C. Margery Kempe's Blog: Lady Smut, page 230

Lindsay's Post-December 7

The driver depressed the power window button. Silence filled the air as the portal descended. A muted curse escaped his lips, the only sound. He lifted his hand, looked at the finger and drop of blood spotted at the hang nail. He knew the manicurist would have to be punished, most severely, on his return. Better be worth the thrill, he mumbled as he cast his gaze to the individual highlighted in the spot of light on the beach.

He slipped into a pair of old ratty looking jeans, a Washington Redskin sweatshirt. An old ball cap completed his outfit. Cautiously, he closed the door, not wanting to risk alarming his next victim.

The man adjusted his approach of the person so he came in downwind. Thus any sound inadvertently made wouldn't alert the person.

His bare feet created a barely audible scrunch on the sandy beach. With each step he gave his feet a twist to disguise his prints. Waves crashed against the shore helped aid in the stealthiness of his advance. A weak, half moon dodged in and out from behind high, dark cumulous clouds helped add an unexpected eeriness to the night. A few stars twinkled. One, brighter than the rest, he knew to be the ISS.

Until now, he knew the person was only good for one, and only one thing, his next release.

The man was within ten feet of the person when a sea tinted breeze fluttered the person hair. Long. Black. A woman with the same hair color as that bitch. Perfect. Even with the intermittent moonlight he could see she had on a very skimpy bikini. A desperate need grew within and not only in his crotch. The sexual lust wasn't diminished even as she wrapped a large towel around her.

Perfect. A clean body for a change. He'd earlier said a silent prayer for just that.

He smiled.

He stopped several yards from her. He coughed.

He hid, in the open, swallowed in the shadows of darkness as the moon ducked behind a cloud. "Mind if I share your fire," his voice husky, gravelly. The sound gave the unsuspected listener the impression he'd been karate chopped in the throat one too many times.

The woman half turned toward the voice. A pleasing, self-assured smile highlighted her eyes. With a nod she waved him to a spot beside her.

"What's your name Miss," the man's voice cold, calculating asked.

"Michelle. Why?" A chill of impending doom shot down her spine. She wrapped the towel tighter, hoping to drive the chill from her body.

In several hours the sun would rise. Warm and greet Alison to a new day.

All the sun would or could do for Michelle, warm her ice cold body, so scavengers would have an easier time finding her.

Filed under: Lindsay Downs, Mystery

Mason's Paranormal-Scope ~ 11

I'm not qualified in any way to read neither stars nor planets. I do however; have practical advice for those of you that might encounter paranormal of some sort.

The week ahead for:

Aries

You are running around a cemetery in the dark. I get it you want to find the vampire before he rises but if you aren't careful you might get eaten.

Taurus

Falkor the luckdragon is sleeping and you are attempting to tip-toe around him. Slowdown and you'll figure out what he is doing there to begin with.

Gemini

One minute you are in heaven the next hell. And just when you think you know what you are doing, something else is tossed at you. For now keep your plans on the down low.

Cancer

Take a moment for you and visit a demon spa early in the week. Do you really know what the battle is really about? Make sure you do before you engage with hostile forces.

Leo

Don't be smoke and mirrors as others will see through the veneer and see you for what you really are. An angel or a demon…

Virgo

If you've never tried it with an incubus this might be the time to give it a go.

Libra

You can really heat things up Mr/Ms. pyrotechnic but it's going to be stop and go.

Scorpio

You are like an emotional tornado and a melt-down at the wrong time could prove more costly than its worth. Aim your passion at the devil lying next to you.

Sagittarius

You save the world gain so you forget your keys, you cannot do everything.

Capricorn

The bump into a demon, spill blood next to a vamp, you have entrails on your shirt. We've all had days like that. Relax everything will work itself out.

Aquarius

You're busting from the inside out full of ideas. What you need is someone to back you.

Pisces

Eager, excited and filled with passion but lacking all the pieces your magnetic side will attract what/who you need to get it done.

Mason

a.c.Mason

Darkness ♀♂ Desires

www.acmason.com

Filed under: a.c. Mason, Mason's Paranormal-Scope, romance

Double the Fun with Inara LaVey and Dana Fredsti

I'm joining up with my pal Kit Marlowe to welcome the fabulous Inara LaVey and her fun loving pal, Dana Fredsti. We first met over at Ravenous Romance because Dana was the whiz who put together a wild and wonderful blog tour for a bunch of us writers. It was great fun and led to a regular Ravenous Wednesdays over at Un:Bound. Dana is a hoot and a half and Inara really knows all the ins and outs of the romance genre. They both have a fabulous sense of fun! You can catch up with the two on Facebook and Twitter as well as at Dana's blog.

CMK: If you were a book, what would your tagline be?

Come for the romance, stay for the zombies! Or vice versa.

KM: What inspired Ashley Drake, Zombie Hunter and Ripping the Bodice?

Let's start with Ripping the Bodice!  Holly at Ravenous mentioned they were looking for something humorous and contemporary; did I have anything like that?  I'd been culling through my old stories and screenplays for other ideas (stealing from oneself isn't stealing, right?) and found Passion's Purple Prose, a script I'd co-written with my ex-writing/murder mystery theater troupe partner back when we were in our '20s. The script, inspired by a combination of Walter Mitty and Romancing the Stone, was written with the intent of making our own movie (can you tell who watched a lot of Judy Garland/Mickey Rooney movies in our youth?).  We did indeed film some of it with one lone video camera, one light, and a group of actors who probably did it for the freshly baked chocolate chip cookies Maureen and I always supplied.  Anyway, the project died midway when our lead actor moved and the tapes and script were put away.  I re-read it and thought it would be easy to update and expand it into a book for Ravenous.  I suppose the root of the inspiration was all the '70s and '80s bodice rippers I read in my teens and the somewhat skewed view of relationships they gave me until I matured a little bit.

[Comment below to win a copy of this hilarious book]

Ashley Drake, Zombie Hunter happened because Lori Perkins called me and said, "I want you to write me Buffy, but with zombies instead of vampires.  The heroine should be named Ashley."  She didn't need to ask twice – I'm a huge fan of the Buffyverse (the humor and depth of characters make that show) and have been a zombieholic since I first saw Night of the Living Dead back… well, back in the mists of time.  So I had a concept and the name for my main character. The rest was up to me.  All I can say is there's something really fun about bringing about an apocalypse…

In what genres do you write?

