Bianca Sommerland's Blog, page 16

The GHOST that wanted me to get LOST (Or my experience at Wicked Wild Weekend 2015)

Imagine sleeping alone in a room with a history of being haunted, in a part of the hotel EVERYONE is saying they wouldn't stay. The old part. This guy's room actually.
Image source Poets.Org
This is Sidney Lanier and I had his name on my door and his picture on the wall beside it. The room was nice enough, but had an odd smell. A few people said it reminded them of tobacco, like an old pipe or cigar.

I smoke vapor now and never inside hotels or stuff, so it wasn't me. Kinda creeptastic right there.

But I don't think Mr. Lanier was hanging out in my room. He was a poet, and from what I read about him, a pretty cool guy. I don't see him getting off on scaring me stupid! lol!

Now, I don't know for sure that my room was haunted, but it was very hard to convince myself it wasn't. The eerie quiet of the long halls leading up to my room, the lack of any signs of life--no one went into or came out of any of the rooms around mine while I was there--the sharp pain at the curve between my shoulder and my neck which I DO believe was a muscle thing and not an actual bite by something I couldn't see.

And the strange noises...

Granted, construction was going on at the end of the hall, which was blocked off by a sign mentioning the renovations and an...old desk? Might have been a piano, I'm not sure. But someone wrote 'REDRUM' on it.

The fact that I watched her do it is irrelevant. ;)

So, will I be going back?

ABSOLUTELY! Not to the same room and I'm bringing my wonderful Stacey with me. And maybe some sage and an exorcist, but despite the fact that I had trouble sleeping and spent my nights pretty freaked out...

The event was INCREDIBLE. And the hotel staff is the best of any place I've ever been to. The hotel I stayed at in Savannah comes very close, but there was something just a bit more welcoming about The Menger. I didn't meet a single member of the staff that wasn't friendly and helpful. If I hadn't been too embarrassed about being afraid of my room to ask, they probably would have moved me to another room.

If you all wanna hear more about my experiences in the room, I'll make another post, but my big thing was no matter how tired I was, this is a great event and a wonderful group. Everyone was always very inclusive and the minute I went down to the lobby, even if I didn't have something scheduled to check out, I'd find people to hang out with.
Credit for this and the pictures of the models, hotel and the Alamo go to
Dawn Daydrmz Blogg
From a visit to the Alamo, to a trip down the river walk, a rodeo and the Cowboy Dance hall where I learned some two-step, I had the chance to experience a great deal of the beautiful city of San Antonio. There's plenty to do at the event itself, but not so much that you can't explore. The group on Facebook was also very active, which made it easy to see who was going where and tag along. 

With the event itself, there were a lot of meals provided, and each one was different, which was really nice. You didn't have to worry about getting the same old thing. The tables always had cool center pieces--I got two more rubber duckies for my collection! <g>

There was music and dancing and tons of laughter and fun. Every event had a few giveaways and many authors provided baskets. I sent some in too, but I screwed up and got the books for one basket in late and forgot to check on it until the last minute.

When I talked to the organizers, they were so awesome about it and took care of it without making me feel bad. Believe me, I've been to enough events to have expected the irritation I probably deserved. Events like this are tough to put together and unexpected stuff can be annoying as hell. I felt bad, but things worked out. And they were understanding and fixed it without a problem.

Now, aside 
from the wonderful ladies running things, and the collection of authors and bloggers and readers to chill with, there were several cover models. I've been to events where the models are pushy and skeezy, but this wasn't like that. If you're into flirting, the models were happy to play along, but they were good at reading people who just wanted to chat it up. I liked the balance and was able to enjoy the eye candy without wondering if I'd get groped.


Unless I wanted to be. ;)

Hard not to want this, eh? <g>

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=892265894157022&pnref=story (Trying to figure out how to get the vid on here, but for now TRUST ME, you wanna click and watch!)

I could say so much more about the event, but this post would end up crazy long, so I'll just leave it at I am so going BACK!!! So far I only had two events I really wanted to return to, but Wicked Wild Weekend just made it on that list. So if you're considering an event for next year, make sure to check it out! 

Guest Post-SLIDING INTO SECOND with EXCERPT

If you're into hot, dirty-talkin', sexy baseball heroes I may have just the thing to quench that thirst...



Have you met my players? 
Available now for a limited release price of .99 cents...
Sliding Into Second

Jilted once before, now it's her turn to level the playing field.
Hotshot sports reporter Sage Millan has been busy making a name for herself in the male dominated world of baseball. She's just landed her dream job, and her first assignment is covering the newly crowned World Series champions, The Kingston Crushers. This is the opportunity of a lifetime. The only problem…her ex-boyfriend, and the only man she's ever loved, is the team's second baseman. Things ended badly between them, and she's not sure she can put those demons to rest.
Professional baseball player Nicolas Cordova is having the time of his life. His team has just won the World Series, and with the victory comes more fame, women, and exposure than he ever could have imagined. But things are about to change for the sexy, charismatic athlete. He never expected his ex-girlfriend to walk back into his life, much less the locker room.
These days Sage is smarter, more mature, and doesn't plan on being played a second time. Her appearance stirs old memories for Nic. She's the one he let get away in the name of his career. He vows he can be the man she needs this time around. Will that be enough to mend her broken heart?
Content Warning: contains explicit sex and adult content
Excerpt...
“I’ll admit I’ve had many women in the past, and I can’t apologize for living. But as the years went by, my feelings for you were always someplace deep in my heart. I know that’s why I can’t settle down. Why I can’t find the peace I’ve been searching for. It doesn’t exist without you.”

