Janine Ashbless's Blog, page 43
March 12, 2017
Ashbless at Eroticon 2017
It's a whole week since I came home from EROTICON 2017 and I still feel like I'm trying to assimilate everything I saw and heard and learned. SO MANY great talks and workshops! It was a packed weekend, and when we weren't in talks and workshops we were chatting to each other networking, ahem, so I spent much of the time in a dazed state of exhaustion. My natural introversion/shyness was pushed to the limit, along with my capacity for gin-and-tonics, but it was all worth it!Here's 10 Things I Took From Eroticon ... in no particular order:
1) Calories. Way too many calories.
Oh boy, we were well looked after and catered for! The on-tap coffee and tea are the primary necessity for writers driven almost entirely by caffeine, but the food really was great :-)
2) Awareness
There were many great teaching sessions but the one that hit me hardest was Jet Setting Jasmine and King Noire giving an absolutely eye-opening, jaw-dropping presentation on the naked and unabashed racism in the (American) porn industry, and the importance of the language we use and the roles we dole out when we are trying to turn people on.
(I feel bad saying this because it doesn't do justice to the importance of their message, but they were also the most beautiful couple I've ever met in my life).
3) A Hot Octopus T-Shirt!
There was a lot of free swag being handed out, but my fave has to be this tentacular T-shirt from Hot Octopus.
4) Whores of Yore
Dr Kate Lister runs a website called Whores of Yore, which collates an extraordinary collection of vintage / historical photos and depictions of sex-workers. As an academic working on the history of prostitution, her message was "Don't speak for sex-workers without listening to them."
5) The BIGGEST VIBRATOR IN THE WORLD
Okay, maybe not, but I was given a free Doxy Massager as long as my forearm... and I may even dare put it to the test one day, lol!
6) A night with someone I'd met only at a previous Eroticon
WHAT?! She let me share her hotel room/bed so that I could attend on Friday night... I dunno what you guys think I meant...
HUGE thanks to Wendy for looking after me and being such a lovely person!
7) A distinct feeling I should really get my ass onto Twitter sometime
8) Face-time with my editors and fellow writers
Because we work from our own homes and interact through the Net, we can spend literally years being friends with people and working with/for them without ever meeting up. To get to spend time with them face-to-face is a precious and useful thing. Shout-out to Lisa Jenkins of Sinful Press (publisher of In Bonds of the Earth) and Malin James in particular here!
Oh, and apologies to F Leonora Solomon, who was so overcome by the news that In Bonds of the Earth was out that she fell on the floor.
9) Superb readings at the Slam.
Zak of Dirty Sexy Words fame organised the reading slam (13 people, 5 minutes each) and I've got to say I was amazed and impressed (and intimidated) by the quality of the work showcased, from poems to real-life encounters. I need to up my game...
10) An appreciation of Branding
I did worry he would set fire to his beardMister Gryphon gave a demonstration of hot branding that was really informative and demystifying. It didn't make me want to try it, but it got me to understand the appeal. I want to add that the entertainment at the Saturday Night Social was a lot of fun, with Rubyyy Jones's burlesque act a standout.
Thank you Molly and Michael and Girl on the Net for all your vision and your amazing hard work put into the new, reborn EROTICON. Long may it go from strength to strength!
Mugs from FUCK.COM and GIRL ON THE NET
March 10, 2017
I have no shame: Blog-tour roundup #4
Arthur Hacker: And There Was A Great Cry In Egypt (1897)The Angel of Death in that picture looks a bit guilt-stricken, frankly. Maybe it's because she forgot to get dressed before she set out to slaughter all the First-Born?Me? I have no shame left. Ask me anything... so long as it doesn't involve spoilers, lol
Jacqueline Brocker asked me some pretty probing questions for sure, like how I managed the unsettling relationship between my heroine and her demon lover. But Jacqui, I like that it's unsettling!
Rose Caraway demanded proof that I wasn't just making shit up about Ethiopia, so I had to show her the photos...
Ashe Barker posted an excerpt from one of the most problematic sex-scenes in the book. All I'm sayin' is ... If that makes you uncomfortable, just wait for Book 3, lol!
