Delilah Devlin's Blog, page 414

Diana Cosby: The Benefits of Selling Later in your Career

Diana Cosby ©2014

When I began writing, I remember sending out my first partial, smiling, telling everyone the manuscript’s title, and that my book was going to sell.  Then, I remember months later, receiving the rejection letter.  I was devastated.  How could they not want the book of my heart?  And the rejection letter, Dear Author . . ., it could have been written to anyone!

Over the years I discovered that I had a deft skill for acquiring rejections.  I remember one day my oldest son carrying in a manila envelope saying, “Hey, Mom, you received another rejection.”  *Smile*  Gotta love kids.  After 100 rejections, I quit counting.  I decided I knew how to acquire a rejection.

Throughout the years, through every frustration and doubt, I never gave up.  Not only is it important to never give up, but it’s essential for you to RECOGNIZE that with each passing year, you’re growing stronger in the craft, plus, you’re connecting with fellow authors and industry professionals, which = networking.  Once you sell, your experience and contacts will prove invaluable.  I never realized until looking back, the benefits of selling later in my writing career.

I feel passionate about this topic because I wish someone would have sat me down and said, “That you write is well and good, but let’s say you sold, what’s your plan?”  Plan?  Why to write of course.  It’s critical that after you sell that you keep on writing, but it’s also important to build a reader readership.  In all honestly, unless you sell a book through a high visibility venue, the hard reality is that few people will know who you are, much less buy your book.  So, if you’re a new writer, realize rejections are a part of writers life, and plan for the day when your book sells.  Use your time accrued to your benefit.

Your success is no accident.  I find it interesting that my quote for today is:

“I’ve found that luck is quite predictable. If you want more luck, take more chances. Be more active. Show up more often.” — Brian Tracy

This is so true.  Persistence and perseverance are the key.  What is your exact goal?  Define it.  Plan to not only make it, but make it a success.  So, what can you do?  My take:

-If you have a website, great, if not, place it on top of your priority list.  Many authors have a website, but plan yours, let it reflect the target market you are writing for and will eventually sell for.  When I worked with my fabulous webmaster, Rae Monet, Inc. Design  [http://raemonetinc.com/websites.html], I came into the project knowing what I wanted, plus, I had a ‘Brand’ – Romance Edged With Danger.  I will always write suspense, regardless if they’re historical, contemporary, inspirational or fantasy.  So, we designed my website to be timeless.  If you look at my website [www.dianacosby.com], you will see it could work for any era.  I also love the simplicity of my web pages, that anyone coming in doesn’t have to wait forever if they’re on dial-up for the site to upload.

*Note:  Check out other authors sites.  What do you love?  What doesn’t connect for you.  Make a list of your favorite features for ideas for your website.  If you’re going to blog, great, but stagnant blogs attract nada.

-A Brand.  What tag to do you feel is the essence of what you write, regardless of the line, era?  As I said above, for me it’s, Romance Edged With Danger.

-Business Cards.  My take, keep them professional.  I have two different business cards, those I hand out to readers that have my website and e-mail.  The other business card, for industry professionals, has all of my contact information.

-Bookmarks.  I think bookmarks are one of the single best marketing tools a writer can have.  I always joke that if someone takes one and really doesn’t want it, odds are they’ll leave my bookmark somewhere – to be found by a reader who’ll scoop it up.   Also, I send bookmarks to conferences, booksellers, venues that feature the type of book I write such as medieval gatherings, and anywhere I feel is beneficial.

-Other on-line venues:  Social media offers incredible opportunities to connect with your readers.

-Conferences.  Keep networking!

-Marketing.  I’ll give you one word of advice, choose what you LOVE DOING, and what’s within your budget.  Caution – you can spend a lot of $ really quick.

After nine years of writing, I sold.  I found that in addition to writing an intense, multi-layer story, came the challenge of fitting in time for promotion.  It’s easy to become overwhelmed.  This is where preparing early in your career for success comes into play.  Your well-planned foundation will give you a significant edge to help your career take off.