“How can you say things like that? You don’t even know the woman I’ve become. I’m not that girl who relied on you, the one who would’ve followed you anywhere. I’m not her anymore, Nic. I can’t ever be her again.”

“Maybe I’m not asking for her.” He leaned closer to her face. “Maybe I want to know the woman you are today. I want another shot at this.”

“No,” she whispered.

“If you remember anything about me, I have a hard time with that word.” He tipped her chin, focusing on her lips. “I am going to kiss you. Right here and right now.”

Her knees buckled as a cool tremor swept through her. She wanted to say no. It was the only logical word to mutter, but her heart didn’t want her to say it. Her body wasn’t on board with turning him down either. The warmth that built in her stomach had moved lower, and now all she could think about was his lips on hers.

“It doesn’t sound like you’re asking,” she breathed out.

“I’m not.”

Before she could say anything else, his mouth was on hers, eager, but slow and soft. His stubble grazed along her chin as he tilted his head and deepened their bond. The sound throughout the crowded lobby seemed to fade into the background, and soon, all she could hear was her heart pumping loud between her ears. Why did he have to be such a freakin’ good kisser?

After the incredibly long connection, he pulled away, but not before stopping to kiss the bottom corner of her mouth like he used to.

“I’ve waited a long time to do that,” he said. “It was worth every lonely minute.”

“I... Nic...” She’d always had the gift of words. It was what she did for a living, but in that moment, all of her thoughts were jumbled and senseless.

“It’s okay.” He grinned as he stroked her cheek. “Let’s get something to eat and maybe figure this out. Whatever this is.”

“No.” She ran her hands along his strong chest, resting them on his shoulders.

“Don’t over analyze this, baby.” He glanced down at her hands on his body. “Let’s just go with it.”

“That’s what I’m trying to tell you.” She took a breath and continued before she lost her nerve. “Take me upstairs to your room. I know how we can figure this out.”

“What are you asking?” He placed his hand on the small of her back, drawing her closer to him. “You need to be real clear.”

“I want to go upstairs with you.”

“That’s not why I kissed you.”

“Isn’t it?” She smirked. “We’re adults now, Nicky. Let’s settle this like adults.”

“I’m not looking to settle anything. That usually means it’s over, and we’re nowhere near over.” He motioned for Joe. “I’ll take care of the bar tab and then we’ll get dinner.”

“No.” She draped her arms around his neck, intoxicated by the idea of being so close to him again. He may be older now, and may have lost those boyish looks, but the man he had become suited him and drove her wild with need.

“What did I tell you about that word?”

“I can guarantee I won’t be using it once we’re in your bedroom.” She ran her tongue along her top lip. “I’m going to the ladies room. When I come out, if you’re not by the elevators waiting for me, I’ll know that kiss was nothing more than the heat of the moment and we can go on with our lives.”

“Sage?”

“Shh.” She pressed her lips to his. “Now who’s over analyzing?” She reached for her purse and coat hanging on the back of the stool. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.” I hope.
Beachwalk Press
This is book 2 in the Kingston Heat Series but both books stand alone and can be read in either order.
Book One... Stealing His Heart available now.
WARNING... Pax will steal your heart



Will the bad-boy pitcher strike out when it comes to love?
Shy music teacher Sophia Ballis has sworn off men. After a bad experience with a college jock she decided it was better to be alone than to get burned again. She focused on her education and now her new job at a local private school.
Professional baseball pitcher Paxton Hughes is a player both on and off the field. He's signed to the Kingston Crushers to bring home the coveted championship title. Nothing can get in his way. Serious relationships don't mix with a life on the road and he never loses focus on the game. One-night stands are his specialty for a reason.
While out jogging one spring morning, the two collide, setting their course in motion. Pax is immediately drawn to the unassuming beauty. Sophia is aware of his reputation and decides one night of meaningless sex with the attractive Texas charmer is just what she needs to get over her self-imposed dry spell. Pax has more than a one-night stand on his mind, but will his bad-boy persona and demanding schedule ruin any chances of a happily ever after?
Content Warning: contains explicit sex and adult content

REVIEWS: 
"Ella Jade always comes through with sexy little romps that are always entertaining" Manic Readers 


"I read it in one sitting. I couldn't put it down. It has everything I LOVE in a sexy steamy hot book." My Daily Romance 


"Very fun read." Musings From An Addicted Reader 


"This is a story that you won't regret getting into." Adri at Sassy Moms Say Read Romance 

Amazon/Beachwalk Press


Ella Jade has been writing for as long as she can remember. As a child, she often had a notebook and pen with her, and now as an adult, the laptop is never far. The plots and dialogue have always played out in her head, but she never knew what to do with them. That all changed when she discovered the eBook industry. She started penning novels at a rapid pace and now she can't be stopped.
Ella resides in New Jersey with her husband and two boys. When she's not chasing after her kids, she's busy creating sexy, domineering men and the strong women who know how to challenge them in and out of the bedroom.  She hopes you'll get lost in her words.
She loves connecting with readers. You can find her here…