Books and Banter let me off fairly lightly, asking what was the most annoying thing about Mr Ashbless. Oh dear. Don't tell him
March 8, 2017
"Did you spill my pint?": Blog-tour roundup #3
Alexander Louis Leloir: Jacob Wrestling with the Angel (1865)The
In Bonds of the Earth
blog tour rumbles aggressively onward, picking fights like an angel with a bad attitude
March 6, 2017
Blue Monday special: video reading
For those of you who missed the Facebook Launch Party, here's the vid of mine own fair self reading a Naughty Bit from In Bonds of the Earth.
(Additional background whimpering noises courtesy of my dog)
And here is a FABULOUS 5-STAR Amazon review from the wonderful Kate Douglas:
I honestly don’t know what to say. This book is amazing—it’s like reading an erotic poem masquerading as prose. The author finds such a beautiful rhythm with her words—descriptions of settings and action whether a hotel room or church, a forest or an erotic scene between Azazel and Milja—give a sense of the scene that’s absolutely visceral in both perception and impact. Even the violence when it occurs is so well-written, like a nightmare set to some unheard rhythm.
I didn’t know what to expect when I read Cover Him With Darkness, the first in the trilogy, but I thought I might have a feel for this one. I was wrong—nothing is as expected, and yet everything fits perfectly. Milja Petak’s character is at once siren and child, seductress and innocent, and I found myself looking at Azazel as a rather large, overly sexed child. No filters, no rules, cruel and yet loving, but thoughtless, like a little boy, thinking mostly of himself—and Milja when it suits him. Or when she calls.
I’m still trying to figure out Egan who, in his own way, is more twisted than Azazel, trapped in his religious duty while lusting after Milja. I think he truly loves her, but he is so conflicted that I want to throttle him. I’m not religious, so I might not be the right person to have opinions on a story so steeped in religious history, but I love the detail and the background. I did some religious studies in college (almost fifty years ago!) and the classes were pretty dry and boring. If the professor had taught with Ms. Ashbless’s books at hand, I might have paid more attention!
This is truly a work of art—the author has taken the most difficult part of a trilogy—the middle— and made it absolutely fascinating. (It’s so easy to bog down in the middle—I see no bogging here!) I will admit to a frustrated whimper when I finished the last page. Ms. Ashbless, please! Write faster! I have no idea how she plans to end this amazing story, but it’s going to drive me nuts waiting to find out!"
Thank you Kate!
Ebook Buy Links:Amazon, Apple, Google Play, KoboPaperback Buy Links: Buy direct from Sinful Press, Barnes and Noble, Waterstones, Amazon
March 5, 2017
March 3, 2017
A nice quiet weekend
Piotr Stachiewicz (1856-1938)It's done! In Bonds of the Earth has been officially released, and I can collapse in a heap at the foot of the stairs now ;-) In fact, on Monday I can go back to writing Vol.3: The Prison of the Angels - YAY!
But first I have a weekend of fun with writers, publishers, activists and performers at EROTICON 2017 - including meeting up with Lisa of Sinful Press at last. I am really looking forward to this - the erotica community is a wonderful thing.
In the meantime, some Blog Tour roundup for this week just gone, and I've had to dig into things that might be wiser not confessed for these:
K D Grace had me over at her blog asking the perspicacious question, "Why angels, Janine? What makes them so great to write about?" Ooh - don't get me started!
Ian Smith interviewed me on his blog and poked the feeble remnants of my brain with challenging questions like "What book do you wish you could have written?"
And here's another lovely interview over at Carla Atherstone's place. "Have you ever written anything that was too extreme to publish?" Here's hoping my Black Lace editor doesn't read the answer to that one...
I really enjoy a good online probing, LOL. Thank you KD, Ian and Carla!
March 1, 2017
In Bonds of the Earth Release Party Today!
I've been recording VIDEO READINGS!In Bonds of the Earth is officially released! All pre-orders should have gone out to Kindles and stuff (I know someone got his at 1 a.m!).
