Cait Miller's Blog: Sizzling Scribes Blog, page 7

The Story Behind Armed and Delicious

I'm often asked where I get my ideas for my books. That's such a hard question to answer. Ideas come from everywhere ... an overheard conversation, a news story, a song. Then there are those plots that simply pop into my head without any warning. That's what happened with Rent-A-Stud , the first book in my Coopers' Companions series.
When I wrote that book, I had no idea it would be the first book in a series. But I liked my hero, Zachary Cooper, and the other characters so much, I knew they deserved their own books. Zach's sister Michelle stars in Michelle's Men , his brother Brent's book is Almost Perfection . I thought three books would be enough. Then I started receiving emails asking for Breanna's book.
Breanna is the daughter of Jade, Zach's love in Rent-A-Stud. She's strong willed, stubborn, and spoiled. A woman who possesses those three S's must have her own story, right? She'd have to have a hero who's also strong and a little stubborn too. Detective Evan Stone seemed perfect for Breanna. At least, to me. To her, not so much at first. But she soon learns what she thought would be the perfect man wouldn't fit her at all. Evan fits perfectly, in every way.
I loved writing Armed and Delicious . I hope you enjoy it.
Lynn
* * * * *Excerpt from Armed and Deliciousby Lynn LaFleur
"There's an empty table in the corner," Breanna said. "Would you like to sit down?"
"Sure."
Plate in one hand, glass of champagne in the other, he followed her to the table. Once she took her seat, he took the chair to her left.
"Is this okay?" she asked before taking a sip of her champagne. "I don't want you to feel as if I kidnapped you."
Her eyes sparkled with humor. Evan couldn't resist a little playful flirting. "Being kidnapped by a beautiful woman isn't a bad thing."
She dipped her head to acknowledge his compliment. "Thank you."
Picking up his fork, he dug into the food on his plate. Each bite had him agreeing with Breanna about the rating scale. His taste buds did a happy dance in his mouth.
A low moan had his attention returning to Breanna. Her eyes were closed as she enjoyed the baked brie. The sound of pleasure reminded him of a woman in the throes of orgasm. His balls tightened in response. He looked at her silky hair, her long neck, her small breasts. A hint of her nipples showed through the material of her dress, enticing him to discover if she wore anything under that dress or if he'd find nothing but bare skin.
Down, fella, he told his cock as it gave an interested twitch.
She bit into her cracker piled with crab dip. Her chewing stopped when she met his gaze. "What?"
Her question made him realize he'd stared at her much longer than he should have. Instead of stumbling his way through an excuse, he gave a one-shouldered shrug and told her the truth. "Just admiring the view."
A slow smile turned up her lips. Her gaze passed over his hair, shoulders, chest. "It's pretty nice from where I'm sitting too. You look amazing in a tux." She tilted her head to one side, swept her gaze over his shoulders and chest again. "I'll bet you look pretty amazing out of it too."
Leaning back in his chair, Evan folded his hand over his stomach. "Why, Ms. Talmage, are you propositioning me?"
"Do you want me to?"
* * * * *Find Armed and Delicious at the Ellora's Cave website now, at online stores soon.

A Dog's Purpose

Hi All!
Once again I’m blogging to the dog lovers out there. Last week we had a terrible storm here in Minnesota. Knocked out my power for three days! Of course we had generators running but that was to keep food cold and frozen in the 90 degree temps.
So what is a bored girl to do? (Like I even have time to be bored.) But, when there’s no power in the country living, there’s no clothes washing, drying, or all the fun cleaning opportunities that include running a water pump. No computer, television or stereo. Toilets don’t even flush unless we get a bucket of water. But there is always those boxes of photos that need to be gone through, or a closet to clean, dusting, grass mowing and yard pickup with all the branches and trees from the storm scattered about.
Hmmm…it’s pretty warm in the house with no air-conditioning…
I happened to walk into my bedroom In a quick second I decided that it had been far too long since I’d enjoyed…well, delighted in the sensual feel of my sheets against my bare legs, the pure unadulterated joy of letting that hot emotion of relishing one little act that sends heat racing through my blood, that tingling sensation that curls your toes…reading a GOOD BOOK! There on the floor beside my bed was a book my girlfriend had given me three months ago! Unabashedly, I dove on it, flopped to the surface of my bed and opened it up! Me? Read? Well what the hell, there was no power but plenty of sunlight so I did it! I actually spent the afternoon reading.
No not hot, erotic romance, but a story t my friend had urged me to read. It was called, A Dog’s Purpose. The rest of the day, I was lost in a story that so grabbed me, it’s hard to explain. W. Bruce Cameron, the author, took me on a mystical journey inside a dog’s brain. You see, this story was from the dog’s viewpoint and written about how a loving companion searches to find his soul purpose for living. It was magical and brilliant at the same time. Yes, if you’re not so much an animal lover, the essence of the book may escape you. But if you love furry, wet kisses and know when you’re feeling out of sorts, that the warm heartbeat cuddled up beside you can make the world right, then I guarantee you’re going to love this tale…er, um tail…
Yes, you will need a box of tissues. You will laugh out loud, then quickly swipe the tears on your cheeks. That story so stayed in my mind for days after I returned the book to my friend, that I downloaded my own version to my Nook. Of course, I couldn’t let it go and was compelled to re-read the last chapter. Lo and behold, there on the screen at the end of the story was the information that Mr. Cameron had just released a sequel in May 2012 called, A Dog’s Journey. Well, boom! That second story was downloaded and I had to steal some time, but I finished that one, too!
All I can say is open your mind and read these two stories. One thing for sure, you will never look at your pets the same way. It’s been a week and one of my biggest heroes, Toby, is still padding around my brain.
So, throw yourself a bone…and read this rich tale of love and companionship!
Ruby

Promo: What works? What doesn't?

