Announcements

May 14 2013

Humor and Romance (and a New Release by Siobhan Muir) #giveaway

I have a special guest today–the uber talented Ms. Siobhan Muir. She’s just released a book entitled Not A Dragon’s Standard Virgin. Okay, how can anyone NOT want to read that? It’s definitely going in my TBR pile. But I’ll let Siobhan herself tell you more about how she pairs humor and romance—the perfect marriage in my book, like a Reece’s peanut butter cup!

***

When Lila offered me a place on her blog to shout about Not a Dragon’s Standard Virgin, I thought, “Yeah! I can totally do an interview or author spotlight.” But those options seemed like a poor representation of the efforts made to promote a book (translation: kinda boring). Do you really want to know about my writing methodology or my favorite food (cheesecake, by the way)? It seemed kind of “been there, done that” when so many authors are vying for your attention: “BUY MY BOOK, BUY MY BOOK.” I do want you to buy my book, but I’d rather make it fun.

One thing I truly appreciate about my friend Lila is her ability to show the humor in all her tales – and it’s not just purposely funny things, but rather the every-day events which go wrong or not quite as the characters expect. When I’m writing, I usually know where my characters are going and what is likely to happen in the story. I have a general outline I follow – mostly so I don’t forget some details I want to include. But sometimes, the characters do something I don’t expect and it turns into a scene that brings me great delight.

My newest release was like that. I thought I knew everything about Jonarrion Swiftwind. He had his stuff together. He knew how to fight like any warrior does, and he’d never forget anything. Right? Uh, maybe. Jon made a dramatic exit in his story, taking his lady and flying off into the sunset – well, actually it was raining and he flew south, but you get the idea. I was writing along, happy as a clam, when I wrote, “Then he gathered his sword—” and realized he HADN’T gathered his sword, his primary weapon as a warrior, before he flew off. Rewriting large chunks of story is never fun for an author so I started thinking of ways I could fix it that would make sense. The following excerpt of Not a Dragon’s Standard Virgin is the result.

sm-notadragonsstandardvirginEXCERPT

Jonarrion laid Isabelle down on a bed of soft, dry, fragrant needles and retreated to shift into his human form. While the ruins of the old castle hidden by the young forest could take his natural size, his color would show between the trees to anyone who knew what to look for. When he stood upon two feet again, he returned to the overhang of stone from a ruined floor, grateful it kept the rain from soaking his lady. He paused at the edge of their rough camp, the memories of the evening flooding his mind as he took in her graceful shape.

Gathering up all their belongings from the little cave had been a comedy of errors. First Jonarrion had a handful of unconscious woman and refused to set her down for fear she’d get pneumonia from the cold and wet. He’d swung his great head back and forth in indecision before he decided she wouldn’t be there long enough to get sick and consoled himself with the reminder that she wore his plaid.

When he’d reached into the cave to collect their things, only his arm would fit. He spent several minutes growling and groping for the pile of items he could only see when he pulled his arm back. He completely destroyed the careful collection Isabelle had made, and spent several more minutes picking up each item individually.

He’d congratulated himself on getting everything and wrapping it all carefully around his woman. He’d been all set to leave when he remembered his sword, still lying on the pockmarked floor of the demon’s lair.

So much for a dramatic exit when he had to go back for his weapon.

He’d stood there at the cave mouth for several minutes, vacillating between taking Isabelle somewhere safe, or going back for his weapon while they remained close. Collecting the sword immediately won out, but he’d felt like a prize idiot. He’d found the blade where they’d left it, and the elf had disappeared.

Thank the Goddess!

Jonarrion was also tremendously grateful Isabelle had slept through all of it. Not much of a hero if he couldn’t remember to take his own sword with him when he dramatically left the field. He’d paused only long enough to engulf the entire lair in blinding dragonfyre, charring the demon’s body to nothing more than ash, and cleansing the stone of its hideous poison.

