Nona Raines's Blog, page 23
June 11, 2014
#WIP it Wednesday with @RachellNichole
Welcome back to WIP it Wednesday!
It's been a while since I've posted about WIP it Wednesday because, well, I've been buried under WIPs! I've been writing, and rewriting, and rewriting some more! But today I'm back to blogging and I have some goodies to share with you!
So I've been talking a bit on and off about my foray into the BDSM subgenre of erotic romance, and whoa! Has it ever been and exciting and wild ride! I'm here to share some of the fruits of my labor.
To Sir will release in August, but all you lovely Diva lovers out there get a sneak peek!
When Elizabeth Leigh Clark is plagued by the idea for a kinky novel she can’t shake, she has no choice but to plunge, head-first into a genre she vowed never to pursue. But when she realizes the seductive allure of submitting her will, her interest in the BDSM lifestyle because less academic, and downright personal.
Dominant and club owner, Chase Masters, has no idea what to expect when his partner books a meeting with an author doing research on the BDSM scene, but he’s blown away with the woman who walks through the door. He’s sure at first that she must be a visiting Domme, not the author. Her manner is confident, brusque, and even a bit disapproving of his lifestyle, but when he switches from his easy-going club owner mindset into his Dom voice, she instantly backs off. Perhaps she’s more submissive than she let on.
Chase and his club are in the crosshairs of a local senator and the bank, and he fears he might lose everything. So when Liz grudgingly agrees to be his, if only for a few weeks, he’s elated. But what kind of long-term relationship can a broke, out of work, homeless Dom offer to a burgeoning submissive who won't submit outside of the bedroom?
Here's a bit more about my hero, Chase Masters, and a picture to keep in mind (Channing Tatum, circa. Magic Mike)
Chase isn't your typical Dom. His last steady submissives both wanted more from him than he could give. More domination, more time, more of himself than he was willing to give. He's determined to find a new submissive, one who will be the perfect fit, one who will challenge him, both inside and outside of the bedroom and playroom. He's a Capricorn, which makes him disciplined, patient, and careful. So when he comes up against Liz, a seemingly unmovable force of nature, he will have to use all of his skills and determination to win her over. But the precious K Club he's spent his entire adult life and every cent on is in some serious trouble from a local senator who wants to run the "filth" out of town. Not to mention the bank is about half a second away from foreclosing on his club, and the home he put up as collateral.
And now for Liz who kind of resembles Kristen Kreuk, and has these two amazing tattoos.
This is the tattoo she has on her foot
Elizabeth Leigh Clark writes erotic romance under the name Elizabeth Leigh, and she's a spitfire. She's spent her whole adult life trying to break free of the tyrannical rule of her father. She started writing as a kid to escape her hellish household, and now that she's free, she uses that freedom to let her inhibitions go and create steamy books left and right. But she has a hard time convincing herself not to be embarrassed or ashamed about sex in the real world, and she's never considered herself one of those girls who might find the idea of a man bossing her around appealing. So why the hell can't she shake these thoughts and dreams about a seductive maestro with leather crops and dominion over her body? But she's a Scorpio: determined, forceful, obsessive, and rebellious, and she refuses to run away from these desires, no matter how much they terrify her.
And this is the one on her back
And here is just a little taste of Chase and Liz:
An hour later, Chase was still buried under paperwork, scouring the consent contracts, the original ordinance he’d received from the city when they first opened five years ago, and some more paperwork the lawyer had faxed over yesterday. A loud knock sounded from downstairs, but he didn’t get up. Dusty was still down on the main floor and he’d been taking care of whomever came knocking for the past few days. The man was a Godsend. How had Chase ever gotten on before without Dusty to look after him? He turned his attention back to his work. No doubt it was someone else coming to inquire about the club, when they’d be back open. Their members had been so lost when he’d announced the closing of the club, even though he’d assured everyone it would only be temporary. And he was damned sure going to make good on that promise. He would not fail. He glanced up at the bright light from the main door. Shadowed in the doorway was a tall brunette. Hair pulled severely into a long ponytail, dark, elegantly-slanted eyes bordered in charcoal, a tight black top with lace over breasts and arms, combined with the long leather-clad legs told Chase this was a Domme. Her beautiful Asian face was not one he recognized, so he knew she must be new in town, or perhaps just visiting and wanting to check out the scene before hours. He and Dusty would usually extend an invitation to a visiting Domme, but since the club was under lock and key, that wouldn’t be happening. Apparently the protesters and closed signs outside meant nothing to her. And instead of sending her on her way, Dusty smiled, shook her hand and ushered her in out of the stifling Nevada heat. What the hell?Chase half-rose from his desk to peek through the tinted windows of his office into the Club beyond. His groin gave a little jolt as he caught sight of their visitor’s swaying hips in the skin-tight leather. That gave him another what the hell moment. It wasn’t like him to be attracted to other Dominants. Going three weeks with no outlet had started to take its toll. Dusty began leading the woman around the club. Her face remained impassive and Chase shook his head. That damned author was late for their meeting, and he couldn’t help but be glad he was now free to go down and greet their visitor. He strode from his office and down the private back stairwell to the main area of the club. “And this is where we have our shows,” Dusty was saying, leading her up on the stage. Chase stayed in the shadow of the staircase, watching. The delicate bone structure of this woman was showcased beautifully by her dark coal-rimmed eyes, deep red lipstick, and a light blush that appeared completely natural. Her gaze was hot, determined, and he could almost see a flicker of flame from within. It instantly ignited an answering burn inside him, and he gulped in a few cool breaths. What the fuck was his problem today? She looked up and their gazes locked. An image flashed through his head. Her, bound to the top of the canopied bed in his room, a white mask covering her eyes, head thrown back in ecstasy as he tortured her senses. He blinked reality back into focus, determined to shake this strange attraction. He knew from experience, some Tops could never bottom. And this woman obviously didn’t have a submissive bone in her entire lithe little body.
