Laura Kaye's Blog, page 72

YA Cover Reveal: My Super Sweet 16th Century by Rachel Harris

I'm very excited to participate in my friend Rachel Harris's cover reveal for her awesome YA Romance My Super Sweet 16th Century which releases on September 11, 2012.

First the awesome cover:

My Super Sweet 16th Century, by Rachel Harris is available for pre-order on: Amazon | Barnes & Noble Be sure to add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads!

How about a super cool excerpt, too?:
I hear their muffled whispers and understand every Italian word. Every witty comment made at my expense.
It's like my brain is automatically translating.
I bunch the soft fabric of the dress in my hand and then reach up to feel the ribbon in my hair. I lightly skim my fingers over my chin and feel my lack of zit. I take in the costumes of the crowd, the stench of the animals, and the Italian I can now speak and understand.
And suddenly it hits me.
Reyna must have pulled some kind of gypsy mojo.
Maybe this is one of those nifty "change your life" magic scenarios like in the movies. I mean, mostly I'm still expecting to blink and be right back in the midst of overpriced, gaudy tourism, but for now, the gypsy-time-warp explanation is infinitely better than thinking I've lost my mind. As I decide to go with that option, I feel my frantic tension melt away.
The growing crowd seems to notice my change in demeanor and begins shooting one another amused looks, but I don't care anymore. A smile stretches across my face.
Evidently, I was wrong earlier; Reyna is a psychic mind reader, because if this is her special brand of bibbity-bobbity-boo, theThe long red gown, the braided hair, the Italian merchant's daughter, the time period. I am in Renaissance Florence.
I stare dumbly at the ground, the words and reality sinking in.
I'm in Renaissance Florence!
Isn't that so much fun?

Be sure to connect with Rachel at:
www.RachelHarrisWrites.com
www.twitter.com/@RachelHarrisYA
www.facebook.com/RachelHarrisYA
www.goodreads.com/RachelHarris
So, what d'ya think? Leave Rachel some new cover love!
Thanks for reading,Laura

#SixSunday #48 - A #vampire finds his mate...

Happy Sunday everyone! I was away at a writing retreat last weekend, which was wonderful, but I'm glad to be back to share some more of my paranormal romance, In the Service of the King :

Shayla's gaze fell on Kael's kneeling form and he was all she could see. The desire to run to him made it feel as if her insides were vibrating. She licked her lips and released a shaky breath, her left hand tingling in a maddening, arousing sensation.
Kael's eyes glowed the brightest she'd ever seen. He was magnificent, regal, and more beautiful than she'd remembered after just a day's painful separation. A fierce masculinity rolled off him and curled around her until she swore she could smell him, taste him, feel his touch on her skin.

Thanks so much for stopping by each week! Be sure to check out the Other Sixers' Posts and follow the #sixsunday hashtag on twitter!

Also, comment here to win a copy! :)
Thanks for reading and, hopefully, commenting, too!
:) Laura

Welcome Guest Author Theresa Meyers! #Vampires #Nocturne

I'm very excited to welcome guest author Theresa Meyers to the blog today! 

See below for her giveaway!

Welcome, Theresa!  Please share a little about yourself, your genres, any other pen names you use.
First, thanks so much for inviting me to hang out with you today! Well, I'm Theresa Meyers. I started writing in junior high for the newspaper and thought I wanted to be a journalist all through school. I started my first novel when I was 17, mostly as a way to get a pretty cool self-designed elective along with two friends where all we had to do was produce pages to get an A in the class. But then stuff like college and life intervened and it wasn't until 2003 that I started getting very serious about writing fiction. In that time I've been through two agents, had two children, lived in Oregon, Arizona and Washington, gone to college, worked a lot of different PR jobs, opened a public relations firm for ten years and written lots and lots of books. 
Right now I'm writing full time, mostly in paranormal romance, but also some in historical (including steampunk), and contemporary as well, and teaching classes online. Currently I'm writing the Sons of Midnight mini series which features vampires and werewolves for Harlequin Nocturne, the Legend Chronicles steampunk series for Kensington's Zebra line, dark fae urban fantasy Shadow Sister series and several contemporary romances for Entangled Publishing.
Wow! What an inspiring career! Okay, tell us a little about your latest or upcoming release.
My March book is The Half-Breed Vampire from Harlequin's Nocturne line. It's the story of a vampire who thinks he knows precisely who he is until a mortal law enforcement officer asks for his help and during the course of their investigation they end up uncovering his past, which rips apart everything they both thought they knew about their worlds. Oh, and I got to mix my vampires and werewolves for the first time in the same character!
Here's the bit from the back cover:

Ignorant of his true heritage, half-breed Slade Donovan is fated to feel like an outsider among his clan. Until a mysterious woman arrives with the ability to unlock his secrets—and make him crave a future he never believed he could have….

As a game warden, Raina Ravenwing has only one mission in the Cascade Mountains: to hunt down a pack of rare wolves that is terrorizing her tribe. Her instant attraction to Slade is a distraction the beautiful wolf whisperer can't afford, unless she agrees to let him help her. Yet working so closely together only intensifies their passion…even as the unfolding truth of Slade's identity threatens everything Raina holds sacred.

