Bianca Sommerland's Blog, page 30

Sex Toys and Ménage

As a few of you might know, I'm going to the Lori Foster 7th Annual Reader and Author Get Together in June. As you might imagine, I'm stoked! And to make it even more exciting–'cause yes, that's possible–I'll be bringing print copies of both my books, swag bags full of not only my goodies, but goodies from other amazing authors. And best of all, I'm going to be bringing a nice big basket to give away as a prize. The basket will include several gifts from Eden Fantasys, including:

 

Isn't it gorgeous? I'm so excited to show it off. And I'm so grateful to Eden Fantasys for their generousity.

So today, in their honor, I've decided to talk about two of my favorite topics: Sex toys and Menage

As an erotic author, I find myself a little obsessed with writing ménage (in case you hadn't noticed ). Not an easy topic if you want a good story, what with so many different personalities to work with, so many body parts to get tangled and sucked. And the possibilities for penetration . . .

Still, I can't help living out fantasies of having all kinds of men fixating on pleasuring one special woman. These men are never perfect, but why would you want them to be? There's a thrill in holding on to something that will always be wild, but chooses to walk beside you. There's a reason shifter stories are so popular, and even though I don't write them, I can appreciate the appeal. Wolves who become men, a pack mindset, a powerful alpha. Savage fun, what more could a woman want?

But back to sex toys and ménage. Why in the world would you need a toy, no matter what it does, if you have all the hands, and mouths, and dicks you could ever want?

Well, it's pretty simple. No matter how many men you've got (okay, let's limit to a number that can fit around a bed . . . let's say seven) you'll can come more often than they can keep up with. Don't believe me?

Picture it, the hottest men you've ever seen, surrounding you. They're all determined to get you off. The first time, getting your shirt unbuttoned will probably reduce you to a dripping, quivering, boneless mass. Very nice, I'll be you've never felt so sated.

Sad thing is, you'll eventually adapt to all that smokin' hot male attention. You might disagree, but try it for a week or two, then come back and we'll talk. Don't mind if I take notes.

Anyway, since these men are devoted to you, since pleasing you gets them off almost as much as wetting their cocks in your nice, tight (yes, still tight—Kegel anyone?) pussy, they're going to get creative.

Which is awesome, if a little bit lazy. A vibrating egg inside you, anal beads, a bit of kissing and touching, and you're half way over the edge. One thrust and you're done.

This is when the numbers start to count. You're in for a long, bumpy ride. 'specially if they strap on one of those butterflies. Imagine how sore and swollen you'll be. And how happy that you've got more than one man. Half will roll over—possibly onto the floor—and start snoring, but at least one will want to snuggle.

And when you adapt to that, there's some rough stuff you can add for spice. Bit of bondage? Spanking?

In case you're wondering, this has been on my mind a lot since I published Rosemary Entwined. Thinking about a sequel, I had to seriously consider how Rosemary's sexual relationships would evolve.

But I've got it covered now, don't you think?

 This post was sponsored by EdenFantasys.com.

You Win and The End!

First of all, I'd like to announce the winner of the Noble Author's Grand Prize, a 100$ Gift Certificate from Eden Fantasys…

Mara J Brandon

So what am I going to do now that the tour is finished? 

 Relax.

*snerk* Yeah, so not happening. I have deadlines, guest posts, and an author's event to prepare for. I need to write and edit and plot and then…well, write some more. But my schedule will probably look a little more sane. We shall see.

For all those that followed the tour, I'd like to thank you for your comments and for making the whole thing worth the ride. For all my followers, new and old, I'm going to spend the next few days updating everything, from my calender (which will show both May and June) to my music list. Sometime this summer I should be setting up a brand new website, which means some kind of contest, but my site launch will be nothing compared to the one Noble Romance Publishing is doing next week. All the details will go up on my contest page as I get them.

Sorry, not a real fun post, but I did a decent one for SWIH if you wanna check that out. http://somewriteithot2.blogspot.com/2011/04/starved-muse.html

As for me, I hope you all have a great weekend and tons of sun. I'm gonna go get me some now. Then get another story written for all you lovely people!

((HUGS))

Bianca

NOBLE AUTHOR'S BLOG TOUR-Interview with J.S. Wayne

Drum roll please!

Okay, corny, but this warrants some kind of skin tingling, pulse thumping, explosive climax! Oh, wait, that's how the winner of the Grand Prize is going to feel!

To end the tour for us, I'd like to welcome the wonderful J.S Wayne. He's come here before and he probably will come again (okay, now I'm being bad! lol!).

So tell us a bit about yourself J.S.

J.S: I think of myself as a jack of all trades when it comes to writing.  Erotic romance, supernatural horror, and urban fantasy are my favorite genres, and I like to mix them up and see what happens.

What's your favourite thing to watch on TV while being intimate?

I like to put on A Walk To Remember and cuddle.  Nothing big or fancy.  Just sodas or beers and finger foods, my arm around a beautiful woman, and life is GOOD!

Imagine a very ordinary situation and find a way to make it romantic.

Eye contact is always the first step.  It doesn't matter if you're in the line at the bank, at work, or anywhere else.  Meaningful, intense (but not stalkerish) eye contact is the key to making ANY situation or place a romantic one.  From there, a warm lover's smile and gentle touches are really all you need. 

If you found a sexy man/woman tied up on your bed, what would you do with him/her?

First I'd make sure I walked into the right room.  (laughs)  Then, assuming she was willing, she wouldn't be going anywhere for quite a while!  And no, we wouldn't be discussing the national debt.