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Fifty Shades of F*CKED UP

I’d say I’m going to keep this short, but I started off writing this just to get my thoughts down because I’m so damn frustrated. Discussion, good and bad, about FSoG is flooding the internet and it’s impossible to look up anything without seeing people either loving or hating on it.
Like any huge fad, people are going to take different stances and express their feelings. Whether you’re into showing off your boxers above your low hanging jeans, tucking your pants into your socks, wearing tights as pants, or wearing a pacifier replica for earrings (and on a necklace, and keychain, and…well, they were everywhere when I was in school) people will like it just because they like it while others will be shouting from the rooftops that they agree or disagree with whatever started the trend.
This is a book. It’s fiction. For myself, I read the first book and…
I will pause now so people can tell me that I can’t have an opinion. Go ahead, reading all three books is a new requirement for everyone who wants to speak their mind. And I will also give you a moment to truly consider how ridiculous that is.
Anyway, I read the first book and it was a struggle. The writing style is not a type that I enjoy. If the book wasn’t so popular and I wasn’t an author I wouldn’t have forced myself past the first elevator scene. Now, this isn’t even me criticizing the author. Regardless that the book began as fanfiction, or the whole debate there, let’s just leave it at I just don’t get that excited about elevators. Which probably disconnected me from the heroine even more than her attitude towards her roommate.
On continuing to read, I found many things in the book disturbing. Now, I read horror. I read AND write dubcon. What irked me was things happened in the book that were easily dismissed. I’ve been told that this is because it was based on Twilight and what might be acceptable with a vampire seems a little different when a human is doing it.
Which is entirely possible, but FSoG is now its own book and it doesn’t make sense for people to have to read Twilight and FSoG to avoid ‘misunderstanding’ the behavior of the characters.
So if you get into a discussion about the book, someone might mention the relationship seems unhealthy. Should your boyfriend bring you to tears that often in the beginning of the relationship? Should you dread his response to you being honest with him? Should you have to pick your words when you speak?
Wait, we can’t have this discussion?
But…why?
I have been given so many different reasons, I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. One of the most popular is ‘It’s just a damn book! If you don’t enjoy it, don’t fucking read it.’
Umm…what? Is this the new thing, because I’m not seeing that trend with any other book out there. Bad reviews are still left on Amazon. There are long discussions in groups on FB with people going back and forth about why they love or hate any book from The Hobit to Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Since when are people not allowed to talk about books they’ve read?
Another fun chat I’ve had with people is about the abusive relationship between Christian and Anna. Which, apparently I don’t understand because I’m a prude and I don’t get kink and BDSM. If I’m clueless, I should just really shut up and let people enjoy their hot sex. I am a horrible person for judging another person’s lifestyle.
Which is kinda funny. My research, my experiences, and what I write would say  otherwise. I know what BDSM is. I know what’s safe and what’s not. If you want to bring up anything in my books that pushes the boundaries, go for it, but don’t tell me I’m a prude because it’s not going to shut me up.
THAT, more than anything in the books, is what I find disturbing. Fans are trying to get anyone who wants to discuss the book to stop talking about it unless they’re singing its praises. This INCLUDES victims of abuse who bring up the parallels between their abusers and the hero of this book.
Many of those who criticize the book say they’re afraid woman will actually find a man like Christian Grey and learn too late that you can’t change a man like that. I have to admit, I STILL want to believe people aren’t that stupid. Hell, I’ve read books with questionable heroes and gotten all hot and bothered at scenes where the man with a temper grabs the heroine by the throat and kisses her roughly before leaving her to go rob a bank. Or worse.
Still haven’t found my sexy criminal. *sigh*
The difference is, if someone asked me if I really wanted a man like that, I’d laugh and say ‘Hell no!’. If I met a woman who’d had a bad relationship with a criminal and told me she couldn’t read that book because it had triggers for her?
Damn it, I wouldn’t ask her what her problem was. I wouldn’t tell her it’s just fiction and she needs to get over it. Wouldn’t stop me from enjoying the books, but I could have a sympathetic discussion with her.
Try to have a discussion like that with one of the truly feral fans of FSoG. Or any discussion at all. Ask them if they’d want their daughters with a man like Christian. 
This image was shared with me on FB by the amazing Candace Blevins. Who writes very HOT BDSM novels.
Or don’t, because the answers tend to be disturbing. Many get defensive, fights start and I’ve seen more than a few of them end friendships. It’s getting to the point that people can’t discuss anything about it at all. My inbox could make me regret saying a single word about it on Facebook.
So why have I? And why in the world would I post about it on my blog?
Because more dangerous than a man like Christian Grey is anything that closes communication. My greatest fear is that women in bad situations will feel even more alone. While all her friends are enjoying the book and the movie and laughing about the articles they’ve read that mention abuse? While they’re giggling about how ‘it’s just spanking!’ and ‘I don’t see what the big deal is!’, a person who needs to talk doesn’t feel like they can.
Hopefully, those who need help are also reading those articles. And seeing that there are numbers they can call. And people who, whether they enjoyed the book or not, can still see the difference between a healthy relationship and one that’s not.
The discussion isn’t whether it’s fiction or not. It’s not whether BDSM is good or bad. It’s not about fixing people. It’s not about romance.
It’s not there at all.
Here are some links for those who are interested:
Citizens of Trout Nation! We need your domestic violence and rape support donation links!
Rosie Reviews: Fifty Shades of Grey
Jenny Trout 50 Shades Recaps
50 Shades of Abuse
10 Relationship Red Flags 
I’m leaving the comments open, and I won’t delete any that I don’t agree with, but I do ask that they remain respectful. Thank you!

Offended? REPORT REPORT REPORT! You might be able to 'RUIN' someone. Unless WE get in your way...PETITION

This is gonna be a quick one. Since last night, myself and several INCREDIBLE people have gotten together to help support a photographer who's been locked off his page for sharing his pictures. You know, the really obscene ones of women's asses...

Wait, no, that's not it. A female ass is fine.

