Tracy St. John's Blog, page 152

New Vlog

I'm in a summer state of mind. Translation: too lazy to write a blog. Here's the link to the latest name pronunciations on YouTube, finishing up Alien Interludes. Unfortunately, Blogger is being lame and won't let me embed the video here for you. Sorry about that!

Weekend Wake-up Call – Unholy Union

With a sly grin he glanced around the restaurant, though Elaine didn’t know how he could see much given the soft ambient lighting.  Before her startled gaze, Ash suddenly slid from his chair and disappeared under the table.
She looked around her dim surroundings with wide eyes, wondering if anyone else had seen Ash hide himself beneath the skirted table.
“What are you doing?” Elaine whispered loudly.
“Hush,” came his voice.  
Elaine jumped when his hands closed over her ankles.  They slowly slid up her calves, pushing her skirt up to her knees.  Wide-eyed, she peered at the other diners, sure someone had seen Ash’s vanishing act.
The various groups huddled in the lighted pools of their white-skirted tables, intent on their own lives.  Waiters cruised the pathways between tables with practiced ease, pouring wine here, presenting checks there, all timed with exquisite precision so as not to disturb a single conversation.  If anyone paid any attention to Elaine’s semi-private nook, she didn’t see them.
Ash’s cool hands traveled up her thighs, rumpling her skirt and the concealing tablecloth ever higher until they gathered at her waist.  The white fabric of the tablecloth draped in heavy folds on either side of her hips, keeping her bared skin hidden.  Ash tugged at her, encouraging her to slide to the edge of her chair.  She felt him snuggle in close, pushing her legs wide apart to accommodate his shoulders.  Her sex clenched as his breath puffed high against her inner thighs.
Elaine swallowed hard as one of Ash’s fingers hooked the crotch of her panties, shoving the fabric aside.  He paused for a long time, and she wondered what he thought as he looked at her secret flesh, glistening wet in anticipation of whatever he would do next.  Could he even see in the atmospheric gloom of the restaurant made darker still beneath the table?
Their waiter swept by, glancing at Elaine as he made his rounds.  She sipped from her glass of wine, pretending to study Ash’s contract.  She trembled to think of the humiliation should their public tryst be discovered.  Yet the excitement could not be denied.  Her nipples poked brazenly against her thin bra cups to reveal themselves through the fabric of her blouse.
Beneath the table, Ash adjusted her legs so that they draped over his shoulders.  Her knees brushed the underside of the table.  His hands gripped either side of her hips.  The softness of his hair teased her inner legs as his head slid close to her aching sex.  When the tip of his tongue traced the line of Elaine’s slit, she had to bite back a moan.
Ash’s wet flesh explored her folds with slow strokes.  Despite the coolness of his tongue, her core melted under the caresses.  Elaine stared down at the contract, the words fuzzy nonsense in the bliss of his attentions.  
He licked her thoroughly, leaving none of the trembling tissue unattended.  Elaine bit her lips together as his tongue flicked her pink pearl hard and fast.  Her fists clenched the contract, creasing the edges of the paper.  Heat built in her womb quickly, and the first stirrings of orgasm tickled through her belly.
Ash’s mouth closed over Elaine’s core, and he sucked hard on her nether lips and clitoris as his tongue stabbed in and out of her orifice.  She climaxed, bright sensation rolling hugely within her lower regions.  She released the contract to grip the edge of the table, wrinkling the soft white cloth that covered it.  A whimper escaped her throat.  She fought for silence as pleasure throbbed in delicious spasms, leaving her trembling. 
Available from Amazon Kindle, Amazon UK, Nook, and Smashwords. Also in print.