What do you consider the most erotic fruit?

The most erotic fruit to me is a plum.  Small, sweet, and juicy, it's a perfect accompaniment to any erotic encounter involving food, because it's easy to share with your lover in…ahem…exotic ways!

Name a historical figure you admire. Explain why.

Thomas Alva Edison.  A friend was needling him about the fact that it took him two thousand tries to create a working carbon-filament lightbulb.  When the friend asked him how it felt to fail that many times, he said, "I didn't fail. I learned two thousand ways NOT to make a lightbulb."

What mythical creature would you want to be?

The phoenix.  I've always loved the imagery of something that burns itself to ashes every so often to recreate itself into something new and beautiful.

Beer, wine, or spirits?

Uh, do I take a penalty if I say all the above?

Seriously, my preferred beverage is Scotch.

If you had to choose between and angel and a vampire, which would you choose? Why?

Tough call, but I'm partial to vampires.  Especially vampires in the "Blade" mold.  They're incredibly tough, they operate at night, and they have a kind of dark glamour to them that angels just can't seem to touch.  Most people think of angels as cute little cherubs wearing diapers.  No one thinks that way about vampires, unless they happen to be hating on Twilight at the time.

Most people would say uniforms are sexy. Do you agree? Which is the sexiest in your opinion?

I disagree.  Either evening attire or au natural is the way to go.  But for the coolest-looking uniform, hard to beat United States Marine dress blues.

What's your favourite action movie? If you don't have a favourite, name one you didn't hate.

The Crow.  Absolutely, without a doubt, an action movie that truly deserves the title "Classic."  I nearly choked on my beer when I heard they were remaking it.  Some things just shouldn't be messed with.

Name your favourite cookie. No, seriously, tell us what it is and give it a new name.

To the rest of the world, it's white chocolate macadamia nut.  To me, it's the sweet chewy crunchy goodness.

Who's your favourite cartoon character? What do you like about them?

Batman.  I've always liked the dark, brooding antihero, and Batman kicks more ass than a roomful of donkeys. 

What is the name of the last book you wanted to use as kindling?

Stephen King's Wizards and Glass: The Dark Tower IV.  After that, I pretty well gave up on him.

What songs would you choose for the soundtrack of your life?

 The Unicron Medley, from the 1986 Transformers movie; Angel of the Morning, by Juice Newton; Dead Souls, by Nine Inch Nails; When Doves Cry, by Prince; Hokus Pokus, by Insane Clown Posse; Something To Be Proud Of, by Montgomery Gentry; My Lover's Box, by Garbage; Of Wolf and Man, by Metallica; and The Mayor, by Rasputina.

Of all your characters, which one do you think would be best in a crisis?

Markus Latimore, from Shadowphoenix: Requiem.  No question.  Bruce Wayne + Blade + Harry Dresden = You're going to want to be somewhere else.  On another continent.  In a plate steel box.  Down a deep hole.  And if you can manage all of the above, all the better.  When he throws down, body bags are kind of beside the point.  Better off with a good mop.

 

Blurb:
 
Take one more, ferry her along. Soulbearer Moradiel recounts his duties while collecting his latest assignment, nurse Ariel. Tragic accident–seems simple. But in the RN's final moments asleep at the wheel of her speeding car, stirrings grip Moradiel's angelic heart. Stirrings so forbidden that to simply give voice to them is to risk expulsion from his Heavenly abode.
Out of time and faced with the most difficult decision in his eternal existence, Moradiel finds himself torn between saving the only woman he's ever loved or throwing the balance between Heaven and Hell into chaos. Duty or desire? Moradiel must choose . . . 

Excerpt:

Moradiel stared down at the bridge, his dark wings furled around him. Any moment now, a white Ford Taurus would fly around the curve at an unsafe rate of speed, the driver exhausted from a long night at work. The car would hit the concrete pylons flanking the north side of the bridge. Its gas tank would rupture, and by the time the fire crews arrived on scene, the vehicle would be little more than slag and the driver ashes.
 
The driver's soul, on the other hand, would be safely on its way to Heaven. He knew this, for it was his task to collect it.
 
This, in itself, was nothing new. He was a seraph, and served the Most High by assisting Azrael, the Angel of Death. Moradiel, a Soulbearer, ferried the worthy, newly dead to Heaven and their eternal reward. He had performed this task millions of times; from the newborn lost before drawing its first breath, to the most ancient souls ever to walk the planet. None had ever aroused the slightest feeling of pity or regret.
 
After all, with them going on to a far better place than this imperfect world would ever be, why should they garner his concern? Surrounded by the eternal glory of the One who'd created the universe simply by whispering Its name into the void. Surely, nothing there to mourn.
 
But all that had changed three days earlier, when he'd received this latest task and arrived to perform the necessary preambles.
 
Alighting outside the cozy, well-maintained house in the first light of day, he set the owls in the trees around the yard to hooting. Later, in the brazen light of mid-afternoon, when his latest assignment had headed out the door for work, he'd arranged for a crow, a bird not common to the area, to perch on the low fence and caw. Any of the ancients would have been familiar with these harbingers of death, seizing their amulets and mumbling prayers to ward off the impending doom. Most modern humans paid such signs little heed, but Moradiel had been at this task far too long not to pay obeisance to the traditions.
 
