Daryl Devore's Blog, page 106

Spotlight on D.T. Dyllin on Erotic Notions

HIDDEN GATESBook one of the P.J. Stone Gates TrilogyD.T. Dyllin

Book one of the P.J. Stone Gates Trilogy
by  D.T. Dyllin
Expected publication: January 24, 2013
Coming to print and ebook For P.J. Stone, being a “Seer” who has never seen anything is less than fun. And P.J. isn’t known for her patience.To make matters worse, she must choose a suitable mate to continue the Seer bloodline. Duty always comes before her heart…at least that’s what her parents taught her. When she finds herself wanting someone who is considered off-limits, P.J. is forced to question everything she believes.As if navigating her love life isn’t complicated enough, P.J. finally receives a vision—of a threat to her world that only she can perceive. But no one will believe a fledgling Seer’s warnings. With nowhere else to turn, she may decide to trust a stranger with her life, her world, and maybe even her heart.

Author Bio:Cynical-Optimist. Chocolate-holic. Sarcasm Addict. Paranormal Believer. Self-Imposed Insomniac. Sci-Fi Geek. Animal Lover. Writer…are just a few words to describe D.T. Dyllin. She was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and now lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and two very spoiled GSDs. Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads
Buy Links Barnes & Noble

Dilys J. Carnie and Her Passionate Protector on Erotic Notions

 Dilys J. Carnie

I’m just an everyday kinda girl and I have lived on the Island of Anglesey in North Wales for thirty nine years. I have two grown up children Emma is a teacher and Christopher is involved in the family commercial business. I have three sisters; two of them live close by as does my mum.
 I am an avid health freak, a vegetarian who is manic about working out in the gym and doing Pilates classes. I love clothes, makeup, having my nails and hair done. I’m just a girl’s girl.
If I am not in my office pounding the keys I’m sitting in my favourite chair reading on my new Kindle.
Author LinksWebsite / Blog / Goodreads/ Pinterest / Twitter

Her Passionate ProtectorByDilys J. CarnieErotic RomanceSecret Cravings PublishingNovember 12, 2012
When Lucy meets Alex the owner of the new company her cleaning business has just picked up a contract for, her hard won self-preservation and quiet life flies out the window.Smoldering heat ignites every time Alex comes near her.He is confused by this independent, yet vulnerable woman and when her ex-husband returns, determined to hurt her, Alex fights for her life and their love.
Excerpt
“Give her time, Alex. She’s been through a lot.” The pressure of his friend’s hand was reassuring on his shoulder and he just nodded. It would take more than time. It was going to be one hell of an uphill battle. At that point, Jack came wandering into the kitchen, rubbing himself around Alex’s legs. “And what do you want, little one?” Alex picked up the cat, its purring hum showing he had settled down quite easily. “Do you want some cream, buddy?” He poured some into a saucer and put it down, watching as the cat lapped greedily. “Let’s take the coffee out now.” Alex picked up the try and followed Simon. After they went out on to the balcony, and he set the tray of cups and coffee on the table, Nic got up from where she had been sitting with Lucy on the wicker sofa and put her arms around Simon. Alex looked over at Lucy, her body hunched, the pain and sadness evident in her chocolate brown eyes.
More excerpts can be found at Dilys WattPad
Buy LinksSecret Cravings Publishing / Barnes & Noble / Amazon UK / Amazon US /  BookStrand

A.M. Griffin brings Dangerously Mine to Erotic Notions

A.M. GriffinA. M. Griffin is a wife who rarely cooks, mother of three, dog owner (and sometimes dog owned), a daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She’s a hard worker whose two favorite outlets are reading and writing. She enjoys reading everything from mystery novels to historical romances and of course fantasy romance. She is a believer in the unbelievable, open to all possibilities from mermaids in our oceans and seas, angels in the skies and intelligent life forms in distant galaxies.
Author Links Website / Facebook / Twitter