Confidence. She had to keep that utmost in her mind. Liz forced herself not to react when he stepped out of the shadows. This man… he had the same build, the same badass dominating air about him as the man of her dreams. In, she corrected. The man inher dreams. He stared at her, making her feel naked beneath his gaze. Swallowing hard, she willed moisture to her mouth, but it was like her tongue was cemented in place with peanut butter. Crap. She extended a hand. “Chase Masters,” he said, stepping closer to clasp her hand in his. Feathers tickled along her spine. Just like they had in her dream. In one second, Chase’s face superimposed itself over the foggy image in her head of every erotic dream she’d had in the past six weeks. “This is Elizabeth Clark,” Dusty said from behind her. Thank God someone wasn’t rendered speechless in the presence of this Adonis. She snatched her hand back, closing her fingers into her palm, unsure if she was trying to wipe away the feel of his skin against hers, or trap it. No recognition showed on Chase’s face, and Liz tried to pretend she wasn’t hurt. She’d called well in advance, and Sissy had assured her that Chase would be open and honest with his answers when Liz asked him any and all embarrassingly personal questions. Apparently, Chase had no freaking clue who she was or what she was doing here. She was just about to launch into an explanation when Dusty prompted, “The author I was telling you about?” Was that disappointment on Chase’s face? She couldn’t tell for sure, because he quickly schooled his features, his face smoothing into a mask of politeness. She didn’t know what the hell to make of that. “Okay, well, uh, would you like to continue to show her around?” the soft, unsure voice was so unlike the one she’d pictured coming from that harsh mouth of his. It was also the opposite of the tone he’d used when he introduced himself. “I thought maybe you’d like to do the honors, boss.” A half-smile quirked up Chase’s mouth, and he shook his head. “Not your boss.” “Yeah, yeah, whatever.” Dusty turned and left her at Chase’s mercy. She pursed her lips, and cocked her head to the side, embodying her persona. She was Elizabeth Leigh, erotic romance author extraordinaire. And she wasn’t going to be intimidated by a little kink. Or a lot, she amended, glancing at the club around her. She’d worn her sexiest, most authoritative outfit and her Don’t Screw With Me boots, but as she stared off against six feet of heavily corded muscular Dom, she felt spineless. And maybe a little breathless. “So, this way I guess.” Chase turned from her, and she followed him. Like a damned puppy. What in the world was wrong with her? She didn’t do this kind of crap. Women did not belong barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen, and she would be damned to the depths of hell if she was going to buy into that chauvinistic crap because of this guy when she’d lived her whole life fighting against her father’s brainwashing. She forced herself to stop a few feet behind him.“This is the bar, and the main area of the club. Used for meet and greets, socialization, and a live show a couple times a week. Some people come just to be somewhere in public where they can be themselves.” She heard the underlying defiance in his words, as if he was daring her to make a snide comment. “As I’m sure you could tell, we’ve been closed down temporarily.” “I saw the hubbub outside,” she said lamely. “Who the hell says ‘hubbub’ anymore?” Chase seared her with a look over his shoulder and she suppressed a shiver. “I’m a writer. I have an extensive vocabulary,” she said defensively, crossing her arms over her chest, and daring him to contradict her. His whole personality screamed domineering. “Your tone says it’s obviously nothing someone like me would understand.” He turned on her. “That’s not what I meant.” Her voice was brusque. She was letting that arch stare and that increasingly deep voice ruffle her feathers. She knew better than to be baited like this. Anger management was a constant battle inside her, but it had been an easier one to win over the past few years. She wouldn’t let herself backslide because of this man, no matter what he said. He raised his eyebrows, then turned back. “We don’t serve alcohol at the bar because you can’t have consent when people are under the influence. That’s an important detail several authors have gotten wrong over the years. Among other things.” His icy voice made her shiver. “Like what?” She had a good memory, but she felt like this was going to be quite a list. “Let’s see… for starters it’s not all about pain.”She snorted. She couldn’t help it. “Of course it’s about pain.” And subjugation, and dominance, and treating people like they were less than humans, like they were property. She bit her tongue on that part, though. She was supposed to be here asking him for help, not pissing him off, much as the idea appealed to her. “Not with me it isn’t. And not for a lot of people, either. It’s about control, and passion, and love, for yourself, the darkness inside, and sometimes for someone else. Pain gets mixed up with that sometimes. Okay, granted, for some people it’s about pain. Giving it, receiving it. For the rest of us, pain is part of the pleasure. Part of the rush, the edge of fantasy. You should know a bit about that. We’re in the same business. You sell fantasy on the page, I sell it in the flesh, so to speak.” Another shiver coursed through her at his words. God, could just the sound of him describing this stuff make her hot? A lick of guilt shimmied through her, but she pushed it aside. She had to stop feeling guilty about sex of all kinds, but sometimes it was just so hard to keep the shame from decimating her. She rubbed her right earlobe, trying to work toward a calm she didn’t feel. “Look, why don’t you just ask me your questions so we can get this over with.”“Excuse me?” He turned on her. “It’s clear you’re uncomfortable. Your over-the-top outfit, the heels you can barely walk in, and the disdainful curl of your lip. You did ask to come here, did you not?” She took a deep breath, and a step toward him. “Yes, I did. But I –” she stopped herself from picking a fight with him, but just barely. Damn. She’d thought she had better control over her impulsive bouts of rage. “I’m… sorry.” She lowered her shoulders and made an effort to relax her aggressive stance. Just being here was making her skin crawl. And not in an entirely unpleasant way...
Well, there you have it! I hope that was just enough to whet your appetite! Make sure to stop by for the next WIP It Wednesday and I'll post some more goodies for you! As we get closer to August, I will post cover art, book trailers, and much more!
~ Rach
It's been a while since I've posted about WIP it Wednesday because, well, I've been buried under WIPs! I've been writing, and rewriting, and rewriting some more! But today I'm back to blogging and I have some goodies to share with you!
So I've been talking a bit on and off about my foray into the BDSM subgenre of erotic romance, and whoa! Has it ever been and exciting and wild ride! I'm here to share some of the fruits of my labor.
To Sir will release in August, but all you lovely Diva lovers out there get a sneak peek!
When Elizabeth Leigh Clark is plagued by the idea for a kinky novel she can’t shake, she has no choice but to plunge, head-first into a genre she vowed never to pursue. But when she realizes the seductive allure of submitting her will, her interest in the BDSM lifestyle because less academic, and downright personal.
Dominant and club owner, Chase Masters, has no idea what to expect when his partner books a meeting with an author doing research on the BDSM scene, but he’s blown away with the woman who walks through the door. He’s sure at first that she must be a visiting Domme, not the author. Her manner is confident, brusque, and even a bit disapproving of his lifestyle, but when he switches from his easy-going club owner mindset into his Dom voice, she instantly backs off. Perhaps she’s more submissive than she let on.
Chase and his club are in the crosshairs of a local senator and the bank, and he fears he might lose everything. So when Liz grudgingly agrees to be his, if only for a few weeks, he’s elated. But what kind of long-term relationship can a broke, out of work, homeless Dom offer to a burgeoning submissive who won't submit outside of the bedroom?
Here's a bit more about my hero, Chase Masters, and a picture to keep in mind (Channing Tatum, circa. Magic Mike)
Chase isn't your typical Dom. His last steady submissives both wanted more from him than he could give. More domination, more time, more of himself than he was willing to give. He's determined to find a new submissive, one who will be the perfect fit, one who will challenge him, both inside and outside of the bedroom and playroom. He's a Capricorn, which makes him disciplined, patient, and careful. So when he comes up against Liz, a seemingly unmovable force of nature, he will have to use all of his skills and determination to win her over. But the precious K Club he's spent his entire adult life and every cent on is in some serious trouble from a local senator who wants to run the "filth" out of town. Not to mention the bank is about half a second away from foreclosing on his club, and the home he put up as collateral. And now for Liz who kind of resembles Kristen Kreuk, and has these two amazing tattoos.
This is the tattoo she has on her foot
Elizabeth Leigh Clark writes erotic romance under the name Elizabeth Leigh, and she's a spitfire. She's spent her whole adult life trying to break free of the tyrannical rule of her father. She started writing as a kid to escape her hellish household, and now that she's free, she uses that freedom to let her inhibitions go and create steamy books left and right. But she has a hard time convincing herself not to be embarrassed or ashamed about sex in the real world, and she's never considered herself one of those girls who might find the idea of a man bossing her around appealing. So why the hell can't she shake these thoughts and dreams about a seductive maestro with leather crops and dominion over her body? But she's a Scorpio: determined, forceful, obsessive, and rebellious, and she refuses to run away from these desires, no matter how much they terrify her.