Ariel had drawn herself up short, a slight brunette with the face of a gamine—pretty, playful. Her mouth puckered into a quizzical expression at the crow. She shrugged off the uneasiness and checked herself yet again to make sure her ice-blue nurse's uniform looked presentable. The pageboy-cut hair cupped her ears in a fetching manner as she hurried to her car and off down the road for yet another long night.
 
Moradiel had followed her that night, and watched her in secret as she'd made her rounds. Ariel cared for all her charges the same, with humor, spirit, and compassion. It occurred to him, the other nurses would have done well to follow the example of this unwitting disciple of Raphael, the Divine Physician. Instead, they seemed more interested in coffee, cigarettes, and their ceaseless complaining about the other staff than those they were supposed to help heal.
 
And as she went on her rounds night after night, he felt a most unaccustomed stirring within his angelic self. For countless eons, he'd never felt anything like it; he had no frame of reference for it, and this stirring puzzled him. So, he resolved, he would learn more of this.
 
For the next two days, he followed her relentlessly, even beside her in the car on her way home from work, with her oblivious to his presence. She played country songs at top volume in a bid to stay awake on the forty-mile commute home. The current selection—Juice Newton's Angel of the Morning—had Ariel singing along in a voice that seemed to rival any music Moradiel had heard from the Ophanim or the Cherubim in the Otherplace. No Seraphim he knew could create such lush and vibrant melodies. Entranced, he watched as her warm blue eyes opened and closed in time with the song, her full lips caressed every syllable that passed into the cool interior of the car, and her breasts heaved as she drew breath to give every note its full due.
 
He followed behind her as she entered the house and went straight to the kitchen, where she put on chamomile-mint tea to steep in her dented copper teapot before turning on the radio. She'd danced down the hall to her bedroom, where she quickly removed her uniform, leaving herself clad in only a sea-foam green, sheer lace bra and panties. Moradiel watched, noting the light dusting of cinnamon freckles across her high cheekbones, her shoulders, her arms, and on the ample swell of her bosom, all but unveiled to his gaze through the translucent fabric.
 
With brisk efficiency, Ariel stripped off the last remaining garments and raised her arms in apparent exultation at the feeling of freedom. Her mound was perfectly innocent of any stubble, her legs soft as the day she was born. A tiny mole on the outside of her left breast was the only imperfection Moradiel could see, and he would have found it charmingly seductive if such a notion existed in his world.
 
To buy Angels Would Fall, click on the book cover.
 
I hope you all enjoyed the tour. Be sure to comment, there's still time to make a few more entries before when drop all the names in a virtual hat. The winner will be announced sometime tomorrow, both here and on the main Tour Blog. Good Luck!
 
For the next stop in the tour, click here:

NOBLE AUTHOR'S BLOG TOUR-Interview with Gianna Simone

Welcome to the second to last day of the Noble Author's Blog Tour! Get your entries in for the grand prize because the drawing is this Friday!

Today I'd like to welcome the lovely, Gianna Simone to tell us a little bit about herself:

Gianna: I'm a born and bred Jersey Girl. And nothing like those caricatures of humans that are currently poisoning the country about NJ and the people who live there. Can you tell I have strong feelings about that? lol My roots are actually based in Brooklyn, though, as my family lived there for several generations before my parents moved to Jersey before I was born. I've been writing since I was a child, never imagining then that the bedtime stories I would make up for myself were the first signs of my storytelling career. Getting lost in worlds of my own creation with people who find themselves in unusual situations is my addiction.

Now for the questions!

What's your favourite thing to watch on TV while being intimate? (And that questions only dirty if you want it to be) 

Honestly, the TV is not usually on at those times. Because of our children, we no longer have the luxury of letting loose all over the house, like we used to.

If you found a sexy man tied up on your bed, what would you do with him/her? 

Well, the funny thing is, if I found a guy tied to my bed, I'd untie him and make him tie me up! Lol  But either way, it would involve a bit of teasing – drawing everything out so each step of the way is mind-blowing in it's own way. And toys. Lots of fun and interesting toys. I'm big on those aspects of BDSM.

What do you consider the most erotic fruit?

I bet most people say the banana, but I read a book once that involved lychee fruits, and whenever someone mentions fruit and sex, that's what I think of now. It was rather a hot scene, and I never would have thought of using them in such an intriguing way!

Name a historical figure you admire. Explain why. 

It's more than one, actually, generally the people who settled the USA in the 18th and 19th centuries. The courage and strength of the pioneers as they journeyed into the wilderness and unknown dangers to carve out new lives for themselves amazes me. I don't know if could do something like that. But the odds they faced didn't deter them, and despite the fact they usually didn't respect the land and native people, their bravery in building a new country can't be diminished. I've got a story outlines that goes back to the founding days of the Magiste community, and the tone is very heavy on courage.

What mythical creature would you want to be? 

Does an Immortal from Highlander count? I'd love to be able to live for hundreds of years, never age, be able to enjoy all the human pursuits (and pitfalls) and experience history as it unfolds. Of course, the downside is losing all mortal friends and family – that cannot be an easy thing to live through. But the possibilities of eternal life just fascinate me.

Beer, wine, or spirits?

Beer, it's like soda to me! That really sounds bad, doesn't it?

If you had to choose between and angel and a vampire, which would you choose? Why?

Vampire, hands down. I'm drawn to the darker side of people in general, and vampires are the ultimate "bad boy" in my opinion. Even the nice ones! J  They have a predatory edge that I just find absolutely fascinating. And that in turn, leads to a confidence (or arrogance, which I find myself oddly partial to!) – who could blame them? Superhuman strength, speed and stamina – what more could a person want, as far as physical traits go? And part of the fascination ties into that whole immortal thing as well, it's just a whole package that ends up being deliciously sexy.