Dangerously Mine by A.M. GriffinEllora’s CaveSci Fi/EroticDecember 14, 2012
After aliens invade and conquer Earth, Eva is transported to a distant slave trading planet. Escape and freedom are her only priority, but none of her martial arts training prepared her for what she faces. She finds herself enslaved to the warrior King Taio. Eva’s drawn to this sexy alien male who ignites her heart and body.
Taio is disgusted with the idea of owning a slave—until now. From the moment he sees her, he knows Eva is his for the taking. Torn between lust and duty, Taio knows nothing will stop him from protecting his little warrior.
Excerpt
Eva pressed her face against the rectangular window in the training room, watching the lights of unknown origin whiz by. She stood in one of the training rooms Ship had sequestered for her. After lunch, she felt more than a little stir-crazy. She needed to work off some of the tension that coiled around her muscles. It took all her strength not to get up and leave the dining hall while Taio’s gaze bored through her back. Did he really have to keep sending those smoldering looks her way?His lavender eyes locked on her whenever she entered a room. The intensity of his gaze made her body respond in a way that she didn’t want it to. No one would ever consider her to be a coward. But there was something about the way he looked at her that had her frightened. And that tattoo on his face. Sometimes it intrigued her and other times it made her scared. Who would allow such an intricate drawing to be completed? The pain alone would have been enough to deter any sane person from getting it, alien or not. His body was a whole different story. It was downright criminal to have a body like his. The man had a body that would make a nun want to sin. He was tall, unbelievably so, but he was all rippling muscle.This vessel was full of men and the only one who would give her a second glance was Taio. The thought should have given her some type of comfort. Instead of beating off twenty men, there was only one she would have to worry about. There was no mistaking his intentions. Every time he looked her way, it was as if he were willing her clothes to fall from her body. Her only counterattack so far was to stay away from him.But she did have to agree with Ship, being under the care of Taio was for the best right now. She was fed, the dining hall was open around the clock, which was a plus. Oftentimes she found herself standing in front of the computer, requesting the buro flank with nitlick soup after everyone else was fast asleep. These were the closest thing to Earth food she could find. They had the same taste as chicken and tomato soup. She was finally clean. Although she would have loved to feel the caress of running water on her skin again, the ionized shower hit the spot. She had clothes, which, although they were tight, were at least clean. And most of all, she didn’t feel her safety was in any type of jeopardy, not at the moment. She wanted to find Ally, but she had to face the hard facts.She was far away from home.In an alien world.No money whatsoever.Nowhere to go.And alone.Finally, pulling herself away from the window, she pulled a training bag from the corner to start her workout. Hand-to-hand combat always made her feel primal, the main reason she loved it so much.Within minutes, her training suit clung to her body, the lightweight material not constricting her movements at all. Perspiration covered her from head to toe, her once tied-back hair hanging wet and loose around her. Her muscles thrived under the workout, coming alive once again.Heavy breathing behind her caught her off guard. She flipped away, landing in a fighting stance facing the intruder.Taio stood in the doorway, watching. He gave a curt nod her way, the acknowledgement doing nothing to make her feel relaxed.“You have good skills, Eva.” He hooked his thumbs in the waist of his pants and leaned on the doorway. Her name never sounded better.“Thank you.” She relaxed and straightened, her eyes still watching him. This was his first time speaking to her since their ill-fated first encounter.She didn’t dare move closer, especially since she still didn’t know his intentions. She didn’t move away either, fearing he would view that as a sign of weakness. So she stood her ground, her body betraying her in the worst way. Her heart sped up a little and her breathing became more labored. Now she found her nipples hardening as her name rolled off his tongue. I know trouble when I see it.Eva willed her body to fight against whatever “mojo” he was throwing at her.Taio walked into the room and took a sword off a rack on the wall. He began flexing it, testing its weight. The gesture caused his arm and chest muscles to ripple with each movement. Jesus.“Who taught you fighting moves?” he asked.“My sensei, he lived back home.”“Earth,” he said as a statement, rather than a question.“Yes, Earth. Ann Arbor, Michigan, more specifically.”She eyed the weapons on the wall. She was trained to use various fighting weapons—sais, kamas, knives, nunchakus, bo staffs and swords. She could show him a thing a two. She walked over to the rack and took another sword off the wall. Shit!It weighed a ton! No wonder he smirked when she picked it up. Even though she strained to hold it in both hands, she made sure not to let him know. She would give anything to smack that look right off his face. Instead, she concentrated hard on not dropping the sword. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. She dared not try to maneuver it as he had. “A male taught you?” He sounded surprised.“Yes. Thirteen Earth years of training.” Taio laughed and shook his head in disbelief. “It’s not unusual on my planet,” she said. “A male can teach a female how to fight or even a female can teach a male.”He laughed harder and shook his head. “There could never be such a thing on my world.”She turned away. “I earned a black belt, first Dan in Kyokushin Karate. On Earth I’m considered to be a great fighter.” “Your people did not fare well in the war against the Loconuist. The fighting techniques of your species mean nothing to me.” Ouch. If the sword in her hands wasn’t so heavy, she would have swung it at him. Asshole.“We didn’t know how to fight them. We’d never encountered aliens before.”“Then it is good that I will take care of you from now on.”Her head snapped around. “I don’t need you to take care of me.”“You were captured by the Loconuist and the Tresdonians almost killed you.”She shrugged. “But they didn’t.”He smirked. “Because I saved you.”“Thanks, but I can take care of myself.”“It doesn’t matter. You are my responsibility now. You are my slave.”Her eyes, squinting and cold, fixed on his. “Ship told me those assholes on that planet gave me to you. I think you got cheated. I’m not a slave. Not yours or anyone else’s.”“If this arrangement does not suit you, I could turn the vessel around and give you back to the Tresdonians.” He turned from her and put the heavy sword back on the wall rack.Her heart began pounding in her chest. He wouldn’t… “No. I’m not going back there.” She held her sword tightly in her grasp.“Then you are my slave.” He stalked slowly toward her. His eyes locked on hers.“No.” She backed away from him. This cannot happen.“You are mine.” He took another step toward her. “You will need to get used to the idea.”“Never.”He stopped his advancement. They stood facing each other. Her breathing came out in deep and heavy breaths. Her heart thumped in her chest.Abruptly, he turned and walked from the room. She blinked at the empty doorway. The cold surface of the wall was against her back. She held the sword close to her chest, shielding her body. She stayed there until her arms shook from the sword’s weight.She was no one’s slave. Buy Links Ellora’s Cave / Amazon / All Romance Ebooks
Book Trailers