Mysteries, erotic romance (contemporary and paranormal so far), urban fantasy, horror.

What started you writing romance?

I started writing little vignettes for fun when I was in my teens and early twenties. My first efforts were basically fan fiction (Three Musketeers and Star Wars). Then I started developing my own little worlds and stories. I took a break from romance when I started a mystery oriented theater troupe with my best friend, which led to my first mystery novel (which does have a romance in it, btw).  I got back into romance when I wrote a short erotic story for my boyfriend , which ended up as the basis for my Ravenous Romance novel CHAMPAGNE.

What writers and films influence you?

Oh dang…  that's one of those black hole type of questions – get me started and it will never end…  I'd say the biggest influence on me as a writer would be Elizabeth Peters and her romantic suspense novels. I love the humor and the characters.  There are so many other authors, both contemporary and not so much, who I just love.  I don't know that their work directly influences my writing style, but when I read something that transports me to another world, it rekindles the creative fire to write.  My muse sometimes goes missing and needs to be coaxed out of hiding or from some beach in Hawaii where she's lounging and sipping tropical drinks, and one of the things that gets her back on the job is reading a really good book.

Specifically for Ashley, I got inspiration from Jonathan Maberry, Roger Ma, Max Brooks, John Skipp, and a host of other authors who've written some great zombie books.  While writing it, I watched scads of zombie movies (my poor boyfriend now knows more about the shambling dead than he ever wanted to know) such as Dawn of the Dead (original and remake), Night of the Living Dead (same), Day of the Dead, Shaun of the Dead, Dead Set, Dead Meat, Dead … er… well, you get the picture.  I watched the good, the bad, and the rotting.  Multiple times.  Oddly enough my favorite writing music for this book was the score from Twilight.  No sparkly zombies in my book, though!

How did you develop your craft?

Lots of reading, lots of writing.  And by developing the discipline to schedule my writing time no matter how busy I am with work/excercise/etc.  The etc. would be 13 cats.

It's a lucky number, right? What's sexy?

Anything can be sexy when you're with the right partner.

CMK and KM would like to register their pea-green envy at the kilty goodness you have! Hmmmm, then we have to ask: Do you ever incorporate real people or events into your stories?

HAH!  Oh yeah.  My first novel, MURDER FOR HIRE: The Peruvian Pigeon, was written because I really wanted to kill someone I worked with.  A lot of people and events in that book are based on reality; actors I worked with, ex-boyfriends, random people I ran across while doing our MFH shows…  and so many of the events were based on real life that these days I have a hard time separating what really happened from what I made up. It's been a few years…    Heh. My first author appearance after MFH came out, my best friend and ex-writing partner Maureen was there.  I'd be talking about something that happened during our MFH theater troupe days and she'd shake her head sadly and say, "Dude, dude… you made that up for the book."  She helps keep me straight.

How do you balance writing with the rest of your life?

I grumble a lot, pour myself a glass of wine and sit my butt down on the couch to write every night after work and for a good six or so hours on the weekends.  I just do it. And when I really start to feel burned out (when my muse has run off to tropical climes without me), I take a few days off and catch up on my social life.  I also find long walks o the beach help refresh me.  Luckily friends and family are used to hearing "I have a writing deadline" when they ask me to do something.  And just as luckily, my boyfriend is also a writer so we spend a lot of quality time side by side on the couch with our MacBooks.

So cozy! What's the most common mistake people make about you?

Thinking it's okay to be rude to me just because I'm generally a very nice person.  And that my sense of humor extends to anything to do with hurting animals.  No dead cat jokes, thank you.   Not even in a zombie book.

What ambitions do you have ahead of you?

I'd say world domination, but you might take me seriously, which would then require me to kill you.  So I'll keep the ambitions a little more writer-centric.  I want to finish my Ashley Drake trilogy, have it be wildly successful amongst romance and zombie fans alike, and be able to write full time.  Although I do like my job and would happily work part-time, I just need more time to write.  I also would love to have enough money to have a non-profit cat rescue sanctuary, with a vet on staff.  And someone else to clean the litter boxes!

Now that's luxury. What would be your ideal vacation?

One where I didn't have to worry about the TSR scanning at the airport!  Seriously, I don't know. I can think of so many places I'd love to go, including the British Isles, Europe (I love castles!), Scandinavia to visit my relatives, Greece… Driving around the United States… visiting any and all beaches where there is beach glass to be found …  and visit as many wineries as possible.  And to be able to afford to have someone live in the house while we're gone so I don't have to worry about the cats.

What's next for you?

Right now I'm finishing up a novella for Ravenous that I'm co-writing with my boyfriend Kilt Kilptatrick (author of The Manny Diaries), and then it's on to the second Ashley book.  And then we'll see about world domination and such!

Enjoy an excerpt from Ashley Drake: Zombie Hunter and be sure to leave a comment to have a chance to win a copy of Ripping the Bodice. We'll take entries through Dec 9!

An awkward but not entirely uncomfortable silence fell between us. We looked at each other, that same awareness that had hit us out by the barricade making a return visit.

"Is this about the whole tofu thing?" I said, going for light-hearted normalcy.

"You'll be paying for that one for years." The husky tone of his voice made the threat the sexiest thing I'd ever heard.

"Says you…"

I became hyper aware of the warmth and strength of his hands on my arms, each finger pressing firmly yet gently against the waffle weave of my thermal shirt. The space between our bodies seemed charged with thick electricity, the air warm, almost viscous between us. Gabriel's eyes darkened from their usual denim blue to indigo as his pupils dilated with unmistakable lust. I knew my eyes reflected the same desire. I unconsciously moistened my lips with the tip of my tongue, giving a sharp inhalation as Gabriel growled deep in his throat. I felt a slow, lazy roll inside me that had nothing to do with nausea, heat coiling in my belly and spreading its tendrils between my thighs.

Gabriel took a step forward, then another, pushing me back against the wall, his hands shifting from my upper arms up to my face, fingers twining through my hair as his thumbs gently massaged my temples. My breathing quickened, but I stood stock still, afraid to break the spell as he lowered his mouth to mine in the most sensual kiss I'd ever experienced. His breath mingled with mine as he kissed me; gently at first, no tongues involved, just his lips against mine, his fingers massaging my scalp ever so softly. He slowly increased the intensity of the kiss, his tongue entering into play as he tilted my head back and slid it into my mouth.