As I look back, I’m thankful I didn’t sell early on in my career.  After nine years, I thought I was ready; in essence, I was clueless.  The years accrued gave me time to strengthen my writing, meet industry professionals, and to make friends who were a not only a bedrock in the enormous transition of becoming published, but who are truly a blessing in my life.  So, next time you receive a rejection letter, set it aside, and focus on building your career.  Last, always believe in yourself!  I wish each and every one of you every success!

Diana Cosby, International Best-Selling Author

www.dianacosby.com

The Oath trilogy (Book #1:  An Oath Taken — December 2014!)

MacGruder Brother series  (Box set — March 2015!)

A retired Navy Chief, AGC(AW), Diana Cosby is an international bestselling author of Scottish medieval romantic suspense.  Her award-winning MacGruder Brother books are available in five languages.  Diana has spoken at the Library of Congress, Lady Jane’s Salon in NYC, and appeared in Woman’s Day, on USA Today’s romance blog, “Happy Ever After,” MSN.com, Atlantic County Women Magazine, and Texoma Living Magazine.

After her career in the Navy, Diana dove into her passion – writing romance novels. With 34 moves behind her, she was anxious to create characters who reflected the amazing cultures and people she’s met throughout the world.   With the release of her 6th book in the bestselling MacGruder Brothers series, she’s now working on the 1st book in her new Scottish medieval The Oath trilogy, “An Oath Taken,” which will be released December 8th, 2014.  In addition, she’s excited about the upcoming release of the MacGruder Brother series box set early in 2015. Diana looks forward to the years of writing ahead and meeting the amazing people who will share this journey.

www.dianacosby.com

Jennifer Kacey: Buried Permission (Contest!)

I have a new release (is it just me that snickers every time I type that?!?) and it’s my first full FF novella! YEA for sexy girls!!!

I write a lot of ménage, dipped my toe in MM and FF in the Members Only Series but never published a complete story with it before.

Kerrington and Danielle are best friends, destined to be together but Kerrington thinks something else…someone else’s thoughts on her love life are more important. NOT THE CASE!!!

Hope everyone will give it a chance and love Kerrington and Danielle as much as I loved writing them. It could possibly be the first in a series, but I’m not saying. At all. *GRINS*

Giveaway – one spanking new e-copy of Buried Permission! All you need to do is go to my Amazon page and like the page in the upper right hand corner. Come back here and leave me a comment below. Just tell me your name, email address (so I can email you if you win) and the new LIKE # in ( ) from the amazon page!

Easy cheesy!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Kerrington needed her best friend Danielle in her life. Secretly, she wasn’t just a need. She was an ache, buried so deep Kerrington couldn’t breathe without wanting her. But she’d promised her grandmother she’d make her proud and find a man to marry, to have children with, to love, to cherish…

Nothing else mattered more than following the straight and narrow path set before her. Until one night, when a simple kiss changed everything and put Danielle and Kerrington’s strained friendship into question.

Searching for answers, Kerrington finds the permission she thought lost forever—unearthed by hypnotherapist, Dr. Mackenzie Raith. Now Kerrington must convince Danielle to give her one last chance, if it’s not too late.

A Romantica® female/female erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

Buy Links

Buried Permission – Amazon

Buried Permission – B&N

Buried Permission – Ellora’s Cave

http://www.jenniferkacey.com/books/buried-permission.html

The books in the Members Only Series can be found here…

Together In Cyn

Haleigh’s Ink

A Very Menage Christmas

Duke’s Valentine

 

Jennifer Kacey is a wife, mother, and business owner living with her family in Texas. She sings in the shower, plays piano in her dreams, and has to have a different color of nail polish every week. The best advice she’s ever been given? Find the real you and never settle for anything less.

Website – http://www.jenniferkacey.com/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.kacey.7

Twitter – https://twitter.com/JenniferKacey

Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6941549.Jennifer_Kacey

Pinterest – http://pinterest.com/jenniferkacey/

Sabrina York Celebrates with a HUGE #Giveaway for Readers!

It has been a tremendous month and I am celebrating. I hope you play along—because you could win an awesome prize pack!

Why am I so excited???

