Lucy Felthouse's Blog, page 298

Multi Faceted People

This blog post has been floating around in my mind for a couple of weeks now, but what with the mad rush in the lead up to Eroticon and several other bits and pieces going on, I haven't had chance to do it justice.

Now is the time. And actually, I'm glad now that I'm writing this piece after Eroticon because some of the things I learned and conversations I had will add to it.

I've blogged about this to an extent in guest posts on other sites, but I don't think I've ever actually covered it here, which is mad, when you think about it. I want to have a little rant on my own website!

I suppose I'd better tell you what I'm talking about, hadn't I?

It's about erotica and erotic romance writers being multi faceted people. If you're one of those writers, I suspect you're now sitting there nodding and knowing pretty much where this post is going to go. You might even stop reading. But I want to get it off my chest, so there you have it.

This issue came up again a couple of weeks ago when I had a very interesting evening. I ended up sitting in a pub with two other erotic writers, an erotic artist and the erotic artist's partner. Naturally, much of the conversation was about erotica writing and art, but it was also about other writing, other art. We all laughed at the reactions we'd probably get from the people around us if we stood up and announced what we did – but to be honest, none of us were all that bothered.

Why? Because we knew that despite what other people may think, there is so much more to us than erotica. It was proven in other topics we covered: litter, the outdoors, the environment, Pinterest, QR Codes, metalwork, moving house, divorce, children, health, pets… you get the idea. I'm sure I haven't even mentioned half of what we chatted about. But the fact is we sat and chatted about a ton of things, despite the fact that the thing that had brought us together in the first place was erotica. None of us were sitting there in PVC clothing (though what the others were wearing underneath their clothes, I don't know, nor do I want to!), wielding whips and trying to hump the nearest thing that moved. Because we're just normal people – albeit with a fascinating facet of our lives. And, just because we write such naughty stories, doesn't mean we live them.

I shouldn't complain too much, because I know most people (including myself) are guilty of putting others into boxes, whatever their profession. We stereotype people – and we shouldn't. Not all accountants are suit and spectacle-wearing bores with calculators in their pockets. Not all librarians are dowdy, spectacle-wearing, wouldn't-say-boo-to-a-goose types. Not all builders have their arses hanging out and whistle and leer at every woman walking past.

Not all firemen are hot. (Sadly)

This topic fermented further in my mind last weekend, when I spent time with even more erotica writing people. Yes, we were at a gathering called Eroticon and that was our primary common interest. But once the day was over and we went off for dinner, drinks and chat, we didn't just talk about erotica and sex. Of course, we talked about it – quite a bit actually. But again, we covered so many other topics – the craft of writing, our pasts, our education, how we met our other halves, pets (especially guinea pigs – just ask Victoria Blisse), children, policemen (several kept wandering in and out of the hotel lobby), travel, the outdoors, hot guys, careers, postmen, greengrocers and much more.

We didn't draw any attention from the people around us, and nor did we want to. We just wanted to chat freely about whatever the hell we wanted – so we did. Writing took up much of our time, mainly because in our day to day lives, we don't have people we can sit face to face with and discuss it in length. We all email regularly, but it's not the same as sitting down at a table and chatting about the thing we love so much – which is also the thing that brought us together.

And that's the beauty of the get togethers. They may be infrequent, but they're always fun and we have some of the most interesting conversation.

But not, as so many people may think, just about sex and erotica. There's so much more to us than that. We're multi faceted, and the people that don't 'get' it will do well to remember that.

I know that if you're here (and still reading!!) that I'm preaching to the converted, but it was on my mind and it wanted to come out. So I let it. I'm all done now. Much better

eBook Review: Haste Ye Back by Wendy Burke

Article first published as eBook Review: Haste Ye Back by Wendy Burke on Blogcritics.

As usual, I jumped at the chance to read another offering from Decadent Publishing's 1Night Stand series. They never disappoint, and Haste Ye Back is no exception. It's the story of Bryn Wallace, a woman who's been dumped by her boyfriend,  just weeks before a trip to Edinburgh that she's fantasised about all her life. It's all booked and paid for, and there's no way she's going to waste the money, so she goes alone, determined to have a good time. However, she quickly discovers that exploring Scotland by herself is a little dull, so she signs up with the 1Night Stand service, hoping that Madame Eve will be able to hook her up – and quickly.

As luck would have it, divorcee Ian McCallum has also signed up to the service, on the suggestion of an old schoolfriend. Madame Eve's expert intuition tells her that the pair would be perfect together, and so they're matched. What neither of them realise, however, is that their pairing has actually been centuries in the making.