Jonarrion unconsciously shook his head, and a cold drop of water slid down his back. He jumped, shaking himself into the present where his lady needed a fire to stay warm. He’d prefer to warm her with his own fire, but despite his cock’s enthusiastic agreement, he forced his body to search for dry kindling for a campfire. Nothing was dry, and he grumbled about damned spring weather, but scraped a hole in the floor of the clearing and lined it with rocks.

Jon’s mishaps made me like him even more than I did before, and reminded me of all the times my actions backfired on me. I can still see him standing there, shaking his head, and rubbing his hand over his face in disgust. :D

Thanks so much for stopping by and reading. As it happens, I’m giving away one copy of Not a Dragon’s Standard Virgin to one commenter who answers this question: What’s the best (funniest?) thing you’ve done to ruin a dramatic exit? Please leave your email address or Twitter handle in your comment so we can contact you if you win.

Thank you, Lila, for hosting me today and I hope everyone has a great week. :)

***

Thanks for coming by, Siobhan! So, you KNOW you want a copy of this one. Be sure to comment for a chance to win but more importantly to entertain me! :)

How about a few more deets about Siobhan’s hot little ditty, including where to buy if you want it now and don’t want to wait for a chance at a giveaway:

BUY LINK for Not A Dragon’s Standard Virgin:

Bookstrand.com: http://www.bookstrand.com/not-a-dragons-standard-virgin

 BLURB

Sacrificial virgins are so sixteenth century, but unless Isabelle finds a man to take her innocence, she’ll likely be next.

For Isabelle Andersen, being a virgin in a dragon-plagued Scottish village is dangerous. Potentially the next dragon sacrifice, Isabelle’s only solution is to lose her innocence, and fast. All she needs is one handsome stranger she can coax into bed, but Lochmore Cott doesn’t get much in the way of visitors.

Jonarrion Swiftwind has sworn off virgins. The last time he took one to his bed, his family paid the price for his lust at the hands of her demon-possessed father. He’s made it his mission to destroy all demons. Nothing distracts him from killing this demon until lovely Isabelle offers him tea. And her virginity.

Just one night of passion makes Jon realize he doesn’t want to let the independent beauty go. But will Isabelle accept him when she discovers the only real dragon in her village… is him?

BIO:

Siobhan Muir lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, with her husband, two daughters, and a vegetarian cat she swears is a shape-shifter, though he’s never shifted when she can see him. When not writing, she can be found looking down a microscope at fossil fox teeth, pursuing her other love, paleontology. An avid reader of science fiction/fantasy, her husband gave her a paranormal romance for Christmas one year, and she was hooked for good.

In previous lives, Siobhan has been an actor at the Colorado Renaissance Festival, a field geologist in the Aleutian Islands, and restored inter-planetary imagery at the USGS. She’s hiked to the top of Mount St. Helens and to the bottom of Meteor Crater.

Siobhan writes kick-ass adventure with hot sex for men and women to enjoy. She believes in happily ever after, redemption, and communication, all of which you will find in her paranormal romance stories.

Siobhan’s recent release, Not a Dragon’s Standard Virgin, is from Siren Publishing, and she has published Queen Bitch of the Callowwood Pack through Siren, and Her Devoted Vampire through Evernight Publishing. She also has a free read out entitled A Hell Hound’s Fire introducing her new Cloudburst, Colorado series.

Find Siobhan here:

Website: http://siobhanmuir.com

Blog: http://siobhanmuir.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/siobhan.muir.35

Twitter: http://twitter.com/SiobhanMuir

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5760938.Siobhan_Muir

Google Plus: http://plus.google.com/u/0/118081545120488658410/posts

By • Announcements, Contests, Interviews • 10 • Tags: , , , , ,

May 10 2013

Escape to Bella Key with Scarlet Chastain

Just released! Bella Key by Scarlet Chastain, and I’ve got Ms. Chastain herself on my blog to talk about her DEBUT release! Woo-hoo! Take it away Miss Scarlet.