OH! Yes, it must be a bloody picture on the first page of a news report...

Naw, why would that both anyone? I love beheadings with my coffee in the morning.

Here's some examples of the pictures that get reported:




In this case, one of the people who reported the photos--on a page you have to like to see, or perhaps your friends or family liked, in which case the IS the option to tell Facebook 'I don't want to see posts like this'--went so far as to tell Michael Stokes that they would ruin him. There's no mistaking the intentions. This person knows Facebook has given them the power to lock someone off their page and remove photos they find offensive.
 
At one point, people could report photos of men kissing and have them removed. That policy has changed because enough people spoke up. I know, I've been reported, but never locked out! <g>

So Facebook DOES listen. If enough of us speak up and ask them to review their policies, they might just do it. If you agree that Facebook should reevaluate the power they give people to shut down a page that shows artistic photos nowhere near as explicit as many allowed in the media, please sign this petition:

STOP Censoring Artistic Photos by Michael Stokes and Locking him off his page

We're off to an amazing start, with over 500 signatures in less than 14 hours, and I believe we'll have the numbers we need to be heard in no time! So thank you in advance. This is why I believe people, as a whole, are pretty damn awesome! :D

Celestial Pets Available Now-And what's up with KU?

I won't keep you long-I got a couple of books I'm hoping to get to you within the next few months. ;) But for a fun little update, right now we're working on a custom photo shoot for the cover of GOAL LINE.
Yes, that means Dominik Mason not only gets his own book, but he'll be the only one on it, just like Tyler Vanek for Iron Cross.
Aside from that, we have the last Deadly Captive book, THE END, which seems like it's taking forever, but I promise you, it will be worth the wait. I had to choose between getting it out quickly and being true to the story. I'll always choose the story, and I know that's exactly what you all expect from me.
 So now for the fun stuff! <g> 

Celestial Pets has been waiting in line for its turn in the spotlight, but with the 'opportunity' of Kindle Unlimited (you've probably seen a few authors talking about it) I figured this might be the perfect time to try out the program and maybe hook up with some new readers. I'm a bit of a slut that way. ;)

How it works is, I release a part once a month and keep the price at .99. When the whole book is out, I'll release it with a new cover for those who don't do serials. I'll pray that the serial keeps me afloat while I'm getting my mega books out. And that you all enjoy the angels and demons while you wait! <g>

To help you decide, here's the blurb and an excerpt. Happy reading! :D

BUY LINK

Blurb:
Created pure and innocent, the newborn angel Fae’s only crime is loving the mortal realm too much. She wants to see, to touch, to taste...and to know. All of which leads to her fall from grace when she meets the demon brothers who give her all she desires.

Cravis and Travis toy with the young angel out of boredom, but losing her awakens something inside them that they didn’t know they could still feel. While Travis begins to learn how precious a life can be, Cravis struggles with the fear of how fragile love is, not sure if he can go through it being taken from him once again.

The demons will claim the angel, but many dangers threaten the Fallen. Hunted by the Virtues and lusted after by the damned, Fae may be protected as a cherished pet. But she will soon learn she’s worth so much more.

Excerpt:


“Could you spare us a moment, precious?”The men looked so alike she wondered how one would tell them apart. Until the other spoke. His voice didn’t sound edged on laughter like the first. It was pure and deep, with the low rumble of a beast.“Wondrous, are they not?”Fae looked at this one and smiled. He reminded her of the one who’d come on her first day and she hadn’t been afraid of him. “Oh, yes. I long to be like them.” Her smile faded a little and she rubbed her arms as a fierce tremor shook her. “Is that wrong?”The men exchanged a look. The first one answered her. “Why yes. What shall be your penance?”“Penance?” Fae repeated the unfamiliar word. The meaning came to her and she frowned. “Is there one?”The man’s lips curved as he studied his nails, wet where the snow had melted. “Naturally.”Fae fisted her hands in her white robes. Maybe these men had the answers no one else would give her. Like why her thoughts alone could condemn her. And if this penance could save her. “Shall I be cast aside?”The second man reached out and pried one of her hands loose. “Does that scare you?”“Yes.” Fae bit her lip as his calloused palm enfolded her long, delicate fingers, warming them. She knew—God she knew she’d broken the rules. Several in the past few moments. But he’d touched her. Perhaps this man was a Virtue, here to enforce the laws. If he was he could crush her, easily as a man crushing an ant under his heal. Instead he leant her his strength. She’d never known kindness like this. “Can you help me?”Another look passed between the men. Fae didn’t understand it, but she prayed it meant there was hope for her.“Of course we can,” the first said. “But you must swear to submit to our . .  . judgment.”“Oh, I do.” Fae’s eyes were wet. A salty warm wetness contrasting with the cold from the snow. She touched her face, confused again. Tears? Tears were for loss, or for happiness. Yet she felt neither really. “I…”The second man shrugged off his jacket, then laid it over her shoulders. He encircled her wrist with his finger and then gently drew her to his side. A strange sensation rose up her arm and passed through her whole being to settle as a strange heat in the pit of her stomach. His scent rose to her from his jacket, a curious scent, like fresh cut wood caressed by flames. Another spicy scent drifted over it, but the first stayed with her, somehow more . . . real.“Come with us. We’ll get you somewhere warm.” His tone bothered Fae. He muttered something that sounded like ‘and keep you out of trouble’.Did he feel responsible for her? Azreal had warned her she wouldn’t be trusted . . . perhaps she’d earned herself keepers. Maybe they were stuck with her.I did this. Only I will pay.“I won’t be any trouble.” She held the jacket closed with one hand, then touched his cheek and looked into his dark eyes. “I will accept my punishment and prove myself so you may be free of me.”He released her and his jaw went hard.The first man laced his fingers with hers and his lips curved as she let him pull her close. He used his thumb to dry her tears and cold moisture from her cheeks. She inhaled deep, absorbing his natural aroma, much like the other man’s, only somehow less intense. No better or worse, just lacking the deep, dark notes.His smile gave her hope. “Then as my brother said, come with us. When all has passed you will be…Redeemed.” 
BUY LINK

THE SPORTS AUTHOR: Guest Post V.L. Locey

Please welcome the amazing VL Locey to celebrate her latest Wildcat novel, Language of Love!