Aw, man! Sounds so good! So, which character is your favorite and why?
In this story, probably Slade, just because he's so damn irreverent and a bad boy with a heart of gold. Every time he called the heroine "babe" in the story I could just feel her ire go up, and yet at the same time he's very endearing. At the same time he's a tragic hero. Here's this incredibly strong guy who has his world ripped out from under him and he has to come to grips and accept that he isn't who he thought he was.
Nothing like a tortured hero! As the author, what surprised you about this story?
Actually I was kind of shocked at how prejudiced my vampire society was against the werewolves. I know that in a lot of fiction vamps and weres don't mix, kind of like paranormal oil and water, but in this case the vampires truly believed they were just different, but that they were far superior to the werewolves. They honestly believed that werewolves were less than human. That was a huge hurdle for my hero to deal with both for himself and then in relation to his standing in the vampire clan.
Such great conflict! Will there be any sequels or other books in the same series?
Yes! The next one in the Sons of Midnight mini series will be Her Big, Bad Wolf out in March 2013, which features secondary character Tyee from The Half-Breed Vampire as my next hero.
Congratulations! So, what are you working on right now?
Between now and the end of April I'm working on my last story in my steampunk romance Legend Chronicles trilogy for Kensington, then I'll be moving on to writing a novella that will be included in the Holiday with a Vampire anthology coming out from Harlequin late this year. Then I'll be moving on to several other projects already contracted to be finished this year including three contemporary romances for Entangled and two paranormal dark fae stories for my Shadow Sisters series for Entangled.
OMG! And I thought I was busy! *grins* What happened to the first book you ever wrote?
It's a Victorian historical titled The Shanghaied Heart and it's still sitting on my hard drive waiting for a cover and to be put online when I'm done with my other contracted books and have a moment to work on it.
Cool! What do you find easiest and hardest to write?
I think dialogue and description come easiest to me as a writer. I love listening to how different people talk, and when I'm really in the groove with my writing it's like watching a movie unfold in my head, only I can back it up, pause and mine as smell-o-vision. 
The harder parts for me are the editing over and over again. My journalistic background kind of forces me to write the best material I can the first time out, almost like pre-editing when I write. Then when my editors ask me to change a scene I always sit there stumped for a bit thinking, "But I wrote it the best way I knew how the first time!" Then I peel apart their comments and see where they spied the gaps or bits that need more and get back to work. Editing is just as much part of the writing process as coming up with the original text in the first place.
Very interesting process—love seeing how authors tick. Have you incorporated actual events or people from your own life into your books?
I've incorporated experiences, but never whole people into my books. I may take the laughter or sarcastic wit from one person, the rhythm of speech from another or bits and pieces of the looks from a person, but in general my characters are just fictional beings. 
The only exception to this was when I wrote my Scottish historical, The Spellbound Bride. I spent three years doing research for that book and ended up incorporating a lot of actual historical events, including the words King James used when presiding over the actual North Berwick witch trial that's portrayed in the book. In that context I did use some actual people, but fictionalized their behaviors, etc. and I certainly wasn't around when they were!
Is there a theme or message that runs through your work?
I think the theme that tends to run most strongly through my work, whether it's contemporary, paranormal, historical or YA, is acceptance – acceptance of who you really are, acceptance of other's faults, acceptance that you can't change the past, acceptance of the role you're given in life, etc.
I love that! What would your readers be surprised to learn about you?
I'm not nearly as glamorous as they think. LOL. No really, I'm the kind of person who likes to make her own jam, and sew for fun. I garden and every year I put up quarts of dill green beans from our garden, make blackberry jam, freeze quarts of blueberries and make a batch of blackberry wine with my husband. I also love to bake. We have a few acres so it's kind of like a mini farm with a small orchard, big garden, chickens, rabbits, a horse, dog, cats, and two parakeets. My favorite thing to wait for in the spring is when the frogs start singing at night. Our neighbors have about five acres of wetlands as part of their property and I always know winter is truly over when the frogs start singing – and boy are they loud!
They just started singing at my house (there are wetlands right behind me)! Which romance book or series (or other genre, if you don't write romance) do you wish you had written?
Oh, you mean besides Harry Potter? LOL. I don't really know. There's a lot of books I enjoy reading that I think, "Wow, someday I hope I can write like that." But then every writer is different and what makes my writing sing for a reader is different than another author. That's what's so fascinating about storytelling as a profession. 
I once did an writing experiment with a group of first graders where we all started stories with the same first paragraph and basic story idea. "Today started like any normal school day. But when it came time for lunch, I knew something was different. I opened my lunchbox and …" You should have seen all the wild stories that came out of that! There was one with bugs that crawled down and ate down the whole school, another with dolphins swimming in their lunchbox and yet another with a dinosaur egg that hatched in the lunchroom. My daughter ended up writing a historical romance where she was swept into a time portal through her lunch box and met up with a cowboy with "blue eyes like the Texas skies" -- I kid you not. And at the end they rode off on horses into the sunset "happily ever after". I was so proud.
That is so awesome! Okay, now, just for fun:
Milk chocolate or dark chocolate? Can't I have both? Pretty please? We are talking chocolate after all.
Salty or sweet? SWEET!(see comment above, and please pass the chocolate)
Bed or kitchen table? Um, that kind of depends…are we talking chocolate to eat, or a chocolate massage bar from LUSH? I'll take either.
Beach or mountains? Both, that's why I live on the west coast. I can wiggle my toes in the sand one day and go hiking or camping up in the mountains the next.
Give or receive? GIVE!
Thanks for coming on the blog, Theresa! Where can we find you on the web?
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | GoodreadsAmazon Author Page | Harlequin Author Page | Kensington Author Page
Thanks so much for reading everyone! Leave Theresa some new release love and enter her giveaway!
Laura & Theresa

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Welcome Guest Author Allison Pang! #AbbySinclairUF

I'm very excited to welcome guest author Allison Pang  to the blog today!

See below for her giveaway!

Welcome, Allison!  Please share a little about yourself, your genres, any other pen names you use.
Hey there! My name is Allison Pang and I write the Abby Sinclair UF series. I also love bacon and Hello Kitty.
[image error] OMG bacon is so awesome! LOL Okay, tell us a little about your latest or upcoming release .
My latest release is called A Sliver of Shadow takes place about 6 months after the end of A Brush of Darkness. Abby has settled into her life as TouchStone to Moira, the Faery Protectorate of Portsmyth. Between learning the ropes of managing the day-to-day concerns of the local population of OtherFolk, living with a certain obnoxious panty-sniffing unicorn and babysitting Moira's son, she somehow finds the time to train in the Dreaming with the succubus, Sonja as well as becomes the town's go-to girl for OtherFolk advice.
Along the way she's acquired a sexy bodyguard in the form of Moira's brother, an elf with a tragic past and a penchant for burning the morning coffee. 
Melanie, Brandon, Charlie and Robert are all back along for the ride…as well as Brystion, Abby's former incubus lover.
When Moira is called away to the Faerie Court on business, a new Protectorate appears. When Abby and the gang refuse to give her what she wants, all hell breaks loose and it's up to Abby to clean up the mess…
Man, that sounds awesome! Which character is your favorite and why?
I'm not sure I can really pick one as a favorite. They've all got little bits and pieces of me woven into them. Say instead that I like different characters at different times for different things. (Which is a bit of a mouthful, but there it is.) So I love Phin for being ridiculous and nasty and I love Ion for being a bit of an ass, but sticking to his own convictions, whatever they are. I adore Melanie for being a free spirit and Abby for staying true to herself. (And really I could go on and on here, but you get the point.)
Love it! As the author, what surprised you about this story?
The way it eventually unfolded. I'm more of a pantser than a plotter, and I struggled with this book initially – I'd already written about 40k of it before I sold A Brush of Darkness – and there were so many changes made to BoD that I had to scrap quite a bit of A Sliver of Shadow. It took me a while to rework it and wrap my head around the changes I'd made, but I'm rather happy the way things turned out the way they did.
That's great! Will there be any sequels or other books in the same series?
Yes – A Trace of Moonlight is scheduled for an October 2012 release. (And the first book, A Brush of Darkness was out last year.)
What was the hardest thing for you about writing this story?
The ending – I know it will probably frustrate some people, but it's such a huge thing for Abby (not spoiling) that to wrap it up nice and neatly would have done her character a major disservice. So I chose to end it where I did because I want to do justice to the consequences of her actions…in the next book.
Ooh, intriguing! What are you working on right now?
Revisions for A Trace of Moonlight. I'm also writing a more traditional fantasy story (a bit more epic than the Abby books, with a little SteamPunk mixed in.) as well as an online graphic novel based on fairy tales which should be going live in the spring. You can find out more about that at http://www.sadsausagedogs.com
OMG that's cool! What happened to the first book you ever wrote?
Hmm. It got published. A Brush of Darkness was the first book I ever actually wrote with the intent to try for publication. The only other "book" I wrote wasn't actually a book. It was an 80k story I'd written with a friend for fun, but we never ended up trying to do anything with it.
I love to hear about authors getting their first books published! (I did, too…) What do you find easiest and hardest to write?
Easiest – Dialogue, usually, particularly when I'm writing the snarky characters. (I sometimes have to rein it in a bit, actually.) But that and description are probably my strongest points.
Hardest – probably depends on my mood at that moment. When the muse is good, it's all easy. When it's not…every word is like pulling teeth.
Have you incorporated actual events or people from your own life into your books?
Yes. I don't put real people in my books, but I do pull facets of people I know and apply them to certain characters.  (Not that I'd ever tell them that. LOL)  Actual events…eh – I do put a lot of my own likes and dislikes into these books – a lot of the pop-culture references to games or music are often what I'm playing or listening to when I'm writing.
Very cool! Okay, no, just for fun:
Milk chocolate or dark chocolate? Both !
Salty or sweet? Both! (aka BACON)
Bed or kitchen table? Every place has its proper moment. ;-)
Beach or mountains? Beach
Give or receive? Give