Most people would say uniforms are sexy. Do you agree? Which is the sexiest in your opinion?

Yes, uniforms are hot! In my day job, I travel to tradeshows and recently attended one for police chiefs and military. Talk about eye candy! I even met Erik Estrada, from CHiPs –he was in one of the booths signing autographs and taking pictures, and generally being very flirtatious and touchy with all the women. It was a ton of fun. I'm looking forward to next year's show!   But a police or military uniform just screams authority and that's one of my triggers. I'm particularly partial to the special ops type soldiers. Their confidence and iron will, the strength and bravery that shape them are attractive on so many levels.

What's your favourite action movie? If you don't have a favourite, name one you didn't hate.

I loved the Lethal Weapon and Die Hard movies, mostly because of the way humor played a big part in both series. And Die Hard had one of my all-time favourite villains, Hans Gruber. Alan Rickman does one hell of a sexy bad guy. And when he loses it? Terrifying. As a good villain should be.

Name your favourite cookie. No, seriously, tell us what it is and give it a new name. 

Oreos, ever since I was little. As for a new name, hmmm, how about Perfection? Chocolate cookies with cream in the middle is pretty damn close to that.

Who's your favourite cartoon character? What do you like about them?

There's two – though they're a bit outside the mainstream. Raditz and Vegeta from the DragonBall Z anime series. They're the bad guys, of course. Noticing a trend here? Lol  Vegeta, the Prince of Saiyans, gets redeemed in some ways, but still keeps his dark edge. It's a struggle for him to suppress it, and I love it when he doesn't succeed. Raditz, sadly, was killed off before he got to go through that semi-redemption process, but damn, the guy is hot as hell for an animated character!

What is the name of the last book you wanted to use as kindling?

Do I have to name names? But it involved a ridiculous amount of slow build, to the point of being torturous,. The first 50 pages were all online conversations that was dragged on and on and on. I never got past page 50. And I can be one of the wordiest writers, but even I thought the depth of the conversations was a bit over the top.

What songs would you choose for the soundtrack of your life?

Anything by Bruce Springsteen would probably fit – the immediate ones that come to mind are No Surrender, Car Wash, When the Lights Go Out, and Trapped.

Of all your characters, which one do you think would be best in a crisis?  

Probably Devlin Marchand from In the Devil's Arms. The man is all about control – taking it and keeping it. He'd stay calm, and take charge, give orders and prevent chaos from taking over.

Thank you so much for joining us Gianna! I've had a lot of fun getting to know you on the tour!  

Blurb: Healing the Mage

Lily Prentiss wishes she could ignore her inborn healing magic so she can live life on her terms, not follow the path her Magiste family chose for her. But when she stumbles across Aidan Marchand in the excruciating throes of evolving into a Mage, her touch is all that stops his pain and she can no longer deny her powers. When the sexy Dom seduces her into willing submission, she finds she doesn't want to resist and actually enjoys giving up control.

Aidan has more to worry about than just his rapidly maturing powers – his business partner is blackmailing him into funding a venture that involves kidnapping young girls both magical and mortal, and selling them as sex slaves. Even as Lily's touch eases Aidan's pain, he knows staying with her puts her in danger from his enemies. But the gift of her sexual submission helps him even more than her healing magic…so how can he let her go?

Buy link: https://www.nobleromance.com/ItemDisplay.aspx?i=252

 For the next stop in the tour:

Review of Comfort Food, by Kitty Thomas

It's been awhile, but I've finally found the time for another review. Compared to this book, Deadly Captive is a sweet romance. Those of you who've read Deadly Captive will understand what I mean, but if you enjoyed it, I would definitely recommend Comfort Food. And a therapist. *

DESCRIPTION:

Emily Vargas has been taken captive. As part of his conditioning methods, her captor refuses to speak to her, knowing how much she craves human contact. He's far too beautiful to be a monster. Combined with his lack of violence toward her, this has her walking a fine line at the edge of sanity. Told in the first person from Emily's perspective, Comfort Food is a tale of erotic surrender that explores what happens when all expectations of pleasure and pain are turned upside down, as whips become comfort and chicken soup becomes punishment.

DISCLAIMER:

This is not a story about consensual BDSM. This is a story about "actual" slavery. If reading erotica without safewords makes you uncomfortable, this is not the book for you. This is a work of fiction, and the author does not endorse or condone any behavior done to another human being without their consent.

Warning: This book contains BDSM elements, master/slave dynamics, nonconsensual sexual situations, psychological conditioning, and oral and anal play.

I give Comfort Food 4 ½ Strong shots.

From the moment I powered off my ereader at this stories end, the strangest thing stuck in my mind. In reading this book, I had been conditioned, probably not permanently, but it's there. Just the idea of chicken soup turned my stomach—I actually took it out of a scene I was working on because I couldn't stand to recall the smell.

Any book that affects me this way occupies a space in my mind for a while. Disturbing, a little twisted, but the artist in me craves extreme reactions from words woven together, and appreciates the skill that goes into the weaving. My own little trigger, one of many Ms. Thomas exploits.

And all this by the end of chapter one.

To be perfectly honest, saying 'This book is not for everyone' is a gross understatement. This book is for those people who love a story for all its intricate details, for the power it has to move you. It's for those people who hear lyrics like 'I hurt myself today, to see if I still feel', and understand, whether they've experienced that level of numbness or not. Because experiencing it isn't necessary to understand the pure horror of feeling nothing.