This was a really enjoyable story. It has a fascinating blend of contemporary and ancient elements, making for a fun read which was mysterious in places. I really liked each of the characters and found myself rooting for them, and boy was the sex hot! I don't want to give anything else away, but I'll just say this is a well-written, hot, fun story with parts that will really make you think – and hope there's a sequel!

Available from:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

All Romance eBooks

Decadent Publishing

Guest Blog: Wendy Burke

I cut my professional teeth in the radio business, so my daily time management came in :30 and :60 second increments, just like commercials.

Of course, reading a book takes a bit longer, which is okay, because sometimes we all need to slow down and spend time in a fantasy world. I get to be on both sides of that equation–I can read for a respite from the 'real world,' and I can also take a break from the same by writing a whole new world.

I combined the two in my latest story Haste Ye Back. The story just showed up during a vacation in Scotland some years ago and just had to be written.

Going back to living life in minute increments, I know a very talented young lady who I have enlisted to produce my book trailers. You know, those minute-long little movies which represent a book.

My 'minute of book' turned out better than I could have hoped. Watch it below! And read the blurb later in this blog.

Haste Ye Back trailer

 You'll need to watch the following trailer as well—because if you comment on this blog, you could win a copy of The One He Chose.

The One He Chose trailer

Blurb:

All her life something had drawn Bryn Wallace to Scotland. Even dumped by her fiancé just weeks before their trip to Edinburgh, Bryn is still determined to have a good time. But touring the romantic Highlands is a bit boring alone. Not wanting to troll the pubs, she goes out on a limb and signs up with Madame Eve's 1NS service.

Divorced Ian McCallum is tired of making decisions, especially when it comes to women. When an old schoolmate suggests 1NS, he figures he has nothing to lose. But, what he doesn't know, is his match through Madame Eve's 1NS service was centuries in the making.

Available from Decadent Publishing and all other good eBook retailers.

*****

Wendy is a displaced Cheesehead, proud to have been born and bred in Wisconsin. She was a migrant worker for years in the radio business, until she landed in Ohio and refused to leave. When she isn't writing for pleasure and publication, she is a TV newsroom assignment manager – a great job for her as she gets to tell people where to go and what to do! She shares her clean, yet perpetually dusty, house with her chef husband and two spoiled rotten cats. Decadent Publishing has been a godsend as she can finally stop talking to the people in her head and allow them to speak for themselves!  Find her at her blog, on Facebook – Wendy Burke author, and on Twitter @WendyBurke1994. You can send her an email too – wendyburke1994@bex.net.

Haste Ye Back Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bakdXVOhc60

The One He Chose Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9h4ECfB3Na4

Blog: www.whateverwendy.blogspot.com

Guest Blog: Mike Woody

In response to a friend who was praising the beauty of Angelina Jolie, I stated that she's not even in my Top 20 list of Sexiest Women. I've never understood the fascination that so many males have with her.

"Wow, that must be a tough list!" He replied. Which made me wonder, who is on the list. So I'm going to compose my Top 20 list of sexiest women. Some of my selections may surprise you, as I have a varied taste. I'll only include those in the entertainment industry, not anyone in my personal life. They are in no particular order.

1. Jennifer Aniston – A good place to start, there's a couple reasons that um, poke out at me. In the battle against Angelina, who Brad Pitt chose over Aniston, I of course side with the hottie from 'Friends.'

2. Amanda Bynes – Yes, she's legal and is hard to find these days but is totally adorable.

3. Judith Light – Yes, you read that correctly. She's the leading reason of why I now have a thing for Cougars. I grew up watching her on 'Who's the Boss,' and while most boys had their eyes glued to Alyssa Milano, I was lusting for the older woman.

4. Cameron Diaz- There's Something About her.

5. Lori Loughlin – Yeah, the Olsen twins were cute, but she was my favorite part about 'Full House (and Candace Cameron /DJ). Has aged to perfection and can now be seen on Beverly Hills, 90210.

6. Julie Bowen – Simply a beautiful woman and very pleased (literally) for the opportunity to watch her on a weekly basis on 'Modern Family.'

7. Brittany Snow – Admittedly, I first saw her as a teen on 'Guiding Light', then witnessed her mature on the short lived 'American Dreams.' Am anxiously waiting for her to reveal more of herself someday.

8. Marcia Cross – Is a tough choice, but is my favorite 'Desperate Housewife.' It's not the red hair, I think it's the elegance her character portrays.

9. Amy Poehler – Her look is a little different, can't describe it, but I like it. I think she's beautiful and very funny too.

10. Aubrey Plaza – Who? She's also on the sitcom, 'Parks & Recreation' with Poehler. Her eyes captivate me. Is sexy without trying to be.

11. Maureen McCormick – A sentimental pick as like most every other American male, I grew up with a crush on Marcia Brady.