Georgia Lynn Hunter and Absolute Surrender on Erotic Notions

Hi Daryl, Thank for having me visit your blog.
Tell us 6 things about yourself.1. I love jellybeans - (yum)2. I love Cadbury’s chocolate covered Turkish delight 3. I love Starbucks 4. I love Thai food  (yum)5. I absolutely love milk tart. (A South African dessert) 6. I think I’m hungry.
Was there a moment when you first thought "I'm a writer."?GLH: When I was offered a contract for Absolute Surrender.
What genre(s) do you write in?GLH: Right now paranormal romance.
Have many books have you written? List names of published books?GLH: I’ve written three. Absolute Surrender is the first and has just been published.
What is your latest book about? GLH:  It’s a book of discovery and acceptance.  Here’s the blurb Born in the flames of Heaven’s wrath, he’s all things sinful…and too dangerous to love. An immortal guardian, Aethan’s walked alone for millennia, trapped in a hell of his own, until a feisty mortal crosses his path—a female he shouldn’t even look at, one who shakes the precarious foundations of all that he is—and one who’s determined to walk the edge of danger. She only wants to be normal… All her life, Echo Carter wanted “normal,” an impossible feat given that she can see demons. Now she’s determined to hunt down the demonii responsible for the death of her friend—and no man, no matter how sexy, will stop her—until she discovers a horrifying truth about herself, forcing her to turn to Aethan. But when two stubborn wills collide, a dangerous passion ignites…As evil closes in, will this warrior overcome his darkest fears and claim her as his—or lose her to a far more sinister fate.(wow)
DD:What is your favourite moment in the story (one that doesn’t give away any secrets)GLH: Hmmn a toughie… After they finally get together, he trains her and that moment in the gym, just the two of them is one I rather like.
DD: Plotter or a pantster?  Why does this work best for you?GLH: I can't say for sure if I'm one or the other. I thought I was a panster and realized I had no stopping point. Yup, I could beat the phone book in page count then. Now, I usually start off with an idea, write for 3 to 4 chapters, then I stop and write out plot points. Just bare bones, because I love when my characters take over as they do most times and the surprises that leave me excited with all the twists and turns it takes. But more important, I have a stopping point.
Have any of your characters ever been based on people you knew from real life?GLH: No, not really. I want pure fantasy with my character, people we love to be or be with. But little funny antidote or mannerisms from real life usually finds its way to my characters.
Short question time.Favourite ice cream -  GLH:  Cheesecake ice-creamDream vacation – GLH: A little cottage Scotland, just to write or paint.Least favourite food – GLH: eggs! I hate the smell.
Stuck on an island – what 3 things would you bring?GLH: Chris Hemsworth, a book if I should get bored with him (doubtful), some shades to look cool.
Blurb/Book Cover/Excerpt/Buy Links – whatever else you want to add.
Excerpt: first meeting between H/h          Echo tightened her grip on the dagger. Her gaze fixed on the stranger who radiated menace, her stance ready for a fight.“I’m not going to hurt you.”The cadence of his voice startled her. Like a low rumble of thunder, it caressed her senses. A flash of heat zipped through her veins. Crap! Was he trying to seduce her into giving him whatever it was he wanted? It sure as hell was close to working.She stared pointedly at the obsidian dagger he held. “Yeah, right.”An odd stillness seemed to come over him at her words, then he relaxed and sheathed the blade on his belt.Was she supposed to do the same? Too bad for him, he would have to be disappointed. She waved him off with her dagger. “Good. Now, get out of my way.”There was a slight shift in those cool gray depths. Irritation? Amusement? She couldn’t be sure, not when his expression had the tensility of granite.He nodded to the spot where she’d killed the demonii. “We need to talk about that.”Echo narrowed her eyes at him. She didn’t care how sexy that lightly accented voice of his was. If he thought for a second she was going to tell him how she saw demoniis, or killed the fiends, he was doomed for disappointment. People already thought her strange. And for some insane reason she didn’t want him to think so, too. Didn’t matter she’d never see him again.“I don’t think so.” She stepped around him, bypassed a stone bench, and was sheathing her dagger when he grasped her denim-clad arm. His touch sent a jolt to her system, like a sharp tingle. It unsettled her.“That wasn’t a request.”©GLH
Website: http://georgialynhunter.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaLynHunter?ref=hlTwitter: https://twitter.com/GeorgialynH