***

Thank you for having me as a guest, Lila!  I appreciate you celebrating the debut of my new release, BELLA KEY, with me. Maddie and Sunny’s sexy story released May 3rd and my girls are already receiving a lot of buzz…

Harlie’s Books gave it a “Recommended Read”: “I can not tell you how much I loved Maddie and Sunny’s story. Well written, sensual and sweet.”

Love Books! said: “This taste of the ongoing party-like atmosphere of the Keys is making me want to take a vacation. I felt like I was about to step on the beach while reading. The romance between Sunny and Maddie was a joy to experience. I was rooting for them.”

 

bella-key1mBella Key

by Scarlet Chastain

Release Date: May 3rd
from Evernight Publishing

Blurb:

Maddie Jacobs must be crazy. At least that’s what her mother thinks. Professionally, she’s confident and secure; personally, she’s a hot mess. Not even a marriage proposal from a man who adores her can quell her search for something more.

In need of an escape, Maddie flees to Key West’s most southern island, Bella Key, to rest and recharge at Casa Bonita. She almost gives up on weekend retreat when the Bed & Breakfast is closed for repairs until Sunny Rojas, the inn owner, extends an offer of friendship, sweet tea and a room. Still reeling from a breakup with her longtime partner, Sunny is thankful for the diversion from her own broken heart.

The arrival of a fierce storm forces the women’s emotional journey to a head and leads them into each other’s arms. But can Maddie throw her hangups to the wind and go with her heart? The magic of Bella Key teaches her that passion cannot be placed neatly into boxes labeled right and wrong, because love knows no boundaries.

Excerpt:

Sunny walked toward the slim form sitting on a bench facing the water. The reds and oranges of the sunset played off Maddie’s golden hair. Sunny’s fingers itched to smooth a wisp of hair blowing in the early evening breeze. An overwhelming feeling of desire to wrap her arms around the woman, guide her head to her shoulder and stroke her hair while she whispered ‘everything will work out’ ran through her head.

“It’s stunning, isn’t it?” She nodded at the horizon when Maddie looked up. “I never get tired of watching Key West sunsets. Each one is different. I come down here a lot to think, or when I have a decision to make. There’s something about the sunset that puts things into perspective.” Sunny stared at the glowing orange sun disappearing into the wide expanse of sea. “Here, I brought you some more of the sweet tea you liked earlier.”

Maddie took the glass from her, and the brush of her fingertips along the back of Sunny’s hand sent her nerve endings on overdrive. Sunny leaned on the back of the bench, supporting her weight with arms. “I spent much time down here dealing with the same situation. My guy’s name was Emilio.”

Maddie’s head cocked to the side. “Emilio? I thought you were—”

“A lesbian?” Sunny snorted. “I don’t really think of it as liking one sex versus another. I’m attracted to the person, you know, what’s inside. But, yes, since Emilio I’ve only been with women. Leaving him was hard. We met in college and he wanted to get married after graduation. Asked my parents and everything.” Sunny chuckled, remembering the disappointment reflected in her mother’s eyes when she told her they’d broken up.

Maddie turned and put her feet on the seat of the bench, drawing her knees to her chest. “What happened?”

“I’ll tell you what didn’t happen, chica. The world didn’t end. Emilio found someone else and is happily married with a couple of kids. My mother not only got over the fact that l broke up with Emilio, but she accepts the fact that my goals in life aren’t the same as hers. You see, those who really care about you just want to see you happy. What you need to figure out is what makes you happy.”

Find Bella Key here:

Evernight Publishing / Amazon US / Amazon UK / AllRomance eBooks / BookStrand

Author Bio:

Scarlet ChastainScarlet Chastain is the semi-secret pseudonym of a multi-published, best selling author of sensual erotic romance. Scarlet’s focus is female-centric sizzling stories written about women, for women.

