Sara Brookes's Blog, page 44
July 8, 2011
Ragged Edge – Playlist
As frequent visitors to my site know, songs inspire me when I write. This is especially true with my full-length books, especially since they can take a while to write–usually well over a month for the first draft. If I can attach a song to a scene, it helps months down the line to simply turn on that song and immediately be able to put myself in the scene again. This is especially helpful during edits when there are some occasions when I haven't seen the manuscript for 3 months.
As always, there is usually one song that is a standout on the list for a particular story. Despite the fact I am a rabid fan of heavy rock, alternative and the like, the song that worked the best for me for Ragged Edge was, surprisingly, a country song. Considering the fact the book takes place in a fictitious town an hour or so outside of Atlanta, Georgia, I suppose it's fitting.
Live And Let Die ~ Guns N' Roses
Trash ~ Korn
ISHFWILF ~ Disturbed
Resist ~ Melissa Etheridge
For Your Entertainment ~ Adam Lambert
Sooner Or Later ~ Breaking Benjamin
Bless The Broken Road ~ Rascal Flatts
Shed My Skin ~ Alter Bridge
Not Strong Enough ~ Apocalyptica feat. Brent Smith
When The Heartache Ends ~ Rob Thomas
Tear the World Down ~ We Are the Fallen
The first sentence of the book "Dalton was damaged goods." tells you a lot about the main character in just four words, just as these eleven songs tell you so much about the story–and the character's journey–as a whole.
July 7, 2011
Keeping Up
Busy. Busy. Busy. But no complaints from me about it! Thought I would give a rundown and point out all the contests and events that are happening now through the end of the month for me.
For the entire month of July, I'm at The Romance Reviews, answering your questions. Two lucky commenters will win the entire Rebirth series. Yes, that's right, you can win Flash of Dark, Blood Fever and Forged in Fire. If that wasn't enough, TRR just gave both Flash of Dark and Blood Fever 5-star reviews and named them Top Picks!
Again, for the entire month of July, Coffee Time Romance is giving away the winner's choice of one of the Rebirth series books. That's right, you can win either Flash of Dark, Blood Fever or Forged in Fire. Winner's Choice!
Next Wednesday, on July 13, my first Ellora's Cave book, Ragged Edge, releases! Author Island will be having a Cyber Launch starting around 9 am on release day and I'll be around the launch all day answering your questions and chatting. Be sure to stop by as one lucky commenter will win a 25.00 Amazon Gift Card!
On July 22, my first Decadent Publishing book, Impulse Control, releases! Author Island will be throwing a Cyber Launch starting around 9 am on July 23 and I will also be around that day to answer questions and chat. One lucky commenter will win a copy of Impulse Control!
Phew! I think that covers everything for right now.
Let's see, as with all my full-length books, Ragged Edge has a playlist and I'll be posting it over the weekend. I have edits for Perfect Limit, the next Sypricon Masters short, sitting in my inbox as I type this, so look out for that one in the next few months as I plan to send those back by the end of this weekend.
And, as far as new writing goes, for those interested, I've also started the follow up book to Ragged Edge and two of the follow up books to Hardware. 
ETA: I forgot to add that I'll also be participating in The Romance Studio's all-day Release Party on July 28th. I'll be sharing snippets from both Impulse Control and Ragged Edge as well as giving away books to lucky commenters!
July 3, 2011
Six Sentence Sunday – 7/3
I write this sitting in Starbucks in Knoxville, TN on a sort-of vacation, and it's already sweltering hot outside at 7 am. Road trip this morning and we should be at our final destination just after noon. Nashville or bust! Anyway, since it's so feckin' hot outside, I thought I'd share the heat in a different way. My upcoming book, Ragged Edge, now has a Coming Soon page over at Ellora's Cave. They've put up a excerpt (hell-O boys!) and if you're so inclined to read it, the follow six fall just after the excerpt stops. This is definitely, definitely, definitely an adult situation here, a m/m one, so count yourself warned.
Her breath quickened as she watched the officer swallow the entire length of the man's cock with ease. Even at this distance she recognized the standing man as the owner of the bike shop. The very same man she was supposed to have met with hours ago gave a deep groan of satisfaction as the sheriff used his mouth.
Dalton's jeans were bunched around his calves and his head was thrown back. That chiseled face of his reflected sheer ecstasy. His lips were slightly parted and quiet sighs escaped as his lover's mouth moved against his hard flesh.
For those new to this, the rules are simple:
1) pick a project – a current Work in Progress, contracted work or even something readers can buy if you're published
2) pick six sentences
3) post 'em on Sunday
See? Easy. Want to play? See the site for information on how to do just that: http://sixsunday.com
If you have a Twitter account, you can add the hashtag #sixsunday to your tweets when you tweet a link to your Six Sentence Sunday post. If you're a writer (regardless of published/unpublished status) come join us!
July 1, 2011
Snoopy Dance Worthy News!
July is going to be a busy time around here: two book launches, one release party and a bunch of various giveaways. But before I get to all of that, I'm going to take a minute and share some news about one of my backlist books.