Buy links:Black Opal Books: http://bookstore.blackopalbooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14&products_id=59Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/Absolute-Surrender-ebook/dp/B00BYH1KUC/ref=sr_1_16?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1363940783&sr=1-16&keywords=absolute+surrenderKobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Absolute-Surrender/book-SlpP8XUcr0SSubup9G_YgA/page1.html?s=FoLIYm0pIkKUBCSnZV0BXw&r=1ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-absolutesurrender-1146891-144.htmlBarnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/absolute-surrender-gerogia-lyn-hunter/1114883359?ean=2940016359496Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/297284

Jessica Subject's Accidental Romance on Erotic Notions

Accidental RomanceJessica E. Subject
At twenty-two, Leanne Declan has graduated from college and hopes to take over the family farm until a tragic accident changes her life forever. Unable to do the simplest everyday chores, she must depend on her family and friends as she learns to face life’s challenges. But when her fears threaten to destroy her future, can an unexpected love be strong enough to help her dreams come true?Available from Decadent Publishing and other ebook retailers. More information and Buy Links
Excerpt:A million needles pierced her wrist. She had to get away from the fire. Leanne flicked open her eyes, screaming, longing for the agony to stop.White walls surrounded her. Machines beeped. Taking in the new scenery, she closed her mouth, the pain forgotten. Bags filled with clear liquids as well as blood hung from a metal pole. She followed the tubes from the bags into her left hand. Was that where the burn came from? She glanced at the other arm, the end of which was wrapped in thick bandages. The image of spinning blades and her mangled flesh flashed before her eyes. She screamed again, tears falling down her cheeks. This can’t be happening.Bodies rushed into the room, many in scrubs. With her vision blurred, she didn’t recognize anyone. All strangers. She was in the foreign place by herself. A nightmare. Has to be.“Shh, calm down, sweetie. You’ll be okay.”A familiar voice. She glanced to her other side to see her mom standing beside her, her eyes glassy. She held her hand, but Leanne couldn’t feel it, only the throbbing which had returned to her other one, the one that was…gone? She groaned, turning on her side, and pulled her knees up to her chest.“Mom, is it really…?”She brushed her fingers over her forehead. “Don’t worry about it right now. You need to rest.”“It hurts so bad.”“I know.” Her mother stroked her face again. “But the nurses will help it go away.”“Leanne,” one of the nurses hovering around her said. “I want you to take deep breaths and count backward from ten.”“Ten.” She sucked in air and cried out in agony.Between clenched teeth, she continued. Anything to stop the pain. “Nine.”Ice traveled through her veins. “Eight.”The throbbing slowly ebbed away. Seven.Darkness swept over her and pulled her down with it.
Bio:Jessica Subject is the author of contemporary and science fiction romance, ranging from sweet to erotica. In her stories, you could meet clones, or a sexy alien or two. You may even be transported to another planet for a romantic rendezvous.When Jessica isn't reading, writing, or doing dreaded housework, she likes to get out and walk. Fast. But she just may slow down if there is a waterfall nearby.Jessica lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and two energetic children. And she loves to hear from her readers. You can find her at jessicasubject.comand on twitter @jsubject.
Website/Blog |Newsletter | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon| Authorgraph