And I'm having a PARTAAAAAAY on Facebook! Here's the link (YOU ARE ALL INVITED) and here's the blurb:
8 - 10pm UK 3 - 5pm Pacific 12 noon -2pm Eastern
We will be having fun and games, as well as giveaways. Up for grabs will be ebook copies and paperback copies of In Bonds of the Earth as well as Amazon vouchers and the chance to win a personalised short story by Janine Ashbless. Janine will also be reading extracts from the novel which you don’t want to miss! Please join us, and be warned, there will be drinking involved
February 27, 2017
Blue Monday: Beverly Langland guests
Every Monday I post a naughty excerpt for your entertainment!
Today's guest is Beverly Langland, editor of the SLP anthology Ticket to Ride, with an excerpt from her own contribution to the collection: Feeling Vulnerable.
Delve into the minds of ten authors and let them take you for the ride of your lives into the world of sex on public transport. Locations vary from Trains, Planes, Automobiles, Buses, Trams and Ferries. The confined interiors and restricted spaces of public transport can often lead to erotic contact and (in these stories anyway) ensure hot and steamy sex.
Entice yourself with stories of
Trains: Where the constant rhythm and clatter of wheels on rails, the side-to-side motion and a sense of entrapment between stations can add a touch of spice; or heighten the excitement by stealing pleasure in a busy underground carriage or on a crowded platform. Follow a detective beguiled by the splendour of steam travel and the thief she's set out to capture.Planes: Where the confined space of the seats necessitates an unconventional solution to comforting a fidgeting woman.Automobiles: Where passions run high when you only have thirty minutes in the back of a cab and don't know when you'll meet again–if ever. A collision on a ferry car deck transforms a woman's anger into deep-rooted desire out in the open.Buses: Where a crowded bus and the girl who sits on the dividing line between two disparate groups of students attracts a man from both sides. Eavesdropping on someone else's erotic stories on a ride share entices a girl to act along to the narration.Trams: Where wearing fancy dress leads to a completely new meaning to public displays of affection.Whatever your fantasy these erotic short stories will leave you eager to plan your next journey!
The stranger's hands slipped over her hips, reached down, grabbed the hem of the short skirt and slowly—agonisingly slowly—drew the material above her waist. Miranda took a sharp intake of breath as he nudged her legs apart. She believed she had reached her limit for exhibitionism until the stranger's fingers moved to the waistband of her thong. She didn't protest, didn't struggle as his hand stole inside where the heat and humidity of her arousal had made her ready for his invading fingers.
Down his fingers travelled, down to the first traces of slickness, to the soft, wet folds of Miranda's pussy. She bit her lower lip, and abandoned all thoughts of escape at the next station. The stranger slid his hand completely over Miranda's opening, cupping and squeezing gently. She responded by humping against his palm, and as her movement grew stronger, he bent his middle finger, and let the motion of her hips engulf the digit. Miranda breathed a little heavier. Perspiration broke out on her brow as another finger joined the first inside her pussy and they started to move. She held on to the overhead handle to steady herself, her knuckles turning white she gripped so hard.
She felt wicked stealing pleasure in a carriage crammed with passengers.
Little by little, the stranger's fingers entered deeper until she had swallowed all he had to offer. He slid his fingers in-and-out of her sex in the age-old manner. She stared at the back of the woman's head as the stranger finger-fucked her with increasing speed. She moved her hips in time with the strokes, not able to maintain the facade of normality any longer. His thumb found Miranda's extended clitoris with ease, the touch of her sensitive nubbin sparked a shudder that made her body reverberate with energy. Miranda's head lolled back against the stranger's shoulder and she noticed his silver hair. She sagged slightly as her orgasm built, and he put his left arm around Miranda's waist to hold her steady.
Miranda lost the ability to think rationally as the stranger led her closer to the brink of orgasm. Her hands closed over his, urging him on. She couldn't wait. The stranger pressed his fingers deeper, moved them faster, while his thumb twiddled Miranda's clitoris until she became his marionette, unable to move with any self-control.
The train arrived at the next station, yet the stranger didn't stop. Miranda was on automatic pilot. She was close, her breath laboured. Somehow, he knew and picked up the rhythm. She didn't care if anyone caught them. She just needed to come! She closed her eyes and bit down on her lip, drawing blood, so she wouldn't scream when her orgasm arrived. She couldn't resist much longer.
