Leia Shaw's Blog: Leia's Writing , page 5

A Today Show and 50 Shades Response

There’s this little book series, you might have heard of it, called Fifty Shades of Grey, and it’s making big waves in the romance world – and beyond. There’s a lot of controversy surrounding it. As you might be figuring by now, I’m attracted to controversy.

50 Shades started off as Twilight fan fiction then released as an erotic story that has crossed over to gain readers of all genres. It features a young college student, Anastasia, and her rapid but intense relationship with a young CEO with a traumatic childhood and a fondness for whipping women in his
“Red Room of Pain” (i.e. BDSM playroom).

Women who read a lot of BDSM are up in arms because they say 50 Shades has portrayed BDSM as a bad thing a person should heal from instead of an acceptable lifestyle if practiced safely. But if you take a look at the Goodreads reviews you’ll see most people love the books.

In fact, it got so much attention that the Today Show did a special on it. Apparently 50 Shades is the newest trend to hit the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Women are talking about the haunted billionaire and his dark fetish.

Opinions abound on this subject. “Experts” weigh in on whether BDSM, specifically sadomasochism, is healthy. Long gone are the days of S&M being considered a mental illness, or so I thought.  In fact, it’s been proven there is not a higher rate of trauma among those who practice BDSM than in the general population. Yet the “expert” on the Today show regarded the books as encouraging violence against women. Which is not only extremely ignorant but who on earth would call a man who’s never read the books in question an expert on the subject, or on women’s sexuality, in the first place? Just because it says Doctor in front of his name and he has his own show doesn’t mean he’s smart. I think Dr. Phil proved that one.

But I digress.

I’ve read the three book series and I enjoyed it very much. Does it portray BDSM as a dark and unhealthy need? A little. Could that be true for some people? Absolutely. It’s all a matter of perspective. Is a glass of wine bad for the majority of the population? No. Is it for an alcoholic? You see what I mean. Something healthy for one person could be unhealthy for another. There are plenty of erotic books that shed a positive light on BDSM, why not write about the other side?

What I find ironic – and irritatingly inconsistent – is how authors go on about censorship regarding taboo subjects most of the population finds horrifying yet I don’t know how many times I’ve heard the words, “EL James shouldn’t write….blah, blah,blah (elitist mumbo-jumbo).”  Isn’t that that the same as censorship? We silence each other by discrediting work we don’t agree with yet claim we’re anti-censorship. Seems hypocritical to me.

Back to the Today special. You’re all are dying to know what I think about it, right? Right? Too bad. I’m telling you anyway.

Women are talking about sex.  How is that a bad thing? What’s a beautiful gift we’ve been given as a human race has been made shameful, and anything that deviates from what we’ve been raised to accept as the norm is misunderstood at best. But now they are discussing not only sex, but kinky sex! Fantasies they may have thought crazy or weird are being brought out into the open and discussed freely. And how much do you want to bet that this is affecting them in the bedroom too? I think it’s fabulous.

I’m not advocating shouting your top ten favorite positions from the rooftops, but if women in private book clubs are opening up to each other, learning from each other, supporting one another because of this series…well…I tip my hat to EL James.

Link to the news segment
http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/46602040#46602040

30% off both books this week only!

Bonafide Reflections, run by the lovely Laurielu, is a beautiful, professional, review site dedicated to reviewing romance novels with fair and honest reviews. If you've never been there, you should check it out. She has contests and interviews with authors as well. And you should read her reviews, they are beautifully written. Seriously. And I'm not just saying that cause she's super cool.

Anyway, enough plugging for Laurielu, and let's get to the point. She interviewed me and reviewed both my books for last weekend's Over 18 Blog Hop and I gave away one of my books to a lucky winner. But there were sooooo many super nice commenters I couldn't leave them to pay full price.

So for this week only, I'm offering a 30% off coupon for both my books on smashwords.com. That makes each book only $2.09.

Seriously people. It's a good deal. Take the deal! They are full length novels and even if you buy both it's probably still cheaper than a Starbucks coffee.

