.mariannestephens.net for information on my mainstream romance books.

An interesting dream, or what would you do?

I started drafting this blog yesterday about the common complaints of a writer. Too many things to do and not enough time. There are so many things I never have time to get around to doing. I could do webmail all day, but then I'd never write. And I could write all day, but then I'd shut myself off from friends, and of course the everlasting promo.
I didn't really expect the promo bit when I was focused in on being published. Now fourteen books later I'm juggling my time like a circus clown. That's was enough venting, but if any of you have ideas to help, what promo works the best, etc. do let me know. AARRRGHHHH!

Guess I was feeling unusually frustrated, and then last night I had an interesting dream. My current hero (Jono in 'Quest for Magic', book 5 in the Songs of the Mages series)) is undergoing an emotional awakening so maybe that's what triggered it. In my dream a good friend of mine and I had gone to a second hand shop looking for a desk for her. I love second hand shops, by the way. We found a lovely little desk and loaded it in her car somehow. Don't know quite how. Maybe it was a station wagon, but I not only dislike them but have a bad back that should have made me of no help. I'm not loading anything when awake! Anyway we got it to her place, carried it to her office and she left me to do something or other. This is a dream, remember. They can be short on logical details if you want them to be. While she was gone I was cleaning out the desk for her and found an old coin wedged in the back of one of the drawers. Don't ask my everybody else had missed it, this is still a dream. I knew enough about old British coins to know this was an exceptionally valuable gold pound piece. Worth beaucoup bucks. (I don't know much about them at all, but again, this is MY dream, so don't quibble.)

Anyway I stood there looking at it, wondering who it belonged to? Me? My friend?
The consignment shop owner? Doubtful, but if we reported it to her would she track down the former owner or pocket it? The former owner? The desk was old enough it probably had several owners. Which one do you pick?

Finders keepers doesn't seem quite right here. Or does it?

Some dreams are fun....