Thanks for coming on the blog! Where can we find you on the web?
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | TumblrAmazon Author Page | Publisher's Author Page

Thanks for having me! :D [image error]
A Sliver of ShadowBook 2 Abby Sinclair SeriesBy Allison Pang

Just when her new life as a TouchStone – a mortal bound to help OtherFolk cross between Faery and human worlds – seems to be settling down, Abby Sinclair is left in charge when the Protectorate, Moira, leaves for the Faery Court. And when the Protectorate's away…let's just say things spiral out of control when a spell on Abby backfires and the Faery Queen declares the Doors between their worlds officially closed.
The results are disastrous for both sides: OtherFolk trapped in the mortal world are beginning to fade, while Faerie is on the brink of war with the daemons of Hell. Along with her brooding eleven prince Talivar and sexy incubus Brystion, Abby ventures to the CrossRoads in an attempt to override the Queen's magic. But nothing in this beautiful, dangerous realm will compare to the discoveries she's making about her past, her destiny, and what she will sacrifice for those she loves.

Buy Links:Amazon   Kindle  B&N  Nook  BAM  Powells Indiebound  Chapters

A Sliver of Shadow Excerpt:
"Who's my little man?" The unicorn crooned at Benjamin and then winced when a hank of beard became the baby's newest form of entertainment.
"Keep that up and you'll be a baldy chin," I retorted. "And I don't recall asking your opinion. Not that that's ever stopped you before. Talivar around?"
"Nope, burned the coffee again. Ran out to get more." A snort escaped him. "He's even worse at it then you are."
"Probably something about being a prince and not having to actually cook for himself. At least he's trying. More than I can say for you." I stooped to search for my Crocs, pushing through dust bunnies and clumps of what suspiciously looked like unicorn droppings. "Christ, Phin, use the toilet or go outside or something." I snatched my hand away.

"That's not me. I think you've got mice." His tone became wheedling.

"I'll bet. Just clean it up."

"With what? Gonna turn my tail into a broom?" The furred tuft in question flicked as if to make the point.

"I'm sure you'll come up with something. Besides, aren't unicorn horns proof against poison? Purifying water, that sort of thing? Surely something that can bring a dead man back to life can disinfect like Lysol?"
ENTER TO WIN 1 OF 10 TOURWIDE SIGNED COPIES OF A SLIVER OF SHADOW! And leave Allison some new release love! The book releases on February 28! Don't miss it!
Thanks for reading,Laura & Allison 
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6 Authors Answer: What has your critique group done for you?

This weekend, I'm off on my critique group's first ever writing retreat in Bethany Beach, Delaware, so instead of Six Sentence Sunday (see you next weekend!), I thought I'd feature my critique group and ask them each one simple question:

WHAT HAS BEING A MEMBER OF A CRITIQUE GROUP DONE FOR YOU AS A WRITER?