Last night, at The Gathering held during the RWA convention, the FF&P chapter of RWA announced the 2011 PRISM awards. I was extremely honored to be nominated in the Futuristic category along with three other fabulous authors (I know, I've read their books). Well, as it turns out, I won!
Midnight's Ghost is a 2011 PRISM award wining novel.
Wanna Snoopy Dance with me?
Ragged Edge Blurb, Excerpt & Release Date
For those who have been waiting, wait no more! My first Ellora's Cave title, Ragged Edge, a m/m/f contemporary erotic romance with BDSM themes is scheduled to be released on July 13, 2011.
Here's the blurb:
Dalton is no stranger to hitting rock bottom. He's worked hard to turn his life around. Now he has a quiet life, a successful business and a no-strings-attached arrangement for sex with Kincade. Everything is just as it should be. Then a late-night rendezvous is interrupted by a sexy newcomer, and Dalton realizes something is missing.
Caught up in the intense passion the men share, Erin finds herself fighting her desire to run or to get between these two hard bodies. She's convinced her attraction is wrong. However, a little persuasion from both Dalton and Cade convinces her she belongs with and between them.
Erin's surrender becomes Dalton's reawakening. A BDSM master, Dalton is in his element wielding command, and soon the threesome fill their nights with mind-blowing pleasure. But when a piece of Dalton's past resurfaces, it threatens the very foundation he's built and could put him back at the bottom.
And, if you'd like to see a blistering hot excerpt (yep, there's m/m action right out of the gate, can't ask much more than that!), head on over to Ellora's Cave Coming Soon page for the book: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9448-ragged-edge.aspx
June 27, 2011
Flash of Dark – Top Pick (!!) & Giveaway Winners
The Romance Reviews has given Flash of Dark a fantastic 5-star review and a Top Pick!
Check it out: http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=330
And thanks to everyone who participated in the Summer Solstice Blog Hop, I've already emailed the winner of the blog hop giveaway, but I did say I would do an extra drawing from the comments and give away either winner's choice of my backlist or an ARC of Impulse Control. So, without further ado, the winners!
Congrats!! Give me a shout and let me know which book and eformat you'd like (tho I only have Impulse Control in PDF). I'll follow up with an email in a few days if I haven't heard from you.
June 26, 2011
Six Sentence Sunday – 6/26
All right, gang. Just under a month before Impulse Control releases…wanna see what you're in store for? No adult language, but it certainly an adult situation.
He reached between her arms and arched her body to settle his arm at her lower back, taking her weight on his forearm as he lifted his head. "I like a little more decoration on my sub when I show her off."
She caught a quick flash of something shiny in his mouth seconds before his head dipped to her chest. His teeth nipped again, this time stronger and steadier. However, the pressure remained, even as he moved away. Her arousal spilled over when she realized he'd used his mouth to clamp her nipple.
For those new to this, the rules are simple:
1) pick a project – a current Work in Progress, contracted work or even something readers can buy if you're published
2) pick six sentences
3) post 'em on Sunday
See? Easy. Want to play? See the site for information on how to do just that: http://sixsunday.com
If you have a Twitter account, you can add the hashtag #sixsunday to your tweets when you tweet a link to your Six Sentence Sunday post. If you're a writer (regardless of published/unpublished status) come join us!
June 20, 2011
Summer Solstice Blog Hop w/ Giveaway
Howdy! It's time for the Summer Solstice Blog Hop and I bet you came here looking for some hot, hard bodies, didn't you? Well, I can't disappoint, can I? Psst, if you find you're in a need of a *cough* closer look *cough* just click on the pic for the full version. I mean, what woman couldn't use a smiling, sexy Hugh in her life?
I have a winner's choice of my back list up for grabs in the giveaway, and I'm going to pull a few names from the comments left here on this post for either their choice of my backlist, or an eARC of my upcoming release, Impulse Control. So just leave me a comment here (and a way to contact you for after the tour is over) and tell me what you'd like to see over the hot, steamy summer.
Good luck and happy blog hopping!
June 19, 2011
Guest Post – Emily Cale
I'd like to welcome the wonderful, wonderful Emily Cale here today. She's celebrating the release of her new book so be sure to give her a warm welcome!
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Thanks so much to Sara for allowing me to come on her blog today to promote my newest release, Indian Summer.
When I started writing this book, I wanted to capture all the experiences I have when I'm in India for work. Of course, my heroine, Cara, has a far more exciting job than I do. While I'm sitting at a desk all day reading protocols, she gets to race across the desert searching for an endangered dhole (Indian wild dog) with a handsome man at her side. I've never done that, but I did lend my personal experiences to a few situations in the book, including one of her outfits.
Most of the time, when I'm in India, I wear a simple tunic top with pants. This counts as office casual and I'm perfectly content to wander around in these clothes. Every now and then, my staff insists that it would be far more appropriate if I wore a saree. Something about me being married, older (I'm actually younger than most of them), and a doctor (well, not yet). So I now own three sarees.