Shalia's Diary Thursday Post

And now for the audience's amusement...http://shaliasdiary.blogspot.com/

WIP Wednesday – First Mataras: Michaela

Korkla took her hand and pressed it to his lips.  He gave her that warm smile that transformed his angular face into something beyond beautiful.  Michaela’s breath stopped to have that expression directed at her.
He said, “I’m glad you made it, little one.  You don’t have to hide or be who you aren’t any longer.  Appear male if it pleases you, but don’t do it because anyone else prefers it.  On Plasius and Kalquor, you can be assured those days are past.”
“That’s true.  I can openly be a freak—” 
Michaela’s voice died at the thunderous expressions that masked the Kalquorians’ faces.  A thrill of terror ran through her as the men stared her down.
Raxstad spoke first.  “Do you remember how I said if I were Egilka, I’d spank Jessica?  You are going to receive firsthand knowledge of such an experience if that word leaves your mouth again.”
Michaela gasped as every hair on her body rose.  “You can’t do that,” she said.  
Korkla’s brow arched.  He somehow managed to look angry and amused at the same time.  “As this clan’s disciplinarian, Raxstad is quite capable of wearing your lovely little ass out.  And if he doesn’t, I will.  Consider this our final warning about calling yourself a freak, Michaela.”
Trying to ignore the bizarre pulse of passion filling her loins and scarcely believing they would threaten to spank her ... to actually spank her ... Michaela looked to Govi for help.  She found he was watching her carefully, gauging her reaction to the threat.
The hint of a smile twitched one corner of the Imdiko’s mouth up.  He shrugged at her.  “Even if I disapproved of corporeal punishment for such a stubborn little girl – and I don’t – I’m outvoted.  Besides, my clanmates are bigger than me.  I don’t care to cross them when they are convinced of their duty.  I suggest you monitor your words very carefully from now on, Michaela.  Raxstad’s spankings are quite thorough.”
The tumbling heat in Michaela’s groin increased as the men continued to stare at her.  She was turned on by their demands she behave for them, turned on when she should be running away screaming at the top of her lungs.  
Even stranger was that despite the promise of discipline, Michaela couldn’t shake the feeling that she was safe with the Kalquorians.  Korkla’s clan made her feel warm and secure as she never had before in her entire life.  Not even her parents had given her such a sense of  protection.   
Warned that she was in danger of a spanking from a man who looked like a human version of a gorilla had her feeling both excited and sheltered.  What the hell was going on in her head and the rest of her weird, fucked-up body?
No release date set

Shalia's Diary Monday Post

Piecing a warrior back together. http://shaliasdiary.blogspot.com/

Another Pronunciation Video and Info on Amazon's Censorship of Covers

Here are the name pronunciations from three stories in Alien Interludes: The Negotiation, The Sentence, and A Family Affair.


In other subjects of interest, my amazing cover artist Erin Dameron-Hill was interviewed this past week about Amazon's cover guidelines for indie publishers. Having had three of my covers censored (Ravenous Virtue, Alien Refuge, and Shalia's Diary Book One), I am always amazed by Amazon's guidelines. Or perhaps we should call them the lack of guidelines.  In their entirety, they consist of: "What we deem offensive is probably about what you would expect." Apparently, it was not what Erin and I expected, or three of my books wouldn't have been cited and blocked from the general search criteria. Erin's interview about the matter can be read here at the Hello Giggles site.

If you would prefer to shop Amazon's Kindle offerings without a chaperone, there is a way to disable the filter that keeps those 'offensive' books from coming up on a general search. Jessica E. Subject fills us in on her blog.  Thanks to my friend Elizabeth for passing this info along.

I hope you're all having an awesome summer!

Weekend Wake-up Call – Clans of Kalquor 3: Alien Conquest

She groaned, the sound a bereft exhalation.  She’d been right there, and she actually hurt from need.  Cassidy never knew desire could become painful.  Her head throbbed in tandem with her nether parts.
“Last chance, pet.  Yes or no?”
“Yes, damn you.”  She couldn’t remember what she was agreeing to.  All she knew was the terrible need would be satisfied by any touch Lidon gave her.  
“I’m so glad to hear you want me as I want you.”
Instead of giving her that last sweet blow on her throbbing cheeks, Lidon’s fingers brushed her engorged clitoris.  It was all Cassidy needed.  She arched with a delighted scream as the orgasm finally crashed against her.  She rubbed frantically against the Nobek’s calloused hand, the pressure ripping spasm after spasm from her overwrought body.  After a moment’s startled hesitation Lidon took over, capturing her straining bud between his fingers to bring her anew.  His arm circled her waist, holding her still while he massaged her wet flesh.  His gaze riveted on her face as she gave in to the sweet shattering cataclysm.
At last she quieted, her head dropping to rest on his thickly muscled shoulder.  “Matara, Matara,” he whispered, his hands stroking up and down her body.  “You enjoyed my discipline to the point of climax.  You are twice the treasure I hoped for.”
Lidon moved to stand before her, pulling his formsuit free of his torso, yanking it down to the boots that came to knee height.  Cassidy looked at him, his masculine flesh pointing at her like twin divining rods.  The remains of her climax still rippling through her belly, she thrust her hips towards him.
Lidon closed the distance between them, his sexes going to their intended orifices, as if drawn by an irresistible force.  His first thrust was heady delight, and Cassidy’s head fell back, her ecstatic groan falling from her lips.
Lidon kissed her, his tongue as wonderfully demanding as the penises drumming into her, filling her over and over again with decadent abundance.  His strong arms held her close, enveloping her in a demanding embrace.  She moaned into his mouth, her loins catching fire again.  His hands buried in her hair, holding her firmly in place as he plundered her mouth.  His hard body was a perfect counterpoint to her softness, and her flesh molded against him.  She was bewitched by Lidon’s unyielding sense of entitlement to take what he wanted from her.  The more he imposed his will, the more eagerly she succumbed.
If only she didn’t want Lidon and his clanmates so much … how could she be saved when their every lascivious demand thrilled her to her very soul?
The Nobek’s groin moved against her clitoris, stimulating her until Cassidy jerked helplessly in her bonds, her sex spasming hard to draw his essence from him.  They came together, shuddering against each other as passion had its way with them. 