I felt like I was following along in a dance, being led by someone who knew the steps much better than I did … and I was content to follow, matching the pressure of his lips with mine, letting my tongue play with his as he pressed his body into mine, letting me feel his arousal.

Wow. Gabriel was definitely packing heat and this time it wasn't his firearm.

I gasped and arched against him, arms going around his body to pull him closer. He made a sound that was half low laugh, half growl, took a quick step back out of the circle of my arms only to seize my wrists and pin them against the wall above my head with one hand. He insinuated a knee between my thighs to press against me.  Then he kissed me again, gentleness out the window, tongue exploring my mouth as his knee rubbed back and forth against my most sensitive areas. His free hand crept up beneath my shirt and he rubbed his palm over the peak of one nipple.

I nearly came on the spot when he did that. My breath came short and fast as I rocked my hips against his knee, my tongue doing some exploring of its own, teeth nipping his lower lip. He nipped me back, moving his mouth from mine down my jaw to my arched neck. He bit it, teeth on either side of the pulse that throbbed there, hard enough to hurt in the most pleasurable way possible.

Our minds had left the building at this point, but pure pheromone-charged animal instinct was still in residence. Maybe it was the near death experiences, but I wanted Gabriel like I'd never wanted anything before. I wanted him even more than I'd wanted that steak dinner. And that was saying something.

I think we were both close to the point of tugging off each other's pants and doing the nasty right there against the wall when a door slammed somewhere down the hallway.

The effect on Gabriel was instantaneous, as if someone threw his switch from 'on' to 'off.' One hand slid away from my breast and the other let go of my wrists as he stepped away from me so suddenly I would have fallen over if I hadn't been leaning against the wall. My breathing ragged with desire, I stared at him, bewildered.

Gabriel's breathing was a little choppy too as he said, "I'm sorry, Ashley."  Wow. Way to kill the mood.

Filed under: C. Margery Kempe, erotic romance, fantasy romance, Interview, Kit Marlowe, Mystery, mystery romance, paranormal, paranormal romance, Recommended Books, Romance suspense, science fiction with romantic elements, Suspense, Twilight, Warrior women, Writing Topics, ZOMBIE

Contest and Fun with Cooking Erotic Romance Author Sandra Sookoo

Susan and Vampire David Hilliard are proud to present the author that really cooks Sandra Sookoo!

Thanks so much to Sue, David, and the rest of the  folks at Nights of Passion for letting me party here! 

Christmas is a really wonderful time of year for setting stories. Today I'm gonna share blurbs for a couple. The first is quite possibly the hottest piece I've ever written. It's a paranormal/historical blend and a straight erotic tale.

Blurb for A CHRISTMAS INTERLUDE: Dangerous secrets can melt a cold winter's night but are they hot enough to forge common ground?

In 1899 Indianapolis, adventurous sex isn't exactly appropriate conversation for afternoon tea.

Yet, an exciting sex life is exactly what Chelsea wants desperately from her beau Luther. Tired of society's strict conventions and his less than inspired fumblings in the bedroom, she devises a plan that is sure to bring Luther's passions to the forefront.

Luther harbors a dark secret of his own. A werewolf by birth, he's compelled to shift at each full moon but fears if he shares the knowledge with Chelsea, she'll run in fear. What he doesn't count on is her matching his appetites in the bedroom.

One long night of sexual play at a hotel during the Christmas season is all it takes to meet their needs yet will the confidences they keep unravel their love or will it strengthen the relationship as fast as a little light bondage?

Release date: December 1st. On sale now!

Publisher's website: http://www.purplesword.com

Also available at Amazon and All Romance e-books.

The next story I want to share with you is for Hanukkah. One of my friends asked me to write a story for the holiday she celebrated because not many people do it. So, after much research, I did and it was tons of fun!

Blurb for THE EIGHTH NIGHT: Who says Christmas is the only holiday in town?

After removing himself from family gatherings and his mother's domineering influence for years, Eli Goodman finds himself once again drawn into the chaos that is his home life. 　One afternoon, on a spur of the moment decision, he decides to bring the pretty cashier from the local MegaMart to his mother's house for their annual eight day Hanukkah celebration. At the very least, it will shock and temporarily quiet his mother's pestering. 　But Brooke is more than she seems and he will soon find himself thinking of the hard-working orphan in ways he never imagined. 　

Brooke has recently decided she'd like to shove Christmas and its materialism into her cash drawer. Yearning for something more from life, she takes a chance and accepts an invitation to dinner from a customer in her register line. What she finds with his interfering and warm family could very well be the missing element she's searched for, not to mention Eli is the sexiest guy she's seen in a long time. If the light of the Hanukkah candles bring them together, she could be the first person in modern history to see what Judah Macabee wears under his tunic.

Releasing December 6th with Liquid Silver Books (http://www.liquidsilverbooks.com)

Recipe for quick and easy fudge:Ingredients

One can of sweetened condensed milk

One bag of chocolate chips

Method

Put both ingredients in a saucepan and melt together.

Turn off.

Pour into a buttered dish or parchment paper lined dish

Wait until set. Cut and enjoy.

This recipe lends itself well for other flavors. You can add crushed peppermint candies, dried cranberries, mini marshmallows, nuts, etc. Let your holiday imagination soar!

Now for my contest. Up for grabs is a packet of book swag which will include postcards, a beaded bookmark, magnets and other special things. Trust me, you'll want the postcard for A Christmas Interlude alone! LOL Here's what you'll need to do. Leave a comment (with your email address) and answer this question:

What are the titles of my Christmas releases this year? I wouldn't rely on just this post if I were you…

Random winner will be chosen on December 6th.

Need help? Here's my website: http://www.sandrasookoo.com

Filed under: romance

Holiday Partying and 2 Contests with Annie Nicholas and a.c.Mason.

It's always a treat to have Annie Nicholas join me, Mason. What could be even better? She brought her dynamic storytelling and cool treasures.

A Werewolf Under the Tree, Please?