Hi there everyone, I am thrilled to meet you! My name is V.L. Locey and I'm an erotic romance author, wife, mother of a college freshman, and small hobby farmer. Before I get chit-chatting and forget, I'd like to thank Bianca for having me here for a visit. I met Bianca when I was fortunate enough to have a novella chosen for inclusion in the Seduced by the Game charity anthology that benefitted Hockey Fights Cancer. While Bianca may cheer the Habs and I root for the Rangers, we became friends and hardly ever chirp each other about our teams. Although it was probably tempting when the Canadian`s and Rangers went head-to-head for the Eastern Conference Championship last season! =D


Now you might be wondering how it is that a small hobby farmer may have gotten into writing erotic romances, and in particular erotic hockey romance, although I do dabble in a few other genres hockey romance is my bread and butter. Most folks who I meet scratch their heads when they try to match up woman who writes steamy sex about hockey players with woman who tends to chickens and cows. By the way, we do just happen to own a steer who goes by the name of Mooka Rask. Mooka is the bigger steer in the picture. We also have Frankie, who got his name because he`s a Jersey boy. We are a strange and goofy bunch here on the hillside farm but I digress . . .




When I started writing seriously several years ago, I was having lunch with a couple of girlfriends who happen to be authors as well. One of those lovely gals is a rabid Penguins fan. I had self-published a few romance novels that dealt with Greek mythology, but had seen a submissions call for a sports anthology. I mentioned the submission call and we began talking about various sports we liked. Now back in the day, I had followed hockey and even attended a few games at the Spectrum when the Broad Street Bullies were knocking heads and winning cups. Life moved me away from the City of Brotherly Love and plunked me down near the New York border. My husband was not a sports fan and so I drifted from the sport.

As we had chatted, my girlfriend mentioned attending a rather rowdy Pens game and feared that the on-ice violence might spill out into the parking lot after the game. Viola! An idea for that sports anthology appeared instantly, and a couple weeks later, I had written my first hockey romance! Of course, since it had been so long since I had watched a game, I decided to sit down and reacquaint myself with the sport. Quite a bit had changed but the heart, passion, and body checks were just the same! Calling it "research" when my husband would ask why hockey was on, I soon found myself falling back in love with the NHL. Now I can't imagine not having a hockey game on the TV nearly every night. While my allegiance may now rest with the Rangers, I still have a soft spot for the city that gave me my first taste of ice hockey. That`s why I chose Philadelphia for the setting for the To Love a Wildcat books, as well as the Venom novels, which is my next hockey romance series presented by Secret Cravings Publishing.

If you`re a fan of erotic hockey romance, you may want to check out the latest Wildcat novel, Language of Love. Here`s a short blurb, the cover, and a couple buy links if you decide to grab a copy. I do suggest that the books be read in order, which would be Pink Pucks & Power Plays, A Most Unlikely Countess, O Captain! My Captain!, Reality Check, and Language of Love. 

Blurb-

Life was so much easier for Margarite Lancourt before she had set eyes on Petro Shevenko. Her diploma to teach hearing impaired children would be in her hand within a year. Then she would find the right man, the right neighborhood, and bear the right children. Her deafness was not going to get in the way of her aspirations. But were they her dreams or her mother`s? 

Now that she has met Petro, the Wildcats sexy new acquisition who has an unquenchable thirst for the wild side of life, Margarite`s nicely mapped out life is in chaos. Can she tame this unruly Russian Wildcat? Or will his family demons drag him, and Margarite, back into the darkness the couple have struggled to break free from? 

Buy Links-

Amazon-http://www.amazon.com/Language-Love-Wildcat-Book-ebook/dp/B00RI9HTYQ/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1419775131&sr=8- 4&keywords=v.l.+locey
Secret Cravings Store-
http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=book_info&cPath=4&products_id=1011

Author Bio-


V.L. Locey loves worn jeans, belly laughs, reading and writing lusty tales, Greek mythology, the New York Rangers, comic books, and coffee. (Not necessarily in that order.) She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, one dog, two cats, a flock of assorted goofy domestic fowl, and two steers: one named after a famous N.H.L. goalie while the other carries the moniker of a 60`s pop legend.
When not writing spicy romances, she enjoys spending her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania with a cup of fresh java in hand. She can also be found online on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and GoodReads.