As a bottom of the list author who has to pay for promotion, it's hard to decided what works and what doesn't. Over the years, I've given away more gadgets with my logo & website on them than I could possibly count, not to mention the wads of cash these things have cost. Yet, I still don't know what works. What item catches the reader's attention enough to make them check out your website and hopefully purchase your books?
It's an ongoing struggle to figure this out. I want to hitch my wagon to the promo horse that will place my stuff in everyone's hands world wide. I want to be the next "Fifty Shades" but better written with amazingly believable characters, plot and sex scenes. Do you think the person that wrote that book went around passing out pens and bookmarks at readers events trying to get noticed? I highly doubt it.
Did she just get lucky? Nope. I don't think that's it either. I think she hit the promotional jackpot. But how?

I'm opening up the discussion for what you believe works and what doesn't in the world of bottom and mid-list authors. How do we become A-list, got-to-have authors? What promo do you believe will make us stand out in the crowd? What item have you collected at a reader's event that you've kept and used and gone to the author's website because of it? What do you throw away without even reading the promo?

I look forward to your feedback.
Thanks,
Tara Nina
 www.taranina.com

You Can't Go Home

You Can’t Go HomeA writer friend of mine and I were talking recently about our first romance books. I loved Kathleen E. Woodiwiss and would read and reread her stories. I remember  reading ASHES IN THE WIND so many times, the pages fell out. I recently went out and got another copy of it because I hated that the one I had was held together by elastics.
We talked about THE WOLF AND THE DOVE and THE FLAME AND THE FLOWER and she asked when was the last time I had read one of KEW’s books. I said I hadn’t read one in years. Probably not since I started writing.
She said, “Don’t! It’ll never be the same.”
The more I thought about it, the more I think she’s right. Before I learned more about the craft of writing, I think I was a happier reader. Now I go back and look at my earlier books (SURPRISE and TAKE YOUR MEDICINE were the first books I EVER wrote) and absolutely CRINGE at what I read.It’s kind of like when you look through your photo album from high school and you see the terrible hair and the awful boyfriend you thought was “It”. Cringeworthy indeed. (Hey, I grew up in the 80’s you have no idea how bad those pictures are.)
I still have all my KEW books, but I doubt I’ll read them again. I don’t want to ruin the good memories I had reading those books on snow days or on the beach when my biggest worry was whether I’d have a date for the prom… or if I had enough hair spray. . .

Rain, rain, go away...

So two months ago some of the UK was under a hosepipe ban because the winter had been too dry. People moaned and complained about not being able to water their gardens or wash their cars. Bet their sorry now. July has been the wettest the UK has had in decades, perhaps ever. There’s widespread flooding and it’s been weeks since we saw any proper sunshine. On the positive side, the hosepipe ban has been lifted. I’m just glad I live on high ground.

I’m not complaining though, I’d much rather have our rain than the 100F temperatures people in parts of the USA are suffering right now. It’s easy enough for me to put up an umbrella or put on a rain coat and still get on with my day. I can’t imagine dealing with those temperatures everyday and getting anything accomplished. I still hope the weather clears up before our summer is a distant memory but it helps to remember that I have a holiday booked in November. In the meantime I’ll don my coat, put up my umbrella and make the most of it.

How are you coping with the weather this summer? Are you sweltering in the heat or dancing in the rain with me?

A little murder with your dinner?

I've been writing erotic romance for nine years. In that time I've published 8 short stories, 5 novellas and 6 full-length novels. In each one I have explored some aspect of the D/s lifestyle, from the extreme Master/slave relationship to a simple power exchange between a married couple looking to spice up their love life.

But in all that time, in all those stories, I've never tried a murder-mystery. Well, that's not actually true, I do have a partial mystery sitting on my laptop that I never finished (wrote myself into a corner at 20,000 words and there it sits). It's a hard genre to write in and more focused on plot than relationships. Murder-mysteries have more characters, plot twists and red herrings than I've ever dealt with until now.

So I approached Shooting Star with some trepidation. Could I actually manage all those characters? What about the false clues? Could I successfully hide the true killer until the reveal at the end? I was nervous and excited all through the writing of this novel.

Last week I took the plunge, releasing it as a self-published book. It's already available in all ebook formats and print is coming soon (found some formatting problems in the proof copy. Fixing those and hope to have print copies available shortly). The story involves not one, but two couples (okay, three) who run afoul of one very nasty person intent on killing.