12. Clare Danes – Another pure beauty!

13. Eva Longaria – I said that Marcia Cross was my favorite Desperate Housewife, but not the only one on the list.

14. Terri Hatcher – I sure am going to miss that show.

15. Courtney Cox – Hard to believe she's a Cougar now.

16. Kirsten Dunst – She's worthy of a super hero's love and finally had some revealing roles last year.

17. Cynthia Watros – Not very widely known, but is very beautiful. I fell her on 'Guiding Light,' and since appeared on 'Titus,' 'Drew Carey Show,' and 'LOST.'

18. Drew Barrymore – She has a number of different looks, but all of them are sexier than Angelina.

19. Rooney Mara – She goes totally against my type in 'The Girl With A Dragon Tattoo,' yet attracted me, even more so when I saw her out of costume.

20. Amy Adams – She just looks so sweet.

 

That's my list, had some 'hard' choices and being that mostly women will probably be reading this, I'm not sure if I captured much interest. However, I promise that 'Twisted Hearts Tales,' will be much more enjoyable to read. I used up all my good stuff in the book.

Blurb: Four stories of romance, in which the path towards love is filled with twists and turns. An awkward teen gets caught up in the fantasy of an online love affair which he wants to delete. One woman's heart will stop at nothing to win the affection of her dream man, who is married to her sister. More than the waves are turbulent when an engaged couple go sailing with an old friend. And a teen makes the ultimate sacrifice to earn a young beauties attention.

 

Excerpt:

It was the fastest I'd ever scanned three bags of groceries as it was my final customers before Mr. Grant said I could take my lunch break. I was in a hurry to spend the remaining minutes of Shelly's break with her and interrupt her time with Luke, who'd been given a head start.

My sack lunch in hand, I could hear the sweet cackle of Shelly's laughter as I approached the small break room at the back of the store.

My entrance caused no interruption to their festivities of Shelly chasing Luke around the table for her purse, barely able to run from laughing so hard at his taunts.

Though my appetite had been lost, I took a seat.

"You're going to be late," Luke said, waving the purse in front of her.

"Give it to me," Shelly begged through her laughter, lunging up for it.

In the corner stood Max, Luke's friend, who was never very far behind and had few redeeming qualities. Perhaps its why Luke hung around him so much. Max would never steal Luke's thunder.

"Hey Andy, catch!"

Prepared to drink my soda with the can held up to my mouth, I turned and saw the purse sailing through the air towards me and before I could react, it hit my hand, causing the soda to spill all over me.

"Nice catch," Luke said.

"Looks like he pissed his pants," Max laughed hysterically.

"Diapers are in aisle six," Luke said.

The humiliation being poured on, I saw Shelly being dropped even further into oblivion.

"The purse, the purse, don't let her get the purse," Luke yelled.

It sat in front of me on the table, where it had landed and as Shelly lunged for it, I had the chance to grab it back, but I didn't want to give Luke the pleasure of continuing the game.

"Thanks Andy," she tapped me on the head as she retrieved her purse. You're so sweet."

The feel of her gentle touch eased the pain of the humiliation.

"What a wuss," Luke moaned.

"I'm sorry about your pants, Andy," Shelly said. "And good luck with these bullies, I have to get back to work."

The comment caught me off guard and before I could compose myself enough to respond, she was gone.

"What a hot piece of ass," Luke said.

The utterance crashed me down from my high. It bothered me to hear her talked about only as a sexual object when she should be respected and admired as so much more. Guys like Luke and Max cared nothing about her heart and personality, they only noticed her body.

"I wonder if she wears a thong," Max mused.

"We'll never know."

I can honestly say, that as much as I've longed for Shelly, such thoughts had never crossed my mind. I didn't lower myself to think of her in such standards.

"Come on, you could get in her pants. She has the hots for you," Max said.

Luke shook his head. "She's too pure."

"I bet you could dirty her."

I didn't like the look of consideration on Luke's face.

"I bet in one night she'd give it up to you."

"I bet in one night she'd give it up to you."

"Really?" Luke grinned, rubbing his chin. "That's a very sweet offer, literally. How much?"

Max balked at the mention of money.

"Come on, I'm not putting myself out there for nothing. How much?"

"Ummmmm," Max stammered, "fifty dollars?"

"Deal," Luke smiled, hand extended.

My stomach turned as they shook on it. The girl I cherished and respected so highly had been reduced in their eyes as nothing more than a sexual conquest.

Their beady eyes turned to me. "Not a word of this to Shelly or anyone, do you hear me? Or I'll make sure you'll never see your wet dream princess again," Luke threatened. "If I score, I'll give you all the details because I know it's as close as you'll ever come to getting lucky."

 

Purchase Links: Amazon   All Romance   Bookstrand

 

Blog: http://woodyswritings.blogspot.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1603606875

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/mikewoody1

Thanks so much for having me!