Four of my books are up for major awards (Lust Eternal is a finalist in the FF&P Contest for fantasy & paranormal romances; Rebound is up for a RONE award from InD’Tale Magazine; and Making Over Maris and Heart of Ash are contenders for the 2014 Passionate Plume).

To top it all off, my steamy Regency romp, Dark Fancy, won the 2014 Carolyn Reader’s Choice Award in the erotic category.

So I am celebrating! What can I do, but give away a signed print copy??

Read About Dark Fancy:

In this sizzling prequel to Folly, when Lady Helena Simpson flees an unwanted marriage to a revolting lord, she finds refuge with James, a charming, handsome man unlike any she’s ever known. Helena concocts the perfect solution to her problem. She asks–begs–James to ruin her. Surely her betrothed will repudiate her if she is no longer pure. And if all her efforts fail and she still ends up married to a horrid man until the end of her days, she will at least once have known true passion.  But James is not all he seems. He is, in fact, a wicked lord with a dark fancy. When Helena awakens his desire, he becomes determined to take everything she has to offer and more. No matter the cost. Inside Scoop: Whether they’re making love outdoors at a grand estate or getting naughty in a secret sex club in the city, James and Helena put the erotic back in erotic Regency romance.

Read all the books in the Noble Passions Series: Follow the decadent exploits of friends and enemies as they find love and passion in the glittering world of the Regency–and its dark underbelly. Each book is a stand-alone read. Folly (Book 1) 2014 EPIC eBook Award Finalist 2013 Passionate Plume Finalist Dark Fancy (Book 2) 2014 NTRWA Carolyn Reader Choice Award Winner Dark Duke (Book 3), Brigand (Book 4), Defiant (Book 5)—Coming soon.

Read About the Mega Giveaway

You can win a copy of Dark Fancy, along with a bunch of other books signed by authors who attended the RT Booklovers convention in May. I picked up a TON of swag, goodies and books…all for one lucky winner. Additionally, I got some local treats including famous pralines…and a sparkly Tiara I bought there just for you. Read on for details!

PRIZE PACK INCLUDES:

Sabrina Swag including: A signed copy of Carolyn Reader’s Choice Award winning Dark Fancy, by Sabrina York, a bling pen, a signed teaser book and a Tiara purchased in New Orleans.

New Orleans Goodies: Pralines, Bacon flavored brittle, NOLA shot glass & Mardi Gras beads.

Exclusive RT Swag: Tote bags and gifts from RT events

Signed Books including A copy of Cowboy Heat signed by Randi Alexander, Cynthia D’Alba, Shoshanna Evers, Myla Jackson, Cat Johnson & Sabrina York; A copy of Texas Two Step signed by author Cynthia D’Alba and cover model Shane Rice; An autographed copy of Together in Cyn from Jennifer Kacey; A copy of The Taming of the Wild Child signed by author Kimberly Lang; A copy of A Scandal in the Headlines signed by Caitlin Crews; A copy of The Billionaire’s Obsession—the Complete Collection signed by J.S. Scott and more!

The prize pack includes swag from hundreds of other authors. You can check out the full list here: Sabrina’s RT14 Mega Swag Giveaway and a Tiara Blog Link: http://sabrinayork.com/?p=1728

Enter today, baby!

Good luck, and thank you for your continued support of all my books!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Sabrina York

Her Royal Hotness, Sabrina York is the award winning author of over 20 hot, humorous stories for smart and sexy readers. Her titles range from sweet & sexy erotic romance to scorching BDSM. Connect with her on twitter @sabrina_york, on Facebook or on Pintrest. Check out Sabrina’s books and read an excerpt on Amazon or wherever e-books are sold. Visit her webpage at www.sabrinayork.com to check out her books, excerpts and contests. Free Teaser Book: http://sabrinayork.com/home-2/sabrina-yorks-teaser-book/ And don’t forget to enter to win the royal tiara!