And this is the one on her back And here is just a little taste of Chase and Liz:
An hour later, Chase was still buried under paperwork, scouring the consent contracts, the original ordinance he’d received from the city when they first opened five years ago, and some more paperwork the lawyer had faxed over yesterday. A loud knock sounded from downstairs, but he didn’t get up. Dusty was still down on the main floor and he’d been taking care of whomever came knocking for the past few days. The man was a Godsend. How had Chase ever gotten on before without Dusty to look after him? He turned his attention back to his work. No doubt it was someone else coming to inquire about the club, when they’d be back open. Their members had been so lost when he’d announced the closing of the club, even though he’d assured everyone it would only be temporary. And he was damned sure going to make good on that promise. He would not fail. He glanced up at the bright light from the main door. Shadowed in the doorway was a tall brunette. Hair pulled severely into a long ponytail, dark, elegantly-slanted eyes bordered in charcoal, a tight black top with lace over breasts and arms, combined with the long leather-clad legs told Chase this was a Domme. Her beautiful Asian face was not one he recognized, so he knew she must be new in town, or perhaps just visiting and wanting to check out the scene before hours. He and Dusty would usually extend an invitation to a visiting Domme, but since the club was under lock and key, that wouldn’t be happening. Apparently the protesters and closed signs outside meant nothing to her. And instead of sending her on her way, Dusty smiled, shook her hand and ushered her in out of the stifling Nevada heat. What the hell?Chase half-rose from his desk to peek through the tinted windows of his office into the Club beyond. His groin gave a little jolt as he caught sight of their visitor’s swaying hips in the skin-tight leather. That gave him another what the hell moment. It wasn’t like him to be attracted to other Dominants. Going three weeks with no outlet had started to take its toll. Dusty began leading the woman around the club. Her face remained impassive and Chase shook his head. That damned author was late for their meeting, and he couldn’t help but be glad he was now free to go down and greet their visitor. He strode from his office and down the private back stairwell to the main area of the club. “And this is where we have our shows,” Dusty was saying, leading her up on the stage. Chase stayed in the shadow of the staircase, watching. The delicate bone structure of this woman was showcased beautifully by her dark coal-rimmed eyes, deep red lipstick, and a light blush that appeared completely natural. Her gaze was hot, determined, and he could almost see a flicker of flame from within. It instantly ignited an answering burn inside him, and he gulped in a few cool breaths. What the fuck was his problem today? She looked up and their gazes locked. An image flashed through his head. Her, bound to the top of the canopied bed in his room, a white mask covering her eyes, head thrown back in ecstasy as he tortured her senses. He blinked reality back into focus, determined to shake this strange attraction. He knew from experience, some Tops could never bottom. And this woman obviously didn’t have a submissive bone in her entire lithe little body.
Confidence. She had to keep that utmost in her mind. Liz forced herself not to react when he stepped out of the shadows. This man… he had the same build, the same badass dominating air about him as the man of her dreams. In, she corrected. The man inher dreams. He stared at her, making her feel naked beneath his gaze. Swallowing hard, she willed moisture to her mouth, but it was like her tongue was cemented in place with peanut butter. Crap. She extended a hand. “Chase Masters,” he said, stepping closer to clasp her hand in his. Feathers tickled along her spine. Just like they had in her dream. In one second, Chase’s face superimposed itself over the foggy image in her head of every erotic dream she’d had in the past six weeks. “This is Elizabeth Clark,” Dusty said from behind her. Thank God someone wasn’t rendered speechless in the presence of this Adonis. She snatched her hand back, closing her fingers into her palm, unsure if she was trying to wipe away the feel of his skin against hers, or trap it. No recognition showed on Chase’s face, and Liz tried to pretend she wasn’t hurt. She’d called well in advance, and Sissy had assured her that Chase would be open and honest with his answers when Liz asked him any and all embarrassingly personal questions. Apparently, Chase had no freaking clue who she was or what she was doing here. She was just about to launch into an explanation when Dusty prompted, “The author I was telling you about?” Was that disappointment on Chase’s face? She couldn’t tell for sure, because he quickly schooled his features, his face smoothing into a mask of politeness. She didn’t know what the hell to make of that. “Okay, well, uh, would you like to continue to show her around?” the soft, unsure voice was so unlike the one she’d pictured coming from that harsh mouth of his. It was also the opposite of the tone he’d used when he introduced himself. “I thought maybe you’d like to do the honors, boss.” A half-smile quirked up Chase’s mouth, and he shook his head. “Not your boss.” “Yeah, yeah, whatever.” Dusty turned and left her at Chase’s mercy. She pursed her lips, and cocked her head to the side, embodying her persona. She was Elizabeth Leigh, erotic romance author extraordinaire. And she wasn’t going to be intimidated by a little kink. Or a lot, she amended, glancing at the club around her. She’d worn her sexiest, most authoritative outfit and her Don’t Screw With Me boots, but as she stared off against six feet of heavily corded muscular Dom, she felt spineless. And maybe a little breathless. “So, this way I guess.” Chase turned from her, and she followed him. Like a damned puppy. What in the world was wrong with her? She didn’t do this kind of crap. Women did not belong barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen, and she would be damned to the depths of hell if she was going to buy into that chauvinistic crap because of this guy when she’d lived her whole life fighting against her father’s brainwashing. She forced herself to stop a few feet behind him.“This is the bar, and the main area of the club. Used for meet and greets, socialization, and a live show a couple times a week. Some people come just to be somewhere in public where they can be themselves.” She heard the underlying defiance in his words, as if he was daring her to make a snide comment. “As I’m sure you could tell, we’ve been closed down temporarily.” “I saw the hubbub outside,” she said lamely. “Who the hell says ‘hubbub’ anymore?” Chase seared her with a look over his shoulder and she suppressed a shiver. “I’m a writer. I have an extensive vocabulary,” she said defensively, crossing her arms over her chest, and daring him to contradict her. His whole personality screamed domineering. “Your tone says it’s obviously nothing someone like me would understand.” He turned on her. “That’s not what I meant.” Her voice was brusque. She was letting that arch stare and that increasingly deep voice ruffle her feathers. She knew better than to be baited like this. Anger management was a constant battle inside her, but it had been an easier one to win over the past few years. She wouldn’t let herself backslide because of this man, no matter what he said. He raised his eyebrows, then turned back. “We don’t serve alcohol at the bar because you can’t have consent when people are under the influence. That’s an important detail several authors have gotten wrong over the years. Among other things.” His icy voice made her shiver. “Like what?” She had a good memory, but she felt like this was going to be quite a list. “Let’s see… for starters it’s not all about pain.”She snorted. She couldn’t help it. “Of course it’s about pain.” And subjugation, and dominance, and treating people like they were less than humans, like they were property. She bit her tongue on that part, though. She was supposed to be here asking him for help, not pissing him off, much as the idea appealed to her. “Not with me it isn’t. And not for a lot of people, either. It’s about control, and passion, and love, for yourself, the darkness inside, and sometimes for someone else. Pain gets mixed up with that sometimes. Okay, granted, for some people it’s about pain. Giving it, receiving it. For the rest of us, pain is part of the pleasure. Part of the rush, the edge of fantasy. You should know a bit about that. We’re in the same business. You sell fantasy on the page, I sell it in the flesh, so to speak.” Another shiver coursed through her at his words. God, could just the sound of him describing this stuff make her hot? A lick of guilt shimmied through her, but she pushed it aside. She had to stop feeling guilty about sex of all kinds, but sometimes it was just so hard to keep the shame from decimating her. She rubbed her right earlobe, trying to work toward a calm she didn’t feel. “Look, why don’t you just ask me your questions so we can get this over with.”“Excuse me?” He turned on her. “It’s clear you’re uncomfortable. Your over-the-top outfit, the heels you can barely walk in, and the disdainful curl of your lip. You did ask to come here, did you not?” She took a deep breath, and a step toward him. “Yes, I did. But I –” she stopped herself from picking a fight with him, but just barely. Damn. She’d thought she had better control over her impulsive bouts of rage. “I’m… sorry.” She lowered her shoulders and made an effort to relax her aggressive stance. Just being here was making her skin crawl. And not in an entirely unpleasant way...
Well, there you have it! I hope that was just enough to whet your appetite! Make sure to stop by for the next WIP It Wednesday and I'll post some more goodies for you! As we get closer to August, I will post cover art, book trailers, and much more!
~ Rach
June 10, 2014
It's time for the @TRRtweet #SizzlingSummerReads Party!
Howdy folks!
Just a quick note with some exciting news and links!
The HUGE Romance Reviews Sizzling Summer Reads party has begun! They have prizes galore!!!
Check out more about how to play here: http://www.theromancereviews.com/even...
Week one is already over, so don't wait too long to play!
I'll be playing a bit later in the month, but don't worry I'll post which day soon.
Here's a list of all the amazing goodies you can win: http://www.theromancereviews.com/even...
Go forth and win lots of goodies!