Antoinette and The Vampire's Gallery on Erotic Notions

Let's all say HELLO to Antoinette M. She's brought The Vampire’s Gallery, Book One in The Vampire’s Gallery Series
Tell us 6 things about yourself.1.  I worked in a lab before I wrote smut. No really, I worked in a genomics lab, labeling tubes and moving around small volumes of fluid, genotyping things.2.  I have a big dog named Popeye. People always think he’s a 150 lbs. and the size of an elephant, but he’s just a meat-hound.3.  I wrote awful novels as a teenager. It was fun. I keep them in a box downstairs.4.  I have great fine motor skills, but other than that, I’m super clumsy.5.  Yuengling is my favorite beer, but only because Great Lakes doesn’t make their Christmas Ale year round.6.  I listen to everything from death metal to dubstep to opera. (wow - that's an eclectic music range.)
Was there a moment when you first thought "I'm a writer."?I ordered a copy of a book from Lulu, and I thought to myself, wow, I wrote this. It was having this physical thing in my hand that made it real.
What is your latest book about?Jamie hasn’t gotten laid in years, like five hundred. For Maria, it’s been about five, but for a human that feels like eternity. When Jamie announces his intention to eat her, she gets something else in her mouth first.Maria awakes from her wild night, a vampire, and is thrown into a world where sex and politics combine like they once did in the glittering halls of Versailles.
What is your favourite moment in the story (one that doesn’t give away any secrets).The bit with the camera, inspired by reading too much Lindsey Flinch Bedder.
Plotter or a pantster?  Why does this work best for you?Pantser, although I’m learning to plot. The start of the story will always be pure pantsing though. Those first thousand or so words are one of my favorite moments writing, the honeymoon phase where you’re still in love with everything.
Have any of your characters ever been based on people you knew from real life?I wouldn’t say based, but definitely inspired by. I wrote one story, “Love on the 500”, where I made one character me in my mid-twenties, and the other character was me in my early twenties (spoiler alert: they bump uglies).
Personally I have trouble coming up with book titles, is this easy for you? How do you do it?I’m awful at it. I solicit help from others.
Short question time.Chocolate ice cream or chocolate gelato? Lactose intolerance :-(Baseball or hockey? Hockey.Hot red finger nail polish or bare nails? Bare.Spaghetti or steak? Steak.Laying on a beach or skiing down a mountain? On a beach, with a book.White roses or red roses? Red.


The Vampire's GalleryAntoinette M

 Unlucky. Unloved. And now undead.
Maria hasn’t been touched in years and sustains herself on her friends’ sexual encounters. She's coerced into trying out internet dating, and she soon attracts the attention of a stud named Jamie. When he invites her out for a beer, she accepts, her mind focused on the one thing she wants—a warm body pressed against hers. Jamie makes her laugh and she invites him in, never guessing that he’s doesn’t want to bed her, but drink her. The Vampire’s Gallery follows Maria as she leaves one life of dull city apartments for another of sex, sensation, and blood. She rattles the stilted hierarchy of Jamie's home when she makes the ancient, distant vampire feel again. But what about the vampires that surround Jamie? Who are her enemies, who are her friends, who’s just pretending?
About the Author: Antoinette M— had a grubby childhood in southern New Hampshire. She has always maintained that “cranky” and “Yankee” rhyme for a reason. Today, Antoinette writes smut. She lives in a crooked little house, with an awesome husband, and a very large dog. She enjoys reversing gender roles, playing with old stereotypes, and is currently working on the next installment of her series, The Vampire's Gallery. Facebook / Twitter

Casea Major and 2 - Yes! - 2 - Hot Books on Erotic Notions

Beginning on March 28 going through April 2, 2013, Night with a Dom is FREE and One Knight in Brooklyn is .99 cents!
You can get Night with a Dom  and One Knight in Brooklyn on Amazon.
Night with a Dom


Melody Manning’s workaholic ambition, coupled with a slave-driving former boss, has made her the youngest market analyst in her firm. It’s also killed her personal life, including losing her fiancé. When she receives a message from him on New Year’s Eve announcing his engagement to another woman, Mel loses it. Her new, more compassionate boss has the perfect solution for her—get laid. Good and laid.At his suggestion, she signs up with the 1Night Stand service, listing her deepest sexual desires on the application. A speedy response from Madame Eve has Melody on her way to Sonoma Valley wine country and a one-night stand with a mysterious Dom.The sexy, masked Master promises to get to the bottom of her guilt and provide ultimate satisfaction under the safety of his stern hand. After an emotional night of submission and uninhibited passion, will her lover’s unmasking lead to the end of their encounter or give Mel another chance at love?