CURRENT PROMOS

Free Teaser Book: http://sabrinayork.com/home-2/sabrina-yorks-teaser-book/

Newsletter & Ongoing Tiara Contest: http://sabrinayork.com/sabrinas-contest-and-newsletter/

Follow my blog for juicy updates: http://feeds.feedburner.com/SabrinaYork

Enter to win a signed print copy of Book 1 in the Tryst Island Series, Rebound: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17706507-rebound

FOLLOW SABRINA

Like my Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/sabrinayork

Like my Facebook Author Page https://www.facebook.com/SabrinaYorkBooks

Follow me on Twitter @sabrina_york https://twitter.com/sabrina_York

Follow me on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5817917.Sabrina_York

Check out my Pintrest boards: http://www.pinterest.com/sabrinayork/boards/

Check out my Barnes & Noble Author page: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/sabrina-York

Follow me on Ellora’s Cave: https://www.ellorascave.com/index.php/authors/index/author/slug/sabrina-york/

Mackenzie McKade: Getting Fiesty! (Contest)

I can’t believe how time passes. Summer is here and within a couple months we’ll be saying good-bye and welcoming Fall. Which begs me to ask what is your favorite season?

For me it’s summer. Yet the season is bittersweet for me. What I love about Arizona is what I hate about it—the heat! The triple digits definitely are not fun, but they do warm the lakes and pools and makes you want to shed your clothing.  :o)

I enjoy all waters sports that come with the summer. There is something calming about a picturesque ocean, lake, river, or stream. Even the sound of water whether it’s huge waves crashing against the rocks or the gentle trickle of a brook that really gets to me. In fact, it’s the place where I find inner peace. Which is odd because water is also the place I feel more daring.

Although I rival tooling across the sand on an ATV or Rhino speed scares me. I’m not the slowest one on the road, but damn close. My kids say I drive like a grandma.

Hey! I resemble that remark. LOL

But my dislike for speed doesn’t hold up when it comes to jet skis and boating. I love racing across the waves. The wind in my face, the spray of water on my hot skin just does it for me.

When I’ve had enough of the summer heat I love to escape to the mountains. There is something about the scent of pine, the lush greenery, and the solitude that once again makes me sigh and breath in the magic of the land. The beauty of life overtakes me and I feel myself in that quiet place again. The hassles of every day life can’t touch me—nothing can.

So where do you find your inner peace?

Is it somewhere green where the scents and sounds calm you? Is it tropical where the ripple of water caressing the sand or rocks carries you away? Or is it a special room in your house that transports you to another place? Or perhaps it’s a special person who brings out the warm and tranquility in you?

I’d love to hear where you find inner peace. And for taking the time to comment, I’ll pick a name randomly and you can have your choice of one of my ebooks.

I hope you have a wonderful summer! Don’t forget to swing my website or join me on Facebook or Twitter. My new release FEISTY (Whispering Cove) is now available.

Mackenzie McKade

FEISTY, Whispering Cove – Samhain Publishing, Amazon, B&N

BOUND BY AN ANGEL – Samhain Publishing, Amazon, B&N

STOCKINGS – Samhain Publishing, Amazon, B&N

BOLD, Whispering Cove – Samhain Publishing, Amazon, B&N

www.mackenziemckade.com  | Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Wicked Facebook

Call for Submissions: Rogue Hearts

Please share this news with your writer friends!

* * * * *

Rogue Hearts

Editor: Delilah Devlin

Publisher: Cleis Press

Deadline: September 15, 2014

ROGUE HEARTS is open to all authors.

Editor/Author Delilah Devlin is looking for a special sort of hero—rogues with hearts of gold—for a romantic erotica anthology tentatively entitled ROGUE HEARTS: Erotic Romance for Women.

Let your fantasies run wild! Think of the Jack Sparrows of old—pirates sailing the Caribbean or China seas, and every other flavor of buccaneer and privateer; Regency-era highway men and spies for the crown; modern day jewel thieves, like Cary Grant in To Catch a Thief—men doing bad things, bending or breaking the law, but in a very sexy way.

Delilah will be looking for stories rich in sensory detail that explore women’s forbidden desires. Imagine a Scottish reiver come to steal sheep from a neighboring clan, but instead, he captures the laird’s daughter. Imagine him striding toward her in a dirty tartan. As he scans the glen, his gaze snags on a woman whose frightened face is nonetheless set into stubborn lines as she meets his piercing gaze… Imagine what happens next…

ROGUE HEARTS will seek stories to satisfy the reader who craves the romantic idea of that ultimate bad boy while exploring stories set in every time frame and any international locale. Traditional themes/tropes can be used, but writers are encouraged to create tales that surprise. Delilah seeks unique stories from authors with strong voices, and above all, she’s looking to be seduced by tales filled with vivid imagery and passion.