As Sherlock would say, "The game's afoot!" Read the book and leave reviews (on the site or on your own blogs) and let me know if I successfully pulled it off! My next novel is one for the Sweet Spot series and I'm thinking there may be murder prowling the streets of Port Clef if Shooting Star is well-received.

Play safe!
Diana

The Sweet Spot

About a year ago, the Scribes were chatting on line and someone suggested...we should do a book together.  Well, because we’re writers, our ideas expanded (and expanded) and now, we’re doing a series of books...The Sweet Spot Series.
The stories are all loosely connected in the fictional town of Port Clef.
In Port Clef is The Sweet Spot, a bakery-candy shop-cafe run by Jacqui and Jill and you’ll find everyone stops by for their favorite treat and sometimes some advice on love.
Lynn LaFleur is starting us off with “Candlelight Wish,”released just this week.  Over the next year, you’ll see stories from all the Scribes.  It’s not necessary to read all the books (or read them in order) but why miss out on the fun? You never know who might appear in someone else’s story.
Also, I have a book coming out tomorrow...Scarlet, Book 2 of the Red Panty Diaries will be available at Ellora’s Cave and then in a week or so on Amazon and B&N! I really had fun with this m/m/f menage. 
Hope you’re having a wonderful summer!Tielle

Book Lovers' Buffet Vacation Getaway!

The Book Lovers' Buffet Vacation Getaway sale is now open! Only 99¢ for every ebook. Choose from contemporary, erotic, paranormal, mystery, historical...over 100 books on sale, including books from Ruby Storm, Tara Nina and me. Happy shopping!
http://bookloversbuffet.com/
Lynn

A Belated Happy Mother's Day To All!

I know it's June, but I wanted to wish you all a belated Happy Mother's Day! I couldn't get to posting until tonight. Of course I was a bit stressed by it, but I'm glad things turned out the way they did. Today my parents and all my kids and grandchildren came out to spend the day. This was my perfect Mother's Day for me). We barbecued burgers and made a couple of salads. But the best part of the day was when we started talking about past family vacations. Of course, one incident came up (as it always does when we're having a few drinks and laughing!) When I sat down tonight to blog, I knew what I wanted to blog about.

Okay, this was when my youngest son was three years old. (He's 29 now - how in hell did that happen?) So we'd traveled out of state to visit family in Wisconsin. Close by was an animal farm so my husband and I and kids plus his sister and family thought we'd spend the day there. At the end of the park was an area with a petting zoo.  Benches, corn for the goats, and popcorn for the kids.  My three year old at the time was sitting on a bench, munching his popcorn beside an unknown woman who was also visiting. His little chubby legs, too short to reach the ground, were swinging back and forth as he took in his surroundings.  I'm standing about 10 feet away with everyone in our group, just talking and snapping pictures and turned my camera on him.  Along comes a black goat into the picture only a foot in front of my son. My son stops eating and stares because though this goat is black, he has a gray...um...'spot' under his tail. You know, the spot where poop comes out.

I wish I'd had a video camera because my son stops eating his popcorn, leans forward with an outstretched hand and says, "what's that?" and low and behold his finger disappears right up to the knuckle in the 'gray' hole! The goat did a skip forward, surprised as hell! The poor woman sitting beside my son blew her popcorn right out of her mouth with a burst of laughter. Her laughing quickly turned to a choking gag when my son immediately went back to his own popcorn (using the hand with the offending finger) and began eating again, never giving it another thought! We howled for fifteen minutes, wiping tears and suppressing the urge to pee our pants!

Honest to god, I'm sure every one of you has a funny, gross story about one of your innocent children. Feel free to share! And again, Happy Belated Mother's Day!

Hugs, Ruby

Memorial Day & what it means to me

Memorial Day: a day of remembrance for all our fallen soldiers.[image error]Many have forgotten why this day was created. It’s become the kick-off to the summer weekend for almost every radio station across the country. But without those who fought and died for our rights, there wouldn’t be a free radio station.
I researched Memorial Day and its beginnings are not engraved in stone. As a Southerner, I tend to lean toward the Southern Ladies theory. During the ‘war’ (and for those who don’t understand~the war was the Civil War or the War between the States. There was nothing Civil about it), Southern women were known to recognize the fallen by placing flowers upon their graves no matter what color cloth they wore, thus the Day of Decoration began. It didn’t become a recognized day until years later and the title of Memorial Day was given.
Unfortunately, its considered a holiday and few of our children know why. They’re just glad to be out of school. When I was young, I understood what this holiday meant. I grew up with strong military ties. We always made sure the flag was out and proud on this day most of all. We remembered family who had walked the path of freedom and not come home. My Great-Uncles made sure we knew that freedom wasn’t free. It cost the blood, sweat and tears of every member of the military and the families who supported them.
So take a moment to give thanks to those in the Military. We owe them so much but take it for granted everyday. I know I wish I’d listened more when my Great-Uncles told a few of their ‘war stories’. They didn’t speak of the worst things I know they saw but the stories they told were history. History that helped form the people we are now.
Hug a Veteran. Shake their hand and say thank you.