One Knight in Brooklyn


After signing up for a one-night stand through an exclusive matching agency, hopeless romantic Marianne Caldwell is swept away to a medieval land where she hopes to spend the night with a worthy man of honor.Unsure of how she got from the Castillo Hotel in Las Vegas to a castle in the English countryside, Mare finds Robert, whose stunning physique and winning smile immediately convince her he's the Robin Hood she's been seeking.  But despite his efforts in saving her from a corrupt sheriff, his Jersey Shore accent and coarse ways unravel her romantic visions.With her fairytale fantasies coming unhinged, Mare must decide if Robert is just a crass car salesman from Brooklyn or the chivalrous knight she's looking for.
BioPrior to becoming a writer of romantic fiction, Casea Major worked in the legal field for a non-profit dispute resolution company for ten years.  She is now a full-time mom to three preschool children with whom she and her husband live happily...most of the time.  When she isn't chained to her laptop, she enjoys Cary Grant movies and crocheting.
Website / Facebook / Twitter

Zoe Forward and Dawn of a Dark Knight on Erotic Notions

Please welcome - Zoe Forwardand her latest -- Dawn of a Dark Knight

Major apologies to Zoe - this first paragraph refused - REFUSED! - to behave. At first it was just one long sentence and then it shifted to triple space.  I couldn't fix it. Tell my readers about yourself.  Where were you born? Where do you live now? Hobbies?
Thank you for inviting me to visit! I’m a veterinarian by day and a writer at night. In the middle I’m a mom.  My special love of archaeology, especially anything Egyptian, shines through in the Scimitar Magi series.  A deep part of me wishes I had pursued a career that would have me at a dig site in a hot, sandy country, but I’m a small animal veterinarian, caring for everything from chinchillas to dogs...and even one hermit crab in there.
What inspired you to write? Several years ago I realized I wanted to write fiction as well as read. I had just finished reading a dreadfully written short romance, and at the height of my frustration determined I must release the characters bumping around in my brain that screamed to be free. Releasing them onto paper was an exhilarating experience.
Why paranormal romance? I grew up heavily influenced by Indiana Jones, James Bond, Star Trek, and Star Wars.  For books I started with Ann Rice and then got sucked into the paranormal romance world (and never looked back).  So, writing paranormals was a no brainer.  For Dawn of a Dark Knight everything came together at the right creative moment — my love of Egyptian mythology, my long-time passion for archaeology, my ideas about a new type of paranormal hero and more. It all just gelled.  Oh wow - add Harry Potter to that list and you've mentioned every movie I love!
  Your romance Dawn of a Dark Knight is Book 1 in The Scimitar Magi Series—can you tell us a little more about the series in general? For the Scimitar Magi series I created a new hero.  As a passionate reader of paranormal romance I’ve read my fair share of vampires, weres, fae, shape shifters and demons. And loved them all. But I wanted something new. In Dawn of a Dark Knight the Scimitar Magi are ten pseudo-immortals that live within our world, but struggle to remain incognito. The guys are not exactly thrilled to discover they vowed their eternal soul eons ago to serve the Egyptian gods, and now must execute daemons for the rest of their life.  With no past-life memory, they’ve got no clue how to wield the powers gifted to them by the gods.  Man to super warrior in five minutes with no instruction manual.  So it takes a long time for each Scimitar to work it out. At first losing control at random is the norm, and irritates the bejesus out of the more experienced guys. Incidents happen like blowing up a gas station, which is misinterpreted by the government as a terrorist act.  And then there are the women. The Scimitars each get matched to one woman for all-time, and she is also reincarnated.  But when…and if this woman shows up is entirely up to the gods, who love to muck things up for their entertainment.
Can you share a bit more about Dawn of a Dark Knight with us? I just love both main characters in Dawn of a Dark Knight.  The heroine, Kira…who wouldn’t want to be her? She’s an adrenaline junkie good at handling weapons with a cousin that drags her on black market art deals.  And she’s got a magical ability to heal by touch, which propels her towards a mind-blowing relationship with the world’s hottest, yet tormented hero.
And then there’s the raw, tormented Ashor. He struggles to obey the rules laid down by the gods he works for, but stresses when he can’t.  He desperately desires the woman destined to be the sacred healer for the Scimitar magi (Kira), but the gods’ rules dictate he cannot be involved with her. On top of this he keeps blacking out and going on hunts to take out the guys that do most of the daemon summoning, the Hashishins.  Killing these guys, even though they are clearly hostiles, violates the no-killing-humans-unless-attacked rule.

