Tara Chevrestt's Blog, page 129

Just for a Laugh

Hey, I happen to write erotic romance too... so I felt it appropriate to share this on my blog.

Just for a laugh. :)


And what makes this even funnier, this butternut squash was left on my front step in a bag...whilst my husband was away on a camping trip. *snicker*

As my friend, Staci, jokingly asked, "Did they know you were along this weekend?"

The Next Big Thing Challenge Week 12

How this works: There are ten interview questions and I’ll answer these questions for Cauldron of Tales and then tag five more authors who will then answer my ten questions and post on their blog next week. Special thanks to Suzie Grant for tagging me and you can check out her interview here.

What is the working title of your book? Like Suzie, I'm between WIPs right now, not because I don't have tales to write, but because I'm swamped with edits and favors for friends. So I'm going to talk about the book coming soon that I'm most excited about. It's an anthology some talented writer friends and I have banded together to write and self published. It's called Cauldron of Tales.

What genre does your book fall under? It's an anthology of Halloween short stories, all revolving around witches, spelled, potion, love... Some is erotic, some dark, some funny. It falls under so many tags, I can't list them all here.
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? I have two short stories in it. I think I would choose Keira Knightley for Sabine in The Devil's Berries and A Sappho Spell...hm. Milla Jovovich and Michelle Rodriguez are what I visualize. They were smoking on screen together, would be smokin' in my tale.
What is the one sentence synopsis of your book? When five witches with wild imaginations get together, the pot boils over with trouble, romance, and sensuality.
Will your book be self published or represented by an agency?  Self.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? I can't speak for the others, but we've been corroborating since August to put this together. Some of the tales were already penned, some weren't.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? I really can't say as this an antho and it's all different. I'd say The Devil's Berries will raise a few eyebrows though. Not quit Selena Kitt, but not for the faint of heart.
Who or what inspired you to write this book? Things happen for a reason. I wrote my stories for a publisher anthology. I encourage some talented writers I knew to join the anthology. They all wrote stories too. The publisher crashed. So we did our own thing.
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? There's something for everyone in this. You want darkness? You want to have goose bumps? You want to laugh? You want to get aroused? This may be for you. :)
Cauldron of Tales releases on Amazon October 1st. It is, however, available on Smashwords (perfect for you nonKindle users. :) ) 
Blurb: When five witches with wild imaginations get together, the pot boils over with trouble, romance, and sensuality.
In The Devil’s Berries, readers are taken back to Renaissance England where Sabine, facing her last night alive, reveals how the witch really came to be associated with the broomstick. Will her nightly visitor bring her more trouble or will he give her peace?

Cindy can’t decide if she’s Hexed Or Vexed her longtime friend, Killen. All she knows is that one second he was her very manly friend, and the next, he’s a dog. Can her Witchy Group on Facebook help her fix the mess, or will she be burdened with a comical canine companion the rest of her days?

Willow Vance is a poor excuse for a witch, and by some stroke of luck, the six-year-old Past Potion she crafted worked. When the hexed warlock finds out about Willow's curse, he will stop at nothing for her to lift the spell. Willow can run, but does she want to?

Alone for Halloween, Bryn is ready to take some frustrations out on her purple battery-operated toy, but she’s in for a surprise when the Toy Soldier becomes a flesh-and-blood man. Grateful to be free of his plastic curse, Byron will do anything for her...no matter how naughty.

A dance of seduction under The Light of the Moon turns into a night of passion, but will that be enough for Aponi to keep the man of her dreams enchanted? Or will the flame that was ignited die out just as quickly as it sparked?

Danica finds herself confused after a trip to the carnival with her best friend and coworker. She’s been attracted to Lisette for months, but are her feelings really being reciprocated, or was there A Sappho Spell cast in Madame Lilith’s tent?
Thank you for stopping by and I'm tagging....
W. Lynn ChantaleDahlia DeWintersNikki PrinceLorraine NelsonLisa Yarde

Relaunching Sinful Urges

The last year has been a time of learning for me. I made some bad choices, was the brunt of some marketing errors, and this time I'm doing it RIGHT.

When it was previously published, Sinful Urges was labeled a romance. Now, don't me wrong, it's a good story, but it is not a romance. It's a story of lust and adultery and the consequences of acting on one's baser desires.

Come on, I'd say 3/4 of the United States has experienced temptation to stray...or done it. Let's not pretend it doesn't happen.

So, I wrote a tale about it, but in romance, one expects a Happy Ever After. When people saw the romance label, they assumed they were getting a romance. Imagine their disappointment.

