Liz Crowe's Blog, page 36
November 27, 2011
Welcome to Liz's Book Tour Day One~
Today I'm chatting with Author Raine Delight about the Turkish Delights Trilogy...be sure and check out the post here....there are prizes at stake.
But more importantly today is the first day that I reveal an important central truth. For those of you familiar with the series know that a beloved main character...lives.
Those of us who write series know that while we do control our characters' destinies to a certain extent, it is ultimately the readers (and reviewers) who make the final choices about secondary characters and even main story arcs for future installments. Truth be told I always intended for the Deniz family to face a tough fact. That after they'd handled the supreme tragedy of losing one of their own, he would return to make them face realities about themselves.
So....in the interest of keeping interest....here is a snippet from the unedited WIP.
Flower Passage.A Turkish Delight Novellacurrently non-contracted
Warning. Graphic physically and emotionally.
"Beloved?" He croaked. The last forty-eight hours had been particularly difficult. His captors had finally given up turning him and had decided to blackmail his father for his release. But had gotten a less-than-acceptable response. No big surprise, Tarkan surmised. His father would be hard pressed to believe his once-dead son was alive, much less worth the equivalent of ten million U.S. dollars. After nearly a month of being completely ignored and barely fed, their returned attention to him was an unwelcome resumption of the status quo of the last…what? Weeks? Months? His throat felt like it was lined with thorns, his body pummeled by fists, lead pipes and what might as well have been a couch, or maybe a car given the way he hurt right now. He tried not to groan. His plan was nearly complete. "You have it? What I asked for?" There was a shuffling, some loud shouts and then silence. Tarkan thought he might have passed out before he finally heard her again. He winced and pulled himself to a sitting position, trying not to spend much time cataloging the various alarming aches in his internal organs and joints. "Yes, my love. I do. Just as you asked." The door's bolt lock shot open and the door's ancient creak, so familiar now, made its usual loud, ear-busting slide to the left. A small shadow crept in, and slowly slid the door shut. Tarkan shut his eyes, marshaling every last ounce of strength left to him. He'd spent the hours he wasn't staring at the dank, moldy walls and ceilings of his universe coming up with his escape plan. And the few minutes he had of mild pleasure between her legs had finally cleared the fog from his mind, giving him clarity and purpose. Although leaving her made him feel physically ill. The daily routine of his life for the last...how many months? years? He'd become accustomed to in a strange, twisted, yet wholly human way. He took a breath, smelling her scent as his cock hardened in sickening anticipation. "I had to do some terrible things. But I want us to be together forever...as you said. So here, and the man outside is gone, for a while. Let us go into the night as you said." Tarkan bit his lip, tasted the blood of his own vile lie to her. "Yes. My...my darling. Let me, let me kiss you once before...before we go."His shaking hand closed around the gun's barrel as her lips covered his, familiar, and terrifying at the same time. He let his body lead, let his brain disengage, as he had done for the last...months? years? God help him. Her hand gripped his shaft, guided it into her warm, waiting body and he moaned, calling out the name of his beloved, as his battered physical self encountered relief and release. "Shh.." she whispered as his hips bucked and he came inside her, shouting out for Caleb to help, to find him and rescue him. But he knew it was not to be. He had to rescue himself. Now. He fisted his hands in her hair. Pressed his lips to hers, and imagined the hard, beautiful body of his one true love above his. It was the only thing that had sustained him for all this long, horrific time. She caught her breath and Tarkan felt something metal press into his other hand. A key. "Go." She bit his earlobe. "I release you."
The Turkish Delights Trilogy. Virtual book tour begins today through December 9. Details here. Win books, Turkish themed swag and more details of the ultimate story of redemptive love: Flower Passage--Tarkan Returns.
cheersLiz
p.s. the In Between Days Hop will wind to a close this week but FIRST a great interview amongst a couple of Tweeners at Emily Cale's blog today:
http://emilycale.blogspot.com/2011/11...
But more importantly today is the first day that I reveal an important central truth. For those of you familiar with the series know that a beloved main character...lives.
Those of us who write series know that while we do control our characters' destinies to a certain extent, it is ultimately the readers (and reviewers) who make the final choices about secondary characters and even main story arcs for future installments. Truth be told I always intended for the Deniz family to face a tough fact. That after they'd handled the supreme tragedy of losing one of their own, he would return to make them face realities about themselves.
So....in the interest of keeping interest....here is a snippet from the unedited WIP.
Flower Passage.A Turkish Delight Novellacurrently non-contracted
Warning. Graphic physically and emotionally.
"Beloved?" He croaked. The last forty-eight hours had been particularly difficult. His captors had finally given up turning him and had decided to blackmail his father for his release. But had gotten a less-than-acceptable response. No big surprise, Tarkan surmised. His father would be hard pressed to believe his once-dead son was alive, much less worth the equivalent of ten million U.S. dollars. After nearly a month of being completely ignored and barely fed, their returned attention to him was an unwelcome resumption of the status quo of the last…what? Weeks? Months? His throat felt like it was lined with thorns, his body pummeled by fists, lead pipes and what might as well have been a couch, or maybe a car given the way he hurt right now. He tried not to groan. His plan was nearly complete. "You have it? What I asked for?" There was a shuffling, some loud shouts and then silence. Tarkan thought he might have passed out before he finally heard her again. He winced and pulled himself to a sitting position, trying not to spend much time cataloging the various alarming aches in his internal organs and joints. "Yes, my love. I do. Just as you asked." The door's bolt lock shot open and the door's ancient creak, so familiar now, made its usual loud, ear-busting slide to the left. A small shadow crept in, and slowly slid the door shut. Tarkan shut his eyes, marshaling every last ounce of strength left to him. He'd spent the hours he wasn't staring at the dank, moldy walls and ceilings of his universe coming up with his escape plan. And the few minutes he had of mild pleasure between her legs had finally cleared the fog from his mind, giving him clarity and purpose. Although leaving her made him feel physically ill. The daily routine of his life for the last...how many months? years? He'd become accustomed to in a strange, twisted, yet wholly human way. He took a breath, smelling her scent as his cock hardened in sickening anticipation. "I had to do some terrible things. But I want us to be together forever...as you said. So here, and the man outside is gone, for a while. Let us go into the night as you said." Tarkan bit his lip, tasted the blood of his own vile lie to her. "Yes. My...my darling. Let me, let me kiss you once before...before we go."His shaking hand closed around the gun's barrel as her lips covered his, familiar, and terrifying at the same time. He let his body lead, let his brain disengage, as he had done for the last...months? years? God help him. Her hand gripped his shaft, guided it into her warm, waiting body and he moaned, calling out the name of his beloved, as his battered physical self encountered relief and release. "Shh.." she whispered as his hips bucked and he came inside her, shouting out for Caleb to help, to find him and rescue him. But he knew it was not to be. He had to rescue himself. Now. He fisted his hands in her hair. Pressed his lips to hers, and imagined the hard, beautiful body of his one true love above his. It was the only thing that had sustained him for all this long, horrific time. She caught her breath and Tarkan felt something metal press into his other hand. A key. "Go." She bit his earlobe. "I release you."
The Turkish Delights Trilogy. Virtual book tour begins today through December 9. Details here. Win books, Turkish themed swag and more details of the ultimate story of redemptive love: Flower Passage--Tarkan Returns.
cheersLiz
p.s. the In Between Days Hop will wind to a close this week but FIRST a great interview amongst a couple of Tweeners at Emily Cale's blog today:
http://emilycale.blogspot.com/2011/11...
November 26, 2011
Six More From Lale--and her Greek Dom
From Tulip Princess, third in the Turkish Delights trilogy from Decadent Publishing...Lale has met her match, in more ways than one.
"None of your fucking business, Greek," she spat on the floor.His grin turned wolfish, as he gripped her upper arm, yanking her back to his side."I'm glad you figured that out," his full tempting lips hovered out of her reach. Lale tried not to whimper or beg. But the inclination hovered there nonetheless. "Just so we know where we all stand, Turk."
Be sure and visit the rest of the amazingly talented authors this week for Six Sentence Sunday.