Once upon a time, there was a writer who liked the things that went bump in the night and liked the things that went bump, bump, bump even better. She spent much of her time creating the characters of her dreams and lent them to her readers as fantasies. As the holiday season approached, someone asked her to compile her Christmas wish list but unfortunately the things she wanted didn't exist.

She wrote the usual simple things like slippers and bubble bath stuff but really her mind was her very own werewolf. Something to keep her warm during those cold Vermont winters. Maybe if she wrote Santa this year he'd deliver?

What would be on your Christmas list?

Blurb:

Caught between two vampires, Connie is torn between Rurik, the one she loves and Tane, the one she'd love to stake.

Hunger burns in Connie Bences' soul–she craves the blood of her vampire lover, Rurik, but it's not satisfying her needs anymore. It's driving her insane. Desperate to find help, Rurik brings her to Rio De Janeiro, where Tane rules the vampire nation.

The back-stabbing vampire almost killed her and Rurik when they'd first met, then used them to obtain his crown. She would rather stake him, but the small drop of Nosferatu blood he'd forced her to drink in Budapest is blooming into a bond, one which ties her life to his. One he won't hesitate to manipulate.

He admits to binding her so Rurik would have to remain at his side, but their timing couldn't be any worse. The betrayer finds himself betrayed. Tane's rule is in upheaval and he's forced to place his trust in two people who owe him no allegiance—her and Rurik. In the middle of a power struggle, Connie fights to keep her lover, but didn't plan on Tane slipping into her heart.

To a lucky commenter I am giving a small bag of werewolf tears. (Really Herkimer diamonds) Lovely clear crystals for a crafter or for jewelry.

For current US and Canadian residents only and you must comment with the word Werewolf by midnight December 9th 2010 on this post.

Bonus gift! But you must follow these instructions: Oh yes, if you want to win a copy of one of my ebooks there is a hidden way on website but you need to find it.

Buy Link: www.liquidsilverbooks.com/books/catch...

Annie Nicholas

www.annienicholas.com

****

 

Aequitas, Shunus, Minoans, Nox, Zombies oh my?

It was late Christmas Eve, not a snow dog was stirring, not even a polar bear. In the snowy great white north lived a chocolate confection named Mason who wrote of delicious wicked creatures.

Aequitas- Part angel and demon

Shunus- Shifters that transformed into Wolf-Sprit

Minoans- an immortal race of blood drinking day-walkers

Nox- a blood-sucking, night creatures that are void of feelings

Zombies – undead that eat cloned human to rejuvenate and cannot be destroyed.

Humans- of the species H. sapiens (The most perplexing of all)

She couldn't pick just one as many hands were better than a few. Wink. They told her about Christmas celebrations from all over the world and throughout the ages. Then they tucked her to bed with a smile on her face.

The Aequitas, part angel and demon, have kept the balance between the forces of good and evil — until now.

When Etienne Grant is kidnapped and transformed into an Aequitas, marriage to Auria is the only thing that will save his soul.

Auria is a beautiful but efficient Aequitas, a General who wants nothing to do with love. A former lover has plans to prevent any hope of happiness with her new husband, and after murdering his own best friend and forcing Auria to join his rebellion, the balance between good and evil spirals out of control.

Can Etienne's tenderness melt Auria's cold heart and heal the pain of their secret pasts? Their very survival depends on it.

Contest: It's simple. A lucky commenter on this post can win an ecopy of Aequitas I Betrayal, commenting on which creature should tuck you into bed by midnight December 9th 2010 and you'll be entered into the contest. Open worldwide except where prohibited by law.

Filed under: a.c. Mason, Aequitas, Annie Nicholas, contest

Contests and Fun with the Incomparable Gothic Author Leanna Renee Hieber and the Totally Paranormal Susan Hanniford Crowley

A Visit, Fun, and a Contest with the Incomparable Leanna Renee Hieber

My favourite thing about the holidays is the scents. Scent is a powerful sense in my books, and the fact that one of the heroes of my Strangely Beautiful series, Professor Alexi Rychman, smells of clove tea and leather-bound books is one of my favourite details. And one of Alexi's favourite things around this time of year is what his friend, Vicar Michael Carroll, concocts for the 'darkest nights of the soul'; freshly mulled wine. Mulling wine is simple, and you can add delicious spices as you see fit:

Vicar Carroll's Mulled Wine:

- Procure lovely red wine of your choice (we like a good Cabernet)

- Pour a bottle or two or five into a tall cooking pot

- Add cinnamon, nutmeg, whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, possibly some orange peel, add amounts to taste

- Cook on a light, slow warm heat to get all those wonderful spices into the wine, just don't overcook, the whiffs you'll get while stirring it carefully are worth standing over the stove for.

[image error]My holiday novella "A Christmas Carroll" (Strangely Beautiful #2.5), featured in A MIDWINTER FANTASY novella shifts our heroic focus from Alexi to Vicar Carroll. In the timeline of the series, this novella occurs between the last chapter of The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker (Strangely Beautiful #2) and the epilogue of that same novel. The novella brings us into a Dickensian event, wrought by familiar spirits from the Whisper-World, that will force Vicar Michael Carroll, and the woman he has loved for nearly 20 years, Headmistress Rebecca Thompson, to be wholly and dangerously honest with one another, else the souls that hinge upon their happiness be trapped forever in purgatory.

Here's how mulled wine stars in Chapter One of "A Christmas Carroll"

(© 2010 by Leanna Renee Hieber)

Vicar Michael Carroll turned the ladle in his pot of mulled wine and let the scented steam rise to his nostrils, unlocking emotion, memory and all those forces that such smells do around the Christmas holiday. He glanced out the window of the kitchen in his small Bloomsbury flat, which looked unflatteringly down upon an alley, and was pleased to witness a solitary flake of snow brush the thick, uneven glass before vanishing. It would be the first of many firsts this season, if the fates allowed.

Drawing himself a heaping tankard of Josephine's favourite Cabernet, procured from the stores of her café and heated with bobbing chunks of cinnamon, fruit and cloves, he moved into his small dining room. The corners of the chamber were plastered at uneven angles, having settled awkwardly at the beginning of the century when the building was new. The window here only gave half a view of the avenue beyond, but he could see lamplighters plying their trade and nearing his street. It was not yet dark, and a purple sky reigned over parapets and smokestacks that grew ever higher and higher, the churning wheels of industry cranking them upward to challenge twilight's celestial throne.