She lives in the suburban shadows of New York City but her heart belongs to the beaches of Key West. Scarlet can usually be found in her favorite chair of her newly acquired writing cave with her maltipoo, Coco.

 

Stalk Scarlet here:

Website: http://scarletchastain.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Scarlet-Chastain/524838890901873

Twitter: @scarletchastain

Email: scarletchastain@gmail.com

 

 

By • Announcements, Interviews •

May 9 2013

A Naughty Peek at Talbot’s Seduction by Kastil Eavenshade

Visiting me today is long-time Pens cohort and an author with some of the wittiest quips I’ve ever read, Kastil Eavenshade. She’s here to tell us all a little more about her latest release, Talbot’s Seduction, from Evernight Publishing. Take it away, Kastil!

***

Thanks for giving me a little space, Lila. Today I’d like to talk about how I created the character of Talbot Sauvageot. He’s brash, arrogant, and a man who prefers other men in his bed. In the first book I wrote about Talbot, he was sure of his sexuality. In this one—in a time period before Talbot’s Ploy—he’s just finding his way. What’s a man to do when he’s betrothed to a beautiful woman and cannot ‘get it up’ in her presence?

I tormented this character to no end, much like someone in his position and title would have been in 18th century France. It’s not exactly something you can be open about in that time period…unless you preferred the whack of a sharp blade on your neck. So in Talbot’s Seduction, you learn of how he comes to terms with what he truly desires…but not without a cost.

talbots-seduction-mockBlurb:

Talbot Sauvageot is a young Lord living in Paris, France, in search of anything but the duties of his station. He spends his time drinking and whoring, his memory of the last evening always a blur. When he is tricked by his betrothed’s father, Talbot realizes his heart beats not for the velvety folds of a woman but the hardened shaft of a man. Now he must find a balance in a world that condemns a man to death should he dabble in sodomy. His desires are unleashed tenfold when his Friend Tyeis shares his same interests in a bedmate.

Warning: m/m sex, multiple partners, forced seduction, sex toys, spanking, public exhibition, rimming

Excerpt:

(Lila’s note–this one is a wee more graphic than my usual PG-13 fare but not password level.)

His gaze wandered to the window, and he strode over. The scenery hadn’t changed much. Frolicking in the pool below had turned into a festive event. Many more students—including Tyeis—dove into the crystal water. Clothes lay scattered on the marble tile surrounding the area. Talbot’s cock stirred at the sight, and he stepped back.

Back in Paris, when his father treated him to a maison, Talbot had been unwilling to shed his clothes in front of Delphine. She had instructed him on pleasing a woman after their flight from her brothel, but he’d felt clumsy and awkward. She praised his skill, vowing to have her girls spread the word of his prowess. His trust in Delphine came with no reservations. Their need for secrecy was mutual.

His need grew in his breeches, and Talbot turned his parents’ picture face down. What he was about to partake in was the very reason his father took him to the maison over and over again. The heat rose in his cheeks as he peered out the window again, his eyes fixed on the majestic beauty of the chiseled specimens below.

Talbot’s head hung low for the wicked images circling in his head but he couldn’t deny his want. His manhood sprang out of his breeches as the laces unfurled. “Forgive me, Father,” he murmured. His fingers grasped his throbbing member, sliding along the shaft. The more he honed in on the nakedness below, the thickness grew within his gliding palm. His forehead pressed against the glass as his breathing grew heavy. Heady illusions of his fellow brethren wrapping their lips around his girth excited him more. Talbot’s scrotum contracted and the pressure built.

The click and turn of his door had Talbot scrambling to cover his erect cock. At full mast, its size could not be contained in his pants. He reached for the coverlet on the bed to mask his state. Perspiration ran down his cheeks, and his embarrassment grew.