"None of your fucking business, Greek," she spat on the floor.His grin turned wolfish, as he gripped her upper arm, yanking her back to his side."I'm glad you figured that out," his full tempting lips hovered out of her reach. Lale tried not to whimper or beg. But the inclination hovered there nonetheless. "Just so we know where we all stand, Turk."
Be sure and visit the rest of the amazingly talented authors this week for Six Sentence Sunday.
November 25, 2011
A Weekend Dozen from Trent and Lisa
WARNING:
Hot.
HAPPY RELEASE DAY TO ME!
From Specific Gravity, my newest release in the Brewing Passion Series from Breathless Press.
"Put your hands up on the wall," he growled into her ear. She groaned in pleasure as he yanked aside her moist silk-excuse for panties under the soft leather skirt. He loved this about her—she was sexy no matter if she were dressed to kill for work or in his old college T-shirt and boxer shorts. His cock ached and strained toward her. Lisa's swollen clit was firm under his fingers. He caressed it, rubbed it the way she liked. She arched back into him, keeping her hands on the wall. Neither of them worried about anyone passing by. He shoved aside her bra with the other hand to get at her stiff nipple. "Ah, shit, yes," she muttered. She leaned back onto his shoulder, one leg propped forward, to allow him better access. "Deeper, Trent, please," she begged.
Oh Those 2.....they love their public displays of graphic sex!
Happy Turkey Day Weekend everyone!
Liz
Hot.
HAPPY RELEASE DAY TO ME!
From Specific Gravity, my newest release in the Brewing Passion Series from Breathless Press.
"Put your hands up on the wall," he growled into her ear. She groaned in pleasure as he yanked aside her moist silk-excuse for panties under the soft leather skirt. He loved this about her—she was sexy no matter if she were dressed to kill for work or in his old college T-shirt and boxer shorts. His cock ached and strained toward her. Lisa's swollen clit was firm under his fingers. He caressed it, rubbed it the way she liked. She arched back into him, keeping her hands on the wall. Neither of them worried about anyone passing by. He shoved aside her bra with the other hand to get at her stiff nipple. "Ah, shit, yes," she muttered. She leaned back onto his shoulder, one leg propped forward, to allow him better access. "Deeper, Trent, please," she begged.
Oh Those 2.....they love their public displays of graphic sex!
Happy Turkey Day Weekend everyone!
Liz
November 23, 2011
Be Thankful for ... FREE BOOKS!
A Top Ten List
10. Reviews. They ground me. Keep me from ever getting a big head and using too many brand names in my books. Seriously.
9. Yahoo Groups.....especially the ones I piss off all the time with my PROMOS and excerpts on the wrong damn days. Jeez. I need a separate calendar for these things. But seriously I have made some good friends, found a few fans, and snagged some killer CPs thanks to a few of them!
8. Facebook. Most days. It can be an ego smasher at times, but generally it's a GREAT thing to use as an author on the promotions trail.
7. Twitter. see above. Be careful who you engage though. You never know whose famous yet fragile ego you might piss off.
6. Blogs. Because on mine I can say whatever the Eff-word I want. I can toot my own horn, prop up others, post pictures of my poodle taking a dump in the yard (not that I would)...you get the point. I love this platform. And I hope you enjoy mine (current one excluded because I'm loopy this late at night).
5. Beer. You know. Because I do. And all the hot brewery types I've used as fodder/inspiration this past year. You Know Who You Are.
4. My new Autography Program! It is the coolest damn thing ever... get one.
3. My editors and publishers: those ever suffering souls who tolerate my very rare diva moments, and my eager requests for stupid shit like "pre-orders" and "auto acceptances". I have had a killer year, thanks to Breathless Press, Rebel Ink Press and Decadent Publishing. And these 3 houses are going places, mark my words.
2. Well-estalbished authors willing to give advice and genuine support to us newbs.
And the number one thing Liz Crowe, author is thankful for...
1. Readers. Fans. All of you lovelies who read, follow and want more!
Tell the group the TOP THREE THINGS YOU ARE THANKFUL FOR and you could win a copy of XXXMas Ale, my story of last year's Holiday Party at Winter Street Brewing Co. Yeah, those folks know how to throw a party.
Oh and how about "books on sale??"Go to Smashwords all weekend long and get the Entire Turkish Delights Trilogy for 30% off! You've seen the reviews, heard me talking about this amazingly romantic and hot 1NightStand series....now go get 'em.Codes are:TURKISH DELIGHTS The code is: CF82F
BLUE CRUISE The code is: CC37T
TULIP PRINCESS The code is: EB72F
November 22, 2011
A Special Guest Across the Beer Bar--the Amazing Clarissa Yip!
Yes, yes, calm down. Clarissa is here, hang on I'll let her talk.
FIRST be sure and check out the In Between Days Blog Hop Peeps here....we are having a GREAT Tweener time between Halloween and Xmas talking about our upcoming Decadent Publishing releases...
join us!
Today, I will give away a copy of The Rookie: The story that started it all--both with my Beloved Editor Clarissa AND The Brewing Passion Series!
Liz: Welcome to the Tap Room Clarissa! Make yourself at home. What can I pour for you? I know you are a wine gal, but tell me your fav kind of wine and why and I guarantee you will like the beer I choose. I could use a glass of red wine or something. Make sure it's not too dry, please. I really like ANY wine. There's this one Italian one that I love but I can't find it around here…probably helps if I remember the name. lol. Yup, I'm a horrible drinker. I need to drink MORE often. Hmmm. Okay. Big Red Italians. I KNEW I liked you. Here, try my adorable brewer's Insolent Mink IPA...it has a cult following around here and I'm a Big Red Italian wine drinker and when he and I had "beer school" this summer he spotted me for a "hop head" a mile away based on my wine preferences. You. Will. Love. It.
Liz: You and I have spent a Significant Amount of Time together working on the Brewing Passion Series for Breathless Press…. Oh, here, have another beer…you sorta slammed that first one…I can handle a beer or two. It amazes me how many types there are and I have to say, I've learned A LOT from you about beer through your hot stories. Who the hell knew what hops were and what a pain hooking up beer machines could be? ha! I know, right? Here's the thing. I just finished "Covet" JR Ward's Fallen Angel series #1. It was okay. BUT----she mentions DOG FISH HEAD BEER not once, not twice BUT three times in that book so the irritatingly Christian Virgin Mary overtones of the thing I can get past. She knows her beer. Maybe JR's egregiously over the top usage of BRAND NAMES constantly might work in my favor and make my "brewery based" hot fiction successful?!! I think she should reach out to me...so that when I do that "Pink Boot Sisterhood" series...you know. We can cross promote and shit.
Liz: How/when did you get started in editing?Well, I've been writing for years and Breathless Press hired me last January. I've technically been professionally editing for two years but it feels like a lot longer. I was obsessed with the whole writing craft concepts. Always eager to learn more and figure out the competition in this industry. You'll be amazed at my writing library. I think I literally own a book store at home. You can find every writing book possible almost. No joke.
Liz: What is your favorite thing to eat or drink while at the computer making writers cry..I mean, "editing?"Well, coffee is a MUST! I don't do well without caffeine. And I love food. Love good food, but I can seriously snack all day…usually if I'm overly focused at times on a story, I'll forget to eat. Don't be surprised if you see me scrambling eggs around dinner time or eating cereal six in the evening.
Liz: oh your glass is empty—what can I pour you next?How about something sweet? I like muscato but I do need cake to go with it. *frowns * I only see peanuts…. Oooookay....No. Nope. Here...*pushes glass across the bar* try this. My brewer's VERY popular Pumpkin lager, brewed with cinnamon, nutmeg and dry hopped (I'll spare you the lecture) with rum-soaked vanilla beans...trust me....
Liz: What was your "erotica epiphany?" that is…what was the most memorable book you read (before becoming an editor)?That's a tough question. I'm such an avid reader. You'd be surprised at what I have read and what I haven't read. My first romance that I've ever picked up when I was nine was Kay Hooper's "Once Upon a Time…The Glass Shoe." I'm sure you can guess what that book was about, but it totally hooked me into romance. I like happily-ever-afters. Actually, I'm a sucker for them… Yes, I do edit erotic, but I see so much that it takes A LOT to 'wow' me. I'm all about the emotional conflicts and portrayals. If any book can give me that warm buzz like my first romance, then I will read it until the spine is all torn apart…or in this case, my e-reader breaks down. (I'm on my 5th ereader. It's sad.)