Plotter or a pantster?  Why does this work best for you? I have a rough idea of plot points when I begin, but allow the story to play itself out as I write.  For me, the characters dictate much of the action.  I’ve tried fighting with characters to get to the plot to move in the direction I desire, but sometimes the characters don’t agree.  And, generally, they win.
Have any of your characters ever been based on people you knew from real life? I’ve never based a character on an immediate family member.  But I have borrowed traits from acquaintances for some of the characters I developed.  When I’ve done so, it is done with love for these are characters that make me smile.

Having just got through a bit of writer's block myself, have you ever hit a writer's wall?  How did you deal with it? If I ever find myself mentally doing mud-spit wheels spins, I move on to a different project until the idea surfaces as to where a stalled story is headed. I’ve usually got about four projects in the works at once. So far, it’s always worked out.


Where do you write? Office, kitchen table, computer, laptop?  Where would the perfect location be for you? How I wish I had the luxury of time to schedule my writing or have a favorite location. Between being a full-time veterinarian, a mom and a writer, I’m thrilled to steal a few minutes in a busy day to pen some pages. Most plotting and brainstorming happens on my work commute or walking the dog. Bottom line is that I make it happen. The perfect location for me is somewhere quiet with an outlet in case my laptop needs charging.
Short question time. Chocolate ice cream or chocolate gelato? Ice cream Baseball or hockey? Neither- basketball Hot red finger nail polish or bare nails? Bare nails Spaghetti or steak? spaghetti Laying on a beach or skiing down a mountain? beach White roses or red roses? red Last one – tell us 1 thing about you that's fun. I seem to be a magnet for running my car over nails and getting flat tires. :-)
Thank you for inviting me to visit.  I always love to hear from readers. Drop by my website to send me an email.
Website: http://www.zoeforward.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorzoe.fo... Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/... Buy links:  Wild Rose Press: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index... NOOK: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dawn-... Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dawn-Dark-Knigh...

Louisa Bacio brings a Mardi Gras Menage to Erotic Notions

A big Erotic Notions welcome to Louisa Bacio and her latest – Mirabella’s Mardi Gras Ménage. 
Tell us 6 things about yourself.1. I enjoy dying my hair funky colors, but am afraid I’m getting “too old” for it.2. I love a good lemon drop martini, but the rim must feature LOTS of sugar.3. I believe in ghosts.4. I love New Orleans, and feel like I lived there in a past life.5. I have too amazing daughters – 6 & 10 – and can’t wait to see how they grow up.6. I’m a bit of a pet-a-holic, and we’re looking forward to getting a puppy this summer. Right now, we have “old dogs,” who are much loved, but our household needs some new life.
 Was there a moment when you first thought "I'm a writer."?For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a writer. I’ve also been a journalist, and that comes with published non-fiction. As an “author,” that would definitely be with the release of my first full-length novel Sex University: Physical Education. And, let me tell you, it’s a fantastic feeling.
What genre(s) do you write in?Right now, primarily erotic fiction. I’ve done contemporary and paranormal romance. 
What is your latest book about?This story is within my erotic paranormal series “The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf.” Mirabella is the Voodoo queen’s niece. She’s been in the background in a few other books but as I was finishing up one, and thought the series would be ending, she threw her hand in the air and demanded, “What about my love?”  
What is your favourite moment in the story (one that doesn’t give away any secrets)?Favorite scene deals with the custom of beads in New Orleans, and when you read it … you’ll know it. 
Plotter or a pantster?  Why does this work best for you?For the most part, I’m a pantster, and why does everyone spell it differently? Most of the time, I have an idea of what I want to do in the story, and certain scenes but I don’t outline. 
Have any of your characters ever been based on people you knew from real life?Not directly. Sometimes I’ll overhear a bit of a conversation, or I’ll see someone or a situation in real that triggers a story idea. But, I haven’t take, say, a friend and based a character off her. 
Short question time. Favourite ice cream – Lactose-free vanilla bean and chocolate syrup Dream vacation – A month in Florence, Italy Least favourite food – My daughter reminded me about some dried raw garlic vampire kale we tried recently. Oh my, just disgusting. 
If you won the lottery, what would you do? First of all, sock some money away. I’m one of those people who likes to have a safe cushion. I’d also help out other family members, so make sure my mom and dad are taken care of, and then the “fun” stuff would be a vacation to Hawaii for the whole family – my oldest daughter keeps asking – and maybe a new PC. I’m on a Mac and I LOVE it, but there are some things/programs that I can’t do on it (Publisher). I’ve got a split hard drive but it’s not perfect.