Published authors with an established world may use that setting for their original short story.

Keeping in mind that this volume is targeted at women, the editor seeks mainly hetero stories, but will consider bisexual or lesbian encounters and polyamorous relationships. This is erotic romance, so don’t hold back on the heat. Stories can be vanilla or filled with kink, but don’t miss describing the connection between strong-willed individuals learning to trust and love one another. Remember, there must be a romantic element with a happy-for-now or happy-ever-after ending. Strong plots, engaging characters, and unique twists are the ultimate goal. Please no reprints. These must be original stories.

How to submit: Prepare your 2,500 to 5,000 words story in a double-spaced, Arial, 12 point, black font Word document with pages numbered (.doc, NOT.docx) OR rich text format. Indent the first line of each paragraph half an inch and double space (regular double spacing, do not add extra lines between paragraphs or do any other irregular spacing). US grammar (double quotation marks around dialogue, etc.) is required.

In your document at the top left of the page, include your legal name (and pseudonym, if applicable), mailing address, and 50 words or less bio in the third person, and send to temptedroguehearts@gmail.com. If you are using a pseudonym, please provide your real name and pseudonym and make it clear which one you’d like to be credited as. Authors may submit up to 2 stories. Delilah hopes to respond with decisions in February 2015. The publisher has final approval over the stories included in the manuscript.

Payment will be $50.00 USD and two copies of the published book upon publication. Contributors retain the rights to their work, although the editor requests the courtesy of authors not republishing their work until at least 6 months after the publication of this anthology.

Ms. Devlin has published over a hundred twenty stories in multiple sub-genres and lengths with Atria/Strebor, Avon, Berkley, Black Lace, Cleis Press, Ellora’s Cave, Grand Central, Kensington, Kindle, Montlake Romance, Running Press, and Samhain Publishing. In Fall 2011, she debuted her first anthology with Cleis Press, GIRLS WHO BITE. Since then, she has published SHE SHIFTERS, COWBOY LUST, SMOKIN’ HOT FIREFIGHTERS, HIGH OCTANE HEROES, and COWBOY HEAT.

Direct any questions you have regarding your story or the submission process to Delilah at temptedroguehearts@gmail.com.

June Eden Books are HERE!

Breaking Free by Cathryn Fox

Spring Break at college is  supposed to be a time of fun and parties, but Alaska Rossi, AKA Jane Smith, is on lockdown thanks to her father’s mafia dealings. She wants only to  party down with the  rest of her classmates.  At least her hot, darkly mysterious bodyguard—deep undercover as her dorm’s resident assistant—gives her something to fantasize about during her boring nights in  confinement. When she wins a campus radio contest, and is gifted with  a special invitation to an exclusive island, she knows it’s her  chance to break free. After all, it’s a place where no one knows her name, so what danger could  possible come to her? But when danger appears in the form of a masked man who takes control  of all her pleasures, tapping into her darkest fantasies, she begins to wonder  if her undercover lover, and the mysterious bodyguard who’s deep undercover, are one in the  same…

KINDLE

Other eBook and Print links as Available at the EDEN website!

Hold Me Close by Eliza Gayle (Purgatory Club, Book 6)

Sometimes you need to cut and run and sometimes the ties run too deep to abandon. Bonnie’s job at Purgatory keeps her on edge in more ways than one. Every day the pain of her grief over losing her Dom threatens to consume her. Her only escape comes at the hands of the resident tattooed bad boy who likes to keep things light and loose with a variety of women. He may not be the Dom of her dreams, but he chases away the darkness if only for one night… Dex is used to unattached submissives coming to him for a chance to feel the kiss of his flogger or the sting of his whip until they find their own Doms. With his busy life of ink and kink he likes keeping his women at arm’s length. Except one night a month when Bonnie shreds him every time she asks him to hold her close.