Liz: So we are close to the end with our Tap Room project. There is one more short story (Specific Gravity) with YOUR favorite characters in this saga. (prepare for egregious promotion slash fish for compliment). What was the best and worst thing about working with me? I WAS A newb. You have popped that cherry and made me a sexier writer, I can tell you.LMAO. Sorry, I had to get that out of my system first. You're WONDERFUL and AWESOME! No, seriously I do mean it. I really can't say there was anything bad in working with you at all. You're open-minded to suggestions, eager to improve yourself, you have the determination, drive, motivation, and perseverance to make things happen…you're almost perfect. We have a very good working relationship. What makes me happy is that you take my suggestions and advice in consideration and go beyond what I expect from you, so that makes you an awesome author. You've grown so much since The Rookie that I couldn't be more proud. Sometimes watching you launch a new release brings tears to my eyes, and I think my little girl is getting older and making a mark in the big world. (I probably could go on raving about you forever…) Most importantly is that I know you won't give up and you're making a career out of your writing and not just doing this as a passing hobby. I am very VERY PROUD of you. It makes me feel good to see you succeed. You know, all kidding aside *wipes a tear* I simultaneously anticipate and dread that "Liz Crowe_first edits_MS name" email. I KNOW you will have great suggestions and my favorites all start with "you can do better than this..." You know your shit Clarissa. And I am what I am (so far) thanks to you.
Liz: You recently hired me mum (a favorite amongst Brewing Passion followers for her keen sense of humor). How many editors do you manage? Do you like managing editors or would you rather be dealing with we Divas..erm..writers?LOL, Love Janet. I can see where you get some of your perseverance from, I'll tell you that. I actually just enjoy working with everyone in general. I love watching other editors grow, watch them build wonderful relationships with their authors. Love watching fabulous reviews come in. Most of all, I just love working with writers of all kinds too. It's interesting for me to get a glimpse into everyone's creative minds. It's nice to do different things and take a break from staring at the computer screen for 20 hours a day…even a text or phone call from my editors and authors are a welcome! (Okay, and you too!) *closes Skype Screen quickly...*
Liz: nightcap time! What's your poison?Is it bad to mix hard liquor with wine and beer? I guess I could use some champagne. We need to celebrate your new release! Specific Gravity should be out soon! You know I love me some Trent. I'll take him and maybe a margarita. I think that's what they were drinking at the bar until Lisa showed up… Oh good Christ...here we go again. This is a "BEER BAR"...TRENT would WANT you to drink a beer and might pour it for you his own hot self....So we area going to split a bit of the bourbon barrel aged Oktoberfest I have been saving for a special occasion. And this is it. My first editor. Someone who will ALWAYS be the person I run to crying, laughing or spitting mad the rest of my writing career! cheers! (Trent is eyeballing you across the room--just saying)
Liz: in The Tap Room, readers get to choose our heroine, Erin Brady's fate/future/romance….do YOU have a favorite?
*chuckle * Erin is definitely a character. That girl has issues, I'm not gonna lie. Having spent months with her and you, you both can get in some serious trouble! Let's see…my favorite? I have to say Owen. Even though he's Erin and Trent's Tap Room partner and friend, I think he deserves the most to hook up with Erin. At times I want to smack him, but he's definitely is too hot to hurt. I like Landon too, but he's too charming for me. I can see him smooth-talk any woman into the bedroom, just by breathing. You have some dangerous men surrounding Erin!
But you know my favorite is Trent! I just can't get enough of him. Ever since I met him in The Rookie, there's just something about him. (I'm not going to lie. I'm am so relieved he didn't end up with Erin, even though they did have some past history.) His relationship with Erin and Owen makes me want to hide him from all the women and whip out my claws if anyone else gets near him. And I'm soooooo HAPPY you wrote Specific Gravity. I guess I don't mind Lisa since Trent likes her…okay, love her, but he's mine! So I'm just going to recommend Erin stick with Jeff, Owen, and Landon, and leave Trent alone to me. * blinks innocently * I'm sure she won't mind. Lisa would kick her tush too.
Thanks so much for having me! Everyone needs to get themselves some Specific Gravity and The Tap Room! They'll see how hot Trent is! And congratulations on everything! You're wonderful!
There you have it ladies and gents---the one, the only Clarissa Yip is ready to fight for Trent Franklin! Star of The Rookie and Specific Gravity, releasing Friday--you know, thanks to her.
I hope to write more in this Hot Brewer Genre...stay tuned for more....
Love you girl Liz
FIRST be sure and check out the In Between Days Blog Hop Peeps here....we are having a GREAT Tweener time between Halloween and Xmas talking about our upcoming Decadent Publishing releases...
join us!
Today, I will give away a copy of The Rookie: The story that started it all--both with my Beloved Editor Clarissa AND The Brewing Passion Series!
Liz: Welcome to the Tap Room Clarissa! Make yourself at home. What can I pour for you? I know you are a wine gal, but tell me your fav kind of wine and why and I guarantee you will like the beer I choose. I could use a glass of red wine or something. Make sure it's not too dry, please. I really like ANY wine. There's this one Italian one that I love but I can't find it around here…probably helps if I remember the name. lol. Yup, I'm a horrible drinker. I need to drink MORE often. Hmmm. Okay. Big Red Italians. I KNEW I liked you. Here, try my adorable brewer's Insolent Mink IPA...it has a cult following around here and I'm a Big Red Italian wine drinker and when he and I had "beer school" this summer he spotted me for a "hop head" a mile away based on my wine preferences. You. Will. Love. It.
Liz: You and I have spent a Significant Amount of Time together working on the Brewing Passion Series for Breathless Press…. Oh, here, have another beer…you sorta slammed that first one…I can handle a beer or two. It amazes me how many types there are and I have to say, I've learned A LOT from you about beer through your hot stories. Who the hell knew what hops were and what a pain hooking up beer machines could be? ha! I know, right? Here's the thing. I just finished "Covet" JR Ward's Fallen Angel series #1. It was okay. BUT----she mentions DOG FISH HEAD BEER not once, not twice BUT three times in that book so the irritatingly Christian Virgin Mary overtones of the thing I can get past. She knows her beer. Maybe JR's egregiously over the top usage of BRAND NAMES constantly might work in my favor and make my "brewery based" hot fiction successful?!! I think she should reach out to me...so that when I do that "Pink Boot Sisterhood" series...you know. We can cross promote and shit.
Liz: How/when did you get started in editing?Well, I've been writing for years and Breathless Press hired me last January. I've technically been professionally editing for two years but it feels like a lot longer. I was obsessed with the whole writing craft concepts. Always eager to learn more and figure out the competition in this industry. You'll be amazed at my writing library. I think I literally own a book store at home. You can find every writing book possible almost. No joke.
Liz: What is your favorite thing to eat or drink while at the computer making writers cry..I mean, "editing?"Well, coffee is a MUST! I don't do well without caffeine. And I love food. Love good food, but I can seriously snack all day…usually if I'm overly focused at times on a story, I'll forget to eat. Don't be surprised if you see me scrambling eggs around dinner time or eating cereal six in the evening.
Liz: oh your glass is empty—what can I pour you next?How about something sweet? I like muscato but I do need cake to go with it. *frowns * I only see peanuts…. Oooookay....No. Nope. Here...*pushes glass across the bar* try this. My brewer's VERY popular Pumpkin lager, brewed with cinnamon, nutmeg and dry hopped (I'll spare you the lecture) with rum-soaked vanilla beans...trust me....