Totty Tuesday – Danny Jones and Dougie Poynter

Yes, yes I know. Half of you are saying "Who the fuck are they?" and the other half are saying "Oh, how sad." Regardless of which half you're in, I'm sure at least a handful of you are thinking "Mmm… not bad."

Though they're not a patch on the hotness of their bandmate Harry Judd, Danny Jones and Dougie Poynter of McFly are pretty, well, fly. Although their facial expressions in this photo aren't exactly flattering, the tempting flash of naked flesh more than makes up for it, right?

Also, just in case you're wondering, if I had to choose between them, I'm go with Danny, who's the one on the right. Why? Because he has a Northern accent to die for – he's from Bolton. Strange that what is simply comedy on Peter Kay is sexy on Danny.

Also – the reason they popped into my head… I'm going to see them later this month in concert! Woohoo! Call me sad if you like, but I love 'em!

*twirls off singing McFly songs*

Guest Blog: Tiffany Reisz

Hello Friends and Fellow Perverts!

It's your friendly, neighborhood smut-peddler Tiffany Reisz here guesting on Miss Lucy's blog. I asked on Twitter what I should talk about today. One of my followers suggested the traditional, "Where do you get your ideas?" A great question with a simple answer.

I steal them.

Take my new Spice Brief IMMERSED IN PLEASURE (and by "take it" I mean "buy it."). This story is an erotic retelling of Disney's The Little Mermaid. Yes, you read that right. I decided to take elements from the Disney version of famous fairy tale and make it a modern-day erotic romance. These are the ideas that come to me when I spend too much time in the shower while listening to Disney compilation albums.

Updating and remaking The Little Mermaid took some doing. First of all, I moved the setting. Instead of the ocean, the story now takes place at Fathoms, a nightclub that caters to the wealthy and powerful. Instead of real mermaids with fishtails, I made my nightclub mermaids all virgins with intact hymens. They are required by the job to remain virginal. Instead of Prince Eric, I have Derek Prince, a well-to-do attorney looking for true love. Instead of Ariel, I have Xenia, a young woman who has spent the last three years working at Fathoms and hiding from the daylight world and the pressures of adulthood. My wicked Frenchman Kingsley Edge makes a cameo as the sea-king. A bitter ex-mermaid/bartender named Urs is my sea witch out to thwart Xenia and Derek's relationship.

And of course, like the Disney film, the book comes complete with a happily ever after.

Unlike the Disney film, my version includes copious amounts of smut.

Stealing a plot is just that easy. Think of a story, a fairy tale, a myth and then let your imagination run riot.

But you didn't come here so I could ramble on about plot construction. You're here for smut. So here's an excerpt from IMMERSED IN PLEASURE from a scene where Prince Derek, I mean, Derek Prince discovers one of the many benefits of being a Manhattan Mermaid.

 

At first Derek thought it was an ordinary massage.  With all the time the women spent in the water, Derek imagined they'd require an intensive skin-care regimen.  But soon the rather perfunctory massage turned intimate as the masseur pushed apart Alanna's legs and rubbed high on her inner thighs. Sighing blissfully, she opened her legs even wider.  The young man reached between her thighs and spread apart the folds of her vagina…

            The man moved his fingers higher and began tracing tight circles around the mermaid's clitoris.  She closed her eyes, raised her hips slightly and after a few minutes of the masseur's ministrations, she came with a flinch and a gasp.  At no point during the procedure had he penetrated her in any way.  Yet the look on her face indicated a very happy mermaid who'd just had a spectacularly strong orgasm…

            Alanna, rolled off the table, picked up her towel, and strolled out of the studio. On her way out, she patted Derek on the cheek and kept walking. Just another day at the office.

Available from Amazon UK (pre-order) & Amazon US.

 

Tiffany Reisz is the author of SEVEN DAY LOAN and IMMERSED IN PLEASURE. Her debut full-length novel THE SIREN comes out in August from MIRA Books. When not singing along to Disney compilation albums in the shower, she can be found on Twitter (@tiffanyreisz). She lives in Lexington, Kentucky with two cats and her boyfriend who really needs to come to bed because she's totally in the mood right now.

Eroticon 2012 – What Really Happened

It was 5.30am when my alarm went off, resulting in a "Uhhhnnnerrr!" type noise from me. I am sooo not a morning person. However, I was getting up early for a good reason – it was time for Eroticon 2012! It seemed like it had been in my diary for ages and that the date would never arrive – but it did. So off I went to the train station for my 6.59am train, convinced I'd forgotten something, and terrified that I'd fall asleep on the first train and miss my connection, which would have left me stranded in Reading. However, I needn't have worried. Fear kept me awake, and I successfully changed trains at Birmingham New Street, where I found Victoria Blisse and we settled in and nattered the entire way to Bristol Temple Meads train station (which, if you're interested in that kind of thing, is a beautiful building). A quick taxi ride took us to Armada House, and then it was time for the day to begin!