~ Rach
Just a quick note with some exciting news and links!
The HUGE Romance Reviews Sizzling Summer Reads party has begun! They have prizes galore!!!
Check out more about how to play here: http://www.theromancereviews.com/even... Week one is already over, so don't wait too long to play!
I'll be playing a bit later in the month, but don't worry I'll post which day soon.
Here's a list of all the amazing goodies you can win: http://www.theromancereviews.com/even...
Go forth and win lots of goodies!
~ Rach
June 6, 2014
Bride Undone by Kate Deveaux #Review Tour #Giveaway #LNBookPromos
NEW RELEASE!
BRIDE UNDONE
***Please note: Kate is giving away 2 $50 Amazon Gift Cards and 5 ebook copies of Bride Undone. Check out the Rafflecopter below!***
This bride takes ‘I do’ to a whole new level — just not with the groom.
A Romantica® erotic romance from Ellora’s CavePublisher: Ellora’s CaveGeneral Release: April 11, 2014ISBN: 9781419903540
Synopsis -
In one week Chloe will walk down the aisle. Yet she’s a bride who can’t stop spying on the weddings of total strangers. Desperate to catch a glimpse of what true love really looks like, she is having serious second thoughts about tying the knot. Until she meets Wes — the sexy long lost father of her groom. The hunk from Texas confirms her worst fears. She is marrying the wrong man.
Battling her intense attraction for Wes, the flame between them burns too hot to resist. Chloe and Wes give into their scorching passion and struggle with the consequences of their love.
Buy links:
Ellora’s Cave Amazon Barnes & Noble
Excerpt:
The door opened and Chloe jumped. “Chloe?” Wes said in surprise. He froze in the doorway, his jaw tight and his eyes dark.“Wes, I had to come talk to you.”“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” He nervously glanced out into the hall. “I told you I’m sorry.” He stepped inside the room, leaving the door wide open.He walked over to his desk and rested his fingers on the glass. “We really shouldn’t be together. I’m leaving today.”“No, no, Wes.” She moved toward him. “It’s not your fault.”Wes’ eyes changed from amber to dark espresso. “I have to get to a board meeting. Please go, Chloe.”Her eyes searched his and she saw pain in his dark gaze. “I can’t.” She moved one step closer to him.Wes shook his head. “I shouldn’t have come for the wedding. None of this would have happened.”“Yes...yes, you should have.” A hint of desperation crept through her. “Well actually, there isn’t going to be a wedding, but that’s not your fault.” She searched for the right words. “I was having second thoughts before you ever arrived. I was going to churches and watching complete strangers get married. The wedding was doomed before you ever got here.” Her words tumbled out faster than she could think them.Wes said nothing but his raised eyebrows and taut neck muscles told her she wasn’t getting through to him.“I knew what Conner and I had wasn’t right, that there was something missing.” She knew she was babbling but she had to let him know how she felt. “I have feelings for you, Wes...feelings I can’t hide. You probably think I’m crazy, spying on strangers’ weddings, but it just wasn’t right, me and Conner. And when I met you I knew. The minute I met you.” Tears welled in her eyes.Wes looked stunned, as if someone had punched him in the stomach. She thought he was going to bolt from the room. He stood there staring at her before striding quickly toward the open door.Instead of leaving, he paused and looked back at her and then shut the door and deliberately pressed the lock button. He said nothing, just turned on his heels and walked back to his desk, placing his hand on the phone.Shit, he was going to phone Conner. He was going to keep her there captive in his office and call Conner and tell him what a nut bar his fiancée was.Immobile, she watched him as he picked up the phone.“Marie. Cancel the board meeting.” He looked up at Chloe and they locked eyes. Chloe’s stomach flipped and she started to tremble as Wes spoke into the phone. “Some new information came and in and I need time to review it. Send them all back downstairs, will you?”He hung up the phone and stood behind the desk, his posture tense. Chloe’s heart pounded in her chest.“Chloe,” he said gently, coming around the front of the desk, but carefully keeping his distance from her.“You might have cold feet. Everyone does. It’s natural.” His eyes softened to amber but she could see the tension in his taut neck muscles remained, belying his calm tone. “I didn’t mean to lead you on.”Dammit. How dare he think he’d led her on? How dare he discount her feelings so casually and sound so condescending? She knew he felt it when they kissed. And he must be scared. She was too. His expression hardened and she braced for his rebuke.Wes looked at her, but was silent.“Wes, it’s not your fault.” She struggled to convince him. “But I can’t marry your son. I have feelings for you and I can’t ignore them. I don’t want to.” She stepped toward him, praying he didn’t push her away.He didn’t move, just stood there stone-faced.“Don’t tell me you don’t feel it too.” She gazed at his chiseled face, his strong jaw, the flicker of gold in his eyes making her melt inside as they turned tender.“Chloe,” he said softly. “What am I going to do with you?”“You feel it too, don’t you?” She narrowed the space between them until she could feel the heat off his body and the thrum of his pulse.“Fuck,” he cursed as he looked down at his cowboy boots and then slowly back up at her. He shook his head as if in defeat and pulled her to him. He pressed her body hard against his, jarring her with the impact, but loving the strength in his embrace.His lips met hers and he kissed her, hard and demanding. “Chloe,” he murmured, wrapping his arms tightly around her and making her body hum with desire. “Yes, I feel it too.” One hand smoothed the hair from her face, the other cupped her ass firmly as he pulled her harder to him and parted her waiting lips with his tongue.She welcomed his tongue eagerly as she grabbed his broad shoulders, running her hands along his strong back, feeling the muscles ripple under her fingers as he moved her across the room while kissing her.The backs of her legs met the edge of the couch as he hovered over her, pushing her down as he kissed her lips hungrily, then down her neck, trailing his lips along her décolleté. It was if he was going to devour her and she ached for it.
***Nona’s review of Bride Undone by Kate Deveaux***
The author set up an interesting conflict among the bride-to-be, her fiancé, and the fiance’s father. From the start, our heroine Chloe doubts whether her upcoming marriage to Conner is the right choice. Though their relationship is pleasant and easy going, they don’t connect sexually and Chloe wonders if what she feels is true love.
Her doubts are exacerbated when she meets Conner’s estranged father Wes and feels an immediate attraction to him. She downplays this to herself, wanting to help the two men reconnect after spending years apart. But the electricity between them will not be denied, especially when Wes makes it clear that he’s just as drawn to Chloe as she is to him.
I admired the two main characters wanting to do the right thing by Conner. Neither one wants to hurt him, and Chloe doesn’t want to cheat on him. (Frankly, I would have dumped him sooner, considering how his intrusive mother had him tied to her apron strings. Chloe would have had the mother in law from hell!) When she breaks things off with Conner, he reveals a much more disturbing side of his personality.
The rest of the story focuses on Wes and Chloe’s romance and sexual adventures on his yacht as they tour the Virgin Islands. These were a number of very smexy scenes, but all is not paradise as Chloe wonders what kind of future she can share with Wes. He, on the other hand, worries that his newfound connection with his son is forever destroyed. The doubts on both their parts threaten their fragile happiness.
Bride Undone was a fun, sexy romance with a hero to die for. I envied Chloe not only her adventure in the islands, but her time with Wes! Both characters have to wrestle with some serious emotion and make choices affecting their future. The only aspect I felt was left hanging was the relationship between Wes and his son. I wish that had been resolved for a more satisfying ending to the story.
Readers who like their erotic romance with a touch of angst will enjoy Bride Undone.