Liz: What was your "erotica epiphany?" that is…what was the most memorable book you read (before becoming an editor)?That's a tough question. I'm such an avid reader. You'd be surprised at what I have read and what I haven't read. My first romance that I've ever picked up when I was nine was Kay Hooper's "Once Upon a Time…The Glass Shoe." I'm sure you can guess what that book was about, but it totally hooked me into romance. I like happily-ever-afters. Actually, I'm a sucker for them… Yes, I do edit erotic, but I see so much that it takes A LOT to 'wow' me. I'm all about the emotional conflicts and portrayals. If any book can give me that warm buzz like my first romance, then I will read it until the spine is all torn apart…or in this case, my e-reader breaks down. (I'm on my 5th ereader. It's sad.)
Liz: So we are close to the end with our Tap Room project. There is one more short story (Specific Gravity) with YOUR favorite characters in this saga. (prepare for egregious promotion slash fish for compliment). What was the best and worst thing about working with me? I WAS A newb. You have popped that cherry and made me a sexier writer, I can tell you.LMAO. Sorry, I had to get that out of my system first. You're WONDERFUL and AWESOME! No, seriously I do mean it. I really can't say there was anything bad in working with you at all. You're open-minded to suggestions, eager to improve yourself, you have the determination, drive, motivation, and perseverance to make things happen…you're almost perfect. We have a very good working relationship. What makes me happy is that you take my suggestions and advice in consideration and go beyond what I expect from you, so that makes you an awesome author. You've grown so much since The Rookie that I couldn't be more proud. Sometimes watching you launch a new release brings tears to my eyes, and I think my little girl is getting older and making a mark in the big world. (I probably could go on raving about you forever…) Most importantly is that I know you won't give up and you're making a career out of your writing and not just doing this as a passing hobby. I am very VERY PROUD of you. It makes me feel good to see you succeed. You know, all kidding aside *wipes a tear* I simultaneously anticipate and dread that "Liz Crowe_first edits_MS name" email. I KNOW you will have great suggestions and my favorites all start with "you can do better than this..." You know your shit Clarissa. And I am what I am (so far) thanks to you.
Liz: You recently hired me mum (a favorite amongst Brewing Passion followers for her keen sense of humor). How many editors do you manage? Do you like managing editors or would you rather be dealing with we Divas..erm..writers?LOL, Love Janet. I can see where you get some of your perseverance from, I'll tell you that. I actually just enjoy working with everyone in general. I love watching other editors grow, watch them build wonderful relationships with their authors. Love watching fabulous reviews come in. Most of all, I just love working with writers of all kinds too. It's interesting for me to get a glimpse into everyone's creative minds. It's nice to do different things and take a break from staring at the computer screen for 20 hours a day…even a text or phone call from my editors and authors are a welcome! (Okay, and you too!) *closes Skype Screen quickly...*
Liz: nightcap time! What's your poison?Is it bad to mix hard liquor with wine and beer? I guess I could use some champagne. We need to celebrate your new release! Specific Gravity should be out soon! You know I love me some Trent. I'll take him and maybe a margarita. I think that's what they were drinking at the bar until Lisa showed up… Oh good Christ...here we go again. This is a "BEER BAR"...TRENT would WANT you to drink a beer and might pour it for you his own hot self....So we area going to split a bit of the bourbon barrel aged Oktoberfest I have been saving for a special occasion. And this is it. My first editor. Someone who will ALWAYS be the person I run to crying, laughing or spitting mad the rest of my writing career! cheers! (Trent is eyeballing you across the room--just saying)
Liz: in The Tap Room, readers get to choose our heroine, Erin Brady's fate/future/romance….do YOU have a favorite?
*chuckle * Erin is definitely a character. That girl has issues, I'm not gonna lie. Having spent months with her and you, you both can get in some serious trouble! Let's see…my favorite? I have to say Owen. Even though he's Erin and Trent's Tap Room partner and friend, I think he deserves the most to hook up with Erin. At times I want to smack him, but he's definitely is too hot to hurt. I like Landon too, but he's too charming for me. I can see him smooth-talk any woman into the bedroom, just by breathing. You have some dangerous men surrounding Erin!
But you know my favorite is Trent! I just can't get enough of him. Ever since I met him in The Rookie, there's just something about him. (I'm not going to lie. I'm am so relieved he didn't end up with Erin, even though they did have some past history.) His relationship with Erin and Owen makes me want to hide him from all the women and whip out my claws if anyone else gets near him. And I'm soooooo HAPPY you wrote Specific Gravity. I guess I don't mind Lisa since Trent likes her…okay, love her, but he's mine! So I'm just going to recommend Erin stick with Jeff, Owen, and Landon, and leave Trent alone to me. * blinks innocently * I'm sure she won't mind. Lisa would kick her tush too.
Thanks so much for having me! Everyone needs to get themselves some Specific Gravity and The Tap Room! They'll see how hot Trent is! And congratulations on everything! You're wonderful!
There you have it ladies and gents---the one, the only Clarissa Yip is ready to fight for Trent Franklin! Star of The Rookie and Specific Gravity, releasing Friday--you know, thanks to her.
I hope to write more in this Hot Brewer Genre...stay tuned for more....
Love you girl Liz
November 21, 2011
Hey Karma Fairy--Stomp on This!
Okay. I had a very very very strange week last week.
On the One Hand:I had 2 books release. Two books that I loved writing, that have gave me much happiness creating and even more promoting. Blue Cruise and Tulip Princess are the 2nd and 3rd in the Turkish Delights Trilogy. One--Blue Cruise-- is m/m (my first) and the other--Tulip Princess--BDSM, heavy on the D/s relationship. They are doing well on the Decadent site I am told and I am so glad. If you love pretty quick reads (the longest is Tulip Princess at just under 20k words), deep emotional connections and relationship building between characters, and some, uh, verra hot sex, check 'em out.
On the other hand, I got ego stomped not once, not twice, but three times. That's right. The Big R.Rejection. With a couple of kind words, but still: Rejection.
Sigh.Makes you evaluate your place in the universe really. And I let it utterly stifle me at a time when I needed to do nothing BUT jump back on the horse that had tossed me off on Monday, stomped on my hand on Thursday then backed up to hit the other hand on Friday afternoon. Damn horse.
But as with most things it is ultimately a Learning Experience. I've learned that:1. I'm not as great as I thought and 2. I may be destined for self publishing.
Both of these things are disheartening and empowering at the same time. If I allow myself to be told "wow, GREAT story not for us" and "Gosh I know how hard you worked on this but..." OR even given the classic Formula Rejection after a full 16 week wait...and don't take it to heart will I'm some sort of writer-bot with no feelings whatsoever. If however I can move past it through a long weekend of self-flagellation and create something like I'm doing now (see below for a taste) then by God I have learned something. I'm a newb. An infant. A raw rookie in this biz, no matter how many books and stories I crank out in a 6 months period. Real Rejection had yet to fall in my lap.
So, let's say Karma owes me a skosh of good news this week. And I'm superstitious enough to think it might happen.
In the meantime allow me to introduce Trent and Lisa. Trent is 1/3 of the ownership of Winter Street Brewing Company. Erin Brady is another owner and her story is fully told in my choose your romance novel: The Tap Room that released September 30 from Breathless Press. Trent's story, however, was the first book I got published. The Rookie is the uber hot moment he met Lisa, the woman of his dreams, even if he didn't realize it at the time. Specific Gravity is their Big Moment. Just like "specific gravity" is a crucial turning point in the brewing process when you measure what the ultimate ABV (alcohol by volume) number will be based on your original recipe, Trent and Lisa have a "moment" where they most both confront personal demons and emerge on the other side, happy. Be it together, or not.
BLURB:Trent and Lisa have a sizzling hot physical relationship. Ever since they first met, it's been a non-stop hands-on fest. Perfect for him, he thinks, coming off a rancorous divorce. But lately, it feels like something more…and it terrifies him.Lisa knows Trent is the man she wants, but is too independent and stubborn to make him believe it. He has to figure it out on his own. Their shared love of craft beer and specific expertise in the business do make them a good match, and the sex? It's off the charts."Specific Gravity" is a crucial moment in the beer brewing process—a turning point upon which successful outcomes depend. Lisa hopes Trent will go to the next level with her, but isn't about to force him, but the moment of truth has arrived. Can he admit his true feelings before it's too late?
IF you are a Trent fan, like my Editor...you will Love This One!