We got there without too much time to spare before the first panel, and so after dumping our bags and grabbing our name tags and goodie bags, there was only time for quick hellos to Paul and Matt from House of Erotica, Kay Jaybee, K D Grace, Hazel Cushion and some others I'm sure I've forgotten before heading into the main room for the official conference welcome.  Then it was time to check out the day's schedule (which I'm glad I did, because it had been updated since I'd last printed it out!) and decide where to go, and when. Here's a rundown of the panels/sessions I attended:

Going indie, self-publishing by MK Elliott

Although I've already self-published some titles, I certainly don't profess to know everything, and so happily attended this session to find out what MK Elliott had to say. I'm very glad I did. Naturally there was information that I knew already, but there were some things I didn't, and of course it's always useful to hear other  people's experiences of things. MK Elliott was confident, knowledgeable and highlighted the main points of her talk with a PowerPoint presentation. She also happily answered questions and I came away feeling as though I'd learned something – and conversations with other attendees confirmed that they did, too.

Writing Workshop by Maxim Jakubowski

From the title of this session, I was expecting that we'd be doing something interactive and hands on, and so had my notebook and pen at the ready. Instead, this was a discussion led by Maxim which covered his career, the different genres he writes in, censorship and many more topics which affect the erotica and erotic romance writing genre. There were many questions from the audience, which he answered fully and usefully, and although as I said, the session wasn't what I expected, it was certainly informative and interesting.

Convincingly Queer with Aisling Weaver and Josephine Myles

This was probably my favourite session of the day (with the exception of mine, of course!). Aisling and Josephine ran a session on how to write stories about things that you don't necessarily have any experience of. For example, if you're a different gender, sexuality or have different kinks. This included tying up and blindfolding members of the audience, discussing research methods and books, figuring out if certain pieces of writing were penned by men or women, and much more! It was a fun, laid back session and I came away with plenty of food for thought!

Publishers' Panel with Maxim Jakubowski, Hazel Cushion, Monique Roffey, Paul Andrews and Richard Eadie

This was a lively panel with publishers and published authors – as well as people who have stradded both sides of that particular fence. Ruby started with asking some questions that had previously been sent to her, then it was opened up to the floor. Topics covered included what publishers would like to see more of (Victorian spanking, unusual fetishes), some chat on the PayPal debacle and how they're censoring what people can read, whether you should write for the market or write what you want to write, whether erotica writers should use pseudonyms and more. There were some varying opinions, which made for interesting viewing, and again, I came away with lots to think about.

Marketing your Work with Lucy Felthouse and Victoria Blisse

Ah… yes. That would be me. Victoria and I dashed upstairs after the Publishers' Panel to get set up for our session, desperately hoping that we'd get a good turn out, particularly as we were at the same time as two other sessions. Much to our relief, by the time we'd sorted out the laptop and projector, got our presentation up on screen and marvelled at the fact it had a remote control, the room was filling rapidly. That worry over, we waited patiently for any stragglers, then began. As marketing and promotion is such a huge topic, we couldn't cover everything, so we centred in on blog tours, with me providing the "marketer" side of things, and Victoria filling in from the "author" perspective. There was lots of nodding and taking notes from the audience, then we opened up questions. The audience didn't want to talk at first, but once they started, they didn't want to stop! Luckily, Victoria and I were well equipped to handle the questions and there was some interesting discussion before we had to wrap it up. Not, however, before we gave a pimp to the Smut by the Sea anthology and encouraged people to come and grab some business cards! I had a few people express interest in my services (don't be rude, I'm talking PR & Marketing here), as well as meeting some people that I'd chatted to via email and even worked for without ever having met them! I felt it was a really positive session and would definitely do it again. So, Ruby, if you want a similar session for Eroticon 2013, you know where I am! Also, special thanks go to Victoria Blisse for being my partner in crime. You rock.

Sacred Kink with London Fairie and Lori Smith

This was a spanking demonstration set to music. Honestly, I'm not sure what else to say about it. It was an eye-opening, new experience which resulted in Lori Smith getting a very red bottom, and sparked lots of questions and comments from the audience. I came away having seen something new.

Drinks Party

Much to my disappointment, the author readings were cancelled due to timing, but the raffle draw went ahead. Attendees won sex furniture, sex toys, vouchers, and lots of lots of books. Ruby then closed with a heartfelt thank you to the sponsors, speakers and attendees. Unfortunately for me, the only alcohol on hand was wine, so I was ready by this point to go out and eat and nab myself some vodka, which was soon remedied.