So...now that the book is in my control, it's been published as what it is: erotica. I've even put a warning label on it. 

Warning: NOT a romance. May contain steamy, first person narrative that makes one uncomfortable, content that will raise your eyebrows, and a tragic ending.

I realize I won't get whopping sales with a label like that, but I'd rather sell fewer and have happy readers, not gypped or ripped off, than mismarket and have readers traumatized by what they've read. :)

So, join me as I celebrate the relaunch of my erotic noir. Spread the work, nab your copy, give me a "like", post a review. It's up on Amazon, Smashwords, and ARe. 

Blurb:

Follow the confessions of Juan and Maria as they fall prey to lust at first sight. Can they stop themselves before it's too late, or will they become victims of their own sinful urges?

A new neighbor sends Juan running to confession to rid himself of the lustful thoughts he experiences. Each confession becomes more erotic, more sinful than the last. Can Juan stop himself, or will he give in to the desire that threatens his very faith?

The man across the street causes Maria to question her own morals. When she seeks out a priest for confession, she weaves a tale of exotic kisses and stolen moments. How can Maria find sanctuary in her prayers when her body demands she finds solace in her neighbor's arms?

Concluding the Master Koda Virtual Blog Tour: What I Learned

I learned so much from the Master Koda Virtual Blog Tour. Wow. Where to start? First of all, it requires teamwork. If you don't like talking to people—even online—it's probably not for you. It requires swapping ideas, posts, trusting someone else to display your work properly. And it also provides the opportunity for growth and education.When I had to post assignment two, about a song, I didn't want to just post a link to YouTube and send people away from my blog. That defeats the purpose. Thanks to the group, I was able to figure out how to put the video IN my post. I never would have been inspired to learn this if I hadn't been assigned this particular lady's post to host. LOLThen the lovely and patient Tasha Turner taught me how to add those one click buttons at the bottom. This not only made it easier for people to repost/tweet/share all the Master Koda stuff, but also my other stuff. And I made some great friends. At first, I was like, "But I don't know these people!! I don't want to add them to my friend feed!" Well, some really became friends. I now talk story lines with them, discuss potential blog, promo stuff. One guy helped me with a Microsoft Word problem.I can't say it was all peaches and cream though. In the midst of all this learning, I also realized some folks are awful wrapped up in themselves. They don't take time to read instructions. They just pop in, do what they need, and ignore everything else. They ask the same questions over and over. They can't stay dedicated. Now, this is a small percentage, but seeing this made me try all the harder to do better.I wasn't perfect either though. I read the weeks wrong at one point and sent the wrong posts to the wrong people. *head desk*Overall, it was a learning experience and it got me more comfortable with talking to strangers on Facebook and just promoting, period. I also loved the topics I was forced to write and think about.Oh, and I learned to PITCH my links. It helps to provide a tidbit of what I'm saying, gets people interested. :)And that's what I learned from the Virtual Blog Tour. I encourage all you authors to try it for yourselves. :)

Jennifer Johnson is Sick of Being Married by Heather McElhatton

This was so funny. It was the perfect read for me as I was in a bit of a funk. I laughed and laughed. I sat outside and read in my yard, and I know the neighbors heard me and thought I was crazy. I sat in the house and read, and the dogs gave me funny looks. I shared funny parts on Facebook. It was just that funny.

I didn't read the first book, Jennifer Johnson is Sick of Being Single, but I wasn't lost. The story starts with her honeymoon. There's diarrhea, a three-legged dog, a Christian resort, a runaway husband. Then they go to their new home...only it's not really their home. Bring in the MIL from HELL. Holy smokes!
I would have left right then and there, but JJ is much braver than me. She sticks it out, swallows her retorts, and does the only thing she can: spends her husband's money. LOL

There are adventures on the golf course, the country club, church camp, the spa, the dog pound. There's a crazy fridge with a talking geisha, pubic hairs in potluck dinners. It's all very preposterous, but I loved it.

But she's sick of being married, and who can blame her? But just how far can they push her before she cracks, because not only is there a prenup, but "I need his family. They pay for everything; they house me; they employ my brother-in-law, who supports my sister..." Kind of a moral there: don't depend on others, only depend on yourself.

I especially loved the lists...the lists were unbelievably funny. There's a list about Mormons, about going to church, about porn star names, reasons spouses fight... Priceless.

This is a book I'll be keeping a long time to read when I need a good laugh. Even the present tense didn't throw me off.