Here's what some of them had to say:
AUTHOR NAME: Magda Alexander (paranormal romance); Victoria Wellington (Regency romance)
GENRE(S): Paranormal and Regency Romances
PUBLISHED OR PRE-PUBLISHED: Pre-Published
TITLE AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF YOUR WORK IN PROGRESS:  To Pluck a Rose (a spicy Regency romance)
I love being a member of the MRW Critters.  First of all, I love the fellowship of writers, where we get to celebrate each other's triumphs and talk about things of mutual interest to us.  Second, I have become a better writer through not only having my work critiqued, but critiquing other writers as well.
AUTHOR NAME:  Christi Barth
GENRE(S): Contemporary romance
PUBLISHED OR PRE-PUBLISHED:  Published
TITLE AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF YOUR WORK IN PROGRESS:  A Fine Romance (Book 2 in my Chicago wedding planning trilogy, contemporary romance)
When I first sought out critique partners, I joined an enormous loop of more than 200 people.  I learned very quickly what not to do from that, but I didn't so much learn how to fix what was wrong with my own manuscripts.  While everyone on there was well-intentioned, they simply didn't have the skill set to help me.  Then I joined a small group of eight who were supportive and helped me get to the next level in my writing.  But like many things in life, I outgrew them.  Which was a valuable lesson in and of itself.  As much work and as many false starts as it may take, you need to find not just any critique partner, but the ones who are a good fit for you.
My current critique group is wonderful.  Since I joined the group, I've sold six books and gotten an agent - that should tell you how helpful they are!  They are a wonderful sounding board for plots, for marketing, for frantic synopsis help or figuring out what to say to an editor.  They are an extremely valuable resource.  They give me confidence, they give me cold, hard truths on my writing, they give me hugs, they challenge me to write the best book I can, and they steer me in the right direction (and they cured me of my exclamation point addiction!).  Every time I hit a plateau in my writing, they help guide me up to the next level. I am beyond grateful for my critique group.
AUTHOR NAME:  Lula Diamond
GENRE(S):  Contemporary Romance / Contemporary Erotic Romance
PUBLISHED OR PRE-PUBLISHED:  Prepublished
TITLE AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF YOUR WORK IN PROGRESS:  Flat Out Love (contemporary romance)
This crit group has challenged me to write more and communicate better.  I value the comments from our group even when they are tough because they help me to progress.  The group support and friendship are great additional benefits.
AUTHOR NAME:  Joya Fields
GENRE(S): Romantic suspense, contemporary romance, and paranormal romance
PUBLISHED OR PRE-PUBLISHED: PublishedTITLE AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF YOUR WORK IN PROGRESS:  Wrong Side of Midnight (romantic suspense)
To put it bluntly, I wouldn't be published if it weren't for my critique partners. Aside from new friendships, which are a wonderful, unexpected part of being in a critique group, my writing has grown stronger from the comments, suggestions, shared resources and brainstorming from my ten critter partners. No writer can truly see their work as a reader will view it, and every writer should have other professionals read their work. It's great when sister, mother or friend read your work and tell you it's good, but when another writer views that same WIP, they'll know to look for conflict, motivation, dialogue, etc. It takes another writer to catch not only the small things, but big things like POV shifts, goals, and theme. My first offer for a book contract came after a revise and resubmit request. The editors thought the opening of my story needed to be faster paced. I sent it past my critique partners, who each offered valuable advice, made the changes, and then Ta-Da! A contract. I'm telling you, I don't know who celebrated the news more--me or my critique partners!
Writers are also very generous about sharing their hard-earned experiences with other writers, too. Laura K., Christi, and Sharon, were all published in full-length fiction before I was, so when I received my long-awaited contract, they shared their contacts and advice--everything from how to run a blog tour to how to order Romance Trading Cards. What a lifesaver!
Every member of our group brings their own special talent. With eleven members, I was worried everyone would simply find the same things to fix in my manuscripts. But each and every time I receive my critiques, there's at least one thing that each members find that the others did not. And thanks to them, my stories are stronger.
At our most recent meeting, I complained about needing to find experts in PTSD and psychologists/PTSD victims to interview to make my story realistic. The next day, three of my critique partners emailed me potential resources from their contacts.Where would I be without them? Probably in the bottom of a slush pile. J
AUTHOR NAME: For now, I go by Teresa Hearl, which is also my real name.
GENRE: Light-hearted contemporary romancePUBLISHED OR PRE-PUBLISHED: I remain pre-pubbed at the moment. After years of writing poetry, newsletters, short stories, children stories, and dreadfully flawed novels (which made a lovely bonfire), I am able to commit to writing a romance that I won't burn.
TITLE AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF YOUR WORK IN PROGRESS: Another Fine Mess (contemporary romance)
If you ever expect to publish, you must be strong when you turn over your precious written child, and expect it to return bloody. Too much backstory. Not enough emotion. Where's the plot? Is that physically possible? You want your critique partners to give it too you straight.
Also, you want to hear where they feel your strengths lie. Your hero is hot. Your idea is unique. I can't wait to read what comes next. That character made me spew milk out of my nose. (That would be a good thing for my story) You know if you hear the same criticism or compliment several times, it has merit.
In our critique group, each of us has a critical eye for different aspects of story. After a session on the chopping block, it takes a week or so to go through all of the comments. After a few sessions, I know more of my weaknesses, and where my voice shines. 
Our little Critter family holds a special place in my heart. We support each other and celebrate every victory. We share business knowledge, help each other with promotion, and encourage when there's a rejection. The goal for our group is for each member to publish. My writing is stronger now, thanks to them. Every time a Critter Book is born, I feel like a proud aunt. I didn't create it, but I'll be there to stroll that baby around.
AUTHOR NAME: Laura Kaye (that's me! *grins*)GENRE: Paranormal, contemporary and erotic romancePUBLISHED OR PRE-PUBLISHED: PublishedTITLE AND DESCRIPTION OF YOUR WORK IN PROGRESS: South of Surrender (Book 3 in my Hearts of the Anemoi series, paranormal); Her Brother's Best Friend (contemporary)
In my experience, having critique partners has been invaluable. I was already contracted when I joined my critique group, but my best friend, YA paranormal romance author Lea Nolan, had long served as my most trusted critique partner before the Maryland Romance Writers formed this awesome group of which I've now been a part for about 18 months. 
The key to successful critique partners is that they must also be writers professionally pursuing publication, and preferring in your genre. Those are the people who know the norms and expectations, who have studied the craft, and who know what it's like to receive feedback on something over which you've sweated and lost sleep, and so they know how to give feedback in a way that's honest and useful but not brutal. Critique partners are also excellent as support mechanisms. My group meets once a month, four hours on a Sunday afternoon over lunch. It's huge fun! We each lunch, dessert, have some wine, and talk writing. They've become my friends, not just my CPs. 
Now, I have a whole group of trusted critique partners I can call on to review a draft before I send it off to my editor, give me a reality check over whether a first chapter is working, or cry or rant to when I receive a rejection or other disappointing news (doing those things in private is okay, doing those things in public, not so much LOL). Without question, my writing has improved tremendously as a result of my critique group's feedback, and I've learned to critique myself better as a result of participating in this group and critiquing others.
AUTHOR NAME:  Loni LynneGENRE: I write paranormal, erotic romance and am dabbling in contemporary latelyPUBLISHED OR PRE-PUBLISHED:  I'm pre-published but do have a blog site at www.lonilynne.blogspot.com TITLE AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF YOUR WORK IN PROGRESS: Yes Sir, That's My Baby (contemporary); Immortal Heat (paranormal); Wanted: One Ghost (paranormal)
I've grown as a writer since joining my critique group (MRW Critters J) with both the mechanical elements and the emotional development of my stories. Since joining I've gone from generic rejections from agents/editors to receiving revise and resubmits with great comments directly from the sources.  Every bit helps.
PROJECTS BY MY CRITIQUE GROUP MEMBERS:
By Christi Barth:
Upcoming release in August with Carina Press:  Planning for Love is the first in a Chicago wedding planning trilogy. In the harsh spotlight of reality television, a romance-a-holic wedding planner tries to snare the anti-Cupid. 
My latest release - available now - is Cruising Toward Love .  Can an unexplained breakup and ten years of heartache be cured by the romance - and endless buffets - of a tropical cruise?
By Lula Diamond: Flat Out Love - WIP
By Joya Fields: Brooke Richards survived the earthquake that took her parents and most of her leg, but she needs time to regroup. A trip to Florida for a state-of-the-art prosthesis and to visit her best friend Linda seems ideal. But the trip turns traumatic when Brooke witnesses Linda's boat disintegrating in a fiery explosion.
Police officer Garrett Ciavello believes the blast was intentionally set to hide something Linda found on a dive. When Brooke offers her expertise in underwater archeology, Garrett accepts her help with the investigation. But since his fiancée's death years ago, Garrett has become overprotective, and as they are drawn to each other, Garrett realizes he will risk anything to keep Brooke safe.Will they heal each other's wound and find a killer…before it's too late?The Wild Rose Press | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Bianca McClain has worked for years to achieve her dream job in New York City. After her grandmother passes away, she returns to the small town she grew up in to ready her house for sale. The slow, friendly pace of the town and its citizens, especially Pete the mailman, appeal to her—but there's no way she's giving up everything she's accomplished in New York.