The After Party

Ah, the "after parties" are often my favourite parts of such get togethers. It means we all get to chat about things in general and get to know one another. Sadly, as we left the venue a couple of the original party dropped out due to illness or having to get home, but myself, Victoria Blisse, Lily Harlem, K D Grace, Jacqueline Brocker, Josephine Myles and Maxim Jakubowski soldiered on and ended up in Gourmet Burger Kitchen where we ate a delicious meal and probably had people listening to our conversation. I don't blame them. We were talking about all facets of erotic fiction, sex furniture, reviews, publishers, pseudonyms, the difference in the US and UK markets, and much more.

On leaving the restaurant, myself, Victoria Blisse, K D Grace, Lily Harlem and Josephine Myles headed back to our hotel – where we'd been told there was a 24 hour bar. This wasn't strictly true (apparently only soft drinks were 24 hour), but we managed to get in a few swift drinks before Josephine had to leave. And then there were four. Since we were all staying in the same place, we didn't have to worry about getting anywhere other than to our rooms, so when a very loud, drunk moron started singing at the top of his voice in the bar, we went up to mine and Victoria's room and continued the conversation. I won't divulge all of our girly chat, but needless to say we talked lots about writing, the industry, future plans, and more. So beware – we're planning to take over the world!

We finally fell into bed around 2.30am (separate beds, before you get all excited), and due to more loud, drunk morons I couldn't sleep right away, but I finally dozed off until around 8am when it was time to have breakfast and hit the road. I had a lonely train journey this time, so I plotted a novella on the train up to Birmingham New Street, where my beloved picked me up (though not before me dashing into WHSmith's and seeing K D Grace's The Initiation of Ms Holly and Explicit Encounters, which contains one of my stories, on sale) and took me home.

I fell into bed very early and slept like a log. Today, though, I find the events and information swirling around my head, and keep grinning when I remember certain things – particularly some of the late night girly conversation and plans for the future. I met so many new people (and spent more time with people I already knew) that I can't possibly name them all, but if you're reading this and we met and chatted – hello! I hope you had as good a time as I did.

It was a fab weekend – and I can't wait until the next one! Thanks and well done to Ruby Kiddell for pulling it all together!

P.S. I was so busy that I didn't end up taking any photos, but the professional photographer will be supplying them to Ruby very soon, so check out the official website or Twitter feed for more information.

It's Read an eBook Week!

[image error]As part of Read an eBook Week, Smashwords are doing a site wide promotion, which offers books with discounts to encourage people to dip in, grab some eBooks and start reading.

I've enrolled Seducing the Myth in the programme, and you can grab it for a whopping 75% OFF! All you have to do is go to the book page on Smashwords, add it to your basket, enter this coupon code REW75 before checking out, and there you have it! 24 hot myths and legends on your eReader at a bargain price!

Don't miss it! The promotion only runs until March 10th.

Happy reading, and don't forget to leave reviews when you're done, we appreciate it

Guest Blog: Stacey Kennedy

Big thanks to Lucy Felthouse for letting me share her space today. I thought today we could chat about secondary characters. You know, usually in a story the heroine and hero are the most important people in the book. Obvious, right? But what happens when you enjoy the secondary characters just as much?

I must admit that I experience this all the time when I'm writing. It's usually so bad that I end up writing a spin-off series because I get so connected to the characters that I just have to tell their stories. It never starts out that way. I don't ever start a series with the idea of writing a spin-off series, but I become so invested in the characters and have grown to love them that leaving them out feels wrong. I want to know more about them, get their history, and watch them develop in their own stories.

Now in my own writing that's good and all, but it's just a huge frustration in other series where the authors don't do this. I can honestly admit that some of my most beloved series that I enjoy to read don't have spin-off books and I'm always left wondering what happened to those secondary characters that came into the lives of my heroines and then left.

While it makes me grumble and I want to poke the author telling her she needs to write the books, I can understand why. Sometimes secondary characters can be great, but there's just not enough story there for them to have the own novel. But I'm not ashamed at all to say that it makes me pout! I hate not knowing what happens to everyone that was involved in a story, even if they had a really small role.

Luckily for me, there are a couple series like Katie MacAlister's dragon series and Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress books where spin-offs happen. I'm entirely grateful because I have to find out more about the characters they write about and would possibly throw a fit if I didn't. I think it's actually brought me even closer to the series, the characters, and the world because I'm seeing it from so many different perspectives. And this is exactly why those two series top my favorites list! I love learning more about those secondary characters who I adore!

I'd love to hear what books you've read that you enjoy the secondary characters as much as the main characters, and if the author has done a spin-off series?