And just as a tease ... a few early 'graphs from "Menage A Brew" which I may submit and I may just give away here on the Brewing Passion Blog!Leave a comment! Win a copy of The Rookie--the Story that started the entire Brewing Passion series!
Jonas knew he'd hit the jackpot. Truly. Finally, a gig at a major craft brewery. Granted he'd had to move three hundred miles from his home, liquidate every penny of his savings and leave behind everything and everyone he loved. But it was his dream.
As second in charge at Prufrock Brewing in Grand Rapids, Michigan he was one step from his goal: running his own show as head brewer. He smiled to himself and put his back into the task at hand. God knows he'd shoveled out pounds of spent mash in his lifetime. But here, using the heavy metal scoop to empty the thirty barrels worth of soaking wet grains left behind in the first stage of the brewing process he had never been happier in his entire damn existence.
"Hey! You!"
The shout echoed through the ten thousand square foot brewery like it was the grand canyon. Jonas winced and turned, leaning back on the scoop that stuck out of the mash tun's open door. A tall, imposing figure strode towards him. His boss. One Marko Augustus Gebhardt, bona fide brew master from Vienna, recently named brewer of the year at the National Brewing Awards in Denver. And one of the hottest things on two, brewery coverall-clad legs. Jonas winced at the look of anger in the man's eyes and tried to ignore his own response to tall, blonde and exceedingly hot headed straight towards him with ass chewing in his eyes.
"Ya. You. With the ridiculous hat." Jonas touched his cap. It had been his good luck charm for the last five years of utter personal chaos. He narrowed his eyes at the man. "You are doing that...wrong."
Jonas gaped at him and tried not to protest when six foot eight of incredibly beautiful man reached out for him, then past him to yank the metal trowel from the open door of the brewing vessel. How in God's name did you scoop spent mash...wrong?
The man's broad shoulders rippled under his black brewery coveralls as he manipulated the shovel in and around the inside of the large stainless steel brewing container. He kept up a constant stream of muttering and, Jonas assumed German curses as he finished Jonas' job for him. He'd never felt so useless, emasulated even. The asshole had a nerve. Over just a routine, mundane brewery job. Jonas let his anger replace the lust he'd had bubbling up in his chest.
"Hey, ah, Marko, that's great and all but.." Jonas took an involuntary step back when the man whirled on him, sweat beading on his exposed forearms and starting to drip off the ends of his long blond hair. The look in his bright blue eyes was one of frustration, tinged with desperation.
"Um, sorry. Please, be my guest." Jonas knew better than anyone how much the physical parts of this job could be cathartic. Far be it from him to keep Prufrock's award winning, German imported brewer from exercising his demons over sixty pounds or so of smelly, heavy, wet grains. He sat back on the stack of malt sacks and decided to just admire the view a moment. It was pleasant, that was certain. With every turn and pull of the shovel, Marko's coveralls hugged his luscious ass and accentuated the breadth of his shoulders relative to the narrowness of his waist. Jonas sighed and tilted his head. Useless, he knew. The man had a class A pussy chasing reputation. Hetero through and through. Hell, rumor had it was banging Helena, one of the owners of Prufrock on a regular basis.
oh...but is he????
I'll let you know, eventuallyMake it a GREAT Monday and a GREAT Thanksgiving week!remember--The Rookie--up for grabs!
November 20, 2011
Sexy Tulip Six
From my latest release: Tulip Princess. Third in the Turkish Delights Trilogy from Decadent Publishing:
Lale (pronounced "Lah-Lay") is about to get a surprise from her parents. She is going to get to make that trip to visit her brother in America. Just not under the best of circumstances....
She twisted out of her mother's embrace and stomped into the kitchen, seeking the whiskey always hidden in a cabinet. The family held onto enough of her mother's American heritage not to ban alcohol from the house like many did. She found it, poured all four of them a shot and brought them back into the living room. They took the small glasses without a word while she gulped hers and plunked the glass down. "So, what now?"Her parents gave each other a look as Lale crossed her arms, prepared for whatever huge announcement she sensed on the Deniz family horizon.
Thanks for stopping and all your great comments so far!
be sure and check out more great writers at:
Six Sentence Sunday
Lale (pronounced "Lah-Lay") is about to get a surprise from her parents. She is going to get to make that trip to visit her brother in America. Just not under the best of circumstances....
She twisted out of her mother's embrace and stomped into the kitchen, seeking the whiskey always hidden in a cabinet. The family held onto enough of her mother's American heritage not to ban alcohol from the house like many did. She found it, poured all four of them a shot and brought them back into the living room. They took the small glasses without a word while she gulped hers and plunked the glass down. "So, what now?"Her parents gave each other a look as Lale crossed her arms, prepared for whatever huge announcement she sensed on the Deniz family horizon.
Thanks for stopping and all your great comments so far!
be sure and check out more great writers at:
Six Sentence Sunday
November 18, 2011
A Dozen Naughty Tulips....With One Hot Greek
Greetings! To celebrate the release of the third in the Turkish Delights trilogy today I'm bringing you a hot meeting between my tortured heroine (Lale--pronounced 'Lah-lay' which means "beautiful tulip" in Turkish) and the man she doesn't know yet is her magical date set up by Madame Eve at the 1NightStand service! Andreas Michos: "Tall, dark and delicious doesn't even scratch the surface..."
check it out:
Lale gaped in surprise as an impossibly large hand wrapped itself around her stalker's neck, nearly lifting him into the air. "I think you need to leave." The huge, gorgeous man who'd been staring at her earlier kept a grip on the guy's neck. With a stare of terror at the giant manhandling him, the skinny creep bolted. The other man turned to Lale. She sucked air, frozen with fear, and no small amount of lust at the specimen in front of her. Something gave out around the area of her knees and she made a concentrated effort not to fall to the floor in front of him. "And you need to not act like that--it only attracts assholes." He had a curious accented lilt to his deep voice...familiar, but not, at the same time. Her scalp tingled at his tone. "Well thanks, but you can spare me the advice. I'll act any way I want."
And you know what....because it's my release day....here are a few MORE BONUS LINES...because you KNOW you wanna know what happens next!
He took one step into her space, grabbed her wrists and pinned them over her head against the wall. She squirmed, but his gaze held her still. The marble felt good, cool to her overheated skin. Lale prepared for his lips as he leaned toward her. Couldn't wait to get a taste. But he bypassed them and whispered in her ear. "If you were mine, you'd never act like that again." She shivered and had to clench her thighs together against the heat that gathered between them. Trying to marshal defiance to his comment, she stared up at him. His very presence provoked the oddest sensation—almost a melting feeling—inside. But no one talked to her that way, no matter how huge, or hot, or utterly kissable. "Well, good thing for us I'm not yours. I belong to nobody." Her heart pounded in her ears. He was…incredible. And Greek. She suddenly placed the gentle swell of his accent in her ear. Now this could get interesting. Lale pictured her grandmother's horror if she told them she'd married a huge Greek. Married? Jesus, that's a bit of a leap, isn't it?
I'd leap....wouldn't you?
You can buy Tulip Princess, and the other 2 in the series, Turkish Delights and Blue Cruise Here.
AND WISH ME A HAPPY RELEASE DAY FOR TULIP PRINCESS!FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2011
check it out:
Lale gaped in surprise as an impossibly large hand wrapped itself around her stalker's neck, nearly lifting him into the air. "I think you need to leave." The huge, gorgeous man who'd been staring at her earlier kept a grip on the guy's neck. With a stare of terror at the giant manhandling him, the skinny creep bolted. The other man turned to Lale. She sucked air, frozen with fear, and no small amount of lust at the specimen in front of her. Something gave out around the area of her knees and she made a concentrated effort not to fall to the floor in front of him. "And you need to not act like that--it only attracts assholes." He had a curious accented lilt to his deep voice...familiar, but not, at the same time. Her scalp tingled at his tone. "Well thanks, but you can spare me the advice. I'll act any way I want."
And you know what....because it's my release day....here are a few MORE BONUS LINES...because you KNOW you wanna know what happens next!