I love to meet new friends and fans! You can find me at-


Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/pages/VL-Locey/124405447678452Twitter- https://twitter.com/vlloceyPinterest-http://www.pinterest.com/vllocey/Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5807700.V_L_LoceyMy blog- http://thoughtsfromayodelinggoatherder.blogspot.com/tsú - https://www.tsu.co/vllocey
Secret Cravings Backlist Books:
Pink Pucks & Power Plays (Book One of the To Love a Wildcat Series)A Most Unlikely Countess (Book Two of the To Love a Wildcat Series)O Captain! My Captain! (Book Three of the To Love a Wildcat Series)Reality Check (Book Four of the To Love a Wildcat Series)Tumble Dry

Blind Pass (The Dartmouth Cobras 0.5) Coach's story sticks with the charity

This is going to be a very quick post because I owe you all a few books! <g> As some of you might know, Seduced by The Game was a charity anthology to raise money in support of foundations connected to Hockey Fights Cancer. 100% of royalties earned by the anthology was donated.

In December, the rights to the novels were returned to their authors so they could publish them on their own. Some continued to donate to their chosen charities and those will be added to the main SBTG website--which badly needs updating--as soon as possible. If you follow these authors, most have mentioned where they plan to contribute.

While our first donations went to the Predators Hockey Fights Cancer foundation, the rest went to the Leukemia Foundation of Canada which works with it's American counterpart in efforts to find a cure and improve the lives of those affected by blood cancer. This is one of the charities that the Montreal Canadiens support. I've decided to continue donating to this charity, but that didn't feel like enough. Because of my readers, I can do more.

So that's where I came up with this plan:

 
To date 71 copies of Blind Pass have been sold. Now, my math isn't great--someone better with numbers will calculate everything so I can keep you updated--but let's say that's around 140$. Not much, but $280 is a bit better. And after a few months, that will add up. I'm excited to see how much we'll raise by the end of next year! :)
I'd like to say thank you to all those who have already bought copies. Many have asked me what else they can do, so I'm looking into doing book flats of the beautiful cover designed by Fiona Jayde and sending signed copies to anyone interested in making a donation. If you make a donation directly to the Leukemia Foundation of Canada, and send me the invoice, I will mail you a signed book flat. This also applies if you make a donation to any cancer foundation connected with Hockey Fights Cancer (the US teams too, the authors involved come from all over North America).
That's it for now. Seriously, you guys rock for helping us make SBTG a success and together, we've done a lot of good. I'll be putting up more updates within the next couple of weeks with all the numbers and the exact amount raised, but so far I do know it was over 16,000$. Which is absolutely incredible!

 

HAPPY MENAGES HOLIDAYS with Mary Menage Interview!

 What better way to celebrate Yule with an awesome blogger who shares my love for sharing! <g>

Please welcome, Mary. 

Mary, can you tell us a little about yourself?

I am an Erotic Ménage Romance Reviewer middle-aged french canadian, curious of everything with a very open mind. Homophobia and censorship are NOT part of my vocabulary! So it was no surprise that when I discovered ménage stories in 2005, I decided then and there that I would read only this genre after that. I am proud of my collection and to promote this genre. My reviews are based on reading so many of them. I am passionate and can be sarcastic if something bother me but I am always honest, never mean! Welcome to my ménage world! :)

What's your thoughts on straight men in menage?

There is no straight men in menage. plain and simple. Straight men means no romance and no physical proximity in the bedroom. If a man is not in love with a man but during sex is touching another man's part of his body, not especially his genitals, in my book, he finds his pleasure to watch and/or feel because of the other guy in action. If there is a dual penetration with a woman, each guy will feel automatically feel each other penises and the friction and reduced place will bring them both pleasure. Therefore, if a guy find his pleasure because of another guy, even if he has no romantic views toward the other guy, for me he just cannot be totally straight. It does not mean he is bisexual or gay, but he definitely has bisexual tendencies.

What's your favorite combination in menage?

It depends. I love both: MFM and MMF but mostly multiple men and one woman. The different combination in menage is generally very different because the love and sex dynamic are different.

My only comment on this is that being an exclusive menage, I have a hard time with some MM authors writing a MMF in the middle of their long list of MM romances. It shows immediately that the focus will be the male characters and I very often felt frustrated to not find equality love and sex in their stories. I totally dislike to read a female character being a third wheel not fully committed as equal partner in the relationship and introduced to it because one of the character used to love to have sex with women and feel something is "missing". I love to relate to characters so feeling that the woman is added because she has boobs and two holes is not something I enjoy to relate with :P

MFM do not have such issue because the focal point is the female. The exception could be in D/s menages and I read a couple that was the male submissive instead of the female. But this scenario is rare.

I have no issues if the author respect this rule: romance + sex + equality + time for all main characters. It is not easy, mind you, but at the end of the day, this is what makes the difference between a forgettable and an outstanding story.

What genre do you find works best with menage and which do you find doesn't work at all?

My pet peeves are: caveman macho male and dumb virgin female.

I am no longer a teenager reading romances with rich middle aged aristocrates falling for the 17/18 years old virgin woman. I am a bit too old to believe that being a virgin is romantic. There is nothing fun or sweet to be deflowered in my opinion, it is even rather painful, thank you very much. Then again, the "I am the man, you are the woman and you will do what I say" was something we saw with our grand-parents and I am not fond to be associated to this generation when women could hardly work, nor live alone or raise a baby alone without being called whores, could not vote or do certain jobs because "our brain" could not handle it... and all kind of stupid reasons like that. That some authors do find romantic and hot to be treated like a piece of trash baffle me.

Some romances remind me, sadly, a generation that I am not part today. I always think that it is best to write what we know and if this is the case, then, I am totally puzzled to read how some authors portray their characters... I am sorry to say that this kind of menage is not only frustrating but put the author in my "do not read again" list.

So what works best? equality, consistencies, reasonable time-frame between major events (falling the Monday, engaged the Wednesday and married the following Sunday and express eternal love... all within a week? really?), imperfect characters, humor, original sex scenes and of course a nice plot.

