Lolita Lopez's Blog, page 4

Sexy Inspiration and a Free Read @SilkenSheets Today!

 

I’m blogging at Silken Sheets today about finding inspiration for steamy stories. There’s also a free read from the Her Russian protector universe! This one features Ivan and Erin (from the first novella in the series) as they work out some, er, kinks in their new living situation.

Barnes & Noble Shenanigans

So B&N is up to their tricks again. Not only have they (allegedly) routinely added 1000+ rankings to sexy romances and erotica to keep them out of the bestseller lists, but now they seem to have (allegedly)  instituted some weird sort of block that keeps romance novels (and maybe only indie published romance novels?) from rising above a 125 rank in their store.

This obviously makes no sense from a reader standpoint. I mean, if I’m cruising the bestseller lists for a good book, I want to see the bestsellers according to other readers–not the bestsellers according to B&N’s marketing department.

Yes, I have noticed that my erotica published as Lolita or Roxie Rivera was routinely “penalized” by being pushed down the bestseller lists any time a book gained momentum. I rolled my eyes and let it go because, like, what can do you? But now Barnes & Noble has yanked ALL but two of my books (traditionally/commercially published and indie published) from their NOOK UK store. I didn’t know it was happening until I started getting emails from readers in the UK asking about Grabbed By Vicious for NOOK or IVAN and DIMITRI from the Her Russian Protector series.

Yo! Vicious! Where you at?

You can imagine my confusion when I did a search on the NOOK UK store and realized that only two of my books (YURI and REFUGE) are available to readers. I don’t know why those two books survived but they’re there. REFUGE was categorized as space opera by the publisher and I categorized YURI as romantic suspense instead of erotic romance because it’s steamy but not super sexy. Maybe they managed to escape an aggressive filter? I really don’t know.

Sexy billionaire Russian playboy = okay. Sexy alpha male in space = not okay?

So–huge apologies to readers in the UK who want to buy books for their Nooks but can’t. As usual, Barnes & Noble is sending canned responses. If/When these books are available again, I’ll be sure to update with that news. Until then, you can buy epub versions of all of my indie pubbed books via KOBO (Lolita and Roxie,) Smashwords (Lolita and Roxie) and All Romance eBooks (Lolita and Roxie). Most of my traditionally/commercially published books are available through All Romance eBooks, KOBO or Apple in epub. The bookshelf pages on my websites have those links.

If you’d like to read more about this debacle and B&N’s history of (allegedly) manipulating the bestseller lists and rankings, please read Maya Cross’ excellent post on Goodreads and Hugh Howey’s rundown of the situation (and the comments! where bestselling authors like Jamie McGuire and Liliana Hart explain how their books were “hidden” from readers by rank manipulation.)

New Release: YURI (Her Russian Protector 3) #sexy #suspense

Roxie Rivera, the other pen name, has a new book out this week. YURI, the third installment of the Her Russian Protector series, hit the virtual shelves on Friday.

 

 

While clawing her way out of Houston’s worst neighborhood, Lena vowed to never let any man have power over her. After a lifetime of broken promises from her criminal father and a mother who abandoned her, Lena believes that love makes you vulnerable. She’s never been tempted to test that belief…until Yuri.

Sexy as sin and with a dark reputation, Russian billionaire Yuri Novakovsky survived a miserable childhood of poverty and neglect to ascend the pinnacle of success. He enjoys the perks of his massive wealth without much thought to the consequences…until Lena.

When Lena’s father and cousin blunder into an international art theft operation, Yuri seizes his chance to be her protector. But when past misdeeds catch up with him and threaten Lena’s safety, Yuri puts her love and trust in him to the test.

He’ll prove he’s the man she needs—a man she can depend upon and trust—one sensual, wicked kiss at a time.

 

***YURI is a full-length novel, clocking in at 90,000 words and 300+ pages.***

 

Available now at Amazon, B&N, Kobo, All Romance eBooks and Smashwords. Coming soon in print!

 

Excerpt

 

When we stepped out of the car, the two bodyguards who went everywhere with him surrounded us. Yuri motioned for them to give us some space. As we joined the long, winding line for the truck Chuy and Tai owned, I couldn’t help but ask, “Doesn’t that feel weird?”

He glanced back at the intimidating bodyguards in their matching dark suits. “You get used to it.”

Sadness gripped me. It couldn’t be easy to live in a fishbowl, constantly followed and watched. “I’m sorry you need them.”

He shrugged. “It’s the trade-off for the success I’ve enjoyed. I’ll happily accept it for all the other opportunities I’m afforded.”

Yuri reached out and swept some of my hair behind my shoulder. His fingertips brushed my skin, the very touch searing me. The shuddery flutter in my lower belly accompanied an uptick in my heart rate. It stunned me how easily the man affected me.