When a secret invitation to an island resort arrives, is it the answer to their problems? Or their worst nightmare?

KINDLE

Other eBook and Print links as Available at the EDEN website!

Queen’s Knight by Sara Fawkes (a story set in the Anything He Wants world)

A man for whom Dominance is a way of life. A woman who refuses to yield control.

Dany McQueen was good at her job, and she knew it. Being the PA to one of New York’s most respected professional Doms had it’s unique challenges, but she could handle anything thrown her way…except the invitation to participate. Giving up control scared her, even when the offer was tempting beyond belief. When an invitation turns up at her door, however, that may give her a chance to live out her deepest fantasy, she’s ready to give it a shot. Gabriel Knight was getting old, and he felt every year. With his latest sub ending their partnership to pursue a vanilla relationship and family, he’s suddenly loathe to take on any more trainees. When his long-time personal assistant requests a vacation, he’s more than willing to grant it…until he realized exactly where she is going. Dany thought Eden would be somewhere she could enjoy her fantasies, safe from the pressure of her real life. She never expected for her boss to follow her, nor that his relentless pursuit would awaken a desire inside her she’d refused to allow herself before. Now that she’s had a taste of her Knight, Dany is desperate for more, but can a relationship so long suppressed work outside of their own private fantasy island?

KINDLE

Other eBook and Print links as Available at the EDEN website!

DON’T FORGET: Sign up for the Facebook INVITATION TO EDEN BOOK PARTY

Prizes and Author Chats June 21st and 22nd!

A. Catherine Noon: Trending, Trendy, Trenderizer…?

So. What is this thing called “trending”?  There’s now news articles all about… what’s trending – which is, essentially, news about what’s news.  A giant echo chamber of people all talking to themselves about what they’re talking about… to themselves.

You know, people who talk to themselves are, in general, considered, well, crazy.

So I embarked on a little mission to find out more about this crazy thing called trending.  “Google,” I said, “what’s trending mean?”

According to the Urban Dictionary, which has a slightly irritated definition, “’Trending’ is a mutilation of the English language that means ‘currently popular.’ It derives from a sad misunderstanding of the verb ‘to trend’ as meaning “to become a trend.”

A “sad misunderstanding,” huh?  Take that, Justin Bieber.

Hashtags.org has a more defensive meaning, as though they know that trending is silly but want to justify the, ahem, trend: “A trending topic does not just signify popularity. It is also translates to a win for whoever is the subject of the trend.”

Trending, therefore, is desirable?  Does that mean this Bieber guy is on to something?

To find out how A. Catherine Noon is trending, check out her upcoming release of Sealed by Fire, available from LooseId by pre-order and out everywhere on June 24th.

A Question…

I’m watching a 9-month old today and trying to come up with plots for two more Sultry Summer Nights books… And tonight, I have an art guild meeting. Busy, busy, but no new words…

And just a quick question for you because I’m always dreaming about places I might go when I have time for a vacation…

What is one thing or place that took your breath away when you first saw it? Be sure to tell me why—was it the scenery? the grandeur of the architecture? the colors of the painting? And did it meet or exceed any expectations you might have had for it before you saw it? 

Lucy Felthouse (@cw1985): Sapphic Seduction (Giveaway!)

Lesbian fiction wasn’t ever something I deliberately set out to write, it just kind of happened. I answered a call for submissions waaay back in the day, and quickly discovered I liked writing it. The variety from writing straight stuff, the different scenarios that can be played with that wouldn’t work in straight fiction, and, of course, those sexy bodies. I’m straight, but that doesn’t stop me recognising beauty and sexiness in other women.

The curves, the softness where men are hard, the language, the emotion, the noises they make… What’s not to like? Don’t get me wrong, I like writing about sexy men and all the ways they’re different to women, but I like writing about Sapphic seduction, too. It’s delicious, it’s intimate, and, despite what some people may say or think—my lesbian stuff actually sells pretty well! But even if it didn’t, I’d write it. I love variety in my writing, and I’ve gone too far to stop now.