There is no recipe really. It is all about talent and how the authors will dig the emotions and transpose them alive in theirs stories.

Tell us about the Menage Romances Holidays tour?

I do welcome menage author guests on my blog and I thought: why not giving the opportunity to discover a new menage every day for 2 full weeks? On top of that, each author agreed to give a free book as one giveaway. So each day, from December 21 up to January 2nd, I will invite a menage author to talk about her menage release. I am very excited about it and I hope your fans will come and visit us!

Thank you again, Bianca, for this opportunity to promote this menage holidays tour! I love your hockey series. GO Habs GO!!!!

~Mary

Blog: http://marymenage.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marys-Naughty-Whispers/123676797775001
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MenageReviewer
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/6426542-mary-s-menage-whispers

Thank you so much for joining us, Mary! 

Readers, I'd love to hear from you about menage in fiction! What works, what doesn't? One commenter will win their choice of one of my books, INCLUDING any of the books to be published in 2015 (which means you'll get a copy as soon as it's publish ready! <g>)
 

I'm No Angel Review: TEACH ME by Sloan Johnson

Two words stripped Austin Pritchard of the privileged life he’s used to. The moment he uttered the words, “I’m gay,” he realized there is no such thing as unconditional love. Now, he’s gone from traveling the world with his family to living on the streets trying to figure out how he’s going to stay in school.

A chance opportunity changes everything. Austin impresses the foreman and lands a job, but even more, he catches the eye of David Becker, who is determined to teach him that true love doesn’t come with strings.

The only thing David had as a child was love. His family struggled to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads. That has driven him to stay focused on his goals; become a tenured professor at a university and save enough money to build a home of his own. It’s not until he sees an insecure college student working on his new house that he realizes that he hasn’t planned on someone to share his life with. He’s about to learn that everything he’s already accomplished is nothing compared to the task of making Austin see that he is worthy of love.

I give TEACH ME 5 Strong shots!

This review is one that I’ve been excited to write because I fell in love with the book right from the beginning. The writing is smooth and makes it easy to lose yourself. The characters are fleshed out and so real it’s hard to remember they’re not real. I’ve read many books by amazing authors, but I usually stick with the ones who make me want to stay in the world they’ve created. Sloan Johnson has become one of them.


After a long day of work, I picked up this book and I couldn’t put it down until I was so tired the words started getting blurry. I loved Austin from the very beginning and I needed to see him find the life he deserved. His struggles show us how the world works and they’re sad, but you can’t help but find hope that things will get better even when he begins to lose faith. There were times that I just wanted to hug him and tell him to hold on because he’s such a strong person and he’ll make it.


When he first meets David, I felt the same uncertainty. I liked the attraction, but I was afraid that if David put any pressure on him, he’d bolt. And I wouldn’t have blamed him one bit! But as I got to know David, I found myself smiling every time they were together because he is exactly the kind of man Austin needs.


I won’t give away the story, but I will tell you that it’s a true romance, tender and realistic, with angst and struggles I feel show what young men in Austin’s position sometimes deal with. Ms. Johnson is an author that lets her characters speak to you without filter. She has an amazing voice and I look forward to reading more of her books. I would recommend this to anyone who loves a great story with people you truly feel you could meet one day.


Romance comes in so many forms, but in the end it’s about people finding themselves in one another. This is a a story that shows how even at your worst, there’s someone out there that will love you, no matter what. And everyone deserves that kind of love.

Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00Q12UZCY
Author's Website: http://authorsloanj.com/

My reject….or all my babies (books) are UGLY

Seriously, calling your books your babies can lead to a whole lot of trouble. Mommas can get downright feral to protect their babies, but as an author, you have to understand all those sticks and stones and words…well, they’re unlikely to hurt your book.

They can stop your book from going far though. Sometimes with reviews and sometimes because word is going around that you’re a BBA (badly behaving author). Even worse is when, right from the get go, you get a great big ‘No thank you’ from the people who matter most.

Readers, right? Well, no, actually. Those people who rejected your baby were business people and they eyed that pretty little book the way judges look at toddlers prancing around the stage at pageants.




It could be style, it could be a whole lot of things, but those ‘judges’ decided your book didn’t have what they were looking for. So naturally, you check out what they’re looking for and lose your damn mind!
Yes, I’ve totally had those moments. I read Twilight and did some serious damage grinding my teeth because my book had been rejected by that publisher. The book isn’t to my taste, but I try not to diss other people’s reading choices. I did hate on it a hell of a lot because ‘WTF! You chose sparkling vamps over my book? REALLY???’
I still think the book would have worked better with fairies, but…*shrug*Anyway, the point is, it took a few more books getting rejected and taking my career in my own hands to figure out that the judges you’re trying to impress aren’t sitting behind a desk reading manuscript after manuscript until their eyes bleed and they start thinking of aspiring authors as if they're door to door vacuum salespeople. (Insert sucking pun). The judges are the readers. Point final. And what do readers want? Well, they know it when they see it. So you start off by dressing your baby pretty. Nope, you don’t have to have her all dolled up like a mini version of ‘Pretty Woman’. Unless that’s the kinda story you’re selling. ;)   Of course, your little darling has to be all polished, which means going through the same stages you would with a traditional publisher. Crit partners and beta readers and editors galore! You have to put your best work out there! In my case, I got to that point, and now I’m a career author, full time and everything. Which is awesome! It’s everything I dreamed of!
But when it came to publishing my precious young adult? The one that wasn’t Twilight? Yep, I forgot all about the ‘It’s not my baby’ and I held it tight because I didn’t think I could bear anyone saying it was ugly. I’m damn proud of all my books, I love each and every one and the characters are all special to me. But Eternal Neverland is where I started. Where the dream began. I see it as… My precious was actually the most fitting.