Born and raised in Centreville, MD, Pete Schaeffer loves his small town mail carrier job and can't imagine leaving for any reason—or anyone—so he's dumbfounded by his intense attraction to Bianca, a woman with a fast-paced life in the big city. Pete and Bianca soon find themselves lost in each other's arms. Will the small-town guy and big-city girl find common ground and lasting love, or will their differences drive them apart?The Wild Rose Press | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
By Teresa Hearl: Another Fine Mess - WIP A playboy businessman now in witness protection meets an attractive banker when her mother stomps across his roof. He finds himself working for her at the small town bank. Chemistry ignites and makes it hard for either of them to focus on their goals. He wants to return to his old life by stopping his brother's killer, even though no one waits for his return. She wants to become bank manager to pay off debts created by ex-boyfriends, even though her real joy is working with dogs. Neither realizes that their efforts will never fill the empty spot inside, until danger unifies them to fight for what truly matters. Love.By Victoria Wellington To Pluck a Rose - WIP Intent on avoiding the disastrous example set by her parents whose tumultuous union ended in tragedy, Lady Sophia D'Aubernon plans to enter into a marriage of convenience. Her strategy does not envision widower Lord Nicholas Lindsey, the ton's most scandalous rake, who's sworn never to marry again.  After they share one magical kiss, she escapes to her aunt's country estate. Surprised to discover Lord Lindsey as one of the guests, Lady Sophia struggles against her attraction to a man hell bent on making her his own.
My Critique Group's Lunch, complete with wine & chocolate!Do you have a critique partner or a critique group? If so, what do you feel they do for you? AND, how did you find your partner or group? - people always want to know that!
Thanks for reading!
Laura and the MRW Critters!

Welcome Guest Author Sarah M. Glover! #GhostStory

[image error] Sarah M. Glover is celebrating her debut novel and I'm very pleased to welcome her
to the blog today! 

See below for her giveaway!

Welcome, Sarah!  Please share a little about yourself, your genres, any other pen names you use.
Thank you so much, Laura, for inviting me to stop by to your great site. 
First of all, hello to all of Laura's fans out there.  It's wonderful to be here.  Like many of you, I'm a wife and mother who finds herself pulled in a million directions while trying to keep herself and her family from wandering off into traffic.  I'm also a 'recovering CPA'  which means I hate this time of year—my sincere sympathies to those of you out there in the tax world.  God love you. As far as my writing goes, I'm obsessed with things that go bump in the night—ghosts, mysteries, and to-die-for romances.  San Francisco is my home, and I live in an old house that may or may not be haunted.  My theory is that my children drove out any ghosts.  If any of you have an eleven or a fourteen-year-old, you'll know what I mean.
LOL, Sarah! What a hoot! Okay, tell us a little about your latest or upcoming release.
Grave Refrain:  A Love Ghost Story is a romantic and sexy mystery about an up-and-coming rocker, Andrew Hayes, who is haunted by his muse—a beautiful woman who has inspired all his music.  One night, he finds her in the flesh.  She turns out to be a college student in San Francisco, Emily Thomas, herself haunted by the past. 
A tumultuous love story enfolds, involving ghosts both good and evil, stylish and horrifying.  Together, Andrew and Emily have to solve the mystery of what binds them so passionately before the past pulls them apart.
So romantic! Which character is your most challenging and why?
Andrew.  He is on the edge during so much of the story, trying to come to terms with his madness and his desires, and at the same time, trying to be a normal twenty-something.  Well, as normal as he could ever be.  There is a constant state of wanting in him:  for his muse, for fame, for freedom from what haunts him.  He is a live wire who tends not to do anything by half.  He's also his own worst enemy.  Andrew is the classic Byronic hero coupled with an intellectual rocker in desperate need of a cigarette.
Will there be any sequels or other books in the same series?
Not a sequel per se, but I am planning a series that involves a smoldering detective lost in a ghost world—a very sexy and mysterious world that combines the spookiest and most romantic elements of San Francisco.  A paranormal noir, one could say.
Fantastic! So, what are you working on right now? 
Oddly, I'm in a place I've never been before:  I am working on two different novels at the same time.  One, the ghost detective I mentioned above, and two a young adult novel that I took a break from to write Grave Refrain.  It is a gift to my daughter whose tenacity and wily ways factor into main character—a rather kick-ass fairy whom I'm rather taken with.
Good luck with both! What happened to the first book you ever wrote?
It's sitting in a box underneath my desk—I scrapped the whole thing. The story is a modern take on Jane Eyre set in a highbrow neighborhood of San Francisco. Someday it will crawl out and bite me on the ankle and demand that I do something with it… kind of like the "Monster Book of Monsters" in Harry Potter.
LOL I imagine a lot of writers have one of those! What do you find easiest and hardest to write?
Easiest – comedy.  Laughter keeps me going, and I adore the setup of a joke.  Hardest – sex scenes.  Trying to keep them from reading like insert point A into slot B and avoiding words like "lave" and "manhood" – ay carumba.  That's why my sex scenes tend to be very atmospheric; I need to bring in all the senses and have the emotional and mental desires overcome the scene.  Laurie R. King wrote of her heroine that she thought the brain was the sexiest part of the human body.  I think that is why people adore Pride and Prejudice—it's all about what's not there, what's smoldering under the surface.  The longing. The bond between lovers.  Now, don't get me wrong, I adore a good sex scene as much as anyone, but I also love the yearning and the heartache and the banter.   It makes the ultimate love scene all the more captivating. 
"Lave" *snort* I may or may not have used that word before… *winks* Have you incorporated actual events or people from your own life into your books?
Oh yes, all the time—or I should say variants of people, lest someone recognizes themselves and shows up on my doorstep with a baseball bat.  The stoners in Grave Refrain were based on actual people—Dwayne, especially.  I've had my palm read by Dwayne, but my fortune was much tamer than Andrew or Emily's.  No past lives.  No concubines or mistresses.  It's that darn CPA thing…
Is there a theme or message that runs through your work? 
Searching for your destiny and overcoming your worst instincts in the process.
Interesting! What would your readers be surprised to learn about you?
I write musical comedies and draft perfectly fine actors to make fools of themselves for charity.  I rewrote the Sound of Music last year and turned "Do Re Mi" into a hysterically funny number about a loan shark.  "Dough, some dough, we need more dough…Ray, the guy whose got the gun…"
ROFL! That is so freaking awesome! Which romance book or series (or other genre, if you don't write romance) do you wish you had written?
I wish I were Neil Gaiman. This, of course, would upset my husband greatly, but he'd just have to live with it.  I'm besotted with the worlds Mr. Gaiman creates and the words he spins.  I'd love to own that mind and play around in it.
Of all the characters you've ever written, who is your favorite and why?
Simon Godden from Grave Refrain.  He's rebellious and cynical in a devilishly delightful way.  He manages to keep an aloof façade going, even as his loyalty to Andrew is put to the test.  Then the poor man falls in love with a woman who doesn't want him as much as he wants her.  There was a bit of John Lennon going on there, for anyone who caught it.  In addition, his sense of humor is closest to my own. 
Each of these characters sounds so complex and compelling! Love it! Okay, now, just for fun:
Milk chocolate or dark chocolate?   Dark, really dark, with nuts.  Wrapped in gold paper.
Salty or sweet?   Salty.  Sea salty.  Like those salt & vinegar chips.  Why am I suddenly hungry?
Bed or kitchen table?   Depends. If there are brownies on the table – I'm there.
Beach or mountains?   Beach – still trying to find that perfect one (beach, that is).
Give or receive?   Oh, come on! Receive, my dear.  But if brownies were involved….