He sat at a rough-hewn wooden table worn smooth by use, by company and the press of his own hands. Sliding his palms forward onto it, he eased into his chair, bracing himself and his heart, connecting with something solid and simple. The odd powers that had coursed through his body had once made his fingers twitch. Those powers were no more. Nonetheless, holding his palms firmly down, rooting himself to the table and to humanity, was one of his usual exercises. It brought him peace.

(end of excerpt)..

I hope you'll check out what I think is a great holiday treat; A Midwinter Fantasy anthology, including "A Christmas Carroll" –  available digitally in eBook form via all major

To keep abreast of the latest in my Strangely Beautiful series as well as my upcoming Victorian Gothic YA series Magic Most Foul, follow me

on Twitter: http://twitter.com/leannarenee

on Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/lrhfbfan check out my blog at http://www.leannareneebooks.blospot.com and always at http://www.leannareneehieber.com

Here's the hot off the press just released link for my anthology!! Yay!

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/A-Midwinter-Fantasy/Leanna-Renee-Hieber/e/9781428509474/?itm=1&USRI=hieber

Contest:  Now it's your turn:  What is your favourite holiday scent?!

Share with us your favourite holiday scent for a chance to win a copy of The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker. This contest is for US residents only and the deadline is December 9, 2010 at midnight.  Good luck!

Contests, Sweet Memories, and Giggles with the Totally Paranormal Susan Hanniford Crowley

My favorite memories of the Yule are in New York City and of looking at the windows of the big department stores like Lord and Taylor, Macy's, Saks, and Bloomingdale's.  I especially loved the animated windows, where trains ran through little villages, ballerina dolls twirled, stuff bears growled, and snow fluttered down.  I remembered when Saks did their entire store in silver stars and blue-white icicles.

Since this time of year always leads me back to New York, I decided to drop in on my favorite vampire secret society, the Arnhem Society.  David Hilliard greeted me at the door.

"Lily!"  (They call me Lily.)  He hugged me.  "Come in.  You're just in time."  Then he dragged me down the hall and into a beautiful ball room.  They have a huge tree, and the vampires were putting on ornaments.  Laura Cordelais floated up to the top and put on an angel.

"Funny, in my family we always use a ladder."  In examining the ornaments, I found them unique and handmade.  Some of them have names on them—stars with names and dates.  Candy canes dangle from limbs.

"When is it coming out?" asked David.

"What?"  I helped Trevor untangle lights.

"You're latest book—Mrs. Bright's Tea Room. It's about a floating brothel and a handsome airship captain, isn't it?"  Laura asked.

"I've been told it's coming out soon at All Romance Ebooks. http://www.allromanceebooks.com I don't have the exact date."

"I'll have to watch for it," giggled Laura.

I loved just watching the vampires from the Vampires in Manhattan series all together.  There must have been fifty or more vampires in the room all laughing and having fun, decorating this huge tree.  Yes, I've only written four books in the series, so I'll have to write more.

Time for a sneak peek at Mrs. Bright's Tea Room!

Blurb:

The sky above Alternate Victorian London is filled with dirigibles, one being the notorious lavender brothel–Mrs. Bright's Tea Room.

Euthalia has no choice but to work for Mrs. Bright.

In walks handsome Airship Captain Travers, the Queen's spy.

Sparks aren't the only things flying with Travers, Euthalia's first customer.

Excerpt:

Travers smiled.  Although he'd like to think that the pleasantries at Mrs. Bright's were merely a distraction until his business arrived, the truth was he took special pleasure in the opportunity to initiate a woman into lovemaking. He pulled out her demanded amount.

"Quite." With a smile, Mrs. Bright counted out the funds then handed him the key to #2, and he left.

Having been a patron of her girls' fare before, Captain Travers always thoroughly enjoyed himself.  He unlocked the door and found a young women dressed in only a corset setting the tea.  The usual savories were abound on the little platters, but in seeing her, he fully intended on tasting the sweet first.

Her young and tender face filled him with longing.  Oh, to kiss her pale pink petal lips.  To gaze into her deep lavender eyes.  He wondered if her pale skin was soft to touch.  Her ebony curls were crafted into a clever design framing her face and partially hanging down to her shoulders.  The French cut blue corset revealed creamy white breasts.  It was festooned with pink ribbons with ruffles culminating around her bare derriere.

"Would you like some tea, sir?"

Contest:  Now for some games.  I have three prizes.  Answers can be found at my website: http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com but you must answer here to be eligible.

No. 1 is for current residents of the US and Canada.  It a beautiful Vampire in the Basement T-shirt in XL.  To enter the drawing for this shirt, put the name of the vampire Lorraine falls in love with in the comment box as well as your name.

No. 2 is for currents residents of the US and Canada.  It's a signed copy of The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais.  Yes, it's been released as a limited print edition and is available through my website.  To enter the drawing for the book, put the name of the vampire that pulled Laura Cordelais out of the river in the comment box as well as your name.

No. 3 is worldwide.  To enter the drawing for a PDF ebook of A Vampire for Christmas, tell me why you want a vampire for Christmas.

Contests are void where prohibited by law and the deadline for all the contests today are December 9, 2010 at midnight.  Good luck and have fun.

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

Where love burns eternal!

My Publisher:  http://www.teasepublishingllc.com/

My Twitter: http://twitter.com/SHCrowley

My Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Susan-Hanniford-Crowley/629298868

Filed under: romance

Happy Holidays…It's a Party!

Welcome! If you're joining us for the first time this week, you've made perfect timing. We're having a Holiday Blog Party! Check out the blogs daily to enter various contests we are holding. For today's first blog, we are very fortunate to have author Rebecca Royce. Check out her blurb for her newest book, Screwing the Superhero.

From Rebecca Royce: 

A Christmas Interlude…

Draco Powers heard the second his wife, Wendy, awoke downstairs.  He always did. The super hearing was just one of the perks of being a Superhero.  He sighed and laid back on the roof of his house letting the early morning rays of the sun sink into him. 

He'd gone up on the roof because he hadn't wanted to wake Wendy or Lael, his little brother who lived with them half of the time.  It was Christmas morning and he always thought of his mother on Christmas morning. 

She'd known how to make the day really special for Draco and his other brother, Ace.  Even when they'd been so poor that the power company had shut off their lights for lack of payment, she had made Christmas something special for them. 