Kate is busy completing several books for release 2014, each filled with sexy romance, heroines who are no shrinking violets, and heroes who make your heart skip a beat…Coming soon in 2014….Platinum Pleasures and A Vixen in Venicewww.katedeveaux.com
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June 3, 2014
#Tuesday #Tips with @RachellNichole
Hey everyone,
Welcome back! I'm starting a new meme this week on the blog called Tuesday Tips where I'll talk about my 5 top tips for the week. Sometimes they will be writing related tips, sometimes reading tips, sometimes just general life tips, sometimes I'll mix it up and do different kinds of tips all in one week. So be sure to check back often for my words of wisdom! ;-p
So this week's tips are all Birthday related since I just had a birthday last week (Yay! Happy Birthday to me)
5. Plan ahead. If you expect to have a fabulous party, or an intimate gathering of friends, or a quiet night at home with your honey, you better make sure you book your plans in advance. In this crazy time we live in, people are busier than ever, and while you might be important (or not) to your friends and family, you can only occasionally expect people to drop everything to come celebrate you!
4. Be awesome. For some people, this goes without saying, for others, it's a little harder, but your birthday is all about you, so go forth and be awesome!
3. Enjoy. If there ever was a day to be selfish, this is it. Unless, of course, you're a selfish asshole who is selfish the other 364 days a year, in which case, shut the hell up, get over yourself, and try something different for your birthday - be unselfish. For the rest of you ladies and gents out there, this is a day to indulge yourself with some pampering, some good self-talk, and a pat on the back. Go ahead, you deserve to think about you for at least one whole day.
2. Have a party. Big or small, lots of friends or just a few, it's time for a celebration. Birthdays are a time to remember that you matter to the world, a fact we all sometimes forget, so whatever it is you've decided to do to commemorate the event, the important thing to keep in mind is that you do something to honor the date you were brought into the world.
1. Let yourself eat cake! Diet or no diet, party or a quiet night at home, balloons or no balloons - it's your birthday and you deserve cake!
Welcome back! I'm starting a new meme this week on the blog called Tuesday Tips where I'll talk about my 5 top tips for the week. Sometimes they will be writing related tips, sometimes reading tips, sometimes just general life tips, sometimes I'll mix it up and do different kinds of tips all in one week. So be sure to check back often for my words of wisdom! ;-p
So this week's tips are all Birthday related since I just had a birthday last week (Yay! Happy Birthday to me)
5. Plan ahead. If you expect to have a fabulous party, or an intimate gathering of friends, or a quiet night at home with your honey, you better make sure you book your plans in advance. In this crazy time we live in, people are busier than ever, and while you might be important (or not) to your friends and family, you can only occasionally expect people to drop everything to come celebrate you!
4. Be awesome. For some people, this goes without saying, for others, it's a little harder, but your birthday is all about you, so go forth and be awesome!
3. Enjoy. If there ever was a day to be selfish, this is it. Unless, of course, you're a selfish asshole who is selfish the other 364 days a year, in which case, shut the hell up, get over yourself, and try something different for your birthday - be unselfish. For the rest of you ladies and gents out there, this is a day to indulge yourself with some pampering, some good self-talk, and a pat on the back. Go ahead, you deserve to think about you for at least one whole day.
2. Have a party. Big or small, lots of friends or just a few, it's time for a celebration. Birthdays are a time to remember that you matter to the world, a fact we all sometimes forget, so whatever it is you've decided to do to commemorate the event, the important thing to keep in mind is that you do something to honor the date you were brought into the world.
1. Let yourself eat cake! Diet or no diet, party or a quiet night at home, balloons or no balloons - it's your birthday and you deserve cake!
May 30, 2014
Read to Me Release Day! #erotic #romance #newrelease
Happy Friday, everyone! I'm celebrating the release of my newest erotic romance, Read to Me! I'm pretty busy today--participating in *two* giveaways! You'll find me at the Romancing the Book Blog talking about my experiences with some "forbidden" books in my own life. There I'll be giving away several of my earlier romances--please stop by and comment for a chance to win!Also, thanks to Kel Starnes and Literary Nook Book Promotions, I'm part of a release day blitz. I'm giving away a $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble GC to one random winner. You'll find the Rafflecopter below as well as at the other stops on the blitz.
I'm excited because this is my first older woman/younger man romance and my first featuring an over-forty heroine. Hey, who says mature women can't get their sexy on?
Read to Me by Nona RainesPublished by The Wild Rose Press (Scarlet rosette)65 pages $1.99
Erotic m/f novella
At the age of forty-four, Blaise Blankenship believes her own opportunity for romance has long since passed until she accidentally lands in the lap of a sexy stranger. She and the handsome Latino connect over an afternoon at a local bookstore, sharing their love of erotica. Blaise is swept away by an impetuous, hot, "no last names" night together. But the morning after reveals a truth she can't ignore—or avoid.
Purchase Read to Me from:
The Wild Rose Press
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
All Romance Ebooks
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Have a wonderful weekend, all!
Nona Raines
Hot Contemporary Romance
Edgy ~ Emotional ~ Erotic
www.nonaraines.com
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May 29, 2014
Throwback Thursday - The Blond Heartthrob
Hello from your newest Diva, Kara Leigh Miller! This is my first official post as a Diva, and I'm super excited to be here. And have I got a cool treat for you today! Some TBT, a little bit of RT, and whole lotta H-O-T!
Y'all remember this guy? :-)
That's right -- cover model extraordinaire -- Fabio Lanzoni! Or simply Fabio as he's more widely known. In the early days of publishing he was all the rage, the blond heartthrob that graced the covers of hundred of romance novels in the 80s and 90s.
If you wrote a romance, you wanted him on your cover. I mean, who wouldn't want to have those long, blond locks blowing in your face? Who wouldn't want to run their fingers through his hair? Or trail your fingers down those pecs and abs? He was a cover model God.
But, whatever happened to Fabio? Is he still posing for cover art? I don't think so.
Have no fear though! Look at what we found at RT14!!
Barbara Garren, CJ, Georgeann Swiger, and Ana Blaze
Kara Leigh Miller, CJ, and Kat Daemon
That's right! It's Fabio's doppelganger. How cool is that??
I affectionately referred to him as "Fake Fabio" each time I saw him. His real name is CJ, and he's a very nice guy, always smiling, always willing to stop and talk to us, and snap a photo or two. And yes, that's his real hair ;-) Please don't ask me how I know that. A girl has to have some secrets, right?
Until next week....Cowboys!!!
~Kara
Y'all remember this guy? :-)
That's right -- cover model extraordinaire -- Fabio Lanzoni! Or simply Fabio as he's more widely known. In the early days of publishing he was all the rage, the blond heartthrob that graced the covers of hundred of romance novels in the 80s and 90s.If you wrote a romance, you wanted him on your cover. I mean, who wouldn't want to have those long, blond locks blowing in your face? Who wouldn't want to run their fingers through his hair? Or trail your fingers down those pecs and abs? He was a cover model God.
But, whatever happened to Fabio? Is he still posing for cover art? I don't think so.
Have no fear though! Look at what we found at RT14!!
Barbara Garren, CJ, Georgeann Swiger, and Ana Blaze
Kara Leigh Miller, CJ, and Kat DaemonThat's right! It's Fabio's doppelganger. How cool is that??
I affectionately referred to him as "Fake Fabio" each time I saw him. His real name is CJ, and he's a very nice guy, always smiling, always willing to stop and talk to us, and snap a photo or two. And yes, that's his real hair ;-) Please don't ask me how I know that. A girl has to have some secrets, right?
Until next week....Cowboys!!!
~Kara
May 27, 2014
#RT14 - The Good, The Bad, and The WTF
Welcome back to your local Diva hangout!
I've been pretty quiet as of late, but I have been ridiculously busy in the best possible way.
First, it was prepping for the Romantic Times Convention (RT14) - I finished another round of revisions on my romantic suspense in preparation so that I could focus on the paranormal series I would be pitching at the Convention. And then there were the wardrobe decisions which took ages! I needed casual clothes, party clothes, costumes, business attire, and then the basics like
undergarments... just thinking back on it makes me break out in hives! It was horrifying the condition of my bedroom and closet for over a week as I went through every item of clothing I remembered I had, and some I'd completely forgotten! And then there was the horror of trying to fit all of those things into two carry-on bags... it's a damn good thing I'm a seasoned world traveler or I might have been paralyzed in the face of the amount of crap I'd spread out on my bed to pack. "Is that all going to fit in that little suitcase?" my family asked.