Locked in a room, denied everything but bland sustenance—chicken soup and crackers, uck—the psychological manipulation of Emily is done slowly and carefully. I actually got to the point where I wanted her to give in because I couldn't take the deprivation anymore. Some may say she didn't 'hold out long enough'. Bull. One of the most severe punishments you can give a child is to ignore them, to cut them off from your affection, to refuse to respond to them. They can feel when they're not reaching you anymore and a normal reaction is for them to scream and cry and tell you anything you want to hear. 'I'm sorry, mommy. I'll be good, daddy. Please look at me!'

That people actually believe that we become immune to such punishments as adults amazes me. I think we're probably more susceptible; we've had the illusion of control for years.

This is a book I will definitely reread, probably for the same reason I treat myself to tequila every once in a while. I've made myself real sick with the drink, but my inhibitions were gone, and in that moment, I felt free. I could never surrender my life like the heroine in Comfort Food, not in real life. But the author gives me a safe place where I can live out the warped fantasy.

I've given Comfort Food 4 ½ strong shots because I would have like the sex to be a little less detached. In part, I understand why it was, but I found myself wanting a bit more of a connection.

I was tempted to take off another half a shot for the ending, but it didn't feel right. Part of me hated the ending because I'm supposed to, because that's the strong, modern-day woman way to feel.

In the world of Ms. Thomas, in the sanctuary her hero created, there could be no better Happily Ever After.

To buy this book, click on the cover.

*disclaimer. I have a weird sense of humor, please don't take anything I say personally.

NOBLE AUTHOR'S BLOG TOUR-Interview with Mindy Mackay

Would you like to know a little tidbit about Mindy Mackay? She can tie a knot in a cherry stem in her mouth. And clap with one hand (This is one I've never heard!) but she doesn't consider that as interesting as what she can do with her tongue. Granted it doesn't carry the same implication.

Let's see what else we can learn about this talented author:

If you found a sexy man/woman tied up on your bed, what would you do with him/her?

Pontificate about my philosophical beliefs–they can't cover their ears because their hands are tied, and they're restrained to the bed so they can't escape!

What do you consider the most erotic fruit?

This is amusing; I have the new MS Word and it wants to correct this to "exotic fruit". Anyway, I think it's grapes, but that may be a result of me watching one too many WKUK sketches.

Name a historical figure you admire. Explain why.

Joan of Arc. Executed at age 19 and still managed to accomplish more than most people do in a lifetime.

What mythical creature would you want to be?

Werewolf. Rolling around in dirt in the woods and not caring about cleanliness, eating meat, having a good excuse to rage and snap at things, the adventure, the camaraderie of pack life…I could have a lot of fun with all that.

If you had to choose between and angel and a vampire, which would you choose? Why?

You mean, like, to eat?

Ah, I'm just messin' with ya. In all seriousness, though, this is a toughie, seeing as I'm one of those old-fasioned, human's-good-enough-for-me types. I'm going to get out a coin now. Heads, vampires; tails, angel. I'm flipping. Heads. Vampire. Delightful.

Most people would say uniforms are sexy. Do you agree? Which is the sexiest in your opinion?

Strongly disagree. Uniform implies authority and I prefer to keep things equal in a relationship scenario. Uniform also implies conformity and I prefer the roguish, take-orders-from-no-one types.

What's your favourite action movie? If you don't have a favourite, name one you didn't hate.

Is Inception an action movie? I know it's defined as a "scifi heist film", but it did have a lot of action. IMHO, this was the perfect movie.

Who's your favourite cartoon character? What do you like about them?

Bugs Bunny. He's such a trololol and can get away with anything. It's great.

What is the name of the last book you wanted to use as kindling?

Heart of Darkness. I mean, seriously, all that was said in that entire work could have been said in half that amount of word count.

What songs would you choose for the soundtrack of your life?

Oh gosh. I'm such a music nerd. My soundtrack changes with every season, but here's just a sampler of my life in tunes right now:

Crazy Beautiful Life by Ke$ha – because life is good.

Our Velocity by Maximo Park – if my personality were condensed into a song, these would be the lyrics.

Castaway by Green Day – life is a sentimental journey.

I Write Sins Not Tragedies by Panic! At the Disco – actually, I do write tragedies, but that's not the point. The song is a very nice bit of societal observation, I think.

Coin Operated Boy by the Dresden Dolls – don't we all wish we had one of these!

Of all your characters, which one do you think would be best in a crisis?

That would definitely be Isabella Sordeno from the Puppetmasters series. She's already proven herself in multiple crises with uncanny siege mentality and has the sense of self-preservation it would take to survive almost anything.

Rosella Cartwright wakes up in the hospital after a yearlong coma with no recollection of who she used to be. Her only clue is that everyone around her despises and avoids her. Then, she discovers the truth: before she was hospitalized, she was the most wanted maniac of New York's criminal underbelly.
 
Disgusted by reports of her own heinous crimes, she attempts to reform herself, but her efforts are in vain as society continues to cast her out in hatred and fear. All the world seems against her until she is offered a job by Daniel Ryan, a rising executive and self-made success who hides a lifetime of inner turmoil behind a façade of cool indifference. Drawn to his mystery as he is by her irrepressible darkness, Rosella starts falling for Daniel, but love can't save her from her past. A former victim of hers wants revenge, and will stop at nothing to get it. Her partners in crime want her back by their side, though she wants nothing more to do with them. And a sinister plot of her own design, buried beneath her amnesia, is, unbeknownst to her, still very much in progress. These are the monsters she will have to fight off alone, and if she doesn't watch her step, she might not make it out alive.