Professuer LaVigne stood in the doorway. Without a word, he closed the door behind him and walked over to Talbot. He yanked away the blanket, and Talbot desperately tried to hide his engorged cock behind his hands.

“Remove your hands, Talbot.”

“Monsieur, s’il vous plait.” Talbot could not met his eyes nor tame his cock.

“Now or should I write your father on your behavior?”

As if touching an open flame, Talbot snatched away his hands. “I will not happen again, Professuer. I swear.”

“I doubt that.” LaVigne snorted. His finger thrust under Talbot’s chin, forcing him to gaze into the eyes of his teacher. “Pray tell, Talbot, what was your inspiration for such acts?”

Talbot’s eyes betrayed him, casting a glance over at the window. His chest seized, the fear of his lust being discovered chilling his skin.

LaVigne half-smiled and adjusted the front of Talbot’s waistcoat before dancing his fingers lower. Talbot’s eyes widened as his teacher stroked the underside of his hardened manhood.

“Your tastes are sinful, Talbot, and should you be caught, your parent’s shame will be the last of your worries.” LaVigne continued his deviation. “May I suggest you wait until night consumes the land for such indulgences and, if it pleases you, my door is open to relieve you of your guilt.” He swiped the liquid from the purple tip and suckled it from his finger.

Talbot trembled, the shock of his teacher’s bold actions unnerving him. LaVigne could never know his act quickened Talbot’s breath.

“It is wrong,” Talbot said, yet his cock did not agree with his words. He’d dabbled with an older man once before, and it ended in death for the Comte. He could not entertain that thought again.

“Only if one gets caught. Be careful, Talbot, and I will show you how to keep you and whatever lover you choose safe. Even in Paris.” He reached into his jacket and pulled out a card. It fluttered onto Talbot’s bed. LaVigne left, a smirk on his face.

Talbot shifted his shaft into his pants and laced them in haste. His hand wiped away the sweat still pouring from his brow. Far away from his home, Talbot shivered from his arousing encounter with LaVigne. His cock begged for release yet, and the temptation to seek out his teacher after dark called to him.

Talbot shook his head. He could not give in to his carnal lust. It was not the right of the world. His secret needed to be buried below, never to be acted upon again. He had left Paris behind but the sin he washed himself in followed close.

BUY LINKS:

Evernight Publishing | All Romance eBooks | Amazon | Bookstrand | Rainbow eBooks

Add to your Goodreads tbr pile.

By • Announcements • • Tags: ,

Apr 30 2013

Purely Relative Releases!

You probably know I write under two different pen names–this one and Claire Gillian. Actually I have a third but she writes young adult and that age group has no business at this blog so I won’t mention her to keep the crawlers from associating us. Ha!

Today marks a momentous occasion. I’ve just released my first self-published book! Purely Relative is a novella sequel to my debut novel, The P.U.R.E., released last April.

I cannot begin to tell you how much I’ve learned by wearing the publisher’s hat and thanks to all the great advice out there by other self-published authors. Honestly, I’m thrilled the book is in the online catalogs of multiple sellers at this point. I’m thrilled to have already sold a few copies, even before the official release. I bought my own copy on Saturday from Amazon and read it. I only found one typo, and a minor one at that, comma issues notwithstanding. I’d say this is mostly because I had it professionally edited, not that that relieved me of doing my own multiple passes, again and again, looking for gaffes, incorporating early beta and ARC reader feedback.

So without yammering on any further, allow me to introduce you to my other me’s latest baby:

PurelyRelative_ClaireGillian_tagged

Read more about Purely Relative and find Buy Links and coupon codes at Claire’s site.

By • Announcements, Novels / novellas • • Tags: , ,

Publishing News! More Succubus Stories!

Mar 14 2013

Publishing News! More Succubus Stories!