Click on the link below to get the details (and read Laurielu's review of Destiny United and check out her site while you're there). Get on smashwords, find my books, type in the code, easy as that. You can upload to any e-reader. Don't have an e-reader? You can read it pdf or html right on the site.

Remember, the coupon is only good till next Monday, Sept 26th. So get on it!

http://bit.ly/qi2LHE

Happy reading!

Leia

If You Haven't Already Heard....

Destiny United made it to the top 100 bestseller list for vampire romance on amazon!!!

I'm so excited!

I've already facebooked and tweeted it so if this is getting repetitive...sorry.

But I'm so excited!

Did I mention I'm excited?

Anyway, if you take a chance and read it, I really hope you like it. I truly put my heart and soul into this book. Even more so than the first but I don't think I should play favorites :)


Leia Shaw

Inside the Actor's Studio with Marcelo de Castile

Marcelo is here with us today. He's an 843 year old vampire with a sexy, spanish accent, long raven hair, golden skin, and a very large -

Marcelo: Perdon a me?

Bicep. I was going to say bicep. Anyway, he's here to answer a few questions, Actor's Studio Style. So, here we go.

What is your favorite word?

Aila.

What is your least favorite word?

No.

What turns you on?

*Grins* Aila.

What turns you off?

Nosy questions.

What sound do you love?

Aila's voice.

Wow. You really have a thing for this girl, Aila, don't you?

She's my heart, the other half of my soul, and my mate for life.

All right then. Moving on. What is your favorite curse word?

Mierda.

What does that mean?

Look it up. Are we almost done?

Man, you're pushy. Last one. What profession, other than yours, would you like to attempt?

*Thoughtful silence* Ballroom dancing.


There you have it. A true romantic. *Swoon*

If you'd like to read more about the sexy (but not single) Marcelo, check out Destiny United.

$2.99 on Amazon, Barnes&Noble, and Smashwords (where you can also read it pdf or html)

So long for now.

The Paranormal G-spot

Yes, you read that right. That's the name of my new blog. Since I've had a good number of views on this goodreads blog, I decided it was time to create my own space on blogspot.

Sooo...

If you like my ramblings, and even better, if you like to comment on my ramblings, join me at The Paranormal G-spot. Where I'll be discussing books, writing, have contests, share freebies and teasers, and much more.

Okay, well, maybe it's nothing brilliant, but it will be fun. I promise.

So, the more comments, the more people that subscribe, the more I'll giveaway stuff. Don't know what yet, books, gift certificates, just stuff. Cool stuff.

Anyway, join me!

http://www.leiashaw.blogspot.com

New Covers!

If you didn't notice already...

I have new covers for both books in the Shadows of Destiny series!

I am so excited and I love them both!

Especially, Destiny United. What do you think of that hottie? He's perfect for Marcelo. Dark and dangerous and sexy as hell.

Mmmmm...

Now I wish I could say I knew him personally, but alas, he exists only as a stock photo for me.

There's a saying, "don't judge a book by its cover", but I think that is nearly impossible to do.

What do you think? How much does the cover influence your decision to buy a book?

- Leia

Tuesday Teaser

Teaser from Destiny Unchained (book 3) - release date January 2012.

***Warning: not intended for readers under the age of 18***

He approached her weaponless, an hour later, and had to bite back a smile. So I’m not the only enemy she’s made around here.

Her head snapped up when he emerged from the trees and into the small clearing. “Are you stalking me?”

Hanging by her wrists from a tree and still cocky? “I think I like you this way.”

The rope had been tied tight around both wrists and slung over a thick, overhanging tree branch. With a smirk he knew would make her hackles rise, he circled her outstretched form. It was hard to look arrogantly disinterested with a raging hard-on, but he sure tried. She was tall for a woman but still several inches shorter than a male werewolf. Contoured muscle was visible through her tight jeans. This was no fragile flower. No, she was a warrior.

Now, why would he be turned on by that? He was an alpha. Dominant. His mate, Laurel, had been opposite in every way. All feminine curves. Sweet and docile.

He stepped closer, his gaze glued to her round ass. He narrowly avoided a blow to the head by a booted foot. No, there was nothing sweet or docile about this Huntress.

“No metal?” she asked.