 

Special Content Alert: Reference to graphic violence

 

For the next stop in the tour, click here:

All the comments from the tour have been entered for the grand prize! Make sure your name gets included and comment often! Each comment is another entry. More entries, more chances to win!

NOBLE AUTHOR'S BLOG TOUR-Interview with Cherie de Sues

Please welcome Noble Author, Cherie de Sues, who is currently participating in the RWA (Romance Writers of America) RITA Awards and the RWA Prism Awards in the paranormal genre. She also designed the cover for Red Roses and Shattered Glass, the tour Anthology:

Now for the interview!

What's your favourite thing to watch on TV while being intimate? (And that questions only dirty if you want it to be)

 A TV and intimacy are rarely in the same room or … location of intimacy. TV is the LAST thing I want on unless it's playing music in the background. Ambiance is important, although who's listening to the news if the sudden need for a quicky evolves right in the middle of the program, right?

Imagine a very ordinary situation and find a way to make it romantic (extra points for creativity)

The bedroom is NOT my first choice for sex. That being said, I've found that men are very creative when the mood strikes and so am I. The back of a theatre during the late-night showing of a scary movie, the beach with a full skirt, or a stroll through the zoo with all those great nooks and jungle-like crannies.

If you found a sexy man/woman tied up on your bed, what would you do with him/her?

A sexy man would get my full attention as I turn down the lights, put on candles and music. I'd feed him strawberries and whipped cream, then use chocolate syrup wherever he asked to be kissed…oh, yeah, I have no problem imagining that evening.

What do you consider the most erotic fruit?

I've had marvellous fortune with strawberries, something about red lipstick, red stilettos and red fruit drives a man crazy.

What mythical creature would you want to be?

I want wings, so maybe Pegasus, or a faery. I learned to fly a plane, just to feel the sensation of floating in the air. Parachuting is another way to get that thrill with a safety net.

Beer, wine, or spirits?

Um, yes. Beer is for hamburgers and French fries or pizza. Wine is for Cordon Bleu and spirits are for holidays. Thank goodness there are so many holidays on a calendar!

If you had to choose between and angel and a vampire, which would you choose?

Why? I'm a survivor, and I'm no angel, so I think I'd go with the vampire. With a supply of blood products, I wouldn't need to ravage an innocent and I hear the sex is GREAT!

Most people would say uniforms are sexy. Do you agree? Which is the sexiest in your opinion?

I'm ex-Navy and yes, uniforms are very sexy. The men inside the uniforms in my experience are edgy, sexy and brave. No one is sexier than a Marine, especially when they ask the Navy for a ride to the nearest war zone. HOT.

What's your favourite action movie? If you don't have a favourite, name one you didn't hate.

I love action movies. Naming one is tough, but "Pearl Harbor" was an epic film I really enjoyed. I liked "Australia" and of course, the "Star Wars" movies were powerful. On TV, the "Battlestar Gallactica" was the best action series I've ever seen with drama, battle scenes and outstanding performances.

Name your favourite cookie. No, seriously, tell us what it is and give it a new name.

If I were sent to a deserted island with the choice of only one cookie, forever, I'd choose Mrs. Field's Chocolate Chip, and Walnut Cookie. I'd call it the Walate.

Who's your favourite cartoon character? What do you like about them?

Bugs Bunny is a smirking, joke cracking, playful, yet seriously mischievous character. Bugs laughs in the face of danger and makes the hunter look like an idiot. "What's up doc?" Great fun.

Bio:  Chérie De Sues is a "critically acclaimed" and "award winning" author of thrillers, paranormal and contemporary suspense romances from sensual to sizzling heat levels. When Chérie takes a break from writing novels, you can find her at book signings, online, or traveling to research her next novel. She shares her home in San Diego, California, with her Irish terrier, Reilly.

Website: http://www.cheriedesues2.com

Blog: http://www.cheriedesues.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/rose_embyrs

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/writtenbycherie

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cheriedesuesnovels

Blurb:

Simone Devereaux has inherited an estate on the Northern California coast after her Aunt Celeste meets with a sudden, mysterious death. The hot neighbor, Trent Grayson, insists Celeste was murdered, and wants to be more than the man-next-door. When clients arrive to pose for their nude portraits over the weekend, Simone realizes she's inherited more than an estate. Two randy poltergeists enter her dreams for a lusty ménage, and a budding serial killer threatens her sanity.

Now her Wiccan mother and gypsy father are coming for a visit, just in time to watch Simone lose her heart . . . and possibly her life.

Excerpt: The Seduction of Simone, picture on blog loop

She climbed the spotless carpeted steps toward the master bedroom. Creaks from the old, wooden stairs brought back pleasant memories of playing cat and mouse with cousins. Weekends with Aunt Celeste had always been a great adventure, especially when she pulled out the tarot cards and read Simone's palm by firelight.

Celeste had encouraged her to read tarot and became enthusiastic with her attempts. Her aunt believed she could be a natural and someday would read true from the gypsy blood coursing in her veins.

As she neared the top of the stairs, a deep growl made her stop in rigid fear. She gripped the banister as she quickly looked down the stairs for a dog.

Nothing.

She frowned, looked at the landing above and caught sight of two large, marble gargoyles. Simone's gaze flicked from one to the other, then she whispered a protection charm. When the low growl stopped, she moved slowly up the remaining stairs.