The ending...was fitting. :)

Five stars. I received this from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Stealing the Sheriff's Heart by L.B. Shire

This is an exciting western novella. The beginning literally had me on the edge of my seat and a smile plastered to my face as the heroine robs a stagecoach and "shoulders squared, pistol cocked and ready at her hip," Amelia is ready to take on the world and the sexy sheriff to save her brother.

Corban is shocked to find the bandit--not a man!--is his sweetheart, Amelia. But perhaps this shocking turn of events is what the two need to make their lukewarm romance sizzling hot! Sometimes a couple just needs a good shove.

There's horses, shooting, wounds, and just plain orneriness from the spunky heroine as together, they try to save her brother and get to the bottom of just who wanted him abducted and why.

The writing and editing both are superb. Yes, I pay attention to that stuff. The scenes are well-set. The story moves at a great pace. My only quibble is the heroine in the end didn't match the heroine in the beginning. It was almost as if now that she had a man helping her, she didn't need to be so spunky.

I thought the ending, however, was super cute and sexy. I won't reveal what it is though. :)

Four stars. I was given a copy of this by the author in exchange for an honest review. I believe the book releases September 21st...so be sure to mark it on your to reads.

It's a Dog's Life by Dale Mayer

This is one of the most delightful and funny books I've read in a long time. There were so many funny and sarcastic comments from Mosey, the basset hound...I almost highlight them all, but then realized I'd be sharing a quarter of the book with you. LOL

The story follows a timid heroine who is afraid she hears voices...dog's voices. Well, one particular dog's voice: Mosey's. When her new boss wants her to housesit and take care of his 6 dogs (plus Mosey) and two kittens for a weekend, she can't say no...not only because she seriously is trying to get over her discomfort with animals--she works in a vet's office now--but because the veterinarian, her boss, is HOT.

Sparks fly, sexy phone conversations happen, and Mosey drives Ninna nuts by chattering at her mentally all the time. To add to her anxiety, she's got a stalker and someone has been burglaring her neighborhood. Can the dogs--namely, can Mosey--keep her safe?

I really appreciate the realism of the heroine. She isn't perfect. She has anxiety, fears, has been on meds, needs to call her shrink, but in the end, she had the required gumption. I also LOVED the ending. It left me sitting there with my mouth hanging open in surprise.

Now, that is hard to do nowadays.

Five stars. I received this book from Sizzling PR in exchange for an honest review.

Maiden Relaunch Party

This week I'm celebrating the re-release of Maiden Behind the Mask. Even though I quietly published it last month...just in case there were unforeseen problems with formatting or the rights reversal, I am just now celebrating and announcing it.

It has a new cover. Some of you may remember I actually let my readers choose. And this is the winner. Many commenters suggested removing the spotlight, so we did. You voted. You got it!

This book and another one was the first time I ever published on Smashwords and ARe so this was a mega huge deal for me and a learning experience.

Since its earlier publication, Maiden has received a few reviews.

Readin' and Dreamin' said: "I loved the setting, characters, and the blow-by-blow of the action scenes. A fantastic, quick, and creative read that will satisfy anyone looking for something different."

Her full review is on her site: Readin' and Dreamin'

K. Rosado on Amazon said: "The characters are easily likable, with my favorite being Le Reina because of her gassy problem, which interjected just enough humor to get me giggling and laughing (hey, who doesn't like bodily humor!?), with my close second being Catalina for her ability to be quiet and demur when needed, but a firecracker when it was necessary."

If you've read it already, I encourage you to write an honest review. If you aren't the review type, stop and give me a "like" on its Amazon page. 

For those of you who need epub or pdf or any other file, most everything can be found on Smashwords and also, epub and pdf are available on All Romance Ebooks.

I'll be sharing excerpts, spotlights, tidbits all week on my Facebook Page.

Thanks, everyone, for your support once again, and Happy Reading!

Blurb:
When Catalina Rodriguez is attacked by a would-be rapist and rescued by the dashing Ricardo Garcia, she not only becomes more aware of the handsome man, but also vows that she'll never be a damsel in distress again. Using the timeless method of blackmail, she convinces her uncle to teach her to fight and becomes a masked crusader in the night, saving other damsels from robbers and rough handling.

However, scandalous rumors and dwindling funds force Ricardo and Catalina to marry. Not immune to each other's charms, their marriage starts fiery, but when one of Catalina's nightly escapades results in dire consequences, she is forced to spurn her husband's amorous advances…or reveal a secret that could turn him away from her forever.