He showed his teeth. “I never make the same mistake twice.”

Unable to stop himself, he stroked his hand up her thigh, edging toward her firm backside. He jumped back with a chuckle when she kicked at him.

“Behave, Talia. Or I won’t help you down.”

She narrowed her eyes. “You haven’t earned the right to call me Talia. Or any nickname for that matter.”

I know that. What he didn’t know was why he didn’t care.

“And I don’t need your help,” she said.

His brows shot up. “Really?” He stepped back and crossed his arms over his chest. “I’d love to see this.”

Her eyes glazed over as she stared into the trees. She couldn’t have been moving metal. He didn’t scent any of her weapons nearby. There was nothing for miles but trees and open plains.

He cleared his throat. “While you’re working on that miracle, do you mind if I ask you a few questions?”

Her gaze remained focused straight ahead. “You don’t seem like the type to ask permission for anything.”

“I’m not. So you realize the exception I’m making for you.” He smiled in a predatory way and fought back the urge to touch her again. “Especially when I have the perfect opportunity to interrogate you in –” he raked his gaze over her body “ – other ways.”

He liked her restrained, arms over head. It made her firm breasts jut out enticingly. If he had his way, he’d leave her tied up, strip her, throw her legs over his shoulders and –

“An exception, is it?” she said. “For me? I’m honored.” She struggled a bit, adjusting her body under the pressure of her weight.

“I’m beginning to think it won’t be hard to kill you after all.”

Her gaze flew to his face then she snorted. “Figures. That’s the thanks I get for sparing your life?”

He took a step closer, careful to stay clear of any swinging legs. “Why did you?”

For a fleeting moment she was unguarded. “Hell if I know,” she said to herself. She raised her chin and focused back on the tree. “Came back to bite me on the ass, didn’t it?”

He grinned. “I’d love to bite you on the ass. Are you giving me permission?”

“You only get one get-out-of-jail-free card with me, wolf, and you already used it. Touch my ass with your teeth, or any other body part, and I’ll kill you.”

He loved how she didn’t growl or yell the threat. She said it as dispassionately as if she’d been reading a weather report. But still, how could he resist such an obvious loophole in her warning? He picked up a thin stick, stepped around her, and rapped her on the backside. Just once, and not hard.

After her body jerked and a small gasp escaped her lips, she inhaled a deep breath and looked up to the sky. As if she were praying to the gods for patience. Any vampire – or werewolf, or woman, for that matter – would have been aghast, slinging insults, threats, and showing fang. But Talia merely exhaled a sigh and gave him a look that said, “Really? That childish, are we?”

He laughed out loud.

“Got that out of your system?” she asked, glaring at the stick on the ground.

He picked it back up. This was too much fun. “I don’t know.” He swung it through the air, smiling at the whooshing sound. “We’ll see.”

She rolled her eyes. “I amend my former statement. Touch my ass with anything, and I will personally slit your throat.” Her eyes lit up with an icy hunger. “But I won’t kill you. No, I’ll leave you to bleed out here in the cold. It will take you a full day to heal and by that time, your dick will have fallen off from frostbite.”

He nodded, undisturbed by her gruesome warning. “My dick will freeze, huh? I’m wearing jeans and long underwear.”

“I’ll take them off,” she said, looking into the trees again.

“So now you’re going to slit my throat, strip me, then leave me in the cold. Is that right?” He circled her again. He liked the way she twisted her body to keep him away from her back.

“Yes.” Impatience flared in her eyes. “Look, don’t bother me with petty details. Just assume I’ll do something very painful and violent if you touch me again.” She cut him off when he opened his mouth to speak. “With any object, body part, or otherwise.”

Biting his lip to keep from grinning he said, “Well, I just want to be clear, Natalia, about what will happen to me…when I do this.” He reared back with the stick and she flinched.

There might have been a glimmer of anger under that controlled exterior when she saw his mocking grin. “Fuck you. I’m done with this conversation.”



Sorry but you'll have to wait till January to read the rest. I might put up a little more here and there on a Tuesday between now and its release. But I don't want to give away too much.

As always, happy reading everyone!