Oh, how little faith they have!
Of course it fit. With some coaxing, a few choice words, and a shove or two.
Now that's how you pack, ladies and gentlemen!
Then there was the preparation for the book signing! Yikes. So I was going to ship my books down, so I didn't have to check luggage, and because I have more faith in the post office than I do in the airlines not to lose my stuff. So I packed up my babies and insured them and sent them on their merry way. Now if I was the nail-biting type, I'd have no fingers left! As it is, I'm more of a bitch and pace and not sleep type... none of which was very helpful or productive as I was trying to get everything in order to leave. Or while I was, you know, working the day job. So anyways, I sent the books and I put in my little tracking number and watched my box travel from NY to New Orleans... and then NOTHING. My babies got to the city where they were supposed to be, and that's it. I couldn't get anyone to tell me if they'd arrived at the hotel for the convention, if they were sitting in the middle of a Post Office warehouse somewhere, or if they'd fallen into the gutters on Bourbon Street. For six days, I didn't know where my babies were!
I barely kept a leash on my panic. I focused on my to-do list, on the tasks I had to accomplish. I called the post office, the hotel, the shipping department at the hotel, the coordinators for the convention. I pleaded, I demanded, I got downright pissy and hung up on several times! All to no avail. No one could confirm if my books had arrived or not. I packed my suitcase, I printed our boarding passes, and I ushered Kara through her first wonderful airport hopping experience. We arrived at the hotel, dropped our bags, and I went book hunting.
Some of The Disenchantments!
I got to the registration table twenty minutes after they closed. When the woman behind the table realized I was about ready to tear her face off or burst into tears, she very nicely, and with a heap of sympathy told me, "I know who we can call. Diane will know!" I prayed for a Hail Mary pass, only to be smacked in the face with a voice mail box. :-( We left a message, and Kara carted my sorry ass back to the room to get ready to go meet the Disenchantments - her wonderful group of author friends, who by the end of the week were like my family. They helped get my mind off my missing books, and we explored New Orleans for the night - Hello O'Briens and your amazing Piano Bar & Hurricanes! They helped assuage my fears and tamp down my panic.
The next morning, when there was still no call on my books, I again went on a quest. I found Diane, who checked her magical list and confirmed that yes, one box for Rachell Nichole had in fact arrived, in tact, and full of books! My God, I could have kissed her! I gave her a fabulous hug, thanked her profusely, and could finally breathe again!
I went about my business, joining everyone in the giant ballroom for crepes and an introduction to RT, then I went to lunch with the fabulous Jessica Freely to Antoine's - an amazing, up-scale Creole French restaurant which also doubles as a museum. The meal was incredible. The staff was impeccable, the tour was glorious. If you ever find yourself in New Orleans, I could not recommend this place enough! Our waiter was a third-generation employee who at one point had eleven relatives working in the restaurant with him. The history, the atmosphere, and the story of this place can be felt the minute you leave the front dining room and head into any of the other fourteen, yes fourteen dining rooms! The Japanese Room was by far my favorite (behind the wine cellar) and they even took us out on the balcony through these huge windows that slid upward and were the size of doors. We spent a good two and a half hours here and it was wonderful. The picture on the left is the Rex Dining Room, where all the Kings of Mardi Gras eat before the parade!
After that, I went back to the hotel and found my new favorite person, Diane, to check in my lovely books and take possession of them until the book signing. She was wonderful, and I felt so indebted to her for finding my books that I stayed for a bit to help out when the line behind me grew exponentially.
Here we are dressed as SINNERS :-)
I didn't go to as many panels as I'd originally planned on attending, but I still had an incredible time. We partied at the Pub Crawl, at the Saints & Sinners party, at the Harlequin Dance Party, at the hotel bar, on Bourbon Street, and pretty much everywhere else. I met some wonderful new authors and friends. I got to see some of my wonderful Seton Hill people, and I got to meet with four agents and an editor to chat with them about my books, which was great. One of them was super excited about my paranormal series about Mayan Demigods and so now I'm working on getting them ready to send her way, which is awesome!
I also got to meet some readers, which rocked my world. One woman, Deborah, and her good friend who's name I for some awful reason can't recall, were just the sweetest things. The three of us talked about books, and writing, and romance, and I kept running into them at the Convention, so that was really cool. I also had some people stop by my table at the book signing and ooh and ahh over my covers and say "Oh, yeah, I've read that." OH, MY GOD! That was an incredible, humbling feeling. :-) Made all the nonsense from the week totally worth it!
There were so many more little moments that were pure perfection, and others that were a complete mind fuck, but if I sat and wrote about them all, we'd be here all week.
Overall, the convention was a success for me, but I don't know as if I'll do another one any time soon. The disorganization of many of the events and the craziness of a mismanaged convention of 2,000 people was a lot to handle, but I don't regret going in the least, if only for the amazing people I met and the great experiences I had.
I think Kara will be sharing some of her RT Experiences with you all soon, so check back for that.
Thanks,
Rach
I've been pretty quiet as of late, but I have been ridiculously busy in the best possible way.
First, it was prepping for the Romantic Times Convention (RT14) - I finished another round of revisions on my romantic suspense in preparation so that I could focus on the paranormal series I would be pitching at the Convention. And then there were the wardrobe decisions which took ages! I needed casual clothes, party clothes, costumes, business attire, and then the basics like
undergarments... just thinking back on it makes me break out in hives! It was horrifying the condition of my bedroom and closet for over a week as I went through every item of clothing I remembered I had, and some I'd completely forgotten! And then there was the horror of trying to fit all of those things into two carry-on bags... it's a damn good thing I'm a seasoned world traveler or I might have been paralyzed in the face of the amount of crap I'd spread out on my bed to pack. "Is that all going to fit in that little suitcase?" my family asked.
Oh, how little faith they have!
Of course it fit. With some coaxing, a few choice words, and a shove or two.
Now that's how you pack, ladies and gentlemen!
Then there was the preparation for the book signing! Yikes. So I was going to ship my books down, so I didn't have to check luggage, and because I have more faith in the post office than I do in the airlines not to lose my stuff. So I packed up my babies and insured them and sent them on their merry way. Now if I was the nail-biting type, I'd have no fingers left! As it is, I'm more of a bitch and pace and not sleep type... none of which was very helpful or productive as I was trying to get everything in order to leave. Or while I was, you know, working the day job. So anyways, I sent the books and I put in my little tracking number and watched my box travel from NY to New Orleans... and then NOTHING. My babies got to the city where they were supposed to be, and that's it. I couldn't get anyone to tell me if they'd arrived at the hotel for the convention, if they were sitting in the middle of a Post Office warehouse somewhere, or if they'd fallen into the gutters on Bourbon Street. For six days, I didn't know where my babies were!
I barely kept a leash on my panic. I focused on my to-do list, on the tasks I had to accomplish. I called the post office, the hotel, the shipping department at the hotel, the coordinators for the convention. I pleaded, I demanded, I got downright pissy and hung up on several times! All to no avail. No one could confirm if my books had arrived or not. I packed my suitcase, I printed our boarding passes, and I ushered Kara through her first wonderful airport hopping experience. We arrived at the hotel, dropped our bags, and I went book hunting.
Some of The Disenchantments!