Ricardo’s not a man to be cuckolded or left in the dark. Is his wife having an affair with El Capitan, the masked savior? If so…they will both pay.

New Line Dedicated to Africa at Decadent Publishing

Decadent Publishing is starting a new line dedicated to Africa. Whether the African setting, culture, and/or concept, involving African and/or African-origin characters, or expats in Africa, this is the line that will bring the spotlight on this exotic, foreign world, in a twist with romance and sweep-you-off-your-feet storylines.

Headed by Zee Monodee (a long-time freelance editor and former senior editor of an e-publisher, as well as a native of Africa with a multicultural background), the line is set to launch in March 2013, and Decadent Publishing is looking for submissions to fill this lineup.
Here's the spec sheet for this submission call:

Africa... Land of the serengeti, of wide savannas, where exotic wild animals like giraffes stroll through your backyard— *sound of a screeching turn-disk*
If this is your idea of modern Africa, you’d be way off the mark! Come check out the stories from our Ubuntu line, and view contemporary Africa like you’ve never seen it before!
Ubuntu (“I am what Iam because of who we all are.”) embraces the notion of community, of roots, of spreading your arms open in welcome.
Our stories from the Ubuntu line reflect this philosophy, and take you to Africa to meet the people from that far-away, unknown-to-many land.
Take a peek at modern Africa. This is a world where, on the backdrop of the famine crisis in Darfur and Somalia, of political unrest in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Egypt, millions step into the global village and embrace the fast-paced life offered by technology and the Internet. Multinational companies have offices in many African capitals, opening the way for a slew of expatriates to settle in those countries, where the world’s biggest brand names like Hugo Boss and Lacoste are opening outlets.Don’t also forget that Africa is not only the black continent – a handful of islands make up the African territory, as well. From minerals-rich Madagascar (and the land of Black Magic, still practiced to this day!) to tourist hot-spots like Mauritius, the Seychelles, and the Maldives – islander culture opens up another world to exploit in your writing. And in the top, northern parts of Africa, meet the Arab world in the countries of the Maghreb (Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, among others).
With its rich history, Africa has native African clans and tribes, colonist white populations – British, French, and Afrikaners –Indian-origin people who emigrated as traders and/or indentured labor, Chinese people who came in as traders.
We want to see your stories set in any of these locations. Whether your characters are expats, foreigners on a visit, native Africans (of black, white, Indian, Chinese, Arab, etc, descent!), show us the true face of Africa as people experience it every day. Think The Joy Luck Club meets Out Of Africa – the former a story of generational conflict between immigrant mothers and their daughters brought up in their adopted country’s culture; the latter a sweeping saga on the backdrop of the African landscape, setting, and context. Give us both; give us either or; but give us something in and/or from Africa.
We are mainly looking for romance (especially Interracial/Multicultural stories! But all sub-genres are welcome), and will consider any storyline with a theme and/or location pertaining to Africa.
Heat level – no Heat ceiling for these stories. From Sweet to Sensual to Erotic, let the romance run the gamut. For Erotica, we still wish to see a solid, Africa-based/themed plot.
Length – up to 55K
Standard Decadent Publishing submissions rules and guidelines apply. A submissions form must be sent in with every manuscript; you can request the form at submissions@decadentpublishing.com
When submitting, please mention “Ubuntu” in the subject line.
Any questions can be directed to Zee Monodee at the following address zeemonodee@gmail.com

Spotlight on K.D Emerson!

This weekend is a for spotlights, and I'm pleased to introduce you all to KD Emerson, an up and coming writer, who wishes to share with you a blurb and excerpt to her upcoming book.
Short Synopsis for Digitus 233
Digitus, the world’s dominant corporation, has studied human nature for centuries. They have learned how to expand on a human’s natural gifts and talents to create supreme world leaders in all major areas of science, art, religion and leadership. A select few children are handpicked each year to join the elite.
This year, as a final test of induction into the world’s most powerful super structure, five teens are dropped from a specially designed Lear jet and land on a barren arctic island. They are forced to come together in an effort to survive and escape, but escape is short lived when a Russian ballistic submarine rescues them and a computer malfunction threatens an all-out nuclear attack on North America. Time is running out and the sub’s programmer cannot stop the computer failure. It is up to the teens to convince the Russians they should be allowed to give it a try. 
Tick tock.