- Leia

Mental Health Issues in Fictional Characters

I wanted to bring up this topic since it seems to be a bit on the controversial side. The heroine in my second book, Destiny United, suffers from an anxiety disorder that gives her frequent panic attacks.

I eavesdropped on a conversation between a writer friend and an agent at a writer’s conference about this very topic. This writer’s story was a historical romance novel about a man just home from war who suffers from PTSD. The agent told her that publishers don’t want stories about people with “issues”. Because women read romance for escape, they aren’t interested in reading about heavy themes like PTSD.

Although the advice didn’t change much about my choice in creating an anxiety disorder in Erin, I did keep it in mind while writing.

First some background. Both heroines in my first two books were raised in foster care. The reason I chose this route is because: a) I wanted my heroines to have obstacles to overcome, b) having been a foster parent and adopting two children from foster care, it is a passion of mine, and c) I needed mysterious pasts to go with the storyline.

I have a son with special needs and multiple close family members who have mental health challenges. This is a topic very dear to my heart.

That being said, romance readers do not want to read about characters with heavy issues, according to this agent. I haven’t actually polled people on this so I can’t confirm it as a fact, but I’m guessing she’s right to some extent. This is her career after all.

Though anxiety disorders, or any disability/mental health condition, is not a light matter, I had to keep it light in my book. Again, giving readers a sense of realism along with the escapism they crave. If you didn’t already know, it’s a tough balance. So, yes, Erin has panic attacks. She depends on boyfriends to get through her daily life. She can’t go to mall, restaurant, or movie theater without self-medicating. It is relevant to the story but really only an active part for the first third.

Marcelo, being the hero, forces her away from her sheltered, fear-trapped life and coaches her through her anxiety so she can live again. Here’s an exchange from the end of the book where she explains it nicely:

“You’ve come a long way from the scared little girl I met in Albany. I only had to drag you kicking and screaming from your safe little world to get here.”

“No,” she snorted. “You took my safe little world, tore it up, stomped on it then burned it to ashes.”

He shrugged and stalked towards her. “I challenged you.”

“You taunted me.”

“I pushed you.”

Beyond what I thought I could handle. You thrust my fears in front of my face where I couldn’t ignore them. You forced me to take a good, hard look at what was holding me prisoner and decide if I wanted to die there alone.


Erin's particular disorder was a result of trauma endured as a teenager, not a chemical imbalance. It came from fear and there are different degrees of fear. Her fears were encouraged by purposefully sheltering herself where she thought she was safe and secure. It involved staying in a static state where she was rarely challenged to grow as a person.

She was "healed" not because mental illnesses are easy to "get over", but because it stemmed from a place that could change. Brain chemistry, as an adult, can not change without the help of medication. But conscious fear can.

Did Erin's “healing” happen much more quickly than it would in real life? Well, yeah. I have to keep the story moving and give readers a HEA. Is healing as easy as someone telling funny jokes and concentrating on breathing? Of course not. Is there such thing as vampires, fae, werewolves, and witches?

You see where I’m going with this?

It’s fiction. I strive for my books to mimic real life themes; trust, forgiveness, love, while also giving you a sexy hero who only cares about your pleasure in bed and says romantic things your husband would never think of.

Isn’t that the point?

What I look for in a book (of any genre) is 1) entertainment, 2) humor, 3) depth and emotional connection

What about you? Does a character with “issues” ruin a book for you? Are there any books that deal with mental health challenges or disabilities well in your opinion? What are the 3 things you look for in a good book?

Best of Twitter - July

So I've discovered Twitter.

Yay for jumping with both feet into the social networking arena.

Boo for it taking away from precious writing time.

But I have had some of the funniest and strangest conversations on Twitter.

So I thought I'd take a break from heavier topics and just be silly. Below are some conversations that had me giggling.

TP = (NOT toilet paper. Twitter Person)
Me = Well, me.