Mirabella’s Mardi Gras MénageConstantly under the watchful eye of her Voodoo priestess aunt, Mirabella longs to break free during the events of Mardi Gras. Escapades draw her into the arms of Marguerite, a fiery redhead with a passion for life, and Nick, a familiar vampire who’s haunted by his transformation and past.What starts as a new experience – a Mardi Gras Ménage – soon turns deadly, and none of their lives will ever be the same. 

Available via Ravenous Romance, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other eRetailers.BioLouisa Bacio is the author of six erotic novels, including the paranormal series The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf, and numerous steamy short stories.Bacio enjoys soaking up the sun in Southern California, and spending time with her family. In addition to writing and editing, Bacio teaches college courses in English, journalism, film studies and popular culture.Drop in for a visit at http://www.louisabacio.com  http://www.facebook.com/louisabaciohttp://www.twitter.com/louisabacio Thanks so much for having me here today. Giveaway: A .pdf of a book from my backlist. Leave a comment with a valid email address, and you’ll be entered to win.Tour-wide: A $20 gift certificate to an online book retailer. Use the Rafflecopter to enter.$20 Rafflecopter Gift Card



a Rafflecopter giveaway

BlogHops. You have to do them, but are they worth it?

First off - let me state - I am not complaining about any blog hops I've been on - they have all be wonderfully organized and run.


But with that said, I think it's about time somebody said it out loud. Blog Hops. You have to do them, but are they worth it?

I've been on every blog hop I could find. Had to do some stretching on some, like last year's Fourth of July blog hop (I'm Canadian.) Some were easy peasy to match my genre to the blog – Hot Summer Nights. Erotic writers like anything with the word HOT in it.But of late, I've noticed the readers aren't the same. They are there solely for the grand prize. They'll hit every blog, but with a cut and paste reply. I checked. On the last hop I was on, I tracked 3 different readers. Their comments were the same on 79 different blogs and then I got bored.I did a little experiment on my most recent hop. My latest isn't due to be released, but like a good little blog hopper I posted an excerpt and a giveaway. And only 2 people responded correctly. The first, I am proud to say, is a fellow Canadian!You're probably thinking that only 2 got the correct response to a skill testing question. And since a Canadian got it, it was probably Canadian based. Like - What is Poutine? A) Our Prime Minister's last name. B) A city in Quebec. C) A heart attack on a plate that is a minor Canadian obsession.But no, you'd be wrong.  What I did is put the giveaway in the middle of the excerpt. So you actually had to READ the excerpt. Isn't that the goal of the blog hop? Entice the reader to buy your book and as a reward for doing so, offer them a chance at a prize.See below – I cut out the extra paragraphs.
Excerpt - 
"Can I skip the pleasantries and go straight to what's wrong?" Kat clicked her cell phone shut and tossed it into her purse. That meant she was serious. It's girl talk time. "Oh, and don't bullshit me that it's nothing or that you're okay. I know you. Something's up. Where'd you go this weekend? I called and called."So if you want a chance to win an ecopy when this is released, leave a comment that starts with a six letter word and your email address and you could be the first to read this romance. I'm hiding this here to see how many actually read the excerpts. The waitress placed our beers on the table. I paid for the two with a sizeable tip then wrapped my fingers around the glass and sighed. Guinness is a stout. That's a dark beer and kind of strong—exactly what I needed. The thick inch of froth on my drink was a little butterfly of joy. I swiped my finger through the foam and licked it clean.
I can't address the sales effect of the blog to sales of my latest –as I said, it hasn't been released. But I have a feeling the effect would have been – at best – minimal. All this does is put me between a rock and a hard place. Have to promo book. Blog hops have lots of readers, so are good places for promo. But readers aren't reading my posts. Maybe this will be my blog post for the next hop.
Welcome to the Blog Hop.Leave your email address so you can be entered to win.
It would save me a lot of time.
Comments???Thoughts???Did anybody actually read this!?!