So where do I go from here? Well, I’m a professional, so I polished that damn book up, gave it a kiss on the forehead, and sent it out the door. And I’m not looking at it like my baby. No, ma’am.
Here’s an excerpt if you want to check it out ;) :  <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-520092929 1073786111 9 0 415 0;} @font-face {font-family:Garamond; panose-1:2 2 4 4 3 3 1 1 8 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; line-height:200%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;} @page WordSection1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt; mso-header-margin:35.4pt; mso-footer-margin:35.4pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --</style></span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; line-height: 150%;"><b><i>**Special Sale price of $0.99 for pre-order and release week. Price will go up to $3.99 after release**</i></b></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Garamond; line-height: 150%;"></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Garamond; line-height: 150%;">Excerpt:</span></b></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Garamond; line-height: 150%;">Arm around her waist, hand curved behind her neck, Charlie pulled her against him. “I’ll make it quick. This will help with the pain.”</span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Garamond; line-height: 150%;">Her head fell back and he lowered his mouth to her throat. A light press and the sharp edge of his fangs cut her skin. Saliva seeped into the wound, burning around and inside like an injection of acid. She whimpered and stiffened. Charlie shifted and bit down deeper. </span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Garamond; line-height: 150%;">Body growing numb, pain receded and the slight pull became pleasant. Her fingers found their way into his hair and the texture seemed to flow from her calloused fingertips to fill her hands, drape around her arms and finally cover every inch of her flesh. In some part of her mind she knew his hair hadn’t changed, but every nerve carried the sensation of it, as though keyed to focus on the luscious feeling from without than the life being drained from within. </span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Garamond; line-height: 150%;">In the distance, a faint scuffing sound pulled her lazily from the soothing pleasure. She spotted a little head, peeking out of an alley. Cold washed over her, waking her fully. She mouthed the word ‘Run’. Charlie’s mouth left her neck as he followed her gaze. </span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Garamond; line-height: 150%;">His attention shifting to her little brother brought memories to play; mother bent over daddy’s ravaged body, a hushed sound in the backyard, soft footsteps on the thick grass that framed the in-ground pool. She could still see the water, clean and clear, glowing from the aqua lamps that shifted colors from tranquil blues to serene greens. The approaching figures showed in the reflection of the water, but nowhere else. Still, they could feel the predators closing in. Mother had screamed, ‘Get Toby!<span>  </span>Keep him safe!’ and stifling sobs with her hands, Helena had run to the nursery and taken Toby from his crib. He was too heavy to carry and too small to keep up and She almost abandoned him twice on the way to the neighbor’s house. The names she’d called the frightened two year old in an attempt to get him to move faster still disgusted her, but she’d gotten him to safety. The neighbors had met them on their lawn and rushed them into the house, the wife calling the cops, the husband manning the barricaded door with his gun. </span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Garamond; line-height: 150%;">The cops came and took her and Toby to the hospital, and after hours of questions, left her to the doctors. Who left her alone to rest. </span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Garamond; line-height: 150%;">She’d considered sneaking out of her room to find her brother, but the feeling of being watched overcame the urge and lured her to the window. She’d snapped the curtain aside and seen the creature, retreating into the well-lit courtyard, weaving through the night staff smokers who didn’t seem to see him. She couldn’t say for sure it had been Charlie that night, but she blamed him for putting her there, blamed him for the doctors trying to drug her when she told the story of the invisible people, and blamed him for leaving her no choice but to escape the hospital without Toby.</span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Garamond; line-height: 150%;">With Charlie distracted, she could escape again. But she wouldn’t. This time, she would do as her mother had asked. She would keep Toby safe.</span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Garamond; line-height: 150%;">Energy surged through her. Axel reached out and she twisted away. Charlie grabbed her arm before she could fall. She clenched her fist and swung it up toward his face with all the strength she had left. Her knuckles hit his mouth and a fang slit through his bottom lip. </span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Garamond; line-height: 150%;">For a while, he just stared at her. Droplets of blood plopped from his chin onto her lips. Spilled into her mouth, coppery and thick, sweet and tempting her to lick it all to save herself. She swallowed, sure she needed more, but she was afraid if she moved he’d snap her in two.</span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Garamond; line-height: 150%;">He laughed, making her jump as he used the back of his hand to swipe the rest of the blood from the already healing gash. “Like I said. Cute.”</span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Garamond; line-height: 150%;">Axel reached for her again and she let her weight drop. Charlie wouldn’t let her go. She didn’t have the strength to pull away so she screamed. All wrong. Toby’s presence had thrown her off. Her plans had failed. She was going to die.</span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Garamond; line-height: 150%;">The cold tip of Charlie’s nose skimmed the edge of her ear as he whispered. “Don’t give up so easy, kid. The cavalry has arrived.”</span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US"></span><span class="userContent">Amazon - <a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A..." rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/1v9gRwQ</a><br /> B&N - <a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A..." rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/1tBslfQ</a><br /> Kobo - <a href="http://bit.ly/ZXu3vY" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/ZXu3vY</a><br /> iTunes - <a href="http://bit.ly/1qBBQXr" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/1qBBQXr</a><br /> ARE - <a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A..." rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/1FSfsTF</a></s... class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt;"><br /></div></div>