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In thanks for stopping by and chatting today, I'm offering up one ebook from my backlist (international). Leave your email address with your comment to be entered. Don't forget to come find me on Facebook and Twitter. I love to chat!!

Ghosts harass and annoy Tess Jennings to save their souls. Sometimes she helps them. Other times she ignores them. But one ghost will give her no choice.

Kipp McGowen, a cop with the Memphis Police Department, will stop at nothing to gain her help, including using his ghostly charms to seduce her.

Tess must help solve the five year old cold case of Hannah Reid, because solving the case will save Kipp. But a bigger problem presents itself. Tess is falling in love with a ghost. Now she must decide. Keep Kipp forever or find the killer…

WATCH THE BOOK TRAILER

BUY LINK

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EXCERPT:

Copyright © STACEY KENNEDY, 2011

All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.

An icy wisp of air swept in behind me, causing my heel to twist as I stumbled. To the other pedestrians striding along the downtown Memphis street, the sensation would be brushed off as a cold breeze.

They were wrong. A spirit lingered here.

"Can you hear me?"

From the intrigue rolling in his voice, he hadn't expected me to acknowledge him. Shit! I'd already given myself away. A mistake I'd rectify.

Without hesitation, I righted my stance and strode forward with purpose, forcing myself to remain deaf to the voice. If I ignored ghosts long enough, they moved on and searched out someone else who held the same irritating ability, whom I had yet to meet.

Much to my annoyance, the ghost stayed right on my heels and his presence remained strong behind me. The cold air at my back remained a contrast to the warm morning air in front of me. Every hair on my neck stood up and goose bumps pimpled a trail along my skin. If only I could rub them away, but I didn't dare. Ignoring him would make him go away.

"You can hear me, can't you?" the ghost asked again.

Spirits were typically harmless, but annoying. I'm dead, what's going on, why am I a ghost—yada, yada, yada. I quickened my steps and made my way down Peabody Place in hopes he'd leave me alone.

"Wait."

He sounded desperate, which meant a big headache for me. If I hadn't worn my damn slingbacks, I would've tried to run and hide. But the three-inch Manolos and the tight, tailored gray skirt restrained my movements.

I passed Miss Polly's Soul Food Café, and the delicious aroma of bacon and eggs drifted along the air. My empty stomach complained. My only thought after I woke had been caffeine. Now I wished I'd grabbed a muffin with my latté at Starbucks. With ten minutes to get to my desk, I couldn't worry about such things.

My boss, Event Manager Dylan Cobb, would hand me my ass if I stepped into the office a minute late. Sadly, there'd never been a day I didn't cater to his every need.

I approached Beale Street and sighed in relief, relishing the warmth surrounding me. Not only from the sun above—the spirit's cold presence at my back had vanished. Pleased my dodge of him had worked, I took a sip of my energy in a cup and smiled. Coffee's fantastic, the ghost is gone—life is good.

Another block passed under my heels before I reached the historical red-brick building. Randall Marketing, written in black block letters, decorated the striped green-and-white awning.

I opened the door to the office and strode in, greeted by a bubbly voice. "Good morning, Tess."

"Mornin'."

"Give me a moment here." Doris shuffled paperwork around her desk, her auburn curls bouncing on her shoulders. The receptionist had always been messy, yet somehow organized. "There were a few messages on the voicemail for you." She raised her head and held out the pink slips of paper. "A lovely day today, is it not?"

"Sure is." So I lied. The ghost hadn't kicked off my day on a high note. Not as if I'd tell her about my interaction with spirits. My ability to converse with spirits remained on a need-to-know basis, and as far as it concerned me, no one needed to know. I grabbed the messages from her hand. "Did your weekend treat you good?"

"I spent the entire weekend knee-deep in my garden." Her cocoa-colored eyes lit up. "My best year ever, I'm hoping. You'll have to come out and have a look-see."

"I'd love to." Doris treasured her gardens, so I tried to appear interested, even though my green thumb looked black.

Her smile brightened, but when the phone rang, she waved a goodbye and answered the call. "It's another beautiful day here at Randall Marketing, how may I direct your call?"

Leaving her behind, I strode down the hall toward my office and sipped my coffee. The warmth slid down my throat and provided an immediate rush to my energy levels. At the third door on the right, I entered my bleak workspace with its pale-blue walls, closed the door behind me and approached the desk. I dropped down into the black leather chair and flipped through the messages. None were urgent enough to worry about now.

I powered up my computer, but a knock at the door had me glancing up. Before I got a word out, the door swished open and I cringed, fully aware of the looming trouble.

Caley, the officer manager and my best friend since the age of four, looked like a typical Barbie. Perfect skin, long flowing blonde hair and a body men drooled over. I might have been jealous of her perfection since I couldn't pull off her looks even with a makeover—so maybe a little envious—but her appearance had always been a front. She was the devil in disguise.