I got to the registration table twenty minutes after they closed. When the woman behind the table realized I was about ready to tear her face off or burst into tears, she very nicely, and with a heap of sympathy told me, "I know who we can call. Diane will know!" I prayed for a Hail Mary pass, only to be smacked in the face with a voice mail box. :-( We left a message, and Kara carted my sorry ass back to the room to get ready to go meet the Disenchantments - her wonderful group of author friends, who by the end of the week were like my family. They helped get my mind off my missing books, and we explored New Orleans for the night - Hello O'Briens and your amazing Piano Bar & Hurricanes! They helped assuage my fears and tamp down my panic. The next morning, when there was still no call on my books, I again went on a quest. I found Diane, who checked her magical list and confirmed that yes, one box for Rachell Nichole had in fact arrived, in tact, and full of books! My God, I could have kissed her! I gave her a fabulous hug, thanked her profusely, and could finally breathe again!
I went about my business, joining everyone in the giant ballroom for crepes and an introduction to RT, then I went to lunch with the fabulous Jessica Freely to Antoine's - an amazing, up-scale Creole French restaurant which also doubles as a museum. The meal was incredible. The staff was impeccable, the tour was glorious. If you ever find yourself in New Orleans, I could not recommend this place enough! Our waiter was a third-generation employee who at one point had eleven relatives working in the restaurant with him. The history, the atmosphere, and the story of this place can be felt the minute you leave the front dining room and head into any of the other fourteen, yes fourteen dining rooms! The Japanese Room was by far my favorite (behind the wine cellar) and they even took us out on the balcony through these huge windows that slid upward and were the size of doors. We spent a good two and a half hours here and it was wonderful. The picture on the left is the Rex Dining Room, where all the Kings of Mardi Gras eat before the parade!
After that, I went back to the hotel and found my new favorite person, Diane, to check in my lovely books and take possession of them until the book signing. She was wonderful, and I felt so indebted to her for finding my books that I stayed for a bit to help out when the line behind me grew exponentially.
Here we are dressed as SINNERS :-)
I didn't go to as many panels as I'd originally planned on attending, but I still had an incredible time. We partied at the Pub Crawl, at the Saints & Sinners party, at the Harlequin Dance Party, at the hotel bar, on Bourbon Street, and pretty much everywhere else. I met some wonderful new authors and friends. I got to see some of my wonderful Seton Hill people, and I got to meet with four agents and an editor to chat with them about my books, which was great. One of them was super excited about my paranormal series about Mayan Demigods and so now I'm working on getting them ready to send her way, which is awesome! I also got to meet some readers, which rocked my world. One woman, Deborah, and her good friend who's name I for some awful reason can't recall, were just the sweetest things. The three of us talked about books, and writing, and romance, and I kept running into them at the Convention, so that was really cool. I also had some people stop by my table at the book signing and ooh and ahh over my covers and say "Oh, yeah, I've read that." OH, MY GOD! That was an incredible, humbling feeling. :-) Made all the nonsense from the week totally worth it!
There were so many more little moments that were pure perfection, and others that were a complete mind fuck, but if I sat and wrote about them all, we'd be here all week.
Overall, the convention was a success for me, but I don't know as if I'll do another one any time soon. The disorganization of many of the events and the craziness of a mismanaged convention of 2,000 people was a lot to handle, but I don't regret going in the least, if only for the amazing people I met and the great experiences I had.
I think Kara will be sharing some of her RT Experiences with you all soon, so check back for that.
Thanks,
Rach
May 26, 2014
Let's Welcome @KaraLeighMille1 to the Divas Blog!
Hello again, Bloggerverse!
This is your resident Diva, Rachell Nichole. I'm writing to you today with some super exciting news! Nona, Danica, and I would like to extend our warmest welcomes to Kara Leigh Miller, our fellow erotic romance author, and a good friend to us all! Kara and I just spent a wonderful week together in New Orleans, and she and I will both be talking a bit more about that very soon. But for today, I've asked Kara to share with us a bit about herself, so I asked her 10 wonderfully probing questions. And here are her answers...
So, Kara, what do you write? I write a variety of things including romantic suspense, erotica, contemporaries,and new adult. I've even dabbled a bit in the young adult genre but found I didn't connect with it very well, so I'm sticking to the adult market. lol. Writing for adults gives me the freedom to turn up the heat and let things get sexy, which is always so much fun. Why did you decide to join the Divas of Desire? I adore the Divas! Having the pleasure of knowing these ladies in real life, I think they're a great group, they have a lot of fun, and I'm a fan of all their works. Honestly, who wouldn't want to be a Diva?What do you like about erotic romance? The sex! Okay, so not the actual physical act, but the emotions behind it and the consequences. Sex always changes things, and I love seeing how characters evolve once they've done the deed. And I really like erotic romances when there's some humor before, during, and after the sex. What are you working on now? Currently I'm working on a few projects. I have a new series of romantic suspense novels, and I'm busy writing book two while my agent sells book one. I've just begun a collaboration with an up and coming author to write a semi-erotic, new adult, dystopian thriller. Tell us a bit more about you when you're not busy writing. It seems like I'm always busy writing. lol. But when I'm not, I'm spending time with my husband and kids. We can often be found at the park letting our kids play and our dogs run, at the movies (I'm a closet comic book nerd), or playing cards with friends.What will you be bringing to our blog? I'm sure there's lots to look forward to, but would you like to share a little taste of what you'll be blogging about? Right now, I'll be blogging "Man Up Monday" and "Throwback Thursday". Monday will be devoted to all things heroes, including some yummy and probably inappropriate pictures. On Thursdays, I'll be giving a throwback shout out to all the authors, tropes, and covers who've come before us and paved the way for what we do today.How do you write? I'm one of those writers who, when I get an idea, I sit in front of my laptop and just start writing. I rarely do any plotting, and if I get stuck, I'll dig out a notebook and a pen and write the old-fashioned way. What's your favorite book/favorite author? Wow. Picking a favorite book / author is like picking which of my kids I like the best ;-) I'm not sure I have a favorite book, but my top three favorite authors are: Lora Leigh, Julie Ann Walker, and Ryan Winfield.Boxers or Briefs? Boxers! Preferably silk. Where can our readers find you outside of the Diva's blog? I'm all over the place. Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaraLeighMille1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003571898300 My website/blog: www.karaleighmiller.com Well there you have it, ladies and gents! Don't worry, I'm thoroughly in the process of turning Kara into a plotter, so there's no need to fret, everyone. Please join us in giving Kara a warm Divas welcome! She'll have some great (and inappropriate) things to share with us all!
We'll be ramping up the blog in the coming months, so be sure to stick around and hold on to your hats as we share some "Not suitable for work" content, some behind the scenes looks at books, blogging, sex, and all things erotic romance!
~ Rach
This is your resident Diva, Rachell Nichole. I'm writing to you today with some super exciting news! Nona, Danica, and I would like to extend our warmest welcomes to Kara Leigh Miller, our fellow erotic romance author, and a good friend to us all! Kara and I just spent a wonderful week together in New Orleans, and she and I will both be talking a bit more about that very soon. But for today, I've asked Kara to share with us a bit about herself, so I asked her 10 wonderfully probing questions. And here are her answers...