TP: I'm reading my kindle at B&N. Is that bad?
Me: It's like eating chicken in front of your pet chicken.
TP: That's a hilarious comparison!
Me: Well I don't have a pet chicken for that very reason #itsjustwrong
TP: How about a pet cow?
Me: Nope. Just a dog but she's getting fat enough to eat with all the food the kids drop for her #allkindsofwrong


TP: Rereading after I edit. Hero smacks heroines butt in more than one sex scene. And this is NOT erotica.
Me: Nothing wrong with a love pat now and then. I have them in my books and I don't write erotica. I think it's cute.
TP: I think I just have an obsession with heroes who like to spank.
Me: You and many others so spank away!
Me: Weird day. I just had a conversation on goodreads about belt scene in Outlander too.
TP: Coincidence? I think not!
Me: Seriously. Naughty things on my mind. Is it a full moon?


TP: Starbucks is Mommy Mecca. I have such baby envy!
Me: You can borrow mine. She's cute, likes to sing the ABC's, and doesn't bite (much).
TP: At first I thought you were talking about my other tweet about beta readers!
Me: Oh. Well. Same applies to them.


TP: I really wanna get drunk and have violent sex tonight. Instead I'll settle for a cup of tea and a Jaffa cake.
Me: Wow. That's quite a concession.
TP: The Jaffa cakes are readily available. The cock, sadly, is not. One makes do. *sigh*
Me: I suppose if I had to pick a runner up to violent sex, Jaffa cakes would be it.



TP: Hot Damn! Looking at a sexy as heck guy in a kilt. Do you think he'll get mad if I lick him?
Me: Where? Where? I wanna see! Lick him then maybe he'll sweep you away to the Highlands for great sex in a medieval castle.
TP: You just got me more hot and bothered just thinking about it. I'm at RomCon and just got a photo.
Me: I'm jealous. No highlanders here. Just two grubby kids and an overweight dog.


TP: To impress a woman. Kiss her, hug her, compliment her, love her, protect her, support her. To impress a man. Show up naked with a beer.
Me: Lol! Don't forget the pizza.
TP: Yeah, that's how I got my husband. Had I known then what I know now - I would have burned the whole meal.
Me: That's the problem with that advice. Then they expect you naked and cooking for them for the next 50 years.
Me: Maybe we should compromise. In a maternity bra with sweatpants, a frozen pizza, and half empty beer.


Me: Ugh. No one warned me Game of Thrones was so creepy. I thought it was about thrones and...games...and stuff.
Me: On episode 7 and yes, I see the appeal. I'm in love with Jon Snow.
TP: Have you started to like Kahl Drago yet? Started out rough then OMG hottness!
Me: Great body but I'm not digging the make up. Can't get past it.
Me: You'll be able to lust after him for a whole 2 hours. He's playing Conan in Conan the Barbarian.
Me: Just watched the trailer and I have a deeper appreciation for Kahl now.
TP: He's a beast of a man *shiver*
Me: That he is *fans self*
TP: But Jon Snow is hot too. Plus he's a Stark. Winter is coming!
Me: Ah, yes the brave, kind hearted man of honor. I just want to pinch his cheeks. But Kahl? I think I'd lose a hand.
Me: Jon Snow is the guy you want as a husband. Kahl Drogo is the guy you want in bed.


Anyone else have funny Tweets to share? Or facebook or blogs or whatever.

- Leia

What Do You Want in a Romance Novel?

Balance.

I think this is one of the hardest parts for writers to conquer. Maintaining just the right balance of whatever ingredients make up their writing.

For fantasy/paranormal (or maybe just me), it's action, humor, plot, character growth, relationship, and sex.

Phew!

It's a lot.

My first two books contained a lot of action. Umm...that is, physical action - adventure, fighting deadly creatures with swords and fists and teeth.

For my 3rd book, it's more relationship building and less adventure action.

As far as action between the sheets...well, since I try to make my characters as accurate as possible while still entertaining you, they usually don't have a physical relationship (at least not more than kissing) until at least 1/3 of the way into the story.

But after that...it gets steamy quick!

So, romance readers...how much action (adventure kind and sexy kind) do you expect in a romance novel?

How much romance, how much sex, and how much of everything else?

If you could pick a ratio - like, say, 1/3 relationship building, 1/3 sex, 1/3 plot/action, as an example - what would your ideal ratio be?

Leave a comment below.

- Leia