*****

An excerpt from the novel Digitus 233
“Enough! Will you all just stop it? Whining isn’t going to get us out of this mess. Get over it and let’s do something. This is where we are and it’s up to us to get out of here. Either they don’t care, don’t know, or this was by design. Let’s stop whining and get ON with it! Lana, get that make-up kit of yours. Google, get out there and study the sky, figure out where we are. Quinton, after Google is done imputing data, the two of you get together and figure out how long it will take to hike out of here. Jackson, you and I are going hunting again. We have to find something to eat and I doubt there’s a garden nearby. Remember, we can only depend on ourselves. We are all we have,” Zander bent over and grabbed the make shift spear Jackson had made out of the frame of the airplane seat. He shoved it through his belt and checked it see if his bone knife was still in his pocket.Google stalked from the cave, her jaw set in determination. Quinton went back to the leather seats and continued to rip at the seams.“What are we going to do with my make-up?” Lana asked.“Don’t worry about what I’m going to do with it! Stop questioning every decision I make. It’s time for you to realize that to survive you will have to follow without question. If a bull were charging you and I yell for you to get back, are you going to stop and ask me why? I am trying to keep us alive. Now get the makeup.”She walked quietly over to the pile of belongings against the wall and shuffled through it.Jackson cinched the seat belts around his boots. “Better get to it,” he said.Zander snatched up his headband and shoved it around his forehead then snapped his hood up over his head. He and Jackson took turns tying the parachutes around each other.“Let’s go,” Zander said. He pulled the headband over his eyes and stomped from the cave. The slits in the band allowed him to see without the sun blinding him.He was boiling mad. Mad that he had been thrust in this position, mad that no one else seemed able to find their own shadow without him pointing it out. He was so damn angry that there was no one else to depend on. This whole thing sucked! Zander had no idea what he was doing. He had never been hunting in his whole life, never did the whole camping-hunting thing and here he was, telling them what to do and how to do it. Why couldn’t someone else be in charge? He tramped off ahead of Jackson.The frozen earth was unforgiving and their make shift boots made travel cumbersome and laborious. Snow and rock as far as he could see. There was nothing growing, no vegetation except some long dead bushes poking out of the rocks. He huffed as he topped a hill. Jackson grabbed his arm and pulled him back. He crossed his lips with his finger, pointed to his eyes and then ahead across the vast terrain. Zander looked where Jackson pointed, but couldn’t see anything.‘This guy has got to get a grip!’ Zander thought angrily as he shook his head. Suddenly, from behind a bolder flapped a goose. The bird lowered its head and eyed them suspiciously as  they crept toward it. Then it opened up and screeched while flapping wildly into the air.Zander sighed. “How are we supposed to catch a bird? No way can we get close enough to grab it.”“I bet you a steak dinner there is a nest over there.”Zander’s heart did a flip flop. Eggs! He began running for the rocks. His mouth watered in anticipation. There it was! Jackson was right. There was a nest! Two eggs sat nestled together in the bottom of a perfectly round thatched nest. His heart dropped; two eggs, five of them, there wasn’t enough for a snack.‘Better than nothing,’ he thought and bent over to retrieve them. From high above, the goose swooped down and slammed into Jackson’s head, then flew straight up into the cloudless sky.“That’s one gutsy bird!” Zander said.“Grab your knife and get ready,” Jackson said as he crouched down.“For wha…”The bird dive-bombed them again, but this time Jackson was ready.  He flung himself at the bird and grabbed it, then pitched to the earth, clutching the goose. Jackson slid across the ice on his back as the bird flapped violently against his chest. Without thinking, Zander grabbed his bone knife from his pocket and plunged it through the bird’s chest. It continued to flap for a moment and then went still.“HooAh!”Jackson whooped as he collapsed backward.“We did it! Yes!” Zander plopped down by him, his blood pumping and chest heaving. “I can’t believe it!”They lay on the cold ground grinning foolishly up into the stark blue sky. Zander felt he had just conquered the evil empire.“I don’t think I have ever been this happy in my whole life,” he said.“I know I haven’t. Roasted goose and eggs, what could be better than that?”“Getting off this ice-cube!” Zander sat up and pushed his frame into a standing position. “And you know what, good buddy? If we can catch a flying bird, we can find our way to civilization. There is nothing we can’t do!”


Author, KD Emerson was born (or is that hatched) several years ago. We won’t go into how long it has been because she has this fantasy that she is still a teenager off to conquer the world. She has a passion for the written word and assisting other writers in becoming the best they can be. She also loves to promote others and cheer them on to victory. Follow her on twitter @MstrKoda or you can find her at www.masterkoda.comand on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kimmutch.emerson