Grave Refrain:  A Love Ghost Story follows Andrew Hayes, a brilliant but troubled guitarist in an up-and coming band, who has been haunted since childhood by the presence of his muse.  One night during a performance in San Francisco he spots her, but before he can catch her---she vanishes from sight. 
Desperate to find the woman, he accepts a curious offer to stay in the city, moving into a dilapidated Victorian under going renovations that stir up much more than dust.  Andrew's life becomes even more chaotic with the arrival of martini-swilling ghosts and a band of flesh-and-blood stoner spiritualists bringing bad tidings from the Great Beyond. 
As he struggles to solve the mystery surrounding the woman he loves, Andrew discovers his life is repeating a refrain more deadly than he'd ever imagined.   Because when it comes to true love, one lifetime is never enough.

Thanks for coming on the blog, Sarah! Where can we find you on the web?
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | GoodreadsAmazon Author Page | Publisher's Author Page

Giveaway!One commenter who leaves their email address will win an ebook copy of Grave Refrain! Open to international! Contest through midnight EST Monday 3/5! Winner to be chosen by random.org. Good luck!

Leave Sarah some debut novel / new release love everyone! And thanks for reading!
Laura & Sarah

Welcome Guest Author Eliza Knight! #Highlander #Erotic

I'm very excited to welcome my chapter mate Eliza Knight to the blog today to celebrate her new release!

See her giveaway, below!

Welcome, Eliza!  Please share a little about yourself, your genres, any other pen names you use.
Thank you so much for hosting me today! Here's a little about me…
I'm a multi-published, award-winning author of sizzling historical romance and erotic romance. While not reading, writing or researching for my latest book, I chase after my three children. In my spare time (if there is such a thing…) I like daydreaming, wine-tasting, traveling, hiking, staring at the stars, watching movies, shopping and visiting with family and friends. I live atop a small mountain, and enjoy cold winter nights when I can curl up in front of a roaring fire with my own knight in shining armor.
Awesome! Tell us a little about your latest or upcoming release.
Last week, my erotic time-travel novella (15K) HIGHLAND STEAM released with Ellora's Cave. It is the first in a planned series of quickie reads featuring the Comyn Clan. Here's the cover copy…
Tragedy strikes in the Highlands, making Drostan the laird of the Comyn clan and in need of a wife to placate his people. His only choice is to trust in magic and travel to the sacred circle of stones…where he must passionately lay claim to the woman Fate brings him.
Briana is lost and alone when magic lights up the night. She meets the man of her dreams, a man who rocks her to her very core with orgasm after orgasm and somehow manages to steal her heart. The problem? The man of her dreams lives eight hundred years in the past.
[image error] Oh, my, but with all those orgasms, who would notice? Love it! As the author, what surprised you about this story?
All of my time-travels have had a humorous element. My short time-travel HIGHLAND TRYST that released in December in the SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES VOL.1 anthology had a reviewer state she nearly peed her pants from reading. I was surprised while writing HIGHLAND STEAM that it was more of an emotional journey than humorous one.
LOL! What was the hardest thing for you about writing this story?
The hardest part of writing a short story, is trying to get the characterization down, make the plot believable and show the progression of the romance in a satisfying way in a small amount of space.
Yes! So true! What are you working on right now?
I am working on revisions for a medieval romance and an erotic Regency, as well as plotting out the second book in the Comyn Clan series.
[image error] Good luck with it all! What happened to the first book you ever wrote?
It is published! A LADY'S CHARADE is a medieval romance, more like the old school styles of Julie Garwood and Kathleen Woodiwiss.  I had some really good feedback from editors, and almost had a contract, but it fell through at the last minute. Because it is the book of my heart, I wanted to share it with the world and so I self-published it. A LADY'S CHARADE has been sitting on the Top 100 Historical Romances at the Apple I-Bookstore since it was published.
That's fantastic! What do you find easiest and hardest to write?
The easiest part of writing is coming up with the story. The hardest part is getting deep enough into the character's head so that the reader connects. I agonize over emotional reactions, deep inner POV, etc…, just to make sure it's on the page.
Have you incorporated actual events or people from your own life into your books?
There are definitely bits and pieces, but not a whole person or event.
Is there a theme or message that runs through your work?
I think a running theme is that love conquers all—time, villains, differences, etc… Each story seems to have its own theme. I've studied conquering one's own demons, abandonment, adultery, overcoming society dictates.
Interesting! What would your readers be surprised to learn about you?
Hmm… if I told you it wouldn't be a surprise! LOL. Okay, they might be surprised to hear that when I'm not writing, I'm just a normal everyday mom. I go to the bus stop with the kids, love my coffee, make dinner, clean toilets.
Bwahaha! Which romance book or series (or other genre, if you don't write romance) do you wish you had written?
I don't really wish I'd written anything that is already published because then I wouldn't have enjoyed reading it so much, but I would LOVE to meet a few authors: Ken Follett, Philippa Gregory, Julie Garwood, Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, Charles Dickens…
Great way to look at it! Okay, now, just for fun:
Milk chocolate or dark chocolate? Dark chocolate cover pomegranate seeds.
Salty or sweet? Sweet and Salty
Bed or kitchen table? Ooh! Both?
Beach or mountains? Both!
Give or receive? Most definitely both *grins*
Thanks for coming on the blog, Eliza!  Where can we find you on the web? Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | GoodreadsAmazon Author Page | Eliza's EC Page | Eliza's Carina Page Eliza's historical blog History Undressed  [mentioned in a recent Wall Street Journal article!]