Happy Reading,

Lucy x

*****

Excerpt:

Nadia Gorlando and I had just gotten off the exercise bikes in the gym when one of the academy’s coaches, Peter Ross, headed over to us, all smiles.

“Hey, Nadia,” he said, his all-American grin widening and his blond hair flopping down over his forehead, “I need a huge favor.”

I flicked my gaze to Nadia. She raised one of her perfectly shaped eyebrows and waited for him to continue. He did.

“I totally lost track of time just now and I have an appointment with Travis Connolly. Would you mind wiping down my machine for me? Or maybe stick a note on it saying it’s out of order? I don’t want to leave it all sweaty for someone else. You’ll be doing me a real solid. I’ll owe you.”

My jaw almost hit the floor.

Now Nadia rolled her eyes, looked over at the offending machine, then back at Peter. “Sure, I understand,” she said, as cool as ice. “The world’s number one can’t wait. Go right ahead—I’ll fix it for you.”

He babbled a load of thanks, then jogged out of the gym.

I gaped at her. “You’re not going to do it, are you?”

Nadia chuckled. “Of course not. He may be coaching Travis Connolly and Rufus Lampani for the US Open, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to clean up his mess.” She pointed with her chin over to the machine Peter had just vacated. “Come on, V, I’ll show you how I’m going to deal with this.”

I followed her, grinning. Her tone told me that it was going to be something fun. Well, for us, anyway. Probably not for Peter.

Sure enough, when she returned from the room off the side of the gym, she had a pad of paper and a pen in her hands. Deliberately shielding the pad from my view, she wrote something down, then pulled off the top sheet. Folding it, she then propped it on the sweat-slicked seat so the writing was on view to anyone who happened past.

When I’d read and absorbed the words, I turned to Nadia, impressed. Her smile lit up her face, showing dimples in each cheek, and her brown eyes gleamed with amusement.

It was in that moment that I decided I had the serious hots for Nadia Gorlando.

The sign read,

PLEASE EXCUSE THE STATE OF THIS MACHINE. PETER ROSS, TENNIS COACH SUPREMO, “LOST TRACK OF TIME”.

*****

A Raw Talent book.

Virginia Miller is an up-and-coming tennis star. She’s gone from a ratty tennis court in a park in south London, England, to the world’s top training facility—Los Carlos Tennis Academy in California. In awe of the talent around her, Virginia is all the more determined to make the most of the opportunity and show that she’s worthy of her place there. Her mentor, Nadia Gorlando, has every faith in her.

But Virginia finds herself distracted—Nadia, as well as being a top-notch tennis player, is seriously sexy, and Virginia’s mind keeps wandering where it shouldn’t. Will her crush get in the way of her career, or can she find a way to push the other woman out of her mind before it’s too late?

Buy links: http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk/published-works/sweet-spot/

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21521972-sweet-spot

*****

Author Bio:

Lucy Felthouse is a very busy woman! She writes erotica and erotic romance in a variety of subgenres and pairings, and has over 100 publications to her name, with many more in the pipeline. These include several editions of Best Bondage Erotica, Best Women’s Erotica 2013 and Best Erotic Romance 2014. Another string to her bow is editing, and she has edited and co-edited a number of anthologies, and also edits for a small publishing house. She owns Erotica For All, is book editor for Cliterati, and is one eighth of The Brit Babes. Find out more at http://www.lucyfelthouse.co.uk. Join her on Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to her newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/gMQb9

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GIVEAWAY!

HOSTS – a Rafflecopter giveaway

Desiree Holt: Spurred to Submission (Contest)

Welcome to Rawhide, the most exclusive private dungeon in San Antonio, Texas. If you’re lucky enough to be invited, you never know who you’ll run into there.

Spurred to Submission  is the 6th book in the series and takes a little different turn.

A Recommended Read from All Romance eBooks.

Be sure to leave me a comment. One lucky person will win

a copy of Rawhide #1: Crack the Whip .