The gargoyle sentinels were new since her last visit. Why would Celeste need to guard her home so fiercely with gypsy magic? As Simone turned left toward the master bedroom, she shook her head at the amazing ability her aunt possessed to conjure such a powerful protection spell.

The question of why Celeste needed so much magic nagged at her as she walked down the long hallway. Her gaze followed the walls, lined with mirrors and portraits of long-dead family members. Celeste had a talent for drawing out the essence of a person's character in her art. The skill had been another similarity they shared, but her own journey never included painting portraits of ancestors.

At the end of the hallway, Simone stopped at a closed door and laid a hand on the glass doorknob. As she turned the handle, an unexpected pressure-change occurred and frigid air burst past her into the hall. Blinking at the chill on her face, she entered the bedroom. The presence of her aunt filled her senses.

Familiar scents, wall hangings and Celeste's favorite colors of rose and cream were everywhere. Simone crossed the room, pulled back the heavy drapes and found an open window. Whoever had cleaned must have left the window open for fresh air before the storm hit.

Drops of rain on the windows warned her that the storm out at sea would come toward the estate. The odor of uprooted seaweed lying on the wet sand below floated up on the tiny droplets of sea spray. The turbulence of the ocean farther out would do more damage before the day ended.

She ran her fingers along the wet edge of the windowsill, looking for the crank. The stiff, metal handle complained loudly from rust.

Satisfied the room would now warm up, Simone turned to assess the furniture. The bedroom looked spacious, regardless of the antiques from her great grandparents. The hand-carved, four-poster bed had always been her favorite piece. The polished wood had a bright sheen, and ever since she was a child, it had reminded her of princesses in fairy tales.

The king-sized bed rose high from the ground, with three steps to reach the mattress. The light-rose bedspread and canopy coverings were subtle and feminine. Simone ran her fingers across the silk material and purred. Her hand-me-down stuff in the Jeep would never pass muster in this room. Maybe she could use her cotton sheets in one of the spare bedrooms downstairs.

"Aunt Celeste, I can feel you in here. I miss you." Her heartfelt words didn't travel far and almost seemed absorbed by the room.

Simone sighed and took in the large armoire, perfect for hanging delicate clothing. The two matching dressers, designed for a married couple, were bookends to a wide, gold-framed, full-length mirror—an identical match to the one in the library. Simone rubbed at the prickly hairs standing up on her neck, feeling eyes, once again, watching her. She chewed her lip and turned on the old, Victorian lamps on either side of the bed. She didn't want to run into anything tonight when she moved her things inside.

The house would also be cold. Simone stepped over to the fireplace against the wall. She crouched to make sure the flue would open then closed it again. She should be grateful Cavendish had arranged for logs and matches for her first night. She had no idea if there were any other methods to heat the estate. There didn't seem to be thermostats in any of the rooms. She'd need to ask Cavendish tomorrow; he might know of the earth-friendly heating method her aunt preferred.

At least she'd have a hot bath. Celeste had bragged in one of her last letters that she'd remodeled the bathroom into a spa and enlarged the closet space. With a deep breath of anticipation, Simone walked inside the bathroom and spun around with a grin.

"Hot damn."

The room looked outrageous. A sunken spa ready for four people, hand-painted, Italian floor tiles and a double sink with cabinet space galore. Simone cooed at the window next to the spa, that looked out to sea. In her opinion the breathtaking view cried out for lovers and candlelight. Her gaze traveled to the ledge around the spa and found oils, bubbles and candles already in place.

Celeste's libido obviously hadn't been suffering. Who had she been entertaining? With a satisfied smile, Simone backed out of the room in hunt of the closet. The door lay open. She switched on the internal light and inhaled a rush of air at the sheer size of the space. As big as a small bedroom, the closet had more hanging space, shelves and drawers than she'd need in a lifetime.

Simone appreciated that Cavendish had the cleaning staff empty the closet and chest of drawers. Having those items stored away in the basement gave her the chance to go through Celeste's things later. The task would be too hard until she finished moving in and made the house her home.

She turned off the light and came out of the room quickly, right into the arms of a tall, muscular man. Shocked, she pushed against tight abs and strong arms, which seemed determined to keep her imprisoned.

"Let go!" Her heart pounded from an injection of adrenaline.

The stranger relaxed his hold and tilted her back from him.

Green eyes framed by dark lashes stared down at her with a curious expression and the twinkle of a smile. Simone roughly pulled away and stumbled back in fear.

"What the hell are you doing in here?" Her voice projected anger as she edged to the side, hoping to make a run for the bedroom door.

The ruggedly handsome intruder stepped agilely to the side to let her pass. "Sorry, I knocked and called out, then heard noise upstairs." He put his hand out in greeting. "I'm Trent Grayson, and I'd say you're family of Celeste's?"

His smile and easy charm seemed harmless enough, if she didn't count his impressive physical attributes. He had to be six-two easy.

"Yes, I'm Simone Devereux, Celeste's niece; I'm moving in today."

Her hands fisted, and she tried not to be lulled into believing the man could be safe, just because he looked gorgeous. Simone watched his eyes widen, as if her words had leveled a great blow.

Don't forget to comment for your chance to win one of many

For the next stop in the tour, click here:

Images for Inspiration

My muse is very spoilt. Lately, going from editing mode, to blog writing mode, to story land, is something of a struggle. Sometimes I feel like my brain is a small room where there are too many things going on at once. There's a stereo blasting Marilyn Manson, Criminal Minds is on TV, and in the middle of it all twenty people are playing twister.