So, Kara, what do you write? I write a variety of things including romantic suspense, erotica, contemporaries,and new adult. I've even dabbled a bit in the young adult genre but found I didn't connect with it very well, so I'm sticking to the adult market. lol. Writing for adults gives me the freedom to turn up the heat and let things get sexy, which is always so much fun. Why did you decide to join the Divas of Desire? I adore the Divas! Having the pleasure of knowing these ladies in real life, I think they're a great group, they have a lot of fun, and I'm a fan of all their works. Honestly, who wouldn't want to be a Diva?What do you like about erotic romance? The sex! Okay, so not the actual physical act, but the emotions behind it and the consequences. Sex always changes things, and I love seeing how characters evolve once they've done the deed. And I really like erotic romances when there's some humor before, during, and after the sex. What are you working on now? Currently I'm working on a few projects. I have a new series of romantic suspense novels, and I'm busy writing book two while my agent sells book one. I've just begun a collaboration with an up and coming author to write a semi-erotic, new adult, dystopian thriller. Tell us a bit more about you when you're not busy writing. It seems like I'm always busy writing. lol. But when I'm not, I'm spending time with my husband and kids. We can often be found at the park letting our kids play and our dogs run, at the movies (I'm a closet comic book nerd), or playing cards with friends.What will you be bringing to our blog? I'm sure there's lots to look forward to, but would you like to share a little taste of what you'll be blogging about? Right now, I'll be blogging "Man Up Monday" and "Throwback Thursday". Monday will be devoted to all things heroes, including some yummy and probably inappropriate pictures. On Thursdays, I'll be giving a throwback shout out to all the authors, tropes, and covers who've come before us and paved the way for what we do today.How do you write? I'm one of those writers who, when I get an idea, I sit in front of my laptop and just start writing. I rarely do any plotting, and if I get stuck, I'll dig out a notebook and a pen and write the old-fashioned way. What's your favorite book/favorite author? Wow. Picking a favorite book / author is like picking which of my kids I like the best ;-) I'm not sure I have a favorite book, but my top three favorite authors are: Lora Leigh, Julie Ann Walker, and Ryan Winfield.Boxers or Briefs? Boxers! Preferably silk. Where can our readers find you outside of the Diva's blog? I'm all over the place. Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaraLeighMille1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003571898300 My website/blog: www.karaleighmiller.com Well there you have it, ladies and gents! Don't worry, I'm thoroughly in the process of turning Kara into a plotter, so there's no need to fret, everyone. Please join us in giving Kara a warm Divas welcome! She'll have some great (and inappropriate) things to share with us all!
We'll be ramping up the blog in the coming months, so be sure to stick around and hold on to your hats as we share some "Not suitable for work" content, some behind the scenes looks at books, blogging, sex, and all things erotic romance!
~ Rach
May 23, 2014
Read To Me Releases Next Friday! #erotic #romance
Happy Friday, friends! I'm really excited about my new novella, Read to Me. **Cue butterflies in my tummy**The story release next Friday, May 30, from The Wild Rose Press. It's my first older woman/younger man erotic romance.
At the age of forty-four, Blaise Blankenship believes her own opportunity for romance has long since passed until she accidentally lands in the lap of a sexy stranger. She and the handsome Latino connect over an afternoon at a local bookstore, sharing their love of erotica. Blaise is swept away by an impetuous, hot, "no last names" night together. But the morning after reveals a truth she can't ignore—or avoid.
Please join me next Friday for the Release Day Blitz! In celebration, I'll be sponsoring a giveaway of a $25 GC to Amazon or Barnes & Noble (winner's choice). In the meantime, here's a tiny snippet to wet your whistle:
Blaise shifted in the darkness, gradually becoming aware of the heavy bedclothes and the warm solid body beside her. For a moment, she froze in panic. This wasn’t her room, her bed. A blink later, she remembered where she was and who shared the bed with her.
Thanks to Cupid’s Delight the evening had been most memorable. Twice she and Guy had set the book aside to re-enact an episode from the hero’s delightfully naughty adventures.
Smiling in satisfaction, she rolled his way. It felt so luxurious and decadent to press her naked breasts against his back, nuzzle his neck. His scent mingled with the aroma of sex saturating the room.
Well, that's enough for now! Aww...did I leave you hanging? Goodie! You'll just have to check back with me next week, won't you? :-)
Have a wonderful weekend, all!
Nona Raines
Hot Contemporary Romance
Edgy ~ Emotional ~ Erotic
www.nonaraines.com
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May 20, 2014
The Meatball Mistress by Tiffany N. York #Review #giveaway #GoddessFish
*Tiffany will be awarding a $25 Starbucks GC to a randomly drawn commenter
during the tour. Follow the tour here and comment; the more youcomment, the better your chances of winning.*
The Meatball Mistressby Tiffany N. York
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
Cara Manzoni flees Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, to the Jersey Shore after catching her fiancé cheating with her hairdresser. Problem is she has no clothes, no money, and no place to go. This is not where she thought she’d be at almost thirty years old.
Ryan Garridy is a diehard commitment-phobe, struggling to keep his Italian restaurant afloat. The last thing he wants is a high-maintenance woman in his life. So when Cara runs out on her check and then faints at his feet the next day, he knows she’s trouble with a capital T. It still doesn’t stop him from offering her a job and a place to stay. There’s something feisty and compelling about this woman, and no matter how hard he tries, he just can’t seem to say no to her. Or her Sicilian meatballs.
Since Cara has sworn off men, it’s no big deal that Ryan is sexy and charming—until she decides the only way to stop obsessing over her ex is to obsess over someone new. Ryan makes her forget about her ex a little too well, but falling for him could set her up for a whole new world of hurt.
One man, one woman, both wounded by love. Will they be able to overcome their demons and learn to trust again? If the undeniable passion between these two doesn’t keep them together, the mouth-watering food will.
Excerpt:
“I’m a fabulous cocktail waitress,” she bragged. “You won’t be sorry. I know every drink in existence. Honestly, it’s like I have a photographic memory when it comes to ingredients.” Ryan didn’t answer her. He sat there shell-shocked. “Say something.” “I can’t. I’ve lost all power of speech.” “You’re not regretting your decision to let me stay, are you?” “It’s just … ” His voice trailed off. He leaned his head back and stared up at the ceiling. “I’m trying to remember whether I’ve ever helped out a woman I wasn’t sleeping with.” “If you think I’m going to sleep with you … ” “No! Jesus, that’d be a disaster waiting to happen.” “Are you saying sleeping with me would be a disaster?” “Absolutely!” He caught the deadly look she shot him and quickly said, “I mean, absolutely not!” Cara shrugged. “It doesn’t matter either way, because I’ve sworn off all men. As far as I’m concerned, they’re all mangy dogs. Except you, of course,” she amended. Ryan stood up and headed for the door. “No, I’m one, as well. If I weren’t, I would have told you five minutes ago your robe was open,” he tossed back.
**Nona’s Review of The Meatball Mistress**
This romance had me chuckling from the first page. When Cara Manzoni discovers her fiancé shtupping her hair-dresser, she’s almost as outraged at having to find a new stylist as having to dump her boyfriend.
Cara impulsively takes off to the Jersey Shore, but when her ex cancels their joint credit card, she’s without funds. In desperation, she orders a big meal at an Italian restaurant and stiffs them on the bill. Ryan, the restaurateur who owns Bella Vita, later finds her in a bad way and lets her move into an empty apartment above the restaurant.
The attraction between the two is instantaneous, but Cara is on the rebound while Ryan is a player, though he’s honest with his partners about sex being strictly fun and games. “Fun and games” come back to bite him in the culo when Cara decides she wants to get over her ex by getting under Ryan. She’s determined to seduce him with the help of some exploding lingerie and delicious meatballs.
It’s not all fun, though, as Ryan has some serious battles on his hands—problems with his family’s disapproval of his life’s choices and the fact that his restaurant is failing. But could Cara, the Meatball Mistress, actually be the answer to his prayers?
The Meatball Mistress was a fun and sexy read! Cara is a heroine with a strong will, a smart mouth and a hearty appetite for Italian food and hot sex with the right man. In spite of his “love ‘em and leave ‘em” ways, Ryan is a good guy whose decency rises to the occasion when assisting Cara. We also learn why he’s protecting his heart by keeping his affairs casual, until Cara pierces his armor.
This story is chock full of humor, sass, romance, plus a little heartbreak and delicious descriptions of food. If you enjoy those things, you’ll enjoy The Meatball Mistress.But be warned: you’ll probably crave a meatball hoagie when you’re finished.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:Tiffany N. York lives in Southern CA with her spirited son, diva Chihuahua, three to five cats, and two tone-deaf parakeets. She writes romance to escape reality. You can visit her at http://tiffanynyorkauthor.com
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