Yes, I have TEN (10) more succubus tales coming shortly. But these are very different from my prior stories. These are darker, moodier, edgier. There are no happy endings, though a couple might earn a tentative “happy for now” if you consider the term to be extremely relative. Some are pure erotica. Others are erotic horror. None of them are erotic romances. Just want to be really clear.

All of them are kick-ass stories set in a wide, wide range of worlds and situations. I’ll have contemporary, sci-fi, pirates, historical, paranormal (well they all are to some degree since they all feature succubi), dystopian, post-apocalyptic, to name a few.

I will be releasing three (3) volumes of short stories with each volume being about 10-12k in length and consisting of three to four stories each. If you want all three volumes, I’ll also be releasing a “boxed set” of all three volumes, ten stories.

Volume 1 coming May 2013!

Here are the covers (subject to some tweaking) and a little bit about the ladies featured in each volume:

Succubus Bites Vol1alt2 Succubus Bites Vol2alt
Succubus Bites Vol3 Succubus Bites RRRalt

And their stories:

Volume One:  Reformation

In section one, Reformation, three creationary tales reveal how a succubus might be made and why, whether through deception or force. These dark stories highlight the loss of a woman’s power when she succumbs to her baser instincts and as a result becomes a slave to them.

BRONWYN is a young woman unable to resist an attraction to a mysterious man she has exchanged glances with for several weeks running. Encouraged by her friend, she finally musters the courage to introduce herself. Her admirer, however, has more sinister intentions in mind.

CORINNE AND DELILAH introduces us to two destitute sisters, who are clutching to the fringes of polite eighteenth century English society. Their only hope of survival is to find husbands amongst the gentlemen they meet at a ball. Their unwise choices, however, offer more radical solutions than any they could have anticipated.

ERIN awakens in a laboratory, as helpless and blank as a newborn. She’s told her name is Erin, but a growing sense of awareness warns her it’s not. She’s told she needs tutoring. She’s told she must never disobey males or she’ll be euthanized. What the hell is going on?

Volume Two:  Rage

In section two, Rage, the three succubi featured need men to satisfy their carnal appetites, but are unhappy creatures and contemptuous of their prey.

MAEVE is an office worker who targets her philandering boss. She easily seduces him one afternoon in the office, all the while plotting his downfall.

QUETZL is a virtual succubus who lives in a video game as an obstacle the players must overcome in order to win. Her methods are as stealthy as they are carnal, and once targeted, few players ever make it past her.

URSULA’s world is a zombie apocalyptic nightmare. She is one of a group of survivors, who face the constant threat of a gruesome death and resurrection. Life isn’t so nice inside their stronghold either as the strong and the arrogant attempt to take advantage of those they perceive–at their peril–to be weak.

Volume Three:  Recreation

Section three is entitled Recreation. The succubi in these stories have found methods of co-existing with humans, though they still guard the secret of their nature and are not all angels when having their fun.

FELICITY disguises herself as a man to sail aboard a pirate vessel. The men onboard have no idea that the succubus visiting each of them in their dreams is their baby-faced shipmate, “Phil”.

SOLANGE is the only librarian able to put up with the high-handed antics of one of the university’s young professors. Within the stacks however, she has her own lesson to teach the arrogant young man.

HELENA is also in a university setting only she has her eye on the handsome professor she’s been denying herself all semester. Now that finals are over, the gloves are off.

TASMIN lives in a post-apocalyptic wasteland where the few survivors must fight for scarce resources. Picked up as a hitchhiker, she makes a deal with her sleazy savior; only a starving succubus is not always capable of reigning in her appetite.

Ten stories. Eleven intriguing women / succubi.

Volume 1 coming May 2013!

Add to your Goodreads shelf NOW:

Succubus Bites (Vol 1): ReformationVol 1


Succubus Bites (Vol 2): RageVol 2

 

Succubus Bites (Vol 3): RecreationVol 3


Succubus Bites -- vols 1, 2, 3Boxed set

 

By • Announcements, Succubus Anthology • • Tags: , ,

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