So how do I flip the switch?

Well, usually I open up my latest WIP and glare at it until the words come. Those words usually get deleted because they're so forced. Then I step away from my laptop and try to find a distraction so my brain will relax. If I'm lucky, inspiration will come.

But what about the days when I don't feel like waiting around for my muse to get off his ass?

On days like that–like today–I tempt him. Music works more often than not to set the mood, but when my minds eyes can't 'see' anything worth writing about, eye candy usually does the trick.

So here's today's treats:

Totally random, I know, but inspiration doesn't have to make sense. There are sexier pictures out there, but I can't write without a certain amount of emotional investment and a sense of newness. These images either triggered the vision of a scene, a character's feelings, or physical sensations that could be used in the story.

Add some music, the right kind of clothes if I really need to get in the zone, and I'm set.

Wish me luck!

Winners and Playoff Fever!

The Montreal Canadians made the Playoffs! I knew we could do it!

And yes, I am one of those crazy sports fans that speaks of the team as though I'm on it. I constantly refer to the players as 'My boys'–not only am I on the team, but I own it–and my favorite player is affectionately called 'My baby'. I hate Boston and Toronto (the teams, not the cities, LOL!) with a passion and will avoid talking hockey with their fans to keep the peace.

I haven't missed  a game this year. No matter what I was doing, I stopped the second the puck was dropped. Some days I would write or edits during commercials, but more often than not game time was the one time I'd give myself a break and just throw myself right into the action and forget everything else.

Exciting, liberating–well, except when we lose.

Anyway, if the regular season was bad, just imagine how the playoffs will be. As far as I'm concerned, this is the best time of year to be a Montrealer. At night, during the game, you can hear the shouts from houses up and down blocks when the teams scores a goal. Everyone goes out between periods for a breath of fresh air or a smoke and neighbours exchange thoughts and predictions, or bitch about the refs. When the next period starts all conversation halts abruptly and everyone's back in front of the set.

After a win, for at least 30 min, cars will blare their horns in celebration. And no one complains because, well hell, we're all excited! We raise our fists and shout Go Habs!

Probably looks a little nuts to people not from around here, but during the playoff, Montreal Canadien fans have no shame.

*fingers crossed that there are no riots this year*

So, if you ever wonder why I'm conspicuously absent–since I've got a pretty consistent online presence–all you have to do is look up the playoff schedule. If the Habs are playing, you know I'm parked on the sofa–or possible sitting on the floor a foot away from the TV looking like I'm about to dive into the set–beer in hand and screaming along with all my crazy neighbours.

I will be sane again in the summer…well, mostly! LOL!

Now for the moment you've been waiting for (or what you've skimmed over the rest of my rambling to find). For the second week of the Noble Blog Tour, I've chosen 2 Winners!

Hira~Enamored Soul~Has won a copy of Deadly Captive

Jean P~Has won an I'm No Angel gift pack

You'll be getting emails shortly. Congratulations.

Note: All winners are still eligible for the grand prize. Good Luck to all!

NOBLE AUTHOR'S BLOG TOUR-Interview with HC Brown

Fourth day of the tour, hope everyone's having fun! Today HC Brown joins us to share a little about herself. H.C. Brown is a multi published, award winning, highly credited author of Fantasy, Paranormal, Sci-Fi, Historical and Contemporary Romance.  Currently living in Australia, She believes every story should have a happy ending.

What's your favourite thing to watch on TV while being intimate? (And that questions only dirty if you want it to be)

H.C. I never have the T.V. on.

If you found a sexy man/woman tied up on your bed, what would you do with him/her?

H.C. Lick him all over

What mythical creature would you want to be?

H.C. Oh come now. . .how well do you know me? A faerie.

Beer, wine, or spirits?

H.C- Coffee

If you had to choose between and angel and a vampire, which would you choose? Why?

H.C. To be honest an angel wouldn't have me and vampires are dead….Hmm.

Most people would say uniforms are sexy. Do you agree? Which is the sexiest in your opinion?

H.C. Gotta love firemen, life savers are great too all that bare flesh.

What's your favourite action movie? If you don't have a favourite, name one you didn't hate.

H.C. Avatar,

What songs would you choose for the soundtrack of your life?

H.C. Adam Lambert says it all

Of all your characters, which one do you think would be best in a crisis?

H.C. Nox the King of the Faerie. I could rely on him for anything.

Current release:

Hawke's Purr-fect Mate

Buy link; www.nobleromance.com

Blurb:

Deliciously handsome, insatiable alpha male, Hawke of Knight Watch, has a reputation, for a voracious and varied sex life. However, his ability to attract streams of men and women to his bed comes into question when he meets the mysterious, Ice Princess, Lydia.

Lydia born of both Fae and Pride has a secret. Unable to chance the man of her dreams discovering the truth about her, she publically refuses the handsome Prince Hawke.

 Disillusioned and heart sore, Hawke must fight the battle of his life against the dogs invading his realm, and for the love of his true mate.

My links:

http://www.hcbrownauthoroferoticromance.blogspot.com

http://www.heathercbrown.bravehost.com/

http://www.nobleromance.com/BrowseListing.aspx?author=40

http://www.jasminejade.com/m-709-hc-brown.aspx

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3251580.H_C_Brown

http://www.amazon.com/H.C.-Brown/e/B003P0BCZE/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

http:// www.manicreaders.com/HCBrown/

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