Now here they were, years later, and Wendy was trying to make her own traditions for all of them.  She was doing a good job. He would never tell her that the little touches she made to the house made him sad because they reminded him, endlessly, of his mother and how much she had never had. 

"Draco." 

He jumped an inch off the roof before lowering himself back down.  Wendy had snuck up on him. That was hard to do and he couldn't help the grin that crossed his face. It was happening more and more often. Clearly, she was practicing her technique. 

"Sweetheart?"  He turned to look at her. 

Her grin was genuine and infectious. She reached an arm through the skylight and he pulled her the rest of the way onto the roof.  Sitting down next to him, she looked around. 

"She'd be proud of you." 

He raised an eyebrow.  "How did you know I was thinking about her?" 

Wendy placed her head on Draco's shoulder as she kissed him, lightly, on the arm.  "Merry Christmas, Draco." 

She hadn't answered and he suddenly understood.  Sometimes there weren't words and sometimes with the person you loved, you didn't need any. 

"Merry Christmas, Wendy." 

                                                                                *****

Like Wendy and Draco? Well there is plenty more!! You can win the first tale that features them, Screwing the Superhero, here today!  Just leave a comment by December 9th at midnight (EST). Contest open worldwide. Happy Holidays to all of you—Rebecca Royce.  

Toni Kelly's Holidays

Let the party continue! Don't you love this season? I truly feel as I've gotten older, my appreciation for the holiday season has only grown. Strange, as I get less presents now and usually end up working more. Maybe that's why I appreciate those treasured moments with family so much.

As a kid, adults used to tell me that it was more fun to give gifts at Christmas than to receive them. I thought they were crazy but now I agree, especially when you get them the perfect gift and get to see their elated expression.

Don't get me wrong, I've had my share of interesting Christmas moments that weren't always so cheery and perfect. Like the time my sister pulled down our fully decorated Christmas tree or the time half of my seventh grade class collapsed on the bleachers at our school's Carol Night. Reminiscing, both events are pretty funny but at the time it seemed the end of the world. Still, despite some memorable mess-ups, I have plenty more warm memories. Decorating cookies, stringing lights and eating a delicious Christmas dinner with my family.

I'd like to invite those reading this blog to comment on their holiday experiences and enter a contest to win a critique from me of any twenty-five pages from their work in progress (I give very detailed critiques). Comment must be made by midnight (EST) on December 9th and is open worldwide. Thanks for visiting and enjoy your holiday season!

Filed under: Rebecca Royce, romance novels, Toni Kelly, Writer's Life

Guest blog with Mary Martinez

Hi folks. Today I asked a dear friend of mine, Mary Martinez, to guest blog. So without further ado…

Here's Mary-

Lindsay, thank you for inviting me to Nights of Passion, I'm very excited. I hope I don't bore everyone to tears! I'd like to chat a bit about myself—one of my favorite topics, just kidding—so you know me a little.

I have lived in Utah my entire life. I'm old so it's been a long time. I grew up on a 40 acre farm, with horses, cows, dogs, chickens and peacocks. Yes you heard right. And those little buggers woke me up every morning at dawn screaming 'Help'! As a child, I wondered what they needed help with?

I had a pet bull named Curly who died from some mysterious ailment. A few months later,  after dinner one evening,  I found out what that was. The butcher, I didn't eat beef for a very long time because I was afraid it was my beloved pet. I personally think that is child abuse. But back then on the farm, that was just something everyone did.

Now I live about fifteen miles from downtown Salt Lake City, home of the 2002 winter Olympics, now that was fun. But that's another story. I have 6 kids (mine and my husband's) and we have seven grandkids, five boys and two girls. We have a house full every holiday, not to mention once a week at Papa and Nana night. As you can imagine I have a very full life, and many ideas come from such a family.

Lindsay asked me to give the top ten things of several subjects as an idea to post on. I've picked writing. Without further ado, here are my top ten favorite things about being a writer and writing (One being the best):

1. I can tell stories… Make them up as I go!

2. I love being in the house with the music blaring while I chat with the friends in my head.

3. Everything or everyone I come in contact with, is a potential story line.

4. I have control, well not really, but I can suggest how the plot goes and I hope the characters follow my lead.

5. Research, I can get lost in learning new things about the world. Or the world I'm creating.

6. Although I do not particularly care for edits, it's where I can change things that aren't going right. You know when you read a book and you think, if I were the author, I would have had them do this… When I edit my own work I can do that, make it better—or more to my liking.

7. I love meeting other authors all over the world and calling them my friend.

8. I absolutely love going to writing conferences, meeting my writing idols and learning new things.

9. Call me silly, but I love to query, then the suspense of when I'll get the rejection, but hoping I'll be surprised with a request.

And last, but not least, it's really cool to have my own web mistress.

 

If you're an writer what is your favorite thing? If you're a reader, what do you enjoy most about your favorite authors?

I think I may have forgotten to tell you, if you leave a comment, you have a chance to win my new novel Classic Murder: Mr. Romance. Lindsay will be putting the names in a hat and drawing a name for the winner. Good luck!

 

Here's a bit about my new release that will be out January 2011 from BookStrand Publishing in electronic format in later in the spring in print.

Classic Murder: Mr. Romance

Unedited Blurb:

Adam enjoys a lifestyle most men only dream of; then one morning he wakes up to the morning headlines blaring, "Another victim falls prey to Mr. Romance. Who is next?" he realizes his way of life is not only frivolous, but deadly.

Dubbed Mr. Romance by New York society for his romantic adventures, Adam Fernando Russo loves women. Lately he realizes how lonely it is coming home to an empty house; can he settle for only one woman? After he makes a list of qualities worth giving up his desirable existence, suddenly recipients of his coveted attention mysteriously fall prey to a murderer.

The murders seem unrelated with one exception; all the victims have recently returned from a fabulous weekend rendezvous with Mr. Romance.

Adam's assistant, Katie Sinclair, knows Adam is innocent with airtight alibis. The police are at a loss so Adam and Katie work together to discover the link between the murders. As luck would have it, their plan to prove the murderer is copying classic Cary Grant movies goes astray just as Adam realizes his perfect woman has been by his side all along.