She had to…
She needed to…
She wanted to…
His mouth was against her ear. "Come now!"
Those two words pushed her into the abyss. She came, groaning loudly. Her pussy squeezed and clenched on to his thrusting fingers. A stranger's fingers! She had no idea what he looked like, and frankly didn't care as he continued to finger-fuck her with a knee numbing intensity.
Miranda's loud, long moans rose above the general racket on the train, drawing unwanted attention. Her mysterious lover clasped a hand over Miranda's mouth and silenced her. His dominant reaction excited Miranda beyond reason and she came much harder the second time. Her knees buckled. The woman in front of her twisted her shoulders irritably, and Miranda realised she had fallen forward.
Thankful she had looped her hand through the strap, she stood straight the best she could. What would the woman think of her? She must have heard her sighs, her moans of delight.
When Miranda eventually opened her eyes, her fellow passengers had resumed their facade of nonchalance. She let the stranger hold her up as she tried her best to recover. He placed his arms around Miranda's waist and kept her on her feet, his hard cock still nuzzled between her bottom cheeks. He remained snuggled there until the end of their journey. At the next station he hurried from the carriage and out onto the platform without a word. She watched blurry-eyed as he disappeared through the exit.
Buy Ticket to Ride at:
Kindle
iTunes
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords
Amazon Paperback
Amazon Paperback (US)
Beverly Langland first found success with Xcite publishing press in 2009. Winners of the ETO best erotic book brand 2011, 2012, 2013 they have published many of Beverly's stories to date. Now an independent publisher, Beverly’s work can be found on Amazon, Smashwords, Kobo, iBooks and many other independent sites. Beverly’s erotic work, is 'hot'. Her stories cover topics including; BDSM, fetish, latex, lesbian, spanking and other kinky stuff. Beverly has always been an avid reader, a lover of words and in particular well written fiction of every genre. This love of language reflects in Beverly's storytelling and once started, her stories are difficult to put down.
Goodreads
Amazon Author Page
Smashwords
Facebook
Today's guest is Beverly Langland, editor of the SLP anthology Ticket to Ride, with an excerpt from her own contribution to the collection: Feeling Vulnerable.
Delve into the minds of ten authors and let them take you for the ride of your lives into the world of sex on public transport. Locations vary from Trains, Planes, Automobiles, Buses, Trams and Ferries. The confined interiors and restricted spaces of public transport can often lead to erotic contact and (in these stories anyway) ensure hot and steamy sex.
Entice yourself with stories of
Trains: Where the constant rhythm and clatter of wheels on rails, the side-to-side motion and a sense of entrapment between stations can add a touch of spice; or heighten the excitement by stealing pleasure in a busy underground carriage or on a crowded platform. Follow a detective beguiled by the splendour of steam travel and the thief she's set out to capture.Planes: Where the confined space of the seats necessitates an unconventional solution to comforting a fidgeting woman.Automobiles: Where passions run high when you only have thirty minutes in the back of a cab and don't know when you'll meet again–if ever. A collision on a ferry car deck transforms a woman's anger into deep-rooted desire out in the open.Buses: Where a crowded bus and the girl who sits on the dividing line between two disparate groups of students attracts a man from both sides. Eavesdropping on someone else's erotic stories on a ride share entices a girl to act along to the narration.Trams: Where wearing fancy dress leads to a completely new meaning to public displays of affection.Whatever your fantasy these erotic short stories will leave you eager to plan your next journey!
The stranger's hands slipped over her hips, reached down, grabbed the hem of the short skirt and slowly—agonisingly slowly—drew the material above her waist. Miranda took a sharp intake of breath as he nudged her legs apart. She believed she had reached her limit for exhibitionism until the stranger's fingers moved to the waistband of her thong. She didn't protest, didn't struggle as his hand stole inside where the heat and humidity of her arousal had made her ready for his invading fingers.