He took one step into her space, grabbed her wrists and pinned them over her head against the wall. She squirmed, but his gaze held her still. The marble felt good, cool to her overheated skin. Lale prepared for his lips as he leaned toward her. Couldn't wait to get a taste. But he bypassed them and whispered in her ear. "If you were mine, you'd never act like that again." She shivered and had to clench her thighs together against the heat that gathered between them. Trying to marshal defiance to his comment, she stared up at him. His very presence provoked the oddest sensation—almost a melting feeling—inside. But no one talked to her that way, no matter how huge, or hot, or utterly kissable. "Well, good thing for us I'm not yours. I belong to nobody." Her heart pounded in her ears. He was…incredible. And Greek. She suddenly placed the gentle swell of his accent in her ear. Now this could get interesting. Lale pictured her grandmother's horror if she told them she'd married a huge Greek. Married? Jesus, that's a bit of a leap, isn't it?
I'd leap....wouldn't you?You can buy Tulip Princess, and the other 2 in the series, Turkish Delights and Blue Cruise Here.
AND WISH ME A HAPPY RELEASE DAY FOR TULIP PRINCESS!FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2011
November 17, 2011
Pride and Domination
Greetings! Fresh off a busy release day for Blue Cruise I have an AMAZING review to share:
this from Queer Magazine Online....
[image error] Commented by Serena Yates November 15, 2011
Last updated: November 15, 2011
#1 Reviewer - View all my reviewsBLUE CRUISE (A 1 NIGHT STAND STORY) BY LIZ CROWEThis story is about letting go of the past, finding new love and starting afresh. It is an interesting mix between getting to know that past rather intimately in the first half then telling the story of how Caleb finds a new beginning. At first I thought it was strange to spend so much time (comparatively speaking) on the story with Tarkan. But the interesting thing was that it enabled me to identify all the more closely with Caleb. I have been through his relationship with Tarkan, as it were, and my ability to 'suffer his loss with him', so to speak, was much higher.
If you like short stories with a lot of emotion, some very hot sex scenes and an uplifting message, you will probably like this one. Especially as it comes with quite some depth for a story this short, some great Mediterranean scenery and characters I liked and felt for.It's funny she mentions it but I did delve deep into Tarkan's story on a 2nd editing round. I felt that there just wasn't enough "there" for the reader to be able identify with relative to Caleb's heartbreak and subsequent recovery. Validation! And no small measure of excitement.
OH and here's another one just in for Blue Cruise....from http://www.bethannmason.com/blogFirst, let me start by saying, read Turkish Delights first! Some books in a series can be read as stand-alone books. This one can't really, though Liz tried! Second, a tissue warning. The book will break your heart well before you're a quarter of the way into it. Third, this is the hardest Wednesday review I've written to date, because I sincerely do not want to spoil any of the book for the readers, but I want to be able to share it with you! Finally, pay attention! I had to really dig in and pay attention to the first half of the book and I'm glad I did! It was well worth it later on.Here's the hard part – the spoiler alert! – Liz opens Blue Cruise with a one-two TKO punch. It leaves you looking around the room saying, "wait! what the hell just happened?!" (Did you miss the part where I said "pay attention?") She knocks her main character, Caleb, right down to the mats and wills you to believe that he's never getting back up. Of course, he has a meddling best friend that's really more like a sister, who has to finally intervene and kick his butt into pulling his life back together and even forces him to wade back into the relationship waters again. Ultimately, Liz brings Caleb back full circle, as any good writer would with lots of bumps and knocks along the way.Liz has a very unique writing style. I think she's out to invent her very own niche in the writing world. Never could I compare her to any of my other favorite authors in any way. She never starts a book the way you expect. There's no formula there – its raw creativity and talent, and I love it. [image error] [image error] [image error] [image error]
I'm here to chat a bit about Domination. It's hot topic, at least in romance writing circles. Nothing sells better right now EXCEPT m/m...oh and "shifters." I don't know that I will ever write a shifter story. But I've recently tried my hand at both m/m and D/s within the Turkish Delights trilogy. I've done a fair bit of reading for both. The most succinct and to the point definitions I've found are at
www.domsub.info:
Dominance (also called Domination) - In terms of BDSM [Bondage · Discipline · Sadism · Masochism] and D/s, this term refers to taking control of a person or situation through usage of some means (such as physical, mental, financial, etc), or to exercise this power. A person who exercises this power on a regular basis, outside of BDSM scenes, is called a Dominant; the gender specific titles being Dom or Master for a man, Domme, Mistress, or Dominatrix for a woman. submission - In BDSM and D/s, this refers to the act of yielding to something or someone; also refers to the state of submitting. This may be through the manipulation of a Dominant or Top. Typically, someone who submits on a regular basis, outside of a BDSM scene, is referred to as a submissive. Submissives who submit to an extreme degree are called slaves.
Intriguing. I read on a bit and found that "trust" is a key component of a true, successful D/s relationship. When I created Lale, Emre and Tarkan's little sis from the Turkish Delights series, she had Domme written all over her... BUT....her extreme lack of trust in anything and everything around her since tragedy takes a family member makes her vulnerable. When the right Dom shows up in her life, it seems she will switch. But it's bound to come with some struggle. Luckily, love will out (this IS a romance book you ninny) but not without some serious confrontation and heat!I so enjoyed writing this series. The buzz is good so far. I hope you get a chance to read it too! Send me your feedback in a comment and I'll contact you by email if you want to chat further.Tulip Princess:
Lale Deniz was always prone to wildness. But when her family is ripped apart at the seams, she becomes more reckless than ever. Desperate to stop her self-destructive slide, her parents step in and send her to America to live with her brother, Emre. Just the chance, she thinks, to escape the tragedy suffusing her Istanbul home. Andreas Michos, Greek former NFL star, the recently divorced athletic director at UNLV, floats through life seeking fulfillment. He has reason to doubt his own abilities as a natural Dom and has given up finding his perfect mate. Until he agrees to a 1Night Stand. Set against a backdrop of ancient cultural clashes and Mediterranean family dynamics, Lale and Andreas meet in Las Vegas at the Castillo resort for their date. But it seems Madame Eve and destiny will both fail this time. Unless Lale and Andreas are willing to relinquish enough control to discover what happiness can be found inside the soul of the other. Will stubbornness keep them from connecting, or can they let go long enough to heal?
VERY HOT EXXXCERPT: He walked her over to the custom table that doubled as his spanking bench. The dark walnut frame gleamed, and the removable mattress and restraints at each corner and in the middle made her frown and worry that lip piercing again. He tried to stay calm and focused. "Take off your shirt and bra. Leave your skirt and shoes on. And bend over this table, holding your arms out." She stared at the table then at him with disbelief. "No fucking way." She muttered at the floor. "I told you didn't….""Bend over it now, Princess." He used his most commanding voice. "I promise you it will be worth it." It worked. He licked his lips as she huffed and puffed, but proceeded to strip out of her shirt and bra. His breath caught at the utter magnificence of her full breasts. They were tipped with dark chocolate-colored, rock hard nipples. She leaned over the table that accommodated a six-foot-six-inch Master and his cock, and held her hands out. "Now what?" Her tone remained a little too sassy for his taste. He strolled slowly over to the other side of the table and wrapped a thin leather tie around her wrists. She glared at him. He patted her head, ran a finger down her face, then made his way back to her backside. Putting a hand on the smooth skin of her ass, semi-exposed thanks to her short skirt, he sighed. Oh God, this was going to be rough. Mainly on him. He ran his hand down one long, smooth thigh, then back up. Using both hands, he caressed her hips, gripped her waist, and ground his painfully erect rod against her nearly bare bottom. She wiggled and arched her back. When he brought his palm down hard against the skin of her left ass cheek, she screeched in protest and tried to sit up. He stayed pressed against her, kept one hand on her upper back, immobilizing her enough to gauge her true reaction. When she didn't cry out or struggle, he did it again. The smack of skin on skin made him shiver in anticipation. She only whimpered that time, so he moved his other hand to her hair, twining his fingers in it and holding on tight. He spanked her again, and again, just hard enough to make noise, not enough to make it truly hurt. That wasn't the goal tonight. Each time, she grew quieter until he finally stopped. Their combined ragged breathing echoed in the room. Her incredible heart-shaped ass glowed red, finger marked and sexy as hell. He gulped, knelt behind her, and pressed his lips to the angry skin. She moaned and sniffled. "That hurt," she mumbled. He looked up to assess her reaction and smiled at the sight of her with her head turned, eyes closed, but with a calm face. He reached under the sorry excuse for a skirt and hooked a finger in her thong. "Don't ever wear these again," he growled. With a quick flick of his wrist, the flimsy fabric ripped and fell down around her ankles. He stepped back, took in the amazing sight. "Spread your legs more, I want to taste." He could barely hear his own whisper. She shifted and did as he said. When he knelt and dipped his tongue into her already dripping pussy, tasted her essence, lapped at her delicate pink lips, just like the petals of her namesake flower, he realized he had found the one. He heard her groan when he took the tiny ball that pierced her clit between his teeth and tugged slightly. God help him, he had to have her, all of her. He'd put in the effort. It would be worth it. And so far, she seemed amenable to the new experiences. "Fuck me," she mumbled, arching her hips up more. He stopped what he was doing, with reluctance and stood, watching her juices drip down one smooth thigh. His body heated up at the sight. He put a hand on his cock, which twitched and jerked in anticipation. "Please, Andreas. Please make me come. I can't…I haven't…oh, God!" She cried out when he plunged two fingers deep inside her walls, reaching up just under her pubic bone. His fingers were caught tight as her velvety pussy clamped down on him. He moaned and nipped at her ass, letting her lust permeate his every pore.