She scowled, shutting the door behind her with a slam. "Do you mind explaining where you were all weekend?"

"At home." I batted my lashes. "Why? Did you try to call me?"

She pointed her finger, narrowing her eyes at me. "Don't you try that shit on me. I called you all weekend and your phone went straight to voicemail."

"Hmm…" I pretended to ponder. "The battery must have died." She had enough gall to just come over, but the little hint had been a subtle way of telling Caley to leave me alone.

"Liar." She plopped down in the seat across from my desk. "Where were you? I wanted to go out."

"Nowhere. Honestly, I vegged on the couch."

Caley snorted. "You lead such an exciting life."

My mouth parted to offer a snappy retort, but a cold wisp of air brushed across my skin, causing my lips to snap shut. Damn! I thought I'd got rid of him.

"Hello." Caley snapped her fingers in front of my face. "Leave the aliens behind and return to Mother Earth."

I blinked, trying to force my attention back to her, yet failing. The ghost knelt right beside Caley—not kneeling, of course; more like floating, since ghosts were never able to obtain physical contact with the world around them—and my focus held strong on him, unable to stop myself from ogling. He stared intently, with one crystal-blue eye, while the other was a chocolate color. His strong jaw, the muscles clenching along his cheeks, all spoke of power. But as he ran his hand through his untidy sandy-colored hair, his expression showed playfulness. His black tank top left his arms exposed and muscles upon muscles layered those arms.

"Anyways," she said, dragging my gaze back to her. "I had to go out with Susanne because you left me high and dry."

I laughed. Caley's horny, twenty-year-old stepsister had the body that men chased after. "You did have the option to stay home, you know."

Her eyes widened. "On a Saturday night?"

"Yeah, you know, get some popcorn, watch a movie and relax."

She frowned. "If you don't stop your grandma behavior, your va-jay-jay is going to shrivel up and die."

The ghost chuckled.

His smooth laugh hit me like a cup of warm cocoa, causing my insides to melt. Nothing amused me. First off, Caley had been so wrong—maybe a little right—but I'd never admit to her accuracy aloud. Second, reacting in such a heated way to a ghost definitely didn't hit my to-do list today.

"Excuse me." I spoke not only to Caley, but also to the irritating ghost. "My va-jay-jay is just fine."

"Well, I'm glad to hear you've still got some spunk." She stood and placed her hands on her hips. "Because we've got a double date tonight."

"A what?" Dear God!

She grinned from ear to ear. "Yes, my dearest Grammy, we're going out."

"With who?"

"Two guys I met on Saturday night. You're coming with me, either willingly or unwillingly, so suck up your hesitations, babe, because saying no isn't an option."

"But it's a Monday night." Not saying a date didn't sound like fun. A month had passed since my last attempt at dating—which failed miserably—but a man Caley chose while drunk? No thanks. My sex life might have been as dead as the sexy ghost in front of me, but I'd still search for a way out. "I have to work tomorrow."

She wagged her finger in classic Caley fashion. "You're a grandma."

Most times, I respected her persistent personality. She never backed down, always dreamed big and went for the gold, but her grit hadn't been all rays of sunshine. Her determination made her annoyingly tenacious. I had to agree or she'd never give up, and getting her out of my office sounded all too good. "Fine. I'll go with you."

"Oh, stop looking so pissy. We'll have fun. Promise. I'll come to your place at eight." She opened the door, glanced over her shoulder and winked. "Leave the granny panties at home."

~*~

Stacey Kennedy's novels are lighthearted fantasy with heart squeezing, thigh-clenching romance, and even give a good chuckle every now and again. But within the stories you'll find fast paced action, life threatening moments and a big bad villain that needs to be destroyed. Her urban fantasy/paranormal and erotic romance series have hit Amazon Kindle and All Romance Ebooks Bestseller lists. If she isn't plugging away at her next novel, tending to her two little ones, she's got her nose deep in a good book. She lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband.

Be sure to drop her a line at www.staceykennedy.com , she loves to hear from her readers.

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Hey everyone, get your clicking fingers at the ready. It's the first Sunday in March, and that can only mean one thing… it's time to party! Yes, the lovely people over at the Goddess Fish Party Pavilion are throwing another party, and everyone's invited.

There are going to be lots of super authors (including yours truly) guest blogging, posting excerpts, interviews, running giveaways and much much more, so don't miss it!

The party runs from 9am – 9pm Eastern Time at the Goddess Fish Party Pavilion blog. Come say hi, ask questions, leave us some comments. Naturally I'll be gone to bed before the party ends (hey, I am five hours ahead) but I'll stop by first thing Monday morning to reply to any unanswered comments.

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