Here is the link to the excerpt and trailer: http://www.marymartinez.com/mrromance.html#video

Here's a few places you can find me:

Web site: http://www.marymartinez.com/

My Garden Blog: http://marysbooksblogger.blogspot.com/

Mysteries and Margaritas: http://www.mysteriesandmargaritasblogspot.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mlmartinez33

Twitter: http://twitter.com/marylmartinez

Before I sign off, I'd love to share with you a family tradition, when I was young that is. It's a recipe handed down from my great-grandmother to my mom, and she always made it for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  

Potato Dumplings

6 medium potatoes—boiled with skins on

2 eggs

1 ½ tsp. salt

1 cup flour

½ cup cream of wheat

1 tsp. nutmeg

Bag of croutons

Peel potatoes when cool. Put through ricer or mash. Add beaten eggs, salt, flour, cream of wheat and seasoning.

Pat into shape in hands. Place 8 or 10 croutons into center of potato mixture. Shape into balls and roll together. You should be able to hear croutons roll around in dumpling.

Roll in flour lightly. Place into rolling, boiling salted water, cover. Boil until they rise to top of water.

Remove the lid. Simmer about 15 minutes more until cook thru to center. Drain. Serve with brown gravy or turkey gravy.

Please enjoy the holiday season, Lindsay and the rest of you on Nights of Passion, thank you for having me as a guest. 

Thank you Mary. It was great having you here and Season's Greetings to you and your family.

Filed under: romance

Mason's Special Party Paranormal-Scope ~ 10

I'm not qualified in any way to read neither stars nor planets. I do however; have practical advice for those of you that might encounter paranormal of some sort especially at a party.

The week ahead for:

Aries

You could talk a demon out of his horns so do us all a favor and enjoy the party. Besides do you want him to take of his horns or something much more revealing?

Taurus

Things are heating up in the underworld and you've got your eye on someone with special talents. Find a quite space at the party to tell them how you feel.

Gemini

You are speaking Elvish and everyone else is speaking Parseltongue. The truth is it doesn't matter because it's all about the body language so enjoy the party.

Cancer

You see a crack in the veneer of reality that no one else does. No one likes a party pooper so make extra treats when you know what hits the fan. That way you can subdue them with your kitchen skills.

Leo

It's all about collateral. Cosmic collateral. Don't be afraid to bank on someone around you with universal connections that can help you mingle with the right fiends.

Virgo

Casual conversation with a stranger reveals one of the universal mysteries. Aren't you glad you came to the party?

Libra

Seems every fiend wants a taste of you. You are hot stuff so get your party on.

Scorpio

You are on a wavelength that picks up on what a fiend friend needs. Don't anchor your mind in your own ideals or the party won't be as fun.

Sagittarius

High up individuals are testing your skills and soon enough you'll need to use what you've learn to save the world again. That doesn't mean you can't stop in at the party.

Capricorn

It is quantum physic and you're partying in another dimension. Take notes or you'll miss the key to your exit plan.

Aquarius

The vampires, zombies and underworld creatures around you have ulterior motives. Don't expect a straight answer. But that don't mean you can't enjoy the party.

Pisces

Umm you walk over the battle field of bodies and have perfect clarity of what needs to get on with it. You're moving on and a party is just the place to meet new fiends.

In honor of the festive season, one lucky commenter on this post of 18 and over by December 9th 2010 can win very special erotic dice that can help see to your fulfillment in a variety of ways. The contest is open to current residents of the US and Canada. 

Mason

a.c.Mason

Darkness ♀♂ Desires

www.acmason.com

Filed under: a.c. Mason, Mason's Paranormal-Scope

Meet A. B. Gayle

Welcome A. B. Gayle, the author of CAUGHT and MARDI GRAS and much much more. You can catch up with her on Facebook or Twitter, or just stop by her website or blog.

Hi Margery, thanks so much for inviting me.

If you were a book, what would your tagline be?

Serious with a humorous twist

What inspired Caught?

Fish, photography and an Asian character. My daughter's long time boyfriend is Chinese and I work and live in an area with a sizable Chinese population. I feel too many books just feature white anglo heroes. Originally Daniel was going to be the model for a photographer attracted by his looks, but as the story grew and the location became fixed in my mind, the theme of dealing with grief forced its way into the mix. Some people have commented I tried to deal with too many themes in such a short story. Perhaps they're right. (shrugs) Other readers like the complexity and the layers. You can always read it twice. The fishing angle was always present. One of the early drafts included the tale (based on truth) of a man taking half an hour to catch a very big Jewfish (Mulloway) on a really light line, letting the fish feel it was free then hauling it back in again when it stopped resisting. I saw the whole story as a parallel for that and in the end, it's the angler who is "caught". As the edits progressed, more and more of this was chopped until it disappeared together. I still kept the tight time frame of one continuous encounter. I felt if they parted company before some deep connection was made, that would be it. The setting itself contributes strongly. It was only after it was published that I learnt there is a man who does a real life suicide watch.

That's a wonderful background story. I think richness in a short story is what makes it memorable. In what genres do you write?

Mainly contemporary m/m romance although I do have a wine book called "In Search of the Perfect Pinot G: Australia's Mornington Peninsula" coming out in 2011 as part of my co-writer, William Maltese's Wine Taster's Diary series. This is based on my search through vineyards in the area to discover the difference between Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio. As I went, I learnt a lot about wine in general and how it is made. I also have two short sci-fi stories based on Cedric the sex slave cyborg and a yet to be published m/f sci-fi romance.

Oh, wow–that's quite a range! Wine is always good. What started you writing romance?

An overdose of books about crime and death. Seriously. We need more positive happy stories in the world. It's easy to write about murder and mayhem. Harder to write about the complexities of human relationship.

How did you develop your craft?

By taking a number of online courses and workshops, including three of Margie Lawson's (I see you have featured those on your blog). I also did some of the PASIC ones, by people like C.J.Lines (Plotting through Character), Sherri Buerkle (Layering), Linnea Sinclair (Characters) to name just a few. I was hopeless at "Show don't Tell" at the start and am still learning that aspect. I recently attended a full day workshop by Debra Dixon on Goal, Motivation, Conflict; that was great. I do a lot of editing both paid and unpaid and actually learn a lot from that. Jill Noble at Noble Romance Publishing who gave me my first break (as a paid editor and writer) taught me a lot just by seeing what she changed. But I'm still learning. I evaluate the quality of what I read more now. Noting how authors do certain things. I did find some of the workshops intimidating, particularly Margie's as her students do such good stuff. I often find I need to just watch and learn and come back to the notes later. The workshop I did on layering was probably the best. Turning the bare bones of dialogue into a fully textured scene. I love talking about craft, and am prone to discuss what I've learnt ad nauseum.