Available from Amazon, Amazon UK, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Smashwords

Shalia's Diary Thursday Post

Shalia's weakness.  http://shaliasdiary.blogspot.com/

WIP Wednesday – Clans of Kalquor 9: Alien Indiscretions

                Wal rolled his eyes.  “Believe it or not, Diltan, some people could care less about rank.”                It was an offhand remark, yet Diltan’s face heated at the words.  He had never told his clanmates about the time he’d tried to lure the Imperial sister Lindsey into de-clanning her low-ranking mates for his clan.  The memory of being shamed by her and the mothers of her clanmates made his stomach twist in a sickened loop.  He’d never been so humiliated in all his life.                At least the four women had stuck to their promise to not disclose his ill-conceived attempt.  Diltan was ready to admit to himself he’d been an ass to try and worm his way into the Imperial Family.  He just didn’t want anyone else to know about it.                To his Imdiko, he grouched, “I know rank isn’t everything, damn it.  I’ve outgrown that way of thinking.  Why do you insist that I still feel that way?”                It was Rolat who answered.  “Because though you are a good man and a good Dramok, you are still ambitious as hell.”  He rolled the stones and made an angry sound.  He picked them up and tossed them at Wal, conceding defeat.                Wal added, “You also remain a bit of a snob as hard as you fight that tendency.”  He grinned at Diltan.  It wasn’t clear whether his victory over Rolat made him happier, or giving Diltan hell.                  Diltan grumbled, “At least you acknowledge I try.”                His clanmates chuckled.  Wal rose and wrapped his arms around Diltan in an effort to make amends.  “It’s that effort that makes you so endearing, my Dramok.  You do have a good heart.  It’s not your fault you were born to such advantageous circumstances.”                Diltan made a rude noise, but he didn’t push Wal away.  He was all too aware he had issues when it came to understanding the problems of the common man.  He’d been born into an affluent family, then he’d made himself ridiculously rich, then obscenely wealthy.  Yet he did his best to have empathy for others’ problems as well as helping out where possible.                  Rolat also rose and winked at him.  “Don’t worry, my Dramok.  We’ll keep working on you despite your many faults.”                Diltan scowled.  “You two didn’t exactly grow up in diminished circumstances yourself.”                Wal squeezed tighter and let him go.  “No, we didn’t.  More’s the pity, because I see plenty of men in my court that think they’re entitled to special treatment simply because they’ve always been given such.  Sometimes I think too much money is as bad a condition as too little.”                  The Imdiko had apparently decided Diltan had been teased enough, because he changed the subject.  “So ... the well-behaved twin.  Tasha?  Is she worth our suit?”                Diltan brightened.  Being picked on for ambition had made him worry his clanmates would poke fun at him for wanting to pursue the cousin of the empress.  “I believe she is.  She and her sister have decided to enter the lottery rather than rely on Empress Jessica to introduce them to likely suitors.”                Rolat seemed impressed.  “That’s interesting.  What’s the other one’s name?  The spitfire?”                Diltan answered with impatience, since he wanted to talk about Tasha and not her dismissive sister.  “Cecilia.  I believe they call her Cissy.  Anyway, I mentioned to Tasha that our clan had been selected by the lottery to present ourselves to interested Mataras.  After speaking with her for a few minutes, she offered to see if our profiles had come up as a potential compatible match – with no prompting on my part.”                 He glared at his clanmates as if to dare them to challenge his assertion.  They snickered at him, but said nothing.
No release date set.

Shalia's Diary Monday Post

Resisting.  http://shaliasdiary.blogspot.com/