uh huh...who needs a hot shower now?Tulip Princess: releasing from Decadent Publishing Friday, November 18, 2011.www.decadentpublishing.com
make it a great Thursday....!Liz
this from Queer Magazine Online....
[image error] Commented by Serena Yates November 15, 2011
Last updated: November 15, 2011
#1 Reviewer - View all my reviewsBLUE CRUISE (A 1 NIGHT STAND STORY) BY LIZ CROWEThis story is about letting go of the past, finding new love and starting afresh. It is an interesting mix between getting to know that past rather intimately in the first half then telling the story of how Caleb finds a new beginning. At first I thought it was strange to spend so much time (comparatively speaking) on the story with Tarkan. But the interesting thing was that it enabled me to identify all the more closely with Caleb. I have been through his relationship with Tarkan, as it were, and my ability to 'suffer his loss with him', so to speak, was much higher.
If you like short stories with a lot of emotion, some very hot sex scenes and an uplifting message, you will probably like this one. Especially as it comes with quite some depth for a story this short, some great Mediterranean scenery and characters I liked and felt for.It's funny she mentions it but I did delve deep into Tarkan's story on a 2nd editing round. I felt that there just wasn't enough "there" for the reader to be able identify with relative to Caleb's heartbreak and subsequent recovery. Validation! And no small measure of excitement.
OH and here's another one just in for Blue Cruise....from http://www.bethannmason.com/blogFirst, let me start by saying, read Turkish Delights first! Some books in a series can be read as stand-alone books. This one can't really, though Liz tried! Second, a tissue warning. The book will break your heart well before you're a quarter of the way into it. Third, this is the hardest Wednesday review I've written to date, because I sincerely do not want to spoil any of the book for the readers, but I want to be able to share it with you! Finally, pay attention! I had to really dig in and pay attention to the first half of the book and I'm glad I did! It was well worth it later on.Here's the hard part – the spoiler alert! – Liz opens Blue Cruise with a one-two TKO punch. It leaves you looking around the room saying, "wait! what the hell just happened?!" (Did you miss the part where I said "pay attention?") She knocks her main character, Caleb, right down to the mats and wills you to believe that he's never getting back up. Of course, he has a meddling best friend that's really more like a sister, who has to finally intervene and kick his butt into pulling his life back together and even forces him to wade back into the relationship waters again. Ultimately, Liz brings Caleb back full circle, as any good writer would with lots of bumps and knocks along the way.Liz has a very unique writing style. I think she's out to invent her very own niche in the writing world. Never could I compare her to any of my other favorite authors in any way. She never starts a book the way you expect. There's no formula there – its raw creativity and talent, and I love it. [image error] [image error] [image error] [image error]
I'm here to chat a bit about Domination. It's hot topic, at least in romance writing circles. Nothing sells better right now EXCEPT m/m...oh and "shifters." I don't know that I will ever write a shifter story. But I've recently tried my hand at both m/m and D/s within the Turkish Delights trilogy. I've done a fair bit of reading for both. The most succinct and to the point definitions I've found are at
www.domsub.info:Dominance (also called Domination) - In terms of BDSM [Bondage · Discipline · Sadism · Masochism] and D/s, this term refers to taking control of a person or situation through usage of some means (such as physical, mental, financial, etc), or to exercise this power. A person who exercises this power on a regular basis, outside of BDSM scenes, is called a Dominant; the gender specific titles being Dom or Master for a man, Domme, Mistress, or Dominatrix for a woman. submission - In BDSM and D/s, this refers to the act of yielding to something or someone; also refers to the state of submitting. This may be through the manipulation of a Dominant or Top. Typically, someone who submits on a regular basis, outside of a BDSM scene, is referred to as a submissive. Submissives who submit to an extreme degree are called slaves.
Intriguing. I read on a bit and found that "trust" is a key component of a true, successful D/s relationship. When I created Lale, Emre and Tarkan's little sis from the Turkish Delights series, she had Domme written all over her... BUT....her extreme lack of trust in anything and everything around her since tragedy takes a family member makes her vulnerable. When the right Dom shows up in her life, it seems she will switch. But it's bound to come with some struggle. Luckily, love will out (this IS a romance book you ninny) but not without some serious confrontation and heat!I so enjoyed writing this series. The buzz is good so far. I hope you get a chance to read it too! Send me your feedback in a comment and I'll contact you by email if you want to chat further.Tulip Princess:
Lale Deniz was always prone to wildness. But when her family is ripped apart at the seams, she becomes more reckless than ever. Desperate to stop her self-destructive slide, her parents step in and send her to America to live with her brother, Emre. Just the chance, she thinks, to escape the tragedy suffusing her Istanbul home. Andreas Michos, Greek former NFL star, the recently divorced athletic director at UNLV, floats through life seeking fulfillment. He has reason to doubt his own abilities as a natural Dom and has given up finding his perfect mate. Until he agrees to a 1Night Stand. Set against a backdrop of ancient cultural clashes and Mediterranean family dynamics, Lale and Andreas meet in Las Vegas at the Castillo resort for their date. But it seems Madame Eve and destiny will both fail this time. Unless Lale and Andreas are willing to relinquish enough control to discover what happiness can be found inside the soul of the other. Will stubbornness keep them from connecting, or can they let go long enough to heal?