I love it: it's rare to have someone who's so specific about their path. You've got some great names to pass along–and I can vouch for Jill's acumen as well. She's got a great eye. So, for you as a romance writer, what's sexy?

Desire.

What makes you laugh?

People. Quirky dialogue. It's funny, most of my books have an element of humor in them. It's either in a character's cynical voice and reactions to things or it's just the scene. As I like to deal with some serious themes if only subliminally, it's good to use humor for balance. One reviewer noted about "Caught": "A. B. Gayle's sense of humor must have been in high gear as she wrote the scene with Daniel and Graham. It is a laugh out loud scene."

Humor is so hard to get right. I know you mentioned inspiration above, but do you ever incorporate real people/events into your stories?

Events, yes. People as individuals, no. The setting and background for my novella "Mardi Gras" was Sydney's pride parade in March. I took a stack of photos and the description is very factual. Mind you, the story and characters are totally fictional. Similarly for the location for "Caught". I have photos for both in albums on my Facebook page. I had been researching US locations for a story still to be submitted for publishing and a beta reader told me to write what I know. So I did. In an effort to do justice to my portrayal of Daniel's Chinese heritage, I did base him on people I've met or observed. I also consulted a workmate a lot. So far I've had very good feedback from Chinese people who've read the story. One wrote: "I have to say that with Daniel, I understood him right away. I am not sure if it's an ethnic thing (I am part Chinese), but you hit it just right, at least for me."

That's very encouraging. What ambitions do you have ahead of you?

To write and sell more books, like most of us!

Indeed! What's the best advice you ever received?

From Jaye Valentine, the best form of promotion is to release more stories.

She's completely right! All right, change of pace: let's think about rewards. What would be your ideal vacation?

I have dreams of doing some sea kayaking around the Puget Sound area with my husbands and friends and revisiting the Boundary Waters Canoe area. Then off to spend at least a week staying in a villa in Tuscany with other Aussie friends, checking out the area. Flying business class….

What's next for you?

I have a short story called "The Go Between" coming out in Silver Publishing's Christmas anthology and sequels to both "Mardi Gras" and "Caught" begging to be written. Also I have two completed novels to get ready for submission. I'm also helping Alex Voinov (Vashtan) re-edit "Special Forces" into a Director's Cut. We've finished the first book "Soldiers" and are a third of the way through "Mercenaries" (Chapter 29 out of 70 total). Being a free online one million word epic, it's not a quick job. I've also been one of the writers at "Haven Falls" a free online soap. We're having a break at the moment after the completion of a major story line which ended up being over 140,000 words.

Thanks for inviting me along, Margery. Good luck with your own writing.

Thanks so much! And now, here's a little taste of CAUGHT:

"'Scuse me. Someone told me there's a lighthouse around here. Is it very far?"

His brows rose, and I stifled a smile. My American accent often had that effect,

especially when someone had me pegged as an Asian tourist."No." After that initial

glance of surprise, he'd dropped his gaze. I could hear air passing through his nose

as his breathing grew shallow, impatient.

The quiet type, huh? If I was going to make that connection and lead him away

from the vicinity of the cliff, I needed to get him talking, to address me instead of his

boots. "No… there isn't a lighthouse?" I asked. "Or no… it's not far?"

He snorted. "Yes, there is a lighthouse, and no, it isn't far."

"Oh." Still not biting. "How far is not far?"

He let out a deep sigh that almost rivaled the air brakes on the bus. "About a

kilometer." He jerked his head, indicating the direction.

Each time after he spoke, he switched his gaze back to his boots.

"A kilometer? I'm sorry. I just can't seem to get a handle on all these Aussie

measurements. How long would it take to walk there?"

He coolly assessed me, starting at my head and ending at my feet. "You'd probably

manage it in ten minutes."

Wow, settle down, Dannii, he's just looking at you. "Great, it's not far, then."

The toe of his boot started tapping a slow, deliberate beat. Getting to you,

am I, buddy? Good. If he thought I'd give up that easily, he had another think

coming. "You see, I have a problem. I need someone to take my picture with the

lighthouse in the background. I've tried the old hold-the-camera-in-front-point-and-

click method, hoping for the best, but I always end up with half my head cut off.

Maybe I should have bought a simpler camera."

He flashed a glance of annoyance at my Pentax. Strange reaction.

"Why didn't you get your mates on the bus to help you?"

"I'm not with them. Just seeing the sights on my own. Anyway, I don't speak

Korean." I didn't move and kept my most clueless smile pasted on my face.

He was handsome enough when he scowled. What would he be like if he smiled?

The wedding-ring mark suggested he wasn't gay, or was he? His gaze had lingered

on my body during the tip-to-toe scan. Almost appreciative.

I ignored his obvious reluctance to become involved. This first connection was

always the hardest. "My mom has this thing about me and lighthouses. If there's

one around, I have to have my photo taken. She's got a picture of me standing at

Dunnet Head, the extreme northern tip in Scotland, and lots of others: Peggy's Cove

in Nova Scotia, Cape Foulwind in New Zealand. I need one in Sydney to add to the

collection."

This time he actually looked at my face. I'm good at keeping my thoughts hidden.

The speculation in his gaze showed he was probably asking himself, Is he a bullshit

artist? Does he still live with his mother? Has he really been to these places?

I could almost tell what he thought the answers would be. Yes, yes, and maybe.

He was dead wrong. They were yes, no, and no.

At last he got the message that I wasn't going anywhere. He uncrossed his legs,

planted his boots on the concrete path, and slowly uncurled until he towered above

me. At well over six feet and wearing heeled boots, he was a very big fish indeed. I

swallowed.

"Come on, then." He started walking toward the lighthouse.

Filed under: Author Interviews, C. Margery Kempe, Characters, contemporary romance, Emotions, erotic romance, Recommended Books, romance, Settings, What inspires you?, Writer's Life, Writing Topics