When his gaze dropped to my arm, Yuri’s eyes narrowed and anger flashed across his face. Carefully, he ran his fingertips along my skin. “Who did this to you?”

I glanced at the ugly bruises forming there and winced. “It’s nothing.”

“Yelena.” He used my full name, his Russian accent so thick as he emphasized the syllables. “Please don’t lie to me. Did someone hurt you?”

“It was just a stupid work thing, Yuri. Danny grabbed me but I got away from him. It’s one of the reasons I quit.”

His square jaw visibly tensed. Rage etched hard lines into his handsome face. “Has he touched you before this?”

Taken aback by his outrage, I insisted, “Yuri, I handled it. It’s no big deal.”

“No big deal?” He practically gawked at me. “A man grabbed and bruised you. It’s unforgiveable. It’s disgraceful.”

Indignation welled within me. “Yuri, I can take care of myself.”

“I didn’t say you couldn’t.” His gentle fingertips moved over my sore arm. “If you were mine—”

“I’m not yours,” I interjected without thinking. Almost instantly, I hated myself for it. He flinched, his cheek pulling tight for a millisecond, and dropped his hand. “Yuri, I didn’t—”

“No,” he said softly. “It’s fine. I understand.”

Desperate to make him understand and certain I’d just really stepped in it, I grasped his hand and tugged him out of the line. We were already attracting eavesdroppers and I wanted some privacy. The bodyguards shadowed us but I figured there was no losing those two.

For a few seconds, I simply held his hand and stared at him. He seemed confused and I couldn’t blame him. I was throwing out mixed signals like crazy.

With a noisy exhale, I confessed, “You scare me, Yuri.”

His eyes widened. Concerned, he stepped toward me and asked, “Have I done something to upset you?”

“No,” I hurriedly assured him. “It’s not like that.” I searched for the right words. “You’re big and sexy and powerful and wealthy and I just—I don’t know what you want with me. I’m a big nobody and you’re—”

“You are not a nobody,” he interjected roughly.

I was taken aback by the emotion in his voice. Swallowing hard, I asked again, “What do you want with me, Yuri? Is this just a game? Are you chasing me because you think I’m playing hard to get?”

“Are you playing hard to get?”

I shook my head. “I don’t like games, Yuri.”

“Neither do I.” He dared to reach out and caress my cheek. “Lena, you tempt me in ways I cannot even describe. You make me want it all.”

My heart thudded in my chest as his fingertips trailed along my skin. I tried to swallow but my mouth had gone dry. “All?”

Nodding, he cupped my face with one hand. His mouth curved in a sinful smile “But we can start with a kiss.”

 

 

Dead Sexy Dragon Cover Reveal!

The cover for Dead Sexy Dragon is here–and it is HOT! Like get the fire extinguisher out and pop the batteries out of the smoke alarms sexy!

 

 

A DRAGON TO DIE FOR

Stig Wyvern is ready for his transformation. A dragon shifter who goes through violent phases during his mating period, Stig plans to lock himself in a small cave beneath his isolated home. But his dark secret is threatened when a desperate young woman appears on his doorstep.

Cora Cardenas has nowhere else to go. She’s in deep trouble with some really nasty people and Stig is the only person she can trust. That he’s strong, gorgeous, and makes her tingle with the simplest of smiles is an added bonus. Soon, Cora realizes Stig is hiding something from her—something that may explain the strange noises coming from the basement at night.

Now as the sexual tension—and danger—escalates, Stig needs to get Cora out of his house. But his inner beast has other ideas. He’s found his mate—and she’s not going anywhere . . .

Available for Pre-Order at Amazon and B&N for $1.99!

#Grabbed Series Tour Starts Today! #scifi #romance #sexy

 

I’m taking Vicious and Menace with me on a blog tour for the next two weeks. There are lots of great stops and prizes! One winner will receive a $25 gift card. There are also digital copies of the books up for grabs! And teasers and interviews and excerpts!

Lolita Lopez’s GRABBED Series Blog Tour
5/06 – 5/19

5/06 – Romance Junkies
http://www.romancejunkies.com/rjblog/

5/07 – Book Lovin Mamas
http://booklovinmamas.blogspot.com//

5/09 – United by Books
http://unitedbybooks.blogspot.com/

5/10 – My Reading Obsession
http://4myreadingobsession.blogspot.com/

5/11 – Tiffy-Fit’s
http://tiffyfit.blogspot.com/

5/13 – Salacious Reads
http://www.salaciousreads.com/

5/13 – Riverina Romantics
http://riverinaromantics.blogspot.com/

5/14 – Wicked Readings
http://www.wickedreadingsbytawania.blogspot.com/

5/15 – Book Monster Reviews
http://www.bookmonsterreviews.com/

5/16 – Close Encounters
http://closeencounterswiththenightkind.blogspot.com/

5/17 – Larissa’s Bookish Life
http://www.larissaslife.com/

5/17 – Salacious Reads
http://www.salaciousreads.com/

5/18 -Ramblings From This Chick
http://ramblingsfromthischick.blogspot.com/

5/19 – Reading Between The Wines

http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub.blogspot.com/

 

On Tour With Two Big, Sexy Russians!