Giveaway!One commenter who leaves their email address will win an ebook copy of Highland Steam! Contest through midnight EST on Sunday 3/4! Open to international! Winner to be chosen by random.org! Good luck!

Thanks for reading! Be sure to leave Eliza some new release love!
Laura & Eliza

Author Stacey Kennedy has been Supernaturally Kissed!

I'm very excited to welcome guest author Stacey Kennedy to the blog today!
Happy new release, Stacey!
And welcome!  Please share a little about yourself, your genres, any other pen names you use.
*waves* I'm Stacey Kennedy and I write everything from paranormal romance, urban fantasy romance to erotic romance. But my books always have the same themes—dominant men, humor and a whole lot of the steamy stuff!!
[image error] Awesome! Tell us a little about your latest or upcoming release.
My latest release is SUPERNATURALLY KISSED. It's a ghost romance with a mystery and has a sexy romance as well. It was a blast to write and I never thought I could fall head over heels in love with a ghost but…it's true, I did!
That's awesome! I love the cover! Which character is your favorite and why?
Oh my, I could never answer this question. I have so many characters that I adore and all for different reasons. Of course, I love Tess and Kipp, plus Zach and Caley, but honestly I really do adore them all. If I picked just one they might get a wee bit jealous and we don't want that!
LOL No, I suppose not! As the author, what surprised you about this story?
Everything! LOL! I'm a panster, which means I don't plot my stories so every step of the way is a surprise to me. I don't have a set idea what's going to happen so I'm always pretty stunned at the end to see how it all turned out.
OMG me too! Will there be any sequels or other books in the same series?
Yes, there will be four books in the Frostbite series. The second book, DEMONICALLY TEMPTED is completed and with my editor. I'm just waiting on hearing back if she approves of the story and to get working on edits. I'll tell you this much, book two definitely shocked me silly! I totally wasn't expecting to go where the characters took me. It'll be exciting to get it out there and see if it surprises the readers too.
Oh, man, that's the coolest feeling! What was the hardest thing for you about writing this story?
The fact that the hero is a ghost. Kinda obvious, right? It was a real challenge when it came to the love scenes and I definitely had to get creative to get these two in a few hot and heavy moments. But I loved that challenge. It made it really interesting to write!
Definitely sounds intriguing! What are you working on right now?
I just wrapped up a BDSM full-length erotic romance, SWEET SUBMISSIVE. It's currently in my agent's hands and I'm waiting on feedback. Yes, I'm biting my nails and hoping to hear back soon!
Ooh, sounds dee-lish! What happened to the first book you ever wrote?
The first book I ever wrote was The Willow that came out with Liquid Silver Books in 2010. It's by far the most special series to me because it's what started my journey as a writer. So I couldn't have been happier when Entangled Publishing gave me the chance to lengthen the short novels into full-length. The first book, WEREWOLVES BE DAMNED, will be released in July 2012 in trade paperback.
Woot! Woot! What do you find easiest and hardest to write?
The easiest and most fun for me is the first draft. I absolutely love it!! The hardest part for me is grammar and edits. The comma and I have a hate relationship. I'll admit I've gotten better than when I first started out, but I still put commas in places they just shouldn't go and leave them off all the time.
LOL The dreaded comma! Have you incorporated actual events or people from your own life into your books?
HECK NO! I could never use anyone I know in my books. *shudders* That'd just be too weird!
ROFL! Which romance book or series (or other genre, if you don't write romance) do you wish you had written?
Easy answer. Keri Arthur's Riley Jenson Guardian series or her Dark Angels series. I'm a HUGE fan of hers. I love her work beyond words and the world she has created is simply fabulous! I'd LOVE the chance the write in it.
Of all the characters you've ever written, who is your favorite and why?
Like I said above that's a really hard question to answer. I love Tess from SUPERNATURALLY KISSED because her snarky attitude makes me laugh. But I also enjoy my time with Nexi from WEREWOLVES BE DAMNED, she's probably the funniest character I've ever written and she's got a real kick-ass attitude that I enjoy!
Ooh, some heroine love, I see! Okay, now, just for fun:
Milk chocolate or dark chocolate? Milk Chocolate
Salty or sweet? Sweet
Bed or kitchen table? Both! *wiggles eyebrows* It's fun when you start out in one place and end up in another!
Beach or mountains? Beach
Give or receive? Give, but you'll never hear me complaining about receiving.

Ghosts harass and annoy Tess Jennings to save their souls. Sometimes she helps them. Other times she ignores them. But one ghost will give her no choice.
Kipp McGowen, a cop with the Memphis Police Department, will stop at nothing to gain her help, including using his ghostly charms to seduce her.
Tess must help solve the five year old cold case of Hannah Reid, because solving the case will save Kipp. But a bigger problem presents itself. Tess is falling in love with a ghost. Now she must decide. Keep Kipp forever or find the killer…

BUY SUPERNATURALLY KISSED!