When the death of their fathers brings Zoe Hampton and Max Cameron back to Big Spur, she hopes for two things—to show the hot shot New York lawyer she’s not a little girl anymore and the ranch he hates could actually ease the pain of the past. She’s got her work cut out for her on both accounts, and she doesn’t know whether to kick Wade into next week or jump his bones. Wade hates the ranch almost as much as he hated his father, and the only reason he’s home is to bury one and sell the other. But the old man’s will puts a hitch in Wade’s plans. Zoe spurs the Dom in him to take her over his knee for a spanking they’ll both enjoy. Even finding release at a private BDSM club becomes impossible.…until the night Zoe follows Wade to Rawhide.

Excerpt:

“Will tells me we’ve got a good crop of calves to brand this year.”

Wade’s voice behind her startled her out of her reverie and she lost her balance, tumbling into the pen. Before she could get to her feet he had climbed in beside her and stood looking down at her.

She spit dust from her mouth and glowered at him. “Aren’t you even going to offer to help me up?”

He stared down at her then shocked her by lowering his body over hers, his legs bracketing her as he knelt in the dirt. His long fingers wrapped around her wrists, holding them down to either side of her head, imprisoning her in the dirt. His grip was so tight as to be painful, and it shocked her to realize that it gave her pleasure.

Wade bent low over her until his face was just inches away. His eyes darkened to the color of burnt chocolate again and a muscle ticked in his cheek. He wasn’t as unaffected as he wanted her to think. That kiss yesterday might have been meant to frighten her, just as he was trying to do now, but it was very clear he was affected by it. Probably more than he wanted to acknowledge.

Instead of struggling Zoe lay on the ground beneath him, waiting to see what he’d do next.

“You know what I’d like to do to you, little girl?” he ground out.

“What?” The word came out in a breathy rush of air. “What would you like to do to me, Wade?”

“Things that would scare the shit out of you.”

He was holding her forcibly in place, apparently unaware she wasn’t attempting to get up. He was holding most of his weight on his knees so he didn’t crush her but she was essentially completely helpless. His crotch was practically at eye level and there was no mistaking the prominent bulge. Oh, yeah. He was as hard as she was instantly wet.

“You think so?” She licked her lower lip, seeing the heat flare in his eyes again and knowing she was pulling the tiger’s tail. “You might be surprised.”

He stared at her for so long she wondered if he ever planned to speak or move. Without warning he rose to his feet, pulling her with him. Imprisoning her wrists with one hand he swept her over his shoulder and stomped into the barn with her. Before she realized what he was doing he carried her into the tack room and slammed the door shut, sliding the bolt into place to keep it locked.

“Big talker,” he ground out. “Let’s see where that big talk gets you.”

Grabbing a coiled length of rope hanging on a peg he wound it around her wrists, tying it off and fastening the other end on a nail high up on the wall. Her arms were now stretched high over her head, forcing her to stand on tiptoe. Wade kept his gaze locked with hers as he worked, obviously watching for signs of fear or resentment or—who knew what. She knew she should be terrified, or at least alarmed. This might be Wade, who she’d known since she was born, but in the twenty years since she’d last seen him, who knew how much he’d changed? What he’d become? Her brain told her she should either demand he release her—or beg him. But her brain seemed to be disconnected from her body. The edge of fear crawling through her was wrapped in a blanket of suddenly exploding lust.

Who knew how much his control and dominance would turn her on? She could take this as far as he could.

Buy Links: Amazon | ARe | B& N | Kobo

Known the world over as the oldest living author of erotic romance, and referred to by USA Today as the Nora Roberts of erotic romance, Desiree Holt is three times a finalist for an EPIC E-Book Award (and a winner in 2014), a nominee for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, winner of the first 5 Heart Sweetheart of the Year Award at The Romance Studio as well as twice a CAPA Award winner for best BDSM book of the year, and winner of the Holt Medallion for Excellence in Romance Literature. She has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning and in The Village Voice, The Daily Beast, USA Today, The (London) Daily Mail, The New Delhi Times and numerous other national and international publications.

“Desiree Holt is the most amazing erotica author of our time and each story is more fulfilling then the last.” (Romance Junkies)

Learn more about her and read her novels here:

www.desireeholt.com

www.desiremeonly.com

www.facebook.com/desireeholtauthor

Twitter @desireeholt

Pinterest: desiree02holt

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