If you've never seen one, I'll explain the process to you. It's actually quite simple. First, there are your undergarments. Not your bra and panties (those go under the undergarments). The first is the petticoat which is a floor length skirt and the second is a made-to-order blouse which covers your shoulders and breasts. Once these are on, I always feel fully dressed, but have been told it would be wildly inappropriate for me to go out like this.
Now come the tricky part, you take a long piece of fabric, start somewhere in the middle, and tuck it into your skirt, then make pleats, run the fabric around your body a couple times, then throw the end over your shoulder. Simple, no?
Okay, so I can't actually put it on myself. One of the women in my office always does it for me. She's an expert and claims to be able to teach me in thirty minutes. I've asked her to set aside a couple hours.
I'm not the best at getting around with all this fabric draped over me. I'm always tripping or picking it up funny, or allow some bit of fabric to slip inappropriately.
Cara manages to wear a sorry one day as part of her attempt to better understand Indian culture. Lucky for her, she only has to wear it for a short time before Jai takes it off :)
Excerpt:
"One question." He pulled away, keeping his hands on her shoulders. "Where did you get that?"
She looked down at her outfit. "You don't like it? I stopped by a store, just to look, and ended up wearing it." She laughed. "Two women came out and asked me to hold my arms up and five minutes later I was leaving the store dressed like this."
He pulled her close again, kissing her lips gently. "You look absolutely incredible."
"Really?" She stepped back and spun, the bottom of the skirt flaring out. "I thought I might look a little ridiculous."
"Oh, you do. That is certainly an extremely fancy outfit. Women here would only wear it to a special event, like a wedding or party"
Her face fell as she studied him. "You mean everyone out there thought I was getting married?"
"Not quite. Just attending a fancy ceremony. If you were getting married, your wedding saree would have much finer embroidery on it."
She stepped back and admired her outfit, fingering one of the golden flowers embellishing the piece. She must have gone to a lot of effort to pick it out. He wondered how much the men at the store had convinced her to pay for it, but he didn't ask. It would break her heart to discover she paid a hundred dollars for something she could get for five. All the retail owners knew they could convince the tourist to spend an exorbitant amount of money on clothes. Since they were still less expensive than back home, they thought they were getting deal.
"But you're still stunning." He grabbed her hand and pulled her back into his arms. Dipping his head, he captured her mouth again. Bending, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her back toward his bedroom.
"Wait," she cried, flailing her legs in the air.
Jai set her down on the ground, afraid he'd hurt her. Come to think of it, he had no idea where any of the pins went on one of those. He'd probably shoved one into her skin. "What?"
"If you take this off I'll never be able to get it back on again. I wasn't watching when they tied it. Do you know they only use two safety pins to keep it up?" Her eyes got big and she twisted her hips from side to side, the fabric swishing as she moved.
He groaned and reached his arms out to grab her. Squealing, she took off down the hall. Not used to moving in the confining fabric, Cara moved slowly. He let her get halfway to the bedroom before he caught up and scooped her off the ground again, tossing her an inch into the air to get a better grip. He took her to his room, not listening to a single plea she made to put her down until he reached the bed.
Blurb:
Excited to return to field work, Dr. Cara Newman arrives in India ready for a new experience. She'll stop at nothing to make sure her plans to find the nearly extinct Indian wild dog go exactly as she imagines. What she isn't ready for is Jai.
Jai Subramanium isn't sure his new partner is up to the challenge. After years behind a desk, she might not be capable of dealing with the difficulties of navigating the terrain and surviving hours under an unbearably hot sun. What he doesn't expect is the uncontrollable passion between them.
Their forbidden romance isn't the only thing at risk, a group of hunters threaten the lone dog, and places Cara and Jai's relationship and careers in jeopardy.
Buy Link: http://www.passioninprint.com/ShowBook.php?CR=EC_INDIAN_SUMMER
Twitter: http://twitter.com/EmilyCale
Blog: http://www.emilycale.blogspot.com
Six Sentence Sunday – 6/19
I finished Slow Break this week, another short in the Sypricon Masters series–this one m/m. Here are six sentences from it, with a warning for some adult language & situation. Enjoy.
"Guess you didn't throw him out?"
"Night's not over," Denton said snidely in an effort to get the nosy bartender to mind his own business.
Bales snorted as Denton glanced over his shoulder, and found Jack on his knees beside the stool.
Six months ago, Jack would have tossed up his safe word and bolted at the very idea of what was being done to him currently. Now he knelt there, the very epitome of calm with an impulse cage surrounding his straining cock. If he was bothered by the idea of being so open and visible to everyone, he didn't let it show.
For those new to this, the rules are simple:
1) pick a project – a current Work in Progress, contracted work or even something readers can buy if you're published
2) pick six sentences
3) post 'em on Sunday
See? Easy. Want to play? See the site for information on how to do just that: http://sixsunday.com
If you have a Twitter account, you can add the hashtag #sixsunday to your tweets when you tweet a link to your Six Sentence Sunday post. If you're a writer (regardless of published/unpublished status) come join us!