Thanks for coming on the blog, Stacey! Where can we find you on the web?
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page

Excerpt:
A ghost is determined to capture Tess's attention and make her admit she hears him, while she's on a blind date...
The boys headed to the bar. I glanced over at Caley, who bounced up and down on her seat in excitement. "I did good, right?"
I nodded, not at all ashamed to give her props for her choice. "He's not only sexy as sin, but a gentleman too. You did great."
The ghost snorted.
I'd forgotten all about him and had hoped he wouldn't follow me into the bar. Nothing would ruin my excitement now. A long time had passed since I'd met anyone worth meeting. The ghost wouldn't put a damper on my fun.
Within minutes, Trent and Brandon returned to the table with four beers in hand. I claimed a bottle, took a long sip and sighed in happiness. After the day I had, the beer comforted me. The alcohol refreshed the senses, revived the mood and removed the tension sitting heavy on my shoulders.
Trent grinned. "Looks like you needed a drink."
I licked the dribble of beer from my lips. "I've been craving a beer all day long." I set the bottle onto the table. "So, tell me, what's it like to play baseball as a pro?"
I've never regretted saying words more in my life. One question led to a twenty-minute conversation I wished I'd never instigated. Caley, the traitor, had vanished onto the dance floor with Brandon, which left me with the pompous stud.
"I've grown as a player…" Trent went on.
"This guy is a fucking joke," the ghost said.
I almost turned my head to nod, but of course refrained. I continued to listen to Trent's words without truly hearing what he had to say. I merely muttered "yeah" or "cool" when appropriate.
"If I were him, I would've skipped the conversation all together and had you back in my bed the moment I laid eyes on you."
He did not just say that! My stomach leapt up into my throat and my body warmed in places that shouldn't from a ghost. He'd only said words—not used soft touches to entice me—but the way his voice carried into my soul, the effect had been similar to sweet caresses. "The coach has been pleased…"
The ghost's tone dropped an octave. "I wouldn't have wasted the time with small talk. I would've used my mouth to learn my way around your luscious curves and used your responses to tell me about the woman you are."
I squirmed on the stool in an attempt to ignore the soft purr of his voice sending shivers down my spine. I even leaned in further toward Trent and tried to concentrate on his boring conversation.
"After I tasted your sweet skin and saw your desperation for more, I would kiss your mouth until your lips were rosy and swollen. I'd deepen the kiss by tangling my fingers through your hair and holding you close to feel all of me."
I gulped, crossed my legs and squeezed them tight. He's a ghost! Nothing that involved him should arouse me. But the pulse between my thighs declared he held the power to make me undone.
"I'd kiss my way along your jaw while I lowered my hand to trail along your stomach. Then I would seek to discover all those little places that make you squirm."
He ran his finger from below my ear all the way to my nape. His touch forced my eyes closed. A cold shiver danced along my skin to leave goose bumps in its wake. Wild sensations stole my logical mind. My will to ignore him plummeted.
"Tess," Caley shouted.
I opened my eyes, and after taking a moment to focus, I discovered not only Caley staring at me, but Trent and Brandon too.
She frowned. "What's wrong with you?"
I shook my head and released the breath stuck in my throat, which came out in a slow wisp of air. "Nothing—I'm fine."
"I'd lower myself between those luscious legs of yours, tempting you and teasing you. I'd stare into those pretty green eyes of yours until they widened in pleasure."
"You're not fine," Caley retorted. "Your face is bright red."
"I'd wait until your hips arched toward me and begged me to take you. Then, and only then, would I give you what you desire."
I grabbed my beer, took a big swig and a couple more. All eyes stared at me with blatant confusion. Part of me wanted to move away, while the other needed to hear more.
"Ah, Tess," Caley whispered. "Seriously, are you okay?"
I paid my obvious inappropriate behavior no attention. The fantasy the ghost built in my mind needed to have a conclusion. "Yes. Yes. I'm good."
"I would thrust against you, demanding you react to my intentions. You'd scream out and I would echo the sound with a moan of my own, as I used all my strength to satisfy you."Caley chuckled nervously.
I gripped the edge of the table in front of me and held on tight.
"You'd come into your orgasm because I'd leave you with no other choice. But I wouldn't stop there." He ran his finger along my exposed lower back and the coldness against my hot skin made me shiver. "Without giving you the chance to recover, I'd flip you over on your knees," his tone dipped lower, "and fuck you senseless."
I shot up from my seat, which caused the stool to slam back into the person behind me, who swore in return. "I have to go."
Caley nodded. "Ah yeah, I think you do."
Without another word—or a goodbye to the living men or the dead one who had got me all hot and bothered—I bolted from the bar and ran so hard my calves burned, reminding me of the three-inch heels strapped to my feet.
The ghost didn't follow me and nothing pleased me more. I needed some space, time to return to reality or to pleasure the need out of me—either would do.
Within only a few minutes, I arrived at my condominium, which appeared more like an old textile factory, but inside were renovated modern apartments. The arousal burning inside me hadn't vanished. The wetness between my thighs was a constant reminder of the ghost's words.
I ran up the stairs while I took my keys out from my back pocket. At the thick mahogany wooden door, I raised my key pass to the scanner, grabbed the chrome door handle and swung it open.
Just three doors down, I opened the door to my condo before slamming it closed behind me. I didn't bother to lock the door and did the only thing I thought of now. I sprinted to the bedroom, stripped out of my clothes and finished the fantasy the ghost had built in my mind.

Thanks for reading! What part of the excerpt did you most enjoy?
Laura & Stacey

Cover Reveal: LUMINOSITY by Stephanie Thomas #YA #Dystopian

I'm very excited to be a part of the cover reveal of my MRW chapter mate's upcoming YA SciFi/Dystopian novel, LUMINOSITY (The Raven Chronicles, #1), which releases September 11, 2012.
First, for the blurb:

My name is Beatrice. When I was born, I was blessed with the Sight. I was immediately removed from my parents and enrolled in the Institution. At the age of twelve, I had my first true vision, earning my raven's wings. And when I turned seventeen, one of my visions came true. Things haven't been the same since.

The Institution depends on me to keep the City safe from our enemy, the Dreamcatchers, but I'm finding it harder to do while keeping a secret from everyone, including my best friend Gabe. It is a secret that could put us all in danger. A secret that could kill me and everyone close to me.

But the enemy has been coming to me in my dreams, and I think I'm falling in love with him. He says they're coming. He says they're angry. And I think I've already helped them win.

Paperback Available for Pre-Order from Amazon
Add to your Goodreads TBR
So, whatd'ya think????
Thanks for reading,Laura

#SixSunday #47 - Never tease a #vampire...

Happy Sunday everyone! Thanks for stopping by again this week. I've got six more from my recent release, In the Service of the King. Here, Shayla's getting the king worked up with a little teasing...

"What did I tell you about biting yourself?"
The tension in his voice and flashing gold behind his dilated eyes thrilled her and reawakened her body. "Well, someone ought to," she whispered.
His mouth dropped open around elongating fangs, and he easily pushed her up on the bed and crawled between her thighs. "Just someone, Shayla? Anyone?"

Don't forget to check out the Other Sixers' Posts and follow the #sixsunday hashtag on twitter.
Thanks for reading and, hopefully, commenting too!
Laura