Down his fingers travelled, down to the first traces of slickness, to the soft, wet folds of Miranda's pussy. She bit her lower lip, and abandoned all thoughts of escape at the next station. The stranger slid his hand completely over Miranda's opening, cupping and squeezing gently. She responded by humping against his palm, and as her movement grew stronger, he bent his middle finger, and let the motion of her hips engulf the digit. Miranda breathed a little heavier. Perspiration broke out on her brow as another finger joined the first inside her pussy and they started to move. She held on to the overhead handle to steady herself, her knuckles turning white she gripped so hard.
She felt wicked stealing pleasure in a carriage crammed with passengers.
Little by little, the stranger's fingers entered deeper until she had swallowed all he had to offer. He slid his fingers in-and-out of her sex in the age-old manner. She stared at the back of the woman's head as the stranger finger-fucked her with increasing speed. She moved her hips in time with the strokes, not able to maintain the facade of normality any longer. His thumb found Miranda's extended clitoris with ease, the touch of her sensitive nubbin sparked a shudder that made her body reverberate with energy. Miranda's head lolled back against the stranger's shoulder and she noticed his silver hair. She sagged slightly as her orgasm built, and he put his left arm around Miranda's waist to hold her steady.
Miranda lost the ability to think rationally as the stranger led her closer to the brink of orgasm. Her hands closed over his, urging him on. She couldn't wait. The stranger pressed his fingers deeper, moved them faster, while his thumb twiddled Miranda's clitoris until she became his marionette, unable to move with any self-control.
The train arrived at the next station, yet the stranger didn't stop. Miranda was on automatic pilot. She was close, her breath laboured. Somehow, he knew and picked up the rhythm. She didn't care if anyone caught them. She just needed to come! She closed her eyes and bit down on her lip, drawing blood, so she wouldn't scream when her orgasm arrived. She couldn't resist much longer.
She had to…
She needed to…
She wanted to…
His mouth was against her ear. "Come now!"
Those two words pushed her into the abyss. She came, groaning loudly. Her pussy squeezed and clenched on to his thrusting fingers. A stranger's fingers! She had no idea what he looked like, and frankly didn't care as he continued to finger-fuck her with a knee numbing intensity.
Miranda's loud, long moans rose above the general racket on the train, drawing unwanted attention. Her mysterious lover clasped a hand over Miranda's mouth and silenced her. His dominant reaction excited Miranda beyond reason and she came much harder the second time. Her knees buckled. The woman in front of her twisted her shoulders irritably, and Miranda realised she had fallen forward.
Thankful she had looped her hand through the strap, she stood straight the best she could. What would the woman think of her? She must have heard her sighs, her moans of delight.
When Miranda eventually opened her eyes, her fellow passengers had resumed their facade of nonchalance. She let the stranger hold her up as she tried her best to recover. He placed his arms around Miranda's waist and kept her on her feet, his hard cock still nuzzled between her bottom cheeks. He remained snuggled there until the end of their journey. At the next station he hurried from the carriage and out onto the platform without a word. She watched blurry-eyed as he disappeared through the exit.
Buy Ticket to Ride at:
Kindle
iTunes
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords
Amazon Paperback
Amazon Paperback (US)
Beverly Langland first found success with Xcite publishing press in 2009. Winners of the ETO best erotic book brand 2011, 2012, 2013 they have published many of Beverly's stories to date. Now an independent publisher, Beverly’s work can be found on Amazon, Smashwords, Kobo, iBooks and many other independent sites. Beverly’s erotic work, is 'hot'. Her stories cover topics including; BDSM, fetish, latex, lesbian, spanking and other kinky stuff. Beverly has always been an avid reader, a lover of words and in particular well written fiction of every genre. This love of language reflects in Beverly's storytelling and once started, her stories are difficult to put down.
Goodreads
Amazon Author Page
Smashwords
February 26, 2017
Synonym
Or at my age, one you can't quite remember.
February 24, 2017
"You've hardly started on his secrets": Blog-tour roundup #2
Félix-Hilaire Buhot (1847-1898), Illustration for 'Le Diable Amoureux' (The Devil in Love)This is the fun bit of a blog tour - I finally get to share all the super-sekret things I have been hoarding about my book! (Well, some secrets, because there are way more to come; just you wait for Bk.3!