I’m on a blog tour for the next two weeks with the heroes of my Her Russian Protector series!

 

There are lots of stops at some really fabulous reader and reviewer blogs. I’m doing interviews and guest posts with snippets from both books and some teasers about the upcoming books (YURI and NIKOLAI) and the possibility of more stories in this universe.

 

There’s also a giveaway–$25 gift card for the grand prize and four sets of IVAN and DIMITRI in digital format! You can catch me at the following stops:

 

4/29 – Nina’s Literary Escape
http://ninasliteraryescape.blogspot.com/

4/30 – Riverina Romantics
http://riverinaromantics.blogspot.com/

5/01 – Flirting with Romance
http://flirtingwithromance.blogspot.com/

5/02 – Book Monster Reviews
http://www.bookmonsterreviews.com/

5/04 – Froggarita’s Bookcase
http://www.froggaritasbookcase.com/

5/05 – Mad Hatter Reads
http://madhatterreads.blogspot.com/

5/06 – United by Books
http://unitedbybooks.blogspot.com/

5/08 – Book Lovin’ Mamas
http://booklovinmamas.blogspot.com

5/09 – My Reading Obsession
http://4myreadingobsession.blogspot.com

5/10 – Books, Books and More Books
http://booksbooksmorebooks.blogspot.com

5/11 -  Offbeat Vagabond
http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/

5/12 – Romance Junkies
http://www.romancejunkies.com/rjblog/

 

Hope to see you there!

Men of Grabbed #sexy #scifi #EllorasCave

First–I want to say thank you, thank you, thank you to all the readers who have discovered and enjoyed Grabbed By Vicious. You have no idea how amazing it feels to have so many of you finding me here, my website or Facebook. I love every single message and email I receive!

There have been quite a few questions about the other men in the series–and the answer is yes! They’ll all have books. Caught By Menace is currently in edits with Ellora’s Cave and I’ve finished a third of Venom. I plan to write Raze’s story this year and part of Cipher’s as well. Yes–Terror has a book!

Oh–and the Barnes and Noble thing. There was some sort of distributor snafu there and it should show up any day. You can grab an epub copy from Ellora’s Cave or All Romance eBooks–but I know how inconvenient it is to have to sideload a book so I sympathize with Nook readers’ frustrations. (Looks like Vicious is part of the rebate deal at ARe right now! Hot damn, I love a good sale! )

I’ve created a new page on my website for the men of the Grabbed universe–Men of Grabbed. There are sexy pics of ridiculously hot man chests (delish!) and character backgrounds for the men in the books I’ve already contracted or will be shortly contracting with Ellora’s Cave.

Again–huge thanks to all the readers who have fallen in love with Vicious and Hallie. As a writer, there’s no better feeling than realizing readers love a couple as much as you do!

 

 

Grabbed By Vicious #3 on Fantasy/Futuristic Romance @ Amazon!

Well this was an interesting discovery to make this morning! Probably the only time in my life I’ll be squeezed between Stephanie Meyer and Diana Gabaldon!

 

 

Alpha Males in Space & Sexy Russians @SilkenSheets!

 

I’m at Silken Sheets and Seduction talking about my two new releases:  Grabbed By Vicious and Dimitri (Her Russian Protector #2). Don’t forget about the Grabbed By Vicious tour! You can enter for a chance to win a $25 gift card and free copies of the book!

Grabbed By Vicious Tour & G!veaways! #scifi #romance #sexy

To celebrate the release of Grabbed By Vicious, I’m going on a book tour organized by the totally fabulous Book Monster Promotions. You can swing by the sites listed below and enter to win a $25 gift card to Amazon or B&N ( winner’s choice) and free copies of Grabbed By Vicious, the first book in my new sexy scifi Grabbed series from Ellora’s Cave.

GRABBED BY VICIOUS
Book Blast Tour Schedule

04/01 – Close Encounters With The Night Kind
4/02 – Toot’s Book Reviews
4/02 – Salacious Reads
4/03 – Babbling About Books & More
4/04 – Nina’s Literary Escape
4/06 – Book Monster Reviews
4/06 – Book Lovin’ Mamas
4/07 – Curse of the Bibliophile
4/08 – United by Books
4/09 – Riverina Romantics
4/10 – Saucy & Sinful
4/11 – Offbeat Vagabond
4/12 – Total Book Nerd
4/13 – My Reading Obsession
4/13 – Bookin’ It Reviews
4/13 – Wicked Readings by Tawania