VERY HOT EXXXCERPT: He walked her over to the custom table that doubled as his spanking bench. The dark walnut frame gleamed, and the removable mattress and restraints at each corner and in the middle made her frown and worry that lip piercing again. He tried to stay calm and focused. "Take off your shirt and bra. Leave your skirt and shoes on. And bend over this table, holding your arms out." She stared at the table then at him with disbelief. "No fucking way." She muttered at the floor. "I told you didn't….""Bend over it now, Princess." He used his most commanding voice. "I promise you it will be worth it." It worked. He licked his lips as she huffed and puffed, but proceeded to strip out of her shirt and bra. His breath caught at the utter magnificence of her full breasts. They were tipped with dark chocolate-colored, rock hard nipples. She leaned over the table that accommodated a six-foot-six-inch Master and his cock, and held her hands out. "Now what?" Her tone remained a little too sassy for his taste. He strolled slowly over to the other side of the table and wrapped a thin leather tie around her wrists. She glared at him. He patted her head, ran a finger down her face, then made his way back to her backside. Putting a hand on the smooth skin of her ass, semi-exposed thanks to her short skirt, he sighed. Oh God, this was going to be rough. Mainly on him. He ran his hand down one long, smooth thigh, then back up. Using both hands, he caressed her hips, gripped her waist, and ground his painfully erect rod against her nearly bare bottom. She wiggled and arched her back. When he brought his palm down hard against the skin of her left ass cheek, she screeched in protest and tried to sit up. He stayed pressed against her, kept one hand on her upper back, immobilizing her enough to gauge her true reaction. When she didn't cry out or struggle, he did it again. The smack of skin on skin made him shiver in anticipation. She only whimpered that time, so he moved his other hand to her hair, twining his fingers in it and holding on tight. He spanked her again, and again, just hard enough to make noise, not enough to make it truly hurt. That wasn't the goal tonight. Each time, she grew quieter until he finally stopped. Their combined ragged breathing echoed in the room. Her incredible heart-shaped ass glowed red, finger marked and sexy as hell. He gulped, knelt behind her, and pressed his lips to the angry skin. She moaned and sniffled. "That hurt," she mumbled. He looked up to assess her reaction and smiled at the sight of her with her head turned, eyes closed, but with a calm face. He reached under the sorry excuse for a skirt and hooked a finger in her thong. "Don't ever wear these again," he growled. With a quick flick of his wrist, the flimsy fabric ripped and fell down around her ankles. He stepped back, took in the amazing sight. "Spread your legs more, I want to taste." He could barely hear his own whisper. She shifted and did as he said. When he knelt and dipped his tongue into her already dripping pussy, tasted her essence, lapped at her delicate pink lips, just like the petals of her namesake flower, he realized he had found the one. He heard her groan when he took the tiny ball that pierced her clit between his teeth and tugged slightly. God help him, he had to have her, all of her. He'd put in the effort. It would be worth it. And so far, she seemed amenable to the new experiences. "Fuck me," she mumbled, arching her hips up more. He stopped what he was doing, with reluctance and stood, watching her juices drip down one smooth thigh. His body heated up at the sight. He put a hand on his cock, which twitched and jerked in anticipation. "Please, Andreas. Please make me come. I can't…I haven't…oh, God!" She cried out when he plunged two fingers deep inside her walls, reaching up just under her pubic bone. His fingers were caught tight as her velvety pussy clamped down on him. He moaned and nipped at her ass, letting her lust permeate his every pore.
uh huh...who needs a hot shower now?Tulip Princess: releasing from Decadent Publishing Friday, November 18, 2011.www.decadentpublishing.com
make it a great Thursday....!Liz
November 14, 2011
Cruisin' On Release Day!
Greetings all you fine followers/watchers/lurker/stalkers!
Today is the release day for my very first male/male romance: Blue Cruise. It's a sequel to Turkish Delights that was released last week and has it's own sequel: Tulip Princess coming out this Friday.
I have always loved a well written m/m story. Beautifully drawn word pictures of men in love can be some of the hottest erotic fiction going, unless you are pre-disposed to not like it. I know this because I am pre-disposed not to like lesbian love stories. Don't ask me why. I've read some that were pretty compelling but something about it just does not do it for me. And I am one of those folks who has done a little, ah, experimentation both in college where it is sort of required, and later in life, spicing things up as it were.
And I can safely say I am neither bi- nor curious. But tolerant.
I had to explain to a few hetero male skeptics that women who love reading about men who love each other is very akin to their getting all drool-faced over watching 2 or more women making out. Of COURSE those women are gorgeous sexy and hot. They are meant to turn you on. So of COURSE the men in our stories are gorgeous sexy and hot. They are also meant to turn readers on.
I have my favorite authors, and some I would never read again. But let's just say that while I don't plan to "specialize" in this...I love creating a hot sex scene between men...and love even more creating deep, emotional connections between them.
For Blue Cruise, I am telling "Caleb's story." Caleb Blessing is the personal assistant to Elle Kensington, the cougar who gets her man (Emre) in Turkish Delights. Caleb and Emre's brother, Tarkan have been in a committed relationship for years but Tarkan struggles with his somewhat traditional values and his very traditional Turkish family. By the time he finally admits who he is and brings Caleb into the family, fate intervenes for everyone and a key character is swept from everyone's lives in the blink of an eye.
Now Caleb must heal. But how?
It's hot. And sad. And one of my favorites.
Get Your Copy Here!
And stay tuned...Emre and Tarkan's little sister Lale (pronounced "Lah-Lay") has her own story to tell...and it's a real emotional roller coaster.
Tulip Princess:
Lale Deniz, young, drifting and prone to wildness that her Turkish family doesn't understand is seeking something to help reestablish control over her life. Her beloved brother Tarkan has tragically exited her world. His twin lives far away in America with his growing family. When Elle, Emre's wife has a scary brush with death, Lale is dispatched to California to help with their five-year old daughter. But a recovering Elle has plans for Lale that include a magical 1NightStand.
Andreas Michos, Greek former NFL star, now athletic director at UNLV also floats through life seeking fulfillment. His ex-wife and sexual sub left him when he took away the limelight of football stardom. He doubts his own abilities anymore and has given up finding an outlet for his natural Dom.
Set against a backdrop of ancient cultural clashes and Mediterranean family dynamics, Lale and Andreas do meet in Las Vegas at the famous Castillos resort for a date. But it appears destined to fail. Unless they are both willing to relinquish control and discover what can be found inside the soul of another.
And we are STILL HOPPING In Between Days!check out all these amazingly talented Decadent Publishing Authors!Liz
Today is the release day for my very first male/male romance: Blue Cruise. It's a sequel to Turkish Delights that was released last week and has it's own sequel: Tulip Princess coming out this Friday.
I have always loved a well written m/m story. Beautifully drawn word pictures of men in love can be some of the hottest erotic fiction going, unless you are pre-disposed to not like it. I know this because I am pre-disposed not to like lesbian love stories. Don't ask me why. I've read some that were pretty compelling but something about it just does not do it for me. And I am one of those folks who has done a little, ah, experimentation both in college where it is sort of required, and later in life, spicing things up as it were.
And I can safely say I am neither bi- nor curious. But tolerant.
I had to explain to a few hetero male skeptics that women who love reading about men who love each other is very akin to their getting all drool-faced over watching 2 or more women making out. Of COURSE those women are gorgeous sexy and hot. They are meant to turn you on. So of COURSE the men in our stories are gorgeous sexy and hot. They are also meant to turn readers on.
I have my favorite authors, and some I would never read again. But let's just say that while I don't plan to "specialize" in this...I love creating a hot sex scene between men...and love even more creating deep, emotional connections between them.
For Blue Cruise, I am telling "Caleb's story." Caleb Blessing is the personal assistant to Elle Kensington, the cougar who gets her man (Emre) in Turkish Delights. Caleb and Emre's brother, Tarkan have been in a committed relationship for years but Tarkan struggles with his somewhat traditional values and his very traditional Turkish family. By the time he finally admits who he is and brings Caleb into the family, fate intervenes for everyone and a key character is swept from everyone's lives in the blink of an eye.
Now Caleb must heal. But how?
It's hot. And sad. And one of my favorites.
Get Your Copy Here!
And stay tuned...Emre and Tarkan's little sister Lale (pronounced "Lah-Lay") has her own story to tell...and it's a real emotional roller coaster.
Tulip Princess:
Lale Deniz, young, drifting and prone to wildness that her Turkish family doesn't understand is seeking something to help reestablish control over her life. Her beloved brother Tarkan has tragically exited her world. His twin lives far away in America with his growing family. When Elle, Emre's wife has a scary brush with death, Lale is dispatched to California to help with their five-year old daughter. But a recovering Elle has plans for Lale that include a magical 1NightStand.
Andreas Michos, Greek former NFL star, now athletic director at UNLV also floats through life seeking fulfillment. His ex-wife and sexual sub left him when he took away the limelight of football stardom. He doubts his own abilities anymore and has given up finding an outlet for his natural Dom.
Set against a backdrop of ancient cultural clashes and Mediterranean family dynamics, Lale and Andreas do meet in Las Vegas at the famous Castillos resort for a date. But it appears destined to fail. Unless they are both willing to relinquish control and discover what can be found inside the soul of another.
And we are STILL HOPPING In Between Days!check out all these amazingly talented Decadent Publishing Authors!Liz
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